Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

The new-look Lakers made their season debut Monday with Media Day, and it definitely felt like the start of a new era. Lotsof new players, changing roles and shifting expectations around a team that is expected to be good, but not expected to contend.
But that's what media says. The players didn't talk about long term plans or rebuilding over time. They talked about winning this year, and expressed confidence in the talent on hand to get it done. There were a lot of themes that stuck out:
They all thought that trip to Slovenia was really valuable, even beyond obviously wanting to seem appreciative.
Luka is a draw. The role guys all seemed to understand what playing with Luka could do for them, and how he’ll make their lives easier.
Defensively there is a MAJOR vibe shift in terms of confidence players express, and that’s all Kessler. I realize some of it is seen as speculative and there’s a chance he doesn’t meet expectations, but THEY clearly believe they have one of *those guys* and that could make a significant difference in how they play.
It's a very likable group overall. Rob Pelinka noted last week it should be a group that fans enjoy cheering for, and I think media day reflected that.
Whether intentional or not, they have multiple core players who have had to really grind through uncertain circumstances to establish themselves as players in Reaves, Grimes and Mamu. I think that’s potentially really good for building a culture.
In combination with what we heard from Pelinka and JJ Redick last week, it definitely feels like the Lakers made strides in bringing in a group of people that can set a culture. Decent people and (hopefully) high end players that help usher in a new era in Lakers basketball.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The new look Lakers make their debut.

SEGMENT 2: Big themes!

SEGMENT 3: They believe in the potential of the group.

PHOTO CREDIT: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.

Betterhelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA.

Aura Cybersecurity
Start your free trial today at https://aura.com/aware.
Protect yourself now.

Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.
Square
Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/NBA ! #squarepod

FanDuel
This season, FanDuel is making the excitement go beyond what happens on the field with the all-new FanDuel Rewards Club, featuring exclusive offers, surprises, and more. Every week, check the FanDuel app to see what’s waiting for you or visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Media Day! It's the first day of school, NBA style.
And for the Lakers, it's truly a new era, as Luka Donćić opens the season as the sole superstar voice on the team. He is going to be the leader of an entirely new group, tasked with setting culture and a tone that is going to, hopefully, result in the next year or two in a team ready to compete for a championship. And it's a role he's said he admits is more meaningful to him now, and that he's ready to step into in earnest.
It's part of a new chapter for the Lakers, where they're clearly trying to build continuity -- something emphasized by Rob Pelinka and JJ Redick in last week's press conference, and that they've lacked in meaningful ways over the last few seasons. In part by choice, in part by circumstance.
It'll be fun to watch Luka grow into the role, and how his leadership style shapes the next phase of Lakers basketball.
Meanwhile, the Lakers need to figure out how to get the roster down to 15. Is there any advantage (mostly in goodwill) to letting a player go now, while he has a better chance of hooking up with another team?
And who should the Lakers be cutting, if it comes to that?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers are officially Luka's team in every way now.

SEGMENT 2: How Luka's interest in leadership has grown.

SEGMENT 3: How should the Lakers get the roster down to size?

PHOTO CREDIT: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.

Betterhelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA.

Aura Cybersecurity
Start your free trial today at https://aura.com/aware.
Protect yourself now.

Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.
Square
Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/NBA ! #squarepod

FanDuel
This season, FanDuel is making the excitement go beyond what happens on the field with the all-new FanDuel Rewards Club, featuring exclusive offers, surprises, and more. Every week, check the FanDuel app to see what’s waiting for you or visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The season officially kicks off on Monday, with Lakers Media Day. It unofficially kicked off Thursday, when Rob Pelinka and JJ Redick met the media. They answered questions for just over a half hour on a range of topics, and generally sounded like people pleased with a busy summer's work and ready to begin the Luka Era in earnest, with a team that is his now on every level.
Some of the highlights:
Pelinka said that once they knew LeBron was leaving, they built a template based on 1) Keeping Austin. 2) Finding a "franchise center." 3. Getting younger with "dribble, pass, shoot" types who could work well around Luka. Certainly they believe the mission was accomplished in that regard.
JJ said three spots were locked in the starting lineup. (If you need us to tell you which... how did you get here, anyway?) And while he didn't reveal any big hints about the other two, he did say it wouldn't be "two white guys." Sorry LaRavia and Mamu. There's only room for one of you.
JJ and Pelinka both agreed this roster makes sense, in terms of its construction. They've put something together that is coherent in their eyes, even if it's incomplete. Speaking of which...
Both Pelinka and Redick made it clear that the Luka-centric rebuild wasn't going to be executed in one offseason. This is a project that is still in progress. Asked if he thinks the Lakers have a championship caliber roster, Pelinka deferred, and certainly didn't say yes.
They're done switching 1-5 now that Kessler is in the fold. That, said Redick, was a strategy borne from necessity, not preference.
More to come on Monday at Media Day!

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Pelinka and Redick meet the media.

SEGMENT 2: A roster in progress.

SEGMENT 3: Competition for starting spots.

PHOTO CREDIT: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.

Cozy Earth
Head to https://cozyearth.com and use my code LOCKEDON for an exclusive 20%.
Wayfair
Patio season is here and these deals won’t last! Head to https://wayfair.com right now to get your outdoor space ready for way less.
Wayfair. Every style. Every home.
Odoo
Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.

Square
Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/NBA ! #squarepod

FanDuel
This season, FanDuel is making the excitement go beyond what happens on the field with the all-new FanDuel Rewards Club, featuring exclusive offers, surprises, and more. Every week, check the FanDuel app to see what’s waiting for you or visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's the Locked On NBA Top 100 player rankings! Today, Wes, Matt, Haize and Andy come together to rank players 21-30. Will LeBron James continue to slide? Does Cooper Flagg crack the top 30? Find out on today's episode!

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.

Cozy Earth
Head to https://cozyearth.com and use my code LOCKEDON for an exclusive 20%.
Wayfair
Patio season is here and these deals won’t last! Head to https://wayfair.com right now to get your outdoor space ready for way less.
Wayfair. Every style. Every home.
Odoo
Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.

Square
Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/NBA ! #squarepod

FanDuel
This season, FanDuel is making the excitement go beyond what happens on the field with the all-new FanDuel Rewards Club, featuring exclusive offers, surprises, and more. Every week, check the FanDuel app to see what’s waiting for you or visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Austin Reaves signed a massive contract this offseason, moving him from one of the great bargains in the NBA to ... something else. And based on the results of our listener survey, no Laker has more pressure on him going into the year than Reaves. People are worried about whether or not he'll live up to the contract, and whether that contract will age well. They're worried about the defense (which he doesn't help). They're worried, basically, about everything associated with Reaves as a true number two, expected to step in behind Luka Doncic and lead the team.
ESPN, for its part, has Reaves ranked at 37 in its NBA Rank project this year, a massive bump from last season (60). Is that a fair placement?
And more importantly, what does the slotting say about where Reaves fits into the league's upper crust, now that he's paid like one of those guys? It's a strange space, where folks in that range can elevate to raise the ceiling of a team, or hurt it by underperforming or getting hurt. The Lakers no longer have the financial flexibility afforded by Reaves making well under market money. Now, the pressure will be on to earn it.
Meanwhile, the Lakers will sound different this year. First, longtime public address announcer Lawrence Tanter announced his retirement earlier this summer. Now, we're learning that Stu Lantz, who has been part of the broadcasts on TV since the 80s, will only be calling home games after enduring some health issues that kept him out of the booth last year.
Great that he's well enough to work, even in a reduced capacity. For a legend like Stu, we'll take what we can get.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Austin Reaves under pressure.

SEGMENT 2: Where does Reaves stack up?

SEGMENT 3: What the Lakers need from each tier of player.

PHOTO CREDIT: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.

Cozy Earth
Head to https://cozyearth.com and use my code LOCKEDON for an exclusive 20%.
Wayfair
Patio season is here and these deals won’t last! Head to https://wayfair.com right now to get your outdoor space ready for way less.
Wayfair. Every style. Every home.
Odoo
Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.

Square
Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/NBA ! #squarepod

FanDuel
This season, FanDuel is making the excitement go beyond what happens on the field with the all-new FanDuel Rewards Club, featuring exclusive offers, surprises, and more. Every week, check the FanDuel app to see what’s waiting for you or visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.