Lakers Lounge

Anthony runs through some trade targets and goes through their prices after opening a quick mailbag. He wraps with a look at tonight's matchup against the Spurs. You can read about all those trade targets in more detail here: https://anthonyirwin.substack.com/p/happy-trade-season

Anthony and Harrison start by discussing the trio of Austin Reaves, D'Angelo Russell and Taurean Prince. Then, they debate the Lakers flying an In-Season Tournament Championship banner at the behest/nudging/request/demand of the league. They wrap with this week's power rankings, which focus pretty heavily on Giannis Antetokounmpo fighting the Indiana Pacers over a basketball.

Anthony and Raj debate over Darvin Ham's coaching approach. This should've been a nice, relaxing episode after a nice, relaxing win. But nope. Can't have nice things, apparently.

Anthony discusses the Lakers' approach to the sport and how it continues to bite them in the rear end. He then covers the move away from the identity they'd found success with and how that again highlights Darvin Ham's basketball ideologies. This was an annoying loss, mostly because of how predictable the effort felt.

Anthony offers up an update on Gabe Vincent and the news is surprisingly good. Anthony being Anthony, though, he wonders what this does to the identity the Lakers have found in Vincent's absence. Next, he discusses the Lakers seemingly being forced to fly a banner they pretty clearly weren't interested in only a few days ago. What went on there? Finally, he wraps by looking ahead to tonight's game...

Anthony discusses one of the most fun Los Angeles sports weekends in a long, long time. Sit back, put your feet up, and enjoy. Unless you're at work. Try to look busy. Please don't let us get you in trouble.

Anthony started this show thinking it would be a nice, quick, 20-30-minute chat. It turned into a full on actually happy Happy Hour because you, the listeners, had so many great questions. He starts, though, with a quick monologue on why he thinks the Lakers belong in that top tier of championship contenders now.

Anthony and Raj react to a complete mollywhopping as the Lakers demo'ed the Pelicans to the tune of a 44-point blowout. Honestly, no show design here. Just sit back and enjoy this one with us.

The Lakers have been connected to Zach LaVine since the start of the season. Thing is, they aren't actually all that interested in him. So what's going on there? Anthony and Aaron explain. Then, the guys discuss the Lakers' wing-heavy rotation and who might be on the outside looking in if this is the identity Darvin Ham commits to. Please commit to it, Darvin. We're begging.

Jovan Buha (The Athletic) stopped by to discuss a whole bunch. He and Anthony relived the last 16 hours or so as Jovan was the pool reporter tasked with asking Tuesday's referees about that controversial timeout. Then, they looked at this wing-heavy roster and the impact all that length had on Phoenix and might have moving forward if Darvin Ham commits to that group as this team's identity. Anthon...

Anthony and Harrison react to a fun, ugly game between the Lakers and Suns that felt more important than usual. As that is the case, Anthony admits to maybe being a little wrong about the IST. Yes. Anthony admitted he might be wrong. The guys talk about the game, Darvin Ham's coaching, Taurean Prince, the Lakers wings who should play, LeBron's insane longevity and plenty more.

Anthony welcomes Tim (Lakers Exceptionalism Pod) to debate hyper efficiency with against potential predictability. Anthony Davis' shot diet comes to mind, where his three-point attempts have all but disappeared and Anthony is worried that makes him easier to guard. This leads to a discussion about the five-out system and how, even while the shot profile seems effective, it may explain why some guy...

Anthony has probably way too much fun breaking down LeBron James vs. Ime Udoka. Yeah he talks about how nice it was to have all the wings back and the impact that will have on the team's identity but really it's the exact kind of story he simply cannot get enough of.

Happy Friday everyone! Anthony went live to answer some of your questions only to be surprised on air by friend of the show and former SSR co-host Sabreena Merchant. The two talk about how far back they've scaled their expectations, how much of the meh start to the season are real issues vs. the result of so many injuries, and, of course, to tell Anthony how wrong he is about the In-Season Tournam...

Anthony reacts to the latest underwhelming performance against a good team even given lowered expectations with all the injuries. The offense needs more direction, and until they get it, nothing is going to change. He also closes with a trend he's noticed in NBA ownership as the league prepares for negotiations on its next media rights deal.

A quarter of the way through the season, Anthony and Aaron take inventory on what they've seen from Darvin Ham as a head coach. There's plenty to like. There's also, unfortunately, plenty to question. Anthony also unveils a stat that almost literally left Aaron speechless.

Every so often you need a win like that. Anthony and Raj break it down, then look ahead to a big game a mere 24 hours later against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Dan Woike (L.A. Times) stops by to discuss the struggles thus far on offense for the Lakers. Anthony reads a few stats that makes even Dan shiver a little. Then, they dive into the recent trade rumors and the impact they might already be having on guys. If you're hoping for Zach LaVine, we throw a damp blanket on some of that noise. Finally, the guys go through guys currently out but hopefully ret...

Anthony starts the show wondering why exactly the Lakers should care about winning the In-Season Tournament. Sorry. We keep trying to get him to stop. Then, he discusses the Lakers' offense and a few stats that have him nervous moving forward. He wraps with a quick discussion on Zach LaVine and whether he fixes the Lakers' offensive issues.

Anthony... well, he goes full Anthony.

Anthony looks back on a Thanksgiving weekend that featured two very different games that featured some very familiar issues. In one case, the Lakers weren't able to overcome them. In the other, they were. He explains LeBron James' thought process in taking that one dumb three he seems to take late in every close game. He makes the case for Max Christie getting minutes even as guys get healthy. Fun...

Anthony is sick of the fake praise he feels for the In-Season Tournament. He and Aaron debate the tournament and all the NBA's other recent efforts to generate untapped revenue. From there, they discuss the actual Lakers and when it might make sense to finally bench Taurean Prince.

LeBron James and Anthony Davis got to sit yet another fourth quarter. Austin Reaves actually handled pressure fairly well. D'Angelo Russell loves playing from way ahead. Taurean Prince continues to struggle. The Lakers appear to have lost Cam Reddish to a groin injury. Rui Hachimura has quietly made a solid case for an increased role. Even beyond all that, Anthony has noticed some potential simila...

Anthony is curious as he has watched this season to this point somewhat frustrated... Are you having fun? Harrison thinks so? Maybe? Anthony also has a theory that expands to the rest of the league on this topic. The guys then unveil their second power rankings of the season, and boy what an addition this segment has been.

Anthony is joined by Raj Chipalu (All Access Lakers) to discuss the Lakers thus far. Where do they land in relation to his expectations heading into the season? Jarred Vanderbilt might be on the mend. When he comes back, what should the rotation look like? D'Angelo Russell is once again a polarizing figure. What can he do to show he should remain a Laker for the entirety of this season? The Lakers...