No Dunks: The Basketball Jones Pilot Episode (2006)

Podcast: No Dunks
Hosts: JE Skeets, Tas Melas, Jason Doyle
Original Recording Date: January 11, 2006
Release Date: January 11, 2026 (20th anniversary release)
Episode Theme:
Celebrating the origins of one of basketball podcasting’s pioneering teams, this special episode revisits the never-before-heard pilot of “The Basketball Jones.” Hosts Skeets, Tas, and JD take a raw, unvarnished trip through NBA headlines, heated debates, and the awkward hilarity of their very first try at recording a basketball podcast.

Main Theme and Purpose

The episode is both an archival gem and a celebration of how far podcasting (and the team themselves) have come in 20 years. Listeners are treated to the unpolished, energetic, and occasionally chaotic pilot that laid the foundation for what became “The Basketball Jones.” The show covers hot NBA storylines of January 2006, including team streaks, trade rumors, the rise of key players, and the signature banter that would define the group’s chemistry for years.

Key Discussion Points

1. The Pilot Episode’s Vibe and Format Reality

• Skeets introduces the show by warning listeners about the rough-around-the-edges nature (“I can barely talk. I'm nervous as hell. There's a phone that starts ringing at one point. JD doesn't have a goddamn mic…” [00:00]) and celebrating 20 years in podcasting.
• The crew sets out their aims: keep fans current with NBA happenings while experimenting with a segmented format—lookbacks, hot teams, rumors, injuries, and “Crunch Time” debates.

2. Hottest NBA Teams of the Week (Jan 2006)

Brooklyn (then New Jersey) Nets

• Vince Carter’s resurgence is front and center. Tas admits he isn’t fully convinced:

  “Although they're hot, they really don't impress me…whenever Vince decides to play, do they light it on fire.” [07:05]

• Both hosts reflect on Carter's inconsistency in Toronto, with Skeets observing his aggressive play:

  “The reason he's putting up big numbers is because he's taking it to the hole…he's not settling for the jumper, the lazy Toronto jumper as he fell into.” [07:57]

• Tas refuses to call Carter a leader:

  “He will not ever get in anyone's face. He will not lead a team. He will not put them on their back. He never did in Toronto and he never will. It's just his nature. He likes the game. He doesn't love the game.” [08:47]

Utah Jazz

• Tas praises team-first basketball:

  “I'm a big team guy and that's why I love the Jazz…no superstars, great coaching, just a Jerry Sloan type team.” [10:21]

• They discuss Andrei Kirilenko, Skeets calling him “a human stat sheet—he's like Shawn Marion that way.” [11:05] Tas counters he's not a superstar due to inconsistent health and longevity.

3. The Perpetual Ron Artest Trade Rumors

• Rumors swirl around Ron Artest, with both hosts rhetorically weighing trades:

  “We forget that Ron Artest is such a good player. He'll make an impact on both ends of the floor…He's just, he is all heart and effort.” —Tas [12:41]

• Skeets worries whether Artest’s volatility is worth the gamble for a young team:

  “Do you want them turning to someone like Ron Artest who has…proven he doesn't really give a crap about his teammates?” [13:12]

• Tas, unbowed, would “take Ron Artest for half of the superstars in the NBA. Give me, trade Kevin Garnett for Ron Artest. I'll take him.” [15:26]
• The debate touches on possible trade partners (Golden State, Clippers, and even a tongue-in-cheek Raptors trade).

4. Raptors Talk: A Fan’s Perspective

• As Toronto season ticket holders, Skeets and Tas dissect the Raptors’ modest win streak and improved play (five wins in a row).
• Tas on the importance of beating bad teams:

  “Those are the wins the Raps got to get.” [18:26]

• They react to a tough loss to the Bulls, agreeing it was a strong game but indicative of the team’s struggle against bigger, more physical foes (“Big inside. They've got the big bodies with Sweetney and, and even Nocioni…” [19:50]).
• The duo is optimistic about the Raptors’ schedule and youthful energy:

  “[They’re a] young, happening, motivated team…They’re flowing. They’ve got the flow.” —Tas [20:48]

5. Mike James’ Breakout Year and His Future

• Mike James—then Raptors point guard—gets a full segment. Both hosts debate whether his strong play is due to it being a contract year or genuine improvement.
• Skeets pushes for re-signing:

  “Let's keep Mike James a Raptor…Put the ball in his hands, he will get the job done.” [23:10]

• Tas is wary of long-term backcourt fit and James’ suitability as a point guard versus shooting guard:

  “He's a scorer at will, right? Is he a shooting guard or is he a one?” [21:42]

• They speculate on contract terms (“Give him five…four years.” [23:30]) and weigh the risk of a repeat “Rafer Alston contract.”

6. Crunch Time: Rapid-Fire NBA Debates

Format: Producer lobs topics, the hosts must make their case in under a minute.

Highlights include:

• Kobe or LeBron?

  • Skeets: “Easy, LeBron.”
  • Tas: “I think Kobe's more proven right now. If I want a player, I take Kobe.” [25:23]
  • Heated exchange over leadership and supporting casts.

• Top Free Agent (2006):

  • Skeets: “Big Ben Wallace.”
  • Tas: “You take Al Harrington…so much untapped potential.” [26:36]

• Pistons 70 Wins: Possible?

  • Skeets: “No freaking way.”
  • Tas: “The only reason why I think they can do it is because they have a team of guys who never, ever quit...It's a stretch.” [29:38]

• Mike James: Pay or Trade?

  • Skeets: “Pay the man his money. He is ballin out of his head.” [27:50]
  • Tas flags role/player-type uncertainty.

7. “Wanker of the Week”

• A cheeky recurring segment—Peja Stojakovic is named inaugural “wanker” for his underwhelming play and perceived selfishness:

  “That's one guy I don't sign because he's a wanker, because he doesn't play hard. He's not a team guy. Total stats guy, all about himself. Not a winner, in my opinion.” —Tas [32:45]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “He likes the game. He doesn’t love the game.” —Tas on Vince Carter [08:47]
• “Kirk Heinrich had a game. Harry Potter there. Kirk Heinrich.” —Skeets [20:04]
• “Give Kobe Bryant a supporting cast. He will do special things this year. Look at the guy: 45 and four straight.” —Tas [26:20]
• “There it is. Peja Stojakovic, you are our first annual wanka. Enjoy that.” —Skeets [33:24]

Important Timestamps

• Main Show Introduction & Premise: 00:00–03:19
• Hot Teams Discussion (Nets, Jazz): 04:00–11:39
• Ron Artest Trade Debates: 11:39–15:35
• Raptors’ Week Recap: 17:33–23:33
• Crunch Time Rapid Fire: 24:23–30:13
• Wanker of the Week: 32:26–33:36

Tone and Style

The episode oozes the casual, candid, and self-deprecating style that became the hosts’ hallmark:

• “Live and direct. Live. Not so much live.” —Banter signals their playful, easygoing vibe.
• The exchanges are mostly good-natured roasting, passionate sports talk, and inside jokes about Raptors fandom and NBA culture.

Final Thoughts

This pilot episode is messy, spontaneous, and at times hilariously homemade—phones ring, arguments are lively, but the love of basketball and podcasting shines through. It’s a portrait of podcasters learning in real time, right before setting off on a 20-year journey that would help shape basketball media fandom.

The conversations, predictions, and arguments are a time capsule of 2006 basketball but resonate as the true DNA of what “No Dunks” would become—a vibrant, witty, and (always) basketball-obsessed community.

For more, check out future anniversary content and surprises from the No Dunks crew planned throughout the month!