Lakers vs. Warriors, Opening Night! Plus, Why Luka Dončić Raises LA's Ceiling More Than Anyone Else
The Lakers open the season tonight! The real games begin. It's Lakers vs. Warriors, on Peacock! (Something new for this year, and an early taste of a new TV arrangement for the NBA.) The Warriors are a team that mirrors a lot of what we think about the Lakrs. Obviously very good. Capable of beating any team in any series, even if they're not quite capable of winning four of them to get an NBA chip. But in any best-of-seven, if playing at full strength, nobody will want to see them. On the other hand, they rely on a bunch of old guys (more than the Lakers) and if anyone significant gets hurt? Forgettaboutit. (The Lakers in this sense have an advantage over the Warriors, because when people talk about old guys, it's really just LeBron.) So with LeBron injured, are the Lakers being knocked too far down in the West? What's a fair evaluation? And who can raise their ceiling, and the floor? What could happen that would rip a hole in that floor? Well, it starts with Luka. There's a massive difference between him performing like one of the two or three best players on the planet, and being a more conventional All-NBA level performer. Someone who'd make evan a second team. The Lakers are banking on him being the guy who averaged a 30 point trip-dub (more or less) two years ago in Dallas. That raises the team's ceiling. Anything less, and the Lakers may not get where they want to go. Meanwhile, deeper into the supporting cast, we explain why Deandre Ayton has tremendous ceiling-raising potential, while an injury to Marcus Smart or Jarred Vanderbilt could have an outsized impact relative to their skill level and spot in the proverbial pecking order. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: The Lakers open the season tonight! SEGMENT 2: Is Ayton the team's best floor raiser? SEGMENT 3: What about Luka? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!DoorDashNext time someone goes off for 50, use promo code NBA50the next day to get 50% off on DoorDash with DashPass — plus your shot at the Bag Drop.DashPass members only. 50% off up to $10 the day after a 50-point game with promo code. Terms apply.No Purchase Necessary. Ends April 13th. Open to U.S. residents 21 or older. Visit DoorDashInYourBag.com for full details.DoorDash — In your bag all season long. RobinhoodYou expect more from yourself. Expect more from your money. Get started today at robinhood.com/yourmoney. Your money. Your move. All investments involve risk, including loss of principal. Options, futures, and crypto trading carry significant risk and may not suit all investors. Securities offered through Robinhood Financial LLC, member SIPC. Futures trading is offered by Robinhood Derivatives, LLC and not SPIC or FDIC protected. Crypto offered through Robinhood Crypto, LLC (NMLS ID 1702840), not FDIC or SIPC protected. Portfolio management offered by Robinhood Strategies, an SEC-registered advisor. SKIMSShop SKIMS Mens at SKIMS.com/lockedonnba. Let them know we sent you! After you place your order, select "podcast" in the survey and select our show in the dropdown menu that follows.GametimeToday's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBAfor $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.Mint MobileReady to say yes to sayingno?Make the switch at https://MintMobile.com/LOCKEDONNBA Upfront payment of $45 required (equivalent to $15/mo). Limited-time new customer offer for first 3 months only. Speeds may slow above 35GB on Unlimited plan. Taxes and fees extra. See Mint Mobile for details.BILTTurn your rent into rewards and start earning points around your neighborhood by going to https://joinbilt.com/lockedonnba.PrizePicksDownload the PrizePicks app today and use codeLOCKEDONNBA to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup.Click Here: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNBARugietReady to level up your confidence in the bedroom? Head to https://www.rugiet.com and use promo code LOCKEDONNBA for 15% off your first order.PelotonLet yourself run, lift, flex, and push forward. Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ today at https://www.onepeloton.com. MonarchTake control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNBA at https://monarch.com/lockedonnba for 50% off your first yearFanDuelRight now, new customers can bet just FIVE dollars and if your bet wins—you’ll get THREE HUNDRED dollars in bonus bets to use across the app. Download the FanDuel app now by visiting https://FanDuel.comto get startedFANDUEL 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)