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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 📢 Check out the entire Yahoo Sports podcast network

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 📢 Check out the entire Yahoo Sports podcast network

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 📢 Check out the entire Yahoo Sports podcast network

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 📢 Check out the entire Yahoo Sports podcast network

Vincent Goodwill and Bomani Jones do a deep dive on the criticism the NBA has received for the current style of play.Vince and Bomani then breakdown the Los Angeles Lakers victory over the Denver Nuggets and if their defensive effort will be sustainable in the playoffs.Later, Vince and Bomani praise Gregg Popovich and discuss what the Philadelphia 76ers should do with Joel Embiid.(01:13) PK Subban criticizes NBA players(04:47) NBA culture, style of play being heavily scrutinized(32:52) Lakers-Nuggets reaction(39:36) Potential matchups in NBA playoffs(52:29) Gregg Popovich out for season(53:19) Joel Embiid knee injury(57:07) Gregg Popovich the best coach ever? Subscribe to Good Word with GoodwillApple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube 🖥️ 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 📢 Check out the entire Yahoo Sports podcast network

On this episode of The Big Number Tom Haberstroh & Dan Devine react to Draymond Green's stunning proclamation that the Golden State Warriors "WILL" win the NBA title this season. They don't agree, but it did give them a good idea — which long shots COULD win the Larry O in June? Find out why the Houston Rockets, LA Clippers, and Minnesota Timberwolves all met the threshold as teams with long odds that do have a viable path to pay dirt. Come for the longshot betting tips backed up by the numbers, stay for the Sisqo "Thong Song" reenactment — this episode has it all!(1:10) - The Big Number: our Draymond Green-level championship sleeper picks(14:55) - Jamal Murray and the surging Denver Nuggets(19:00) - Are we underestimating the Memphis Grizzlies?(25:35) - Can Brunson & Anunoby elevate the New York Knicks?(29:15) - Are we sleeping on the Timberwolves?(33:35) - Over/Under scoreboard update(38:20) - Does the NBA All-Star Game need to change?📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuT 📢 Check out the entire Yahoo Sports podcast network

On this episode of Good Word with Goodwill, Vince and the Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn reflect on NBA All-Star weekend and what the league and players need to do to make it worth while.Vince and Gary then give their picks for potential NBA Finals matchups including which series would be most chaotic and which would garner the largest amount of viewers.Later, Vince and Gary unpack why Anthony Edwards is so adamant about not being the face of the NBA. (01:34) San Francisco hosts All-Star weekend(05:08) All-Star format(22:23) Finals matchup you want to see most(23:45) Most likely Finals matchup(26:28) Finals matchup that will generate highest ratings(28:33) Finals matchup that would cause the most chaos(32:16) Anthony Edwards face of the NBA 📢 Check out the entire Yahoo Sports podcast network

From role player to STUD, Trey Murphy's individual ascent this season surprised even himself. The Pelicans' superstar-in-the-making shares how he went from doubting himself to now KNOWING why he belongs. Trey kept it real on why his New Orleans Pelicans team started the year so poorly. Kevin asks Murphy to fill-in-the-blank: Zion Williamson is a top __ player in the NBA right now? That answer will surprise you. Plus with Trey being the most UNDER-APPRECIATED, unheralded star in the NBA, KOC asks Trey to pick a "starting 5" of the most underrated players in the NBA right now. You will never guess who's on his list. Trey also weighs in on what Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors said about the NBA becoming "boring." how the Oklahoma City Thunder are so hard to beat, his personal reaction to the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade, and much more.(0:49) Draymond Green comments on NBA(1:33) Why Trey Murphy loves ball(2:26) Assessment of Orlando Magic(5:16) Assessment of Detroit Pistons(6:01) Murphy's development & improvements(13:53) Under-appreciated NBA players(20:41) Luka - AD trade reactions(21:17) How can Murphy become an All-Star?(23:27) Zion Williams impact on Pelicans(25:49) Pelicans struggles this season(30:48) Assessment of Oklahoma City Thunder(34:20) Assessment of Denver Nuggets(35:08) Toughest places to play in NBA(40:34) Current state of the NBA(45:41) Kobe's influence on Trey Murphy(48:27) Call of Duty & gaming 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 📢 Check out the entire Yahoo Sports podcast network

Kevin O'Connor spared no one from a total evisceration of the NBA All-Star Weekend, especially the new Sunday night game format. Why did TNT make the night more about themselves than the players? How did Commissioner Adam Silver allow an All-Star Weekend in San Francisco without Steph Curry in the 3-point contest? How is Kevin supposed to be excited about a "G-Leaguer" that "only uses props" in the Slam Dunk contest? KOC loves LeBron but says he's to blame as well for pulling out of the All-Star Game last-minute! EVERYTHING All-Star is a mess according to Kevin and Dan Titus. The guys also break down the several weird sound bytes from Draymond Green, including he and Jimmy Butler both being "alpha" personalities, Dray's prediction that the Warriors will win the title THIS season, and Green allegedly "turning down" the Warriors' Head Coaching position in the future once Steve Kerr retires.0:22 - Team Shaq Wins 41-25! MVP: Steph Curry (2nd ASG MVP)2:16 - Was Wemby Impressive? Injected energy into Team Chuck3:40 - New Format vs. East vs. West – Which one’s better?5:35 - Charles Barkley vs. Draymond – Did Dray’s generation ruin the NBA?6:52 - How To Fix All-Star Weekend – KOC & Dan’s ideas9:41 - Giannis' Big Idea – Team USA vs. World + Global ASG Cities12:20 - Mac McClung 3-Peats in the Dunk Contest17:49 - Draymond on Butler & GSW’s Title Chances19:08 - Did Draymond Turn Down Future GSW HC Job? Serious or trolling?21:08 - Fantasy Basketball Breakout Players w/ Dan Titus26:36 - More Fantasy Pickups – Who’s worth adding? 📢 Check out the entire Yahoo Sports podcast network

All 30 NBA teams are ranked by tier in this episode of the Kevin O'Connor Show. Heading into All-Star Weekend, which FOUR teams are "The Favorites" according to Kevin (and who's #1)? Which 3 teams does KOC view as "Contender...ish?" Next up, there's the "RESPECT YOUR ELDERS" category, the "SOMETHING IS MISSING" bucket, and then the dreaded "GRIPPING THE ELECTRICAL CORD" tier. Rounding out the rest of the league: the "League Pass Darlings" and unfortunately, the bottom tier: "POOP FOR COOPER" Flagg. All 30 teams fit into one of those categories, and KOC ranks them ALL here.Plus Tom Haberstroh stops by for an unexpectedly HEATED debate about "Old Man Chris Paul!" Why KOC thinks the San Antonio Spurs are tanking in broad daylight, why the Philadelphia 76ers' Paul George looks like "Khris Middleton but with $100 Million owed to him" and how Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic are playing some of the best 2-man basketball the NBA has EVER SEEN.(00:35) - Poop for Cooper tier(9:00) - League Pass darlings tier(15:05) - Gripping the electrical cord tier(18:30) - Something's missing tier(23:35) - Respect your elders tier(26:20) - Contender-ish tier(30:55) - The favorites tier(38:20) - Buy Denver as a legit contender?(49:55) - Donovan Clingan sleeper for ROTY?(52:20) - Are the Spurs quiet tanking?(57:20) - Concern for Los Angeles Lakers in loss to Utah?(1:04:30) - Bol Bol surging(1:06:50) - Any hope left for the 76ers?📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuT 📢 Check out the entire Yahoo Sports podcast network