Lakers Talk with Allen Sliwa ESPN

The Lakers got a big shocker right before the loss against the Chicago Bulls: The return of LeBron James. Sli reacted and wondered if LeBron came back too soon. Sli hopes LeBron is healthy the rest of the season but has his doubts, like everyone else. Then, Sliwa talks about the next two games for the Lakers that could make or break the season: Chicago and Minnesota. And is AD a number-one option? Sli answers the question.  
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With really high hopes for the team going into last week, Sliwa was disappointed on how the Lakers played when they needed to win for their playoff hopes. Can they rebound going into this week's of games? Sliwa hopes so. Plus, while it was a rough week for the team, it was a real rough week for Anthony Davis. ESPN's Brian Windhorst joined Sli to talk about the current perception of the Lakers around the league, an update on LeBron, if the Eastern Conference is up for grabs for any team. Then, Allen looks at the week ahead for the Lakers. 
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Even though they lost to the New York Knicks, Sliwa is really encouraged on how the Lakers have been playing in the last week. He thinks the team is "still in a good spot" even though he keep jumping and dropping in the standings almost everyday with the very tight Western Conference. Also, Sli thinks the Lakers are "fun again" with their recent play. And does AD have to be more assertive? To talk more about AD, LeBron and the road ahead for the Lakers was the Athletic's Jovan Buha. Then, Sliwa looked at the week ahead for the purple-and-gold. 
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With LeBron out for possibly a month, Sliwa thinks Anthony Davis will step up but thinks other guys have to step up as well. Sli also thinks if of 3 or 4 guys can play well in addition to AD, the Lakers will be alright until LeBron returns. Plus, an update on D'Angelo Russell and why is he so important now with LeBron out. Spectrum's Mike Bresnahan came on to talk about AD's dominance with LeBron out, what to expect from the team without LBJ, and Pau Gasol memories, since his number will go to the rafters of Crypto.com arena. And, the Lakers have 3 very big games against quality opponents in the next week. 
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Sliwa opens up the show with the bad news: LeBron James could be out multiple weeks with a foot injury. Sliwa reacts and wonders if they can get to the playoffs without King James. Sli then looks at the standings and breaks down the teams that are around the Lakers, thinking some of those teams are "unreliable." LA Times' Brad Turner joined Allen to talk about LeBron's injury, who needs to step up in Lebron's absent and if he thinks the Lakers can make a run without the King. Then, Sli looks at the week ahead for the purple and gold. 
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Fresh off of the All-Star Break, Sliwa has a "little optimism" going into the last 23 games of the regular season for the Lakers. Plus, even though Sli is optimistic heading into the final stretch of the regular season, he's more concerned about the next 7 games against teams AHEAD of the Lakers in the West. To talk more about what he expects in the next week and what he's seen from the new guys on the team is The Athletic's Jovan Buha. Then, Sliwa talks about Russell Westbrook and Patrick Beverley getting bought out from their new teams and expects to see them in the next month vs. the Lakers.
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