Hoops Tonight - Lakers Eulogy: Will LeBron leave? Darvin Ham gone? LA's Nuggets problem & future

Speaker 20s - 31.48s

We are welcoming a new show to IHeart and the Draft King's ORG YouTube channel. It is called Point Game with John Wall and C.J. Toledano PERSON. It's an insider's look at the NBA ORG and the culture surrounding the league. Every week, the five-time All-Star and the number one pick in the 2010 NBA ORG draft, John Wall will give his unique perspective on the hottest topics in the league and tell the best behind-the-scenes stories from his time in the NBA ORG.So check out Point Game with John Wall and C.J. Toledano on the Iheart radio app, the Draft King's ORG YouTube channel, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

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The 82 game preseason is in the books and now it's finally time for the real season.

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Please play responsibly on behalf of Boothill Casino and Resort in Kansas GPE. 21 plus age varies by jurisdiction.Void in Ontario, bonus bets expire 168 hours after issuance. See dkng.com ORG slash B-Ball for eligibility and deposit restrictions, terms, and responsible gaming resources. All right, welcome to Hoops Tonight here at The Volume ORG. Happy Friday, everybody. Hope all of you guys are having an incredible week. We got an amazing show for you today.We're going to do a good old-fashioned obituary on the Los Angeles Lakers ORG. Technically, it's not over, but I have a feeling they're going to get swept on Saturday. I don't think they have the fight to beat these guys, especially after how they looked in that third quarter. Maybe I'll be wrong. Maybe they'll get one, but no matter what, NBA history tells us that the Los Angeles Lakers ORG are done. So we're going to talk a little bit about what separates them from the Denver Nuggets ORG and where they go from here. And I can'tthink of anybody better than a good friend of mine and somebody who covers the Lakers ORG for the athletic, Mr. Yovan Buha PERSON. You guys know him. He's been on the show a bunch. We're going to break it all down. You guys know the drill before we get started. Subscribe to our brand new YouTube channel so you don't miss any more of our videos. Follow me on Twitter at underscore Jason LT PERSON. So you guys don't miss any show announcements. Don't forget about our podcast feed, wherever you get your podcast under hoops tonight. Keep dropping mailback questions in the YouTube ORG comments.We're going to hit a couple mailbags a week throughout the end of the season. And the last but not least, before we get started, as I've been saying, this is the time of year when you've got to get out and see these guys playing in person. LeBron James, like, it's very possible that Saturday is his last playoff game that he ever plays. It's certainly on the table. And like, as great as it is watching these games on TV, there's nothing like being there in person, especially during the intensity of the NBAplayoffs. This is where I want to talk to you guys about game time, an amazing ticket buying experience. They have all in pricing. So you don't have to worry about going to check out and then all of a sudden getting surprised by a much larger number than you were expecting. It's not a convoluted process. You can check out in as soon as two taps. And they also have a view of your seat that you can see within the app so you know what you're buying and know what you're going to get when you show up to the arena. They also have exclusive flash deals and sponsored deals ontickets for football, basketball, baseball, baseball, concerts, comedy theater, and more. And with zone deals, you pick the section, and GameTime ORG picks the seats for you in that section with big time savings. So take the guesswork out of buying tickets with GameTime ORG. Download the GameTime ORG app. Create an account and use code hoops for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply.Again, create an account and redeem code hoops. That's H-O-O-P-S for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Again, create an account and redeem code hoops. That's H-O-O-P-S for $20 off. Download game time today. Last-minute tickets. Lowest price guaranteed. All right, Yovon ORG.So in this, you know, obviously disappointing start to this series, I think it's also been deeply informative. It's been confirming of some of the things that we've thought throughout the season. But I want to kind of start with the Nuggets a little bit because in the Lakers ORG' pursuit of trying to address these issues, whether it's them trying to reconfigure around LeBron and AD this off season to try to make another run at it, or if it's a pivot, I think a great team for them totry to emulate is the Denver Nuggets ORG, a team that I think is not just the defending champion, but I think the legitimate favorite this year for a reason, and a team that I believe has a real chance to go on an extended dynastic run here. And so what has this series taught you about the difference between a real championship team like the Nuggets and the Lakers ORG?

Speaker 3389.06s - 597.26s

Well, to me, it's been the killer instinct of the Denver Nuggets ORG. Before the game, I asked Nuggets Head Coach Michael Malone, you've beaten this team 10 straight times. How do you battle the complacency with your group just not thinking we're going to show up and beat this team because we've done it 10 times in a row. And at some point, human nature starts to kick in with a certain level of complacency even in a playoff setting. And he essentially said, you know, as a coach, that is what I have to battle. And the message has been we were down 12 in game one.We were down 20 in game two. We're now on the road. We're facing a hostile crowd. And the Lakers want to beat us after losing 10 straight times. So like the message is don't get off to a slow start. Don't turn the ball over and keep the crowd out of the game.And the Nuggets ORG did none of those things to start that game. The Lakers got off to an 8-0 run. The crowd was as loud as I've heard it all season. It was deafening pitch. And it was the start that the Lakers needed if they were going to win a game against the Nuggets ORG. And lo and behold, in my opinion, Denver ORG had their worst half of the series in that firsthalf of game three, turning the ball over, missing open threes, and really just struggling on both ends. Yet they were only down four. Then they opened the second half with a 24 to 10 run. And to me, this team has just won the mental game against the Lakers ORG. They have gotten stronger in second halfs.They've outscored the Lakers by 31 points through the three third quarters in this series, plus 42 overall in the second half. So we've seen it. The Lakers ORG have thrown their best punch early, and they've gotten out to these double-digit leads. They've led it halftime in all three games.They've let it halftime in seven of the 11 consecutive losses to Denver. And then Denver just half time in all three games. They've let it half time in seven of the 11 consecutive losses to Denver. And then Denver just takes over in the second half. It's the same movie on repeat, but for Denver ORG to have that level of just killer instinct and seriousness and professionalism and lack of complacency to do the same thing over and over again. And regardless of LeBron's getting downhill in transition, 80s cooking them with 14 consecutive made shots in game two.Like they don't care. They run their offense the same way. Everybody is locked in. They play team basketball on both ends. And you don't see guys complaining. You don't see guys pointing figures.You don't see guys going at the refs. And they just play a serious brand of basketball. It reminds me a lot of ways of the San Antonio Spurs. And the way that they built that dynasty of didn't matter who's doing what. Like obviously you had Tim Duncan PERSON as the head of the snake. In this case, it's Nicola Yolkich PERSON.You had Tony Parker and Jamal Murray PERSON is the analog there. But just the level of no matter what's happening, they're never rattled. And that's why you see them close a game to making seven consecutive shots against the Lakers ORG. They are one of the best crunch time teams I've ever seen, period. I think we can talk about where they rank all time. And I think they're higher than I think most people would assume at this point.But to me, the crunch time, the focus and just the mental advantage that they've had on the Lakers through these 11 straight wins, that to me has been what has stood out the most. Yeah, you know, that specific piece about

Speaker 2597.26s - 978.72s

that first half and that being one of the worst halves they've played. I agree as it pertains to their ceiling. but their floor is still so high. And that first half was really a great example in the sense that like, no matter what, whether or not MPJ's hitting the threes he normally hits, or if Jamal Murray PERSON and Nicole Yokic and their kind of decision making is as sharp or as sloppy as sloppy as it can get from time to time.Like, Aaron Gordon is still 610 freaky athletic and working underneath the basket. And so like even though like even if you look within that first half, like the Lakers were sharp in a lot of areas in that first half. But a specific area where they were weak is LeBron James PERSON on the back line was just doing a really poor job of reading, reading that, like there is a read and react with that low man position in the sense that like there,you do have help responsibilities, but you also have Aaron Gordon responsibilities and you kind of have to tow that line between the two. And for the record, in the first two games, I thought LeBron was really good in that role. But I don't know if it was just, I don't know if LeBron lost faith after the collapse in game two. I don't know if it was just literally just a bad night. But literally from the opening tip, he just wasn't as sharp in that specific area. And so like, it's like the Lakers had all these areas kind of tied up in that first half.But that one opening, Aaron Gordon just smashed through and dominated the first half of that game, right? Like there was a, like, Jamal Murray PERSON, even though he was relatively inefficient throughout the series, inefficient throughout the series, he just had these little stretches in each series where he was really good. I thought his shot making was really good in the third quarter of game one. Obviously down the stretch and crunch time of game two. I thought in the second quarter,early second quarter of game three, he just hit a bunch of timely shots, right? And like one of the things with Denver is their floor is so high that like even if you manage to kind of outplay them for stretches, as soon as you dip,and if they just start to gain ground, right? And then honestly, I thought Denver ORG threw a really good punch in that early third quarter stretch, and then you could just literally see the Lakers ORG let go of the rope. And that's where I want to get to the part you talked about with being serious and being professional,because that to me was the biggest thing that stood out to me about this particular matchup. The stuff about floor versus ceiling, that to me is more of a total first round kind of like takeaway. In general, I think we're learning that like players with higher floors are more valuable in the postseason and then players with higher ceilings.KCP doesn't have the ceiling that Delo has, but night in night out in the playoffs, he's just a more impactful player. His floor is higher, right? But as we go to the seriousness, when it comes to the nuggets, they're one of the most important parts about a championship team, in my opinion, is like the discipline and focus on a possession by possession basis by each player within what their job is and what they're expected to do. Aaron Gordon after the game talked about this. Like, I'm just doing what my team needs to win. He dominated that game, not by dominating offensive possessions, not by being this devastating on ball defensive threat that was just putting his offensive player in jail. No, he just,his job within the scheme is to kind of like clean up stuff on the backline offensively and clean up stuff on the back line defensively. And, and And like he just capitalized on what was happening within that game. And he kind of broke through that opening like we talked about, right? He did his job. And within that context, he was the hero of that particular game. But he wasn't trying to be the hero.He's just doing his job. Every single one of these guys has a job. Even Michael Porter Jr. PERSON as gifted as he is offensively, like one of the most important roles he has on this team is he's a dominant rebounder. And that's what, they got 49 points and 25 rebounds out of Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon last night. That'scompletely insane. And when you look over at the Lakers ORG side of it, it's like there's always these random possessions where a random player will just kind of bite off more than he can chew offensively and take an overly difficult shot. There is like 10, 15 possession stretches where they're really laser focused on all the details. And then there's 1015 possession sequences where they're not. It's not a consistent part of their basketball character. And when you talk about professionalism and serious basketball, to me, it's about that possession by possession, do your job every single time. If you see them make amistake or go off script, it's usually like they'll do it once. And then Mike Malone PERSON will lose his mind and yell at them. And then they're right back on track by the next possession. And like that just was not, you know, it ironically, and this is the last thing I'll say about it, it ironically reminded me of just the entire Laker regular season, which was like, if you caught them on the right night and you watch them, you're like, this team has championship potential. Look at how serious these guys are. Look at how focused they are.This is what they're capable of. But then two nights later against Brooklyn ORG, they would just be terrible. You know, like they were never a team that could hold on to the rope consistently, like a real championship team for the entirety of the season. You know what I mean?And so within these games, if you watched a 10-minute sequence, you'd be like, man, the Lakers are right there with Denver ORG, but then eventually they'd let go of the rope and Denver ORG's serious approach would take over. And I think it was really, really informative, not just about what the nuggets are and what makes them so great, but also just like team buildingand coaching and different aspects like that that I think set that they're preventing the Lakers from getting where they need to go. On that note, kind of moving towards the role players, obviously that was the biggest gap in this series. I pulled the numbers last night. I'll pull them up again here in just a second, but it was a complete in total outclassing by the guys down the roster.As a matter of fact, non-Lebron A.D. Lakers had 131 points and 56 rebounds through three games. Non-Murrey Yokic Nuggets had 180 points and 83 rebounds. So what did you learn specifically about the Laker ORG role players in this series? And where do you think they fell short compared to the championship baseline?

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First, to me, the Lakers ORG are just too small. And that was a concern for me entering the season. And I think that has played out specifically in this matchup. If you look at the starting lineups and compare them head to head at each nominal position, the nuggets have the size and physicality advantage at all five spots. Nicola Yolkich is bigger and stronger than Anthony Davis PERSON.Aaron Gordon is bigger and slightly stronger than LeBron James PERSON. They're pretty similar, but he's slightly bigger.

Speaker 21010.06s - 1010.98s

Aaron's about an inch taller.

Speaker 31011.34s - 1056.2s

Yeah, he's about an inch taller. And like, I mean, in terms of who's won the paint battle, uh, battling for rebounds and stuff like Aaron Gordon has dominated that. So, uh, Michael Porter Jr. is not as strong as Rui Hachamora PERSON, but he's taller than him and he has dominated the rebounding battle. You just mentioned it last night. MPJ had 10 rebounds. Rui Hachamora had two and MPJ did play more minutes, but it was about a 10 minute difference.So it wasn't like enough of a difference to warrant the eight rebound gap there. Austin Reeves and KCP ORG are similar sizes, but KCP plays with more verve and physicality and just more athleticism. And then DeAngel Russell versus Jamal Murray PERSON. I think that that one I don't even have to go into, but Jamal PERSON, you know, similar sizes

Speaker 01056.2s - 1134.34s

again, but Jamal PERSON plays with a certain level of toughness and physicality. So like just that's before you've got to get to the bench and like Peyton Watson PERSON, Christian Brown PERSON, these guys are coming in, hounding ball handlers, getting offensive rebounds, blocking shots, finishing and transition. So like I thought the Lakers ORG got dominated from, I mean, we talked about the mental side and clearly Denver ORG has them in a psychological chokehold there.But on the physical side, like Denver ORG is just bigger. They're stronger. They're more athletic. And they use their physicality in a better way. Like I think something that hasn't been talked about enough is Denver's won the free throw battle in two of these three games. And like that's supposed to be one of the few strengths the Lakers had over Denver ORG was they get to the free throw line way more than them.They don't foul as much, obviously. So like the Lakers ORG, I know you've touched on the free throw differential before, but like that is an advantage for the Lakers, you know, based on how they play offensively and how they don't foul. Yeah, Denver's won the free throw battle in two of the three games. They've won the points in the paint battle in two of the three games. So Denver has beaten the Lakers ORG. Like they've played their style of basketball, but they've also beaten the Lakers ORG at their own game.And when the Lakers ORG have played smaller front lines or like-sized front lines, they dominate them. And they kick their ass and they look great. When they play a team that's bigger than them, it's been the opposite.

Speaker 31134.72s - 1210.12s

And I think for me, the fact that Jackson Hayes was a DNP CD in game three just shows like the Lakers ORG never really addressed the backup center spot. Jackson had some nice moments over the last couple months of the season. Christian Wood to me like never really panned out and shot 31% on threes. Had some good moments as like a rebounder and defensively to think about like Kevin Durant against the sons, but like that was the beginning of the season. And you know, I think Christian Wood PERSON overall was a bit of a disappointment.So the fact that the Lakers ORG never really added another big man that was defensive-minded, you know, a clear plus rebounder, a guy who could just innings eat for eight to 15 minutes and spell AD and defend Yokic and give him a few hard foul similar to what Dwight Howard PERSON did in the 2020 series. Like that to me what was a weakness of this roster. and the fact that Rui Hachamora PERSON in an elimination games playing 28 minutes and you're going small with Tori and Prince PERSON at thefour or you're going with these three guard lineups and you're giving up all these offensive rebounds and again just getting physically dominated. Like part of that's on the coaching staff and the way that they're deploying these guys, but part of that is a roster construction issue. So to me, biggest takeaway overall was just too small,but also I think just not good enough.

Speaker 01210.46s - 1215.22s

And if we're ranking the starting lineups in terms of the best players in the series,

Speaker 51215.86s - 1217.6s

like five through seven,

Speaker 01217.76s - 1253.5s

five through eight might be all of the rest of the nuggets starting lineup. And the fact that they arguably have the two best players in the series, depending on, you know, especially in Crunchtime, obviously with Jamal PERSON, but like they have the best player. Jamal has outplayed LeBron and 80 for stretches. And then you have Aaron Gordon, KCP and MPJ all thoroughly outplaying Austin PERSON,Dilo, and Rui PERSON. Like that just can't happen. And I even think the bench outplayed L.A. ORG's bench. Like I think Christian Brown and Payton Watson PERSON have been more impactful than anyone off the Lakers ORG bench just with, again, their defense, the rebounding, their energy, and they're finishing in transition.

Speaker 31253.5s - 1269.44s

So like from top to bottom and then the coaching, the adjustments, like Denver ORG has decisively won this. I think it's even been more of a gap than the scoreboard indicates. So I just think Denver ORG is bigger and they're better. No, I agree.

Speaker 21269.82s - 1618.92s

The piece about the role players off the bench actually like Christian Brown PERSON and Peyton Watson kind of brings me back to that seriousness and professionalism piece. Like those two guys just come in and it's like all we need you to do is be athletic wrecking balls within the context of these specific responsibilities on the floor. Those dudes come in and they buy in and they do it. And so once again, those guys have a certain floor.Like you can expect Christian Brown and Peyton Watson PERSON to have a certain amount of impact just with their athleticism. Whereas it's like, okay, Spencer PERSON didn't what he checked in. It's like, maybe these threes will go in. And we'll see what happens, right? I also, the bit about Jackson Hayes, like in the moment last night, I'm sitting there thinking, like, this to me was one of the fundamental issues with Darwinham during the entire Darwinham experience. And we're going to talk about Darwin in a bigger context later. But he just always defaulted more towards offensive skill and speed and not towards size and athleticism. And I thought last night, when the chips were down, him being like no Jackson PERSON,just a lot more three-guard lineups, was a pretty strong indicator of like Darwin PERSON's kind of basketball philosophy, which I think is flawed. And then also like that within this particular matchup, that was a death wish. And one of the problems too is, you know,the Lakers ORG just their guards weren't playing well. So like you're leaning into guard play when your guards are getting their ass kicked. It didn't make any sense to me in the moment. But, you know, you mentioned size. I agree. I think it's a little deeper than size. And I would just call it like overall physicality in the sense that it's not just height. It's even at these specific positions, these guys play with more force. Like you mentioned KCP versus Austin Reeves PERSON.Like Austin, and we're going to talk about Austin, like I thought Austin and Rui PERSON were trying to do their jobs. I just thought they didn't play well. Like Austin and Rui PERSON both just had nightmare series. I saw that clip of Austin PERSON hugging, um, uh,feel handy and it looked like he said, it's my fault. And like, you could just tell he was heartbroken. And I felt bad for Austin PERSON because like, Austin really defended Jamal Murray well for the first seven quarters ofthis series. And, and I thought he did his job. He just couldn't make shots. And Rui, I thought, was given a really difficult role too to guard Yokic PERSON to start the series. And you could tell that kind of sapped him of his confidence. And then he was just never able toregather it. But like other than those guys, it was a lot of unsurious basketball. But above and beyond that, it was the lack of physical force that they could bring to the table. KCP ORG brings physical force. Aaron Gordon brings physical force. MPJ PERSON with his lengthbrings physical force to the table. Christian Brown PERSON brings physical force. Peyton Watson PERSON brings physical force. Austin PERSON doesn't. That's not in his toolkit. Delo PERSON doesn't.That's not in his toolkit. Rui PERSON does, but they stuck him consistently in matchups in this series where he couldn't, you know,because they were using, they were basically using him to eat up minutes, right, on, on Yokic PERSON for about half the series to this point.But like, Spencer Dinwiddie PERSON is probably the best athlete of the role players, and he's not a very good athlete, right? Gabe Vincent PERSON has a certain force that he brings, but he's just small, you know?And so, like, that, that to me was the big thing that stood out. It just is, like, down the roster, there's just not enough physical force. And when you go back and you look at the 2020 Lakers ORG, that was a huge element of what made them great. Alex Caruso, Contavis Caldwell Pope, Dwight Howard, Kyle Kuzma PERSON. That was a huge part of what made them great. Even Danny Green, he wasius Caldwell Pope, Dwight Howard, Kyle Kuzma PERSON, that was a huge part of what made them great. Even Danny Green. He was just a big, strong two guard, right? And, you know,honestly, it was funny when I was looking back, when I look back at kind of the last few years, even if you just erase one singular mistake, like, there was a lot of panic trades and stupid stuff that happened over the last couple of years. But if they had just held on to Caruso, if they had just held on to Caruso, which by the way, wouldn't have cost you any asset or anything, it would have just cost money at a Jeannie Bus's PERSON pocket. A lot of money because of the luxury tax, but money. And money that probably she would have recouped through the success of the team, in my opinion.money that probably she would have recouped through the success of the team, in my opinion. So if they just had Caruso and you're looking at Austin Alex as your back court instead of Austin Dilo PERSON, fundamentally changes the athletic profile of the team, slots everybody into easier roles defensively. Now instead of Austin have to chase around to Jamal Murray, it's Alex Crusoe chasing around Jamal Murray. And instead of Dilo and him, you know, space cadet trying to chase around KCP ORG, it's Alex, or excuse me, it's Austin Reeves, who's a very focused defender who would be guarding KCP ORG. And then everything makes so much more sense.And so I, you know, there's a lot, there's a lot to dig into with eulogy here. But like that, that piece, that piece about physical force off the ball, especially within the context of the physicality of the postseason shines through. We are welcoming a new show to IHeart and the Draft King's ORG YouTube channel. It is called Point Game with John Wall and C.J. Toledana PERSON. It is an insider's look at the NBA ORG and the culture surrounding the league.Every week, the five-time All-Star and number one pick in the 2010 NBA ORG draft, John Wall will give his unique perspective on the hottest topics in the league and tell the best behind-the-scenes stories from his time in the NBA ORG. CJ PERSON will bring his A-list comedian buddies to keep it light and fire off some hoops takes. Plus, John will be inviting current and former NBA ORG players, friends, and teammates, to join the show as well to give their unfiltered accounts of what really goes on in the league from a player's perspective.So check out Point Game with John Wall and C.J. Toledano on the Iheart Radio app, the Draft King's ORG YouTube channel, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Speaker 11619.92s - 1648.88s

Allstate ORG wants to remind fans that mayhem is everywhere. Like at your pre-game barbecue, while you prep your meats, that grease trap you forgot tohem is everywhere, like at your pregame barbecue. While you prep your meats, that grease trap you forgot to empty is prepping to smoke your porch, garage, and the car inside. And without the right home and auto insurance coverage, the cost to repair this could eat up your savings. So bundle home and auto with Allstate ORG to save and get protected from mayhem like this. Bundled savings variant are not available in every state.Coverage is subject to policy terms and conditions.

Speaker 21652.16s - 1652.46s

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everyone has the option to talk to a real person any time, day or night. Yeah, you heard that right. You can talk to a real human and customer service anytime. Sounds like a real game changer if you ask us. Make the right call and get the service you deserve with Discover ORG. Limitations apply.See terms at Discover.com ORG slash credit card. What did you make of Deelow's night last night? Where are you at with Delo PERSON as a player? And where do you think the team and the organization is at with Delo PERSON right now? I mean, I just don't know how you can move as a player and where do you think the team and the organization is at with Delo PERSON right now?

Speaker 31693.72s - 1909.68s

I mean, I just don't know how you can move forward with Delo PERSON on this roster if you consider yourself a serious championship contender or at least have serious championship aspirations because this is now two out of the three games in this series where he's been harmful. And I think he was actually probably more harmful in game one because he was taking possessions away from LeBron and AD PERSON and to me calling his own number a little bit too frequently. And, you know, did have a poor shooting night. But I thought more so I thought inside the arc this series, he what was oddly, you know, kind of calling it like looking for those little mid-range pull-ups and stepbacks and fadeaways that he never was able to create separation with.So they always ended up being either, you know, contests from the front side or rearview contests where a KCP, a Christian Brown, a Peyton Watson PERSON were able to stick with him, slither around the pick and roll, and then bother him from behind. So I thought like the three point shooting is what it is. Like he got a bunch of good looks, didn't convert. But to me, him kind of calling his own number in the pick and roll, what was ultimately harmful. And he just was never able to create the separation necessary to make those shots. Because to me, Dilo PERSON is a guy who does need a level of separation.And if you can get into his airspace, you are going to bother him, as we've seen in this series. But to me, it's been six of the seven games in the last two playoff series against Denver ORG. Like he was, I mean, go back and look at the Western Commons ORG finals. He was bad in all four games he's been bad in two of the three games got bench last night there was the video clip of him off to the side of the huddle he does do that sometimes but I think optically that was a terrible time to do thatand he just looked incredibly disengaged at that point he ducked out on media last night we requested him he declined to speak he also declined a couple times in the Western Conference finals, declined at times earlier this season. So like when he's not playing well and things aren't going well, he kind of ducks out. And I think that just that and the like, you know, and he's not like we talked about, you're, you just mentioned Austin and Rui PERSON and how those guys just had tough series. Like, but they were still trying and trying to do their job and being competitive. And I look at Austin of like how much has defending Jamal Murray and chasing him around screens and getting smacked by Nicola Yokic PERSON in screens.Like how much has that sapped his legs and affected him? And I think Austin PERSON, he's had a couple games, a couple good rebounding games. He's been competitive defensively. And I think even though he's missed shots, he's brought the requisite competitiveness and spirit. That has not been the case with Delo PERSON.And you've seen him shrink, I think, in both game one and game three. And even in game two, I thought he got off to a hot start. Obviously had the six threes in the first half ends up making seven, but had a very quiet second half and rest of the way. So I just, I think this is exposed a bit of the ceiling on the Austin Delo ORG pairing. I think those two probably have to be split up as we had kind of talked about at times this season. I don't think you can have those two be your back court.I think a guy like an Alex Caruso PERSON or someone with a bit more force and maybe a bit more defense would fit better next to an Austin PERSON. But to me, like you and I talked about this. I will read through the comments on our videos. And sometimes there are people going at us for you guys don't like Delo Delo is clearly the third best playerI don't want to hear that anymore.

Speaker 21910.06s - 2061.7s

Delo is not the third best player. Just get the fuck out of here with that. Austin Reeves PERSON is better than him. He's a better playoff performer than him and it's not to make it in Austin Delo ORG thing. It's just that there was a reasonwhy we were talking about the Lakers ORG trading him. There's a reason why the Lakers were strongly considering trading him for most of the season. So in terms of where they go from here, Dilo has an $18.7 million player option. I think he's cost himself money with this series. I think, like, you can still make the case.He's a $20 to $25 million a year player. I don't know if that is a $20 to $25 million player on a good team, on a contending team. I don't think it is. But if you're a lottery team or a team looking to kind of take the next step into maybe we're a 9, 10 seed and we want to be like a 7.8 seed,I think Dela PERSON makes sense for you. So I would not be surprised if he still has a competitive market this summer. But if you're the Lakers ORG and you are serious about trying to win a championship, I do not see how you can make any reasonable argument to bring back DeAngelo Russell. When you know Denver ORG's not going anywhere, they're going to be here for the next three to four years and you're going to have to go through them to win a championship. And I just don't think he can play in a seriesagainst Denver ORG, which is really like a conference finals final series. I think he's fine. First round, second round against normal teams. Even then, he's a bit of up and down. But against serious high level conference finals, finals teams, I don't think you can play him. And that's a problem for a guy that the Lakers have been kind of billing as their third guy.And he's just completely shrunk. And this is honestly that's surprising. We saw it last year. We've seen it at times with him in the playoffs. And I think the Lakers ORG, whether it's a sign and trade, whether it's letting him walk or whether it's he opts in and trading him.Like, I think you have to move on. It's just a matter of how that happens and when it happens. Yeah, you know, when it comes to DeLo, I think that I think you and I both were aware of this going in into the postseason. If you go back to the trade deadline, you and I both talked about, like, we already know that this Austin D-Lo ORG pairing has a certain ceiling to it. And by the way, going into the season, going into the regular season, you and I were like, Lakers are a second-tier championship contender. And if they make a trade to address the Austin Dilo PERSON pairing,which we knew was flawed after the Denver series last year, then they might be able to enter into that top tier. If they were to get a Bruce Brown PERSON, if they were to get a Dejante Murray PERSON, a real athletic two-way player at that two-guard position, right? Like, how much better would DeJante Murray have been in this series

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for the Lakers ORG to try to hang? Just think about what we watched over the last three games and replace DeLoh with DeJante Murray and just imagine how different the series looks. It's very, very different on so many different levels, right? Not only does Dejante guard Jamal Murray PERSON, the whole series, he's a guy that brings dribble penetration, which would have helped a lot within thesehalf court kind of slow down environments. The two-man game that him and LeBron PERSON could have had in a lot of these situations, it would have been really effective. Right now, here's the thing. I'm not talking about

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the deadline per se, because here's the thing. I think the Lakers went after DeJante and couldn't get him. So I'm not trying to criticize the front office in that specific context. My point is we knew Austin D.Lo had a ceiling and we knew that if they could have upgraded DLo PRODUCT, they would have been better off. They couldn't because of just the landscape and the, I don't think they could have gotten Bruce Brown either just by virtue of the price tag on all this stuff. So you and I kind of went intothis postseason knowing like, like they got their punchers chance if you happen to get a really hot DELilo PRODUCT performance, but there's not really much there. And like what's really stood out to me with Dilo PERSON is he took his humiliation at the hands of Bruce Brown last year and he took it into the offseason and worked on his ceiling. I think he worked on his jump shot.He worked on some of his pick and roll playmaking stuff. And he definitely won up a level this year. DeLo played the best basketball of his career in the springtime. There's no doubt. But he never addressed his floor. And this is where I think the criticism is fair,because Deelow PERSON talked a big game. Not only in this series, did he say after game two that he thought that they were still going to win. But if we go back a few months after a big night, he talked about how he wanted all the smoke. Straight upset it.He said he wanted all the smoke. Go back to the beginning of the season. He was in the training camp pressers, the media day interview saying, the guy I want to emulate is Derek White PERSON. He's the guy I want to be like. No, you don't.Derek White PERSON didn't put in work to address his own individual ceiling. Derek White's PERSON floor is what makes him great. It's all about his focus and attention to detail in the margins of the game, not how good he is running a pick and roll or how good he is attacking closeouts or hitting spot-up threes. That's not what made Derek White PERSON great.And so Delo PERSON talked about all this stuff, but it's abundantly clear with what happened that he doesn't actually get it. And because he leaned into his ceiling, there was a certain volatility with him. And it's interesting because if you actually go back, the Lakers ORG have played a bunch of big games in a row.They've played seven massive regular season games, or eight massive games in a row, right? You have the Golden State ORG game. Deelow was abysmal? You have the Golden State game. Dilo PERSON was abysmal. You have the Minnesota ORG game. Dilo PERSON was abysmal.Those were really important games. If you win one of those games, you're the sixth seed, and you're playing Minnesota ORG right now, and I would have picked the Lakers to beat Minnesota ORG. You win one of those games.Instead, you get two stinkers. He doesn't play well, right? Plays really well against the pelicans NORP in both games, right? We can agree on that. Then he's abysmal in game one, pretty good in game two, abysmal in game three. So like four times in this last seven game stretch where they were playing all of thesemonumentally important games, he was not just bad, but like damaging bad. And that's the problem is it's not the ceiling. We all know what DeLo's ceiling is. His floor is just so incredibly low. And when we talk about the off season, I actually disagree with you as it pertains to him being a $20, $25 million player.Maybe I'll be wrong. And maybe it'll be a bad team that swoops in and offers him some money. I do think he has some value as a regular season skill guard. A lot of value as a regular season skill guard. I think you can probably bank on 50 pretty good games out of him. And that's going to give you a chance to hold some ground in the standings.But like when I really look at an NBA ORG team looking at skill guards that are not necessarily guys that you're going to lean on in your closing five in a big playoff game. The market last year for that type of player, that was kind of the Gabe Vincent Dennis Schroeder PERSON tier, right? And those guys were making the mid-level exception. That's what they were making. And so here's the thing. I think if Delo if Dilo PERSON opts out, right now, I think he's on the books for 19 million next year, like 18 and a half million next year. So like,

Speaker 32330.02s - 2334.24s

point seven, yeah. Yeah. So like if some team offers him three years for 36 or two years for

Speaker 22334.24s - 2698.74s

25 or something like two years for 24, whatever it is that the MLE ORG, I think, I think that'll be a deal that he potentially looks to take because I think after next year, it's possible that he enters into the veteran minimum contract territory, like with some of his limitation, right? right? But like, I don't know that he'll get 20 to 25. Maybe he will. But like if I'm, if I'm looking at DeLo as an asset league wide next year, I'm looking at him as a sixth man, a guy that is clearly not in my top five so that I know that when push comes to shove, I'm closing with my closing group. but I can make some night to night calls with him with his minutes based on whether or not he'sengaged in hitting shots. And more importantly, I'm using him as a regular season innings eater. So I think there's some value there. But yeah, I don't, I don't, I think I agree with you entirely. If you're a serious basketball team, you cannot, you cannot have this guy in your top five players. You just can't. Like, it's just,he doesn't get it. He doesn't get it. And like, I thought the best example of that was him talking about Derek White before the season as his own little player comp. And then his lack of attention to detail in the margins of the gameduring this postseason run. Like, I think it's been, it could not be more stark the difference between what he's actually doing on the floor and the game that he talks. And I think that that goes to show you that there's actually a disconnect mentally between where DeLo needs to improve and where Deelow PERSON thinks he needs to improve.And I think those are going to be areas that kind of hold him back. Moving on to the off season. So obviously the Lakers ORG have a lot of questions to address. I want to start with Darwin PERSON. So here's the thing. I don't think Darwin is responsible for the Lakers losing to Denver ORG.I do think he's responsible for the Lakers having ended up as the seven seed. I've said this on the record, but like I think his mistakes with the rotation in late December and early January probably cost the Lakers three, four games in the standings. Even if it's just two or three games, you're out of the plane. So like, I think they would have been in that Clippers, Mavs, Sons, Wolves kind of tier there in the, or I should say, Clipper Sons Mavs tier in that four through six range, right? And I think, I think that that is fair criticism of Darwin PERSON. I think the reason they lost to Denver ORG is Denver's a better basketball team. That said, I do think you saw some of the,the jarring elements of Darwin PERSON kind of being in over his head in this series. I think example number one, Mike Malone PERSON, super active coaching on the sidelines. Accountability with his players, every time someone makes a mistake, he's screaming at him, he's yelling, there's accountability, there's active coaching on the sidelines. Darwin PERSON is very much passive, staying in their hands in his pockets. He's very much like a positive kind of motivator type of guy, right?Which, by the way, just you, there's a certain intensity and verve that you're expecting from the players. And I think it makes sense that the coach kind of matches that. Watch Eric Spolster PERSON on the sideline. How is he coaching? How animated is he?Watch Greg Popovich on the sideline. How animated is he? Watch, you know, Tyrone Lou PERSON on the side line. Watch these guys on the sideline. And you'll see the difference in just their overall level of engagement with the team compared to what Darwin PERSON brings. Secondly, just a basketball ideology that doesn't match your personnel.I'm a big believer in like a coach has to be very careful with his individual ideologies inflicting them on a roster if the roster's not capable of it. So for instance, Darwin PERSON's kind of obsession with speed, quickness, and skill at the guard position and kind of leaning into that. That's not the strength of this roster. They do not have a guard core that is particularly fast, that is particularly good defensively, and that is star caliber and offensive creation.And so all you're really doing is playing a bunch of small guys that can't defend and can't score. And he had athletes on the roster. He had options that he could go there. One of the biggest strengths of this Laker ORG roster, they got some big athletes. Rui, LeBron, AD, Jackson, Hayes PERSON.He could have leaned into those lineups as much as possible. And I thought him kind of leaning into, again, we always talk about adversity brings out the true nature of who you are as a person. And like here we were game three. All the chips are down. And he benched Jackson PERSON and he played a bunch of three guard lineup. So that's a pretty strong indicator of where he's at there. And then lastly, like, I thought, I thought, and you know, you and I were talking about this a little bit before we started recording today. But like, yeah, it was it was bullshit that when AD PERSON made acomment that was clearly in a AD PERSON made a comment that was clearly in a moment of frustration, that was clearly not aimed at anybody in particular. I thought it was just like a, I thought the comment about us not knowing what we're doing on either end of the floor, I thought it was more directed at like some of the role players and like just them going off script and not sticking to the game plan and not doing their jobs. And yeah, I'm sure there was some criticism levied towards Darwin PERSON there.I thought it was just kind of like a general frustration with not being a serious basketball team. Because like LeBron said after the game last night, LeBron and AD PERSON know they've won together. They know what it's like to be a serious team and to make a deep run. And so they are frustrated because they know this team doesn't have it. And then for Darwin to come out in the, what was it, the shoot around yesterday, and then to basically be like, yeah, we're going to agree to disagree on that.And we take great pride. And like basically cover his ass rather than just simply saying like, yeah, he's pissed off. I'm pissed off too, which would have been a perfectly normal response there. And so I don't blame Darwin PERSON for the Lakers losing to the Nuggets ORG. That said, I don't think he's a championship level coach. And so I do think the Lakers are going to have to address that in this offseason.They're going to have to make a move in that specific area. Where do you think the Lakers are going to have to address that in this offseason. They're going to have to make a move in that specific area. Where do you think the organization is right now in terms of the coaching situation? Is there some internal frustration? Yeah, they are frustrated and

