Buha's Block with Jovan Buha

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Ep. 46: The Lakers' Offseason & The Best Path Forward With Andy Kamenetzky Jul 26, 2024

Show notes

Jovan Buha welcomes Andy Kamenetzky from Locked On Lakers to examine where things stand with the Los Angeles Lakers as the summer winds down.
Jovan and Andy discuss LA’s offseason, patience vs. urgency in making a consolidation trade to improve the backend of the roster, the best way to build around LeBron James and Anthony Davis in 2024, why Jerami Grant is such an intriguing option, the potential cost and downside to a Grant trade, and more.
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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:35 How good are the Lakers?
7:21 Patience vs. urgency with the roster
15:30 Why hasn’t LA made a consolidation trade?
35:40 The best way to build around LeBron and AD
38:40 Why Jerami Grant could make sense
48:07 The potential downside of a Grant trade
54:20 The tricky road forward
57:36 Outro

Ep. 45: Why The Lakers Will Win More Than Their Projected Over-Under Totals Jul 23, 2024

Show notes

Jovan Buha explains why he thinks the Los Angeles Lakers' projected win total -- 43.5 or 44.5 wins, depending on the sportsbook -- is too low.
Jovan discusses the coaching upgrade to JJ Redick and his new staff, the Lakers' unlucky health breaks over the past few seasons, the potential for internal improvement, last season's finish with Rui Hachimura as the start, trade possibilities, the bottom of the league, LeBron James and Anthony Davis remaining top-15 players (at worst), and more.
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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:34 Reason No. 1: The coaching upgrade
5:32 Reason No. 2: Health regression
11:24 Reason No. 3: Internal improvement
15:35 Reason No. 4: Last season’s finish
20:36 Reason No. 5: Trade possibilities
24:19 Miscellaneous reasons
29:39 Outro

Ep. 44: One Important Question For Each Lakers Player For Next Season Jul 20, 2024

Show notes

Jovan Buha poses one question for each Los Angeles Lakers player for next season.

Jovan discusses LeBron James’ longevity, Anthony Davis’ dominance, D’Angelo Russell’s future, Jarred Vanderbilt’s offense, Gabe Vincent returning to his Miami form, Max Christie potentially taking a jump, Dalton Knecht’s defense, Christian Wood vs. Jaxson Hayes, the problematic backend of the roster, and much more.

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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:59 How long can LeBron James maintain his play?
7:44 Is there another level Anthony Davis can get to?
12:50 Will JJ Redick fully unleash Austin Reaves?
17:04 Is D’Angelo Russell a Laker on Feb. 8?
20:19 Can Rui Hachimura improve on the little things?
24:05 How real was Jarred Vanderbilt’s offensive improvement?
28:05 Can Gabe Vincent return to his Miami form?
29:53 Can Max Christie make a jump?
32:58 How does Dalton Knecht hold up defensively?
36:19 Who wins the backup 5 battle: Christian Wood or Jaxson Hayes?
38:40 Can Cam Reddish, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Max Lewis or Bronny James play?
42:19 Outro

Ep. 43: Lakers Mailbag: Trade Updates, LA's Patience, Max Christie's Leap Jul 16, 2024

Show notes

Jovan Buha answers your Los Angeles Lakers questions on trade updates from NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

Jovan covers the latest trade intel, if the Lakers’ front office still believes in thus roster, LA’s patient approach, the most likely trade outcome, big and small realistic trades, roster priorities, Max Christie’s potential next season, Cam Johnson’s fit, Serbia vs. Puerto Rico, the Laker Film Room news, and more.

If you'd like Jovan to answer your questions in a future mailbag, drop your question in a comment on YouTube (or hit him up on X/Twitter when he tweets out the mailbag prompt).

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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:12 Question No. 1: Any trade updates from Vegas?
7:26 Question No. 2: Does LA still believe in its roster?
14:11 Question No. 3: Most likely trade outcome for the Lakers?
16:10 Question No. 4: Big and small realistic trade options?
18:55 Question No. 5: Can LA start the season with AR and DLo?
22:21 Question No. 6: Improvements for AR, Rui and Vando
27:10 Question No. 7: Front office prioritizing a big man?
33:10 Question No. 8: How would Cam Johnson fit?
35:16 Question No. 9: Max Christie leap next season?
38:22 Question No. 10: Who am I rooting for between Serbia & Puerto Rico?
40:05 Question No. 11: Favorite soda?
41:34 Question No. 12: Status for JHS? His future role?
45:34 Question No. 13: Thoughts on the Laker Film Room news?
50:29 Outro

Ep. 42: Why AD Should Be Starting For Team USA & Lakers Summer League Reaction Jul 11, 2024

Show notes

Jovan Buha reacts to Team USA beating Canada 86-72 in Wednesday’s Olympic exhibition game in Las Vegas, NV. He also responds to the Los Angeles Lakers’ 80-76 loss to the Miami Heat in the finale of the California Classic in San Francisco, CA.

Jovan covers Team USA’s win over Team Canada, why Anthony Davis should be starting at center over Joel Embiid, his ideal starting five (and what he thinks they will settle on), LeBron James and Steph Curry playing together, Dalton Knecht’s skill set, Bronny James’s defense, Maxwell Lewis’ recent struggles, Colin Castleton, and more.

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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:48 Team USA beats Canada reaction
4:58 Why Anthony Davis should be the starting center
7:41 The bench unit works well together
13:06 My projection for the eventual rotation
13:58 LeBron & Steph two-man game
15:08 Closing thoughts on Team USA
15:56 Lakers summer league reaction
19:05 Dalton Knecht observations
24:52 Bronny James observations
29:34 Maxwell Lewis observations
33:14 Colin Castleton observations
35:36 Blake Hinson observations
36:53 Armel Traoré observations
38:26 Closing thoughts on the California Classic
40:03 Outro

Ep. 41: Evaluating The Lakers' Roster One Week Into 2024 Free Agency Jul 09, 2024

Show notes

Jovan Buha takes stock of the Los Angeles Lakers’ roster one week into 2024 free agency.
Jovan covers LA's roster and cap situation, their depth chart, Rui Hachimura vs. Jarred Vanderbilt for the starting small forward spot, positional caveats, why the backend of the roster needs improvement, the potential addition of Gary Trent Jr., where LA ranks in the crowd West, the primary reasons for optimism with their roster, and more.
If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:13 A thank you as we approach 15K on YouTube!
1:48 LA’s roster and cap situation
3:16 Depth chart 1.0
6:00 Rui vs. Vando as the starting SF
11:37 An important positional caveat
12:40 The backend of the roster needs improvement
17:47 Where LA ranks in the West as is
19:00 Reasons for optimism with the Lakers’ roster
21:05 Outro

LeBron James Re-Signs for Less Money & Lakers Summer League Reaction Jul 07, 2024

Show notes

Jovan Buha reacts to LeBron James re-signing with the Los Angeles Lakers and taking a $2.7 million discount. He also analyzes the Lakers' 108-94 loss to the Sacramento Kings in the opening game of the California Classic.
Jovan covers what LeBron taking a discount means for LA, the Lakers' options now, the best-case scenario, Maxwell Lewis' impressive finishing, the learning curve for Bronny James and Dalton Knecht, Blake Hinson's 3-point shooting, Tommy Kushe's stellar play, Colin Castleton's passing and skill, and more.
If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:56 What LeBron taking a discount means for LA
6:26 Takeaway No. 1: Maxwell Lewis
9:32 Takeaway No. 2: Bronny James and Dalton Knecht
18:29 Takeaway No. 3: Blake Hinson, Colin Castleton & Armel Traore
22:30 Outro

Ep. 40: What LeBron James Re-Signing Means For The Lakers' Offseason Jul 03, 2024

Show notes

Jovan Buha reacts to LeBron James planning to re-sign with the Lakers on a two-year, $104 million deal with a no-trade clause and player option on the second season. He also analyzes the Lakers adding Nate McMillan and Scott Brooks to JJ Redick's coaching staff.
Jovan covers what LeBron re-signing means, how McMillan and Brooks fit, the ways the Lakers can avoid the second apron, why Max Christie's cap hold -- and not LeBron's -- is actually the key, LA's only path to improvement being a trade, the present vs. the future, and more.
If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:56 What LeBron signing a 1+1 max contract means for LA
7:34 The Lakers hire Nate McMillan and Scott Brooks
11:24 The ways LA can get under the second apron
16:33 The Lakers’ only path to improvement is a trade now
21:45 Outro

Lakers Spurned by Klay Thompson: Is DeMar DeRozan Their Next Target? Jul 02, 2024

Show notes

Jovan Buha reacts to the Los Angeles Lakers pivoting to DeMar DeRozan after Klay Thompson turned them down to sign with the Dallas Mavericks.
Jovan covers DeMar DeRozan's potential fit with the Lakers, why I don't think he makes much sense next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis given his weaknesses, DeRozan vs. Jerami Grant, how the Lakers could fit Derozan onto the roster, and more.
If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:22 DeMar DeRozan is another target for the Lakers
1:10 Why I’m skeptical of DeRozan’s fit in LA
4:33 DeRozan vs. Jerami Grant
7:29 A reminder of LA’s roster constraints
7:56 Outro

Lakers Re-Sign Max Christie to a Good Deal on Day 1 of NBA Free Agency Jul 01, 2024

Show notes

Jovan Buha reacts to the Los Angeles Angeles Lakers re-signing restricted free agent Max Christie to a four-year, $32 million deal with a player option on the fourth year.

Jovan covers why he thinks this is a good and fair deal for both sides, Christie’s potential, LA’s belief in him for next season and beyond, how the Lakers can clear roster spots, what this could mean for both LeBron James and the use of the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, the trade restrictions on Christie’s contract, and more.

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

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:50 Why this deal makes sense for both sides
7:25 Why LA likely needs to make a consolidation trade (or two)
12:05 What this could indicate about LA’s free-agency plans
14:41 The trade restrictions on Christie’s contract
16:01 Outro

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