The Mismatch

Verno and KOC first touch on the recent developments in Zion Williamson’s health (0:35) and Kyrie Irving’s Instagram Live explaining why he won’t get vaccinated (10:50). Then they ask each other 10 questions about the upcoming season, including which new coach will have the greatest impact on their team, which top 10 pick from last year’s draft will take a leap this season, and more (22:40).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’ConnorAssociate Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and KOC delve into the developments of Kyrie Irving’s situation in Brooklyn, with the Nets releasing a statement saying he will not be practicing or playing games until he can be a full-time member of the team (0:52). They also discuss Ben Simmons’s return to the city of Philadelphia (11:30) and the news that Zion Williamson has yet to begin running again after getting foot surgery (28:33). Then they talk about eight people to keep an eye on this season, including Klay Thompson, Deandre Ayton, Jason Kidd, Russell Westbrook, and more (35:31).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’ConnorAssociate Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and KOC discuss what KOC learned after spending some time with the Brooklyn Nets, including Harden’s newfound leadership and the love players have for head coach Steve Nash (0:35). Then they get into their eight intriguing observations from preseason, such as Jordan Poole’s leap, Anthony Edwards’s maturity, and many more (28:00).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’ConnorAssociate Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and KOC first go over the surprises and revelations from NBA.com’s recently released 2021-22 GM Survey (0:50). Then Chris asks Kevin to assess his preseason overreactions on the Nets, Kings, Nuggets, Clippers, and many more after the first big set of preseason games (27:00). Finally, they discuss breaking news from Adrian Wojnarowski that the Suns are balking on giving Deandre Ayton the maximum rookie contract extension (57:40).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’ConnorAssociate Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Happy Friday! Joel Embiid unloaded the clip in response to rumors that Ben Simmons is done playing with him, so Verno and KOC dissect the most interesting parts of Embiid’s statement (0:45). Then they talk about the ESPN and Sports Illustrated NBA player rankings for the 2020-21 season (26:35) and the three teams they’re looking forward to watching in preseason (36:30).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’ConnorAssociate Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Media day is upon us! Verno and KOC discuss the vaccine hype at the various media days across the NBA (1:10), before getting into some of the other revelations from Monday. First up, they talk about Zion Williamson’s secret foot surgery (15:10) and the recent reporting in The Athletic with some extra sauce from KOC that Ben Simmons is truly done playing with Embiid in Philadelphia (22:15). Then they talk about Michael Porter Jr.’s max extension with the Nuggets (38:15), what could happen with John Wall in Houston (45:45), Klay Thompson's comeback from injury (50:30), and The Athletic’s report about the Lakers’ offseason recruiting strategies (55:00).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’ConnorAssociate Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and KOC first dig into the reporting on the sudden dismissal of Timberwolves general manager Gersson Rosas (0:45) and discuss a few of the particulars of the Ben Simmons situation in Philly (15:00). Then we answer listener questions about the Raptors, potential Most Improved Players, and much more in our final mailbag of the offseason (23:00).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’ConnorAssociate Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and KOC take a look back to 2019 to evaluate their previous picks for which NBA player islands to inhabit, most of which are pretty unfortunate and some of which have come off well (0:45). Then they choose some new islands from the pool of lottery picks currently in the NBA (23:40).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’ConnorAssociate Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a bit of banter about Thursday night’s Cowboys-Buccaneers game (0:30), Verno and KOC talk about some of the developments in the Ben Simmons saga (5:30). Then they dig into the mailbag to answer listener questions about basketball and life (14:30).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’ConnorAssociate Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Free agency may be winding down, but you can’t stop NBA players from opening their mouths. Verno and KOC discuss Kyle Kuzma’s comments on ‘The No Chill Podcast’ that the Buddy Hield trade was basically in the books before the Lakers pivoted to the Russell Westbrook trade (0:30), Jonathan Isaac’s comments that he and the Magic are being very cautious with his return from injury (14:40), and Michael Porter Jr.’s comments to the Denver Post that his contract extension negotiations with the Nuggets are going well (28:30). Then they dive into more Ben Simmons rumors from Sam Amick of The Athletic, who reported that the Kings were not willing to give up De’Aaron Fox or Tyrese Haliburton in a trade for Simmons (46:40).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’ConnorAssociate Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices