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On this episode of the Kevin O'Connor Show, Mo Dakhil of Bleacher Report hops on to discuss a wild Monday night in the NBA, and of course the latest trade rumors as we inch closer to the deadline. One of the teams that can't escape trade rumors, the Phoenix Suns, were in action on Monday — and got a huge win after Coach Bud decided to remove Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic from the starting lineup. Mo wonders if Bradley would waive his no-trade clause, while Kevin thinks a certain Eastern Conference Playoff team could be in the mix. And speaking of trade rumors involving Eastern Conference powers — could the Milwaukee Bucks be the surprise team to make a run at acquiring Jimmy Butler?The guys broke down the chances of the New Orleans Pelicans actually moving Zion Williamson this season — why they both could see the Golden State Warriors making a run at the oft-injured superstar. Plus — Kevin and Mo react to the Orlando Magic getting the surprise win against the New York Knicks, they hit the Los Angeles Clippers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves game, and also Coby White and the Chicago Bulls' thrilling win over the San Antonio Spurs. Before the guys call it a day, Kevin asks Mo ahead of Wednesday's monster showdown: what is more impressive between the Oklahoma City Thunder defense and Cleveland Cavaliers offense?(00:45) - Suns win & Jimmy Butler trade talk(21:05) - Wolves come back against Clippers(29:15) - Jamahl Mosley for Coach of the Year?(38:00) - Did Doug Christie save the Sacramento Kings?(40:20) - Should Pelicans showcase Zion for a trade?(48:50) - Bulls-Spurs recap(56:30) - Boston Celtics vs. Denver Nuggets preview(1:02:30) - Thunder vs. Cavs preview📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuT 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

On today's episode of Good Word with Goodwill, Vincent Goodwill is joined by three-time NBA champion and current agent BJ Armstrong to address the chaos surrounding the Miami Heat and Jimmy Butler. They discuss his potential trade value, destinations for where he can land and what to expect following his suspension.Also on today's show, Goodwill and Armstrong reflect on Chicago Bulls legend Derrick Rose's career after he was honored by the team this past weekend. They additionally dive into how the NBA has changed, and what has negatively impacted the league.(6:46) The Jimmy Butler situation(29:01) Derrick Rose's career(45:33) How the NBA has changedSubscribe to Good Word with Goodwill on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41IZn4e🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3Dkv6ij📢 Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuT 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Goodbye 2024, hello 2025. With the new year only three days into existence, Kevin O'Connor is joined by Yahoo Sports contributor Tom Haberstroh to conjure up ten wild predictions for the remaining 363 days.Kevin outlines the reason Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is primed to win his first MVP this season, Tom explains why a LeBron James trade is coming this offseason and how it connects to his son Bryce James' commitment to Arizona and the guys predict into a whole lot more. There's even some predictions for you Charlotte Hornets fans out there.Buckle up for ten of KOC and Tom Haberstroh's most outlandish, yet realistic, NBA predictions for 2025.(0:05) - Jimmy Butler's comments signal upcoming trade(9:45) - SGA wins his first MVP(16:35) - Wemby breaks Kobe's 81 point mark(23:15) - Jalen Johnson makes Eastern Conf. All-Stars(26:55) - Houston trades Reed Sheppard(29:15) - Phoenix gets rid of stars, goes full rebuild mode(37:05) - A star draft prospect holds out(44:55) - Charlotte trades LaMelo Ball(49:07) - Vince Wiliams Jr. is a starter and major contributor on Memphis(51:15) - Golden State trades for LeBron James(1:05:55) - Cleveland wins the Eastern Conference, goes to NBA Finals🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

On this week's episode of The Big Number, Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine dig deep into a stellar rookie season for Memphis Grizzlies big man Zach Edey. They help paint the picture of why Edey leads the discussion for Rookie of the Year in the NBA.They cover how Edey has heavily outperformed expectations and made an efficient impact on Memphis this year. Specifically, they discuss Edey's impact as an offensive rebounder and how the Grizzlies currently sit atop multiple efficiency statistics in the NBA.(2:30) The Big Number: 15(12:24) Little Number 1: 40%(19:23) Little Number 2: +23.59(25:51) Little Number 3: 18.3%(33:51) Little Number 4: 1(44:28) Over/Unders 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

In this episode of the Kevin O'Connor Show, KOC is joined by Dan Titus to break down some of the NBA's biggest trade moves and coaching shakeups before deep diving on the Detroit Pistons with Bryce Simon. KOC and Dan start with the recent D'Angelo Russell trade, with the Los Angeles Lakers acquiring Dorian Finney-Smith. KOC and Dan discuss what else the Lakers need before the conversation turns to the Memphis Grizzlies, who missed out on DFS in this deal. KOC and Titus evaluate what this means for Memphis, which has been struggling to find its footing this season. Meanwhile, over in Brooklyn, the Nets' latest moves signal a full rebuild. KOC also takes a moment to reflect on the Orlando Magic’s standout Tristan Da Silva turning heads as the team’s depth continues to shine.Later in the episode, the guys discuss a range of topics, from Mike Brown's firing in Sacramento to the state of the NBA's culture around fighting and villains in the game. KOC and DT weigh in on the Sacramento Kings' disappointing start and the reality that the team needs a full reset. They debate the best landing spots for D’Aaron Fox, with the San Antonio Spurs emerging as a dream destination.Later, KOC and Bryce Simon dive into the Detroit Pistons' early season performance, with a focus on Cade Cunningham's development. While Cunningham has made significant strides in his shooting, KOC questions whether his struggles with finishing at the rim and turnovers could hinder his potential as a true #1 option. They also discuss the inconsistency of Ivey and Duren, the Pistons' potential draft plans and whether adding a player like Zach LaVine could be the key to unlocking the team’s next level.(1:10) - D'Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets, Dorian Finney-Smith to the Lakers(11:05) - Should Grizzlies fans be concerned about missing out on Finney-Smith?(17:15) - Magic depth pieces shine in comeback win(20:10) - Should the NBA allow fights?(23:35) - Mike Brown fired: will the Kings finally reset?(43:05) - Pistons deep dive with Bryce Simon📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuT 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

The NBA's five-game lineup on Christmas Day delivered against a crowded sports landscape in which the NFL (and Beyoncé) tried to make waves of their own on the Wednesday holiday. Kevin O'Connor is joined by Yahoo Sports contributor Tom Haberstroh to break down all five games from the Christmas day slate.Starting with Victor Wembanyama's statement game in a road loss to the New York Knicks, the guys argue that Wemby has already entered into elite top-ten player status and his 42-point MSG opus is just the start of another decade of dominance.They also discuss Luka Dončić's leg injury in a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves and why Luka's lack of conditioning is finally catching up to him.Kevin & Tom later break down the Philadelphia 76ers' win against the reigning champion Boston Celtics and if the Sixers have finally turned things around after a rough start to the season.LeBron James & Steph Curry had yet another Christmas day battle, this time with Austin Reaves playing the pivotal role in a 115-113 Lakers win. This was everything Christmas day NBA games should be and LeBron even took shots at the NFL encroaching on the NBA's territory after the game.Wrapping up the show, the guys discuss the Denver Nuggets falling to the Phoenix Suns, why Nikola Jokić needs a better supporting cast, and if improvements don't come to Denver soon, how Jokić could soon be making waves with lobbying to move onto greener pastures.(1:15) - Wemby shines in MSG loss to Knicks(12:00) - Luka's injury the big story of MIN/DAL(20:40) - Did Sixers turn around their season vs. Celts?(30:55) - Lakers/Warriors was legendary(39:20) - Lakers or Warriors: who needs a big trade more?(44:55) - Counting down until Jokić is unhappy in Denver🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

In this festive episode of The Kevin O'Connor Show, Kevin O'Connor and Wosny Lambre share their NBA Christmas wishes that they want to see come true this season. First, KOC suggests the Sacramento Kings should trade D’Aaron Fox while his value is at its peak. The duo agrees that the Kings need to look ahead and start building around their future stars. Next, the conversation shifts to the Denver Nuggets, where Wosny believes Nikola Jokić needs more help if Denver is going to compete at a higher level. Meanwhile, the New York Knicks could see a big boost from Mitchell Robinson’s return, with Wos stressing the importance of his physical presence to elevate their offense to the next level.Later, the duo discusses some players and teams needing adjustments, including Zion Williamson’s future with the New Orleans Pelicans and the need for Zach LaVine to finally get out of Chicago. KOC and Wos also hit on the Philadelphia 76ers, Amen Thompson and Jonathan Kuminga, plus KOC has bold predictions for Victor Wembanyama, already calling him a top-5 player in the NBA. The duo finish up with a mailbag question on the Oklahoma City Thunder and whether they'll keep adding.(1:20) - Time to trade D'Aaron Fox(8:20) - Nuggets need to get some help for Jokic(15:40) - Knicks need Mitchell Robinson back(20:50) - Amen Thompson needs more opportunities(25:25) - Warriors wash their hands of Jonathan Kuminga(27:55) - Nick Nurse needs to add layers to the 6ers offense(30:30) - Zach LaVine finds a new home(33:50) - Pelicans trade everybody(39:20) - Victor Wembanyama a top-5 player?(46:10) - Thunder re-sign Alex Caruso📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuT 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

The 2024 Emirates NBA Cup wrapped up on Tuesday night in Las Vegas and there were interesting takeaways both on and off the court. Kevin O'Connor is joined by Yahoo Sports contributor Tom Haberstroh (of The Big Number) to react to the Milwaukee Bucks win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, what it means for both teams involved and a post-game story that should not go overlooked.On the hardwood, the Bucks notched an easy 97-81 win over OKC, and Giannis Antetokounmpo looked unstoppable, while the Thunder could not get their offense going at all. The guys discuss how OKC may be a bit too defense-heavy in their roster construction and why a trade for elite three-point shooting must be considered this winter.In the locker room after the game, it was a different story. The Bucks left the league's provided champagne and beer celebration untouched; Kevin & Tom explain why Milwaukee's lack of enthusiasm for winning the Cup is a bad look for the league.Also a bad look for the league — TV ratings are down. The guys discuss growing concern around the NBA of the league's declining TV audience in the face of record in-game attendance and social media reach, throw out a few rule changes that could improve fan interest in the sport & discuss the new 2025 All-Star Game format.(0:00) - New York soundly defeats Minnesota in KAT's return(9:00) - Milwaukee defeats OKC in NBA Cup Final(26:15) - Bucks don't celebrate NBA Cup win: bad look?(31:15) - Declining NBA TV ratings(50:45) - 2025 All-Star Game changes: good or bad?🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Just how rare is San Antonio Spurs budding star Victor Wembanyama? Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine dive deep into the numbers to illustrate how much of a unicorn the French big man is becoming in the NBA.They specifically analyze the rare rate at which Wemby is blocking shots and nailing three pointers, especially for a player of his size. They also discuss the future expectations for the San Antonio Spurs for this season and beyond.(1:48) The Big Number: 1(12:38) Little Number 1: 9.9%(18:34) Little Number 2: 48.6%(25:58) Little Number 3: 55(30:25) Little Number 4: 64(39:43) Over/Unders 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

In this episode of The Kevin O'Connor Show, Kevin deep dives on the two NBA cup final teams and what to expect in their upcoming showdown before discussing ALL of the latest news and storylines around the NBA.Kevin is first joined by NBA expert Andrew Schlecht to dive deep into the Oklahoma City Thunder's impressive 20-5 start to the season and their upcoming challenge against the revamped Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA cup final. With Giannis Antetokounmpo looming as a major test for the Thunder's top-tier defense, Andrew explains how OKC plans to handle the Greek Freak by committee, with key contributions from Lu Dort and Alex Caruso. The duo also break down the Thunder's unique style of play, including their small-ball strategy and the crucial impact of Isaiah Hartenstein's screening and lob connections on offense. They discuss the vibes in Las Vegas and the growth of the event, and how the Thunder's ultra-competitive guards will help fill in any gaps when Chet Holmgren returns. Plus, Andrew shares a story from his Oklahoma roots about winning a Shaq Phoenix Suns jersey through an unforgettable peanut butter competition.Later, Kevin and Ekam Nagra (Ball Don't Stop) dive into the early-season performances of several NBA teams and standout players, starting with the Milwaukee Bucks. Kevin and Ekam praise Giannis's MVP-caliber play and his evolving chemistry with Damian Lillard. They also discuss the challenges opposing defenses face in stopping Giannis from getting into the paint, a key area where the Bucks’ dominance continues. The duo also reflects on the Atlanta Hawks' struggles to build a consistent identity, noting that Trae Young needs a reliable secondary scorer to help elevate the team.Moving on to the Houston Rockets, Ekam breaks down Jalen Green's highs and lows, suggesting the young guard needs to find a consistent rhythm and control his pace to become a star. They also discuss the Dallas Mavericks & Golden State Warriors scoring 48 threes in a game, and how the current NBA trend toward data-driven, analytically optimized play has led to a more homogenized style of basketball, impacting the uniqueness of teams. The conversation turns to LeBron James and Anthony Davis, with Ekam pointing out how their older, more physical style of play still holds weight in the modern game but isn't enough to make the Lakers title contenders without more roster moves. They close with thoughts on NBA trades, with a focus on Dennis Schröder's role in Brooklyn, potential moves for Zach LaVine and how Jimmy Butler's fit in Phoenix might not maximize his strengths for a title run.(00:55) - Thunder vs. Bucks preview(18:25) - NBA cup vibes in Las Vegas(28:40) - Andrew's peanut butter competition for a Shaq jersey(35:00) - Dame & Giannis are starting to click(39:00) - How can the Hawks keep building an identity?(44:55) - How far away are the Rockets?(50:30) - Why more threes isn't necessarily good for the NBA(56:45) - What's clicking for LeBron and AD?(1:01:55) - Could Dillon Harper challenge Cooper Flagg for top prospect?(1:06:55) - Dennis Schröder to the Warriors(1:12:40) - Potential NBA trades: Jimmy Butler & Zach Lavine(1:21:30) - Quick hitters📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuT 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

The NBA world has been enraptured all week by the idea of Miami Heat SF/SG Jimmy Butler being available in trade rumors. Kevin O'Connor is joined as always on Fridays by Yahoo Sports NBA contributor Tom Haberstroh to discuss a handful of landing spots, which ones seem likely, which don't and which teams have surprisingly not been mentioned at all.As Tom highlighted in this week's episode of The Big Number, cities like Houston & Golden State make a lot of sense for the six-time All-Star, but Kevn has other ideas for the eccentric Butler. Making matters more complicated, Butler's agent Bernie Lee got into a public spat with ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania over the reporting of the news. Kevin & Tom explain the complicated player-team-agent-reporter dynamic.Later in the show, the guys discuss Wednesday night's one-point Houston Rockets win over the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Cup quarterfinals, and how a single end-of-game penalty call nearly ruined the whole thing.Wrapping up the episode, the guys look forward to the NBA Cup semifinal matches between the aforementioned Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference and the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks facing off in the East.(0:35) - Jimmy Butler possible trade destinations(19:10) - Butler's agent Bernie Lee vs. Shams Charania(26:35) - Rockets advance to NBA Cup Semifinals thanks to strange officiating(37:05) - OKC's defense might be best ever(44:25) - Hawks defeat Knicks to advance to NBA Cup Eastern semis against Bucks🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

As trade rumors circulate about whether or not the Miami Heat could trade Jimmy Butler, Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine reveal this week’s Big Number to explain why now is the perfect time for a trade despite Miami’s recent success.Dan gives us four more numbers, each which makes the case for a different NBA team that could be interested in trading for Jimmy Butler including the Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies and Cleveland Cavaliers.Tom & Dan give a scoreboard update on their over/under picks and take a look back at their Oklahoma City Thunder picks from several weeks ago. The Thunder are living up to expectations this season, but do they have what it takes to keep that momentum going through the postseason? (1:01) The Big Number: +3.6(15:39) The Little Numbers: 24.5(26:04) The Little Numbers: 102.4(34:14) The Little Numbers: 1,205(40:06) The Little Numbers: 0.232(46:38) Over/unders update(47:43) Oklahoma City Thunder look legit Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Kevin O'Connor is joined by Jason Timpf to discuss seven big takeaways from last weekend's NBA action before previewing the NBA Cup. The duo kick things off with the red-hot Miami Heat and Tyler Herro’s breakout play. With Herro stepping up, the guys discuss how Miami might have actually benefitted by not trading for Damian Lillard. From there, they dive into the Philadelphia 76ers, as Joel Embiid looks dominant, and Jason wonders if Philly has finally turned the corner—provided they can stay healthy.They also discuss Brandon Miller, who’s been impressing early for Charlotte, and the Indiana Pacers, for whom things might get ugly with Tyrese Haliburton in a slump. KOC and Jason also hit on Cooper Flagg, the Brandon Ingram injury and the Denver Nuggets.The NBA Cup is front and center, with the guys analyzing Milwaukee Bucks title chances and Giannis’ career-best play. Plus, they break down the Orlando Magic, the rising Oklahoma City Thunder and the Dallas Mavericks—with Jason even picking Dallas as his favorite to win it all.Finally, they wrap with Golden State Warriors drama around Draymond Green’s benching and the balance between veterans and young talent in today’s NBA before getting musical with some discussion around the Las Vegas Sphere, the Grateful Dead and John Mayer's impact on music.(1:00) - Heat are coming alive(5:00) - Are the Sixers turning a corner?(9:05) - Brandon Miller is taking a leap(14:10) - Things could get ugly for the Pacers(18:35) - Capture the Flagg(24:00) - Does the Brandon Ingram injury actually help the New Orleans Pelicans?(27:20) - Do the Nuggets still have a chance?(36:45) - NBA cup preview(1:05:45) - The Vegas Sphere, the Grateful Dead & John Mayer📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuT 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

