Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

The All-Star Game lost one potential Laker when Anthony Davis was traded to Dallas. (Luka Dončić wasn't going to play thank to the games he missed to injury.) 

Relatively late in the afternoon on Sunday, LeBron James announced he wouldn't be playing, taking the time to rest his bothersome foot and ankle instead. 

"“I was hoping that it would feel a lot better this morning, but it’s not where I want it to be... And with 30 games left and with us trying to make a playoff push in the wild, wild, West, I feel like it’s very important for me to kind of take care of myself and understand what’s coming on," James said. “So, I won’t say it’s maintenance, but it is maintenance,” he said. “At the same time, I have to look out for myself when it comes to this to this injury I’ve been dealing with for years.”

So on the one hand, sad for the NBA and for fans, who have been watching him play in every game since 2004. (That, sidenote, is a stunning bit of trivia.) On the other... this is a good thing for the Lakers. Yes, it means LeBron is nursing an injury, but we knew that. And likely, doing whatever it is they do in modern ASGs wasn't going to hurt him, but why risk it? James is prioritizing the final 30 games of the season. Ultimately, he needed the break to get his body right. Unrelated to All-Star, obviously, Luka noted last week that he needed a mental and physical break. 

All of this is a reminder that the Lakers seem to have a lot more to play for than they did in game 25. Not that they're favorites in the conference—that honor still obviously goes to the Thunder—but given how wide open the West is, the way the Lakers have played in the last month or so, pushing themselves well up into the top 6 gives them as good a shot as everyone else. Assuming, of course, the two stars are the best versions of themselves. Luka needs to round back into form after missing almost two months. LeBron needs to find ways to keep it, physically. 

But whether James or the other guys on the team, you get the sense that they're no longer having to play mental games to convince themselves that the spring could bring meaningful basketball. That's a big shift, and something to be excited about coming out of the break. 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: LeBron sits out the All Star Game. 

SEGMENT 2: The NBA needs to get offline. 

SEGMENT 3: The Hornets seem to be giving up on the Mark Williams trade. 

 

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It might sound strange to some that Luka Dončić admitted after Wednesday's clunker of a game for the Lakers, in which Luka himself was pretty clunky, that he really needed the upcoming All-Star break. Physically, in part to continue working his way back following the calf injury that cost him nearly two months of play, and definitely mentally. 

It's easy to forget, given how talented these players are, the amount of resources available to them, and the sheer amount of money they make, that even the biggest superstars are still people. It's something crystalized by JJ Redick when he noted that his ASB would be spent filling out insurance paperwork and trying to find a more permanent place for his family to live following the loss of their home in the Palisades fire. 

For Luka, it's been a different kind of stress, but similarly draining. It can be argued that no employee in America is less threatened by job transfer (or in the NBA, a trade) than a superstar in his mid-20s. Like, those guys have security. Luka wasn't pushing his way out, or demanding a trade. This wasn't something he saw coming in the slightest. And not only did Dallas trade him, they took serious shots at his professionalism on the way out the door. Even if some of the criticism is fair—Dončić does need to take better care of himself as NBA seasons pile up on his body—how it was delivered, by people representing the organization he saw as an ally, is jarring. 

So Wednesday in Utah, it's very possible Luka hit a mental wall. And a physical one, with the altitude and the reality that it's often the second big workout that's harder than the first. 

There's a lot riding on this trade. Given how well the Lakers have played over the last month, the Dončić deal is no longer one to think about solely as a move for the future. The Lakers are in the thick of it in the Western Conference, even with their "all-in" move for a center falling apart. It matters if Luka slumps a little in his first games as a Laker, insofar as the standings are concerned. So it'll be interesting to see how fans react if Luka comes out of the break and doesn't put up his "classic" numbers. 

Down the road, we might all need to re-calibrate what Luka's numbers ought to be. Is he going to put out stats at the same rate playing next to LeBron James and Austin Reaves? What numbers ought to go up, high as many already were? The "feeling out" period includes fans, who will find out with time if their own systems of evaluation for guys like Luka need recalibrating to account better for context. 

All this to say, there's some reason to worry Luka won't bounce back effectively for the second half of the season. There's far more reason, however, to blieve he'll be back to what he was before injury. 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Luka needs a break! 

SEGMENT 2: Why there's a toll... even when it looks like players aren't using it. 

SEGMENT 3: Why the All-Star Game is obsolete. 

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The Lakers have, for the most part, been in a tremendous rhythm over the last few weeks. 

So on Wednesday in Utah, when they were decidedly not, it was actually pretty jarring. LA was out of sorts for most of the night, playing shorthanded (no Dorian Finney-Smith, no Gabe Vincent and Jaxson Hayes left early after being hit in the face), and lost all attributes of the defensive cohesion that has fueled this big run of wins. Final score, Jazz 131, Lakers 119. 

Nobody looked great. Luka Dončić finished with 16 points, four rebounds and four assists, but struggled with foul trouble and turned the ball over five times in only 23 minutes of run. LeBron was reasonably quiet. Austin Reaves was a putrid 1-10 from 3-point range. The whole team, in fact, seemed flummoxed by the long stretches of zone defense thrown at them by Utah. They had trouble generating shots with balance offensively—Jazz center Walker Kessler was a problem in the paint—which led to bad balance defensively. They couldn't make a free throw (17-30)!

And man, did the defense fail them. In the second and third quarters especially, the Jazz seemed able to get whatever good shots they wanted. 

So the first half (pre-All-Star break, really) portion of the schedule wraps up in disappointing fashion, but overall there are strong reasons to feel optimistic. At 32-20, the Lakers are firmly in the top six in the Western Conference, with at least a puncher's chance to move up. They've got some serious energy thanks to the Luka deal. Finney-Smith is a good fit, Vincent is playing well, Rui Hachimura has raised his level. Everyone will get a chance to re-charge over the break. (JJ Redick noted he hopes to use the break to finish insurance claims and find an apartment after losing his house in the Palisades fire, a reminder that while the Lakers have been playing games, players and staff continue dealing with significant life issues.) 

But Wednesday also showed there's some work to do. There's reason to believe the Luka/LeBron partnership will come together reasonably quick, but that doesn't mean every night is going to be smooth sailing. Rim protection is going to be an issue, particularly when Hayes—the closest thing they have to a paint presence—isn't on the floor. 

So it's not perfect, but if you asked Lakers fans in October if they'd take 32-20 heading into the break, virtually all would have jumped at it. The Lakers are set to play meaningful basketball as winter turns to spring, which is a nice place to be. 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The D collapses in Utah. 

SEGMENT 2: An off night for Luka. 

SEGMENT 3: 32-20. Lots to like, despite challenges coming. 

 

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Competing in their last game before the All-Star break, the Los Angeles Lakers couldn’t have played any worse than they did Wednesday night in Utah as the Jazz upset the favored Lakers 131-119. Lauri Markkanen led Utah with 32 points, while Keyonte George added 20 off the bench. The Lakers were led in the loss by Rui Hachimura’s 19 points, LeBron James' 18, and Luka Doncic’s 16. The Lakers will return to action on February 19th, when they host the Charlotte Hornets.

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Tuesday afternoon, the Lakers hit the buyout market, signing veteran seven-footer Alex Len, who had been with Sacramento for the last few seasons. 

While early in his career after being drafted by the Suns in 2013 Len showed glimpses of promise, for the most part he's been a depth big, bouncing around the league and never really breaking out. He's got a little offensive game, and has had seasons where the defensive metrics look ok (and others where they most certainly do not). But let's be real: Len's primary positive attribute is size. He's an enormous human. 

And that's the "skill set" that prompted the Lakers to release Christian Wood to make space for him. 

Len is unlikely to play big minutes for LA. He's certainly not going to take a starting position from Jaxson Hayes, who has earned the right to keep his gig and, importantly, is a better player and a better fit with Luka Dončić and LeBron James. What the Len signing says, though, is that the Lakers are moving on from the failed Mark Williams trade—Charlotte is exploring ways to protest the physical results, but as of yet there's no indication it'll actually lead anywhere—and trying to fill out the roster in a logical way. 

Len gives the Lakers a big-bodied bruiser to go along with the bouncy-but-lighter Hayes and Christian Koloko, who is cut from a similar mold. He's taller than Trey Jemison III, and has significantly more experience. He's a type as much as a player, and gives JJ Redick another layer of optionality in the roster, particularly in specific matchups against burly fives. And since Wood clearly wasn't coming back anytime soon, it's essentially no harm, no foul. 

But don't expect the Lakers to lean into a Hayes/Len rotation. Instead, they're much more likely to "go small," but keep in mind "small" for these Lakers... isn't all that small. The new point guard is 6'6". LeBron and Rui, 6'8". DFS? 6'7". Vando? 6'8". Only one rotation regular (Gabe Vincent) is shorter than Austin Reaves at 6'5". This is not a small group, and that's the identity Redick is almost certainly going to leverage. 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

 

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers sign Alex Len. 

SEGMENT 2: What the Len signing means for how the Lakers will play. Hint... it has little to do with Len. 

SEGMENT 3: How about that Jordan Goodwin!?!?!

 

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The NBA West Squad Show brings together hosts from various Western Conference teams to discuss the latest developments. This episode focuses on the aftermath of the Luka Doncic trade, with Nick Angstadt of Locked on Mavericks expressing his frustration and concerns. The panel debates the impact on the Mavericks and Lakers, particularly with Anthony Davis's injury. They also explore how other teams in the West, such as the Thunder and Nuggets, are positioned after the trade deadline. The hosts engage in lively banter, sharing insights on team strategies, player performances, and potential future moves. The conversation touches on the challenges faced by different franchises and the evolving landscape of the Western Conference.

 

0:00 Intro: Anthony Davis out indefinitely

5:50 Mavs owner's comments on Luka trade

11:08 Lakers' center situation after rescinded trade

20:45 Thunder as big winners at trade deadline

25:15 Second apron impact on trade deadline

28:48 Grizzlies' trade deadline approach and challenges

32:55 Outro: Wrapping up NBA West discussion

 

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Ultimately, the game wasn't close enough for fans to get a full view of newly acquired superstar Luka Doncic. 

Not exactly what they wanted, as they poured into Crypto.com Arena on Monday, but a nice "problem" for the Lakers. 

Final score, 132-113. Doncic, who had a 30 minute cap on his minutes in his first game since Christmas, was only needed for about 23:30. It's obviously too early to make sweeping statements about what the Luka/LeBron James Lakers will look like over time, and after such a big layoff Luka's jumper was (understandably) off... but a few things feel safe to say. 

First, the Lakers are going to feature some absolutely absurd passing. Both Luka and LeBron are special scorers, but they are otherworldly distributors. For the Lakers to have two guys at that size, capable of creating passing angles virtually nobody in the league can (then often sharing the floor with Austin Reaves, himself a great passer)? It's going to mean a ton of good looks. And the ball movement is contagious, so it should encourage good habits in that respect no matter what floor combos are out there. 

Moreover, where the Lakers before too often found themselves forcing up horrible shots late in the clock, adding Luka could give them a far better chance to create quality shots throughout all 24 seconds. That certainly was the case on Monday. Players will pass up good shots for great ones. 

Teams will figure out how they want to defend the Lakers over time—and maybe some of those ideas will work—but the percentage of quality shots the Lakers are able to generate should rise precipitously. And importantly, that should have a positive impact on the defense. 

Doncic certainly wasn't great in this one, by his lofty standards. There will be far more remarkable games against much better teams between now and the end of this season. (Or even the end of this month.) But it's already clear that this version of the Lakers will produce things from night to night—even on the nights where they kinda suck—that will be tremendous fun for basketball fans, and the energy of these guys together, with the prospect for a highlight reel pass at any moment (and incentive for supporting players to put themselves at the receiving end) will be good for the Lakers. 

It'll take weeks for Luka, LeBron and the rest of the team, along with the coaching staff, to get deep into the bag of tricks now available to them. It already looks like a roster that could fuel tremendous positive energy if everyone rows in the same direction. 

Meanwhile, the Lakers, at 32-19, are tied for fourth in the West, with one more game against the Jazz before the All-Star break. They've bought some space to figure things out, as needed. 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Luka makes his debut as the Lakers crush Utah. 

SEGMENT 2: Wow, that was fun! 

SEGMENT 3: Things are really, really trending up for LA. 

 

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Luka Doncic made his Los Angeles Lakers debut, scoring 14 points, grabbing 5 rebounds, and dishing out 4 assists in just 24 minutes as the Lakers crushed the visiting Utah Jazz 132-113. LeBron James added 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists while Austin Reeves chipped in with 22 points and 9 rebounds. The red-hot Lakers will look to continue their winning ways Wednesday night when they visit Utah.

 

Lakers, LA Lakers, Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Rui, Hachimura Austin Reeves, Dalton Knecht, NBA, Lakers Post cast, JJ Redick, Dave Palet, Lakers vs Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers vs Utah Jazz

 

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So what now?

In news that frankly was more stunning than the acquisition of center Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets late last week, on Saturday evening it was announced that the deal was off. Why? Because Williams failed his physical with the Lakers. This sort of thing is exceedingly rare. Often when problems like this pop up, the terms of compensation change, but the trade still happens. But for the centerpiece (no pun intended) of a trade to be examined and red flagged to the point where the team that wanted him won't sign off? 

Wow. 

So who's to blame here? Did Rob Pelinka screw this up (and in the process cost the Lakers a chance to get a different center whose body they presumably wouldn't decide is a ticking time bomb? Did the Hornets try to hide the ball and hoodwink the Lakers into giving up (a lot of) assets for a guy they knew was damaged? Or was this just the process playing out as it should? 

Either way, the Lakers are now short the starting center they thought they had on Thursday as the deadline passed, and don't have many options to try and solve the problem. Essentially, they're down to players available through the buyout market (the most prominent being Daniel Theis and former Laker (albeit briefly) Mo Bamba. Could those guys help a little? Maybe? Depends on how we're defining "help" and "a little." Are they difference makers? Absolutely not. (And because both Knecht and Reddish are back on the roster, they'd have to cut someone to make the room. 

Maybe they roll with Jaxson Hayes and two-way centers Trey Jemison III and Christian Koloko, creating roster space for one of them to be converted to a regular NBA contract, since two-way guys aren't eligible for the postseason. 

But mostly, it's just pretty clear the Lakers are going to have to finish the year with a different roster than the one they had hoped for, which means JJ Redick and his staff will have to adjust accordingly. Winning games like Saturday in Indiana feel even more important now, since the team could be a little weaker. Winning games like those, and like the one coming tonight against Utah (with Luka Doncic hopefully ready to make his debut in LA), are/will be critical for giving the Lakers a little cushion to absorb any slow start they might have in the Doncic Era. 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Williams Deal is Dead

SEGMENT 2: Did Pelinka make a mistake, here? 

SEGMENT 3: AD injured. That sucks. 

 

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There are no breaks with the Lakers these days. 

In a shocking turn of events, the trade between the Lakers and Hornets bringing Mark Williams to LA has been rescinded after Williams failed his physical. It's important to know how rare this sort of thing is, and while reports are it wasn't his problematic back that spooked LA's docs, there was enough other stuff going on here that the Lakers simply couldn't pass him. Eventually, we'll get a better feel for whatever happened here, and down the road we'll learn whether the Lakers dodged a bullet and/or if they can make a better deal this offseason, the most pressing question is clear: 

What do the Lakers do now? 

The Lakers still need a center, but trade deadline is passed, so that's not an option, anymore. Meanwhile, undoing the trade puts two players back on LA's roster, complicating their efforts to sign a  player on the buyout market. Moreover, none of the players they might eventually get access to will be as good, or even as close to as good, as Williams. 

Rob Pelinka is going to need to return to the drawing board, but this time it's going to be filled with far fewer appealing choices. 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

 

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(NOTE: Hi folks! This episode was recorded before the news about Mark Williams, and the now-rescinded trade with Charlotte. So obviously some of the context here has changed, and we'll be back to react to the news, but in the meantime much of what we talked about applies.) 

No LeBron James, no Luka Doncic, and the Lakers having to go very, very deep into the roster bag Saturday vs. Indiana? No problem! 

In one of the more contextually entertaining games of the season, the Lakers beat Indiana, 124-117, behind 45/7/7 from Austin Reaves. He was fantastic on a day the Lakers needed him to perform like star, but he had some help. Rui Hachimura had 24 points and nine rebounds. Jaxson Hayes kicked in, finishing one point shy of a double-double. Gabe Vincent had 12 points, Trey Jemison III eight, and Jordan Goodwin (signed to a two-way deal on Friday) played 25 minutes and scored 10 points. It was a true team effort, with everyone who played kicking in with something, and one of those games that if the Lakers sneak into a better seed at the end of the year by a game or two, that they'll look back on as critical. 

Obviously not one where you draw lessons on style of play or anything like that, but it is one that will do a lot of good for the confidence of LA's role players as the Luka/LeBron era kicks off. 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

 

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Playing without LeBron James and Luka Doncic, Austin Reeves set a career high in points with 45 and Rui Hachimura added 24 as the Los Angeles Lakers held on to beat the visiting Indiana Pacers 124-117. The Pacers were led by Pascal Siakam’s 23 but trailed by 25 points in the first half and couldn’t overcome the massive deficit. The Lakers will look to continue winning ways Monday night against the Utah Jazz when Luka Doncic makes his Lakers debut.

Lakers, LA Lakers, Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Rui, Hachimura Austin Reeves, Mark Williams, NBA, Lakers Post cast, JJ Redick, Dave Palet, Lakers vs Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers vs Indiana Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton 

 

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No LeBron, No Luka, no problem. the Lakers win again, behind a huge game from Austin Reaves. With the shorthanded Lakers waiting one more game before the hopeful debuts of Luka Doncic and Mark Williams, plus the return of LeBron James to the lineup after missing Saturday's contest with a sore ankle, a "next man/men" up mentality would be required in order to beat an Indiana Pacers team that's been smoking hot of late, even on the road. No worries. Austin Reaves took over for the Lakers, putting up a career-high 45 points to go along with seven rebounds and seven assists. Rui Hachimura scored 24 points on his 27th birthday. And from there, all the role players not expected to provide counting stats galore found ways to pitch in. In the end, a win that keeps the Lakers climbing up the standings, but also continues a recent trend of top-to-bottom contributions from the entire rotation. Good stuff, indeed! 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 

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Thursday at the Crypt against Golden State, the Lakers picked up right where they'd left off, replicating the fantastic effort and execution used to beat the Knicks and the Clippers over the last week. In the first half, the Lakers went up by as much as 26, and went into the break up 20. 

Things weren't as smooth in the second half, as the Lakers let Golden State get back in the game. They never gave up the lead, but were forced to play through the tape in a 120-112 win. 

The Lakers are on the cusp of some seismic changes. Luka Doncic and Mark Williams are set to take the floor soon. Doncic becomes the new best player on the team, and the long-term future of the squad. But in the meantime, it's important not to forget about LeBron James. The old man was on fire Thursday, pulling the Lakers through to a win with 42 points, 17 rebounds and eight assists. He was, by a significant margin, the best player on the floor for either team. He provided support for Austin Reaves, who scored 23 points thanks to 15-16 from the line, but struggled with his shot (4-17) and turnovers (4). On a night where it looked like the Lakers might need another member of the supporting cast, whether Rui Hachimura (11 points) or Dorian Finney-Smith (7 points), to step up with a big night, LeBron made that unnecessary. 

In the process, the Lakers won their 10th game in 12 tries, moved to 11 games over .500 (with two games against the Jazz before the All-Star break) and put a little more daylight between themselves and the group of teams stuck in the play-in bracket. 

The beauty of LeBron's big night, other than the fun of watching James perform at that level (and yes, made cooler by the fact he's 40 years old in year 22) is that this sort of performance should be far less necessary going forward, once Doncic is available. Not just in in terms of scoring, but the work of orchestrating an offense and controlling a game. 

He'll still be able to do it, and at times certainly will. But with Doncic as the headliner, that burden shifts considerably and the fact that James—averaging 25.6/7.8/9.9 over his last 10 games—still has that level of production easily accessible is what will make the Lakers a very dangerous playoff team.  Moreover, it seems pretty clear that while LeBron said the right stuff before, he now sees far more potential for this team than he did a month ago. That's not a knock on Davis, but a reflection of how the team has trended over the last few weeks, and now the potential of the re-shaped roster. 

That sense of purpose is critical for most athletes (the Lakers are likely counting on it with Williams), but for a guy in year 22? It's even more essential. 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: LeBron blows up vs. Golden State

SEGMENT 2: Has LeBron found the joy again? 

SEGMENT 3: Scouting Mark Williams, and setting expectations. 

 

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LeBron James scored 42 points, grabbed 17 rebounds, and added 8 assists, and Austin Reeves chipped in with 23 points as the Lakers held on to beat the visiting Golden State Warriors 120-112. Future Hall of Famer Steph Curry had 37 in the loss. 

The Lakers will look to continue their winning ways Saturday afternoon when they host the Indiana Pacers.

Lakers, LA Lakers, Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Rui, Hachimura Austin Reeves, Mark Williams, NBA, Lakers Post cast, JJ Redick, Dave Palet, Lakers vs Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers vs Golden State Warriors, Steph Curry 

 

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The Lakers put out quite an effort on the defensive end Saturday, when they beat the Knicks in New York. 

Tuesday against the Clippers, they did it again, this time without Max Christie, who was with the Mavs making his debut for Dallas. Final score, 122-97. This was a top 3 defense in the league, and the Lakers lit them up, and controlled the game throughout. And obviously this was done without Luka Doncic on the floor. (LA's new star is targeting Saturday vs. Indiana to make his debut in purple and gold.) 

Everything will change once Doncic is in uniform, and there will without question be adjustments and growing pains. But it's pretty clear—as they wrap up a 5-1 Grammy road trip, tied in the loss column with Denver, and will taking the floor Thursday at the Crypt having won nine of their last 11 games—that the Lakers have found something that has nothing to do with which star or role player is on the roster. Save clunkers against Charlotte and Philadelphia (one win, one embarrassing loss), the Lakers have displayed a level of focus and continuity on the floor, not only playing hard but also executing the same game plan, as a team. 

The latter certainly hasn't been a given throughout the year. 

Obviously more could change between now and Thursday's trade deadline, but the circumstances under which the Lakers will now integrate Doncic—or more specifically, how the Lakers will be integrated with Doncic—is promising. First, they've given themselves a little bit of cushion to work with in the West, having moved a few games clear of the play-in tier, but as importantly they seem to have a better understanding of what JJ Redick and the coaching staff are asking of them. They're more confident. There's less guessing. The role players, who have been thriving with LeBron James (26/8/9) setting them up, are about to take the floor with Doncic as well. Austin Reaves (20/6/9) continues growing more comfortable as a distributor. Rui Hachimura (20 points) has taken advantage of more opportunities in the offense. Dalton Knecht (14 points) is back to providing useful minutes off the bench. 

Shot quality with Luka and LeBron should be off the charts. Better shots and better offense will mitigate some of their vulnerabilities on defense. It's not going to be perfect, or even close, but the notion the Lakers have to drop off significantly following the trade simply isn't supported by what's happening on the floor. 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

 

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers thump the Clippers. 

SEGMENT 2: Finding an identity. 

SEGMENT 3: Quickly adjusting to a new world in El Segundo. 

 

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Rob Pelinka didn't take his foot off the gas. 

Shortly after arriving in Los Angeles, new superstar Luka Doncic made it clear the type of center he likes to play with. Active, athletic, and with the ability to get up to be a vertical threat. Ask and you shall receive, Mr. Doncic. Late Wednesday evening, (via ESPN's Shams Charania) the Lakers agreed to a deal with the Charlotte Hornets to acquire 23-year old 7-footer Mark Williams in exchange for Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, an unprotected first rounder in 2031 and a pick swap in 2030. 

This pick is reflective of the new world of options opened up to the franchise by acquiring Doncic. 

First, the Lakers have clearly made the calculation—with good reason—that they're capable of competing after the first big trade. Yes, the Lakers probably took a step back defensively, but wins against New York and the Clippers, both without Davis, showed the Lakers are capable of competing on that side of the floor. And while they did make a huge trade and sent out two key players... they acquired Luka Doncic in the process.

And because they did, that pick swap and first rounder surrendered to get Williams, who is exactly the type of player Doncic asked for (offensively at least) becomes a lot less painful to send out. The Lakers, with Doncic in the fold, are far less likely to fall off a cliff in the post-LeBron era than they might have been a week ago. Given their histories, which team would you pick to have a better record in a few years time? LA or Charlotte? Obviously a lot can happen between now and then... but the value of those picks/swaps went down a ton the minute the Pelinka and Nico Harrison called it a deal. 

And in Williams, the Lakers acquired a center that wouldn't have worked nearly as effectively with Davis. Yes, he's a true C, but he's also not a floor spreader. Williams has taken one three pointer in his three-season career. (He missed.) They'd have had to pay a premium to get Williams, but would have had trouble keeping him and A.D. on the floor together enough to make that cost worth it. 

But with Luka and LeBron? Williams makes a lot more sense. 

This was already a transformative deadline for the Lakers. But now, the Lakers have their star of the present and future, and a center who fits the timeline. There's risk—Williams has been hurt for huge portions of all three seasons he's played, and has been a very mixed bag as a defender—but if he can shake off the injuries (none requiring surgery) Williams could be a mainstay for a decade. 

Wow. Wow, wow. wow. Lakers fans have every right to be excited. 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

 

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers acquire Mark Williams from Charlotte. 

SEGMENT 2: What are they getting in Williams? 

SEGMENT 3: What this says about the Lakers commitment to Doncic, after only days of him being on the team. 

 

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The new-look Lakers, playing their first game without Anthony Davis, were led by LeBron James’s 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists as the Los Angeles Lakers, playing without Luka Doncic, crushed crosstown rivals Los Angeles Clippers 122-97. The Lakers, who are playing their best basketball of the season, will look to continue their winning ways Thursday night when they host the Golden State Warriors.

Lakers, LA Lakers, Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Anthony Davis, Rui, Hachimura Austin Reeves, NBA, Lakers Post cast, JJ Redick, Dalton Knecht, Dave Palet, Lakers vs Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers vs Los Angeles Clippers

 

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NBA West Squad: Luka Doncic Shocking Trade and the look Spurs with De’Aaron Fox

 

The NBA West Squad Show tackles the seismic trade of Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers. Hosts from various Western Conference teams discuss the fallout, including potential trade packages other teams could have offered for Doncic. The conversation explores how this move reshapes the Western Conference landscape, particularly impacting teams like the Thunder and Spurs. The hosts debate the Lakers' win-now prospects with Luka and LeBron, and whether trading LeBron should be considered. The show also covers the Kings' trade of De'Aaron Fox to the Spurs, analyzing its implications for both teams and the broader competitive balance in the West.

 

0:00 Intro

5:23 Luka Doncic trade impact on teams

11:55 Lakers' future after Luka trade

19:55 Kings trade De'Aaron Fox to Spurs

26:02 Spurs' playoff chances with Fox

31:51 Rob Pelinka's role in Luka trade

 

 

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The Lakers shifted their organizational focus from LeBron James and Anthony Davis to Luka Dončić with Saturday's seismic trade. Everything they do going forward will be done from the POV of a roster built around Luka. 

That much is obvious, because Star A is 25 and Star B is 40. 

But Star B happens to be (in the eyes of many) the greatest to ever play. He has been at the center of nearly every NBA conversation for more than two decades, and still has a massive amount of gravity attached to him. And no question, for a long time there was real drama around LeBron. But one of the less talked about realities of his tenure in LA, especially the last couple of seasons, is how little of it there has been. Some passive/aggressive stuff from the old James playbook here and there, but big drama? Meaningful tension? 

Remember, drama in this city and with this franchise means screaming at the owner to pay you while he sits on the sidelines, or telling every radio and TV station that will hear you that you'll play on Pluto before you wear the purple and gold again. 

By those standards, and even some looser ones, the LeBron Era has been very, very quiet. And now, it remains so. Less than 24 hours after Luka became a Laker, ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported that James won't ask out before the deadline, the only way he can be traded given his no-trade clause. So as much as some voices want to see him play with Steph Curry and the Warriors, or push his way out to some other destination, it's not going to happen. LeBron, it seems, feels like he's got just as good a shot of winning in LA with Dončić than he does anywhere else he might realistically go... and he's right. He surely realizes that Luka's skill set is the one best suited to help him play an extra season or two if he'd like, because that skill set is his skill set. 

It incentivizes him to help Luka build better habits with his body, as well. 

The notion LeBron can't give up some responsibility offensively to Luka? He's done it this year already for Austin Reaves. He's spent the last few seasons begging Anthony Davis to take the proverbial torch, and frequently referred to A.D. as the team's best player this year. 

Look, maybe things don't work out, and this offseason the Lakers and LeBron part ways. But it sure seems like the league is more addicted to the LeBron drama than LeBron is at this point. And in the meantime, maybe we just see how it works first? Because the Lakers blew up their core, but they didn't rebuild. That's one of the things making this trade so unique, but it's warping the way people think about the LeBron/Lakers, LeBron/Luka pairing.  

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Luka will meet the media today!

 

SEGMENT 2: Is the NBA still addicted to LeBron Drama? 

 

SEGMENT 3: Anthony Davis says goodbye to LA. 

 

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The Luka Doncic era with the Lakers is now truly, TRULY official, as the Slovenian superstar (along with fellow newcomer Maxi Kleiber and former Laker returnee Markieff Morris) was introduced to the media by Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka. The topics discussed included the excitement for this new era of Lakers basketball, the reports of conditioning and bad defense leading to the Dallas Mavericks trading Doncic, the impending LeBron James/Luka Doncic oncourt duo, what additional moves might be coming before the trade deadline, and more. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! PrizePicks Download the app and use code lockedonnfl to win $50 instantly when you play $5. You don't even need to win to receive your $50 bonus, it's guaranteed! Prizepicks. Run Your Game.Click Here: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNBA BetterHelp This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Rediscover your curiosity with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month. Robinhood With Robinhood Gold, you can now enjoy the VIP treatment. The new Gold Standard is here with Robinhood Gold. To receive 3% boost on annual IRA contributions,  sign up at robinhood.com/gold. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel Super Bowl 59 is here, And there’s no better way to make every play more exciting than with FanDuel Sportsbook. New customers can bet just FIVE DOLLARS, and if you win, you’ll score TWO HUNDRED BUCKS in Bonus Bets. Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of Super Bowl Fifty-Nine. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Now that the shock has worn off -- kinda -- Lakers fans are wondering what happens next.

Because while the conversation in Dallas about why Doncic is no longer a Mav is very complex and absolutely not finished (Nico Harrison's press conference on Sunday settled very little for Mavs fans), for the Lakers it's pretty straightforward. The Lakers had an opportunity to get their next generational star for a very reasonable price and took it. While it weakens them in the short term, the long term clarity the trade provides is obvious. 

Is it risk free? What trade is? 

What they have now is a consensus top 5 player in the NBA who isn't yet in his prime. 

The immediate question, beyond what the Lakers do next, is how the team's new star duo looks once Doncic is healthy enough to join LeBron James on the floor. What kind of fit are we talking about? On the one hand, both James and Luka are basketball savants, who see the floor in ways few players in history ever have. The playmaking ability of those two, especially working in tandem on pick and roll sets and so on, is staggering. That much size with that much passing skill is unprecedented. 

But here's the thing: While in the short term, this paring is of critical importance—if the Lakers are going to win this year and next, this duo will be the fuel that makes it happen—it's very clear now that long term decisions from the front office aren't going to be geared towards LeBron. Every meaningful roster decision the team makes is about Luka, and what works best to build around him when LeBron is done. And because Doncic is 25, not yet fully in his prime, those choices are a lot easier to make than they would be with a 32 or 33-year old Davis. 

To be clear, there's nobody LeBron really can't play with, even while some styles mesh better than others. And both he and Doncic will need to adjust, as any stars do when joined together for the first time. But any sense of the team making deals because that's what LeBron wants? Ok, but only if it makes sense for Luka, too. 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

 

SEGMENT 1: More Luka reaction. Why the Lakers HAD to say yes. 

SEGMENT 2: How risky is the risk, here? 
 

SEGMENT 3: Can LeBron and Luka play well together? 

 

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One good measure of how a team has fared in a trade is how the opposing fans react to the news. And if that's the case, Lakers fans should be quite pleased, because hey are NOT happy in Dallas. 

Here to explain why is Nick Angstadt, host of Locked On Mavs, and believer in the talent of Doncic. He walks us through the thinking of the organization, confronts the potential red flags, and reasonably assesses the risks for the Lakers and comes to a pretty clear conclusion: The Lakers are getting a transcendent player who can do some amazing stuff on the floor, whose flaws are real but overshadowed by the impact he has. 

And if Luka takes the trade personally and uses it as motivation to get into better shape? Look out. 

Either way, he's not pleased at what Dallas did, and doesn't buy Nico Harrison's explanations as to why Dallas felt this was necessary. 

And all of that benefits LA. 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with Guest Nick Angstadt

 

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Blockbuster doesn't describe it. 

The Lakers and Dallas Mavericks have agreed to one of the most stunning trades in any sport, anywhere. LA sends Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first round pick to Dallas for Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris. (LA also moves Jalen Hood-Schifino and the remaining second rounders they had to Utah, who popped in to help facilitate the deal and get some stuff for their troubles.) 

It's impossible to understate how stunning a deal this is. The Mavs are moving a 25 year old perennial All NBA performer, a guy who finished 3rd in MVP voting last year and was on track to challenge for it again this year before a calf injury took him off track. This does not happen. Why did they do it? Reportedly because they wanted to get better defensively (hence the acquisitions of Davis and Christie) but mostly because they think he's too big a risk for the massive contract he's about to receive, because of consistent questions about his fitness and work ethic. 

So if they're right? The Lakers are in for a frustrating few years. If they're wrong? 

The Lakers have a generational superstar, and completely chance the arc of the post-LeBron era. 

What does it mean for this season? It's hard to say. First, because the Lakers still have a few days to make more moves. Second, because it's such a huge change that it's hard to know what the team will look like when Doncic takes the floor. They're certainly weaker defensively, though likely more dynamic on the other end. Losing Christie hurts. They need another wing, they BADLY need center help. But this trade doesn't seem like it's about this season, but the future. 

Wow. Wow, wow, wow, wow. 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

 

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No matter how catastrophically bad the Washington Wizards are—and make no mistake, they are catastrophically bad—there was a lot to like about what the Lakers did in their 134-96 win Thursday night in D.C., going well beyond the final score. 

Down Anthony Davis, Dorian Finney-Smith and Gabe Vincent, the Lakers did exactly what they needed to do in order to control the game, even down some talent. They took care of the ball (11 turnovers overall, and only four in the first half). They moved it, as well, with 31 assists on 49 field goals (again, frontloaded to the first half). They distributed the scoring, took defense as seriously as they could, got off to a quick start and most importantly, sustained all of this focus and attention throughout the game. 

The end result was ideal. A huge win, a chance for guys like Jaxson Hayes (10 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks) and Shake Milton (21/4/4) to build some confidence, and perhaps most importantly, a chance for LeBron James to rest. LBJ dominated the minutes he played, but critically only had to play 26. Given the heavy load he'll have to carry without Davis over the next few games, any opportunity to let James sit is important. 

The Lakers call themselves an "execution" team. No question, it's easy to execute against a team like the Wizards, but that level of effort and focus didn't go unnoticed by JJ Redick after the game. This game absolutely should have been a win, and even a pretty easy one for the Lakers. But because they came with the right approach—and the Wizards clearly had no fight in them—this game was over at halftime. The next four games are going to be significantly more challenging, starting Saturday in the Garden against the Knicks. But the Lakers couldn't have had a better start to this Davis-less stretch of games (which hopefully won't be that long, with reports that the Lakers have at least some hope Davis could be available before the All-Star break). 

This doesn't seem like an important win on its face, and nobody should throw the Lakers a party or anything, but given how they performed against Charlotte and Philly, nothing about Thursday's game was a given. instead, LA executed on the assignment with near perfection, and got exactly the result they needed. 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers destroy Washington. 

SEGMENT 2: More to the win than meets the eye? 
 

SEGMENT 3:  Optimism about A.D.'s recovery? 

 

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Playing without All-Star center Anthony Davis, the rest of the Lakers stepped up as the Los Angeles Lakers crushed the hometown Washington Wizards 134-96. LeBron James led the Lakers with 24 points and 11 assists, while Rui Hachimura added 22 points and Shake Milton chipped in with 21 off the bench. The Lakers will look to continue their winning ways Saturday night when they visit the New York Knicks.

 

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The Lakers have a very distinct challenge in front of them over the next week or two. Let's say for the sake of argument Anthony Davis misses all seven of the games the Lakers have left on the calendar before the All-Star break. 

How will they respond? 

In theory, three of those games—tonight against Washington, then games against Utah on February 10th and 12th—are winnable whether Davis plays or not. The other four? You do what you can. But staying above water will require a true commitment to details and focus that has been missing too often this season, and has apparently left the building over the last two games. JJ Redick spoke bluntly about the poor mental approach the Lakers had against the Hornets in Charlotte, and to say the least, was not happy with that aspect of his team's game in Philadelphia against the Sixers. 

But sometimes missing stars brings things into focus. Redick and LeBron James have talked about the lack of margin for error, and about being an execution-based team. Well, nothing will bring the need to execute into greater focus than losing your best player. The security blanket Davis provides on both ends is gone. The Lakers know it, and can prepare. You would think the Lakers would come out with the requisite energy and attention to detail the task (even against a horrible basketball team like the Wizards) requires. 

You would think. 

In a perfect world, the Lakers can win enough games to buy A.D. some time, allowing him to rest through to the break if it's needed, or even what would be best for Davis in terms of his long-term health, and capacity to play at full strength for the stretch run. That means beating the Wizards tonight, but also stealing a game or two (ok, maybe just one) against the Knicks, Clippers, Warriors and Pacers. Lord knows they owe Davis the lift, given how he's carried them throughout the season. (In that sense, it's surprising Davis didn't already have a hernia.) 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: How long will Davis be out? 

SEGMENT 2: Where can the Lakers compensate? 

SEGMENT 3: Anger around Bronny vs. Philly is misplaced. 

 

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If Monday's ugly win in Charlotte shined a light on deficiencies around the Lakers roster, then Tuesday's ugly loss in Philadelphia—final score 118-104—had those shortcomings glowing in ways that could probably be seen from space. 

After a hot start, the Lakers cooled off, and then Anthony Davis left the game with what the Lakers would later call an abdominal strain. (No additional updates were provided after the game.) With Davis gone, the team collapsed. Defensively, they couldn't find anything to slow down Tyrese Maxey. They couldn't keep Philadelphia away from the rim, or off the glass. They couldn't force any mistakes (zero turnovers for the Sixers in the second quarter). By any measure, the Lakers were completely overwhelmed by Philly's aggression and athleticism. 

On the other end, they turned the ball over repeatedly (doing no favors to the defense) and couldn't find any sense of coherence or flow. Scoring became way too hard. 

It's enough to get you thinking about what Rob Pelinka ought to prioritize heading into the final stretch before the trade deadline. They clearly need a center. But the Lakers also clearly need another guard. On a night where Gabe Vincent (along with Jarred Vanderbilt) wasn't available, the Lakers were forced (or felt forced at least) to put Bronny James out there for meaningful minutes, hoping he could keep  some of the momentum he's started to gain with the G-League. 

He did not. These are important minutes for a young player, but the fact the Lakers needed to recall him at all because one player at his position is missing? Not good. And as for that center Davis wants? Well, Tuesday was a good example of why the Lakers could use another big. Jaxson Hayes was in foul trouble all night, and this was one of those games where you could really feel some of his limitations. It's unfair to expect Christian Koloko to provide big, high quality minutes behind Davis. They both struggled Tuesday, as did Max Christie (3 points on the night.) 

So the Lakers clearly need another guard/ballhandler/playmaker. 

But the stagnant offense also made it clear the Lakers need a player who can break people down and get a step off the dribble. 

What hole does Pelinka try to fill, if he has to choose between them? The answer to these, and many other questions, could be dependent on how A.D. feels when he wakes up on Wednesday. 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

 

SEGMENT 1: A terrible loss in Philly... Anthony Davis gets hurt. 

SEGMENT 2: What went wrong? (Aside from Davis getting hurt...) 

SEGMENT 3: What happens if AD is out for a few games? 

 

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The Lakers didn't provide an injury update for Anthony Davis following Tuesday's loss to Philadelphia, but didn't need much time to give one today. 

Scans confirmed an abdominal strain, and the team said he'd be sent back to Los Angeles and then re-evaluated again in about a week. Big picture, it could be worse, but it still means LA will likely be without its star for at least four games, potentially a few more. And as we've seen (and saw very clearly last night) the Lakers do not perform well, especially on defense, when Davis isn't available. 

So what's next? 

Well, the Lakers have to take a look at their pre-deadline strategy, and try and get some clarity. If they're confident it's a 1-3 week injury, does Rob Pelinka proceed as he would have had Davis not been injured? Does he try to push harder for a center, maybe even overpaying a little, in order to fill the gap? 

It's not going to be easy for the Lakers to tread water with Davis on the sidelines. 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

 

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Tyrese Maxey scored a game-high 43 points and Kelly Oubre Jr. added 20 points as the Philadelphia 76ers blew out the visiting Los Angeles Lakers 118-104. The Lakers were led by LeBron James, who had 31 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists, and rookie Dalton Knecht’s 24 points in the loss. The Lakers' chances of winning went out the window when Anthony Davis left the game in the first quarter with an abdominal strain. The Lakers will look to get back on the winning side of things Thursday night when they visit the Washington Wizards.

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In this episode of the Locked On NBA Squad Show West, your Locked On hosts discuss the current state of the West as the playoff picture continues to take shape. With Nick Angstadt hosting, the panel includes Matt Moore,  Rylan Styles, Matt George, Jackson Gatlin, and Andy Kamenetzky.

 

They debate sleeper teams, fraudulent contenders, and future prospects in the West. The hosts analyze the Oklahoma City Thunder's potential, the Houston Rockets' surprising success, and the challenges facing other teams. They explore the importance of playoff experience, shooting consistency, and coaching in determining postseason success.

 

The show also touches on the rebuilding strategies of bottom-tier teams like the Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs. Throughout the discussion, the hosts offer insights into team dynamics, player development, and the ever-changing landscape of the Western Conference.

 

0:00 Intro

5:34 Thunder's playoff potential questioned

11:06 Most fraudulent Western Conference team

16:47 Thunder's strengths and progression

28:23 Blazers as potential buy-low opportunity

 

 

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The Anthony Davis Revival continues. 

At the same time he made waves by vocalizing his desire for Rob Pelinka and the front office to add another big to the Lakers roster, Davis has also elevated his play (which was, to say the least, already high level). Monday in Charlotte, Davis went for 21/11 in the first quarter, en route to 42 points and 23 boards. He was the reason—the reason—the Lakers got off to a tremendous start against the Hornets, outscoring them 39-19 in the first quarter and the reason—the reason—they hung on to win, 112-107. 

LeBron James chipped in with 22/7/8, but also had five of the team's 19 turnovers that kept the Hornets in the game. 

In some ways, this game is a perfect microcosm of the team's season. On the one hand, they lost focus (JJ Redick said after he felt they worked hard, but made tons of mental errors), squandering an opportunity to get their stars extra rest on the front end of a back-to-back. The offense got gummy after the defense cooled off, and they found themselves in a game that shouldn't have been competitive. On the other, they won, moved to eight games over .500 and keep pushing towards a top-6 finish. 

The Lakers have the Sixers, without Joel Embiid and Paul George, tonight, then Washington on Thursday. That's a golden opportunity to reach 10 games over before tougher games against the Knicks and Clippers.

Losing big leads happens all the time in the NBA. If the Lakers had shown some of the consistency that high end teams display, it would be easy to shrug this off as annoying, but ultimately meaningless. But with the Lakers, performances like these tend to emphasize how challenging it is to figure out exactly what this group really is. 

To be fair, the Lakers had a goofy rotation, with Rui Hachimura and Gabe Vincent sidelined, Jarred Vanderbilt still on a minutes limit and Shake Milton tossed back into the fray. That kind of thing matters. But the best teams tend to keep a semblance of execution through times like these. Memphis, for example, has performed admirably through a ton of injuries this season, including to Ja Morant. 

So which end of the spectrum do the Lakers belong to? 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers win, thanks to AD. 

SEGMENT 2: The game was a great representation of the season as a whole. 

SEGMENT 3: What it revealed about the roster. 

 

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Anthony Davis had a season high 42 points and grabbed a season high 23 rebounds, while LeBron James added 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists as the Lakers, who once led by as many as 23, held on to beat the Hornets on the road 112-107. Charlotte had to play short-handed tonight, losing the league’s fourth leading scorer LaMelo Ball in the 2nd quarter with a sprained ankle. The Lakers will look to continue their winning ways Tuesday night in Philadelphia.

 

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The Lakers welcomed Jarred Vanderbilt back to the lineup Saturday, and he was one of the highlights of LA's 118-108 win over Golden State. 

It was barely more than 12 minutes of playing time, but it was enough to: 

a) show a blueprint of what these Lakers look like with Vanderbilt available, and... 

b) give a healthy chunk of the fanbase enough evidence that Rui Hachimura—who missed the game with a sore calf—is expendable. 

It seems unlikely that anything anyone inside the organization saw in 12 minutes on Saturday changes how the Lakers view Rui. They knew what he was going in, they know what he is coming out. His strengths and weaknesses are well-understood, and if they Lakers were looking to upgrade from the minutes Hachimura gets before, they're still planning to do it. The grist he provides for the rumor mill is also a function of math. With D'Angelo Russell out the door, Hachimura has the highest salary among non-star players on the team. He's the next logical candidate (financially, at least) to go. 

Fans like having a guy to blame things on, and for many, Hachimura is that guy. 

But are fans being too cavalier about trading him? How reliable is Vando from this point through to the end of the year? And what does all of this have to do with LA's reported pursuit of another center? 

It's an uncomfortable spot to be in, but it's where Rui will stay until the trade deadline brings some resolution. 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

 

SEGMENT 1: More reaction to Vando's return. 

SEGMENT 2: Does Rui become expendable now? 

SEGMENT 3: Remembering Kobe, 5 years after his passing. 

 

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The Lakers apparently know how to inject some fun into a Saturday night. 

Behind Anthony Davis (38 points, 13 rebounds) and LeBron James (25 points, 12 assists), the Lakers controlled the second half—including holding Steph Curry scoreless—to win 118-108. 

There was a lot to like for the Lakers in this game. It started with defense and balance, with Max Christie and Dalton Knecht providing legitimate support to the offense. And of course, the return of Jarred Vanderbilt to the lineup provided a nice boost, and a glimpse into what Vando might do with this team. The numbers over 12+ minutes (two points, four rebounds) seem modest, but he also had three steals and injected some athleticism and versatility. It's easy to see, especially with the addition of Dorian Finney-Smith and Christie in the starting lineup, how JJ Redick will have more options at his disposal. 

It was a very good, and very needed, start to the road trip. 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

 

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Anthony Davis scored a game-high 36 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, and LeBron James added 25 points and 12 assists as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the hometown Golden State Warriors 118-108. With the win, the Lakers have now won five of their last six games and look to continue their winning ways Monday night when they travel to Charlotte to take on the Hornets.

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Sorry Lakers, we owe you an apology. We were not familiar with your game. 

Set aside what they're surely noting (at least to some degree) in Celtics spaces after Thursday's TKTKTKTK Lakers win over Boston at the Crypt. Yes, the Celtics played a very draining game Wednesday against the Clippers. Sure, the Celtics were uncharacteristically cold in the first half, and the Lakers uncharacteristically hot, especially from 3-point range. 

Whatever. 

What made this game significant for the Lakers wasn't just final score (though it was pretty sweet)—the Lakers showed what they're capable of when the intensity, urgency and attention is on point for all 48 minutes. The Lakers moved with tremendous purpose, particularly on the offensive end in a first half where they they shot 50% from the floor. They got into their offense quickly. They cut hard. They pushed when the opportunity presented itself. And in the second half, when the offense went dry and it looked like the Celtics might make a run, they leaned into their defense to hold the Celtics scoreless for minutes at a time. 

The individual performances were excellent. LeBron James finished with 20/14/6. Anthony Davis, 24/8/3, with three blocks. Austin Reaves chipped in with 23 points and six assists. Dalton Knecht and Gabe Vincent were critical in the first half from beyond the arc. Jaxson Hayes provided two critical baskets on consecutive possessions in the third quarter. 

The win pushed them six games over .500, and into the five seed in the West. And as they head out on the road, where the Lakers have been pretty poor all year, the game showed the template. Not necessarily from an X's and O's standpoint (though some of the strategic choices, like encouraging Boston's offense to run through Kristaps Porzingis in the paint, rather than what the C's normally do beyond the arc), but in all the other stuff. It showed what happens when they do it right, with consistency, for entire games. 

Now the Lakers need to figure out how to sustain it for more than a game or two, or three. Or a week or two, or three. The Lakers need a couple months of it. But for the time being, things sure feel a lot better than they did after LA squeaked past the Nets. 

Best win of the year? If you've got other candidates, let us know. 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with guest Matt Peralta 

SEGMENT 1: A rare signature win for the Lakers, and just in time. 

SEGMENT 2: Was this the template? 
 

SEGMENT 3: AD wants another center. 

 

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