Best basketball podcast out there. Such a welcome difference from how basketball is talked about on social media or on espn. A breath of fresh air. Pete and Darius are my go to on anything Lakers.

Been a fan for a longtime even before Mike Left and I must say you guys have still never skipped a beat and just kept doing your thing! Super proud and Go Lakers!!!

Great commentary and the guys are always knowledgeable of the team while providing honest and detailed discussion. Been listening for years and will continue too! A regular must listen for ALL Lakers fans.

MC pod was excellent really enjoyed the discussion Prefacing this by saying I’m higher on Max than most, but imo the backcourt of Dlo/AR needs to be broken up, it’s just not capable enough defensively against elite teams. You guys talked about how great Max looks next to Vando and AD and it feels like to me he’d slot perfectly next to Dlo in the starting lineup. He can defend the second best ball handler while Vando takes the top guy and with 3 primary options in Dlo LBJ and AD he can just spot up and cut on offense. Needs minutes to prove he’s an every night nba player but what are your thoughts on how his specific skillset can help balance out an offensive heavy lineup?

Hey, Guys! Really like the show. It’s the best at helping fans actually understand the game itself, and I really appreciate that. Now that neither of you is with the Lakers, I look forward to more opinions of yours. And speaking of opinions, Jovan Buha had a story in the Athletic about how Max Christie is ready to and will have an increased role this season. Yet I heard another podcast spend a lot of time saying the Max was not an NBA-level player, could not keep his man in front of him, does not shoot well, was way overpaid in his new contract—a total trashing of him. What’s your analysis of Max? Does he have good lateral quickness? Is he strong enough to guard at least some 3s as well as stronger 2s? Did you hear of any other team interested in him? Or was he overpaid to enable the Lakers to make a better trade down the line? Thoughts? Lakers OGF (Old Guy Fan)

I’d like to say I’ve given a majority of Lakers podcasts a try, and have been listening to LFR for 3+ years now. I don’t think you can find one that’s as objective while also being completely subjective. Pete and Darius each are lifelong fans, but also students of the game with deep knowledge, along with each having had an affiliation with the organization at points in their careers. So their thoughts and insights about the organization come from so many different levels and are so unique compared to other Laker pods. Excited to see what the future holds now that the pod is independent!

My only complaint is that he can start to ramble on for long periods. I find myself having to stop the pod and come back to listen at a later time cause I can’t stand it.

It’s pretty much the gold standard for Lakers pods but also team centric pods in general. A great listen.

Hey guys….is it wearing on Jeannie Buss that this team seems to be not competitive like a Laker franchise should be ? Also actually how much longer is she going to employ Pelinka who doesn’t seem to be good at his job ? Something needs to be done. Thanks , MGEEZRAIDERZ (Laker fan since 1980)

Sorry about the drama. I’ll miss Mike. Lakers PR people need to understand how valuable LFR is serious Lakers’ fans. Seriously!

Mad respect to you Pete. This is a huge win to independent media. You’re always great and have a life long fan.

Best pod, the Lakers made a big mistake.

Really looking forward to your new era. I’ll definitely miss Mike, but am excited for your pod to get back to the independent analysis you’re so amazing at. Question - how would You characterize the organizational cultures under Jerry Buss (and Jerry West), Jim Buss, then Jeannie/Rob? I feel like ownership determines what an organizations values are. How is this changed over the various ownership heads?

There's a lot of noise surrounding this franchise, this podcast cuts through all that noice with smart and sensible commentary.

If a package of Rui, Gabe, JHS, DLo & Cam (opt ins) nets you Lavine/AC or Dejounte Murray/Kuz with the difference being 1 pick & maybe seconds for the former vs all 3 picks and likely pick swap for the latter. Which would you do? I understand concerns about Lavine contract but also consider the cap going up in coming years and also Lebrons eventual departure. In either situation, goal would be to move Reaves to 6th man, sign Drummond sized back up big and move Wood to backup 4. Lean into identity of size and athleticism, especially with Bron & AD with team USA this summer. Caruso | Reaves Lavine | Christie Vando | TP Bron | Wood AD | Drummond or Dejounte | Reaves Vando (POA Def, Cutter Off) | Christie Kuz | TP Bron | Wood AD | Drummond

Garbage Lebron hater.

How does a playoff caliber team always skip quarters and passively let leads disappear? If Ham can't motivate them then why is he the coach? And if Pelinka letsoooooooooooo guys go who epitomize a start-to-finish cultuooooore like Caruso while trading for a me- first guys like Westbrook and D-Lo, why is he the GM?

Best Laker pod on the market

I’ve been a faithful listener for three years, and a Laker fan since seeing Magic and Kareem battled Dr. J and the Sixers for the 1980 Chip. These days I’m living in Colorado, so LFR is my life-line to stay connected to the purple and gold. Clear breakdowns of strategy, line ups and roster construction, insightful recaps of each game, fun banter between, Pete, Mike and Darius— LFR has all the ingredients for a winning pod. So every day I look forward to listening, learning and laughing along with the LFR guys.

Most sports commentary is shallow and annoying. These guys are the opposite. Thoughtful, insightful, and empathetic.

Easy top 3 for me.

This is the only Lakers podcast that I listen to. I really enjoy the analysis and the access that Mike Trudell, being the sideline reporter, provides. I also very much enjoy Pete, and I used to enjoy the combination of Pete and Darius, but something has changed in this last year, possibly since Mike joined the podcast. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to listen to Darius. This is nothing personal, and I don’t want to be too judgmental. I just think that Darius needs to tighten his analysis a bit more. By this, I mean he needs to limit his tangents and keep his analysis more concise. He might also consider reducing the number of analogies, anecdotes, or off topic references. All in all, I really do enjoy this podcast. I just think these guys could tweak a few things.

Darius is awful. He literally did the voice equivalent of blackface on the last episode for a minute while “speaking from Lebron’s perspective” In years of listening I’ve never once heard any meaningful commentary from him.

About the math rock intro 🤘

Started listening last month and I really enjoy it! I just wish there were more episodes! Keep up the good work guys

By far my favorite pod. Keep it coming guys, great work.

Mike You called it - LeBron was going to be locked in for Game 6! What an incredible atmosphere inside Crypto tonight - what a turnaround!!!!

Pete,Darius and Mike are very knowledgeable and easy to listen to. They give a lot of insight to the beautiful game. Keep it up fellas!!

Incredible podcast. The best in-depth analysis you will find on the NBA. Your analysis of the non-AD minutes in the first two games points to a serious weakness in the coaching staff. Darvin doesn't have the same physical superiority Frank Vogel enjoyed during the championship run. If he doesn’t make better adjustments in a timely fashion, they will blow the opportunity of a lifetime in the wide-open West. Two comments: 1. The Lakers held a try-hard, undermanned Grizzlies to 103 points despite falling asleep on Luke Kennard (3 of 4 from deep) This is a win if even one factor changes (missed shots at the rim, not sending the Lakers to the line on obvious fouls, Tillman-Roddy-Brooks hit 5 of 15 3s while James-Russell-Reaves-Beasley shoot 4 for 19). 2. Nobody is talking about Mike Brown’s experience as a Golden State assistant for the last six years. Of course the Kings’ defense is going to know how to defend the Warriors. We saw the same thing when Don Nelson went to the Warriors and upset his former team, the 66-win Mavericks in the first round in 2007.

Intelligent Laker talk, good analysis make for one of my favorite Laker podcasts. Pete is the best and Darius is great too. Highly recommended! UPDATE (several years later): Still the best Laker podcast. Mike has been a great addition and Pete and Darius are better than ever. The three of them are likeable, engaging and, best of all, provide insight that helps me have a richer experience of each game. Thank you Pete, Darius, Mike and Jeanie (producer)!

