Episode Details

The Lakers are facing a serious talent deficit heading into the first round of the playoffs against the Houston Rockets. Their best available player is 41 years old. They don't have anyone else on the roster who has been a real number one, or even a number two. The closest thing would be Deandre Ayton, who at his best was a featured player in Phoenix who put up close to 20 a night. 

Everyone knows about Ayton's inconsistencies, but the talent as a scorer is there. And over the course of this Lakers season, he's often been the difference between a good Lakers performance and a great one. 

So can he do it now? Not just with the pressure of a playoff series, but without two of the players who help draw attention and get him good looks (Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves) and far more attention put on him by a very good Houston defense? 

It's a big ask. Then again, everyone on the roster is facing something similar. 

That's why the Rockets are favored. 

Another? Rebounding. The Rockets are great at it. The Lakers are ... sometimes decent and too often not. If they can't keep up on the glass, JJ Redick believes (rightly) they don't have a chance in the series.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 

SEGMENT 1: Ayton raises the ceiling. 

SEGMENT 2: Is he ready to roll? 

SEGMENT 3: Why the challenge is harder than people might realize. 

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