Podcast appearances and mentions of Darvin Ham

After a season of instability and change challenged Darvin Ham in ways few first time head coaches have had to deal with, he enters this season with much more stability, a talented roster, and championship aspirations. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss how last season's run impacts what we know about Ham's approach and how they think it applies to this season, the potential for diversity in the team's defensive schemes, the endless lineup possibilities Ham will have at his disposal, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

Tuesday's show was all about the sea change in strategy for the Lakers when it comes to roster building. Where once it was all about cap space above all - meaning no long term contracts for anyone but the biggest stars - now the Lakers have a bunch of multi-year deals for non-elite players. This, by the way, is a good thing, promoting continuity, and actually providing more flexibility for the front office than simply being locked into that "clean sheet" strategy. But why did they shift? That was a question left on the Locked On Lakers YouTube page. Was it the opportunity presented by a team that advanced to the Western Conference Finals after playing together for only a few weeks? Was it a reaction to a shift in the league towards continuity and depth? Was it the lack of any realistic way to add a big name star? Could be some of each, but this year now becomes a bit of a referendum on the shift, and an opportunity to build. That doesn't mean the Lakers won't make moves over the next year or two - they obviously will - but to what end? Is the stars-at-all-costs era over? From there, another question looks at Darvin Ham. While he's not on the hot seat this year, after last year's run, what about his staff? Do the Lakers need more "big names" on it? And what are reasonable expectations for Ham in Year 2? What was good last year, what wasn't? Have Lakers fans fully bought in? Finally, Jarred Vanderbilt was recently asked about players he patterned his game after growing up. One was Penny Hardaway. The other? Another very popular former Lakers lefty. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Why did the Lakers shift strategy around the roster? What prompted it? SEGMENT 2: How long does the new strategy last? SEGMENT 3: What are the expectations for Ham in Year 2? 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

What should we expect from the Lakers next season if Anthony Davis wants to primarily play power forward? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers, after signing Christian Wood, have what most teams would consider to be the best kind of problems. Namely, they have more good players capable of playing rotation minutes than they have spots available to actually give them real minutes from night to night. Sure, guys will get hurt, space will open up... but when the roster is healthy someone is going to have to sit. So who? One candidate could be Jarred Vanderbilt. Particularly if Wood comes off the bench and Darvin Ham chooses to start, say, Rui Hachimura at forward. If that's the case, where can the Lakers find minutes for Vanderbilt in a suddenly crowded frontcourt? Now maybe Vanderbilt starts... but then it becomes hard to find enough minutes for Wood and Rui. And all of this happens as Vanderbilt himself becomes extension eligible with the Lakers. Ironically, the addition of Wood could make it hard to play Vanderbilt this year. But then again, if Wood plays really well, he's likely gone next season... when Vanderbilt's extension would kick in. The question, though, is more complex than it seems, because Vanderbilt is such a particular player, with value that can ebb and flow in profound ways based on how he's used, which is directly influenced by the rest of the team's roster from year to year. So what would be a good number? What's too much? Finally, the Lakers have a roster. 14 guys (plus the 2-ways), and a ton of depth. Where do they stack up against the rest of the West? HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Whose minutes get squeezed with the addition of Wood? Because playing time in the frontcourt is going to be hard to come by. SEGMENT 2: How should the Lakers handle the possibility of an extension for Jarred Vanderbilt? SEGMENT 3: Where do the Lakers stack up out West? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! 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

A day after the Lakers added free agent center/PF Christian Wood, there are plenty more questions to ask. His talent, at least offensively, is undeniable, but what about attitude and fit? Well, to that end he said some stuff to Marc Spears at ESPN's Andscape that raised some eyebrows. There are other important questions to kick around. Like, does Wood start or come off the bench? On the one hand, given Anthony Davis's long expressed preferences to play power forward, many have assumed that this move allows him to do just that. Wood starts at C, right? Well, maybe not. There are many, many compelling reasons to bring Wood off the bench. So which side of the argument will win out? Moreover, plenty of people are talking about this as a "risk-free" move for the Lakers. Is that the right framing? Meanwhile, there is a lot of attention being paid to Wood the talent, but what about Wood the guy? Some believe he's seen himself as entitled. Well, on the way out the door from Dallas, he said the following to ESPN, expressing great enthusiasm for joining the Lakers... and taking a shot at his former employer: "I've always wanted to be a Laker. I know we can win a championship,” Wood told Spears. “Communication with a coach is a big key. Coach Ham and I go back to our Milwaukee days and we've had great conversations everyday about this opportunity. He believes in me and told me I'll be playing a big role and knows what I can do.” Okay! Good start! Now, the kicker: "I'm looking forward to this and fasure motivated after what Dallas did.” What did they do? And is it smart to even go in this direction? HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: What is Christian Wood's role for the Lakers? Does he start? Come off the bench? SEGMENT 2: Listeners/Viewers react to the Wood signing. SEGMENT 3: Wood takes a shot at the Mavs... and adds real options to Darvin Ham's rotation. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! 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

While maybe it happened a little faster than expected, Tuesday evening what seemed like the inevitable move actually happened, as the Lakers and F/C Christian Wood agreed to a free agent deal. Two years, with a player option (to benefit Wood and let him re-enter free agency faster) for the second year, at the league minimum (which is all the Lakers could offer). Wood is, unquestionably, the most talented big the Lakers could have signed. He's probably the most talented free agent that had been left on the market at any position. He should be a phenomenal fit offensively, not just when Anthony Davis doesn't play, but also when he does. Wood expands Darvin Ham's option tree in important ways. He can make life easier for LeBron James, by lightening his scoring burden, especially in games where he plays but AD doesn't. But if it was just about talent, Wood wouldn't have been gettable for a two-year, minimum contract deal. The Mavs would have kept him, or someone else would have signed him for more money, or something. So what's good about the signing? What's bad? What is yet unknown, but angst inducing to say the least? HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: The Lakers get their man. SEGMENT 2: What's good about the Wood signing? SEGMENT 3: What's... not so good (or certainly risky) about bringing him in? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! 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

Pete and Darius discuss the Lakers overall depth, their open 14th roster spot and how the choice made in filling that spot impacts the optionality Darvin Ham has for different lineups. And then later, the guys debate Rui Hachimura and Jared Vanderbilt as potential starters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The schedule was released on Thursday... but we recorded this before that happened, so all the big post-schedule-drop-hoodoo will come on Monday. In the meantime, Darvin Ham says the Lakers have championship caliber depth. Is he right? And more importantly, what exactly does that mean? The answer, particularly the focus on depth, is an interesting change for the Lakers compared to different points in their history. There certainly have been times where depth was measured in the number and quality of stars, rather than viable rotation players going down seven or eight or nine or ten roster spots. This Lakers team has two bonafide stars. Top 5-10 guys around the league (and better, depending on the day). But they also have Austin Reaves, D'Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura -- three high end members of the NBA non-star class. They've got Taurean Prince and Jarred Vanderbilt, along with Gabe Vincent,, and some young players worth a flier. What does championship depth mean? How is that different from championship talent? Is there a difference? And why are we talking so much about depth? The answer says a lot about the direction the league is going. Remember, it's a copycat organization. Finally, with the in-season tourney schedule out -- remember, we recorded before the big schedule drop -- we revisit the NBA's new event. How will teams like the Lakers react? HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Darvin Ham says the Lakers have championship caliber depth. SEGMENT 2: Why are we talking about depth now, more than stars and talent? SEGMENT 3: The mid-season tournament drops! Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! FanDuel Make Every Moment More. Right now, when you bet on a Super Bowl Winner, you can GET BONUS BETS EVERY TIME THEY WIN IN THE REGULAR SEASON! FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON. 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

Anthony Davis takes jabs constantly but Anthony Davis is back in the MVP conversations but it's not just by Lakers fans. Kevin Garnett spoke about how he thinks AD can be an MVP contender. The NBA schedules are roaming and we get a glimpse of who the Lakers will be playing. Plus, Darvin Ham believes that the Lakers can be a championship team. Do they have what it takes? And, Allen reacts to Pau Gasol's speech.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Time for the Two O'clock call of the day, and today it's a good one! A caller named Greg calls in with a crazy story. Caller Greg tells us how he snuck into an afterparty that was at Madonna's house. Momo and AK have a ton of questions for caller Greg and his experience at the party at Madonna's house. Darvin Ham recently had some comments on the outlook of the Lakers next season. Momo and AK break down some of the topics currently surrounding the Lakers. How big is this James Harden “You're a Liar” deal? Wassup Foo! Would you be in favor of a Rookie Cy Young Award? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We break down Austin Reaves' play in Team USA's game against Puerto Rico as they prepare for the FIBA World Cup. Can he develop even further with Team USA, to the benefit of the Lakers? Plus, what's the Lakers' ceiling for wins? And will Darvin Ham improve his rotations next season? We discuss it all and more... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thursday's show centered on big questions in the Lakers rotation. How will Darvin Ham chop up the minutes at point guard between D'Angelo Russell and Gabe Vincent? Is it really possible that Anthony Davis spends more time at power forward, which would open up center minutes (while also demanding LeBron James guard small fowards, and put a real minutes crunch on some of the team's better players) for Jaxson Hayes and/or big-man-to-be-signed-later? That conversation still left one big spot on the table: the forward rotation. That includes Rui Hachimura, who many people think will start... but should that be taken as gospel? What about the usage of Taurean Prince and Jarred Vanderbilt? Could Vando get squeezed if the Lakers find themselves in more consistent need of floor spacing or scoring? How does his defensive versatility match up with Prince's? Where does Max Christie fit in? These are all good problems for Darvin Ham to figure out, and he does it with a roster that has much more balance this season than last. One of the glue guys in that regard is Austin Reaves, who got some attention on Thursday's show thanks to footage of him trying on his new Team USA jersey for this summer's World Cup tournament. That he's on the roster is a genuinely impressive achievement, given his status as an undrafted player. But one subscriber to the YouTube channel raises a good question: Should the Lakers, who will lean heavily on Reaves this season (to the point that it wouldn't be shocking to see him lead the team in minutes) worry about fatigue, given his offseason schedule and what's to come? HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Corrections and retractions, plus more rotation questions. SEGMENT 2: The forwards: Hachimura, Vanderbilt, Prince - how does all of this shake out? SEGMENT 3: Is fatigue a real concern with Austin Reaves? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Ibotta Right now, Ibotta is offering our listeners $5 just for trying Ibotta by using the code MLB when you register.Just go to the App Store or Google Play store and download the FREE Ibotta app and use code LOCKED. FanDuel Make Every Moment More. Don't miss the chance to get your No Sweat First Bet up to TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in Bonus Bets when you go FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON. 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

NBA headlines have been occupied by the trade demands of James Harden from Philadelphia, and Damian Lillard from Portland. Tuesday, NBA headlines were occupied by journeyman guard Austin Rivers talking about those trade demands. He doesn't think they're good for the game, and are contributing to what he sees as a bad deal for players in the new CBA. So beyond the philosophical questions about whether he's right, there are implications for the Lakers in how fans, media and owners view these expressions of player empowerment. The Lakers, after all, have a long history of being central in power plays, whether in trade demands made by Lakers players (think Kobe, Shaq) or perhaps more importantly, players trying to force their way to LA (most recently, Anthony Davis). The Lakers will always be central in these conversations, as a crown jewel of the league and a very popular place to play. Meanwhile, the economics he's discussing around the NBA's middle class getting squeezed and how large contracts will get handed out in the future—has the NBA finally figured out a way to institute a hard cap in everything but name?—directly impact the Lakers. When spending is constrained to try and develop parity, big spending teams pay a penalty. Finally, we open the mailbag! Questions include: Cole Swider and the role of the two-way players this season. (Hint, of the three players the Lakers have under these contracts, Swider could be the least likely to make an impact). Second year improvements from Darvin Ham. Would the Lakers have made the Finals in 2021 if Davis didn't get hurt? Keep the questions coming! HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Are trade demands from stars bad for the NBA? SEGMENT 2: How would a shift in the player empowerment era impact the Lakers? SEGMENT 3: Mailbag! Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! PrizePicks First time users can receive a 100% instant deposit match up to $100 with promo code LOCKEDON. That's PrizePicks.com – promo code; LOCKEDON FanDuel Make Every Moment More. Don't miss the chance to get your No Sweat First Bet up to TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in Bonus Bets when you go FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON. 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 are still waiting on Christian Wood, and are still linked to Bismack Biyombo. Those are the most prominent names attached to their pursuit of a back up center. And if JaVale McGee is eventually released by Dallas, you can throw his name in the mix, too. This weekend, however, following his release by the Oklahoma City Thunder (following a trade out of Utah), a new name landed on the radar: Rudy Gay. The (very) veteran forward has, technically, filled the role of a backup, small ball center, having played about 15% of his minutes last season as a C in Utah, part of a trend going back a couple of years. But a real backup center, Gay is not. He'd add a steady, veteran voice to the roster, and a low-maintenance presence for Darvin Ham, capable of playing minutes when needed and sitting without complaint when he's not. On the other hand, Gay's production has dropped off dramatically over the last couple of seasons with the Jazz, and while there has always been some inconsistency in his shot, for example, when players tail off in their age 35 and 36 seasons, it sets off alarm bells. Gay would, in theory, be a low ceiling, high floor free agent. But if that floor is low? Not a lot of value there, especially since he wouldn't solve the center problem in any credible way. Meanwhile, the folks over at HoopsHype have, in light of the Dame Lillard and James Harden sagas, put together a phenomenally fun list of the most important trade demands through NBA history, and no surprise, the Lakers are all over it. And finally, Gabe Vincent, who plays for the Nigerian national team, says he'd rather win a gold medal for Nigeria than a title in the NBA. While that might sound odd or even wrong to some, his explanation as to why is a good window into the kind of guy he is, and bodes well for how he'll fit in with the Lakers. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Would Rudy Gay help the Lakers? SEGMENT 2: The Lakers play a big role in the most important trade demands in NBA history. SEGMENT 3: Gabe Vincent on gold medals and NBA rings. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! PrizePicks First time users can receive a 100% instant deposit match up to $100 with promo code LOCKEDON. That's PrizePicks.com – promo code; LOCKEDON FanDuel Make Every Moment More. Don't miss the chance to get your No Sweat First Bet up to TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in Bonus Bets when you go FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON. 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 flourished in his first year as an NBA head coach, leading the Lakers to the Western Conference Finals. Brad Turner from the Los Angeles Times joins Allie Clifton and Chris McGee discuss how successful Ham was and where he can grow.  Plus, they speculate whether Austin Reaves is a favorite to be the NBA's Most Improved Player next season.

Dan loves baseball again as he watches the Rays, Braves, and Skip Schumaker's managing of the Marlins. Then, Mike Ryan doesn't believe Dwyane Wade and Allen Iverson are friends, Shakira and Jimmy Butler appear to be dating, and Mike Malone vs. Darvin Ham. Plus, Steph Curry won the American Century Championship over Mardy Fish, and the crew has some allegations of cheating while Jeremy believes Steph's golf game is proof of a higher power. Also, a quote from Jeremy Pruitt on Tennessee's fines from the NCAA gives us two paths to follow, and we choose the one with fast food at the end of it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do not kill the messenger. Sunday, Sam Quinn at CBS noted on Twitter that (relaying a report from Marc Stein) the Mavericks would be willing/happy to flip Christian Wood in a sign-and-trade deal. For obvious reasons, since they could get something in return for him. Wood would clearly love that outcome, because it would mean he's getting something more than a minimum deal. And the Lakers are part of the conversation because they're one of the teams linked to Wood as a possible free agent destination. Quinn noted, for that reason, that while he doesn't think this will happen and it's currently not a live scenario, one way—and really the only way—the Lakers could engage in a S/T with Dallas for Wood would be by trading Jarred Vanderbilt. To say the least, that sparked a big online conversation among fans online. So would you do it? Trade Vanderbilt for Wood? The consensus among fans was a hard pass, but how much of that is optics? Vanderbilt is a VERY easy player to like. Wood is VERY easy to dislike. What's the argument for no? Is there a reasonable argument for yes? What does the conversation say about Vanderbilt's role on the team? Where does he fit in the rotation? It's not a question with obvious answers. Meanwhile, Darvin Ham had some serious praise for Austin Reaves, saying that he believes Reaves will be on an All-Star team, and soon. Is he right? Can he do that on a Lakers squad where he'll be, at best, the third guy? First and foremost, to get three dudes on an All-Star team requires the team to be a frontrunner, which the Lakers hope to be. But from there, will he get the numbers? Even if he doesn't, could he land in that Mike Conley space, spending the bulk of his career in that space of All-Star Caliber Players Who Don't Make All-Star Teams? Because that would be REALLY good for the Lakers. Finally, LeBron is going back to 23. Hope you saved that jersey. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Would it be worth moving Jarred Vanderbilt for Christian Wood in a hypothetical trade? SEGMENT 2: What will Vanderbilt's role in the rotation look like this season? SEGMENT 3: Is Austin Reaves a future All-Star? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! PrizePicks First time users can receive a 100% instant deposit match up to $100 with promo code LOCKEDON. That's PrizePicks.com – promo code; LOCKEDON FanDuel Make Every Moment More. Don't miss the chance to get your No Sweat First Bet up to TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in Bonus Bets when you go FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON. 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 continued their regular season in the NBA's Summer League in Las Vegas with a late-night tilt against the Memphis Grizzlies. But the Grizzlies started the game with a 12-0 and never looked back as they ended up thumping the Max Christie-less Lakers 100-69. Tune in as "MagicMan" Sean Grice and Joe Soro of Lakersball and SynBlades share thoughts on what happened, why the team got pummeled, and whether can they rebound for their final game on Sunday. They also talk about coach Darvin Ham's recent podcast comments and who is looking like it will be the most improved team in each conference. Plus a final grade from Sean and Joe on the offseason is in order as well. The Lakers time in Vegas is coming soon to an end and we'll talk about it right here on the Lakers Fast Break podcast. For the latest updates on the NBA Draft, head over to Stone Hansen's show, The Upside Swings NBA Draft Podcast today at https://upsideswings.com/ Please Like, Share, and Subscribe to our channel and our social media @lakersfastbreak on Twitter. If you have questions, give us a shout-out on Twitter, YouTube, Twitch, Kick, Instagram, Tik Tok, 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 is of their opinion and is 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, 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

7-14-23 Hour 1 - Darvin Ham vs Vic Lombardi beef/NFL HOF semi-finalists/Shohei's future with LAA by Altitude Sports Radio

Broncos Spending, Sean Payton And Changing The Culture, Darvin Ham On Nuggets Winning Title

It's official. During Wednesday's ESPY Awards, LeBron James confirmed he's not retiring and will return to the Lakers. You may go on living the lives you were already engaged in with no change whatsoever. But all jokes aside, while the news wasn't necessarily even news by this point, there was some interesting psychology with LeBron's theatricality, as well as what we suspect was actually going on in his head when he floated the idea of hanging up his sneaks for good. In the meantime, Darvin Ham is nothing if not confident. So when visiting the #thisleague UNCUT podcast with Chris Haynes and Marc Stein, maybe it shouldn't be surprising that Ham had some spicy moments. Those 10 teams that passed him up and hired other guys? They "****ed up, royally," he said. Denver coach Mike Malone, who (along with his team) spent an unusual amount of post-title time talking about beating the Lakers? Ham heard, and remembers. "Oh wow, bring up ‘Money Mike,' the Lakers' daddy, right? That's what they call him now, the Lakers' Daddy… God bless his soul. This shit ain't over. God bless his soul.” Could Lakers vs. Nuggets be one of the first rivalries to be boosted heavily by the two coaches, as opposed to stuff that happened specifically on the floor? Because that WCF wasn't super chippy. But now? As Darvin says, "This **** ain't over." Finally, D'Moi Hodge hit 6 of his 13 3-pointers in Wednesday's SPL loss to the Celtics. He's now shooting about 41% from downtown in Vegas, on 9 shots a game. Hodge knows exactly what will get him in the league, and keep him there: Shooting and defense. And the two-way player out of Missouri, who is already 24 and doesn't have time to screw around if he wants to make it in the NBA, has a role model that Lakers fans will recognize and respect. His choice shows tremendous self-awareness, and I'm sure impresses the Lakers. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: At the ESPY Awards, LeBron James Confirms he's not Retiring SEGMENT 2: Ham has words for Mike Malone. SEGMENT 3: D'Moi Hodge has picked the right role model to gain a foothold in the NBA. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Birddogs Go to birddogs.com/LOCKEDONNBA or enter promo code LOCKEDONNBA for a free Yeti style tumbler. You won't want to take your birddogs off we promise you. Ibotta Right now, Ibotta is offering our listeners $5 just for trying Ibotta by using the code MLB when you register.Just go to the App Store or Google Play store and download the FREE Ibotta app and use code LOCKED. BetterHelp This episode is sponsored by/brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA for 10% off your first month and get on your way to being your best self. PrizePicks First time users can receive a 100% instant deposit match up to $100 with promo code LOCKEDON. That's PrizePicks.com – promo code; LOCKEDON FanDuel Make Every Moment More. Don't miss the chance to get your No Sweat First Bet up to TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in Bonus Bets when you go FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON. 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 Caesars Palace conversation with Darvin Ham rolls on. He tells Chris Haynes and Marc Stein that he sees Austin Reaves as a future All-Star, addresses the Lakers' offseason moves, reveals what got him into coaching, reflects on breaking the backboard in college and shares a message for Mike Malone amid the burgeoning Nuggets-Lakers rivalry.    #fsr #oddcoupleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Caesars Palace conversation with Darvin Ham rolls on. He tells Chris Haynes and Marc Stein that he sees Austin Reaves as a future All-Star, addresses the Lakers' offseason moves, reveals what got him into coaching, reflects on breaking the backboard in college and shares a message for Mike Malone amid the burgeoning Nuggets-Lakers rivalry.    #fsrSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Not that you'd expect otherwise, but Darvin Ham was talking up the Lakers roster earlier this week with Mark Medina of The Sporting Tribune. Ham says the Lakers absolutely have a roster capable of winning an NBA championship. Not that he was saying the Lakers should be prohibitive favorites or anything, but that they've got the pieces to get it done. So is he right? Or is this just a coach delivering the normal platitudes you get in July? It's hard to argue with his premise. The Lakers, after all, are coming off a Western Conference Finals appearance, and even if you don't think they radically improved this offseason, they certainly didn't get any worse. (And realistically, while the improvement wasn't massive - that sort of transformative thing wasn't really available to them - they enter the season with a more balanced roster than last season and the opportunity to build with continuity. That continuity thing? Ham is a big proponent, calling it a major reason the Nuggets won a title, and noting that it's becoming a bigger trend across the league. The Lakers might have a history of chasing stars, but this year they are trying a different path. (And, for what it's worth, a better one.) So what does the rest of the conference look like? Denver took a small step back, losing Bruce Brown and Jeff Green. What about Memphis? Phoenix? How many known, or even semi-known quantities are there in the West? After Denver, and probably Sacramento, you've got the Lakers. Is that it? And finally, Kobe Bryant became a Laker on July 11, 1996. It feels like a long time ago, in so many ways (because it is) and at the same time, it doesn't. Perhaps because Bryant, because he died so suddenly and so prematurely, feels frozen in time. Looking back to that day in '96, it's interesting to think what would have happened if the Nets hadn't been scared away from drafting Bryant. The "Sliding Doors" scenarios are infinite. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Darvin Ham says the Lakers have a championship roster. Is he blowing smoke? SEGMENT 2: Remembering Kobe Bryant's arrival in LA, back in 1996. SEGMENT 3: Looking at the rest of the West. Because how the conference shapes up has a lot to do with the accuracy of Ham's statement. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Birddogs Go to birddogs.com/LOCKEDONNBA or enter promo code LOCKEDONNBA for a free Yeti style tumbler. You won't want to take your birddogs off we promise you. Ibotta Right now, Ibotta is offering our listeners $5 just for trying Ibotta by using the code MLB when you register.Just go to the App Store or Google Play store and download the FREE Ibotta app and use code LOCKED. BetterHelp This episode is sponsored by/brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA for 10% off your first month and get on your way to being your best self. PrizePicks First time users can receive a 100% instant deposit match up to $100 with promo code LOCKEDON. That's PrizePicks.com – promo code; LOCKEDON FanDuel Make Every Moment More. Don't miss the chance to get your No Sweat First Bet up to TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in Bonus Bets when you go FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON. 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

Sedano & Kap start off the show with some Crosstalk with Mason & Beto (in for Ireland). Sedano is back from Las Vegas and it's LIT today! He talks about how his trip was, but is more interested in Kap's story about ticking off another member of the media… Plus, Kap wants to know why he was moved in the lineup for Friday's softball game. Sedano has some nuggets from NBA Summer League and tells Kap how he brought it in with both Darvin Ham and Rob Pelinka, and of course Kap has a million questions. Kap also talks about how he thinks people like when he always brings it in, but everyone on the show tends to disagree. Kap brings up LeCoach from his son's AAU tournament again, and he talks about his plans to help him get ready for the big softball game Friday night. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part 1 of a live Caesars Palace sit-down with Lakers coach Darvin Ham, Chris Haynes and Marc Stein go in-depth with Ham on the Lakers' rough start in his first season as a head coach, how they pulled out of it, coaching Russell Westbrook, coaching philosophy in general, coaching LeBron James in particular and all the teams that interviewed Ham for head coaching jobs but passed him over. #fsr #2prosSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Part 1 of a live Caesars Palace sit-down with Lakers coach Darvin Ham, Chris Haynes and Marc Stein go in-depth with Ham on the Lakers' rough start in his first season as a head coach, how they pulled out of it, coaching Russell Westbrook, coaching philosophy in general, coaching LeBron James in particular and all the teams that interviewed Ham for head coaching jobs but passed him over. #fsrSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss Darvin Ham's coaching and what we can expect for next season with the new-look Lakers. Sean Davis dives in... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NBA free agency is barely 48 hours in the books, and the Lakers have managed to tie up more or less all of the loose ends facing them when the period began. The 1a priority was retaining Austin Reaves and 1b was retaining D'Angelo Russell, and by lunchtime on the west coast, both were in the bag. Russell is reportedly returning on a two-year deal worth $37M, with a player option for the second season. A fair deal that offers flexibility on both sides, and should allow Russell to settle into a comfort zone where he can bounce back from a Western Conference Finals that left a bad taste in everyone's mouth. As for Reaves, it was never a question of whether he'd be back, but at what price, as the Lakers and Team Reaves waited to see if another franchise called the Lakers' messaging of a willingness to match any offer for the restricted free agent. As it turned out, things just got wrapped up posthaste. Four years, $56M, with a player option for the last season. Assuming Reaves continues to improve - or even just maintains status quo - that's a straight up bargain, folks. From there, the Lakers added big man Jaxson Hayes on a two-year, veteran's minimum deal, with a player option for the second season. The youngster has a lot of athleticism and hops, and showed flashes in New Orleans, but has been marred by tons of inconsistency. Hopefully, Phil Handy, Darvin Ham, LeBron James and the Lakers' general culture can unlock the best in Hayes, because unless another big man is brought on board at a vet min who outplays him, Hayes will need to hold down the important position of "backup center/dude who fills in during Anthony Davis' inevitable absences." All that said, two days of nice work for Rob Pelinka, who has the team, at minimum, in as good of a place as where they left off after the WCF loss. 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. eBay Motors dot com. Let's ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Last minute tickets. Lowest Price. Guaranteed. PrizePicks First time users can receive a 100% instant deposit match up to $100 with promo code LOCKEDON. That's PrizePicks.com – promo code; LOCKEDON FanDuel Make Every Moment More. Don't miss the chance to get your No Sweat First Bet up to TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in Bonus Bets when you go FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON. 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 rumors linking Kyrie Irving to LeBron James are pretty old hat at this point, but Monday provided a new wrinkle. Instead of Irving heading to LA to join James with the Lakers, The Athletic's Shams Charania reported that Irving has called LeBron to try and get him to come to Dallas. He's got a fan club there, including Irving, Mavs star Luka Doncic, their coach in Jason Kidd, and more. But while Charania's report got everyone's attention, and fast, the actual mechanics of getting James to Dallas are laughably hard. Maybe he'd accept a buyout, if the Lakers would actually offer him one, which they won't. And even then, it seems unlikely he'd leave the kind of money on the table that he'd have to sacrifice to go from a team that made the Western Conference Finals to one that just missed the playoffs. So what about a trade? Well, have you looked at the Mavericks' roster lately? Woof. What if Dallas included as much draft capital as possible, including the 10th pick in this year's Draft? Well, maybe that gets Rob Pelinka's attention, and maybe then only if James demanded to be moved, and threatened to tank the season if he didn't get his way. Not likely, given his history on the court. The notion he'd risk one of his last seasons in the NBA to leverage a trade seems far fetched. So what does this amount to? A good conversation about how the market for Kyrie may not be what he'd hoped, how challenging the task of getting him to Los Angeles will be (and why, therefore, it's unlikely) and how Dallas is in really, really bad shape. Very little room to maneuver, almost forced to give Kyrie a max, but without any real depth or appealing trade material to improve the team. Meanwhile, Monday's show focused a great deal on how Frank Vogel's hiring in Phoenix could impact Darvin Ham's staff. But how might it impact the perception of Ham, as a coach? HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Kyrie wants to bring LeBron to Dallas. Good luck with that. SEGMENT 2: Is there a trade offer Dallas could make that would get Rob Pelinka's attention? SEGMENT 3: If Vogel coaches the Suns to a better record next season than the Lakers under Ham, how will fans react? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Birddogs Go to birddogs.com/lockedonnba and when you enter promo code, LOCKEDONNBA, they'll throw in a free custom birddogs Yeti-style tumbler with every order. eBay Motors For parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit. eBay Motors dot com. Let's ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Last minute tickets. Lowest Price. Guaranteed. PrizePicks First time users can receive a 100% instant deposit match up to $100 with promo code LOCKEDON. That's PrizePicks.com – promo code; LOCKEDON FanDuel Make Every Moment More. Don't miss the chance to get your No Sweat First Bet up to TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS in Bonus Bets when you go FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON. 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 big news setting the table for this Lakers' offseason came Monday night, after the team lost to the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, and LeBron James indicated he's considering retirement. Like for real. Now maybe it's a leverage play, maybe it's just the fatigue (and the likely need for foot surgery) talking. But maybe he really is mulling it over (a possibility that too many are underselling). One thing, though, was clear at Tuesday's exit interviews - Rob Pelinka, Darvin Ham and everyone else on the roster were taken by surprise when LeBron said what he said. Nobody had an inkling this was on his mind. And the Lakers, as you'd expect, plan to give him every ounce of time he needs to make a decision. (Whether that means simply deciding he has the juice to keep going, or exerting the influence he wants to exert, or a little of both.) Pelinka also made it clear that the Lakers, heading into the offseason, are inclined to keep the core of this team together. Obviously that doesn't mean everyone returns (it never happens that way), but something similar to what we saw after the deadline, as opposed to the "clear the decks" approach to bring in someone like Kyrie Irving or Trae Young (who is also floating around in rumors). Does that mean the front office is learning its lesson, when it comes to the value of real roster construction vs. top heavy star-bleepery? We'll see, but the signs point to yes. Is that the right call? We explain. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: The Lakers react to LeBron's surprising retirement talk. SEGMENT 2: Pelinka says the Lakers are inclined to run it back. SEGMENT 3: Why "run it back" is the right call setting the table for the offseason. 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. eBay Motors dot com. Let's ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Last minute tickets. Lowest Price. Guaranteed. Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you'll get 15% off your next order. PrizePicks First time users can receive a 100% instant deposit match up to $100 with promo code LOCKEDON. That's PrizePicks.com – promo code; LOCKEDON FanDuel Make Every Moment More. Don't miss the chance to get your No Sweat First Bet up to ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS in Bonus Bets when you go FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON. Birddogs Go to birddogs.com/lockedonnba and when you enter promo code, LOCKEDONNBA, they'll throw in a free custom birddogs Yeti-style tumbler with every order. 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

FOX Sports Radio Weekend host George Wrighster is in for Rob, and he and Chris discuss the likelihood of the Los Angeles Lakers' trading for Kyrie Irving this upcoming offseason, tell us why this Miami Heat run is such a shock for basketball analysts and debate whether Jimmy Butler has put together a Hall of Fame resume. Plus, Bleacher Report NBA writer Eric Pincus checks in to discuss why he believes Kyrie will end up staying with the Dallas Mavericks, Darvin Ham's learning curve as a first-year head coach in the NBA, what makes the Denver Nuggets so dangerous and much more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Lakers battled valiantly and fought to the bitter end, but their season was ended by the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the game and reflect on the series in general, hitting on Jokic and the Nuggets great showing, LeBron's huge performance in Game 4, and much more. Then later, the guys discuss Darvin Ham's first playoff run and begin to think about some of the questions facing this group heading into the offseason. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It took a few minutes, but Darvin Ham had finally seemed to build up a little bit of goodwill with Lakers fans through the first two rounds of the playoffs. Well, a big chunk of that has been eaten away by the results of the first three games of the team's Western Conference Finals series against Denver. Facing an 0-3 hole and the chances of getting swept tonight at the Crypt in Game 4, scrutiny has again returned in a big way. Is Darvin making the right moves? Is he pushing the right buttons? Is he pulling the right levers? The answers to questions like these really depend on your view of the roster as a whole, and how the Lakers match up against a very, very good Denver team. At the core of these discussions is D'Angelo Russell, who has been horrible through the first three games of this series. Most fans want him benched, if not yanked from the rotation. Ham shortened his minutes considerably in Game 3, but Russell still got 20 minutes of burn. Is that too much? Is it malpractice? Our answer might not be that popular. Meanwhile, many fans are calling for Ham to start bringing in guys like Troy Brown, Max Christie, and even dusting off Malik Beasley to see if shots will fall. But are those aren't really adjustments so much as dart throws. Is it time to throw darts, though? And really, is the overarching problem Ham, or too many guys in a shortening rotation who aren't playing well enough? HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Is Darvin mucking up this series? SEGMENT 2: Can the Lakers bench Russell? Should they? SEGMENT 3: What else is Darvin doing/not doing? Is he the issue, or are players just not performing? 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. eBay Motors dot com. Let's ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Last minute tickets. Lowest Price. Guaranteed. Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you'll get 15% off your next order. PrizePicks First time users can receive a 100% instant deposit match up to $100 with promo code LOCKEDON. That's PrizePicks.com – promo code; LOCKEDON FanDuel Make Every Moment More. Don't miss the chance to get your No Sweat First Bet up to ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS in Bonus Bets when you go FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON. Birddogs Go to birddogs.com/lockedonnba and when you enter promo code, LOCKEDONNBA, they'll throw in a free custom birddogs Yeti-style tumbler with every order. 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

ESPN's Dave McMenamin joins The Woj Pod to discuss the genius of Nikola Jokic, the burden on Anthony Davis and LeBron James for Games 3 and 4, Rob Pelinka's remarkable revamping of roster, Darvin Ham and much, much more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anthony Irwin from Lakers Lounge joins the show to discuss the impact of Anthony Davis, the way the Lakers have found themselves down 0-2, and their chances for evening the series. Matt and Anthony discuss the adjustments from Darvin Ham, how often the Lakers find themselves with a generous whistle, and whether the Nuggets' feeling of disrespect is justified. 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. eBay Motors dot com. Let's ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Last minute tickets. Lowest Price. Guaranteed. Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you'll get 15% off your next order. PrizePicks First time users can receive a 100% instant deposit match up to $100 with promo code LOCKEDON. That's PrizePicks.com – promo code; LOCKEDON FanDuel Make Every Moment More. Don't miss the chance to get your No Sweat First Bet up to ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS in Bonus Bets when you go FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON. Birddogs Go to birddogs.com/lockedonnba and when you enter promo code, LOCKEDONNBA, they'll throw in a free custom birddogs Yeti-style tumbler with every order. 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

Natalie and Zena Keita host Ladies First Fridays on Brother From Another. They react to Jamal Murray's fourth quarter surge in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals to help the Nuggets beat the Lakers and take a 2-0 series lead. Dave DuFour joins the show to discuss LeBron James and Anthony Davis' performances and whether the Lakers will be able to bounce back from a 2-game deficit playing at home. Nat and Zena celebrate the return of the WNBA season and Brittney Griner's return to the court. They also discuss the newly formed superteams in the W, Aces head coach Becky Hammon's suspension and WNBA roster cuts. Siobhan Beslow also joins the show to discuss Jimmy Butler being “underrated” and preview Heat-Celtics Game 2. Nat and Zena react to the breaking news that NFL legend, Jim Brown, passed away at the age of 87. 00:00                  Michael Malone claps back at media; Murray dominates 4th quarter; Jokic and Murray combo14:52                   LeBron and Anthony Davis struggles; Will the Lakers win for their home crowd in Game 3? --22:41                   Brittney Griner returns to the court26:25                   WNBA superteams 28:40                   Aces head coach Becky Hammon suspended; Dearica Hamby34:16                   Should the WNBA be expanded to avoid roster cuts?--39:54                   Heat are "underrated": Jimmy Butler, Erik Spoelstra; Celtics in trouble?--52:38                   Jim Brown dies at 87

Michael Holley and Reeta Hubbard, “The NFL Chick,” discuss Jimmy Butler's continued postseason dominance in the Heat's victory over the Celtics to take Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Liv Moods joins the show to preview Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals between the Lakers and Nuggets and make the case for why Nikola Jokic is the best player in the NBA. They also discuss Ja Morant's apology and the NBA's handling of his suspension after his latest gun incident. Jim Trotter joins the show to discuss winning the Bill Nunn Jr. Award and to weigh-in on the NFL's Coach Accelerator program. Holley and Reeta react to a video of Zay Flowers gifting his dad a car after being drafted by the Ravens. 00:00                  Jimmy Butler's dominance; Celtics consistently inconsistent: Jayson Tatum, Joe Mazzulla -- 20:39                  Should Nuggets be worried about Lakers adjustments on Jokic?  32:02                   Ja Morant's apology; How long should he be suspended? -- 37:20                   Jim Trotter wins Bill Nunn Jr. Award 40:59                   NFL's Coach Accelerator program -- 51:19                   Zay Flower's gift to his dad after being drafted by Ravens

It looked over with Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets dominating LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the Los Angeles Lakers but head coach Darvin Ham made an excellent halftime adjustment. Jake Madison ( @LockedOnPelicans ) and John Karalis ( @LockedOnCeltics ) seem if the Lakers have another move they can make. Plus, the San Antonio Spurs won the NBA Draft Lottery and will be taking Victor Wembanyama first overall but which other teams liked how the lottery played out. And why did Ja Morant put out that statement? Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…

The Nuggets get out to a monster lead vs. the Lakers in Game 1 behind a dominant, all-time performance from Nikola Jokic. Jokic proves once again that no one, not even Anthony Davis, can stop him or slow him down 1-on-1. Jamal Murray grits through an ear infection to deliver a huge game, KCP comes up big, and MPJ gives a brilliant performance. But the Lakers stage a comeback thanks to tactical adjustments from Darvin Ham, putting Rui Hachimura on Jokic and letting AD roam. How do the Nuggets counter? Can they? What has to happen? What will we see in Game 2? And should your view of the series change after Game 1? 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. eBay Motors dot com. Let's ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Last minute tickets. Lowest Price. Guaranteed. Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you'll get 15% off your next order. PrizePicks First time users can receive a 100% instant deposit match up to $100 with promo code LOCKEDON. That's PrizePicks.com – promo code; LOCKEDON FanDuel Make Every Moment More. Don't miss the chance to get your No Sweat First Bet up to ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS in Bonus Bets when you go FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON. Birddogs Go to birddogs.com/lockedonnba and when you enter promo code, LOCKEDONNBA, they'll throw in a free custom birddogs Yeti-style tumbler with every order. 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

If you say the name Darvin Ham to a basketball fan of a certain age, chances are they'll think of the time he shattered a backboard playing for Texas Tech during the 1996 NCAA tournament. But what's less known about the Lakers' first-year head coach is his life before all of this, in Saginaw, Michigan, a life that almost ended when he was just 14 years old. Today, we look at how Ham was shaped by the Midwest city he grew up in, and the tragic accident that nearly ended his life. Plus, can Ham steer the Lakers past Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets as they try to win an improbable NBA title?Guest: Dan Woike, Los Angeles TimesRead his full story hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

00:00 How did Jokic & the Nuggets take Game 1? 23:30 Adam Silver "shocked" by latest Ja Morant gun video /Trust the Lakers will be fine after Game 1 loss like Darvin Ham said? 55:35 Spurs win the NBA Draft Lottery and earn the right to draft Victor Wembanyama 1:08:29 How would you grade LeBron's performance in Game 1 loss? 1:16:40 Latest on Ja Morant 1:27:27 Chances the Heat upset the Celtics in the ECF? 1:37:33 Who wins Game 2: Lakers or Nuggets? 1:47:24 Steve Kerr: "There was some lost trust" when Draymond punched Poole 1:55:02 Who wins Game 1: Heat or Celtics? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

00:00 Nuggets take Game 1 with a 132-126 win over LeBron and the Lakers 23:30 Darvin Ham after Lakers Game 1 loss: "We'll be fine. Trust me" 37:57 Are the Spurs the right fit to draft and develop Victor Wembanyama into a star? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Lakers were thoroughly outplayed early in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Nuggets in Denver, falling behind by 12 after the first quarter, and 18 at the half. It was a matter of execution—the Nuggets were razor sharp, and playing with tremendous energy—and it was a matter of lineups—the Lakers went small with three guards, and had trouble matching up with a large Denver squad—and all told, it looked like a game that the Nuggets would run away with. Not so fast! The Lakers made some changes in the second half, and suddenly a game that looked like a blowout was one the Lakers could tie with under a minute remaining. All the game's stars were sharp. Nikola Jokic was insane (31/24/14), and Anthony Davis went for 40. LeBron James posted a very efficient 26/12/9, marred only by a poorly conceived 3-point attempt as the Lakers went for that aforementioned tie. Austin Reaves? Looked good! Jamal Murray? 31! Everyone on the marquee did his part, but importantly, the Lakers punctured through Denver's first half superiority in ways that should be confidence-building going forward. One big adjustment - more Rui Hachimura, who didn't just play big minutes in the second half, he spent that time guarding Jokic, which allowed Davis to roam free. Is that a strategy the Lakers can use going forward? HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: The Lakers looked like they were going to get blown out of the building on Tuesday... but didn't. SEGMENT 2: Darvin Ham made a poor tactical choice with his starting lineup. SEGMENT 3: Can Hachimura stick Jokic through the rest of the series? 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. eBay Motors dot com. Let's ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Last minute tickets. Lowest Price. Guaranteed. Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you'll get 15% off your next order. PrizePicks First time users can receive a 100% instant deposit match up to $100 with promo code LOCKEDON. That's PrizePicks.com – promo code; LOCKEDON FanDuel Make Every Moment More. Don't miss the chance to get your No Sweat First Bet up to ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS in Bonus Bets when you go FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON. Birddogs Go to birddogs.com/lockedonnba and when you enter promo code, LOCKEDONNBA, they'll throw in a free custom birddogs Yeti-style tumbler with every order. 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