Lakers Lounge

Anthony and Raj both agree the biggest takeaway from that win over the Sixers was the work LeBron put in as a screener. This unlocks so many things for a variety of reasons.

Take a look around at this situation. The Lakers are the two-seed in the west. They have room to improve this year and feel they have a path to Giannis after. LeBron was never finding a better situation than this, realistically speaking, as Anthony explains.

Anthony and Raj take you through one of the more fun shows we've ever made. No joke. You won't want to miss this one.

Anthony and Raj just enjoy that play. The game was great. Austin was incredible. The Lakers won. But that play was so freakin' cool. Let's all soak that up together. (you know which play)

Anthony goes through Austin Reaves' career progression and marvels at the fact Reaves has not once ever been seriously considered for Most Improved. That has to change this year. The guys also talk about Adou Thiero, who looked really good again last night.

Anthony hasn't spoken to anyone on the pod since the latest Giannis stuff dropped so he made Raj discuss it. The guys throw a take out there that will probably sound absolutely ridiculous at first, but makes more sense the more you think about it. They wrap with a few super comments from the live audience.

First, the Clippers cut Chris Paul's retirement tour short because he was bullying the collection of losers he was surrounded by. Anthony laughs at that situation, then explains why it's unlikely Paul will be a Laker.

Then, a mere couple hours later, things escalated as Giannis Antetokounmpo's camp told Shams Charania of ESPN that they're getting ready to meet with Bucks leadership soon to discuss his future there. Anthony explains why this absolutely will impact the Lakers' decision-making this season.

As if all that wasn't enough, we got a non-contact injury to Giannis that looked like that really bad one (but as of now appears not to be that one) and we got word that Luka is out tonight as the Lakers face the Toronto Raptors.

20 games into the Lakers season, it's time for progress reports. Not full-on report cards, just a quick look at where things stand and where they'll need to go from here.

First, Anthony, Jovan and Pete gives grades to the Lakers overall, then they hand them out to Luka Doncic, JJ Redick and Austin Reaves. LeBron James received and Incomplete, though the guys would definitely like to see more from him.

In the second half of the show, Dan Woike and Harrison Faigen pick up the conversation by discussing the other guys' seasons to this point, as well as Rob Pelinka's work putting this roster together.

In a moment of genius, Anthony also brought the Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors into the show, which worked out well given the news that dropped today.

Before diving into their grades so far, the guys discuss that loss to the Phoenix Suns and it being a continuation of a somewhat concerning trend. From there, the guys gives grades starting macro, then moving micro.

Anthony, Pete and Jovan wrap up their first half of the conversation, grading out they factors in this season, then open up their discussion by welcoming in Dan Woike and Harrison Faigen.

Everyone now discusses the grades they'd give to the "other" guys on this roster, which leads to a fun Deandre Ayton conversation.