logo
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 40 points vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 40 points vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

Yahoo27-05-2025

Western Conference Finals preview: Oklahoma City Thunder or Minnesota Timberwolves? | The Kevin O'Connor Show
Kevin O'Connor is joined by Dane Moore to preview the upcoming Western Conference finals matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder & Minnesota Timberwolves. After beating the Lakers and the Warriors in previous rounds, have the Timberwolves escaped some of their regular season mistakes that landed them the 6-seed as they advance to face a 68-win Thunder team? Kevin follows up the Western Conference predictions with his rankings of which teams have the best chances to win the 2025 NBA Finals. Hear the full conversation on 'The Kevin O'Connor Show' and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen.
3:46
Now Playing
Paused
Ad Playing

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Should the Nets be worried about their 2025 NBA Draft class?
Should the Nets be worried about their 2025 NBA Draft class?

USA Today

time13 minutes ago

  • USA Today

Should the Nets be worried about their 2025 NBA Draft class?

The Brooklyn Nets came away from the 2025 NBA Draft with arguably the most divisive performance due to the players they drafted along with using all of their picks. Brooklyn made sure to prioritize players who could begin their careers as ball-handlers with the potential to be more for a rebuilding Nets squad, but there seems to be plenty of people criticizing Brooklyn's decisions. "I got some people telling me some things about Brooklyn, people are making fun of these draft picks," ESPN's Brian Windhorst said (h/t to Bleacher Report's Doric Sam) during the broadcast of the NBA Draft when discussing the selections that the Nets made. One of the most-criticized decisions that Brooklyn made was selecting BYU guard Egor Demin with the eighth overall pick, much earlier than most of the draft experts expected. Windhorst continued by saying "I got people saying to me, executives and agents, they're like, 'I was watching them play three two-way guys during this year so that they can clap for taking the guys they've chosen.' He's like, 'These two-way guys might be just as good as the guys they've taken.'" As Windhorst referenced, the Nets played a lot of guys last season and most of them are perceived to be players who may have a hard time sticking around the league. In total, Brooklyn drafted Demin, French guard Nolan Traore (19th overall pick), UNC forward Drake Powell (22nd as part of a multi-team trade with the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics), Israeli guard Ben Saraf (26th), and Michigan forward Danny Wolf (27th). Based on mock drafts, it looks like the Nets reached on Demin and Powell while the other three selections seemed to be about where they were expected to go. For a team like Brooklyn, getting their first star player in the draft is key to the franchise progressing through this rebuild in a way that allows them to think about being a playoff team within the next few seasons. Many, if not all, of the players that the Nets took are projects, but if a couple of them pan out, this could be a draft that got everything started for Brooklyn.

Giants' Bob Melvin downplays severity of Rafael Devers' groin injury
Giants' Bob Melvin downplays severity of Rafael Devers' groin injury

Yahoo

time20 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Giants' Bob Melvin downplays severity of Rafael Devers' groin injury

The post Giants' Bob Melvin downplays severity of Rafael Devers' groin injury appeared first on ClutchPoints. The San Francisco Giants recently acquired Rafael Devers in a trade with the Boston Red Sox. Devers, however, is dealing with a groin injury at the moment, although he has continued to play despite the circumstances. Giants manager Bob Melvin downplayed the severity of the injury in an interview with MLB Network Radio on Tuesday. Advertisement 'It's minor and it's getting better everyday,' Melvin said of Devers' injury. 'He's taking some ground-balls over there. He went first to home the other day, which looked pretty good, concerned me a little bit. It was great that he was able to go full out.' The Giants are proceeding with caution in reference to Devers playing first base amid the injury concern. From a long-term standpoint, third base may not even be an option with Matt Chapman handling the hot corner. Chapman is currently recovering from an injury of his own, however. Still, it seems as if Devers will be limited to DH and first base moving forward. For now, the former Red Sox star is the designated hitter for the Giants. 'It's a minor issue but it kind of plays into the defensive part,' Melvin continued. 'You know, it's first base, you're stretching, you're doing some things that you do a little bit differently than you do on the other corner (third base)… As far as getting ready to play first base, it's probably pushed back the timeline a little bit. Advertisement 'But I think this week we ramp that up a little bit and try to get him ready. Hopefully pretty soon he's able to play first base.' Rafael Devers is a terrific hitter. Defensive uncertainty surrounded him with the Red Sox, however. His role seems to be more certain in San Francisco, but the injury is forcing the Giants to delay his first base timeline right now. Related: Giants clear space for Justin Verlander move Related: Red Sox's Alex Cora shares feelings about Rafael Devers after Giants series

Rafael Devers trade grades for Giants, Red Sox
Rafael Devers trade grades for Giants, Red Sox

Yahoo

time20 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Rafael Devers trade grades for Giants, Red Sox

The post Rafael Devers trade grades for Giants, Red Sox appeared first on ClutchPoints. In one of the most shocking trades in recent memory, the San Francisco Giants have acquired All-Star slugger Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox in a blockbuster deal that sent Jordan Hicks, Kyle Harrison, James Tibbs, and Jose Bello to Boston. The Giants also agreed to take on the remaining $280+ million of Devers' 10-year, $313.5 million contract. Advertisement This move didn't just shake up the National League West — it sent shockwaves across Major League Baseball. Let's be real: this is a steal for San Francisco. Devers is a 28-year-old three-time All-Star with 200+ career home runs and a Silver Slugger pedigree. He's slashing .272/.401/.504 this season with 15 bombs and 58 RBIs — all while dealing with a toxic environment in Boston. Even in a DH role he didn't want, he was producing at an elite level. And now? He gets a fresh start on a contender. Giants get offensive boost, but Bryce Eldridge questions arise Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images San Francisco, currently sitting at 41-30 and second in the NL Wild Card race, badly needed a thumper in the middle of the lineup. Their offense ranks 15th in runs and 23rd in OPS. Plug in a lefty bat with a .900 OPS and proven postseason pedigree, and suddenly this team goes from 'dangerous' to 'legit threat.' Devers will likely get his wish to return to third base while Matt Chapman recovers, and even if he slides back to DH later, it'll be in a clubhouse that didn't just undermine him for six months. Advertisement Sure, the Giants took on a massive contract, but this is San Francisco — a team that's struck out on big names like Aaron Judge, Carlos Correa, and Shohei Ohtani in recent offseasons. They landed Willy Adames in the offseason, and now, they've landed another star. Devers is signed through 2033. The Giants didn't just get a bat — they got a face of the franchise. As for the talent they gave up? Jordan Hicks has electric stuff but a 6.47 ERA. Kyle Harrison has upside, but his MLB track record is inconsistent. Tibbs has power but is still in High-A. Jose Bello's been dominant in rookie ball, but he's years away. None of these players scream 'future All-Star.' None are blue-chip prospects. In short: Buster Posey fleeced Boston…for now. Give him the Executive of the Year award already in June. Grade: A Red Sox ship Rafael Devers to San Francisco Eric Canha-Imagn Images This trade feels like the Red Sox just… gave up. Advertisement Rafael Devers wasn't just their best hitter — he was supposed to be the guy. After Xander Bogaerts and Mookie Betts walked, Boston committed $313.5 million to Devers to be the face of the franchise. Now, in year two of that deal, they've traded him away for a pitching dart throw, a couple of young lotto tickets, and some salary relief. The optics are terrible. The Red Sox just swept the Yankees and sit at 37-36, technically still in the Wild Card hunt. And yet they're punting on a star in his prime because they couldn't figure out how to handle a position dispute? Let's rewind: they signed Alex Bregman to take over third base. They moved Devers to DH. Then they tried to shove him to first base after Triston Casas got hurt. Devers — understandably — refused, especially after being told in spring training he wouldn't need to bring a glove. That triggered behind-the-scenes tension, a closed-door meeting with ownership, and eventually this trade. According to reports, Devers never even requested a trade — but the team was clearly ready to move on. It's clear they prioritized getting Devers' contract off the books more than they cared about the actual return. Hicks is barely a backend starter at this point. Harrison has potential, but nothing resembling consistency. Tibbs is intriguing, but years away. Bello is a project. And remember — this is all they got for a 28-year-old power-hitting lefty with an OPS north of .890 and nearly a decade of big-league production. Advertisement That's why executives across the league reacted with stunned disbelief. This wasn't just a trade — it was a surrender. Grade: D- Final Verdict This isn't just a trade that helps the Giants in the short term — it positions them for the next half-decade. They now have a middle-of-the-order anchor locked in for the long haul. Devers' contract is massive, sure, but if you're going to spend $300 million on someone, it better be a bat like his. Boston? They've lost their identity. Again. In a span of five years, they've let go of Betts, Bogaerts, and now Devers — all before their age-30 seasons. And for what? A lukewarm batch of maybes? Advertisement The Devers trade will be remembered as the moment the Giants went all-in — and the Red Sox waved the white flag. Related: Logan Webb gets 100% real about Giants' Rafael Devers trade Related: Giants president Buster Posey's breaks silence on Rafael Devers' position dilemma

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store