Laker Film Room - Dedicated to the Study of Lakers Basketball

The Lakers have a chance to close out the Rockets in Wednesday’s Game 5. Pete and Darius offer their final thoughts on what the Lakers need to do to win, further discussing what Austin Reaves’ pending return can do for the Lakers offense, how to get LeBron going and whether a return to the post is in the cards, cracking the code of Houston’s switching defense, and why getting back to ball pressuri...

With the 1st round of the playoffs in full swing, Pete and Darius zoom out from the Lakers series to discuss their two other favorite watches so far: the Nuggets vs. Timberwolves and the Pistons vs. the Magic. The guys dive into both series, hitting on Orlando picking at Detroit’s limited shot creation, Jalen Duren’s struggles, the disappointing injuries in Minnesota, the Gobert vs. Jokic matchup,...

With reports of optimism about Austin Reaves returning for Game 5, the guys discuss the potential impact of his return, how they can reduce their turnovers, the adjustment to Houston putting Reed Sheppard on Rui, and more. Join Pete on Offside! https://www.offside.gg/beta LFR Store: https://cottonbureau.com/people/laker-film-room-podcast-store Pete’s Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom...

The Lakers lost their first game of the playoffs in Game 4 vs. the Rockets, sending the series back to Los Angeles well positioned with a 3-1 lead but still needing to regroup. Pete and Darius discuss the game, the Lakers problems with turnovers and offensive execution, Houston’s adjustments defensively, the Lakers challenges with Alperen Şengün, the growing bad blood in the series, and much more....

Raj Chipalu joins Pete to discuss the Lakers incredible OT win over the Rockets in Game 3 Join Pete on Offside! https://www.offside.gg/beta LFR Store: https://cottonbureau.com/people/laker-film-room-podcast-store Pete’s Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Pete’s Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom Pete’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LakerFilmRoom For Feedback or...

The guys react to Wednesday’s surprising injury updates about Austin Reaves & Kevin Durant, discuss Lakers adjustments in light of more minutes for Reed Sheppard, and more. Join Pete on Offside! https://www.offside.gg/beta LFR Store: https://cottonbureau.com/people/laker-film-room-podcast-store Pete’s Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Pete’s Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.c...

As the Lakers vs. Rockets series shifts back to Houston, Pete and Darius discuss what adjustments they think the Rockets will try to make after falling behind 2-0. The guys dive into how Houston can try to handle the Lakers traps on Kevin Durant, the two man game he has with Alperen Şengün, where Amen Thompson can attack from, what to do with Reed Sheppard’s minutes, and much more. Join Pete on Of...

Kevin Durant returned for the Rockets, but it was the Lakers who prevailed in Game 2 by locking in defensively and getting big scoring nights from Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, and LeBron James. Pete and Darius dive into how Smart and Kennard broke through on offense, the Lakers defensive effort and the double teams that forced Durant to turn the ball over, LeBron James’ ongoing brilliance, and much...

Pete and Darius go around the league to highlight what they’ve liked most from the other playoff series around the NBA, zeroing in on the Nuggets vs. Wolves and the Knicks vs. Hawks series. And then later, the guys offer their last thoughts in anticipation of the Lakers Game 2 vs. the Rockets and what they believe are the most important factors for the Lakers to secure a win. Join Pete on Offside!...

In advance of Tuesday’s Game 2 between the Lakers and the Rockets, Pete and Darius discuss possible adjustments from both teams, including how things shift on both sides of the ball if Kevin Durant returns, how Houston could try to get Alperen Şengün going, whether the Rockets change their defensive matchups to better account for the Lakers shot making, and much more. Join Pete on Offside! https:/...

On a night where Kevin Durant was a surprise late scratch for Houston, a locked in LeBron James and a hot-shooting Luke Kennard led the Lakers to a Game 1 victory to a 1-0 series lead over the Rockets. Pete and Darius break down the game, highlighting LeBron’s control of the action through his passing and post up play, Kennard’s overall aggressiveness as a shooter and patience as a playmaker, Dean...

With Game 1 on Saturday, Pete and Darius wrap up their preview of the Lakers first round series vs. the Rockets by diving into LeBron James’ importance as a player and a leader, who they believe is the next most important Laker behind LeBron, role-player X-factors for both teams, what their expectations are for JJ Redick in his 2nd playoffs, and much more. Join Pete on Offside! https://www.offside...

Pete and Darius continue their preview of the Lakers first round series against the Rockets by looking at the Lakers offense against the Rockets defense by diving into the importance transition and early offense opportunities, who the Lakers can target on the Rockets defense and the different ways to do it, how Deandre Ayton can be an impact player as a screener, the Amen Thompson problem, and muc...

Pete and Darius continue their preview of the Lakers first round series vs. the Rockets by breaking down the challenges Houston’s offense presents the Lakers defense, the different matchups and schemes JJ Redick and his staff can explore, how and why the Lakers will need to be flexible when the Rockets personnel groups change, and much more. Join Pete on Offside! https://www.offside.gg/beta LFR St...

Pete and Darius begin their preview of the Lakers first round series vs. the Rockets with a discussion on the ideal Lakers rotation, who is likely to start, how deep JJ Redick can go in his rotation, and much more. And then later, the guys begin their analysis on how the Lakers defense matches up against the Rockets offense, and why the Lakers ability to pressure Houston’s ball handlers will be a...

The Lakers finished closed out their regular season with a victory over the Jazz, earning their 53rd win, the 4th seed in the West and a 1st round matchup with the Rockets. Pete and Darius reflect on all that got the Lakers to this point, diving into JJ Redick’s coaching, the effort from the players — particularly LeBron James down the stretch, the resiliency of the entire group, and much more. Jo...

The Lakers got a much needed win against the Warriors on Thursday, ending their losing streak while also setting themselves up to gain some momentum to close out the regular season and push into the playoffs. Pete and Darius discuss the win, highlighting LeBron’s strong play and how Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia stepped up. And then later, the guys discuss the team waiving Kobe Bufkin, whether Dr...

Pete and Darius are joined by special guest Raj Chipalu to talk about the South Bay Lakers’ wonderful season, the synergy between SBL and the parent club, how the resources the Lakers deploy to the G-League can be optimized, the development of Bronny James and Adou Thiero, and much more. Join Pete on Offside! https://www.offside.gg/beta LFR Store: https://cottonbureau.com/people/laker-film-room-po...

An undermanned Lakers team got blown out by the Thunder on Tuesday, but it was JJ Redick’s quick sub of Rui Hachimura and, later, his confrontation and benching of Jarred Vanderbilt that was the bigger takeaway. Pete and Darius discuss what happened, Redick’s approach to managing this specific game, whether they think this will impact Vanderbilt’s role moving forward, and much more. Join Pete on O...

As the Lakers deal with missing Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves for the foreseeable future, Pete and Darius discuss how the team can try to keep their heads above water, the importance of JJ Redick’s leadership and ability to adjust his approach, possible lineups to explore, getting reps for the playoffs now, and much more. Join Pete on Offside! https://www.offside.gg/beta LFR Store: https://cottonb...

After it was determined that Luka Dončić suffered a grade 2 hamstring strain, the Lakers injury woes worsened as Austin Reaves was diagnosed with a grade 2 oblique strain. Pete and Darius react to both reports and try to make sense of what comes next for a Lakers team now down their top two scorers as the playoffs near. Join Pete on Offside! https://www.offside.gg/beta LFR Store: https://cottonbur...

The Lakers had a disastrous night in OKC, not only getting blown out by the Thunder by losing Luka Dončić to a hamstring injury in the process. Pete and Darius discuss the loss, how ill-prepared the Lakers were for the Thunder’s defense, their disappointment with the tactics the team used to try to win the game, and much more. And then later, the guys discuss what losing Luka means to the team and...

A talented Cavs team looked to be a late season test for a defense that was missing its best player, but the Lakers locked down Cleveland to start the 2Q and never looked back. The guys discuss how the changing coverages of that game were a microcosm of the team’s defense this season, and whether or not the Lakers can sustain level of play into the postseason. Join Pete on Offside! https://www.off...

The Lakers closed out the month of March with with a strong win over the Cavs that that was marked by multiple milestones while clinching them a playoff berth. Darius discusses the game, the roll the Lakers are on, Luka’s ongoing dominance, and how the level the team is playing at portends for a playoff run. Join Pete on Offside! https://www.offside.gg/beta LFR Store: https://cottonbureau.com/peop...

Pete & Darius discuss the games against the Nets, Pacers & Wizards and why they saw evidence of the team's program stability, preview the future schedule against teams with different types of challenges for the Lakers and how that could provide the team with great practice for the playoffs, & how the middle of the rotation, specifically Marcus Smart & Rui Hachimura are critical to...