

The Kevin O'Connor Show
Yahoo Sports
Kevin O’Connor has been covering the NBA since 2013, offering film breakdowns and deep analysis along with the occasional hot take or spicy piece of advice for NBA franchises. Check out The Kevin O'Connor Show, where he’ll be giving his opinions and breaking down the biggest news in the basketball world with other analysts, insiders and NBA players in a way only the most NBA-obsessed mind could.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 2, 2025 • 58min
7 NBA questions keeping me up at night: Finals, Draft & trade rumors with Nick Gallo & CP The Fanchise
Kevin O'Connor has 7 NBA questions keeping him up at night! He's joined by Nick Gallo to talk all things Oklahoma City Thunder and NBA Finals, and additionally CP The Fanchise stops by to talk about the New York Knicks dream season coming to an end. Let's start there: what should New York do first, get rid of Thibs or trade KAT? KOC's got an idea and it involves bringing in former NBA MVP Kevin Durant. Trade talk doesn't end there -- Kevin rattles off his top 10 biggest names that could be moved this offseason, and that list includes the likes of Kawhi Leonard, Desmond Bane, Austin Reaves, Jaylen Brown and of course Giannis. And Kevin gets into the nuts and bolts of the NBA Finals matchup itself, AND still has time to hit the NBA Draft and specifically what on earth the Spurs could do at #2 with Dylan Harper.(0:46) Can Nembhard do to SGA what he did to Brunson?(3:06) Will Pacers play zone defense?(5:49) Should Knicks trade KAT?(6:32) CP The Fanchise joins(24:00) Will an East team go from worst to first?(30:31) Which stars will be available for trade?(32:11) Should the Spurs take Dylan Harper?(34:46) Is OKC’s dynasty about to begin?(35:08) Nick Gallo joins
Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

May 30, 2025 • 2h 3min
Knicks survive, OKC thrives: Tom Haberstroh on the playoffs, Tate Frazier on the draft & Marcus Morris takes the hot seat
Do not miss this STACKED triple-header KOC Show. First up Tom Haberstroh joined Kevin following the Knicks' huge Game 5 win over the Indiana Pacers to keep hope alive. Could New York actually pull off the improbable and WIN this series now? And the guys on why Indy looked so sloppy.Plus -- Marcus Morris is back! The longtime NBA veteran rejoined the KOC Show, and didn't hold back on anything. Kevin had Marcus play "Double Down or Walk It Back," in regard to the many HOT takes Marcus has uncorked over the last 2 months. Do the Thunder really lack the depth to win a title? Is Tyrese Haliburton the next SGA? Nikola Jokic is NOT Top 20 all-time? The Luka and LeBron pairing will definitely work? Get your popcorn ready... Marcus and KOC absolutely brought it.Lastly Kevin's longtime pal Tate Frazier stops by to talk about the NBA Draft, which is now just a month away. Could the Spurs figure out a way to make Dylan Harper work? Is there any chance at all that the Dallas Mavericks would at least LISTEN if the Bucks called offering Giannis for #1 overall? Who are the biggest DEEP sleepers at each position? Which shooters in the Draft should the Orlando Magic target? Who should the Minnesota Timberwolves draft? Nearly every prospect that declared for the 2025 NBA Draft is discussed in some manner on this awesome convo with basketball guru Tate Frazier.(0:37) Knicks beat Pacers in Game 5(13:49) OKC awaits NBA Finals opponent(25:40) Marcus Morris doubles down on his hot takes(59:17) Tate Frazier talks 2025 NBA Draft prospects
Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

May 27, 2025 • 1h 20min
Anthony Edwards = Playoff Harden? Plus OKC’s Big 3, Knicks-Pacers & Draft talk with Andrew Sharp + my conversation with Derik Queen
Andrew Sharp joins KOC on this episode to discuss the Oklahoma City Thunder's 3-1 lead in the WCF. Has Anthony Edwards regressed to the point of being this era's version of Playoff James Harden? Have the Thunder "big 3" emerged to the point where a title is almost guaranteed in June? Plus speaking of OKC - Kevin and Sharp wonder if SGA has officially become the greatest player to ever wear a Thunder uniform (even beyond Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook). And the guys hit the Pacers-Knicks series out east, plus talk Chris Paul news, and NBA Draft latest.Then, Kevin sat down with Derik Queen, one of the stars of March Madness and current projected Lottery pick in this year's NBA Draft. Is he really "baby Jokic?" What does he need to work on? What sets him apart? Plus, a look back at what went through his mind during his all-time classic buzzer beater back in March.(0:40) OKC goes up 3-1 vs. Wolves(21:42) Could SGA be the best OKC player EVER?(32:09) Knicks beat Pacers in Game 3(42:13) Chris Paul won’t return to Spurs(46:32) Brooklyn may trade Cam Johnson + picks to move up in Draft(48:49) Who should Wizards target in NBA Draft?(1:04:52) Draft prospect Derik Queen joins the show
Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

May 23, 2025 • 1h 28min
SGA’s MVP night & OKC’s smothering D with Tom Haberstroh and Knicks fan therapy with Jonathan Macri—plus Asa Newell talks NBA Draft
Kevin O'Connor and Tom Haberstroh saw SGA and the Oklahoma City Thunder lay the absolute smackdown on Anthony Edwards and the Wolves on Thursday evening, and both are ready to declare the series a wrap. Little hope remains for Ant and company in their 0-2 hole, and KOC takes it a step further declaring that the MVP is clearly levels better than Minnesota's young superstar.Up next, Knicks fans: Kevin sees you, and Kevin hears you. Please sit down, get comfortable, and tell KOC how Tyrese Haliburton and Aaron Nesmith hurt you. Because that's what his friend and New York Knicks diehard fan Jonathan Macri did after the never-say-die Indiana Pacers did the unthinkable, yet again.Plus, projected 2025 NBA Draft first-rounder Asa Newell joins Kevin O’Connor from the Combine in Chicago to break down Newell’s game as a floor-spacing, switchable big.(0:37) Thunder vs. Wolves Game 2 reaction with Tom Haberstroh(26:27) NBA All-Defensive Team announced(29:36) Nuggets hire David Adleman as head coach(31:31) Pacers beat Knicks in heartbreaking fashion(34:07) Post-game Knicks therapy session with Jonathan Macri(1:12:27) Asa Newell joins from the NBA Draft Combine
Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

May 21, 2025 • 39min
SGA vs. Ant takeaways, OKC’s amazing defense & KOC’s Tre Johnson interview
Kevin O’Connor reacts to the Oklahoma City Thunder’s dominant win against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. Is SGA’s grifting really as big of a deal as it’s made out to be? Or is a poor shooting effort from the Wolves more to blame for the lopsided box score? Plus, later in the episode, Kevin is joined by NBA Draft prospect Tre Johnson to break down his current game and how he expects to fit in the NBA. (0:30) OKC beats Minnesota in Game 1(0:41) Is SGA's grifting a big deal?(4:03) Shocking shooting differential from Game 1(6:57) Thunder's depth advantage vs. Wolves(8:39) Why OKC's depth will win them this series(13:23) Tre Johnson joins the show
Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

May 19, 2025 • 44min
7 questions about the NBA Playoffs, the Draft and trade rumors + my Kon Knueppel conversation
KOC has 7 big questions to start the week, and you need to hear them all. For starters, who does Kevin have winning the Eastern Conference Finals and how? Might the Boston Celtics consider trading Jaylen Brown in a blockbuster trade to the Houston Rockets? Whose NBA Draft stock is rising, and whose is FALLING? It's all on this must-hear Monday episode of the KOC Show.(0:43) How long until we see Nesmith on Brunson?(3:10) Will the Knicks create a size advantage?(5:38) Can KAT have the series of his life?(7:14) Can Haliburton reach a new level?(10:14) What changes should the Celtics make?(18:12) Who are Draft Combine fallers?(20:08) Who are Draft Combine risers?(24:06) Kon Knueppel & KOC from the Combine in Chicago
Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

May 18, 2025 • 1h 2min
Game 7 BEATDOWN! OKC crushes Denver & now awaits Ant's Wolves!
KOC's live, postgame reaction to Game 7 between the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder! OKC dismantled the hapless Nuggets, are they primed to do the same to the Minnesota Timberwolves? Dane Moore, who covers the Wolves, joins KOC to break down what's to come in the Western Conference Finals -- plus the pair on whether MAJOR changes are coming for Nikola Jokic's squad this offseason.(0:57) Dane Moore joins the show(1:20) Thunder beat Nuggets in Game 7(11:54) Thunder vs. Wolves Western Conference Finals preview(32:55) What’s next for the Nuggets?(48:59) Western Conference Finals preview continued
Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

May 16, 2025 • 51min
Flagg pulling an ELI? 'Playoff Jimmy' a MYTH? + Game 7 preview!
KOC is joined by Tom Haberstroh on this INSANE edition of The Kevin O'Connor Show. The guys both think it's well within the realm of possibilities that COOPER FLAGG could pull an Eli Manning, and demand his way to the Boston Celtics. Kevin has sources that told him Flagg met with the Celtics at the Draft Combine in Chicago! Plus KOC absolutely destroys "Playoff Jimmy" Butler, and explains why Golden State is in trouble for years to come. And of course, the guys preview Sunday's Game 7 between the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder, plus Tom and Kevin on why the Boston Celtics are still VERY MUCH ALIVE vs the New York Knicks.(0:53) Nuggets force Game 7 vs. Thunder(14:26) Wolves advance to Western Conference Finals(20:05) Is ‘Playoff Jimmy’ a myth?(28:34) What’s next for the Warriors?(36:46) Celtics vs. Knicks Game 6 preview(42:15) Boston interviews Cooper Flagg at NBA Draft Combine
Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

May 15, 2025 • 1h 16min
23 NBA Draft questions with Jonathan Givony + Cedric Coward joins
Kevin O'Connor is joined by the legendary NBA Draft guru Jonathan Givony on this edition of the KOC Show from the Chicago Combine. KOC pays tribute to Michael Jordan and hits Givony with exactly 23 NBA Draft Questions. Could Ace Bailey be a bust for the 76ers? Which player is the best shooter in this class? Who's more likely to trade up, the Wizards or Jazz? What should the Bulls do, period? And Cooper Flagg is the best college prospect since WHO??Plus, Cedric Coward joins to break down his remarkable rise from DIII basketball to NBA draft prospect. Cedric explains what's special about his game, shares lessons learned from his Olympic gold-medalist grandfather, his NBA player comps (including Kawhi Leonard) and what drives his obsession with basketball.(0:53) 23 questions with Jonathan Givony(1:00) Questions 1-5(8:38) Questions 6-10(18:55) Questions 11-15(25:03) Questions 16-20(31:08) Questions 21-23(35:19) Cedric Coward joins(44:58) How would Cedric describe his game?(59:58) Reaction to Luka traded to Lakers(1:02:04) NBA Playoffs breakdown(1:04:49) Best basketball memories(1:08:01) 7 random questions with Cedric Coward
Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

May 14, 2025 • 37min
NBA Combine day 1: draft board shakeups, NIL impact + fallout from physical playoffs with Rafael Barlowe
Kevin O’Connor is joined by NBA draft expert Rafael Barlowe from Chicago to break down how the NBA playoffs’ rise in physical play is shifting their 2025 draft boards and prospect evaluations. They spotlight prospects like Cedric Coward and Jase Richardson and debate whether double-big lineups could become the NBA’s next big trend. The pair also break down how NIL has reshaped the draft pool, leaving it older and deeper with late withdrawals.(0:35) OKC takes series lead vs. Denver(2:46) Pacers advance to Eastern Conf Finals(5:23) Rafael Barlowe joins(5:32) Impact of playoffs on draft evaluations(6:44) Evaluation of Cedric Coward(8:26) Evaluation of Jase Richardson(11:18) Evaluation of Colin Murray-Boyles(16:04) Is Dallas certain to draft Cooper Flagg?(18:55) What should Spurs do with #2?(20:47) Evaluation of Thomas Sorber(23:50) Evaluation of Maxime Raynaud(25:50) Impact of NIL on NBA Draft
Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv