Laker Film Room - Dedicated to the Study of Lakers Basketball

After Luka was a limited participant in Tuesday’s practice and a report came out that LeBron may not play in any preseason games, Pete and Darius discuss the Lakers lack of on-court time as a full group and the potential challenges that come with it. Then later, the guys discuss Marcus Smart’s return to practice, Jarred Vanderbilt’s push for more playing time, and much more. Support Pete here : Pa...

The shorthanded Lakers opened their preseason with consecutive losses, falling to the Suns on Friday and the Warriors on Sunday. Pete and Darius offer their takeaways from both games, from the team’s up and down effort in transition defense, their lack of shot creation without Luka and LeBron playing, what they’ve liked from Austin Reaves and Deandre Ayton, Jarred Vanderbilt’s activity and impact,...

The wait is over! Lakers basketball is back with a weekend of preseason games vs. the Suns on Friday and the Warriors on Sunday. Pete and Darius discuss their expectations heading into these games and what they’re most interested in seeing on both sides of the ball. Support Pete here : Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom Pete’s You...

Should Rui Hachimura remain the Lakers 5th starter or should he be usurped by Marcus Smart? Does Rui’s offense outweigh Smart’s defense? Does Rui’s production as a starter vs. a reserve matter? How much should keeping Smart healthy play a factor? Pete and Darius are joined by special guests Mike Garcia and Raj Chipalu to answer these questions and debate the merits of both as starting players. Sup...

Pete and Darius discuss the latest news coming out of the 2nd day of Lakers training camp, including injury updates on LeBron and Marcus Smart, a healthy Jarred Vanderbilt looking good, what type of changes — if any — the team will deploy defensively and why it matters, and much more. Support Pete here : Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/laker...

The Lakers had their first day of training camp practice on Tuesday, but did so without LeBron James, as well as both Marcus Smart and Gabe Vincent both limited in their return to full activity. Pete and Darius discuss LeBron missing practice, the reporting that he will ramp up more slowly throughout camp, and the ramifications of him sitting out. And then later the guys discuss the Lakers signing...

From Luka’s leadership and LeBron’s off-ball work, the chip on Deandre Ayton’s shoulder and Marcus Smart’s leadership, Austin Reaves’ summer work and Rui Hachimura’s sense of urgency, Pete and Darius discuss the highlights from Lakers media day and offer their big picture thoughts on the eve of training camp opening. Support Pete here : Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffe...

The Lakers held their first portion of media day with Rob Pelinka and JJ Redick answering questions heading into training camp. Pete and Darius discuss what the Lakers leadership had to say, including Redick’s contract extension, the lack of clarity on who the starters will be, the importance conditioning will play on this season, and much more. Support Pete here : Patreon: https://www.patreon.com...

With training camp just days away, Pete and Darius dive into the specifics of their excitement for the upcoming season, what made this offseason feel so long, and their last bit of expectations heading into camp. And then later the guys discuss their expectations for Rob Pelinka and JJ Redick heading into their Thursday media session. Support Pete here : Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmr...

The Rockets received rough injury news as Fred VanVleet will likely miss the entire season with an ACL tear. Pete and Darius discuss the injury, how big of a loss this is to Houston both as a player and a leader, potential solutions to their depth problems at guard, and what this does to their status as a contending team. And then later, the guys look at other west contenders in the lead up to tra...

With Lakers training camp one week away, Pete and Darius discuss things they are excited about and then things that concern them for each of the players on the roster. Support Pete here : Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom Pete’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LakerFilmRoom Pete’s Playback: https://www.playback.tv/lakerfilmroom...

With Lakers training camp approaching, what would you want to hear from LeBron after an offseason of speculation about his future? What camp battles are you most looking forward to? What would you love to ask Rob Pelinka and JJ Redick heading into this season? Pete and Darius answer these questions and more in the latest LFR mailbag. Support Pete here : Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmro...

As training camp inches closer, Pete and Darius discuss the influence pending new Lakers’ owner Mark Walter can have in this season, highlighting areas they would like to see grow and expand under his stewardship and why even though the sale is not yet finalized, it’s his vision that should be setting the tone for this year. Support Pete here : Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me...

Can the Lakers be a great offense even when Luka Dončić is on the bench? What are optimal lineups to use when Luka rests? Who are the key role players to fill in the gaps in these non-Luka groups? Pete and Darius answer these questions and more in their continued look at the team in the lead up to training camp. Support Pete here : Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: ht...

In continuing their discussion on expectations heading into training camp, Pete and Darius discuss whether there are Lakers players whose best skills don't quite align with their roles on the team and how that could impact their performance on the court. THen later, the guys touch how to sort through the offensive hierarchy between Luka and LeBron, where Austin fits in, and much more.  Support Pet...

With Lakers training camp just a couple of weeks away, Pete and Darius discuss their big picture expectations for camp, some positional battles they’re looking forward to, and how they envision the back-end of the roster competing for minutes in the preseason and beyond. Support Pete here : Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom Pete’...

In the wake of reports that the Lakers are more willing to take on long term money in trades than they were earlier this offseason and that Andrew Wiggins could be a potential target, Pete and Darius discuss why they'd support taking on future money in the right deal, Wiggins' fit on this roster, different trade constructions, why salary matching can be tricky, what their preferred deal would look...

Pete and Darius discuss Slovenia’s elimination from Euro Basket in a hard-fought loss to Germany in the quarterfinals, highlighting Luka’s huge scoring night and Slovenia’s near upset, Germany’s resolve, and a closing stretch that left Luka and his teammates feeling like they let one get away. And then later, the guys discuss the ongoing story of the Clippers possible salary cap circumvention with...

What are the pathways to the Luka Dončić led Lakers being elite offensively? How reliant should they be on the pick and roll to drive their success? What stylistic changes could be in order from last season to help drive their offense? Pete and Darius answer these questions, and also discuss Rui’s role, the value of connecting role players, and much more. Support Pete here : Patreon: https://www.p...

Pete and Darius discuss Luka Dončić's continued dominance at Eurobasket, this time leading Slovenia to an upset win over Italy to continue their run in the knockout phase of the tournament. And then later, the guys discuss Dwight Howard and Carmelo Anthony's induction into the Hall of Fame, as well as their memories of the 2008 Gold Medal winning Redeem Team which was also inducted over the weeken...

Luka Dončić is dominating at Eurobasket and has carried Slovenia to the knockout round of the tournament. Pete and Darius discuss what they’ve seen from Dončić, diving into how his improved conditioning and fitness have shown up on the defensive side of the floor, the completeness of his offensive game, and what this could all mean for him on the Lakers and how it should influence team building. S...

In part two of their discussion on Rob Pelinka, Pete and Darius discuss what are the skill sets Pelinka seems to value most in players, how his background as an agent might inform these views, the difference in how offensive talent is valued vs. defensive talent, and why the wants and philosophies of his head coach have mattered in the past and likely will in the future. And then later, the guys d...

Luka’s masterful play at Eurobasket is a reminder of how he warps a defense by exploiting mismatches. The guys discuss how the Lakers mastering what to do next off of common Luka attacks is crucial to the goal of building an elite offense, LeBron on the weak side vs 2-man potential on the strong side with Luka, why DFS will be missed in this area, and more. Support Pete here : Patreon: https://www...

In part 1 of their discussion on Rob Pelinka and the role of being the Lakers top basketball decision maker, Pete and Darius discuss the circumstances of how Rob got his position, his general approach to dealing with those who have power in the organization, and how his management style and the makeup of the Lakers organization has impacted his job performance. Support Pete here : Patreon: https:/...

Pete and Darius discuss Kobe Bryant and what parts of his outlook on life and commitment to basketball have left a lasting impression on them over the years. And then later, the guys reminisce about his game and how it was both simplistic and wildly creative at the same time.  Support Pete here : Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom...