Let the NBA Draft Lottery tanking COMMENCE! De'Aaron Fox of the San Antonio Spurs, out for the year. Paul George, likely done for the year. The Mavs, well they're not TRYING to tank but it's happening anyway because DuMont and Nico Harrison's respective visions for the Dallas Mavericks continue to blow up in their face. The Miami Heat, we can't tell if they're tanking or just plain stink. The Utah Jazz are tanking in plain sight (and getting fined for it). But there's plenty of good too -- Tom Haberstroh tells Kevin O'Connor that the Golden State Warriors are officially a "top-tier" title contender, right up there with the Cavs, Thunder and Celtics. It's all on this fresh new episode of The KOC Show.Plus, former NBA star Gordon Hayward joins Kevin O'Connor to break down Cooper Flagg's injury, and what this could mean for #1-ranked Duke's immediate future with The Tournament looming. Hayward explains how after he saw the Flagg injury, the first thing he thought of was his own gruesome ankle injury. KOC and Gordon also talk about which players for Duke will now need to step up, including Kon Knueppel. Gordon also reacts to his alma mater Butler losing on Thursday to #6 St. John's. (1:28) NBA teams beginning to tank(1:59) Utah Jazz fined(2:35) San Antonio Spurs tanking?(3:50) Philadelphia 76ers tanking?(7:26) Miami Heat tanking?(10:47) Are teams tanking for Cooper Flagg?(13:22) Portland Trail Blazers are NOT tanking(20:49) Mikal Bridges comments on ‘minutes’(27:41) DuMont comments on Luka trade(35:47) Golden State Warriors title contenders?(43:43) Minnesota Timberwolves title contenders?(52:33) Why incentives matter in NBA postseason(58:17) Gordon Hayward joins the show Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3DdhtRO🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4gDqoKY📢 Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuT

On this episode of The Big Number, Tom Haberstroh & Dan Devine dive deep into the seismic shift in the Golden State Warriors' performance since Jimmy Butler's arrival. From being one of the sloppiest teams in the NBA to now leading the league in free throws made with fewer turnovers than ever, Butler has reshaped the Warriors into a mistake-free juggernaut. The pair break down his impressive individual stats, including how he's driving efficiency on both ends without dominating the ball, and what his presence has done to increase Steph Curry’s scoring, pushing him to one of his most efficient stretches ever. Could Butler’s addition be the missing piece to a Warriors’ NBA title run?Tom & Dan also take a close look at how the Warriors have adjusted in non-Steph minutes, with Jimmy’s impressive numbers filling the gap when Curry sits, and discuss the effectiveness of their new small-ball lineup. Plus, the impact of Jonathan Kuminga’s potential return and how his presence could further bolster Golden State’s depth as they head into the postseason. With Butler's impact stretching from offense to defense, could this midseason trade go down as one of the best in NBA history?(1:15) - Big Number: Jimmy Butler revitalizes Golden State(16:25) - Steph’s improved shooting(22:00) - Warriors’ new & improved net rating(24:15) - Golden State small-ball starting five(28:00) - Kuminga to return after ankle injury(33:50) - Over/under scoreboard update(34:25) - Shaq forgets who’s coaching the Pistons📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuT

On this edition of The Kevin O'Connor Show, KOC welcomes in Steve Jones Jr. to help him break down the chaos of the NBA at the moment. The Nuggets and Thunder split their back-to-back, but KOC feels like an MVP may have emerged. More importantly, what did he and Steve learn about both teams? Can Denver be trusted to turn it on this postseason, and is Jalen Williams a viable #2 option on a Championship contender? Speaking of contenders, the Milwaukee Bucks' chances of going on a deep run are thoroughly dissected. Winless against the East's top teams, does anyone believe in Giannis Antetokounmpo and company? Will the Cleveland Cavaliers ever lose again? Would Cooper Flagg really stay one more year at Duke? And don't worry Atlanta Hawks fans, KOC is finally ready to talk Zaccharie Risacher.(00:40) - Takeaways from Thunder-Nuggets series(14:05) - Grizzlies def. Suns 120-118(25:30) - Cavs on 14-game win streak(36:15) - Do Bucks still have a shot this season?(42:10) - How LeBron and Amen Thompson’s injuries affect the playoff picture(49:00) - Rookie Report: The French Guys (& Cooper Flagg)📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuT

On this episode of Good Word with Goodwill, Vince and Dan Woike react to LeBron James’ groin injury and take a look at how accountability from JJ Redick and veterans like Markieff Morris have benefited James and the Los Angeles Lakers season.Next, Vince and Dan revisit the incident with LeBron and Stephen A. Smith an unpack how it is very difficult to cover Bronny James.Later, Vince and Dan break down the close MVP race between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic and if the Thunder or Cavaliers are more likely to reach the NBA Finals. (02:22) LeBron injures groin against Boston(08:00) JJ Redick doing a great job coaching(15:06) JJ Redick, Markieff Morris holding LeBron accountable(21:53) Lakers still playing great without Luka at his best(28:00) LeBron confrontation with Stephen A.(45:37) MVP Conversation(53:26) More Likely to Happen: Cavaliers or Thunder make it to NBA Finals 🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

Kevin O'Connor and Tom Haberstroh dive into the Lakers' thrilling overtime victory against the Knicks in this episode of The Kevin O'Connor Show. How concerned should Knicks fans be about Jalen Brunson's ankle injury, and does Thibs deserve any blame for the star guard's usage down the stretch? Plus, the OT heroics of Luka Doncic prove yet again why Nico Harrison made "the dumbest trade" in the history of sports.Plus KOC and Tom rank the current Western Conference Play-In picture teams currently seeded from #6-through-#12. How awesome would it be to get a Golden State Warriors vs Los Angeles Lakers series in Round 1 of the Playoffs? Speaking of the Dubs, the guys break down Draymond Green's foot-in-mouth comments about Karl-Anthony Towns missing the Knicks-Warriors game. And their hilarious recap of the Charles Barkley vs Kendrick Perkins "media feud" that took place on social media Thursday night.Later, 2025's #1 recruit and BYU commit AJ Dybantsa sits down with KOC to talk his greatest inspirations, why he plays basketball, his expectations for the NBA and much more.(00:45) - KOC's West Play-In power rankings(25:20) - Do NBA coaches need to experiment more?(31:30) - Jalen Brunson suffers ankle injury(36:00) - NBA media drama: Draymond & KAT, Charles Barkley & Kendrick Perkins(42:25) - Best restaurants in Portland(47:00) - AJ Dybantsa on life & basketball📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuT

On this edition of The Big Number, Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine take a look at every single front-runner for each of the NBA Awards: MVP, Most Improved Player, 6th Man of the Year, Coach of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. Will the current favorites hang on for the next month? Tom and Dan break down SGA's chances of winning his 1st MVP, and whether LeBron James has a true, viable path to chasing him down (in LeBron chasedown fashion). Evan Mobley is the current DPOY favorite, but Tom explains why he "hates" that. Could Evan's head coach Kenny Atkinson be caught by JB Bickerstaff? Cade Cunningham leads MIP as the Pistons dream season continues, but should former #1 overall picks even be eligible for that award? And the nominees that could catch Payton Pritchard for 6MOY. Plus the guys weigh in on the devastating Kyrie Irving news as it pertains to his looming contract situation, and go in hard on Mavericks GM Nico Harrison.(1:40) - Big Number: SGA or Jokic for MVP? (or LeBron?)(18:55) - Little Number: Defensive Player of the Year(25:20) - Little Number: Coach of the Year(29:50) - Little Number: 6th Man of the Year(34:35) - Most Improved Player(42:55) - Scoreboard update: Tom ties it(44:50) - What Kyrie's injury means for Dallas'📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuT

I’ve got a lot on my mind watching the NBA as of late, and on this pod I’m unleashing some of those takes. Some are hot. Others are mild. After opening with some thoughts on the Phoenix Suns and Philadelphia 76ers, I brought on three guests to discuss the rest. Jared Weiss, who covers the NBA for The Athletic, talked Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets. Then Legend Of Winning came on to discuss the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers, before Bryce Simon made his second appearance to talk Detroit Pistons and some NBA Draft.(00:30) - Devin Booker needs to request a trade(2:20) - NBA should change the play-in rules(4:50) - Celtics are still the favorites in the East(18:35) - Nuggets need to play their young guys(21:05) - Lakers are best-equipped team to take out OKC(44:00) - James Harden needs to adapt(54:25) - LOW calls out KOC’s dunk contest takes(1:02:05) - Could the Pistons win a playoff series?(1:22:15) - NBA draft takes: Jase Richardson & Danny Wolf📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuT

After yet another night of Stephortless Brongevity, Kevin O'Connor and Tom Haberstroh are wondering if Father Time has lost his powers. Steph Curry drops 56 (including 12 threes!) vs. the hapless Orlando Magic, and LeBron James continues to rewrite the history books after a 3-and-D clinic vs the Minnesota Timberwolves. All of that "Face of the League" talk can be quieted, as KOC and Tom point out that these two might STILL be in their primes. Speaking of the "face of the league" comments from King James, Kevin and Tom agree -- the way the national media covers the game right now is STALE.Also on this episode of The KOC Show: the Denver Nuggets fell to the Milwaukee Bucks and the guys think THE BLAME GAME is about to fall squarely on Russell Westbrook. Uh oh. Plus, the season of misery continues for the Phoenix Suns. They fell to the New Orleans Pelicans and Zion Williamson, who logged his first triple-double -- maybe thanks to Zion's new tattoo? Plus Kevin and Tom hit the streaking Detroit Pistons, the surging Portland Trailblazers, pay homage to Gregg Popovich, and discuss Paul George's temporary leave from podcasting life. (0:48) Steph drops 56 pts on Magic(19:50) Bucks defeat Nuggets at home(29:19) Lakers take down Timberwolves(37:53) LeBron on being “face of the league”(43:29) Zion’s new tattoo(50:53) Suns lose to struggling Pelicans(58:02) Anthony Edwards double technical(1:01:32) Popovich won’t return this season(1:03:32) Paul George breaks from podcasting(1:04:07) Blazers recent success(1:06:51) Can Pistons make run in playoffs? Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3DdhtRO🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4gDqoKY📢 Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuT

Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine have stumbled across undeniable evidence: the 2024-25 Cleveland Cavaliers are the best team in franchise history. Yes, better than the 2016 title-winning team (sorry, LeBron!) by EVERY statistical measure. The Big Number this week focuses on the Cavs' margin of victory, which has now encroached "all-time great" status. The ascent of Evan Mobley, the MIP case for Ty Jerome, how Kenny Atkinson and Koby Altman have been right with every decision, the addition of De'Andre Hunter, how this has been the best individual seasons for both Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland... and how Max Strus is playing the Cavs' "Steph Curry" role (don't worry: Tom and Dan will explain)! The Cavs are absurdly good and this episode will tell you what has been "The Diff."Plus — the Los Angeles Lakers are somehow BETTER defensively with Luka Doncic than they were with Anthony Davis. How is that possible?? Tom and Dan have you covered on every angle from LeBron past to LeBron present on this must-watch installment of The Big Number.(1:00) - The Big Diff: Cavs' historic point differential(13:35) - Cavs' insane offensive rating+(17:35) - Cavs have 20% of the top players in win share per 48 min(22:15) - Evan Mobley's impact on Cavs offense(28:35) - 10 Cavs players averaging 19+ minutes per game(34:30) - Over/under scoreboard update(35:10) - Reacting to Luka Doncic against the Mavericks📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuT

Are you tossing and turning at night thinking about all the unanswered questions going on in the NBA right now with just 6 weeks left in the regular season? Kevin O'Connor is dealing with some BAD insomnba, which is like insomnia — just way worse. KOC is tormented wondering if the Suns could actually MISS the Play-In. No way... right? Is the Joel Embiid Era in Philadelphia finally over? Will the New York Knicks problems be fixed with the return of Mitchell Robinson, or will they continue to REGRET the Mikal Bridges trade? Is Paolo Banchero even good?!? Are the Cleveland Cavaliers now built to OVERCOME the Boston Celtics? Will Ja Morant ever return to his old form in the Memphis Grizzlies new-look offense? Was Kevin dumb for thinking the Golden State Warriors should have blown it up? As you can see, it is a BAD case of insomnba. Counting sheep hasn't helped, but voicing his concerns on this episode of The Kevin O'Connor Show might do the trick.(00:25) - Do I regret suggesting GSW blow it up?(3:20) - Will small ball benefit the Los Angeles Lakers?(5:30) - Can Ja find himself in Memphis' new-look O?(7:30) - Are the Phoenix Suns about to miss the play-in?(27:45) - Is Paolo Banchero actually any good?(30:25) - Is it worth holding onto hope for the Milwaukee Bucks?(32:25) - Can new-look Cavs perform better vs. Boston?(33:15) - Does Mitchell Robinson complete the Knicks?(53:00) - Who’s going to start tanking?(56:20) - Is the Joel Embiid era over in Philly?📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuT