Laker Film Room - Dedicated to the Study of Lakers Basketball

As the Lakers head to Minnesota for Game 3, Pete and Darius review some of the things that have them encouraged about the Lakers chances the rest of the series, and look at the different ways the team can start to find their stride offensively to build on the early successes they had early in Game 2 vs. the Wolves' defense.  Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me...

The Lakers turned up their defensive intensity and physicality, holding the Wolves to just 85 points to secure a much needed win and even up their 1st round series at one game apiece. Pete and Darius react to the win, highlighting the team's improvements on the defensive side of the ball, Luka's strong night as a scorer and shot creator, Austin Reaves finding his offensive game from two-point rang...

The Lakers face a near must-win situation in Game 2 tonight against the Wolves. The guys discuss how the Lakers were surprised by Minnesota's defensive approach, how they can create easier offense on switches, and share some news about the pod.

In advance of Tuesday's Game 2 between the Lakers and the Wolves, Pete and Darius look at some adjustments the Lakers can make to try to even the series before the games shift back to Minnesota.  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://ww...

Despite a strong scoring night from Luka Dončić, the Lakers got blown out in Game 1 against the Timberwolves, doing too little to slow down their hot shooting and struggling to create advantage against the Wolves’ set defense. Pete and Darius react to the game, offering their thoughts on the Lakers game plan on both ends, Minnesota’s readiness and execution against that plan, the two stretches of...

Minnesota runs a drop-heavy defensive coverage that's built around Rudy Gobert's abilities as a rim protector, but as JJ Redick has said...drop is death against Luka. The guys discuss how the Lakers will try to get the Wolves out of their preferred defensive alignments, why the Wolves have more cards to play than just the drop, who the Lakers are likeliest to target, and more. Support Pete here: P...

The Lakers switch-heavy defense invites mismatch hunting and the 1-on-1 scenarios that Anthony Edwards can thrive in. Pete & Darius discuss what makes Ant such a threat in isolation, how the Lakers will try to defend him with multiple players, and Julius Randle’s importance as a secondary shot creator for the Wolves. Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Co...

Pete & Darius give their initial, big picture impressions of the Lakers vs Wolves matchup. 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

The regular season ended with the Lakers winning 50 games and locking in the #3 seed. The guys reflect on the dramatic twists and turns of this year’s 82-game marathon. 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...

Jason Timpf joins Pete to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the 5 teams that the Lakers might face in the 1st Round of the NBA playoffs 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:...

Luka Dončić returned to Dallas for the first time as a member of Lakers and had a storybook game to secure an emotion-filled and critical win for his new team against the one that traded him two months prior, pouring in 45 points with a flurry of threes and finishes at the basket. Pete and Darius discuss the game, the emotions of the night for everyone involved, and how Luka rose to meet the momen...

The Lakers looked to sweep their two-game stretch in OKC but fell short after a Luka Dončić ejection in the 4th quarter and a late game Thunder run sunk them. Pete and Darius discuss the game, lamenting Luka's ejection but also diving into the high-level back and forth that preceded it, including great offensive performances from both teams in the 1st half and then the Lakers come back in the 3rd...

The Lakers head into their final four games of the season needing two wins in order to secure the 3rd seed in the Western Conference playoff race. Pete and Darius discuss the team's strategy for the looming back-to-back against the Thunder and Mavericks, and then dive into specifics on both sides of the ball that they'd like to see as the team refines its approach and prepares for the postseason a...

The Lakers got one of their most impressive wins of the season, dominating the Thunder in OKC in a Sunday matinee fueled by great shot making on one end and excellent defensive execution on the other. Pete and Darius break down the win, highlighting Luka Dončić beating OKC's switches and leading the way on offense, the team's defensive gameplan vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the rest of the Thund...

The Lakers lost a tough game to the Warriors on Thursday, a game that could end up impacting the standings and also revealed where the team still needs to improve on both sides of the ball as they push towards the playoffs. Pete and Darius discuss the game, where the Lakers fell short offensively and on the defensive backboards, Luka's struggles to score efficiently, the lack of bench production,...

The Lakers played almost the entire 2nd Half vs Houston without a center, continuing a trend that’s emerged since LeBron & Rui returned from injury. The guys discuss why the team’s “small ball” groups aren’t so small, the variety of styles they can play within those llineups, and more. Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/l...

The Western Conference playoff race is as wild as ever, and the Lakers have a chance to finish as high as the #2 seed.  The guys discuss the race to the playoffs, the Lakers favorable tiebreaker situation, upcoming schedules for the teams vying for position, the unbelievable ending to the DEN/MIN game, and more. Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: htt...

The Lakers fended off a physical Rockets team on Monday night, winning a defensive slugfest where the team cobbled together enough offense due to hot shooting from Gabe Vincent and Dorian Finney-Smith. Pete and Darius discuss the game, diving into the preparedness of the team and commitment to the game plan, the Lakers ability to play small and still rebound well enough, the bench scoring and shot...

The Lakers had one of their best offensive performances of the season, beating the Grizzlies with all three of LeBron, Luka Dončić, and Austin Reaves having big nights as scorers and passers. Pete and Darius break down what the team did offensively and the synergy between those three, the intentionality of involving all of them in actions, and how they varied their approach based on what the match...

The Lakers lost in brutal fashion against the Bulls, surrendering a game they had won with defensive miscues, a bad turnover, and multiple made Bulls threes capped off by a half court heave at the buzzer that was the nail in the coffin. Pete and Darius run the gamut of emotions after the loss, offering both frustration over what transpired while also discussing a hopeful path forward for the Laker...

LeBron James capped off quite a Wednesday for him with a game winning, buzzer beating tip-in that downed the Pacers and ended the Lakers three game losing streak in the process. Pete and Darius discuss LeBron's night, from his early scoring struggles to his great all around floor game that culminated with that final bucket. And then later the guys dive into Austin's huge 2nd quarter, Luka's contin...

Pete and Darius discuss LeBron James' role in the Lakers defense, how his return from injury and ramping back up impacts all that he does for the team on that end of the floor, and much more. And then later, the guys ongoing lineup questions and the decisions facing JJ Redick, particularly when looking at the bench groups led by Luka Dončić vs. those led by LeBron and Austin Reaves.  Support Pete...

The Lakers lost their third straight game, this time falling to the Magic in the first of their four game road trip. Pete and Darius discuss the game, the ongoing defensive struggles, how those challenges relate LeBron and Rui Hachimura's return from injury, the search for lineup consistency with everyone available to play, and much more. Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfi...

The Lakers have lost back to back games, the first in a blowout when nearly every rotation player sat when the team played their sixth game in eight nights and then the second another blowout loss, this time with the full rotation available against the upstart Bulls who simply dominated them. Pete and Darius zero in on the Bulls game and discuss whether some of the defensive challenges the Lakers...

The Lakers took down a short handed Nuggets team on Wednesday night, fueled by an incredible Luka Dončić scoring binge in the 1st quarter. Pete and Darius break down the win, diving deep into Luka's ability to put pressure on the defense as a scorer and the diversity he shows in how and where he attacks from. And then later, the guys discuss Austin Reaves' continued strong play and much more.  Sup...