The Dunker Spot

We're a couple of days away from the NBA trade deadline, and thingsare heating up. Could James Harden (and Darius Garland) be on themove? The guys discuss the latest there, as well as give their initialthoughts on the three-team trade involving the Cavs, Kings, and Bulls.From there, the guys discuss the biggest (or most interesting)defensive trends and tactics across the league. Among the thingsbrought up: a rise of full-court pressure, increased willingness tosend help (or switch!) from the strong side corner, and funky zonedefenses from teams like the Lakers and TimberwolvesFinally, they close by recapping the weekend slate of Unrivaledgames, including a historic outing in Philadelphia. They discuss the record-breaking attendance and what it means, salute the shot makingof Marina Mabrey, and bounce around with some general team thoughts.If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com. 4:07 -- Is a James Harden/Darius Garland swap happening? 4:07 -- Is a James Harden/Darius Garland swap happening?16:57 -- Cavs/Kings/Bulls trade discussion39:30 — All-Star reaction41:48 -- Defensive trends across the league01:08:48 -- Unrivaled recap Subscribe to the The Dunker Spot on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network, yahoosports.tv and Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube

We have a fun episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way! Giannis Antetokounmpo is reportedly "ready for a new home" -- which opens a host of questions. Should the Bucks move him? If so, how soon,and who makes sense for him? Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones Jr. discuss it all.From there, the guys talk about the very-good-but-kinda-flawed Houston Rockets. From the budding Kevin Durant-Alperen Sengun two-man game, to the highs and lows of the Amen Thompson experience, to the importance of role guys like Reed Sheppard and Jabari Smith.Finally, they close by previewing the upcoming slate of Unrivaled games. Friday's slate will be played in Philadelphia, the first time Unrivaled has taken its show on the road! The guys talk about those matchups, as well as some interesting lineup and advanced data throughthe early portion of the season.If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com.1:34 -- Giannis Antetokounmpo trade discussion20:55 -- Houston Rockets deep dive52:19-- Unrivaled weekend preview Subscribe to the The Dunker Spot on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network, yahoosports.tv and Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube

It's an action-packed episode of 'The Dunker Spot'! Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones break down whether what we're seeing across the NBA is a 'Trend' or a 'Trap'? From there, the guys dive into the big questions that the Magic and the Bucks have to answer ahead of the trade deadline. Is it time for Milwaukee to move on from Giannis? The Rising Stars rosters are out! Who deserved the nod and who got snubbed? To wrap things up, they take a look at the action from Unrivaled, corner threes, no calls, dunks and more! If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com. (0:00) Welcome(01:30) Trend or Trap?(2:22) Trend or Trap: Cade Cunningham vs. traps(28:54)Teams with the biggest question marks(54:41)NBA Rising Stars announced(01:00: 54) Unrivaled takeaways Subscribe to the The Dunker Spot on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network, yahoosports.tv and Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube

We have a fun episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way!The New York Knicks have struggled since their NBA Cup win over the Spurs; Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones assess their concern level, talkthrough what's wrong, and discuss potential fixes to turn things around.From there, the guys continue their mid-season award check-ins by talking through their Rookie of the Year, All-Rookie Team, and Coachof the Year selections. Finally, they close by previewing the upcoming slate of Unrivaled games.If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com.1:37 -- New York Knicks discussion35:20 -- Rookie awards01:31:02— Coach of the Year01:37:05 -- Unrivaled weekend preview Subscribe to the The Dunker Spot on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network, yahoosports.tv and Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube

We have a fun episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way!Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones discuss the unfortunate season-ending injury to Jimmy Butler, and the ramifications that may have on the Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga.From there, the guys react to the All-Star starters for each conference being announced, then try their hands at predicting whothe coaches will select as reserves. Finally, they react to this most recent weekend of Unrivaled basketball.If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com.1:47 -- Jimmy Butler out for season 15:28 -- All-Star starters announced38:44 -- MVP discussion56:42 -- All-NBA discussion1:10:45 -- Unrivaled takeaways from the weekend Subscribe to the The Dunker Spot on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network, yahoosports.tv and Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube

We have a fun episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way!Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones check in on the now-streaking Oklahoma City Thunder, fresh off a pair of blow-out wins against potential Western Conference contenders. From Shai's process against traps to OKC's effective game plan against Victor Wembanyama (on both ends), the guys break down what they've liked and what they're keeping an eye on. From there, they give their early thoughts on the Most Improved Player award -- how the award should be decided on, and some names they have in consideration right now.(Don't worry, a full-blown deep dive on the award will be coming soon!)The guys then preview the upcoming slate of Unrivaled games, sharing the matchups, lineups and scheme questions they're most interested about. Finally, Hall of Famer Becky Hammon (head coach, Las Vegas Aces) joins the show to discuss her journey and upcoming documentary, her evolution as a coach, coaching A'ja Wilson and so much more.If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com.5:34 -- OKC problem solving8:06 -- OKC offense vs Spurs15:06 -- Shai dealing with traps + overall decisiveness22:47 -- OKC defense28:07 -- Most Improved check-in40:57 -- Unrivaled weekend preview50:46 -- Becky Hammon interview Subscribe to the The Dunker Spot on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network, yahoosports.tv and Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube

We have a fun episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way!For this episode, Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones cycle through each conference and place teams in tiers. Are the Thunder still in a class of their own, or should they have company? How big is the elite tier in the East? Who's truly capable of making a (Conference) Finals run? From there, the guys discuss Joel Embiid's recent play and what it means, teams looking for answers against Victor Wembanyama, and the latest on Ja Morant.Finally, the guys discuss some of the elite performances and interesting trends developing so far in Unrivaled.If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com.9:24 -- Western Conference tiers25:47 -- Eastern Conference tiers43:35 -- Joel Embiid blending into the Sixers' offense47:38 — Ja Morant (and maybe Jaren Jackson Jr) could be available57:32  -- How teams are trying to poke at Victor Wembanyama defensively1:04:24  -- Unrivaled takeaways from the weekend Subscribe to the The Dunker Spot on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network, yahoosports.tv and Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube

We have a jam-packed episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way!Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones break down all angles of the Trae Young-to-Washington trade: how will he fit, who will he help, what does he have to prove, and what his situation says about the state of small guards in the NBA. We also explore how CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, for however long they're in Atlanta, can boost the Hawks -- and if the Hawks should make other moves.From there, the guys discuss the breakout season of Anthony Edwards and where he slots into the MVP discussion and the second round of All-Star voting (welcome to the top 20, Scottie Barnes and Cooper Flagg).Finally, the guys discuss the upcoming slate of Unrivaled games -- with Nekias providing some insight from his time in Miami.If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com.1:00 -- Trae Young to the Wizards22:50 -- CJ McCollum, Corey Kispert to the Hawks33:27 — Anthony Edwards is leveling up50:56 -- Second All-Star voting returns57:54 -- Unrivaled practice takeaways + weekend preview Subscribe to the The Dunker Spot on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network, yahoosports.tv and Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube

We're bouncing around on today's episode of The Dunker Spot!Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones discuss the surging Boston Celtics, who recently climbed to the East's second seed. They discuss their current standing and the non-Jaylen Brown standouts, as well as appreciate the level of buy-in Joe Mazzulla has gotten from this group.From there, they bounce around. From the Pistons' consistent winning, to the Nuggets finding offense without Nikola Jokic, playoff-level questions for the Rockets and Thunder (what's going on there?), a Rudy Gobert check-in and more.Finally, the guys close the show with reactions to the first day of the Unrivaled season.If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com.(2:08) -- Boston Celtics(9:45)-- A quick Pistons salute(15:19) -- Back to the Celtics(24:13) -- Portland Trail Blazers(31:46) -- Denver Nuggets(41:20) -- Atlanta Hawks(45:36) -- Houston Rockets(51:21) -- Oklahoma City Thunder(56:36) -- Rudy Gobert(01:03:27) -- Unrivaled takeaways Subscribe to the The Dunker Spot on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network, yahoosports.tv and Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube

Happy New Year from The Dunker Spot!Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones dissect two of the most interesting teams in the league to this point: the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers.How good are they/ What are the growth areas? How seriously should we take them come playoff time?Then, the guys discuss the breakout campaign Jaylen Brown is currently on.They close with thoughts on the upcoming Unrivaled season, slated to tip off on Monday.If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com.(2:13) — Los Angeles Lakers(33:15) — Philadelphia 76ers(58:49) — Jaylen Brown's breakout(01:10:28) — Key questions heading into Season 2 of Unrivaled Subscribe to the The Dunker Spot on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network, yahoosports.tv and Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube

Happy New Year's Eve-Eve from The Dunker Spot!Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones discuss the hot play of the Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat and surprisingly-plucky Brooklyn Nets. Next, they check in on the San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks.Finally, the guys react to the first return of All-Star voting. There may be a rant included.If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com.(1:44) — How to evaluate this stage of the NBA season(7:33) — Los Angeles Clippers(21:21) — Miami Heat(27:21) — Quick check-in on the Pistons' offense(30:08) — Brooklyn Nets(36:54) — San Antonio Spurs(43:18) — Oklahoma City Thunder(47:40) — Cleveland Cavaliers(50:34) — Quick Atlanta Hawks disappointment(52:18) — First All-Star returns are out(01:10:46) Free Throws Subscribe to the The Dunker Spot on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network, yahoosports.tv and Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube

Happy Holidays from The Dunker Spot!Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones went back to the mailbag for this one.Questions range from the Minnesota Lynx's ideal draft strategy, to the Portland Trail Blazers' late-game offense, to the Houston Rockets' ideal closing five, to zone-beaters for rec league basketball teams. We bounced around quite a bit — thank you to everyone who sent in questions.If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com.(1:29) — What should the Minnesota Lynx do with the #2 overall pick?(4:28) — Examining Marina Mabrey landing spots + the most entertaining Unrivaled team(7:38) — What's the most top-heavy position in the (W)NBA?(10:21) — How do coaches decide when to make an adjustment?(22:53) — What's behind teams being able to erase big leads more easily?(28:55) — What lineup(s) should the Rockets close playoff games with?(33:50) — How sustainable is the Pelicans' offense?(38:28) — Examining the Blazers' late-game offense & Tiago Splitter(43:43) — What can we take away from this Pacers season?(49:28) — The perception around Bam vs Evan Mobley, Jaden McDaniels' switching, and 2nd round pick trade value(57:52) — Memorable role player performances(01:01:49) — How should rec-level teams attack a 2-3 zone? Subscribe to the The Dunker Spot on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network, yahoosports.tv and Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube

Happy Holidays from The Dunker Spot!Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones previewed this year's Christmas slate.We have Cavaliers vs. Knicks, Spurs vs. Thunder, Rockets vs. Lakers, Mavericks vs Warriors and Timberwolves vs. Nuggets as the nightcap. Steve and Nekias are examining the key matchups, mini-battles and potential swing factors in each game.Also, shout out to Wilt Chamberlain.If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com.(1:17) — Cavs-Knicks(15:23) — Spurs-Thunder(30:32) — Mavs-Warriors(42:22) — Rockets-Lakers(54:16) — Wolves-Nuggets Subscribe to the The Dunker Spot on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network, yahoosports.tv and Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube

We have a fun episode of The Dunker Spot on deck!With All-Star voting officially live, Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones give their current All-Star teams — the games played minimum is (annoyingly, amusingly) in play for Nekias.From there, they salute the NBA Cup champion Knicks and dive further into the shifts they've made offensively. They discuss the uptick in tempo, the empowerment of non-Brunson/KAT initiators, their lineup versatility and more.If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com.(5:38) — West All-Star thoughts(20:46) — East All-Star thoughts(39:44) — Knicks offense breakdown(59:14) — Free Throws Subscribe to the The Dunker Spot on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network, yahoosports.tv and Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube

We have a fun episode of The Dunker Spot on deck!First, Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones check in on the MVP and ROY races — the top two for each award will be heavily contested throughout the year. Then, the guys react to a thrilling game between the Rockets and Nuggets, and open a broader discussion about the top of the West.From there, they quickly salute the Knicks before diving into the Spurs' upset victory over the historically-good Thunder. They examine Victor Wembanyama's impact — and the ways the Thunder bothered him — as well as potential growth areas for the Thunder to hone in on. Then, it's a quick peek into Tuesday night's Final between the Spurs and Knicks.(1:59) — MVP discussion(30:51) — Rookie of the Year discussion(48:08) — HOU/DEN thoughts + Who's the 2nd best team in the West?(01:01:27) — NBA Cup discussion (NYK salute, OKC-SA, NYK-SA thoughts) Subscribe to the The Dunker Spot on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network, yahoosports.tv and Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube

Ahead of this weekend's NBA Cup slate, Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones recap how the Magic, Knicks, Thunder and Spurs earned victories in the quarterfinals.Then, the guys preview the semifinals — Knicks-Magic and Spurs-Thunder — asking and answering big picture questions about each matchup.If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com.(1:22) — Heat-Magic(13:08) — Knicks-Raptors(20:25) — Suns-Thunder(27:31) — Lakers-Spurs(35:55) — Knicks-Magic preview(51:52) — Spurs-Thunder preview Subscribe to the The Dunker Spot on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network, yahoosports.tv and Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube

Ahead of this week's NBA Cup slate, Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones offer temperature checks in the West, ask key questions of the East, and bounce around with observations — and ice-in-cereal thoughts.If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com.If you’d like to join our Dunker Spot Playoff watch parties — they're free, and easy to sign up for — you can do so here: https://www.playback.tv/thedunkerspot(1:29) — Suns-Thunder(16:24) — Lakers-Spurs(29:49) — Orlando Magic(45:02) — Toronto Raptors(50:51) — Dallas Mavericks(58:37) — Golden State Warriors(01:00:57) — Player Shoutouts(01:10:19) — Free Throws Subscribe to the The Dunker Spot on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network, yahoosports.tv and Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube

Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones have an honest conversation about the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chris Paul fallout, and talk through how the Clippers can still salvage their season.From there, they check in on the Milwaukee Bucks in light of the recent Giannis Antetokounmpo injury, break down the excellent play of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, then close with a round of Free Throws.If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com.If you’d like to join our Dunker Spot Playoff watch parties — they're free, and easy to sign up for — you can do so here: https://www.playback.tv/thedunkerspot(2:48) — Los Angeles Clippers(30:00) — Chris Paul(45:59) — Milwaukee Bucks(54:09) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is leveling up(01:06:35) — Free Throws Subscribe to the The Dunker Spot on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network, yahoosports.tv and Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube

Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones are back to bounce around the league!First, they discuss the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks racking up wins despite missing key talent. From there, they discuss the good-but-just-how-good Boston Celtics, the streaking Memphis Grizzlies (Edey time!), and the disappointing Los Angeles Clippers.Finally, they close the show with some well deserved player shoutouts; Steve also hits Nekias with a Free Throw he wasn't prepared for.Fun all around!If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com.If you’d like to join our Dunker Spot Playoff watch parties — they're free, and easy to sign up for — you can do so here: https://www.playback.tv/thedunkerspot(1:22) — San Antonio Spurs(13:29) — New York Knicks(33:58) — Boston Celtics(53:48) — Memphis Grizzlies(01:06:17) — Los Angeles Clippers(01:11:59) — Player Shoutouts (plus an evil Free Throw) Subscribe to the The Dunker Spot on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network, yahoosports.tv and Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube

For the first time this NBA season, Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones go to the Dunker Spot mailbag!They answer questions about league-wide defensive trends, potential shifts to the Heat's offense, Michael Porter Jr. trade destinations and much more.If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com.If you’d like to join our Dunker Spot Playoff watch parties — they're free, and easy to sign up for — you can do so here: https://www.playback.tv/thedunkerspot(1:27) — Common themes for teams that have made leaps this year(8:41) — Will we see more zone and/or college-style press defenses?(18:05) — Who are we most excited to see explore and develop during the Unrivaled season?(24:20) — How do we judge (good) defense + potential Michael Porter Jr. trade destinations(35:43) — Building defensive chemistry + potential tweaks to Miami's offense moving forward(45:48) — How will young role players fill in for key rotation pieces across the league?(49:46) — What makes the Cade Cunningham/Jalen Duren partnership effective + a Jaden Ivey trade idea(56:52) — Who could use Trendon Watford?(59:09) — Is it time for NBA realignment?(01:02:22) — An All-Star game format suggestion(01:06:23) — Does LeBron, Luka, and Austin Reaves make up the best passing trio EVER?(01:12:52) — Gary Payton II conversation Subscribe to the The Dunker Spot on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network, yahoosports.tv and Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube