Podcast appearances and mentions of Christian Wood

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 Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! eBay Motors For parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit at eBayMotos.com. Let's ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. PrizePicks Go to PrizePicks.com/lockedonnba and use code lockedonnba for a first deposit match up to $100! Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. 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) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dalton Trigg and Drew Johnson recap the Dallas Mavericks' 104-101 win over the Los Angeles Lakers from Wednesday night. Despite blowing a 20-point fourth-quarter lead, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving provided enough heroics to give the Mavs their seventh clutch win of the season. On this episode, the guys discuss the star duo's performance, the loss of Dereck Lively in this one to an injury (latest update provided), Richaun Holmes packing a punch off the bench, Josh Green making an impact, Christian Wood not backing up his trash talk, and much, much more. Thanks for listening and be sure to hit that subscribe button! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the one hand, it's been incredibly fun to watch LeBron James put up the numbers he has over the last couple of weeks. The production has been impressive for any NBA player, before you get into the context of a (more or less) 39-year old in his 21st season. Once you factor that in? Wow. But at the same time, as many viewers on the YouTube channel have noted, there's a price to be paid for this type of effort, when it comes to James, and generally that price has been... well, James himself. Injury. Wear and tear. Fatigue. Eventually, the bill comes due. Of course, the Lakers were designed to take the load off James, with (in theory) added depth and higher end talent in the form of Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell, depth players in Rui Hachimura, Taurean Prince, Gabe Vincent and Christian Wood. But the returns on the supporting cast have been mixed. And that means the burden on LeBron has been higher than anyone (likely including LeBron) would prefer. So how can the Lakers change that? One thing would be the return of Jared Vanderbilt, which could also prompt a change in the Lakers starting lineup. Prince has been in the depths of a wicked shooting slump, to the point that he might need to move to the bench. Are there other changes the Lakers need to make to the rotation? Finally, Cam Reddish is posting some impressive defensive numbers in steals and deflections. And he's doing it in a way that hasn't compromised the team's defensive structure. So is this something that can be sustained? If he's this disruptive defensively, does it matter if his 3-point shooting dips? Is this the role/context in which Reddish can develop consistency that he hasn't displayed to this point in his career? HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Is it time to get concerned about LeBron's workload? SEGMENT 2: Is it time to pull Prince from the starting lineup? SEGMENT 3: Cam Reddish's defensive contributions. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! eBay Motors For parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit at eBayMotos.com. Let's ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. PrizePicks Go to PrizePicks.com/lockedonnba and use code lockedonnba for a first deposit match up to $100! Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. 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) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers got off to a rare great start in the first quarter of their 107-95 win over the Trail Blazers in Portland Friday. Nice to see, but it opened the door for a different trend that was a problem for LA—letting leads get away. For most of the game, LA would push the lead out, but rather than putting Portland away, they'd let them back in. This until the fourth quarter, when they were able to build a double-digit lead and keep it there. So there's that. On the positive side, LeBron James just keeps doing amazing, unprecedented things. 35 points, five boards, nine assists on 13-22 from the floor, including five triples. Anthony Davis was much better (especially defensively) Friday after a bad effort on Wednesday against the Kings, swatting five shots and controlling the glass (14 rebounds) Christian Wood had been a little quiet of late, but was loud (10/10). D'Angelo Russell stayed hot from beyond the arc (4-7). But while the win might have been uninspiring, it was extremely important, as the Lakers needed to take advantage of a game against a weak opponent, heading into a tough game on Sunday (vs. Houston) and a road trip featuring some quality squads coming fast. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Betterhelp This episode is sponsored by Betterhelp. Make your brain your friend, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/lockedonnba today to get 10% off your first month.  Ibotta Download the Ibotta app now and use code locked to get 100% cash back on your Thanksgiving dinner starting November first! Just go to the App Store or Google Play store and download the FREE Ibotta app and use code locked.  eBay Motors For parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit at eBayMotos.com. Let's ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. Jase Medical Get $20 off these lifesaving antibiotics with Jase Medical by using code LOCKEDON at checkout on jasemedical.com. PrizePicks Go to PrizePicks.com/lockedonnba and use code lockedonnba for a first deposit match up to $100! Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. 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) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jalen Green Scores 28 & Houston Rockets Defense Clamps LeBron James, Lakers In Blowout Win Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) reacts to and discusses the Houston Rockets 128-94 win against the Los Angeles Lakers, improving the team to 4-3 and above .500 for the first time in 1005(!) days. Dillon Brooks and the Rockets defense slowing down LeBron James, why the Rockets winning these games is sustainable, Jalen Green playing with confidence and scoring an incredibly efficient 28 points on 15 shots including a steal and an insane dunk, Alperen Sengun bullying Christian Wood down low, Fred VanVleet struggling to shoot but dishing out 10 assists, Jae'Sean Tate as another primary LeBron defender also adding a scoring punch off the bench, Uncle Jeff Green turning back the clock and more. #Rockets #NBA #JalenGreen

It has been a tough go for the Lakers in the early going of the 2023-24 NBA season, no question. Huge chunks of the rotation have either been in and out of the lineup, or in the case of Gabe Vincent and Jared Vanderbilt, basically out. Austin Reaves got off to a terrible start before starting to right the ship, and now Anthony Davis is on the shelf with muscle spasms in his hip/groin area. Meanwhile, the strength of schedule has been intense. But Wednesday, the Lakers did something they haven't done all year, even with all the adversity — they didn't bother to show up. LA was flat from the get go, and never came close to competing on the same level as the Rockets, fell behind big early and didn't mount any type of challenge in an embarrassing 128-94 loss in Houston. Save Rui Hachimura, who returned to the lineup after finally being released from the NBA's concussion protocol, the Lakers were awful. Christian Wood, starting in place of Davis had no points, and only took one shot. LeBron was absent defensively, loose with his passing and generally not sharp. D'Angelo Russell's final line looked ok, but most of it came in the third quarter after the Rockets had the game well in hand. Reaves was bad. And so on. The Lakers are now 3-5 heading to Phoenix on Friday to face a Suns squad that might still be without Devin Booker, but will have Bradley Beal back in the lineup. They are dangerously close to putting themselves into the type of hole they spent all of last season trying to climb out of, in a Western Conference that is unlikely to do them the type of favors it did last season. It's not time to panic. It's easy to reconcile the record with the context. But the fact of the matter is the Lakers need to find ways to win games even with players missing, and at the very least, they have to put out an effort that far exceeds what everyone saw on Wednesday. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: The Lakers get stomped in Houston. SEGMENT 2: Is Anthony Davis going to miss more time? SEGMENT 3: When should Lakers fans get nervous? Plus, Rui re-enters the lineup! Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! eBay Motors For parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit at eBayMotos.com. Let's ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. Jase Medical Get $20 off these lifesaving antibiotics with Jase Medical by using code LOCKEDON at checkout on jasemedical.com. PrizePicks Go to PrizePicks.com/lockedonnba and use code lockedonnba for a first deposit match up to $100! Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. 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) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The shorthanded Lakers fell by single point to the Heat on Monday night, losing not only the game, but Anthony Davis to a hip spasm in the 3rd quarter and D'Angelo Russell to an ejection for arguing with the referees. Still the Lakers hung tough, and missed a shot at the buzzer that could have won the game. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the game, diving into the team's injury issues, the improved effort and attentiveness on the backboards, Austin Reaves back to being Austin, the LeBron and Christian Wood pairing offensively, and much more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There is still a buzz around the Lakers following Wednesday's incredibly exciting 130-125 OT win over the Clippers at the Crypt. It was a game that featured big comebacks on both sides, incredible performances by each team's stars, big moments for role players, and—thankfully from the Lakers' perspective—the first real moments of productivity from Austin Reaves this season. It came after arguably his worst half of basketball as a pro, where he missed four of five shots and tied a career high with five turnovers (that's his career high for a game, not a half) and somewhat ironically, had the Lakers not been so shorthanded on the evening, missing Taurean Prince, Gabe Vincent, Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino and Jared Vanderbilt, there's a non-zero chance that Darvin Ham might have put Reaves on the bench. Instead, he was out there by necessity, and finally found a groove about halfway through the third quarter, and remained a key contributor through the rest of the game, including big moments in OT. Basketball is a team game, and it's impossible to pin performance of a team on one player, but if there is one guy who has negatively impacted the team through play below expectations (as opposed to simply not being available) it's Reaves in a walk. Is this the beginning of a turnaround? Hard to say. The Lakers head out on the road, and we'll all need to see some sustained quality play before declaring the slump over... but clearly he looked like he found some mojo after a few good plays. There was much more energy and confidence. Meanwhile, winning that game, shorthanded, changes the way you feel about the first five games of the season. Now they're 3-2, having played five playoff contenders (if you think Orlando can make it in the East) four of the West's best teams, playing through injury. They've shown grit, and guys like Christian Wood have bought in big early. Wood, in fact, has been so solid defensively that those lineups some (including your hosts) thought wouldn't be sustainable -- LeBron, Davis and Wood -- have been phenomenal from a net rating standpoint. Some of that is perhaps underestimating the matchup problems the Lakers could create with that trio... but a lot is that Wood has just been way better than his reputation as a defender. Because it hasn't been about his scoring. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Austin Reaves has a bounce back game. Is he actually back for real? SEGMENT 2: Does Wednesday's result make you feel better about the group? It does seem to change the vibes, and a lot of what we have five games in are vibes. SEGMENT 3: Wood has been a great surprise and fit, and it has zero to do with scoring. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! PrizePicks Go to PrizePicks.com/lockedonnba and use code lockedonnba for a first deposit match up to $100! Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. 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) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join Ricky, Raj, and GuruLakers post-game reaction of the Lakers' OT win against the Clippers. We dive into LeBron's record-breaking performance, the ongoing debate about Anthony Davis's role, and the rising support system featuring Christian Wood, Cam Reddish, and Austin Reaves. We also touch on the Lakers' early-season challenges and performance through the first five games. And yes, we are aware of Ricky's AudioThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5195087/advertisement

In theory, it should have been the Clippers who were short on players, having executed a significant trade for James Harden that for the time being, at least, left them with fewer live bodies to put on the floor. But in reality, it was the Lakers. Jarred Vanderbilt was already out. Rui Hachimura is now in the concussion protocol. Gabe Vincent was downgraded to doubtful, then just to out thanks to a back injury. Jalen Hood-Schifino? Already shelved with a bum knee. And as the team was warming up, Taurean Prince's knee flared up. So it's not necessarily surprising that the Clippers got off to a red hot start, running up a 19-point lead on the purple and gold early in the game, and once again it looked like the Lakers would be boat raced by their cross-building rivals. (And meanwhile, Austin Reaves was so bad in the first half - five turnovers, 1-5 from the floor) that the Lakers might have been better off if he was hurt, too.) But rather than pack it in, LA kept grinding. They got it down to 13 by the half, and blew the Clippers up in the third. Eventually, they won in OT. LeBron James was incredible. Anthony Davis was superb. D'Angelo Russell was a huge reason the Lakers were in position to win down the stretch, and eventually did in OT. But Reaves had his first stretch of good minutes of the season in the second half. Christian Wood was a MASSIVE contributor. And surprise starter Cam Reddish came up big as well. It was a night of stars (the LAC's were amazing as well) and of really good, high intensity basketball. Much more than you normally get in the fifth game of the season. And this was the first game of the five where Lakers fans could be genuinely stoked by what they saw. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: What a freakin' game that was, and what a statement it made for culture of the Lakers. SEGMENT 2: LeBron James is a freak of nature, and it's worth remembering just how long he's been at this, at such a high level. But he was just one of four stars who gave the fans their money's worth. SEGMENT 3: Wood and Reaves and Reddish! Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! PrizePicks Go to PrizePicks.com/lockedonnba and use code lockedonnba for a first deposit match up to $100! Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. 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) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The guys tip off the last hour with words from both Westbrook and Harden on the new look of the Clippers. The crew take a look at next year's USC and UCLA football schedule. Mase and Andy dive back into the Lakers, how good has Christian Wood been so far? The guys listen to Andy's demo tape! Mason shares a story about why the Raiders made the head coach change. Game of Games! Plus, Supercross talk with the guys live from Yaamava! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball discuss the Lakers rotations in the 1st 4 games (recorded before the Clips game), including why we need to see LeBron and D'Lo staggered, what to think of Cam getting the backup wing minutes over Max, how Christian Wood has performed and how going big is only a situational advantage, and briefly discuss LA's scheme so far. Outro music by @sleepyghostmp3 Follow us on Playback to watch the games live with us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

D 'Angelo had best game of the year so far. Let all scores. Davis had another great defensive game. LeBron came up clutch down the stretch. Christian Wood came up big defensively. 

Anthony and Aaron discuss the basketball side of the James Harden trade and how the Clippers now match up against the Lakers. Anthony still doesn't believe in them. The Clippers are too small, which offers a perfect segue into the Lakers now potentially playing bigger thanks to Christian Wood stepping up. The guys examine what he's brought and then Anthony asks about Max Christie, plus gives a theory on what might be going on with his minutes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers won a slog of a game vs. the Magic on Monday night, getting great games from Anthony Davis and D'Angelo Russell, along with another good Christian Wood performance on defense and the glass. Pete and Darius discuss the game, what's working for the Lakers on defense, their continued challenges offensively, and much more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It wasn't pretty, but the Lakers got it done on the second night of a back-to-back, facing a much improved Orlando Magic team at the Crypt. Final score, 106-103, and on a night where LeBron James was present and game—but fairly inefficient and looked very much like a near-40 year old playing on consecutive nights—the Lakers needed Anthony Davis to be a scary, scary monster on the floor. And man alive, he was terrifying, if you're a Magic fan. 26 points, 19 rebounds, five assists, a steal and three blocks. And perhaps even more importantly, Davis was everywhere on defense, looking every bit like the best player on that side of the ball in this or any other basketball league. But it wasn't just Davis. D'Angelo Russell, who has done just about everything else well in the early going except shoot from the perimeter, got the shot going on Monday. He was 10-14 from the floor (including 3-6 from downtown) en route to 28 points and eight assists. The flow of his game was strong, he set up teammates for success, and finally found a little of his own. That he played well despite the tough results with the jumper was encouraging. If he can get back to his norms and keep the rest? Look out. Christian Wood was also excellent, playing a huge role down the stretch on the glass and giving the Lakers length to combat the Magic. Wood hasn't scored in any prolific way as a Laker, but through four games has put out real effort defensively and is fitting in exactly as the Lakers had hoped. If the Lakers keep winning, likely Wood continues in this direction, because as Darvin Ham noted after the game, nobody wants to be the guy who starts chirping when things go well, or seems to be undermining success. The Lakers are still waiting for Austin Reaves to get it going. Reaves was, technically at least, better on Monday night than Sunday, but overall is still performing well below expectations, and the Lakers/Reaves need to figure out why ASAP, because this thing is built with the idea Reaves will be a highly productive player. And the team's top end demands he be that guy, too. Finally, Rui Hachimura has an eye contusion, suffered in Sunday's OT loss. That might have been the reason he didn't play late in Sunday's game. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: The Lakers win behind a monster, and much needed, game from A.D., who since the second half of the opener has been dominant. SEGMENT 2: D'Angelo Russell has been very good. Reaves... not. SEGMENT 3: Derek Fisher's non-high flyer act, and Christian Wood buying in. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! PrizePicks Go to PrizePicks.com/lockedonnba and use code lockedonnba for a first deposit match up to $100! Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. 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) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After two games, the divisive opinions have already started on the starting lineup and if it's already time for a change. And with his performance against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday, Christian Wood's name has been bandied about as a name that needs to be inserted into that mix. Tune in as the guys from lakerholics.com start the conversation on whether or not Christian Wood should be starting and if now is the right time so early in the season to make the change. Plus does LakerTom have already a new starting lineup for the Lakers in mind? The Lakerholics are back and are talking about the backcourt dilemma as part of a great Lakers Weekend on the Lakers Fast Break podcast! Please Like, Share, and Subscribe to our channel and our social media @lakersfastbreak on Twitter. Our newest Lakers Fast Break merchandise site is now up at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/39yb4ta3⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ check it out! If you have questions, give us a shout-out on Twitter, YouTube, Twitch, Kick, Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook, or send us your thoughts to lakersfastbreak@yahoo.com or become a supporter of the Lakers Fast Break today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://anchor.fm/lakers-fast-break The views and opinions expressed on the Lakers Fast Break are those of the panelists or guests themselves and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Lakers Fast Break or its owners. Any content or thoughts provided by our panelists or guests are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, anyone, or anything. Presented by our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lakerholics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lakersball.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pop Culture Cosmos⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Inside Sports Fantasy Football⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Vampires and Vitae⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SynBlades.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube's John Mikaelian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the novel Congratulations, You Suck (available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble), ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Happy Hoarder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, EmpireJeffTV, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Retro City Games⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lakers-fast-break/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lakers-fast-break/support

Anthony reacts to the first win of the 2023-'24 season. Yes, the Lakers made us sweat it out, but given that it's a divisional opponent at home, they needed it. Anthony Davis bounced back. LeBron James vs. Kevin Durant sure was fun. Christian Wood! What Austin Reaves needs to do to look more comfortable. What the hell was Darvin Ham thinking with all those Gabe Vincent minutes? Plus, some picks for a fun Friday night of hoops courtesy of Sleeper. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony (re)introduces a show concept that he'll be doing every Friday, with your help. Today, a listener (shouts to KRSwishh) wanted to know how he felt about Christian Wood's improved focus on defense, so... Anthony talked about Wood's defense and offered an analogy to figure out the likelihood that this continues. Same goes for D'Angelo Russell. He then quickly recaps the week that was and looks ahead to next week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Devin Booker and Bradley Beal on the sidelines, the Phoenix Suns came into Thursday's game at the Crypt at a decided disadvantage. But for most of the game, the Suns were ahead. Down by 12 at the start of the fourth quarter, the Lakers had to play true shut-down defense over the final 12 minutes, outscoring the Suns 28-11 to get the win. LeBron James, whose minutes the Lakers would like very much to limit as much as possible, blew through the team's 28-32 minute target, playing the whole fourth quarter en route to 35 minutes overall. Still nothing extreme, but definitely more than they're aiming for. And on the one hand, keeping the minutes down did allow the Lakers to use him more liberally down the stretch. Although you could also argue that the light minutes were a reason they were down 12. Either way, LeBron was excellent down the stretch. Anthony Davis, meanwhile, clearly figured out what the problem was after a scoreless second half in Denver on Tuesday. Thursday night, he had 19 second half points en route to a 30/12/2/3/3 stat line. These are games that simultaneously silence and energize his doubters. Those guys needed to produce, because while the Lakers defense came up large, the offense wasn't good, and the supporting cast particularly struggled. Austin Reaves wasn't particularly good, Rui Hachimura was worse and while guys like D'Angelo Russell and Gabe Vincent found ways to contribute, they were a combined 1-12 from 3-point range, which undercuts a lot of those accomplishments. Meanwhile, as a team the Lakers were 5-29 from downtown. Finally, the Lakers got a ton of mileage out of a lineup many (including the hosts) thought might not work - LeBron, Davis and Christian Wood playing together. Is it something they can replicate? Something that might only work against teams like Phoenix (Thursday's version at least) that don't have the firepower to press potential mismatches? How far should Darvin Ham go to find out the answers to these questions? HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: The Lakers grind out a win. Resilient... but concerning? SEGMENT 2: Anthony Davis bounces back with a huge game, while LeBron plays the entire fourth quarter. SEGMENT 3: Can LeBron, Davis and Wood play together after all? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Dave Dave is the banking app that's leveling the financial playing field.  Download Dave today at Dave.com/LOCKEDONNBA. You could get up to $500 in 5 minutes or less! No credit check. No late fees.  PrizePicks Go to PrizePicks.com/lockedonnba and use code lockedonnba for a first deposit match up to $100! Ibotta Download the Ibotta app now and use code locked to get 100% cash back on your Thanksgiving dinner starting November first!  Jase Medical Get $20 off these lifesaving antibiotics with Jase Medical by using code LOCKEDON at checkout on jasemedical.com. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. FanDuel This episode is brought to you by FanDuel Sportsbook, Official Sportsbook of Locked On. Right now, NEW customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get TWO HUNDRED in BONUS BETS - GUARANTEED. 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) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers got their first win of the season over the shorthanded Suns with a furious 4th quarter comeback led by LeBron and Anthony Davis, along with great defensive support from Christian Wood. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the frustrating early parts of the game, the Lakers spamming their physical advantages late, AD's 4th quarter, and Wood's defense on Kevin Durant and his defensive rebounding. Then later, the guys discuss the growing pains the team is showing offensively and they debate how to better integrate Austin Reaves on that end of the floor.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers picked up their first win of the season over the Phoenix Suns in a wild 4th quarter comeback. It wasn't a pretty game but the Lakers may have found some things that can work moving forward. Christian Wood, in particular, was excellent off the bench while Anthony Davis bounced back to out up a monster stat line. LeBron closed things out in spectacular fashion and his minutes limit apparently disappeared as the need for a win took precedence. Trevor Lane breaks down the W... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dallas Mavericks vs. San Antonio Spurs NBA Pick Prediction 10/25/2023 by Tony T. Mavericks at Spurs—Doncic and Hardy are questionable for Dallas with Powell probable. Graham out for Portland with Collins being probable. Heavy roster turnover for Dallas. Notables added were Grant Williams and Seth Curry. Leaving the team are Justin Holiday, Frank Ntilikina, Christian Wood, Markieff Morris, Reggie Bullock and Davis Bertans. Mavs went 9-18 after acquiring Kyrie Irving and missed the play in tournament. The key is having Doncic and Irving on the court together. Grant Williams brings much needed defense and rebounding. San Antonio added veterans Reggie Bullock and Cedi Osman. Bates-Diop and Langford.

(0:50) – James Harden reports to 76ers to miss at least the first 2 of season (3:20) – Lakers at Nuggets: Examining Anthony Davis, LeBron James, D'Angelo Russell, Christian Wood and Aaron Gordon (9:40) – Suns at Warriors: Breaking down Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Josh Okogie and Chris Paul's first game as a Warrior (16:15) – Injuries to monitor this week: Darius Garland, Luka Doncic, Jaden McDaniels and Jarrett Allen (23:30) – Long-term injuries of note: Impact of Steven Adams being lost for the season (26:40) – Weekly Schedule highlights: Streaming the 76ers and Kings with 3-games remaining, why the Heat and Lakers are intriguing and key games this week

Anthony discusses an interesting game between the Nuggets and Lakers that went just about as he thought heading in, with a couple details that certainly felt noteworthy. He talks about Anthony Davis disappearing in the second half -- especially painful given what Nikola Jokic did. He offered some additional context as to why that happened. He also talked about D'Angelo Russell's disappointing night. On a lighter note, LeBron James looked great and Cam Reddish and Christian Wood pleasantly surprised. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers kick off the regular season Tuesday in Denver, and after a strong training camp have very few questions of significance still in need of an answer. Over the weekend, Darvin Ham said that Taurean Prince would start against the Nuggets at small forward. He did leave the door open to a dinged up Jarred Vanderbilt, however, to re-enter the starting lineup once he's recovered from the heel injury that has cost him most of training camp. But while for many teams, "Who is in the starting lineup?" feels like a doozy of an unanswered question, on this squad, less so. The Prince lineups have been great in the preseason. Plenty of early evidence they work well. The Vanderbilt lineups helped the Lakers to the Western Conference Finals last season. Two good options, it seems. Most of the bench questions feel pretty minor. It's easy to see how someone like Gabe Vincent fits in, even while he's missed a lot of time. Hachimura is a clean and comfortable fit coming off the bench. Maybe there are some remaining questions about how much Max Christie is going to play? But overall, that's not a huge one. About the only question that has to do with fit is one with Christian Wood and Jaxson Hayes. Having been given a simple, clear directive on how he's supposed to operate, Hayes had a great camp and probably earned more early minutes than expected. That clear role, that generally doesn't involve him having the ball or plays called for him, seems to be a good fit and helps explain the big energy and positive vibes he's brought on the floor. Wood has had a tougher time. His role is harder to bring along, because he's a scorer who is expected to create and take shots. But from where? What kind? What's the right balance? It's a first world problem, no question, and while the Lakers need to solve it, on the grand scale of BIG ISSUES this one is pretty minor for a contending squad. And there's lots of time for everyone to get it right. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Reflecting on 19 years covering the Lakers, and the positive vibes around this season. SEGMENT 2: Darvin has a starting lineup... for now? SEGMENT 3: Hayes vs. Wood. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Dave Dave is the banking app that's leveling the financial playing field.  Download Dave today at Dave.com/LOCKEDONNBA. You could get up to $500 in 5 minutes or less! No credit check. No late fees.  PrizePicks Go to PrizePicks.com/lockedonnba and use code lockedonnba for a first deposit match up to $100! Ibotta Download the Ibotta app now and use code locked to get 100% cash back on your Thanksgiving dinner starting November first!  Jase Medical Get $20 off these lifesaving antibiotics with Jase Medical by using code LOCKEDON at checkout on jasemedical.com. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. FanDuel This episode is brought to you by FanDuel Sportsbook, Official Sportsbook of Locked On. Right now, NEW customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get TWO HUNDRED in BONUS BETS - GUARANTEED. 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) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers finished off the preseason Thursday night in Palm Springs, losing to the Phoenix Suns, 123-100. The score? Doesn't really matter. As it is with virtually everything in the exhibition games, it's much more about process and how certain players—and combinations of players—look on the floor. And for the Lakers, there was again much to like. Anthony Davis was huge defensively in the early going, racking up five blocks in the tirst eight minutes of play. Davis looks very much like a guy who is ready to elevate his team, and understands the obligation he has to be great. LeBron James looked smooth and spy over the course of 22 minutes, with 19 points including three triples. D'Angelo Russell continued his run of great play, piling up six assists in short order and showing really high end chemistry with the team's centers, whether Davis or Jaxson Hayes. But it's Hayes who has been the most surprising person in the exhibition games. Hopes in this space at least for a breakout year, or even anything that would be considered consistent, above-level performance, were relatively low. He's simply not shown any consistency at all through the first part of his career. Of course, now Hayes is in a situation where his role is very narrow and easy to define. Nobody in LA is trying to make a star out of him, or justify a lottery pick. The pressure is pretty low, and the situation far more stable. And thuse far, it's a combination that suits Hayes well. Christian Wood, however continues to struggle. He looks slow and unsure, which of course could be related. Anything in here to be worried about? HOSTS: Andy and Brian kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Reactions to the final preeason games, and the preseason in general. The good, the bad and the ugly. SEGMENT 2: Davis and Russell continue to thrive. SEGMENT 3: Does it matter that Hayes is outplaying Wood? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Jase Medical Get $20 off these lifesaving antibiotics with Jase Medical by using code LOCKEDON at checkout on jasemedical.com. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Birddogs Go to birddogs.com/LOCKEDONNBA or enter promo code LOCKEDONNBA for a free water bottle with any purchase. You won't want to take your birddogs off we promise you. Betterhelp This episode is sponsored by Betterhelp. Make your brain your friend, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/lockedonnba today to get 10% off your first month.  FanDuel This episode is brought to you by FanDuel Sportsbook, Official Sportsbook of Locked On. Right now, NEW customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get TWO HUNDRED in BONUS BETS - GUARANTEED. 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) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Darvin Ham says tonight's preseason finale against Phoenix in Palm Springs will serve as a "dress rehearsal." Meaning for three quarters, he's going to treat everything about it, from player combinations and rotation choices, as if it was a real game. Fortunately for him, too, he'll be able to do it with most of the actors available. Among players expected to play a role in the rotation, only Jarred Vanderbilt is expected to miss the game, thanks to that bad heel. (He'll be evaluated again on Friday.) So what should fans be looking for? There's the forward rotation, with Anthony Davis, Christian Wood and Jaxson Hayes. There's Cam Reddish, and whether he gets meaningful run (because if he doesn't, it likely means Max Christie has truly sewn up that backup role behind Austin Reaves). And what about the defense? The Sporting News has a very, very ambitious feature out ranking the top 100 defensive players in the NBA. Ambitious because it's still very challenging to figure out who really belongs where on a list like this because measuring effectiveness on that side of the ball is an inexact science. But the Lakers only have two guys - Davis (3) and Vanderbilt (30) - in that top 100. Does that matter? It didn't last year after the deadline, when the Lakers were able to put together some very good performances on that side of the ball and develop a strong identity. Are the pieces better this season? Finally, a viewer of the YouTube show thinks the media, including the hosts of this show, are being too optimistic about the team's chances. Or at the least, aren't taking into enough consideration how things could go wrong in ways that aren't simply about injuries. Is he right? Well, sort of, but a lot would have go wrong. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: It's a dress rehearsal! What to watch for. SEGMENT 2: Are the Lakers set up to be good enough defensively? SEGMENT 3: Are people overlooking this roster's flaws? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Jase Medical Get $20 off these lifesaving antibiotics with Jase Medical by using code LOCKEDON at checkout on jasemedical.com. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Birddogs Go to birddogs.com/LOCKEDONNBA or enter promo code LOCKEDONNBA for a free water bottle with any purchase. You won't want to take your birddogs off we promise you. Betterhelp This episode is sponsored by Betterhelp. Make your brain your friend, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/lockedonnba today to get 10% off your first month.  FanDuel This episode is brought to you by FanDuel Sportsbook, Official Sportsbook of Locked On. Right now, NEW customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get TWO HUNDRED in BONUS BETS - GUARANTEED. 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) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Normally, when Anthony Davis and LeBron James don't play in a preseason game, it's easy to shrug your shoulders and basically ignore anything that happens over 48 minutes of ball. When those guys are missing, plus Austin Reaves and Jarred Vanderbilt, the temptation is to completely discount the game. But for the Lakers, who are surely expecting James and Davis to miss a relevant chunk of games (some of which might come at the same time) it's actually really important to get a feel for how competitive they can be while those guys are on the sidelines. The hope was with improved depth and more firepower, the Lakers would be better suited to withstand those non-star games than they were last year. And if Wednesday's win over the Kings in Anaheim was any indication, the plan seems to have worked. D'Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent, Taurean Prince and Rui Hachimura all cracked double figures in the starting lineup (not playing starters minutes), and were joined by Christian Wood (13 points in his most efficient outing of the preseason) off the bench. What the Lakers showed was that they have enough skill and firepower to hang and be a competitive team even with the All-Stars in street clothes. That could make a big difference in a tight Western Conference. Russell continues to play really, really well, and has an interesting opportunity in front of him this year to reset the conversation around his value. Finally, there are more interesting aspects of the NBA's annual GM survey we didn't get to earlier in the week. For starters, the Lakers were picked to finish third in the conference, and also received a tremendous amount of praise for their offseason. Basically, they got the best grades of any team not directly or indirectly involved in the Damian Lillard sweepstakes. Plus, there's one category the Lakers should have gotten votes that could make a big difference in the standings this year. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: The Lakers played a good game without their stars, which is a good sign for the season. SEGMENT 2: D'Angelo Russell continues to play well. SEGMENT 3: More NBA GM Survey results... Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Jase Medical Get $20 off these lifesaving antibiotics with Jase Medical by using code LOCKEDON at checkout on jasemedical.com. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. FanDuel This episode is brought to you by FanDuel Sportsbook, Official Sportsbook of Locked On. Right now, NEW customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get TWO HUNDRED in BONUS BETS - GUARANTEED. 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) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With LeBron, Anthony Davis, and Austin Reaves all sitting out, the Lakers got strong performances from D'Angelo Russell and Gabe Vincent (among others) to take down the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night. Pete and Darius discuss the game, looking at the strong night from the guards, Taurean Prince making his case to start, Christian Wood's work on the backboards, the team's defensive performance, and much more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ok, so the NBA's GM Survey was released Tuesday, and while this space isn't one for homerism... Anthony Davis is simply not getting the respect he deserves on the defensive end. Start scrolling through the categories, and you find that Davis is either further down the voting lists than he should be, or simply isn't included at all. And while it's understood that at different times over the course of his career he hasn't quite met the moment... did anyone watch the playoffs last season? Davis was the best defender throughout, until the Lakers were eliminated. In three series against three very different opponents, he was dominant on that side of the ball. Yet in this year's preseason GM polling, it garnered him surprisingly little love. Why, exactly? What's going on here? And while we're here, did LeBron's basketball IQ go down over the summer? Meanwhile, the Lakers took 55 3-pointers on Monday against the Nets in Vegas. That's a ton, obviously more than they'll be hoisting on a nightly basis in the real games, but if the Lakers shoot the ball as they have over the first two games of the exhibition season, how much perimeter shooting should we expect? What might the offense look like? And will Davis be among the long range bombers? Yes, if Darvin Ham gets a vote. He said at practice Tuesday he'd like to see Davis taking even five or six a game! Six! Needless to say, this is more volume, by a ton, than Davis has ever had, and we're talking about someone who was well under 20 percent behind the arc last season. Does he really want Davis shooting that much, or is there another dynamic at play? And what about Christian Wood? What exactly does Ham want to see from Wood on the defensive side to start proving people wrong? What's been missing? Finally, does Taurean Prince think he should start? Well, he won't say exactly. Except yeah, he's kind of saying. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Ham wants Davis to be shooting a lot of 3's. SEGMENT 2: Christian Wood's defense and Taurean Prince's thoughts on starting. SEGMENT 3: Why so much disrespect for Anthony Davis among NBA GMs? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Jase Medical Save more than $360 by getting these lifesaving antibiotics with Jase Medical plus an additional $20 off by using code LOCKEDON at checkout on jasemedical.com. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. FanDuel This episode is brought to you by FanDuel Sportsbook, Official Sportsbook of Locked On. Right now, NEW customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get TWO HUNDRED in BONUS BETS - GUARANTEED. 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) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers got some strong frontline performances in their preseason opener Saturday against the Warriors, as D'Angelo Russell and Anthony Davis put up big numbers in short minutes. But two of the big headliners weren't in the lineup. Monday in Vegas against the Nets, LeBron James and Austin Reaves suited up for the first time this season... and looked pretty good, too! LeBron looked like he had found the bounce that had been stripped during the playoffs thanks to that foot tendon issue, going for 10/3/5 in 17 minutes. Reaves hit his first shot of the night (a triple) en route to 18 points on 5-7 shooting and 4-6 from 3. All told, the Lakers starters (which included Taurean Prince on a night where Jarred Vanderbilt was unavailable thanks to a heel injury) were a robust 13-23 from downtown. The shooting, which was good on Saturday, continued. And it was an argument for why Prince would be a good choice for that fifth starter role. He would provide low-usage floor spacing, while still bringing the same on-court hustle and energy of Vanderbilt, though not quite as much defensive versatility and definitely not as much rebounding. Vanderbilt, on the other hand, provides that rebounding and extremely high levels of energy and effort... but unless that corner 3 becomes a true weapon, can create some congestion offensively. Interestingly, Hachimura's 19 points on 8-14 from the floor was a good argument for him not starting. It was clear last year, and seems pretty clear again that given the offensive talent in the starting lineup, he'll have far more opportunities to assert himself as a scorer coming off the bench. And it's not like he can't come in as a sixth man, and then finish games, too. There's no rule against that sort of thing. So what about the other guys? Maxwell Lewis is very raw, but man does that kid have some athleticism. He showed it off in the second half on Monday. Jalen Hood-Schifino is obviously a work in progress, but showed more of what the Lakers see in him as a point guard, not just through five assists, but also the variety of passes he's obviously comfortable making. Christian Wood... did he bounce back from a disappointing preseason opener? Integrating him in ways that maximize his skills without over-catering might take a minute. Did Jaxson Hayes follow up a promising debut with a good second game? HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: The Lakers win, and LeBron and Reaves get back on the floor. SEGMENT 2: The arguments for Vanderbilt, Prince and Hachimura to be in the starting lineup... or why it's better that they come off the bench. SEGMENT 3: What about Wood? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Jase Medical Save more than $360 by getting these lifesaving antibiotics with Jase Medical plus an additional $20 off by using code LOCKEDON at checkout on jasemedical.com. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. FanDuel This episode is brought to you by FanDuel Sportsbook, Official Sportsbook of Locked On. Right now, NEW customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get TWO HUNDRED in BONUS BETS - GUARANTEED. 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) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

LeBron James and Austin Reaves both sat out LA's preseason opener Saturday in San Francisco against the Warriors, so in one sense, it's hard to view anything about the results of the game (the Lakers lost) as any sort of barometer about what's coming this season. But just because the final score didn't really matter doesn't mean stuff that happened was unimportant. There was much good: Anthony Davis looked smooth and sharp, particularly with that perimeter jumper that's been winning praise from folks over the last few weeks. Davis was 2-3 from downtown, and if the shooting form holds (meaning Davis finally becomes the distance shooter he teased at a couple years ago, the Lakers will have a new weapon at their disposal). But broadly, Davis was moving well and looked very comfortable. D'Angelo Russell was excellent, controlling the flow of the offense en route to 15 points and five assists in only one half's worth of minutes. (Davis only played in the first half, as well.) With a nice combo of inside/out play, his customary change of speed and so on, it was a reminder about what the Lakers appreciated about Russell after the trade last year. Max Christie looked like an NBA rotation player, and seems to be building on his excellent SPL performance. He was aggressive and confident, but in control and within the asks of the offense and defense. There wasn't any freelancing, and Christie seems to understand what he need to do to get the kind of playing time many are predicting. There was some bad: Christian Wood looked sluggish. Like stuck-in-a-mud, "sluggish like a wet sponge" type way. It's not to say he wasn't trying out there, because he was, it just seemed like his speed and burst (or lack there of) was noticeable. Taurean Prince seemed like he was eager to get himself out of his debut in a Lakers uniform, picking up five fouls in like seven minutes, then finally fouling out after 12:53 of burn. Cam Reddish looked very rough, and then hurt his ankle. Again, not an auspicious debut for a guy who will have to scrape and claw his way to playing time. Some of that stuff probably qualifies as ugly, too, but hey it was the first day. No need to get too worked up. So what's coming on Monday against the Nets in Las Vegas? Depends a little on whether LeBron and Reaves suit up, but for starters it'll be nice to see the guys who struggled bounce back, and to find out whether some chemistry between lineup combos that are highly anticipated (Wood with Davis, Wood with LeBron for example) show some promise. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Anthony Davis and D'Angelo Russell shine in the preseason opener. SEGMENT 2: Max Christie looked great, as well. Jaxson Hayes? Intriguing! SEGMENT 3: Reddish, Prince and Wood struggle. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Jase Medical Save more than $360 by getting these lifesaving antibiotics with Jase Medical plus an additional $20 off by using code LOCKEDON at checkout on jasemedical.com. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. FanDuel This episode is brought to you by FanDuel Sportsbook, Official Sportsbook of Locked On. Right now, NEW customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get TWO HUNDRED in BONUS BETS - GUARANTEED. 