The Big Number

The Big Number

By Yahoo SportsSportsBasketball
Download on the App Store

The Big Number episodes

  • Is NBA free agency DEAD? and Kawhi’s ’no show’ job

    Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine deep dive into this offseason’s free agency moves—or rather the lack thereof. What’s changed in the NBA that’s keeping All-Star level players with their current teams or moving via trade rather than making moves during free agency? The pair also assess the Clippers’ alleged cap circumvention involving Kawhi Leonard and a $28 million endorsement deal, unpacking what punishments the NBA may dole out if the claims are proven true.

    (2:27) The Big Number: All-Stars in free agency

    (15:54) Little Numbers: Orlando Magic pull-up 3s

    (21:03) Little Numbers: Atlanta Hawks 3-pointers

    (25:26) Little Numbers: Cam Johnson offensive EPM

    (28:49) Little Numbers: Clippers defense without Zubac

    (34:17) Kawhi Leonard earns $28M for ‘no show’ job

    Subscribe to the The Big Number on your favorite podcast app:

    🎧 Apple Podcasts

    🎧 Spotify

    🖥️ YouTube

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

    1 hr 1 min
  • Can De'Aaron Fox be the ideal running mate for Victor Wembanyama?

    This week, Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine dive into De’Aaron Fox getting big money with an extension from the San Antonio Spurs to play alongside Victor Wembanyama.

    Can Fox be the ideal running mate with Wemby and will it end with a playoff appearance? We break down all the reasons this could, or could not, be the perfect longterm marriage.

    Plus, Luka Doncic and Mikal Bridges get their extensions with the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks and George Niang’s homecoming gets rerouted to Utah.

    (1:33) The Big Number: 5 games with Fox + Wemby

    (15:45) Little Numbers: Fox shooting averages

    (20:01) Little Numbers: De’Aaron drives to the basket

    (23:08) Little Numbers: Fox 3PT shooting

    (27:24) Little Numbers: Spurs playoff drought

    (33:23) Luka signs extension with Lakers

    (37:22) Bridges re-signs with Knicks

    (41:21) Celtics trade Niang to Jazz

    Subscribe to the The Big Number on your favorite podcast app:

    🎧 Apple Podcasts

    🎧 Spotify

    🖥️ YouTube

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

    48 min
  • Luka Dončić 2.0: shredded, motivated… and finally an MVP?

    This week, Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine dive into Men’s Health Luka — the shock heard 'round the NBA. Is this the season Luka Doncic finally cashes in on all that MVP hype? We break down the jaw-dropping 1.4 expected MVPs stat, why his shredded transformation could change everything and whether the Lakers' roster chaos might hold him back. Plus: RFA contract predictions, why 40-point games don’t always equal big paydays, and the very real possibility that Cam Thomas is better than Tim Duncan (kidding).

    (1:20) - Is Luka 2.0 ready for an MVP run?

    (15:55) - Can Lakers win enough games for Luka to win MVP?

    (19:30) - Lakers' defensive concerns

    (23:30) - Can Lakers offense be good enough to support Luka MVP bid?

    (27:20) - Can Luka stay healthy enough to win MVP?

    Subscribe to the The Big Number on your favorite podcast app:

    🎧 Apple Podcasts

    🎧 Spotify

    🖥️ YouTube

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

    59 min
  • 2025-26 LA Clippers = the OLDEST team in NBA History

    Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine crunched the numbers after the CP3 news became official: the 2025-26 LA Clippers are now, officially, the oldest team in NBA history. With an average age of 33.2 years old (!), the Clippers have surpassed the previous record held by the Stockton-and-Malone Utah Jazz. Could this actually work out in LA's favor? Tom and Dan think the Clippers' depth and versatility could propel them to the top of the West if things break their way. Don't miss this episode of The Big Number, which deep dives on Brook Lopez, Bradley Beal, James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Chris Paul and the rest of the seasoned vets that have their eyes on the prize after an interesting offseason.


    (1:45) - Clippers have the oldest roster in history
    (16:05) - Little Numbers: Are Clippers built to succeed in 2025 despite their age?
    (33:40) - Marcus Smart joins the Lakers + our favorite offseason additions

    Subscribe to the The Big Number on your favorite podcast app:

    🎧 Apple Podcasts

    🎧 Spotify

    🖥️ YouTube

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

    51 min
  • Should 76ers move on from BOTH Embiid & Paul George? + reacting to Beal joining Clippers & BIZARRE Malik Beasley story

    On this episode of The Big Number, Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine react to Paul George's latest injury. Do the Philadelphia 76ers have serious reason for concern here, especially after the disaster that was PG13's debut season with the team? And the guys wonder if the team is better off trading both George AND Joel Embiid -- should Morey embrace the youth movement and move forward with the core of Maxey and Edgecombe? Would Philly fans riot if Embiid was moved?? 

    PLUS -- Tom broke the internet on Tuesday with his in-depth reporting on the Malik Beasley investigation. Don't miss his further sleuthing on that insane story involving "Moose NBA." 

    Lastly, before the buzzer Tom weighs in on the news that Bradley Beal was finally bought out by the Phoenix Suns and is now a member of the LA Clippers. What is their ceiling now with Beal? It's all ahead.

    (2:09) The Big Number: 15 Sixers big three games played together

    (19:15) Little Numbers: Jared McCain shooting

    (25:06) Little Numbers: Quentin Grimes impact

    (30:11) Little Numbers: VJ Edgecombe potential

    (35:16) Little Numbers: Joel Embiid plus-minus

    (40:50) Malik Beasley gambling allegations

    (57:26) Bradley Beal agrees to buyout with Suns

    Subscribe to the The Big Number on your favorite podcast app:

    🎧 Apple Podcasts

    🎧 Spotify

    🖥️ YouTube

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

    1 hr 6 min
  • Why the East vs. West talent imbalance may send LeBron James BACK to Cleveland

    It's no secret the NBA's Western Conference has been better than its Eastern Conference for some time now, but how big is that imbalance? Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine kick off this week's Big Number with a shocking stat: the East could win their next 1,318 consecutive games vs. Western Conference teams and STILL not be .500 vs. the their opponents in their head-to-head record since 2000.

    Tom argues that the East vs. West power imbalance is greater than ever and that it might send one LeBron James seeking a trade or some sort of move back to his hometown in Cleveland to put the final chapter on his Hall of Fame career. Tom even brings a crazy four-team trade to the table that would make it all work!

    Later in the show, Dan shares some little numbers around the Chicago Bulls without Lonzo Ball (which they should get used to now that he's on Cleveland), the Knicks starters' minutes per game vs. the Western Conference, the Orlando Magic's offensive rating against the West and the Atlanta Hawks defensive efficiency in the Trae Young era.

    Also, Mike Brown will be reportedly the next coach of the New York Knicks. The guys react to the news live & share a touching get well soon message for the one and only Red Panda.

    (1:30) - 1,318: West's head-to-head advantage over the East since 2000

    (5:40) - Why East vs. West talent disadvantage could send LeBron back to CLE

    (17:25) - Why Chicago will struggle more without Lonzo Ball

    (23:35) - Knicks roster minutes per game vs. West

    (29:10) - Breaking: Mike Brown to New York Knicks

    (35:40) - Orlando's offensive rating vs. West

    (39:30) - Atlanta's defensive efficiency in the Trae Young era

    (45:30) - Get well soon to Red Panda & Jaren Jackson Jr.

    (48:30) - Unpacking Milwaukee's move from Lillard to Turner

    🖥️ 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

    Subscribe to the The Big Number on your favorite podcast app:

    🎧 Apple Podcasts

    🎧 Spotify

    🖥️ YouTube

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

    1 hr 2 min
  • The 5 teams that could STUFF the Thunder chances of going back-to-back

    Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine unearth the data that proves the Oklahoma City Thunder dynasty could reign supreme for a long while, starting with going back-to-back next season. But contenders do exist — the 5 teams that could stifle OKC's plans, and why. Plus, Tom & Dan analyze Jrue Holiday's fit with the Portland Trail Blazers. All ahead on this episode of The Big Number.

    (1:10) - Thunder are favorites to win 2026 Finals

    (12:35) - How much does KD help Houston Rockets' Finals chances?

    (18:10) - Can Cleveland Cavaliers take advantage of chaotic East?

    (23:15) - Where's the Golden State Warriors' ceiling with Jimmy Butler?

    (29:25) - Should New York Knicks be a Finals sleeper even without a head coach?

    (33:10) - Are the LA Lakers Finals odds too low?

    (40:05) - Trail Blazers acquire Jrue Holiday

    Subscribe to the The Big Number on your favorite podcast app:

    🎧 Apple Podcasts

    🎧 Spotify

    🖥️ YouTube

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

    1 hr 2 min
  • 38.4 miles per game: why the 2025 NBA Finals are truly next-level

    Tom Haberstroh & Dan Devine break down the electric 2025 NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers by spotlighting the record-setting intensity measured by 38.4 miles run in each game this series. They dive into why this series marks a HUGE shift in playing styles, Pascal Siakam’s transformative two-way play for Indiana and Jalen Williams’ historic 40-point game at just 24 years old. Plus, the pair debates whether Desmond Bane is the missing piece Orlando needs to become true contenders in the Eastern Conference.

    (1:27) The Big Number: 38.4 miles per game

    (21:07) Little Numbers: Thunder open shots in NBA Finals

    (24:36) Little Numbers: OKC & IND 3-point shooting

    (29:29) Little Numbers: Siakam’s impressive averages

    (33:25) Little Numbers: points scored in transition

    (39:02) Grizzlies trade Desmond Bane to the Magic

    Subscribe to the The Big Number on your favorite podcast app:

    🎧 Apple Podcasts

    🎧 Spotify

    🖥️ YouTube

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

    55 min
  • How Indy keeps making doubters pay, including Jay-Z's failed $1M Thunder bet

    Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine are back with this week's big number: 1 million dollars. That's how much Jay-Z allegedly wagered and then lost, when he placed a milly on OKC to win the Finals in 5 games. Indy won Game 3, which rendered that bet moot -- and Indy added another victim to its pool of people that doubted them. Don't miss the guys break down the stats that prove Indy may very well be the better team, both offensively and defensively. Plus later in the show, Tom wonders if Kevin Durant could return to Oklahoma City — especially if the Thunder get packed up in 5 games!

    (1:10) The Big Number: $1,000,000 wager on OKC in 5

    (18:14) Little Numbers: Pacers record in first 25 games

    (23:50) Little Numbers: Indiana’s MPH

    (29:15) Little Numbers: Pacers passes per game

    (32:41) Little Numbers: Indiana’s defensive rating

    (37:14) Best landing spots for KD in trade

    Subscribe to the The Big Number on your favorite podcast app:

    🎧 Apple Podcasts

    🎧 Spotify

    🖥️ YouTube

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

    51 min
  • Proof: PACERS PATH to Procuring Prize & Parade🏆

    Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine are well aware that the Oklahoma City Thunder are LIKELY to win this year's NBA title. But what is Indiana's path to a championship, and just how viable is it? The Big Number has unearthed the key stats that prove how the Pacers could walk away with the Larry O, as improbable as it may seem. It would have to start with Tyrese Haliburton becoming ultra aggressive, which will be easier said than done against his #1 kryptonite: Lu Dort.

    (1:23) The Big Number: Haliburton scoring vs. OKC

    (11:59) Little Numbers: Pascal Siakam points produced in postseason

    (16:21) Little Numbers: Thunder corner 3’s

    (19:41) Little Numbers: What happened last time OKC lost a series?

    (23:50) Little Numbers: Thunder vs. zone defense

    (28:54) Knicks fire Tom Thibodeau

    (38:50) Suns hire Ott as head coach

    Subscribe to the The Big Number on your favorite podcast app:

    🎧 Apple Podcasts

    🎧 Spotify

    🖥️ YouTube

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

    46 min

About The Big Number

From the publisher's feed

Each week, Tom Haberstroh pours over the data and digs through the stats to come up with THE BIG NUMBER – the one metric that defines the NBA that week. Tune in as he and Dan Devine put Tom’s big…

More shows like The Big Number

The Bill Simmons Podcast by The Ringer

The Bill Simmons Podcast

30,203 Listeners

Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective by ESPN, Omaha Productions, Brian Windhorst

Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective

3,900 Listeners

Dunc'd On Basketball NBA Podcast by Nate Duncan

Dunc'd On Basketball NBA Podcast

2,873 Listeners

Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon by Yahoo Sports

Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon

815 Listeners

The Ringer NBA Show by The Ringer

The Ringer NBA Show

9,205 Listeners

Game Theory by Barstool Sports

Game Theory

826 Listeners

The Mismatch by The Ringer

The Mismatch

5,428 Listeners

The Athletic NBA Daily by The Athletic

The Athletic NBA Daily

2,130 Listeners

College Football Enquirer by Yahoo Sports

College Football Enquirer

1,214 Listeners

Yahoo Sports NFL by Yahoo Sports

Yahoo Sports NFL

1,181 Listeners

Yahoo Sports NBA by Yahoo Sports

Yahoo Sports NBA

330 Listeners

No Dunks by iHeartPodcasts

No Dunks

4,207 Listeners

Hollinger & Duncan NBA Show - NBA Basketball Podcast by John Hollinger and Nate Duncan

Hollinger & Duncan NBA Show - NBA Basketball Podcast

850 Listeners

The Dunker Spot by Yahoo Sports

The Dunker Spot

501 Listeners

Basketball Illuminati by Tom Haberstroh, Amin Elhassan & Anthony Mayes

Basketball Illuminati

1,457 Listeners

The Cooligans by Alexis Guerreros & Christian Polanco

The Cooligans

168 Listeners

Baseball Bar-B-Cast by Yahoo Sports

Baseball Bar-B-Cast

301 Listeners

The ALL NBA Podcast by ALLCITY Network

The ALL NBA Podcast

239 Listeners

Football 301 with Nate Tice by Yahoo Sports

Football 301 with Nate Tice

215 Listeners

Inside Coverage by Yahoo Sports

Inside Coverage

17 Listeners

College Basketball Power Hour by Yahoo Sports

College Basketball Power Hour

13 Listeners

The Ariel Helwani Show by Uncrowned & Yahoo Sports

The Ariel Helwani Show

217 Listeners

The Kevin O'Connor Show by Yahoo Sports

The Kevin O'Connor Show

454 Listeners

Good Word with Goodwill by Yahoo Sports

Good Word with Goodwill

72 Listeners

The Zach Lowe Show by The Ringer

The Zach Lowe Show

2,109 Listeners