Chris and Kevin start off by reflecting on the legacy of the late great Kobe Bryant a year after his death (3:00). Then they get into the pure fun of the Lakers-Cavaliers game Monday night where LeBron James went for 46 points in a dominant performance (12:15). And in an episode all about the surprises of the season, a not-so-surprising surprise is that LeBron James has not been coasting early, and the Lakers look like the clear favorites (14:30), but the Clippers are not too far behind with Kawhi and Paul George playing out of their minds after faltering in the bubble (18:45). Other surprises of the season include the little amount of separation between teams and how many teams are trying to make a playoff run this season (22:45), Tom Thibodeau’s defensive impact on the Knicks (29:30), Jaylen Brown’s explosion towards greatness (37:00), and the NBA’s plans for a potential All-Star Weekend in Atlanta in February (46:00). And finally, Chris and Kevin give their awards predictions a quarter of the way into the season (51:45).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris and Kevin get into the most interesting games of the week, starting with the Lakers’ lackadaisical win over the not-quite-complete Bucks (0:45). Then they get into Tom Thibodeau’s continually surprising positive effect on the Knicks after a win over the Warriors (18:35), the difference in development between RJ Barrett and Zion Williamson, and the Pelicans’ struggles this season (30:00). Finally, they get into the generally unremarked-upon success of the Utah Jazz and Shaq’s bizarre interaction with Donovan Mitchell after their win over the Pelicans (44:00), and the late-night trade of Kevin Porter Jr. from the Cavaliers to the Rockets for a protected second-round pick (54:00).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris and Kevin dive into the emerging story lines in the league, starting with how James Harden and KD played together against the Bucks on Monday (1:00), how CJ McCollum’s injury, in conjunction with Nurkic’s injury, will affect Portland’s playoff aspirations (12:15), and Jamal Murray’s disconcerting step down from his bubble play in contrast to Paul George’s step up (16:45). Then they talk about whether the Suns are getting the most out of Devin Booker (29:00), how the Grizzlies are playing with Ja Morant back in the fold (37:00), and the Warriors’ win over the Lakers on Monday (50:30). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris and Kevin discuss the details of the intricate and wide-reaching James Harden trade on Wednesday (0:40). Then they get into a conversation about what the nature of Harden’s trade request says about the changes that have occurred across the NBA and NBA coverage, including player empowerment, the media boom, and shifts in fandom (12:30). They cap it all off with a conversation about the specific on-court and off-court chemistry concerns for the Nets with their new star-studded roster (40:30).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Since it’s still early in the season, Chris and Kevin play a game of “Do You Believe..?” to discuss emerging trends across the NBA. Do you believe that the season will go on without having to take a long stoppage or delay for a period of time? (3:10)Do you believe that the Nets are not going to be able to reach their best? (8:20)Do you believe that the Raptors can get it together? (17:59)Do you believe LaMelo Ball will run away with Rookie of the Year? (20:46)Do you believe Jerami Grant is proving he’s more than a role player? (26:56)Do you believe that Zion Williamson will ascend to superstardom like we thought? (32:21)Do you believe that Bradley Beal could be moved? (40:48)Do you believe that Cade Cunningham from Oklahoma State is the guy and there will be no argument about who will go no. 1 in the draft? (46:08)Do you believe that 1 percent of NBA fans could name the Oklahoma City Thunder coach? (51:02)Do you believe that Jimmy Page, Eddie Van Halen, and Jimi Hendrix are the three best guitarists ever? (54:21)Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris and Kevin take a look at how the COVID-19 protocols are working after Seth Curry’s positive test (5:07) and at the massive leak from the Hawks’ locker room reported by The Athletic (13:14). Then they get into the biggest surprises of the NBA season so far, including the Brogdon-and-Sabonis-led Pacers glow-up (31:43), Lou Dort’s stellar 3-point shooting (37:43), Julius Randle’s Knicks (47:14), and more.Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris and Kevin go through all the big games and story lines in the NBA, kicking it off with a discussion about Tom Thibodeau’s 4-3 Knicks and their win over the Hawks on Monday (0:39). Then they get into Steph Curry’s incredible performance over the past couple of games and what the Warriors need to do to reach the postseason (15:30), the Kings’ abysmal start to the season (27:31), and Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum’s tag-team takedown of the Raptors (36:16). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and KOC talk about 10 observations they've made in the early part of the season, including impressive showings from rookies Precious Achiuwa (18:18) and Tyrese Haliburton (34:45), hot starts by the Cavs (50:30) and Hawks (7:55), and much more.Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and KOC go through the slew of extensions and deals that have and haven’t closed over the past week (0:36). Then they get into the 10 teams in each conference they think will make the playoffs and play-in (29:25) as well as their awards predictions (1:04:46). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After Verno attends his first live basketball game in person since March, the boys get into the Grizzlies-Hawks game (0:47) and the Twitter kerfuffle last night about Ben Simmons potentially being available in a trade for James Harden (6:50). Then Nick Wright of ‘First Things First’ joins Verno and KOC to talk about how he got into the industry (20:19), the Harden situation (42:22), the Clippers' demise (50:43), the best teams in the Western Conference (57:46), and the bets he’s put down for the 2020-21 season (1:22:58).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’ConnorGuest: Nick Wright Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices