Lakers Lounge

The guys have waited all week to talk about this and they did not leave any stone unturned in talking about it. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Steve Ballmer sat down with Ramona Shelburne of ESPN for a rather befuddling interview. Anthony and Pete break it down and discuss the biggest story in sports right now. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony and Pete discuss Mark Cuban's appearance on Pablo Torre's podcast and, specifically, Cuban's assertion that Steve Ballmer couldn't possibly have done anything as dumb as cap circumvention because he's to wealthy/smart to do anything like that. They also talk about ESPN's interesting coverage the story to this point. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony spent the last day or so reaching out to people about the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard scandal and relays the spectrum of responses he got on the story. He also discusses the weird way ESPN has covered the story to this point. He then spends some time on Cam Thomas' free agency and the newest reported All Star Game format. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony offers up what some around the league have told him about what could come of this Clippers scandal. Then, he wonders where the worldwide leader of sports has been on the biggest story in sports. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony wraps up his discussion about the Clippers story, then dives into Cam Thomas taking his qualifying offer to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. He then laughs at Adam Silver leaking the All Star Game format while we were all reacting to the Clippers scandal. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony texted Harrison and they both agreed they HAD to pod about this. So, here are the guys talking about Steve Ballmer, Kawhi Leonard, fake trees and everything in-between. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony and Harrison recall their coverage of Kawhi Leonard's free agency and how they have to relitigate it now given what we know Steve Ballmer was always (allegedly) willing to do. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony legitimately believes Steve Ballmer has shown such a disinterest in the rules governing the NBA that he should lose the Clippers. The guys go back and forth on that and cover the rest of this wild story. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this loaded second mailbag of the week (Anthony explains why), he tackles questions about Jeanie's role moving forward, JJ Redick's voice on personnel decisions and why he still isn't thrilled with the front office makeup, why he roots for the Vikings, his fantasy football team and plenty more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony explains the differences between this transfer of ownership and the others we've seen recently, but also discusses why it might not matter. Jeanie Buss is operating as governor for now and will for the foreseeable future, but Mark Walter also has every reason to make sure she does so in a way he's comfortable with. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Listeners wanted to know about the role JJ Redick had in building this roster. Anthony explains, through Rob Pelinka's standard operating procedures, why he doesn't think Redick played much of a role in it at all. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony welcomes Andy and Brian Kamenetzky to dive into the mailbag together as part one of this two-part home-and-home event. The guys talk about the impact of previous superstars leaving their original teams on current stars' impending decisions, the Lakers' own offseason and plenty more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this mailbag episode with both Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, a listener asked whether the backlash to Kevin Durant leaving OKC for the Warriors has impacted other stars' interest in making similar moves. It's a great question the guys spend quite a bit of time on. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony and both Kamenetzky brothers continue their conversation but take a quick second to break down LeBron's newest Nike commercial which is... definitely a video that could have been made. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rui Hachimura has been defined this summer by the things he can't do and the players fans would prefer he was traded for. He's a Laker and he's actually pretty good. The guys talk about his game, his fit and his future. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Raj was curious about the Micah Parsons trade so Anthony tries to break it down in terms Raj understands... NBA comps. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rui is a useful player. He really is. How can he be the most useful to the Lakers? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We swear, once you hear this episode, this title and the analogy will make sense. Also, Raj said the meanest thing he's ever said. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony brings back Khobi Price (SCNG) after waaaaaaaaaay too long. The guys laugh at how wild the last couple years have been and whether Khobi might be responsible for all that's happened. The guys then discuss what Khobi is looking forward to most next season, their expectations for the team and what the last couple years on the beat have been like. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony may have just figured out why the last two years in particular have been so insane and it might have everything to do with the dude who joined the beat a couple seasons ago. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony and Khobi turn their attention to the upcoming season and try to figure out where to place expectations on this team. They both have high hopes for a Luka Doncic, LeBron James squad. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony has noticed the comment section growing pretty weary of Austin Reaves and wanted to talk to Harrison about it. This was an extremely wide-ranging and honest conversation about Reaves, the Luka era and the goals thereof. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony and Harrison open the show up by discussing whether the Lakers missed an opportunity not trading Austin before the last trade deadline. This then leads into the conversation about how productive he was last season and, hey, turns out, he was quite good. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is a Luka Doncic team now. So, frankly, the only question that matters for literally everyone on this roster moving forward is: Do you make life easier or harder on him. With that in mind, the guys discuss Austin's place next to Luka in the Lakers backcourt. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony asks Harrison about how ridiculous the response is going to be when/if the Lakers and Bucks talk a Giannis trade and reports surface that the Lakers are reluctant to include Austin. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony is back from New Orleans and has a full mailbag to get to. In it, listeners asked about Rui Hachimura's next contract, whether broadcasters should bring back some of Chick Hearn's old sayings, the NBA schedule and one big potential tweak and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers have treated both Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves like two key parts of their "core." Anthony discusses Rui's next contract and then answers questions about trading Austin Reaves. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony was asked about what can be done to keep Chick Hearn's sayings fresh in the minds of the next generations of Lakers fans so he explained why it's tougher than we think. Then, he celebrates New Orleans. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony kicks off a season preview series of the Lakers' most important players with Luka Doncic, who has fully embraced being the face of the Los Angeles Lakers. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony and Pete debate whether LeBron and Luka's relationship on the court will be the biggest factor facing the Lakers this season, then discuss the ways they'd like to see both guys make each other better. Anthony starts the show by bringing back an old segment. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony brought back one of the more popular segments from while Pete and he hosted Locked on Lakers together. They also jumped into the LeBron-Luka conversation. But really, orca facts. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After discussing how important Luka and LeBron operating together will be for next year, the guys discuss what kinds of sets or combinations they'd like to see. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of our favorite guests stops by in this episode, as Kirk Henderson (Mavs Moneyball, Pod Maverick) checks in to talk about Luka Doncic's offseason. Is this body transformation actually different than past summers? The guys also talk about the Luka-Kyrie Irving combination and whether that willingness to make that work can extend to LeBron James. They wander around a little and then discuss the Mavericks as potential contenders. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One popular response to Luka Doncic's body transformation from Mavericks fans who've paid closer attention to his career than Lakers fans has been: "He always does this. He slims down in the summer than gains weight during the season." Anthony poses this take to Kirk, who explains why it holds some truth but does think this is a little different than years past. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony asks Kirk about the process of getting Luka and Kyrie to work together and whether that can extend to Luka and LeBron compounding their strengths next season. They then discuss the Mavericks as a contender next season, which leads to a comparison of Italian and Mexican food. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony tried out a new format for this episode. Seeing as so many people have their thoughts on who the Lakers' fifth starter should be, he figured he'd harness that and use some of the better takes he saw in a tweet he sent on the matter. This led to a really fun, multi-faceted and fair conversation on the matter. We'll be doing this again. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It most likely comes down to two guys for the final starting gig. Anthony has a preference but there is definitely a case to be made for either. Let's hash it out together. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One concept lobbed out there as an option for the Lakers' starters was a variable group where, on some nights, Smart starts against a team with a perimeter-oriented primary creator and, on others, Rui starts to match up with a different kind of team. Anthony explains why he likes the idea in theory, but why it likely won't happen. He then gets interrupted by Myles and wraps with a couple questions from the live audience. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony opens all the various mailbags to answers your questions. First, though, he updates the Luka Doncic injury situation after he gave us all a scare over the weekend. Listeners asked about Rui sacrificing in a contract year, Luka's next co-star and plenty more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Having to worry about injury scares in August just seems kind of mean, doesn't it? Anthony updates you on the situation and answers a mailbag question about whether the Lakers can step in to keep their superstar safe. It's not going to happen. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony dips into the mailbag and listeners are still curious what the Luka Doncic era might look like, especially after LeBron James departs -- however that might be. Anthony explains why he thinks Giannis Antetokounmpo is the likeliest of the elite echelon to seek a trade. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony goes game by game to break down a schedule that feels pretty manageable for the Lakers. It opens light and never feels overwhelming. As of right now, that's all we can ask for. From there, he dives into the ownership situation in Boston and how applicable that might be to the Lakers' own transfer of power. He wraps with some questions from the live audience. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony has been predicting this (because it's how it usually goes) but the schedule-makers came through again. They're going to open the season with a couple easier stretches (relatively speaking), allowing themselves some momentum built on their continuity. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony breaks down the similarities and differences between the Lakers' ownership change and the ones we've seen with the Mavericks and Celtics. He wraps with some questions from the live audience. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony and Raj use this episode to simply nerd out. You want player combination rules? You got it. Team-wide identities? Check. Magic Johnson (the executive) slander? You betcha. This was a really fun conversation. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is this another situation where the Lakers allow team seniority to prevent them from running a lineup that makes the most sense? Raj and Anthony agree about who should start, but disagree about who will actually get the nod. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony still needs to see what the offense looks like and, based on that, would reconfigure some of his lineups. If LeBron and Luka are going to operate together, sweet, let's maximize that. If not, then they (are likely screwed) need to optimize those staggered groups. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In an offseason where Anthony has been telling people they don't always need to read all the way into stuff, LeBron and AD just did everything they could to force everyone to speculation as much as they want. The guys take a break from the lineup exercise to laugh at the situation. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony has found himself thinking quite a bit lately about what Luka Doncic is capable of as a Laker. This got him to thinking: Can he crack the Lakers' Mt. Rushmore? What would that look like? Where does LeBron currently stand in this regard? He and Harrison talk about this and wander all around the notion of legacy in this iconic franchise. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices