Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

Earlier, we previewed the Lakers-Rockets first round series by grilling Locked On Rockets host Jackson Gatlin about the team he covers every day. What changed for a team that has turned things around on the court and with the vibe? What kind of leader has Durant turned out to be? Why is the offense cooking? Where might they be vulnerable? 

Today, it's the opposite. We answer questions about the Lakers. 

How are they planning to deploy LeBron? Who is most suited to support him, and what exactly does support look like? Who is the player/players most likely to fill the void left by Luka and Reaves, at least as much as it can be? What tricks might Redick try and pull? 

And, most importantly, why should anyone believe this series won't be a romp for the Rockets? 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with guest Jackson Gatlin

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The Lakers have a tall task in front of them, playing a Rockets squad that not only has more talent but is also playing arguably its best ball of the season. 

After a rough stretch, which included the consecutive games the Lakers took off them in Houston during The Happier Times, Houston has since got its stuff together and finished the season winning nine of 10. The vibes have improved considerably, as has the offense with Reed Sheppard inserted into the starting lineup. Offensive rebounding continues to be a strength, but it's not the only way the Rockets can generate points. And the defense is just as good as it's been. 

So where are they vulnerable? Where might the Lakers look to press some (relative) advantage? 

We break it down with Jackson Gatlin of Locked On Rockets. 

Plus, a health update from El Segundo after Tuesday's practice. The good news? Jaxson Hayes is fine and was on the floor. The bad? No miracles to speak of with Luka and Reaves. JJ said they're out indefinitely, and there will be no more updates this week. 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with guest Jackson Gatlin

SEGMENT 1: Kevin Durant and leadership. 

SEGMENT 2: What changed for Houston? 

SEGMENT 3: Vulnerabilities? 

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Once again, it's falling on LeBron James to lead a team into the playoffs. 

This time, though, James is 41 years old, and will enter the series as part of a roster meant to be led by Luka Dončić first and foremost, and then by James and Austin Reaves. With Luka and Reaves unavailable, the lineups around James will be at a constant talent deficit. So can LeBron muster up one more run of greatness, and help the Lakers pull an upset over the Houston Rockets? 

If we're being honest, even if LeBron plays well throughout the series (a reasonably safe bet) Houston would still be favored to win. But it's clear LeBron finds the challenge intriguing, because it's no longer a given he can put on the Superman cape as he once did. It's something very different. The good news is the stakes are more personal than legacy-defining. Nobody expects this series to end well for LA, and LeBron won't get blamed if the Lakers lose. 

But what has to happen to maximize LA's chances? 

The Lakers have to find ways to help LeBron help them. They have to get him the ball in advantageous spots, so he's not constantly fighting through five Rockets to make a play or get a shot. That means ball handling and organizing duties for Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard. They obviously have to support him by making shots and meeting (and even exceeding) offensive expectations. They have to find ways to allow LeBron to hide when needed defensively. And they have to find ways to stay tight in the minutes he doesn't play, so James isn't forced to stay on the floor for 40+ minutes every game in the series. 

Oh, and they really, really need to show out in Game 1, because trying to come back from a series deficit is going to be brutally tough. 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 

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The news from Monday was, whether intentionally or not, going to get Lakers fans excited. Luka Dončić is on his way back to the US having completed his treatment in Spain. Whether that means he'll actually return to play in time from his injured hamstring to actually help the Lakers remains to be seen—no news yet about any return to play—but for a fanbase that is open to some hopium, this certainly qualifies. 

But at what potential cost? How should Luka and the Lakers think about his recovery? What are the variables that impact any decisions about his return? 

Before the focus shifts entirely to the first round, it's worth remembering just how good Luka's season was, particularly on offense, and appreciating how his attempts to get back on the floor speak to his commitment as a competitor and to the franchise. All good signs. 

Meanwhile, Austin Reaves is still expected to return in early May at the earliest. So if the Lakers want to see either guy, they're going to have to defy the odds against the Rockets. 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers got news about Luka on Monday... was it good news? 

SEGMENT 2: The risk/reward of a Luka return... 

SEGMENT 3: The guy cooked this year, especially offensively. 

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Shams Charania of ESPN reports that Luka Dončić is on his way back from his treatment in Spain on his injured hamstring, and is expected to rejoin the team later this week. Presumably someone will poke around and see how that hammy is doing, but it would certainly be a surprise to see Luka play in the first round, and DEFINITELY would be a shock were it to come by the weekend and Game 1. 

More info will be forthcoming over the course of the week, surely, but for now it's at least a decent sign that the treatment is done and now it's a matter of hoping it accelerates that healing process. 

Austin Reaves? Still expected to be sidelined through most or all of the first round. 

Meanwhile, the Lakers added Nick Smith Jr. to the roster, taking the place of Kobe Bufkin. It was clearly a choice between him and Drew Timme. Did the Lakers make the right call? What does their choice say about the team's current skill set, and the matchup against the Rockets? 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 

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he Lakers went ahead and played everyone in the rotation (save Jaxson Hayes, still nursing a foot injury) Sunday against Utah, despite having no worse than a four-seed locked up in the West. 

The results were pretty solid. It seems everyone came through it well enough, and in the meantime the Lakers got a few more reps in another confidence boost heading into the postseason. Final score, 131-107. Big picture, another cruise control win can help the Lakers feel good about themselves, but smaller picture it's nice to see them win without a particularly impressive day from LeBron James, who had six assists against four turnovers, and 18 points requiring 15 shots. But Rui Hachimura (8-12) and Deandre Ayton (10-14) picked up the efficiency slack. 

And overall the Lakers are playing about as well as they can be expected given the context. So as they face down a first round series against the Rockets, where do things stand? 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers get the win. What it means. 

SEGMENT 2: Are there areas where the Lakers can press advantage? 

SEGMENT 3: The mential side. 

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The Lakers had another excellent night on the floor Friday, beating the Phoenix Suns 101-73 behind 28/6/12 from LeBron James, who also added four steals. Luke Kennard added 19, but the Lakers didn't need much offensively to get past a skeleton version of their Pacific Division rivals. 

The big benefit here isn't just more confidence, but a guarantee to open the first round on their home floor. The Lakers won't be any worse than a four-seed since Houston lost at home to Minnesota. They could finish third with a win Sunday vs. Utah plus a Denver loss, but given where they are it probably doesn't make much of a difference. either way they draw a very solid opponent, and would then play one of the elites of the West in Round 2 if they pulled an upset. 

So JJ Redick can decide who plays and how much on Sunday. On the one hand, the reps could be valuable for a team that obviously has to play some combos right now that haven't had a lot of floor time. Marcus Smart, who came off the bench Friday, could use a few more reps. But the flip side is that should anyone they need get dinged up, it would be enormously problematic. 

Good work to bounce back from tough results vs. Dallas and OKC to win two straight. 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 

SEGMENT 1: Lakers roll, LeBron thrives. 

SEGMENT 2: Lakers clinch home court. 

SEGMENT 3: JJ reflects. 

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After Thursday's win in Golden State, LeBron James was asked by Amazon/Spectrum's Allie Clifton about what's needed from him as the Lakers head into the playoffs: 

"Everything. Nothing changes for me, it's just back to the old ways. I gotta give them my leadership both on the floor and off the floor. I gotta lead in all facets on the court, both ends. That's what the job requires, so I look forward to it and let's see what we can get done."

That basically sums it up. But in that quote is a lot of nuance. First, there are questions of whether at 41 years old, LeBron has the juice to be "the man" in the ways he once was. And certainly the Lakers have changed how he's used on a team supported by a megastar in Luka and an All-Star caliber player in Austin Reaves. So how much does the script change in the postseason? How can the Lakers lay the best foundation for James to thrive, and for the team to have a chance to create an upset? 

Meanwhile, the Lakers have released Kobe Bufkin, meaning there's an open roster spot. Likely, they convert Drew Timme or Nick Smith Jr. to a full NBA deal. Who is the better option? 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 

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The Lakers needed a win. For the standings, for their confidence. 

And they got it, led by LeBron James and five more Lakers finishing in double figures. They beat the Warriors in San Francisco, 119-103. It allows them to keep pace with the Rockets in the race for the 4 seed and home court advantage in the first round. LeBron James led the way, scoring 26 points on a very efficient 11-17 from the floor, adding eight rebounds and 11 assist. Five other Lakers finished in double figures, including Deandre Ayton (21 points, 9-11 shooting), Luke Kennard (16 points, eight assists) and Jake LaRavia, who hopefully broke out of what has been a near-season long shooting slump, making four of five triples en route to 16 points. 

When they didn't turn the ball over, the Lakers generally dominated a Warriors squad even more shorthanded than them. They had a stretch in the second quarter where they won minutes with LeBron on the bench. 

But it was definitely LeBron who gave the boosts when the team needed it. 

Now, they have to face a Phoenix squad locked into a seven seed in the West. LeBron only played 32 minutes, so he should be ok to play. 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 

SEGMENT 1: Proof of concept! 

SEGMENT 2: LeBron comes back, was great, only plays 32 minutes. 

SEGMENT 3: Still missing Smart. 

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Injuries to Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves have cost the Lakers a ton as they head into the postseason. 

Most obvious is the opportunity to win games and make a run. But beyond that, approaching a critical offseason this spring would have been useful to see more about how Luka and A.R. work together in a postseason setting, and get more data about Reaves as a featured player in the postseason. Is he really a $40 million performer? 

Less talked about was the opportunity to see if JJ Redick has grown as a playoff coach. Last year, there were hiccups. Would this year have been better? 

Now it will be more difficult to judge Redick's growth, because the team he's fielding isn't equipped to win. So what should we be watching for? How can we learn a little more about any improvements he's made? 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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