Early NBA preseason surprises, standout rookie performances + KOC Show mailbag | The Kevin O'Connor Show

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!

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

Tom Haberstroh & Dan Devine break down the NBA offseason, spotlighting the nine star players who switched teams and what that means for the 2026-27 season. Hear how LeBron James joining the Philadelphia 76ers, Giannis Antetokounmpo landing in Miami and Kawhi Leonard’s return to Toronto are reshaping the league landscape.The episode also dives into media day reactions including contract drama with Karl-Anthony Towns and the Knicks and Jalen Duren and the Pistons. Closing out with a heartfelt farewell as this marks the final episode of The Big Number, Tom and Dan Devine share gratitude for fans and look back on some of their greatest moments and biggest bloopers.(2:03) Big Number: NBA stars moving teams this offseason(5:51) Takeaways from Knicks media day(14:44) Little Number: Toronto Raptors 3-PT shooting(19:31) Little Number: Miami Heat seconds per touch(25:10) Little Number: LeBron's career minutes (and counting!)(33:49) The Big Number says goodbye 📢 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 preview the NBA teams in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference.They go in-depth on the chances of the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers to make a deep run this season, discuss the exciting prospects on the Chicago Bulls roster, ask if the Milwaukee Bucks have a chip on their shoulder this season and much more!On the WNBA side, the pair go over the first games of the first round of the 2026 WNBA playoffs! They discussed the marvelous performances of A’Ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart, their most fun matchups and what adjustments teams need to make going forward.0:15 Central Division preview01:30 Pistons15:26 Pacers29:26 Bulls39:15 Bucks48:16 Aces vs. Fever takeaways & questions01:03:43 Liberty vs. Lynx takeaways & questions01:22:13 Dream vs. Mystics takeaways & questions01:28:49 Valkyries vs. Wings takeaways & questions 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!