Lakers Lounge

Anthony opens The Lounge to give the latest on Darvin Ham and add to it what he's heard recently. It does sound like the temperature is rising on Ham's seat. So much so that this month could really impact how long he remains the head coach of the Lakers. From there, he takes some questions and sends you on your merry way into the weekend. 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

As promised, we're clipping important portions of the show and calling them Appateasers (Anthony will explain on today's Happy Hour). Today's 'Teaser is a macro takeaway from all the reporting about the locker room. At some point, communication broke down and enough people said they'd had enough. 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 Aaron react to reports that paint a pretty bleak picture for Darvin Ham. How did things go from that magical run to a locker room that doesn't seem to trust its head coach? Also, if you've been listening to this show for the last couple months, none of this should surprise you. Anthony adds his couple cents to today's reports. 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

2023 was actually a pretty successful year for the Lakers, as Anthony explains. He looks back on the year that was, then ahead to the year that might be. He then takes questions from Twitter and the comment section. 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 recaps a nice, comfortable blowout. Didn't always look like that would be the case, but we got there. He discusses the bench extending the lead, Rui Hachimura stepping into the starting group, and how that move from Darvin Ham might only further the gap between him and 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 and Aaron start the show with a quick explanation on the lengthy absence. Again, we are deeply sorry. We'll make sure Anthony never gets sick again. Then, they take you behind the scenes on the lineup story Anthony broke over the weekend and how it came to be. From there, they break down the new starting group and discuss what it signals now and why some in the locker room are annoyed with Darvin Ham's coaching. Finally, they have a lengthy discussion on whether Ham's seat is getting warm, whether it should be, and his standing in the organization in general. 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 a(nother) conversation about D'Angelo Russell, Anthony and Aaron wonder aloud why Rui Hachimura seemingly can't crack the rotation more regularly. 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 Aaron react to the Lakers losing to the Wolves but it turns into a conversation about Darvin Ham. It's a little uncomfortable, and Ham isn't doing enough to quite the doubters (like Anthony). 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

Honestly, we're all going to get out of the way and let Raj cook here. 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 Jon Krawczynski (The Athletic) to discuss the season the Minnesota Timberwolves are having and how important organizational culture is. Then, the guys preview Lakers-Wolves Thursday and why it's a particularly fun matchup. The wrap with a conversation about the D'Angelo Russell experience and everything it can entail, both good and bad. 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 talks to Aaron about the Lakers outside the In-Season Tournament. Why is there such a stark contrast? Then, they talk about LeBron James' and Anthony Davis' minutes and whether they're concerned about how they're racking them up. Finally, they wrap by continuing Anthony's reporting on D'Angelo Russell and potential tension in the locker room. 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 recaps the latest frustrating, winnable loss, details some bad habits that have crept back in since the IST, and offers up some of what he's heard about some tension in the Lakers' locker room between some guys and D'Angelo Russell. 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 didn't like how he explained he trade primer Friday so he goes back and clears it up, hopefully. He then discusses the backup center situation and how the Lakers might address it before updating Gabe Vincent's availability and previewing tonight's game against the Knicks. 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 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 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 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. 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 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. 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 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. 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 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 against Dallas and wonders how NBA media is supposed to handle Zion Williamson's apparent condition issues. 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 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. 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 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. 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 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. 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 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. 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

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. Anthony pitches his concept for LeBron as strong safety in the defense and Jovan didn't hate it. They wrap with a conversation about Anthony Davis' wild swings from overrated to underrated to properly rated and everywhere in-between and a brief look at D'Angelo Russell trade rumors as they are already swirling in unavoidable ways. 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 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. 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 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 guys have struggled to shoot. They wrap with a discussion about Taurean Prince that led to some legit hilarious stats. 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 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. 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

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 Tournament. This was a blast. 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 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. 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

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. 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

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. 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

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 returning soon. 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 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. 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... well, he goes full Anthony. 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 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 weekend. 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 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. 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

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 similarities to that title team we all loved so much. He talks to Raj Chipalu about all of it on the heels of a dominant win against Utah. 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 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. 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 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 have a results problem right now offensively. Should they stick with the process? 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 recaps a thrilling win that went right down to the wire. He highlights LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves, Cam Reddish, and Taurean Prince, then moves on to the macro of winning a game while you don't play well against a surprisingly good Houston Rockets team. 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

Following 24 hours or so of nonstop Anthony Davis takes, Anthony has a simple question for Aaron: What is fair to expect of Anthony Davis on a nightly basis? What type of standard should we hold him to? The guys also talk about a tweet Anthony sent that has made his mentions a nuclear disaster and some weird trade rumors it feels way too early for. 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 rips Anthony Davis. It's really just as simple as saying that the Lakers lost because he didn't show up. Still, others deserved credit (LeBron James, D'Angelo Russell, Cam Reddish) and some deserved criticism (Austin Reaves, Darvin Ham), but this was about AD. 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 joined by Raj Chipalu to recap a nice, fun, relaxing Lakers blowout. We don't get many of these so they enjoy it, as well as some of the other hilarity that took place within the division as both the Clippers and Warriors went viral for the wrong reasons. They give kudos to Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves, D'Angelo Russell, Cam Reddish and Rui Hachimura in particular, but mostly just enjoy last night's festivities. 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 details the specific circumstances that led to the Lakers performing even without LeBron James. Yes, it was a shorthanded and bad Trail Blazers team, but the Lakers did enough to win. Anthony Davis bullied Deandre Ayton and their small frontcourt. D'Angelo Russell picked up the creative responsibilities and came through. Austin Reaves is getting used to his role off the bench. Cam Reddish continued his steady play. Quietly, Darvin Ham put Rui Hachimura on Portland's best player (Jerami Grant) and he fared quite well. Taurean Prince did little things while his shot wasn't falling. 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 Aaron negotiate The Lounge's official partnership with All Access Lakers. They were brutal and their friendship may never be the same. Also, the guys talk about the starters' uninspiring minutes thus far and whether it might be time to scrap the scheme the Lakers entered the season 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

Well, it took all of eight games for all that warm, fuzzy optimism to subside. Aaron poured himself a nice tall glass of unnamed cognac for this one. 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 played against the Rockets Wednesday night. Well, they were scheduled to. No one showed up outside of Rui Hachimura. Anthony has had enough of the complete lack of urgency from the starters and thinks they're having a ripple effect across the rest of the team. Is it time to worry now? Maybe not, but there are some concerning trends. 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 long been fascinated by power rankings and finally figured out a way that he might enjoy doing them on the show. In this episode, the guys power ranking anything they've wanted to talk about from the NBA's first couple weeks. And get used to these. Every time Harrison comes on the show, they're doing them. 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 started to notice a complete lack of nuance about Anthony Davis, so it's once again time for him and Harrison to have THE definitive Anthony Davis Discussion. Anthony also rants about the Lakers' handling of injuries (again). But mostly, this is a space to come to hear the only conversation about AD you'll ever need... until they feel the need to have it 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

Anthony recaps a game that featured groin spasms, Cam Reddish game-winning attempts, technical fouls, ejections, and, well all kinds of everything else. He also rants a little bit on how the Lakers have handled injuries through a mere seven games. 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 are finding out through experience and success which way they should probably play moving forward. Anthony explains what that means for the guards and who else might wind up losing time if Darvin Ham tweaks things to focus more on size. 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