Western Conference Offseason Grades 2024–Part 1

Nate and Danny break down which of the surprise teams this season are good bets to continue their overperformance, examining Cleveland, Golden State (7:19), Houston (15:28), Phoenix (23:11) and Oklahoma City (33:00).Then we catch up on the latest news around the league (42:04), with Philly continuing to be snakebit by injury. Subscribe to Dunc’d On Prime, 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.

Our first look at the 15 teams in the East!Hawks: Early thoughts on Zaccharie RisacherBulls: They have a different identity than in years past, but couldn’t get by the Nets. 7:56Nets: It looks like they improbably have a pretty deep team.Pistons: Detroit’s defense is much improved after shutting down the hot Nets. 30:12Celtics: Ho-hum, another 128 offensive rating for the C’s while they ease into the season. Oh, and would they beat OKC? 37:00Hornets: LaMelo is better than ever, but needs to play some defense. And Miles Bridges looks really bad to start the season. 43:28Cavs: The Cavs are dominating behind Evan Mobley’s improved ability to attack the rim. 53:08Bucks: Giannis just isn’t the same defensively, as we saw in their loss to Cleveland.Pacers: This was supposed to be a dominant offense. 1:03:34Heat: Miami is amping up the pressure in the passing lanes defensively. 1:11:11Wizards: It’s been a great start for the Wizards’ main prospects. 1:17:21Magic: How can Jamahl Mosley piece together a rotation with their injuries? 1:26:41Knicks: KAT breaks out for 44. 1:34:57Raptors: Gradey Dick has kept the Raps’ offense afloat early. 1:39:5876ers: Tyrese Maxey has not kept Philly’s afloat, and Joel Embiid’s altercation with a reporter isn’t a great indication of newfound maturity. 1:44:23 Subscribe to Dunc’d On Prime, 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.

The Rockets get a surprising win in Dallas. Why the Rockets have a high night-to-night floor this year, and is there any reason to be concerned about Dallas’ offense?Victor vs Chet wasn’t close in the end, as OKC’s dominant team defense was the story. 25:30We go through our opinions on the team option decisions like Jalen Hood-Schifino and Jake LaRavia. 52:38Paolo Banchero is out for at least a month, so what will the Magic do to compensate? Plus the rest of the injury news around the league. 1:01:00And this is your last 12 hours to get 35% off Dunc'd On Prime with code "preseason24". Subscribe to Dunc’d On Prime, 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.

The Athletic’s Anthony Slater joins for a postgame look at Warriors/Pelicans, and then we zoom out with our key takeaways from the Warriors’ 4-1 start. Subscribe to Dunc’d On Prime, 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.

Nate and Danny continue their frantic surveying of the league in the first week of the season through some of the key games of teams we haven’t had a chance to watch much of yet.Scoot Henderson and Jordan Hawkins were big stories in New Orleans vs Portland, plus why we fear New Orleans’ defense won’t be as good this year.The Grizzlies are a big storyline early with rotations that highlight their depth, we break down their loss to Houston and win over Orlando in the return of Jaren Jackson, Jr. 20:05.The Lakers have started 3-0 for the first time in forever as JJ Redick’s new system has highlighted Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves. 37:20.The Knicks got back on track, and there is concern about Tyrese Haliburton. 50:30.So remember all that talk about how games were going to be called more loosely? Uh, no. 56:07.Plus, some quick hitters on Philly, Milwaukee/Chicago, and Denver.  59:19.Don't forget you can subscribe to Dunc'd On Prime for 35% off the yearly price with code "preseason24". Subscribe to Dunc’d On Prime, 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.

In one of the most anticipated Week 1 matchups, OKC’s business-like win revealed their depth and burnished some of our worst fears about Denver.Anthony Edwards and the Wolves gutted out a late win against a Sacramento team that was supposed to have the advantage late-game. 23:51.Victor and the Spurs controlled the paint on defense, but that’s all that went right in a blowout loss to the Mavs in Klay’s debut. 39:43.Plus, our thoughts on the Klawsuit by Kawhi Leonard’s strength guy against the Clippers. 46:17. Subscribe to Dunc’d On Prime, 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.

Locked on Rockets host Jackson Gatlin dives into perhaps the most fascinating team of 2024-25.How good was this Rockets team last year? Were they “better without Sengun?” Will the opponent 3-point shooting fall back to Earth?What can the Rockets expect from Reed Sheppard this season?With Sengun and Jalen Green extended, can they take steps forward to All-Star level?Why Jabari Smith, Jr. is one of the most underrated players in the league.How does Amen Thompson fit into the mix as a player the coaches love who has shooting concerns?What will Ime Udoka’s rotation look like?What are the Rockets strengths and weaknesses, plus our predictions for the season. Subscribe to Dunc’d On Prime, 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.

Nate and Danny give their team and individual award predictions for the 2024-25 Season.West season win predictionsWest playoffs predictions (19:45)East season win predictions (23:29)East playoffs predictions, NBA Champion and championship contenders (28:42)MVP (39:30)Coach of the Year (44:18)First coach fired (46:30)Defensive Player of the Year (49:28)Breakout defensive players (52:09)Sixth Man of the Year (53:38)Rookie of the Year (56:50)Sophomores of the Year (59:41)Biggest surprise team (1:00:31)Biggest surprise player (1:05:02)Most improved player (1:10:18)Most disappointing team (1:12:30)Most disappointing player (1:16:50)Executive of the Year (1:22:51)NOT Executive of the Year (1:25:22) Subscribe to Dunc’d On Prime, 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.

Tim Cato of All City is our guest to discuss the Mavericks’ attempt to return to the NBA Finals.What drove their Finals run last year, and is it a formula for regular season success this year?What kind of shape is Luka in?How will the Mavs use Klay Thompson? And will he start/close games by the end of the year?Who will emerge as this team’s defensive stopper on the perimeter?Can Kyrie Irving keep it going as a 33 year-old?Is this the deepest team Luka has ever played on?What are the Mavs’ strengths and weaknesses?Our win predictions for the season Subscribe to Dunc’d On Prime, 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.

Derek Bodner of PHLY is our guest to discuss one of the most anticipated seasons in Sixers history.Can Joel Embiid be the same player after knee surgery?Is there even more in the tank from Tyrese Maxey this year?What exactly are the Sixers getting with Paul George at this stage of his career?How will Nick Nurse build out the rotation behind the big 3? Can any of their less-heralded players emerge?What should the Sixers be looking for in a trade at midseason?What are the major strengths and weaknesses for Philly?Our predictions for the seasonHow they match up with other East contendersThe Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski joins to discuss the post-KAT trade Wolves.What did the Wolves lose in KAT?How do newcomers Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo fit in?Can Rudy Gobert repeat his DPOY campaign?What should Anthony Edwards’ focus be to improve this season?The combinations Chris Finch will rely on in his rotationWhat makes the Wolves one of the deepest teams in the leagueCan the defense maintain its crazy top of the league points per possession?The Wolves’ strengths and weaknesses and our predictions for the seasonHow they match up with potential playoff opponents Subscribe to Dunc’d On Prime, 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.