Buha's Block with Jovan Buha

Latest Episodes:

Lakers Mailbag: LA’s Title Odds, Best Playoff Matchups, JJ’s Coaching Growth Feb 25, 2025

Show notes

Jovan Buha answers your Los Angeles Lakers questions on Tuesday, February 25, 2025.

Jovan analyzes if the Lakers can win the championship, the best playoff matchups for LA, Austin Reaves’ future, why the Lakers’ defense has remained elite without Anthony Davis, the likely playoff rotation, JJ Redick’s growth as a head coach, what it’s like to cover the Lakers, and more.

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Chapters:

0:00 Intro

1:06 Question No. 1 & 2: How far can LA go? Can they withstand losing any rotation players? Reaves extension?

10:16 Question No. 3: Best playoff matchups for LA in the West?

15:55 Question No. 4: Should LA still start DFS over Rui?

24:03 Question No. 5: Why has LA’s defense maintained — or even improved — without AD?

32:03 Question No. 6: What is the biggest takeaway from the Denver win?

38:20 Question No. 7: What is the most likely playoff rotation?

41:02 Question No. 8: When did JJ prove he was a good coach?

45:41 Question No. 9: What is Jaxson Hayes’ free-agency value?

49:16 Question No. 10: What is it like covering the Lakers? Lowlights/highlights?

56:25 Question No. 11: Thoughts on the new Drake & PND project?

59:30 Outro

Lakers-Nuggets Postgame Reaction: Luka Doncic EXPLODES In LA's Blowout Win Over Denver Feb 23, 2025

Show notes

Jovan Buha reacts to the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-100 win over the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, February 22, 2025.

Jovan analyzes Luka Doncic's breakout performance, how he changes the Lakers-Nuggets matchups, LA's defensive game plan vs. Nikola Jokic, Rui Hachimura's two-way play, the Lakers' unstoppable ball movement, and more.

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Chapters:

0:00 Intro

1:45 Overarching takeaway: This was LA's most important win of the season

7:31 Stat of the night: Nikola Jokic's six turnovers & 24 stocks for LA

11:05 Takeaway No. 1: Luka has arrived

16:58 Takeaway No. 2: LA stifles Jokic with defensive game plan

22:31 Takeaway No. 3: Rui Hachimura & Jarred Vanderbilt were the unsung heroes

28:31 Q&A

1:27:46 Outro

Lakers-Blazers Postgame Reaction: LeBron, Austin Reaves Carry LA In Gritty Win Without Luka Doncic Feb 21, 2025

Show notes

Jovan Buha reacts to the Los Angeles Lakers' 110-102 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday, February 20, 2025.

Jovan analyzes the Lakers' "cheat code," why it's OK to excessively praise LeBron James, LA's turnovers and recent offensive sloppiness, an update on Luka Doncic, and more.

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Chapters:

0:00 Intro

1:07 Overarching takeaways: LA's "cheat code," according to JJ Redick

7:47 Stat of the night: LA was plus-20 in DFS's 33 minutes as a starter

10:57 Takeaway No. 1: LeBron is deserving of excessive praise

15:15 Takeaway No. 2: The turnovers remain out of control

18:30 Takeaway No. 3: A Luka Doncic health update

22:23 Q&A

1:14:43 Outro

Inside 'Court of Gold': Viral KD moment, LeBron, USA-Serbia With Director Jake Rogal Feb 20, 2025

Show notes

Jovan Buha welcomes Jake Rogal, the director of “Court of Gold,” to discuss the new Netflix docuseries on men's basketball at the 2024 Olympics.

Jovan and Jake discuss how Rogal selected the four countries to cover, the viral interview with Kevin Durant, Serbia’s bronze celebration, Anthony Edwards’ magnetic personality, LeBron James, what the contingency plan was if Team USA lost to Serbia, Nikola Jokic, the lasting impact of the documentary, and more.

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Chapters:

0:00 Intro

1:54 How Jake picked the four countries for 'Court of Gold'

3:37 Viral interview with Kevin Durant

6:26 Serbia’s bronze medal celebration

7:58 Anthony Edwards consistently steals the show

9:39 Working with LeBron James

11:33 How Jake and his team determined what footage to use

13:01 How they ended up in the Germany locker room

14:18 The potential pivot if Serbia beats the US in the semifinals

16:21 At what point did Jake realize that USA-Serbia was an all-time game?

17:41 Nikola Jokic’s basketball IQ and reverence among his peers

20:17 What Jake wants the lasting impact of 'Court of Gold' to be

21:17 Outro

Lakers-Hornets Postgame Reaction: LA Collapses Late In Second Straight Brutal Loss Feb 20, 2025

Show notes

Jovan Buha reacts to the Los Angeles Lakers' 100-97 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday, February 19, 2025.

Jovan analyzes the Lakers' second straight disappointing loss, the adjustment process with Luka Doncic, LA's awful offensive output, their inability to get stops in crunch time, and more.

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Chapters:

0:00 Intro

1:29 Overarching takeaway: This will take some time -- and that's OK

8:13 Stat of the night: 97 points (and fewer than 50 in both halves)

9:47 Takeaway No. 1: LA is undergoing a metamorphosis offensively

17:06 Takeaway No. 2: The crunch-time POA defense & rim protection was concerning

25:45 Takeaway No. 3: The ongoing center situation

28:52 Q&A

1:07:34 Outro

Five BIG Lakers Questions Coming Out Of The All-Star Break Feb 18, 2025

Show notes

Jovan Buha analyzes five post-All-Star break questions for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Jovan examines how Luka Doncic can elevate the Lakers’ offense to contender level, LA’s apparent small-ball destiny, the optimal balance with the rotation and lineups, if the Lakers will add another free agent or buyout player (or convert a two-way player), LA’s postseason ceiling, and more.

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Chapters:

0:00 Intro

0:51 Shout-out to the Late Night Gang!

2:13 Question No. 1: How much will Luka elevate LA’s offense?

13:43 Question No. 2: Is LA destined to play small-ball in big spots?

23:07 Question No. 3: What’s the optimal balance with stars, starters + rotation?

28:41 Question No. 4: Does LA add another player?

34:57 Question No. 5: What is this group’s ceiling?

38:10 Outro

Lakers-Jazz Postgame Reaction: LA Enters The All-Star Break With Disappointing Loss Feb 13, 2025

Show notes

Jovan Buha reacts to the Los Angeles Lakers' 131-119 loss to the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, February 12, 2025.

Jovan analyzes the Lakers at the All-Star break, Luka Doncic's second game, Alex Len's debut, the importance of the Lakers' top eight players being healthy, and more.

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Chapters:

0:00 Intro

2:29 Overarching takeaway: LA has won 12 of 15 entering the ASB

8:53 Stat of the night: LA goes 17-for-30 from the FT line (56.7%)

11:24 Takeaway No. 1: Luka's stellar passing and the offense adjusting

19:16 Takeaway No. 2: Alex Len's debut

28:38 Takeaway No. 3: There is still a lot to be bullish about with LA

33:47 Q&A

1:35:22 Outro

Lakers Sign Alex Len & Waive Christian Wood: Breaking Down Len's Fit With LA Feb 12, 2025

Show notes

Jovan Buha reacts to the Los Angeles Lakers signing Alex Len and waiving Christian Wood on Tuesday, February 11, 2025.

Jovan analyzes the Len additions, his strengths and weaknesses, what's next for the Lakers with one more potential move, and more.

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Chapters:

0:00 Intro

1:02 What this means for the Lakers

4:23 Len's strengths

6:51 Len's weaknesses

13:13 What, if anything, is next for LA?

15:50 Q&A

1:18:11 Outro

Lakers-Jazz Postgame Reaction: Luka Doncic Debuts For LA As They Win Sixth Straight Feb 11, 2025

Show notes

Jovan Buha reacts to the Los Angeles Lakers' 132-113 win over the Utah Jazz on Monday, February 10, 2025.

Jovan analyzes Luka Doncic's debut, the Lakers' new starting lineup and rotation, LA leaning fully into its small-ball identity, Austin Reaves' new (old) role, the Lakers' sixth straight win, Alex Len, and more.

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Chapters:

0:00 Intro

2:22 Overarching takeaway: LA keeps it rolling while incorporating Luka

5:35 Stat of the night: Luka's turnover and Austin's nine rebounds

10:16 Takeaway No. 1: Luka Doncic's debut is a success

22:30 Takeaway No. 2: The new starting lineup and rotation

30:38 Takeaway No. 3: LA fully leans into small-ball identity

35:52 Q&A

1:40:26 Outro

Ep. 87: Lakers Storylines At 50 Games: Luka Doncic, Center Market, LeBron Sets Tone Feb 10, 2025

Show notes

Jovan Buha breaks down the biggest storylines for the Los Angeles Lakers at the 50-game mark of the season.

Jovan analyzes the craziest stretches in Lakers history, LA trading for Luka Doncic, the fallout from the Mark Williams rescinded trade, LeBron James setting the tone, Jarred Vanderbilt’s return, the center rotation, center options in free agency, JJ Redick’s growth, and more.

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Chapters:

0:00 Intro

1:27 Storyline No. 1: Is this the craziest stretch in Lakers history?

12:27 Storyline No. 2: LA trades for Luka Doncic

20:32 Storyline No. 3: The fallout from the nixed Mark Williams deal

26:18 Storyline No. 4: LA is playing its best basketball of the season

30:47 Storyline No. 5: LeBron James sets the tone

34:09 Storyline No. 6: The return of Jarred Vanderbilt

40:12 Storyline No. 7: The current center rotation

48:04 Storyline No. 8: The 15th roster spot

54:04 Storyline No. 9: JJ Redick coming into his own as a coach