Yeah. Feels more and more like a gimmick every year.

Hahaha! DJ, that is very funny, but I agree with you 💯 %.

I mean…awesome? We’re 5th and 8-7 over the last 15. That’s the stat that matters. If we can grind out 3 wins to close out the break.that would go a long way. There’s been a ton of injuries, some role upheaval, so wining out before the break would go a long way in reshaping the narrative. I think the guys are together, that’s a testament to the staff and veteran leadership. There are a ton of execution issues on D to cleanup, silly turnovers to iron out, and a sharp shooter to incorporate. The break after the trade deadline is a great choice by the league, IMO. Gives coaches a chance to integrate new guys and rethink concepts that haven’t panned out.

FROM ABOVE ARTICLE:

2-Jarred Vanderbilt and Maxi Kleber thriving in a smaller, more agile environment

The Lakers have won their last two games with defense. A scrambling, mobile zone defense, without a traditional center.

Two players have been instrumental in this setup. By utilizing zone, JJ Redick seems to have found the best formula to maximize Jarred Vanderbilt’s unique skill set. Like his teammates, Vanderbilt missed a couple of cuts and can still be undisciplined at times, but with his length, mobility, and constant hustle, he is the main player providing the necessary pressure at the top of the zone. His endless motor was also key against the Warriors, who crash the glass with four players at a time, as he won plenty of scrambles for long rebounds outside the paint. Two made corner threes and 13 total points were just an added bonus, making up a very impactful 18 Vando minutes.

If Vando was the key at the top, Maxi Kleber was, for a second consecutive game, the difference on the back line. The 34-year-old German looks healthy and mobile again, a reminder of why he was such an impactful defender in his prime. I won’t get tricked into believing this is sustainable at this stage of his career, especially given his injury history. Everything the Lakers get out of Kleber should be viewed as an unexpected plus. The biggest benefit of his recent stretch is not just his undeniable on-court impact (he was a game-high +12 again), but the realization of how stark the difference is when the back line is manned by a high-IQ, mobile defender compared to the Lakers’ other big-man options.

i dont get it….

Austin Reaves vs Warriors:- 15 Points – 8 Assists- 5 Rebounds – 50% FG pic.twitter.com/fBuQgWL9wp— Laker Performances (@LALPerformance) February 8, 2026

LAKERS SHOULD WAIVE DALTON, NOT MAXI!Right now, it has to be Knecht who gets waived to open another roster spot. Kleber has become too valuable. Rather have Dalton's dead money next year than to lose Maxi now. He and Vando have made the Lakers zone actually look like a… https://t.co/1AHgUnb0nB— LakerTom (@LakerTom) February 8, 2026

The Lakers get 6 players in double-figures tonight:20 — LeBron 18 — Rui16 — Reaves15 — Smart13 — Vando10 — KennardTEAM WIN. pic.twitter.com/ctAv1Ocv53— Witness King James (@WITNESSKJ) February 8, 2026

JARRED VANDERBILT TONIGHT 19 minutes 13 points 8 rebounds 3 stocks +11 +/-ALWAYS BRINGS THE ENERGY ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/iAMEfYcCfI— Lakers Lead (@LakersLead) February 8, 2026

Excellent fiver, Jamie. Missed you on the show on Saturday.
Lakers need to win out all the games before the break.

So…many…turnovers….

I think he’ll be out until after the break. AS Game’s in LA so that’s a plus, fly the new kid and wife out, chill and do promos and NBA what-have-you, rehab and get set for a strong 2nd half push.

THEY MADE THE DECISIONS

“If keeping SALARY CAP SPACE in the summer was not the main priority, it WAS the PRESSURE POINT that ROB PELINKA, the new owner MARK WALTER, governor JEANIE BUSS and consultant ANDREW FRIEDMAN pushed in every scenario or decision”

I think they all saw the wisdom and potential in consolidating assets. I hope the Kennard for Vincent swap is enough to boost us plus some All Star R&R for the squad.