No Dunks Podcast Summary
Episode: NBA Weekend Winners & Losers | Giannis Rage Bait, Keyonte George, Embiid's No-Show Socks
Date: December 29, 2025
Hosts: J.E. Skeets, Tas Melas, Ash (JD and Trey absent)
Overview
This episode dives into the NBA weekend's notable winners and losers with the No Dunks crew. The hosts break down standout player performances, controversial moments, and rising storylinesâespecially Giannis Antetokounmpo's rage-inducing end-game dunk, Keyonte George's breakout, and the viral mystery of Joel Embiidâs no-show socks. Lively debates ensue about team trajectories, unwritten rules, trade rumors, and the ongoing Most Improved Player race. The tone is classic No Dunks: irreverent, basketball-nerdy, and filled with in-jokes and playful banter.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo Returns: Bucks âRage Dunkâ & Playoff Desperation
(06:26â14:07)
Main Takeaways:
- Giannis returns from injury, looking dominant (29 pts in 24 min).
- Hosts dissect his electric, but "disrespectful" windmill dunk as time expired in a win against the Bulls.
- Giannis explained he did it to âkeep fighting for our identityâ because the Bucks are 11th in the East, not as a shot at the Bulls.
- Debate over unwritten NBA rules: Is Giannis a villain now, or a leader waking up his team?
Notable Quote:
"An IDGAF moment... Heâs basically saying, 'I did that not for any Bulls rumors, but to light a match under his team.'"
â Skeets (09:00)
Further Insights:
- Bucksâ trade rumors: GMs are calling, but the front office says Giannis is untouchable (11:25).
- Reality check: Even with Giannis, doubts persist about Milwaukeeâs real title chances without a major move (12:03â14:07).
2. Weekend Winners â Keonte George & Utah Jazz
(15:53â21:29)
Highlights:
- Jazz defeat two top teams (Pistons and Spurs) on back-to-back nights, powered by rookie Keonte George.
- George posts 31 points (game-winner floater) and follows up with 28 alongside Markkanen.
- Keonte jumps into Most Improved Player discussion after a red-hot December (27-7-5 averages, 47% FG, 43% 3PT).
Notable Quote:
"The growth of him has been surprising. He will get plenty of most improved player votesâthey put the ball in his hands in key moments."
â Tas (21:08)
- Jazz lauded as must-watch League Pass fun, but West is "just too toughâ for playoff aspirations (18:14â19:32).
3. Magicâs Anthony Black Ascending
(21:32â25:33)
Key Points:
- Anthony Black's breakout 38-point game in a win over the Nuggets: 7 threes, highlight defensive play, thriving with increased role due to injuries.
- Emergent two-way value, but still a long shot for Most Improved (plus 5,000 odds), crowded field.
- Skeets and Tas examine how guard development can take time, paralleling Blackâs arc with Keonte George.
Notable Quote:
"When you watch him, he has absolutely improved. That is the best Anthony Black we've seen. Would be fun to see them in the playoffs."
â Skeets (24:12)
4. Scotty Barnesâ Franchise History Night
(27:06â32:23)
Breakdown:
- Barnes posts 23 pts, 25 rebs, 10 ast in a wild OT win over the Warriorsâfirst Raptor with a 20-20 triple-double.
- Ties the all-time Toronto record for rebounds in a game.
- Hosts revel in the âroast beefâ rebound highlights (âHe went and got it!â â Skeets), and reminisce about Raptors rebound legends (Bismack Biyombo, Popeye Jones) while breaking down momentum swings in the game.
Memorable Quote:
"I love seeing Scotty Barnes do what a lot of us are doing during the holidaysâjust lying down. But we weren't grabbing 25 rebounds in a professional basketball game."
â Tas (29:46)
5. Kawhi Leonardâs 55-Point Outburst & Clippers Revival
(35:24â41:32)
Highlights:
- Kawhi drops a career-high 55 (17-26 FG, 16-17 FT, 5-10 3PT, 11 REB, 8 stocks) in a win over the Pistons.
- Clippersâ new starting lineup (with Brook Lopez, Chris Dunn) sparks a four-game win streak, defense resurges.
- Skeets: âThat was surgical. That was Terminator Kawhi.â
- Fashion sidebar: Debate on City Edition jerseys; Skeets champions the Clippersâ throwbacks.
Quote:
"Watch the highlightsâthat was surgical, Kawhi. That was Terminator Kawhi."
â Skeets (39:43)
6. Other Noteworthy Weekend Winners
(42:47â46:09)
- Jalen Brown: Nine consecutive 30-point games, tying Larry Birdâs Celtics record.
- Brooklyn Nets: Best defense in NBA since Thanksgiving, Cam Thomas returns with 30 points after 20 games out.
- Wizards: Finally win back-to-back games; Alex Saarâs breakout (6 blocks).
7. Russell Westbrook Climbs All-Time Lists
(46:31â48:45)
- Passes Magic Johnson for 7th in assists, surpasses 2,000 steals.
- Skeets notes how frequently the leagueâs veterans are climbing historical leaderboards now.
