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In this episode of The Kevin O’Connor ShowKevin goes in-depth on the two NBA Cup Finals teams and what to expect in their upcoming showdown before discussing ALL the latest NBA news and storylines.

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 big test for the Thunder’s top defense, Andrew explains how OKC plans to handle the Greek Freak by committee, with Lu Dort and Alex Caruso making key contributions. The duo also explains the Thunder’s unique style of play, including their small-ball strategy and the critical impact of Isaiah Hartenstein’s screening and lob connections on offense. They discuss the mood in Las Vegas and the growth of the event and how the Thunder’s extremely competitive guards will help fill any gaps when Chet Holmgren returns. Andrew also shares a story from his Oklahoma roots about winning a Shaq Phoenix Suns jersey through an unforgettable peanut butter contest.

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’ MVP-caliber play and his developing chemistry with Damian Lillard. They also discuss the challenges facing opposing defenses in preventing Giannis from entering the game, a key area where the Bucks’ dominance continues. The duo also reflects on the Atlanta Hawks’ difficulties in establishing a unified identity, noting that Trae Young needs a reliable secondary scorer to move the team forward.

As he moves to the Houston Rockets, Ekam details Jalen Green’s ups and downs and suggests that 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 making 48 three-pointers in a game, and how the current NBA trend toward data-driven, analytically-optimized play has resulted in a more homogeneous style of basketball that impacts the teams’ uniqueness. The conversation turns to LeBron James and Anthony Davis, with Ekam pointing out that 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 roster moves. They close with thoughts on NBA trades, with a focus on Dennis Schröder’s role in Brooklyn, possible Zach LaVine moves and the fact that Jimmy Butler’s fit in Phoenix may not maximize his strengths for a title run.

(00:55) – Thunder vs. Bucks preview

(6:25 p.m.) – NBA Cup atmosphere in Las Vegas

(28:40) – Andrew’s peanut butter contest for a Shaq jersey

(35:00) – Dame and Giannis start clicking

(39:00) – How can the Hawks continue to build an identity?

(44:55) – How far away are the missiles?

(50:30) – Why more three-pointers aren’t necessarily good for the NBA

(56:45) – What’s clicking for LeBron and AD?

(1:01:55) – Could Dillon Harper Cooper challenge Flagg for the top spot?

(1:06:55) – Dennis Schröder to the Warriors

(1:12:40) – Possible NBA Trades: Jimmy Butler & Zach Lavine

(1:21:30) – Fast batsmen

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