Laker Film Room - Dedicated to the Study of Lakers Basketball

Ben McLemore has joined the Lakers after being bought out by the Houston Rockets. What does he bring to the team and what will his potential role be? Pete, Darius, and Mike discuss the signing and how they envision McLemore fitting into a roster that has the ingredients to amplify his strengths and minimize his weaknesses. Later, the guys wonder what types of lineups McLemore fits into best and wh...

The Andre Drummond signing, then injury, thrust Marc Gasol into the spotlight and he has responded with his best stretch of games this season. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss Gasol's recent play and how his game vs. the Raptors symbolized the changes he's made in his approach and the results those changes are yielding. Later, the guys discuss Gasol's role once Drummond returns and why the onus will...

Andre Drummond made his Lakers debut, but a toe injury and a loss to the Bucks dampened what began as an exciting night. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss what they saw from Drummond before being forced from the game with injury, how the pros and cons of his game shone through, and what it could mean for his immediate and long term role for the team. Then later, the guys discuss Marc Gasol's seeming...

In part two of a two-part series, Pete, Darius, and Mike have a spirited conversation on how Andre Drummond fits in with the Lakers, concentrating on his defensive fit. How does Drummond fit into the Lakers' "No roller behind" defensive strategy? What Western Conference team is the Drummond signing bad news for? How will Drummond fit into the front court rotation & how will it affect the other...

In part one of a two-part series, Pete, Darius, and Mike have a spirited conversation on how Andre Drummond fits in with the Lakers. How much value does his exceptional rebounding actually provide? Why is he such a poor finisher around the rim, and how much of that will change alongside LeBron? How does he fit in before LeBron & AD return from injury? The guys discuss all that and more. Submit...

The Lakers lost a winnable game to the 76ers, causing some frustration and triggering more questions about how this team can stay afloat while LeBron and AD recover from injury. Add in the non-moves at the trade deadline and Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the game and the next steps for the Lakers as they navigate this upcoming stretch of games in which they’ll need to get some wins to keep pace i...

The Lakers head into Thursday's NBA trade deadline down their two superstars and losers of three straight games. Will their current circumstances impact how aggressive they are on the trade market? What are the team's biggest needs? Are there even any realistic changes the team could make via trade? Pete, Darius, and Mike answer these questions and more on the eve of the deadline.

LeBron James has gone from the top of the MVP race to out indefinitely with a high ankle sprain, joining Anthony Davis on the sideline in street clothes. How do the Lakers compensate for their missing superstars? Is it even possible? Pete, Darius, and Mike brainstorm potential solutions, keying in on Talen Horton-Tucker and how the goal should just be staying afloat until the roster is made whole...

LeBron James led the Lakers to their 4th straight victory on Thursday night, with 37 points in a 116-105 victory over Charlotte. In this episode, Pete, Darius, and Mike discuss the multitude of ways that LeBron has helped the team navigate a difficult season, including how he's been the skeleton key that's unlocked the Lakers' pick & roll game post All-Star break.

The Lakers won in dominating fashion on Monday night, beating the Warriors in all facets of the game. Pete, Darius, and Mike breakdown the win, looking specifically at the team's mental engagement and the performance of the bench by highlighting Kyle Kuzma's all-around performance and the growth he's showing this year. Then later, the guys discuss KCP's strong game and why his effort and focus are...

The Lakers came out of the All-Star break with a grind-it-out win over the Pacers, showing an adaptability down the stretch to seal the victory. Pete, Darius, and Mike use Montrezl Harrell's play as a jumping off point to discuss the win and how some of the defensive questions about him were answered with tweaks that enhanced his effectiveness to help get the win. Later in the pod the guys talk ab...

With the Lakers heading into the All-Star break and the first half of the season concluded, Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss some of their big picture takeaways from the team's first 37 games. From Dennis Schröder's positive impact on both ends of the floor to Anthony Davis' injury, the guys dive into the highs and lows to this point in the season and what it all could mean moving forward.

