Phil Handy Podcasts

The Celtics were blown out at home in Game 7 of the ECFs by Miami, ending their season. Pete and Mike discuss their demise and then preview what the Lakers can learn from the upcoming NBA Finals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Pete Zayas

The Lakers battled valiantly and fought to the bitter end, but their season was ended by the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the game and reflect on the series in general, hitting on Jokic and the Nuggets great showing, LeBron's huge performance in Game 4, and much more. Then later, the guys…

The Lakers fell to the Nuggets in Game 3, falling behind 0-3 in their series in the process. Pete and Darius discuss the game, focusing on Denver's excellent overall play from Jamal Murray's first half scoring binge to the shot making of their role players in the 3rd quarter to Nikola Jokic's strong 4th quarter. Then later, the guys discuss Anthony…

The Lakers let a golden opportunity slip through their fingers as a huge 4th quarter from Jamal Murray and the Nuggets got them a win in a game the Lakers controlled for the better part of three quarters. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss LeBron and AD's offensive nights and how their defensive workloads impacted their shooting, Austin and Rui's big g…

Will the Lakers carry over their in-game adjustments on defending Nikola Jokic from Game 1 into Game 2? What kind of different looks could be on the table and how does Anthony Davis adjust to these different responsibilities? Can the Lakers sustain their offensive output against the Nuggets' defense? Will the Lakers change their starting lineup? Pe…

A great Nuggets 1st half was met with a furious 2nd half comeback from the Lakers, but it was Denver's shotmaking and a great Nikola Jokic performance that prevailed to give them the Game 1 victory. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the Lakers 1st half struggles in transition defense and on the backboards, Jokic's strong game, the Lakers finding their…

In the second part of their Western Conference Finals preview, the guys discuss a classic matchup between two Hall of Fame big men in their prime, and how both Anthony Davis and Nikola Jokic pose unique challenges for each other. Later, they discuss how Aaron Gordon’s defensive versatility matches up with LeBron, the downsized bench units of each t…

In part 1 of their series preview on the Lakers matchup with the Nuggets, Pete, Mike, and Darius take a closer look at the Lakers themselves, doing a self scout to identify trends, potential rotation options, and keying in on personnel groupings that have worked so far these playoffs and could continue to work vs. Denver. Learn more about your ad c…

The Lakers are going to the Western Conference Finals! Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss how the Lakers took down the Warriors in Game 6, focusing on LeBron finding that extra gear, Anthony Davis' two-way impact, Austin Reaves' shot making and buzzer-beating heave, and the rotation adjustments from Darvin Ham that unlocked the Lakers defense. Learn mo…

The Lakers head into Game 6 at home against the Warriors with an opportunity to close out the reigning champs and advance to the Conference Finals. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the sustained physical and mental energy required to win this game, the nature of this being a contest won by the "superstars" on both sides, and why the tactics on both s…

The Lakers lost Game 5 to a determined Warriors team who was able to score effectively, make a strong push at the end of the first half, and limit the Lakers offense enough to get a comfortable victory. Pete and Darius discuss the Warriors leaning more on Wiggins and Draymond as scorers, the battle between the Lakers guards on offense vs. the Warri…

he chess match continues at Chase Center tonight, with the Warriors as heavy favorites in Game 5. The guys discuss LeBron picking his spots at opportune times, the importance of the Lakers guards in mid range, potential adjustments to the ball screens for Steph, AD finishing 19th in voting for All-Defense, and more. Learn more about your ad choices…

Behind a 4th quarter comeback that featured a huge performance from Lonnie Walker IV, the Lakers beat the Warriors in Game 4 to take a 3-1 series lead. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss Lonnie's big night, LeBron's matchup hunting, Anthony Davis continuing his elite two-way play, and the slew of adjustments from both coaches that led to a classic of a…

The Lakers blew out the Warriors in Game 3 to take a 2-1 lead in their playoff series. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the win, focusing on Anthony Davis' dominant defense, D'Angelo Russell's shot making, Lonnie Walker's reinsertion to the rotation, and other strategic adjustments Darvin Ham and his coaching staff made. Then later, the guys hit on L…

Golden State responded in Game 2 with a superb performance in the 2nd and 3rd quarters that turned a 7-point Laker lead into a 30-point deficit going into the 4th. The guys discuss their clever adjustments, the Lakers lack of force, a quiet night from AD, adjustments for Game 3, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/a…

What sort of adjustments can we expect when the Lakers and Warriors face off in Game 2? Will the Warriors play and, potentially, start the game smaller? Will they put the ball in Steph's hands more? How can the Lakers get a more efficient scoring night from LeBron? Pete and Darius discuss these questions and more in their preview for Thursday's gam…

The Lakers took Game 1 vs. the Warriors to steal home court advantage with a dominant game from Anthony Davis and a great defensive effort in the face of a three-point barrage from the Warriors. From AD's big night and two-way impact to Jarred Vanderbilt's defense, and the late game run that the Lakers had to survive, Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss…

In continuing their preview of the Lakers vs. Warriors 2nd round series, Pete and Darius turn their focus to the Lakers offense vs. the Warriors defense. From navigating the Warriors switching defense to leveraging their size in transition and on cuts to how the Lakers can create advantage in the P&R, the guys hit several keys to the Lakers being a…

There are fewer higher profile matchups that could happen than Lakers vs. Warriors in the playoffs. Pete, Mike, and Darius begin their 2nd round preview with a look at both teams, how much to take away from their regular season matchups, their general impression of the series, and then begin their deep dive on the series with a look at the Lakers d…

The Lakers dispatched the Memphis Grizzlies with a 40-point thrashing in Game 6 to advance to the 2nd round of the Western Conference playoffs. Pete, Mike, and Darius celebrate the win and discuss the buzz in the arena, how locked in the team was, Anthony Davis' defensive brilliance, LeBron's fantastic two-way play, D'Angelo Russell's offensive exp…

The Lakers head into Game 6 at home with a chance to closeout the Grizzlies. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss what it will take to get there on both sides of the ball, focusing on attacking the Grizzlies switches, what they expect to see from LeBron offensively, and how Austin Reaves' defense on Desmond Bane has put him in the crosshairs on both side…

Despite a choppy start and a subpar game from LeBron, the Lakers got Game 5 within a point in the third quarter, behind defensive adjustments and a flurry by D’Angelo Russell. But a 26-2 run that began the moment AD went to the bench put the game out of reach for Memphis, taking the series back to LA for Game 6. The guys discuss LeBron’s tough nigh…

The Lakers are back on the road and have a chance to close out the Grizzlies in Wednesday's Game 5. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the effort it will take the Lakers to win the game, potential options to get Anthony Davis going offensively, and how the Lakers can counter the adjustments Memphis used to get Desmond Bane going in Game 4. Then later, …

Led by a 20/20 night from LeBron James and great all around team effort, the Lakers won an OT thriller vs. the Grizzlies to take a 3-1 lead in their 1st round series. Pete, Mike, and Darius discuss the game, hitting on LeBron's big buckets to force overtime and then seal the game in OT, D'Angelo Russell's big shots in the 4th quarter, Dennis Schröd…

Fueled by a dominant 1st quarter where they outscored Memphis 35-9, the Lakers took a 2-1 series lead with a big win over the Grizzlies Saturday night. Pete and Darius discuss the game, focusing on Anthony Davis' defense and the adjustments made to get him going on offense, LeBron's strong game, and what we can take away from some of the lineup twe…