Wolves deep dive, Spurs check-in + Valkyries/Dream offseason outlook | The Dunker Spot

Nekias Duncan (0:00)

Hi, hello, we have a fun episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way. First, on the NBA side, we stay in the Western Conference. The Minnesota Timberwolves just keep winning. Six and two without Anthony Edwards. We talked about the offense evolving and the defense being potentially historically good. We get into it. We then talk about the San Antonio Spurs, who also can't stop winning. 10 game win streak. We talk about when we talk about the three guard lineups. We talk about the backup big situation too. Steve talks me off the ledge, but we had fun. On the W side, we get into some off season conversation. We look at the teams in the finals to Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream. Look at their impending free agents, and we talk about what we think they should do. Do they run it back? Do they make a star splash? Should we see something in the middle? We have a fun time talking about it all. We hope you enjoyed this Friday, the 13th edition of The Dunker Spot.

Hi, hello, and welcome to another episode of The Dunker Spot. We are part of the Yahoo Sports Network. I am your host, Nekias Duncan, and joining me as always is my co-host, the always excellent Steve Jones Jr. Steve. Happy Friday. Less than a week before GTA 6 arrives. How are we feeling?

Feeling good, feeling great. Happy to be here. Excited to be here. Thank you, Dunkers, for once again embracing your bounce. I'm going to ask how you are, Nekias, but I also feel like that was a warning shot. Bounce?

Well done. We still got to pod next week. That's true. That is true. We will still very much be podding. In all seriousness, I am doing well, in a good mood, excited to talk some basketball with you. The weekend's here, it's feeling good. It's just good vibes right now. Good vibes right now.

Okay. There we go. Good vibes. Speaking of good vibes, we should go straight to the Wild Wild West. Who are we talking about today, Nekias? We're so back. So we started the last podcast talking about Victor Wembanyama and how insane he's been before flowing into a Thunder conversation. And we said on Friday, or said on Tuesday rather, that we would be circling back to the Spurs today. And we're going to do that. But first, Steve, we just witnessed an absolute beatdown by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Of the Dallas Mavericks, the Wolves have now won five straight. They're six and two without Anthony Edwards right now. They continue to look very good on both ends of the floor. Overall, this season, Steve set stage seventh in offense, first in defense, first in net writing per cleaning the glass. And the half court defense in particular, Steve, allowing a shade under 85 points for 100 possessions. Over 11 points better than league average, which is, we're talking historic stuff if that holds. We'll get into the nitty gritty of the defense shortly. But the Wolves have been good. The Wolves have been fun. The circle went to the top of the pot. The vibes seem to just be very high in Minnesota right now. So Steve, I will pass the rock to you. What's caught your eye about the Minnesota Timberwolves lately? Well, I mean, I'll catch the rock and let's stay right with where you had it at the pass. The vibes are fantastic. So I think Chris Finch had the quote about the shift that the Minnesota Timberwolves had and everyone kind of made it about former players, but I think when you watch this Minnesota Timberwolves team, they are fun to watch because the Minnesota Timberwolves are having fun playing basketball right now and they are playing with a certain level of joy. Everyone's having fun. Everyone's celebrating for each other. Everyone's competing. I think when you look at this roster, especially post Anthony Edwards injury, everyone feels like they have a chance to contribute. I think overall, you felt the belief that Anthony Edwards had in this team in the preseason early in the season. I think it's been interesting to see how that belief and joy has carried over while he's been out. And to me personally, Nekias, I think you tip a lot of the cap to Chris Finch, obviously, for once again, finding a way to get this roster to believe and buy in and understand who they are. You also tip a lot of the cap to Lamello Ball for his efforts. And one thing that I found that was interesting as I was just scrolling and typing, preparing and putting those together and figuring out what I want to say, I tripped into an interview from Charles Lee of the Charlotte Hornets in October 2025 And he praised Lamello Ball for being really focused on trying to build winning habits. And then you fast forward to the Minnesota Timberwolves, beating the Dallas Mavericks, having a big blowout win. And what do you know?