After much debate, our esteemed panel of NBA die-hards have selected The Hollinger & Duncan NBA Show as the Podcast of the Year award winner for 2020–a prestigious award that is much sought after by podcasters worldwide.
Throughout what proved to be a surreal and unforgettable year in this world we call Earth, as well as the 2020 NBA season, thanks to COVID-19 delaying play from March to July, the bubble, ever-changing rumors, news updates, rumors, NBA calendar changes, and a bizarre November draft and free agency, John Hollinger and Nate Duncan did a stellar job of corralling everything we needed to know and think through into a digestible and highly entertaining format.
But what really sets this show apart from others is their in-depth analysis which is always at a very high level rarely heard elsewhere. Their content is geared towards the intellectual hoops fan without going overboard on salary cap or advanced metrics too much. Whereas many pods go a couple layers deep analyzing key news, team building, or trade rumors, they are able to go many layers deep looking at topics from the perspective of a fan, NBA insider, front office executive, owner, player or agent. That versatility combined with their basketball IQ and knowledge of all 30 teams is astounding and they truly have a pulse on everything that’s happening, which makes it so much easier for the many different levels of fan from all over the world to avoid doing the work it takes to attempt to stay in tune with the ever-changing NBA world. 2020 was an incredibly challenging year to cover, but also an amazing one with oodles of content once the bubble plan was in place.
Bravo to these guys for going above and beyond to get the job done and help us all be informed and entertained throughout!
Superlatives for 2020:
Best chemistry between pod hosts: The Lowe Post and/or The Full 48 with the combo of Zach Lowe and Howard Beck
Most entertaining pod from a fan’s perspective: The Mismatch with Kevin O’Connor and Chris Vernon
Pod that you’re most likely to go back and re-listen to: Book of Basketball podcast with Bill Simmons
Podcast host with the most well-thought-out takes: Ben Golliver on SI’s Open Floor NBA Show
Pod most likely to make you feel guilty if you missed it: The Woj Pod with Woj
Best in-depth NBA draft coverage: Chad Ford’s NBA Big Board podcast
Best Produced: No Dunks podcast
Most ‘laugh-out-loud’ funny pod: Knuckleheads podcast with Quentin Richardson and Darius Miles