Lakers Talk With Allen Sliwa

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

Sliwa opened up the show reacted to the huge news from Yahoo's Shams Charania: Kyrie Irving is trying to recruit LeBron James to the Dallas Mavericks. Sli thinks this outcome is highly unlikely but does put the pressure on the Lakers to have a championship-ready team for LeBron. Then, did Anthony Davis do anything to change your opinion of him during the Lakers' Playoff run? Allen answers the question. Also, the Athletic's Jovan Buha called in to talk about a possbility of a LeBron trade, his thoughts on the roster and where AD falls in the discussions about the future of the franchise.  Plus, Sli's thoughts on the NBA Finals that are tied 1-1 between the Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the Lakers' season ending, Sliwa started to "slowly unpeel" the season that was by first assessing the job that 1st Year Head Coach Darvin Ham did with the team. Sli thought Ham did a great job, despite the bad start and the changing of the roster midway in the season. Then, is there enough talent now on the Lakers to win a title? Allen gives his answer on the question that will certainly be asked a lot during the upcoming Summer. Plus, Lakers Nation's Trevor Lane gives his thoughts on the job Coach Ham did, how the Lakers' season ended with the sweep to the hands of the Denver Nuggets and what to do with the roster. And, Sliwa gave his prediction for the NBA Finals between the Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sliwa started the show reacting to the sweep we didn't see coming: The Denver Nuggets beating the Lakers 4 games to none in the Western Conference Finals. Then, Sli talked about the rumor that shocked the NBA world: LeBron possibly thinking about retirement. Plus, Allen speculated what could happen in the offseason. To help him talk about that, LeBron's shocking admission and Heat/Celtics was ESPN's Brian Windhorst. Also, Sliwa thinks the marriage between the Lakers and D'Angelo Russell is "heading for a divorce."  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Lakers are off to the Western Conference Finals! Sliwa started off looking back at the Lakers beating the defending World Champion Golden State Warriors in 6 games in the 2nd Round. Then, Sli looked ahead to the Western Conference Finals as the Lakers will take Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. Which Lakers role player will win a game for them during the WCF? Sliwa looked at possibilities. Also, Spectrum's Bill MacDonald called in to give his takes on how the Lakers were able to beat the Warriors and what he thinks is going to happen with Lakers/Nuggets. Plus, Sli looks at the other side the bracket, the Eastern Conference Finals with the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sliwa starts the show breaking down how the Lakers have taken a 3-1 series lead over the defending world champions, Golden State Warriors. Sliwa thinks the Warriors aren't the better team and its showing in this series. Also, did Anthony Davis deserve to be on the All-Defensive Team? Then, The Athletic's Jovan Buha called in to talk about the Lakers/Warriors, AD's play during the series, and who he expects the Lakers to play should they get past the Warriors. Also, Sli talks about the various Lakers stepping up with LeBron and AD during the playoffs.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Lakers are on to Round 2, as they defeat the Memphis Grizzlies in 6 games. Sliwa took a look back on the series and all "the breaks" the Lakers got from the Grizzlies' injuries. Then, Sliwa looked ahead to Round 2 matchup vs. the Golden State Warriors, as Steph Curry will clash with LeBron James again in the Playoffs. Also, ESPN's Ramona Shelburne called in to talk Lakers/Warriors and who she expects to come out on top. Plus, Sli took at look at the other NBA Playoff series.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices