Is January a Make or Break Month for the Lakers? Is Darvin Ham Overthinking His Rotations?

The Lakers ended 2023 with a whimper. They need to open 2024 with a sustained run of quality play. January presents and interesting opportunity in that regard. The teams they play are challenging, including two games against Clippers, games against Miami, Memphis (much better with Ja Morant), Dallas, Oklahoma City and Phoenix. But 11 of the first 12 games they play this month are at the Crypt. Only once in that stretch do they leave the city (on the road, in Utah). There are no back-to-backs. So one thing that has been a challenge - tons of travel and a league-leading quantity of b2b's - isn't a problem this month. And the Lakers need to take advantage. How many wins do they need? And can Darvin Ham start returning a little cohesion to the group, getting everyone confident in the direction the team is heading, and the identity they want to forge? Along those lines, is part of the problem rotations and personnel decisions that are more complex than they need to be? Should Darvin do more to try and replicate what worked last year when the team went to the Conference Finals? Is there a danger in trying to recreate last season when the context of this year isn't exactly the same? They need to figure things out, and fast. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: January is a home heavy schedule. But it's not an easy one. SEGMENT 2: How good is good enough this month? SEGMENT 3: Is Darvin making it harder than it needs to be? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Hungryroot Hungryroot is the easiest way to get fresh, high-quality food delivered to your door. They’ve got healthy groceries and simple recipes, all in one place. Just go to Hungryroot.com/LOCKEDON, to get 40% off your first delivery and get your free veggies.  BetterHelp This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Make your brain your friend, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month. LinkedIn LinkedIn Jobs helps you find the qualified candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/LOCKEDONNBA. Terms and conditions apply. PrizePicks Go to PrizePicks.com/lockedonnba and use code lockedonnba for a first deposit match up to $100! Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. FanDuel Score early this NFL season with FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook! Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning FIVE DOLLAR MONEYLINE BET! That’s A HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS – if your team wins! Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started. 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), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices