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

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 Spurs

Later, 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

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📢 Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuTQj

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

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 Tiers

As 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

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 Questions

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

Kevin O'Connor is joined by Dan Devine to talk through some preseason NBA narratives and news, including the incredible roster of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Bronny James' place on the Lakers.

(01:05) - Can the Pelicans play Herb Jones at center?

(10:00) - Is Bronny James ready for the NBA?

(15:15) - How long can the Knicks survive with KAT at center?

(25:30) - Are the Thunder the best team in the West?

(36:45) - Can James Harden carry the Clippers with Kawhi out?

(43:15) - How will DeMar DeRozan fit in with the Kings?

(48:30) - Embiid's knee getting evaluated

(54:40) - Early impressions of Zaccharie Risacher

(60:15) - What is the Bulls' identity?

On this episode of The Kevin O'Connor Show, Kevin is joined by Yahoo Sports senior NBA writer Dan Devine to bounce around the league as the NBA preseason continues.

The guys start in New Orleans, where the Pelicans are saying they will play Herb Jones at center in a small ball lineup. How far can that take them in the loaded Western Conference? Also, how long will Bronny James stay in the NBA before the Lakers have to send him to the G League?

The Knicks will be without Mitchell Robinson until 2025, leaving Karl Anthony-Towns as the team's only option at starting center. Will their offense be good enough to mitigate any issues with the defense?

The Oklahoma City Thunder have more tradeable draft picks than any team and seemingly no holes on their roster. Can anyone in the Western Conference keep them out of the #1 spot?

Kawhi Leonard is, once again, facing knee issues that are keeping him from practicing with the Los Angeles Clippers. Can James Harden recreate his Houston Rockets magic and carry them to the playoffs?

The guys talk about how DeMar DeRozan fits with the Sacramento Kings before diverting to the 76ers, who might need more from Tyrese Maxey if Joel Embiid's knee isn't ready for the season.

Before closing with a conversation about the Bulls being stuck in between good and bad, Kevin and Dan give their thoughts after seeing some preseason action from Hawks rookie #1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher.

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

On the very first episode of The Kevin O'Connor Show, Kevin is joined by Tom Haberstroh to answer some crazy NBA questions before the start of the season.

(01:15) - KAT's preseason debut with the Knicks

(08:55) - Did the Timberwolves get better after trading away KAT?

(16:20) - Does Klay Thompson make the Mavericks better?

(24:05) - Are the Celtics a dynasty?

(32:35) - Are the Heat a contender?

(37:50) - Has the window closed to the Warriors, Nuggets & Lakers?

(48:00) - How good will Memphis be this year?

(56:30) - Are the Suns ready to blow it up?

(01:03:20) - Ben Simmons redemption season?

(01:09:45) - Reed Sheppard for Rookie of the Year?

Kevin O'Connor launches The Kevin O'Connor Show with some help from Tom Haberstroh, and the guys kick things off by talking about the big trade that made Karl Anthony-Towns a Knick and sent Julius Randle to Minnesota.

KOC wonders if all of the moves the Dallas Mavericks made after winning the Western Conference is actually going to make them a better team before playing a game called "Is it crazy?"

Is it crazy to think the Celtics could be a dynasty? Is it crazy to think Jimmy Butler will demand a trade? Is it crazy to wonder if Bronny James will sink the Lakers season? Is it crazy to imagine the Suns trading away Durant and Booker?

Find out the answers to these questions and more on the premiere episode of The Kevin O'Connor Show!

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

Big news, hoop-heads. Kevin O'Connor is joining Yahoo Sports and his new podcast, The Kevin O'Connor Show, is premiering this October ahead of the 2024-2025 NBA season. Subscribe for in-depth discussions, interviews & special guests as KOC navigates the ins and outs of everything NBA (and maybe a little college hoops too).