The Kevin O'Connor Show

On today’s Kevin O’Connor Show, KOC is joined by NBC broadcaster John Fanta to talk everything NBA. They start with Eastern Conference contender power rankings: who’s the number one team in the East? Could Cade Cunningham really be MVP?

Then, they turn to Team USA hockey’s gold-medal win against Canada before John tells the story of his call-up to the NBA on NBC by Mike Tirico.

Plus, they discuss if Anthony Edwards is the face of the league, address the troubles in Phoenix & Houston, and take a look at the top prospects in this year’s fiery draft class.

That and more, today!

Eastern Conference Contenders (1:39)

USA Hockey and John's NBC Career (43:16)

Draft Class (1:10:20)

Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on the your favorite podcast app:
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📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network, yahoosports.tv and Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube

Today on the Kevin O’Connor show, KOC is joined by Tom Haberstroh to ask some big questions in the NBA world: Are the Houston Rockets done? What teams have the most to prove in the 2nd half of the season? Which young players might break out and which coaches are on the hot seat?

Then, the pair look at two of the hottest names in college basketball: Darius Acuff and Darryn Peterson. How does Acuff’s 49-point explosion affect his draft stock? Is Peterson’s self-check-out gambit for Kansas threatening his no. 1 draft pick potential?

Later, KOC is joined by Daman Rangoola, Sam Esfandiari & Claire De Lune from All-Star Weekend to talk the latest with the Lakers and Warriors. That and more on today’s show!

 

(1:11) Contenders with the most to prove

(13:38) Young players to watch

(20:26) NBA coaches on the hot seat

(33:46) Kings decimated by injuries

(37:12) Darius Acuff drops 49 points vs. Alabama

(41:44) What's going on with Darryn Peterson?

(56:32) Daman Rangoola & Sam Esfandiari join from All-Star

(1:43:10) Claire De Lune joins from All-Star

Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on the your favorite podcast app:
🎧 Apple Podcasts
🎧 Spotify
🖥️ YouTube
📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network, yahoosports.tv and Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube

NBA skills coach Drew Hanlen joins Kevin O’Connor to break down the season’s hottest topics, from star player development to the reality of tanking in the league. Drew shares inside stories about working with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jayson Tatum and others and explains why self-belief can be both a gift and a curse for rising talent.
(0:48) When will Tatum return for Celtics?
(12:13) Player development & Deni Avdija
(21:43) Can Hornets maintain their winning ways?
(26:25) How can NBA stop tanking?
(31:09) Joel Embiid's recovery and development 
(43:02) How teams use data & analytics to improve 
(49:03) Chris Paul retires from NBA
(56:43) How will defensive coaching evolve?
(01:00:11) Future of the All-Star game

Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on the your favorite podcast app:
🎧 Apple Podcasts
🎧 Spotify
🖥️ YouTube
📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network, yahoosports.tv and Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube

Kevin O’Connor gives his seven biggest takeaways from a star-studded NBA All-Star Weekend. Was the new format a success? Is expansion back on the board? Kevin gives his thoughts.
Next, Ben Golliver joins the show to break down the tanking crisis and which teams are most guilty of tanking the most.
Plus, Cedric Coward joins to share his lessons from his rookie season, his progression as a player and the toughest players to defend.
0:28 Seven biggest takeaways from All-Star Weekend
15:41 Ben Golliver joins the show
45:23 Cedric Coward joins the show

Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on the your favorite podcast app:
🎧 Apple Podcasts
🎧 Spotify
🖥️ YouTube
📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network, yahoosports.tv and Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube

In today’s Kevin O’Connor Show, KOC goes over his NBA awards rankings approaching the midway point of the season. Plus, he reacts to the news of the Jaren Jackson Jr. season-ending surgery, and proposes a new system to weed out the problem of tanking in the NBA.

Then, KOC does a live mail-bag segment with questions from the YouTube chat. That and more for today’s pre-All-Star Weekend show!
 
(0:33) NBA Awards check-in
(8:36) How can the NBA solve tanking?
(29:07) Live YouTube Q&A

Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on the your favorite podcast app:
🎧 Apple Podcasts
🎧 Spotify
🖥️ YouTube
📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network, yahoosports.tv and Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube