Trevor Lane

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah, their their transition defense has been a really big problem. I think teams figured that out very quickly that you can attack the Lakers in transition. And so we saw Memphis do that last night. We've seen we saw the Cavs do it. The Pistons did it. A number of teams have been really punishing the Lakers just by pushing the ball down the court and the Lakers not doing a great job getting back.

Yeah, their their transition defense has been a really big problem. I think teams figured that out very quickly that you can attack the Lakers in transition. And so we saw Memphis do that last night. We've seen we saw the Cavs do it. The Pistons did it. A number of teams have been really punishing the Lakers just by pushing the ball down the court and the Lakers not doing a great job getting back.

So that's been a common theme in all of these games. And then just the lack of depth on the team, the bench. is just not getting it done right now for the Lakers. They're definitely at a disadvantage when the teams go to their bench. So they're just too thin. That's been another issue for them over this stretch.

So that's been a common theme in all of these games. And then just the lack of depth on the team, the bench. is just not getting it done right now for the Lakers. They're definitely at a disadvantage when the teams go to their bench. So they're just too thin. That's been another issue for them over this stretch.

Mike dropped. And that was quite a moment. But no, I'll tell you this. Compared to other Lakers coaches in the past, and I don't know if this will serve him well in the long term, J.J. is obsessed with this team, like you could just feel. So I talked to him before the game, right after he had found out that Anthony Davis was not going to play against the Grizzlies. And he was bothered then.

Mike dropped. And that was quite a moment. But no, I'll tell you this. Compared to other Lakers coaches in the past, and I don't know if this will serve him well in the long term, J.J. is obsessed with this team, like you could just feel. So I talked to him before the game, right after he had found out that Anthony Davis was not going to play against the Grizzlies. And he was bothered then.

Like you could tell he was not... In the greatest of moods in that moment, not that he was upset about anything or certainly not mad at Anthony Davis, but he did. He knew that he would be in for, I think, a tough night without A.D. And then after the game, he was definitely not in in the best of moods. It really, really bothers him when they lose.

Like you could tell he was not... In the greatest of moods in that moment, not that he was upset about anything or certainly not mad at Anthony Davis, but he did. He knew that he would be in for, I think, a tough night without A.D. And then after the game, he was definitely not in in the best of moods. It really, really bothers him when they lose.

You know, infamously, Darvin Ham had a quote last season where he talked about how he's how it's ridiculous that people live and die with every game. I think J.J. Redick lives and dies with every play. And it all sticks with him. And he cares very, very much about the outcome of the game. So this man does not like losing at all.

You know, infamously, Darvin Ham had a quote last season where he talked about how he's how it's ridiculous that people live and die with every game. I think J.J. Redick lives and dies with every play. And it all sticks with him. And he cares very, very much about the outcome of the game. So this man does not like losing at all.

And I think that's been one thing that we've seen consistently from him in his time here in L.A.

And I think that's been one thing that we've seen consistently from him in his time here in L.A.

Walk us through this a little bit. So I asked him the question. I did a terrible job asking the question. I was not succinct at all. I rambled way too much. But anyway, I was asking the question. I wanted to find out what's his coaching philosophy on how do you manage players who are not putting forth the effort, in your opinion. And so I wanted to find out that.

Walk us through this a little bit. So I asked him the question. I did a terrible job asking the question. I was not succinct at all. I rambled way too much. But anyway, I was asking the question. I wanted to find out what's his coaching philosophy on how do you manage players who are not putting forth the effort, in your opinion. And so I wanted to find out that.

And that's where he said, I just did and dropped the mic. Now, he walked off and then he turned and he said again and he had dropped the mic. So this didn't get picked up, but he turned. He said, it's the first thing I said to them. So when he said, I just did, that meant I just did like I just addressed it with the team. That was the first thing I said to them when I went into the locker room.

And that's where he said, I just did and dropped the mic. Now, he walked off and then he turned and he said again and he had dropped the mic. So this didn't get picked up, but he turned. He said, it's the first thing I said to them. So when he said, I just did, that meant I just did like I just addressed it with the team. That was the first thing I said to them when I went into the locker room.

That's what he was talking about when he said, I just did. But at that moment. All eyes turned. I got a bunch of big eyes. All the reporters that were turned and looked at these big eyes and they're all like, oh, damn. So that was and it was it was it was a moment. That was for sure. But but yeah, like I said, the context of him and he wasn't upset at the question.

That's what he was talking about when he said, I just did. But at that moment. All eyes turned. I got a bunch of big eyes. All the reporters that were turned and looked at these big eyes and they're all like, oh, damn. So that was and it was it was it was a moment. That was for sure. But but yeah, like I said, the context of him and he wasn't upset at the question.

He was using that to emphasize that he had just addressed the effort with the team. He didn't want to go into detail about everything. how, which was what my question was about, exactly how he addressed that lack of effort.

He was using that to emphasize that he had just addressed the effort with the team. He didn't want to go into detail about everything. how, which was what my question was about, exactly how he addressed that lack of effort.

I do. Yeah. Yeah, I do. I think that what drives fans crazy and we've seen this in the in the past and we see this even even politically. Right. When we look at just what happened with the election, everything people get frustrated when they feel like they can't get a direct answer or when they feel like somebody is just kind of dancing around a question and not really addressing the issue.

I do. Yeah. Yeah, I do. I think that what drives fans crazy and we've seen this in the in the past and we see this even even politically. Right. When we look at just what happened with the election, everything people get frustrated when they feel like they can't get a direct answer or when they feel like somebody is just kind of dancing around a question and not really addressing the issue.

JJ doesn't do that. Typically, he will give you a very blunt and very direct answer to things. And I think that is that is appreciated very much because fans, that's what they want to hear. They want to find out what is the answer to a question. They don't want the kind of, you know, word salad, if you want to call it that.

JJ doesn't do that. Typically, he will give you a very blunt and very direct answer to things. And I think that is that is appreciated very much because fans, that's what they want to hear. They want to find out what is the answer to a question. They don't want the kind of, you know, word salad, if you want to call it that.

Or like Mitch Kupchak was great as a general manager, did some great things for the Lakers. But he was phenomenal when it came to saying a bunch of things without actually saying anything. And that kind of stuff can can be frustrating to watch and listen to.

Or like Mitch Kupchak was great as a general manager, did some great things for the Lakers. But he was phenomenal when it came to saying a bunch of things without actually saying anything. And that kind of stuff can can be frustrating to watch and listen to.

No, I don't think so. I mean, I think, I think to JJ it's, he wanted the competition and now he's like in the thick of it. That was part of what brought him back to coaching. He's in the thick of it. And he is, like I said, he's living and dying with every game. And I don't know what that's going to look like in January or in February. We get into the dog days of the season.

No, I don't think so. I mean, I think, I think to JJ it's, he wanted the competition and now he's like in the thick of it. That was part of what brought him back to coaching. He's in the thick of it. And he is, like I said, he's living and dying with every game. And I don't know what that's going to look like in January or in February. We get into the dog days of the season.

I don't know what it's going to look like at that point, but it's very clear that, that it really gets to them when, when they lose, when they aren't playing well, when they aren't doing what he expects them to do. And, um, Yeah, he's very passionate. Let's say that.

I don't know what it's going to look like at that point, but it's very clear that, that it really gets to them when, when they lose, when they aren't playing well, when they aren't doing what he expects them to do. And, um, Yeah, he's very passionate. Let's say that.

Yeah. I mean, he's already showing some, some real talent as a movement shooter. And JJ obviously knows a little bit of something about that. That's exactly what JJ was. So we see the Lakers actually running plays for connect sometimes in, in high leverage situations, they're running plays to, to set him up to shoot a three. He does have work to do defensively. And of course, he's a rookie.

Yeah. I mean, he's already showing some, some real talent as a movement shooter. And JJ obviously knows a little bit of something about that. That's exactly what JJ was. So we see the Lakers actually running plays for connect sometimes in, in high leverage situations, they're running plays to, to set him up to shoot a three. He does have work to do defensively. And of course, he's a rookie.

So there's going to be plenty of highs and lows. There's going to be ups and downs night in and night out. But overall, he's been pretty impressive. He is a three level scorer. He's got plenty of work to do. But, you know, for a for a guy who's a rookie, who's already and maybe it speaks to the lack of depth on the team, but the fact that he's already a at least a night in night out player.

So there's going to be plenty of highs and lows. There's going to be ups and downs night in and night out. But overall, he's been pretty impressive. He is a three level scorer. He's got plenty of work to do. But, you know, for a for a guy who's a rookie, who's already and maybe it speaks to the lack of depth on the team, but the fact that he's already a at least a night in night out player.

player. He's a rotation guy. I think that speaks volumes about the trust that J.J. Redick has in Dalton Connect. And in fact, with multiple players out in last night's game against the Grizzlies, Dalton Connect got to start and he pegged Dalton to be the guy to enter the starting lineup. So I think he's impressed so far.

player. He's a rotation guy. I think that speaks volumes about the trust that J.J. Redick has in Dalton Connect. And in fact, with multiple players out in last night's game against the Grizzlies, Dalton Connect got to start and he pegged Dalton to be the guy to enter the starting lineup. So I think he's impressed so far.

Long way to go, but I think he's going to be a pretty good one in the NBA eventually.

Long way to go, but I think he's going to be a pretty good one in the NBA eventually.

Yeah. So there's there's two things really that they need. And that is they need a true physical big over the summer. J.J. Redick used the term bruiser. That's what they're looking for is a bruiser in the paint. They didn't add that. So it's really right now it's Anthony Davis. If he's out, it's Jackson Hayes.

Yeah. So there's there's two things really that they need. And that is they need a true physical big over the summer. J.J. Redick used the term bruiser. That's what they're looking for is a bruiser in the paint. They didn't add that. So it's really right now it's Anthony Davis. If he's out, it's Jackson Hayes.

Christian Coloco made his NBA return after almost two years away from the game he played in last night's game. But but so they're very thin at the big position. And so they definitely need that. They could also use a two way wing. One of the challenges with this Lakers team, and it was the same last year with this roster, is they have a lot of guys who are one way players.

Christian Coloco made his NBA return after almost two years away from the game he played in last night's game. But but so they're very thin at the big position. And so they definitely need that. They could also use a two way wing. One of the challenges with this Lakers team, and it was the same last year with this roster, is they have a lot of guys who are one way players.

They're good on the offensive end, but bad defensively or bat or or vice versa. And so they really need to get some guys who can play both sides of the ball. The NBA is so unforgiving now of any players who can't contribute on a particular side. You just get picked on over and over and over again.

They're good on the offensive end, but bad defensively or bat or or vice versa. And so they really need to get some guys who can play both sides of the ball. The NBA is so unforgiving now of any players who can't contribute on a particular side. You just get picked on over and over and over again.

So they need to get a two way wing, probably figure out something with the backcourt combination of D'Angelo Russell and Austin Reeves. That's not quite worked out so well. You mentioned JJ had some pretty pointed comments about D'Lo. That has not gone well as to this point. There's just too too many overlapping weaknesses between the two of them. So you're going to have to rectify that situation.

So they need to get a two way wing, probably figure out something with the backcourt combination of D'Angelo Russell and Austin Reeves. That's not quite worked out so well. You mentioned JJ had some pretty pointed comments about D'Lo. That has not gone well as to this point. There's just too too many overlapping weaknesses between the two of them. So you're going to have to rectify that situation.

But a two way wing, a bruiser big. And I think this team can make some noise.

But a two way wing, a bruiser big. And I think this team can make some noise.

Yeah, absolutely. And part of that is the lack of depth on the team. I think that you need to add more true NBA. You've got a lot of guys that aren't playing at an NBA level right now. And so you need NBA talent on this team. But also, when I look at what pieces are out there, you mentioned Zach Levine. You're going to have to give up at least two starters to get him just to make the math work.

Yeah, absolutely. And part of that is the lack of depth on the team. I think that you need to add more true NBA. You've got a lot of guys that aren't playing at an NBA level right now. And so you need NBA talent on this team. But also, when I look at what pieces are out there, you mentioned Zach Levine. You're going to have to give up at least two starters to get him just to make the math work.

not talking about value, just making the math work gets very, very difficult and very challenging for the Lakers going after some of those, those bigger names that are out there. I'm sure there'll be interested in guys. They always are. If there's a big name that's attainable, they'll of course try to get into the mix.

not talking about value, just making the math work gets very, very difficult and very challenging for the Lakers going after some of those, those bigger names that are out there. I'm sure there'll be interested in guys. They always are. If there's a big name that's attainable, they'll of course try to get into the mix.

But I do think I look more at like what the Dallas Mavericks did last year, getting Daniel Gafford, getting PJ Washington as that being a more realistic path, getting players of that caliber and adding them to this team.

But I do think I look more at like what the Dallas Mavericks did last year, getting Daniel Gafford, getting PJ Washington as that being a more realistic path, getting players of that caliber and adding them to this team.

Sure. Where it's noticeable has been in terms of the burst. We've seen a number of times where he's been blocked at the rim or not converted a shot at the rim this season. That's been lacking a little bit, that explosiveness and then defensively. And that started to become a thing last year where, you know, LeBron would need to make a rotation and he just and he just doesn't.

Sure. Where it's noticeable has been in terms of the burst. We've seen a number of times where he's been blocked at the rim or not converted a shot at the rim this season. That's been lacking a little bit, that explosiveness and then defensively. And that started to become a thing last year where, you know, LeBron would need to make a rotation and he just and he just doesn't.

He doesn't get out there. We still see stretches where he does. He had that great game against the Sacramento Kings where he absolutely blew up in the fourth quarter and he was hitting everything. We see certain defensive possessions. He did it once against John Morant last night where he defended jaw on a particular play and was able to get a stop. He can turn it on.

He doesn't get out there. We still see stretches where he does. He had that great game against the Sacramento Kings where he absolutely blew up in the fourth quarter and he was hitting everything. We see certain defensive possessions. He did it once against John Morant last night where he defended jaw on a particular play and was able to get a stop. He can turn it on.

He just can't do it night in, night out. He is still incredible, and it's amazing to see him producing the way that he is at his age, but he's no longer that guy that 82 games of the season, he can put the team on his back, carry them, and then into the playoffs, and he's just unstoppable. He can't do that night in, night out. He can do that a few times over the course of a season.

He just can't do it night in, night out. He is still incredible, and it's amazing to see him producing the way that he is at his age, but he's no longer that guy that 82 games of the season, he can put the team on his back, carry them, and then into the playoffs, and he's just unstoppable. He can't do that night in, night out. He can do that a few times over the course of a season.

He can turn it on. He can try to really push down on the gas pedal in the playoffs, but on a night in, night out basis, he can't be that guy

He can turn it on. He can try to really push down on the gas pedal in the playoffs, but on a night in, night out basis, he can't be that guy

just next, you know, top 1A type of guy at this point, even though he can still produce incredibly, again, at 39 points against Memphis, but he doesn't just totally take over and dominate an entire game with some exceptions, obviously, like that Sacramento game.

just next, you know, top 1A type of guy at this point, even though he can still produce incredibly, again, at 39 points against Memphis, but he doesn't just totally take over and dominate an entire game with some exceptions, obviously, like that Sacramento game.

Well, let's go eight. Mom mentality here.

Well, let's go eight. Mom mentality here.

And it's a Lakers teammate that he's played with.

And it's a Lakers teammate that he's played with.

interesting um let's see and you said 173 games is that including playoffs i'm trying to do the math here and think about how many no that wouldn't quite be enough um who's somebody that he played with on another team austin it's definitely not austin it's definitely not ad lebron not ruey

interesting um let's see and you said 173 games is that including playoffs i'm trying to do the math here and think about how many no that wouldn't quite be enough um who's somebody that he played with on another team austin it's definitely not austin it's definitely not ad lebron not ruey

who was on another team with it that is hard um god i'll just throw out anthony davis because i know ad was remarkably healthy but i know that's short of the total numbers of that total 170 something will you correct on the second point uh it doesn't doesn't work for for ad but a very good guess andrew any guesses

who was on another team with it that is hard um god i'll just throw out anthony davis because i know ad was remarkably healthy but i know that's short of the total numbers of that total 170 something will you correct on the second point uh it doesn't doesn't work for for ad but a very good guess andrew any guesses

The fact that it was two that did it on the same night makes me think we're going all the way back to like the Kyle Kuzma Lonzo Ball stuff. So I'm going to go Kyle Kuzma.

The fact that it was two that did it on the same night makes me think we're going all the way back to like the Kyle Kuzma Lonzo Ball stuff. So I'm going to go Kyle Kuzma.

Let's go. Let's go Lamar Odom. We'll go number seven.

Let's go. Let's go Lamar Odom. We'll go number seven.

You can get there, I promise. Is that is this on me?

You can get there, I promise. Is that is this on me?

OK, I'm going to guess. I'll guess Julius Randall. I would imagine he would miss a lot at the rim, but also grab a lot of rebounds and put him back up.

OK, I'm going to guess. I'll guess Julius Randall. I would imagine he would miss a lot at the rim, but also grab a lot of rebounds and put him back up.

I think he was a Laker for long enough. I'll go Byron Scott. Byron Scott.

I think he was a Laker for long enough. I'll go Byron Scott. Byron Scott.

