Not Exactly a Light August

Not Exactly a Light August

Author: John Hollinger and Nate Duncan August 28, 2026 Duration: 56:53
John is back from some time off and it's time to get his thoughts on all the major news of the last month. The Nuggets/Cavs Peyton Watson trade, Jonathan Kuminga to the Wolves, Bennedict Mathurin to the Pels, Klay Thompson to Miami, and the Dillon Brooks and Naji Marshall extensions. 0:19 Peyton Watson sign-and-trade: Denver’s decision and future options 13:45 Cleveland’s side of the Peyton Watson trade 19:27 Charlotte adds Dennis Schröder 20:12 Nuggets add DeMar DeRozan 24:05 Jonathan Kuminga to Minnesota 33:15 Pelicans add Bennedict Mathurin 41:41 Klay Thompson and the new-look Miami Heat 47:03 Dylan Brooks and Naji Marshall extensions; NBA spending trends 52:09 Zaccharie Risacher’s outlook in Dallas

For anyone who wants to move past the surface-level takes and truly understand the mechanics of professional basketball, Hollinger & Duncan NBA Show offers a weekly deep dive. Hosted by John Hollinger, an analytics pioneer and former NBA front office executive, and Nate Duncan, a seasoned host known for his detailed game analysis, this podcast operates with a unique blend of insider knowledge and objective scrutiny. Each episode feels like a conversation between two of the sharpest minds in basketball, dissecting not just what happened on the court, but why it happened and what it means for the future. You’ll hear detailed breakdowns of team strategies, nuanced player evaluations that go beyond basic stats, and clear explanations of complex financial rules like the salary cap and luxury tax that dictate roster construction. The discussion is grounded in film study and advanced data, providing a comprehensive picture of league trends, trade implications, and playoff races. It’s a show for the dedicated fan who craves substance, whether the topic is a rookie’s footwork, a contender’s defensive scheme, or the ramifications of a new collective bargaining agreement. Listening to this podcast is like gaining access to a front office meeting, where the league’s narratives are unpacked with intelligence, humor, and a relentless pursuit of what actually wins games.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Hollinger & Duncan NBA Show - NBA Basketball Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Changing the Game to Reduce Injuries; The Playoff Crucible Week 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:01
In the wake of a series of depressing playoff injuries, John and Nate take 30 minutes to brainstorm some potential rule changes they think would help. Then we look back on week 3 of the playoff crucible and discuss the c…
The 2026 Crucible Week 2, Lottery Reform [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:19
Hollinger and Duncan react to Minnesota’s stunning series win over Denver, the Knicks’ historic Game 6 destruction of Atlanta, the proposed lottery reform, and the biggest strategic developments of the playoffs so far. T…
The Playoff Crucible Outlook 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:25
John and Nate look ahead to the playoffs, picking all 4 rounds and the eventual champions. Plus, they pick their: Most interesting series Least interesting series Best Individual Matchup Star player with the toughest mat…
Star Movement Draft; Milwaukee Drama; Reaves’ Market [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:55
John and Nate do their 3rd annual Star Movement Draft, as they pick the stars they think are most likely to be on another team by the start of the 2027-28 season. But first, they catch up on Giannis’ latest comments on t…
Top-10 Players in the NBA 2025-26 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:27
John Hollinger joins Nate Duncan and Danny Leroux in a special crossover episode to discuss the top-10 players in the NBA. Is Jokic or Shai at the top of the league? Where does the ascendant Victor Wembanyama fit in? The…
Coach Rankings 2025-26 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:35
John Hollinger and Nate Duncan do their annual coach rankings based on all the criteria that go into making a great (or terrible) coach. It’s a clear group of four at the top for both of them, but then it gets murkier wi…
First Annual Playoff and Tankoff Wins Draft [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:42
We actually do NEW episodes even 7 years in. John and Nate draft the nine tanking teams to see who can draft the most wins the rest of the season. Where does your favorite tanking team land in the rankings?
2025 Deadline Retrospective; Knocking the Tread off the Tankers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:07
John and Nate level a TOW Missile at the league’s tankers with some novel solutions and evaluation of whether the league’s proposed ideas will work, while discussing if the Jazz’s punishment was fair. Then a look back at…