The Mismatch

Hey, it’s Kevin, thanks for listening to 'The Void.' Today’s guest is Rohan Nadkarni, an NBA writer for Sports Illustrated. He joins the show to recap Tuesday’s slate of playoff games and discuss his latest article, which details Deandre Ayton’s growth since last season’s Finals loss. Here are today’s time stamps:(02:03) - The Pelicans' chances vs. the Suns without Devin Booker(09:31) - Deandre Ayton’s role if Booker is out(17:39) - On Grizzlies-Timberwolves(24:20) - Do the Mavs have enough to keep up with the Warriors' three-guard lineup?(29:43) - On Heat-Hawks(34:29) - Any concerns with the Heat’s offense?(42:51) - What do the Hawks need moving forward?Host: Kevin O'ConnorGuest: Rohan NadkarniProducer: Jessie Lopez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and KOC begin the show recapping the Warriors-Nuggets game from last night, and one thing is certain: The Warriors are back (01:55). They discuss Jordan Poole's growth and development (11:00). With Luka Doncic still out, the guys debate whether the Mavs can win the series against the Jazz without him (21:58) before talking about Rudy Gobert’s overall value. Also, they briefly recap the 76ers' dominant win over the Raptors (39:51). Plus, they preview tonight’s slate of playoff action before looking ahead to the rest of the week's schedule (47:00).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’ConnorProducer: Jessie Lopez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In looking at the Cavs-Nets game, Verno and KOC both agree that, besides the first quarter, the Cavs looked good (02:15). They also blast the Hornets' efforts on defense against the Hawks (12:20) before exploring the Hawks' matchup against the Cavs (18:21). If apex Brandon Ingram shows up, the Clippers don’t stand any chance against the Pelicans (26:54). If Zion Williamson is good enough to do 360 dunks, then why isn't he playing (36:12)? They last go through the weekend slate of playoff basketball, (42:16) and KOC breaks the news about Paul George (01:04:26).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’ConnorProducer: Jessie Lopez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hey it’s Kevin, thanks for listening to 'The Void.' Today’s guest is Casey Powell, or as he is better known: CP "The Fanchise." CP is die-hard Knicks fan and creator of the Knicks Fan TV, which covers the team with live shows streaming online. Here are today's time stamps:(04:43) - RJ Barrett’s progress(10:54) - What happened with Julius Randle?(14:10) - Getting called out by Randle’s wife(20:26) - Any optimism that a star could join the Knicks soon?(22:59) - On the Knicks young core(35:01) - On Leon Rose getting more aggressive(39:43) - Is James Dolan as bad as people make him out to be?(42:43) - On the Knicks futureHost: Kevin O'ConnorGuest: Casey Powell, a.k.a. CP "The Fanchise"Producer: Jessie Lopez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and KOC go over the final NBA regular-season standings and gear up for the play-in tournament. The Celtics finished the year as the 2-seed, but now face the toughest possible route to the Finals (08:47). The Clippers have remained competitive all season despite being without their best players and now are in position to make some noise (16:32). The guys also discuss the timing of Woj’s tweet, in which he reported Frank Vogel’s firing just minutes after the Lakers' last game (36:09). Lastly, KOC shares his ballots and Verno gives his predictions for MVP, Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Player, and the rest of the regular-season awards (44:52).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’ConnorProducer: Jessie Lopez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and KOC discuss the latest news going into the last weekend of the NBA season beginning with the Heat, who clinched the top overall seed in the East (01:49). As the seeding becomes finalized, the guys take a look at the teams at the bottom of the bracket (13:57). The Lakers were officially eliminated from playoff contention, so Verno and KOC discuss their dreadful season (21:22). After weeks of speculation, there are signs that point to Kawhi Leonard’s potential return for the Clippers' playoff run (32:37). The Nuggets are also gearing up for the possible returns of Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. (39:04).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’ConnorProducer: Jessie Lopez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hey it's Kevin, thanks for listening to The Void. Today’s guest is Nate Jones, who is a marketer and agent for Goodwin Sports, a sports agency that represents NBA players like Damian Lillard and Matisse Thybulle. Nate is never afraid to go against the grain or ask tough questions on social media, so he’s long been one of my favorite NBA personalities. But this is actually the first conversation we’ve ever had and I thought it went great. I hope you enjoy it just as much as I did. Here are today's timestamps:(05:40) - Reality hit hard for the Cavs(13:47) - Would you be worried about James Harden as a Sixers fan?(25:56) - On Rudy Gobert and Utah Jazz(32:53) - Imagining Rudy Gobert on the Celtics(41:26) - The rise of the 2 bigs lineup(50:33) - On Jabari Smith Jr(59:20) - Is this years draft class worth tanking for?(01:09:20) - On Lakers missing playoffs / LeBron's legacy(01:17:20) - Who's the better rapper, Damian Lillard or Miles Bridges?Host: Kevin O'ConnorGuest: Nate JonesProducer: Jessie Lopez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and KOC begin the show congratulating Kansas for beating North Carolina in the NCAA men's national championship before discussing whether any players elevated their draft stock in the game (02:02). Going into the last week of the season, the guys take a look at the current playoff bracket. They dive into the wild stat about Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert (19:35). Is there any hope for the Lakers as they fight for the final playoff spot in the West (27:17). They next go through the standings in the Eastern Conference. Who is the easier first-round matchup, Bulls or Raptors (36:50)? What are the chances that the Nets will lose in the play-in (48:28)? And can Joel Embiid sway KOC’s vote for MVP (53:57)?Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’ConnorProducer: Jessie Lopez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and KOC begin the show by discussing Thursday night’s win for the Bucks and debating whether Giannis just stole the MVP with his performance (01:21). KOC believes Giannis has been paying attention to the MVP race and wanted to insert himself into the conversation again (10:37). They next go through Logan Murdock’s profile on Kevin Durant (15:24) before discussing the 76ers' three-game skid (21:58). Don’t look now, but Cade Cunningham is starting to turn the corner as his rookie season comes to an end (29:57). DeMar DeRozan dropped the 14th different 50-plus-point game this season in the Bulls' OT win over the Clippers, and the guys discuss March’s abundance of 50-point games (44:25). With the Final Four this weekend, the guys briefly go through some of the top prospects (50:10).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’ConnorProducer: Jessie Lopez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to ‘The Void,’ where Kevin O’Connor brings you deep inside the NBA with the people who know it best. KOC goes up north and brings on Samson Folk, a freelance reporter who covers the Raptors for Raptors Republic.(00:56) - KOC’s thoughts on Paul George’s return and the Bucks-76ers game(06:18) - The Raptors' unique offensive strategy(08:16) - Pascal Siakam’s improvement and what more to expect from OG Anunoby(14:49) - Describing Scottie Barnes(19:31) - How the Raptors used Barnes against Nikola Jokic(26:51) - Can Barnes grow into the primary facilitator?(28:47) - Rookie rankings and the case for each top candidate to win ROTY(37:09) - Samson’s favorite players not on the Raptors(41:18) - The NBA is as deep as ever and continuing to evolveHost: Kevin O'ConnorGuest: Samson FolkProducer: Jessie Lopez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices