The Dunker Spot

Latest Episodes:

SGA & Bam make history, early Team USA takeaways + Gordon Hayward joins the show Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

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 dunkerspot@yahoo.com.
(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

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Early Jayson Tatum returns, Shai's statement win & rookie award check-in Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

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 dunkerspot@yahoo.com.
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:

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

Examining the New-Look Miami Heat with Couper Moorhead, Jayson Tatum Returns + Unrivaled Recap Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

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 dunkerspot@yahoo.com.
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:

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

Unrivaled players & awards talk with Myles Ehrlich Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

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 dunkerspot@yahoo.com.

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:

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

Here come the Hornets + Giannis returns Mar 03, 2026

Show notes

We have a fun episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way!
Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones take a look at a tightly contested East play-in picture. The Hornets have been one of the best teams in the league for months now. The Hawks are rolling, but have tests coming up. Can the Orlando Magic find consistency? Can the Milwaukee Bucks play their way into the play-in picture?
If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com.
0:00 Welcome
3:40 Charlotte Hornets
21:04 Orlando Magic
27:08 Atlanta Hawks
38:11 Milwaukee Bucks

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

Detroit Pistons deep dive, polarizing Paolo Banchero + Unrivaled awards Feb 27, 2026

Show notes

We have a fun episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way!
Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones are joined by Ku Khahil (LockedOnPistons) to discuss the league-best Detroit Pistons. The discussion ranges from the growth of Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren, Ausar Thompson's shifting (and sometimes confusing) role offensively, JB Bickerstaff's impact, the Pistons' title chances and more.
From there, the guys have a conversation about Paolo Banchero -- and the conversation around Paolo Banchero. They discuss his strengths, his weaknesses, how Orlando's context impacts him, and if it's fair to question his place as a no-doubt-about-it building block.
Finally, Nekias reveals the rest of his Unrivaled award ballot (DPOY, Coach of the Year, All-Unrivaled Teams) to Steve as the two discuss a talented field of candidates.
If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com.
1:53 Preseason expectations for the Pistons
6:52 Impressions of JB Bickerstaff's tenure
11:58 Growth of Cade Cunningham
33:02 Ausar Thompson's role and usage
43:42 Rapid fire questions (Cade MVP, DET vs the West, best lineup, Duren's ranking among East bigs)
47:58 Paolo Banchero conversation
01:06:23 Unrivaled awards

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

Western Conference check-in + who's the Unrivaled MVP? Feb 24, 2026

Show notes

We have a fun episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way!
Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones discuss bounce around the Western Conference for a how-good-should-we-feel check-in. The Thunder and Spurs (winners of nine straight!) have separated themselves from the pack; how poised are the Rockets, Nuggets, Lakers, or Timberwolves to make a run? Do they have a fatal flaw in their profile?
From there, the guys recap the recent happenings in Unrivaled -- from Angel Reese's return, the Phantom and Laces' battle for the top seed, and potential dark-horses in this year's postseason. Finally, Nekias talks through his top candidates for MVP with Steve, with official ballots due this week.
If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com.
1:50 How to decipher post-All-Star break play
10:42 Houston Rockets
24:55 Denver Nuggets
37:16 Los Angeles Lakers
54:26 Minnesota Timberwolves
01:02:53 Salute to the Spurs
01:09:45 Unrivaled thoughts

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

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

Cade Cunningham for MVP? Dunker mailbag + Unrivaled preview Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

We have a fun episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way!
Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones discuss Cade Cunningham's awesome performance against the Knicks (42 points, 8 rebounds, 13 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks), as well as his status in the league. Is he gunning for MVP? Is he the best player in the league right now?
From there, the guys open up the Dunker Spot mailbag. They talk through anti-tanking proposals sent in by the Dunkers, explore the Dallas Wings' ability to compete immediately with Paige Bueckers, share their favorite-looking jumpers in the NBA and much more!
Finally, the guys preview the upcoming slate of Unrivaled games -- Angel Reese is back, y'all! -- with the playoffs rapidly approaching.
If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com.
2:27 Cade Cunningham is awesome
11:21 Anti-tanking rules are coming (plus proposals from the mailbag)
26:33 Appreciating Alanna Smith's defense
29:51 Deni Avdija's right-hand drives
33:25 Can Paige Bueckers and the Wings contend for a title next season?
37:05 Kawhi Leonard or Chelsea Gray shot-making?
39:17 Most aesthetically pleasing jump shots in the NBA
41:46 Why players are more willing to compete in the 3PT contest vs Dunk contest
44:36 Factors impacting the "Face of the League" selection
47:54 Ayo Dosunmu's 6th Man of the Year chances
50:22 What should Kings fans look forward to for the rest of the season?
53:12 The schematic balancing act of implementing new players + Nekias' basketball background
58:37 Who's the most rudderless team in the NBA?
01:00:10 Unrivaled preview

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

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

Recapping All-Star Weekend, second half storylines + Unrivaled 1-on-1 recap Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

We have a fun episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way!

Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones give their broad thoughts on this year's All-Star Weekend, before breaking down their favorite (and funniest) moments from each event.

From there, the guys discuss a few storylines they'll be following closely as we begin the post-All-Star push towards the postseason. They talk about the Rockets and Timberwolves needing to find consistency, the importance of Jalen Williams, Jayson Tatum's potential return to the Celtics and more.

Finally, the guys recap the 1-on-1 tournament -- congrats to Chelsea Gray! -- before previewing the upcoming double-header as we get closer to the playoffs.

If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com.

0:00 General All-Star Weekend thoughts
12:45 Rising Stars recap
19:51 Shooting Stars recap
23:50 Three-Point Shootout recap
29:50 Dunk Contest recap
38:17 All-Star Game recap
59:47 Can the Rockets and Wolves find consistency?
1:08:00 Jalen Williams rounding into form
01:10:43 Who's the second-best team in the East?
01:12:25 How much will Jayson Tatum factor into the second half of the season?
01:14:30 Unrivaled 1v1 recap + double-header preview

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

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

NBA All-Star Weekend preview + Jazz & Pacers fined Feb 13, 2026

Show notes

We have an action-packed episode of 'The Dunker Spot' coming your way!

Steve Jones and Nekias Duncan give you the latest news and updates surrounding the 2026 All-Star Weekend. They dive into their predictions for Team USA vs. World, who will come out victorious in the skills competitions and what to expect with the new format.

Next, they dive into the news of the NBA fining the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers hefty amounts for tanking. Does the league have a tanking problem? What are possible solutions?

Plus, Angel Reese is back in Unrivaled! They give their takeaways, recap the 1v1 tournament and preview the latest matchups.

All that and more!

1:03 Rising Stars showcase preview
9:29 3-point contest preview
14:35 Shooting Stars competition preview
18:07 Dunk contest preview
22:14 New format expectations
27:26 All-Star replacements
32:16 Lineup predictions
35:26 Key players to watch
38:25 Team USA vs. World predictions
39:02 Jazz & Pacers fined
47:40 Unrivaled takeaways & 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

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