It’s time to talk about the most inscrutable topic in the NBA: Defense! We pick our All-Defensive teams and Defensive Player of the Year. Are we swayed by Draymond’s self-promotional tour? Is another familiar name being slept on? Where do the big perimeter defensive stars rank relative to the bigs? We also pick our positional all-defensive teams, discuss whether the 65-game rule changed our picks, and then pick a few categories like best isolation and post defenders, best rim protector, and whic...
Apr 09, 2025•32 min
Nate and Danny make their final selections for the NBA’s awards. For the first time ever, it was so close that they both changed their MVP pick in the course of the discussion. Plus, a discussion of all* the other major awards, plus a few we’ve made up ourselves. Most Valuable Player (MVP): 0:00:24 Rest of MVP Ballot: 22:00 All-NBA Teams: 26:47 Coach of the Year: 38:10 Most Improved Player: 44:10 Rookie of the Year : 1:02:20 All-Rookie Team : 1:07:23 Best Sophomore : 1:09:39 Sixth Man of the Yea...
Apr 07, 2025•2 hr 51 min
John Hollinger joins Danny Leroux and Nate Duncan to break down our rankings of the top players in the NBA. Jokic or Shai at number 1? Who takes the 3rd spot? Where do old lions Steph, KD, and LeBron fall, and how do they compare with the young superstar bigs? How about the bevy of star guards? Plus, we discuss the biggest risers and fallers, the hardest to rank, and the players we think could make us look stupid for having them so low. Join Dunc’d On Prime! It's the only place to get every epis...
Apr 04, 2025•1 hr 12 min
The last and deepest position is in the books. After obvious #1 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, where do the rest of the big stars like Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Haliburton, and Stephen Curry land? How did we process down years for Ja Morant, Trae Young, Jamal Murray, and De’Aaron Fox? And who are some of the controversial risers that we believe could outgrow their roles over the next year? Full Daily Duncs with links Taylor Jenkins-Larry Brown Taylor Jenkins games remaining Taylor Jenkins record Taylor Je...
Apr 01, 2025•25 min
Nate always has a unique take on a coach being fired. What do he and Danny make of the Grizzlies moving on from Taylor Jenkins and this surprising timing? Then, on to the usual look at the West: MEM vs LAL: The Lakers’ intentional play exposes some key weaknesses for Memphis as the Tuomas Iisalo era gets underway. 14:00 PHX: KD goes down with an ankle injury. Is this the last we’ll see of him in a Phoenix uniform? 37:00 LAC: Nate lashes himself to the mast for the siren song of Kawhi Leonard fil...
Mar 31, 2025•1 hr 11 min
DET: How do they match up with the Knicks? Should they look to acquire a star in the offseason? IND (10:28): Are they the sleeper of the East? MIA (19:40): Should they still be trying to convey their pick to OKC this year? MIL (28:22): Why is the Milwaukee offense only 11th? NYK (37:29): What’s our current verdict on the Bridges and Towns trades? ORL (46:02): Why has Paolo been better? And how good is Franz? PHI (58:00): What would our plan be for the Sixers from here? TOR (1:06:20): Is RJ Barre...
Mar 27, 2025•1 hr 23 min
Our bi-weekly look at the East through your questions! ATL: Risacher is coming on, should he be in ROY conversation? Plus, everything Trae Young BOS: How do they get out of tax hell under new ownership and remain competitive? 24:00 BRK: How many of these guys will be around in 2027? How many playoff series will the rebuilding teams in the East win in the next 5 years? 40:38 CHA: What could the Hornets get for LaMelo? And what would he be like if he’d been drafted elsewhere? 48:00 CHI: Is Josh Gi...
Mar 24, 2025•1 hr 23 min
Jerry Engelmann used to work for the Mavs and the Suns, and now writes for former ESPN editor Royce Webb’s substack where he has been one of the most interesting writers of late with his controversial but data-driven opinions. You can subscribe at roycewebb.com/naterate and get a special deal for Dunc’d On listeners. We get into a ton of interesting topics, including players Nate thinks might be overrated by Jerry’s metrics and why he disagrees, whether Alex Caruso is one of the best defensive p...
Mar 20, 2025•56 min
Dan Feldman goes through an overstuffed Western Conference mailbag with Nate: DEN: Which teams should they fear in the playoffs? What is their best defensive option? HOU: What’s the best matchup for the Rockets in the West? What do they do with FVV this offseason? 10:14 LAC: Can they get into the top-6? Would Shai have been this good with the Clips? LAL: Who are the Lakers’ best and worst playoff matchups? Is there a precedent for Austin Reaves’ development? 27:05 MEM: How do THEY match up in th...
Mar 19, 2025•1 hr 23 min
GSW: Is Golden State for real? SAC: Did the Kings just face the hottest 3-point shooting ever? 14:39 SAS: Should the Spurs renegotiate De’Aaron Fox’s contract? What star would be worth going all-in for in trade? 23:17 UTA: The Jazz are still sitting players–is that illegal? Is Walker Kessler a high-level starter? 42:39 DAL: How could they get out of this mess? 48:58 PHX: Why are the Suns so much worse than expected? And how would we rank their outgoing picks? 1:00:46 Join Dunc’d On Prime! It's t...
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 10 min
Tim MacMahon of ESPN has chronicled the entire career of Luka Doncic–including this most recent crazy turn. His new book, The Wonder Boy, follows Luka and the Mavs from the time he was drafted through the stunning trade to the Lakers. MacMahon joins to share his unique insight on the challenges the Mavs faced as stewards of the young superstar’s career, and dishes a lot of great inside information as well. The Wonder Boy is due to be released on March 18, and is already the #1 New Release in the...
Mar 17, 2025•42 min
Danny joins to discuss the small forward position. Is it Luka or Tatum at #1? Where do the old lions LeBron James, Jimmy Butler, and Kevin Durant fall? Who is the best of the young risers like Cade Cunningham, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Williams? Which three-and-D skillsets do we believe in? Join Dunc’d On Prime! It's the only place to get every episode with Nate & Danny, plus every pod with John Hollinger & Nate as well! DuncdOn.SupportingCast.FM Subscribe on YouTube to see our hilar...
Mar 14, 2025•2 hr 52 min
Dan Feldman joins Nate for our bi-weekly look at the Eastern Conference. Today: CLE: How does Cleveland look with De’Andre Hunter at the 4? And what about Evan Mobley’s DPOY candidate? ATL: Is Dyson Daniels a DPOY candidate? MIL: Should they be more aggressive in the possession game? DET: The most underrated aspect of Cade Cunningham’s game. NYK: How will they fare without Jalen Brunson? CHA: In a minefield of failure, Moussa Diabate has been a success story MIA: The Heat’s clutch luck has run o...
Mar 12, 2025•20 min
Dan and Nate break down two huge games over the weekend. In Oklahoma City, the Thunder showed that they may present a major matchup problem for Denver. The Celtics showed their class in an iso-fest against the Lakers. 30:01 Then, This Just In catches up on the latest mess in Sacramento as De’Aaron Fox torches the organization. Plus, the rest of the news around the Association. 49:52 Join Dunc’d On Prime! It's the only place to get every episode with Nate & Danny, plus every pod with John Hol...
Mar 10, 2025•2 hr 32 min
Inspired by recent events, Dan and Nate take you on an Odyssey through NBA History as we recount the most disastrous seasons in league annals. Then, we rank the worst seasons of all-time, and discuss where this year’s Mavs, Suns, and Sixers fit in. We should have known this would take WELL over 2 hours. Join Dunc’d On Prime! It's the only place to get every episode with Nate & Danny, plus every pod with John Hollinger & Nate as well! DuncdOn.SupportingCast.FM Subscribe on YouTube t...
Mar 07, 2025•2 hr 16 min
Dan and Nate pick their most surprising and disappointing players of the season. Full Daily Duncs with links Joel Embiid Mike Budenholzer Kevin Durant-Suns Luka Doncic-Giannis Antetokounmpo Dunc'd On Live Nikola Jokic Cleveland Cavaliers Dallas Mavericks Gregg Popovich Meyers Leonard Full Daily Duncs with links Join Dunc’d On Prime! It's the only place to get every episode with Nate & Danny, plus every pod with John Hollinger & Nate as well! DuncdOn.SupportingCast.FM Subscribe on Y...
Mar 04, 2025•24 min
Danny jumps back in from paternity leave to look at the NBA awards with a bit more than a month before the end of the season. Who is MVP, Shai or Jokic? Plus, All-NBA (12:42); Executive and Not Executive of the Year (46:00); Defensive Player of the Year (1:20:13); Coach of the Year (1:24:57); , Rookie of the Year (1:31:08); and Sixth Man of the Year (1:38:59). Join Dunc’d On Prime! It's the only place to get every episode with Nate & Danny, plus every pod with John Hollinger & Nate as we...
Mar 03, 2025•2 hr 46 min
Nate and Dan look back through 30 years of star trades and assess how teams that looked to stay competitive when trading a star fared. What do these deals tell us about that strategy? Plus, This Just In! The Clippers are getting healthy, but the Knicks are running out of big bodies, and Nate apologies for one of his dumber arguments. 56:05 Join Dunc’d On Prime! It's the only place to get every episode with Nate & Danny, plus every pod with John Hollinger & Nate as well! DuncdOn.Supportin...
Feb 28, 2025•1 hr 8 min
We start our Best Contracts in the NBA discussion, as Nate and Dan get into some interesting debates (and even hit on a few that also appeared on the worst contracts list!) Plus, are rookie scale deals in aggregate positive or negative? Full Daily Duncs with links Joel Embiid Joel Embiid Giannis Antetokounmpo Ja Morant Luka Doncic Nico Harrison Dallas Mavericks Luka Doncic trade Hall of Fame Charlotte Hornets Full Daily Duncs with links Join Dunc’d On Prime! It's the only place to get every epis...
Feb 26, 2025•20 min
DEN and LAL: The Lakers looked like a brand new team with a new strategy against Denver SAS: What now that Victor is out for the year? 17:49 GSW and DAL: The Jimmy Butler home debut was a rousing success for the Warriors 26:00 PHX: Is there even the slightest hint of a good team in here? 36:11 POR: How is Donovan Clingan looking as he ascends to the starting lineup? 43:46 MEM: Is Ja Morant ready to lead a playoff offense? 55:03 NOP: What to make of Jordan Hawkins’ disappointing year 2 1:04:26 LA...
Feb 24, 2025•2 hr 53 min
Jared Dubin of Last Night in Basketball is the perfect guest to discuss the biggest trends we’ve seen in the NBA this year. What are the biggest changes on both ends of the floor that have affected what wins and loses basketball games a quarter into this century? You can get more of Jared’s work by subscribing to Last Night in Basketball Join Dunc’d On Prime! It's the only place to get every episode with Nate & Danny, plus every pod with John Hollinger & Nate as well! DuncdOn.SupportingC...
Feb 21, 2025•1 hr 5 min
Nate had to call up Ben Taylor to discuss his latest viral YouTube video on why he believes old-school NBA commentators aren’t appreciating the modern game–and his disagreements with them. Join Dunc’d On Prime! It's the only place to get every episode with Nate & Danny, plus every pod with John Hollinger & Nate as well! DuncdOn.SupportingCast.FM Subscribe on YouTube to see our hilarious faces and, more importantly, see watch this free pod twice a week. Or, sign up for our FREE mail...
Feb 17, 2025•33 min
Jake Rogal is the director of “Court of Gold”, a documentary premiering on Netflix on February 18 that offers unprecedented access to the 2024 Olympic Basketball Tournament. Nate indulged his curiosity by asking Jake about the process for sifting through the hundreds of hours of film, how they were able to capture authentic moments from the megastars in the series, some of his favorite characters that he got to know, how they would have handled it had USA lost, and of course that interview with ...
Feb 13, 2025•27 min
The Lakers decide to undo their trade for Mark Williams. Why might this have happened, and where does it leave LA? We also take a look at key players who actually DID make it to their new destinations, including Anthony Davis (18:18), Jimmy Butler (25:25), De’Aaron Fox (35:09), and Zach LaVine (43:48). Join Dunc’d On Prime! It's the only place to get every episode with Nate & Danny, plus every pod with John Hollinger & Nate as well! DuncdOn.SupportingCast.FM Subscribe on YouTube to...
Feb 09, 2025•59 min
We begin our deep dive on the deadline Cleveland finally gets their man on the wing with De’Andre Hunter. Meanwhile, Atlanta oddly gives up picks to exchange Bogdan Bogdanovic for Terance Mann. 14:59 Nate thinks Memphis’ Marcus Smart salary dump is a fraidy cat move. 34:56 The Wizards position themselves to maybe get something coming and going for Marcus Smart 49:33 Philly has to give up another second in the Caleb Martin deal 55:13 We take some listener questions 56:57 In part 2 exclusively on ...
Feb 06, 2025•1 hr 5 min
Trade analysis for Lakers and Hornets Scouting report on Mark Williams 20:30 Join Dunc’d On Prime! It's the only place to get every episode with Nate & Danny, plus every pod with John Hollinger & Nate as well! DuncdOn.SupportingCast.FM Subscribe on YouTube to see our hilarious faces and, more importantly, see watch this free pod twice a week. Or, sign up for our FREE mailing list to get Dan Feldman's Daily Duncs with all the major topics around the league twice a week....
Feb 06, 2025•33 min
San Antonio makes the biggest star trade in their history, with Texas native De’Aaron Fox headed to the Alamo City. What do we think of the Spurs’ decision to prioritize giving up future draft capital rather than players on their roster to acquire Fox? Did the Bulls do as well as recent teams who managed to acquire their own traded picks back in moving Zach LaVine? 21:26 Given their situation, what do we make of the Kings acquiring Zach LaVine in addition to other draft capital? 28:00 Other big ...
Feb 03, 2025•1 hr 21 min
The Grizzlies and Rockets is one of the many must-see matchups in the West among young teams these days, and this was another fascinating entry in their budding rivalry. Orlando’s shooting has reached comical levels, while Portland is coalescing having won 6 of 7. 32:08 Golden State summoned the old magic to outlast the Thunder and Shai’s 52 on Wednesday night. 46:58 We discuss the big All-Star snubs–and unlike many we actually say who shouldn’t have made it as well. 1:04:10 This Just In looks a...
Jan 31, 2025•2 hr 34 min
Kevin Pelton is kind enough to rejoin us for a Mock Trade Deadline supplement trying to move De’Aaron Fox. Kevin plays the Kings while Rich Paul and the Spurs try to navigate Fox to his preferred destination. Will he get there, or can another team provide a better offer to the Kings? Join Dunc’d On Prime! It's the only place to get every episode with Nate & Danny, plus every pod with John Hollinger & Nate as well! DuncdOn.SupportingCast.FM Subscribe on YouTube to see our hilarious ...
Jan 29, 2025•28 min
The 3-hour extravaganza is back for a 10th season, featuring Kevin Pelton of ESPN, Danny Leroux, Dan Feldman, and Nate Duncan. The four cap nerds split up the league’s teams and look to find homes for the biggest trade candidates around the league. In part 1 of the 2025 Mock Trade deadline, big names are potentially on the move including Jimmy Butler, Brandon Ingram, and Zach LaVine Join Dunc’d On Prime! It's the only place to get every episode with Nate & Danny, plus every pod with John Hol...
Jan 28, 2025•1 hr 29 min
