The Kevin O'Connor Show

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 [https://youtu.be/OTG2QdCA7DE], 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 YouTube [https://youtu.be/qGRUaA5CgDI] Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj [https://apple.co/3zEuTQj] or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts [https://sports.yahoo.com/podcasts/]

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 [https://apple.co/3zEuT]

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 [https://apple.co/3zEuT]

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 [https://apple.co/3zEuT]

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