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In this episode of The Kevin O’Connor Show, Kevin deep dives on the two NBA cup final teams and what to expect in their upcoming showdown before discussing ALL of the latest news and storylines around the NBA.
Kevin is first joined by NBA expert Andrew Schlecht to dive deep into the Oklahoma City Thunder’s impressive 20-5 start to the season and their upcoming challenge against the revamped Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA cup final. With Giannis Antetokounmpo looming as a major test for the Thunder’s top-tier defense, Andrew explains how OKC plans to handle the Greek Freak by committee, with key contributions from Lu Dort and Alex Caruso. The duo also break down the Thunder’s unique style of play, including their small-ball strategy and the crucial impact of Isaiah Hartenstein’s screening and lob connections on offense. They discuss the vibes in Las Vegas and the growth of the event, and how the Thunder’s ultra-competitive guards will help fill in any gaps when Chet Holmgren returns. Plus, Andrew shares a story from his Oklahoma roots about winning a Shaq Phoenix Suns jersey through an unforgettable peanut butter competition.
Later, Kevin and Ekam Nagra (Ball Don’t Stop) dive into the early-season performances of several NBA teams and standout players, starting with the Milwaukee Bucks. Kevin and Ekam praise Giannis’s MVP-caliber play and his evolving chemistry with Damian Lillard. They also discuss the challenges opposing defenses face in stopping Giannis from getting into the paint, a key area where the Bucks’ dominance continues. The duo also reflects on the Atlanta Hawks’ struggles to build a consistent identity, noting that Trae Young needs a reliable secondary scorer to help elevate the team.
Moving on to the Houston Rockets, Ekam breaks down Jalen Green’s highs and lows, suggesting the young guard needs to find a consistent rhythm and control his pace to become a star. They also discuss the Dallas Mavericks & Golden State Warriors scoring 48 threes in a game, and how the current NBA trend toward data-driven, analytically optimized play has led to a more homogenized style of basketball, impacting the uniqueness of teams. The conversation turns to LeBron James and Anthony Davis, with Ekam pointing out how their older, more physical style of play still holds weight in the modern game but isn’t enough to make the Lakers title contenders without more roster moves. They close with thoughts on NBA trades, with a focus on Dennis Schröder’s role in Brooklyn, potential moves for Zach LaVine and how Jimmy Butler’s fit in Phoenix might not maximize his strengths for a title run.
(00:55) – Thunder vs. Bucks preview
(18:25) – NBA cup vibes in Las Vegas
(28:40) – Andrew’s peanut butter competition for a Shaq jersey
(35:00) – Dame & Giannis are starting to click
(39:00) – How can the Hawks keep building an identity?
(44:55) – How far away are the Rockets?
(50:30) – Why more threes isn’t necessarily good for the NBA
(56:45) – What’s clicking for LeBron and AD?
(1:01:55) – Could Dillon Harper challenge Cooper Flagg for top prospect?
(1:06:55) – Dennis Schröder to the Warriors
(1:12:40) – Potential NBA trades: Jimmy Butler & Zach Lavine
(1:21:30) – Quick hitters
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