Verno and KOC dive into the recent success of the Hawks and Timberwolves, who both replaced their head coaches midseason, and how a coach can unlock players’ talents and effort (6:52). Then they wonder whether the Pelicans will ever figure it out with Steven Adams and Eric Bledsoe, who simply aren’t setting the example needed from veterans (24:23), and whether Sacramento will let go of any of its players at the trade deadline (45:56). And at last they take a look at the first iteration of KOC’s 2021 NBA Draft Guide as the first round of March Madness commences (51:54).

Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and KOC go all the way around the league this Tuesday starting in sunny Miami where Jimmy Butler could be playing himself into the MVP conversation (0:30), and moving on to the team that’s taking the league by swarm, the Charlotte Hornets (6:00), and Atlanta’s comeback in the thus-far-successful Nate McMillan era (10:50). Then they quick-hit the Knicks (19:34), Lakers (32:00), and Blazers (39:42) before diving deep into the success of the Chris Paul–led Phoenix Suns (43:37).

Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and KOC first get into a little beef this Friday because Kevin said he would take LaMelo Ball over Ja Morant on 'Ringer NBA University' (0:45). Then they get into all the games that have happened since the second half of the season commenced, including the 76ers’ bench win over the Bulls (21:07), the Pelicans' icky loss to the Timberwolves (24:06), Aleksej Pokusevski’s first NBA start for the Thunder against the Mavericks (36:05), Tony Snell’s death knell to beat the Raptors (47:34), Kyrie’s incredible game against the Celtics (49:32), and the Bucks looking better than ever against the Knicks (54:05). Finally, they discuss whether they’d rather have newly available LaMarcus Aldridge or PJ Tucker on a winning team (57:05) and Caris LeVert’s return to the court after a surgery to remove a mass on his kidney (67:10).

Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and KOC discuss their reactions to the All-Star Game (0:25) and what, if anything, Blake Griffin has left in the tank to pursue a championship with the Brooklyn Nets (9:20). Then they dive deep into several aspects of KOC’s NBA midseason power rankings (20:20), including whether Jamal Murray is on a hot streak or making the leap (22:35), Bam Adebayo having the best season of his career (26:45), Kyle Lowry’s future with the Raptors (30:25), what team Victor Oladipo could end up on (35:00), interest from multiple teams in the G League’s Alize Johnson (45:05), and much more. 

Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and KOC start off the podcast with the shady-as-all-hell All-Star draft in which the two Jazz stars were chosen last (0:30) before getting into what Jrue Holiday adds to the Bucks' postseason potential (10:00) and wondering what's up with all these young players getting ejected for complaining about the refereeing (23:30). Then they talk about the best surprises and worst disappointments of the first half of the season (28:50) and where Blake Griffin might be headed after getting bought out by the Pistons (46:25). Finally, they open up the mailbag and answer some listener questions (48:40).

Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O'Connor

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and KOC get into all the factors that led to the Atlanta Hawks firing head coach Lloyd Pierce midseason and what this Hawks team’s ceiling can be moving forward (0:30). After the Pelicans' exhilarating win over the Jazz, they look into the roster and leadership decisions that still need to be made in order to maximize the Pelicans’ potential (14:00). Then they discuss Brooklyn slicing and dicing its way through the league over the past couple of weeks and the even higher levels of play the Nets can reach once Kevin Durant returns (28:30), what Julius Randle and RJ Barrett are doing for the Knicks (39:00), Malik Monk and LaMelo Ball’s production on the Hornets (51:00), and the steep decline of the Sacramento Kings (58:00).

Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and KOC are back this Friday covering the Bucks' win over the Pelicans and what makes the Pelicans the most confusing team in the NBA (4:30), Michael Malone’s ill-advised comments after the Nuggets lost a tough one to the Wizards (18:00), Ben Simmons's devastating defense stifling Luka Doncic (27:00), and G League player Jonathan Kuminga making a name for himself on the Ignite team (34:40). Then they delve into the mailbag to answer questions about basketball, life, video games, and more (40:45).

Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and KOC are back this Tuesday getting into the Wizards’ overtime win over the Lakers and five-game winning streak that raises the question of whether the team’s newfound success will last (0:30). Then they talk about what the Timberwolves can do to salvage this season and their future (17:00), whether Houston should rebuild or try for the playoffs (25:30), their picks for All-Star reserves (37:00), and more.

Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O'Connor

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and KOC take a look at the All-Star starters and talk about the inclusion of Luka Doncic over Damian Lillard (1:00), then get into the injury-riddled Blazers and Lillard’s incredible effort (13:00). After that they jump around the league and hit the Celtics and what pieces they might still need (32:00), Utah’s continued dominance through a tough section of its schedule (36:00), and the Nets' win over the Lakers (38:30) before answering a few listener questions (48:00).

Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and KOC have so much to talk about this week. They get into the Utah Jazz just dominating the league (1:00), Julius Randle’s 44-point game (16:30), and the Hawks taking a nosedive in recent weeks with De'Andre Hunter out (26:30). Then they talk about the Suns’ success with Devin Booker and Chris Paul (45:00), AD’s injury (50:30), and Draymond Green’s comments about Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin being benched after their teams made them available for trades (56:00). 

Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices