Laker Film Room - Dedicated to the Study of Lakers Basketball

In losing game 6 at home, the Clippers have been eliminated from the playoffs and the Suns are going to the NBA Finals. From Chris Paul's big night to Pat Bev's dumb shove and ejection, Pete, Mike, and Darius break down the game and try to put it all into the broader context of how injuries and availability have played such a huge role in how we've experienced these games as fans. Also, the guys g...

After finishing 24th in offensive rating this past season, we can all agree that the Lakers need to improve on that end of the floor next year. Actually doing it, however, is easier said than done. Would hiring an offensive minded assistant coach actually help? Do the Lakers simply need to improve their offensive talent? Should the team focus more on optimizing Anthony Davis instead of LeBron? Pet...

In a win or go home situation for the Clippers in game 5, Paul George's big night extended the series and has the chance to give his team life as they head back to Los Angeles for game 6. Pete, Mike, and Darius break it all down and discuss how George was able to get it going, Chris Paul's struggles, and how much this game was determined by the Clippers focus and determination to not fold or real...

With Jason Kidd reportedly going to the Mavericks as their new head coach, the Lakers are in line to hire a new assistant under Frank Vogel. What are some of the qualities the team should look for in replacing Kidd? Like they did with Kidd, should the Lakers look for a former head coach to join Vogel's staff? How important a factor should improving on offense be when making a decision on an assist...

How does it feel seeing Phoenix as a favorite to make it to the NBA finals, knowing that the Lakers were up 2-1 in the first round series before injuries derailed them? What are the guys' thoughts on the Lakers using their draft pick at 22 to fit a need on the team? What is the most underappreciated Lakers title team? Which role player from a previous championship roster would the guys like to see...

The last team to beat the Suns in a playoff game was the Lakers in game 3 of their 1st round series. Even without Chris Paul for the last two games, the Suns togetherness and chemistry has carried them to 9 straight playoff wins and a 2-0 series lead over the Clippers in the Western Conference Finals. From Booker's ascension to Ayton's postseason leap, Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss how the Suns j...

In the same vein of discussion that continues the earlier episode on how bigs have fared in these playoffs, Pete & Mike discuss what is the ideal split for AD to play at the center position as opposed to the power forward position, whether the pendulum can swing too far in the NBA regarding the current preference for perimeter shooters over bigs in the paint, and the importance of surrounding...

Both the Jazz and the 76ers were eliminated much earlier than both had hoped and the limitations of star players Rudy Gobert and Ben Simmons, respectively, contributed mightily to those losses. Pete, Darius, and Mike look at both players through the prism of playoff vs. regular season basketball to discuss how they, and their teams, move forward in trying to account for those weaknesses while stil...

We all know that shooting is a key ingredient to playing winning basketball in the modern NBA. However, how critical was the Lakers fall-off in 3-point accuracy to their 1st round playoff exit and did the playoffs reveal certain truths about the quality of shooters the Lakers have? How much should the team prioritize shooting, particularly in relation to how much the team values strong defensive p...

Andre Drummond . For many Lakers fans, just hearing his name inspires a visceral reaction and triggers strong opinions about how much his mid-season acquisition created a chain reaction in the team's center rotation that negatively impacted the course of the season. After getting a half-season's look at the former all-star, Pete, Mike, and Darius try to decipher how much of that is fair, how much...

From KD's incredible game 5 performance to give the Nets a 3-2 lead over the Bucks to Kawhi Leonard's knee injury to Chris Paul entering into the NBA's health and safety protocols, the NBA news cycle exploded in the last 24 hours. Are the Nets clear favorites now? Can the Clippers win this series even without Kawhi? What does losing Paul mean to the Suns and can they compensate? Pete, Mike, and Da...

 Dennis Schröder had some really strong stretches in his debut season with the Lakers, but his playoff struggles after AD's injury highlighted some of the weaknesses in his game at the most inopportune time. Pete, Darius, and Mike evaluate the ups and downs of the Dennis experience and try to put his season into context while debating whether his player archetype is the right fit as the 3rd wheel...

Should the Lakers "run it back" next season? How does the front office balance evaluating players on their individual merits vs. how those players could have performed in better defined roles if the team had stayed healthy? Pete, Darius, and Mike discuss these questions and more in their first look at the Lakers heading into the offseason. Later, the guys discuss the playoff series between the Jaz...

After losing game 6 to the Suns, the Lakers season is mercifully, yet prematurely, over. Pete, Darius, and Mike discuss the season ending defeat and reflect on a team that, due to many factors, was never able to find its footing and ultimately fell in the 1st round to an excellent Phoenix team. Submit your Blue Wire Hustle application here: http://bwhustle.com/join

With AD and KCP questionable to play and the Lakers coming off a blowout game 5 loss, things are not looking good for game 6. From what lineups should play to how the team's leaders need to instill a sense of belief that they can win, Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the most important factors the Lakers need in their favor to push the Suns to a game 7. Submit your Blue Wire Hustle application here:...

A disappointing lack of resolve after an early Suns' run led to a Lakers' blowout loss in game 5. With the team on the brink of elimination as they head back to Los Angeles, Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss what went wrong in this game and their general frustration with how little fight the Lakers showed as things snowballed against them. Later, the guys discuss if there are any reasons for optimism...

With Anthony Davis not likely to play due his strained groin he suffered in game 4, the Lakers are facing an uphill battle that will necessitate several adjustments for Tuesday's critical game 5. Should Marc Gasol start? Should the Lakers play more 3 guard lineups? How can the Lakers optimize Dennis and LeBron? Pete, Mike, and Darius explore these questions, and more, in looking ahead to how the L...

A late Lakers rally dashed, an Anthony Davis groin strain, and a gritty Suns defensive performance have leveled this series at 2-2. As we look ahead, all eyes are on AD's injury, but the Lakers 4th quarter push should not be ignored as LeBron James readies himself and his team for a crucial game 5 on Tuesday. Pete, Darius, and Mike break down all of game 4, focusing in on the team's 2nd quarter st...

The Lakers showed flashes of dominance in the third quarter of their 109-95 win in Game 3, giving them a 2-1 series lead. In this episode, Pete and Darius discuss LeBron and AD's takeover, the smothering defense of the starting lineup, and more, as Mike drops in at the end from Staples Center.

With the Lakers winning game 2 to even their series with the Suns, they have now established a gameplan that is not only proven to work, but one Frank Vogel and his staff can use as the foundation for the team's approach moving forward. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss what parts of the game 2 formula worked well and should stick, what didn't and shouldn't, and what individual adjustments the player...

The Lakers got the split they wanted in Phoenix by beating the Suns in a thrilling game 2 to tie the series as things shift back to Los Angeles. From Anthony Davis' aggressive play to Dennis Schröder's big offensive night to LeBron's incredible shot making down the stretch and everything in between, Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss every angle of the Lakers' big win.

The beauty of the playoffs are in the adjustments teams make from game to game. And trailing the Suns 1-0 in the series, adjustments are in order for the Lakers. How can they get Anthony Davis going? What are the optimal lineups to create the offensive spacing needed to get LeBron the space he needs to get downhill on drives and to work in the post? How can the Lakers slow down the Suns in their o...

The Lakers dropped their playoff opener vs. the Suns in frustrating fashion, with their offense stumbling and their defense showing just enough cracks to allow the Suns to control the terms of engagement all game. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss what went wrong on both sides of the ball, particularly with Anthony Davis who really struggled offensively and was never able to get into the flow of the...

The Lakers second half surge to beat the Warriors in the play-in game propelled them into the 7th seed and a 1st round playoff series vs. the Suns. From how the Lakers can slow down Chris Paul and Devin Booker, to who defends Anthony Davis and LeBron, to DeAndre Ayton's status as an X-factor and everything in-between, Pete, Mike, and Darius dive into the matchup from every angle to break down how...

How effective can Andre Drummond be against the Suns? Should we be concerned about Dennis Schröder after his struggles vs. the Warriors in the play-in game? What are Trez and THT's value in the Suns' series? Pete, Darius, and Mike tackle these questions, and more, in the latest edition of the LFR Pod mailbag.