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Today on the Kevin O’Connor show, KOC is joined by Tom Haberstroh to ask some big questions in the NBA world: Are the Houston Rockets done? What teams have the most to prove in the 2nd half of the season? Which young players might break out and which coaches are on the hot seat?

Then, the pair look at two of the hottest names in college basketball: Darius Acuff and Darryn Peterson. How does Acuff’s 49-point explosion affect his draft stock? Is Peterson’s self-check-out gambit for Kansas threatening his no. 1 draft pick potential?

Later, KOC is joined by Daman Rangoola, Sam Esfandiari & Claire De Lune from All-Star Weekend to talk the latest with the Lakers and Warriors. That and more on today’s show!

 

(1:11) Contenders with the most to prove

(13:38) Young players to watch

(20:26) NBA coaches on the hot seat

(33:46) Kings decimated by injuries

(37:12) Darius Acuff drops 49 points vs. Alabama

(41:44) What's going on with Darryn Peterson?

(56:32) Daman Rangoola & Sam Esfandiari join from All-Star

(1:43:10) Claire De Lune joins from All-Star

 

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NBA skills coach Drew Hanlen joins Kevin O’Connor to break down the season’s hottest topics, from star player development to the reality of tanking in the league. Drew shares inside stories about working with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jayson Tatum and others and explains why self-belief can be both a gift and a curse for rising talent.
(0:48) When will Tatum return for Celtics?
(12:13) Player development & Deni Avdija
(21:43) Can Hornets maintain their winning ways?
(26:25) How can NBA stop tanking?
(31:09) Joel Embiid's recovery and development 
(43:02) How teams use data & analytics to improve 
(49:03) Chris Paul retires from NBA
(56:43) How will defensive coaching evolve?
(01:00:11) Future of the All-Star game

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Tom Haberstroh is joined by ESPN’s Brian Windhorst to dig into the NBA’s $500,000 fine for the Utah Jazz and debate whether fines can truly deter teams from benching their stars. Windhorst breaks down four of the league’s core values to explain why proposals to “fix” tanking rarely last. 

The duo also look ahead to the second half of the season as the Spurs continue to close in on the Thunder in the Western Conference and Jayson Tatum’s return to the Celtics in the East begins to feel inevitable. Don’t miss Windhorst’s behind-the-scenes stories about his time covering the Miami Heat with Tom and where LeBron might have landed if the draft didn’t exist.

(1:32) The Big Number: Jazz fined $500k
(4:23) How can NBA fix tanking?
(20:57) Would LeBron have gone to Cleveland without the draft?
(27:44) Is the Jazz fine unfair?
(36:08) Are Thunder vulnerable to Spurs in West?
(54:46) Should Tatum return for Celtics this season?

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We have a fun episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way!
Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones give their broad thoughts on this year's All-Star Weekend, before breaking down their favorite (and funniest) moments from each event. 
From there, the guys discuss a few storylines they'll be following closely as we begin the post-All-Star push towards the postseason. They talk about the Rockets and Timberwolves needing to find consistency, the importance of Jalen Williams, Jayson Tatum's potential return to the Celtics and more.
Finally, the guys recap the 1-on-1 tournament -- congrats to Chelsea Gray! -- before previewing the upcoming double-header as we get closer to the playoffs.
If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at [email protected].
0:00 General All-Star Weekend thoughts
12:45 Rising Stars recap
19:51 Shooting Stars recap
23:50 Three-Point Shootout recap
29:50 Dunk Contest recap
38:17  All-Star Game recap
59:47 Can the Rockets and Wolves find consistency?
1:08:00 Jalen Williams rounding into form
01:10:43 Who's the second-best team in the East?
01:12:25 How much will Jayson Tatum factor into the second half of the season?
01:14:30 Unrivaled 1v1 recap + double-header preview

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Kevin O’Connor gives his seven biggest takeaways from a star-studded NBA All-Star Weekend. Was the new format a success? Is expansion back on the board? Kevin gives his thoughts.
Next, Ben Golliver joins the show to break down the tanking crisis and which teams are most guilty of tanking the most.
Plus, Cedric Coward joins to share his lessons from his rookie season, his progression as a player and the toughest players to defend.
0:28 Seven biggest takeaways from All-Star Weekend
15:41 Ben Golliver joins the show
45:23 Cedric Coward joins the show

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