The Lakers got back to their winning ways over the weekend with strong showings against the Blazers and Warriors. Pete, Darius, and Mike broke down what drove those wins, focusing on LeBron's defensive engagement and Dennis Schröder's return helping to jumpstart the team's offense and, in turn, energizing LeBron. Later in the pod the guys talk more about the team's shift in defensive aggressivenes...

With Anthony Davis out, the Lakers center rotation of Marc Gasol and Montrezl Harrell must take on even larger roles on both sides of the ball. Through the prism of the game vs. the Jazz, Pete, Mike, and Darius look at what's working and what's not with both players and discuss some potential ways Frank Vogel can account for some of each players' limitations to optimize them until Anthony Davis re...

The remainder of the Lakers regular season schedule has been released and Pete, Mike, and Darius are here to break it all down. From the potential to come out of the All-Star break strong to the 7-game road trip that defines April to the back-to-back heavy May, the guys offer their thoughts on what stands out and what approach the team may take down the stretch as they prepare for the playoffs.

The Lakers dropped their 2nd straight game, falling to the Heat in a Finals rematch that saw both teams compete hard but struggle offensively. Pete, Mike, and Darius break down the game, focusing on some of the progress the Lakers made defensively and how some of their tweaks offensively worked and where they still fell short. Later, the guys debate more changes that can be made to improve the off...

With Anthony Davis already out injured, losing Dennis Schröder to the NBA's health and safety protocols shortly before the game proved a bridge too far for the Lakers, who fell to the Nets on Thursday night. Pete, Darius, and Mike discuss what went wrong for the team defensively in the loss, while also offering some potential silver linings for future matchups vs. Brooklyn. Later, the guys talk ab...

There is no "replacing" Anthony Davis, but the Lakers are going to need to try to do just that with him out injured through at least the All-Star break. Pete, Darius, and Mike explore what steps the team can take with AD out, using the win over the Timberwolves as a template for success and looking specifically at Marc Gasol, KCP, and Markieff Morris as key players in this upcoming stretch of game...

With a revamped roster around LeBron and Anthony Davis, the Lakers half-court offense is structurally different this season compared to last. Pete, Mike, and Darius dive into one of the key changes this season by examining the team's dribble penetration, and more specifically, how Dennis Schröder's integration to the offense is going and how his specific strength of attacking the basket fit into t...

In their second straight overtime game, the Lakers pulled out a win over the Thunder while Anthony Davis and Alex Caruso sat out with injury. Pete, Darius, and Mike breakdown how, after being thrust back into the rotation after not playing for 4 games, Wes Matthews stepped up to help the Lakers win the game and how these minutes reaffirm the team's depth. Then later, the guys talk about LeBron's b...

The Lakers are 1/3 of the way through the regular season after an ugly win against Detroit on Saturday night. In this episode, Pete, Darius & Mike review the team's performance vs. their expectations, and look at the rest of Western Conference through a similar lens.

Pete, Mike and Darius discuss the Lakers' dominant second half performance in their 114-93 win over the Denver Nuggets, areas where the team can continue to improve on offense, and give props to THT, Kuz, and Trezz.

The Lakers wrapped up their 7 game road trip with a 5-2 record and win over the Hawks on Monday. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the win through the lens of Frank Vogel's rotation decisions and the lift the team is getting from a newly formed group of playmakers and hustle guys flanking LeBron. Later in the pod the guys preview the Nets/Clippers matchup, giving their thoughts on both teams and how...

oh, the celtics lost?...

Are the Lakers too reliant on LeBron James? Is there any way to muster joy while playing in your 5th city in a 7 game road trip on the 2nd night of a back to back while in a pandemic? How can the team get Dennis Schröder back on track? Should Frank Vogel tweak the rotation? Pete, Mike, and Darius tried to tackle these questions, and more, as they reflect on the Lakers' back to back losses against...