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We have a fun episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way!

Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones discuss bounce around the Western Conference for a how-good-should-we-feel check-in. The Thunder and Spurs (winners of nine straight!) have separated themselves from the pack; how poised are the Rockets, Nuggets, Lakers, or Timberwolves to make a run? Do they have a fatal flaw in their profile?

From there, the guys recap the recent happenings in Unrivaled -- from Angel Reese's return, the Phantom and Laces' battle for the top seed, and potential dark-horses in this year's postseason. Finally, Nekias talks through his top candidates for MVP with Steve, with official ballots due this week.

If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at [email protected].

1:50 How to decipher post-All-Star break play

10:42 Houston Rockets

24:55 Denver Nuggets

37:16 Los Angeles Lakers

54:26 Minnesota Timberwolves

01:02:53 Salute to the Spurs

01:09:45 Unrivaled thoughts

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On today’s Kevin O’Connor Show, KOC is joined by NBC broadcaster John Fanta to talk everything NBA. They start with Eastern Conference contender power rankings: who’s the number one team in the East? Could Cade Cunningham really be MVP?

Then, they turn to Team USA hockey’s gold-medal win against Canada before John tells the story of his call-up to the NBA on NBC by Mike Tirico.

Plus, they discuss if Anthony Edwards is the face of the league, address the troubles in Phoenix & Houston, and take a look at the top prospects in this year’s fiery draft class.

That and more, today!

Eastern Conference Contenders (1:39)

USA Hockey and John's NBC Career (43:16)

Draft Class (1:10:20)

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We have a fun episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way!

Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones discuss Cade Cunningham's awesome performance against the Knicks (42 points, 8 rebounds, 13 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks), as well as his status in the league. Is he gunning for MVP? Is he the best player in the league right now?

From there, the guys open up the Dunker Spot mailbag. They talk through anti-tanking proposals sent in by the Dunkers, explore the Dallas Wings' ability to compete immediately with Paige Bueckers, share their favorite-looking jumpers in the NBA and much more!

Finally, the guys preview the upcoming slate of Unrivaled games -- Angel Reese is back, y'all! -- with the playoffs rapidly approaching.

If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at [email protected].

2:27 Cade Cunningham is awesome

11:21 Anti-tanking rules are coming (plus proposals from the mailbag)

26:33 Appreciating Alanna Smith's defense

29:51 Deni Avdija's right-hand drives

33:25 Can Paige Bueckers and the Wings contend for a title next season?

37:05 Kawhi Leonard or Chelsea Gray shot-making?

39:17 Most aesthetically pleasing jump shots in the NBA

41:46 Why players are more willing to compete in the 3PT contest vs Dunk contest

44:36 Factors impacting the "Face of the League" selection

47:54 Ayo Dosunmu's 6th Man of the Year chances

50:22 What should Kings fans look forward to for the rest of the season?

53:12 The schematic balancing act of implementing new players + Nekias' basketball background

58:37 Who's the most rudderless team in the NBA?

01:00:10 Unrivaled preview

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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

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