Laker Film Room - Dedicated to the Study of Lakers Basketball
807 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 days ago - ★★★★★ - 950 ratingsDedicated to the Study of Lakers Basketball. Hosted by Pete Zayas, Darius Soriano & Mike Trudell.
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Episodes
Collaborations
April 15, 2022 17:18 - 41 minutesAfter an amazingly disappointing season, needing to hire a new head coach, and facing pressure to get the organization back on track, Rob Pelinka has his most important offseason as a Lakers executive. Pete and Darius discuss the challenge Pelinka faces and why his ability to build consensus while also showing accountability will be key in whatever success he has. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
All-NBA
April 14, 2022 19:10 - 46 minutesWith the playoffs on the horizon, Pete, Mike, and Darius take one last look back at the regular season to discuss who they would place on the All-NBA team this year. Should we still have positional designations? Will Jokic and Embiid both make 1st team? How much does games played matter? Do LeBron and Kevin Durant slide down because of missed games? The guys answer these questions and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Slow Fractures
April 13, 2022 04:46 - 46 minutesIn part 2 of their discussion on the Lakers firing Frank Vogel, Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss where things went so wrong this year by reflecting on the shift in team building approach after the team's 2020 championship, how Vogel and Russell Westbrook never seemed to value the same things, and how the lack of alignment between the roster and Vogel's basketball philosophies led to a rigidity that could not be overcome. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Ballad of Frankie Smokes
April 12, 2022 06:44 - 45 minutesIn a move that has been on the horizon for weeks, the Lakers parted ways with Frank Vogel on Monday, ending his tenure as head coach after 3 seasons. In part one of their discussion of the move, Pete, Mike, and Darius revisit the circumstances of Vogel's hire, how his philosophies as a head coach perfectly matched his 1st Lakers roster, and how it all came together in their run to a championship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Shifting Focus
April 08, 2022 04:21 - 48 minutesHow many teams can actually win the NBA championship this season? Can the Grizzlies defy their experience level to make a deep run or even win the title? Will the Mavs frontcourt and wing depth hurt them vs. the other west teams? Is Brooklyn totally out of it, even with Kevin Durant? Who should be favored between the Suns and the Bucks? With the Lakers out of the playoff picture, Pete, Mike, and Darius turn their focus to who they think can actually win the NBA title by answering these questi...
Cancun
April 07, 2022 05:23 - 44 minutesThe Lakers' playoff hopes faded into memory on Tuesday, effectively bringing a lost season to its conclusion. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the team's collapse, and how early mistakes and misfortunes led to the cascading series of events that doomed the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Here We Go
April 05, 2022 19:31 - 46 minutesWhenever a Lakers season disappoints, an offseason of rumor and drama surely follows. With the Lakers all by certain to miss the Play-In Tournament, Pete, Mike & Darius discuss lessons learned from previous tumultuous offseasons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Winding Down
April 04, 2022 06:08 - 46 minutesAn inspired effort from a clearly hobbled Anthony Davis and a very efficient scoring night from Russell Westbrook weren't enough for the Lakers to hang in with Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets on Sunday, all but ending the Lakers chances at the play-in game in the process. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss both the game and the season at large, breaking down how some of the positives weren't enough and the negatives were too much to overcome and how the losses piled up because of it. Later, the guys...
Microcosm
April 02, 2022 17:24 - 48 minutesThe Lakers’ hopes of making the play-in took a nearly fatal hit as they fell to the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night. Pete & Darius discuss the elements of a game that was a microcosm of a lost season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Play-In Debate
March 31, 2022 07:00 - 40 minutesHas the play-in tournament devalued the regular season? Can tweaks like a shorter regular season or fewer playoff teams make the regular season more competitive and interesting night to night? Does a team like the Lakers -- that is more than 10 games under .500 -- even deserve a chance at the post-season? Pete, Mike, and Darius answer these questions and more as they debate the state of the regular season and how much it does (and does not matter) in today's NBA. Learn more about your ad cho...
A Loss of We
March 30, 2022 18:43 - 39 minutesAfter Luka & the Mavs dismantled the Lakers, Pete & Mike briefly discuss the game, the toll that the lack of continuity has exacted upon the team over the years, the current picture in the West & the latest on AD. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Last Chances
March 29, 2022 18:51 - 44 minutesWith the Lakers' precarious position in the standings, Mike gives us up-to-the-minute news on Anthony Davis' return status. Then, he & Pete discuss how the Lakers' lack of size emphasizes AD's importance & how front court minutes might be affected, who to start alongside of AD, Melo's recent struggles & belief. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
We Are Who We Are
March 28, 2022 04:31 - 40 minutesThe Lakers lost another gut-punch game on Sunday, falling to the Pelicans after surrendering a 20 point halftime lead in a brutal 3rd quarter, and then not having enough to fend off the charging Pelicans late. Pete and Darius discuss the loss, their frustrations in watching the team give up another big lead, and LeBron's struggles after spraining his ankle. Then later, the guys debate how much a game like this impacts their view of the team and whether this loss is a real setback or not. Lear...
Play-In Game
March 25, 2022 18:18 - 40 minutesSunday's game vs. the Pelicans is not only important to the standings, but serves as a likely play-in preview. And with the team facing off another time in the next handful of days, Pete, Mike, and Darius examine the matchups on both sides of the ball, detailing why New Orleans' individual talent poses such a problem for the Lakers defense and how their paint-packing defensive approach can be countered by the Lakers improving drive-and-kick offense. Then later, Mike tries to stump Pete and Da...
Russ & The Wheels
March 24, 2022 18:55 - 44 minutesThe Lakers played the 76ers tough on Wednesday night, but without LeBron James the talent gap and Philly's defensive pressure were enough to keep the Lakers at arm's length. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the game, focusing on the Lakers' continued improvement offensively and what they're doing on that side of the ball that's working. Then later, the guys discuss Stanley Johnson's overall game, his skill as a passer, and why he and Wenyen Gabriel have made for such a fun pairing in recent gam...
Solving Goliath
March 23, 2022 19:22 - 43 minutesWhether it's the path through the play-in to qualify for the playoffs or in Wednesday night's game vs. the 76ers, the Lakers are going to have to deal with the goliaths of the NBA in important games the rest of this season. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss how the Lakers need to play against the game's best big men, why Anthony Davis is the best -- but not only -- solution, and why the speed and motor of Stanley Johnson and Wenyen Gabriel are so important in navigating these matchups. Learn mor...
Taking Shape
March 22, 2022 04:41 - 47 minutesA dominant LeBron game, an efficient and impactful Westbrook performance on offense, a hot shooting night from DJ Augustin, and a very well coached Frank Vogel game got the Lakers a big win in Cleveland. Is this team finding its stride? Has Russ turned a corner? How does LeBron continue to do this? Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the Lakers win over the Cavs and try to answer these questions and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Seven Quarters
March 21, 2022 18:19 - 43 minutesThe Lakers spent their weekend playing 7 really good quarters of basketball over two games, but it was that final quarter that cost them a win in Washington. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the Lakers strong play over those two games, how they carried over their effort from the win in Toronto to the Wizards game, and how that 4th quarter in Washington was emblematic of what they've been all season. Then later, the guys discuss Westbrook and LeBron's dialed-in play, how much AD's return can upl...
Overdogs
March 17, 2022 19:44 - 40 minutesThe Lakers have a long history of #1 overall picks and a current roster full of accomplished players who aren't used to being the underdog. Pete & Darius discuss the team navigating unfamiliar territory in a league that's relishing the opportunity to settle scores against them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Rise & Fall
March 16, 2022 19:23 - 45 minutesThe Lakers have a history of sudden falls from contention status, only to rise back up and vault themselves back into the conversation of the league's best teams in just as sudden a turn. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss how the team's struggles this season -- and their path back out of this hole -- can be informed by the past cycles this franchise has seen and how the lessons learned from this final stretch of games can also help guide their decision making moving forward. Learn more about yo...
