Laker Film Room - Dedicated to the Study of Lakers Basketball

The Thunder are heading to the Finals after dismantling the Wolves in their Game 5 matchup and blowing them out to win the series 4-1. Pete and Darius discuss the game, the differences in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 's and Anthony Edwards' offensive approach, what comes next for the Wolves, and where this series result leaves the Lakers as the team who got blown out by Minnesota who got blown out by O...

With the Thunder and Pacers both one win away from reaching the NBA Finals, Pete and Darius discuss both teams' drive and commitment to build on their post season runs last year to advance further, and relate that to the Lakers need to replicate that sense of purpose next season and what that will entail for them. From LeBron's and Luka's leadership, the JJ Redick's approach, and how roster change...

After making his 21st consecutive All-NBA team with a 2nd team nod over the weekend, LeBron James is in the midst of an offseason where his pending contract option could have huge ramifications both for him and the Lakers. Pete and Darius discuss LeBron's momentous All-NBA achievement, but then discuss reports that he will likely opt-in to his contract next season and the implications it has for t...

Before there was a LeBron, Luka, or an Anthony Davis, there were the "Baby Lakers" -- a group of young draftees and G-League finds the team developed at the tail end and in the aftermath of the Kobe Bryant era and into when the team signed LeBron. Pete and Darius discuss this group of past players, how each of the conference finals teams has one of these former Lakers on their roster in a contribu...

With the conference finals underway, Pete and Darius discuss the Pacers' incredible comeback vs. the Knicks in game 1 and the Thunder's win over the Wolves, diving into Indy's clutch play, Nesmith's NBA Jam moment, OKC's defense, and much more. And then later, the guys debate foul hunting, NBA officiating, the psychology of physicality, and more.  Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.co...

Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom Pete’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LakerFilmRoom Pete’s Playback: https://www.playback.tv/lakerfilmroom For Feedback or Questions: lakerfilmroom@gmail.com

Pete and Darius discuss whether the Lakers can find low salaried rotation players who can also be long term fits, how acquiring them can be challenging under this collective bargaining agreement, why neither of them are eager to trade Dalton Knecht for these reasons, and much more. And then later, the guys dive into specific players who they like and would target for the Lakers.  Support Pete here...

With the Celtics and the Nuggets both getting eliminated from the playoffs, Pete and Darius take a moment to reflect on the fall of a couple of Lakers rivals. And then later the guys take a look at the four conference finalists, the types of rosters they possess, and whether the Lakers are in position to replicate those builds of if they'll need to approach things differently.  Support Pete here:...

Coming off a season in which he showed good improvement defensively, refined his role offensively, and closed the playoff strong, Rui Hachimura had one of his better seasons. But, with the Lakers' need for a center and another defensive wing, could Rui's time in LA be coming to a close? Pete and Darius discuss Rui's future with the Lakers and all the factors at play that could impact whether he's...

Pete and Darius continue their discussions on offseason planning and how the Lakers can best build around Luka Dončić by looking at the team's needs for another guard, specifically the type of point of attack defender and two-way perimeter player needed to slot between Luka and Austin Reaves. And then later the guys discuss specific names they would like the Lakers to target and speculate whether...

Pete and Darius discuss the Lakers pursuit of a long-term 2nd star to pair with Luka Dončić and what qualities they believe are most important in that player. And then later, the guys dive into some specific names they think could be available, whether they are worth targeting due to salary cap and roster building limitations, and how the salary cap and collective bargaining agreement impacts thei...

Many of the remaining playoff teams have multiple centers in their rotations and play two-big lineups as one of their key rotation looks. Pete and Darius use this as a springboard to talk about the Lakers need for not one, but two centers this offseason, what type of skill sets they want from these bigs, and how to best allocate both financial and trade assets in order to acquire these players. 

What does the Lakers salary cap sheet look like next season? What about the year after that? How does LeBron's player option on his contract this summer impact the Lakers financial flexibility? Both Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves are eligible to extend their contract, how should the Lakers approach both? Pete and Darius answer these questions and more as they continue their evaluation of the Lakers...

In part two of their evaluation of the Lakers roster, the guys rank each player on the team as shooters, ball handlers, passers, finishers around the rim, and their overall IQ compared to their positional counterparts around the NBA. Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom Pete’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Lak...

In part one of a two-part pod evaluating the Lakers roster, the guys focus on the athleticism of the team, ranking each player’s strength, speed, length, and leaping ability compared to their peers around the NBA. Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom Pete’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LakerFilmRoom Pete’s Pl...

Pete and Darius go around the league to discuss a fantastic start the 2nd round of the playoffs where the road teams have started 5-0 and include multiple huge comeback wins, and then take what they're seeing from these teams to highlight what is different from how the Lakers played in their lone series and what the team needs to do to take the next step as a contender. Support Pete here: Patreon:...

Pete and Darius continue their review of the Lakers leadership by discussing JJ Redick's rookie campaign as Lakers head coach. The guys dive into the job he did in rebuilding the team's culture, the trade that shook up his roster, his strengths and weaknesses in building out schemes on both sides of the ball, and much more.  Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me...

As the Lakers move into the offseason, Pete and Darius begin their year of review by looking at the team's leadership, starting with Rob Pelinka. The guys look at the franchise altering trade for Luka Dončić, but also the context of how the team got to this point, after several years of major ups and downs from Pelinka. Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Cof...

Rob Pelinka and JJ Redick held their end of season press conference on Thursday and provided their thoughts on the Lakers first round exit, the change the team went through this season, plans for the summer, and much more. Pete and Darius offer their reactions to what was said, what stood out to them most, and what, if anything, they disagreed with. 

The Lakers season ended with a Game 5 defeat to the Timberwolves, with the Lakers struggling to score and secure the stops necessary to seize a game that could have gone either way. Pete and Darius discuss the loss, but also reflect on the playoffs and the season on the whole, highlighting their disappointment in the how the team played in this series while also looking at some of the positives fr...

The Lakers will try to fend off elimination in Wednesday's Game 5 against the Timberwolves. Pete and Darius discuss some of the possible tactical shifts that can help them win the game, how a looming starting lineup shift can help the team offensively, whether Jaxson Hayes has a role to play in the game, what is left to try defensively vs. Anthony Edwards, and much more. Support Pete here: Patreon...

With the Lakers down 3-1 in their series with the Timberwolves, Pete and Darius discuss their frustrations with where the series stands and where their personal level of belief and spirit lies heading into Game 5. Then later, the guys get into the conversations JJ Redick can have with the bench players and what potential rotation options look like for Game 5, and much more. Support Pete here: Patr...

The Lakers suffered a gut-punch loss in Game 4, falling to the Wolves by three points after taking a 10-point lead into the final frame. Pete and Darius discuss the loss, highlighted by JJ Redick's decision to start Dorian Finney-Smith for Jaxson Hayes in the 2nd half, play that new starting group the entire 2nd half, and how that decision helped contribute to clear mental and physical fatigue of...

With Luka Dončić dealing with an illness and compromised physically, LeBron James stepped up with a big scoring night and great game overall, but it was not enough as Anthony Edwards and the Wolves made all the plays down the stretch to take Game 3 and seize a 2-1 series lead. Pete and Darius react to the game, discussing Luka's untimely illness, LeBron's great night, the Wolves' strong play, and...

As the Lakers head into Friday's Game 3 against the Timberwolves in Minnesota, Pete and Darius reminisce about Kobe Bryant quieting road arenas in huge playoff games, how Luka Dončić is cut from this same cloth and carries on this tradition, and how role players fit into the mindset of being a road killer.