On this solo edition of the Hoop Ball Lakers podcast, Ethan takes you through the Lakers’ 7-3 start and reasons to feel fantastic about the way Los Angeles has started the season. Despite some questions surrounding effort and the Lakers continuing to experiment with the lineup, the Lakers still look every bit like the NBA’s team to beat. Ethan gives you some promising stats to support the solid start, addresses KCP’s absence and his importance to the team, dissects the play of LeBron and AD, and, of course, it wouldn’t be complete without bringing you another update on the Kyle Kuzma and Talen Horton-Tucker fronts.
The Lakers are 4-2, but an ankle injury to KCP will again force Frank Vogel’s hand to be creative with his Lakers lineups. JC and Ethan break down the start, how the Lakers can move forward sans KCP & Caruso (COVID-19 protocols), and what the fellas would like to see from this Lakers team going forward.
The guys also hit on some potential rotation tweaks like more Kieff minutes at the expense of Trez, check-in on both Kuz and THT, and wonder about the shift in identity and how the Lakers can protect the paint as the season progresses. All aboard!
Solo pod time! JC recaps the first two games by highlighting five early things to be excited about this season so far, despite the opening night loss to the crosstown rival Clippers. All is good in Lakerland!
The season is HERE and the Lakers are still headlining NBA news after extending Kyle Kuzma on a three-year, $40M deal that prompts JC and Ethan right into discussion. The fellas break down Kuz’s new deal before being joined by Brandon Marcus of the Hoop Ball Clips pod for a crossover preview where we break down both starting lineups and benches, offer our predictions- go deep into what Trez will bring the Lakers and which team is better off with or without him, plus some Kawhi/PG vs LeBron/AD talk. To close it out, JC and Ethan bust out some listener questions from the brand new Hoop Ball Lakers discord channel, and we invite you to join in on the action.
The Lakers first two preseason games are in the books, and while some new COVID-related rules were in the spotlight, the biggest story was clearly THT. JC is here to break down the incredible results!
LAKERS BASKETBALL IS BACK! Fresh off a championship season and sprinting toward the starting line of a new year, the Hoop Ball Lakers podcast aims to mirror that purple and gold excellence with quality up and down the lineup. And on this episode, Ethan is thrilled to be joined by the esteemed Alex Regla! Alex and Ethan gush on THT, dive into the ‘Kuzma Komplex,’ discuss rotations and the decisions facing Frank Vogel, and offer some early-season predictions for this revamped Lakers group. We recap the Lakers’ reconstruction, extrapolate what the commitments from LeBron and AD mean for the franchise, and get you HYPED for another brand new batch of Lakers basketball.
The Lakers are officially back in action, so Ethan and JC are back with a fresh new episode featuring Lakers Beat Writer & Silver Screen & Roll’s Editor in Chief Mr. Harrison Faigen! Harrison joined the fellas for an hour-plus to discuss his role as a Lakers beat writer, how he sees this Lakers team coming together, his most surprising offseason observations, and of course, his opinion on Kyle Kuzma’s role on this team. You knew we’d sneak it in! We deliver tepid takes, Harrison shares some first-hand insights that he’s gleaned from this new-look Lakers group and we all can’t realize that the preseason starts in less than a week.
LeBron James is freshly extended, Anthony Davis is signed for five years, and The Hoop Ball Lakers podcast is fresh with the flame with a very special guest: Trevor Lane of Lakers Nation! Ethan, JC, and Trevor break down the Lakers offseason, discuss their most surprising additions, explore the starting and closing five and dive deep into the potential of Kyle Kuzma and what he could mean to this Lakers roster. Plus, we get into the signings of Marc Gasol and Montrezl Harrell and how the Lakers bigs will stack up when it comes to playing time. The Lakers are making a bet on talent over continuity for the sake of complacency, and the guys discuss what adjustments may be in store for this Lakers team as they move forward together. Trevor also drops a big nugget about Talen Horton-Tucker that Lakers fans have to be sure to catch. The Lakers are back like they never left and enter the 2020-21 season as the clear title favorites. Get your popcorn ready, because the LakeShow is live on stage.
The offseason is a wrap faster than eager Christmas enthusiasts putting presents under the tree after Thanksgiving, and the Hoop Ball Lakers boys are here to break down the revamped LakeShow Lineup. The structure of AD’s contract is the only looming question because Rob Pelinka has passed every test thrown his way with flying colors. The Lakers have beefed up the starting five, created real depth at each position, and have arguably the deepest rotation in the league after just winning the NBA title. Pretty good for a GM who didn’t understand the salary cap, right? Ethan and JC analyze it all AND throw in some takes that are hot enough for Tapatio to be our sponsor. @Tapatio, call us.
The boys are back and Dennis Schroder is in the house!
JC & Ethan deliver the necessary free-agent primer show and discuss the likelihood of Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Dwight Howard returning. JC thinks Wes Matthews is in the bag, and Ethan continues to bang the Jae Crowder drum.
The fellas discuss how Schroder integrates into the mix, the most likely makeup of the Lakers roster entering the season, and the general free agent frenzy coming directly into the hearts of hoop heads everywhere.
JC & Ethan hit the mics to preview the rapidly approaching NBA season. From next week’s draft to free agency to the start of the campaign, it’s going to be a whirlwind! The fellas take a look at the Lakers’ free-agent situation, explore the market for potential buys (hello, Jae Crowder!), preview the trade market, talk unicorn scenarios and try to find a new home for trade candidate Russell Westbrook. Catch up on everything Lakers plus a very special HoopBall premium product launch announcement, only on the HoopBall Lakers Podcast.
The Lakers are once again NBA CHAMPIONS!!! Ethan and JC take you home from the bubble with the trophy, and there’s no greater feeling than the team coming home with its rightful crown. LeBron reminded everyone to put some damn respect on his name as the best player in basketball, Anthony Davis’ defense fueled this team forward, and the supporting cast starred in their roles for the Lakers to win it all. The fellas recap all that this NBA Finals was, take a brief look ahead toward next season, and enjoy the moment as the Lakers are unquestioned champions. Pop the champagne, strike the match for the cigar, and listen in with the Hoop Ball Lakers family.
A 102-96 Game 4 NBA Finals Win has the Lakers just one more win from securing the crown. After an ugly start that saw LeBron out of sync, the Lakers were able to play their brand of bully ball against a Heat team that tried to push them around all night. Ethan & JC break down the Lakers win & look ahead toward Game 5, examine a potential Dwight for Markieff switch, stress the importance of the #CaruShow, and how LeBron might have just locked up Finals MVP. Oh, and Ethan goes on an epic Lakers rant that you really can’t miss.
One team wanted it more, and that team was unfortunately not The Los Angeles Lakers. Jimmy Butler played a game for the ages, and the tenacious Miami Heat are starting to prove to be a much tougher out than previously thought. JC has your thoughts on the box score and what to look for in game 4.
Game 2 is in the books, and the Lakers are just TWO. GAMES. AWAY. from reclaiming the NBA Finals throne! Anthony Davis continues to dominate, LeBron James remains unstoppable, and despite an offensive performance that Jimmy Butler and Co. should be proud of, this Lakers team just looks like it’s simply too much Heat for Miami to handle. Rajon “Vintage Playoff Bubble Man” Rondo stepped up in a major way with a double-double off the bench, the Lakers cleaned the offensive glass like they’re sponsored by Windex, and Frank Vogel has this group locked in as they look to take a make-or-break Game 3 that will all but deliver them the trophy. Join Ethan for a solo ride of the Hoop Ball Lakers podcast before Game 3’s tip!
