The Dunker Spot

Wondery

<p>Nekias Duncan and former NBA video coordinator and assistant coach Steve Jones break down teams, players, and rumors around the NBA every week.</p>

  • 1 hour 21 minutes
    James Harden on the Move? Defensive Trends + Unrivaled Makes History in Philadelphia

    We're a couple of days away from the NBA trade deadline, and things
    are heating up. Could James Harden (and Darius Garland) be on the
    move? The guys discuss the latest there, as well as give their initial
    thoughts 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 things
    brought up: a rise of full-court pressure, increased willingness to
    send help (or switch!) from the strong side corner, and funky zone
    defenses from teams like the Lakers and Timberwolves

    Finally, they close by recapping the weekend slate of Unrivaled
    games, including a historic outing in Philadelphia. They discuss the record-breaking attendance and what it means, salute the shot making
    of Marina Mabrey, and bounce around with some general team thoughts.

    If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at [email protected]. 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 discussion
    39:30 — All-Star reaction
    41:48 -- Defensive trends across the league
    01:08:48 -- Unrivaled recap

    Subscribe to the The Dunker Spot on your favorite podcast app:

    🎧 Apple Podcasts

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    📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network, yahoosports.tv and Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube

    3 February 2026, 7:30 pm
  • 1 hour 11 minutes
    How Soon Should the Bucks Trade Giannis? Houston Rockets Check-in + Unrivaled Preview

    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 through
    the early portion of the season.

    If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at [email protected].

    1:34 -- Giannis Antetokounmpo trade discussion
    20:55 -- Houston Rockets deep dive
    52:19-- 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

    30 January 2026, 7:10 pm
  • 1 hour 22 minutes
    Are these trends or traps? These teams need answers + biggest Unrivaled takeaways

    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 [email protected].
     

    (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

    27 January 2026, 8:05 pm
  • 1 hour 17 minutes
    What's Going On With the Knicks? Rookie Awards + Unrivaled Preview

    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, talk
    through 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 Coach
    of 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 [email protected].

    1:37 -- New York Knicks discussion
    35:20 -- Rookie awards
    01:31:02— Coach of the Year
    01:37:05 -- 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

    23 January 2026, 7:58 pm
  • 1 hour 26 minutes
    Warriors in trouble without Jimmy Butler, All-Star + Awards Talk

    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 who
    the 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 [email protected].1:47 -- Jimmy Butler out for season
     

    15:28 -- All-Star starters announced
    38:44 -- MVP discussion
    56:42 -- All-NBA discussion
    1:10:45 -- 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

    20 January 2026, 8:57 pm
  • 1 hour 31 minutes
    Thunder's Return to Dominance + a Conversation with Becky Hammon

    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 [email protected].

    5:34 -- OKC problem solving
    8:06 -- OKC offense vs Spurs
    15:06 -- Shai dealing with traps + overall decisiveness
    22:47 -- OKC defense
    28:07 -- Most Improved check-in
    40:57 -- Unrivaled weekend preview
    50:46 -- 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

    16 January 2026, 10:11 pm
  • 1 hour 16 minutes
    NBA Tiers, Ranking Each Team in the NBA

    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 [email protected].


    9:24 -- Western Conference tiers

    25:47 -- Eastern Conference tiers

    43:35 -- Joel Embiid blending into the Sixers' offense

    47:38 — Ja Morant (and maybe Jaren Jackson Jr) could be available

    57:32  -- How teams are trying to poke at Victor Wembanyama defensively

    1:04:24  -- 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

    13 January 2026, 8:32 pm
  • 1 hour 14 minutes
    Exploring Trae Young's Fit In Washington, Anthony Edwards' Breakout + Unrivaled Weekend Preview

    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 [email protected].


    1:00 -- Trae Young to the Wizards

    22:50 -- CJ McCollum, Corey Kispert to the Hawks

    33:27 — Anthony Edwards is leveling up

    50:56 -- Second All-Star voting returns

    57:54 -- 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

    9 January 2026, 9:50 pm
  • 1 hour 16 minutes
    The Celtics Are Contenders, Concern Level for the Thunder + Unrivaled Day 1 Takeaways

    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 [email protected].

    (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

    6 January 2026, 11:56 pm
  • 1 hour 18 minutes
    What to Make of the Lakers and Sixers, Jaylen Brown's breakout + Unrivaled Questions

    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 [email protected].

    (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

    2 January 2026, 8:14 pm
  • 1 hour 16 minutes
    Clippers on the Rise, Spurs &amp; Thunder Questions + All-Star Returns

    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 [email protected].

    (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

    30 December 2025, 10:39 pm
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