Laker Film Room - Dedicated to the Study of Lakers Basketball

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

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.com/adchoices

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 last thoughts on the NBA finals before Thursday's Game 1. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 between skill and playing with force, and how Anthony Davis' unique skill set matters when considering how to build out a roster around him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 of this year's #17 pick in the upcoming draft. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 schemes the team is running. And then later the guys pay tribute to Bill Walton in the aftermath of his passing away this week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 importance of a candidate's approach on that end to their success in the Lakers job. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

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 fits into this, the importance of having more athleticism at the guard spot & more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 featuring Anthony Davis more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 building. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the playoffs by diving into the Nuggets/Timberwolves series and examine how Denver has turned things around to even things back up 2-2. And then later the guys continue their discussion about the roster composition and why offensive versatility and more well-rounded players are necessary for the Lakers to improve. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the playoffs in full swing, Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the Wolves defense and roster build, Denver showing the wear of trying to repeat, the entry point the Cavs used to attack Boston's defense in Game 2, and the back-and-forth nature of the Mavs/Thunder series. And then later, the guys dive into some of the lessons learned from the teams still playing and how it applies to the Lakers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the second of a 2 part pod, Pete, Mike, and Darius continue their discussion about the Lakers head coaching search, debating what they value in a candidate, and specifically diving into how much experience matters, the difference between NBA experience as a player vs. previous coaching experience, and the different paths candidates can take to becoming successful head coaches. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the aftermath of the team firing Darvin Ham, Pete, Mike, and Darius continue their discussion about the Lakers search for a new head coach by examining traits they first consider important in a new coach, how much the roster should or should not inform the type of candidate the team looks at, philosophical alignment between the front office and the potential new hire, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers have parted ways with Darvin Ham after two seasons as their head coach. Pete and Darius discuss the decision, highlighting the ups and downs of his tenure, why they believe the change was made, and whether they think this was the right move. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pete, Mike & Darius give their thoughts on the 1st Round of the playoffs, with an eye toward the type of shotmaking that endures through the postseason, how bigger teams are finding new advantages, and begin their talks about the Lakers roster moving forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers battled the Nuggets in a hard-fought Game 5, but another last second shot by Jamal Murray ended the series and with it, the Lakers season. Pete, Mike, and Darius reflect on the series clinching game and the series vs. Denver as a whole, and offer their initial thoughts on the season that was. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices