Laker Film Room - Dedicated to the Study of Lakers Basketball

After a weekend of victories over the Pistons and Spurs, the Lakers have won 3 games in a row and are showing more signs of learning what type of team they are and how to be successful. Pete and Darius discuss how Anthony Davis' dominance has been in the middle of it all, how Lonnie Walker's shot creation late in games has stood out, and why Austin Reaves' increased offensive involvement has not o...

The Lakers head into a weekend of games after a scheduling quirk gave them 4 days off since their last game. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss how the Lakers used that time off to prepare for their upcoming stretch of games, how LeBron's level of engagement seems to be trending up, and how it all relates back to Anthony Davis' recent play. Later the guys dive into the specifics of the matchups vs. th...

What is your Lakers fandom origin story? Who's your favorite former Laker who's still in the league (and why is it Alex Caruso)? Do the Lakers still have a chance at the playoffs? Pete, Mike, and Darius answer these questions and more when they are joined by special guest Jomi Adeniran to talk all things Lakers past and present. 

With Dennis Schröder and Thomas Bryant set to return, Darvin Ham will have decisions to make on how he shifts his rotations in order to accommodate them -- or if he does so at all. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the skill sets of both players, how they envision them fitting into the rotation, and how the limitations of each player battles against the different looks both can offer a team still see...

How can the Lakers continue to prioritize Anthony Davis offensively when the team is fully healthy? What is LeBron's role in getting him involved? How much of it falls on Davis and how much of it will be tied back to his ability to make jumpshots? Can Dennis Schröder's return help balance out lineups better to help towards this goal, even if it comes at the expense of Patrick Beverley? Pete, Mike,...

The Lakers weekend didn't go exactly was well as was hoped, but a win against the Nets on Sunday ended their 5-game losing streak and offered some guideposts for how the team can play moving forward. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the win over the Nets, focusing on Anthony Davis' dominant performance, Lonnie Walker and Austin Reaves' strong showings, and how Darvin managed Russell Westbrook's minu...

LeBron James is out with a groin injury and the Lakers head into a weekend with winnable games against the Kings and the Nets before several days off to get healthy and refresh. Pete, Mike, and Darius preview the matchup with Sacramento, focusing on Anthony Davis and how he can be deployed against the Kings frontline. Later, the guys discuss the western conference standings, the Lakers place in th...

The Lakers fell to the Clippers last night in a game that followed similar trendlines to their previous losses. Pete, Mike, and Darius zoom out from that game to discuss some of the root causes of those trends, the overall mindset of a team that continues to lose games in the same way they have been and how that can impact morale. Later, the guys discuss LeBron's groin injury and how him potential...

The Lakers have started the season 2-8 against a difficult schedule, but their next stretch of 10 games offers more opportunities to stack wins and improve in the standings. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss this stretch, what they'd like to see, and even offer thoughts on what record they'd like to see in those 10 games. Then later, the guys discuss the specifics of Wednesday's game vs. the Clippers...

The Lakers were able to get Anthony Davis going, but the Jazz's shot making combined with more 3rd quarter struggles to sink the Lakers and drop them to 2-8 on the season. Pete and Darius discuss the game vs. the Jazz, focusing on how a game like that one might affect morale and the longer term implications of a team with bigger goals, but that hasn't yet been able to find its footing. Then later,...

After an 0-2 weekend with losses to the Jazz and the Cavs, and with another game with the Jazz on Monday night, Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss some of the team's issues offensively, how Anthony Davis' lack of 2nd half production is playing a part in them, and some ways in which the team can try to sustain AD's first half success through the entirety of the game. 

The Lakers have a pair of games this weekend and will look to keep their momentum going after winning back to back games. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss Friday's matchup with the Jazz, looking at how gameplans are adjusted vs. teams without a top-tier star, what defensive matchups to lookout for, and how the Lakers rotation settling into a more predictable pattern can help guys find their footing...

After taking a big lead in the 3rd quarter and then giving it all back in the 4th, a Matt Ryan buzzer-beating 3-pointer forced overtime and the Lakers were able to pull out a thrilling win vs. the Pelicans on Wednesday night. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the game, focusing on Darvin Ham's great play call and how he is getting the most out of this group, Russell Westbrook's continued strong play...

The Nets are embroiled in controversy and drama simply by employing Kyrie Irving, but magnified that further on Tuesday by firing Steve Nash and by, reportedly, targeting Ime Udoka to replace him. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the events in Brooklyn and why their struggles are of an entirely different type than the Lakers'. Later, the guys preview Wednesday's game with the Pelicans, discussing th...

The Lakers entered training camp with several players of comparable talent levels competing for roles. Pete and Mike discuss who amongst them has had chemistry with the Lakers stars, and who is still trying to find their footing.

The Lakers won their first game against the Nuggets on Sunday night, showing good resolve over the course of the game to hold on. Pete and Darius discuss how Russell Westbrook's pace and spirit sparked the team all night and how Anthony Davis' two-way stardom served as an anchor for the team's success on both sides of the ball. Then later, Mike joined the show to discuss LeBron's big second half a...

Sitting at 0-4, the urgency for the Lakers to improve feels more pressing by the day, and a Russell Westbrook trade still presents the best option to shakeup the roster in ways that can lead to that improvement. Pete, Mike, and Darius debate how much they think the team's current record impacts the team's negotiating position, how much each of them value planning for the future vs. improving this...

The Lakers loss to the Nuggets on Wednesday reinforced some of the bigger picture challenges the Lakers are facing this season. Pete, Mike, and Darius use the specifics of the Nuggets game to zoom out and take a more holistic view of the team and discuss LeBron's role offensively with Russ out, the asks the team is putting on Anthony Davis, and how the continued shooting woes of the role players u...

Can the Lakers defense hold up against a Nuggets team that is working to reintegrate Jamal Murray and Michael Porter back into the lineup? If Russell Westbrook sits out, who should start for him and how does it impact the team's rotation? How can Kendrick Nunn get back on track? Mike and Darius answer these questions and more when they preview Wednesday's game against the Nuggets. Then later the g...

The Lakers are a disappointing 0-3, but their defense has been the exact opposite of that, ranking #2 in the NBA on that end so far. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss how the Lakers have been playing so well defensively, highlighting LeBron and Anthony Davis' efforts on the back-line and the guards' efforts to pressure the ball, force difficult shots, and create turnovers. Then later, the guys talk a...

The Lakers lost a gut punch game against the Blazers on Sunday night, proving unable to hold on late as their offensive struggles continued and a couple of key defensive possessions didn't go their way. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the game, focusing on Russell Westbrook's questionable shot selection in the final minute, how the Blazers' defensive strategy down the stretch flustered the Lakers o...

The Lakers fought hard and played well defensively, but their outside shooting struggles continued in their loss to the Clippers on Thursday night. Pete, Mike, and Darius break down the game, focusing on how the Lakers strong defensive effort and forcing turnovers was great, but not enough to counter the lack of shot making from the backcourt. Then later, the guys discuss Russell Westbrook's overa...

The Lakers opened their season with a loss to the Warriors, showing some of the limitations of their roster while also having several of their role players underperform in ways that go beyond those limitations. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the game, focusing on the team's lack of shooting and how the Warriors' vaunted 3rd quarter run put the game away. And later, the guys discuss some of the pos...

Opening night is finally here and the Lakers will face off against the Golden State Warriors. Pete, Mike, and Darius preview the game, focusing on how the Warriors getting their championship rings could impact their level of play, what the best defensive matchups are for the Lakers and why playing smaller creates an Andrew Wiggins problem, and how the Lakers success on offense comes back to Anthon...

Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the Western Conference heading into the regular season and project who will win the most regular season games. Can the Warriors use their championship to springboard back to the top? How far will the Suns drop off? Are the Clippers and the Nuggets in the same tier as the Warriors or do they still have to prove they're healthy enough? What about the Grizzlies and the...