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In this episode of The Kevin O’Connor ShowKevin takes a deep dive on the two NBA Cup final teams and what to expect in their next matchup before discussing ALL the latest news and intrigue around the NBA.
Kevin is first joined by NBA expert Andrew Schlecht to take a deep dive 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 Finals . 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 breaks down the Thunder’s unique style of play, including their small-ball strategy and the crucial impact of Isaiah Hartenstein’s screen and lob connections on offense. They discuss the vibe in Las Vegas and the growth of the event, and how the Thunder’s ultra-competitive guards will help fill in the gaps when Chet Holmgren returns. Plus, Andrew shares a story from his Oklahoma roots about winning a Shaq Phoenix Suns jersey thanks to an unforgettable peanut butter competition.
Later, Kevin and Ekam Nagra (Ball Don’t Stop) dive into the early season performances of several notable NBA teams and players, starting with the Milwaukee Bucks. Kevin and Ekam praise Giannis’ MVP-caliber play and evolving chemistry with Damian Lillard. They also discuss the challenges opposing defenses face in preventing Giannis from getting into the paint, a key area where the Bucks’ dominance continues. The duo also reflects on the Atlanta Hawks’ struggles in building a cohesive 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 ups and downs, suggesting the young guard needs to find a consistent rhythm and control his pace to become a star. They also discuss the Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors scoring 48 threes in a game, and how the NBA’s current trend toward analytically optimized, data-driven play has led to a style of basketball more homogenized, which has an impact on the unique character of the teams. The conversation turns to LeBron James and Anthony Davis, with Ekam pointing out how their older, more physical style of play still has weight in the modern game, but isn’t enough to make the Lakers title contenders without more alignment movements. They close with thoughts on NBA trades, focusing on Dennis Schröder’s role in Brooklyn, potential moves for Zach LaVine and how Jimmy Butler’s spot in Phoenix might not maximize his upside for a run to the title.
(00:55) – Thunder vs Bucks preview
(18:25) – NBA Cup atmosphere in Las Vegas
(28:40) – Andrew’s Peanut Butter Contest for a Shaq Jersey
(35:00) – Dame & Giannis start clicking
(39:00) – How can the Hawks continue to build 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 up for LeBron and AD?
(1:01:55) – Could Dillon Harper challenge Cooper Flagg for the title of top prospect?
(1:06:55) – Dennis Schröder to Warriors
(1:12:40) – Potential NBA trades: Jimmy Butler and Zach Lavine
(1:21:30) – Fast hitters
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