The Dunker Spot

We have a jam-packed episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way!

Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones check in on the Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks, boasting six and ten-game winning streaks respectively. They discuss what's standing out to them during this stretch, and how much they believe in them moving forward.

Next, Nekias has some quick-hitting questions for Steve. How real are the MVP chances for Luka Doncic and Victor Wembanyama right now? Can Kawhi Leonard land an All-NBA First Team selection among a crowded group of contenders? How close is Stephon Castle to being the Spurs' second best player?

Finally, they discuss Team USA's undefeated weekend. Team USA assistant, and Phoenix Mercury head coach, Nate Tibbetts took over for Kara Lawson as she returned to Duke ahead of this year's tournament. The guys discuss what looked different under Tibbetts, and have a broader discussion about who's led the way through four games, and who's put themselves in (better) position to ultimately make the 2028 Olympic roster.

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

(1:38) -- Los Angeles Lakers

29:02 -- Atlanta Hawks

39:55 -- Victor Wembanyama for MVP?

45:20 -- Kawhi Leonard for All-NBA First Team?

48:22 -- How close is Stephon Castle to being the Spurs' 2nd best player?

51:08 -- Team USA

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Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones celebrate a week of incredible performances around the league. From Bam Adebayo's 83-point game, to Shai breaking a seemingly unbreakable Wilt record, to Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic having legendary performances on their own. There's so much joy to be had watching basketball these days.

Next, the guys discuss the early returns of Team USA during FIBA World Cup qualifying. Young stars like Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese make their senior club debuts; head coach Kara Lawson experimented a ton with her defensive coverages and lineup combinations. Steve and Nekias discuss how they analyzed these games, what stood out, and growth areas they'll be keeping tabs on.

Finally, Gordon Hayward joins the show! The conversation ranges from his role as an Executive Basketball Advisor at Butler, the validity of Bam's 83-point performance, tennis, the importance of brushing your teeth -- and more!

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

(2:04) The league's in a great place

(4:26) Bam Adebayo's 83-point game

(24:52) SGA breaks Wilt's record (plus quick Jokic & Luka love)

(39:08) Early Team USA thoughts

(51:17) Gordon Hayward interview

(01:09:10) Steve has a bone to pick with Nekias

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 Jayson Tatum's first two games back from injury. They discuss what they liked, his usage, how his minutes have been dispersed, and things they're looking for moving forward.

Next, the guys discuss the latest epic battle between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets. Was there anything to learn about this game tactically, or was it simply a great game? And it had to be asked: did Shai Gilgeous-Alexander officially slam the door for MVP with his performance? 

From there, the guys check in on a couple of reeling teams in the Eastern Conference: the top-seeded Detroit Pistons (four straight losses) and the injury-riddled Philadelphia 76ers (1-4 in March). Are they just going through a bit of turbulence, or are there real flaws here worth acknowledging?

Finally, Steve talks through his latest Rookie Rankings, and they both share what their Rookie of the Year and All-Rookie teams would look like as of today.

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

2:45 Jayson Tatum + Boston Celtics discussion

24:05 Thunder-Nuggets

41:15 Pistons concern levels

51:40 Sixers concern levels

59:04 Let's talk rookies

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 are joined by Couper Moorhead (HEAT.com, After The Buzzer podcast) to talk all things Miami Heat. They explore Miami's drastic shift offensively, their still-elite defense (and zone) usage, and bring much-needed nuance to the conversations surrounding Bam Adebayo, Kel'el Ware, Tyler Herro and more.

After that, Steve and Nekias discuss the imminent return of Jayson Tatum. They get into what he adds to the fold, what they'll be looking for in his debut, and the (annoying) conversations around his return.

Finally, the guys give a salute to Mist BC for winning this year's Unrivaled championship. In light of the game ending with a made free throw, they also discuss 1) whether that should be allowed moving forward and 2) potential tweaks in the case that it isn't.

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

3:25  Preseason expectations vs. reality

13:05 Evaluating the new offense

16:46  Bam Adebayo (usage, role, award talk)

33:41  Kel'el Ware (growth, role, usage)

52:04 Tyler Herro's offensive growth

58:50 Rapid fire, starting with Andrew Wiggins' fit in Miami

1:01:37 Is Pelle Larsson a core piece moving forward?

1:05:34 Jaime Jacquez Jr. for 6th Man of the Year?

1:10:15  Early returns for rookie Kasparas Jakučionis

1:13:33 What is Miami's best/ideal closing lineup?

1:17:55 Jayson Tatum is (coming) BACK

1:26:35 Unrivaled championship 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 special episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way! 

Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones are joined by Myles Ehrlich (Pull Up with Myles & Owen podcast) to discuss the latest in Unrivaled. Myles was on the scene in Brooklyn as the semi-finals were played in Barclays Center on Monday night. He shares his impressions of the atmosphere before the guys dig into the matchups and preview Wednesday's final. 

To close the show, they discuss this year's MVP and All-Unrivaled teams and talk through their voting process and toughest omissions. 

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

1:38 Unrivaled in Brooklyn -- the atmosphere 

5:43 Phantom-Vinyl recap

12:55 Mist-Breeze recap

23:40 Phantom-Mist preview

32:35 MVP discussion

37:30 All-Unrivaled teams discussion

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