Travis Wear played for the Lakers late in the 2017-2018 season, after spending time with the Knicks, D-League, and overseas.  A Southern California native, Travis grew up a lifelong Lakers fan and played at UCLA alongside with his twin brother, David.  After several successful years in the G-League, Travis retired in 2020 to focus on a new career in commercial real estate.  

Forgotten Lakers

Episode 45: Travis Wear

Former Los Angeles Laker Jelani McCoy came on the podcast to talk about his year as a Laker, the 2001-2002 season that ended with the LA's third-straight title. A Southern California native, Jelani grew up a diehard Laker fan, played at UCLA and passed up more money for the opportunity to play for the purple and gold.

Episode 44: Jelani McCoy

Author Jeff Pearlman came on to discuss his new book, "Three Ring Circus: Kobe, Shaq, Phil, and the Crazy Years of the Lakers Dynasty"

Episode 43: Jeff Pearlman - Author of "Three Ring Circus"

Former Los Angeles Laker Lindsey Hunter came on the podcast to talk about his career. After winning a championship with the Lakers in 2002, he found himself back with the Detroit Pistons in 2004 when they upset the heavily-favored Lakers in the 2004 NBA Finals. It was interesting to hear his perspectives from both seasons. Thanks for listening!

Episode 42: Lindsey Hunter

Former Los Angeles Lakers play-by-play broadcaster Spero Dedes returns to Forgotten Lakers to talk about Kobe Bryant's passing and his legacy in Los Angeles. Brandon Rosenthal, host of After Hours Sports, also joined us.

Episode 41: Spero Dedes Returns

Former Los Angeles Laker Joe Kleine came on "Forgotten Lakers" to discuss some of the stops during his 15-year career. A former Razorback and Olympic gold-medalist, Joe was traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Lakers in 1997 where he appeared in eight games before being shipped off to New Jersey. From there, Joe went on to win a championship with the Bulls in 1998 before retiring two seasons later after the 1999-2000 season.

Episode 40: Joe Kleine

Andrew Van Buuren, author of "Between Dynasties: The Los Angeles Lakers in the years between Magic and Kobe" came on to discuss his Laker fandom, why he chose that particular window in Laker history to chronicle, and how he perceives that era differently now than he did 25 years ago. We also played a fun Laker trivia game at the end.

Episode 39: Andrew Van Buuren (Author of "Between Dynasties")

Former Los Angeles Laker Mark Madsen came on the podcast to discuss his nine year NBA career, most notably his first three seasons as a Laker. A Stanford grad, Mark was the final pick of the first round in the 2000 NBA draft, and helped the Lakers win two titles in 2001 and 2002. After serving as an assistant coach for the Lakers for several years, Mark is now the head coach at Utah Valley University.

Episode 38: Mark Madsen

Jim Cotta, the Lakers Strength and Conditioning coach from 1997-1998 through 2003-2004, came on the podcast to talk about his seven year stretch working behind the scenes with some of the most memorable Laker teams in history. He talked about the 1998 Lakers which featured four all-stars, Dennis Rodman's short lived Laker tenure in 1999, Shaq's dominance in 2000, and much more.

Episode 37: Jim Cotta

Former Los Angeles Laker Travis Knight came on the podcast to discuss his career, one that included two separate stints in the purple and gold. Originally a rookie in the 1996 class that also featured Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher, Travis spent his rookie year in LA only to sign with Boston as a free agent in 1997. One year in to his deal with the Celtics, they traded him back to Los Angeles--a move that he very much welcomed. His time in LA ended in 2000 and with a championship ring to show for it.

Episode 36: Travis Knight

Former Los Angeles Laker Tarik Black came on the podcast to discuss his basketball career, one that took him from riding the bench in high school to the bright lights of the NBA. Currently playing in Israel, Tarik took the time to call in while I was driving to work several weeks ago, so I apologize for the poor audio quality in some parts. Check out his foundation here: http://tarikblackfoundation.org/

Episode 35: Tarik Black

Originally a throw-in the in the trade that sent Gary Payton to the Celtics in 2004, Jumaine forced himself into the rotation and became a key player for the Lakers in the 2004-2005 season. In this episode, Jumaine talks about his humble basketball beginnings, playing the Lakers in the 2001 NBA Finals as a member of the 76ers, what went wrong down the stretch in 2005 for LA, and finishing his career overseas.

Episode 34: Jumaine Jones

Former Los Angeles Laker Maurice Carter came on the podcast to discuss his career, one that saw him play with the Lakers for four games in the 2003-2004 season. Undrafted out of LSU, Mo traveled the world in pursuit of his basketball dreams and ultimately caught on with both the Lakers and the (then) New Orleans Hornets.

Episode 33: Maurice Carter

Former Los Angeles Laker Jeff Lamp came on to discuss some of the bits and pieces of his basketball career, one that saw him win a ring with 1988 Lakers. Hear about Jeff's time in LA, his career overseas, and what he's doing now for the NBA Players Association to help players maximize the benefits of their time in the league.

Episode 32: Jeff Lamp

Former Los Angeles Laker Shammond Williams came on the podcast to discuss his collegiate and professional career. A UNC Tarheel legend, Shammond spent time the Hawks, Sonics, Celtics, Nuggets, Magic, and the Hornets before taking a two-year detour overseas to rediscover his love for the game. After two years abroad, Shammond came back to the NBA for one year with the Lakers, 2006-2007, before finishing his career in Europe.

Episode 31: Shammond Williams

A podcast to catch up with the Lakers you'll never forget, and others you don't remember at all.

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Forgotten Lakers

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