Laker Film Room - Dedicated to the Study of Lakers Basketball

Without LeBron, Anthony Davis, and D'Angelo Russell, the Lakers got a much needed and important win over the Thunder on Wednesday night. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the game and highlight the individual performances that carried the team, including Dennis Schröder's big second half, Austin Reaves' near perfect shooting night, Rui Hachimura's defense and rebounding, and Troy Brown's hot shooting...

The Lakers lost a hard fought game vs. the Grizzlies, where turnovers and a dynamic 3rd quarter from Ja Morant did them in. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the game, the asks made of Anthony Davis on both sides of the ball, and how the rest of the team tried to pick up the slack with LeBron out. Then later, the guys react in real time to the news that AD will not play vs. the Thunder and debate how...

With yesterday's reports that LeBron James' right foot injury will likely result in an extended absence from the team, Pete & Mike discuss who they believe might step up in LeBron's stead, how the starting & bench lineups will be impacted, the importance of Anthony Davis & discuss the upcoming game against the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Lakers executed the largest comeback in the NBA this season, beating the Mavericks after trailing by 27 points in the first half. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the game by looking at the Mavs early hot shooting, Jarred Vanderbilt's great 3rd quarter and defense on Luka, the Lakers beginning their comeback by playing with force, and Anthony Davis' big night. 

Bonus pod! Mike and NBA/NFL/MLB executive Dr. Robby Sikka, formerly VP of Basketball Operations and Player Wellness, and the VP of Basketball Performance and Technology for the Minnesota Timberwolves, dig into the evolution of player health, discussing, among other things, how increased size and strength, plus position-less basketball, have impacted injuries. They also look at how opponent load ma...

The Lakers relied on their depth to beat the Warriors on Thursday night, getting big scoring nights from Malik Beasley and Austin Reaves while LeBron and Anthony Davis did more of the little things to fill in the gaps. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the game, how a shooter of Beasley's caliber helps the team's half-court and transition offense, and how the new depth of the team is adding their res...

The Lakers returned to the practice court on Wednesday and provided insight into their thought process and approach towards this last stretch of the season. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the Lakers goals for their final 23 games and how realistic it is to keep up the intensity and focus required to reach those goals. Then later, the guys break down what they'll be watching for in Thursday's match...

The Lakers return to practice on Wednesday, with plenty of work ahead to reach their playoff aspirations. Pete & Mike discuss the team’s next steps, with a focus on D’Angelo Russell’s role and the return to a more conventional style of play.

All-Star weekend is over and the Lakers have what LeBron James described as 23 of the most important regular season games of his career ahead of them. The guys take a renewed look at the team after some time away, including the many boxes checked at the trade deadline, Vanderbilt’s defense, and LeBron’s leadership.

The Lakers reached the all-star break with a tantalizing win, but have plenty of work to do to make a playoff push. Pete & Mike discuss the mostly favorable schedule ahead, the differing identities of the new starting and bench units, and recent signs that AD is rounding into form.

The Lakers got LeBron back, unveiled a new starting lineup, and promptly dispatched of the Pelicans with a double-digit victory in a game that neither LeBron nor Anthony Davis had to play more than 30 minutes. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the game, focusing on the instant chemistry of the starting group, Jarred Vanderbilt's defense, and Malik Beasley's lasers. Then later, the guys discuss Mo Bam...

With LeBron’s likely return tonight vs New Orleans, the Lakers will have their new roster intact for the first time. Pete & Mike continue their discussion on the busiest trade deadline in team history, and how keeping it simple and familiar can help amidst heavy roster turnover.

The Lakers got buried by a barrage of Blazers' three pointers on Monday night in a game that hurts them in the standings. Pete and Darius discuss the game, but dive into more big picture ideas around the team's rotation, missing LeBron, and whether the lack of time this group has to gel can be countered with schematic and rotation choices.

The Lakers got a much needed win vs. the Warriors on Saturday as several of their newly acquired players made their debut after the trade deadline. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the game and offer their first impressions of the new guys, in particular how D'Angelo Russell offers a stylistic shift for the team's offense and how Jarred Vanderbilt's two-way, all-court game is already making an impac...

Pete, Mike, Darius, and special guest Joey Ramirez discuss LeBron James becoming the NBA's all-time leading scorer. From the raw stats of how he's getting his baskets in his 20th season to the nuance of how he beats defenses to the evolution of his offensive arsenal, the guys break down all aspects of LeBron's scoring greatness.

After trading away Russell Westbrook on Wednesday, the Lakers had an active trade deadline on Thursday, adding a deal that exchanged Patrick Beverley for Mo Bamba as well as sending out Thomas Bryant for multiple 2nd round picks. Pete, Mike, and Darius react to the Lakers' moves, discuss the shift in personality and in potential style of the team, and highlight some of the players that intrigue th...

The Lakers entered a new era with an old friend when they traded Russell Westbrook for former Laker D'Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt, executing a three-team trade with the Timberwolves and Jazz. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the trade from every angle and offer their thoughts on the fit, the machinations of the deal, and much more. 

LeBron James became the NBA's all-time leading scorer, but the Lakers lost the game playing lackluster defense while not showing a lot of collective energy or effort. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the game -- from the atmosphere in the building and LeBron playing to the moment to the general defensive struggles and how much Anthony Davis and some of the smaller lineups that were played contribute...

Austin Reaves is set to return from injury, which is both a welcomed addition to a team that has missed his specific skill set and another variable to a rotation that will now be as crowded as it has been all season. Pete, Mike, and Darius talk about Austin's return, how his minutes should shake out, and who might find themselves with a reduced role as he rejoins the rotation. Then later the guys...

After a weekend of trade speculation and the possibility he would end up on the Lakers, Kyrie Irving is now a member of the Dallas Mavericks. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the details of the trade, how the Nets priorities are made clear in the package they received in the deal, and where those priorities differed from the reports of various Lakers offers. Then later the guys discuss where the Lak...

The Lakers rallied late to beat the Pacers, coming out on top after an uneven game where their effort and energy level was not as good as Indiana's. Pete and Darius discuss the game, how Patrick Beverley's defense was critical to the team's 4th quarter push, LeBron and Anthony Davis taking over late, and much more. Later, the guys discuss the pending return of Austin Reaves and what they hope happ...

Trade rumors have swirled around the Lakers since the beginning of the offseason, and now the trade deadline is just one week away. The guys discuss how their views on trades have changed since the offseason, how the team’s cap space this summer has changed with the acquisition of Rui Hachimura, and the ultimate goal of a 9-man playoff rotation.

The Lakers beat the Knicks on Monday night in a game that both frustrated and illuminated some important ideas about what direction this team can go in. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the win in New York by digging into Russ' strong overtime, the big starting lineup and how Troy Brown's play as a bigger guard brought his role into greater focus. Then later, the guys discuss Rui Hachimura's overall...

The Lakers struggled on offense vs the Brooklyn Nets without LeBron & AD. Pete & Mike discuss how the team can get bogged down against switching defenses, and how being more intentional with their post offense can allow them to attack in a different way. Then, they take a look at the Western Conference standings and have a big picture discussion on the climb the Lakers must make.

Another missed call at the end of regulation led to a Lakers OT loss in Boston on Saturday, continuing a pattern of obvious, late-game officiating mistakes. The guys vent about the refs before turning their attention to the team’s more self-inflicted struggles.