On today's episode of Good Word with Goodwill, Vincent Goodwill is joined by former NBA video coordinator, turned contributor for The Athletic and Bleacher Report Mo Dakhil.Dakhil joins to discuss the continued run of dominance by the reigning champion Boston Celtics and unpack what is making them so hard to keep up with. They also dive deep into the roster woes for the Los Angeles Lakers and how LeBron is clearly slowing down. They close out the show by discussing why the Denver Nuggets need to find more playmakers to work alongside Nikola Jokić.(2:35) Year two of the NBA Cup(6:11) Houston Rockets hot start(9:12) No one is stopping the Celtics(22:02) Lakers' roster troubles(38:40) Is anyone coming to help Jokic? 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

In this episode of the Kevin O'Connor Show, Kevin is joined by Tom Haberstroh to dive into the latest news and storylines around the NBA. Kevin kicks things off solo as he reacts to the Denver Nuggets getting walloped by the Cleveland Cavaliers, as Kevin goes points out Jamal Murray's inability to help Nikola Jokic win games and whether there's a move the Nuggets could make to save their season.Later, KOC and Tom Haberstroh dive into the Los Angeles Lakers' ongoing struggles and explore potential fixes for the team. They dissect JJ Redick’s fiery critiques of the Lakers, including their lack of effort and communication on defense. Are LeBron James and Anthony Davis running on empty already? The guys also discuss the possibility of trading for big names like Zach LaVine, or even moving on from AD as the Lakers look for answers.From there, they turn their attention to the Miami Heat’s recent dominant win over the Lakers, assessing whether the Heat's victory is more about their success or LA’s decline. Plus, with trade rumors swirling around Brandon Ingram, KOC and Tom weigh in on the New Orleans Pelicans' rocky season and what Ingram’s future could look like.Later in the show, the conversation shifts to Ja Morant’s shift away from dunking, Khris Middleton’s importance to the Milwaukee Bucks and what it means for the title race.(00:25) - KOC on the Nuggets(5:45) - What's wrong with the Lakers?(28:20) - Brandon Ingram trade speculation(32:45) - Ja Morant is done dunking(38:25) - Khris Middleton returns to the Bucks📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuT 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

This week the Big Number is 50.3 which is the combined scoring average of Jalen Brunson & Karl-Anthony Towns. Are they the best duo in Knicks history? Even better than Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire? Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine dive deep into several stats that prove just how dominant and efficient Brunson and KAT have been this season.Dan backs up the Big Number with 4 more numbers that prove just how hot the New York Knicks offense is this season including the impact of Brunson + KAT pick and rolls, the Knicks’ offensive rating in half-court, points per game created via assist, and more.Tom and Dan give an apology for cursing LeBron James with his coldest 3-point shooting spell for the Los Angeles Lakers and end with their picks on some Knicks-centric over/unders. (1:35) The Big Number: 50.3(13:47) The Little Numbers: 1.314(18:42) The Little Numbers: 109.4(22:22) The Little Numbers: 70.8(26:58) The Little Numbers: 11th(31:41) Over/unders scoreboard update(35:13) Apologies Lebron James...(38:57) New York Knicks over/unders Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Vincent Goodwill is joined by Dan Titus and Isis "Ice" Young to recap last night's NBA Cup action, talk about LeBron's shooting slump and preview the Golden State Valkyries WNBA expansion draft on Friday. (00:00) - NBA Cup group stage concludes(16:10) - What's wrong with LeBron James?(30:40) - How did the Knicks blow out the Magic?(34:10) - Trae Young's passing improves / shooting declines(39:50) - Connecticut Sun name Rachid Meziane as the new head coach(44:50) - How will the Valkyries expansion draft change the WNBA? On this episode of the Good Word with Goodwill, Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill is first joined by Yahoo Sports fantasy basketball analyst Dan Titus to discuss last night's NBA Cup games.The guys talk about the Mavericks' impressive comeback win over the Grizzlies, the Oklahoma City Thunder looking like the best team in the NBA and the Golden State Warriors, who probably need to trade for another scorer to put next to Steph Curry.Later, the guys try to figure out why LeBron James has had maybe his worst stretch of games over the last couple of weeks. They wonder if the veterans who got sent to Paris for the Olympics will be able to recover before the end of the season.Isis "Ice" Young then joins the show to talk about the New York Knicks soundly beating the Orlando Magic last night, and Reggie Miller using a particular phrase that set Ice off during the game.Ice is also excited about Trae Young's improved passing this season and wondering if it's a sign of maturity or a side effect of his cold shooting to start the season.Finally, after talking about the Connecticut Sun hiring a new head coach, Vince and Ice dig into the Golden State Valkyries expansion draft on Friday and how it will reshape the entire WNBA. Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

In this week’s episode of The Kevin O'Connor Show, Kevin O'Connor and Dan Titus dive into the latest NBA trends, including a closer look at LeBron James and the struggling Los Angeles Lakers. Is this the worst stretch of LeBron's legendary career? Can the Lakers stay afloat, or are they cooked? Kevin and Dan discuss the team’s lack of creation, LeBron’s fatigue and the challenges ahead unless a major trade is made.Next, the guys turn their attention to the Western Conference playoff race. The Minnesota Timberwolves just secured a big win, but are they truly a contender? Dan thinks they have the best chance to make the playoffs out of the bottom teams, though they still need more to reach the next level. Meanwhile, Kevin isn’t buying into the Sacramento Kings’ playoff hopes, citing coaching concerns and the rise of other teams in the conference.In a surprising turn, the Milwaukee Bucks are on a 6-game win streak, but are they legitimate championship contenders? Kevin and Dan break down Giannis Antetokounmpo’s MVP-level play, but warn against getting too carried away until they face tougher competition.Meanwhile, the Orlando Magic are rolling with Franz Wagner leading the charge, and the Memphis Grizzlies have won 6 in a row thanks to impressive depth. Could either of these teams be a sneaky playoff contender? Kevin also dives into the struggling New Orleans Pelicans and wonders if it’s time for a full rebuild.Later, the guys address the Washington Wizards' ongoing misery and preview James Harden’s recent dominance for the Los Angeles Clippers. Plus, what to expect from the Charlotte Hornets in LaMelo Ball's absence, and how to navigate fantasy hoops in this weird double week.(1:05) - Can the Lakers overcome LeBron's declining play?(8:20) - Timberwolves & the Western Conference playoff picture(17:40) - Are Bucks back to being a contender?(24:05) - What clicking for the Magic?(28:40) - Are the Grizzlies sneaky contenders this season?(31:50) - Time for the Pelicans to blow it up?(38:15) - Wizards on pace for historically bad season(41:50) - Fantasy basketball corner📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuT 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Vincent Goodwill and Tim Cato discuss the Mavericks and Bucks, who have gone 8-1 in their last 9 games, and what's leading to a youth revolution in the Western Conference. (00:30) - How have the Mavericks righted the ship?(21:20) - Youth leading the Western Conference(36:45) - The Last Word: The Bucks are back? On this episode of the Good Word with Goodwill, Yahoo Sports senior NBA writer Vincent Goodwill is joined by Tim Cato, who covers the Dallas Mavericks for DLLS & the ALLCITY Network.The guys start with the reigning Western Conference champions, the Dallas Mavericks, who have won 8 of their last 9 games and welcomed Luka Doncic back from injury last night against the Trail Blazers. What is leading to their hot streak? How are they different from last year's team? And should their success without Luka lead them to explore trade options?Before leaving the Western Conference, Vinnie and Tim talk about what's leading to the Thunder, Rockets and Grizzlies at the top of the standings while teams like the Lakers, Suns and Warriors trail behind. Tim thinks that this is the new reality of the NBA, caused by the new CBA, and believes that it will lead to less max contracts and more teams hunting for rotation players on rookie scale deals.Finally, Vince and Tim talk about the Milwaukee Bucks, who are also 8-1 in their last 9 games. They discuss why the Damian Lillard-Giannis Antetokounmpo inverted pick-and-roll is working so well and why shooters like A.J. Green are finding success playing off of Giannis. Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

On a special Thanksgiving edition of The Kevin O'Connor Show, Tom Haberstroh joins the show to help share what they're thankful for this Thanksgiving.They discuss their favorite players, trends, and statistics across the league this season that make the NBA exciting an entertaining. Among the topics discuss, they cover Giannis Antetokounmpo's improved jump shot, older players outperforming their age, Jarrett Allen's unique personality and the NBA Cup.(1:33) "Golden Guys"(7:47) Players being honest(13:21) Hubie Brown(16:04) Kris Dunn(19:40) Dunk Score(27:55) Giannis Antetokounmpo's jump shot(32:54) Jarrett Allen(36:35) Area 51(40:35) The NBA Cup 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

On today's episode of The Big Number, Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devin dig into the shooting statistics that illustrate how elite the Boston Celtics are on offense this season.Specifically, they analyze the ridiculous rate at which they are launching threes, and how it's setting them up for another NBA Championship run. They also praise Derrick White for his precision and resume that is strong enough for him to be an All-Star.(2:16) The Big Number: 910(15:12) Little Number 1: 12.4%(21:13) Little Number 2: .635(26:14) Little Number 3: 4.7(31:57) Little Number 4: 8.33(37:50) Over/Unders 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

In this week’s episode of The Kevin O'Connor Show, Kevin is joined by Tate Frazier to dive deep into the biggest storylines in college basketball, with an eye on the 2024 NBA Draft. They break down the top prospects, sleepers, and potential steals in a packed episode.Cooper Flagg continues to dominate as the top 2024 draft prospect, and Tate and Kevin discuss his impressive defensive play, his development potential and how he might fit with NBA teams like the Philadelphia 76ers. They also take a look at other high-level freshmen like Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper, and explore whether someone can challenge Flagg for the #1 overall spot.The conversation shifts to some intriguing draft sleepers, with Tate spotlighting Lebaron Philon from Alabama and Kevin highlighting Collin Murray Boyles, who draws comparisons to Draymond Green. They also discuss Egor Demin from BYU and whether he could make a push into the lottery or even the top pick conversation.The guys also talk about UConn's rising stars, including Liam McNeeley and Alex Karaban, two prospects who are seeing their draft stock rise early in the season. Tate weighs in on UConn’s chances of a three-peat, and Kevin breaks down how these young players are developing under Dan Hurley’s system.Finally, they touch on the state of the Charlotte Hornets, with Tate sharing his thoughts on LaMelo Ball and the future of the franchise as they look to build around the promising Brandon Miller.(1:50) - Cooper Flagg and Duke's impressive freshmen(12:30) - Who can challenge Flagg for the #1 overall spot?(18:55) - Favorite NBA draft sleepers(34:15) - UConn deep dive: impressive freshmen & three-peat chances(42:20) - Tate's Hornets thoughtsCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Vincent Goodwill and Fred Katz get together to discuss the Lakers' ceiling, the Knicks' offense, the Timberwolves' defense and the proposed changes to the NBA All-Star Game and NBA Playoffs format.(02:05) - Can the Lakers fix their defense?(12:10) - Reported changes to NBA All-Star Game(26:00) - KAT's fit with the Knicks(38:25) - What's wrong with the Timberwolves?(46:50) - Why aren't more teams tanking for Cooper Flagg?(54:35) - Rumored NBA Playoffs reformOn this episode of the Good Word with Goodwill, Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill is joined by The Athletic's senior NBA writer Fred Katz to discuss the fallout of the Karl Anthony-Towns trade and much more.The guys start in Los Angeles, where Vince is worried that Lakers head coach JJ Redick is headed toward burnout and Fred is wondering what's wrong with their defense, before discussing the reported changes to the NBA All-Star Game.The New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves made a blockbuster trade on the eve of the NBA season, but both teams have been struggling to find their identity and their defense ever since. How can Tom Thibodeau turn the Knicks' defense around? And can the Timberwolves survive without 37-year-old Mike Conley?Finally, the rumored race to the bottom for Cooper Flagg isn't quite what it was hyped up to be. Most of the teams at the bottom of the standings are there by accident, not on purpose, and Vinnie wonders if it's a side effect of the CBA and the parity that's now built into the league. Also, should the league give up conferences for the sake of better teams in the NBA Playoffs? Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

A month after the start of the NBA season, Kevin O'Connor and Tom Haberstroh reveal what their award ballots would look like if the season ended today.(01:05) - Magic 119, Lakers 118(06:30) - KOC visits the Intuit Dome(12:10) - Hornets 123, Pistons 121 (OT)(15:30) - How worried should the Timberwolves be?(17:45) - Should the NBA change playoff seeding?(24:50) - NBA one-month awardsOn this episode of The Kevin O'Connor Show, KOC and Tom Haberstroh dive into the news before revealing what their award ballots would look like if the NBA season ended today.The guys use the Magic's thrilling victory over the Lakers last night to highlight Franz Wagner, who has found his jump shot and once again looks like one of the 20 best players in the NBA. Anthony Davis, an MVP favorite, is already starting to look a bit tired.KOC talks about his visit to the Intuit Dome, home of the Los Angeles Clippers, where he witnessed many bathrooms and The Wall, which may or may not be filled with paid actors.The Hornets topped the Pistons in overtime and seem like they're built for the future with young stars like LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. Tom and Kevin also discuss the Timberwolves, who have fallen to 8-7 and appear to be out of sorts with a difficult part of the schedule ahead of them.Before diving into their NBA one-month award ballots, the guys discuss the idea of the NBA changing its playoff seeding to a 1-16 system that does not rely on conferences. Is it in the best interest of the league? Is it even possible?Finally, find out who would be their picks for MVP, Rookie of the Month, Defensive Player of the Month, Most Improved Player, Coach of the Month, Sixth Man of the Month and even on the All-NBA or All-Rookie teams if the season ended today. Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine get together, along with five of their favorite stats, to see if this is the most impressive season in LeBron James' awe-inspiring career. Also, would making dunks worth 3 points fix the NBA? (2:05) The Big Number: 826(17:34) The Little Numbers: 47.3(19:54) The Little Numbers: 49.2%(22:37) The Little Numbers: 1.19(27:32) The Little Numbers: +15.5(32:49) Over/unders scoreboard update(33:37) Should the NBA make dunks worth 3 points? On this episode of The Big Number, Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine dive deep into the numbers to try to figure out how 39-year-old LeBron James is having such a great season for the Los Angeles Lakers.The guys start with the big number, which is 826 this week. That's the number of 3-point shots LeBron James has made since joining the Lakers. If you don't think that's a lot, tune in to hear which Hall of Fame players never made that many 3-point shots in their entire career.But it's the efficiency of LeBron's season that has really caught the eye of both Tom and Dan. He is currently posting career highs in points created per 36, points scored on plays where LeBron is in the pick-and-roll and percentage of his baskets that are assisted.The success of the 10-4 Lakers, as well as the success of rookie forward Dalton Knecht, can be directly attributed to the increased efficiency and proficiency of LeBron James, who turns 40 in about six weeks. That's crazy. Is there a case to be made that he's having his most impressive season?Finally, Tom wrote a piece for Yahoo Sports wondering if making dunks worth three points would shift the NBA back to offensive diversity and away from every team trying to copy the Boston Celtics. He talks it out with Dan to see if it would be viable and, if not, what other plans might make sense. Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Vincent Goodwill and Isis "Ice" Young discuss the turmoil surrounding Joel Embiid and the 76ers, the Celtics beating the Cavaliers and the biggest disappointments (so far) of the NBA season. (02:05) - Turmoil with Joel Embiid & the 76ers(18:50) - Revisiting the Haliburton/Sabonis trade(24:00) - Biggest disappointments: Zion Williamson(31:00) - Biggest disappointments: Luka Doncic(36:10) - Celtics end Cavaliers' winning streak On this episode of the Good Word with Goodwill podcast, Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill is joined by Isis "Ice" Young to talk about some of the biggest disappointments in the league so far this season.They start in Philadelphia, where the 76ers blew a huge lead to the Heat before having a team meeting where Tyrese Maxey called out Joel Embiid for a lack of professionalism. Is Embiid upset about something else? Why didn't Nick Nurse or Daryl Morey get involved?Speaking of disappointments, Tyrese Haliburton has been struggling with the Indiana Pacers this year. Vinnie talks about an injury Haliburton picked up when playing for Team USA in the Olympics before revisiting the trade that sent Haliburton to Indiana in exchange for Domantas Sabonis. Are we sure the Pacers won that trade?Zion Williamson and Luka Doncic are two players that faced big expectations this season and, so far, neither one is living up to the hype. For Zion, the issue is staying healthy and staying in shape. For Luka, the issue has been a lack of effort and focus during games.Finally, Vinnie recaps the Celtics' thrilling 120-117 win over the previously undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers and explains why the Cavs should still be excited about how they're playing. Also, maybe we should be making plans to be back in Boston for the Finals this year. Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Kevin O'Connor is joined by Mo Dakhil to give their thoughts and takeaway's from Monday night's NBA action. The duo start off with the Los Angeles Clippers beating the Golden State Warriors, as they discuss the Clippers' playoff aspirations and how much the Warriors should still scare teams in the Western conference. Next up is the Atlanta Hawks' dramatic victory over the Sacramento Kings, as the duo discus De'Aaron Fox and Zachary Risacher, among others. In other news, Franz Wagner looks to be coming into his own just as Kevin predicted, and the Cleveland Cavaliers look to keep their undefeated streak alive against the Boston Celtics. Kevin and Mo also touch on the NBA Cup and a rumored change to the All-Star Game structure.Later, Spike Eskin joins the show to do a deep dive on the utterly depressing Philadelphia 76ers, who blew a 19-point lead to fall to 2-11 tonight. Spike vents about the apparent lack of effort on the court and why the Joel Embiid return has been such a disaster so far. Kevin isn't ready to give up on the Sixers just yet due to some star talent still performing at a high level and a weak conference, but they're nevertheless off to a nightmarish start. Kevin & Spike finish off the show with their thoughts on Linkin Park's latest album.(1:20) - Clippers beat Warriors(13:05) - Hawks beat Kings(27:00) - Magic beat Suns(32:45) - Are the Cavs in the same tier as the Celtics?(41:00) - Thoughts on the NBA Cup & potential All-Star Game changes(47:40) - Sixers deep dive with Spike Eskin(1:10:30) - Linkin Park's new album 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Vincent Goodwill and ESPN's Chris Herring go through the biggest surprises in the NBA about one month into the season. Can anyone catch Jokic for MVP? Is it time for the Bucks to trade Giannis? Are the Cavaliers really this good?(02:45) - The 15-0 Cleveland Cavaliers(13:25) - Can anyone catch Jokic for MVP?(22:55) - The suddenly competent Detroit Pistons(30:30) - Is it time for the Bucks to trade Giannis?(45:00) - The upstart Houston RocketsOn this episode of the Good Word with Goodwill podcast, Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill is joined by ESPN senior writer Chris Herring to go through their biggest surprises a month into the 2024-25 NBA season.Chris and Vinnie start in Cleveland, where the Cavaliers are off to a blazing 15-0 start and look the part as one of the Eastern Conference's best teams. Is it sustainable? Is it all the new head coach? How has Donovan Mitchell's role changed?After wondering if Donovan Mitchell will get MVP votes, the guys dig through the outrageous numbers Nikola Jokic is putting up for the Denver Nuggets and declare Jokic the MVP until further notice. Vinnie goes into the crates to try and figure out if anyone has had a better 5-year stretch than what Jokic is doing right now.Vinnie talks about the Detroit Pistons, who are significantly better than they were last season with mostly the same roster, and asks Chris to check him if his Detroit bias is out of control.Later, the guys talk about the Milwaukee Bucks, who look lost and have no real way to improve their franchise outside of trading one of the two superstars on the roster. Is it time for the Bucks to consider trading Giannis? If so, where would he even go?Vinnie has an idea for a Giannis trade destination, and it's the #3 team in the Western Conference. Look out for the Houston Rockets, who are loaded with talent and playing hard for head coach Ime Udoka. Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Kevin O'Connor and Tom Haberstroh discuss the worrying Mavericks and Timberwolves, Victor Wembanyama's and LeBron James's hot shooting, and their rankings of the top NBA rookies so far this season. (00:40) - Are the Mavericks in trouble?(12:20) - Are the Timberwolves worse off than the Mavericks?(17:45) - Is Donovan Clingan the best rookie in this class?(22:35) - Victor Wembanyama's red-hot 3-pt shooting(30:30) - LeBron James continues to amaze(41:10) - 2024-25 NBA rookie rankings On this episode of The Kevin O'Connor Show, Kevin is joined by Tom Haberstroh. The guys kick off the episode by talking about the Dallas Mavericks, who have lost four consecutive games and don't look like the defending Western Conference Champions.Similarly, the Minnesota Timberwolves do not look like a team that would've made it to the Western Conference Finals. Is it Anthony Edwards' fault? Do they miss Karl Anthony-Towns? Should the Timberwolves be concerned about the clunky fit of their current roster?Portland Trail Blazers' rookie center Donovan Clingan racked up 8 blocks against Minnesota on Wednesday, and he's starting to look like he might be the best big man in this year's draft class.Victor Wembanyama must've been listening last week when Kevin and Tom told him to stop shooting so many 3s, because he's made 20 of them in his last 3 games and seems to be breaking basketball on both ends of the floor.LeBron James has posted three consecutive triple-doubles, as he nears his 40th birthday. Tom has an incredible stat that doesn't feel real but sums up just how productive this season has been for James. However, the Lakers still have major issues they need to work out.Finally, the guys go through a way too early look at the 2024-25 NBA rookie rankings. There's a big surprise at the #1 spot and a few guys that are ready to jump up the list in a hurry. Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

On the latest episode of The Big Number, Tom Haberstroh & Dan Devine look at Steph Curry’s incredible offensive impact on the Golden State Warriors. With just as much offensive dominance both on and off the ball, is Steph the greatest offensive player since Michael Jordan? Even more so than LeBron James?But it’s not just Steph Curry giving the Warriors the boost they need to be title contenders—Golden State is over a dozen players deep with other stars with as Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins which Dan highlights with four more numbers.Tom & Dan end the show with some over/under predictions for Golden State throughout the rest of the NBA season. (2:00) The Big Number: 124.2(15:39) 4 stats that prove Golden State are title contenders(30:11) Warriors over/unders Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Vincent Goodwill is joined by Jason Goff for a fun conversation about Klay Thompson's return to the Chase Center, making NBA regular season games special and Bronny James skipping road games in the G League. (05:10) - Steph Curry spoils Klay's return to GSW(25:20) - Emirates NBA Cup night 1 reaction(32:20) - Can the NBA get fans to care about regular season games?(43:45) - Bronny James to skip G League road games(49:55) - Will the Chicago Bulls finally tank?(56:45) - Which cities would embrace Cooper Flagg? On this episode of the Good Word with Goodwill, Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill is joined by Jason Goff from Chicago Sports Network and The Ringer to react to a fun night 1 of the NBA Cup.The guys start by talking about the Golden State Warriors' classy handling of Klay Thompson's return to the Chase Center before diving into the competitive way that Steph Curry went after his former teammate and stole the show in a Warriors' win.Then, after discussing the way the Miami Heat botched the end of their game against the Detroit Pistons, Vinnie and Jason wonder how the NBA can get away from the highlight and drama culture surrounding the league to make fans care more about the regular season games.During the recording, news broke that Bronny James wouldn't be playing road games for the Los Angeles Lakers G League affiliate, raising new questions about his preferential treatment and whether this is as good a situation for him as it is for his father, LeBron James Sr.Vinnie finds time to ask Jason about the team he covers, the Chicago Bulls, and whether this is finally the year they go all-in on tanking to preserve their top-10 protected 1st round pick. This leads to a conversation about which cities would embrace Cooper Flagg as the face of their NBA team. Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Kevin O'Connor is joined by Adam Mares to break down the biggest storylines from around the NBA, including Nikola Jokic's early bid for another MVP, Luka Doncic's struggles with the Dallas Mavericks, the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers, whether Oklahoma City should go all-in, some key injury news and much more.Kevin and Adam start with Nikola Jokic's big night, as the duo break down what's changed about the Joker's game this year that's made him even more dangerous and why Russell Westbrook fits so well in Denver's scheme. On the other side of Sunday night's game, the Dallas Mavericks are now 5-5, and Luka Doncic's lack of development so far this season is starting to catch up with them.Joel Embiid makes his return Tuesday night, and Kevin and Adam discuss how the Philadelphia 76ers can best utilize him if they want to be a legitimate playoff team. The Sixers aren't the only team affected by injuries so far this season, as the Oklahoma City Thunder are treading water without a few key players. The hosts discuss whether or not OKC needs to break the bank and go all-in this season with a player like Giannis.Later, Kevin and Adam discuss the Cleveland Cavaliers starting the season 12-0 and how far that could last, plus what's not clicking with the Milwaukee Bucks. The duo finish up by answering a mailbag question on how Jayson Tatum's early successes could raise the ceiling for the Boston Celtics.(0:50) - Why Nikola Jokic is already playing at an MVP level(16:15) - Luka Doncic's early struggles(22:30) - How Sixers can best build around Joel Embiid(29:30) - NBA injury madness: time for OKC to make a move?(39:55) - How long can the Cavaliers stay undefeated?(45:10) - Things just aren't clicking yet in Milwaukee(47:20) - Does Jayson Tatum's play raise Celtics ceiling?Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

The 2024-2025 NBA season is around its 9-game mark as of Thursday night, so Kevin O'Connor is joined by Tom Haberstroh to share 9 observations about the league and its trends at this roughly 10% completion point in the season.Can the Philadelphia 76ers survive their atrocious start without Tyrese Maxey and with Joel Embiid slated to play his first game of the season this Tuesday against New York? What adjustments need to be made in San Antonio to get Victor Wembanyama and Chris Paul playing complementary basketball that bolsters Wemby's strengths? Will Zion Williamson ever be Zion Williamson again? All that and more on today's Kevin O'Connor Show.(0:50) - Sixers aren't who we thought they were(5:10) - Can anything fix the east vs. west conference imbalance?(7:10) - Cavs are 9-0, can they get to 60 wins?(10:30) - Should NBA abandon conferences and go to 58 games?(16:00) - How can CP3 and Wemby get on the same page?(25:45) - Kings can reach a new level with DeRozan add(28:40) - Can Zion ever be Zion again?(34:20) - Jalen Johnson's usage is crazy(38:22) - Ja Morant is back with a vengeance🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

On this week's episode of The Big Number, Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine dive into the numbers on the Oklahoma City Thunder. OKC has a team of DAWGS on defense that create chaos all over the court and that defensive prowess might just give them the edge to be title favorites.Dan counters Tom’s bullish attitude toward the Thunder with a few other teams who could best OKC like the Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors & Phoenix Suns.The two wrap with some Oklahoma City over/unders worth keeping an eye on.(1:10) THE BIG NUMBER: 85(15:13) The Number Crunch(15:40) The Number Crunch: Boston Celtics(18:29) The Number Crunch: Golden State Warriors(21:55) The Number Crunch: Cleveland Cavaliers(24:46) The Number Crunch: Phoenix Suns(28:13) OKC over/unders Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Vincent Goodwill and Isis "Ice" Young discuss Joel Embiid's suspension and how the Nuggets can survive without Aaron Gordon before combing through the 2019 NBA Draft class.(02:00) - NBA suspends Joel Embiid for 3 games(10:05) - Anthony Davis questionable (heel injury)(14:00) - Aaron Gordon to miss multiple weeks (calf injury)(17:30) - Zion Williamson(23:00) - Ja Morant(26:30) - RJ Barrett(29:30) - Darius Garland(31:30) - The Last Word: Draymond vs. Jordan PooleOn this episode of the Good Word with Goodwill, Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill is joined by Isis "Ice" Young to discuss everything that's going on in the early part of the 2024-25 NBA season.Vinnie and Ice start with the NBA suspending Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid for shoving a reporter in the locker room. Ice talks about the lines that were crossed and Vinnie explains why the reporter might've felt comfortable mentioning Embiid's family in his article before pointing out that the star player will make his season debut during the opening game of the NBA Cup.Anthony Davis is dealing with an injury of his own, but Vinnie explains why he doesn't expect Davis to miss any time while Ice points out that the Lakers have become reliant on their big man and need him to stay healthy.Speaking of, the Nuggets will be without Aaron Gordon for a few weeks due to a calf injury. Vinnie says why calf injuries in NBA players make him nervous before explaining why he thinks Gordon is the 2nd most important player on the Nuggets.Vince and Ice then turn their attention to the 2014 NBA Draft class, which seems to be finding its footing in the NBA. Whether it's maturity (Ja Morant), opportunity (RJ Barrett) or simply health luck (Darius Garland), everyone seems to be finding success this season...except for Zion Williamson, whose struggles to stay healthy make Vinnie and Ice wonder how long his NBA career will be.Finally, Draymond Green shared some funny (and cute) moments on the court against his former teammate Jordan Poole, leading us to wonder if he has finally matured enough to avoid causing the Warriors any issues with his behavior. Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

On today's episode of The Kevin O'Connor Show, Kevin is joined by True Hoops' David Thorpe to discuss the biggest headlines from the start of the NBA season. They break down the reason for the Golden State Warriors' hot start this year and what has held back Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton.Also on today's show, they discuss the emergence of Gradey Dick for the Toronto Raptors and what will happen to the San Antonio Spurs without Gregg Popovich. They wrap up the episode with mailbag questions from listeners, ranging from how the Pistons can become competitive and which team will turn into a soap opera. (5:54) The Warriors hot start(13:30) Gradey Dick's big second year(21:47) Gregg Popovich's health issue(24:22) What is wrong with Tyrese Haliburton?(33:25) Pacers trade targets(40:02) Fixing the Pistons(43:03) Soap Opera teams(51:31) Bright future teams 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Vincent Goodwill is joined by Amin Elhassan for a conversation about Joel Embiid shoving a reporter, where the Spurs go after Gregg Popovich and what has gotten into the red got Cavaliers. (01:10) - Joel Embiid shoves reporter, NBA investigating(19:55) - Spurs' Gregg Popovich out indefinitely following health scare(28:00) - Are the Cavaliers party-crashers in the East?(34:30) - Are the Giannis trade rumors for real?(38:30) - Grant Williams ejected after tackling Jayson Tatum(43:00) - How long will Embiid be suspended?(47:45) - The Last Word: The crumbling relationship between players and media On this episode of The Good Word with Goodwill, former NBA front office member Amin Elhassan joins Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill to discuss Joel Embiid shoving a reporter in the 76ers locker room and the possible fallout of that situation.This morning, it was announced that Gregg Popovich is out indefinitely following a health incident. At 75 years old, it's hard to imagine him as the Spurs' head coach for much longer. Has San Antonio missed the window to set up succession after Pop?Vinnie and Amin address if the Giannis trade rumors are real or if rival GMs are dirtying the waters in Milwaukee before talking about Grant Williams picking up a flagrant 2 against former teammate Jayson Tatum.Finally, after talking about what the Joel Embiid suspension might be (and wondering if Joe Mazzulla deserves one, as well), the guys spend a long time talking about a changing media landscape and the effect it is having on the relationship between players and the media. Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Kevin O'Connor, along with Tom Haberstroh, wonders if it's time for the Bucks to trade away Giannis and Damian Lillard, how many 5x5 games Wembanyama will have and why aren't rookies playing more?(00:00) - Time for the Bucks to panic?(08:05) - Should Milwaukee trade Giannis and Damian Lillard?(18:00) - Can the Grizzlies survive more injuries?(24:00) - Victor Wembanyama gets another 5x5(33:00) - Paolo Banchero is one of several stars facing injury(37:00) - Why aren't the NBA's rookies playing more?(44:20) - Ryan Dunn for Rookie of the Year?(52:00) - Is Anthony Edwards shooting too many 3s?On this episode of The Kevin O'Connor Show, Tom Haberstroh joins Kevin and the show starts with a conversation about the 1-4 Milwaukee Bucks and whether it's time for them to panic and start looking for trade destinations for Giannis, Damian Lillard and Brook Lopez.The Memphis Grizzlies, coming off of a definitive win over the Bucks, seem to be the picture of stability but their injury issues from last year might be crashing the party yet again.Spurs' center Victor Wembanyama became the 3rd player in NBA history to net more than a single 5x5 game. How many will he have in his career? And why isn't the Spurs offense better when he's on the floor?The guys use the news of Paolo Banchero's oblique injury to talk about the six players that were all-stars last season and are currently dealing with injuries at the start of the NBA season.Things are trending upward, but Tom points out that rookies are playing fewer minutes than ever to start the season. How can we get the Rockets to free Reed Sheppard? And is Ryan Dunn the favorite to win Rookie of the Year right now?Finally, the guys talk about why they're worried about Anthony Edwards shooting more 3-pointers and discuss why nobody is noticing the uptick in dunks as well as long-range shots. Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

The Big Number this week is about Russell Westbrook, but it says much more about the Denver Nuggets' offense and championship window. Join Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine as they go through all the stats and make bold predictions. (03:50) - THE BIG NUMBER: 87.5(05:45) - Will the Nuggets make the playoffs?(09:30) - Denver's lack of depth(14:50) - Russell Westbrook's age(20:10) - Nuggets need more from Murray & MPJ(27:10) - Has Russ lost his burst?(30:55) - Has the Nuggets championship window closed?(36:15) - Over/unders On this week's episode of The Big Number, Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine dig into the stats and make bold predictions about the Denver Nuggets.To start, Tom is very concerned with how bad the Denver offense has been with Russell Westbrook on the floor. He's starting to worry about their ability to make the playoffs this year.Tom compares Westbrook at 35 to other similar guards to show how unique he is to still be playing in the NBA at this age, while Dan points out that the Nuggets have bigger problems in their starting lineup.Dan came with a stat of his own, showing that Westbrook might finally be losing enough of his trademark burst and athleticism for it to be a problem. Meanwhile, Tom worries if the Nuggets have any way to get back into contention if their highest paid players don't start playing better.Finally, as they did last week, the guys finish the show by picking sides on some fun over/unders. Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Vincent Goodwill and Isis "Ice" Young list off the best NBA players under 28 years old and then address why fights in the NBA are not as frequent, or as violent, as they used to be. (01:50) - Chet Holmgren vs. Victor Wembanyama(08:35) - Luka Doncic vs. Anthony Edwards(18:15) - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander(21:20) - Jayson Tatum(25:40) - Paolo Banchero(29:30) - Tyrese Haliburton & Tyrese Maxey(38:10) - Who is the best player under 28 years old?(38:45) - The Last Word: Mazzulla wants to fight On this episode of The Good Word with Goodwill, Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill is joined by Isis "Ice" Young to talk about the best players in the NBA under 28 years old.They start off with tonight's matchup between the Spurs and Thunder, headlined by Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren. How has Chet grown his game? Is Wemby already the favorite for DPOY?Vinnie and Ice then recap last night's Mavericks win over the Timberwolves, highlighted by big performances from Luka Doncic and Anthony Edwards.They go through five more names of under-28 stars around the league before talking about fights in the NBA, which Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla would like to see more of. Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

On today's episode of The Kevin O'Connor Show, Kevin kicks things off with help from Daman Rangoola as the duo give their instant takeaways from Monday night's games, including the Los Angeles Lakers looking promising even in defeat, the Denver Nuggets looking concerning even in victory, Paolo Banchero dropping 50, hype for the Boston Celtics and some early concern over the Milwaukee Bucks and Daman's favorite nicknames for Victor Wembanyama.Later, Kevin is joined by Minnesota Timberwolves podcaster Dane Moore to discuss the drastic changes to the Timberwolves roster and lineup. They dissect the increased three-point volume for young star Anthony Edwards, and explain what fans should expect from his new play style. They also project the best options for the Timberwolves lineup with new faces like Rob Dillingham and Julius Randle in the mix.To wrap the show, Kevin answers questions from listeners on this week's mailbag. He covers the difference between the perception for Jayson Tatum and Anthony Edwards, if the Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder could win 70 games and artists similar to Father John Misty.(00:45) Phoenix Suns beat Los Angeles Lakers(12:00) Denver Nuggets beat Toronto Raptors(23:10) Orlando Magic beat Detroit Pistons(26:05) Boston Celtics beat Milwaukee Bucks(38:30) Anthony Edwards' shot selection(53:35) The Timberwolves best lineup(1:05:50) Mailbag(1:06:10) Jayson Tatum vs Anthony Edwards(1:07:30) Can a team win 70 games?(1:08:10) Father John Misty 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Vincent Goodwill is joined by one of the newest members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, J.A. Adande, to overreact to the first week of the NBA regular season.(00:00) - J.A. Adande's Hall of Fame induction(11:40) - Who is on the Lakers' Mount Rushmore?(17:35) - Did JJ Redick fix the Lakers?(24:35) - Have the Clippers finally escaped the Lakers' shadow?(31:00) - Can any team stop the Celtics?(33:20) - Can any team in the West stop the Thunder?(39:15) - Are the Warriors contenders again?(43:40) - Is 3-pt shooting ruining basketball?On this episode of The Good Word with Goodwill, legendary basketball journalist and columnist J.A. Adande joins the show and tells us about his weekend, where he was honored with the Curt Gowdy Print Media Award and inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.After that, Vinnie hits J.A. with some overreactions to the first week of the NBA regular season to find out which ones are real and which ones are foolish. First up, the guys talk about J.A.'s Lakers team. They discuss LeBron James' place in Lakers history before deciding if JJ Redick has fixed all of the team's issues from last season.The guys stay in L.A., talking about "The Wall" at the Los Angeles Clippers' new arena and wondering if moving to Inglewood might finally get the Clippers out of the Lakers' shadow.Vinnie wonders if any team can beat the Boston Celtics besides themselves while J.A. Adande gets so excited about the Oklahoma City Thunder that he reveals his NBA Finals prediction.After talking about the Warriors' chances of contention this season, the guys talk about the evolution of the NBA and how prevalent 3-point shooting is becoming. Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

The first few days of the 2024-2025 NBA season are in the books and there is much to discuss. For the first third of the podcast, Kevin O'Connor is joined by Gibson Pyper (aka @HalfCourtHoops) to discuss Thursday evenings games in which Oklahoma City Thunder pummeled the Denver Nuggets, the Minnesota Timberwolves narrowly snuck one by the Sacramento Kings and the Dallas Mavericks had all the answers for the San Antonio SpursLater, Tom Haberstroh joins KOC to react to the first few nights of regular season NBA action. The guys start in New Orleans, where an injury to Dejounte Murray's hand could mean the return of "Point Zion" for the Pelicans.The NBA has said that they are investigating the 76ers after Joel Embiid missed opening night and said that he is done playing in back-to-back games. The bigger question is whether the Sixers can win enough games with Embiid and Paul George sitting so often?LaMelo Ball lived up to the hype in his return from an ankle injury and led the comeback charge against the Rockets for a road win. Is there any player more fun to watch when they catch fire?Finally, the guys play a game of "Fact, Fiction or Fantasy" to answer questions about Scoot Henderson's future, the Magic's claim as Florida's best team, the new wall of Clippers fans at the Intuit Dome and a lot more.(0:40) - Oklahoma City Thunder rolls, time to panic in Denver?(10:30) - Anthony Edwards and Timberwolves outlast Kings(19:55) - Klay's debut in Dallas' win over San Antonio(30:46) - Pelicans' Dejounte Murray fractures hand(35:30) - NBA investigating 76ers over Joel Embiid's player participation(40:10) - The Bucks defense looks great(42:45) - LaMelo shines in comeback win over Rockets(50:40) - Where have all the rookies been?(54:40) - FACT, FICTION or FANTASY: Storylines from the first few days of the season🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTube📢 Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuTQj 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

On the very first episode of The Big Number, Tom Haberstroh digs into the numbers with Dan Devine to find out if centers shooting 3s in the preseason will translate into the regular season and beyond.(01:30) - The Big Number: 79%(04:00) - Which centers have improved their 3pt attempt rate?(08:10) - Why Bam Adebayo's 3pt shooting might be real(15:50) - Why Anthony Davis' 3pt shooting might be real(18:45) - Will Isaiah Hartenstein shoot more 3s with OKC?(27:30) - Why DeAndre Ayton's 3pt shooting might be real(31:00) - PREDICTIONS: Which centers will shoot more from distance?On the very first episode of The Big Number, Yahoo Sports contributor Tom Haberstroh digs into the numbers with Yahoo Sports senior NBA writer Dan Devine to find out if centers shooting 3s in the preseason will translate into the regular season and beyond.According to Tom's big number, only about 20% of the centers that greatly increase their three-point attempts in the preseason carry that over to the regular season and beyond. But will the success of the Boston Celtics change that this year?Tom and Dan discuss four players (Bam Adebayo, Anthony Davis, Isaiah Hartenstein & DeAndre Ayton) who have seen increased volume from long range this preseason and pour over the numbers to see if there is any sign that those guys will shoot more once the games really matter.The guys finish the show by setting over-unders for the guys discussed and planting their flag on whether they think each guy will increase their three-point attempt rate dramatically this season. Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Vincent Goodwill is joined by best-selling author Mirin Fader, who recently published a biography of Hakeem Olajuwon, to talk about Hakeem's legacy and some of the most intriguing NBA storylines heading into the season. (01:30) - Dream: The Life and Legacy of Hakeem Olajuwon(20:30) - Revisiting the 1984 NBA Draft(30:50) - Jalen Brunson & the New York Knicks(33:30) - Is Anthony Edwards ready to be the face of the NBA?(36:00) - Did the championship window close on the Denver Nuggets?(38:00) - How did Hakeem end up in Houston? On this episode of the Good Word with Goodwill, Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill is joined by best-selling author Mirin Fader to talk about her latest book, Dream: The Life and Legacy of Hakeem Olajuwon.Vinnie and Mirin talk about Hakeem blazing a trail that has since led guys like Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo to find their way into the top tier of NBA players. They also discuss the blatant racism that Olajuwon faced when he first got to Houston and wonder if things have gotten any better for young players coming to America from Africa.Vince points out that Hakeem is a connector to NBA history. He played against Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O'Neal, David Robinson and Tim Duncan. Outside of Wild Chamberlain and Bill Russell, Olajuwon played against almost every great center that has ever played in the NBA.Mirin revisits the 1984 NBA Draft, where Hakeem was picked #1 by the Houston Rockets before the Chicago Bulls selected Michael Jordan with the 3rd overall pick, to talk about all of the potential trades that were up in the air that night and all of the league-altering outcomes that were narrowly avoided.Later, Vincent and Mirin talk about the stories they find most intriguing in the NBA heading into the 2024-25 regular season. For Mirin, she is fascinated by New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson and can't wait to watch him take another leap this year. For Vinnie, he's worried that Anthony Edwards is facing the same challenges that failed Ja Morant three years ago.The two of them finish the podcast on the Denver Nuggets, who are locked into a core of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. for the foreseeable future. A little over a year removed from winning the championship, has their window already closed? And has any team been hurt more by the new CBA? Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Kevin O'Connor is joined by Legend of Winning for an episode of predictions before the start of the 2024-25 NBA season. Later, KOC tackles mailbag questions and talks with Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht. (01:40) - PREDICTION: Magic finish top 3 in the East(06:20) - PREDICTION: Bucks fans turn on their GM(11:40) - PREDICTION: The Knicks are overrated(18:05) - PREDICTION: The NBA will shoot more 3s(23:05) - PREDICTION: The Grizzlies will miss the playoffs(29:15) - PREDICTION: De'Aaron Fox will be a trade target(35:25) - PREDICTION: Rockets will pursue Durant & Harden(47:55) - Breaking: Jalen Green contract extension(50:00) - NBA Finals predictions(51:55) - PREDICTION: Lakers in the Western Conference Finals(57:20) - The mailbag!(01:13:35) - Interview with Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht On this episode of The Kevin O'Connor Show, we prepare for the start of the 2024-25 NBA season by making predictions about what will happen this season along with guest co-host Legend of Winning.Listen in to find out why the guys think the Magic will overperform, the Bucks will underperform and why the Knicks big offseason moves might be overrated (if they can't stay healthy).KOC adds a prediction about 3-point shooting rates league-wide and explains why he thinks De'Aaron Fox might be the most popular trade target when the deadline comes around. Meanwhile, LOW has some questions about what the Rockets are doing and has a theory that ends with James Harden and Kevin Durant in Houston.In the mailbag segment, KOC picks a contender to fall out of the playoff race, explains who he thinks will be the most important center on the Suns roster and predicts a trade for the Denver Nuggets.Finally, Lakers rookie 1st round pick Dalton Knecht joins the show to talk about life under the Los Angeles spotlights (especially around LeBron James and Bronny) and using video games as an escape from the grind. Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Vincent Goodwill and Bomani Jones continue their conversation from last week, discussing the biggest NBA storylines heading into the start of the 2024-25 regular season.(05:15) - Are the 76ers or Knicks bigger threats to the Celtics?(11:05) - Who is the best player in the Eastern Conference?(18:55) - Can the Boston Celtics repeat?(23:00) - Can the Los Angeles Lakers make the playoffs?(34:30) - Does Bronny James belong in the NBA?(38:40) - Is parity good for the NBA?(46:05) - Preseason predictions for MVP & NBA championOn this episode of the Good Word with Goodwill, Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill is joined by Bomani Jones to continue the conversation they were having about the NBA last week.The guys start with the champion Boston Celtics. With the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers making major changes to their rosters to try and catch Boston, which one is the bigger threat to win the Eastern Conference this year?Who is the best player in the Eastern Conference? Are we sure it's not Jayson Tatum? And, if it's not, why isn't it Jayson Tatum after he cemented himself as the best player on the best team in the league? Whether or not the Celtics can repeat might end up determining how we think of Tatum for the rest of his career.Switching over to the Western Conference, are the Los Angeles Lakers good enough to make the playoffs? They have talent, but they might not have enough to compete in one of the deepest conferences in NBA history. And adding Bronny James to theoretically play real minutes during his rookie season shows that their priorities might not be in order.Finally, before we let Bomani go, Vinnie was wondering how Adam Silver's push towards more parity in the NBA sits with someone who has watched the NBA closely for decades. Also, since we have him, we asked Bo to give us his predictions for MVP, NBA champion and Finals matchup for the upcoming season. Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Kevin O'Connor is joined by Tom Haberstroh to go through the NBA news of the day, including Kawhi's indefinite return from injury and some drama surrounding Giannis and the Bucks, before diving into Tom's Title Tiers.(00:40) - Clippers F Kawhi Leonard out indefinitely (knee)(05:15) - Thunder C Isaiah Hartenstein out 5-6 weeks (hand)(07:20) - 76ers avoid bad news on Paul George's knee(09:35) - Bulls G Lonzo Ball looks great in preseason return(16:20) - Timberwolves F Julius Randle debuts(18:35) - Giannis wonders if the Bucks would trade him(29:45) - Going over Tom's Title TiersAs he is every Friday, Kevin O'Connor is joined by Tom Haberstroh for a trip all over the NBA in this episode of The Kevin O'Connor Show.The guys start in Los Angeles, with the news that Kawhi Leonard is out indefinitely with knee inflammation. It's the same knee that kept him out of the Olympics and it's pretty scary that it's not ready to go after so much time away from basketball.Isaiah Hartenstein's regular season debut with the OKC Thunder will be delayed due to a broken hand, but it doesn't sound serious. The 76ers breathed a sigh of relief when it turned out that Paul George's knee was not seriously injured.Julius Randle made his Timberwolves debut in a preseason game against the Bulls, but the bigger story was the return of Lonzo Ball after dealing with knee issues for nearly 3 years. Tom and Kevin talk about their favorite parts of his first preseason game back on an NBA court.After discussing the Milwaukee Bucks, who possibly inched closer to trading Giannis Antetokounmpo next offseason, Kevin goes through Tom's Title Tiers and picks out some of the teams that he feels are worthy of discussion. Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Vincent Goodwill and Isis "Ice" Young discuss the 76ers' injury issues, Lonzo Ball's long-awaited return, WNBA Finals thoughts and a lot more! (01:15) - Can Paul George carry the 76ers?(12:05) - Lonzo Ball's long-awaited return to the NBA(21:00) - WNBA Finals: Liberty & Lynx tied 1-1(28:15) - Which NBA team will jump into the playoffs this year?(36:25) - Which NBA coaches are already on the hot seat?(40:20) - Capture the Flagg: Who is tanking for the #1 pick? On this episode of the Good Word with Goodwill, Vincent Goodwill and Isis "Ice" Young get caught up on the WNBA Finals and the NBA's preseason.They start with the Philadelphia 76ers, who found out that Paul George's knee injury is a bone bruise and announced that Joel Embiid wouldn't be playing until the start of the regular season. More importantly, Embiid told a reporter that he likely won't play back-to-back games for the rest of his career. Vince and Ice have thoughts on big men who don't play every game.Lonzo Ball is slated to be on an NBA court tonight for the Chicago Bulls, almost three years and three knee surgeries removed from the last time he played. Ice has been through similar knee injuries, and she talks about the mental part of recovery.Game 3 of the WNBA Finals is tonight in Minnesota, and Ice still likes her pick of the Lynx to win it all in 5 games....or maybe even 4? Find out why she still thinks the Liberty can't keep up with the Lynx, even after their impressive game 2 victory.When discussing which NBA team could jump from outside the playoffs into title contention, both Vinnie and Ice focused on the Memphis Grizzlies. If they can stay healthy, and if Zach Edey is the player they think he can be, this team could be really good right away.Finally, Vinnie and Ice break down the NBA coaches starting the season on the hot seat before wondering which teams will have the most success tanking their way to the #1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, where Cooper Flagg remains the biggest prize. Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

On this episode of The Kevin O'Connor Show, Kevin is joined by Yahoo Sports fantasy basketball analyst Dan Titus to analyze his All-Breakout team before the 2024-2025 season.Additionally, on today's show, they react to news around the league during the preseason. They highlight Donte DiVincenzo's contentious game against his former team, Bulls guard Lonzo Ball finally returning, the expectation for Joel Embiid to miss most of the 76ers preseason, and the emergence of Suns rookie Ryan Dunn.Lastly, Kevin wraps up the show by answering listener questions ranging from the Lakers rotation to the start of his sports media career. (1:10) Donte DiVincenzo's heated matchup with the Knicks(7:10) The return of Lonzo Ball(9:02) How good are the 76ers without Joel Embiid?(15:52) Ryan Dunn is an emerging weapon for the Suns(22:09) Dan Titus's All-Breakout Team(52:19) Mailbag QuestionsCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!