Lakers Lounge

Anthony, Pete and Jovan all agree: The Lakers are legit good. Where they rank in the west/league is up for debate but this is a very different team compared to the last time the guys got together for a pod. They discuss the reasons behind the turnaround, the Lakers' playoff chances and plenty more.

The guys have all thoroughly enjoyed this Lakers turnaround. Jovan lays out everything worth celebrating and Anthony and Pete build on those points.

This Lakers season has turned completely around and that shift has a lot to do with Luka's recent play. But also, Luka's play all year helped keep the Lakers afloat. He's entering his prime and this season has been remarkable.

The Lakers' recent play has all the guys thinking somewhat differently about several guys across the roster. Anthony especially thinks LeBron's likelihood of returning after this season has gone up by quite a bit.

The Lakers farted around the final quarter of the road trip but that doesn't changes how successful it was. Anthony and Raj break down this last game of said trip, Luka's continued stellar play, this new identity the Lakers are working on and what happens when they get away from it.

The Lakers beat the Pacers and that's all that matters... to most fans. To those who may have been slightly more invested in this particular game, Anthony explains why that may have been a painful one. This launches Raj into an explanation of why he doesn't gamble, and Anthony shares one of his funnier gambling losses.

Raj and Anthony cover the minutes they saw from Bronny (as well as a theory from Anthony on what those minutes might mean moving forward). With Bronny getting minutes, Anthony brings the conversation back to Kobe Bufkin's signing. To bring this back to the positive side, the guys celebrate the Lakers' hugely successful road trip.

We often think of opportunity cost in the sense of trading a first round pick that the Lakers couldn't use this summer. Anthony makes the case that we should also think of the possibility that focusing so heavily on this summer might have put a real opportunity this season at risk. The guys talk this, as well as other topics from the live audience.

Anthony and Harrison discuss that Lakers winning streak after it's come to its end and try to decipher how real it was, using one of Anthony's favorite poems. The guys talk about LeBron's approach to that run and whether it might impact his future with the Lakers. Then, they look ahead to the final 10 games of the season and wrap with questions from the live audience.

Anthony dips into his college English major nerdiness to describe how he feels about the Lakers' winning streak now that it's ended. Harrison somehow understands the reference and builds on it.

For most of this season, the consensus on LeBron James' Lakers future was that it would probably come to an end after this year. With the Lakers winning the way they have lately and looking like a real contender, have the vibes changed?

You know, how these shows usually go. This also features a Q&A with the audience. Anthony shares a theory on market-based refereeing from the Offside chat.

Anthony takes a break to talk Lakers because the vibes are so good they're worth risking a night or two on the couch when he gets back.

The Lakers had plenty going against them in Orlando and yet, somehow, they were able to squeak out their ninth straight win. Anthony recaps the game and explains what he's been most impressed by during that win and this streak.

A listener asked a fun question comparing this season to '07-08, when the Lakers built a foundation for back-to-back titles. Anthony runs through the comparison, and it's somewhat close, but not quite perfect.

Anthony loved that win. He spent 50 minutes on cloud nine. You should join him.

The Lakers had every excuse and still, collectively, decided to go out and win. Anthony explains what he loved about that effort.

A listener told Anthony to continue criticizing Luka because he dared to do so once upon a time. Anthony... didn't take the advice particularly well.

Once again, the job here is easy: Pull up a chair, pour a nice, tall glass of whatever you choose and get ready to smile. The Lakers are on an incredible roll and might actually be legit. Let's all enjoy this together.

With these two wins over Houston (and the different ways they came), the Lakers just cemented their place in any conversation about title contenders from here on out.

Anthony and Raj marvel at not only the message the Lakers sent with these two wins but the unbelievable basketball Luka Doncic has been playing that made those messages possible.

Anthony and Raj dive into some questions from the live audience and one listener wanted to know whether they think JJ Redick has done enough to get some coach of the year buzz this season. The guys talk this, other candidates and another fun topic: How much does this run affect the offseason?

With the Lakers on a six-game winning streak that includes four of their most impressive wins of the season, Anthony is feeling a certain way about this team. So, he and Harrison have a decision to make: Should they lean into the optimism knowing how it usually turns out when Anthony does that, or should they find some reason not to believe. SCREW IT, WE SAY.

Anthony and Harrison discuss LeBron learning what the Lakers need from him and applying that knowledge to make this whole thing work the way it has recently, as well as the progress Luka has made has a player (especially defensively) and leader.

Luka is one technical foul away from suspension, which has made him behave very differently towards officials (and potentially made him a better player).