logo
7 Questions about the NBA Playoffs, the Draft, and Trade Rumors + my Kon Knueppel conversation

7 Questions about the NBA Playoffs, the Draft, and Trade Rumors + my Kon Knueppel conversation

Yahoo19-05-2025

KOC has 7 big questions to start the week, and you need to hear them all. For starters, who does Kevin have winning the Eastern Conference Finals and how? Might the Boston Celtics consider trading Jaylen Brown in a blockbuster trade to the Houston Rockets? Whose NBA Draft stock is rising, and whose is FALLING? It's all on this must-hear Monday episode of the KOC Show.
Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles against Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on November 10, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by)
(Photo by)
(0:43) How long until we see Nesmith on Brunson?
Advertisement
(3:10) Will the Knicks create a size advantage?
(5:38) Can KAT have the series of his life?
(7:14) Can Haliburton reach a new level?
(10:14) What changes should the Celtics make?
(18:12) Who are Draft Combine fallers?
(20:08) Who are Draft Combine risers?
(24:06) Kon Knueppel & KOC from the Combine in Chicago
🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTube
Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Reinhart's first goal of Stanley Cup Final a big one in Panthers' Game 3 rout of Oilers
Reinhart's first goal of Stanley Cup Final a big one in Panthers' Game 3 rout of Oilers

Miami Herald

time2 hours ago

  • Miami Herald

Reinhart's first goal of Stanley Cup Final a big one in Panthers' Game 3 rout of Oilers

Forget what the game log says. Monday night was the true return of Florida Panthers star Sam Reinhart. Reinhart scored a goal – his first in six games — and set up another with a filthy pass to Aaron Ekblad in Monday's 6-1 Panthers win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. For the Panthers' regular-season leader in goals, it was his best game since suffering an apparent knee injury early in the Eastern Conference Finals. Reinhart went top shelf three minutes into the second period to beat Stuart Skinner – the same netminder he victimized in Game 7 nearly a year ago — to jumpstart a dominant closing half of an overwhelming Panthers performance. 'The Sam Reinhart goal was the inflection point,' said Panthers coach Paul Maurice, who won his 1,000th NHL game (combining the regular season and postseason) Monday. '2-1, especially with what both teams had been through in the first two, there was no [safe] lead at that point, and Sam's goal was very important to us.' In the micro sense, Maurice of course is correct. Reinhart's goal gave the Panthers much-needed breathing room in the second period, and the Oilers didn't respond well. Oilers coach Kris Knoblach said his team 'unraveled' Monday, and the stat sheet backed that up. Edmonton racked up a staggering 85 penalty minutes and a suspension for Evander Kane isn't out of the question after his inexcusable and dangerous stick found Carter Verhaeghe's neck when the Panthers forward was defenseless on the ice. But from a wider lens, Reinhart's breakout game is even worse news for Edmonton. After two overtime games in Alberta, the Panthers looked like far and away the better team Monday. 'We're a very deep team,' said forward Brad Marchand, who scored for the third time in as many SCF games Monday. 'Not just offensively. A lot of guys play a 200-foot game. That's one of our strengths.' Florida is strongest when Reinhart is at his best. And Monday's performance was huge given his uncharacteristic couple of weeks. Reinhart has been largely a non-factor since the dirty hit laid on him by Hurricanes forward Sebastian Aho in the Eastern Conference Finals. Reinhart missed two games after Aho's hip check to his knee and struggled to find his form upon his return. He was minus-3 in the first two games of this series with zero points in nearly 60 minutes of ice time. Monday was the ultimate reversal. His goal – set up by Verhaeghe just 80 seconds after Corey Perry cut a two-goal Florida lead in half – was great. His assist on Aaron Ekblad's third-period power play goal was even better. Reinhart went no-look behind his back, a move that fooled Skinner so utterly that Ekblad couldn't have missed the net if he tried. But it wasn't just offense for Reinhart, the two-way star who finished second in the Selke Trophy voting behind teammate Aleskander Barkov. Reinhart led all Panthers with three blocked shots Monday. 'I think you guys have seen it enough,' Reinhart said of Florida's style of play. 'We try to play the same very night and keep it as simple as possible. 'We're trying to take away some time and space.' Time and space? Luxuries Edmonton no longer can afford after a second straight loss.

Knicks rumors: How player input factored into New York's decision to fire Tom Thibodeau
Knicks rumors: How player input factored into New York's decision to fire Tom Thibodeau

Yahoo

time5 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Knicks rumors: How player input factored into New York's decision to fire Tom Thibodeau

The post Knicks rumors: How player input factored into New York's decision to fire Tom Thibodeau appeared first on ClutchPoints. Shortly after the New York Knicks were eliminated by the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, they decided to surprisingly fire head coach Tom Thibodeau after a five-year run at the helm. Advertisement Thibs took the Knicks to their first conference final in 25 years, but Leon Rose and James Dolan ultimately made the call to cut ties with the veteran boss, who will surely land a job elsewhere. That being said, it appears the players had their say in the decision as well. Via SNY's Ian Begley: 'According to SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley, player input during their end of season meetings with owner James Dolan in attendance was a factor in the ultimate decision to move on from Thibodeau. 'Players were respectful of the veteran coach, who they have a great deal of respect and admiration for, but they also pointed out in those meetings that there were things Thibodeau did that could be improved.' Advertisement Thibodeau has always been respected across the NBA by players and coaches. But, behind the scenes, there were clearly some things the Knicks players didn't love. That's despite him bringing a level of playoff success to the organization that they haven't seen in years. The search now begins for their next coach, with Jason Kidd and Ime Udoka reportedly on their radar. The Houston Rockets have zero interest in even giving New York permission to speak with Udoka, while Kidd appears to be comfortable with the Dallas Mavericks. Michael Malone is another option after he was fired late in the season by the Denver Nuggets. He was previously an assistant for the Knicks. New York has lots of candidates they can target, but this job doesn't come without pressure. Thibodeau embraced that and did the best he could to help make NY a winning franchise again. It just wasn't enough to help them end their 52-year championship drought. Related: Bill Simmons questions the role Jalen Brunson's dad will play in Knicks' HC search Related: NBA rumors: Knicks expected to make Jason Kidd request after Tom Thibodeau firing

NBA news: Jeff Teague claims Tom Thibodeau ‘doesn't really coach you'
NBA news: Jeff Teague claims Tom Thibodeau ‘doesn't really coach you'

Yahoo

time5 hours ago

  • Yahoo

NBA news: Jeff Teague claims Tom Thibodeau ‘doesn't really coach you'

The post NBA news: Jeff Teague claims Tom Thibodeau 'doesn't really coach you' appeared first on ClutchPoints. Former NBA guard Jeff Teague offered a candid assessment of Tom Thibodeau's coaching style in the wake of the New York Knicks' decision to part ways with the veteran head coach on Tuesday. Teague, who played under Thibodeau with the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2017 to 2020, described Thibodeau as largely hands-off during games. Advertisement 'He really don't say sh*t. He just be down pop, down,' Teague said. 'That's all he say, but he don't be saying like Teague go here, do this… he don't really be coaching you. He kinda just be like, 'damn. Damn it man.' He don't say nothing. I swear to God, Thibs all he say is literally, 'damn' and we just watching him… 'you gotta be here, damn.'' Teague added that Thibodeau allowed players considerable freedom on the floor. 'In the game, bro you can run, you can shoot anytime, you can run anything. He lets you be a basketball player. Obviously, he's going to put the ball in his best player's hands, but other than that, he don't say sh*t bro.' Knicks coaching search draws wide range of candidates following Tom Thibodeau's firing During his tenure in Minnesota, Thibodeau led the Timberwolves to a single playoff appearance in 2017–18, where they were eliminated in the first round by the Houston Rockets. His stint with the Knicks, which began ahead of the 2020–21 season, was more successful. He guided New York to four playoff appearances in five years and compiled a 226–174 regular-season record along with a 24–23 postseason mark. His time in New York included the franchise's first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2000. Advertisement Thibodeau also served as an assistant under former Knicks head coach Jeff Van Gundy from 1996 to 2001, a connection that has resurfaced during the team's ongoing coaching search. ESPN's Brian Windhorst floated the idea of a Van Gundy reunion during Get Up on Wednesday, noting the respect he garnered in his current role as a Los Angeles Clippers assistant. ESPN's Jay Williams also added former NBA champion Rajon Rondo to the conversation, highlighting his elite basketball IQ and familiarity with the Eastern Conference despite lacking head coaching experience. Meanwhile, Metta Sandiford-Artest, formerly known as Metta World Peace, publicly campaigned for the job on X, formerly known as Twitter, calling himself the 'number one guy for the job' and citing his long-standing connection to New York basketball. As the Knicks evaluate their next steps, the coaching vacancy continues to attract names both expected and unconventional, with Teague's remarks offering additional insight into the dynamics surrounding Thibodeau's departure. Advertisement Related: Dan Hurley breaks silence amid Knicks coaching interest Related: Former Knicks player breaks down why Tom Thibodeau firing was justified

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store