For the first time this NBA season, Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones go to the Dunker Spot mailbag!

They answer questions about league-wide defensive trends, potential shifts to the Heat's offense, Michael Porter Jr. trade destinations and much more.

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

If you’d like to join our Dunker Spot Playoff watch parties — they're free, and easy to sign up for — you can do so here: https://www.playback.tv/thedunkerspot

(1:27) — Common themes for teams that have made leaps this year

(8:41) — Will we see more zone and/or college-style press defenses?

(18:05) — Who are we most excited to see explore and develop during the Unrivaled season?

(24:20) — How do we judge (good) defense + potential Michael Porter Jr. trade destinations

(35:43) — Building defensive chemistry + potential tweaks to Miami's offense moving forward

(45:48) — How will young role players fill in for key rotation pieces across the league?

(49:46) — What makes the Cade Cunningham/Jalen Duren partnership effective + a Jaden Ivey trade idea

(56:52) — Who could use Trendon Watford?

(59:09) — Is it time for NBA realignment?

(01:02:22) — An All-Star game format suggestion

(01:06:23) — Does LeBron, Luka, and Austin Reaves make up the best passing trio EVER?

(01:12:52) — Gary Payton II conversation

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Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones salute the streaking Pistons, Heat, and Raptors, then talk about teams, players and other things they're grateful for this season. From Chris Paul, to absurd Thunder runs, to alternate courts, to broadcast gimmicks. Basketball is awesome and we're glad we have it.

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

If you’d like to join our Dunker Spot Playoff watch parties — they're free, and easy to sign up for — you can do so here: https://www.playback.tv/thedunkerspot

(1:24) — Detroit Pistons

(9:29) — Miami Heat

(18:35) — Toronto Raptors

(25:20) — Teams (and things) we're grateful for

(41:41) — Players we're grateful for

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Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones break down the season debut of LeBron James, discussing the positives, growth areas, and things to keep track of as the sample grows.

Then, they react to the recent reporting surrounding LaMelo Ball and the Charlotte Hornets. How did we get here, how solvable is it, and who are some potential fits for LaMelo if the plug is pulled?

Finally, the guys check in on the Sacramento Kings. The vibes are bad and the record is worse; they discuss the current state and how they should move forward.

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

If you’d like to join our Dunker Spot Playoff watch parties — they're free, and easy to sign up for — you can do so here: https://www.playback.tv/thedunkerspot

(1:20) — LeBron James' debut

(22:51) — LaMelo Ball discussion

(43:13) — Should the Sacramento Kings blow this up?

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Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at yahoosports.tv

Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones roam the baseline with praise for the Oklahoma City Thunder and surprisingly-feisty Atlanta Hawks.

Then, they check in on the Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Milwaukee Bucks as they deal with teams working to take away their strengths.

Finally, the guys do their first All-Star check-in of the season. Who's in? Who's close? What will the US-based teams look like?

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

If you’d like to join our Dunker Spot Playoff watch parties — they're free, and easy to sign up for — you can do so here: https://www.playback.tv/thedunkerspot

(1:27) — Oklahoma City Thunder

(20:42) — Atlanta Hawks

(36:35) — Minnesota Timberwolves

(51:01) — Cleveland Cavaliers

(01:03:34) — Milwaukee Bucks

(01:08:42) — All-Star check-in

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Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at yahoosports.tv

Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones are joined by Stephen PridGeon-Garner (PHNX Sports) to discuss the surprisingly hot start of the Phoenix Suns.

Then, the guys break down the recent play of Nikola Jokic, who's setting the world on fire with an unrivaled blend of scoring efficiency and playmaking.

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

If you’d like to join our Dunker Spot Playoff watch parties — they're free, and easy to sign up for — you can do so here: https://www.playback.tv/thedunkerspot

(2:23) — Similarities between the Suns and the Phoenix Mercury

(4:03) — Early expectations & results of new head coach Jordan Ott

(12:19) — Devin Booker's growth and usage

(28:46) — Complementary play of Grayson Allen, Dillon Brooks and Royce O'Neale

(37:08) — Suns defense

(53:43) — Rapid fire questions (Jalen Green, Ryan Dunn, Oso Ighodaro, Collin Gillespie, best lineup)

(01:06:03) — Nikola Jokic breakdown

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Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones roam the baseline with some Western Conference love (Nuggets, Rockets) and some surging teams in the East (top-seeded Pistons, rising Raptors).

Then, they react to the breaking news out of Dallas — bye-bye, Nico Harrison — before diving into an odd Memphis Grizzlies season. Finally, they close with some well-deserved player shoutouts.

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

If you’d like to join our Dunker Spot Playoff watch parties — they're free, and easy to sign up for — you can do so here: https://www.playback.tv/thedunkerspot

(1:58) — Denver Nuggets

(19:45) — Houston Rockets

(34:50) — Detroit Pistons

(44:02) — Toronto Raptors

(47:27) — Mavericks to fire Nico Harrison

(51:23) — Memphis Grizzlies

(01:11:06) — Los Angeles Clippers

(01:14:39) — Player Shoutouts

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Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at yahoosports.tv

It's time to check on the rookies!

Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones give their early impression on 10 of the top rookies from this year's class, digging into what they like and some things they'll be keeping an eye on. The plan is to do a rookie-centric episode at the beginning of each month, with a rotating cast of names to discuss.

After that, the guys give their early impressions of each of the eight Unrivaled rosters and discuss their early favorites.

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

If you’d like to join our Dunker Spot Playoff watch parties — they're free, and easy to sign up for — you can do so here: https://www.playback.tv/thedunkerspot

(1:59) — VJ Edgecombe (Sixers)

(13:58) — Cedric Coward (Grizzlies)

(21:53) — Cooper Flagg (Mavs)

(32:29) — Dylan Harper (Spurs)

(40:09) — Kon Knueppel (Hornets)

(47:00) — Jeremiah Fears (Pelicans)

(52:34) — Collin Murray-Boyles (Raptors)

(01:00:20) — Tre Johnson (Wizards)

(01:07:13) — Ryan Kalkbrenner (Hornets)

(01:11:52) — Derik Queen (Pelicans)

(01:17:56) — Quick shoutouts (Sion James, Will Richard, Hugo Gonzalez, Jazz)

(01:19:27) — Early thoughts on Unrivaled, Season 2

(01:27:28) — Free Throws

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We're bouncing around the league again!

Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones "Roam the Baseline" with a few Western Conference shoutouts — and a hat tip to a hot start out East. Then, it's time for an identity check for a few teams looking to find themselves. The show closes with player shoutouts, free throws, and an apology to Saints fans.

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

If you’d like to join our Dunker Spot Playoff watch parties — they're free, and easy to sign up for — you can do so here: https://www.playback.tv/thedunkerspot

(1:15) — Lakers

(12:25) — Thunder

(19:27) — Blazers

(25:32) — Bulls

(34:39) — Mavericks

(49:27) — Spurs

(52:07) — Knicks

(54:12) — Suns

(56:46) — Making us sad (Pelicans, Grizzlies, Nets)

(59:45) — Hawks

(01:01:03) — Jazz

(01:03:02) — Player shoutouts

(01:16:43) — Free Throws

🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTube

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at yahoosports.tv