Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

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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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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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.
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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.

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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

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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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It seemed like Collin Sexton would make his Lakers debut in the opener on Wednesday, but alas he was given one more game to rest.
Well, now he's completely off the injury list, so while there could (and likely will) be some restrictions on Sexton, he'll be able to deliver some of what he brings to the rotation. It starts with outside shooting and rim pressure, and extends to the support he brings the Lakers as a ball handler behind Luka and Reaves.
It will also make a bench unit that provided real scoring punch on Wednesday with even more juice.
The question, though, is how it might over the long term impact the start lineup. Would it make more sense with Sexton available to shift Quentin Grimes to the starting lineup? Maybe not Friday against the Clippers, but over the long term?
Plus, Friday's game is part of an early stretch offering the Lakers an incredible opportunity to get off to a strong start. They'll see the Clippers twice, Utah, Golden State again and Portland (at home) before the Raptors visit Crypto.com to kick off the November slate. That means the Lakers should be no worse than 5-1, and have a chance to be undefeated through the end of October.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers get Sexton back.

SEGMENT 2: Should that change the starting lineup?

SEGMENT 3: The scheduling gods are smiling on the Lakers.

PHOTO CREDIT: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

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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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Wednesday's season opening win over the Warriors was notable for more than just the smack talk between Luka Dončić and Golden State rookie Yaxel Lendeborg. Although that's definitely getting a lot of attention.
There's also the matter of what Luka did before the game. It started with a full page ad in the LA Times, thanking Lakers fans for their support of the team, and what he says they will work to make a championship effort. Luka also took care of parking at the arena for 150 or so fans, This is on top of donations to wildfire relief, the reconstruction of Kobe murals, and other acts for his new community in LA.
Doncic has said he hopes to retire a Laker, and is behaving like a guy who believes a meaningful connection to the city is important.
Austin Reaves, in a conversation with Melissa Rohlin of the California Post, was asked about the difference between Luka's reception/relationship with Lakers fans and LeBron James's, having played and developed good relationships with both. (Obviously he and Luka are now besties.) Austin noted that LeBron arrived in LA with a context that made it harder for fans to embrace him. Austin's comment centered around the rivalry between James and Kobe Bryant, which definitely impacted how fans felt about LeBron from the jump. But there's more too it. There was a transactional feel to his time here, and at the time he signed, most people didn't think it would be an eight year relationship. Many fans appreciated his talent, and what he did to pull the franchise out of the muck, but resented some of the drama or already carried some dislike based on how the rivalry between him and Kobe Bryant was framed.
Luka doesn't have those issues. He didn't expect to come to LA, but has embraced the city and the franchise since arriving. He's someone that Lakers fans can lean into as "theirs," even though he wasn't drafted by the team. The relationship is designed to span most of a decade, so it's long term.
Overall, Wednesday was a reminder that not all stars operate in the same circumstances, and that something much more similar to LA's relationship with previous stars could be at work here.

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.

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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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