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) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers dropped their preseason opener to the Warriors on Saturday night, falling 125-108 in a game that got away from them in the 2nd half. Pete, Mike, and Darius offer their takeaways from the contest, focusing on Anthony Davis and D'Angelo Russell's strong showing, some of the schematic changes the team flashed offensively, the play of Christian Wood and Jaxson Hayes in the competition for the backup Center spot, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers preseason is upon us! We break down everything that we are watching for with the team on the floor, including Christian Wood's defense, Max Christie's development, and if Jalen Hood-Schifino is for real. Lakers Nation's Trevor Lane, Sean Davis, and Ryan Ward dig into everything you need to know.... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers had their first official practice on Tuesday, and (not that anyone expected otherwise) Darvin Ham was quite pleased with the results, praising the spirit and energy of the Lakers as they prepare for what everyone hopes will be a long run into the playoffs. He talked up LeBron James and Anthony Davis, who looked like their normal selves, and noted the work Christian Wood was doing defensively, and the commitment he showed to communication and detail. Worth noting as well that the Lakers seem intent on protecting Austin Reaves early in camp, following his Very Busy Offseason with Team USA playing in the World Cup. It is expected Reaves will not only play a ton of minutes - it's very possible he leads the team - but also high intensity, high leverage minutes, including a lot of time serving as a point guard. With that in mind, it's important for the Lakers to keep him fresh and healthy. It's a long, long season. D'Angelo Russell remains a fairly polarizing presence for Lakers fans, and he had an interesting response Monday when asked (by this show!) about how he looks at improvement at this point in his career. Is it a matter of trying to shore up skills/attributes that are weaker? Does he try to lean into strengths? His answer was interesting and revealing, and how you respond is probably a good referendum on what you think about him more broadly. Finally, Wood is certainly in the honeymoon phase of his time with the Lakers. Nobody has played any games, there isn't any film to criticize. He hasn't been asked to sacrifice playing time or stats yet. But if there was anything concerning from Monday's media time, it might have come when Wood was asked if he felt he had anything to prove, given how long he went unsigned this offseason. His answer was... potentially revealing? Wood is really one of the most interesting subplots for this year. Because while he's found himself in a position where his talent and his salary are not in line with each other, it's an open question as to whether he truly understands why. But then again, he's also never really been in a place with real stability. Context matters. We'll see how it goes in LA. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: The Lakers kicked off practice, and are being cautious with Austin Reaves. SEGMENT 2: How D'Lo looks at self-improvement. SEGMENT 3: Does Christian Wood really understand how he got here? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Ibotta Ibotta gives you cash back on hundreds of grocery items from produce to personal care to pantry goods, so you can make sure you're beating inflation no matter what you're purchasing! Go to the App Store or Google Play store and download the FREE Ibotta app and use code locked.  Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase.  Birddogs Go to birddogs.com/LOCKEDONNBA or enter promo code LOCKEDONNBA for a free water bottle with any purchase. You won't want to take your birddogs off we promise you. FanDuel This episode is brought to you by FanDuel Sportsbook, Official Sportsbook of Locked On. Right now, NEW customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get TWO HUNDRED in BONUS BETS - GUARANTEED. 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) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers have started training camp and we are already getting some interesting news, like rookie Jalen Hood-Schifino drawing rave reviews from the team's veterans. Plus, LA has a specific plan for Austin Reaves after he spent the summer with Team USA, the Warriors appear to be pulling out all the stops for a preseason game against the Lakers, the 5th starter may have been revealed and Christian Wood's defense is already a topic of discussion. All that and tons more on today's show with Trevor Lane and Sean Davis.... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers kicked off training camp with Media Day on Monday, and man alive, there was plenty of interesting stuff on the agenda. (What there wasn't? Drama! Tension! Controversy! It was ahistorical for a Lakers Media Day, to be honest.) So without all the low-hanging, headline grabbing stuff available, the focus was on what's in front of a team that rightly has extremely high expectations following a run to the Western Conference Finals. One big thing everyone was happy about? Continuity. All the returning players, from LeBron James on down, spoke glowingly about what it means for this team to be entering training camp starting somewhere ahead of scratch. They know each other. They know the system. They have to integrate players into it, but the guys who are new are also role players, and in the case of Taurean Prince and Gabe Vincent, are extremely well respected pros. Christian Wood? Well, he's got some stuff to prove, but he's the only player in the rotation with any sort of question mark. Guys are incredibly excited that the band is back together. As for LeBron, he's back after floating the idea of retirement following the end of last season. What brought him back? And how much longer is he planning on playing? While James definitely didn't say this would be his final season, he also definitely said he couldn't look past this year. What goes into the calculus around how long he'll play? What does Bronny James and a good health report have to do with any of it? Anthony Davis said he'd like to play in all 82 games this year, and is prepping with a mindset of making it happen. Obviously he's not going to play that many games, but he's obviously aware of the perception surrounding him, and hopes to push back through attendance. Does he see himself as the face of the franchise? Is this his team? LeBron says it's his, but what does Davis think? Why does each guy answer that question the way that he does? HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: It's Media Day! The Lakers are a drama free operation, and it showed on Monday. SEGMENT 2: LeBron James, his present and future. SEGMENT 3: Anthony Davis. Is this his team? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Ibotta Ibotta gives you cash back on hundreds of grocery items from produce to personal care to pantry goods, so you can make sure you're beating inflation no matter what you're purchasing! Go to the App Store or Google Play store and download the FREE Ibotta app and use code locked.  Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase.  Birddogs Go to birddogs.com/LOCKEDONNBA or enter promo code LOCKEDONNBA for a free water bottle with any purchase. You won't want to take your birddogs off we promise you. FanDuel This episode is brought to you by FanDuel Sportsbook, Official Sportsbook of Locked On. Right now, NEW customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get TWO HUNDRED in BONUS BETS - GUARANTEED. 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) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mason and Ireland discuss a little about Christian Wood and what he brings to the Lakers. The guys recap the big NBA trade from today. Who do Mason and Ireland believe won the trade? Who are the top four teams in each conference? Can someone spot Mason's lie he told today? Who is seeking a job with the Jets practice squad? Game of Games, plus Supercross talk with Sedano and Kap!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Lakers know Christian Wood's talent. Heck, everyone knows Christian Wood's talent. But the big question about him (one of them, at least) has been attitude. Is he willing to play a role? Can he accept one that might not totally be in line with his self image? On the one hand, he thinks he's really good (which you want in every player). On the other, this is a team with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. It has title aspirations, and other quality players around the roster. Wood was, or should have been, humbled by the market. So will he fit into LA's culture? So far so good, but it's never been about first impressions, but what happens once things get going. This is the sort of thing tackled on this episode with guest Dan Woike of the LA Times! Will Wood start? Come off the bench? Woike thinks it's the latter. And who will be starting? Woike has a potential name that might not be getting quite as much buzz as he should. But what happens when the game gets going? The Lakers will be looking to give players consistent roles, but there are tons of options at play, here, especially as the team decides who starts at small forward. Finally, it's a quick look around the West. Austin Reaves, guesting on Zach Lowe's podcast, said he thinks the Lakers have the most talented roster in the league. Like, in talent. And depth, and versatility. Are they the best team? Dunno, but in terms of how you look at talent, you can make an argument. Maybe you don't come down on the Lakers, but it's not absurd. Then Reaves said something perhaps more bold: That he's the best golfer in the NBA. Most people would say it's Steph Curry. (Steph Curry likely would, at the least). Whether he's right or wrong, the fact that Reaves believes this and pushed back on Lowe when he suggested it might be Steph? This is as revealing as anything about the guy. Reaves is scarily competitive. If someone doesn't set up some sort of match play event with Reaves and Curry, everyone is doing it wrong. HOSTS: Andy Kamenetzky, with guest Dan Woike! SEGMENT 1: Will Christian Wood fit in well with Lakers culture? SEGMENT 2: Who starts at small forward? Could it be Taurean Prince? SEGMENT 3: Reaves speaks! Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! DoorDash Get fifty percent off your first DoorDash order up to a twenty-dollar value when you use code lockedonnba at checkout. Limited time offer, terms apply. Jase Medical Save more than $360 by getting these lifesaving antibiotics with Jase Medical plus an additional $20 off by using code LOCKEDON at checkout on jasemedical.com. FanDuel This episode is brought to you by FanDuel Sportsbook, Official Sportsbook of Locked On. Right now, NEW customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get TWO HUNDRED in BONUS BETS - GUARANTEED. 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) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With training camp only a few days away, it's easy to start to think about what the rotations will look like. One place that's getting a lot of attention? With the addition of Christian Wood, how will the Lakers fold him in a way that makes the most sense offensively AND defensively? To that end, one prevailing argument (expressed on this show, for sure) is that Wood isn't a great option to start because it leaves LeBron James playing far too much small forward by design, which is not a good idea for a nearly 40-year old player in his 21st season. So in response to a viewer question about the Davis/James/Wood rotation dynamic, we break down how it could work. Yes, the three of them might get a few minutes together here and there, but it's likely not a regular thing. That said, Wood can absolutely, and will absolutely, play with both guys. It's just that more attention goes to his fit with Davis, both because in theory Davis protects Wood defensively, and because it's Wood that helps Davis spend less time at center, vs. power forward. To say the least, Darvin Ham has a wealth of options at his disposal. As camp gets closer, we're focusing on position groups. Monday was the guards, today the centers. Another big contrast between last year's group and this year's (remember Damian Jones?). Davis, Wood and Jaxson Hayes are the three main C's, with LeBron and Jarred Vanderbilt likely to get a few minutes here and there in small lineups. It looks like there's a blueprint for Davis and Wood... but what does that leave Hayes? Is there a path to playing time for him, especially in the games where Davis and Wood are available? Finally, another great viewer comment about the way the bar is likely to be raised in the West this year. Last year wasn't exactly easy, but it's fair to say the Conference played along as the Lakers struggled, and left the door open far longer than it might have been in a typical year. And this season is shaping up to be truly brutal. So how tough is that path to a high seed? HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Optimism to start the season, and a look at the James/Davis/Wood dynamic. SEGMENT 2: Breaking down the centers. SEGMENT 3: It's gonna be very, very tough out West this year. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! DoorDash Get fifty percent off your first DoorDash order up to a twenty-dollar value when you use code lockedonnba at checkout. Limited time offer, terms apply. Jase Medical Save more than $360 by getting these lifesaving antibiotics with Jase Medical plus an additional $20 off by using code LOCKEDON at checkout on jasemedical.com. FanDuel This episode is brought to you by FanDuel Sportsbook, Official Sportsbook of Locked On. Right now, NEW customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get TWO HUNDRED in BONUS BETS - GUARANTEED. 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) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can Christian Wood, who isn't known for his. defense, be a benefit to the Lakers on that end of the floor? LeBron's mini-camp means the season is almost here, plus Sean Davis gets into the mailbag.... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lakers beatman Jovan Buha of the Athletic joins to break down whether the Lakers can build on their surprise conference finals appearance. What is the status of LeBron and AD coming off injury? Can Austin Reaves take another leap? What does the starting lineup and rotation look like around them? How do new additions Gabe Vincent and Christian Wood fit in? Plus, we discuss our predictions for the Lakers season.4 Episodes per week are available exclusively on Dunc'd On Prime! DuncdOn.SupportingCast.FM

Thursday, Christian Wood met the LA media for the first time, and said a lot of "meeting the media for the first time" type things. How excited he is to be in Los Angeles, how (as a Long Beach native) he's always wanted to play for the Lakers. And how he has a great relationship with Darvin Ham... who called him every day during free agency. Every day? That's a lot of days, and a lot of calls. But even if it's an exaggeration, it also makes some sense. The Lakers didn't have any extra money to offer, but what they could sell were vibes and opportunity. And whether you're a big Darvin guy or not, there probably aren't too many guys around the league who can sell culture to a player better than he can. And really, context should drive home to Wood the critical nature of this opportunity. If he doesn't make it work in LA, if he can't accept and then thrive in a role on a good team, where does he go from here? But red flags aside, the Lakers got the most talented player left available on the free agent market. And if you want him, it can't hurt to sweet talk him a little. Meanwhile, Pat Beverley was on his podcast, talking about the Jarred Vanderbilt extension. Interestingly, he told him that his advice was not to sign an extension. Why? Because players who do that get paid appropriately. Players who get signed during free agency? They get overpaid. Whether that would have applied to Vanderbilt is an open question, but it's a fascinating view of how folks get paid in the league. And finally, Buddy Hield is on the trade market. But this is a Buddy Hield safe space, because the Lakers do not have any players they can trade for him until at least mid-December. But what's really interesting is that the need for someone like Hield is a lot lower now than it was a year ago at this time. Please leave your Hield comments to yourself until then. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Christian Wood meets the media. Is this his last/best opportunity to change the narrative? SEGMENT 2: The Lakers don't need Buddy Hield. SEGMENT 3: Pat Bev on Vanderbilt. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! DoorDash Get fifty percent off your first DoorDash order up to a twenty-dollar value when you use code lockedonnba at checkout. Limited time offer, terms apply.  Jase Medical Save more than $360 by getting these lifesaving antibiotics with Jase Medical plus an additional $20 off by using code LOCKEDON at checkout on jasemedical.com. Birddogs Go to birddogs.com/LOCKEDONNBA or enter promo code LOCKEDONNBA for a free water bottle with any purchase. You won't want to take your birddogs off we promise you. FanDuel This episode is brought to you by FanDuel Sportsbook, Official Sportsbook of Locked On. Right now, NEW customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get TWO HUNDRED in BONUS BETS - GUARANTEED. 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) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices