No Dunks Podcast Summary
Episode Title: NBA Cup Final Hype, The Wemby Effect, Other Weekend Winners & Losers
Date: December 15, 2025
Hosts: Jay Skeets, Tas Melis, Trey Kirby (TK), JD
Episode Overview
The crew returns for their Monday staple podcast, diving into a wild NBA weekend dominated by NBA Cup semifinals action. They lead with Victor Wembanyama’s electrifying comeback, the birth of a potential Spurs-Thunder rivalry, and preview Tuesday’s NBA Cup Final between the Knicks and Spurs. The group also picks through other weekend winners and losers—including the surging Timberwolves, shaky Cavs, and the Bucks’ embarrassing loss—while dissecting key games, standout players, and some infamous officiating. The tone is high-energy, irreverent, and packed with smart basketball insights, classic No Dunks banter, and memorable quotes.
Main Topics & Highlights
1. NBA Cup Semifinals Recap & The Wemby Effect
Starts ~03:24
Spurs vs. Thunder: Wemby's Return and Rivalry Sparked
- Victor Wembanyama returns from a 12-game absence, sparks Spurs to a 111-109 win over OKC, handing Thunder just their second loss.
- Wemby comes off the bench for the first time in his career: 22 points, 9 rebounds, and defensive presence.
- Thunder’s defense swarms Wemby, especially when he tries to dribble—“He couldn’t dribble…Thunder were all over him,” (TK, 06:11).
- Spurs-Thunder rivalry birth:
- “Family, gather around. We’re watching the next great rivalry in the NBA…Chet vs. Wemby. That was awesome, man. That was the best cup game there ever has been.” (TK, 05:32)
- “Wemby pulling a Willis Reed coming back from injury…very memorable. This one is unforgettable.” (TK, 06:11)
- Game's Ending Critique: Final seconds marred by excessive fouling and timeouts—
- “Last nine seconds, there were three timeouts and five take fouls… Forty line items in nine seconds.” (TK, 10:49)
- Hosts call for NBA rule changes to speed up end-of-game sequences.
Thunder’s Struggles & Spurs’ Rise
- Thunder missed open threes, Spurs’ defensive pressure made SGA (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) and Jalen Williams work for every shot.
- Key insight: “You can’t really replicate Wemby, but you can replicate being physical…The Spurs did have the perfect mix on Saturday night.” (TK, 12:21)
- Tas predicts teams will experiment with Chet Holmgren guarding Wemby one-on-one in their two upcoming matchups (10:17).
Notable Quote:
- “When he’s on the bench, he’s jumping up and down for his teammates…He’s starting this new era of the Spurs.” (Tas, 07:21)
Crowd & Neutral Site Debate
- Discussion about the lackluster Vegas crowd and the league’s potential plans to relocate semifinals/finals to team arenas in the future (14:00+).
2. NBA Cup: Knicks vs. Magic Recap & Final Preview
Starts ~23:49
Brunson Dominates, Knicks Advance
- Jalen Brunson drops 40 points to lead the Knicks over an injury-hit Magic, 132-120.
- “He sat down Anthony Black and then knocked down a three pointer. I thought that was big.” (TK, 24:06)
- Knicks described as the clear #1 East team; Magic (with health) seen in 2nd tier alongside Pistons.
Magic’s Resilience and Health Issues
- Jalen Suggs’ excellent 1st half overshadowed by injury in 2nd.
- “He had like bandages from his nipples to his knees…Then he got hurt even more in the second half.” (TK, 24:33)
- Magic’s season plagued by injuries to Suggs, Paolo, Franz Wagner.
Knicks’ Depth Love
- “Everybody playing their role absolutely perfect.” (Jay Skeets, 26:36)
- OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart all come through in support roles.
Finals Preview: Spurs vs. Knicks
- Hosts slightly favor Knicks’ veteran presence, though note it’ll be tight if Wemby is unleashed.
- “If you tell me right now Wemby's gonna play 40 minutes, I like the Spurs chances—but I can’t imagine they’re doing that. Gotta play the long game.” (Jay Skeets, 30:23)
- Notable moment: Fun riff on the improved “championship gold” on this year’s Cup trophy:
- “Looked like a well-hydrated urine. This looks good—it looks like a championship gold!” (TK, 31:06)
- Ian Eagle’s on-air mispronunciation of rapper Nas (“Nos”), much to Dwyane Wade’s amusement (31:13+).
3. NBA Weekend Winners
Starts ~38:05
A. Minnesota Timberwolves
- Two wins (Warriors, Kings) without Anthony Edwards.
- Rudy Gobert dominates inside, Jaden McDaniels facilitates, bench contributes—“The bench was decent…most impressed I’ve ever been with Rob Dillingham.” (TK, 40:13)
- Wolves described as “the guy who’ll catch up later” in the West, lurking behind powerhouses but solidifying playoff status (Jay, 41:06).
B. Joel Embiid & Paul George: The “Deadmen Woke Up”
- Both stars play in consecutive games—new for them this season.
- Embiid strong against Pacers/Hawks; Paul George flashes the old self briefly but can’t beat his man off the dribble.
- Quote: “On the very same weekend that Wake Up Deadman dropped on Netflix, both Joel Embiid and Paul George played two straight games. These dead men woke up. Zero dunks between these guys so far this season.” (TK, 48:19)
C. Rookies: “The Kids Are All Right”
- 2025 Draft class on display:
- Con Knipple averages 31 pts over two games, “hasn’t missed a free throw since Thanksgiving.”
- Jeremiah Fears, 19, shines in hometown return vs. Bulls: “He was awesome. He was putting everybody on skates.” (Jay, 51:20)
- Vijay Edgecombe props for carrying Sixers for stretches.
- Atlanta’s Newell gets energy minutes: “Just a little love for him…guy’s got some hops.” (Jay, 52:55)
D. Broadcasting/Programming
- NBC switches from awkward coast-to-coast dealies to real double-headers at 8 pm and 10:30 pm EST (53:28).
- “11 o’clock is very, very late for us.” (Jay, 54:28)
4. NBA Weekend Losers
Starts ~57:48
A. Milwaukee Bucks
- Brutal 45-point loss to Nets after previously beating Celtics—season’s worst loss, all-around lethargy.
- “Brooklyn Nets currently ranked 25th in offense. They had nine players in double digits…33 assists on 45 makes…They must have back cut the Bucks 100 times.” (TK, 58:16)
- Amplifies questions about Giannis’ future; conflicting Chris Haynes reports discussed:
- “He’s keeping it internal,” (Tas, 60:41) but “wants a big market and a chance to win.” (TK, 58:58)
B. Cleveland Cavaliers
- “The Cleveland Half-a-years”—team a shell of last season’s self.
- Needed 24 from Donovan Mitchell in 4th quarter just to beat the Wizards’ Friday, then suffered OT shutout loss to Hornets Sunday.
- “They’re toast. Time to blow it up. It’s time to split up Garland and Mitchell, I think first and foremost.” (TK, 68:39)
- Injuries compounded by lack of physicality, reliance on threes (now hitting at bottom-5 rate in league).
- “They just need a dickhead…somebody who wants to fight somebody every night.” (TK, 71:29)
C. Warriors Supporting Cast & Jimmy Butler
- Steph Curry scores 39/48 on Friday/Sunday and Warriors lose both:
- “There wasn’t a lot of help…turnover city with Draymond Green.”
- Jimmy Butler accused of one of his December disappearing acts.
D. Chaotic Lakers-Suns Officiating
- Lakers squeak by Suns in free-throw fest marred by controversial calls (esp. on LeBron/Brooks and LeBron/Booker).
- “If it wasn't a foul on LeBron, it shouldn't have been a foul on Booker. They were too similar.” (TK, 77:42)
- “The grift is in for the Lakers, but LeBron was feeling guilty—you only went two for four at the line.” (TK, 78:01)
5. Other Notable Moments & Quotes
- Wemby’s attitude and personality:
- “He’ll read a book pregame and then he’ll come out when he’s needed on the floor. He’s a special guy.” (Tas, 07:21)
- On new tech in NBA broadcasts:
- “Prime Vision…they make it into 2K…it was awesome. Oh, it was actually great.” (TK, 33:29)
- Stan Van Gundy as color commentator:
- “He was like in podcast mode…he would just chime in to say the most obvious things as a joke.” (TK, 18:17)
- Fun riffing on rookie Stefan Castle:
- “Seeing the way he’s played in his second season, it makes me feel like he earned it more his rookie year…I’m telling you, the way he manipulates things…he’s got some John Wall to his game.” (TK, 16:02)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Wemby/Spurs-Thunder Rivalry: 03:24 – 15:09
- End-game fouling debate: 10:39 – 12:17
- Knicks-Magic/Cup Final Preview: 23:49 – 34:50
- Weekend Winners: 38:05 – 54:28
- Timberwolves: 38:05
- Embiid/Paul George: 43:43
- Rookies: 49:50
- Weekend Losers (Bucks, Cavs, Warriors support/Jimmy, Lakers/Suns officiating): 57:51 – 80:53
- Fun/Riffing/Pop Culture Moments:
- Prime Vision Camera: 33:29
- Stan Van Gundy: 18:17
- “Championship Gold” cup trophy: 31:06
Memorable Quotes
- “Wemby pulling a Willis Reed coming back from injury…very memorable. This one is unforgettable.” (TK, 06:11)
- “Last nine seconds, there were three timeouts and five take fouls…Forty line items in nine seconds.” (TK, 10:49)
- “Looked like a well-hydrated urine. This looks good—it looks like a championship gold!” (TK, 31:06)
- “They just need a dickhead. They need somebody who’s just a jerk…somebody who wants to fight somebody every single night.” (TK, 71:29)
- “If it wasn't a foul on LeBron, it shouldn't have been a foul on Booker. They were too similar. The grift is in for the Lakers.” (TK, 77:42)
- “On the very same weekend Wake Up Deadman dropped on Netflix, both Joel Embiid and Paul George played two straight games. These dead men woke up. Zero dunks between these guys so far this season.” (TK, 48:19)
Conclusion
This episode of No Dunks packs insightful hoops analysis, lively banter, and trademark irreverence. Come for the NBA Cup drama (and the “Wemby Effect”); stay for the ranging takes, inside jokes, and classic quotes that blend real basketball knowledge with plenty of tongue-in-cheek humor. Perfect catch-up for anyone who missed the games and wants the stories behind the box scores.
Upcoming guest:
- Michael Redd joins next episode for deep NBA Cup/classic Bucks/NBA talk. Send questions!
Subscribe, rate, and review for more No Dunks NBA coverage.