Laker Film Room - Dedicated to the Study of Lakers Basketball
Episodes
A Loss of We
30 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
After Luka & the Mavs dismantled the Lakers, Pete & Mike briefly discuss the game, the toll that the lack of continuity has exacted upon the team over...
Last Chances
29 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
With the Lakers' precarious position in the standings, Mike gives us up-to-the-minute news on Anthony Davis' return status. Then, he & Pete discuss ho...
We Are Who We Are
28 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Lakers lost another gut-punch game on Sunday, falling to the Pelicans after surrendering a 20 point halftime lead in a brutal 3rd quarter, and th...
Play-In Game
25 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Sunday's game vs. the Pelicans is not only important to the standings, but serves as a likely play-in preview. And with the team facing off another ti...
Russ & The Wheels
24 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Lakers played the 76ers tough on Wednesday night, but without LeBron James the talent gap and Philly's defensive pressure were enough to keep the ...
Solving Goliath
23 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Whether it's the path through the play-in to qualify for the playoffs or in Wednesday night's game vs. the 76ers, the Lakers are going to have to deal...
Taking Shape
22 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A dominant LeBron game, an efficient and impactful Westbrook performance on offense, a hot shooting night from DJ Augustin, and a very well coached Fr...
Seven Quarters
21 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Lakers spent their weekend playing 7 really good quarters of basketball over two games, but it was that final quarter that cost them a win in Wash...
Overdogs
17 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Lakers have a long history of #1 overall picks and a current roster full of accomplished players who aren't used to being the underdog. Pete & Dar...
Rise & Fall
16 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Lakers have a history of sudden falls from contention status, only to rise back up and vault themselves back into the conversation of the league's...
Small Experiments
15 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Lakers lost to the Raptors on Monday night in a game that was not as close as the final margin. Pete and Darius break down the game, focusing on h...
1 for 2
14 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Vastly different opponents brought out two different versions of the Lakers this weekend. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss how these games illustrated t...
East Coast Rivalries
11 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Eastern Conference gave us a good old fashioned rivalry game on Thursday night when the Nets and 76ers faced off in Philly, bringing all the drama...
Focus
10 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A theme of this Lakers season has been their inability to conjure the respect and motivation to play engaged basketball vs. teams that aren't very goo...
The Young Guys
09 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How are the Lakers young players developing this season? How is it different trying to develop on a Lakers team, with LeBron James, and with champions...
Too Small
08 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Lakers competed well, but missing LeBron James -- and the subsequent lack of frontcourt size with him out -- did them in vs. the Spurs on Monday n...
Masterpiece
07 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
LeBron James provided a masterpiece performance over the weekend, scoring 56 points to fend off the Warriors and get the Lakers a much needed win. Pet...
Landslide
04 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Losers of four games in a row and seven of their last eight, the Lakers are in a rut and need to dig themselves out of it. Pete, Mike, and Darius disc...
Playoff Picture
03 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What team inspires the most confidence they can get through the west playoffs and compete for a title? The Suns? The Warriors? The Grizzlies? What ab...
Rerun
02 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Lakers played well on Tuesday night, but not enough to overcome some stagnant late game offense that ultimately cost them against the Mavericks. P...
Lakers Make a Couple Moves
01 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Lakers have made some roster moves, waiving DeAndre Jordan, signing point guard D.J. Augustin to fill his roster spot, and adding forward Wenyen G...
Unwatchable
28 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Over the weekend, the Lakers suffered a hard-fought loss to the Clippers before a terrible and unacceptable lack of effort doomed them in a blowout lo...
The Narrow Path
24 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Lakers have 24 games left to get the best out of their season and a narrow path forward after Anthony Davis' injury before the break. In this epis...
3 Through 8
23 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the Lakers' supporting cast around LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the various responsibilities that the 3-8 spots fill...
All Star Weekend
22 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
All-Star Weekend felt especially Lakers-centric as several franchise icons participated in the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team celebration and LeBron Jam...
Is It Worth It?
18 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
With news that Anthony Davis will be out at least a month with a mid-foot sprain, the Lakers will need to make a determination on how hard to push for...
Resilience
17 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Lakers got a bittersweet win on Wednesday night when they beat the Jazz in a thrilling 4th quarter comeback, but lost Anthony Davis to a 2nd quart...
Mike's Mystery Pod
16 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Lakers face the Jazz in their last game before the All-Star break and it's not a stretch to say this is a must-win game, not only for the standing...
Talen & Austin
15 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Talen Horton-Tucker and Austin Reaves don't play the same style of game and both have had wildly different seasons in terms of expectations and their ...
Play Like That
14 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Lakers lost another heartbreaker on Saturday, falling to the Warriors on a night that Klay got hot down the stretch and the Lakers stars weren't a...
No Moves
11 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The trade deadline came and went with the Lakers making no moves. Pete, Mike, and Darius, discuss the team standing pat, where the team goes for here,...
Winds of Change
10 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As the Lakers lick their wounds from another terrible loss, the trade deadline is also upon them. Whether they make a major roster change or not, the ...
Outclassed
09 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Pete, Darius & Mike discuss the fallout from the Lakers definitive loss to the Bucks, delving into some of the postgame comments by LeBron & Russ and ...
When to Switch
08 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
To switch or not to switch, that is the question....for the Lakers defense. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the Lakers defensive philosophies, how muc...
Two Dragons
07 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Through all the turmoil and disappointment so far this season, there is still one simple truth to these Lakers: when you have LeBron James and Anthon...
Heartbreaker
04 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The basketball gods found a new way to torment Laker fans last night as they lost to the Clippers in the final moments of a well-played game. In thi...
Ugly Win
03 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A frustrating win is still a win, right? The Lakers certainly put that theory to the test in a squeaker of a victory vs. the Blazers that was more fru...
Bradley's Role
02 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Because of injuries, the need for a point-of-attack defender, and his familiarity with Frank Vogel's defensive schemes, Avery Bradley went from waiver...
LeBron's Knee
01 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Lakers got more bad news on the injury front with reports that LeBron's troublesome left knee will likely keep him out of Wednesday's game vs Port...
Backwards & Forwards
31 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Lakers road trip closed with two close losses over the weekend, both without LeBron James who continues to deal with swelling in his knee. Pete, M...
So Close, So Far
28 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
After a sore knee kept LeBron James out against the 76ers and then the Lakers lost by double digits in Philly, it's easy to be dispirited with where t...
Dwight Tonight?
27 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Pete, Darius & Mike preview the Sixers game which will feature a white hot Joel Embiid and a prolific rebounder in Andre Drummond. They discuss whethe...
Lakers Get New Life
26 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Anthony Davis is back, Stanley Johnson started, Trevor Ariza didn't play, and the Lakers beat the Nets by keeping them at arm's length most of the nig...
AD Returns
25 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Anthony Davis is expected to return to the lineup on Tuesday night when the Lakers face off against the Nets in Brooklyn. Pete, Mike, and Darius discu...
Ariza
24 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Lakers split a pair of games over the weekend, beating the Magic on Friday while losing to the Heat on Sunday. In both games, however, a consisten...
Laker Novelas
21 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It wouldn't be the Lakers if there weren't some drama too. This was true when Dr. Buss bought the team and it remains true today. Pete, Mike, and Dari...
Benching Russ
20 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As has been all too common this season, the Lakers lost another game down the stretch -- this time against the Pacers and a red-hot shooting Caris LeV...
Context on Vogel
19 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
With recent reports that Frank Vogel's job may be in jeopardy, Pete, Mike, & Darius discuss the relevant context that has led to to this point. Lear...
Bounce Back Win
18 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Lakers had one of their best wins of the year on Monday night, beating the Jazz with a combination of defensive execution and timely offense down ...
We'll Be Better?
17 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Lakers suffered a blowout loss to the Nuggets on Saturday and a day later LeBron James sent out a tweet apologizing to the fans and saying that th...
