Lakers Lounge

A listener asked near the end of the show how likely it is that the Lakers finish the season without making any trades. Anthony answers, then gives how he'd react if that is how this plays out. He also discusses the Lakers' poor transition play on both sides of the ball and why he doesn't think the sky is falling, but...

Anthony recaps Lakers-Pelicans, marvels at Luka and Austin's offensive productivity, enjoys Ayton's game and zooms out at the streak the Lakers are currently on. Then, he opens up the discussion to the live audience and gets pretty metta about fandom.

This felt like a trap game going in. The Lakers made sure it wasn't going to be one with the way they played in the first. Anthony recaps the game and explains why he was fairly happy with how it played out, for the most part.

The Lakers have won seven straight. They're the two seed in the west. Luka, Austin and LeBron are potentially figuring out how to play basketball at a level offensively we haven't really seen very often (if ever) before. Yes, there are some questions about this team. Still, remember to stop and smell the roses from time to time, too.

The Lakers' starters have looked iffy in ways many predicted. So when can they be changed? Anthony and Pete discuss that, then list a few of their favorite parts of this season so far. They quickly preview tonight's game against AD and the Mavs, then answer some questions from the live audience.

Anthony draws a comparison between his golf game and the starters. It hasn't looked great in predictable ways. The guys discuss at what point they'd make a change and the risks of doing so.

The Lakers sit in the second seed in the west so clearly there's plenty to like. Anthony and Pete offer up a couple things they've particularly enjoyed, including: the beginnings of fourth quarters, hitting on their offseason gambles and the team's overall chemistry.

The guys open the conversation up for a quick Q&A and listeners wanted to know about Rob Pelinka. Anthony and Pete explain that the Lakers PBO/GM is safe, even after the firings of both Buss brothers.

After a great conversation about name choice, Anthony and Harrison discuss the Lakers' ceiling as currently constructed, what it would be with one trade and what they're capable of if they have the perfect trade deadline/buyout season. The guys also discuss the Lakers' win over the Clippers and, honestly a whole bunch of other random stuff.

Yes, a song.

It's small sample size theater, but the numbers on the starting group are pretty damning. They're so bad that they're sinking the net rating on Luka/LeBron/Austin minutes completely, something that can't continue. The guys discuss the Lakers' ceiling now, then what it'd be with one realistic move.

If the Lakers are truly going to contend for a championship *this year* it's going to require a very successful (if not perfect) trade deadline and buyout season. Anthony and Harrison discuss what that would look like and the team's ceiling if Rob Pelinka was able to pull it off.

This was a fun one. The Lakers beat the Clippers. Luka, LeBron and Austin looked great. Jaxson stepped up in more ways than one and the audience was down for a fun Q&A -- well, most of the audience was.

The Lakers routinely put the Clippers into spot where all they could do was hope Luka, LeBron, Austin or whichever open Laker was shooting would miss. That was a clinic. Anthony breaks it down.

The Lakers are winning but are lacking in a couple important aspects of the game and most notably in terms of athleticism. Anthony explains how the starting group has affect the amount of athletes JJ Redick can put on the court downstream from that group, then goes into the ways the Lakers can address this issue. He hits on other topics the live audience wanted him to.

The Lakers have 12 wins, eight of which happened on the road. They have managed to do so through most of the season without at least one of their stars. They can't make threes, either. If you want to believe in this team, there's plenty of reason to do so. Unfortunately, if you're a skeptic, there's reason to doubt, too. Anthony explains where he sits on this team, then dives into the mailbags.

To quote the great philosopher Darius Soriano, yes and no.

A listener wanted to know what the Lakers might do with Rui Hachimura and Anthony explains that, while he certainly has fans within the organization, he's not off the table.

Anthony and Raj break down a relatively ugly win in which the Lakers showed very clearly they didn't respect the Jazz. They guys discuss the starters continuing to start slow, the Lakers' point differential continuing to hover far lower than their competition and some of the reasons why that has been the case. They celebrate what they saw from Maxi Kleber then share their concern for Austin Reaves...

Anthony and Raj, like most fans, walked away from this game pretty underwhelmed. They discuss what was going on and a stat that Anthony is starting to notice more and more.

Anthony has been paying closer attention to the first shots Austin is taking every game and that needs to get better. With Luka and LeBron also out there, there should be no need for Austin to take so many grenades.

Hey just checking in here...

Anthony welcomes Raj Chipalu and Daman Rangoola on to discuss the implications of Jesse and Joey Buss being fired, their statements afterward, some behind the scenes details and where the Lakers go from here.

Anthony lets Daman and Raj discuss their reactions as fan to Jesse and Joey Buss being fired by the Lakers.

Anthony, Daman and Raj discuss the implications and message sent by firing Jesse and Joey Buss the way they were.