Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers - Lakers Fall to 0-2 In Preseason, Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent Play Well, Look Healthy

Starting point is 00:00:00 Hey, everyone, welcome to Lockdown Lakers for Monday. Brian Kaminetsky, Andy Kaminetsky, Lakers lose their second preseason game. But lots of good stuff to take away, especially if you're watching Jared Banderbilt. That's next. You are Locked on Lakers. Your daily Los Angeles Lakers podcast, part of the Locked on Podcast Network, your team every day. Thanks to everybody for making Lockdown Lakers your first listen to every day, Monday through Friday to matter where you are watching, even if it's in Turkmenistan. This is your first listen to Every Day. We appreciate it. Lockdown Lakers on YouTube is where you can go hang out with over 36,000 subscribers to the channel, some of which watch the program live. And that's why I'm referencing Turkmenistan, because Azat, L.A. 11 is on from there. So we appreciate it. Lakers lose their second preseason game of the young preseason that is the

Starting point is 00:01:06 headliner there. They lose, what was it, 113 to 11, 101. 11, 103. I was going to say 113 to 101. But I got it backwards. But anyway, so the Lakers lose. And once again, Andy, they were missing most of their frontline players. no LeBron James, no Luca Dantritch,

Starting point is 00:01:28 Austin Reeves actually sat this one out. Marcus Smart still yet to practice, therefore still not ready to play. So that was, you know, you're going to expect a little bit of raggediness, but you still got to play the game and you've still got to look for good stuff. So we'll break it all down here in a moment before,

Starting point is 00:01:48 though we need to tell you that first today's episode is brought to by Fandul. Right now, new customers can bet just $5. And if you bet wins, get $300 in bonus that's to use across the app. Head to fanduel.com to get started. I think there were a few performances, Andy, that are worth pointing out.

Starting point is 00:02:03 DeAndre Aiton, I think overall looked better in Sunday's game than he did on Friday. Jake La Ravia had some nice moments. There was some good stuff sort of spotted around the floor, especially in the first half. Gabe Vincent made his preseason debut and looked great. But the name that really has everybody talking after this game, talking during the game, if you were following it on social media. Jared Vanderbilt really came out and played a strong game, moving well, very active.

Starting point is 00:02:34 9.7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals for Jared Vanderbilt. He very early on in the game set, I think, a lot of tone with his energy and his hustle and the things that you come to expect from Vando. He hit a corner three in this game, which is, something that you necessarily expect from Vando, but he put up three of them, continues to be, if nothing else, confident with putting up that shot. And for what it's worth, I thought it looked better in this game than the corner shot. Yeah, a little less rushed. It was less rushed, I think, than Friday. It looked a little bit more just comfortable for him. He also had, I realize,

Starting point is 00:03:16 given the finishing issues that I've talked a lot about with Vando since he's been with the Lakers, because I think it's so important. And I think for all to talk about can he or can he not hit a corner three, Vando's struggles at the rim are a far bigger problem for him offensively. He had what JJ described after the game as a Eurostep decal, desal, deceleration, finish at the rim, like an up and under type play that he finished through contact. He unfortunately couldn't make it an AN1. but it is one of the best finishes

Starting point is 00:03:53 I've seen from Jared Vanderbilt as a Laker even acknowledging there's maybe like five to choose from but he had one of the first half though that became an N-1 as well where he finished through contact so two of those over the course of the game. He looks really good so far to start this young preseason and training camp. He looks as everybody keeps harping on

Starting point is 00:04:18 and Vando during Media Day kept emphasizing the importance of healthy, he looks healthy. And a healthy Jared Vanderbilt is a really potentially important piece for this team. Yeah, I just, I think I am, you know, JJ talked about it after the game. And obviously, I don't want to make it sound like it doesn't matter because it does. I mean, Jared Vanderbilt as a competent low volume, 35% three point shooter

Starting point is 00:04:51 obviously changes the arithmetic of how you can use him, how he can be used, how he fits into an offense, what the combos are. You do not want him. I mean, I guess something weird happens, but probably don't want him shooting

Starting point is 00:05:07 four, five, six of these a game. But again, one, two, three a game where he is going to hit it, you know, 35% or so. It really does make. a big difference. But I am not on board yet with the, you know, Jarede, Vanderbilt needs to show me that, probably needs to show the coaching staff that for multiple weeks of games. I think before.

Starting point is 00:05:36 What specifically? The three-point shot before everybody sort of feels comfortable with that as like, yes, this is a new part of his game that he worked on and, you know, know, whatever, need to see it. The finishing stuff, though, inside is significantly more important because you can figure out how to use Vando even if he's not hitting three-pointers. You can put an architecture around him in terms of the right lineups and this and that with enough shooting that you can leverage what he brings defensively and not worry about the spacing as much.

Starting point is 00:06:17 because it can be found somewhere else. If he's not hitting three-pointers and he also is dropping balls at the rim, he's had hands issues at different times. If he's not able to put the ball on the floor a little bit and finish, where like the only thing he can do is either finish with a dunk on the break

Starting point is 00:06:38 or a wide open layup because of, you know, back cut or somebody ignores him. It's going to be much harder to use him with big minutes. And so those finishes, one in the first half, one in the second half, to me were sort of critically important plays. Yeah, there needs to be an offensive utility for him. He does not, I do not expect Jared Vanderbilt to become a full two-way player. But if he can become somewhere between a one-and-a-quarter and one-and-a-half-way player with everything else he brings to the table, that will be more than enough to me, particularly if he's playing. let's just say and the question of could Jared Vanderbilt potentially start was posed to JJ

Starting point is 00:07:23 and he's done all preseason. JJ kind of demurred and said like minutes will have to be earned by everybody, but then went on to acknowledge that Vando looks good. And as you pointed out when you and I were texting before the show, he didn't say no. He didn't say no. He didn't say yes, but he didn't say he didn't say.

Starting point is 00:07:46 we're considering, like he could have left that door open a lot wider than he did, but it didn't shut it. So at least it's, sure. But the reason I bring up the starting thing is not even to necessarily talk about whether or not he should or shouldn't start. We can and probably will have that conversation over the course of the week, but it's not the reason I raised it right now.

Starting point is 00:08:05 The reason I raised it right now is, let's just say for the sake of argument, Vando is playing in a lineup with LeBron, Luca, Austin, and Aiton, the presumed four in-pen starters, if those four guys can't generate enough offense to offset or supplement, however you want to put it, Vando's presence for the same reasons we've talked about with Marcus Smart, even if Marcus Smart isn't to the same extremes as Vando, to me, then the problem is the offense is not working in actuality the way we see it on paper. Like those four guys should be able to generate enough offense.

Starting point is 00:08:48 And, you know, even if LeBron and Luca are two guys that, you know, they both can hit threes. But the reality is their gravity is themselves. Like they will always, they can space the floor simply by being themselves. They will never be left alone. Austin Reeves is pretty close to along those lines. you do not leave him alone. DeAndre Aiton, he doesn't space the floor, but he always has to be accounted for.

Starting point is 00:09:17 If those four guys cannot make your offense hum to the point where Jared Vanderbilt can do many other things, then again, I just feel like for whatever reason, and I guess we'll see it over the course of the season, the offense just is not working the way we would expect. Well, I look at it this way too. You know, I think to some degree what they're waiting for to decide. And it's, I think, by all accounts, either Marcus Smart or Rui Hachamara that they're looking at.

Starting point is 00:09:55 But if by all, you know, if they're waiting for, you got to see Smart on the floor before you can really make that evaluation. I said it last week, the longer it takes for Smart to get on the floor. the more likely it is for Vanderbilt, I'm sorry, for, for, for Rui to get that starting position just because he's the other guy and he's playing. So after the break, though, I will say there is something to be said, I realize we can have the larger conversation over the course of the week, but there is something to be said for Vanderbilt and how he's playing now kind of in that construction.

Starting point is 00:10:40 If you're considering smart, here's why you might want to consider Vanderbilt. We'll do that next. Lockdown Lakers is brought to you by Peloton, shaping the future of fitness with brand new Peloton Cross Training Tread Plus, powered by Peloton IQ. Their most advanced equipment yet,

Starting point is 00:11:00 Peloton's designed to give you real-time guidance, endless ways to move, whether you're running, lifting, or cross-training with your favorite instructors. This is training and reimagined. Peloton is built for breakthroughs with tools that help you plan, stay motivated, stay engaged, reach peak performance. The Peloton IQ system offers real-time strength coaching.

Starting point is 00:11:19 It actually tracks reps, suggest the right weights, corrects your forms, makes each ref safer and and rep safer and smarter, and the personalized class recommendations keep you engaged. You get workouts tailored to your vibe and energy level each week. So let yourself run, lift, flex, and push forward. explore the new Peloton cross-training tread plus today at one peloton.com. So, I mean, I'll say this, Andy, we can move on to like DeAndre 8 and some other guys, but let us know what you think in the comments section as well. But like if why you would start Marcus Smart is he's going to add defensive integrity,

Starting point is 00:12:04 he's going to be able to pick up your point of attack, you know, defense in ways that, you know, Austin Reeves isn't going to, Rui Hachamore is not going to you. So you have a legitimate point of attack defender and all that kind of stuff. Smart is a better offensive player than Vanderbilt. I don't think there's any question about that. He is a better secondary ball mover.

Starting point is 00:12:31 He is, you know, there's a lot of different things that, you know, but what he isn't is a floor spacer. And so, you know, if you are willing to put Smart into your star. I mean, he, I think he is more of a floor spacer than Vando. Like, he is, well, no, but I mean, I'm saying I think that just, Marcus Smart is somebody that you don't necessarily want to take a ton of threes, but he has somebody that at least you would expect to take threes at some,

Starting point is 00:13:03 some type of clip. Van, when he takes threes, it's more of a surprise. That's all I'm saying. Sure, but I mean, Van, you know, smart for his. career is a 32% three-point shooter. He's just, he's never been good at it. I mean, his high watermark, but the point I'm getting to is like, you know, his high watermark is basically 33, 34%. Like that's, that's a good three-point shooting season for

Starting point is 00:13:25 smart. So if you are willing to put him in the starting lineup, you are willing to accept a player who is not going to help with your spacing in that way. And so, you know, and smart on this team setting aside, you know, there are people who do great work with, you know, what is the best thing, best way for a player to be used defensively. You know, smart can do a lot of things. I don't, I don't know for sure if like in every situation point of attack defense best for both us on this team, given the alternatives, both smart and Vanderbill will be used very frequently, if not most of the time that they're on the floor as point of attack defenders. So if you you're going to use smart that way who isn't a floor spacer you could also use vanderbilt that way

Starting point is 00:14:17 sure who is not a floor spacer um and in fact you know and defensively i think the less you get vanderbilt in traffic the better off he is he is better when he's not chasing when he's not filling space when he's not like he's best when he is on the ball pressuring the ball um pressuring ball handlers, pressuring switches and all that kind of stuff, are, you know, pressuring screens and things like that. And so, you know, I think there at least is an argument to be made there. And we'll see how it goes. And if Vanderbilt continues both to look as comfortable physically as he is, look like he can carry a little bit of a load and, you know, doesn't, and doesn't look like he might break down from, from that kind of,

Starting point is 00:15:06 of workload, because you've got to keep them healthy, then I think, you know, we'll see in a couple weeks, especially if Smart isn't yet playing. I was about to say it is so important right now that knock on wood, Vando does seem healthy and is looking more like himself because we don't know when Marcus Smart is going to be back. And, you know, I don't know everything about medicine, but Achilles tendonopathy for a guard of his age who plays extremely hard,

Starting point is 00:15:34 like Marcus Smartin has had injuries over the last couple of years, that feels like no joke. You don't want to mess with it, that's for sure. And also, too, I mean, we might as well mention him because he made his debut when we were talking about guys who can be point of attack options. Gabe Vincent doesn't offer as many as Vincent or Vando because he doesn't have Vando's size and overall versatility

Starting point is 00:15:59 and Marcus. Smart and Vando, you mean. Right, excuse me, of Smart and Vando, like Vincent and Vando. doesn't have Vando's size or I think overall versatility, you know, the rebounding ability. He doesn't have smart strength. And I think he's just not as good as smart. He's just a small guy.

Starting point is 00:16:17 But he is a point of attack option. And Vincent made his debut for the preseason and played very well. He did. He did. He did. He did three threes. Five assists. He also looked very good and lively and active, said he felt,

Starting point is 00:16:34 good afterwards. It'll be interesting, I think. This game was a reminder of how much more comfortable Gabe Vincent is with the ball in his hands, how much seemingly more utility he has if he can run offenses or just have the ball more often, and a reminder of how little that's actually going to happen during the course of the season. So finding that, off ball utility and comfort zone for Gabe is going to be really important. Yeah, it's one of these things. It's like, you know, when you watch a game like this, there are moments when, you know, Jake Laravia is, you know, isoing on the perimeter, late in a shot clock trying to break people down.

Starting point is 00:17:20 You're like, well, that's not good. But you're also like, well, that's not going to happen in the regular season. Like these guys are put into roles and are asked to do things when you have a lineup missing, four of your top rotation players. You know, your three best players, and if a healthy marker smart is somewhere between your, you know, your fourth and seventh most important player, and, you know, all of them were out.

Starting point is 00:17:47 So you're going to get certain guys doing certain things that are not exactly what you would want them doing in the regular season. But I thought Vincent, you know, what Vincent was doing, you know, he had a couple of nice plays where, you know, coming off of a screen, you know, and stepping around a screen and aggressively putting up a shot and things like that. You know, he's not a, you know, a guy who doesn't know what his skill set is. You know, he's a pretty season vet at this point.

Starting point is 00:18:19 I think the Lakers know exactly what he is. And, you know, I don't love a world in which Vincent is relied on on a nightly basis to be, you know, fifth, sixth, seventh best guy. But I do like a world where he's relied on to be a seventh, eighth, and ninth type guy. And I think that's where he is currently slotted on this team. And you saw the floor spacing, you saw like, and the Lakers just haven't,

Starting point is 00:18:45 it's like Vanderbilt in last couple of years. They just haven't been able to get whatever the fully realized version of Gabe Vincent is. The Lakers haven't been able to get it. And so being able to get it is another one of these things that just raises their floor in a significant way. Yeah, I mean, they haven't been able to get it in part because Gabe has had a lot of injuries since he played a lot of games last year, but he wasn't, I don't think some of this.

Starting point is 00:19:12 Some of this again is he is, you saw it in this game when he was, you know, running off screens or taking the ball up court and essentially calling his own number. And I don't mean that like selfishly or irresponsible. I'm just saying creating his own shot, he is more comfortable, I think, as a score than when others create shots for him. And like his lowest usage in Miami as a rotation player was 17.5. And during the 2023 Miami finals run where, you know, that was really, I think, Gabe Vincent's career year, both regular season and playoffs. His usage was-

Starting point is 00:19:52 Believe it made him, what, $33 million? Yes, it did. Yes, it did. $33 million run. His usage was per basketball references metrics. His usage was almost 20 during that playoff run. His highest usage as a Laker has been 13.5. And the playoffs are a bad place to look for his metrics because, you know,

Starting point is 00:20:15 2024, he barely played it all in 2025. There was weirdness going on with the bench in general. But the point being, what is clearly his comfort. zone as a player. There feels like less opportunities for it. His catch and shoot numbers are fine, but not great. They're not terrible, but they're not great either. And just his general offball utility, like, again, there's stuff from watching Gabe in this game that you could be optimistic about. And again, it was just cool to see him look healthy and look, you know,

Starting point is 00:20:49 look very comfortable out there. I'm just curious to see exactly how they split the baby in what he's actually going to do on this team and what actually makes them most comfortable, most productive. I will talk after the break, but like, you know, when you start to go down the list of like the things that need to happen for the Lakers to punch a little bit about like it's as you see these preseason, you know, predictions and rankings and all these stuff come out. Like it's starting to kind of coalesce. The Lakers are pretty consistently fourth, fifth at the worst. the conference. There aren't a lot of people putting them lower than that. Basically,

Starting point is 00:21:32 they're tucked in right behind the thunder, obviously, the nuggets, and still, Houston, even with after the Van Vleet injury, which all of which I think is totally fair. So everybody expects the Lakers to be good, but there's a gap there between where they're being put and where fans hope they can get, you know, a conference finals or a finals or whatever might be. All of these things, you talk about Jared Vanderbilt is a huge aspect of this. Gabe Vincent is an important aspect of this. All of these things that if you have a healthy version of these guys that are the version that the Lakers had hoped they would get when they signed them to their,

Starting point is 00:22:13 you know, current deals, all of those things help pick up where the Lakers are. I think the biggest guy who raises the Lakers ceiling where there is a little bit of fluidity and not knowing what you're going to get is DeAndre Aiton. He did not look great on Friday. He did a few things well, but overall looked kind of uncomfortable. How did he look on Sunday in San Francisco? We'll break that down next. Lockdown Lakers is brought to you by Fandul, the NFL seasons in full swing. Fan Dull is making sure you're ready for every kickoff with a can't miss offer. New customers right now, you bet just $5. And if you bet wins, you get $300 and bonus bets to use across the app. just pick something super obvious for that $5 bet.

Starting point is 00:23:04 I love how Fandul fits however you want to bet, whether you're talking player props, building the same game parlay, even jumping in live as the action unfolds. It makes every game more exciting, whether you're watching the team that you root for, IRL, or just keeping an eye on your fantasy lineup. So if you're somebody that just has a good feel

Starting point is 00:23:22 for how games are going to shake out in the fourth quarter, you know, just Fandle can make it pretty fun. So you're ready to play? Download the fan. Sandal app right now by visiting FanDuel.com to get started. That's FanDuel.com to place your first $5 bet. All right. So DeAndre Aton, I think is the biggest, I hate the term X factor, but like if you define that as guy who you're not totally sure what you're going to get but could have a massive impact on how things go, well, and DeAndre Aten is an X factor. A lot of people have been

Starting point is 00:24:03 downplaying his potential impact in the team because he's DeAndre Aitin and they don't particularly like the player and all of this other stuff. But you're comparing that if you're a Lakers fan, you're comparing that not to the idealized version of DeAndre Aighton. You're comparing it to what the Lakers had at center last year. And while Jackson Hayes has looked stronger and played, I think, pretty well. I thought Jackson had a nice game on Sunday, actually. Yeah, I think he's played a couple of Jackson Hayes like foul.

Starting point is 00:24:33 notwithstanding on Sunday, or Friday, I should say, did a couple, you know, did some good stuff in that game as well. That extra weight looks like it's suiting him well without impeding his athleticism in any meaningful way. So that's great. He's still a backup center. And I wouldn't even necessarily put him in yet, like the upper tier of backup centers in the NBA. I don't think he's earned that yet. DeAndre Aiton, compared to that, should be a massive improvement. But the Lakers don't want just a massive improvement.

Starting point is 00:25:10 They want something closer to what that idealized version of Aiton is in the context of playing with Luca and LeBron and AR and all that. So knowing that, you know, 23 points in game is probably not an option there. But that said, they're strong pick and roll players. strong on the boards, better rim protection than what they were getting and quite frankly maybe even better than what Aiton has typically delivered over the course of his career.

Starting point is 00:25:41 It's interesting you say that because in this game the under eight and seven points, seven rebounds, one on the offensive glass, two blocks, three of eight from the floor in 21 minutes. There was a couple times during the game where Michael Thompson, who was filling in for Stu Lance, who's recovering from something health-related and best wishes to Stu, by the way, who's awesome and love hearing him on the air and just a really,

Starting point is 00:26:07 really nice person. So wishing him the best, hopefully he'll be ready for the season opener. But there were a couple times where Michael Thompson commented that Aiton had a shot and passed it up. And I thought the same thing, too. And it reminded me how after Friday's game, where Aiton, I believe only had one point, but he was pretty good on the glass and was pretty active in the lane. on both sides of the ball and was talking about how, you know, he's not looking for his numbers, numbers obviously being scoring numbers, he wants to be doing all of the things expected from him. And I feel like he's almost like on his quote unquote best behavior right now.

Starting point is 00:26:50 And he's, I feel like watching Aiton, he is trying a little too hard to convince everybody that he's not about his empty stats and that he's not just looking. to get paid. And I appreciate it. But like, it is a reminder to Aiton. They are actually looking for you to score. They just want you to do the other stuff too. Like they want you to do both. And I think, and it's you're going to have a very specific, you know, like role. Like he's, he's going to have like, they're going to run a ton of pick and roll. You got and you've got some of the best pick and roll partners you could possibly ask for on this team, starting obviously with Luca who has made a career of earning centers, you know, second and third homes.

Starting point is 00:27:37 So I what I liked about this game is the first couple minutes, Aiden looked tentative in the way that he looked tentative on offensively on Friday. You know, kind of backing away from, not just backing away from contact, because he's, He doesn't play through condes. He's not a guy who draws a lot of fouls and he's on an ultra physical offensive player. And okay, I don't think nobody should expect that change. But being confident aggressively getting up your shot, making a move, all that.

Starting point is 00:28:14 He just didn't look comfortable. Granted, the Lakers do not have their normal pick and roll guys for him to be working with and all that stuff. Or just the guys, I mean, frankly, to make, forget just pick and rolls. They don't play with passes. Yeah. Like the Lakers is something I know like,

Starting point is 00:28:30 Pete and Darius over at Lakers Film Room podcast, I've talked about a lot, and I think they're 100% correct. Like the Lakers have, even with Anthony Davis on this team, they've been lacking in quality entry pass guys. And that is a skill. All of it. And right now, the most fully realized version of Dianneurie Aten, beyond whatever comfort level he is or is not feeling, you're going to have a difficult time seeing it. because you don't have the guys out there to bring the best out of Aden. But I think as the game went on, you know, the first half, what I'm even pretend, I am here pretending that the third quarter didn't happen.

Starting point is 00:29:12 Lakers were awful in the third quarter and their starters were awful in the third quarter. I don't know if it's because they looked across and Golden State played their starters early. They played them in the first half. They did not come out with that same group in the second half. And I don't know. Maybe the Lakers got bored. I'm not sure, but I think they all kind of realized, I'm only going to be out here like another few minutes.

Starting point is 00:29:34 Like this just, I'm not defending it, but they were trying to make that time shorter by playing like cars. It looked like they were having like an existential crisis over those things. And it's like, what am I doing out of here? I was like, I stopped to, you know, finish, put the dishes away. And like all of the sudden I came back and like looked at the score and I had to rewind. I was like, oh my God, what happened? And they were awful in the third quarter. So I am just going to pretend like it didn't happen.

Starting point is 00:29:59 And to focus more on the first half, when I feel like they were more engaged and you get a better idea of what you might see. You saw more from Aiton. There was a couple aggressive jump hooks. I mean, I think he missed them both, but they were there. He took and made his first elbow jumper. That's, you know, off the pick and roll. That's going to be an important, that sort of mid-range capability is something that Lakers need for him. And then obviously there were a couple lobs to the basket, one of which Aidan did not.

Starting point is 00:30:29 convert that will have to be converted during the season. But the second one he did, it was off a okay but not great lob from Jake Laravia. So who is not going to be the guy throwing him lobs for most of the season? So it's it's one of these things where like I thought Aiton didn't look dominant by any stretch. But you saw the pieces I did at least of like what it could look like and how free he's going to be able to be in this offense. If he plays with a high motor and he has the sort of attention detail, set a hard screen, roll hard, all that kind of find the right spot. Aggressively take your shot when it's available.

Starting point is 00:31:19 He's going to have a ton of space because Luca and LeBron and AR and all these guys, it's not just that they have gravity. It's that their timing is impeccable on this stuff. And so if you think you're open playing with, you know, average player X, you're going to be twice as open when you play with Luca and LeBron. Yeah. And again, I like just seeing DeAndre Aitin right now, like hyper-focused on looking to do the proverbial right things. Again, like PSA reminder, we do need you to score.

Starting point is 00:31:57 DeAndre, like they're... It's not just being tangibles, as you like to say, we need some tangibles. Yeah, the Lakers are looking for you to maintain the double-double streak, like as far as career averages. Right, well, especially the back end of it. And to that end, he's rebounded the ball quite well. But of the two of those, the 10 rebounds a game is critical. He is the way he's been playing in preseason, he is on pace to keep matching those 10 rebounds the night. Again, seven in this game, but he only played 21 minutes. You average that out to 30-ish

Starting point is 00:32:30 minutes. He will hit 10 rebounds. I believe he's at eight on Friday. He is doing that stuff. He is looking, I think, very active on both sides of the ball. And I think he is really trying to continue making like a good impression on everyone. And he's talked, I mean, whether during media day or his introductory press conference, he's aware of his negative reputation. He's aware that it is, that he's seen as a non-winning player. Whether you think that is fair, not fair, somewhere in between whatever, what matters most is he doesn't like it. And obviously, it's up to him to maintain this commitment for more than two preseason games, like where the proving ground has hardly been reached. But he's made it pretty clear. He doesn't like it.

Starting point is 00:33:22 He seems interested in changing it. And I think, you know, on the floor then, you know, he leads them in, you know, the way in sort of a really strong rebounding presence. The Lakers ought to become a much better rebounding team because the raw material on this team in terms of their rebounding, if you put, you know, 10 a night from 8 in the middle, all of a sudden, you know, LeBron James is obviously an excellent rebounder. Luca is a good rebounder. Reeves is actually a good rebounder for his size. And so if you, the only guy in the starting lineup, at least if you carry over last year as to this year and add eight, and the only guy in that group who's actually not a good rebounder is, is Rui. Four of the other five are, you know, good to excellent, to elite even.

Starting point is 00:34:08 And so that should make a significant difference for the Lakers. As much as Rui is not a great rebounder for his size or athleticism, I think a little bit, that has to do with him playing a lot along the perimeter. Sure. But he's not a good rebound. Sure. No, no. I'm not trying to, like I said, he is not a good rebounder for his size or athleticism.

Starting point is 00:34:32 But the real problem for them last year without trying to let Rui off the hook was that Jackson Hayes for a center is a terrible. Terrible rebounder. And so like you put both of those guys in there and like, or you're playing small or whatever it is or Vanderbilt's not available and you don't get his rebounder. sounding like it's another area where a healthy Jared Vanderbilt makes just an enormous difference is that you just you have to be able to get rebounds and they just couldn't do it. Anyway, lots to talk about this week.

Starting point is 00:35:02 It was not a perfect night by any stretch of the imagination, but I thought they looked better. JJ Redick, whose opinion matters more than mine, also was happier with the effort on Sunday. The Lakers get a full week before they play again, which is good. They play again on Sunday and then again on Tuesday. So a lot to build up to. We'll get to some of the stuff that Redick talked about. We'll talk more about this starting lineup issue over the course of the week. Send us your questions.

Starting point is 00:35:32 Send us your comments. Locked on Likers on YouTube is where over 36,000 subscribers are all hanging out. Subscribe to us on Spotify and Apple. We'll see everyone tomorrow.

Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers - Lakers Fall to 0-2 In Preseason, Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent Play Well, Look Healthy

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.