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disappointed with how this series has gone and with how this season has gone, I think there has been an acknowledgement that Denver ORG is just a better team, and this is a bad matchup for the Lakers ORG, but to your point that they shouldn't have even been in this position in the first place, and the fact that they finished as a seven seed and had to play Denver in the first round was a reflection of mistakes earlier in the season. And I go back to early Januarywhen the Lakers lost four consecutive games and I had the report with Shams Sharaniah PERSON of the Athletic and I came on this show and we talked about it of the disconnect within the locker room between the players and the coaching staff and the frustration with lineups and rotations and just the identity of the team not necessarilyaligning with the player's strengths and those are all things you just hit on and those are all things that never won away like they got better for periods I think winning can paper over some frustrations and some disagreements internally. And that's why you'll see Kobe and Shaq PERSON can not get along, but they are so talented and Phil Jackson PERSON is such a great coach and like they had the right role players where you can still win championships despite not being on the same page and having internal discord.But that only covers you for so long when you run into a team that is better than you and is embarrassing you. And really, like, the Lakers have been embarrassed in this matchup with Denver ORG. I think, like, it's not just losing 11 straight games, but it's losing them the manner in which they lose them. It's completely falling apart in second halves.And I don't think that's on Darwin PERSON. And I don't think people are putting that entirely on Darwin PERSON. But I have heard conversations with people, once again, referencing the three guard lineups or Tori and Prince at the four and just them not lead. Like there had been a shift in early February where they went back. They started Rui, they started leaning into the bigger lineups because all year, the lineup data has said, if you go big with the front court, the Lakers win those minutes.

Speaker 22831.08s - 2877.42s

The data was undeniable. It's undeniable. Like it's, and it's facts over feelings, right? Like that's, that's been the motto of the last couple of years. It's facts over feelings. And the facts have been there.And the facts have been, Lakers ORG play bigger. They are better. Lakers ORG play smaller. They are worse. Yet, as you've said, in big moments this season, even going back to parts of the Pelicansgames in the regular season finale and the playing matchup, they've gone small. And it just like there's clearly been a lack of trust for Jackson PERSON, for, I think for Rui PERSON, like I know Rui did nothave a good game last night, but Rui PERSON should not have played 28 minutes. Like there's no, in my opinion, credible argument for playing Rui 28 minutes in an elimination game or essentially elimination game when the two alternatives are playing Jackson PERSON, who's

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worse and they just didn't even play him, or just going super small with more Torian PERSON and more three-guard lineups. And like that just, it doesn't work against the Denver Nuggets ORG. Like we already went through the head-to-head matchups of how they are smaller and less physical and less forceful at each position. And then playing smaller leans into that even more.So I think, you know, I would not put this loss on him per se, but I think this loss has revealed some of his stubbornness and some of his weaknesses as a coach. And from my understanding, whether it's, I think the series is likely over in four or fivegames and I would probably lean toward four. Lakers are going to have some reevaluating to do in the next few days in terms of the direction of the franchise. You know, can Darwin PERSON lead them to the next level? And because again, as I just said in the DeLo segment, like the Denver Noggets ORG aren't going anywhere.If the Lakers want to win a championship and who knows how much longer they have with LeBron PERSON, could be a year, it could be two years, could be three years. Who knows? Could be zero year. He could leave this summer. Like if they want to win a championship and are serious about that with LeBron and AD PERSON,I think they have to look at the future of, you know, Delo, Darvin PERSON, and really just some of the peripheral pieces here. So, you know, from my understanding, they are going to be re-evaluating things in the next few days, looking at where this season went wrong, where this series went wrong, and then having to make potentially some tough decisions.

Speaker 22966.18s - 3012.64s

We are welcoming a new show to IHeart and the Draft King's ORG YouTube channel. It is called Point Game with John Wall and C.J. Toledana PERSON. It is an insider's look at the NBA and the culture surrounding the league.Every week, the five-time All-Star and number one pick in the 2010 NBA ORG draft, John Wall will give his unique perspective on the hottest topics in the league and tell the best behind-the-scenes stories from his time in the NBA ORG. CJ PERSON will bring his A-list comedian buddies to keep it light and fire off some hoops takes.Plus, John will be inviting current and former NBA ORG players, friends, and teammates, to join the show as well to give their unfiltered accounts of what really goes on in the league from a player's perspective. So check out point game with John Wall and C.J. Toledano on the Iheart radio app, the Draft King's ORG YouTube channel, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Speaker 13013.64s - 3042.14s

Allstate ORG wants to remind fans that mayhem is everywhere. Like at your pre-game barbecue, while you prep your meats, that grease trap you forgot to empty is prepping to smoke your porch, garage, and the car inside. And without the right home and auto insurance coverage, the cost to repair this could eat up your savings. So bundle home and auto with all state to save and get protected from mayhem like this. Bundled savings variant are not available in every state.Coverage is subject to policy terms and conditions.

Speaker 23042.58s - 3116.3s

Looking for an assist with your credit card but can't get a hold of anyone? Luckily, with 24-7 U.S.-based live customer service from Discover ORG, everyone has the option to talk to a real person any time, day or night. Yeah, you heard that right. You can talk to a real human in customer service anytime. Sounds like a real game changer if you ask us.Make the right call and get the service you deserve with Discover ORG. Limitations apply. See terms at discover.com slash credit card. Yeah, you know, the Tori and Prince PERSON piece to me is the kind of like the bellwether for where this team could have gone in terms of an identity. You mentioned the size was the primary source of success for this lineup all year long, right? Torian Prince at the four next to three guards versus Tori and Prince at the two,which was always a look they could have gone to. Like, DeLo is not playing well. You could literally go A.D. LeBron Rui, who Rui can play in the five out. Tori and Prince PERSON, who, here's the thing, I think Torian Prince all season has been more like the seventh or eighth best player on the team, but within the context of this series, he was the most confident and successful bench player.

Speaker 33122.08s - 3159.84s

So like, you make a read within this context of these first two games going into game three, and it's like, okay, Torian PERSON's my one guy off the bench that's like really playing confidently and well when he comes into the game. So like if Delo's not playing well, like I would have just slotted Torian at the two. I would have gone with Austin and Torian with Rui, LeBron, and AD PERSON. That lineup hasn't played a single minute in this series. So like that, that by the way has been your five best players within this series.Like Torian's not one of your five best players, but within this series, that's your five best players. They never saw the floor. But it's because of a basketball philosophy that Darwin PERSON was trying to inflict on his roster rather than trying to cater a basketball philosophy to the strengths of his roster.

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And again, like, it's not about blaming him necessarily. It's more just about acknowledging the reality that like if you're going to continue to try to win with the LeBron and AD PERSON build, he's not up to the challenge. And they're going to have to address that in this offseason. So before we get into, we're going to do a little brief chat about the off season, then we're going to get out of here.Before we actually get into the off season, though, what is your sense behind the scenes as to where ownership in the front office is with the LeBron and AD PERSON core? Do they view this year? Because like, here's the thing. I thought last year, LeBron and AD got soundly outplayed by Yokic and Murray PERSON, and that was the major difference, right?This year, AD has gone toe to toe with Yokic PERSON. And LeBron PERSON, like, I think, because Murray hasn't shot well, and LeBron has had some bad stretches too. I think LeBron and Murray PERSON have been more or less the same. You know, Murray obviously hit the biggest shot of the series in game two, but LeBron was incredible down the stretch of that game.So like, it certainly wasn't LeBron PERSON's fault that they lost that game, right? So like, I view the star matchup is relatively even in this series so far through three games. It's been the role players that have gotten, you know, demolished. So where is the Laker ORG front office and ownership group in your opinion in terms of their optimism around giving another shot to the LeBron and AD Corps ORG?

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For my understanding, that is the plan. They want to keep LeBron James PERSON and sign him either re-sign. He is the option to either opt out and resign or he can extend. So that is still their goal moving forward in terms of having LeBron for at least another two years, maybe three years, and going forward with this LeBron 80 core. But from my understanding, it's been similar to the approach at the trade deadline in terms of you have three paths. You can run it back and keep largely the same group together, which I think would be a mistake based on howthis series has gone and really how the season has gone overall. Two is you can do a like small to medium upgrade in terms of maybe that's flipping D-Lo with a pick or two picks for a first, you know, a starting, you know, lineup upgrade and maybe you bring in a, you know, Brus upgrade and maybe you bring in a, you know, bruso type,not necessarily Caruso PERSON, but maybe Caruso PERSON. But like, you do more of like a marginal upgrade in terms of, you add a new starter and maybe like a key bench guy. And you sort of run it back,but you are making a couple of upgrades. And then path number three is let's go star hunting and let's go get a Tray Young PERSON. Let's see it happens with Donovan Mitchell and Cleveland ORG. It looks like they're going to make at least the conference semifinals, but there's been a lot of buzz about him not staying in Cleveland ORG. And then what happens with Dallas and the Clippers and does Dallas lose in the first round? And now you know, we've talked about it before, but like do they go in a different directionand pivot away from Kyrie and Luca PERSON as a pairing? And then there will likely be other stars that potentially come available. Like, and I think Mikhail Bridges is an interesting name of like what, what direction is Brooklyn ORG going in. And he's kind of in between path number two and path number three but for the most part like those are the three directions that for myunderstanding the Lakers ORG are weighing it sounded more recently like they are in between path number one and path number two and we're we're trying to lean away from the three star build although there's been a lot of Trey Young PERSON buzz with them. But I don't see how you can do path number one. I don't see how you can run this back. If you run this back, you are once again a Denver ORG matchup away from just losingwhenever you face them. Like this team is not, if Rui, Delo, Austin PERSON, they can all come back better. And I still don't think they could beat Denver ORG. And even if you add like a back better. And I still don't think they could beat Denver. And even if you add a better bench player, I still don't think you can beat Denver ORG. So I think it's between path number two and path number three. If I had to pick one, I would probably lean more toward the marginal upgrade.And that likely being Dilo and Rui PERSON potentially moving, those are the most movable contracts that they have. I think they're going to try and keep Austin PERSON. But again, they're in a tough spot because on top, like, Delo PERSON's got a player option. Cam Reddish, Christian Wood and Jackson Hayes PERSON all have player options. I think you can argue that they're still all minimum players.Like maybe Jackson PERSON has outplayed it to like a mini mid-level, you know, four to five million dollar player. But I'm not even sold on that. He just was a DNP CD in a playoff game. Christian Wood and Camp Reddish PERSON, I think, are both clearly minimum guys. So, like, those guys are probably opting in.Max Christie PERSON's a restricted free agent. So, like, the Lakers ORG already have a bunch of money committed to the core of this group, LeBron, 80, Austin, Rui, Vando, Gabe Vincent PERSON. Then you add in some of these guys that can opt in and like they're kind of limited in terms of what they could do in free agency and then when it comes to trading it's going to have to be delo ruy uh maybe austin ORG depending on who's involved but they'rekind of limited in in terms of like what they can actually do so while i think they'd love to do path number two or path number three uh it ultimately might come down to like how the trade market plays out, how free agency plays out, and some factors that are ultimately out of their control. Yeah, I think it comes down to it's got

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to be a two way offensive player rather than just an offensive player. So like I, I think they definitely need a high level offensive player because LeBron and AD during the regular season just don't have the ability to put the foot down to the pedal and impact the game athletically for 82 the way that they used to offensively. I obviously am such a huge believer in those two in the context of the playoffs, but within the regular season, 82, they need to get a high level offensive player. But to me, the perfect kind of line of delineation in terms of this archetype is likethe Trey Young versus DeJante Murray type of thing. And I'm not saying that those two players are the only options as you just laid out so many good options. But like, Trey Young PERSON is a player that has a significantly higher offensive ceiling than DeJante Murray. But DeJante Murray, like, no doubt within thecontext of a LeBron PERSON and AD pairing is going to be a more impactful playoff player and a more useful playoff player with a higher floor, right? And so that's kind of what I look at. Like, that's why I like the idea of a, Mikhail Bridges. That is an, that is a, an athlete that can really impact the game with a high floor, but that also has the ability to run action and be a useful, a guy that could run two-man game with LeBron PERSON, and that sort of thing. There's a lot of different upside to that type of pairing, right?So, like, I think that's going to be the key for them is I think they need to target a, a legitimate two-way player to put in that, in that two or three spot, which is something we've been talking about all day in here, really, but like I'm a big believer in Austin PERSON. I think a big part of what led to Austin's poor offensive series was the fact that last year in the postseason, it was Dennis Schroeder that was taking most of the high leverage defensive assignments. And Austin PERSON was able to focus his energyand his best skill, which is, you know, being an offensive skill guard, right? And this year, that's not the case. And to his credit, I think he actually was a really useful perimeter defender for the Lakers of the last couple of years. And I think that will serve him well in lower leverage assignments throughout the rest of his career. But you got to find a way to free him up to focus on the offensive end. And the only way you're going to do that is if you bring in a real high leverage athlete at the two and the three. I likeRui at the three in the sense that like it does bring a big physical imposition to the game, but there's something to be said about having two forwards like LeBron and Rui PERSON that aren't necessarily great screen navigators or that can move their feet on the perimeter. And so that to me is going to be like the area of opportunity, essentially turning Delo and Rui PERSON into more compatible, compatible players at that position.Dejante Murray is a player that I'd really like for them to take another look at. I know that the Hawks are going to be considering blowing up things this summer. I just think he could be relatively affordable compared to some of the other options out there. Obviously, Donovan Mitchell PERSON would be a home run. If you get Donovan Mitchell PERSON, you're celebrating for a long time after that. But I just think that there's going to be a big market for him.And like the idea of maybe three first round picks and filler, I don't think necessarily is going to be able to compete with some of the other offers that are out there, especially when there's so many teams that feel like they're close, right? But we'll see. Like you said, there's so many things that feel like they're close, right? But we'll see. Like you said, there's so many things that can happen over the next month.Like the suns could have a catastrophe. The maps could have a catastrophe. The bucks could have a catastrophe. Like there's so many different negative things that could happen over the next month and that's going to color what ends up being the strategy. Our last note, before we get out of here,do you think there's any chance that LeBron James looks another direction this offseason? I think there's always a chance.

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So I would say there's a small chance, but everything I've heard has been that LeBron PERSON wants to remain a Laker and that the Laker ORGs want him to remain a Laker, and that's why they're willing to pay and commit two to three year deal or two to three year extension for 50 plus million dollars annually to keep LeBron PERSON despite not knowing. Like we're in uncharted territory with LeBron PERSON.Like it's going to be year 22, year 23, year 24, depending on how long he resigns. And like, we've seen even Hall of Fame top 10, top 20 level guys at some point later in your career, there's the off season that you just fall off randomly. And I think based on LeBron PERSON's track record, that's not going to happen. And he's likely going to go out on a high note. And whenever he decides to retire, it'll just be he's still a really good basketball player and maybe not quite top five or top 10 or whatever. But it'll still be a high level, star level basketball player.But within that, like the Lakers ORG are willing to commit to that. So I think the thing with LeBron PERSON is going to be, and we've touched on this before, but if he's had his way, I think this team would have a third star, whether it was last season or this season. He was a big proponent for Kyrie Irving PERSON. I was told he was a proponent for DeJante Murray and Zach Levine earlier in the season.So he's clearly on some level wanted a third star and that third player who could help alleviate some of the offensive burden, you know, a player that similar to what you were just talking about. So I wonder like now that he has some of the power back in terms of he has a say on his future and the direction of the Lakers ORG.Like how much does he yield that? Right. And if we see, uh, the team make a change at the coaching position and then go get a third star, I think it's kind of showing like, like LeBron PERSON, uh, like the power is sort of back.

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And that he is, uh is in influential force in terms of

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the direction of the team.

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And it's sort of like what we've done the last couple years has not worked. And yes, we made the conference finals. And that was a nice run. And we had a nice turnaround this year. But like we have not been at a championship level. And with LeBron PERSON historically, when he doesn't feel like his team is at a championshiplevel, he wants wholesale changes. And more often than not, it has worked, right? He's won a championship everywhere he's been. But I think for the Lakers ORG, it's again, kind of, you know, I'm just interested to see how much they actually allow him to yield that this offseason. If it is a power struggle at all, maybe it won't be. Maybe it's as simple as if you're willing to resign or extend, we will do XYZ to keep you happy. And we know the Lakers ORG are a franchise that prides itself on keeping their stars happy and being partners with their stars. But I don't think that has necessarily been the case in terms of like personnelmoves as much the last couple of years. And I think if you start to see the team go in a different direction, maybe a more drastic direction, that to me is a sign that he is more so getting what he's wanted compared to the last couple of years. So I think he now has some leverage over the Lakers ORG that he did not have at the trade deadline. He did not have last year. And I'm interested to see just how all that shakes out because it's, uh,it has been too like I don't think they've always seen eye to eye. I'll just say over the last couple of years. And now that he has some of the power back, I, I want to see how that all plays out.

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Yes, selfishly as a LeBron PERSON fan, I want him to leave mainly just because I feel like the Lakers ORG have let him down in a big way. I understand that he pushed for the Russell Westbrook PERSON trade, but it didn't take a basketball savant to realize that was a bad idea in the moment. You know, like I can't think of a trade that was more universally panned at the moment and then immediately ended up being a disaster. Like from game one of that season, you were like, oh, no.

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I think they're still paying for it right now.

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All of this has been compounding mistakes since the Russell Westbrook PERSON trade.

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We talked about a small mistake that could have been undone,

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that could have saved some of this heartache in the Alex Caruso PERSON situation.

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But there's no doubt if you're pointing to one singular incident that was the downfall of the Los Angeles Lakers ORG, it was the Russell Westbrook trade. Not Russell Westbrook PERSON. I mean, Russell Westbrook was always Russell Westbrook and that evidence was there. And so I don't necessarily blame him for coming into the Lakers ORG and being Russell Westbrook PERSON and it being a bad idea, right? Like, that was on the, like, there's just no universe where any serious front office would have watched film of Russell Westbrook PERSON and been like, this is a good idea,let's do this. Like, there's just, there's just no universe where that would have, that would have been the case. So like, when you get, when you're giving up a draft asset, you're like, if I remember correctly, the buddy healed trade was, I want to say, Coosma, Harrell and a pick. So they would have kept KCP ORG. Yeah, they would have kept KCP.

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It would have been a substantially better. And Kuzma, by the way, kind of like Rui PERSON, was a redundancy with LeBron PERSON. And so there was some concern as to whether or not that was really a good fit to begin with. But like pivoting to Russ, which forced them to include KCP ORG, that was really the downfall of everything.

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And, you know, between that, between letting Caruso go, between signing Tailing Horton Tucker PERSON, which, by the way, I had no real problem with signing Tailing Horton Tucker PERSON. It was signing Taylor and Horton Tucker without retaining Alex Caruso that I thought was a disaster. Between all the mistakes that Magic Johnson PERSON made in the early phase of his president of basketball operations kind of stint there, like this was a team that should have been a conference finalist year and year out for a four year period. And instead, they got one additional conference finals trip off the tail of an incredibledefensive run from Anthony Davis PERSON, right? And so it just kind of felt like a waste. So part of me wishes LeBron PERSON would leave just because I want to see him play in a competent environment and give it a real shot. But I agree with you in the sense that, like, I just have a hard time believing he will. As far as the building thing goes, it's so funny because over the last couple of years,like in the 2021, 2021, 2022, 2023 off seasons, it was like, don't go star hunting. Just get a quality role player. Just go get some athletes that can help LeBron and AD PERSON. But like now that we're tilting into the later portion of LeBron PERSON's career, now we've been in the later portion. But now that we're into the preposterously late portion of LeBron's career year 22,like you almost have to go star hunting because like simply put, like, part of the issue is I think LeBron could have a really useful year 22, year 23, if he can pick his spots. But he could not pick his spots on this team. They desperately needed him to be great. And to his credit, he was. Post-deadline, he was the only player in the NBA to average at least 27 on 50% from the field and 40% from 3. He was one of only three players in the league this year to average at least 25, 7, and 7.I legitimately think, like, he was bad in game 3. He was bad in game 3. There's no way around it. He dropped the ball on the defensive end. He let his team down. But outside of that game, pretty much for the last two or three months, he's been playingat a top five level. And, like, legitimately, it's ridiculous that they needed him to be that. If they could have managed this in a way that lessened his workload and kept him in a position where he could pick his spots, there's a version of this where you, where this could be sustained success. And so obviously there's always going to be a part of me that, that kind of like wonders what would have happened if he, if he was in a more competent situation. But if he stays, I think at this point, you have to startlooking for higher firepower guys that can lessen his workload. All right, we've gone for like an hour already. So we're going for like an hour already. So we're going to get out of here. Yova, why don't you tell us what you guys are working on over at the athletic right now?

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Yeah, so I will be monitoring this whole situation in terms of the sweep and the fallout or the potential sweep. Brodian slip there.

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The potential sweep and all the fallout from it, all the offseason stuff,

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we'll have a big piece at the athletic coming out whenever the season ends. So be on the lookout for that. And also be sure to check out my YouTube channel. I just search Yvonne Buha PERSON, J-O-V-A-N-B-U-H-A. I have my podcast there, Booha's Block ORG. I'm doing post-game reactions after every game.And then I will also be reacting to whatever happens with this offseason, going directly to YouTube ORG and doing reaction videos there. So be sure to check that out and subscribe if you have not done so yet.

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All right, guys. That is all we have for today. As always, we sincerely appreciate you guys for supporting the show. We're going to have Yovan PERSON on a bunch of times over the course of the stretch right after the postseason when we get into the draft and free agency and everything like that. We are taking tonight off. I'm dealing with a personal family matter. Tomorrow morning we'll have a breakdown of tonight's games and then Saturday night we'll be going live after the final buzzer of Lakers Nuggets ORG. I will see you guys then. The Volume

Speaker 54310.82s - 4317.24s

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Speaker 14317.66s - 4341.44s

like at your pre-game barbecue. While you prep your meats, that grease trap you forgot to empty is prepping to smoke your porch, garage, and the car inside. And without the right home and auto insurance coverage, the cost to repair this could eat up your savings. So bundle home and auto with all state to save and get protectedfrom mayhem like this. Bundled savings variant are not available in every state. Coverage is subject

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