Best Michael Pina Podcasts (2024)

1
Are Rob Pelinka and the Lakers Squandering LeBron's Final Seasons? Guest, Michael Pina (The Ringer) 35:59

13d ago35:59

35:59

For Lakers fans, the Olympics were a bittersweet event. On the one hand, Anthony Davis, and especially LeBron James, played some great basketball. They won a gold medal. James, pushing 40, was named MVP. On the other hand, it was a reminder that the Lakers are not title contenders, despite having a still-elite James at the top of their roster. It w…

1
More Milestones Coming for LeBron. Plus, Do the Lakers Have the Right Kind of Continuity? 31:13

10h ago31:13

31:13

By now, everyone is used to LeBron James doing incredible things made even more incredible by his age (pushing 40) and mileage in the league. The man has put in a LOT of minutes. But as he approaches the new season, there are plenty of numbers and milestones he'll hit, and if he continues beyond this year there will be even more. But perhaps the mo…

1
Mailbag! Can the Post-LeBron Lakers Be Rebuilt Around Anthony Davis? Plus, Dwight, Phil Handy Criticize Pelinka 33:22

1d ago33:22

33:22

The Lakers have long maintained that Anthony Davis would be the core of the team once LeBron James hangs it up. They've certainly made the financial investment to back it up. But in this week's mailbag, this question came up: From "@killluhmuhnjaroh: should the lakers post lebron rebuild include anthony davis? he is young enough to be a franchise p…

1
Magic Johnson and Jeanie Buss Request Patience for JJ Redick From Lakers Fans 33:56

2d ago33:56

33:56

Magic Johnson spoke to Jim Hill and KCAL 9 in Los Angeles, and while he was optimistic about the direction the team is going, he also preached patience to Lakers fans when it comes to new head coach JJ Redick. "We as Laker fans gotta give JJ Redick our new coach some time to really help him understand how to utilize the talent, how to coach the tal…

1
U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner on the presidential race, inflation, climate change and more 13:54

4h ago13:54

13:54

U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner faces a very different election landscape than when he won his congressional seat in 2022. Although Republicans had high hopes, Magaziner beat GOP candidate Alan Fung two years ago by just under four percentage points. This time around, Magaziner faces token opposition, but it's unclear if Democrats will be able to regain c…

1
Shaq Says LeBron Should Defer to Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves for the Lakers. Is He Right? 33:07

6d ago33:07

33:07

The Lakers need to get LeBron James through the regular season with as little wear and tear as possible. Easier said than done, obviously, given the challenging nature of the West, and the grind of an 82-game schedule. One idea, says Lakers great Shaquille O'Neal, is simply to take fewer shots and play more of a "Magic" type facilitator role. Let A…

1
Lonnie Walker IV joins the Celtics, and Coach Ramponi joins Hard Foul! 54:14

4h ago54:14

54:14

Send us a text Join us as we explore the curious case of Lonnie Walker, who recently signed with the Boston Celtics on an Exhibit 10 contract. Despite his notable stats and improved three-point shooting, this talented athlete settled for a non-guaranteed deal. We dissect the potential reasons, and analyze how this signing fits into the Celtics' bro…

1
A Preview of the Lakers, Kings and the Pacific Division. 35:28

1d ago35:28

35:28

With the offseason winding down and the trades of any real substance presumably done, we're able to take stock of where the Lakers stand against teams around the Western Conference, and even more specifically, their division. How, for example, do the battle-tested but aging duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis stack up against a talented Sacrament…

1
Report: Lakers "Keeping an Eye on Luka Doncic." Is the Future Prioritized Over LeBron? 35:31

9d ago35:31

35:31

The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor has noted a couple of times throughout the offseason that the Lakers are keeping an eye on Luka Doncic, should something sour in his relationship with the Dallas Mavericks. Now, the Mavs just went to the Finals, have Luka under contract for another few years (including an option) and he's also extension-eligible, and the…

1
Was Re-Signing Max Christie a Mistake for the Lakers? Plus, Christian Wood Vows a Big Season! 34:10

10d ago34:10

34:10

Most Lakers fans were quite pleased when the team re-signed young forward Max Christie to a four year, $32 million dollar deal this offseason. It's seen as one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dull summer. But it's not a move that has received a ton of attention or scrutiny, either, other than maybe a couple lifted eyebrows at the dollar amo…

1
Lisa Pina-Warren on how the Nonviolence Institute tries to make Providence a more peaceful place 3:47

7d ago3:47

3:47

Violent crime in most American cities has generally trended down for decades, except for an uptick during the pandemic. There were 14 homicides in Providence last year, far less than the comparable number in the 1990s and 2000s. The waning of the crack epidemic is part of the explanation for why there’s less violent crime in America than in the pas…

1
Can the Lakers Find Jarred Vanderbilt's Role On Offense? Plus, Redick and Player Development! 31:23

14d ago31:23

31:23

The Lakers are hoping to get healthy again this year. Not with their stars, of course, since Anthony Davis and LeBron James played as many games as anyone could/would have hoped last season. But Jarred Vanderbilt was a non-factor for most of the season thanks to injury, and the Lakers suffered greatly for it. More than most people would have antici…

1
Special Guest: Jake Issenberg of “First to the Floor” 28:49

8d ago28:49

28:49

Send us a text What could the Boston Celtics look like under the ownership of Jeff Bezos? Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Jake Issenberg (@jakeissenberg), host of the First of the Floor (@First2TheFloor) podcast, as we discuss Bezos, Tatum, Yabu, and the 24-25 Celtics win totals. Support the Show.…

1
ESPN, Other Media Experts Predicting the Lakers to Stumble This Season. Too Much Negativity? 33:06

15d ago33:06

33:06

The Los Angeles Lakers have had a remarkably quiet offseason. This is no secret. And as we finish up transaction season and start taking stock on where teams in the Western Conference (and across the league). Not surprisingly, perhaps, the reviews aren't good. The pundits of ESPN, for example, overwhelmingly picked the Lakers to be "Team Turmoil," …

1
How the Lakers and Clippers Stack Up in the West After Challenging Offseasons? 36:39

16d ago36:39

36:39

The Lakers get a ton of attention when it comes to the lack of offseason improvement. They are the only team in the NBA to not make a signing or trade of any kind to bring in a new player, and are leaning hard into LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The only fresh faces come from the Draft. But while the Lakers didn't make themselves better... they al…

1
Can the Lakers Win Games Early While Keeping LeBron, Davis Fresh? Plus, Rich Paul Nixed LeBron to Warriors? 32:05

17d ago32:05

32:05

The Lakers have a bit of a challenge to start the year. They need to get off to a good start, in part because the second half of the season features some difficult stretches, and they'd really like to avoid having to go full tilt in, say, early February just to make sure they get into the postseason. That wears down the battery of the LeBron James/…

1
Sen. Dawn Euer on climate change, her political future, Democrats’ hopes for November & more 3:47

7d ago3:47

3:47

Keep your eye on Dawn Euer, the Democratic state senator from Newport. She’s a potential candidate for attorney general in 2026, along with state Representatives Jason Knight and Robert Craven. Euer is also someone who may be able to move up in Senate leadership next year. The Newport progressive first won office in 2017, when she got more than 60 …

1
The Lakers Schedule is Released! Highlights for the 2024-2025 NBA Season 33:01

12d ago33:01

33:01

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, s…

1
LeBron James, Anthony Davis, the Olympics, Joyous Basketball and Legacy (Guest, Aaron Larsuel) 34:39

21d ago34:39

34:39

It's August, so there's not really a news cycle to follow, which is good because it leaves space to have in-depth conversations with someone like friend-of-the-show Aaron Larsuel about the just-ended Paris games. It's a chance to think not just about what the games did for LeBron's legacy and Anthony Davis's reputation, but also how the performance…

1
Should D'Angelo Russell Come Off the Bench for the Lakers? With Guest Anthony Irwin 34:57

22d ago34:57

34:57

The Lakers have a problem. Or at least seem to. D'Angelo Russell is not exactly well-loved inside the building in El Segundo, at least not to the degree of an Austin Reaves or Rui Hachimura, or other supporting players about whom the Lakers seem to express more enthusiasm. But they can't afford to just dump the guy in whatever trade they can find, …

1
Team USA Wins Gold, LeBron is MVP. Do James, Anthony Davis (or Another Laker?) Play in '28? 34:57

24d ago34:57

34:57

The US won a gold in Paris on Saturday, in an entertaining game featuring a Steph Curry heater for the ages as the Americans beat France. But it was LeBron James who walked away with the tournament MVP award, based on a run of consistency and high performance that outdid Curry, who really only played well for the semi-final vs. Serbia and then agai…

1
The Lakers and Suns Have Many Similarities. Which Team is Closer to a Title? (With Brendon Kleen) 35:09

24d ago35:09

35:09

One good way to learn about your team is to compare it to others, especially a franchise that shares many common points. For the Lakers, that team (in a lot of ways at least) is the Phoenix Suns. Phoenix, like the Lakers, is basically all-in on their roster, one dominated by top end stars and lacking in reliable depth. Both teams are up against the…

1
Steve Kerr is an Asshat 14:38

8d ago14:38

14:38

Send us a Text Message. Why would Steve Kerr bench Jason Tatum in favor of less accomplished players like Devin Booker? We dive headfirst into this puzzling decision in our fiery discussion, "Steve Kerr is an Asshat." Mike made sure that this episode in definitely NSFW! Support the Show.By James Quigley and Mike Quigley

1
Dr. Michael Fine on the shortage of primary care docs, misplaced priorities and other maladies afflicting healthcare in Rhode Island 3:48

7d ago3:48

3:48

The amount of U.S. spending on healthcare reached four and a half trillion dollars in 2022, or about $14,000 per person. Despite such massive spending, many aspects of American healthcare are marred by problems. There’s the shortage of primary care doctors. An emphasis on treating disease rather than promoting long-term health. Locally, doctors can…

1
LeBron Leads Team USA to Gold Medal Game. Plus Vincent, Hood-Schifino Should be Healthy for the Lakers 34:07

27d ago34:07

34:07

It wasn't easy, but Team USA got it done on Thursday, thanks to a huge fourth quarter comeback that eliminated Serbia and sent the Americans to the Gold Medal game vs. France. Final score, 95-91. Not terribly surprising, but in the middle of it all was LeBron James. Yep, the oldest guy on the team was arguably its best player throughout (at least t…

1
43.5 Wins? LeBron for MVP? Davis for DPOY? Knecht for ROY? FanDuel's 2024-25 Odds for the Lakers 34:51

28d ago34:51

34:51

The betting markets aren't necessarily a perfect way to measure or forecast an NBA season. After all, they're created with gamblers in mind, encouraging them to put their money in spots where maybe it shouldn't go. Remember, that includes casual fans, not just hard core NBA enthusiasts. But given how awards work, they're also a pretty decent shorth…

1
Can Anthony Davis Move Back to Power Forward for the Lakers? Plus, Team USA Rolls On... 31:59

29d ago31:59

31:59

As Lakers fans watch Anthony Davis and LeBron James help push Team USA deeper into the Olympic hoops tourney, there's a lot of chatter among online purple and gold fans about how Davis is performing, and the way he's playing. Paired often with another great defensive center in Bam Adebayo, Davis looks at times much more like the old PF he was when …

1
More Reasons Not to Trade Rui for Jerami Grant, plus the Lakers Fill Out JJ Redick's Coaching Staff 29:39

1M ago29:39

29:39

Last week, Mike Richman from Locked On Blazers helped explain why trading for Portland forward Jerami Grant, while at least a somewhat defensible idea on paper, was much less positive for the Lakers in practice. Well, it seems like that's the consensus among NBA execs, as well. Reporting from Sean Deveaney, writing for Heavy.com, confirms the conse…

1
The Lakers Unveil a Statue Honoring Kobe and Gigi Bryant, and Women's Sports. 31:49

1M ago31:49

31:49

The Lakers on Friday unveiled a new statue outside Crypto.com Arena, honoring Kobe and Gianna Bryant. It is, as you might suspect, very different from the other statues and honoraries in the plaza outside the arena. But it's not just the presentation — capturing that iconic photo of the two courtside following Kobe's retirement — but also because u…

1
Rep. Justine Caldwell on safe gun storage, choice for prescription drug patients, and why East Greenwich went from red to blue 3:47

27d ago3:47

3:47

State Representative Justine Caldwell personifies some of the significant changes that have swept over the General Assembly in the last decade. In 2018, Caldwell, a Democrat, ousted the Republican incumbent in an East Greenwich-based district, Anthony Giarrusso. That change reflects how the legislature has moved a bit to the left and how the former…

1
How Much Can Max Christie Improve the Lakers? What about a healthy Vanderbilt and Vincent? 30:28

1M ago30:28

30:28

Among the more confounding of Darvin Ham's habits in the mind of many Lakers fans was his unwillingness to give steady minutes to Max Christie, even if the team seemed to need some of his skill set at different points throughout the season. Well, having signed an four-year, $32 million contract this offseason, Christie is going to play. Now it's a …

1
Anthony Davis Starts for Team USA, Coach K Explains Why JJ Redick Will Be a Great Coach 31:29

1M ago31:29

31:29

The biggest controversy to this point for Team USA, whether in their pre-Olympic training or the time spent in Paris, has centered around Joel Embiid, and his poor play (in a vacuum, and especially compared to the other centers on the roster). Wednesday against South Sudan, coach Steve Kerr sat Embiid down. For the whole game. That meant more oppor…

1
Listeners Weight In on Jerami Grant Trade Rumors, Criticize Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss 33:28

1M ago33:28

33:28

The Lakers have done nothing this offseason. No trades, no signings. Nothing. So when there's one guy who is seemingly available for the type of haul the Lakers can actually satisfy, it's worth a conversation about whether it's a good idea. That's the state of things with Portland forward Jerami Grant. For Tuesday's show, Mike Richman of Locked On …

1
Should the Lakers Trade for Jerami Grant? Would He Improve the Defense? A Scouting Report! 32:50

1M ago32:50

32:50

The Lakers have, just in case you've been sleeping through the summer, done as close to nothing as a team can assuming they actually participate in the Draft. No free agent signings. No trades. Nothing. And aside from Zach LaVine, who Chicago can't seem to get rid of but has very, very little buzz around him (not just with the Lakers, but everywher…

1
LeBron Dominates Vs. Serbia for Team USA, and Tyus Jones to Suns. Did the Lakers Miss Out? 32:04

1M ago32:04

32:04

Sunday, the US Men's National Team scored an impressive win over Serbia to kick off their run at the Paris Olympics. A big reason for that success was LeBron James, who scored 21 points, and added nine rebounds and seven assists and a steal in only 27 minutes. The dude was dominant. And this against high end competition. LeBron was often the best p…

1
Offseason Grab Bag: Extensions, Ownership, Summer League, TV 41:35

1M ago41:35

41:35

Send us a text In this episode, we break down the offseason moves, focusing on the crucial contract extensions for Sam Hauser, Derek White, and Tatum. You'll get an inside look at the financial aspects of Hauser's four-year deal and its significance compared to other league contracts. We also discuss the implications of these extensions on the Celt…

1
Lakers Over/Under 2024-25 Win Totals Projections, and Questions about the Rotation. 34:55

1M ago34:55

34:55

Brian's last day of vacation and in his place is friend of the show Jovan Buha, Lakers beat writer for The Athletic and host of the podcast, Buha's Block. After recounting the vibe in Las Vegas towards Bronny James during Summer League, Jovan digs into the 43.5 win over/under for next seasons' Lakers, set by our friends over at FanDuel. Does Jovan …

1
KCP says the Lakers should have beaten the Nuggets, and LeBron/Davis/Rui's Olympics So Far 33:52

1M ago33:52

33:52

Brian's still on vacation, so today we're joined in his place by Matt Peralta from Lakers Nation, a site and show with as big of a reach among Lakers fans as Locked On Lakers. As such, it felt useful to talk with Matt to get his take on how Lakers fans are feeling about an offseason where LeBron James and Anthony Davis have been provided no new fac…

1
What Moves are the Lakers Willing to Make, and Jeanie Buss' Patience with Rob Pelinka. 35:31

1M ago35:31

35:31

Brian remains on vacation, so L.A. Times Lakers beat writer Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) is in the house! We begin by talking about how the Lakers front office feels internally about the roster, as it currently stands. Are LeBron James and Anthony Davis in a position to compete at the highest level and how do they evaluate what assets they're willin…

1
Is the CBA Preventing the Lakers From Making Trades, and How They Define "Player Development?" 35:56

1M ago35:56

35:56

Brian remains on vacation, so today's guest spot is taken by Aaron Larusel (@AaronLarsuel), who's worked with many NBA teams and currently is a consultant with the Lakers. Fans are dying to see new pieces added around LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but thus far, it's been slow goings. Is this a Lakers or a "whole league" thing? Aaron offers insigh…

1
An Assessment of the Lakers' Offseason, and a Reasonable Discussion about Bronny James 33:59

2M ago33:59

33:59

Brian is out of town, so it's a week of awesome guests. We kick things Claire de lune (The Guardian, Tiny Deaths) stops by to talk about the state of the Lakers. Other than drafting Bronny James and Dalton Knecht, the Lakers have made no additions to the roster, which is essentially unchanged. How big of a problem is this... now? Is there a timelin…

1
Steve Frias on why he’s not supporting Trump or Biden, how the RI GOP has to change, and more 3:47

25d ago3:47

3:47

Until recently, Steve Frias of Cranston held one of the top posts in the Rhode Island Republican Party -- national committeeman. Frias decided to not seek re-election for that role because he does not support Donald Trump, now the GOP nominee for president. Frias is among a small number of Rhode Island Republicans who have publicly repudiated Trump…

1
Knecht, Bronny, Castleton Lead Summer Lakers, Plus a Scouting Report on assistant Lindsey Harding 33:54

2M ago33:54

33:54

The Summer Lakers were a rough watch for five games or so, but over the last two? A lot more fun! Thursday, the SPL crew won its second straight game, beating the Summer Cavs in a nailbiter. They were led by Dalton Knecht, Bronny James and Colin Castleton. Knecht is the only guy in the group expected to play a regular role on the big club, and he c…

1
Has the Lakers' Brand Lost Its Mystique? Plus, the SPL Lakers Finally Win!!! 31:35

2M ago31:35

31:35

The disappointment with missing out on Gary Trent Jr. for a minimum contract continued into Wednesday, at least on the show's YouTube page. Beyond all the contextual reasons why Trent might choose the Bucks over the Lakers -- cleaner fit, bigger role, chemistry with Dame, etc. -- there is a feeling that the Lakers simply can't lure players the way …

1
Gary Trent Jr. Signs With Bucks as Lakers Remain in Limbo. Plus, Jaylen Brown and Bronny. 34:09

2M ago34:09

34:09

For much of the offseason, the inability of the Lakers to make anything happen with the roster has been a point of frustration for fans. But then again, there were always extenuating circumstances. Contextually, the Lakers either couldn't offer the right role, the right money, or the right role with the right money. They lack trade pieces teams see…

1
Anthony Davis Dominates for Team USA vs. Australia, Redick Explains Not Voting AD for All-Defense 32:38

2M ago32:38

32:38

The US Men's National Team typically has some games in their prep for Olympic competition that give people reason to worry. Monday vs. Australia, they had just that, squeaking by the Aussies by six. People didn't like the results, but if you're just focused on the Lakers, it's harder to complain. Anthony Davis once again had an excellent game in re…

1
JJ Redick Talks Lakers Offense, Player Development. Plus, Dalton Knecht and Bronny James. 33:25

2M ago33:25

33:25

As it becomes more likely that the Lakers will head to training camp with the roster as currently constructed, more focus is being put on how new head coach JJ Redick might manage those players. What could the Lakers look like offensively? How will they look to improve their player development? What does that mean, beyond just working with the youn…

1
Brown professor Corey Brettschneider on the presidents who have threatened democracy and the citizens who fought back 3:49

1M ago3:49

3:49

Presidential threats to democracy are nothing new. Our second president, John Adams, outlawed dissent and tried to prosecute his critics. Andrew Johnson’s presidency featured threats against his perceived opponents, and Richard Nixon engaged in a criminal conspiracy. But there are some key differences in our current moment. In a recent decision, fo…

1
Anthony Davis Dominates in Team USA v. Canada, and are the Lakers Waiting on... Lauri Markkanen? 33:04

2M ago33:04

33:04

Well, if Anthony Davis and LeBron James are going to play in the Olympics - scaring many Lakers fans in the process - they might as well look good. And man alive, did Davis do just that on Wednesday in Vegas against Team Canada. 10 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, two steals and four blocks in only 19 minutes. That's some serious production. So wh…

1
Should Lakers Fans Be Excited to See LeBron and Anthony Davis Play for Team USA? (Or Prefer Rather They Rest?) 32:41

2M ago32:41

32:41

On the one hand, it's obviously an honor to represent your country in the Olympics. You can't begrudge players for taking advantage of the opportunity to play when its given. And no question, LeBron James and Anthony Davis are both worthy of a spot on the roster. So kudos to them, go bring home a gold medal. On the other... those guys have a lot of…

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