The Kevin O'Connor Show

Kevin O’Connor welcomes special guest Chris Vernon to go all-in on their “semi-bold” NBA predictions for the upcoming season. They debate who will bottom out harder in the West—Warriors, Kings, or Clippers—and whether the Celtics should be a lock for the East’s top spot.

Verno breaks down Denver’s sneaky-good additions and the Lakers’ real chances in a loaded Western Conference. The pair also predict All-Star picks, breakout rookies, why this season could be the best yet with the NBA's revamped anti-tanking rules, and more.

(1:12) Verno's Warriors prediction
(6:19) KOC's Kings prediction
(8:01) Verno's Nuggets prediction
(12:51) KOC's Celtics prediction
(19:13) Verno's Lakers prediction
(24:11) KOC's Coby White prediction
(26:51) 2025-26 semi-bold predictions recap
(29:08) Verno's prediction for second-tier stars
(39:54) KOC's Mavericks prediction
(41:26) What to expect from the West
(50:00) Who will be the first coach fired?
(56:55) Verno's league-wide prediction
(1:03:50) KOC's prediction for SGA & Ant

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

Kevin O'Connor dives into early NBA preseason insights including Tyrese Haliburton’s much-anticipated return, Minnesota’s evolving offense with LaMelo Ball and what Zion Williamson’s new 3-point shot could mean for the Pelicans. KOC also explores the Knicks’ bumpy start after their Finals win, the Sixers’ intriguing rotation options (now without Ariel Hukporti), why OKC’s roster shakeup makes them a dark horse for the championship and more. 

(0:57) Tyrese Haliburton returns

(2:08) LaMelo's impact on Minnesota

(3:32) What's going on with the Knicks?

(5:05) 76ers standouts vs. New York

(7:50) Zion Williamson shooting 3s

(9:42) Standout rookie performances

(14:46) KOC Show mailbag 

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

Kevin O'Connor is joined by Ku Khahil to preview the Detroit Pistons now that Jalen Duren's contract extension is finally official. What can Pistons fans expect from Duren this season and how will Detroit's other offseason additions impact their lineups and team chemistry? Later the pair also reacts to Karl-Anthony Towns' commentary that his deal with the New York Knicks is nowhere close to being done.

Kevin is then joined by Dan Titus to preview the 2026-27 Fantasy Basketball season. Dan shares several sleepers and potential breakout stars you'll want to have on your roster. Speaking of Fantasy, KOC welcomes Justin Boone to the show to celebrate his Patriots beating Justin's Bills in Week 4 of the NFL season.

(0:38) Ku Khahil talks Detroit Pistons
(28:38) KAT & Knicks 'not close' to extension
(34:59) Fantasy Basketball advice with Dan Titus
(1:04:50) Patriots vs. Bills recap with Justin Boone

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

Kevin O’Connor and Tom Haberstroh dive into the hottest moments from NBA media day, from on-court chemistry questions, to rookie standouts to watch and surprising trends for the postseason. They react to Cooper Flagg's growth spurt, compare 3-guard lineups in OKC and San Antonio and share the latest on the Jalen Duren contract drama in Detroit.

The duo also unpacks how Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball’s new pairing could unlock the Timberwolves’ offense and whether GTA 6 release week will really impact NBA player performance in November.

(2:18) De'Aaron Fox talks Spurs lineups
(7:12) Ant Edwards + LaMelo Ball
(10:04) Evan Mobley's new 'go-to' moves
(13:35) Derrick White's shooting improvements
(16:06) Steven Adams GTA
(21:49) Jokic signing with Nuggets next year
(23:50) Cooper Flagg's height
(34:55) Who is the alpha in Philly?
(37:12) Kings media member caught on hot mic
(41:43) Jalen Duren contract drama update
(58:24) Non-top 10 rookies to watch this season

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

Kevin O'Connor & Jonathan Macri break down the Knicks’ championship outlook, Detroit’s Jalen Duren contract standoff and the shifting power in the Eastern Conference. They highlight the Knicks' standing after Mitchell Robinson’s move to Boston, how Andre Drummond could fill in and whether Karl-Anthony Towns’ contract extension is a big deal or just business as usual.

Later, they break down which teams are the biggest threats to New York, including the Pacers, Sixers and Raptors.

(0:55) Jalen Duren drama continues
(11:12) Karl-Anthony Towns contract stalemate
(16:42) How will the Knicks replace Robinson?
(21:48) Brunson & Knicks appearance on SNL
(31:34) Biggest threats to the Knicks in the Eastern Conference?

 

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

Kevin O'Connor reveals his Preseason Power Rankings for the 2026-27 NBA season, with every move, surprise and question mark across the league dissected. From the fall of Giannis’ Bucks to the upside of the young Utah Jazz, KOC shares insights into rebuilding teams, superstar trades and headline-making contract drama.

Later, Tom Haberstroh joins to challenge Kevin's rankings, digging into team chemistry, roster depth and which front offices nailed or fumbled the offseason. The episode also dives into the Jalen Duren contract saga and what it means for the Detroit Pistons’ future.

(1:26) Power Rankings teams 30-21
(15:05) Power Rankings teams 20-11
(28:50) Power Rankings teams 10-1
(43:12) Rankings Tom disagrees with
(1:15:40) Jalen Duren contract drama

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

Kevin O’Connor welcomes YouTuber and independent sports journalist Joon Lee for a wide-ranging conversation on analytics and their impact on modern sports. Joon shares insights on why teams like the Thunder and Dodgers are ahead of the curve, and why Boston Celtics fans might be frustrated by the team's data-driven strategies.

The duo also covers how to quantify clutch performance, their fantasy football philosophies, and the Patriots win against the Steelers on Sunday.

(0:44) Takeover of analytics in sports
(17:01) Boston Celtics shooting strategy
(21:32) Potential NBA rule changes
(27:34) MLB talk
(37:17) Patriots beat Steelers + Fantasy Football update

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

Kevin O'Connor & Tom Haberstroh draft the teams they believe will make the NBA Playoffs in 2026-27 from the pool of teams that missed last season. Are the Indiana Pacers a safe bet to make it with the return of Tyrese Haliburton?

What can Will Hardy do with a Utah Jazz team that finally isn't tanking? And can the Washington Wizards & New Orleans Pelicans stay healthy enough to overcome their long odds?

(0:47) Bad team playoff draft
(1:40) KOC - #1
(8:39) Tom - #2
(15:46) Tom - #3
(23:32) KOC - #4
(32:18) KOC - #5
(39:55) Tom - #6

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

Kevin O'Connor & Marcus Thompson react to Steve Ballmer's apology after the NBA's investigation found the Clippers guilty of cap circumvention. They also unpack the Clippers-Raptors Kawhi Leonard trade saga and what behind-the-scenes negotiations may be holding the deal up.

The duo continues KOC's 'Entertainment Ranking' with the new-look Timberwolves—featuring LaMelo Ball, Jonathan Kuminga and Anthony Edwards—might be the NBA’s most combustible and entertaining teams this season. Plus, they recap the Philadelphia 76ers’ blockbuster offseason moves and explain why this coming season is a 'social experiment' for the league’s newest superteam.

Later, Warren Sharp joins KOC to recap an exciting first week of the NFL season.

(1:15) Steve Ballmer issues apology 

(3:35) NBA Entertainment Rankings: Minnesota Timberwolves

(14:22) NBA Entertainment Rankings: Philadelphia 76ers

(37:54) NFL 6 Points! Week 1

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

For today's Kevin O'Connor Show, KOC is joined by Raj Chipalu from Lakers Screen & Roll to continue the NBA Entertainment rankings with Luka Doncic's Lakers. Who's the fifth starter for Los Angeles? Can Luka win MVP with this roster?

Then, KOC reviews the young Spurs, fresh off a Finals appearance. What will they do with Dylan Harper?

Plus, EV + tech guru Sawyer Merritt joins to talk about Tesla's new Cybercab.

01:01 Entertainment Rankings No. 4 with Raj Chipalu: Los Angeles Lakers
28:26 Entertainment Rankings No. 3: San Antonio Spurs
37:42 Inside Telsa Cybercab with Sawyer Merrit

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