Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers Locked On Podcast Network

The Lakers got many things they needed during Wednesday's 133-107 win in Detroit over the hapless Pistons. Big nights from Anthony Davis (28 points, 16 rebounds, three blocks) and D'Angelo Russell (35 points, nine assists). Solid supporting work from LeBron James (28 points, 8 rebounds). The return of Cam Reddish from a groin injury. Outside shots falling from Taurean Prince. Plus, they exercised the demons from a 44 point loss in Philly, where their butts were absolutely handed to them. Beating a team now on a 15-game losing streak doesn't fix all of your issues, but it likely makes the Lakers feel better heading into tonight's game in OKC against the Thunder.
Who, it should be noted, are not on a 15-game losing streak. They're good. Very good. At times, scary good. Which means the Lakers will have their hands full trying to contain Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holgrem, and the rest of those dudes.
How best to approach the task? And what's up with the Lakers' often stagnant offense (the win in Detroit not withstanding.) To discuss these questions and more, Andy talked with Alex Regla of Silver Screen and Roll for his perspective.

HOSTS: Andy Kamenetzky, with special guest Alex Regla (Silver Screen And Roll, @AlexMRegla)

SEGMENT 1: The beatdown in Detroit, featuring big-time AD/D'Lo synergy

SEGMENT 2: How best to approach the Thunder?

SEGMENT 3: How Can the Lakers goose the offense?

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The Lakers took one on the chin in Philadelphia on Monday, suffering one of the worst losses in team history, and the worst in LeBron's storied career. (44 points!)
It was enough to have James talking about "a lot" needing to change going forward. What that means? Hard to say. Was he talking about mechanics on the court? Team culture? Coaching strategies? Just saying that literally when you lose by 44, by definition a lot has to change? The Lakers, though, have a golden opportunity to reset the narrative tonight against a terrible Detroit team, and Monday's result makes this game crucial for two reasons:

With a game Thursday in OKC, the Lakers need this game to guarantee a .500 trip, and not lose the solid impact of Saturday's excellent effort in Cleveland.

One really good way to amplify the concerns about deeper issues inside the team? Lose to a Pistons squad that hasn't won since before Halloween.


We're not at panic territory yet. Or even close, really. But you don't want to edge anywhere near it, particularly when it comes to things that generate drama. Because lose tonight, lose tomorrow? You come home with a serious vibes problem, and folks are VERY sensitive to vibes right now.
So what was LeBron asking to change? He didn't say... but we have some suggestions. One really big one?
Shoot more. Move faster. Not on the break (though that would be nice) but in the half court, because the Lakers literally take the fewest amount of shots in the NBA on a nightly basis. That's not sustainable, especially when they're neither a high volume attempt or a high volume make team from 3.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers have a critical game against Detroit tonight.

SEGMENT 2: What's the difference between "what's flawed" and "what's wrong?"

SEGMENT 3: Go faster, Lakers! Go faster!

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LeBron James became the NBA's all time leader in minutes played on Monday in Philadelphia, combining regular season and postseason floor time.
Never in those 66K+ minutes has LeBron had 48 where he lost by more than the 44 points the Lakers lost by to the Sixers. It was, by amount, the fourth largest loss margin the franchise has ever suffered. And again, the franchise has played many, many games of basketball over the decades.
It was, in short, a monumental disaster, on the heels of arguably the best game the Lakers have played all year, beating the Cavs in Cleveland on Saturday. So what needs to change going forward? "A lot," James said after the game. He didn't elaborate as to what, even asked a few times. But on a night like Monday, there are plenty of things to point to. Defensive coverages? The Lakers absorbed a 3-point barrage and seemed slow to adjust. They had bad possessions and untimely turnovers.
So there are plenty of things that have to get better ahead of Wednesday's game in Detroit, arguably the most important one of the trip (because you can't give away a game to a team that bad, especially on the front end of a back to back, going to OKC). And as Anthony Davis pointed out, the Lakers need to look at the tape, learn quickly, and hold people accountable without anyone taking it personally.
18 games in, nearly a quarter of the way through the season, the Lakers are still very much a work in progress. They aren't, as they were last season, in a big early hole. The warning lights were on early, but the Lakers have righted the ship from a won/loss standpoint. But are they building as quickly as they need to, even understanding the injury issues that can hold a team back? Are they developing the right habits? Is the culture what it needs to be?
Because one thing to remember - while the Lakers have had a lot of injuries, LeBron and Anthony Davis have been healthy and productive. At some point, you have to assume that changes. And to absorb those games either/both miss, you need a team that is pretty well dialed in.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The worst loss in LeBron's career. And "a lot" needs to change.

SEGMENT 2: What was LeBron referencing?

SEGMENT 3: How did Anthony Davis react to the loss?

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The Lakers are in Philadelphia Monday, facing a Sixers team with the reigning MVP who is playing at a similar level this year, in Joel Embiid. It will be, as it always is when Anthony Davis faces off against other elite, MVP-level players, a measuring game for Davis. The scrutiny is always going to be there, because the perception (and, frankly, the reality) is that for whatever reason—sometimes his fault, sometimes not—Davis simply has too many games where you can't feel his impact.
Even when some stars don't play well, the best players are always a presence. And the biggest criticism some have of AD is that there are too many games where you just don't notice he's there.
Will this be one? History says no, because Davis has played very well in limited action against Philadelphia over the last couple of seasons, including games where he's outplayed Embiid. He's coming off a huge game Saturday in Cleveland. He knows the questions are out there, and whatever he does will be under major scrutiny.
The Lakers are expecting a big performance, as are fans, as is A.D., and if he can deliver, the Lakers have a chance to start the trip 2-0, and really build some meaningful momentum.
A win will likely require another big contribution from Max Christie, who had his best moments of the season against the Cavs, on both sides of the ball. Especially if Cam Reddish (questionable) is still sidelined, the Lakers will need Christie to match up against Tyrese Maxey, who has been crushing it for Philly to this point this season.
Fans have been hoping to see more of Christie, and hope Saturday's performance was something of an arrival. If it is, it means he stays in the rotation in a significant way. But if that's true... who drops out, once the Lakers have all, or at least most, of their rotation back?
Could Gabe Vincent be Wally Pipp-ed?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Anthony Davis vs. Joel Embiid.

SEGMENT 2: Why do games like this seem to matter more for AD's rep than other stars? What could AD do to change the way his off games are viewed?

SEGMENT 3: Max Christie. Should he play more? And if he does, who plays less?

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The Lakers kicked off a challenging road trip on Saturday in Cleveland, and wouldn't you know it? The Cavs got healthy just in time for LA's arrival.
This is a good team when everyone's available, ramping up the degree of difficulty. Especially given that the team was missing Jared Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, Rui Hachimura and Cam Reddish.
And the Lakers responded well, even on a night when LeBron James wasn't sharp. 22 points, but on 8-23 shooting, including 1-9 from the 3-point line. So instead of relying on James, which is what the Lakers had done for most of the season for damn near everything, they got big performances from everyone else. Anthony Davis? Massive. 32/13, with two steals and three blocks. Austin Reaves led the team with 10 dimes, and chipped in 15 points. Max Christie had easily his best game of the season, and was particularly influential on the defensive end.
Christian Wood and Jaxson Hayes contributed. Taurean Prince found ways to chip in that weren't about perimeter shooting.
It was a great team effort, and now the Lakers have won 7 of 9 and have a chance to make this a very good road trip. (And at the least, make it a trip that avoids disaster.)

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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The Lakers had an opportunity to give themselves something to be thankful for today, but in the end... no. They lose to the Mavericks at the Crypt, 104-101.
After entering the fourth quarter down 20, the Lakers shut down the Mavericks offense almost completely, managing not only to eat up the deficit but actually take a lead with a little more than a minute to play. At that point, though, it wasn't a comeback that fell short, it was a lead that they lost down the stretch. And it was thanks to missed free throws (four of them in the last four-plus minutes), a bad turnover from LeBron (after great play in the rest of the quarter) and a really bad defensive mistake from Austin Reaves, leaving Kyrie Irving just a little too open for three. (Reaves, like LeBron, was to that point a huge reason the Lakers had a chance to win.)
So in the end, it was a missed opportunity. One the Lakers could have used to give themselves a little breathing room ahead of a challenging road trip. And more than that, the Lakers just need to start winning games against decent teams when the opportunities are there. And at home, with a lead late? Close that out.
And at least on Wednesday, Darvin Ham's focus on the spirit and heart of the squad to fight back in the fourth fell flat. Everyone knows the team doesn't quit on games. How about not falling behind in every first quarter? Or grabbing a rebound? Or a 50/50 ball?
Meanwhile, Max Christie started for an injured Cam Reddish. How did he do?
And should Ham have called timeout heading into that last full possession for the Lakers?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers lose a very, very frustrating game on Wednesday night.

SEGMENT 2: This was a missed opportunity, and the Lakers have to be careful not to let too many of these slip by.

SEGMENT 3: Should Ham have used a TO down the stretch?

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FanDuel
Score early this NFL season with FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook! Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning FIVE DOLLAR MONEYLINE BET! That’s A HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS – if your team wins! Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started.
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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