No Dunks – The Drop | Bold NBA Predictions For 2026 (Jan 2, 2026)

Episode Overview

Main Theme:
In this New Year "Drop" episode, the No Dunks crew (Skeets, Tas, Trey “TK” Kirby, and JD) serves up their boldest NBA predictions for 2026, with a lively draft format. They speculate on the NBA’s near future—playoff outcomes, dramatic trades, league expansion, awards races, and All-Star Weekend—and mix in trademark banter, stats, and inside jokes. The guys also revisit their favorite moments from 2025 and share personal resolutions for the year ahead.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Chatter & Wedgie Watch (03:54–05:01)

• JD returns from a beach vacation in Mexico, admitting to being "well-rested" but sunburnt.
• Wedgie update: The crew celebrates a New Year's Day wedgie (Andrew Wiggins in Detroit), tallying 27 on the season and on pace for "an all-time best" (potentially 59 or more wedgies).

  “I don’t want to jinx anything, but this is looking good.” – J. Skeets (04:16)

2. Drafting Bold NBA Predictions for 2026 (05:01–29:04)

Round 1

• Tas Melas:

  • Prediction: Denver Nuggets will win the 2026 NBA Championship, despite Nikola Jokic's injury.
    • Argues Jokic’s absence will strengthen the supporting cast (Christian Braun, Aaron Gordon returning soon, Jerome Holmes getting real minutes).
    • Predicts a trade for Ayo Dosunmu from the Bulls:

      “They need a guy who can handle the ball a little bit off the bench.” (06:21)

    • Silver lining: Jokic gets to rest and will come back "tough as hell" for the playoffs.
    • Nuggets’ improved road record suggests resiliency.
  • (05:25-08:05)

• TK (Trey Kirby):

  • Prediction: OG Anunoby will win the Larry Bird Trophy (Eastern Conference Finals MVP), powering the Knicks to the Finals.
    • Highlights Knicks’ record with OG in the lineup: “17-6 when OG plays. To me, he’s the guy that takes them to the next level.” (08:40)
    • OG’s defensive assignments (“a big defensive responsibility for OG Anunoby…”)
  • (08:07-09:30)

• J. Skeets:

  • Prediction: Houston Rockets will face the Knicks in a 1994 NBA Finals rematch.
    • Lauds the Rockets’ identity—top-3 offense, top-10 defense, dominance on the offensive glass.
    • Questions about VanVleet’s return from injury.
    • Notes Houston’s tough early schedule with many road games and potential for more wins in the season’s second half.
    • Bold addendum: If KD leads the Rockets to a title, “That would be Kevin Durant’s most respected championship. By far.” – TK (12:12)
    • Skeets wagers Houston has “the right makeup of vet guys… combined with young, hungry guys.”
  • (09:33-13:31)

Round 2

• Tas Melas:

  • Prediction: Golden State Warriors will trade for Trey Murphy (Pelicans) at the deadline, sending out Jonathan Kuminga plus a pick.
    • “They’re looking for someone bigger off the wing, like a Lowry Markkanen… this is all they can do, really.” (19:29)
    • Notes Pelicans’ risk-taking history.
  • (18:25-20:03)

• TK:

  • Prediction: The Clippers will make the playoffs, spearheaded by a red-hot Kawhi Leonard.
    • Details Kawhi’s explosive recent scoring and team win streak.
    • “The NBA needs [the Clippers] to at least approach the play-in tournament, so they’re not giving away the number one pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder.” (22:05)
    • Predicts Ty Lue will find the right lineups as usual, and that LA can “win a play-in game” and be a dangerous out.
  • (21:45-23:51)

• J. Skeets:

  • Prediction: NBA announces expansion to 32 teams—Seattle and Las Vegas—with Minnesota moving to the Eastern Conference.
    • “I think Silver finally comes out and says, okay, we’re now doing it… has to move a team East—I think it’s going to be Minnesota.” (24:38)
    • Discusses division issues, travel, and logistics; jokes about potential Vegas and Seattle franchise names.
    • Speculates on the NBA Cup eventually mirroring March Madness with a "win-and-advance" bracket after expansion.
    • “There’s so much talent in the league that two more franchises won’t crush the talent pool.” (28:09)
  • (24:38-29:08)

Round 3

• Tas Melas:

  • Prediction: Con Knipple will win Rookie of the Year over Cooper Flagg.
    • Highlights superior efficiency and advanced stats for Knipple.

      “If you present the numbers of Knipple—the guy is outperforming Cooper Flagg… [with] 64.4% true shooting versus 55.9.” (31:53)

    • Skeets and TK disagree, predicting voters will back Flagg, likening it to LeBron vs. Melo.
  • (30:13-34:10)

• TK:

  • Prediction: Jayson Tatum (returning from Achilles injury) will hit a playoff game-winner this season.
    • Envisions Tatum returning in late March as a secondary option for Boston, who remain contenders even while he's out.

      “Let him be the number three, number four option out there. Jayson Tatum as your fourth option? That sounds pretty good…” (35:33)

  • (34:19-35:36)

• J. Skeets:

  • Prediction: Shaden Sharpe and VJ Edgecombe will revive the NBA Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend.
    • Craves a contest with fewer gimmicks, just elite leapers and simple, spectacular dunks:

      “I don’t even—we don’t need props. We don’t need anything. Just go and do cool dunks and float in the air.” (36:41)

    • Pipe dream: Anthony Edwards or Ja Morant should join, but "we got these other guys."
  • (35:45-37:49)

3. Other Segments

Worst of the Week (39:19–47:06)

• Nominees:
  1. Jalen Green fined $25K for cursing during a teammate’s post-game interview. “He’s showing love for his fellow player. It’s weird.” – Tas (40:32)
  2. Reporter’s odd question to Con Knipple, comparing him to Steph Curry for his whole career. “Fantastic response: ‘I don’t know about that.’”
  3. Festus Ezeli’s wild outfit as a Warriors broadcaster: jacket, sweater, tie, and track pants. Joke: “Festus Ezeli replies, all of them.” – Mike Bove’s viral tweet

Woboy of the Night

• Winner: Tyrese Maxey (Sixers): 34 points, 10 assists, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks in a win over Dallas.
• Runner-up: Kawhi Leonard (Clippers) for his scoring stretch.

4. Rapid Fire & Lighthearted Moments (54:25–70:17)

• Favorite things from 2025:
  • Skeets & JD: NBA Paris Games trip
  • Tas: Making homemade dolmades/dolmas for the first time
  • JD: Vacation in Mexico
• Old-school habits to bring back in 2026:
  • Skeets: Carrying cash
  • Tas: Playing records on a record player
  • JD: Being unreachable ("leaving phone at home sometimes")
• Resolutions for 2026:
  • Skeets: “More fun. More concerts. More adventures. Spend that cash.”
  • Tas: Play a role-playing game on Switch, open to suggestions
  • JD: Put himself on a “minutes restriction,” work less, be more present
  • TK: Level up, read more books, eat more protein (“dial in and level up”)

Notable quote:

“I want to do less. I want to clock out. Just do 40 hours a week, you know?”
— JD (67:44)

Standout Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Boldness Acknowledged:

  “This is bold prediction time. Will it happen? Who knows. But I think Jokic can come back strong.” – Tas (08:05)

• On OG Anunoby’s Impact:

  "When OG's out there, takes the Knicks from a good team to a great team…” – TK (09:17)

• KD’s Potential Legacy:

  “That would be Kevin Durant's most respected championship. By far.” – TK (12:15)

• Expansion Excitement:

  “Seattle’s a no brainer. They’re getting a franchise back. That’s gonna be cool.” – Skeets (27:05)

• Rookie Race Hot Take:

  “If you present the numbers of Knipple, the guy is outperforming Cooper Flagg… way more efficient.” – Tas (31:53)

• Bringing Back Cash:

  “Carrying cash—it's back in my life.” – Skeets (58:59)

• Dunk Contest Dream:

  “We don’t need props… Just go and do cool dunks and float in the air.” – Skeets (36:41)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Start | End | Notes | |-----------------------------------|----------|----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------| | Intro & Wedgie chat | 03:54 | 05:01 | | | Bold Predictions – Round 1 | 05:01 | 13:31 | Nuggets title, OG Anunoby ECF MVP, Rockets vs. Knicks Finals | | Bold Predictions – Round 2 | 18:25 | 29:08 | Warriors trade, Clippers playoffs, NBA expansion plans | | Bold Predictions – Round 3 | 30:13 | 37:49 | Rookie of the Year debate, Tatum game-winner, dunk contest hopes | | Worst of the Week | 39:19 | 47:06 | NBA fines, awkward reporting, Festus Ezeli’s outfit | | Rapid Fire / Resolutions | 54:25 | 70:17 | Paris trip, old-school habits, 2026 goals |

Final Thoughts & Flow

No Dunks delivers a fast-paced, opinionated, and fun episode blending legitimate hoops analysis, absurd hypotheticals, and the pod’s unique inside humor. The draft structure keeps the bold predictions flowing, with plenty of friendly one-upsmanship (“You go Nuggets, I’ll one-up you: Rockets!”), while off-topic digressions (dunks, expansion cities, Festus Ezeli’s wardrobe) maintain the laid-back tone. Listeners are encouraged to share their own bold predictions for 2026 in the YouTube comments or on social media.

For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In

• Expectations: Concrete hot takes about the NBA’s 2026 landscape—from championship picks and trade dreams to rule changes, rookie races, and expansion.
• Highs: Strong chemistry, smart hoops talk, amusing sidebars (especially the “worst of the week” and fashion roasts).
• Quotes & Timestamps: Direct quotes are integrated in context with segment markers for easy navigation.
• Originality: The conversation maintains the signature “No Dunks” style—fun, irreverent, but always deeply informed by genuine NBA obsession.