Lakers Lounge

We talkin' nominations. Not awards. Not awards. We talkin' nominations. The Lakers are the marquee franchise, and we talkin' nominations.

A listener asked a question about Cade Cunningham's candidacy for MVP and it sent Anthony down another rant about the Spurs being the league and league voters' darlings.

Luke Kennard played really well in game one. Some fans have used that as an excuse to bring back the conversation of trading Austin Reaves. Anthony wonders what's going on there, then goes on a bit of a rant against player-centric agendas vs. what's best for the Lakers (his focus).

Anthony opens by explaining what makes rooting for sports teams on nights like last night special. Then, he dives into the individual performances that helped the Lakers pick up that win and wraps with questions from the youtube audience.

Anthony starts by explaining why nights like these should be enjoyed thoroughly. Then, he celebrates LeBron James and Luke Kennard's incredible nights.

Deandre Ayton just outplayed Alperen Sengun in a playoff game. Anthony discusses what got him going and how the Lakers can maintain that trend. He analyzes JJ Redick's first playoff game of his second year and then wraps by answering questions from the live audience.

Anthony explains why he and Jovan are talking about the offseason, then the guys dive in. What if the Lakers run it back? Can this front office build to the extent it needs to if LeBron walks? Whats at stake for the interested parties? Plus, a Q&A sessions to wrap things up.

Anthony proposes the easiest path forward for the Lakers: Running most of this core back with a couple additions on the margins. Would that be productive enough? Would it be productive enough considering the parameters the front office approached this season with?

Anthony offers up his main concern with running this core back. The guys discuss how the Lakers will need to address the top limitation across this roster this summer -- athleticism.

Anthony and Jovan turn their attention to the live audience's questions, whereupon a listener wanted to know how they felt about this year's national coverage from either current or new tv partners. The guys discuss this, as well as a couple other topics, to round out the episode.

This mailbag WANDERED. But it was also super fun and took Anthony all over the map.

A listener asked whether expanding the courts (NBA, to be clear) would impact the overall health and availability of the league. Anthony explains why he considered this at one point, but what other concerns would be raised as a result.

Anthony continues through the iTunes mailbag, where a listener asked whether the Lakers should have tanked if they were going to consider this a gap year. Nope. Not an option.

Anthony has noticed a trend in the conversation surrounding the Lakers and far too often, fans jump to the defense of Rob Pelinka with illogical tactics.

Anthony and Raj give their predictions on how they think this series will play out and explain why, going matchup by matchup and key factor by key factor. They did this while watching the Heat-Hornets play-in game and reacted to in real-time too. Amazon, get your stuff together.

Anthony and Raj start the show with their predictions for the series. Anthony weasled out and he isn't proud of it. Then, the guys marvel at how doubted LeBron James has been this season and the impact that might have on this series.

The Lakers and Rockets are completely different teams with incredibly different approaches to roster building and yet... their solutions to the issues their opponents are going to present are going to be oddly similar. Anthony and Raj explain.

Anthony plays his second favorite sounder on the show as an example of what the Lakers need to do to limit Alperen Sengun's impact on the series. Raj still somehow doesn't get the sounder.

Anthony sat down with Ryan West for an interview in anticipation of "Jerry West: The Logo," a documentary from Amazon Studios. The guys talk about Jerry was a father, mentor and person. They also discuss Ryan's experiences as Jerry and the Lakers had their issues. Ryan is currently working in the Detroit Pistons front office as a scout, so they also talk about turning around that organization and...

The Lakers' playoff matchup was still up in the air heading into the final night of the season. The Lakers took care of their part, by beating the Jazz, but wound up the four seed as the Nuggets beat the Spurs. Anthony recaps the game, the season and the task ahead as they try to keep the season alive long enough for Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to return.

Anthony is abundantly aware this season likely isn't going to end the way we'd like and how cruel it is to enter the playoffs such heavy underdogs simply because of injuries. It sucks, we know. However, as we look back on this season, there's still plenty the Lakers were able to accomplish and a foundation to build on moving forward.

Anthony discusses some of the approach tweaks he'd like to see as the Lakers try to upset the heavily-favored Rockets. He also thanks the audience for their support all year and wraps with questions from the live audience.

The Lakers have some decisions to make this summer, but now find themselves with one over the weekend. Rob Pelinka made the decision (laudably) to waive Kobe Bufkin and now has enough money to fill that roster spot. Anthony and Pete know who they'd like to see get the call, but also take time to discuss some other options. Anthony has been intrigued by how far apart he and Pete are on the subject...

Anthony and Pete roll through some options for the final roster spot heading into the playoffs and land pretty squarely on the same choice. Drew Timme, it's your time.

Anthony and Pete have found themselves on opposite ends of the spectrum as far as LeBron's future is concerned. Anthony thinks a return makes the most sense for all involved.