Lakers Lounge

Anthony and Pete discuss the first couple of games and what the Lakers need to do if they're going to have a chance at extending this series. Then, they take an honest look at what separates the next tier of teams from them to figure out what the Lakers need to learn heading into this summer. From there, they dive into a discussion about OKC's manipulation of the rule book and why it's more an NBA...

The speed deficit the Thunder have both from personnel and approach standpoints has become overwhelming and, while that obviously can't be addressed before this series ends, Anthony and Pete agree it's something the Lakers need to focus on this summer.

Anthony quotes a movie to Pete in discussing how he'd like to see JJ Redick throw the kitchen sink at OKC. The guys wrap with questions from the live audience, who are now just about ready to move on to summer discussions.

Anthony and Raj recap another loss in OKC -- a borderline unwatchable game that was dominated not by the Thunder's star power, but by a bunch of refs who couldn't help themselves. The guys discuss the state of refereeing, grifting and why so many teams have the same complaint after playing OKC.

Anthony and Raj start by talking about the game, and how Austin Reaves finally bounced back. Raj held Anthony off for as long as he could but eventually Anthony unleashed the rant about the refs and OKC that you're probably here to listen for.

Anthony wraps up his rant from the first segment, then recalls the time OKC tried to pretend to sub in a player just to slow down Nikola Jokic's outlet passes after makes.

LeBron has had to sit around and wait for Rob Pelinka to finally believe in the stars atop the roster again for basically four years now. He's proven once again he should be a key piece for the Lakers moving forward. The guys discuss that, as well as the NBA's awful review system.

Jake LaRavia has found the lights in the playoffs to be quite bright. He's been terrified on offense, so even the solid defense he's played has been overshadowed by the yips he's apparently picked up. The guys discuss what they're seeing from LaRavia and answer questions from the live audience.

In case anyone needed any reminding, OKC is quite good. LeBron showed up ready to compete. So did Rui. Hell, even Ayton was mostly fine in the minutes he could play because of his foul trouble. Austin, much less so. Anthony and Raj discuss the game and what they want the Lakers to get from a series they're almost certainly going to lose.

Sure feels like it!

LeBron tried to set a tone, but no one outside of Rui was ready to match that energy. It reminded Anthony of another game where James was a heavy underdog and did all he could to steal a win.

It's only one game this series, so far, but his three performances against OKC in the regular season followed this same script. Is it time to have a more honest conversation about Austin Reaves' performance against teams of this defensive caliber? The live audience sure seemed to think so.

Anthony, Pete and Jovan look back on the Lakers' upset in round one, then try to figure out whether they can do it again against a significantly better and smarter team this round. They go key position by key position, then give their predictions at the very end of the show.

The guys look back on the Lakers beating Houston in round one and, really, it all starts with LeBron James. Somehow, at age 41, he did it again.

Austin Reaves has struggled mightily against OKC. Anthony asks Pete and Jovan if there's anything the Lakers can do to turn that trend around.

The guys discuss how they think Deandre Ayton will fare in this series, then, after Jovan asks which key stat the Lakers can turn in their favor, they give their predictions for round two.

Oh, what a weekend that was. Anthony enjoys that, dives into his takeaways from the first round, discusses the options the Lakers have on the wing this summer and then dives into a Q&A with the live audience.

Anthony laughs at the Celtics, gives a few thoughts about the teams that moved on in these playoffs, laughs at the Celtics, discusses the doomed two-timeline efforts across the league, laughs at the Celtics and... laughs at the Celtics.

A listener asked in an iTunes mailbag question what the Lakers' options might be this summer at the wing spots. Anthony gives his thoughts to answer the question, but also stresses who important he thinks centers are in today's NBA -- especially on a Luka Doncic team.

The Lakers blew out the Rockets to close out the series and avoid the wrong kind of history. Anthony and Raj break down the game zoomed out and in. Really though, this was about celebrating and riding the wave that we can, while it's rolling.

Anthony and Raj react to that win. Anthony takes a second to explain why that win mattered to Dodgers fans specifically.

The only reason the Lakers ever had a chance in this series is 41-year-old LeBron James. So, after watching them take care of business, Anthony and Raj marvel at what the hell they just watched from one of the greatest athletes ever.

The guys celebrate the night and the series Rui Hachimura just had.

With the Lakers having taken care of business and avoiding the wrong kind of history, Raj and Anthony chuckle a little bit about the Celtics' current predicament.

Well, the Lakers put themselves in a super tough spot. Anthony welcomes Edwin Garcia (Silver Screen & Roll) into The Lounge to talk about this predicament, how the Lakers avoid the wrong kind of history and basically just vent about this team never being normal.