The Ringer’s Juliet Litman and John Gonzalez unpack the drama surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers (0:58), evaluate the updated All-Star voting process (8:52), project the impact of players returning to action (14:38), and wonder if the Toronto Raptors could contend with the top-tier teams (20:24). Then they discuss some regrettable choices by players named Paul (24:49), react to eccentric news stories in basketball (30:47), and preview this week’s slate of games (34:01).