Laker Film Room - Dedicated to the Study of Lakers Basketball

The Lakers open their preseason with a game against the Timberwolves on Friday. Pete and Darius discuss what a successful preseason looks like for the Lakers, diving into the things they'd most like to see during these exhibition contests. And then later, the guys discuss the trade between the Wolves and the Knicks swapping Karl Anthony-Towns for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo.  Support Pete h...

The Lakers opened training camp with their first official practice under new head coach JJ Redick. Pete and Darius discuss Redick revealing his preference for a 9-man rotation, whether they agree with that number, who they think will be in that group, and much more. And then later the guys discuss legendary big man Dikembe Mutombo in the aftermath of his passing away this week.  Support Pete here:...

Pete and Darius discuss the Lakers media day and what stood out to them from LeBron James, Anthony Davis, D'Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, and the rest of the team in advance of training camp opening.  Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom For Feedback or Questions: lakerfilmroom@gmail.com

Rob Pelinka and JJ Redick met with assembled media on Wednesday, answering questions and providing updates in the lead up to media day and training camp starting next week. Pete and Darius discuss the press conference, from the Jarred Vanderbilt health update to Austin Reaves' and D'Angelo Russell's roles on offense, and much more.  Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom...

Pete & Darius discuss JJ Redick declaring the starting lineup ahead of training camp, where that leaves Vando, and how the Lakers bench will be relied upon this upcoming season. Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom For Feedback or Questions: lakerfilmroom@gmail.com

The guys discuss the battle for the starting 3 position, with a focus on Rui’s game.  Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom For Feedback or Questions: lakerfilmroom@gmail.com

Lakers media day and training camp are just a week away. Pete and Darius discuss their initial thoughts on what they hope and expect to hear from players, coaches, and the front office, and what they are most looking forward to in these initial stages to the season beginning.  Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom...

What can the Lakers be great at this season? Whether it's LeBron and Anthony Davis' ability to threaten the paint, the collective basketball IQ of their best players, or the team's ability to play and shoot on the move, Pete and Darius dive into the areas and much more as they discuss what they believe can be real strengths of this Lakers team this season. Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.p...

The Lakers have reportedly signed center Christian Koloko to a two-way contract for the upcoming season. Pete and Darius discuss the signing, Koloko's pending return due to needing health clearance, his rawness offensively, his tools and talents defensively, and the Lakers general approach to previous big-man signings and how Koloko offers a different (and needed) archetype shift.  Support Pete he...

LeBron James is coming off his best season ever as a three-point shooter and just hired a head coach who not only values the outside shot but has openly stated he wants LeBron taking more threes. Pete and Darius discuss LeBron's evolution as a shooter, how his teammates' individual games help influence his shot selection, and what types of actions the Lakers have run in the past and can run under...

The Lakers announced that Christian Wood will be out for at least a couple months after having another surgery on his knee. Pete and Darius discuss what it means to lose Wood, how his absence combines with Jarred Vanderbilt's injury uncertainty to leave the Lakers shallow heading into the season, and what impact that can have on a team that will want to get out to a fast start under new coach JJ R...

Pete and Darius take an early look at the Western Conference, examining the moves made by the Thunder, Nuggets, Wolves, and Mavericks to build both regular season strength and playoff equity. And then later the guys look at the Suns, Warriors, and Grizzlies' moves and how their respective offseasons will impact their upward mobility in a competitive West.  Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.p...

Reports are that Jarred Vanderbilt continues to deal with health issues and may not be ready for training camp and preseason. Pete and Darius discuss this news, the challenges not having Vando would present, the frustration around the flow of information around Lakers player health, and much more.  Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacof...

The guys discuss a trade idea. Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom For Feedback or Questions: lakerfilmroom@gmail.com

Is the decline in Anthony Davis' jump shooting related to him playing more center? How critical is LeBron to helping Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell beat the type of ball pressure that has bothered them on defense? Who are the best mid-salaried front court partners for LeBron and AD that you'd want the Lakers to acquire? Pete and Darius answer these questions and many more in the latest LFR mai...

Pete and Darius discuss Austin Reaves heading into what they believe will be a pivotal season in his young career, diving into his potential role in JJ Redick's offense, the physical and mental preparation he needs to have to take a step forward this upcoming year, how he can thrive as both an on- and off-ball player, and much more. Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom...

The team that wins the championship typically also does extremely well in the regular season. Pete and Darius discuss the Lakers recent challenges in being a good regular season team and examine the ways in which that can change this upcoming season with a roadmap for success for the Lakers over the 82-game campaign.  Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffe...

In all the discussion about the Lakers depth and ways to find contributors towards the 82 game regular season, the Lakers 2023 draft picks of Jalen Hood-Schifino and Maxwell Lewis rarely come up as options. Pete and Darius discuss why this is the case, break down where they think both players are in their development, and where they need to grow in order to fill a role in the near future.  Support...

Pete & Darius discuss Vando being both crucial to the Lakers’ ceiling, and difficult to work around on offense, some of the ways that can be addressed, and more. Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom For Feedback or Questions: lakerfilmroom@gmail.com

In an offseason in which the Lakers did not make many personnel moves, can they lean on continuity to carry them forward into next season? Pete and Darius discuss this idea, how it can differ from last season's calls of continuity, the learning curve that will come from playing in a new offensive style, and how much continuity is challenged when it comes with a new coach.  Support Pete here: Patre...

The Lakers have done a good job of replenishing their roster with capable role players who make between $8 million and $20 million, but those players also come with incomplete games that need to be accounted for. Pete and Darius discuss this group of role players, put them into tiers of effectiveness, and debate whether some of their shortcomings are player limitations or whether they can be schem...

Team USA took home the gold medal with an electrifying win over France, downing the host country in the final minutes with a flurry of Steph Curry threes and inspired defense from a group anchored by Anthony Davis. Pete and Darius discuss the win, the greatness of LeBron, Steph, and Kevin Durant, Devin Booker's wonderfuly showing, Team USA's overall run through the tournament, and much more.  Supp...

After trailing by 17 points and 13 to start the 4th quarter, Team USA advanced to the gold medal game with a huge comeback win over Serbia. Pete and Darius discuss the win, highlighting the impressive performances of LeBron, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant, the vital contributions of Joel Embiid and Devin Booker, and much more. Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me...

Team USA won their quarterfinal matchup with Brazil in a rout, setting up another game vs. Serbia in the semifinals for the right to advance to play for the gold medal. Pete and Darius discuss the win over Brazil and then preview the game against Serbia. And then later, the guys discuss the other side of the bracket, including Canada's disappointing loss and the upcoming matchup between France and...

Is Max Christie ready to make a leap? Pete and Darius discuss Christie's new contract, his strengths and areas that can improve on both sides of the ball, and where he slots into the rotation in what will be a very important year for the third year guard and the Lakers after their offseason investment in him.  Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https...