NBA Weekend Losers
1. Pelicans Collapse & Suns Dust-Up
(50:12â54:12)
- New Orleans loses back-to-back games at home to the same team (Phoenix), stalling momentum.
- Phoenixâs Colin Gillespie cited as a big Suns surprise; should get Most Improved Player votes.
- Mark Williams/Jose Alvarado scuffle analyzedâproper punches thrown, Alvarado gets two-game suspension.
Quote:
âAlvarado not liking it. Pushing him back. Mark Williams throws a little fist. Alvarado, the real big fist!â
â Tas (52:32)
2. Atlanta Hawks Slide & Trade Rumors
(55:03â65:36)
- Hawks lose 6 straight, defense in shambles (âSad Kakaâ moment), and trade rumors swirlâmost notably about Anthony Davis and Trae Young.
- Hosts break down the complexities around moving Young, the limitations with the current roster, and the likelihood (or wisdom) of trading for AD.
- Disappointment is palpable, given how open the East is this season.
Quote:
"This is the holiday homestand, there was a buzzâand they just can't play defense. With all these losses comes more intense trade rumors."
â Skeets (56:07)
3. Grizzlies/Ja Morant & Organizational Crossroads
(68:41â72:50)
- Ja returns and impresses in his comeback, but Memphis loses to the Wizards, underscoring their lack of identity and leadership.
- Hosts use Grizzlies, Hawks, and Hornets as case studies of teams stuck at a franchise pivot point with enigmatic stars (Young, Morant, Ball).
- Conversation veers into satirical âpoint guard exchange programâ live podcast idea.
4. Joel Embiidâs Mysterious Sock-Less Game
(73:24â80:33)
- Internet (and hosts) obsessed over Embiid apparently playing sockless or in no-show socksâphotos from Trey Kirby in attendance fuel speculation.
- Theories abound: a) Skechers marketing gimmick? b) Embiid trolling? c) Did he forget socks? d) Is this a protest against Nike NBA socks?
- Grossness and âpsychoâ behavior of hooping sockless debated.
Quotes:
"Itâs the weirdest look on a man⌠But playing basketball in no socks is psychotic."
â Skeets (76:02/77:52)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Giannisâ Rage Dunk:
"Heâs basically like, I did that to light a match under his team. A little bit of a spark." (09:00, Skeets) -
On Keonte Georgeâs Ascendancy:
"The growth of him has been surprising... they put the ball in his hands in key moments." (21:08, Tas) -
On Scotty Barnesâ Monster Rebounding:
"We love. We're like sickos when it comes to rebound highlights. He had two or three in this game that were like, whoa!" (29:40, Skeets) -
On Clippersâ Fashion:
"The Clippers should wear those City Edition uniforms all the time." (40:48, Skeets) -
On Embiidâs No-Socks Look:
"Heâs got some ashy anklesâŚJust for being able to pull it offâI would find it hard to pull off. Thatâs crazy behavior, in my opinion." (74:35/75:56, Tas/Skeets)
Timestamps for Major Segments
- 06:26 â Giannisâ Return and End-Game Dunk
- 15:53 â Keonte George & Jazz Back-to-Back Wins
- 21:32 â Anthony Black Breakout & Magic Upset Win
- 27:06 â Scotty Barnesâ 20-20-10 Historic Outing
- 35:24 â Kawhi Leonard Drops 55, Clippers Turnaround
- 55:03 â Hawks' Downward Spiral & Trade Debate
- 68:41 â Grizzlies, Ja Morant, and Franchise Identity
- 73:24 â Embiidâs No-Show Socks Conspiracy
Tone and Style
- The conversation is casual, basketball-obsessed, and playful.
- The hosts riff on league minutiae (wedgies, socks, city jerseys) and break down serious trade rumors and trends with equal enthusiasm.
- Banter is light, with plenty of in-references, pop culture asides, and acknowledgment of the showâs long-running traditions (e.g., love of rebound highlights, Most Improved Player âthoroughbredâ debates).
For Listeners Who Missed the Show
This episode gives you a lively yet in-depth sweep of the NBAâs most important player performances, team trajectories, and off-court storylines from the weekend. Youâll get a real sense of not only âwhat happened,â but why, and what it all means for the rest of the NBA season.
If you want to catch:
- A fiery take on unwritten NBA rules and leadership (Giannisâ dunk, 08:39â10:20)
- How emerging guards are shifting the league (Keonte George, Anthony Black, 15:53â25:33)
- Where lame duck franchises go from here (Hawks, Grizzlies, 55:03â72:50)
- Laughs over basketball sock lore (Embiid, 73:24â80:33)
âŚthis episode is for you.
Recurring Segments
- Whoa Boy of the Night: Kawhi Leonardâs stat-stuffing 55-pt, 11-reb, 5-steal, 3-blk game (81:44).
- League Pass Improvements and Storiesâshoutout to the quad screen and smooth transitions.
- Wedgie Watch: 24 wedgies so far, projecting to a record pace.
Final Thoughts
Despite the "holiday haze" and missing some regular hosts, this No Dunks episode covers all angles: game breakdowns, trade rumors, fashion takes, inside jokes, and the universal mystery of NBA player footwear. Itâs vintage No Dunksâequal parts insight, stats, and fun.
