With the conference finals underway, here is one lesson for the Los Angeles Lakers from each finalist.Jovan Buha covers the impact of Minnesota’s size and length (and especially their frontcourt), Dallas’ trade-deadline activity turning their season around and showing you can significantly improve without acquiring a star, Boston’s 3-point volume and one of the most decisive trends of the playoffs, Indian’s all-in trade for Pascal Siakam and the importance of finding a star that complements your roster, and more.If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.Chapters:0:00 Intro1:14 Minnesota Timberwolves9:19 Dallas Mavericks17:44 Boston Celtics23:58 Indiana Pacers29:16 Overarching lesson from all four teams31:24 Outro

Jovan Buha welcomes Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report and Sports Business Classroom to break down the Los Angeles Lakers’ salary cap outlook entering the 2024 offseason and the various roster-building paths they can take this summer.Eric and Jovan discuss the exceptions the Lakers could have available to them, the pros and cons of LeBron James opting in vs. opting out, making a trade on draft day vs. waiting for the offseason, how aggregating players in offseason trades works, why D’Angelo Russell is the pivot point of the offseason, how his decision affects Max Christie and Taurean Prince, free-agent point guard replacements for DLo, how Trae Young, Donovan Mitchell or Darius Garland would fit in LA, and more.If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.Chapters:'0:00 Intro1:15 What are the likely tools LA will have available in free agency?6:13 LeBron opting in and extending vs. opting out and re-signing10:55 Difference in making a draft-day trade vs. waiting for the offseason?16:03 How aggregating players in an offseason trade works24:03 Why LA will have three picks available to trade regardless of NOP's decision27:35 Why DLo is the pivot point of the offseason (and affects Max Christie)39:10 Free-agent point guard replacements if DLo walks46:35 When DLo could be traded if he opts in47:30 Trae Young’s fit in LA49:26 Where else could DLo end up?55:43 How LA could flesh out the roster around a third star if they trade DLo58:06 How a sign-and-trade three-team trade could work1:03:00 Why the Lakers are unlikely to go over the second apron1:04:47 How do empty roster charges factor in?1:10:27 Darius Garland could become available1:11:55 How willing would Cleveland be to help LeBron/the Lakers?1:15:55 Why the Lakers and the Bulls trading is unlikely1:17:39 How do the Reddish and Hayes player options impact things?1:23:05 Where you can find Eric online1:23:48 Apply for Sports Business Classroom!1:27:39 Outro

Jovan Buha welcomes Khobi Price of the Southern California News Group to break down the recent Los Angeles Lakers buzz surrounding JJ Redick and Donovan Mitchell.Khobi and Jovan discuss Khobi's first year on the Lakers beat, the pros and cons of JJ Redick as the Lakers' potential head coach, the other candidates they like, the X-factors of the job, the importance of how LeBron and Anthony Davis feel about the coaching search, Donovan Mitchell's potential fit as a third star, three stars vs. upgrading the supporting cast, roster lessons LA can take from these playoffs, and more.If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.Chapters:0:00 Intro1:54 Khobi’s Mo Bamba story4:36 Khobi’s first year on the Lakers beat6:38 The pros and cons of JJ Redick as LA’s potential next coach19:16 Our favorite non-Redick candidates31:12 LeBron & AD will have a say in all of this38:15 How would Donovan Mitchell fit? Three stars vs. supporting cast upgrade53:04 The importance of nailing roster-building approach this summer1:01:08 What roster lessons should the Lakers take from these playoffs?1:20:54 Outro

Jovan Buha breaks down his report at The Athletic with Shams Charania on JJ Redick, James Borrego and Sam Cassell emerging as the three leading targets for the Los Angeles Lakers during their coaching search.Jovan covers the three frontrunners, the rest of the candidate pool, what the Lakers are looking for from their next coach, legendary Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski (aka Coach K) advising them, and more.If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.Chapters:0:00 Lakers coaching search update1:12 What LA is looking for from its next coach2:36 Why this is more of an AD hire than a LeBron hire3:47 Coach K is advising LA during this process4:57 JJ Redick6:06 James Borrego6:41 Sam Cassell7:50 Which coaching candidate do you prefer?8:00 Outro

Jovan Buha analyzes the five most important offseason questions for the Los Angeles Lakers. Jovan covers why the coaching search is so important, how the week leading into LeBron James' option deadline could influence his decision, why D'Angelo Russell might be the pivot point of LA's summer, the two different roster-building paths, the draft picks they can trade, and more.If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.Chapters:0:00 Intro0:32 Question No. 1: Who is the next Lakers coach? 8:57 Question No. 2: What happens with LeBron?13:01 Question No. 3: What happens with DLo?21:25 Question No. 4: Which roster-building path?27:32 Question No. 5: How do they use their picks?31:50 Stay tuned for more32:59 Outro

Jovan Buha answers your questions on the coaching search and offseason plans in the latest Buha's Block mailbag.Jovan covers the Los Angeles Lakers potentially trading the No. 17 pick, the timeline of the coaching search, if Micah Nori and David Adelman are candidates, D'Angelo Russell's market, his prediction for the next Lakers head coach, optimism for Jalen Hood-Schifino, Max Christie's future in LA, and more.If you'd like Jovan to answer your questions in a future mailbag, drop your question in a comment below (or hit him up on X/Twitter when he tweets out the mailbag prompt). If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.Chapters:0:00 Intro0:44 Will LA trade the No. 17 pick for an upgrade?4:28 Timeline on coaching search?9:17 Micah Nori and David Adelman in the mix?10:38 D’Angelo Russell’s market this summer?14:49 Prediction for the Lakers’ next coach?19:51 Jarrett Allen for picks + filler?23:10 Any optimism with JHS?30:11 Gabe Vincent and CP3 at PG?33:16 DeMarcus Cousins an option?36:29 How likely is Max Christie to stay in LA?39:01 Outro

As the Los Angeles Lakers begin their coaching search, there are three important lessons from the tenures of Frank Vogel and Darvin Ham that they need to apply moving forward.Jovan Buha covers the importance of nailing the basics with their next coach, why the Lakers will need to be more competitive with their contract offer, prioritizing the alignment between the coach, front office and players, why the new coach has to be more adaptable than his predecessors, why the coach also needs gravitas (and how that favors JJ Redick), and more.If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.0:00 Intro0:40 The basics of this coaching search6:39 Lesson No. 1: Alignment between the coach, front office and stars14:31 Lesson No. 2: Adaptability based on roster personnel20:05 Lesson No. 3: Gravitas and commanding the locker room30:59 Lessons recap32:49 Outro

In Episode 19, Jovan Buha reacts to the news that the Lakers fired head coach Darvin Ham on Friday, May 3, 2024.Jovan covers where the season went wrong for Darvin Ham, why this isn't all his fault, the latest names he's hearing on the Lakers' coaching search, what the organization is looking for, which candidates he finds most intriguing, and much more.If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.Chapters:0:00 Intro2:32 Where did things go wrong?18:02 This isn’t all Darvin Ham’s fault21:35 The latest on the Lakers’ coaching search29:10 Jovan's coaching candidate rankings31:47 Outro

Jovan Buha reacts to the Los Angeles Lakers' 108-106 loss to the Denver Nuggets in Game 5 of their first-round NBA playoff series at Ball Arena on Monday, April 29, 2024.Jovan covers the Lakers' Game 5 loss, the margins of the series, his report at The Athletic, the future of LeBron James, the future of Darvin, many of the questions the Lakers are facing, what we learned about LA in the postseason, the Lakers' needs this offseason, why he thinks JJ Redick is an interesting potential coaching candidate, the reality of this series, Denver's greatness and more.If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.Chapters:0:00 Intro2:38 Breaking down our report at The Athletic17:21 Takeaway No. 1: What this all means moving forward24:43 Takeaway No. 2: What LA learned in the playoffs32:25 Takeaway No. 3: The reality of this series' outcome38:42 Thank you for the last few months!41:17 Outro

In Episode 18, Jovan Buha answer your Lakers questions in my latest mailbag.Jovan discusses the best-case scenario with D'Angelo Russell this summer, if the Lakers can come back and beat the Denver Nuggets, the different offseason paths LA can take, if coming back to beat Denver and winning a fifth ring would make LeBron James the unanimous GOAT, if LeBron and Anthony Davis will have their jerseys retired in Los Angeles, and much more.If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.Chapters:0:00 Intro1:30 Question: Is Rob Pelinka’s seat getting warm?2:59 Question: What’s the best-case scenario for LA with DLo’s contract?8:20 Question: Should the Lakers trade Rui because of this series?12:39 Question: Will Jamal Murray play in Game 5?13:40 Question: Can the Lakers come back and win this series?17:42 Question: Favorite ice cream flavor?18:56 Question: Multiple-choice options for LA offseason19:13 Question: Would beating Denver & winning 5th ring make LeBron the unanimous GOAT?20:30 Question: What are the options if LeBron & DLo leave?23:06 Question: Favorite players & team I don’t want to win title26:06 Question: What changes should the Lakers make?32:24 Question: Will LeBron & AD’s jerseys be retired?33:40 Question: How should/will the Lakers handle Vando if he plays?36:45 Outro

Jovan Buha reacts to the Los Angeles Lakers' 119-108 win over the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of their first-round NBA playoff series at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday, April 27, 2024.Jovan covers how LA finally beat Denver, the psychological impact after 11 straight losses, reasons for optimism, why Anthony Davis has been awesome and has me cursing, LeBron James taking over in the fourth quarter, D'Angelo Russell's bounce-back game, Game 5 and more.If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.Chapters:0:00 Intro20:22 Takeaway No. 1: The Nuggets can actually bleed26:29 Takeaway No. 2: 70.8 percent33:58 Takeaway No. 3: AD deserves his flowers40:04 Outro

Jovan Buha reacts to the Los Angeles Lakers' 112-105 loss to the Denver Nuggets in Game 3 of their first-round NBA playoff series at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday, April 25, 2024.Jovan covers why this series is essentially over, D'Angelo Russell's disappearance against Denver, some of the tough decisions the Lakers will have to make this offseason, where the season went wrong, how LA was too small in this series, why they need to think about building a roster to compete with Denver and more.If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.Chapters:0:00 Intro12:24 Takeaway No. 1: This series is over19:09 Takeaway No. 2: DLo’s Denver disappearing act25:28 Takeaway No. 3: LA is just too small31:48 Outro

In Episode 17 of Buha’s Block, Jovan Buha breaks down three adjustments the Los Angeles Lakers need to make in Game 3 and beyond against the Denver Nuggets in their first-round NBA playoff series.Jovan covers the importance of not going down 3-0 in the series, the Lakers needing to keep Anthony Davis on Nikola Jokic, LA’s second-half offensive collapses, why the rotation should be tighter, how LA can counter Denver’s defensive adjustments in Game 2 and more.If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.Chapters0:00 Intro4:43 One note about the defense9:47 Adjustment No. 1: Prioritize pace and offensive organization18:26 Adjustment No. 2: Tighten the rotation even more28:28 Adjustment No. 3: Don’t let Denver dictate terms of engagement37:05 Outro

Jovan Buha reacts to the Los Angeles Lakers' 101-99 loss to the Denver Nuggets in Game 2 of their first-round NBA playoff series at Ball Arena on Monday, April 22, 2024.Jovan covers why this is the worst of the 10 straight losses to Denver, how the Lakers blew a 20-point second-half lead, why they lost on a Jamal Murray buzzer-beater, why this feels more like a 3-0 series deficit than a 2-0 deficit, deja vu in crunch-time, their inexcusable lapses in Game 86 and more.If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.Chapters:0:00 Intro18:47 Takeaway No. 1: 2-0 but feels like 3-024:47 Takeaway No. 2: Deja vu33:00 Takeaway No. 3: Inexcusable lapses in Game 8641:27 Outro

In Episode 16, Jovan Buha welcomes Sean Davis of Lakers Nation to break down the adjustments the Los Angeles Lakers should make for Game 2 and the rest of their first-round series against the Denver Nuggets.Jovan and Sean discuss what they're encouraged about for LA from Game 1, their offensive and defensive adjustments for Game 2, how Christian Wood potentially fits into this series, what the Lakers need from D'Angelo Russell, how they would tweak the rotation, why Game 2 is essentially a Game 7 and more.Follow Sean on Twitter/X here: @Sean_DaviIf you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing. Chapters:0:00 Intro0:36 More or less encouraged for LA after Game 1?5:00 How would you reimplement Christian Wood in this series?11:09 What offensive adjustments can LA make for Game 2?22:46 What defensive adjustments can LA make for Game 2?36:42 Is this just a bad matchup for DLo? How should LA handle him?51:52 What rotational adjustments can LA make for Game 2?1:02:22 Why Game 2 is essentially Game 71:07:23 Outro

Jovan Buha reacts to the Los Angeles Lakers' 114-103 loss to the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of their first-round NBA playoff series at Ball Arena on Saturday, April 20, 2024.Jovan Buha covers LA's offensive struggles in the second half, the performances of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers' inability to slow Nikola Jokic and Denver's shooters, D'Angelo Russell's poor performance on both ends of the floor, some adjustments for Game 2 and more.If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.Chapters:0:00 Intro8:55 Takeaway No. 1: The offense collapsed in the second half14:13 Takeaway No. 2: LA has to mix up coverages vs. Jokic20:04 Takeaway No. 3: DLo needs to be better29:44 Takeaways recap30:23 Outro

In Episode 15, Jovan Buha welcomes Tim a.k.a. Cranjis McBasketball of the Lakers Exceptionalism podcast and BBall Index to preview the first-round NBA playoff series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets.Jovan and Tim discuss one question for each team, one player X-factor for each team and one series X-factor before making our series prediction. We touch on Darvin Ham's playcalling, LA vs. Denver in the clutch, LeBron James' 3-point shooting, Denver's bench, Anthony Davis' two-way ask, D'Angelo Russell, Jamal Murray's shotmaking and more.Check out the Lakers Exceptionalism podcast here: Lakers ExceptionalismFollow Tim on YouTube:  @LakersExceptionalism You can also follow him on Twitter: @Tim_NBAIf you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.Chapters:(0:00) Intro(1:09) Tim’s Lakers question: Does Darvin Ham call plays at a high rate?(8:23) Jovan’s Lakers question: Can LA hang with Denver in the clutch?(13:11) Who should the Lakers close games with?(17:07) Jovan shares his out-of-the-box closing configuration(21:00) Tim counters but then starts to like the idea(24:06) Tim’s Nuggets question: Can their bench be effective?(28:09) Jovan’s Nuggets question: How does Denver handle this version of LeBron James?(32:44) Tim’s Lakers X-factor: Anthony Davis(38:38) Jovan’s Lakers X-factor: D’Angelo Russell(45:10) Tim’s Nuggets X-factor: Jamal Murray’s shotmaking(48:53) Jovan’s Nuggets X-factor: Michael Porter Jr.(52:38) Tim’s series X-factor: Which starting PG’s defense will be tested more?(57:26) Jovan’s series X-factor: Can LeBron and AD finally outplay Murray?(1:02:26) Jovan’s series prediction(1:05:45) Tim’s series prediction(1:10:03) Outro

In Episode 14, Jovan Buha answers your Lakers questions in his latest mailbag.Jovan covers where the Lakers rank among all playoff teams, if the Lakers are better than they were last season, the best way to defend the Denver Nuggets, Max Christie's future, the latest non-updates on Christian Wood and Jarred Vanderbilt, his favorite games/moments of the season and more.If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.Chapters:(0:00) Intro(0:49) Question 1: Where do the Lakers rank among playoff teams?(3:55) Question 2: Is LA better than last season? But so is this West?(7:33) Question 3: What's the best way to defend Denver's starters?(16:02) Question 4: Will Max Christie remain a Laker? Role next season?(19:19) Question 5: Any Christian Wood update?(20:34) Question 6: Is a Jarred Vanderbilt return possible in the playoffs?(22:58) Question 7: Favorite game/moment of the season so far?(26:58) Outro

Jovan Buha reacts to the Lakers' 110-106 win over the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.Jovan covers LA preserving through poor shooting performances for LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Davis playing through back spasms, LA figuring out a way to hold on, the supporting cast stepping up, a couple of key benefits to winning the game, a quick Denver preview and more.If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.Chapters:(0:00) Intro(11:59) Takeaway No. 1: A gritty, gutsy road performance(16:00) Takeaway No. 2: The benefits of LA winning this game(19:18) Takeaway No. 3: Quick Nuggets thoughts(27:07) Outro

In Episode 13, Jovan Buha previews the Play-In matchup between the No. 8 Los Angeles Lakers and the No. 7 New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.Jovan goes through additional notes from the regular-season finale, the season series numbers between the two teams, five adjustments for the Lakers, five adjustments for the Pelicans, and a matchup prediction, among other topics.If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.Chapters:(0:00) Intro(1:36) Additional thoughts from the win over the Pelicans(6:16) Season series statistical breakdown(9:45) Adjustments preface(10:47) Lakers adjustment No. 1: Spam the LeBron-AD pick-and-roll even more(12:02) Lakers adjustment No. 2: Ruthlessly target Pelicans’ worst defenders more(12:44) Lakers adjustment No. 3: Respect Herb Jones’ shooting(14:15) Lakers adjustment No. 4: Tighten the rotation(15:43) Lakers adjustment No. 5: Maintaining a sense of urgency(16:51) Pelicans adjustment No. 1: Start Larry Nance Jr.(17:59) Pelicans adjustment No. 2: Play BI more + run more offense through him(19:43) Pelicans adjustment No. 3: Get Zion on the move(20:46) Pelicans adjustment No. 4: Stop running pick-and-rolls at AD(21:37) Pelicans adjustment No. 5: Target D’Angelo Russell more(23:46) Adjustments recap(24:41) Outro