Mark Schindler is joined by Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones Jr. of The Dunker Spot to break down and parse through the first half of the 2023 season in a post All-Star megashow!
Timestamps:3:33 Aces Feelings
6:02 The Aces are unfair
8:30 Dominance is good for the W
11:38 Aces’ Player Dev.
13:25 Candace Parker’s Fit
17:40 A’ja Wilson has hit another level
24:10 Connecticut Sun: What are they as a team?
29:00 Guard play questions
29:52 The formula doesn’t change, but is it enough?
32:10 The newfound shot-making and DeWanna Bonner’s season
32:55 More space for DeWanna and DiJonai Carrington to attack
36:12 Appreciating how incredible Alyssa Thomas has been
41:50 New York Liberty
43:42 Showcasing what they can do + how they can improve
47:15 Finding a consistent closing look?
51:09 How do we feel about JJ’s season?
53:32 Leaning more into JJ
55:50 There’s JJ/Stewie synergy but not consistently
1:01:00 If you had to pick a team to win a series or make it tough, whomst? Wings/Dream/Mystics
1:02:00 Nekias Duncan is in a headlock with this group
1:03:10 What are the Mystics? Where are we at with the offense? Is there another gear?
1:06:30 Quick “It’s super cool how the game is evolving” rant
1:07:11 Gushing about how good Tianna Hawkins is at basketball
1:07:38 Is a personnel change necessary to improve ceiling?
1:08:30 Leaning into Brittney Sykes and Ariel Atkins: Pushing pace
1:10:15 “Elena Delle Donne has a 76 speed on 2k, Steve, you can continue”
1:11:19 A lot of talk on what spacing is/isn’t and why that matters for how Washington is defended RE: Personnel
1:14:42 Rhyne Howard is developing into superstardom, how discomfort has impacted her game, how she’s grown from it, and why the Dream are thriving playing out of her gravity
1:17:17 What are the Dallas Wings? Who are the Dallas Wings? Why are the Dallas Wings?
1:21:22 Their offensive identity
1:23:06 The Wings are 12th in 3 point shooting in the league “Oh”
1:27:15 Lacking some connectivity
1:29:52 “I wish there was a 7-team trade” - Nekias Duncan
1:31:45 Shoutouts
- Dulcy Fankam-Mendjiadeu
- Azura Stevens
- Michaela Onyenwere
- Courtney Williams
- Victoria Vivians
- Jordan Horston and Ivana Dojkic
- Diamond Miller
- Alanna Smith
- Grace Berger
1:38:25 Questions you want answered
Is defense harder to play now? Do we need to rethink what good defense is?
1:40:37 Lineup versatility, pace, flow, and general growth across development with player archetype changes
- Then a larger answer about the evolution of pull-up shooting on the horizon
1:48:45 Who is a non-All-Star that has surprised you or enjoyed a ton?
As always, a major thank you to James Edwards III for the intro and outro music!
If you have not already, follow Mark on Twitter @MG_Schindler and be sure to rate and review the pod! Send any questions, comments, or feedback Mark's way, and enjoy the show.