Four names left. Um, I mean, it was a different era. Hmm. But what about Nick Van Exel?

Four names left. Um, I mean, it was a different era. Hmm. But what about Nick Van Exel?

I'm going to go with Big Shot Bob, Robert Ori. Oh, that's a good one.

I'm going to go with Big Shot Bob, Robert Ori. Oh, that's a good one.

All right, let's go with the younger LeBron. We'll go with number six.

All right, let's go with the younger LeBron. We'll go with number six.

I'm going to go with Rui Hachimura. Rui Hachimura. That is incorrect.

I'm going to go with Rui Hachimura. Rui Hachimura. That is incorrect.

I was thinking as a Laker. I got it.

I was thinking as a Laker. I got it.

We're of like mind because the number that was in my head immediately was 26. Oh, really?

We're of like mind because the number that was in my head immediately was 26. Oh, really?

I'll go. I'll say I'll go lower than since I said 26 and don't not much margin for error there. But that's what I'll go with.

I'll go. I'll say I'll go lower than since I said 26 and don't not much margin for error there. But that's what I'll go with.

I mean, I would think given the amount of time he played and how dominant. Well, but how long do they record that stat? I'm going back to like, I think Kareem must have done it at some point. He probably did.

I mean, I would think given the amount of time he played and how dominant. Well, but how long do they record that stat? I'm going back to like, I think Kareem must have done it at some point. He probably did.

It was Vlade. Wow. I would have taken me a long time to land on Vlade on that one.

It was Vlade. Wow. I would have taken me a long time to land on Vlade on that one.

So they have to be players currently active right now. yes on a roster somewhere on a roster somewhere right now okay let's see who else would that be that made an all-star team played as a Laker but not so we got bi we got Julius Randall

So they have to be players currently active right now. yes on a roster somewhere on a roster somewhere right now okay let's see who else would that be that made an all-star team played as a Laker but not so we got bi we got Julius Randall

What about DeAndre Jordan? That is correct. Okay.

What about DeAndre Jordan? That is correct. Okay.

I'm thinking the other direction. I'm starting to get into the older, the guys the Lakers brought in when they were older but are still hanging around.

I'm thinking the other direction. I'm starting to get into the older, the guys the Lakers brought in when they were older but are still hanging around.

Yeah, I'm spacing on the rest of them now.

Yeah, I'm spacing on the rest of them now.

Russell Westbrook. How did I forget Russell Westbrook? I was just talking about him too.

Russell Westbrook. How did I forget Russell Westbrook? I was just talking about him too.

Hey, thank you guys for having me.

Hey, thank you guys for having me.

Definitely. I mean, there have been a number of times in the last 24 hours or so where I've double-checked and looked at the Lakers roster and went, oh my God, he's actually there. This really happened. This is real life. In the little sleep that I got last night in the wake of the trade, I woke up probably 50 times to double-check my phone and be like, wait, this actually happened. It's crazy.

Definitely. I mean, there have been a number of times in the last 24 hours or so where I've double-checked and looked at the Lakers roster and went, oh my God, he's actually there. This really happened. This is real life. In the little sleep that I got last night in the wake of the trade, I woke up probably 50 times to double-check my phone and be like, wait, this actually happened. It's crazy.

It is absolutely crazy. The Lakers, they found a way to

It is absolutely crazy. The Lakers, they found a way to

to consistently land stars in the nba it's a who's who of nba stars that have put on uh the purple and gold and i gotta say uh lakers fans we are very very spoiled uh for the stars that have graced this franchise but it's been absolutely incredible and uh and now they've got another guy that they hope they're going to be able to build around for the next 10 years or so

to consistently land stars in the nba it's a who's who of nba stars that have put on uh the purple and gold and i gotta say uh lakers fans we are very very spoiled uh for the stars that have graced this franchise but it's been absolutely incredible and uh and now they've got another guy that they hope they're going to be able to build around for the next 10 years or so

I think they're going to be very aggressive. When you look at the roster as it currently sits, it doesn't make a lot of sense. You look at the Mavs roster, it makes sense. They've got pieces that all kind of fit together. Even with AD coming in, they've got pieces to fit. The Lakers roster is... Kind of a mess currently.

I think they're going to be very aggressive. When you look at the roster as it currently sits, it doesn't make a lot of sense. You look at the Mavs roster, it makes sense. They've got pieces that all kind of fit together. Even with AD coming in, they've got pieces to fit. The Lakers roster is... Kind of a mess currently.

They've got Jackson Hayes as their starting center because he's their only center that's not on a two-way contract. So clearly they have to address that. They have to go out and they have to find a center out there on the market, if not maybe two out there on the market that they need to go get. They need to find...

They've got Jackson Hayes as their starting center because he's their only center that's not on a two-way contract. So clearly they have to address that. They have to go out and they have to find a center out there on the market, if not maybe two out there on the market that they need to go get. They need to find...

more defense, more three-point shooting as you have to have in order to put around LeBron James and Luka. So they have plenty of moves they need to make. And we have to remember, Luka will be extension eligible this coming summer.

more defense, more three-point shooting as you have to have in order to put around LeBron James and Luka. So they have plenty of moves they need to make. And we have to remember, Luka will be extension eligible this coming summer.

And so I'm sure they want to make a great first impression, make sure that he's going to sign on that dotted line this summer and put together a team that can go win right now. So I do think we're going to see more fireworks from the Lakers. Obviously not this big, but I think they will make more moves given that they still have that 2031 first round pick to potentially move.

And so I'm sure they want to make a great first impression, make sure that he's going to sign on that dotted line this summer and put together a team that can go win right now. So I do think we're going to see more fireworks from the Lakers. Obviously not this big, but I think they will make more moves given that they still have that 2031 first round pick to potentially move.

I think we'll see that in play ahead of Thursday's trade deadline.

I think we'll see that in play ahead of Thursday's trade deadline.

Yeah, I mean, they've checked in on Walker Kessler with the Utah Jazz, but he's consistently been somebody who's been pretty expensive in terms of the trade price to go get. Jonas Valanciunas has been a guy that has been connected to them for a long time now, but he didn't perform very well the other night when the Wizards played the Lakers. I don't know how much that might have dissuaded them.

Yeah, I mean, they've checked in on Walker Kessler with the Utah Jazz, but he's consistently been somebody who's been pretty expensive in terms of the trade price to go get. Jonas Valanciunas has been a guy that has been connected to them for a long time now, but he didn't perform very well the other night when the Wizards played the Lakers. I don't know how much that might have dissuaded them.

from going after him. But there's a number of other bigs that are out there. Robert Williams is a guy they've been connected to. When you look at a player like perhaps a Yaka Perto with the Toronto Raptors, there's players like that. Clint Capella, very available with the Hawks.

from going after him. But there's a number of other bigs that are out there. Robert Williams is a guy they've been connected to. When you look at a player like perhaps a Yaka Perto with the Toronto Raptors, there's players like that. Clint Capella, very available with the Hawks.

Those are all the kinds of guys that they'd be looking to potentially bring in and then have them man that center position. They've been connected with Bruce Brown for a while as well from the Toronto Raptors. That was somebody they actually thought they were bringing in a free agency a couple of summers ago. And then he wound up with the Pacers when they came in with that big offer.

Those are all the kinds of guys that they'd be looking to potentially bring in and then have them man that center position. They've been connected with Bruce Brown for a while as well from the Toronto Raptors. That was somebody they actually thought they were bringing in a free agency a couple of summers ago. And then he wound up with the Pacers when they came in with that big offer.

So I know they've got a lot of respect for Bruce Brown there. I don't know if they can get there financially or not, but if they do decide to focus some of their attention on the perimeter, he'd be a name I'd keep an eye on.

So I know they've got a lot of respect for Bruce Brown there. I don't know if they can get there financially or not, but if they do decide to focus some of their attention on the perimeter, he'd be a name I'd keep an eye on.

I mean, it could. LeBron has been... pushing for the Lakers to add more ball handlers for years. It's why they got Dennis Schroeder the first time around back in 2021. It's why they made the Russell Westbrook trade, obviously for better or for worse with some of those moves that they've made.

I mean, it could. LeBron has been... pushing for the Lakers to add more ball handlers for years. It's why they got Dennis Schroeder the first time around back in 2021. It's why they made the Russell Westbrook trade, obviously for better or for worse with some of those moves that they've made.

But he's long wanted other players who can initiate on offense so he doesn't have to do all of that heavy lifting. Now you bring in Luka, who he can kind of train up as his replacement on the fly. Maybe it does breathe new life into LeBron. I mean, we saw in that game against the Knicks that he's got plenty left in the tank. He was fantastic in that game.

But he's long wanted other players who can initiate on offense so he doesn't have to do all of that heavy lifting. Now you bring in Luka, who he can kind of train up as his replacement on the fly. Maybe it does breathe new life into LeBron. I mean, we saw in that game against the Knicks that he's got plenty left in the tank. He was fantastic in that game.

We just know he can't do it night in, night out anymore. But we'll see what this means for LeBron with Luka there. Does he take off so much of the burden? that LeBron can transition into being a primarily off-ball player, and does that allow him to have even a little bit more longevity? That's yet to be seen, but I do think that there's going to be something exciting.

We just know he can't do it night in, night out anymore. But we'll see what this means for LeBron with Luka there. Does he take off so much of the burden? that LeBron can transition into being a primarily off-ball player, and does that allow him to have even a little bit more longevity? That's yet to be seen, but I do think that there's going to be something exciting.

LeBron has spoken for years about how much respect he has for Luka, so he's going to be sad and frustrated with AD leaving, but I do think that he'll be fired up to be on the floor with Luka at the same time.

LeBron has spoken for years about how much respect he has for Luka, so he's going to be sad and frustrated with AD leaving, but I do think that he'll be fired up to be on the floor with Luka at the same time.

You know, I think seeing them execute this move, it definitely increases confidence because they not only were able to get Luca, but they kept it quiet for nearly a month that these talks. And I mean, in this day and age, that's very good that no one knew. Nobody had any idea about this for that long. That is absolutely incredible.

You know, I think seeing them execute this move, it definitely increases confidence because they not only were able to get Luca, but they kept it quiet for nearly a month that these talks. And I mean, in this day and age, that's very good that no one knew. Nobody had any idea about this for that long. That is absolutely incredible.

crazy yeah yeah and so so i think this front office has been much maligned for the mistakes that they made and they have made a number of mistakes particularly the ones in the margin simple things with contracts not giving guys uh more than a two-year deal that were on coming off of a a second round pick and things of that nature because they didn't save any of their mid-level exception the trades that they've made some of the mid-level exception signings that they made not working out guys not sticking long-term

crazy yeah yeah and so so i think this front office has been much maligned for the mistakes that they made and they have made a number of mistakes particularly the ones in the margin simple things with contracts not giving guys uh more than a two-year deal that were on coming off of a a second round pick and things of that nature because they didn't save any of their mid-level exception the trades that they've made some of the mid-level exception signings that they made not working out guys not sticking long-term

There have been plenty of mistakes along the way. But then we also see these moments where you just go, wow, how many teams are going to be able to pull off something like this? So I do think this goes a long way towards restoring some of the confidence that fans have in this Lakers front office. And we'll see if they can pay that off and really build a great team alongside Luka.

There have been plenty of mistakes along the way. But then we also see these moments where you just go, wow, how many teams are going to be able to pull off something like this? So I do think this goes a long way towards restoring some of the confidence that fans have in this Lakers front office. And we'll see if they can pay that off and really build a great team alongside Luka.

But this is an amazing move for them to get done. And I think it goes a long way towards restoring that faith.

But this is an amazing move for them to get done. And I think it goes a long way towards restoring that faith.

He won a championship, so I think he will be long revered in Laker land. I think that Lakers fans will certainly miss Anthony Davis. He played hard every single night. The last couple of years, especially, he has really worked to try to shed that injury prone label that he's had on him. He, he plays hard on night to night basis.

He won a championship, so I think he will be long revered in Laker land. I think that Lakers fans will certainly miss Anthony Davis. He played hard every single night. The last couple of years, especially, he has really worked to try to shed that injury prone label that he's had on him. He, he plays hard on night to night basis.

Some nights he's a little bit higher motor than others, but still, you know, AD is one of the best defensive bigs in the NBA. I can get it done on both ends of the floor. So I think there's going to be a lot of respect for Anthony Davis moving forward.

Some nights he's a little bit higher motor than others, but still, you know, AD is one of the best defensive bigs in the NBA. I can get it done on both ends of the floor. So I think there's going to be a lot of respect for Anthony Davis moving forward.

And I would expect that at the end of the month here, when the Dallas Mavericks come to LA to play the Lakers, there's going to be a big ovation for Anthony Davis because Lakers fans, I'll tell you what Lakers fans right now are fairly split on this. And it's not so much they're not excited to get Luka, they're sad about seeing Anthony Davis, Max Christie move on to another team.

And I would expect that at the end of the month here, when the Dallas Mavericks come to LA to play the Lakers, there's going to be a big ovation for Anthony Davis because Lakers fans, I'll tell you what Lakers fans right now are fairly split on this. And it's not so much they're not excited to get Luka, they're sad about seeing Anthony Davis, Max Christie move on to another team.

So there's a lot of love for Anthony Davis out there right now, and I expect that to be something that's going to be sustained into the future.

So there's a lot of love for Anthony Davis out there right now, and I expect that to be something that's going to be sustained into the future.

Yeah, we don't know what's going to happen.

Yeah, we don't know what's going to happen.

Definitely. I mean, there have been a number of times in the last 24 hours or so where I've double-checked and looked at the Lakers roster and went, oh my God, he's actually there. This really happened. This is real life. In the little sleep that I got last night in the wake of the trade, I woke up probably 50 times to double-check my phone and be like, wait, this actually happened. It's crazy.

It is absolutely crazy. The Lakers, they found a way to

to consistently land stars in the nba it's a who's who of nba stars that have put on uh the purple and gold and i gotta say uh lakers fans we are very very spoiled uh for the stars that have graced this franchise but it's been absolutely incredible and uh and now they've got another guy that they hope they're going to be able to build around for the next 10 years or so

I think they're going to be very aggressive. When you look at the roster as it currently sits, it doesn't make a lot of sense. You look at the Mavs roster, it makes sense. They've got pieces that all kind of fit together. Even with AD coming in, they've got pieces to fit. The Lakers roster is... Kind of a mess currently.

They've got Jackson Hayes as their starting center because he's their only center that's not on a two-way contract. So clearly they have to address that. They have to go out and they have to find a center out there on the market, if not maybe two out there on the market that they need to go get. They need to find...

more defense, more three-point shooting as you have to have in order to put around LeBron James and Luka. So they have plenty of moves they need to make. And we have to remember, Luka will be extension eligible this coming summer.

And so I'm sure they want to make a great first impression, make sure that he's going to sign on that dotted line this summer and put together a team that can go win right now. So I do think we're going to see more fireworks from the Lakers. Obviously not this big, but I think they will make more moves given that they still have that 2031 first round pick to potentially move.

I think we'll see that in play ahead of Thursday's trade deadline.

Yeah, I mean, they've checked in on Walker Kessler with the Utah Jazz, but he's consistently been somebody who's been pretty expensive in terms of the trade price to go get. Jonas Valanciunas has been a guy that has been connected to them for a long time now, but he didn't perform very well the other night when the Wizards played the Lakers. I don't know how much that might have dissuaded them.

from going after him. But there's a number of other bigs that are out there. Robert Williams is a guy they've been connected to. When you look at a player like perhaps a Yaka Perto with the Toronto Raptors, there's players like that. Clint Capella, very available with the Hawks.

Those are all the kinds of guys that they'd be looking to potentially bring in and then have them man that center position. They've been connected with Bruce Brown for a while as well from the Toronto Raptors. That was somebody they actually thought they were bringing in a free agency a couple of summers ago. And then he wound up with the Pacers when they came in with that big offer.

So I know they've got a lot of respect for Bruce Brown there. I don't know if they can get there financially or not, but if they do decide to focus some of their attention on the perimeter, he'd be a name I'd keep an eye on.

I mean, it could. LeBron has been... pushing for the Lakers to add more ball handlers for years. It's why they got Dennis Schroeder the first time around back in 2021. It's why they made the Russell Westbrook trade, obviously for better or for worse with some of those moves that they've made.

But he's long wanted other players who can initiate on offense so he doesn't have to do all of that heavy lifting. Now you bring in Luka, who he can kind of train up as his replacement on the fly. Maybe it does breathe new life into LeBron. I mean, we saw in that game against the Knicks that he's got plenty left in the tank. He was fantastic in that game.

We just know he can't do it night in, night out anymore. But we'll see what this means for LeBron with Luka there. Does he take off so much of the burden? that LeBron can transition into being a primarily off-ball player, and does that allow him to have even a little bit more longevity? That's yet to be seen, but I do think that there's going to be something exciting.

LeBron has spoken for years about how much respect he has for Luka, so he's going to be sad and frustrated with AD leaving, but I do think that he'll be fired up to be on the floor with Luka at the same time.

You know, I think seeing them execute this move, it definitely increases confidence because they not only were able to get Luca, but they kept it quiet for nearly a month that these talks. And I mean, in this day and age, that's very good that no one knew. Nobody had any idea about this for that long. That is absolutely incredible.

crazy yeah yeah and so so i think this front office has been much maligned for the mistakes that they made and they have made a number of mistakes particularly the ones in the margin simple things with contracts not giving guys uh more than a two-year deal that were on coming off of a a second round pick and things of that nature because they didn't save any of their mid-level exception the trades that they've made some of the mid-level exception signings that they made not working out guys not sticking long-term

There have been plenty of mistakes along the way. But then we also see these moments where you just go, wow, how many teams are going to be able to pull off something like this? So I do think this goes a long way towards restoring some of the confidence that fans have in this Lakers front office. And we'll see if they can pay that off and really build a great team alongside Luka.

But this is an amazing move for them to get done. And I think it goes a long way towards restoring that faith.

He won a championship, so I think he will be long revered in Laker land. I think that Lakers fans will certainly miss Anthony Davis. He played hard every single night. The last couple of years, especially, he has really worked to try to shed that injury prone label that he's had on him. He, he plays hard on night to night basis.

Some nights he's a little bit higher motor than others, but still, you know, AD is one of the best defensive bigs in the NBA. I can get it done on both ends of the floor. So I think there's going to be a lot of respect for Anthony Davis moving forward.

And I would expect that at the end of the month here, when the Dallas Mavericks come to LA to play the Lakers, there's going to be a big ovation for Anthony Davis because Lakers fans, I'll tell you what Lakers fans right now are fairly split on this. And it's not so much they're not excited to get Luka, they're sad about seeing Anthony Davis, Max Christie move on to another team.

So there's a lot of love for Anthony Davis out there right now, and I expect that to be something that's going to be sustained into the future.

Yeah, we don't know what's going to happen.

Yeah.

Yeah, their their transition defense has been a really big problem. I think teams figured that out very quickly that you can attack the Lakers in transition. And so we saw Memphis do that last night. We've seen we saw the Cavs do it. The Pistons did it. A number of teams have been really punishing the Lakers just by pushing the ball down the court and the Lakers not doing a great job getting back.

So that's been a common theme in all of these games. And then just the lack of depth on the team, the bench. is just not getting it done right now for the Lakers. They're definitely at a disadvantage when the teams go to their bench. So they're just too thin. That's been another issue for them over this stretch.

Mike dropped. And that was quite a moment. But no, I'll tell you this. Compared to other Lakers coaches in the past, and I don't know if this will serve him well in the long term, J.J. is obsessed with this team, like you could just feel. So I talked to him before the game, right after he had found out that Anthony Davis was not going to play against the Grizzlies. And he was bothered then.

Like you could tell he was not... In the greatest of moods in that moment, not that he was upset about anything or certainly not mad at Anthony Davis, but he did. He knew that he would be in for, I think, a tough night without A.D. And then after the game, he was definitely not in in the best of moods. It really, really bothers him when they lose.

You know, infamously, Darvin Ham had a quote last season where he talked about how he's how it's ridiculous that people live and die with every game. I think J.J. Redick lives and dies with every play. And it all sticks with him. And he cares very, very much about the outcome of the game. So this man does not like losing at all.

And I think that's been one thing that we've seen consistently from him in his time here in L.A.

Walk us through this a little bit. So I asked him the question. I did a terrible job asking the question. I was not succinct at all. I rambled way too much. But anyway, I was asking the question. I wanted to find out what's his coaching philosophy on how do you manage players who are not putting forth the effort, in your opinion. And so I wanted to find out that.

And that's where he said, I just did and dropped the mic. Now, he walked off and then he turned and he said again and he had dropped the mic. So this didn't get picked up, but he turned. He said, it's the first thing I said to them. So when he said, I just did, that meant I just did like I just addressed it with the team. That was the first thing I said to them when I went into the locker room.

That's what he was talking about when he said, I just did. But at that moment. All eyes turned. I got a bunch of big eyes. All the reporters that were turned and looked at these big eyes and they're all like, oh, damn. So that was and it was it was it was a moment. That was for sure. But but yeah, like I said, the context of him and he wasn't upset at the question.

He was using that to emphasize that he had just addressed the effort with the team. He didn't want to go into detail about everything. how, which was what my question was about, exactly how he addressed that lack of effort.

I do. Yeah. Yeah, I do. I think that what drives fans crazy and we've seen this in the in the past and we see this even even politically. Right. When we look at just what happened with the election, everything people get frustrated when they feel like they can't get a direct answer or when they feel like somebody is just kind of dancing around a question and not really addressing the issue.

JJ doesn't do that. Typically, he will give you a very blunt and very direct answer to things. And I think that is that is appreciated very much because fans, that's what they want to hear. They want to find out what is the answer to a question. They don't want the kind of, you know, word salad, if you want to call it that.

Or like Mitch Kupchak was great as a general manager, did some great things for the Lakers. But he was phenomenal when it came to saying a bunch of things without actually saying anything. And that kind of stuff can can be frustrating to watch and listen to.

No, I don't think so. I mean, I think, I think to JJ it's, he wanted the competition and now he's like in the thick of it. That was part of what brought him back to coaching. He's in the thick of it. And he is, like I said, he's living and dying with every game. And I don't know what that's going to look like in January or in February. We get into the dog days of the season.

I don't know what it's going to look like at that point, but it's very clear that, that it really gets to them when, when they lose, when they aren't playing well, when they aren't doing what he expects them to do. And, um, Yeah, he's very passionate. Let's say that.

Yeah. I mean, he's already showing some, some real talent as a movement shooter. And JJ obviously knows a little bit of something about that. That's exactly what JJ was. So we see the Lakers actually running plays for connect sometimes in, in high leverage situations, they're running plays to, to set him up to shoot a three. He does have work to do defensively. And of course, he's a rookie.

So there's going to be plenty of highs and lows. There's going to be ups and downs night in and night out. But overall, he's been pretty impressive. He is a three level scorer. He's got plenty of work to do. But, you know, for a for a guy who's a rookie, who's already and maybe it speaks to the lack of depth on the team, but the fact that he's already a at least a night in night out player.

player. He's a rotation guy. I think that speaks volumes about the trust that J.J. Redick has in Dalton Connect. And in fact, with multiple players out in last night's game against the Grizzlies, Dalton Connect got to start and he pegged Dalton to be the guy to enter the starting lineup. So I think he's impressed so far.

Long way to go, but I think he's going to be a pretty good one in the NBA eventually.

Yeah. So there's there's two things really that they need. And that is they need a true physical big over the summer. J.J. Redick used the term bruiser. That's what they're looking for is a bruiser in the paint. They didn't add that. So it's really right now it's Anthony Davis. If he's out, it's Jackson Hayes.

Christian Coloco made his NBA return after almost two years away from the game he played in last night's game. But but so they're very thin at the big position. And so they definitely need that. They could also use a two way wing. One of the challenges with this Lakers team, and it was the same last year with this roster, is they have a lot of guys who are one way players.

They're good on the offensive end, but bad defensively or bat or or vice versa. And so they really need to get some guys who can play both sides of the ball. The NBA is so unforgiving now of any players who can't contribute on a particular side. You just get picked on over and over and over again.

So they need to get a two way wing, probably figure out something with the backcourt combination of D'Angelo Russell and Austin Reeves. That's not quite worked out so well. You mentioned JJ had some pretty pointed comments about D'Lo. That has not gone well as to this point. There's just too too many overlapping weaknesses between the two of them. So you're going to have to rectify that situation.

But a two way wing, a bruiser big. And I think this team can make some noise.

Yeah, absolutely. And part of that is the lack of depth on the team. I think that you need to add more true NBA. You've got a lot of guys that aren't playing at an NBA level right now. And so you need NBA talent on this team. But also, when I look at what pieces are out there, you mentioned Zach Levine. You're going to have to give up at least two starters to get him just to make the math work.

not talking about value, just making the math work gets very, very difficult and very challenging for the Lakers going after some of those, those bigger names that are out there. I'm sure there'll be interested in guys. They always are. If there's a big name that's attainable, they'll of course try to get into the mix.

But I do think I look more at like what the Dallas Mavericks did last year, getting Daniel Gafford, getting PJ Washington as that being a more realistic path, getting players of that caliber and adding them to this team.

Sure. Where it's noticeable has been in terms of the burst. We've seen a number of times where he's been blocked at the rim or not converted a shot at the rim this season. That's been lacking a little bit, that explosiveness and then defensively. And that started to become a thing last year where, you know, LeBron would need to make a rotation and he just and he just doesn't.

He doesn't get out there. We still see stretches where he does. He had that great game against the Sacramento Kings where he absolutely blew up in the fourth quarter and he was hitting everything. We see certain defensive possessions. He did it once against John Morant last night where he defended jaw on a particular play and was able to get a stop. He can turn it on.

He just can't do it night in, night out. He is still incredible, and it's amazing to see him producing the way that he is at his age, but he's no longer that guy that 82 games of the season, he can put the team on his back, carry them, and then into the playoffs, and he's just unstoppable. He can't do that night in, night out. He can do that a few times over the course of a season.

He can turn it on. He can try to really push down on the gas pedal in the playoffs, but on a night in, night out basis, he can't be that guy

just next, you know, top 1A type of guy at this point, even though he can still produce incredibly, again, at 39 points against Memphis, but he doesn't just totally take over and dominate an entire game with some exceptions, obviously, like that Sacramento game.

Well, let's go eight. Mom mentality here.

And it's a Lakers teammate that he's played with.

interesting um let's see and you said 173 games is that including playoffs i'm trying to do the math here and think about how many no that wouldn't quite be enough um who's somebody that he played with on another team austin it's definitely not austin it's definitely not ad lebron not ruey

who was on another team with it that is hard um god i'll just throw out anthony davis because i know ad was remarkably healthy but i know that's short of the total numbers of that total 170 something will you correct on the second point uh it doesn't doesn't work for for ad but a very good guess andrew any guesses

The fact that it was two that did it on the same night makes me think we're going all the way back to like the Kyle Kuzma Lonzo Ball stuff. So I'm going to go Kyle Kuzma.

Let's go. Let's go Lamar Odom. We'll go number seven.

You can get there, I promise. Is that is this on me?

OK, I'm going to guess. I'll guess Julius Randall. I would imagine he would miss a lot at the rim, but also grab a lot of rebounds and put him back up.

I think he was a Laker for long enough. I'll go Byron Scott. Byron Scott.

Four names left. Um, I mean, it was a different era. Hmm. But what about Nick Van Exel?

I'm going to go with Big Shot Bob, Robert Ori. Oh, that's a good one.

All right, let's go with the younger LeBron. We'll go with number six.

I'm going to go with Rui Hachimura. Rui Hachimura. That is incorrect.

I was thinking as a Laker. I got it.

We're of like mind because the number that was in my head immediately was 26. Oh, really?

I'll go. I'll say I'll go lower than since I said 26 and don't not much margin for error there. But that's what I'll go with.

I mean, I would think given the amount of time he played and how dominant. Well, but how long do they record that stat? I'm going back to like, I think Kareem must have done it at some point. He probably did.

It was Vlade. Wow. I would have taken me a long time to land on Vlade on that one.

So they have to be players currently active right now. yes on a roster somewhere on a roster somewhere right now okay let's see who else would that be that made an all-star team played as a Laker but not so we got bi we got Julius Randall

What about DeAndre Jordan? That is correct. Okay.

I'm thinking the other direction. I'm starting to get into the older, the guys the Lakers brought in when they were older but are still hanging around.

Yeah, I'm spacing on the rest of them now.

Russell Westbrook. How did I forget Russell Westbrook? I was just talking about him too.

Hey, thank you guys for having me.