Lakers Lounge

Anthony reacts to the first win of the 2023-'24 season. Yes, the Lakers made us sweat it out, but given that it's a divisional opponent at home, they needed it. Anthony Davis bounced back. LeBron James vs. Kevin Durant sure was fun. Christian Wood! What Austin Reaves needs to do to look more comfortable. What the hell was Darvin Ham thinking with all those Gabe Vincent minutes? Plus, some picks for a fun Friday night of hoops courtesy of Sleeper. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In classic Anthony-and-Aaron fashion, this episode sure does wander. First, they start with a viral clip of LeBron James reminding Phil Handy he can play point guard. Should he, is the question. Then, after Anthony credits Charles Barkley for pushing Adam Silver on the NBA's domestic violence policies, the guys discuss that situation and how they think the league can do better. They segue awkwardly to tonight's game against Phoenix, in which Anthony thinks Anthony Davis needs to dominate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony wraps up what's left of the discussion about opening night. He offers a couple more notes and a little more explanation for the guys some of you think he was a little too hard on after Tuesday night. Then, he looks ahead to a matchup with the Phoenix Suns, who might not have Devin Booker and/or Bradley Beal. Anthony Davis needs this one. We need him to need it. He finishes with a trip around the league on a busy night and laughs at the Chicago Bulls. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony and fan favorite Matt Moore discuss the sights and sounds from opening night. The Nuggets beat the Lakers, though Matt and Anthony somewhat disagree on why. What they do agree on is how the Lakers need more from Anthony Davis, especially if LeBron James' limits are going to be limited the way Darvin Ham said they might after the game. They wrap with a few minutes on how to bet the Lakers this year and which kinds of matchups they'll play well in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony discusses an interesting game between the Nuggets and Lakers that went just about as he thought heading in, with a couple details that certainly felt noteworthy. He talks about Anthony Davis disappearing in the second half -- especially painful given what Nikola Jokic did. He offered some additional context as to why that happened. He also talked about D'Angelo Russell's disappointing night. On a lighter note, LeBron James looked great and Cam Reddish and Christian Wood pleasantly surprised. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony previews Lakers-Nuggets, a fascinating matchup to open the NBA season. He then takes a few questions from the various mailbag options. He wraps by wondering what's up with Jarred Vanderbilt and takes issue with the Lakers' approach to injury information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After multiple years of not being able to record together, Anthony, Pete and Harrison are together again. They talk about expectations for this upcoming Lakers season. They talk about questions they have heading in. They argue over expectations for Anthony Davis and LeBron James. But most of all, they just enjoy getting to do this for the first time in way too long. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers are roughly 24 hours from tipping off their 2023-'24 campaign. All things considered, it was a successful preseason. Anthony looks at who impressed him and who needed to show more (for a variety of reasons). Then, he zooms out to define the identity the Lakers will need to accept to optimize this season by looking closely at the strengths and weaknesses of this team. Finally, he outlines his expectations for this team, which are pretty damn high.. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers wrapped up their preseason with a weird one against a shorthanded Suns team (no Devin Booker, no Bradley Beal). It was pretty clear the intent was to get out of there healthy (mission accomplished) but did lead to some lackadaisical play. Anthony recaps the game in both macro and micro senses, all the while understanding why Lakers fans might not have the most patience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With so little complain about with the Lakers, Anthony turns his attention to the atrocities Nike continues to commit against NBA uniforms. He and Aaron discuss that, James Harden and how pleasant this preseason has been. He also tells the story of Jen shooting down any ego he may have ever developed from being recognized in public. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony is joined by Mirin Fader to discuss her latest piece on Austin Reaves. He had one of the most insane offseasons in recent memory and it honestly is a perfect continuation for his basically inimitable career. The trio discuss golf, Austin's drive, how he gained LeBron's trust, Taylor Swift and frugality. Yeah, this was a typical ridiculous Anthony and Harrison interview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jovan Buha (The Athletic) comes back to outline just how different this preseason/training camp has been from the others he's covered on the beat. Both on and off the court, the contrast couldn't possible be more drastic -- and enjoyable. He talks about the offensive overhaul, the three-point shooting, and the general competency he's noticed this year. The guys also discuss D'Angelo Russell and his approach to the game, and whether what we've seen increases the likelihood that he remains on the team into the postseason. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony recaps a nice preseason weekend. The Lakers handled the Warriors (while all the main rotation players were playing) and then competed with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard with LeBron James. Yes, this team will succeed in different ways than we might be used to, but they're going to be very good all the same -- so good that Anthony is upping his expectations for them this season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony is welcomed by an old friend in Adam Mares (AllCity, DNVR) whose Nuggets have a very real animosity towards the Lakers, who are happy to share that feeling. Both guys think it's good the teams are open to feeling that way, even in the "rent-free" era. They also talk about why Nikola Jokic pisses off Lakers fans specifically, even while he shares a lot in common with Kobe Bryant, according to Adam. This conversation touches on a bunch, including labor sentiments of all things, so tune in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony starts the show with a short rant about his stupid Dodgers. He quickly moves off of that to enjoy the positively immaculate vibes surrounding the Lakers, all starting with D'Angelo Russell. If this is who he might be moving forward, wow. Anthony and Aaron discuss him, the rotation, Jaxson Hayes, and what they were most right or wrong about heading into preseason. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices