It’s a special Christmas Eve edition of Benched, and instead of benching players, Allen Maldonado and Coach Dave are spreading holiday cheer Lakers-style 🎄🏀

From a hilarious NBA Christmas poem to a full Lakers wish list—including gifts for LeBron James, Austin Reaves, DeAndre Ayton, and more—this episode blends hoops, humor, heart, and holiday spirit.

What do you give a team chasing banner #18? Consistency, confidence, defense… and maybe a fifth ring for the King 👑

🎁 Topics include:
• Lakers Christmas Day matchup
• Coach Dave’s legendary holiday poem
• Dream gifts for every Lakers player
• LeBron’s legacy & leadership
• Why this episode benches no one

Hit Subscribe, spread the love, and enjoy this warm-fireplace holiday episode of Benched. Merry Christmas and go Lakers! 💜💛

00:00 Welcome to the Benched Christmas Eve Special
00:38 Pre-Game Nerves & Holiday Energy
01:38 Coach Dave’s Lakers Christmas Poem 🎅🏀
04:26 Lakers Christmas Wish List Begins
05:24 What Do You Give LeBron James?
06:40 DeAndre Ayton’s “Bag” & Flowers
07:24 Marcus Smart the Pit Bull
07:44 Gabe Vincent & Rotation Talk
08:21 Unsung Heroes & Earning Minutes
09:08 Tough Love & Trade Talk
09:56 Bronny James & Confidence
10:32 Lakers Legends Holiday Shoutouts
13:00 What the Lakers Really Need for Christmas
14:36 No One Gets Benched (It’s Christmas!)
15:18 Final Holiday Wishes 🎄

The Lakers–Clippers rivalry is back, and things are getting spicy 🔥

On this episode of Benched, Allen Maldonado and Dave Miller preview the upcoming Lakers vs Clippers showdown at the Intuit Dome—and Coach Dave doesn’t hold back.

Are the Clippers the most disconnected team in the NBA?
Can James Harden keep the ship afloat?
Will Kawhi Leonard even play?
And is this finally a matchup where the Lakers’ defense and mindset take over?

We break down:

Lakers vs Clippers rivalry history
Clippers’ on-court & off-court struggles
Defensive keys to a Lakers win
Over/under predictions (points, rebounds, threes 👀)
Why championship teams believe defense is fun
If you love unfiltered NBA talk, real coaching insight, and LA rivalry energy, this episode is for you.

👉 Like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more Lakers coverage, NBA breakdowns, and bold takes.

00:00 Welcome & NBA Season Vibes
00:35 Lakers vs Clippers Rivalry Breakdown
01:15 Inside the Intuit Dome & Clippers Culture
01:55 Why Coach Dave Says the Clippers Are “Broken”
02:45 James Harden: Can He Save Them?
05:45 Kawhi Leonard: In or Out? (The Mystery Continues)
06:45 What the Lakers Must Do to Win
08:10 Why Championship Teams Love Defense
09:50 Matchups & Athleticism Advantage
10:20 Score Predictions & Over/Unders
12:40 Final Takes & Lakers Confidence
14:00 Subscribe & Sign-Off

#LakersVsClippers #LakeShow #Clippers #NBA #NBAPreview #LakersNation #JamesHarden #KawhiLeonard #NBARivalry #BenchedPodcast #BasketballTalk #NBAAnalysis #IntuitDome

Are the Lakers walking into a trap game in Salt Lake City… or are they about to make a statement?

On this episode of Benched, Allen Maldonado and Coach Dave Miller break down the Lakers vs Jazz matchup, including why Utah is tougher at home, how dangerous Lauri Markkanen is in Salt Lake City, and why Keyonte George could be a problem in transition.

The guys dive into:
• Turnovers and late-game execution
• The Lakers’ bench energy and defense
• Whether Vando deserves more minutes
• LeBron’s impact down the stretch
• A $200 bet on a DOUBLE-DIGIT Lakers win 👀

Is this another anxiety-filled finish… or do the Lakers finally cruise?
Hit subscribe, turn on notifications, and let’s talk hoops 🏀

00:00 – Welcome to Benched
00:28 – Is Lakers vs Jazz a Trap Game?
01:20 – Why Lauri Markkanen Is a PROBLEM at Home
02:00 – Lakers’ Keys to Winning on the Road
03:36 – Preventing 4th Quarter Collapses
05:00 – Defense, Bench Energy & Vando’s Impact
06:00 – Over/Under: Turnovers & LeBron Points
07:05 – “No Babies Allowed” – Earning NBA Minutes
08:00 – Game Prediction & $200 Bet 👀
09:00 – Final Thoughts & Subscribe

#Lakers
#LakeShow
#LakersNation
#NBA
#NBAPreview
#LakersVsJazz
#UtahJazz
#LeBronJames
#Benched
#NBATalk