It's who's forgotten more about basketball than I ever knew, the wonderful Jeannie Bush, Rob

Polenka, Magic Johnson, and back in the shitty where I played college basketball under the

greatest coach in the history of sports. John

wouldn't a man who figured out that success is based on enthusiasm, industriousness,

cooperation, making your bed tying your shoes. Who would have thought? I haven't been this excited since Jerry Garcia's last

tour. Thinking Basketball Podcast, my name is Ben and I have been wanting to get this episode out for a while.

It's taken some time, but I can't hold it in anymore.

Every year, there's a team in the off season.

They configure the parts, they shuffle the deck, and I just get really excited about trying to understand how they're going to play together.

Last year was the Rockets with Chris Paul coming in, how are they going to stagger the lineups, how were two on-ball players going to fit, etc, etc.

Sort of had my eye on them. This year, that team for me is the Lakers.

Not just because LeBron James is in town and he's been added to the deck but all of the

other pieces they've brought in specifically Rejon Rondo then guys like Javel McGee, Lance Stevenson, that in conjunction

with all their young players.

So the developing or budding stars that are guys like Brandon Ingram and Lonsau Ball and even players like

Kyle Kuzma who look like they're going to have solid NBA careers.

It's just a really interesting situation.

Luke Walton with his coaching pedigree coming from Golden State.

I'm fascinated by the team.

Completely fascinated by them, and I want to unpack them

and look at how the players fit together,

where the strengths and weaknesses are,

...