Lakers Talk With Allen Sliwa

Sliwa began that show realizing that there are so many different storylines with the Lakers in the first couple weeks: The injuries, the play of AD, and the up/downs of the role players. Also, is it a good idea to bring Austin Reaves off the bench? Sliwa thinks it’s not so bad as people think. Plus, an injury update on LeBron and Jarred Vanderbilt. LA Times Lakers Beat Writer Brad Turner came on to talk about the changing rotation and he thinks the Lakers are doing with LeBron with him not playing the last game vs Portland. Then, Sliwa previews the week ahead for the Lakers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are injuries the reason for the Lakers' slow start? Sliwa thinks it as something to do with it. Plus, a recap of the last second loss in Miami and Sli gives his assessment of the Lakers' role players so far through the first couple weeks of the season. Lakers Nation's Trevor Lane came on to talk about his thoughts on the Lakers injury bug and Austin Reaves/D'Angelo Russell backcourt. Then, Houston's Dillon Brooks is "talking again." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sliwa started the show with the good and bad from the Lakers in the first week of the regular season. Plus, Sli thinks AD is already playing like an MVP candidate, despite going scoreless in the 2nd half vs Denver on Opening Night. Also, what's up with Austin Reaves slow start to the season? And, with all the news on the James Harden trade to the Clippers and a short preview of Lakers/Clippers was ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk. Then, Sliwa talked more Lakers/Clippers, who meet this week in their first meeting of the regular season.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With one more day until the NBA regular season, Sliwa reacted to the Lakers' six Preseason games, by saying what he liked, what he didn't like, and marveled at the depth the Lakers can throw at their opponents. Plus, Sliwa breaks down the Lakers first opponent, the Denver Nuggets, who with former Laker KCP and their head coach Michael Malone, have been "saying a lot" about the Lakers during offseason leading up to Opening Night. Also, Spectrum's Chris McGee came on with Sliwa to talk about what he expects from the Lakers in the first couple games, his thoughts on the depth the Lakers didn't have in the past, and who he expects to be the biggest challenge to the Lakers in the West. And, Sli reacts to the huge Giannis extension. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With 5 Preseason games already played, Sliwa gave his assessment on the team so far, but still doesn't know how they match up against the better teams in the NBA. Plus, Sli had a lot to say about Anthony Davis, especially since Head Coach Darvin Ham said he was going to shoot at least 6 three-pointers a game.  Jovan Buha of the Athletic came on to talk about his impressions of the team through 5 Preseason games and who he thinks will be the 5th starter, alongside of LeBron, AD, Austin, and D'Lo. Plus, Sliwa is amazed with Victor Wembanyama.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lakers played their first 2 games of the Preseason, so Sliwa gave his first impressions so far of the team, that features lots of new parts. Also, watching the first couple games already, Sli thinks one of the newest Lakers will have a huge impact on the team. Lakers Nation's Trevor Lane came on to talk about his first impressions of the team and who could be the 5th guy in the starting lineup that features LeBron, AD, Austin, and D'Angelo. Then, Sli talks about the week ahead for the Purple and Gold. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sliwa talks about the excitement being at Media Day, as Sli thinks it was “night and day” compared to last season’s Media Day. Also, LA Times’ Brad Turner came on to talk about his impressions of Lakers’ Media Day and what to expect from this team in the short and long term. Then, Sliwa replayed some the highlights from his player interviews during media day, including sitting down with Anthony Davis.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With NBA Training Camps about a week away from opening, Sliwa took an in-depth look at the Lakers' entire roster, with projections for the rotation and the starting lineup. Plus, Allen reads some quotes from Austin Reaves' interview with ESPN's Zach Lowe, as Reaves thought just like Sli that the roster has "a lot of talent." Then, ESPN's Brian Windhorst came on to talk how the Lakers will stack up in the loaded Western Conference and his expectations for LeBron James' 21st NBA season. And, Sliwa reacts to some quotes from an ESPN article that polled some NBA insiders about how the Lakers could do in the upcoming season.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Allen discusses what the Lakers extension of Jarred Vanderbilt mean to the team. The Lakers depth can be a blessing and a curse and Allen shares his thoughts on why. Lakers fans want to react to the off season moves the front office are doing. The Lakers are making moves with non big name signings but does that mean they won't go after a big name? Plus, Zach Lowe shared some thoughts about the Lakers. LeBron continues to surprise us at his age but when will we see a decline? And, Allen shares who he's excited to see this upcoming season and does Anthony Davis have to be an MVP for the Lakers to be contenders? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sliwa starts off the show reacting to the big signing for the Lakers this past week, Christian Wood, who has "All-Star type" talent. Sli thinks that Wood will use the Lakers just like Dennis Schroder and Malik Monk to hopefully sign a bigger deal next Summer. Also, it's time to give Rob Pelinka "his props." And, will Austin Reaves take another leap next season? To answer that and to react to the Christian Wood signing was the Athletic's Jovan Buha. Then, Sliwa reacts to the possible new rule change that could have teams fined if they sit their stars during Nationally Televised games.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Austin Reaves is playing really well for Team USA during the World Cup of Basketball, but can he carry it over to the NBA season? Sliwa is pretty confident he can become the third best player on the team during the upcoming season. And, would Giannis ever don the "purple and gold?" Sliwa thinks it's a great possibility since the Lakers have a history of signing star players and treating them well. Plus, Spectrum's Mike Trudell called in to talk about the "Summer of Austin Reaves" and the impact of Anthony Davis on both ends of the court.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The NBA schedule came out last week and Sliwa was all over it with his reaction! Allen thought it was weird to look at the schedule and see the in-season tournament games being played in the course of the season. And, will the Lakers go over Bleacher Report's over/under for wins in 48? Sliwa thinks that the Lakers definitely get at least 48 wins. Plus, Lakers Nation's Trevor Lane on the Lakers' schedule and who they could possibly sign with that last roster spot. And, Austin Reaves is playing really well for Team USA.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anthony Davis takes jabs constantly but Anthony Davis is back in the MVP conversations but it's not just by Lakers fans. Kevin Garnett spoke about how he thinks AD can be an MVP contender. The NBA schedules are roaming and we get a glimpse of who the Lakers will be playing. Plus, Darvin Ham believes that the Lakers can be a championship team. Do they have what it takes? And, Allen reacts to Pau Gasol's speech.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sliwa started the show reacting to some quotes from ESPN's "The Hoop Collective" podcast about the possible contract extension for Anthony Davis. Sli thinks you have to re-sign AD and another star player "will come" once LeBron James retires. Plus, Allen breaks down the ESPN NBA Offseason Power Rankings, where he thinks the Lakers are a "little low" on the list. Our own and host of "Locked On Lakers" Andy Kamenetkzy joined Sliwa to talk about AD's contract extension, the roster construction so far, and the search for a backup big man.  And, where does LeBron and AD rank on the Ringer's Top 25 NBA players?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What are the Lakers expectations for the upcoming season? Sliwa thinks the Lakers have big expectation, especially since they made "solid pickups" during the last month. Also, Sli talks about the biggest weakness on the roster right now, the lack of another big man. Would Christian Wood be a great addition to the roster? Allen thinks so. Lakers Nation's Trevor Lane called in to talk about his observations at NBA Summer League and what the Lakers need to do to fill out the roster.  And former Nugget/current Pacer Bruce Brown said what?! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sliwa opened up the show talking about the great things he seen from Lakers during Summer League, especially Max Christie. Can Christie contribute next season? Sli thinks so. And, Allen gives an update on a possible contract extension on Anthony Davis. Plus, Sliwa interviewed Max Christie from Summer League about his development and what his expectations for the season. Also, is there a real rivalry now between the Denver Nuggets and the Lakers?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are one week in on NBA Free Agency and the Lakers made lots of signings. Sliwa reacted to each and everyone of them. Sli loves the direction the Lakers are taking with signing cheap role players, instead of one star. Allen is high on the Gabe Vincent and Taurean Prince signings. And, how far are the Lakers away from an NBA Title? Plus, Sliwa goes into the other big NBA Free Agent signings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sliwa started the show by reacting to the Lakers had two picks in last week's NBA Draft. Sliwa thinks the biggest takeaway from the NBA Draft for the Lakers was "they didn't make a major move." Plus, should the Lakers just "run it back" with the same team that got swept in Western Conference Finals to the Denver Nuggets? Sliwa answered the question. LA Times' Writer Brad Turner called in to talk about the direction of the Lakers and other NBA stories. Plus, Kobe Bryant got drafted on this day in 1996, so Sliwa took a stroll "down memory lane."  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sliwa starts off the show reacting to the big Phoenix/Washington trade that has Bradley Beal going to the Suns and Chris Paul going to our Nation's Capitol. Then, if CP3 somehow becomes a free agent, should the Lakers try to sign him? Sliwa thinks if it's only for the mininum. Also, Sliwa addresses the rumors that Kyle Kuzma could make a return to the Lakers. To talk more about the Beal/CP3 trade and the how it changes the landscape of the NBA was AZCentral's Duane Rankin. Plus, Sli looks back on Kobe/Shaq's first title together, the 2000 Lakers Championship team.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even though it's "Lakers Talk," Sliwa started things off with The Denver Nuggets beating the Miami Heat in 5 games to win the 2023 NBA Title and giving Nikola Jokic his "props" being the most dominant player in this year's Playoffs. Plus, how far are the Lakers away from beating the new NBA Champions? Sliwa thinks if the Lakers come back with the same roster, they wouldn't be able to beat the Denver Nuggets. To talk more about the Denver Nuggets winning the title was ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk. Then, could AD have a playoff series where he's better than Jokic? Sliwa answers the question.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices