Playoffs Week 3: The CRUCIBLE 2024

John and Nate discuss the news that Kawhi Leonard won’t be cleared to start camp, the possibility of trading Kawhi (4:18), and whether the Kawhi trade and full-draft trades in general are worth it (5:51). Also, Mitchell Robinson won’t be back until the winter (15:00), and Joel Embiid agrees to an extension. (23:55)Plus, more mailbag questions on whether injuries are ruining the playoffs (27:36), Scoot Henderson’s potential (35:00) the big scary Apron (38:39) , whether the Sixers are overrated going into the season (42:21), how we watch basketball and how to improve your own basketball-watching (45:34), and whether teams will also “position” themselves for the 2026 draft. (52:09) Subscribe to 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.FMSubscribe on YouTube to see our hilarious faces and, more importantly, see the key moments from the pod each week.

John and Nate discuss disagreements on recent extensions involving Jamal Murray, Andrew Nembhard, and TJ McConnell.  Then, a typically great series of questions from our listeners:Is it better to have good players paid a little more than they’re worth or value contracts for solid players? 15:29Will the new CBA restrictions chill activity at the trade deadline? 17:32How much do teams prioritize acquiring players who are friends with the star? 20:32Flagg vs Wemby? 25:36Has Okongwu shown enough for the Hawks to trade Capela? 27:56How we view the Rockets’ plethora of young prospects. 31:25The New Orleans situation with Ingram and no apparent centers. 43:03How John handled it when players’ names got out in trade talks. 47:40What will be some of the key tactical developments and trends this season? 54:00 Subscribe to 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.FMSubscribe on YouTube to see our hilarious faces and, more importantly, see the key moments from the pod each week.

We are honored to be graced by official Summer League Award Voter John Hollinger to hand out some unofficial Summer League Awards:Who will be the best rookie this year, and who will have the best career?Who changed your opinion the most for the better?Most disappointing player?“I nailed this one,” guys who looked exactly like you thought they wouldWho are you worried about?Best defensive player?Best rookie in the 2nd half of the first round?Best “sleeper,” i.e. 2nd round or undrafted?Best sophomore?“Too good for summer league?”Wish you were hereMost overrated summer league?Most underrated summer league?Victory lap (prematurely)Looking rock solid, just going to be a solid NBA playerPick you totally didn’t understand that was confirmed Subscribe to 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.FMSubscribe on YouTube to see our hilarious faces and, more importantly, see the key moments from the pod each week.

John and Nate discuss all the big events of the last few days:John’s most surprising transactionHow good the PG Sixers are, and what cap shenanigans they can use to add a power forward.Our West power rankings as it stands todayThe fit of Hartenstein and Caruso in OKCKlay Thompson, Quentin Grimes, and Naji Marshall in Dallas.Whether there’s any excuse for Denver losing KCP and how much it hurts them.Memphis’ potential to get back in the West mix.DeMar DeRozan’s potential fit with the Lakers.And the latest on what the heck the Pistons are doing. Subscribe to 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.FMSubscribe on YouTube to see our hilarious faces and, more importantly, see the key moments from the pod each week.

John Hollinger & Nate Duncan wrap-up the NBA Finals and go through a big docket on the draft and transaction season.How good is Boston historically?What to make of this Dallas season and where they need to get betterThe Pistons firing of Monty WilliamsThe Siakam and Monk new contractsCaruso for GiddeyEvaluating players at the top of the draft:Ron HollandZaccharie RisacherStephon CastleAlex SarrReed SheppardDonovan Clingan Subscribe to 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.FMSubscribe on YouTube to see our hilarious faces and, more importantly, see the key moments from the pod each week.

John Hollinger & Nate Duncan look at the key extensions that could determine many teams’ paths next season. Included:Boston with Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, and Sam Hauser.Minnesota with Rudy GobertNew Orleans with Brandon Ingram and Jose AlvaradoDenver with KCP, Aaron Gordon, and Jamal MurrayMiami with Jimmy Butler, Caleb Martin, and Bam AdebayoNew York with Jalen Brunson and Julius RandlePhoenix with Kevin Durant Subscribe to 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.FMSubscribe on YouTube to see our hilarious faces and, more importantly, see the key moments from the pod each week.

John and Nate discuss the value of some of the biggest trade candidates of the 2024 offseason. Who might ask out, and who will their teams be willing to move? It’s going to be a fascinating offseason with the complications of the new Second Apron and teams looking to move good players but also improve on the floor. Subscribe to 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.FMSubscribe on YouTube to see our hilarious faces and, more importantly, see the key moments from the pod each week.

John and Nate catch up on the playoffs so far and discuss:The best team so far?Who among the Cavs principles of JB Bickerstaff, Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen will be back next year?Whether Jalen Brunson has emerged as a top-5 player?The coaching performancesThe playoff crucibleWho withstood?Who is ash?Whether drafting Bronny James on his own merits would be as absurd as some are making it out to be Subscribe to 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.FMSubscribe on YouTube to see our hilarious faces and, more importantly, see the key moments from the pod each week.

John and Nate catch up on the playoffs so far and discuss:The key strategic trends of the playoffs so farThe best team so far?Whether Jalen Brunson has emerged as a top-5 player?The coaching performancesMost surprising playersMost disappointing playersThe playoff crucibleWho withstood?Who is ash?Plus they give their opinions on the Budenholzer and Lee hires in Phoenix and Charlotte. Subscribe to 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.FMSubscribe on YouTube to see our hilarious faces and, more importantly, see the key moments from the pod each week.

John and Nate catch up on the playoffs so far and discuss:The best team so far?Where we’d edit our overall predictionsThe biggest change to our pre series predictionsBest and worst predictions we’ve made?Best coaching job, and best specific coaching adjustmentsWorst coaching job, and worst adjustments or non-adjustmentsMost surprising playersMost disappointing playersBest GameWorst gameBest individual performance in a gameMVP/ first-team all playoffs (any position)The playoff crucible (rotation players who either thrived or couldn’t hack it)Who withstood?Who is ash? Subscribe to 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.FMSubscribe on YouTube to see our hilarious faces and, more importantly, see the key moments from the pod each week.