Darvin Ham to Treat Preseason Finale vs. Suns as a "Dress Rehearsal" for Lakers.

Darvin Ham says tonight's preseason finale against Phoenix in Palm Springs will serve as a "dress rehearsal." Meaning for three quarters, he's going to treat everything about it, from player combinations and rotation choices, as if it was a real game. Fortunately for him, too, he'll be able to do it with most of the actors available. Among players expected to play a role in the rotation, only Jarred Vanderbilt is expected to miss the game, thanks to that bad heel. (He'll be evaluated again on Friday.) So what should fans be looking for? There's the forward rotation, with Anthony Davis, Christian Wood and Jaxson Hayes. There's Cam Reddish, and whether he gets meaningful run (because if he doesn't, it likely means Max Christie has truly sewn up that backup role behind Austin Reaves). And what about the defense? The Sporting News has a very, very ambitious feature out ranking the top 100 defensive players in the NBA. Ambitious because it's still very challenging to figure out who really belongs where on a list like this because measuring effectiveness on that side of the ball is an inexact science. But the Lakers only have two guys - Davis (3) and Vanderbilt (30) - in that top 100. Does that matter? It didn't last year after the deadline, when the Lakers were able to put together some very good performances on that side of the ball and develop a strong identity. Are the pieces better this season? Finally, a viewer of the YouTube show thinks the media, including the hosts of this show, are being too optimistic about the team's chances. Or at the least, aren't taking into enough consideration how things could go wrong in ways that aren't simply about injuries. Is he right? Well, sort of, but a lot would have go wrong. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: It's a dress rehearsal! What to watch for. SEGMENT 2: Are the Lakers set up to be good enough defensively? SEGMENT 3: Are people overlooking this roster's flaws? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Jase Medical Get $20 off these lifesaving antibiotics with Jase Medical by using code LOCKEDON at checkout on jasemedical.com. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Birddogs Go to birddogs.com/LOCKEDONNBA or enter promo code LOCKEDONNBA for a free water bottle with any purchase. You won’t want to take your birddogs off we promise you. 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.  FanDuel This episode is brought to you by FanDuel Sportsbook, Official Sportsbook of Locked On. Right now, NEW customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get TWO HUNDRED in BONUS BETS - GUARANTEED. 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