The Mismatch
Kevin O’Connor and Chris Vernon discuss all the news, trends, and transactions happening in the NBA. They also offer their on-court analysis, and occasionally get into heated debates.
Sports
Lakers Collapse Again, Embiid Drops 50, Magic Dominate, and Game 3 Previews
Verno and KOC recap Thursday night’s slate of playof...
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Apr 26 2024 1h 54m
Chapter 1 22 mins
Verno and KOC recap Thursday night’s slate of playoff basketball, starting with the Nuggets' 11th straight win over the LakersChapter 2 22 mins
With the Lakers in an 0-3 hole again, the guys discuss what the future holds for LeBron James and the team. They next discuss how the Magic and 76ers were able to win their Game 3 matchups against the Cavs and KnicksChapter 3 25 mins
The guys move on to preview Friday’s night games, starting with Bucks-Pacers, before moving on to Mavs-ClippersChapter 4 16 mins
After going down 0-2, are the Suns just completely outmatched against the TimberwolvesChapter 5 26 mins
Also, did the Heat find the formula to beat the Celtics? Plus, why the Thunder are primed for a deep playoff run
Thrillers in Denver and New York, Plus Breaking Down Every NBA Playoff Series
Verno and KOC go through all the playoff matchups fr...
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Apr 23 2024 1h 19m
Chapter 1 12 mins
Verno and KOC go through all the playoff matchups from Monday night, starting off with Jamal Murray’s game-winning shot to put the Nuggets up 2-0 over the LakersChapter 2 15 mins
Next, they discuss how the Knicks were able to grind out a victory over Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and the SixersChapter 3 18 mins
Also, the guys discuss what makes the Cavs a little different this year, and debate how far the Timberwolves can go with this version of Anthony EdwardsChapter 4 31 mins
They then discuss why Khris Middleton is pivotal for the Bucks' success, what the key difference is in the Mavs-Clippers series, and debate whether the Pelicans can truly challenge the Thunder
Sixers Survive, Impactful Injuries, Believing in OKC, and Playoff Predictions
Verno and KOC share what they enjoyed the most from ...
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Apr 19 2024 1h 6m
Chapter 1 8 mins
Verno and KOC share what they enjoyed the most from KOC’s interview with Victor Wembanyama before turning their attention to the play-in games from earlier this weekChapter 2 28 mins
They discuss their disappointment with Zion Williamson's injury and Brandon Ingram’s performance in the Pelicans' loss to the Lakers, as well as their surprise at the Kings easily defeating the WarriorsChapter 3 8 mins
Do the Lakers stand any chance to upset the Nuggets? How far can the inexperienced Thunder go? The guys debate whether Joel Embiid can bounce back to his MVP form against the KnicksChapter 4 18 mins
Also, they discuss the hideous performance from the Hawks, Coby White’s huge game for the Bulls, the Heat’s chances without Jimmy Butler, and more
Can Any of the Play-In Teams Make a Conference Finals Run? Plus, Playoff Preview and a Wemby Tease
Verno and KOC open the episode by briefly teasing KO...
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Apr 16 2024 55m
Chapter 1 11 mins
Verno and KOC open the episode by briefly teasing KOC’s interview with Victor WembanyamaChapter 2 21 mins
They then turn their attention to the playoff matchups, as well as this week’s play-in tournamentChapter 3 19 mins
Should the Lakers lose on purpose to avoid the Nuggets in the first round? Do the Timberwolves stand any chance against the Suns? They debate this and look at the other playoff series in the West. Also, while looking at the East, the guys discuss which teams are in the best positions to make a run
A Close MVP Race, the Nobody Paolo, a New Top Prospect, and Can the Sixers Knock Off the Celtics?
Verno and KOC open up the episode by discussing Step...
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Apr 12 2024 55m
Chapter 1 8 mins
Verno and KOC open up the episode by discussing Stephon Castle’s rise to no. 1 on KOC’s draft boardChapter 2 45 mins
Next, they dive into everyone’s favorite segment: "That’s True, That Might Be True, That’s Ridiculous"
Booking Our Dream Postseason Matchups, UConn’s Dominance, and Zach Edey’s NBA Potential
Verno and KOC discuss last night’s national champion...
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Apr 9 2024 56m
Chapter 1 29 mins
Verno and KOC discuss last night’s national championship game, which saw UConn continue its dominance against Purdue as it secured back-to-back titlesChapter 2 25 mins
They share their thoughts on watching basketball games at football stadiums, KOC's updated draft stock for Donovan Clingan and Zach Edey, the most obvious team for Clingan, and Tristen Newton’s NBA potential. With the season nearing its end, the guys discuss which playoff matchups they want to see the most in both conferences
How Far Can Embiid Take the Sixers? Plus, the WTF Bucks, the Randle-less Knicks, and the Warriors Came to Play.
Verno and KOC discuss the 76ers' impressive win over...
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Apr 5 2024 1h 3m
Chapter 1 13 mins
Verno and KOC discuss the 76ers' impressive win over the HeatChapter 2 9 mins
How deep of a run can the Sixers make with the returns of Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey? They then turn their attention to the Bucks and debate whether they can still make a Finals run despite their strugglesChapter 3 9 mins
Also, the guys discuss how far the Knicks can go now that Julius Randle is confirmed out for the seasonChapter 4 30 mins
Next, they discuss the Warriors' huge win over the Rockets, as well as their excitement for this weekend’s Final Four
The Dangerous Mavs, Inconsistent Suns, and Uncertainty Surrounding the Knicks. Plus: Is Joel Embiid Close to Return...
Verno and KOC recap last night's slate of games, beg...
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Apr 2 2024 1h
Chapter 1 3 mins
Verno and KOC recap last night's slate of games, beginning with the Suns as Devin Booker goes off against the PelicansChapter 2 9 mins
Luka Doncic has the Mavs riding high as the guys debate whether they are the scariest team headed into the playoffsChapter 3 8 mins
As the Celtics continue to dominate the regular season, the guys debate who is going to be the key bench player for their playoff successChapter 4 11 mins
Josh Hart doesn't sound too optimistic about the Knicks’ health issuesChapter 5 7 mins
Also, how close is Joel Embiid to returningChapter 6 18 mins
Last, the guys discuss which prospects’ draft stock rose and fell over this weekend’s Elite Eight games
The Cinderella Lakers, Standings Check-In, and March Madness Prospects
Verno and KOC go through last night’s slate of Sweet...
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Mar 29 2024 56m
Chapter 1 12 mins
Verno and KOC go through last night’s slate of Sweet 16 games and discuss which players' draft stock roseChapter 2 8 mins
After the Pelicans beat the Bucks, the guys debate just how high their ceiling is with Zion playing at this levelChapter 3 12 mins
Next, they discuss the Hawks' OT win over the Celtics and debate what is going to happen with Dejounte Murray and Trae Young, as well as Tom Haberstroh’s latest report suggesting that Jaylen Brown is a better clutch performer than Jayson TatumChapter 4 21 mins
They also discuss the Lakers' five-game winning streak, Joel Embiid’s potential return, and the Timberwolves' ownership mess
Determining Jontay Porter’s Punishment, March Madness Prospect Stock, and Can the Rockets Catch the Warriors?
Verno and KOC discuss the NBA’s investigation into J...
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Mar 26 2024 1h 8m
Chapter 1 18 mins
Verno and KOC discuss the NBA’s investigation into Jontay Porter after multiple instances of "betting irregularities" were discovered and debate the type of punishment the NBA should hand downChapter 2 17 mins
After this weekend’s March Madness games, they discuss the draft stock of Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard, UConn’s Donovan Clingan, Marquette’s Tyler Kolek, and moreChapter 3 5 mins
While there are no franchise cornerstones in this draft class, the guys explain why the prospects in this class can still make a big impactChapter 4 25 mins
Next, they discuss Jalen Green’s performance during the Rockets' nine-game winning streak and Draymond Green’s huge defensive impact for the Warriors. Then, they debate whether the Clippers are frauds and whether Domantas Sabonis can continue this type of play into the playoffs
The Most Interesting NBA Players Down the Stretch, Plus March Madness Prospects to Watch
Verno and KOC discuss how the NCAA tournament can gr...
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Mar 22 2024 1h 17m
Chapter 1 21 mins
Verno and KOC discuss how the NCAA tournament can greatly impact the draft stocks for prospects and highlight a few of the prospects participating, including Purdue’s Zach Edey, Colorado’s Cody Williams, North Carolina’s Elliot Cadeau, and moreChapter 2 53 mins
Next, the guys each select four players they are keeping a close eye on with just a few weeks left in the regular season
Exploring the Thunder’s Chemistry, Playoff Prospects, and Tournament Anticipation
Verno and KOC discuss how the Thunder’s organic team...
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Mar 19 2024 1h 7m
Chapter 1 16 mins
Verno and KOC discuss how the Thunder’s organic team chemistry has led to their success this yearChapter 2 13 mins
The guys react to Kyrie Irving’s game-winner over the weekend before taking a hard look at the Suns after losing to the Giannis-less BucksChapter 3 11 mins
Also, was Alperen Sengun holding back Jalen GreenChapter 4 22 mins
Finally, the guys discuss how important OG Anunoby is to the Knicks and share their excitement for the NCAA tournament to begin
Is There a New Alpha in Boston? Plus, Exposing the Lack of Foul Calls.
Verno and KOC discuss Al Horford and Jaylen Brown’s ...
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Mar 15 2024 1h 8m
Chapter 1 21 mins
Verno and KOC discuss Al Horford and Jaylen Brown’s performance in last night’s Celtics win over the SunsChapter 2 45 mins
Is Brown quietly becoming the new leader in Boston? Next, the guys dive into Tom Haberstroh and Ethan Strauss’s recent reporting about how officiating has changed and the lack of fouls being called in games
The NBA Postseason Belief Scale
With just over a month left in the regular season, V...
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Mar 12 2024 1h 27m
Chapter 1 35 mins
With just over a month left in the regular season, Verno and KOC discuss their levels of belief in all of the potential playoff teams in each conference. They start off in the EastChapter 2 31 mins
before turning their attention to the WestChapter 3 18 mins
Also, with KOC’s NBA Draft Guide launching and the March Madness tournament starting up, the guys dive into some draft talk and discuss a few prospects they like
The Nuggets Sweep the Season Series Against the Celtics, Edwards Drops 44, and Luka’s Historic Performance in a Win...
Verno and KOC start with the highly anticipated matc...
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Mar 8 2024 1h 2m
Chapter 1 2 mins
Verno and KOC start with the highly anticipated matchup between the Nuggets and Celtics, which saw the Nuggets sweep the season series. They discussed what this matchup could look like in the Finals, how to guard Denver, and more. Then, they discuss some of the other close games from Thursday night, including Luka getting another 35-point triple-doubleChapter 2 19 mins
Anthony Edwards exploding for 44 points and a game-saving blockChapter 3 4 mins
and the Bulls upsetting the WarriorsChapter 4 17 mins
Then, they quickly check in on the top draft prospects and guys to watch with conference tournaments beginning and March Madness starting
Dame Still Has It, Gearing Up for a Boston-Denver Collison, and Can Wemby Upset Gobert for the DPOY?
Verno and KOC discuss the Bucks’ impressive win over...
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Mar 5 2024 1h 7m
Chapter 1 18 mins
Verno and KOC discuss the Bucks’ impressive win over the Clippers, despite being without GiannisChapter 2 11 mins
Dame showed us he still has some of his Portland magic as the Clippers continue to slide. The Celtics are riding high after completely blowing out the Warriors over the weekend, extending their win streak to 11. The guys then preview the Celtics’ highly anticipated Thursday night matchup against the NuggetsChapter 3 16 mins
After losing to the Lakers, the guys debate whether the Thunder can match their size if the two meet in the playoffs again. Plus, there is discussion of who will win the Defensive Player of the Year awardChapter 4 18 mins
The guys also get into how Gary Harris’s shooting is impacting the Magic, why you should still be wary about the Heat, and the Kings’ fourth-quarter meltdown against the Bulls
Buying Into the Chet Vs. Wemby Rivalry and the Emerging Warriors, Plus: Has Doc Fixed the Bucks?
Verno and KOC break down what could be the next grea...
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Mar 1 2024 1h 1m
Chapter 1 12 mins
Verno and KOC break down what could be the next great NBA rivalry between the Spurs and Thunder with Chet Holmgren and Victor WembanyamaChapter 2 14 mins
They dive into how special these rookies are and why the future's so bright for both. With Andrew Wiggins away from the Warriors, Moses Moody slides into the starting lineup—the guys explain why this move could be beneficial for the team down the stretchChapter 3 8 mins
With the no. 5 and no. 10 seeds separated by only 3.5 games in the West, the guys debate which teams have the best chance to secure the guaranteed playoff spot and avoid the play-inChapter 4 24 mins
Also, KOC explains what Doc Rivers has done to fix the Bucks defense and discusses Joel Embiid's plan to return to the Sixers this season
NBA Abominations, Wemby's 5x5, and Defending This Year's Draft Class
Verno and KOC discuss the wild ending to the Knicks-...
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Feb 27 2024 59m
Chapter 1 11 mins
Verno and KOC discuss the wild ending to the Knicks-Pistons game, as well as the weird state of the Nets franchiseChapter 2 7 mins
Trae Young had surgery and is expected to miss four weeks, and the guys explain why the Hawks could use this time to evaluate their futureChapter 3 26 mins
Also, they discuss how well Jaime Jaquez Jr. has performed this season, KOC’s experience watching the UCLA-USC basketball game over the weekend, and the unparalleled success of Kentucky guards in the leagueChapter 4 13 mins
The guys examine Victor Wembanyama’s extraordinary rookie season and explain why he is already destined to become one of the all-time greats
The Six Most Interesting Teams Down the NBA’s Final Stretch
Verno and KOC are back from the All-Star break and t...
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Feb 23 2024 1h 3m
Chapter 1 13 mins
Midseason NBA Talk and Player UpdatesChapter 2 9 mins
Mavericks' Versatile Lineup and PotentialChapter 3 11 mins
NBA Teams and Super Teams AnalysisChapter 4 9 mins
Playoff Positioning in Western ConferenceChapter 5 9 mins
NBA Playoff Contenders and Westbrook's RoleChapter 6 7 mins
Eastern Conference Playoff Picture AnalysisChapter 7 50 sec
Online Sports Wagering and Responsible Gambling
Trae Young Trade Rumors, Grizzlies Silver Linings, All-Star Festivities, and Does Pop Still Got It?
Verno and KOC discuss the Grizzlies' upset win over ...
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Feb 16 2024 1h 25m
Chapter 1 24 mins
Verno and KOC discuss the Grizzlies' upset win over the Bucks as well as Klay Thompson’s hot performance after getting benchedChapter 2 13 mins
Next, they have a leaguewide check-in entering the All-Star break, starting off with all the noise surrounding the Warriors after it was reported that they looked into LeBron James's availabilityChapter 3 25 mins
They debate whether Victor Wembanyama is a top-20 playerChapter 4 7 mins
wonder how far the 76ers could fall in the standingsChapter 5 13 mins
discuss what they are looking forward to in this weekend’s All-Star game festivities
Wolves and Bucks Pick Up Statement Wins, Quick Rookie Check-in, and Reacting to the Second MVP Straw Poll
Verno and KOC begin the show by talking about the ga...
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Feb 13 2024 1h 1m
Chapter 1 6 mins
Verno and KOC begin the show by talking about the games they attended last night, starting with the Timberwolves' victory over the Clippers. Then they discuss the Pelicans' win over the GrizzliesChapter 2 20 mins
Next they talk about what kind of statement the Bucks made with their win over the NuggetsChapter 3 16 mins
After that, they talk about a few other notable results and performances, specifically from a handful of rookiesChapter 4 6 mins
before wrapping up by giving their reactions to the second MVP straw poll results
Believing in the Thunder, Why the Knicks and Mavs Won the Day, and Recapping a Mediocre Trade Deadline
Verno and KOC discuss a mediocre NBA trade deadline ...
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Feb 9 2024 57m
Chapter 1 15 mins
Verno and KOC discuss a mediocre NBA trade deadline that saw no real impactful moves made. They go through the winners of the deadline, including the Knicks and Mavericks, as well as their disappointment with the Lakers and Warriors for not making any movesChapter 2 13 mins
Next, they discuss what kind of impact Gordon Hayward will have with the Thunder, and debate whether Oklahoma City can make a Finals runChapter 3 19 mins
Also, they discuss what Royce O'Neale brings to the Suns, Xavier Tillman’s fit with Boston, and other smaller deadline deals
NBA Trade Rumor Recap, Embiid’s Surgery, and Draft Talk
Verno and KOC go through KOC’s recent article (found...
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Feb 6 2024 1h 9m
Chapter 1 42 mins
Verno and KOC go through KOC’s recent article (found here ) and discuss the 76ers' next move after Joel Embiid’s injury, whether the Hawks should consider trading Trae Young instead of Dejounte Murray, LeBron’s pressure on the Lakers, and so much moreChapter 2 8 mins
With the trade deadline this week, the guys discuss some of the names that are rumored to be moving, including Grant WilliamsChapter 3 16 mins
Also, Verno discusses what he likes from prospect Matas Buzelis after watching him play in person, and KOC shares his experience testing out the new Apple Vision Pro headset
LeBron’s Future, a Brunson State of Mind, and Embiid’s Wild Week
Verno and KOC discuss the selection of the All-Star ...
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Feb 2 2024 59m
Chapter 1 26 mins
Verno and KOC discuss the selection of the All-Star reserves, starting in the East with the Knicks’ Jalen Brunson, before moving on to discuss Joel Embiid’s injury and what it means for the 76ersChapter 2 11 mins
The guys discuss the snubs in the West and debate what changes can be made to accommodate the most worthy playersChapter 3 20 mins
Also, the clock is ticking for LeBron James and the Lakers, and the guys debate what the right move is for both
Do the Heat Need to be Fixed? Plus, Doc’s Debut, Knicks Without Randle, and Yet Another 70-Point Performance
Verno and KOC discuss Doc Rivers’s debut coaching th...
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Jan 30 2024 1h 5m
Chapter 1 16 mins
Verno and KOC discuss Doc Rivers’s debut coaching the Bucks, explain why Paolo Banchero will eventually be a top-five player in the league, as well as the Timberwolves' impressive win over the ThunderChapter 2 21 mins
As the Heat losing streak hits seven, the guys debate whether another move is inevitable, and discuss what Julius Randle’s injury means for the KnicksChapter 3 24 mins
Also, are the Cavs really starting to turn the corner? After Luka Doncic scored 73 points over the weekend, the guys debate if the high scoring offenses from the modern NBA are good or bad for the future of the league