The Lakers play a big game on Friday, welcoming Denver to the Crypt. Given the schedule for the rest of the month —decidedly short on home games—and their current record—not very good—it’s about as close to a must-win as December games get. And their track record following disappointing games like the Boston loss on Tuesday is pretty good! So there are reasons to believe the Lakers will, at the least, put on a credible show. But from a fan’s standpoint, there’s also the matchup between Denver’s Nikola Jokic and Anthony Davis. Two of the more remarkably skilled players going head to head, with different skill sets and styles. AD has faced off with Giannis and Embiid recently, and now gets the fourth of the four great bigs in the NBA right now (Davis being the fourth, given his play over the last month).
It’s a moment to appreciate just how good these athletes are, and the truly remarkable things they can do. It can be hard to divorce results from stuff like this, but even in moments of struggle for the team, as a sports fan it’s fun to embrace these moments. Hopefully the game lives up to the potential.
Meanwhile, Sunday marks the anniversary of one of the more entertaining nights of the 21st century at Staples. December 18, 2006, Gilbert Arenas lights up the Lakers for 60 in OT, besting Kobe (who had 45) and the Lakers. It was notable not only for the entertaining nature of the game (we were there, it was a blast) but for how angry Kobe was after, even criticizing Arenas for taking bad, irresponsible shots. (There is an irony, no question.)
Games like that are easy to forget about, but when you remember to remember, the flood of good memories comes back.
Finally, conversation (casual for the moment, given reported disinterest from the Wizards) about trading for Kyle Kuzma is picking up. Kuz would represent a ton of things for this team. First, a roster balancing upgrade that would do a lot of good. And second, a moment to focus on the tremendous inability of the Lakers to manage assets properly. Don’t forget, they SENT OUT a pick in the deal that shipped Kuz to Washington in exchange for Russell Westbrook. To sacrifice another just to get him back?
Optics, bad!!!
(Not a reason not to do it, by the way…)
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: AD vs. Jokic is a reminder of what’s fun about sports and the NBA.
SEGMENT 2: Remembering the night Gilbert lit up Staples, and Kobe got real mad about it.
SEGMENT 3: Oh, the tremendous conversations that come from trading for Kyle Kuzma!
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26 Comments
Sorry fellas, I can't watch an episode that focuses on all the positives of Christmas Past when the team is 11-16 and we have been informed Russ is (probably) staying all season. Still writing a comment for the engagement.
looking forward to AR locking up Murray
Started focusing on the fun aspects of the matchup, then you had to go and start talking about Lakers reality.
Looking forward to the next Lakers championship in 2037
Unless Jeannie steps down and lets Joey and Jesse run the show
If the Lakers threw in one pic to dump Kuz they should definitely pay 2 to get him back, at least that's Pelinka MO
Naw Bojan is definitely the most interesting person that will fit the best on the Lakers not Kuz , Bojan is A Shooter and a Scorer if u need Bojan to stand in the corner and wait for the 3ball he can if u need him to score while Bro on the bench he can I don’t think Kuz want to be back in that 3rd 4th man role again
And can we PLEASE stop saying Hams rotation is because of the roster , HAM PLAYS small ball even when we fully healthy, idk why Brown and Gabe don’t get more time then Pat and Nunn or why we hardly play Gabe and AD or AD and Bryant more then trying to play Russ Pat and Nunn or Pat Nunn and Dennis
no more lakers in play in, an dinplayoff starting last season until 2028. unless rob pelinka and jeanee buss step down, they are not the people who could make lakers playoff team. lebron and davis are useless players because the rest of the role players are not working anymore, they are so lousy,lazy,slow, no interest to win, they so so lousiest role players of all time. brown and walkers are garbage players, dennis and wesbrok are garbage players, thomas likewise, reaaves are rattled player, no way, a wa way wa away from any form or type of status being contender in play-in, lakers is already out from today, it willbe 30 wins and52 losses, not official yet but it will come true until april 9 only and no more. lakers take early vacation.
if there’s one player we should worry about it’s definitely not ad he’s our best player and he’s literally our defense now having said all of that CAN WE
PLEASE GET SOME WINGS IM TIRED OF SEEING AD AND 3-4 GUARDS
next season another bad season in lakers to start rebuilding, lebron will score only 5 per game and 2 assist per game, 1 rebound per game next season. rob pelinka its better for you to submit now your letter of resignation,. step down now
Please guys, you are the Only Island in the Ocean, dont fall to the same issue of others: dont forget Kuzma flaws in 2020 and 2021. Dont forget the many Jalen Roses on the TV talking about "Kuzma needs to step up and be the third man".. I Remember that. I remember Rondo, emerging to do what people expected from Kyle.. I Remember Kuz and KCP disappearing from the court, with an injured AD, leaving a half-injured LeBron alone against Phoenix.. please.. I mean, with the old Lebron, Kuz would be fine(not great), but we have already seen him. When playoffs come, and LeBron starts to slow down the tempo, and shoot brick After brick (because he clearly cant do what he used to), you Need a killer on the perimeter, at least nobody is doubling AD on defense, and LeBron has still a possibility to do the right thing and pass that damn ball to somebody else.. p.s. so I'd give a pick and my ill mom for Bojan..
Lol Anthony suggest more trades lol
Thus game comes down to supporting cast as usual. Amazing as Jokic is .. his success has risen and fallen with teammates hitting his shots on the ends of his passes. If Murray goes off it’s Denver by 25
KCP currently shooting 45% for 3-pointers, that Westbrook trade makes me so angry.
Ad and lebron gonna need 35+ to be in this game
I'm not stressed anymore about this season. I except that we are trash 🗑 and just looking 2 next season.
Sorry fellas but Jokic is a great passer but also a product to this generation. Give Pau, Divac, CWebb, Mchale, Walton this gen of spacing and shooting and I’m sure they’ll surprise you with their passing
Last 10 games Jokic is averaging 29/11/9 on 66% from the field. Y’all have fun.
We have a false hope as fans. AK and BK are correct when they say Walker and AR are the 4th and 5th best players on this team. On a championship team theyll be the 9th and 10th best players. It just sucks to say lol.
To be fair Jokic is already clearly the best passing big of all time .. and will go down as one of the best passers ever
For Jokic, it will be just one league game, and Davis will try his best to prove that he is in Jokic's rank. If Davis scores 50 points and Jokic scores 10, Jokic is still an incomparably better basketball player.
I'm find if they don't trade them picks Go Lakers get a "W" tonight
Lakers need to change starting lineup. Max Cristy scored 26 points and most of them were 3s. Beverly and Dennis can’t score.
That Westbrook trade was not only risky it wasnt logical, LA pretty much gave up their depth, defense and youth for an over the hill Westbrook that is not producing enough to justify his 47M contract
Why would the Wizards trade Kyle Kuzma to the Lakers for a bag of garbage juice.
Brian, disagree with what you said. There was plenty of athleticism back in the day just gotta do your research, a lot of todays nba is hyped up because of socials.