10 Lakers Storylines Through 20 Games: LeBron's Return, Luka & AR NBA's Best Duo, Defensive Concerns

In the second "State of the Lakers" of the 2025-26 regular season, Jovan Buha analyzes the Los Angeles Lakers at the 20-game mark. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, rating, and reviewing. YouTube memberships are live! Join here: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBcs-QN0f0DkeCU_pDHTYtA/join⁠ Join our new Buha's Block Discord: ⁠https://discord.gg/xFaPWsQFYr Follow Jovan on Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/jovanbuha/⁠⁠ Follow Jovan on X: ⁠⁠https://x.com/jovanbuha⁠⁠ Follow Jovan on TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@jovanbuha TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Intro 0:47 The Lakers' vitals at the 20-game mark 1:07 Storyline No. 1: The Lakers are, at worst, a top-four team in the West 8:03 Storyline No. 2: LeBron's return and rocky acclimation 15:40 Storyline No. 3: Luka Doncic & Austin Reaves have been the NBA's best duo 18:43 Storyline No. 4: LA's recent shooting regression 21:30 Storyline No. 5: The Lakers' defense has been a glaring weakness 26:45 Storyline No. 6: The post-LeBron rotation 31:10 Storyline No. 7: The new starting lineup is struggling 39:38 Storyline No. 8: Early lineup data: What's working and what isn't? 45:30 Storyline No. 9: LA has a shot to win its second NBA Cup in three years 47:28 Storyline No. 10: The tough and revealing road ahead (especially the next two weeks) 51:09 Q&A 1:32:45 Outro Timestamps are subject to change based on ad placement and duration.