The Kevin O'Connor Show The NBA’s late-season coma, the must-watch Hornets & the irony of Carmelo giving Tatum comeback advice with Tom Haberstroh
Mar 5, 2026
Tom Haberstroh, NBA analyst known for sharp statistical breakdowns, dives into the league’s midseason malaise. He unveils the combined 44-game losing skid among bottom teams and debates ethical tanking. He also breaks down the Hornets’ blowout of Boston and dissects Carmelo’s surprising take on Jayson Tatum’s return.
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Bottom 10 Teams Operate As A Separate B League
- The NBA's bottom 10 teams form a separate 'B League' that are almost never competitive vs the top 18 teams.
- Tom Haberstroh found bottom-10 teams are 2-52 (or 0-52 excluding New Orleans and Milwaukee) against non-bottom teams recently, an 11-win pace over 82 games.
Injuries And Rotations Mask Intentional Tanking
- Teams' public injury messaging and rotation choices are being used to manipulate tanking incentives.
- Kevin O’Connor pointed to Zubac's unexplained extended absence and Rick Carlisle's rotation moves as deliberate tanking tactics.
Rob Dillingham's Dribble-Off Became Tanking Highlight
- The Chicago Bulls produced an iconic tanking play when Rob Dillingham dribbled the ball off his back and turned it over.
- Kevin O’Connor called it the season's top 'tanking' highlight and likened it to a Price Is Right losing buzzer moment.