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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Should LeBron James Shut It Down for the Season? Plus, the Return of Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope!
The Lakers are in a bad space. The odds of this thing turning out well, or even close, are increasingly slim. Through it all, LeBron James is playing on a bum knee and what appears to be a more finite amount of time to be LeBron James. Setting aside totally understandable personal priorities like catching Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA's all time leading scorer, is James really gaining much playing in the last 20% of the season? Are the Lakers?
Is discretion the better part of valor, even though James says he'll play unless his body says he can't? What signal does it send if he stops playing when he could continue? Even if it comes with pain?
How is it linked to the conversation about heart from Thursday's show?
Finally, Friday night marks the first game for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Kyle Kuzma since being traded away by the Lakers for Russell Westbrook. Both players have had good seasons, and Kuzma particularly has broken through in important ways. He talked this week about the freedom that he's found since leaving the Lakers, and while there are no hard feelings (editor's note: There could be hard feelings) Kuzma appreciates that he can play and make mistakes without looking over his shoulder. He, like all the players from the "Kids Era" had a wild ride in L.A..
But the night is about more than looking back. KCP and Kuz represent a class of player not represented enough on LA's roster, namely non-All Stars who are definitely better than average. The NBA's middle class (not just in talent, but salary. The Lakers need to rebuild that section of the roster in a hurry.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Should LeBron shut 'er down for the year? Is the pride and professionalism of finishing the season worth the increased wear on his knee?
SEGMENT 2: More 'Bron, plus the return of Kuz! What a strange trip he had here.
SEGMENT 3: The return of Kuzma and KCP is a reminder of what the Lakers are missing, literally and figuratively.
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