The Kevin O'Connor Show - TopPodcast.com

Latest Episodes:

Anthony Edwards = Playoff Harden? Plus OKC’s Big 3, Knicks-Pacers & Draft talk with Andrew Sharp + my conversation with Derik Queen May 27, 2025

Show notes

Andrew Sharp joins KOC on this episode to discuss the Oklahoma City Thunder's 3-1 lead in the WCF. Has Anthony Edwards regressed to the point of being this era's version of Playoff James Harden? Have the Thunder "big 3" emerged to the point where a title is almost guaranteed in June? Plus speaking of OKC - Kevin and Sharp wonder if SGA has officially become the greatest player to ever wear a Thunder uniform (even beyond Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook). And the guys hit the Pacers-Knicks series out east, plus talk Chris Paul news, and NBA Draft latest.

Then, Kevin sat down with Derik Queen, one of the stars of March Madness and current projected Lottery pick in this year's NBA Draft. Is he really "baby Jokic?" What does he need to work on? What sets him apart? Plus, a look back at what went through his mind during his all-time classic buzzer beater back in March.

(0:40) OKC goes up 3-1 vs. Wolves

(21:42) Could SGA be the best OKC player EVER?

(32:09) Knicks beat Pacers in Game 3

(42:13) Chris Paul won’t return to Spurs

(46:32) Brooklyn may trade Cam Johnson + picks to move up in Draft

(48:49) Who should Wizards target in NBA Draft?

(1:04:52) Draft prospect Derik Queen joins the show

Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on the your favorite podcast app:

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SGA’s MVP night & OKC’s smothering D with Tom Haberstroh and Knicks fan therapy with Jonathan Macri—plus Asa Newell talks NBA Draft May 23, 2025

Show notes

Kevin O'Connor and Tom Haberstroh saw SGA and the Oklahoma City Thunder lay the absolute smackdown on Anthony Edwards and the Wolves on Thursday evening, and both are ready to declare the series a wrap. Little hope remains for Ant and company in their 0-2 hole, and KOC takes it a step further declaring that the MVP is clearly levels better than Minnesota's young superstar.

Up next, Knicks fans: Kevin sees you, and Kevin hears you. Please sit down, get comfortable, and tell KOC how Tyrese Haliburton and Aaron Nesmith hurt you. Because that's what his friend and New York Knicks diehard fan Jonathan Macri did after the never-say-die Indiana Pacers did the unthinkable, yet again.

Plus, projected 2025 NBA Draft first-rounder Asa Newell joins Kevin O’Connor from the Combine in Chicago to break down Newell’s game as a floor-spacing, switchable big.

(0:37) Thunder vs. Wolves Game 2 reaction with Tom Haberstroh

(26:27) NBA All-Defensive Team announced

(29:36) Nuggets hire David Adleman as head coach

(31:31) Pacers beat Knicks in heartbreaking fashion

(34:07) Post-game Knicks therapy session with Jonathan Macri

(1:12:27) Asa Newell joins from the NBA Draft Combine

Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on the your favorite podcast app:

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📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network, yahoosports.tv and Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube

SGA vs. Ant takeaways, OKC’s amazing defense & KOC’s Tre Johnson interview May 21, 2025

Show notes

Kevin O’Connor reacts to the Oklahoma City Thunder’s dominant win against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. Is SGA’s grifting really as big of a deal as it’s made out to be? Or is a poor shooting effort from the Wolves more to blame for the lopsided box score? Plus, later in the episode, Kevin is joined by NBA Draft prospect Tre Johnson to break down his current game and how he expects to fit in the NBA.

(0:30) OKC beats Minnesota in Game 1

(0:41) Is SGA's grifting a big deal?

(4:03) Shocking shooting differential from Game 1

(6:57) Thunder's depth advantage vs. Wolves

(8:39) Why OKC's depth will win them this series

(13:23) Tre Johnson joins the show

Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on the your favorite podcast app:

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📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network, yahoosports.tv and Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube

7 questions about the NBA Playoffs, the Draft and trade rumors + my Kon Knueppel conversation May 19, 2025

Show notes

KOC has 7 big questions to start the week, and you need to hear them all. For starters, who does Kevin have winning the Eastern Conference Finals and how? Might the Boston Celtics consider trading Jaylen Brown in a blockbuster trade to the Houston Rockets? Whose NBA Draft stock is rising, and whose is FALLING? It's all on this must-hear Monday episode of the KOC Show.

(0:43) How long until we see Nesmith on Brunson?

(3:10) Will the Knicks create a size advantage?

(5:38) Can KAT have the series of his life?

(7:14) Can Haliburton reach a new level?

(10:14) What changes should the Celtics make?

(18:12) Who are Draft Combine fallers?

(20:08) Who are Draft Combine risers?

(24:06) Kon Knueppel & KOC from the Combine in Chicago

Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on the your favorite podcast app:

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📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network, yahoosports.tv and Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube

Game 7 BEATDOWN! OKC crushes Denver & now awaits Ant's Wolves! May 18, 2025

Show notes

KOC's live, postgame reaction to Game 7 between the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder! OKC dismantled the hapless Nuggets, are they primed to do the same to the Minnesota Timberwolves? Dane Moore, who covers the Wolves, joins KOC to break down what's to come in the Western Conference Finals -- plus the pair on whether MAJOR changes are coming for Nikola Jokic's squad this offseason.

(0:57) Dane Moore joins the show

(1:20) Thunder beat Nuggets in Game 7

(11:54) Thunder vs. Wolves Western Conference Finals preview

(32:55) What’s next for the Nuggets?

(48:59) Western Conference Finals preview continued

Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on the your favorite podcast app:

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📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network, yahoosports.tv and Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube

Flagg pulling an ELI? 'Playoff Jimmy' a MYTH? + Game 7 preview! May 16, 2025

Show notes

KOC is joined by Tom Haberstroh on this INSANE edition of The Kevin O'Connor Show. The guys both think it's well within the realm of possibilities that COOPER FLAGG could pull an Eli Manning, and demand his way to the Boston Celtics. Kevin has sources that told him Flagg met with the Celtics at the Draft Combine in Chicago! Plus KOC absolutely destroys "Playoff Jimmy" Butler, and explains why Golden State is in trouble for years to come. And of course, the guys preview Sunday's Game 7 between the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder, plus Tom and Kevin on why the Boston Celtics are still VERY MUCH ALIVE vs the New York Knicks.

(0:53) Nuggets force Game 7 vs. Thunder

(14:26) Wolves advance to Western Conference Finals

(20:05) Is ‘Playoff Jimmy’ a myth?

(28:34) What’s next for the Warriors?

(36:46) Celtics vs. Knicks Game 6 preview

(42:15) Boston interviews Cooper Flagg at NBA Draft Combine

Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on the your favorite podcast app:

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📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network, yahoosports.tv and Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube

23 NBA Draft questions with Jonathan Givony + Cedric Coward joins May 15, 2025

Show notes

Kevin O'Connor is joined by the legendary NBA Draft guru Jonathan Givony on this edition of the KOC Show from the Chicago Combine. KOC pays tribute to Michael Jordan and hits Givony with exactly 23 NBA Draft Questions. Could Ace Bailey be a bust for the 76ers? Which player is the best shooter in this class? Who's more likely to trade up, the Wizards or Jazz? What should the Bulls do, period? And Cooper Flagg is the best college prospect since WHO??

Plus, Cedric Coward joins to break down his remarkable rise from DIII basketball to NBA draft prospect. Cedric explains what's special about his game, shares lessons learned from his Olympic gold-medalist grandfather, his NBA player comps (including Kawhi Leonard) and what drives his obsession with basketball.

(0:53) 23 questions with Jonathan Givony

(1:00) Questions 1-5

(8:38) Questions 6-10

(18:55) Questions 11-15

(25:03) Questions 16-20

(31:08) Questions 21-23

(35:19) Cedric Coward joins

(44:58) How would Cedric describe his game?

(59:58) Reaction to Luka traded to Lakers

(1:02:04) NBA Playoffs breakdown

(1:04:49) Best basketball memories

(1:08:01) 7 random questions with Cedric Coward

Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on the your favorite podcast app:

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📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network, yahoosports.tv and Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube

NBA Combine day 1: draft board shakeups, NIL impact + fallout from physical playoffs with Rafael Barlowe May 14, 2025

Show notes

Kevin O’Connor is joined by NBA draft expert Rafael Barlowe from Chicago to break down how the NBA playoffs’ rise in physical play is shifting their 2025 draft boards and prospect evaluations. They spotlight prospects like Cedric Coward and Jase Richardson and debate whether double-big lineups could become the NBA’s next big trend. The pair also break down how NIL has reshaped the draft pool, leaving it older and deeper with late withdrawals.

(0:35) OKC takes series lead vs. Denver

(2:46) Pacers advance to Eastern Conf Finals

(5:23) Rafael Barlowe joins

(5:32) Impact of playoffs on draft evaluations

(6:44) Evaluation of Cedric Coward

(8:26) Evaluation of Jase Richardson

(11:18) Evaluation of Colin Murray-Boyles

(16:04) Is Dallas certain to draft Cooper Flagg?

(18:55) What should Spurs do with #2?

(20:47) Evaluation of Thomas Sorber

(23:50) Evaluation of Maxime Raynaud

(25:50) Impact of NIL on NBA Draft

Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on the your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts

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📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network, yahoosports.tv and Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube

Draft Lotto winners and losers: Mavs! Poor Jazz and Wiz! Giannis trades! Plus, Tatum’s injury and Knicks go up 3-1 May 13, 2025

Show notes

One of the wildest days in NBA history is recapped in full on this edition of the KOC Show. First, the Dallas Mavericks pull off the dang-near-impossible, winning the NBA Draft Lottery with only 1.8% odds! Will Nico Harrison KEEP or TRADE that pick? Don't miss KOC's full Round 1 Mock Draft based on the outcome of a WILD lottery. Plus, Tom Haberstroh joins to discuss the heartbreaking Jayson Tatum injury, and the Knicks taking a commanding 3-1 lead.

(0:52) NBA Draft Lottery recap

(7:46) Does Flagg fit in Dallas?

(12:41) Should NBA change lottery again?

(16:38) Draft Lottery winners & losers

(34:29) Knicks vs. Celtics Game 4 recap

(49:36) Pacers vs. Cavaliers Game 4 recap

(54:04) Thunder vs. Nuggets Game 4 recap

(59:18) Wolves vs. Warriors series update

(1:02:12) KOC’s 2025 NBA Mock Draft

(1:02:33) Picks 1-5

(1:12:55) Picks 6-10

(1:21:26) Picks 11-20

(1:38:55) Picks 21-30

Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on the your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ YouTube

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network, yahoosports.tv and Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube

Blown leads, series adjustments & NBA Draft Lottery preview May 09, 2025

Show notes

KOC and Tom Haberstroh react to the Wolves evening their series with the Golden State Warriors at 1-1. Anthony Edwards suffered a bad-looking ankle injury, but miraculously returned for the 2nd half. But does it even matter, as Kevin thinks the Warriors are DONE after this one? PLUS - what team would be the absolute dream landing spot for Cooper Flagg on Monday night's NBA Draft Lottery? The guys preview the Lotto that is just a weekend away!

Up next, NBA Skills Coach Drew Hanlen is back on The KOC Show to talk about how his client Chet Holmgren bounced back to have a great Game 2. What did the Oklahoma City Thunder do different on both ends of the floor to completely neutralize Nikola Jokic? Hanlen also works with Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers, calling him "the best passer in the NBA." With the Pacers set to take on the Cavs in Game 3, KOC wants to know, why doesn't he shoot more??

And then, Noa Dalzell and Jack Simone join KOC to break down how the Boston Celtics have fallen into the completely unexpected 0-2 hole vs the underdog New York Knicks. How much of the blame should superstar Jayson Tatum get, and how much of it falls on HC Joe Mazzulla? Find out the answers to all those questions in this awesome KOC Show conversation!

(0:22) Tom Haberstroh joins the show

(0:33) Wolves beat Steph-less Warriors in Game 2

(18:41) NBA Draft Lottery preview

(35:33) Drew Hanlen joins the show

(36:06) Thunder dominate Nuggets in Game 2

(55:10) Pacers take 2-0 lead vs. Cavs

(1:11:57) Noa Dalzell & Jack Simone join the show

(1:12:32) Celtics blow ANOTHER 20-pt lead to Knicks

Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on the your favorite podcast app:

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