Lakers-Suns Reaction: LA Struggles On Both Ends Without Luka, LeBron In Preseason Opener
Jovan Buha reacts to the Los Angeles Lakers’ 103-81 preseason-opening loss to the Phoenix Suns on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025.
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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
2:57 Overarching thought: LA is behind schedule to begin the preseason
7:37 Notable performers
8:47 Stats of the night: Most of them were bad
10:43 Takeaway No. 1: Austin Reaves was exceptional
14:11 Takeaway No. 2: LA’s defense is a … work in progress
18:32 Takeaway No. 3: First impressions of Jake LaRavia and Deandre Ayton
22:41 Q&A
1:17:11 Outro
#losangeleslakers #lakers
30 Comments
I just wanted to reiterate what I talked about on X about the Lakers D and what their potential ceiling is. To me it’s top 10 territory. They have some similarities like the 2020 team w perimeter D and poa D. The difference is the rim protection outside of Ayton is shaky w Jax getting prone to foul trouble and Maxi being a lesser AD. Also idk who on this team rn fits the KCP mold. Marcus maybe but he kind of takes the Avery Bradley role as poa defender guarding multiple positions
Despite putting on muscle, Reaves again was a sieve on defence.
He’s the perfect BACK UP to Luka. He’s “Luka light”. Insanity to play them together. Can’t pay over $30 million for a great back up. Reaves would start on a non championship competitive team….need to trade him ASAP or high risk of losing him for nothing next summer.
Didnt want to take much from preseason, but Ayton really seemed disappointing.
We can’t pay Austin. Nobody playing and he goes 1/5 from 3?
Yes! Marcus should start! OVER Reaves! Luka is a Maestro, a Picasso…not your normal PG. He doesn’t need Austin’s “playmaking”…(Real Madrid and Mavs both learned this…) crazy playing them together at the expensive of a bad defensive starting 5. Reaves IS NOT a Laker’s NEED & should pay him accordingly, <30 million. Lakers need an elite 3 and D in the starting 5. Only if Vanderbilt learned how to shoot….he’d be a perfect starter.
RJ looked good and under control. Hopefully he can get a two way somewhere
I really liked rj davis. What would his role be?
Still shouldn't have gotten creamed by this Phoenix team
When asked to guard his position, I feel Rui is a plus defender. The issue is that he can't guard that position when Luka and Bron also need to. Smart makes the roster fit together in a way that makes more sense on defense. At least in theory. The other reality is the last two years, he hasn't been very good as a perimeter defender due to injuries, and he is starting the season injured so it might all be for not.
Ayton eating a lot of buttery popcorn on the bench? He couldn't hang onto the ball every time he touched the ball.
I generally love the content but we’re over analyzing game one of the preseason where we didn’t have our 2 best players and half of our rotation. It’s a bit too much. I think rather than a team eval probably more relevant to evaluate players individually.
LaRavia’s stats didn’t look crazy but I thought he looks really good. His off ball movement and defense. Made some good decisions with the ball and I think he be able to get buckets when there’s more spacing and threats on the court.
Bronny was horrible also
Lakers got worse defensively I’m not sure why anyone is surprised. Smart isn’t an elite defender. DFS was our game changer defensively last season. The wolves would embarrass the lakers again in a 7 game series.
Do y'all know there was no Luka and Lebron, right?
Lakers be signing too many guys that act like they too cool for school. Can do the only energy guy on the team
JJ is just a showman. He wanna sound like he smartest person in the press but he ain’t doing no coaching same issues with Ham remain same lol
Did JJ say Koloko was a standout with his 6 fouls in 10 minutes and zero points against the G leaguers he got in the 4th? WT actual F! 😂🤣
Jaxson Hayes played way better than DA by far but JJ said nothing about him.
DA had the first stringers and Jaxson had bronny and you blame Jaxson for the bench struggling?! And you gave props to Koloko’s 6 fouls. What game are you watching and I am done with this podcaster.
What a Joke Jovan
Lakers have a Pelinka problem. We have so many guys that are borderline nba players on mid level deals that it’s going to be impossible to compete. New gm and tear it down except for Luka. If the nba doesn’t punish the Clippers we can benefit from being able to circumvent the cap more than any other team.
Bronny and Knecht is an eyesore Offensively and Defensively.
Yes, We were missing 2-Top 10 Players and 2 Rotation Players (Smart/Gabe) however, We have work to Do!!!
Championships aren’t Built in a Summer; It’s gone take 2-3 Years (25/26, 26/27, 27/28) to Build a Championship Roster around Luka!!!
Yoyo. Who do you think will replace LeBron's position if he will not get an extension next season?
will need Austin or the bench unit will not be able to score
Hayes (on the perimeter)was out of position with Knecht against Richards is a no no. Hayes has to be better.
Bronny can't help defend, he will get exploited for backcuts and corner 3s.
Thank you for your clear honesty and clarity. This is why I love this show. Austin is a 30+ million player on this team, he better than all of the active players on the Lakers.
Austin look like the best player in an elevated G league game .
I know Jovan has addressed this before, but who is the guy yelling his name at the intro of his videos?
Jovan doing 1h20m on a completely useless meaningless preseason game. He’s the man.