Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers have started 3-0, and no question, much of that is due to the play of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, along with (Sunday notwithstanding) Walker Kessler. But one consistent factor over the first three games has been steady contributions from the supporting cast. Whether the "other" two starters (Ziaire Williams, Matisse Thybulle) or the bench players (Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Jake LaRavia) there has been meaningful, consistent production from the collective every night.
Given how awful the team's bench was productivity wise last year -- by any metric, they had one of the biggest drop offs from starting to bench units in the league last year -- this is a huge development. It's also an early validation of the offseason blueprint.
Will it hold? There's a good chance it will. Or should, even, assuming folks stay healthy.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers are getting steady production from the supporting cast.

SEGMENT 2: Why some people are making the wrong argument.

SEGMENT 3: Can it last?

PHOTO CREDIT: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
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The Lakers are 3-0, with a supporting cast that is providing considerably more dynamic play around its stars than last year's group. But there's a major exception to this broad improvement: The Lakers do not have a playable backup center. Not someone who can play the five, or small ball options, but an actual "this is what I do" backup center behind Walker Kessler.
Sandro Mamukelashvili is the team's primary option there, and Kevon Looney is technically the next true center on the team (undersized as he might be). But through three games, even the limited minutes with Looney on the floor have been a total disaster. Catastrophically bad. And while Mamu has held his own -- actually looked pretty good defensively on Sunday in Utah -- there are some matchups he'll be very poorly suited to handle, and leaving him as the only viable backup limits JJ Redick's options.
So what do they do?
Should they go find new players? Where and how?
Should JJ dust off Jarred Vanderbilt for some small ball center minutes, which could help with the team's rebounding problems?
Is there something different he could do with Looney?
We discuss.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

PHOTO CREDIT: Jon Endow-Imagn Images

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KALSHI
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Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.
FanDuel
This season, FanDuel is making the excitement go beyond what happens on the field with the all-new FanDuel Rewards Club, featuring exclusive offers, surprises, and more. Every week, check the FanDuel app to see what’s waiting for you or visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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How would the Lakers react to a weird 2 pm start time in Salt Lake City against the Jazz?
Poorly as it turns out. LA didn't really clock in until the top of the second quarter, and at that point were down 47-29. But they were as good in the second quarter as they were bad in the first, outscoring the Jazz 45-24 and actually taking a lead into the half.
The story of this one was the team's stars, starting with Luka Doncic, who finished with 52 points on a very efficient 17-30, with eight threes, eight rebounds and 10 assists, along with a pair of steals. Reaves was also excellent, finishing with 29 on 7-12 from the floor and 11-13 from the line, contributing a steal and two blocks, as well. The two of them were the engine driving the Lakers, but it was a dynamic effort overall. Matisse Thybulle finished with 11 points and three steals. Collin Sexton was cold from 3-point range (1-5), but still dropped 13 in his second game back.
As a team, the Lakers shot very well from downtown (20-47) and took much better care of the ball than they did Friday against the Clippers.
There are things to improve. The Lakers were killed on the glass, were clearly not ready to go at the tip, and Walker Kessler laid his first statistical egg in purple and gold, finishing with only one bucket and seven rebounds.
But the Lakers fought their way through a game with unusually high intensity for this early in the season, which is a nice change after two relatively easy games to start the year. The Jazz are much improved, and were clearly game for this one.
The Lakers are 3-0, and will take Monday off before hosting Portland Tuesday night.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Luka goes nuclear, Lakers win.

SEGMENT 2: Reaves and Luka -- lots of teamwork in the backcourt.

SEGMENT 3: Consistently dynamic play.

PHOTO CREDIT: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

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Head to https://Wayfair.com or shop the Wayfair app for all things home. Every style. Every home.

KALSHI
Today's episode is brought to you by Kalshi. For a limited time, Download Kalshi and use code Locked On to get $25 when you trade $25. Kalshi. Trade what’s next.
Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.
FanDuel
This season, FanDuel is making the excitement go beyond what happens on the field with the all-new FanDuel Rewards Club, featuring exclusive offers, surprises, and more. Every week, check the FanDuel app to see what’s waiting for you or visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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It wasn't as aesthetically pleasing as Wednesday's Opening Night win against the Warriors, but did get the job done. Despite 21 turnovers as a team—including 11 from Luka Doncic—the lakers picked up a 125-117 win over the Clippers Friday night at Crypto.com.
And there was plenty to like. Walker Kessler was 10-14 from the floor, and had nine stocks (three steals, six blocks). Austin Reaves was 10-3 shooting, and had nine assists. Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams had 27 between them. Quentin Grimes had 13 off the bench and Collin Sexton finally made his debut.
On the other hand, JJ's reluctance to go deeper into his bench with Jake LaRavia, Adou Thiero and Cam Carr out put pressure on the guys who played, because LA only played (for all intents and purposes) eight players. That meant big minutes for the Big Three. Not something you want to lean into this early in the year.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

PHOTO CREDIT: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

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Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.
FanDuel
This season, FanDuel is making the excitement go beyond what happens on the field with the all-new FanDuel Rewards Club, featuring exclusive offers, surprises, and more. Every week, check the FanDuel app to see what’s waiting for you or visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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Walker Kessler was historically good in his Lakers debut, making all 12 of his shots, including 10 dunks, and helping lead a second and third quarter push defensively that blew the game open.
And while he's obviously not going to make every shot in every game as a member of the Lakers, perhaps the best news about Kessler's performance is that nothing about it was particularly fluky. There wasn't a barrage of three pointers unlikely to be replicated, or a bundle of hooks and jumpers that just happened to go down. Everything was by the rim. Which is exactly how the Lakers have designed the offense. Kessler's value isn't about what's in his personal "bag," but his ability to read and react to players like Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Collin Sexton.
On some nights, better teams and better defenders will keep Kessler and the Lakers from doing what they want to do as effectively as they'd like, but the basic game plan is clear, and Kessler's skill set is well suited to follow it.
So go ahead! Be optimistic! It's fine!

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

PHOTO CREDIT: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.

PrizePicks
Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNBA and use code LOCKEDONNBA and get $150 if you win your first $5 lineup!
Odoo
Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.
KALSHI
Today's episode is brought to you by Kalshi. For a limited time, Download Kalshi and use code Locked On to get $25 when you trade $25. Kalshi. Trade what’s next.
Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.
FanDuel
This season, FanDuel is making the excitement go beyond what happens on the field with the all-new FanDuel Rewards Club, featuring exclusive offers, surprises, and more. Every week, check the FanDuel app to see what’s waiting for you or visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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