Dedicated to the Study of Lakers Basketball. Hosted by Pete Zayas, Darius Soriano & Mike Trudell.
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Pete, Mike & Darius react to the reports that JJ Redick will become the next coach of the Lakers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesAf Pete Zayas
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The Celtics capped off a dominant season with #18. The guys discuss their rivals moving ahead in the title chase, how they got there by leaning into an identity on both ends, and what the Lakers can take from it as they build toward next season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…
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In part 2 of a two part pod on the 2024 NBA draft for the Lakers, special guest Mike Garcia continues his conversation with Pete & Darius on whether it might make sense in this draft to buy an addition second round pick and how potential draft picks, including Kevin McCullar, Isaiah Crawford, Anton Watson, Ryan Dunn, Tristen Newton, Oso Ighodaro, J…
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With the NBA draft approaching later this month, Darius & Pete are joined by Mike Garcia, as they discuss intriguing draft prospects potentially available for the Lakers, including Ron Holland, Dalton Knecht, Tristan da Silva, Jaylon Tyson and bigs Zach Edey, DaRon Holmes II, Yves Missi & Kel'el Ware & how they could help the team. Learn more about…
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The NBA and the Lakers family has lost a legend with the passing of Jerry West. Pete, Mike, and Darius pay tribute to and celebrate the man, the player, and the executive, highlighting his impact on the Lakers and the NBA over the course of his incredible six-decade long career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…
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Dan Hurley has decided he will stay at the University of Connecticut and not become the next Lakers head coach. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the news, offering their initial reactions, the vacuum of the news cycle and the public nature of the negotiations, and where the team goes from here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.c…
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The Lakers are reportedly interested in hiring UConn head coach Dan Hurley for their head coaching position. Mike and Darius discuss the report and offer their initial thoughts on Hurley as a candidate, the transition from college coaching the NBA, the nature of NBA reporting and news breaking, and much more. And then later, the guys offer their la…
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In the wake of the Lakers' mid-season moves catapulting them to the Conference Finals last season and the Mavs making a run to the Finals after making similar trades this year, Pete, Mike, and Darius explore team building through the lens of fit vs. continuity. They debate the types of role players that most help you win, striking the right balance…
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The NBA Finals are set with a matchup between the Mavericks and the Celtics. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the series, highlighting the challenges both defenses will face defending elite perimeter talents, Kyrie Irving being an x-factor for Dallas, Boston's floor spacing and their bigs' ability to space the floor, and much more. Learn more about y…
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Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the different avenues to build out a roster for the 82-game grind of a regular season, examining the "2nd draft" strategy the team has used to acquire former lottery level talents, chasing size vs. going after guards and wings, the need for a backup big, and how rookies fit into this idea -- including the possibility …
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Pete, Mike, and Darius use the Timberwolves Game 4 win over the Mavericks as a jumping off point to consider two-big lineups, how the Lakers can lean more into that identity next season, and why Jarred Vanderbilt's role in these types of lineups can be critical to their success defensively while also needing to be accounted for offensively by what …
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Pete, Mike, and Darius check-in on the Lakers coaching search, discussing the candidacy of JJ Redick, why experience can come in many forms and to what degree lack of head coaching experience matters in this search, and what leadership qualities they're looking for in a candidate. And then later the guys discuss defensive philosophies and the impor…
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Pete, Darius, and Mike discuss the Game 1's of the Conference Finals, highlighting the challenges the Mavericks posed on both sides of the ball for the Wolves and why, even in game they gave away, the Pacers have some positivity to build on vs. Boston. And then later the guys talk about LeBron and Anthony Davis being named to All-NBA teams. Learn m…
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Pete, Darius, and Mike discuss the conference finals matchups, the through-line between the different teams and the success they've had making it this far, the Wolves taking down the Nuggets, and their initial thoughts on who has the edge in each matchup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…
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Informed by the 2024 playoffs, Pete, Mike & Darius continue their discussion about Lakers roster building, centered around building an defensive identity, the importance of meshing that with the defensive scheme of the new coach, the best utilization of Lebron on defense in his 22nd season, acquiring a defensive swing man, how Jarred Vanderbilt fit…
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Pete, Mike, and Darius continue their discussion about the Lakers roster construction by debating the merits of chasing an on-ball guard vs. a pursuit of more defense and rebounding from the wing, whether the Lakers need an infusion of perimeter athleticism at the guard spot, and why chasing higher perimeter usage should not come at the expense of …
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Pete and Darius debate the pros and cons of chasing a high-usage guard this offseason, diving into the skills and traits this player would need to have to be the right fit, how much they view a player of this type as helping LeBron vs. helping Anthony Davis, and how the salary a player like this commands impacts roster construction and team buildin…
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