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In this episode of The Kevin O'Connor Show, Kevin deep dives on the two NBA cup final teams and what to expect in their upcoming showdown before discussing ALL of the latest news and storylines around the NBA.Kevin is first joined by NBA expert Andrew Schlecht to dive deep into the Oklahoma City Thunder's impressive 20-5 start to the season and their upcoming challenge against the revamped Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA cup final. With Giannis Antetokounmpo looming as a major test for the Thunder's top-tier defense, Andrew explains how OKC plans to handle the Greek Freak by committee, with key contributions from Lu Dort and Alex Caruso. The duo also break down the Thunder's unique style of play, including their small-ball strategy and the crucial impact of Isaiah Hartenstein's screening and lob connections on offense. They discuss the vibes in Las Vegas and the growth of the event, and how the Thunder's ultra-competitive guards will help fill in any gaps when Chet Holmgren returns. Plus, Andrew shares a story from his Oklahoma roots about winning a Shaq Phoenix Suns jersey through an unforgettable peanut butter competition.Later, Kevin and Ekam Nagra (Ball Don't Stop) dive into the early-season performances of several NBA teams and standout players, starting with the Milwaukee Bucks. Kevin and Ekam praise Giannis's MVP-caliber play and his evolving chemistry with Damian Lillard. They also discuss the challenges opposing defenses face in stopping Giannis from getting into the paint, a key area where the Bucks’ dominance continues. The duo also reflects on the Atlanta Hawks' struggles to build a consistent identity, noting that Trae Young needs a reliable secondary scorer to help elevate the team.Moving on to the Houston Rockets, Ekam breaks down Jalen Green's highs and lows, suggesting the young guard needs to find a consistent rhythm and control his pace to become a star. They also discuss the Dallas Mavericks & Golden State Warriors scoring 48 threes in a game, and how the current NBA trend toward data-driven, analytically optimized play has led to a more homogenized style of basketball, impacting the uniqueness of teams. The conversation turns to LeBron James and Anthony Davis, with Ekam pointing out how their older, more physical style of play still holds weight in the modern game but isn't enough to make the Lakers title contenders without more roster moves. They close with thoughts on NBA trades, with a focus on Dennis Schröder's role in Brooklyn, potential moves for Zach LaVine and how Jimmy Butler's fit in Phoenix might not maximize his strengths for a title run.(00:55) - Thunder vs. Bucks preview(18:25) - NBA cup vibes in Las Vegas(28:40) - Andrew's peanut butter competition for a Shaq jersey(35:00) - Dame & Giannis are starting to click(39:00) - How can the Hawks keep building an identity?(44:55) - How far away are the Rockets?(50:30) - Why more threes isn't necessarily good for the NBA(56:45) - What's clicking for LeBron and AD?(1:01:55) - Could Dillon Harper challenge Cooper Flagg for top prospect?(1:06:55) - Dennis Schröder to the Warriors(1:12:40) - Potential NBA trades: Jimmy Butler & Zach Lavine(1:21:30) - Quick hitters📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuT 📢 Check out the entire Yahoo Sports podcast network

The NBA world has been enraptured all week by the idea of Miami Heat SF/SG Jimmy Butler being available in trade rumors. Kevin O'Connor is joined as always on Fridays by Yahoo Sports NBA contributor Tom Haberstroh to discuss a handful of landing spots, which ones seem likely, which don't and which teams have surprisingly not been mentioned at all.As Tom highlighted in this week's episode of The Big Number, cities like Houston & Golden State make a lot of sense for the six-time All-Star, but Kevn has other ideas for the eccentric Butler. Making matters more complicated, Butler's agent Bernie Lee got into a public spat with ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania over the reporting of the news. Kevin & Tom explain the complicated player-team-agent-reporter dynamic.Later in the show, the guys discuss Wednesday night's one-point Houston Rockets win over the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Cup quarterfinals, and how a single end-of-game penalty call nearly ruined the whole thing.Wrapping up the episode, the guys look forward to the NBA Cup semifinal matches between the aforementioned Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference and the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks facing off in the East.(0:35) - Jimmy Butler possible trade destinations(19:10) - Butler's agent Bernie Lee vs. Shams Charania(26:35) - Rockets advance to NBA Cup Semifinals thanks to strange officiating(37:05) - OKC's defense might be best ever(44:25) - Hawks defeat Knicks to advance to NBA Cup Eastern semis against Bucks🖥️ 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

As trade rumors circulate about whether or not the Miami Heat could trade Jimmy Butler, Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine reveal this week’s Big Number to explain why now is the perfect time for a trade despite Miami’s recent success.Dan gives us four more numbers, each which makes the case for a different NBA team that could be interested in trading for Jimmy Butler including the Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies and Cleveland Cavaliers.Tom & Dan give a scoreboard update on their over/under picks and take a look back at their Oklahoma City Thunder picks from several weeks ago. The Thunder are living up to expectations this season, but do they have what it takes to keep that momentum going through the postseason? (1:01) The Big Number: +3.6(15:39) The Little Numbers: 24.5(26:04) The Little Numbers: 102.4(34:14) The Little Numbers: 1,205(40:06) The Little Numbers: 0.232(46:38) Over/unders update(47:43) Oklahoma City Thunder look legit Check 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

Kevin O'Connor is joined by Jason Timpf to discuss seven big takeaways from last weekend's NBA action before previewing the NBA Cup. The duo kick things off with the red-hot Miami Heat and Tyler Herro’s breakout play. With Herro stepping up, the guys discuss how Miami might have actually benefitted by not trading for Damian Lillard. From there, they dive into the Philadelphia 76ers, as Joel Embiid looks dominant, and Jason wonders if Philly has finally turned the corner—provided they can stay healthy.They also discuss Brandon Miller, who’s been impressing early for Charlotte, and the Indiana Pacers, for whom things might get ugly with Tyrese Haliburton in a slump. KOC and Jason also hit on Cooper Flagg, the Brandon Ingram injury and the Denver Nuggets.The NBA Cup is front and center, with the guys analyzing Milwaukee Bucks title chances and Giannis’ career-best play. Plus, they break down the Orlando Magic, the rising Oklahoma City Thunder and the Dallas Mavericks—with Jason even picking Dallas as his favorite to win it all.Finally, they wrap with Golden State Warriors drama around Draymond Green’s benching and the balance between veterans and young talent in today’s NBA before getting musical with some discussion around the Las Vegas Sphere, the Grateful Dead and John Mayer's impact on music.(1:00) - Heat are coming alive(5:00) - Are the Sixers turning a corner?(9:05) - Brandon Miller is taking a leap(14:10) - Things could get ugly for the Pacers(18:35) - Capture the Flagg(24:00) - Does the Brandon Ingram injury actually help the New Orleans Pelicans?(27:20) - Do the Nuggets still have a chance?(36:45) - NBA cup preview(1:05:45) - The Vegas Sphere, the Grateful Dead & John Mayer📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuT 📢 Check out the entire Yahoo Sports podcast network

On today's episode of Good Word with Goodwill, Vincent Goodwill is joined by former NBA video coordinator, turned contributor for The Athletic and Bleacher Report Mo Dakhil.Dakhil joins to discuss the continued run of dominance by the reigning champion Boston Celtics and unpack what is making them so hard to keep up with. They also dive deep into the roster woes for the Los Angeles Lakers and how LeBron is clearly slowing down. They close out the show by discussing why the Denver Nuggets need to find more playmakers to work alongside Nikola Jokić.(2:35) Year two of the NBA Cup(6:11) Houston Rockets hot start(9:12) No one is stopping the Celtics(22:02) Lakers' roster troubles(38:40) Is anyone coming to help Jokic? 📢 Check out the entire Yahoo Sports podcast network

In this episode of the Kevin O'Connor Show, Kevin is joined by Tom Haberstroh to dive into the latest news and storylines around the NBA. Kevin kicks things off solo as he reacts to the Denver Nuggets getting walloped by the Cleveland Cavaliers, as Kevin goes points out Jamal Murray's inability to help Nikola Jokic win games and whether there's a move the Nuggets could make to save their season.Later, KOC and Tom Haberstroh dive into the Los Angeles Lakers' ongoing struggles and explore potential fixes for the team. They dissect JJ Redick’s fiery critiques of the Lakers, including their lack of effort and communication on defense. Are LeBron James and Anthony Davis running on empty already? The guys also discuss the possibility of trading for big names like Zach LaVine, or even moving on from AD as the Lakers look for answers.From there, they turn their attention to the Miami Heat’s recent dominant win over the Lakers, assessing whether the Heat's victory is more about their success or LA’s decline. Plus, with trade rumors swirling around Brandon Ingram, KOC and Tom weigh in on the New Orleans Pelicans' rocky season and what Ingram’s future could look like.Later in the show, the conversation shifts to Ja Morant’s shift away from dunking, Khris Middleton’s importance to the Milwaukee Bucks and what it means for the title race.(00:25) - KOC on the Nuggets(5:45) - What's wrong with the Lakers?(28:20) - Brandon Ingram trade speculation(32:45) - Ja Morant is done dunking(38:25) - Khris Middleton returns to the Bucks📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuT 📢 Check out the entire Yahoo Sports podcast network

This week the Big Number is 50.3 which is the combined scoring average of Jalen Brunson & Karl-Anthony Towns. Are they the best duo in Knicks history? Even better than Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire? Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine dive deep into several stats that prove just how dominant and efficient Brunson and KAT have been this season.Dan backs up the Big Number with 4 more numbers that prove just how hot the New York Knicks offense is this season including the impact of Brunson + KAT pick and rolls, the Knicks’ offensive rating in half-court, points per game created via assist, and more.Tom and Dan give an apology for cursing LeBron James with his coldest 3-point shooting spell for the Los Angeles Lakers and end with their picks on some Knicks-centric over/unders. (1:35) The Big Number: 50.3(13:47) The Little Numbers: 1.314(18:42) The Little Numbers: 109.4(22:22) The Little Numbers: 70.8(26:58) The Little Numbers: 11th(31:41) Over/unders scoreboard update(35:13) Apologies Lebron James...(38:57) New York Knicks over/unders Check 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

Vincent Goodwill is joined by Dan Titus and Isis "Ice" Young to recap last night's NBA Cup action, talk about LeBron's shooting slump and preview the Golden State Valkyries WNBA expansion draft on Friday. (00:00) - NBA Cup group stage concludes(16:10) - What's wrong with LeBron James?(30:40) - How did the Knicks blow out the Magic?(34:10) - Trae Young's passing improves / shooting declines(39:50) - Connecticut Sun name Rachid Meziane as the new head coach(44:50) - How will the Valkyries expansion draft change the WNBA? On this episode of the Good Word with Goodwill, Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill is first joined by Yahoo Sports fantasy basketball analyst Dan Titus to discuss last night's NBA Cup games.The guys talk about the Mavericks' impressive comeback win over the Grizzlies, the Oklahoma City Thunder looking like the best team in the NBA and the Golden State Warriors, who probably need to trade for another scorer to put next to Steph Curry.Later, the guys try to figure out why LeBron James has had maybe his worst stretch of games over the last couple of weeks. They wonder if the veterans who got sent to Paris for the Olympics will be able to recover before the end of the season.Isis "Ice" Young then joins the show to talk about the New York Knicks soundly beating the Orlando Magic last night, and Reggie Miller using a particular phrase that set Ice off during the game.Ice is also excited about Trae Young's improved passing this season and wondering if it's a sign of maturity or a side effect of his cold shooting to start the season.Finally, after talking about the Connecticut Sun hiring a new head coach, Vince and Ice dig into the Golden State Valkyries expansion draft on Friday and how it will reshape the entire WNBA. Check 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

In this week’s episode of The Kevin O'Connor Show, Kevin O'Connor and Dan Titus dive into the latest NBA trends, including a closer look at LeBron James and the struggling Los Angeles Lakers. Is this the worst stretch of LeBron's legendary career? Can the Lakers stay afloat, or are they cooked? Kevin and Dan discuss the team’s lack of creation, LeBron’s fatigue and the challenges ahead unless a major trade is made.Next, the guys turn their attention to the Western Conference playoff race. The Minnesota Timberwolves just secured a big win, but are they truly a contender? Dan thinks they have the best chance to make the playoffs out of the bottom teams, though they still need more to reach the next level. Meanwhile, Kevin isn’t buying into the Sacramento Kings’ playoff hopes, citing coaching concerns and the rise of other teams in the conference.In a surprising turn, the Milwaukee Bucks are on a 6-game win streak, but are they legitimate championship contenders? Kevin and Dan break down Giannis Antetokounmpo’s MVP-level play, but warn against getting too carried away until they face tougher competition.Meanwhile, the Orlando Magic are rolling with Franz Wagner leading the charge, and the Memphis Grizzlies have won 6 in a row thanks to impressive depth. Could either of these teams be a sneaky playoff contender? Kevin also dives into the struggling New Orleans Pelicans and wonders if it’s time for a full rebuild.Later, the guys address the Washington Wizards' ongoing misery and preview James Harden’s recent dominance for the Los Angeles Clippers. Plus, what to expect from the Charlotte Hornets in LaMelo Ball's absence, and how to navigate fantasy hoops in this weird double week.(1:05) - Can the Lakers overcome LeBron's declining play?(8:20) - Timberwolves & the Western Conference playoff picture(17:40) - Are Bucks back to being a contender?(24:05) - What clicking for the Magic?(28:40) - Are the Grizzlies sneaky contenders this season?(31:50) - Time for the Pelicans to blow it up?(38:15) - Wizards on pace for historically bad season(41:50) - Fantasy basketball corner📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuT 📢 Check out the entire Yahoo Sports podcast network

Vincent Goodwill and Tim Cato discuss the Mavericks and Bucks, who have gone 8-1 in their last 9 games, and what's leading to a youth revolution in the Western Conference. (00:30) - How have the Mavericks righted the ship?(21:20) - Youth leading the Western Conference(36:45) - The Last Word: The Bucks are back? On this episode of the Good Word with Goodwill, Yahoo Sports senior NBA writer Vincent Goodwill is joined by Tim Cato, who covers the Dallas Mavericks for DLLS & the ALLCITY Network.The guys start with the reigning Western Conference champions, the Dallas Mavericks, who have won 8 of their last 9 games and welcomed Luka Doncic back from injury last night against the Trail Blazers. What is leading to their hot streak? How are they different from last year's team? And should their success without Luka lead them to explore trade options?Before leaving the Western Conference, Vinnie and Tim talk about what's leading to the Thunder, Rockets and Grizzlies at the top of the standings while teams like the Lakers, Suns and Warriors trail behind. Tim thinks that this is the new reality of the NBA, caused by the new CBA, and believes that it will lead to less max contracts and more teams hunting for rotation players on rookie scale deals.Finally, Vince and Tim talk about the Milwaukee Bucks, who are also 8-1 in their last 9 games. They discuss why the Damian Lillard-Giannis Antetokounmpo inverted pick-and-roll is working so well and why shooters like A.J. Green are finding success playing off of Giannis. Check 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