Laker Film Room - Dedicated to the Study of Lakers Basketball

Austin Reaves' inclusion on Team USA's World Cup roster is a great recognition of his rising status in the NBA and a reflection of his well rounded game. Mike and Darius discuss Reaves' summer to this point, the opening of Team USA's camp this week, where he might fit into the World Cup rotation, and their general expectations for how this experience will serve him heading into training camp and h...

Pete & Mike discuss the shifting economics of the NBA brought about by the new CBA, with Anthony Davis' potential extension on the horizon.

Jarred Vanderbilt helped catalyze the Lakers’ turnaround with his defense and infectious energy - but played fewer minutes as each playoff series progressed. Pete & Darius discuss why Vando is an important player on the 23-24 Lakers, how the stars can help him help them, and more.

Pete & Mike discuss reports that the Lakers want to add another big, what skill sets they want from a big & the possibility of the team using more two-big lineups. Later, Mike breaks down the in season tourney & how different teams might approach it.

As the Lakers wrap up summer league play, we have gotten good looks at several of the team's young prospects and learned more about their strengths, weaknesses, and where they continue to grow towards becoming real contributors at the NBA level. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss what they've seen so far, diving into Max's growth as an on-ball player, Jalen Hood-Schifino's work in the P&R and how...

How much does the Bradley Beal trade and the addition of several good players on minimum contracts elevate the Suns in the West? How does losing Bruce Brown and Jeff Green affect the Nuggets? Will Chris Paul on the Warriors actually work? Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss these topics, and take detour to talk about the Celtics' identity shift, when they dive into a busy offseason around the NBA. 

Pete, Mike, and Darius continue their analysis of the Lakers free agency signings, looking more closely at Cam Reddish as an upside play and how Taurean Prince fits into the rotation as a combo forward whose spot up shooting can complement both LeBron and Anthony Davis. Then later, the guys start to discuss the team's defensive potential with this new group, including Jarred Vanderbilt's role in t...

The Lakers did well for themselves in free agency, bringing back their priority targets to build continuity and adding some outside talent to bolster a core group that went to the Conference Finals. Pete, Mike, and Darius dive into the team's signings, focusing on Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell's returns and Gabe Vincent's addition as another skill guard. Then later the guys discuss the Jaxson...

The Lakers head into free agency with restricted free agents they would like to retain, unrestricted free agents who were key contributors and could be back, and players with contract options for next season that need resolving before July 1st. Whether it's Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, D'Angelo Russell, Mo Bamba and Malik Beasley, or Lonnie Walker IV and Dennis Schröder, Pete, Mike, and Darius...

The Lakers came out of Thursday's NBA draft with guard Jalen Hood-Schifino and wing Maxwell Lewis with their 17th and 40th picks. Pete, Mike, and Darius are joined by special guest Jacob Rude to discuss Hood-Schifino's time at Indiana University, his offensive and defensive skill sets, how quickly he can adapt to the pro game, and much more. Then later, the guys discuss Lewis' offensive skill set,...

The Lakers head into Thursday's draft with the #17 and #47 picks, and a world of possibilities staring them in the face. Will they select someone at both picks? Will they trade down? Are there potential trades to make that could net them a current NBA rotation player? Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss these scenarios, the team's general philosophy heading into the draft, the benefit of the doubt this...

Pete is joined by special guest Mike Garcia, as they discuss the many prospects available for the Lakers to take in the first round at 17 and in the second round at 47 in what many consider to be a deep draft.

Pete, Mike, and Darius are back to discuss the Denver Nuggets winning the NBA championship and how that win informs their thought process on what the Lakers need to do to take the next step. Then later they discuss Austin Reaves' and Rui Hachimura's free agency and their positions next to LeBron and AD as core players and their initial thoughts on team building around needs and most desired positi...

The Celtics were blown out at home in Game 7 of the ECFs by Miami, ending their season. Pete and Mike discuss their demise and then preview what the Lakers can learn from the upcoming NBA Finals.

The Lakers battled valiantly and fought to the bitter end, but their season was ended by the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the game and reflect on the series in general, hitting on Jokic and the Nuggets great showing, LeBron's huge performance in Game 4, and much more. Then later, the guys discuss Darvin Ham's first playoff run and begin...

The Lakers fell to the Nuggets in Game 3, falling behind 0-3 in their series in the process. Pete and Darius discuss the game, focusing on Denver's excellent overall play from Jamal Murray's first half scoring binge to the shot making of their role players in the 3rd quarter to Nikola Jokic's strong 4th quarter. Then later, the guys discuss Anthony Davis' bounce back game, Austin Reaves' great nig...

The Lakers let a golden opportunity slip through their fingers as a huge 4th quarter from Jamal Murray and the Nuggets got them a win in a game the Lakers controlled for the better part of three quarters. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss LeBron and AD's offensive nights and how their defensive workloads impacted their shooting, Austin and Rui's big games, Murray's huge 4th quarter, and much more. 

Will the Lakers carry over their in-game adjustments on defending Nikola Jokic from Game 1 into Game 2? What kind of different looks could be on the table and how does Anthony Davis adjust to these different responsibilities? Can the Lakers sustain their offensive output against the Nuggets' defense? Will the Lakers change their starting lineup? Pete, Mike, and Darius answer these questions and mo...

A great Nuggets 1st half was met with a furious 2nd half comeback from the Lakers, but it was Denver's shotmaking and a great Nikola Jokic performance that prevailed to give them the Game 1 victory. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the Lakers 1st half struggles in transition defense and on the backboards, Jokic's strong game, the Lakers finding their own offense with LeBron and Anthony Davis getting...

In the second part of their Western Conference Finals preview, the guys discuss a classic matchup between two Hall of Fame big men in their prime, and how both Anthony Davis and Nikola Jokic pose unique challenges for each other. Later, they discuss how Aaron Gordon’s defensive versatility matches up with LeBron, the downsized bench units of each team, potential opportunities in the pick and roll...

In part 1 of their series preview on the Lakers matchup with the Nuggets, Pete, Mike, and Darius take a closer look at the Lakers themselves, doing a self scout to identify trends, potential rotation options, and keying in on personnel groupings that have worked so far these playoffs and could continue to work vs. Denver. 

The Lakers are going to the Western Conference Finals! Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss how the Lakers took down the Warriors in Game 6, focusing on LeBron finding that extra gear, Anthony Davis' two-way impact, Austin Reaves' shot making and buzzer-beating heave, and the rotation adjustments from Darvin Ham that unlocked the Lakers defense.

The Lakers head into Game 6 at home against the Warriors with an opportunity to close out the reigning champs and advance to the Conference Finals. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the sustained physical and mental energy required to win this game, the nature of this being a contest won by the "superstars" on both sides, and why the tactics on both sides of the ball still matter in a series where th...

The Lakers lost Game 5 to a determined Warriors team who was able to score effectively, make a strong push at the end of the first half, and limit the Lakers offense enough to get a comfortable victory. Pete and Darius discuss the Warriors leaning more on Wiggins and Draymond as scorers, the battle between the Lakers guards on offense vs. the Warriors ball pressure defense, and LeBron's importance...

he chess match continues at Chase Center tonight, with the Warriors as heavy favorites in Game 5. The guys discuss LeBron picking his spots at opportune times, the importance of the Lakers guards in mid range, potential adjustments to the ball screens for Steph, AD finishing 19th in voting for All-Defense, and more.