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Under-appreciated players and teams with Trey Murphy | Kevin O'Connor Show Feb 18, 2025

Show notes

From role player to STUD, Trey Murphy's individual ascent this season surprised even himself. The Pelicans' superstar-in-the-making shares how he went from doubting himself to now KNOWING why he belongs. Trey kept it real on why his New Orleans Pelicans team started the year so poorly. Kevin asks Murphy to fill-in-the-blank: Zion Williamson is a top __ player in the NBA right now? That answer will surprise you. Plus with Trey being the most UNDER-APPRECIATED, unheralded star in the NBA, KOC asks Trey to pick a "starting 5" of the most underrated players in the NBA right now. You will never guess who's on his list. Trey also weighs in on what Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors said about the NBA becoming "boring." how the Oklahoma City Thunder are so hard to beat, his personal reaction to the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade, and much more.

(0:49) Draymond Green comments on NBA

(1:33) Why Trey Murphy loves ball

(2:26) Assessment of Orlando Magic

(5:16) Assessment of Detroit Pistons

(6:01) Murphy's development & improvements

(13:53) Under-appreciated NBA players

(20:41) Luka - AD trade reactions

(21:17) How can Murphy become an All-Star?

(23:27) Zion Williams impact on Pelicans

(25:49) Pelicans struggles this season

(30:48) Assessment of Oklahoma City Thunder

(34:20) Assessment of Denver Nuggets

(35:08) Toughest places to play in NBA

(40:34) Current state of the NBA

(45:41) Kobe's influence on Trey Murphy

(48:27) Call of Duty & gaming

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Worst All-Star Weekend EVER!? NBA, TNT, LeBron & Kevin Hart TORCHED by KOC! Feb 18, 2025

Show notes

Kevin O'Connor spared no one from a total evisceration of the NBA All-Star Weekend, especially the new Sunday night game format. Why did TNT make the night more about themselves than the players? How did Commissioner Adam Silver allow an All-Star Weekend in San Francisco without Steph Curry in the 3-point contest? How is Kevin supposed to be excited about a "G-Leaguer" that "only uses props" in the Slam Dunk contest? KOC loves LeBron but says he's to blame as well for pulling out of the All-Star Game last-minute! EVERYTHING All-Star is a mess according to Kevin and Dan Titus. The guys also break down the several weird sound bytes from Draymond Green, including he and Jimmy Butler both being "alpha" personalities, Dray's prediction that the Warriors will win the title THIS season, and Green allegedly "turning down" the Warriors' Head Coaching position in the future once Steve Kerr retires.

0:22 - Team Shaq Wins 41-25! MVP: Steph Curry (2nd ASG MVP)

2:16 - Was Wemby Impressive? Injected energy into Team Chuck

3:40 - New Format vs. East vs. West – Which one’s better?

5:35 - Charles Barkley vs. Draymond – Did Dray’s generation ruin the NBA?

6:52 - How To Fix All-Star Weekend – KOC & Dan’s ideas

9:41 - Giannis' Big Idea – Team USA vs. World + Global ASG Cities

12:20 - Mac McClung 3-Peats in the Dunk Contest

17:49 - Draymond on Butler & GSW’s Title Chances

19:08 - Did Draymond Turn Down Future GSW HC Job? Serious or trolling?

21:08 - Fantasy Basketball Breakout Players w/ Dan Titus

26:36 - More Fantasy Pickups – Who’s worth adding?

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NBA POWER RANKINGS! Where all 30 teams stand at the All-Star Break | Kevin O’Connor Show Feb 13, 2025

Show notes

All 30 NBA teams are ranked by tier in this episode of the Kevin O'Connor Show. Heading into All-Star Weekend, which FOUR teams are "The Favorites" according to Kevin (and who's #1)? Which 3 teams does KOC view as "Contender...ish?" Next up, there's the "RESPECT YOUR ELDERS" category, the "SOMETHING IS MISSING" bucket, and then the dreaded "GRIPPING THE ELECTRICAL CORD" tier. Rounding out the rest of the league: the "League Pass Darlings" and unfortunately, the bottom tier: "POOP FOR COOPER" Flagg. All 30 teams fit into one of those categories, and KOC ranks them ALL here.
Plus Tom Haberstroh stops by for an unexpectedly HEATED debate about "Old Man Chris Paul!" Why KOC thinks the San Antonio Spurs are tanking in broad daylight, why the Philadelphia 76ers' Paul George looks like "Khris Middleton but with $100 Million owed to him" and how Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic are playing some of the best 2-man basketball the NBA has EVER SEEN.

(00:35) - Poop for Cooper tier
(9:00) - League Pass darlings tier
(15:05) - Gripping the electrical cord tier
(18:30) - Something's missing tier
(23:35) - Respect your elders tier
(26:20) - Contender-ish tier
(30:55) - The favorites tier
(38:20) - Buy Denver as a legit contender?
(49:55) - Donovan Clingan sleeper for ROTY?
(52:20) - Are the Spurs quiet tanking?
(57:20) - Concern for Los Angeles Lakers in loss to Utah?
(1:04:30) - Bol Bol surging
(1:06:50) - Any hope left for the 76ers?

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Could Wemby beat Steph AND LeBron for All-Star MVP? and who will ‘capture the Flagg?’ | The Big Number Feb 13, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of The Big Number Tom Haberstroh & Dan Devine preview the 2025 NBA All-Star weekend and make the case for several All-Star MVP candidates. Could it be hometown host & hero Steph Curry? Or will Damian Lillard win a second-straight MVP? There’s also a strong case for LeBron James who’s playing with a new pep in his step now that Luka Doncic has joined the Lakers. Plus, what if Victor Wembanyama takes revenge on Steph Curry after losing to Team USA in the Olympics to steal the MVP award from him on his home turf?

Tom & Dan update the scoreboard on their over/unders competition and take a look at the hottest draft prospect in the country, Cooper Flagg. The pair discuss which teams are currently in position to land Flagg and just how scary certain franchises could become if they manage to ‘capture the Flagg.’

(1:24) The Big Number: 15

(4:29) Steph Curry for All-Star MVP?

(10:49) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for MVP?

(13:00) Damian Lillard for MVP?

(17:45) Anthony Edwards for MVP?

(21:27) LeBron James for MVP?

(24:50) Victor Wembanyama for MVP?

(29:05) Over/unders update

(30:58) Who will land Cooper Flagg?

Subscribe to The Big Number on your favorite podcast app:

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🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/49En2Fc

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

Does Joel Embiid have a future with the Sixers? + Mavericks can't catch a break and Kevin Durant claps back | Good Word with Goodwill Feb 13, 2025

Show notes

Vincent Goodwill and Dan Titus discuss if Joel Embiid has a future with the Philadelphia 76ers following news he may need another knee surgery.

Vince and Dan then give their thoughts on NBA All-Star weekend and if it can be saved.

Later, Vince and Ice Young react to Kevin Durant clapping back at Ramona Shelburne and the latest news with Unrivaled.

(1:39) - Joel Embiid Surgery

(10:52) - Dallas Mavericks

(14:31) - All-Star Weekend

(21:21) - KD Claps back

(33:31) - Breanna Stewart scoreless

🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTube

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

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Luka's Laker DEBUT, & how the Wolves almost gave us "DUR-ANT" (and still could!) | Kevin O'Connor Show Feb 11, 2025

Show notes

What a debut! The Los Angeles Lakers dismantled the Utah Jazz on Monday night, and the chemistry between Luka Doncic and LeBron James was palpable and on full display. KOC and Daman Rangoola couldn't believe their eyes, it's really real! Daman takes KOC inside the minds of Lakers fans, who actually — for real — feel badly for Dallas Mavericks fans. And with Anthony Davis' injury situation already looking dire, KOC and Daman wonder if the Mavericks "win-now" strategy is about to free-fall.

Jon Krawczynski stops by the KOC Show to talk all things Minnesota Timberwolves. How close was Minnesota to ACTUALLY landing Kevin Durant on Deadline Day? Jon offers insight on what exactly went down as the Wolves tried to create the "DUR-ANT" pairing (and how they still could this coming offseason). KOC and Jon also react to the Wolves' embarrassing loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, who welcomed newcomer De'Andre Hunter into their lineup. And, Jon has the latest on the Timberwolves' majority ownership situation.

(00:50) - Reacting to Luka Doncic’s Laker debut

(11:20) - Mark Williams trade debacle

(14:30) - AD’s injury & the Mavericks

(24:50) - Early impressions of new-look Spurs

(29:50) - Thoughts on Jimmy Butler’s fit with Golden State

(35:10) - Cavs beat Wolves 128-107

(42:10) - Wolves inch towards A-Rod majority ownership

(48:50) - Is Wolves’ interest in Kevin Durant genuine?

(54:05) - Just Riffin’

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Kevin Durant's fractured relationship with Suns, Jimmy Butler gets his money & Luka calling shots in L.A | Good Word with Goodwill Feb 07, 2025

Show notes

Vincent Goodwill and Amin Elhassan break down why Kevin Durant significantly impacted Jimmy Butler being traded to the Golden State Warriors and how the relationship with Durant and the Phoenix Suns is now fractured.

Vince and Amin then discuss how the Los Angeles Lakers trading for Mark Williams is a sign they’ve handed the keys to the organization to Luka Doncic.

Later, Vince and Amin pick their winners and losers from some of the notable trades that took place before the NBA deadline.

(01:18) Kevin Durant's impact on Jimmy Butler trade

(07:10) Kevin Durant's free agency

(19:46) Jimmy Butler get his money from Warriors

(31:27) Luka Doncic already influencing decisions for Lakers

(50:03) Winners and losers from NBA trade deadline moves

🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTube

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!

Trade Deadline BONANZA: Warriors, Lakers now CONTENDERS? Plus how Suns, Giannis, & Trae were ALL left empty-handed | The Kevin O'Connor Show Feb 07, 2025

Show notes

Never in the long, storied history of The Kevin O'Connor Show has KOC managed to hit ALL 30 NBA teams in one BONANZA of a podcast... until now! Headlined by the Golden State Warriors landing Jimmy Butler (and whether that move makes them a contender), what an incredible 2025 NBA Trade Deadline. The biggest LOSER on Deadline Day was the Phoenix Suns -- whose future now looks beyond bleak as they deal with the aftermath of failed Kevin Durant trade talks (and now: a toxic locker-room). But the Milwaukee Bucks aren't too far behind!

KOC and Tom explain how the Kyle Kuzma deal spells doom for Milwaukee in the form of Giannis Antetokounmpo potentially asking for a trade as soon as this summer! And, why the Cleveland Cavaliers went from rich-to-richer in acquiring De'Andre Hunter from the Atlanta Hawks. Kevin explains why the Hawks' Deadline activity showed him that Trae Young's future in ATL is now in serious doubt.

Plus: Tom and Kevin don't exactly see eye-to-eye on the MARK WILLIAMS fit with the Los Angeles Lakers. And what on earth were the Toronto Raptors doing acquiring Brandon Ingram? Why the Sacramento Kings acquisition of Jonas Valanciunas could be a jumbo-sized win, and so much more. This episode has it all, just hit play. Sit back and relax as if you were the Nuggets, Wolves, Blazers and Magic on Trade Deadline Day.

(1:16) Lakers trade for Mark Williams

(13:41) Warriors trade for Jimmy Butler

(30:57) Suns move Jusuf Nurkic to Hornets

(39:23) Grizzlies send Marcus Smart to Wizards

(42:36) Jonas Valanciunas to the Kings

(45:02) Hawks trade Bogdanovic to Clippers

(50:07) Cavs land De’Andre Hunter

(55:23) Trae Young’s future ‘murky’

(1:04:48) Amen Thompson untouchable at deadline

(1:06:35) Bucks & Wizards trade Khris Middleton for Kyle Kuzma

(1:16:49) Raptors acquire Brandon Ingram

(1:23:26) Chet Holmgren returns for Thunder

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

🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3DdhtRO

🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4gDqoKY

📢 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!

Rockets superstar Amen Thompson is UNTOUCHABLE at NBA trade deadline | The Big Number Feb 06, 2025

Show notes

This week on The Big Number, Tom Haberstroh & Dan Devine are all-in on Amen Thompson of the Houston Rockets. Despite being only 22 years-old, Thompson's stock is rising at a seemingly improbable pace. With numbers that put him at the All-Star level even now, does Amen Thompson have the potential to become an MVP-caliber player such as Jimmy Butler or Kawhi Leonard? And, if so, would the Houston Rockets DARE to trade him away at the deadline?
Dan brings in his four Little Numbers to showcase the similarities between Amen Thompson and NBA icons such as Alex Caruso, Paul George, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and more.
The duo also talk a few trades as the NBA trade deadline approaches on Thursday evening, including the Milwaukee Bucks trading Khris Middleton to the Washington Wizards for Kyle Kuzma. WHY would the Bucks trade for Kuzma when his recent play has been dismal at best? Or is this the trade before the real trade for Milwaukee?
(1:37) The Big Number: 21
(9:07) Is Amen Thompson un-tradable?
(13:49) The Little Numbers: 2.5 & 3
(17:49) The Little Numbers: 80
(21:41) The Little Numbers: 0.764
(26:56) The Little Numbers: 0
(30:45) Over/unders update
(32:15) Bucks trade Middleton to Wizards for Kuzma
(39:34) Thunder acquire Theis from Pelicans

Subscribe to The Big Number on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3VIUwwp

🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/49En2Fc

📢 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!

How Luka & LeBron will co-exist in new-look Lakers offense and why KD is the next big domino to fall | The Kevin O'Connor Show Feb 04, 2025

Show notes

Never in NBA history has an offense been spearheaded by TWO jumbo playmakers -- until now. Luka Doncic and LeBron James could unlock creative, brilliant offensive options for Head Coach JJ Redick, according to Laker Film Room's own Pete Zayas. KOC and Pete break down the potential upside for the Lakers, the downside (hint: DEFENSE) and why prioritizing another trade for a BIG MAN is utterly imperative if the Lakers want to compete for a title this year.

Don't look now, but Kevin Durant could be on the move. KOC is also joined by Bleacher Report's Mo Dakhil discuss the potential destinations they see as a fit for KD, along with what they're both hearing from their sources ahead of the deadline. And the big winner (so far) of this year's Trade Deadline? NOT the Los Angeles Lakers -- but the San Antonio Spurs (!) according to Kevin O'Connor. Why the De'Aaron Fox trade will have Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs contending as soon as this year, because Kevin thinks San Antonio isn't done wheeling just yet. Plus, the latest on Cam Johnson, the New York Knicks, Bradley Beal, DeMar DeRozan, the Orlando Magic and so much more.

(0:25) Pete Zayas joins KOC

(0:53) Luka + LeBron fit

(9:45) Lakers need a center

(18:03) What if Luka + LeBron don’t mesh?

(18:57) AD’s fit with Mavericks

(25:49) Mo Dakhil joins KOC

(25:57) Spurs acquire De’Aaron Fox

(32:22) Will Spurs make another move?

(38:40) Spurs need a 4 or 5 with Wemby?

(43:07) Did Bulls get a bad deal for LaVine?

(47:28) LaVine fit with the Kings

(49:34) Should Kings trade DeRozan?