The Land O'Lakers Podcast by the Kamenetzky Brothers

So... is Paul George closer to being a Laker? Maybe, if the first week of the playoffs are any indication. What happens now? Plus, the Lakers need to know if D'Angelo Russell can truly lead. What does he think? Rob Pelinka is re-packaging the Lakers, and one year after his death, we look again at the incredible quality of Prince's catalog.

In the '90s, Tabitha Soren was a major presence on the media scene, as a reporter for MTV News. Today, she's a photographer. Her new book "Fantasy Life" details the members of the 2002 Oakland A's amateur draft class, otherwise known as the "Moneyball" draft. We talk to her about photography as art in the age of photography as communication, baseball, and the media landscape then and now.

W. Kamau Bell joins the show, talking about the role of comedy in social commentary, Warriors hoops, and Season 2 of CNN's United Shades of America. It's an entertaining conversation about serious issues, at a time when everyone wants to talk about having "a conversation," but nobody really likes to talk about what that actually means.

The end of the 2016-17 season is near for the Lakers. How much progress have they made? How does their young core stack up against the young cores not just of other lottery teams, but younger playoff squads? The answer says a lot about how far they have to go to regain relevance in the West.

All that, plus NBA headlines (KD returning, Cleveland bickering) and a springtime quiz on Hallmark Christmas movies.

D'Angelo Russell left the starting lineup, but now he's back. So what were the Lakers thinking, and what comes next? Plus, are NBA stars resting too much? Adam Silver thinks so, but really what can he do about it? Finally... why do so many NBA stars think the world is flat?

Jeanie Buss went to court last week to thwart an apparent coup attempt by brothers Jim and Johnny, who apparently were trying to depose her as the lead owner of the Lakers. So how did we get here, and what comes next? Would a little more TLC from sister to brother have prevented the whole mess, or was this type of conflict inevitable?

Lou Williams is gone. What does that mean for Jordan Clarkson's development? Luke Walton weighs in. How about fourth quarters? The onus is on D'Angelo Russell to fill a leadership void on the floor. Is he up to it? Plus, Kevin Durant's bad knee, Cleveland adds to its roster, and the life and career of Bill Paxton.

Magic Johnson is now running basketball operations for the Lakers. Rob Pelinka is going to be the GM. Lou Williams is heading to Houston. We break down a very, very busy 24 hours for the Lakers.

The Lakers have made moves, in the front office and on the court. Magic Johnson is back, arriving just as Luke Walton sends Timofey Mozgov and Luol Deng -- LA's two highest paid players -- to the bench. What does that mean for the futures of Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak? All that, and the tire fire continues smoldering at Madison Square Garden.

The Lakers have hit the skids, including now losing by the worst point total in team history. How much will the last few weeks impact summertime decisions for Jeanie Buss? What about the rebuild? Are the Lakers faithful losing faith in D'Angelo Russell?