NBA Cup Semis: SAS/OKC and NYK/ORL; NBA Cup Final Outlook

Victor Wembanyama returns in heroic fashion to power San Antonio past Oklahoma City and give them only their second loss of the season.  Plus, the NBA rule that MUST be changed for next year.Jalen Brunson becomes only the 3rd player to drop 40 in Cup play as Orlando had no answers for the new-look Knicks.Then, we look ahead to a fascinating San Antonio vs New York Cup Final. 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!Subscribe on YouTube to get Dunc'd On Clutch Calls, Real Video Scouts, and more.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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nate and Danny take questions on Indiana through Washington in the Eastern Conference.  Pacers — 0:13What explains the divergence between the Boston Celtics and the Indiana Pacers despite their seemingly comparable losses in talent?Did the Pacers truly “miss” on Ryan Nembhard given their existing guard depth with Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, and T.J. McConnell?Do the Pacers have a starting-caliber center on the roster (Jay Huff, Isaiah Jackson, Tony Bradley), or will they ultimately need to upgrade?What should Bennedict Mathurin’s next contract and long-term role look like?Heat — 11:01Why has the Bam Adebayo–Kel’el Ware starting lineup struggled defensively and in transition?What is going on with Nikola Jović, and was his extension an overpay?Can Jaime Jaquez Jr. eventually become a starter and primary handler, or is he capped as a high-end sixth man?Why is Kel’el Ware playing so few minutes despite his flashes?Which current Heat players are most likely to remain on the roster by opening night 2027?Bucks — 24:58If Giannis Antetokounmpo is traded, should the Bucks keep Myles Turner or move him next to replenish assets?How much of Milwaukee’s struggles stem from coaching and scheme—offensive rebounding philosophy, defensive rebounding, transition issues, and rotation decisions involving Myles Turner, Andre Jackson Jr., and Amir Coffey?Knicks — 31:27What has happened to Guerschon Yabusele compared to last season?Will the triangle offense ever make a comeback in the modern NBA?Is Miles “Deuce” McBride a starting-caliber guard on most teams?Magic — 40:47How can the Magic realistically get under the tax—moving Jet Howard, Tyus Jones, Jonathan Isaac, or others?If the Magic truly believe in Paolo Banchero’s ceiling, should they consider trading Franz Wagner now while his value is highest?Should the Magic be considered the favorites in the Eastern Conference?With Moe Wagner returning, should the Magic increase minutes for Penda and consider moving Jonathan Isaac?Sixers — 51:55What do we make of VJ Edgecombe’s rookie season so far?Did Tyrese Maxey deserve more All-NBA consideration given how he has carried the Sixers?Raptors — 59:09What do Jamal Shead’s playmaking numbers and on/off data suggest about his long-term role?How much of Toronto’s improvement is due to Scottie Barnes’ development versus shooting and Immanuel Quickley’s influence?How should the Raptors manage R.J. Barrett’s future given his contract and offensive importance?Wizards — 1:09:00Can Cam Whitmore turn things around after being benched for not meeting on-court standards?What should Wizards fans look for when evaluating Brian Keefe—player development, stylistic identity, or broader organizational signals? 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!Subscribe on YouTube to get Dunc'd On Clutch Calls, Real Video Scouts, and more.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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hawks — 3:36Should the Hawks trade Trae Young plus two juicy Bucks/Pels picks for Giannis, and how would that look from both teams’ perspectives?If the Hawks keep Trae, re-sign him reasonably, and just add this incoming Pelicans pick, can that path ever realistically lead to a championship?Do you buy Onyeka Okongwu’s three-point shooting, and if you do, is he a top-15 center in the league?Celtics — 13:20If you’re the Celtics, how should you play out the rest of the season—go all out because there’s no super-team in the East, or pull back at some point to protect health?How useful will their increased turnover forcing and more egalitarian offense be once Jayson Tatum returns, and which rotation guys could actually be part of a high-level playoff rotation?Is Jaylen Brown genuinely improved compared to prior years, or is it mostly that the mid-range is falling more; and if it’s shot luck, how long would he have to sustain this for it to be “real”?Nets — 22:36Is Michael Porter more valuable to the Nets as an on-court player to get them back into the playoff mix, or as a trade asset?Can you do as deep a dive as possible on Noah Clowney’s game and development?Were pundits too quick to call the Nets’ draft a disaster given how much their rookies are now playing?Hornets — 31:06What has happened to LaMelo Ball—he was an All-Star before, so is this decline just injuries and lack of progression?What are some potential trades for Miles Bridges, Ball, and Sexton?Do you sense a shift in the Hornets’ organizational philosophy under the new regime?Bulls — 39:10John Hollinger has said the Suns turned down the Pelicans/Hawks pick deal; do you know if that exact deal (or better) was offered to other teams like the Bulls or Blazers, or is that just logical inference?Should the Bulls go all-in and trade for Anthony Davis, and what could they realistically get for Coby White if Artūras Karnišovas canvassed the league?The Bulls are trying to make up for their talent deficit by running on everything—does that strategy backfire (more injuries, better teams separating with more possessions), or is it actually their best path?Cavs — 50:20How concerned are you about the Cavs’ bad start, and in particular about Darius Garland’s play and health?What are your thoughts on Jaylon Tyson’s development so far?Should Cleveland start trying to get out of the second apron, and what would it take to do that?Pistons — 58:06Good or bad, what has been the most surprising thing about the Eastern Conference so far this season?Besides Giannis and Lauri Markkanen, what other players would be a good fit for the Pistons and actually gettable?Would Sam Hauser be a good target for the Pistons given his price point and role, and how does he fit relative to what they already have (e.g. Duncan Robinson–type shooters)? 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!Subscribe on YouTube to get Dunc'd On Clutch Calls, Real Video Scouts, and more.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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the East so open, should the Pistons push their chips in now for a star forward like Jaren Jackson Jr. (or Markkanen/AD), and what would that kind of trade cost?Is an Austin Reaves–Luka Dončić backcourt too weak defensively for the Lakers to be a true championship contender?⁠Full Daily Duncs with links⁠⁠Lawrence FrankChris Paul-ClippersChris PaulL.A. ClippersCleveland CavaliersGiannis AntetokounmpoSpurs-MagicPistons-BucksDunc'd On LivePat SpencerDenver NuggetsDenver Nuggets⁠Full 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!Subscribe on YouTube to get Dunc'd On Clutch Calls, Real Video Scouts, and more.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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s potential trade request leads off the show, as Nate and Danny retrace how Milwaukee got here and debate where he could go next.They then break down Bucks/Pistons, highlighted by Giannis’ calf injury, Doc Rivers’ clever 2–3 zone, and Jericho Sims’ decisive and-one.San Antonio/Orlando follows, with Dylan Harper’s electric playmaking, De’Aaron Fox’s tough shotmaking, and Luke Kornet’s game-saving block on Franz Wagner.Jamal Murray’s 52-point explosion against Indiana ranks among the most efficient 50-point games ever.A shorthanded Warriors/Thunder matchup features Pat Spencer’s breakout, Seth Curry’s debut, and OKC’s defensive lapses.Finally, Chris Paul’s exit from the Clippers headlines a lengthy news segment on injuries and updates around the league.Giannis’ looming trade request, the Bucks’ timeline, and possible destinations and returns. 0:30Bucks/Pistons: Giannis’ calf injury, Doc’s 2–3 zone on Cade, Sims’ putback, and Detroit’s crunch-time collapse. 17:30Spurs @ Magic: Harper vs Fox, Orlando’s paint attack, and Luke Kornet’s game-saving block on Franz. 25:47Jamal Murray drops 52 on Indiana and what it reveals about Denver’s season and their home/road split. 45:38Warriors/Thunder in SF: Pat Spencer’s shock performance, OKC’s shorthanded defense, Seth Curry signing, and Kuminga’s health. 50:08Chris Paul sent home by the Clippers, locker-room dynamics, Ty Lue/Lawrence Frank, and what’s next for CP3. 58:59News (league-wide injuries/updates: Nuggets, Clippers, Lakers, Heat, Pelicans, Wizards, Knicks, Kings, Celtics, Nets, Bulls, Hornets, and more). 1:06:41 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!Subscribe on YouTube to get Dunc'd On Clutch Calls, Real Video Scouts, and more.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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nate and Danny take their first crack at the NBA awards. Jokic, Shai, Luka, or Giannis for MVP? 00:01:38We break down a ridiculously deep field for the All-NBA teams, with over 25 legitimate candidates. 00:28:59Then, Defensive Player of the Year, with some surprising and some familiar candidates. 00:57:59Coach of the Year is another great one with coaches who have totally overhauled their systems, and others who have continued consistent excellence. 01:05:42Sixth Man of the Year also has some great options, although Nate and Danny have much different approaches to this award than the typical voter. 01:14:11Who is the leader for Rookie of the Year in a really talented class? 01:22:15People have been low on the 2024 draft, but some sophomores have started emerging. Who is the Sophomore of the Year? 01:29:17 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!Subscribe on YouTube to get Dunc'd On Clutch Calls, Real Video Scouts, and more.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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nate and Danny break down all the action on point differential night! Orlando and Detroit was a fascinating matchup of two hungry, athletic, physical teams.Cleveland had a chance to advance as the wild card, but the Hawks defense stifled them late. 29:00Jalen Brunson out-dueled Giannis down the stretch in a win or go home game to reach the quarterfinals. 42:53Denver disappointingly blew an 18 point lead to San Antonio at home to again bow out of the NBA Cup, as the Spurs make the quarterfinals. 50:14Phoenix continues its plucky resurgence but ultimately Shai was too much. 1:05:07Plus, we catch up on the latest news around the league. 1:13:22 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!Subscribe on YouTube to get Dunc'd On Clutch Calls, Real Video Scouts, and more.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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Our bi-weekly look at the Western Conference! LAL @ UTA: The Lakers hold on against the Jazz in LeBron James’ second game of the season.NOP @ DAL: Two young teams go at each other in a fun matchup over the weekend.POR: What makes Deni Avdija so hard to stop?MIN: Rob Dillingham just isn’t a rotation player right now for a team with the Wolves’ aspirationsDEN: How could they use Cam Johnson more?HOU: How real is their 3-point shooting?PHX: Collin Gillespie has been a big part of the Suns’ resurgenceLAC: James Harden’s 55-point game was a ton of fun to watchSAS: David Jones-Garcia looks like a solid stopgap with their guard injuriesMEM: Jaylen Wells has struggled in his second yearOKC: Their 31-4 run in 15 possessions against UtahGSW: Moses Moody is finally getting major minutesSAC: Getting Keegan Murray back will help them return to respectability 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!Subscribe on YouTube to get Dunc'd On Clutch Calls, Real Video Scouts, and more.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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Denver and Houston was a fascinating tactical matchup between two of the three-best teams in the league with a lot of different pitches to throw. Phoenix’s new identity helped them steal a game they had no business winning against the Wolves. 33:43Portland took control of their own destiny in the West Group of Death with an upset over Golden State. 46:24We look at the rest of the NBA Cup standings and scenarios, then discuss the latest news including LaMelo Ball and Anthony Davis potentially being on the block. 1:02:24 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!Subscribe on YouTube to get Dunc'd On Clutch Calls, Real Video Scouts, and more.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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

CHA: Kon Knueppel has truly impressed early on 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!Subscribe on YouTube to get Dunc'd On Clutch Calls, Real Video Scouts, and more.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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.