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Hornets hot drop with JoeWo + Giannis is back, McCain resurgence, Cam Johnson in the gulag, Diawara reality check + Draft Class with Ben Pfeifer | The Kevin O'Connor Show Mar 02, 2026

Show notes

It’s a jam-packed Kevin O’Connor Show! KOC is joined by COD streamer JoeWo and Ben Pfeifer from Swish Theory to chat about all things NBA.
First, KOC offers five observations from the NBA weekend before talking with JoeWo about the Charlotte Hornets’ roaring success. Then, Ben Pfeifer joins to discuss Aday Mara, Jayden Quaintance and other overlooked NBA Draft prospects.
(0:30) 5 takeaways from the NBA weekend
(14:58) Giannis to return to Bucks lineup tonight
(18:09) JoeWo talks Hornets
(45:21) JoeWo talks Call of Duty
(59:00) Draft Class with Ben Pfeifer

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Detroit Pistons deep dive, polarizing Paolo Banchero + Unrivaled awards Feb 27, 2026

Show notes

We have a fun episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way!
Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones are joined by Ku Khahil (LockedOnPistons) to discuss the league-best Detroit Pistons. The discussion ranges from the growth of Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren, Ausar Thompson's shifting (and sometimes confusing) role offensively, JB Bickerstaff's impact, the Pistons' title chances and more.
From there, the guys have a conversation about Paolo Banchero -- and the conversation around Paolo Banchero. They discuss his strengths, his weaknesses, how Orlando's context impacts him, and if it's fair to question his place as a no-doubt-about-it building block.
Finally, Nekias reveals the rest of his Unrivaled award ballot (DPOY, Coach of the Year, All-Unrivaled Teams) to Steve as the two discuss a talented field of candidates.
If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com.
1:53 Preseason expectations for the Pistons
6:52 Impressions of JB Bickerstaff's tenure
11:58 Growth of Cade Cunningham
33:02 Ausar Thompson's role and usage
43:42 Rapid fire questions (Cade MVP, DET vs the West, best lineup, Duren's ranking among East bigs)
47:58 Paolo Banchero conversation
01:06:23 Unrivaled awards

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West contender power rankings, hot Spurs & wasted Warriors with Tom Haberstroh + the state of Luka Doncic & how fandom changes with Jason Gallagher | The Kevin O'Connor Show Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

On a packed episode of The Kevin O’Connor Show, Kevin O’Connor is joined by Tom Haberstroh to break down the latest NBA headlines, including James Harden’s broken thumb and Lauri Markkanen’s injuries.

KOC and Tom go back and forth on their Western Conference power rankings.

From there, KOC is joined by Jason Gallagher to tackle questions about what’s going on with Luka Dončić and why fandom has changed so much.

All that and more on this episode of The Kevin O’Connor Show.

Harden Injury (1:06)
Markkanen Injury (4:00)
Zion's Shooting Fear (26:30)
Western Conference Power Rankings (33:40)
Jason Gallagher on Luka Dončić (1:04:20)

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MVP paradox: teams win big without their stars + Luka & LeBron’s clutch time collapse Feb 25, 2026

Show notes

On today's episode of The Big Number, Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine take a deep look into the MVP favorites. Are SGA and Jaylen Brown hurt by having a great team that performs just as well with them on the floor as they do off?
From there Tom and Dan react to Luka Dončić's interesting choice to pass up a good look at a game-winning shot, potentially costing the Lakers the game vs. the Magic. All that and more on this week's Big Number!
(1:50) The Big Number: OKC without SGA
(18:48) Cade Cunningham points created
(24:57) Jaylen Brown on/off
(32:43) Can Spurs finish #1 in West?
(41:59) Luka & LeBron botch final possession in Lakers loss

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Calvin Booth opens up with KOC about building a championship team & how it all fell apart | The Kevin O'Connor Show Feb 25, 2026

Show notes

Kevin O’Connor sits down with former Denver Nuggets GM Calvin Booth for an unfiltered look inside team building, executive strategy and the realities of finding success in the NBA. How did he manage the team during their championship run?

Booth also shares candid reflections on his relationship with former head coach Michael Malone, insights on sustaining a championship window and his philosophy behind drafting players and developing talent.

(1:11) Keys to building a championship team

(10:06) Bruce Brown’s development

(11:30) Jokic’s growth in Denver

(16:30) Nuggets post-championship

(31:33) Friction between Booth & Malone

(40:43) What would Booth do differently looking back?

(49:42) Is Denver on the path to a dynasty?

(52:18) College basketball landscape & impact on Draft

(1:03:53) Overrated traits & underrated players

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Western Conference check-in + who's the Unrivaled MVP? Feb 24, 2026

Show notes

We have a fun episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way!
Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones discuss bounce around the Western Conference for a how-good-should-we-feel check-in. The Thunder and Spurs (winners of nine straight!) have separated themselves from the pack; how poised are the Rockets, Nuggets, Lakers, or Timberwolves to make a run? Do they have a fatal flaw in their profile?
From there, the guys recap the recent happenings in Unrivaled -- from Angel Reese's return, the Phantom and Laces' battle for the top seed, and potential dark-horses in this year's postseason. Finally, Nekias talks through his top candidates for MVP with Steve, with official ballots due this week.
If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com.
1:50 How to decipher post-All-Star break play
10:42 Houston Rockets
24:55 Denver Nuggets
37:16 Los Angeles Lakers
54:26 Minnesota Timberwolves
01:02:53 Salute to the Spurs
01:09:45 Unrivaled thoughts

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Contender power rankings, Cade’s MVP case, Celtics/Lakers lessons, Team USA & Boozer vs. Dybantsa with John Fanta | The Kevin O'Connor Show Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

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

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

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

That and more, today!

Eastern Conference Contenders (1:39)
USA Hockey and John's NBC Career (43:16)
Draft Class (1:10:20)

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Cade Cunningham for MVP? Dunker mailbag + Unrivaled preview | The Dunker Spot Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

We have a fun episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way!
Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones discuss Cade Cunningham's awesome performance against the Knicks (42 points, 8 rebounds, 13 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks), as well as his status in the league. Is he gunning for MVP? Is he the best player in the league right now?
From there, the guys open up the Dunker Spot mailbag. They talk through anti-tanking proposals sent in by the Dunkers, explore the Dallas Wings' ability to compete immediately with Paige Bueckers, share their favorite-looking jumpers in the NBA and much more!
Finally, the guys preview the upcoming slate of Unrivaled games -- Angel Reese is back, y'all! -- with the playoffs rapidly approaching.
If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com.
2:27 Cade Cunningham is awesome
11:21 Anti-tanking rules are coming (plus proposals from the mailbag)
26:33 Appreciating Alanna Smith's defense
29:51 Deni Avdija's right-hand drives
33:25 Can Paige Bueckers and the Wings contend for a title next season?
37:05 Kawhi Leonard or Chelsea Gray shot-making?
39:17 Most aesthetically pleasing jump shots in the NBA
41:46 Why players are more willing to compete in the 3PT contest vs Dunk contest
44:36 Factors impacting the "Face of the League" selection
47:54 Ayo Dosunmu's 6th Man of the Year chances
50:22 What should Kings fans look forward to for the rest of the season?
53:12 The schematic balancing act of implementing new players + Nekias' basketball background
58:37 Who's the most rudderless team in the NBA?
01:00:10 Unrivaled preview

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

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Key second half storylines with Tom Haberstroh! Plus, faith in Luka, irrelevant Warriors and Prince’s invitation with Claire De Lune, Sam Esfandiari & Daman Rangoola | The Kevin O'Connor Show Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

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

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

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

(1:11) Contenders with the most to prove

(13:38) Young players to watch

(20:26) NBA coaches on the hot seat

(33:46) Kings decimated by injuries

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

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

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

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

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

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Player development deep-dive, Embiid’s resurgence, CP3's legacy & more with Drew Hanlen | The Kevin O'Connor Show Feb 18, 2026

Show notes

NBA skills coach Drew Hanlen joins Kevin O’Connor to break down the season’s hottest topics, from star player development to the reality of tanking in the league. Drew shares inside stories about working with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jayson Tatum and others and explains why self-belief can be both a gift and a curse for rising talent.

(0:48) When will Tatum return for Celtics?
(12:13) Player development & Deni Avdija
(21:43) Can Hornets maintain their winning ways?
(26:25) How can NBA stop tanking?
(31:09) Joel Embiid's recovery and development
(43:02) How teams use data & analytics to improve
(49:03) Chris Paul retires from NBA
(56:43) How will defensive coaching evolve?
(01:00:11) Future of the All-Star game

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

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