Opening night is nearly here and the Lakers begin their season with a rematch of the Western Conference Finals vs. the Nuggets. Pete and Darius preview the game, focusing on how the Lakers offensive shifts to more five-out looks can help them vs. the Nuggets defense, the challenges of their own transition defense vs. Denver, and the ever present problem of defending Jokic in the halfcourt. And then later, the guys discuss the mindset of the players heading into this game and how D'Angelo Russell's play looms large as a potential pivot point. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers closed out their preseason with a loss to the Suns on Thursday night. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the game, the strong performances from LeBron and Anthony Davis in the 1st half, the challenges the team faced with their bench groups, and how much of a stepping stone this game really was for the regular season opener next week.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the Lakers head into their final preseason game on Thursday night, Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the team's attempt to balance building continuity with managing players' minutes this preseason, Jarred Vanderbillt's health, who the fifth starter should be, and the battle for minutes and the challenge of building out a rotation with as much talent as this team has. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers’ rotational players have been more dominant on offense than last year, while having significantly more length on defense than last season. The guys discuss the tall & skilled nature of the roster, how that helps unlock AD’s perimeter game, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With LeBron, Anthony Davis, and Austin Reaves all sitting out, the Lakers got strong performances from D'Angelo Russell and Gabe Vincent (among others) to take down the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night. Pete and Darius discuss the game, looking at the strong night from the guards, Taurean Prince making his case to start, Christian Wood's work on the backboards, the team's defensive performance, and much more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With LeBron and Austin Reaves making their preseason debut, the Lakers beat the Nets on Monday night. Pete and Darius discuss the game, focusing on Taurean Prince getting the start, Austin and D'Angelo Russell's hot shooting, and Jaxson Hayes' making his mark. And then later, the guys discuss their first impressions of LeBron and AD continuing to look fantastic on both ends of the floor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers dropped their preseason opener to the Warriors on Saturday night, falling 125-108 in a game that got away from them in the 2nd half. Pete, Mike, and Darius offer their takeaways from the contest, focusing on Anthony Davis and D'Angelo Russell's strong showing, some of the schematic changes the team flashed offensively, the play of Christian Wood and Jaxson Hayes in the competition for the backup Center spot, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers open their preseason with a game against the Warriors in San Francisco on Saturday. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss their expectations heading in, how LeBron sitting out impacts their view of the game, how they evaluate back of the rotation players in these games, and who of the new players they're most interested in watching and why.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers opened training camp on Tuesday and the reports coming out of day one are encouraging and full of spirited optimism. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the first day of practice, with a focus on Anthony Davis taking on more responsibility, how LeBron looks physically, Jalen Hood-Schifino getting some shine, and much more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Whether it was the general sense of optimism, the appreciation of continuity, the championship aspirations, or the commitment to doing the work to get there, the Lakers media day was filled with many through lines from all the players. Pete, Mike, and Darius offer their takeaways from the first media session of the season and what stood out most to them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices