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 1562: Anthony Davis vs. Nikola Jokic: Lakers-Nuggets is FUN!!! Plus, Trading for Kyle Kuzma?
The Lakers play a big game on Friday, welcoming Denver to the Crypt. Given the schedule for the rest of the month —decidedly short on home games—and their current record—not very good—it's about as close to a must-win as December games get. And their track record following disappointing games like the Boston loss on Tuesday is pretty good! So there are reasons to believe the Lakers will, at the least, put on a credible show. But from a fan's standpoint, there's also the matchup between Denver's Nikola Jokic and Anthony Davis. Two of the more remarkably skilled players going head to head, with different skill sets and styles. AD has faced off with Giannis and Embiid recently, and now gets the fourth of the four great bigs in the NBA right now (Davis being the fourth, given his play over the last month).
It's a moment to appreciate just how good these athletes are, and the truly remarkable things they can do. It can be hard to divorce results from stuff like this, but even in moments of struggle for the team, as a sports fan it's fun to embrace these moments. Hopefully the game lives up to the potential.
Meanwhile, Sunday marks the anniversary of one of the more entertaining nights of the 21st century at Staples. December 18, 2006, Gilbert Arenas lights up the Lakers for 60 in OT, besting Kobe (who had 45) and the Lakers. It was notable not only for the entertaining nature of the game (we were there, it was a blast) but for how angry Kobe was after, even criticizing Arenas for taking bad, irresponsible shots. (There is an irony, no question.)
Games like that are easy to forget about, but when you remember to remember, the flood of good memories comes back.
Finally, conversation (casual for the moment, given reported disinterest from the Wizards) about trading for Kyle Kuzma is picking up. Kuz would represent a ton of things for this team. First, a roster balancing upgrade that would do a lot of good. And second, a moment to focus on the tremendous inability of the Lakers to manage assets properly. Don't forget, they SENT OUT a pick in the deal that shipped Kuz to Washington in exchange for Russell Westbrook. To sacrifice another just to get him back?
Optics, bad!!!
(Not a reason not to do it, by the way...)
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: AD vs. Jokic is a reminder of what's fun about sports and the NBA.
SEGMENT 2: Remembering the night Gilbert lit up Staples, and Kobe got real mad about it.
SEGMENT 3: Oh, the tremendous conversations that come from trading for Kyle Kuzma!
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