Locked On Lakers podcast is your daily ticket to stay ahead of the game and the first to know the latest news, analysis, and insider info for the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA. Hosts Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, who have covered the Purple and Gold since 2005 for media outlets including the LA Times, ESPN and The Athletic, offer traditional journalism, informal commentary, and offbeat humor to provide expert, local analysis. Locked On Lakers takes you beyond the scoreboard for the inside scoops on the biggest stories from within the Lakers locker room and all over the NBA. The Locked On Lakers podcast is part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day.
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episode 1478: Part 2: More Reasons for Optimism with the Lakers in 2022-23
Monday's episode was all about reasons to feel optimistic that this year's Lakers could pay off ESPN predictions to become Team Turnaround, rather than those picking them to be this season's Team Turmoil. Subtle indications the shooting could be a little better than believed, for example. Today, more reasons to feel positive! Because we're all about the vibes this week.
For starters, go to the centers. The Lakers had arguably the worst, most unplayable pair of C's the league has seen in a while, ping-ponging from DeAndre Jordan to Dwight Howard when Anthony Davis was either unavailable or playing power forward. With Thomas Bryant and Damian Jones, the Lakers recover a lot of the qualities they've worked effectively whether with JaVale McGee/Howard in 2020, or what was supposed to be working with Marc Gasol and Montrezz Harrell two seasons ago. Spacing, vertical threats, athleticism, and so on.
Then there's coaching. His fault or not, Frank Vogel didn't add value last year, and probably cost them some thanks to a deteriorating relationship with his roster and a front office that undercut him from the jump with no security and a roster poorly designed for his ethos. If Darvin Ham can bring that dynamic back to neutral, the Lakers gain. If he can add value, they gain more.
And Ham's presence, along with a massive dose of context, could help Russell Westbrook be a more positive contributor than he was last season.
(But before all that... updates on the big NBA news of the day, around the potential trades of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Donovan Mitchell, all of which impact the Lakers going forward in one way or another. A new team has reportedly entered the mix for Durant!
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: An update on the KD rumors, Mitchell rumors, and Kyrie rumors. And therefore, Lakers rumors. LA needs to make sure plans B, C, D and E are lined up, because all of this might take a while.
SEGMENT 2: Centers and Ham. Reasons to feel better about the team.
SEGMENT 3: More Ham, and why a self-aware Westbrook could be a very different deal this season.
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