No Dunks (iHeartPodcasts)

Episode: NBA Naughty or Nice List

Date: December 23, 2025
Hosts: JD Skeets, Tas Melis, Angel Diego (“Ash”)

MAIN THEME:

"NBA Naughty or Nice List"
The crew celebrates the holidays with a festive, wide-ranging discussion on NBA headlines, team outlooks, and the spirit of the season—judging players, teams, and moments as “naughty” or “nice.” The show also previews the Christmas Day slate, debates trending taunts, discusses trade rumors, and shares basketball Christmas wishes.

HIGHLIGHTS & KEY DISCUSSIONS

1. Retiring the “Too Small” Celebration

Segment Start: 02:19

• Incident: Thomas Bryant (Cavs) scores over Hornets’ rookie Con Knippel, hits the “too small” celebration, but trips and falls, sparking social media debate.
• Hosts’ Views:
  • Tas Melis (03:38):
    “He did fall down, but I am totally down on retiring the celebration…The fact that he fell actually adds to the moment… I want to see more of it.”
  • JD Skeets (05:26):
    “I’m thumbs up on retiring this... Too many kids do the too small celebration. You know, I watch a lot of 10-year-olds play basketball and they are pulling out the too small celebration all the time.”
  • Angel Diego (06:18):
    “I like a good too small... I’m famous for being in a pickup game and hitting a Tom and Jerry… That’s what I like to do.”
• Notable Twitter Take:
  @WeBallMurray: “Bryant took it to the next level. He was demonstrating that Con Knippel is so small that you could accidentally trip over him… That’s an NBA champion level taunt.”
  (Referencing: 04:33)

2. Draymond Green and Steve Kerr's Sideline Rift & Warriors’ Outlook

Segment Start: 08:58

• Event: Draymond Green and Steve Kerr have an argument during a game, Draymond leaves the bench for the locker room, returns but doesn’t play again.
• Tas Melis (09:36):
  “I’m definitely up on it. You can’t show up your coach... He played a couple games off the bench last year… If he will be able to digest it all going forward is the question.”
• Team Impact: The Warriors win both games Draymond exits early; sparks debate if team is better off with him.
• Debate: Would the Warriors trade Draymond + Kaminga for Anthony Davis?
  • Tas (15:49): “Yeah, I would.”
  • Skeets (16:23): “The only question is, what’s your confidence level in AD playing?”
• Memorable moment:
  “It’s classic Draymond. It’s one thing to put up with his stuff when he’s contributing to a championship team. It’s a whole other thing when we’re struggling…” (JD Skeets, 13:17)

3. Pelicans’ Sudden Surge & Play-In Hope

Segment Start: 20:06

• Topic: Pelicans win 5 straight, their best run since 2022. Zion thrives in new bench role.
• Tas: “Horizontal thumb. I can’t go thumbs up. I can’t go thumbs down… There’s still four and a half back and even a team in between them and the play-in.”
• Debate: Should Zion stay in his new role? Are the Pels building trade value or going for it?
• JD Skeets (23:51):
  “They can’t tank. There’s no point. That pick ain’t theirs. So… as the season goes on, we get into February, maybe these other teams start leaning toward the lottery. They [the Pelicans] won’t.”

4. Celtics: Stand Pat or Make a ‘Win-Now’ Trade?

Segment Start: 27:58

• Context: Despite Jayson Tatum’s injury, the Celtics exceed expectations. Third in the East.
• Up/Down Report: Should Boston add a piece at the deadline?
  • Tas Melis (28:41):
    “I’m up on them doing it… but I’m down on it actually happening. I don’t think they have the proper players, proper money to go out to get a player like that.”
• Potential Targets: Flirtations with names like Anfernee Simons, big men, but realism about limited assets and money.
• JD Skeets (30:36):
  “Brad Stevens says the team is open… but there’s a lot of things that have to go right in a deal… Probably more likely tweaks on the fringes.”

5. Snoop Dogg: Guest Analyst for Warriors-Clippers Game

Segment Start: 34:39

• Premise: Snoop joins Peacock’s NBA broadcast as analyst for second half of Warriors-Clippers on Jan 5.
• Hosts' Reaction:
  • Tas Melis (35:03):
    “Oh, yeah. Let’s do it. What I love about this is that this guy’s living the life. He only has to work for half a game.”
  • Angel Diego (37:14):
    “It’ll be pretty hilarious… It’s your boy, Big Snoop D-O-double-G coming down the court… It’ll be fun for a little bit, at least.”
  • JD Skeets (37:32):
    “Might be funny to hear the highlights of him. Don’t know if it’ll be as funny for an entire half. Maybe that’s why they’re only doing a half.”

NOTABLE QUOTES / MEMORABLE MOMENTS

• On the “Too Small” Craze:
  “First off, you’re all small, so stop doing it to each other.” – JD Skeets (05:49)

• On Draymond’s Value to the Warriors:
  “The question is: are they better with him or without him? ... I think limited Draymond Green, not playing a ton of minutes, and then when he does those lazy passes… it’s definitely going the other team.” – Tas Melis (14:02)

• On Snoop Dogg as Broadcaster:
  “He doesn’t have to do a thing for the first half. This guy gets… to just watch film and show up.” – Tas Melis (35:12)

TIMESTAMPED SEGMENTS FOR REFERENCE

• 02:19: Up/Down: Retiring the “Too Small” celebration
• 08:58: Up/Down: Draymond Green and Steve Kerr exchange; Draymond’s future
• 20:06: Up/Down: Pelicans’ play-in chances after win streak
• 27:58: Up/Down: Celtics’ trade deadline strategy
• 34:39: Up/Down: Snoop Dogg as Warriors-Clippers game analyst

NBA NAUGHTY OR NICE: LISTS AND DEBATE

Naughty:

• Evan Mobley: “He hasn’t taken that next step. I don’t recognize the guy.” – Tas (42:11)
• Giannis Drama: “He didn’t squash anything” in Bucs trade rumors – Tas (48:16)

Nice:

• Value Contracts:
  • Shout-out to Bobby Marks’ “All Value Team” (51:25): Pat & Cam Spencer, A.J. Mitchell, Colin Gillespie, Neemias Queta, and more.
  • “All these guys make nothing… contributing to winning basketball at times.” – JD Skeets

NBA CHRISTMAS DAY PREVIEW & POLL

Slate: (see 54:53)

• Cavs vs Knicks (incl. Dunk the Halls/Disney version)
• Spurs vs Thunder
• Mavericks vs Warriors
• Rockets vs Lakers
• Wolves vs Nuggets

Most Anticipated Game Picks:

• Tas: Spurs vs Thunder (“Top two in the West. I just want to see Wemby play, hoping he’s back.” – 55:01)
• Ash: Spurs/Thunder, then Warriors/Mavericks, then Lakers/Rockets (“I just really love watching Steph Curry play.” – 56:50)
• Skeets: Mavericks/Warriors (“I am a fan of the middle game... Klay’s only visit to San Francisco, maybe a throwback game for him.” – 58:31)

CHRISTMAS WISH LISTS & FUN

• Tas:
  “My NBA Christmas wish list is that some of our commenters don’t come at me for Christmas… I care where Giannis plays!” (60:30)
• Ash:
  “I hope Steph Curry signs with Nike… I want some Steph Curry Nikes.” (63:21)
• Skeets:
  “Jalen Brunson to score 50 in Madison Square Garden as Knicks play their 50th Christmas Day game.” (65:04)
  “Let’s put some lights and garland around the backboard on Christmas! Why not?” (68:43)

MISCELLANEOUS HIGHLIGHTS

• Snoop, Olympics, and Show Tie-Ins: Anticipating Snoop’s similar role for NBC Winter Olympics coverage, “His wintry take.” (37:59, 38:11)
• Christmas Lights Debate: White vs colored lights—team preferences discussed (69:25).

WHOA BOY OF THE NIGHT

• Winner: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – 100th straight 20+ pt game (71:46)
• Sponsor: Lamar Scrotum. (“That’s his government name.” – JD Skeets)

SUMMARY

This episode blends the hosts’ signature blend of NBA analysis, culture commentary, and holiday cheer. Through their “naughty or nice” lens, they judge everything from celebrations and player conduct, to franchise decision making and festive traditions. With sharp wit, they highlight the NBA’s biggest storylines—Draymond's drama, the Pelicans' play-in push, Christmas games to watch, and what they'd gift every fan (or themselves) for Christmas.

In the words of the No Dunks crew: “Embrace the day, people. Embrace the holidays.”
(80:31)