Laker Film Room - Dedicated to the Study of Lakers Basketball

The Lakers’ rotational players have been more dominant on offense than last year, while having significantly more length on defense than last season. The guys discuss the tall & skilled nature of the roster, how that helps unlock AD’s perimeter game, and more.

With LeBron, Anthony Davis, and Austin Reaves all sitting out, the Lakers got strong performances from D'Angelo Russell and Gabe Vincent (among others) to take down the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night. Pete and Darius discuss the game, looking at the strong night from the guards, Taurean Prince making his case to start, Christian Wood's work on the backboards, the team's defensive performance,...

With LeBron and Austin Reaves making their preseason debut, the Lakers beat the Nets on Monday night. Pete and Darius discuss the game, focusing on Taurean Prince getting the start, Austin and D'Angelo Russell's hot shooting, and Jaxson Hayes' making his mark. And then later, the guys discuss their first impressions of LeBron and AD continuing to look fantastic on both ends of the floor.

The Lakers dropped their preseason opener to the Warriors on Saturday night, falling 125-108 in a game that got away from them in the 2nd half. Pete, Mike, and Darius offer their takeaways from the contest, focusing on Anthony Davis and D'Angelo Russell's strong showing, some of the schematic changes the team flashed offensively, the play of Christian Wood and Jaxson Hayes in the competition for t...

The Lakers open their preseason with a game against the Warriors in San Francisco on Saturday. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss their expectations heading in, how LeBron sitting out impacts their view of the game, how they evaluate back of the rotation players in these games, and who of the new players they're most interested in watching and why. 

The Lakers opened training camp on Tuesday and the reports coming out of day one are encouraging and full of spirited optimism. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the first day of practice, with a focus on Anthony Davis taking on more responsibility, how LeBron looks physically, Jalen Hood-Schifino getting some shine, and much more. 

Whether it was the general sense of optimism, the appreciation of continuity, the championship aspirations, or the commitment to doing the work to get there, the Lakers media day was filled with many through lines from all the players. Pete, Mike, and Darius offer their takeaways from the first media session of the season and what stood out most to them.

Mike and Darius react to the trade that sends Jrue Holiday to the Celtics, diving into Jrue going East and not improving any of the Western teams, Boston getting stronger but at a compromise to their depth, and the state of the top-tier contenders and how the Lakers matchup after this deal (and the Dame trade). And then later, the guys wonder about Portland's long term plans and whether any additi...

On Thursday afternoon, Rob Pelinka and Darvin Ham spoke to the media in the lead up to Lakers training camp opening next week. Pete, Mike, and Darius offer their takeaways from the press conference, focusing on the general heading coming into training camp, expectations for Anthony Davis coming off his summer of work, the versatility of the roster and how that impacts lineups and schemes, and much...

Pete & Mike react to the big Damian Lillard trade and how they believe it will affect the Blazers, Bucks & Suns, as well as how they see it affecting the balance of power in the Eastern and Western Conferences.

In the last podcast before the regular season revs up, Pete, Darius & Mike answer more of your mailbag questions: what 3 stats they look at in a box score, Darius' choices for Filipino food, dream guests for the pod, new guys who will bring leadership to the Lakers, the last time they played pickup basketball & MORE.

How concerned should we be about the Lakers center depth and defense when Anthony Davis is out or if he misses games? Is the Lakers point of attack defense good enough? Have the Lakers done enough this offseason to better match up against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets? Pete, Mike, and Darius answer these questions and more in a mailbag edition of the LFR Podcast. 

After a season of instability and change challenged Darvin Ham in ways few first time head coaches have had to deal with, he enters this season with much more stability, a talented roster, and championship aspirations. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss how last season's run impacts what we know about Ham's approach and how they think it applies to this season, the potential for diversity in the team'...

D'Angelo Russell's re-signing may not have inspired the same enthusiasm from fans as when the Lakers brought back Austin Reaves or Rui Hachimura, but D-Lo's return is nonetheless significant. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss Russell's place on this roster, the many ways his contributions and skill set elevate the team, and where some of the concerns about his style of play still exist — particularly...

The Lakers and Jarred Vanderbilt have agreed to a contract extension, building on their continuity from last season and keeping another young player in-house for the coming season and beyond. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the deal and how it reinforces the shift in approach towards team building the team has taken from past years. And then later, the guys discuss Vando's role on the upcoming team...

Pete, Mike, and Darius begin to map out the tiers of the Western Conference to determine where the Lakers fit and which teams they envision rising and falling. And then later, they discuss where Austin Reaves fits into larger conversations about the better players in the league, and how the specifics of his game impact where he should be ranked against his peers and some more well established name...

Austin Reaves had a fantastic overall showing for Team USA at the FIBA World Cup, but was also targeted defensively by multiple teams as the tournament wore on. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss how this approach could impact Austin's season with the Lakers, and how concerned they are about the different ways teams could try to attack him. And then later, the guys discuss the general defensive approa...

Team USA failed to medal at the FIBA World Cup in the Phillippines after a tough loss to Canada in the bronze medal game. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss some of the issues with the team, the continuity challenges the US roster faces, the job Steve Kerr did as head coach, and much more. Then later, the guys debate what the 2024 Olympic team could look like and discuss the report that LeBron could r...

With the Lakers roster now set, Pete, Mike, and Darius take stock in the team and discuss their overall feelings about the roster, whether there are still any needs, and the potential tradeoffs between their offensive ceiling and their defensive floor. And then later, the guys discuss two-big lineups, Anthony Davis' defensive versatility, and how expanding his offensive game can translate to succe...

The Lakers have signed Christian Wood to fill out their roster and add to their big man depth. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss Wood's immense talent, his fit on this roster, why he was available this late in the free agency period, and the general risk vs. reward of his acquisition. Then later, the guys begin to break down potential lineup options for Wood and how he might fit next to LeBron and/or...

With LeBron going into his 21st season, Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the unprecedented level he continues to play at, how the roster construction could lead to a shift in his offensive approach, how much LeBron's role could end up being a function of age vs. his own approach to games vs. the roster, and much more. And then later, the guys debate the appropriate defensive ask for LeBron at this s...

As Austin Reaves continues to shine for Team USA, Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss how his play at the World Cup could inform what his usage and offensive role looks like for the Lakers this upcoming season. Then later, the guys discuss Gabe Vincent, his game, and how he might slot into a Lakers roster that is much different than the one he played on in Miami.

Pete and Darius discuss the Lakers overall depth, their open 14th roster spot and how the choice made in filling that spot impacts the optionality Darvin Ham has for different lineups. And then later, the guys debate Rui Hachimura and Jared Vanderbilt as potential starters.

Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss Austin Reaves' strong play with Team USA in the lead up to the World Cup, his continued growth as a player, and why his defensive versatility will be key to the Lakers ceiling. Then later the guys discuss Jaxson Hayes and Cam Reddish as "second draft" prospects and where both can fit in, both from a tools and role standpoint, on this roster.

Darius & Mike break down the Lakers 2023-2024 schedule, taking into account the in-season tournament, the road heavy start, how their feelings about the schedule changes based on how they view about the team, the extended stretch with little travel for the team & much more.