Jovan Buha answers your Los Angeles Lakers questions.

Jovan analyzes the two-man game between Luka Doncic and LeBron James, the best seed for the Lakers, LA’s defense, his favorite win and least favorite loss of the Luka era, how to game plan against the Lakers, JJ Redick’s rookie coaching season, the negative net rating of the Big 3, the ninth man, and more.

If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

1:03 Question No. 1: Why the lack of two-man game between Luka & LeBron?

7:40 Question No. 2: Potential value in No. 3/4 seed over No. 2 due to prep?

13:59 Question No. 3: Should we be worried about the defense?

18:43 Question No. 4: Favorite win of the Luka era? Least favorite loss?

21:08 Question No. 5: Rank OKC, BOS, CLE, HOU defensively

26:03 Question No. 6: How would you game plan against LA?

30:17 Question No. 7: How would I assess JJ’s rookie season?

34:25 Question No. 8: Record with the Big 3?

38:49 Question No. 9: Would LA be in the same spot with DLo instead of DFS?

41:28 Question No. 10: Are the Wolves the worst first-round matchup?

45:34 Question No. 11: Worried about stamina/conditioning?

48:21 Question No. 12: Who should be the ninth man?

51:02 Question No. 13: How does Dalton fit next to Luka and AR long term?

56:43 Outro

Timestamps are subject to change based on ad placement and duration.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jovan Buha welcomes Jason Timpf of Hoops Tonight to discuss the Los Angeles Lakers' ceiling with the playoffs approaching.

Jovan and Jason analyze the Lakers' win over the Houston Rockets, where LA ranks in the West hierarchy, LA vs. OKC, the optimal offensive balance between Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves, the best and worst first-round playoff matchups for the Lakers, and more.

If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

1:18 Top-line takeaways from Lakers-Rockets

12:42 Where does LA rank in the West?

22:47 LA’s offensive balance between Luka, LeBron & Austin

33:01 Best and worst first-round matchups for LA?

37:28 Mailbag No. 1: How would LA’s offense fare vs. OKC/Boston/Cleveland?

41:15 Mailbag No. 2: Why doesn’t JJ trust Jaxson more?

45:20 Mailbag No. 3: Ideal Luka-centric units and LeBron/AR-centric units?

49:07 Outro

Timestamps are subject to change based on ad placement and duration.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jovan Buha reacts to the Los Angeles Lakers' 104-98 win over the Houston Rockets on March 31, 2025.

Jovan analyzes how the Lakers and Rockets match up, why the No. 2 seed is in play for the Lakers, Dorian Finney-Smith and Gabe Vincent's impact, the defensive blueprint against the Lakers, and more.

If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

2:17 Buha's Big Picture: The No. 2 is still a real possibility

7:23 Notable performers

13:49 Stat of the night: 13 fast-break points for Houston

16:27 Takeaway No. 1: How LA and Houston match up -- and why I'd pick Lakers in 5

26:27 Takeaway No. 2: This is (arguably) the defensive blueprint vs. the Lakers

30:39 Takeaway No. 3: Rotation update

35:20 Q&A

1:26:31 Outro

Timestamps are subject to change based on ad placement and duration.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jovan Buha reacts to the Los Angeles Lakers' 134-127 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday, March 29, 2025.

Jovan analyzes the Lakers' massive road win in Memphis, why LA is in control of the No. 4 seed -- and possibly higher, the incredible performances from Austin Reaves, Luka Doncic and LeBron James, the Lakers' offense reaching its peak, and more.

If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

2:40 Buha's Big Picture: LA is in the driver's seat for the No. 4 seed -- and possibly higher

7:30 Notable performers

14:52 Stat of the night: Luka/LeBron/AR combined for 120 of 134 points + team-wide 50/40/90 shooting %s

16:03 Takeaway No. 1: The meeting between JJ/Luka/LeBron/AR pays off

21:05 Takeaway No. 2: LA flashes its offensive ceiling

26:53 Takeaway No. 3: The rotation is officially extended to 9 1/2 players

29:43 Q&A

1:28:30 Outro

Timestamps are subject to change based on ad placement and duration.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jovan Buha welcomes Tim MacMahon of ESPN to discuss his new book, 'The Wonder Boy,' about Luka Doncic.

Jovan and Tim discuss what MacMahon learned about Doncic during the reporting and writing process of the book, his reaction to Doncic being traded and the Mavericks' reasoning, Doncic's future with the Lakers, if the Mavericks would reverse the trade, and more.

If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

1:30 What did Tim learn about Luka during his book reporting process?

6:20 What was his reaction to Luka being traded to the Lakers?

11:32 Tim’s post-trade chapter of the book

14:28 How Tim balanced his reporting for ESPN and the final chapter

19:03 What are Tim’s impressions of Luka with the Lakers?

25:45 Does Tim anticipate Luka remaining a Laker long-term?

31:17 Would the Mavericks reverse the trade (if they could)?

33:54 Outro

Timestamps are subject to change based on ad placement and duration.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jovan Buha reacts to the Los Angeles Lakers' 119-117 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Thursday, March 27, 2025.

Jovan analyzes the Lakers' fourth-quarter collapse, LeBron James' part in it, why this is the worst loss of the season, the late-game execution against Indiana and Chicago, LA's progress in the second and third quarters, the two-man game with Luka Doncic and LeBron, and more.

If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

2:24 Overarching thought: This was the worst loss of the season

12:38 Notable performers

19 :29 Stat of the night: Chicago was 11-for-14 on 3s in the fourth (including three in the final 9 seconds)

20:00 Takeaway No. 1: This is a continuation of some of LA's bad habits

24:14 Takeaway No. 2: Progress in the middle quarters

26:25 Takeaway No. 3: What’s the carryover (if any at all)?

30:23 Q&A

1:36:30 Outro

Timestamps are subject to change based on ad placement and duration.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jovan Buha reacts to the Los Angeles Lakers converting Jordan Goodwin from a two-way contract to a standard contract and waiving Cam Reddish.

Jovan analyzes Goodwin's fit with the Lakers, his new contract, why LA converted Goodwin today, his potential playoff role, Trey Jemison and Christian Koloko, why this shows the Lakers are serious about this season, and more.

If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

1:17 Jordan Goodwin’s contract — and why it’s two years

2:34 Why did LA convert Goodwin?

3:07 Goodwin’s fit with the Lakers

6:30 Why did LA convert him today?

7:22 What does this mean moving forward?

9:04 What’s next for LA with their roster?

10:43 Final thoughts

11:11 Outro

Timestamps are subject to change based on ad placement and duration.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jovan Buha reacts to the Los Angeles Lakers' 120-119 win over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

Jovan analyzes the Lakers' much-needed win, LeBron James' buzzer-beater, LeBron on "The Pat McAfee Show," Rui Hachimura returning to the starting lineup and looking more like himself, LA's defensive woes, and more.

If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

2:28 Overarching thought: LA won a must-win game -- optics be damned

7:58 Notable performers

13:45 Stat of the night: LeBron's double-digit scoring streak, rebounding & shooting (3s and FTs), Vando's plus-minus

15:10 Takeaway No. 1: What a day for LeBron

20:49 Takeaway No. 2: Rui returns to the starting lineup & looks much better

26:19 Takeaway No. 2: The defense is ... far from back

31:48 Q&A

1:45:52 Outro

Timestamps are subject to change based on ad placement and duration.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jovan Buha breaks down the biggest storylines for the Los Angeles Lakers at the 70-game mark of the season.

Jovan analyzes Luka Doncic’s increased comfort and production, Austin Reaves shattering his ceiling, the nine-man rotation, the Western Conference playoff race, LA’s schedule, Jaxson Hayes, the looming two-way decisions, and more.

If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

2:41 Storyline No. 1: Luka’s increased comfort offensively

7:08 Storyline No. 2: Austin Reaves continues to rewrite his ceiling

11:43 Storyline No. 3: The new nine-man rotation

16:01 Storyline No. 4: The West playoff race & LA’s remaining schedule

20:04 Storyline No. 5: Jaxson Hayes’ increasing importance

25:54 Storyline No. 6: The downside with LeBron & Rui missing so much time

28:13 Storyline No. 7: LA’s shot variance on both sides of the ball

32:57 Storyline No. 8: Looming two-way decisions on Goodwin, Koloko & Jemison

36:23 Storyline No. 9: Mounting injuries & back-to-back management

38:37 Storyline No. 10: Looking ahead toward playoff matchups

42:59 Outro

Timestamps are subject to change based on ad placement and duration.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jovan Buha reacts to the Los Angeles Lakers' 118-106 loss to the Orlando Magic on Monday, March 24, 2025.

Jovan analyzes the Lakers' recent skid, their defensive limitations against Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner (and how that could apply in the playoffs), LeBron James and Rui Hachimura still acclimating, Jaxson Hayes and Jarred Vanderbilt's struggles, the rest of their four-game road trip, and more.

If you enjoy this type of NBA content, please like, comment and subscribe!

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

1:45 Overarching thought: The Lakers are in a rut right now

6:39 Notable performers

8:27 Stat of the night: Orlando was plus-15 at the 3-point line

9:50 Takeaway No. 1: Franz & Paolo overpowered the Lakers' perimeter defense

16:18Takeaway No. 2: Rough performances for Jaxson Hayes & Jarred Vanderbilt

21:21 Takeaway No. 3: Why the rest of this road trip will test LA's defense

25:38 Q&A

1:26:36 Outro

Timestamps are subject to change depending on ad placement and duration.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices