Chris Vernon joins! Semi-bold predictions for the 2026-27 NBA season | The Kevin O'Connor Show

Kevin O'Connor is joined by Amin Elhassan to break down all the action from Wednesday's NBA season openers from Anthony Edwards’ explosive 45-point game with LaMelo Ball and the Timberwolves to Ty Jerome’s incredible 45-point outburst against the Jazz. They also react to Giannis' first game with the Heat and share early concerns over Miami’s supporting cast.The pair also unpacks the Warriors’ uncertain future, Yaxel Lendeborg's on-court and off-court battles with Luka Doncic, the return of Tyrese Haliburton and Damian Lillard and more.(0:37) Wolves beat Heat(6:42) Grizzlies beat Jazz(14:13) Giannis' Miami debut(23:08) Lakers beat Warriors(30:41) Warriors exploring Porzingis trades(40:14) Haliburton returns for Pacers(47:11) Ja & Dame comebacks begin(50:48) Ty Lue dedicates Clippers win to Steve Ballmer 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Kevin O'Connor & Andrew Sharp break down every game from NBA opening day. The duo dives into why the Thunder look like true title contenders and what’s holding Wembanyama and the Spurs’ offense back. KOC and Andrew also react to the 76ers spoiling the Knicks' banner night and Detroit’s gritty comeback against the Celtics.Later, Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg sits down with Kevin O'Connor ahead of his NBA debut to get real about building chemistry with Steph Curry, adapting to NBA-level defensive schemes with Draymond Green and more. Plus, KOC & Yaxel nerd out about the upcoming release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4.(0:41) Thunder beat Spurs(16:42) 76ers beat Knicks(30:16) Pistons beat Celtics(56:40) Yaxel Lendeborg joins the show 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Kevin O'Connor is joined by Grant Liffmann of NBC Sports ahead of NBA opening night to break down their biggest questions before the 2026-27 season. They dive into the brutal East playoff race, players who look like future All-Stars, Wembanyama's outlook for the season, the Knicks' contract concerns and more.The duo also spotlights breakout candidates, debates which stars are under the most pressure and asks which franchises are most likely to blow up their core by season’s end.(0:49) Cason Wallace re-signs with OKC(6:15) Ben Simmons torn achilles(7:52) Franz Wagner right shoulder injury(18:43) Which East teams miss the playoffs?(22:58) Which team confuses you the most?(31:48) Which coach is on the hottest seat?(35:34) Will Knicks contract situation hurt the team?(43:54) Which star is under the most pressure?(51:01) Which team is most likely to blow it up?(54:00) Which preseason development are you buying?(59:50) Who will be a future All-Star?(1:04:22) Will the majority consider Wemby the best player in the world by April?(1:07:06) NBA Finals predictions(1:11:29) What opinion will you walk back by Christmas? 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

KOC shares five must-watch NBA preseason trends, from Jalen Duren’s outstanding performance and the evolution of big men shooting threes to deep dives into changing shot distributions in Dallas, Houston and Philadelphia. Plus, are Giannis Antetokounmpo’s MVP odds way too low? And is there a Rookie of the Year sleeper in Oklahoma City?Kevin O'Connor is then joined by NBA shooting coach Chris Matthews, known as Lethal Shooter, as he shares experiences from training NBA stars like Jaylen Brown, Anthony Davis, AJ Dybantsa and more. The conversation dives into Lethal Shooter’s creative content and collaborations and how he pushed NBA stars to the limit of what is possible with their shot.(1:27) 5 Preseason trends to track(18:58) Lethal Shooter joins the show(24:05) Training Jaylen Brown(26:27) Zion Williamson shooting 3s(35:33) How to fix Ben Simmons' game?(38:33) Does Wemby shoot too many 3s?(42:58) Most exciting teams this season(47:48) Expectations for AJ Dybantsa & Wizards(51:59) Importance of the midrange(53:26) Chris Matthews' journey to social media stardom 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

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 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

We have a fun episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way!First, Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones preview the Pacific division (Lakers, Suns, Clippers, Warriors, Kings).On the WNBA side, the guys recap the Dream's Game 2 win over the Liberty, as well as the Valkyries' win over the Aces, then talk through potential adjustments we may see in each Game 3.If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at [email protected]:40 -- Los Angeles Lakers16:05 -- Phoenix Suns27:26 -- Los Angeles Clippers36:07 -- Golden State Warriors46:03 -- Sacramento Kings51:34 -- Dream-Liberty01:11:26 -- Valkyries-Aces 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel 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  📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

First, Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones preview the Northwest division (Thunder, Nuggets, Timberwolves, Trail Blazers, Jazz).On the WNBA side, the guys recap the Dream's Game 1 win over the Liberty, as well as the Valkyries' win over the Aces, then talk through potential adjustments we may see in each Game 2.If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at [email protected]:22 -- Oklahoma City Thunder14:06 -- Denver Nuggets23:55 -- Minnesota Timberwolves34:58 -- Portland Trail Blazers42:29 — Utah Jazz49:41 -- Dream-Liberty01:11:46 -- Valkyries-Aces 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel 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 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

We have a jam-packed episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way!First, Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones react to the Pistons and Jalen Duren finally agreeing to a new deal. From there, the guys preview the Southwest division (Spurs, Rockets, Mavericks, Pelicans, Grizzlies).On the WNBA side, the guys recap an epic Game 3 between the Aces and Fever, preview the upcoming Dream-Liberty series, then look ahead to Friday's Game 3 between the Valkyries and Wings and each team's biggest question in a potential Aces matchup.If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at [email protected]:44 -- Jalen Duren re-signs6:16 -- San Antonio Spurs22:06 -- Houston Rockets35:29 -- Dallas Mavericks42:35 -- New Orleans Pelicans47:55 -- Memphis Grizzlies55:22-- Aces-Fever01:01:57 -- Dream-Liberty preview01:24:52 -- Valkyries-Wings + look-ahead 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!