Great podcast, can you upload video to YouTube

I love this podcast!! The trio have a lot of knowledge and great insight on the lakers Great addition with Mike,he’s a game changer

Everybody has great insight and lots to say and I love their fandom but I find myself listening as long as I can until Darius is too hard to listen to. Listeners know he goes on and on about things that could have been said in half the time. It’s bothered me so much that I’m writing this and currently looking for another podcast. I’ll be back likely but it’s growing on my displeasure scale.

Easily best Lakers podcast and its not even close

Long time listener in a different platform. Long time reader and watcher of all things Pete, Mike, and Darius. I don’t think I’ve reached a lower point in my fandom than the last two years but finally I get to watch good basketball again. What a joy! Thanks for surviving guys, we are back.

Only podcast that I listen to on a regular basis. Gives insightful comments about the Lakers.

Been following Pete for a few years (and his rise in the biz) and this show, and the trio assembled, are providing more interest for me than the team’s on court performance in this incarnation of the team! Smart and human interplay of the trio is as funny and warm as the expertise provided.

Or…The Forum Blue & Gold Standard of Laker coverage, period. 😉 A heartfelt Thank You + please keep it up, fellas! 💜👑💛

Hands down, the BEST Lakers podcast. Love these guys. That’s all, folks.

This pod is basically the cream of the crop for Lakers basketball talk.

The best podcast for Lacker's Fans if you want to hear deep analytical analysis 💜💛

This podcast is fairly well put together. The observations and conversations of the crew are astute and well thought out Unfortunately, I can NOT stand Darius’s voice. I truly don’t think he should be working in an audio based field.

You guys are the best show. Sound analysis mixed with great synergy within participants. Keep the good work. Can you interview the guy that beat Darius in chess? Love that story

I am so upset that the Celtics have advanced to the ECF. I recall a tweet from LFR earlier this year in response to a cocky Celtics fan who was tweeting their amusement at the misfortune of Laker basketball. The LFR tweet said, more or less, that while the Lakers weren’t playing well at the moment, they were at least better situated to win a championship than were the Celtics, whose front office had long ago abandoned winning as “their North Star.” I “liked” that tweet, and shared it for the edification of all of my friends, Celtic fans or otherwise. At the time, I believed the sentiment of the LFR tweet to be true. Now I don’t know anymore. I love this pod, and I never miss an episode. How confident are you all that the Lakers can turn this around and compete for a championship next year? Sincerely, Green with Depression

Favorite lakers podcast, love you guys!!! Can the Lakers still build a championship team with Russ on the roster? If so how would yal go about building it?

I came here for Laker tears but stayed for basketball analysis

I think you all are top 1 or 2 Lakers podcasts. I normally like Pete & Darius' takes because they're fair --Mike can be annoying (gives Bron too many passes when he didn't play well) so I took off a star for that

These guys are insanely insightful and bring a verve to the study of basketball. They make it cool to understand the Xs and Os behind what the Lakers are doing as well as why they’re doing it…whether they agree with it or not. I love their honest opinions and how they each have a unique take on the game. It’s clearly obvious these guys have been watching basketball for a long time, but more importantly, how great they are at articulating what they’ve learned. This type of knowledge is only the type gained over the course of their lives from watching basketball. They help me take the emotion out of the wins and losses (more losses than wins this season) by educating and providing knowledge about each and every game. It is very much appreciated what these guys put together for us 4-5 days every week of the year. Big thanks and huge shoutout to their knowledge and hard work!!! Thanks fellas.

I really really used to like this podcast. I listened pretty regularly for about 2 nba seasons. Unfortunately, since gaining sponsorship and support from the Lakers organization, they have become more hesitant to be critical of them when appropriate. They basically sugarcoat everything to the point where it’s not even really accurate sometimes. I’m happy for them that they found their success, but this podcast just isn’t for me anymore.

This podcast and Lakers Nation are my go to podcasts for Lakers talk. Love the information and all the analysis. MY one and only gripe would be when Pete talks over people and interrupts them. This is one of my biggest pet peeves and every time he does it my knee jerk reaction is to switch to something else. For some it’s not a big deal I know, just me personally I wish Pete would chill more and let the other guys finish saying their piece.