Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers played essentially two different games on Wednesday in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals - a small lineup game that put them in a big hole, and a large lineup game that helped them climb out. And while it wasn't enough to actually win, many wonder if the Lakers found a formula they can use in tonight's Game 2 in Denver. Will Rui Hachimura spend a lot of time guarding Nuggets star Nikola Jokic, helping Anthony Davis roam the paint more actively as a help defender?

It worked on Wednesday, but will the Nuggets counter more effectively if/when the Lakers go back to it? And how will the Lakers counter the counter?

And really, when it's all said and done, how much mental and emotional energy should the Lakers spend trying to "stop" Jokic? What does that even mean, really? Instead, could they look to try and put a lid on the rest of the squad, as much as possible?

And assuming Hachimura enters the starting lineup (or, in theory, Jarred Vanderbilt returns to it), who sits? Would it be Dennis Schroder, who has plenty of experience coming off the bench, or D'Angelo Russell, who has started 431 of the 495 games played over his NBA career? What about reports the Lakers are concerned they could "lose" Russell if they bring him off the bench? Who is concerned, and why are they saying it out loud?

It's a weird line of discussion to allow for a group that has been drama free since the deadline.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers seem like they'll start Hachimura in Game 2. Is that the right move?

SEGMENT 2: If Hachimura starts, who sits?

SEGMENT 3: Should the Lakers be concerned they'll "lose" Russell if he comes off the bench?

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