The Lakers Exceptionalism Podcast

The Lakers Exceptionalism Podcast episodes:

• 05.17.2024

  Coaching Primer

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball discuss the firing of Darvin Ham and what direction the team could go with their Head Coach position. Later, they discuss the various reported candidates, including David Adelman, Micah Nori, Sam Cassell, Kenny Atkinson, Chris...

  
• 04.28.2024

  Right Where We Want Them

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball discuss the Lakers strong Game 4 performance, including which plays/sets were working the best, why LA has succeeded in guarding Jokic in the post, and what the Lakers could do to mitigate some areas where...

  
• 04.25.2024

  BELIEVE

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball discuss the adjustments from Denver in Game 2, how the Lakers sets are still (mostly) working, and what LA can do to improve their execution in late game situations. We recorded this pod LIVE on...

  
• 04.20.2024

  Same But Different

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball hop on to discuss the 1st Round matchup with the Denver Nuggets, including a deep dive on Nikola Jokic's post ups & how (& how not) to guard him, how to navigate Murray Pick &...

  
• 04.16.2024

  Exceptional Matchup

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball discuss their thoughts on the Lakers-Pelicans Play-In matchup, including why it's been such a one-sided matchup the last calendar year, how the Pelicans could adjust from the latest blowout, and whether or not the Lakers...

  
• 04.05.2024

  Digging Out of the Play-In

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball discuss how the Lakers offense has performed since the All-Star break, including how D'Lo's Pull-Up 3PT game has been better than ever, why Rui has had such a big impact since entering the starting lineup,...

  
• 02.24.2024

  25 Games Left

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball return from the break to discuss the Lakers-Warriors game, how Spencer Dinwiddie has looked in his 1st 3 games, and dig into what to expect from the final 25 game segment of the season and...

  
• 02.13.2024

  Free Dinwiddie

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball discuss what Spencer Dinwiddie brings to the team, including dissecting his Impact this season, how his Defensive role will help as a Guard with more size, and which players could benefit from his addition to...

  
• 02.03.2024

  F*** Boston

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball discuss the Lakers unexpected and spirited win in Boston without LeBron and AD, how Vando's injury and will complicate their development, and whether or not it will change their plans at the trade deadline. Outro music...

  
• 01.20.2024

  The New (Old) Starting Lineup

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball discuss the return of the Opening Night Lakers starters, how the Lakers have been unlucky on defense, and how their organized offense has looked over the last few weeks. Follow us on Playback to watch the...

  
• 01.13.2024

  The Pod You Need Right Now

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball discuss the up-and-down week from the Lakers, first breaking down how the Suns game got away from them, discussing the pros/cons of a trade for Dejounte Murray, and offer some hopeful context for how the...

  
• 01.04.2024

  Lakers Struggle Post In-Season Tournament

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball discuss the Lakers post In-Season Tournament struggles, including how most players on the team have a right to feel frustrated by their role & usage, why the new lineup is struggling on Offense, and later...

  
• 12.24.2023

  Happy Holidays!!! We Got You a New Starting Lineup....

  Tom Zayas and Cranjis McBasketball discuss the Lakers pivoting to a new starting lineup vs the Thunder, including how the team over-performed their expectation offensively, where the strength in that lineup lies, and whether or not it's sustainable long-term. Later,...

  
• 12.16.2023

  Lakers Data Roundup

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• 12.09.2023

  Vando's Back + Indiana IST Preview

  Tom Zayas and Cranjis McBasketball discuss how the Lakers have looked since Jarred Vanderbilt has returned from injury, including how he's fit in on offense and defense and where his strengths were missed the most. Later, they discuss the matchup...

  
• 12.02.2023

  Quarter-Season Check-In

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball hop on to discuss the Lakers season so far, including how the team has navigated through the injuries (and how many players they've missed each game), why the Lakers schedule has been quietly tougher than...

  
• 11.19.2023

  Identity Taking Shape

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball discuss the Lakers 4-1 record in their last 5 games, including how Cam has become a new player in the starting lineup, where some of the frustration with the Lakers Defensive Rebounding should be directed,...

  
• 11.07.2023

  Battling Through Injuries

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball discuss the Lakers tough loss in Miami and how they battled despite being short-handed, how Austin Reaves has broken through his opening struggles, doing a scheme check-in, how the team has done in improving their...

  
• 11.02.2023

  Questions About the Rotation

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball discuss the Lakers rotations in the 1st 4 games (recorded before the Clips game), including why we need to see LeBron and D'Lo staggered, what to think of Cam getting the backup wing minutes over...

  
• 10.16.2023

  5-Out Offense is HERE + Stock Up, Stock Down

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball catch up on the last week's worth of Lakers preseason basketball, including a check-in on how the Lakers are doing with their new 5-Out offense, what we want to see from the defensive scheme (hedging)...

  
• 10.08.2023

  Preseason Game 1 Reactions

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball react to the first live hoops of the new season! From individual analysis of players to team scheme & sets, tap in to hear what the guys learned from the (limited) amount of information from...

  
• 10.04.2023

  X-Factors

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball return from a short break to discuss the most important X-Factors to the Lakers success in chasing title #18 this season. Is Christian Wood's defense, team 3pt shooting, or avoiding injuries the most important X-factor...

  
• 09.08.2023

  The Christian Wood Pod

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball dig into the details of all things Christian Wood. How were the Lakers able to land a talented scoring big for the league minimum, who will he squeeze minutes from in the rotation, and what...

  
• 09.04.2023

  Biggest Threats In The West

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball dive deep into the top contenders in the West, including the Denver Nuggets, the Phoenix Suns, the Golden State Warriors, the LA Clippers, and the Memphis Grizzlies, including strengths and weaknesses, who is a bigger...

  
• 08.29.2023

  World Cupdate & Schedule Breakdown

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball discuss Austin Reaves fantastic World Cup play, how he's improved, if he has room to improve even more, and later, take an in-depth look at the 2023-2024 schedule and how the team can navigate this...

  
• 08.22.2023

  Team USA & Summer Mailbag

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball discuss the recent play of Austin Reaves and Team USA, including what skills has AR flashed on the team and how can they translate to the Lakers next year. Later, we take questions from the...

  
• 08.04.2023

  Title Confidence Meter

  Tim breaks down his level of confidence in 14 results that Lakers fans said need to happen for LA to be a real title contender. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  
• 08.01.2023

  D'Lo vs Vincent

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball finish their position group preview by discussing the Guard Rotation. Should D'Lo or Vincent start? Who should close? How can the team put Max Christie in a position to contribute in Year 2? All of...

  
• 07.26.2023

  BIG PLAN PT 2

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball finish their deep dive into the Lakers Bigs, including a discussion about the pros & cons of bringing back Gabriel or Thompson, and take a quick look at some other options outside the NBA who...

  
• 07.25.2023

  BIG PLAN

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball dive deeper into what the Lakers should with their Bigs. What will they do when AD misses time and they don't add another big & who should they target if they do? Later, Tim makes...

  
• 07.24.2023

  AD at the 4 + Fact.... or Fiction?

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball discuss the reports that the Lakers are interested in playing a Big next to AD. We discuss what that means for the rest of the Wing & Big rotations, how AD has performed in each...

  
• 07.18.2023

  Wing Logjam?

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball dive deeper into the Wing Rotation for 2024... Is there a logjam or should they keep everyone for depth & versatility? We discuss LeBron's minutes load, how Prince can stay on the court with LBJ...

  
• 07.14.2023

  MAILBAG

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball take questions from the Discord about how Max Christie can realistically contribute next year, what Summer League plays & actions could translate well to the parent team, what to expect from Austin on Team USA,...

  
• 07.12.2023

  Summer League Roundup

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball discuss the first 4 Summer League games, including how Max Christie has developed, is JHS a short-term or long-term piece, does Castleton's success change how the Lakers approach another C, and what to do with...

  
• 07.04.2023

  FREE AGENCY RECAP

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball discuss the recent Free Agent additions, including breaking down how Gabe Vincent, Taurean Prince, Jaxson Hayes, & Cam Reddish fit in. Streamed live on Playback Music by @sleepyghostmp3 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  
• 06.30.2023

  Free Agent Preview: Bigs

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball discuss the news of Bamba & Beasley's declined contracts, if the team could look to sign them back, and then later discuss 3 options that could fit the backup C position (Plumlee, Saric, Love). Music by...

  
• 06.28.2023

  Free Agent Preview: Wings

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball discuss Rui Hachimura's market and how his deal could affect the Lakers flexibility, and discuss a couple other targets at various price points (Watanabe, Bates-Diop, Crowder) and how they could fit in LA's plans if...

  
• 06.27.2023

  Free Agent Preview: Guards

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball discuss potential FA guard paths for LA, including details from Project Ghostbusters on how the market will realistically shake out for D'Angelo Russell, Dennis Schroder, and Austin Reaves. Later, we discuss possible options in FA...

  
• 06.24.2023

  DRAFT!!! w/ Mike Garcia

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball are joined by Mike Garcia (@CanyonDriver) to discuss what the new Lakers draft picks bring to the team. Is JHS ready to be a primary initiator? What does he need to work on to contribute...

  
• 06.21.2023

  Analyzing Who LA Is Working Out

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball discuss a few more options for the Lakers in the draft, including a breakdown of the types of roles they've been working out, then later, Tim breaks out the spreadsheet while discussing different paths forward...

  
• 06.20.2023

  Draft Chat w/ Zach Milner

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball are joined by Tag the Roll's Zach Milner to discuss Jett Howard, Nick Smith Jr, and a handful of 2nd Round options. Streamed live on Playback with film on each player. Music by @sleepyghostmp3 LAKERS EXCEPTIONALISM SUMMER...

  
• 06.16.2023

  Coaching Retrospective

  Tom Zayas and Cranjis McBasketball discuss recent news about Austin Reaves becoming USAtin Reaves, Tim breaks down the state of the coaching staff and does the team need to find an offensive identity next season? Join us on Playback M/T/Th @...

  
• 06.10.2023

  What's Next?

  Tom Zayas and Cranjis McBasketball return to discuss the end of the Lakers season, how the team succeeded in the run to the WCF, what they need from the squad to run it back to the chip next year, and...

  
• 05.16.2023

  Denver Scouting Report

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball discuss an in-depth scouting report of the DEN-LAL series, including how to defend Jokic, who has a chance to become a starring role-player, and why Tim thinks Vando should be banished (for this series at...

  
• 05.04.2023

  BIG Win vs GS in G1 & Adjustments for G2

  Tim digs into LA's victory over the Warriors in game 1, talking through what areas of the game each team had an advantage and where he'd want and anticipate to see adjustments heading into game 2. Learn more about your ad...

  
• 05.02.2023

  12 TO GO

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball discuss a few key rotation decisions for the Lakers-Warriors series, which keys to the series to look for, and later take questions from the Lakers Exceptionalism Discord. Music by @sleepyghostmp3 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

  
• 05.01.2023

  Warriors Scouting Report

  Tim digs into his scouting report on the Warriors offense and defense, provides recommendations on how the Lakers can attack and defend their round 2 opponent, and provides his series prediction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  
• 04.28.2023

  Tim's Feeling Lakers in 6

  Tim digs into what he saw in LA's game 5 loss and why he feels good heading into game 6! Lakers Rotation Builder Tool - create a rotation map and send it to me! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  
• 04.26.2023

  Unstoppable Force Meets Chargeble Object

  Tom Zayas & Cranjis McBasketball hop on to discuss the Lakers big Game 4 Win, including how the Offense adjusted to Vanderbilt's negative spacing, the guards attacking in double-drag actions, why Tim might be ready for a starting lineup change,...

  
• 04.24.2023

  2-1 Lakers: How LA DOMINATED & What to Tweak

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