Episodes
Pete and Darius continue to preview the Lakers game 3 matchup with the Nuggets by looking at what the team has been doing to get Anthony Davis going offensively that has worked, potential counters to the adjustment Denver made in changing their matchups, and where the Lakers can best attack with LeBron depending on who is defending him. And then later, the guys discuss the Lakers defense and some things that can still be cleaned up on that end to try to slow down Denver.  Learn more about...
Published 04/25/24
Pete, Mike, and Darius begin their preview of Lakers/Nuggets Game 3 by further diving into where there are gains to be made offensively, some of the strategies the team is employing defensively to good success, where some of their defensive shortcomings are showing up, and whether it's fair to ask for more bench production from their backup guards or whether the focus should be on getting Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura going.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Published 04/24/24
The Lakers lost in heartbreaking fashion to Denver in Game 2, falling at the hands of a Jamal Murray buzzer-beater after leading by 20 points in the 3rd quarter. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the game, the mental toll losses like that can take, the defensive adjustment that triggered the Nuggets comeback, AD's brilliance offensively, the team's struggles on offense down the stretch, and much more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Published 04/23/24
The Lakers fell to the Nuggets in Game 1, losing the rebounding battle, the turnover battle, and the transition battle. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the game, highlighting where the Lakers were good and why they were able to take an early lead, where they need to show improvement and how the Nuggets took control back, and what they can do differently in Game 2 on Monday.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Published 04/22/24
In part 2 of their preview of the Lakers first round playoff series against the Nuggets, Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the challenges of defending Denver's offense, debate different strategies for dealing with Nikola Jokic, the various matchups the team could deploy when dealing with the Nuggets' front court, why Aaron Gordon is particularly important for the Lakers defense, dealing with Jamal Murray and their bench units, and much more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
Published 04/19/24
In part 1 of their preview of the Lakers first round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, Pete, Mike, and Darius offer their initial thoughts on the matchup and how it differs from last season's playoffs and even some of the regular season games. And then later, the guys dive into some of the keys for how the Lakers offense can be successful against Denver's defense. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Published 04/18/24
The Pelicans had the Lakers on the ropes late, but a Zion injury, clutch play from DLo, a huge rebound by AD, and near perfection at the FT line sealed the win. Pete & Darius discuss the Lakers making the playoffs, Zion’s brilliance, DLo’s crucial contribution, how the Lakers are more equipped than ever to win with the stars struggling, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Published 04/17/24
Pete, Mike, and Darius preview the Lakers play-in game against the Pelicans, highlighting the challenges of beating a good team twice in a row, some of the Lakers advantages over this Pelicans group, whether the team can continue to contain Zion, and the problems Anthony Davis presents for New Orleans on both ends of the floor. And then later the guys discuss some x-factors for this game, including the Lakers' outside shooting, AD's health, who Zion defends, and more.  Learn more about your...
Published 04/15/24
The Lakers beat the Pelicans to claim the 8th seed and end the regular season with a 47-35 record. Pete, Mike, and Darius offer their thoughts on what has been a roller coaster of a year and then dive into the details of the Lakers win, highlighting the team's great focus and execution, LeBron's great game on both sides of the ball, the way the team stepped on defense with everyone chipping in, and much more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Published 04/15/24
The Lakers moved in the 8th seed and now control their own destiny to stick in that slot after beating the Grizzlies and getting a couple of fortuitous losses from the Kings and Warriors on Friday night. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the Grizzlies win, their collective night of scoreboard watching around the rest of the Western Conference, and then preview Sunday's game against the Pelicans that will determine the team's final place in the standings.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
Published 04/13/24
The Lakers head into their final two games of the regular season in the 10th seed, but still have an avenue to climb up higher if things break their way. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the various standings scenarios, the importance of various games around the league on Friday night, the Lakers matchup with Memphis, and much more. And then later, the guys dive into Sunday's matchup with the Pelicans and discuss options for the rotation with Anthony Davis' probable return to the court.  Learn...
Published 04/12/24
With AD unable to play, a compromised Lakers defense surrendered a historic 3PT shooting night to Golden State, putting them on course for the 9 vs 10 play-in game. Pete & Mike discuss the team’s defensive dilemmas without AD, the missed opportunities within the game despite that, standings implications, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Published 04/10/24
The Lakers head into a game against the Warriors that has massive standings implications towards the 9th seed and the Lakers desires to still move up to 8th or higher. Pete, Darius, and Mike discuss what this game means to the standings and then dive into a more traditional preview of the game, focusing on the importance of LeBron and Anthony Davis vs. the Warriors, the Lakers guards on offense vs. the Warriors defense, and much more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
Published 04/09/24
The Lakers split their weekend games with a great win over the Cavs, but then a frustrating loss against the Wolves in which LeBron did not play and Anthony Davis left after the 1st quarter with an eye injury. Mike and Darius discuss the games, focusing more on the Minnesota loss and how it impacts the standings and the push the Lakers are trying to make to climb out of the 9th seed.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Published 04/08/24
The Lakers head into their final five games with their biggest weekend of the season and a back-to-back slate against the Cavs and the T'Wolves. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss and preview both games, highlighting the challenges both teams present, how the Lakers can create problems for their opponents, and the impact these games can have on the standings.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Published 04/05/24
The Lakers completed their road trip with a win over the Wizards, moving to 5-1 on their trip and 11 games over .500. Pete and Darius discuss the win, highlight some positives from the trip overall, and discuss the general state of the team as they head into their final five games of the season.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Published 04/04/24
The Lakers blew out the Raptors on Tuesday night, getting strong nights from LeBron and Anthony Davis in the paint and great shooting from D'Angelo Russell and several other perimeter players. Pete and Darius discuss the game, highlighting the team's advantage in the paint, discussing the return of Jaxson Hayes and the difference he and the rest of the bench made, and much more. And then later, the guys discuss Austin Reaves and the balance between his offense and defense, and then dive into...
Published 04/03/24
After a game in which the Lakers bench scored just two of the 116 points the team put up against the Nets, Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the team's reserves, focusing on Spencer Dinwiddie's offensive aggressiveness, how injuries have impacted the group's continuity, integrating Gabe Vincent, and the differences in building out bench lineups centered around LeBron vs. the ones led by Anthony Davis.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Published 04/02/24
The Lakers split their weekend games with a loss to the Pacers on Friday and then a bounce-back win against the Nets on Sunday. Pete and Darius discuss the team's struggles in Indy, the shift in energy and focus defensively vs. the Nets, LeBron's fantastic shooting performance in Brooklyn, the team's rebounding, Rui's offensive comfort level, and much more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Published 04/01/24
The Lakers continue their road trip in Indiana to wrap up their season series with the Pacers on Friday night. Pete, Mike, and Darius preview the game and discuss how playing this team recently can set the team up to win, the difficulties of beating a team three times straight in a season, Anthony Davis' health and his general importance to beating Indy, and much more. And then later, the guys discuss Gabe Vincent's pending return and how that could impact the Lakers hopes of stringing even...
Published 03/29/24
The guys discuss how Rui’s always-improving abilities as a a scorer are helping the Lakers offense — and now he has the first consecutive double-doubles of his career. Later, they discuss the potential return of Gabe Vincent & how that might affect the lineups. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Published 03/28/24
On a night they did not have LeBron, couldn't make a shot early, and trailed by 19 in the 4th quarter, the Lakers won a double-OT thriller against the Bucks on Tuesday on the strength of their defense, timely shot making, and a whole bunch of resiliency. Pete and Darius discuss the game, highlighting Darvin Ham's decision to stick with his starters, D'Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves finding their offense in the 2nd half, and Anthony Davis being great...again.  Learn more about your ad...
Published 03/27/24
The Lakers are back on the road for their last long trip of a the season, a six-games and in nine nights trek that starts in Milwaukee against the Bucks. Mike and Darius preview the Bucks game, break down the rest of the road trip, and then discuss the importance of these games in relation to the Suns difficult schedule in the chase to move up to the 8th seed.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Published 03/26/24
The Lakers got a pair of wins over the weekend in two totally different types of games, winning a defensive slugfest against the 76ers and then fending off the Pacers in a shootout on Sunday night. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the wins, highlighting Spencer Dinwiddie's contributions in both games, especially his 26-point performance against the Pacers when he started for D'Angelo Russell who was out sick. And then later, the guys discuss Anthony Davis' recent play and what they've been...
Published 03/25/24