Lakers mailbag: GOAT debate, LA’s offseason grade, Lakers underrated?: Ep. 50 | Buha’s Block

[@Commenting800]

LeBron is the GOAT. for all the reasons Jovan said. It's simple evolution. Just like a 1990 car doesn't perform like a 2024 car.

[@cheflev9884]

Jovan, you are the man. You not only have outstanding, fair and coherent analysis but you also crushed KZbin off the jump. Immediately you had all the lighting and sound done, mix in the savvy and long history of beat experience and your channel will be gangbusters!

[@jovanbuha]

Thank you so much! Have put a lot of work into this channel and podcast to try to make it the best I can. Means a lot to have that recognition.

[@Alostaylo]

Jovan you are the man we appreciate the work you do

[@jovanbuha]

Appreciate that! Thank you

[@soymajia]

CONGRATULATIONS on your 50th episode! To many many more. If you haven't subscribed, it's FREEEEEEE just hit subscribe, the like button, notification and share a positive comment. It cost nothing to be nice 🏀🏀🏀

[@jovanbuha]

Thank you, Norma! 🙏🙏

[@okeythegoat2332]

Facts bron is the goat and the lakers will be better than expected ❤😎💜💛

[@jovanbuha]

🫡

[@schmitkeoriginals]

FAX on not drafting Whitmore ... even for a trade asset (worried about health!? Lololol... meanwhile JHS back surgery), credit to JJ too, obviously wanted Knecht - JJ also publically stated "we need a BIG BRUISING CENTER." 💯💯💯 P.S. we gotta start AR/Max/Rui/LBJ/AD Point forward LBJ + combo guard AR at "point guard" is perfect. Lo (no D cuz he plays none) come off the bench as 6th man until hopefully traded for a BIG. Vando/Vincent energy off bench to protect Knecht, and Lo in short term.

[@dennisknowles9293]

Keep the mike BRO great show. NO DOUBT BRO LEBRON IS THE GOAT😂😂😂

[@AlessandroZane]

1. Lebron 2. Kareem 3. Jordan You’re welcome kids

[@aDubOneLove]

Nooo! I didn’t realize that I’ve been watching the pod but I wasn’t subscribed so I missed the mailbag community post!!! 😡 Well I won’t make that mistake again lol (Subscribed) 😂

[@jovanbuha]

All good! Will be posting another soon. You can also ask a question in the comments here and I’ll use it for the next mailbag!

[@b.guneysu3567]

I can confirm that this mic balances the bass in your voice much better than the old one.

[@jovanbuha]

@@b.guneysu3567 Appreciate that! First person to notice 😂 That said, it’s a really expensive mic, so might just stick with the OG one (which was also expensive).

[@Curtis-qg4ir]

Yeah I agree. LeBron is the GOAT.

[@taylormadevibe]

You sound great mate. Love the show. Appreciate what you do. Wish our FO was more ambitious to say the least. considering they won’t see another player (or even duo ) like this for a looooong time

[@marcusg1021]

👑🐐🔥🇺🇲🥇

[@jovanbuha]

Ended up accidentally putting the microphone gain slightly too high, so there was some clipping at a few points (basically distorting). I apologize. Regardless, I think I’m leaning toward going back to my Shure mic unless you all feel otherwise.

[@milkrvr4088]

We don’t care 🤷‍♂️ use whatever you want bud buuuuuut…….

[@milkrvr4088]

One thing we do care about is a video where you take all the players that the lakers let go out like Randal kuzma zubach drummond coruso kcp and why they did that and how it all worked out 💪 😂 then maybe we can fire the front office guys

[@todii1014]

The goat debate take was so spot on and put together so well. LeBron is so much better as a player, the titles don't even matter. And the competition is way tougher. I know it's a hypothetical but if you swap them, LeBron is going 6-0 in finals at least and MJ might beat Mavs, but he isn't being Spurs 2013 and no way he is beating GS 2016.

[@MisterMessinger]

The mic sounds good to me

[@tylercastanedaiii5651]

Yeah Shure is definitely much, better imo.

[@MBeano]

Congrats on 15+ K subs, 50th ep, and your wedding. Im much more optimistic/biased on the Lakers grading. Firing Ham alone gives them a minimum D+ but more like a C- for me. He was that horrendous. A different coach Lakers may have even won against Denver. As stated, they led 70% of the time, a real coach would have not given up those leads (managing time and rotations more effectively, and NOT going away from what works) and played and built up Max, utilized Vando at a minimum. Vando would not only get the team needed defense, but this would have ancillary impact on AR and/or DLo, knowing that Vando is there, in a similar way they play better because AD is there. I also give Lakers points for NOT going after the constant rumored trades of LaVine or Trae. EVERYONE was saying the would/should go after either. That would have been a humoungous mistake nearterm and longterm. Lastly, I think Nuggets will slip further down - They already didnt go as far w/o BBrown and Green. Now, Nuggs are w/o KCP and Murray won't achieve the Championship level he was at, still a great player but I dont think he is going to reach that level again. I think OKC Wolves Mavs are top 3, next tier is Grizzlies Nuggets Lakers Kings... Im not trusting Pelicans pair of Zion BI, Suns have to prove themselves more than Lakers or Kings.

[@PLAZARO]

You the best Jovan 🫶

[@jovanbuha]

You are 🤝

[@appetizerssushi7121]

One of the best!!!

[@jovanbuha]

Appreciate you 🙏

[@vesnam116]

Congrats on your episode 50, it's a great pod, high-quality and drama-free. 😀

[@joshuarenzcorpuz3652]

NICK RICHARDS FROM HORNETS CAN BE A LOWKEY CENTER

[@jovanbuha]

I like him

[@luffy.condoriano]

Jovan BUUUUHAAAAA! BBBBBUUUUUUHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAA! YoooOoooooOoOOoooWwwwwwwwWWww YooooowwwwwWWWwwwwww!!!!!

[@shandobombs]

I saw this Trade Rui Vando Gabe JHS for Bogi and Capella Then DLO for DFS Reaves Bogi DFS Bron AD Max Connect Wood Capella

[@fiftyburger]

Audio listener here, dropped by to see the comments. What's funny is the minute I heard you say the new mic balances your voice better I just KNEW it was the RE-20. You've clearly done your research lol great work as always, Jovan 👍

[@theodorewilliams4701]

Great breakdown of why you choose LBJ over MJ. I am in the same camp and I grew up on MJ. There is a strong piece of evidence for LBJ that I have never heard anyone highlight. It is in terms of peak vs longevity. Most say MJ has it for peak (albeit close) and LBJ for longevity (not close at all). Most see it as prerefence. However, for me there is an objective way to justify longevity over peak. Simply highlight that peak is a measurement of height, while longevity is a measurement of time. Then we need only remember that G.O.A.T stands for Greatest of All Time. Thus, the nod should go to longevity since "time" is actually a part of the title to begin with. Feel free to use that in future. Just shout me out. Dr. Theo Williams

[@JimmyEmoz]

The audio was fine. Thanks for showing love to the GOATs😂. In your opinion, what is the most difficult position to play in this NBA ?

[@jovanbuha]

I’ll answer this next mailbag 🫡

[@tylercastanedaiii5651]

PG. LeBron's role.

[@itspika1904]

Nick Richards is someone I'm keeping an eye on. Hornets are high on Mark Williams and he will be up for extension soon. They won't pay Richards too (has 2y left in his contract) so he may be available for cheap. Maybe Hornets are high on some of our young guys (JHS, Lewis or even Castleton) + a 2nd round or two and salary filler may seal the deal

[@rahamanahmed1064]

Great intelligent analysis of the attributes of both LBJ and MJ, as well the as the evolution of the game from the 80 to present.

[@jovanbuha]

@@rahamanahmed1064 Thank you!

[@stmaster21]

you nailed it bro! one man put forth 2 DECADES of superstardom and oh yeah, he holds the greatest record in the history of the sport AND the greatest ring in the history of the sport. bron GOAT

[@LN-Lifer]

Player options are a bad idea anyway but the Lakers give them to guys LEAST deserving. Guys literally playing for their careers should never ever get options

[@LakerGang2001]

Excellent pod! Don't worry about the microphone, the old one sounded perfectly fine. Keep it up Jovan!

[@vicraids1096]

Jovan what do you think of a Brandon Ingram trade? Salary wise it would need to be dlo rui and a minimum. How many 1st rounders would you give up? You can have a lineup of gabe (or max), reaves, Ingram, lebron, ad, with Christie knecht vando wood/hayes off the bench. Ingram has good playmaking to replace dlo, is a versatile length defender, and solid rebounding. You could make JHS the minimum contract you throw in then sign fultz on a minimum for the backup PG spot

[@LN-Lifer]

Sorry but I think this year it would have been better for LA to have passed on Dalton There is absolutely nothing his game (assuming he is the best he can be) offers to this team more than any slightly over average revounder could have

[@_WEsTWooD]

Fans wanted Pelinka to win executive of the year last offseason. Now they want him fired. Same happened from ‘21 to ‘22. Wash, rinse, repeat. It’s a joke.

[@jovanbuha]

It’s the cycle of fandom. I get it. I don’t think it’s been a good offseason. I think they should’ve made a consolidation trade, at a minimum, by this point. But I think the offseason grade is fluid. We can’t officially judge it a failure or success until the trade deadline. If they don’t make a trade of substance, I think then it’s a F.

[@_WEsTWooD]

@@jovanbuha Well, we also can’t have them just going out and making bad deals just to get a deal done. The Jerami Grant trade for two 1sts was reportedly almost done..and there’s a solid chance it would’ve been Westbrook trade adjacent. If they can send those same two 1sts ( perhaps protected in some manner) to DC in December and get back Kuz & Valanciunas, it’d probably work out better than getting just a Jerami Grant. Cover more areas of concern. Particularly if they get that deal done without sending Rui or Vando. Imagine a wing rotation with LeBron, Kuz, Rui, Vando, Christie & Knecht. And that’s obviously not considering Reaves as a wing, which he plays at times. That would be among the deepest wing groups in the league, IMO.

[@baljeezy]

Jovan. You are so handsome man 😍

[@jovanbuha]

Thank you! 😅

[@Elysiusm49]

Definitely sounds way better didn't think it would make a big difference but it does. I have the same mic as well.

[@theyseemetrollintheycantwi1514]

Darvin Ham started is coaching career 2-10 like he should’ve been fired after season 1

[@LN-Lifer]

Off-season grade? Has to be a D at best cause they sure as hell did not get the C(enter) they needed

[@ytdgreat]

who ever says first is a clippers fan

[@andreasmakoben2455]

Here until you get old and grey. Jordan has never been a better defender than Lebron in his prime.

[@jovanbuha]

Hopefully never grey. 😂 But I’m with you. I think some people will bring up the DPoY, but I think peak LeBron was the better defender. He could protect the rim and even play small-ball 5 in a way Jordan never could (in addition to providing similar capabilities on the perimeter). There’s just a physicality difference there

[@LN-Lifer]

Yeah but LBJ gets it on physicality alone The truth is if LBJ had half the heart of MJ or even Kobe he could have been the almost unanimous GOAT over 10 years ago Hell if LBJ had just driven the basket even more instead of settling for so many jumpers early in his career he easily could have broken the scoring record 2-3 years sooner In short Talent and size LBJ is the GOAT But heart and the "it" factor must be considered He cannot match MJ or Kobe on either

[@hbdude155]

Best Lakers beat reporter no doubt. Keep it up

[@gregpollard7158]

I think 🤔 Our Last Viable/Realistic Trade Option prior to the Season Starting is a Trade with BKNY for Cam or DFS and/or Schroder and/or Day’Ron. BKNY is in a Complete Rebuild and in addition to getting rid of Ben Simmons by the Trade Deadline, They also want to get rid of Older Players and Players with Longer Contracts.

[@jovanbuha]

Getting Cam/DFS + Day’Ron would be awesome. Frankly, would be a way to justify actually giving up a 1st (I wouldn’t give up both in this deal, obviously). But getting a better backup 5 (or at least a different style of player) + a starting-caliber wing, depending on the package, would make a lot of sense and check a couple of important boxes.

[@AdalbertJimenezPortento]

LET'S GO LA SPARKS WIN!

[@reaganmaginn3341]

Mic sounds great

[@gilbertcarrillo7289]

i think your show is good, but you might need to put some editing stuff for the youtube only videos. like graphics and stuff. content is good

[@jovanbuha]

Agreed. That’s the next step. Working on that 👊

[@dennisknowles9293]

💯 PERCENT REAL TALK

[@RoomToOperate]

Mic Sounds Nice

[@sandyfernandez3237]

A deamn F

[@evmcg710]

Nice!

[@Xray__12]

I disagree on your take about Zach Lavine. He would be a perfect fit next to Bron/AD offensively. Why do you want 40 year old Lebron being your primary offensive player? I also believe AD is best suited as primarily focusing on defense & being the 3rd option on offense. Having a natural 3 level scorer like Lavine gives Bron the opportunity to facilitate for him, similarly to what he was doing for Team USA where he looked great.

[@Xray__12]

Lavine’s floor is considerably higher than DLo’s floor offensively and much better defender. I believe if you had Lavine/Kessler against Denver last season in place of DLo/Rui/Vincent, you win that series.

[@vesnam116]

Because LeBron is still doing it great? 😏 You guys are trying to dismiss him because of his age in advance. Someone once said he was 30 and won't last much longer. 😏

[@Xray__12]

@@vesnam116 I agree that he is capable of doing so but being reliant on it night in and night out shouldn’t be the objective imo. Same with AD. Expecting him to do all things defensively & expect 25+ night in and night out shouldn’t be your plan A. A natural scorer that you can expect 20+ from on a consistent basis like Lavine for example would slot the everyone in a better position imo. DLo gets close to that at points but his floor is too low, especially when it matters.

[@baggingup40]

Defense was far more physical in the 80's and 90's with big physical centers who had true post games that protected the rim. Also had hand checking making it very difficult drive from the perimeter.

[@jovanbuha]

Agreed on both fronts. It’s also hard to compare because the rules were different

[@baggingup40]

Is lebron really a better scorer than Michael Jordan? If you watched Jordan and say Bron is you don't know hoops. Jordan changed the way defense is played. He had a 45 inch vert...he was a freak in his own right. Much more skilled player offensively than Bron.

[@jovanbuha]

I said I think Jordan is the better scorer/shot-maker. I just added you could technically argue LeBron because he’s the all-time leading scorer in both the regular season and playoffs, but he rarely gets thrown in those convos with MJ/Kobe/KD because his bag has never been as intricate from a shot creation perspective.

[@rahamanahmed1064]

I wasn’t aware passing it not an offensive skill. The NBA should delete that stat if it’s not an offensive skill.

[@jovanbuha]

@@rahamanahmed1064 I hope this isn’t at me because I said the gap in passing is arguably the biggest gap in their respective games

[@rahamanahmed1064]

@@jovanbuhano it was not towards you, it was towards@baggingup40. He thinks offence only mean scoring, dunking, vertical jumping. Offence means scoring, passing, setting screens, fast break, transitions from defense to offence. If scoring was the only important stat in basketball, the score sheet would have only one category, scoring, but it doesn’t.

[@vesnam116]

​@jovanbuha I'm not an expert, but doesn't LeBron have a better carrer shooting percentage than MJ and Kobe and I think even than KD (not sure about KD though)? If so + him being the leading scorer overall he is the best scorer, numbers just show that (trying to avoid using the word "facts" as haters are always using it, mostly when what they are saying is not actually true).

[@_WEsTWooD]

I think Pelinka makes a small move soon. I could see him trading Wood & then signing Markelle Fultz. Strong relationship with Redick. Point of attack defender with size and athleticism. Solid distributor. Very good rebounder which Redick wants from his guards. Fultz can do some things in a Caruso type of way. And need a real PG on board in case a DLo trade appears in December.

[@jovanbuha]

I’d like adults. Still think they’d need a better starting wing and a better backup 5 (which they could technically address in season, but I think the sooner the better)

[@_WEsTWooD]

@@jovanbuha Fultz is not an adult? Fultz was on Redick’s podcast back in 2020. It’s on KZbin. Give it a look. He’s actually very mature & Redick loves how he handled himself during tough times in Philly. But I agree with you, in that they need a better wing starter/backup center….I lean towards the Kuz/Valanciunas package landing during the season.

[@MJ3000Sp]

We need that athletic force of offense. Zach Lavine is an athletic threat in offense. We currently do not have that player except for Lebron and he is lacking some at age of 40. Rui and Dlo are not athletic players, score at will type of guys. Lavine is a bucket and he will take us to next level if he is healthy. If bulls are willing to throw in 2 2nd round picks, lakers should take a chance.

[@jnfburgs6335]

Could you imagine lebron and lavine in transition scary site and lavine never buying into that role that jovan is talking about is because there was never a situation where players put around lavine justified him taking a lesser role his best teammate was derozan who’s very comparable to him lebron and ad is a different animal and even zach knows this. He’s stated his intrigue in playing in La numerous times. Jovan trying to slip zach lavine under the rug given he knows everything I just said as he’s a reporter got me thinking its happening and he just tryna stay hush about it lol 🧐 besides it’s the closest thing to a no brainer move fit that’s available to the lakeshow

[@chegui2505]

The only thing that worries me and always will,is LBJ.Qnd I'm worried because we don't know how much longer he's body is going to hold on at the level of basketball he still playing.Other than that ,we will be just fine this season with a healthy team,and if we need anything at the trading deadline we can fixe any issue with the team

[@vesnam116]

You worry in advance. Literally the only two things that didn't go wrong last season were Bron and AD, everything else went wrong at some point. And we already need some fixes, it's not if.

[@chegui2505]

@@vesnam116 We are a better team than last year,just by having Vandervield and Vincent Healthy.LBJ is not going to play at the level he's been playing forever,and other than the need of a big body for the middle,I'm sure we are going to be fine.

[@baggingup40]

2014 spurs weren't better than the Robinson Duncan Manu Parker spurs years. Jordan played plenty comp..so did Kobe.

[@jovanbuha]

Jordan never played them in the Finals, though. I was more so speaking to Finals opponents. And yeah, Kobe faced some insane teams, especially in the West (one advantage for LeBron playing in the East).

[@stmaster21]

jordan was favored in 100% of his finals kobe was favored in 100% of his finals steph has been favored in 100% of his finals lebron has been favored in 30% of his finals

[@dylanbeschoner]

"Human evolution" has a very biological ring to it as if you're suggesting humans are becoming a new species. Why not just say that training and conditioning and development are improving? It's NBD obviously. I get what you're saying, but citing "human evolution" as a factor in the GOAT debate has a funny ring to it

[@jovanbuha]

That’s fair. I tried to also say sports evolution, which is more in line with what you’re saying. But could work on the framing of it

[@dylanbeschoner]

@@jovanbuha it's easy enough to look past, NBD. I like the content

[@_WEsTWooD]

Knecht falling to the Lakers….should be interesting to see how they screw this up. A top 5 caliber/pro ready talent in the draft should play significant minutes immediately. They’d be smart to start him day 1 and build up his confidence. He’s 23, so he doesn’t have 5 years to develop. He’s got a couple years and then he’s already closing in on prime years. Can easily make the argument that both Knecht and Christie should start.

[@vesnam116]

You don't start players because they need it, you start players if the team needs it. 😏

[@_WEsTWooD]

@@vesnam116 And the team does need it - being that Knecht is the only movement shooter on the roster right now. 😏

[@paulfritsch672]

The goat is such a dumb conversation. No way of actually knowing. Its all just opinions. I dont understand where all this goat talk originated. People didnt talk like this about basketball even 10 years ago. Bron still behind mj in alot of categories except longevity

[@vesnam116]

"No way of actually knowing" and then you act like you know? 🤣🤣🤣

[@paulfritsch672]

@@vesnam116 I don't know...I just listened to the pod and he sounds like he thinks lebron definitely is. Just stating that Jordan's still got him in areas