Laker Film Room - Dedicated to the Study of Lakers Basketball

Pete and Darius reflect on the Lakers at the halfway point of the season, discussing what has stood out most to them through 41 games, the injury and player availability frustrations, the team’s record in the face of adversity, the defensive struggles, what it’s like watching Luka on a daily basis from the start of a full season, and much more. Join Pete on Offside! https://www.offside.gg/beta LFR...

The Lakers split their weekend back-to-back, falling at Portland in a game where Luka and others sat out and then returning to LA to beat the Raptors on Sunday night. Pete and Darius discuss both games, highlighting the win over Toronto, Drew Timme getting rotation minutes, the combination of big lineups and zone defense that fueled the victory, and whether these things can have staying power on t...

The Lakers had their third bad loss of the last week, this time falling at home to the Hornets in a game their defense couldn’t get stops and their offense stalled out too often. Pete and Darius discuss the game, Gabe Vincent’s rough night, the ongoing struggles the team has had at guard with Austin Reaves out, and much more. LFR Store: ⁠https://cottonbureau.com/people/laker-film-room-podcast-stor...

With recent reporting stating the Lakers have some interest in trading for the Warriors Jonathan Kuminga, Pete and Darius discuss the young forward’s fit on the team, whether they’d have any interest in him, how young players balance individual glory with playing a role on a winning team, and much more. And then later, the guys expand their discussion into team building at the trade deadline and b...

On the second night of a back to back the Lakers snapped their three game losing streak with a blowout win over the Hawks. Pete and Darius discuss the win, the leadership and great performances from both Luka Dončić and LeBron, Deandre Ayton’s big contributions by doing the little things, Rui Hachimura’s return and the impact on the team’s lineups, and much more. LFR Store: ⁠https://cottonbureau.c...

The Lakers had one of their worst losses of the season, falling to the Kings by double figures even though they got a great game from Luka Dončić. Pete and Darius discuss Luka’s brilliance, the team’s inability to hit an outside shot, the Kings’ shot making, and much more. And then later the guys get into the player availability challenges the team continues to face, what the coaches can do to try...

After falling to the Bucks on Friday, the Lakers head into a stretch of five games in seven nights that will test their physicality and depth. Darius and Pete discuss the loss to the Bucks, Deandre Ayton’s recent up and down play, Rui’s pending return and whether his move to the bench will be temporary, the challenge and opportunity of this upcoming stretch of games, and much more. LFR Store: ⁠htt...

The Lakers hope to get both LeBron and Rui Hachimura back for Friday’s matchup with the Bucks. Pete and Darius discuss Rui’s pending return, whether he should reclaim his starting spot now that he’s back, how he helps the team on offense, and much more. And then later, the guys zoom out to discuss the Lakers overall record and the balance between enjoying the team’s overall record and play while s...

The shorthanded Lakers battled, but did not have enough in a loss to the Spurs on Wednesday. Pete and Darius discuss the game, Luka’s brilliance, the struggles from the team’s bench scorers, and much more. And then later, the guys break down the big trade that sent Trae Young from the Hawks to the Wizards, why they like the deal for both teams, and what it might signal for the Lakers in the lead u...

The Lakers won their 3rd straight game, beating the Pelicans on the front end of a back to back before heading to San Antonio and a matchup with the Spurs. Pete and Darius break down the win over New Orleans, Luka’s strong night, LeBron continuing to defy father time, and Deandre Ayton’s two-way impact. And then later, the guys discuss the matchup with the Spurs and the challenges of defending the...

Pete and Darius discuss the growing chemistry of Luka and LeBron and the value of the lessons the Lakers are learning with Austin Reaves out, Jake LaRavia’s fit with the starting lineup, the struggles of the Luka-only bench groups and how to potentially fix them, and much more. LFR Store: ⁠https://cottonbureau.com/people/laker-film-room-podcast-store⁠ Pete’s Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/laker...

Pete and Darius are joined by special guest Iztok Franko to discuss the Lakers weekend wins over the Grizzlies, the truths and myths around Luka Dončić’s defense, the budding chemistry between Luka and LeBron and how a role reversal helped the Lakers close out Memphis, lineup optimization around the Lakers stars, and much more. LFR Store: https://cottonbureau.com/people/laker-film-room-podcast-sto...

The Lakers took down the Grizzlies on Friday night, led by big scoring nights from Luka and LeBron, and key performances from multiple role players. Pete and Darius break down LeBron’s multifaceted offensive attack, Luka’s control over the game even when his jumper wasn’t falling, Jake LaRavia’s big night on offense and his partnership with Marcus Smart on defense, and much more. And then later, t...

Amidst a stretch where the Lakers are struggling severely on defense, Pete and Darius zoom out to discuss JJ Redick and the state of his growth as a coach in his 2nd season, the adaptability he has shown to get the Lakers to the record they have, what further steps can be taken schematically and tactically to help improve the team defensively, and much more. LFR Store: https://cottonbureau.com/peo...

A disastrous fourth quarter led to another blowout loss for the Lakers, this time to the Pistons on Tuesday night. Pete and Darius break down the team’s fight to hang in for three quarters, how the loss showed the same flaws that have plagued the team lately, and much more. And then later, the guys zoom out to discuss whether this season can serve as a bridge year for the future and how that impac...

After the Spurs beat the Thunder three straight times, and with Nikola Jokic out at least a month for the Nuggets, Pete and Darius look at the possible shifting balance of power at the top of the Western Conference. And then later the guys preview the Lakers matchup with the Pistons and how Detroit’s athleticism and physicality will test them on both sides of the ball. LFR Store: https://cottonbur...

The Lakers bounced back, ending their losing streak with a blowout win over the Kings on Sunday night. Pete and Darius discuss the win, LeBron’s ultra-efficient night, Luka’s dominance from inside the arc, Nick Smith Jr.’s big showing and why that matters with Austin Reaves out, rotation adjustments, and much more. LFR Store: https://cottonbureau.com/people/laker-film-room-podcast-store Pete’s Pat...

The Lakers lost their 3rd game in a row, suffering a Christmas day blowout against the Rockets where their defense and overall attention to detail was subpar again. Pete and Darius dive into JJ Redick’s post-game comments about the current state of the team, the failures of the starting lineup and the need for change, how the culture of the team contributes to performances like this, the leadershi...

The Lakers got blown out again by the Suns, losing consecutive games for the first time all season. Pete and Darius discuss the defensive struggles that drove the loss, why the personnel challenges aren’t the entire story, the role Luka and LeBron play in the team’s defensive culture, and much more. LFR Store: https://cottonbureau.com/people/laker-film-room-podcast-store Pete’s Patreon: https://ww...

After a woeful three-point shooting night against the Clippers, the Lakers have dipped to 24th in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage at 34.5%. Pete and Darius discuss the Lakers shooting struggles this year, the role Luka and Austin Reaves play in this, the variance of role player shooting, and whether there are internal solutions to help them improve or if is this another issue the team...

The Lakers survived a 78-point 1st Half from Utah to earn a shootout victory. The guys discuss Luka’s 45-point triple double, the bench units that are working around both stars, why the lineups with both of them together struggled and more. 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://...

With Gabe Vincent joining Austin Reaves on the injured list, the Lakers could be forced to play bigger lineups, starting with Thursday’s game against the Jazz. Pete and Darius discuss the benefits of being bigger, how losing two of your guards impacts the team’s offense, the different looks they can use defensively to compensate, and much more. LFR Store: https://cottonbureau.com/people/laker-film...

Pete and Darius continue their discussion on the Lakers trade options, highlighting which players they would target, whether they would include a 1st round pick in a deal, the complications of the hard cap on what sorts of deals the Lakers can make, and much more. LFR Store: https://cottonbureau.com/people/laker-film-room-podcast-store Pete’s Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Pete’s B...

With the unofficial start of the NBA trade season is now upon us, Pete and Darius zoom out to discuss their big picture views on what the Lakers trade needs are, whether those ideas have changed since the offseason and through 25 games, how much future salary and cap space matters to them, and much more. LFR Store: https://cottonbureau.com/people/laker-film-room-podcast-store Pete’s Patreon: https...

After giving back all of their 20-point lead, the Lakers got an important win over the Suns in a game with a wild finish. Pete and Darius discuss how the Lakers responded defensively and on the backboards to go on a huge run in the 3rd quarter to take control, how Jarred Vanderbilt’s return to the rotation helped spark the team, whether this sort of defensive game can carry forward against future...