It's schedule day! Among the most hyped and least consequential days of the NBA summer, one here to remind us all how much we want the games to start. But while it's easy to overstate the importance of schedule day, it does set the table for the upcoming season, and can either seem to raise roadblocks to a successful season or, at least on paper, set more favorable terms for the 82-game campaign. To that end, the schedule for the Lakers does have a couple nice features (including a reduction in the number of back-to-backs) and notifications about happy events (the jersey retirement for Michael Cooper). It demonstrates the incredible difficulty baked into the Western Conference because there just aren't very many stretches where you look at the calendar and say, "this is an easy stretch." Why? Because there are only so many games in a chunk where you can avoid the West. So how do things shape up? What does the end of the season look like, if the team needs to finish in a sprint, as it did over the last couple of seasons? How about the first 15 games? Do the Lakers have a decent shot of getting off to the type of start that would preclude a helter skelter finish? Meanwhile, have the Lakers squandered the final years of LeBron's career? That's a question central to a recent column in The Ringer. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: The Lakers have a schedule! Highlights and lowlights. SEGMENT 2: Can the Lakers get off to a fast start, finally? SEGMENT 3: Have the Lakers squandered the end of LeBron's career? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! eBay MotorsFrom brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. FanDuelFanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook. As playoffs wind down, the sports stop sporting like we want them to. But this summer, FanDuel is hooking up ALL CUSTOMERS with a boost or a bonus, DAILY! That’s right, there’s something for everyone, every day, all summer long! Visit FANDUEL.COM and add a big win to your summer bucket list! FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1