Did NBA 2K26 Rate Luka, LeBron and the Lakers Correctly? Plus... a Kobe Movie?

For gamers, at least, it's a big day -- when the NBA 2K rankings start leaking out. (Big day for content creators, too, since it comes in the dog days of August.) So were the Game Gods appropriately respectful to the Lakers? Broadly, yes. Luka Dončić and LeBron James are among the league's top 10 (virtual) players. Austin Reaves was in the top 50. So basically these rankings pretty closely mirror those we just saw out of The Ringer, for example. So things seem to be properly aligned there. And meanwhile, the leaked rankings do seem to bolster the argument the Lakers have better depth this season, with guys like Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton cracking 80. As for the team? The Lakers are placed as a "Tier 1" group, though near the back end of that bunch. Which, if we're all being fair, is about what it should be. They're seen to be potentially potent offensively, and shaky on the other end. Again, sounds about right. So hard to argue with the preseason evaluation of the simulated Lakers, at least. We'll see how things go for the real club. Meanwhile, Warner Brothers is reportedly in development for a Kobe Bryant related movie... and they're doing it smartly. In part, by not making it just about Kobe, and then by avoiding having to stage too much basketball. We explain. HOSTS: Andy and Brian KamenetzkySEGMENT 1: The 2K rankings are out!SEGMENT 2: What's the right way to make a Kobe movie? SEGMENT 3: Is Warner Bros. on the right track?  Listener SurveyWe’ve put together a survey to learn more about our listeners and make your favorite podcasts even better. Go tohttps://lockedonpodcasts.com/survey/ to get started. Everyone who completes a survey will be entered for a chance to win one of ten $100 Amazon gift cards.  Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!OpenPhoneStreamline and scale your customer communications with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months at www.openphone.com/lockedonnbaMonarch MoneyTake control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNBA at monarchmoney.com/lockedonnba for 50% off your first yearGametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.FanDuelToday's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.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) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.