The Worst of Us
13 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In their loss to the Kings on Wednesday, some of the Lakers worst traits as a team were put on display. Pete, Mike, and Darius dissect the disappointi...
Russ at the Crossroads
12 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What is Russell Westbrook's ideal role on this version of the Lakers? How aggressive does he need to be? What should the team be doing to help him thr...
Halfway Point
11 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Lakers have hit the halfway point of the regular season, so there's no better time to reflect on what has happened to this point in the year, how ...
Mauled by Grizzlies
10 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Lakers were mauled by the Grizzlies on Sunday night, showing both how good Memphis is as a team and how their specific personnel served as an anti...
Can It Work in the Playoffs?
07 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
With the Lakers playing more "microball" lineups that feature Russell Westbrook, should we worry they'll suffer the same fate as the 2019-20 Rockets? ...
Dwight's Role
06 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As the Lakers embrace small-ball and centerless lineups, where does Dwight Howard fit into the rotation? And after playing very well in his last two a...
LeBron & Malik
05 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
LeBron James and Malik Monk came up huge down the stretch of the 4th quarter in a come from behind win over the Kings on Tuesday night, giving the Lak...
Roster Decisions
04 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
With Stanley Johnson's 10-day contract expiring on Monday and Avery Bradley's contract guarantee date approaching this week, the Lakers have some rost...
The Blueprint
03 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Lakers were able to grind out a win vs. the Timberwolves on Sunday night, committing to playing their small-ball lineups even when they were strug...
Let's Talk About THT
30 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Lakers played a strong game vs. the Grizzlies, but weren't able to contain Ja Morant or hold on to a double digit 3rd quarter lead in a frustratin...
No Big Island
29 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Lakers downsized their lineup and traveled to No Big Island on Tuesday night, ending their 5 game losing streak with a win over the Rockets in the...
Not Dead Yet
28 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Despite the Lakers 16-18 start, unusual circumstances in the Western Conference have left the them within a game of the 5th seed. In this episode, Pet...
Stanley Johnson's Fit
27 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Stanley Johnson looked like a natural fit in his debut with the Lakers, as the team added both him and Darren Collison to 10-day contracts. In this ep...
A New King
23 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Both the roster construction and circumstances of the season have lead LeBron James to play more and more as a big man. In this episode, Pete, Mike, a...
Margin for Error
22 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Despite a great effort from LeBron James, the Suns pulled away from the depleted Lakers in the 2nd half to hand them another defeat. Pete, Mike, and D...
Reinforcements
21 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Talen Horton-Tucker and Dwight Howard are set to rejoin the Lakers after the team was reported to sign Jemerrio Jones to a 10-day contract and Mason J...
Lakers Lose AD
20 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In only the span of a few days, the Lakers have lost Anthony Davis for at least a month to a knee injury, had several players go into the NBA's health...
Skeleton Crew
17 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What a 24 hours for the Lakers, who see Russell Westbrook and Avery Bradley join Dwight Howard and Talen Horton-Tucker in the health and safety protoc...
Austin for the Win!
16 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
After Wayne Ellington knocked down a last second 3-pointer to force overtime and Austin Reaves hit a near buzzer beater 3 to close out the OT, the Lak...
COVID Hits the Lakers
15 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The NBA is under siege with new COVID cases and the Lakers are the most recent team to be impacted as Talen Horton-Tucker, Dwight Howard, and Malik Mo...
It's Our Anniversary
14 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Five years ago today, the Laker Film Room Podcast was born. Today, then, we celebrate the only way we know how: with another podcast. Pete, Mike, and ...
Hail to the King
13 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Lakers posted consecutive blowout wins over the weekend and LeBron James was the central reason why in both games. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss ...
Be About It
10 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
After another disappointing loss on Thursday night, the Lakers have to take a long look in the mirror to determine what type of team they're going t...
Paradigm Shift
09 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Pete & Mike discuss whether there is a paradigm shift in Coach Vogel's lineups, as evidenced by the win over the Celtics, discussing whether this Lake...
Lakers Beat the Celtics
08 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Lakers took down the hated Celtics on Tuesday night in what was likely their best performance of the season. Pete & Darius discuss a great night t...
Suns & Warriors
07 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Through a quarter of the season, the Suns and the Warriors have differentiated themselves as the class of the Western Conference and, really, as two o...
Unforced Errors
06 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Pete & Mike break down the Lakers' game against the Clippers on Friday, talking about the starting lineup, spacing, THT's effectiveness defending Paul...
Found Gold
03 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Lakers got some unexpected good news on Thursday, with LeBron James returning from health and safety protocols earlier than expected and Trevor Ar...
Malik's Spark
02 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Malik Monk is proving to be exactly what the Lakers need as a backup guard who can change the game with his shot making and scoring ability. His 2nd h...
Dwight Makes His Case
01 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dwight Howard was not expecting to play against the Kings on Tuesday night. Then, after only a few minutes into the game, Frank Vogel put DeAndre Jor...
LeBron at the 5
30 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How much Center should LeBron play? Why have these lineups worked and how taxing are those minutes? What teammates fit best next to LeBron when he pl...
The Little Things
29 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Lakers are a .500 team through 22 games and a common theme in the contests they've won is that they have done a lot of the "little things" well. A...
Sense of Urgency
24 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Lakers loss to the Knicks followed a familiar formula where the team showed a real lack of urgency and an inability to muster the needed effort to...
Stats & Clues
23 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Injuries and early season struggles have led Frank Vogel to try a variety of different lineups as he searches for solutions. In this episode, Pete and...
Rollercoaster Weekend
22 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On a day LeBron James got ejected for a flagrant 2 foul and the Lakers nearly found themselves in a brawl as a result, the team had a great comeback ...
Protecting the Rim
19 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As the Lakers continue to start Anthony Davis at Center and, in general, shift towards lineups that only play a single traditional big man at a time, ...
Two Steps Forward
18 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Lakers may have lost to the Bucks, but the positive steps taken offensively and some of the adaptability they showed defensively were encouraging....
Big Road Trip
17 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
With a 5-game road trip about to begin and LeBron James returning soon, the Lakers are facing an important part of their schedule that Frank Vogel bel...
Offensive Struggles
16 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Lakers suffered another blowout loss on Monday night, falling to the Bulls in a game that saw the defense struggle to contain Chicago's dynamic gu...
THT Returns
15 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Lakers got a much needed bounce-back win on Sunday vs. the Spurs and a major lineup shift combined with the return of Talen Horton-Tucker were big...
Dead Legs
13 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
After leading by 5 at halftime, the Lakers got blown out in the 2nd half by the Timberwolves, losing a game where they looked increasingly fatigued an...
Russ the Decisionmaker
10 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Russell Westbrook had 5 turnovers in the 4th quarter of Monday's win over the Hornets and, while extreme, this represents some of the ball security st...
Thriller vs Charlotte
09 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Lakers held on to outlast the Hornets on Monday night, earning a much needed win in overtime and stopping their 2-game losing streak in the proces...
Fair Expectations
08 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
With LeBron James still out and the Lakers other injuries still very much impacting their ability to play productive lineups, what should our expectat...
5-4
05 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Another LeBron James injury coupled with another loss to the Thunder have the Lakers frustrated and looking for solutions to a growing number of probl...
Defensive Fits
04 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
When the Lakers are at their best defensively, they're flying around the court, trapping, and really pressuring offenses into mistakes and misses. Thi...
Wild Ride
03 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Lakers held on to beat the Rockets on Tuesday night in a wild ride of a game that, in many ways, represents the Lakers season to this point. Pete,...
NBA Is Back
02 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Turmoil in Boston? That's a shame. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss Marcus Smart's comments about teammates Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, the Celtics ...
Finding Gold
01 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
With wins over the Cavs and the Rockets over the weekend, the Lakers look like they're in the early stages of figuring things out as a team. Pete, Mik...
Collapse in OKC
28 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Lakers fell apart, blowing a huge first half lead to lose their game vs. the Thunder. Pete, Mike, and Darius perform an autopsy on the game, offe...