Small Experiments
March 15, 2022 18:41 - 39 minutesThe Lakers lost to the Raptors on Monday night in a game that was not as close as the final margin. Pete and Darius break down the game, focusing on how the Raptors small-ball lineups stood in stark contrast to how the Lakers micro groups and the advantages Toronto gained from their size discrepancy on the wings. Then later the guys discuss Wenyen Gabriel's fit on the roster and why they think he should play more, as well as their thoughts on Talen Horton-Tucker's recent stretch of games. Lea...
1 for 2
March 14, 2022 19:49 - 47 minutesVastly different opponents brought out two different versions of the Lakers this weekend. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss how these games illustrated the benefits and limitations of microball, the team’s tendency to fold at the first sign of adversity, and the team’s lack of attention to detail in the drive & kick game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
East Coast Rivalries
March 11, 2022 19:34 - 44 minutesThe Eastern Conference gave us a good old fashioned rivalry game on Thursday night when the Nets and 76ers faced off in Philly, bringing all the drama of their trade deadline exchange along with them. Pete, Mike, and Darius use the Nets big win as an entry point to discuss a competitive East playoff race, who their favorites are, and why it feels like as many as 5 teams could end up winning the conference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Focus
March 10, 2022 18:40 - 41 minutesA theme of this Lakers season has been their inability to conjure the respect and motivation to play engaged basketball vs. teams that aren't very good or that have bad records. This showed up again on Wednesday night in an overtime loss to the Rockets. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the potential root causes of this approach the Lakers so often take, and how much responsibility LeBron does and should carry in games like the loss against the Rockets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit po...
The Young Guys
March 09, 2022 19:06 - 45 minutesHow are the Lakers young players developing this season? How is it different trying to develop on a Lakers team, with LeBron James, and with championship aspirations? What growth have some of the Lakers young players made and in what ways has that met or exceeded expectations? Pete, Mike, and Darius look at Talen Horton-Tucker, Austin Reaves, and Malik Monk's seasons to this point and try to answer those questions and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Too Small
March 08, 2022 20:41 - 40 minutesThe Lakers competed well, but missing LeBron James -- and the subsequent lack of frontcourt size with him out -- did them in vs. the Spurs on Monday night. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss how much the team's lack of size mattered, how this game showed the limitations of the team's talent and some of the players skill sets, and why it's important to compete the way the team did -- even in defeat. Then later, the guys reflect on Russell Westbrook's post-game comments regarding criticism crossing...
Masterpiece
March 07, 2022 19:08 - 42 minutesLeBron James provided a masterpiece performance over the weekend, scoring 56 points to fend off the Warriors and get the Lakers a much needed win. Pete and Darius discuss LeBron's game and what stood out to them most. Then later, the guys explain why they believe the starting lineup from the Warriors game should continue to start going forward, and discuss the search for other small-ball lineups to deploy in the middle parts of the game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices...
Landslide
March 04, 2022 18:40 - 40 minutesLosers of four games in a row and seven of their last eight, the Lakers are in a rut and need to dig themselves out of it. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the nature of being down the way the team currently is, why playing better can't just be about improving schemes or rotations, and how LeBron's leadership is needed now more than ever -- even if the asks being made of him aren't entirely fair considering the load he has to carry and the stage he's at in his career. Learn more about your ad c...
Playoff Picture
March 03, 2022 19:10 - 44 minutesWhat team inspires the most confidence they can get through the west playoffs and compete for a title? The Suns? The Warriors? The Grizzlies? What about a lower seed like the Mavs or the Nuggets? Pete, Mike, and Darius break out their confidence meters to debate who they most believe in to make a deep playoff run from the west. Then later, the guys talk about their confidence in the Lakers and whether they still believe this group has at least a puncher's chance against any of the conference'...
Rerun
March 02, 2022 20:31 - 42 minutesThe Lakers played well on Tuesday night, but not enough to overcome some stagnant late game offense that ultimately cost them against the Mavericks. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the game, focusing on how the team's shortened rotation and smaller skewing lineups helped generate the pace and tempo they used to take their 4th quarter lead. Later, the guys discuss why Frank Vogel's ever-shifting lineups need to be resolved, and they attempt to dissect why the team goes on the scoring droughts t...
Lakers Make a Couple Moves
March 01, 2022 19:19 - 39 minutesThe Lakers have made some roster moves, waiving DeAndre Jordan, signing point guard D.J. Augustin to fill his roster spot, and adding forward Wenyen Gabriel on a two-way contract. Pete, Mike, and Darius dive into the games of both Gabriel and Augustin, focusing on their skill sets and what they add to the team, how both fit into different lineup types, and how much both should play once they settle in after signing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Unwatchable
February 28, 2022 19:10 - 38 minutesOver the weekend, the Lakers suffered a hard-fought loss to the Clippers before a terrible and unacceptable lack of effort doomed them in a blowout loss to the Pelicans on Sunday night. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the games and how the loss to the Pelicans showed a group of veteran players resigned to their fate, and what that should mean moving forward. Then later, the guys discuss some potential lineup changes and the mindset shift that needs to happen in order to get something of value ...
The Narrow Path
February 24, 2022 19:42 - 48 minutesThe Lakers have 24 games left to get the best out of their season and a narrow path forward after Anthony Davis' injury before the break. In this episode, Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss LeBron's mentality, how the team can use their lack of size to their advantage, and the many obstacles they will face along the way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
3 Through 8
February 23, 2022 23:07 - 46 minutesPete, Mike, and Darius discuss the Lakers' supporting cast around LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the various responsibilities that the 3-8 spots fill on a good team, and why that portion of the roster has struggled this season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
All Star Weekend
February 22, 2022 18:43 - 40 minutesAll-Star Weekend felt especially Lakers-centric as several franchise icons participated in the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team celebration and LeBron James' game winning fadeaway led his team to another victory in Sunday's game, all while his future in Los Angeles was speculated on after he openly spoke about what lies ahead for him after his current contract expires. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the weekend's events, offering their takeaways on LeBron's comments, what stood out to them about t...
Is It Worth It?
February 18, 2022 18:33 - 40 minutesWith news that Anthony Davis will be out at least a month with a mid-foot sprain, the Lakers will need to make a determination on how hard to push for their final 24 games considering their place in the standings and the talent available to them. Pete and Darius discuss the team's calculus night to night, why LeBron's mentality towards these games puts him in the middle of it all, and how much Russ' spirit and competitiveness can propel the team. Later, the guys talk about whether the team ca...
Resilience
February 17, 2022 19:23 - 44 minutesThe Lakers got a bittersweet win on Wednesday night when they beat the Jazz in a thrilling 4th quarter comeback, but lost Anthony Davis to a 2nd quarter ankle injury that projects to keep him out of the lineup for some time. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the night's events, the team's resilience in the face of another injury, how Russell Westbrook's spirited play impacted the game, and how the Lakers just seem to match up very well with the Jazz. Later, the guys discuss how the team can appr...
Mike's Mystery Pod
February 16, 2022 19:32 - 44 minutesThe Lakers face the Jazz in their last game before the All-Star break and it's not a stretch to say this is a must-win game, not only for the standings but to keep the team's spirits up and to build some momentum heading into the final stretch of the season. Pete, Mike, and Darius preview the game and discuss the standings, but not before Mike puts both his co-hosts through a gauntlet of questions testing their knowledge of Lakers history. Game show music from Zapsplat. Learn more about your ...
Talen & Austin
February 15, 2022 20:27 - 45 minutesTalen Horton-Tucker and Austin Reaves don't play the same style of game and both have had wildly different seasons in terms of expectations and their performance relative to them. But, as the Lakers head into the All-Star break, both project to be key performers and can build on a string of good performances -- particularly in their last game against the Warriors. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss both THT and Austin, offering thoughts on the growth in each of their games, how they've been posit...
Play Like That
February 14, 2022 19:27 - 45 minutesThe Lakers lost another heartbreaker on Saturday, falling to the Warriors on a night that Klay got hot down the stretch and the Lakers stars weren't able to make the plays they needed to close out the game. But despite the loss, the Lakers showed a level of spirit and togetherness that will do them well if they can maintain it moving forward. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the game in general, but also why, if the Lakers can just play like that, they'll get back on track and start to resemble...
No Moves
February 11, 2022 06:06 - 54 minutesThe trade deadline came and went with the Lakers making no moves. Pete, Mike, and Darius, discuss the team standing pat, where the team goes for here, and the trades that did go down around the NBA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Winds of Change
February 10, 2022 18:28 - 42 minutesAs the Lakers lick their wounds from another terrible loss, the trade deadline is also upon them. Whether they make a major roster change or not, the team -- from the front office to the coaches to the players -- must look themselves in the mirror and determine what type of team they're going to be and what their goals are, both in the short and the long term. Pete and Darius discuss what comes next for these Lakers, and riff on why this team is where it is and what they see as appropriate st...
Outclassed
February 09, 2022 19:18 - 44 minutesPete, Darius & Mike discuss the fallout from the Lakers definitive loss to the Bucks, delving into some of the postgame comments by LeBron & Russ and try to find a way forward for the team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
When to Switch
February 08, 2022 19:11 - 45 minutesTo switch or not to switch, that is the question....for the Lakers defense. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the Lakers defensive philosophies, how much they are (and aren't) switching, why the coaches might be making the decisions they are, and debate whether there really is an all-the-time solution defensively for these Lakers considering the limitations of their personnel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Two Dragons
February 07, 2022 18:42 - 45 minutesThrough all the turmoil and disappointment so far this season, there is still one simple truth to these Lakers: when you have LeBron James and Anthony Davis playing like the superstars they are, they can give you a path to a win. Saturday's game vs. the Knicks was more evidence of that as they, along with Malik Monk's hot 2nd half, led the Lakers to an overtime victory. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss LeBron and AD's performance, highlighting Bron's return and the details of how his slow start...
Heartbreaker
February 04, 2022 18:36 - 44 minutesThe basketball gods found a new way to torment Laker fans last night as they lost to the Clippers in the final moments of a well-played game. In this episode, Pete & Mike discuss the Lakers comeback and why they came up short, the implications of Carmelo Anthony's injury, and the increasingly difficult path to the playoffs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Ugly Win
February 03, 2022 19:36 - 43 minutesA frustrating win is still a win, right? The Lakers certainly put that theory to the test in a squeaker of a victory vs. the Blazers that was more frustrating than fulfilling on Wednesday night. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the game, focusing on how the team's strong start devolving into a mistake riddled, low effort performance irked them so much. Later, the guys find the bright side by focusing on Anthony Davis' determination to win the game down the stretch and what that means for the st...
Bradley's Role
February 02, 2022 19:08 - 44 minutesBecause of injuries, the need for a point-of-attack defender, and his familiarity with Frank Vogel's defensive schemes, Avery Bradley went from waiver wire pick up on the eve of opening night to the Lakers' starting shooting guard this season. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss Bradley's play this year, whether he should remain a starter, and, if not, what the other solutions on the roster are and what they'd choose to do. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
LeBron's Knee
February 01, 2022 19:20 - 44 minutesThe Lakers got more bad news on the injury front with reports that LeBron's troublesome left knee will likely keep him out of Wednesday's game vs Portland and possibly beyond. in this episode, Pete, Darius, and Mike discuss the fallout of his absence, express frustration at the steady stream of injury issues over the last two seasons, and how Russell Westbrook's strong road trip gives the Lakers a way to win some games as they once again try to hold it down without one of their superstars. Le...
Backwards & Forwards
January 31, 2022 19:14 - 41 minutesThe Lakers road trip closed with two close losses over the weekend, both without LeBron James who continues to deal with swelling in his knee. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss how missing LeBron impacted the games and how the loss to the Hawks highlighted the team's depth issues at forward, particularly on defense. Later the guys debate how much a better back end of the roster could help the Lakers tread water and how damaging it's been to not have additional frontcourt depth with LeBron and An...