Podcast Summary: No Dunks â The Drop | Early NBA All-Star Predictions, LeBron's Streak Ends, Maxey's Motor
Date: December 5, 2025
Hosts: Je Skeets, Tas Melas, Trey Kirby, JD (Super Producer)
Podcast: No Dunks â iHeartPodcasts
Main Theme
The episode dives deep into the NBAâs latest headlines, focusing on early All-Star roster predictions amidst injuries and shifting narratives. The crew analyzes Giannis Antetokounmpoâs outlook after a calf strain, LeBron Jamesâ historic streak ending, Tyrese Maxeyâs clutch defense, and then collaboratively drafts their own All-Star squads under the leagueâs new USA vs World format. They cap the show with their signature âBest of the Weekâ plus rapid-fire banter about life, pop culture, and embarrassing Spotify Wrapped reveals.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Giannis Injury & Bucks Dilemma
[03:29â12:52]
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Giannis sidelined 2â4 weeks with a right calf strain, after a non-contact injury. His absence leaves Milwaukee in a precarious spotâboth on the floor and in the front office.
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This break is "an important time for the Bucks to play better together" (Tas, 04:08). They have five games in 14 daysâample practice time for the newly returned Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins to build chemistry, especially as Porter becomes the main offensive option.
- "His percentages are ridiculous⌠56 from the floor, 59 from three. But he is the number one option." â Tas (04:51)
- Milwaukee's record without Giannis is abysmal: âOne and five without him, nine and eight with him. So, you know, an average record there.â â Skeets (06:06)
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Trade rumors intensify: Trey speculates, âit wouldnât surprise me if we donât see Giannis wearing 34 for the Bucks again.â (07:54). The All-NBA eligibility 65-game threshold is now a concern for Giannis if he misses a full four weeks (08:21).
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The hosts debate: Should the Bucks use future picks to chase a star (e.g., Zach LaVine) and attempt to persuade Giannis to stayâor ride out this âtransitionâ year, given their lack of playoff success lately?
- Skeets: âAt a certain point it becomes malpractice...are we really going to compete for a title?â (11:35)
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Tas closes: âItâs up to Kevin Porter Jr., really...heâs the guy.â (09:01), highlighting the pressure on Milwaukee's supporting cast during Giannisâ absence.
2. LeBron Jamesâ Historic Double-Digit Scoring Streak Ends
[12:52â23:18]
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LeBronâs 1,297-game streak of double-digit scoring ends in Toronto as he finishes with 8 pointsâbut delivers the game-winning assist to Rui Hachimura.
- Skeets notes: âHe could have forced up a shot⌠but he said (to Rui), 'this is coming to you.'â (13:34).
- Trey remarks on LeBronâs pass-first mind: âI'm sure Donyell Marshall was watching last night and tipping his cap.â (13:43)
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Austin Reaves steals the show: 44 points, 5 boards, 10 assists, 13-for-21 FG, repeatedly hitting deep shots and clutch free throws.
- âHe's just become a really, really good player⌠for the Lakers, he's a number one when they need him to be.â â Trey (17:13)
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Debate over the importance of LeBron's streak:
- Skeets reads Spike Eskinâs spicy tweet, âAt least 10 points in a game. Streak is not a real streak... made up to give LeBron another made-up credential. Nobody cares.â (18:19)
- Tas defends: âNobody appreciates his longevity... it is an accomplishment.â (20:03)
- Trey: âHeâs able to be a high-level player for the entirety of his career.â (19:26)
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LeBronâs aging curve is clear: more under-the-rim, lower shooting percentages, less lift. Trey: âLeBron needs to play like 2011 Jason Kidd at this pointâmove the ball and shoot threes.â (21:57)
3. Maxeyâs Hustle Saves Sixers from Collapse
[26:47â34:12]
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Tyrese Maxeyâs end-to-end sprint for a game-saving block preserves a Philly win after the Warriors erase a 24-point deficit.
- Trey: âMaxey...one of the fastest guys in the league, but this was just defense, sprinting back, making a great play.â (27:32)
- Tas praises Melton and the Warriorsâ unlikely comeback with deep-bench players: âPat Spencer...he was also like the best college lacrosse player in decades. Just like, âI'll go play basketball and be an NBA player.ââ (30:25)
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The crew marveled at the Sixers rookie VJ Edgecombeâs late-game heroics (offensive rebound, key steal, game-winning tip): "[Edgecombe] makes a lot of plays in other facets of the game for the Sixers." (27:32)
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Replay reviews and timeouts slowing the finish are a familiar frustration:
- Skeets: âItâs the end of the game that should be the most exciting part and turns into the worst part." (36:05)
4. Early NBA All-Star Predictions (USA vs World Format)
[36:11â53:08]
Rules & Process
- The All-Star Game format is now USA vs. World, but picks are positionless; teams can be adjusted by Adam Silver to ensure the right USA/World split.
Eastern Conference All-Stars (as chosen by the hosts)
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Locks & Final Roster:
- Jalen Brown, Cade Cunningham, Tyrese Maxey, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Donovan Mitchell, Jalen Johnson, Jalen Brunson, Scotty Barnes, Bam Adebayo, Jalen Duren, Franz Wagner, Karl-Anthony Towns
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Close Calls: Brandon Ingram, Josh Giddey, Norman Powell, Evan Mobley, Siakam; consensus that Mobley and Giddey just missed out.
Western Conference All-Stars
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Locks & Final Roster:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Anthony Edwards, Alperen Sengun, Kevin Durant, Chet Holmgren, Steph Curry, Victor Wembanyama, Jamal Murray, Devin Booker
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Notable Snubs: Larry Markkanen, Deni Avdija, James Harden, Julius Randle, Jaren Jackson Jr., DeâAaron Fox.
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International count matches: 8 World, 16 USA picksâperfect split for the new format.
5. Best of the Week
[53:44â60:21]
Tas leads the âBest of the Weekâ segment, highlighting:
- OKC Thunderâs creative player introsâe.g., âAJ Mitchell, Belgian Waffle Universityâ (55:17)
- Referee bounce pass accidentally hitting Tyler Herro where it counts: âTylerâs, Tylerâs laughing. Jenna win apologized immediatelyâ (57:11)
- Karan Butler making rookie Myron Gardner apologize to Klay Thompson after excessive trash talkâold school NBA etiquette.
- General praise for light-hearted moments and evolving player-media presentation.
6. Rapid Fire & Banter
[65:16â78:06]
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Delusionally optimistic beliefs:
- Skeets: Every fire station still has a dalmatian. (65:41)
- Tas: This will be the year he finishes a dozen booksââOne a month, could do it. No problem. Didn't get there.â (66:36)
- Trey: âDelusionally optimistic about Avatar: Fire and Ash⌠will be there opening weekend.â (68:11)
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Things theyâre ready to see end:
- Skeets: âAI slopââthe glut of silly AI images, even though they make him laugh (69:42)
- JD/Tas: People not flushingâespecially in their own homes!
- Trey: "Stranger Things"âthe Netflix show finally winding down after ridiculously long runs (72:01)
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Embarrassing Most-Played Songs (Spotify Wrapped):
- Skeets: âThe Bones Are Their Moneyâ (from I Think You Should Leave).
- Tas: Cat memesâturned-songs by The Kiffness: âI go meow, I go meow.â
- Trey: âSteveâs Lava Chickenâ from Minecraft, thanks to his kids.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Giannisâ future:
- Trey, [07:54]: âIt wouldnât surprise me if we donât see Giannis wearing 34 for the Bucks again.â
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On LeBron making the right play (passing to Rui):
- âHe could have forced up a shot for sure. But he said, according to Rui, he said during the timeout, âthis is coming to you.â So he knew what he was gonna do.â â Trey Kirby [13:43]
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On Austin Reavesâ emergence:
- âHeâs just become a really, really good playerâŚfor the Lakers, heâs a number one when they need him to be.â â Trey [17:13]
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On LeBronâs Streak Being Overrated:
- Spike Eskin tweet read by Skeets [18:19]:
âThis is truly embarrassing⌠nobodyâs ever heard of it. Itâs made up to give LeBron another made-up credential nobody cares about.â
- Spike Eskin tweet read by Skeets [18:19]:
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On Maxeyâs game-saving block:
- âThis was just defense, sprinting back and making a great play.â â Trey [27:32]
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On All-Star roster selection:
- âAt a certain point it becomes malpractice to your organization, likeâŚare we really going to compete for a title?â â Skeets, on the Bucks trading picks to appease Giannis [11:35]
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On Thunder Player Intros:
- âAJ Mitchell, Belgian Waffle University.â [55:17]
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On life, aging, and music quirks:
- âItâs about what youâre doing.â â Tas, signoff [80:49]
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------|----------------| | Show Start / Banter | 02:10 | | Giannis Injury & Bucks | 03:29 â 12:52 | | LeBronâs Streak Ends | 12:52 â 23:18 | | Maxeyâs Block / Warriors-Sixers | 26:47 â 34:12 | | Replay Reviews Drag | 33:33 â 36:05 | | All-Star Picks (East/West) | 36:11 â 53:08 | | Best of the Week | 53:44 â 60:21 | | Rapid Fire Banter | 65:16 â 78:06 |
Overall Tone & Style
The No Dunks crew is sharp, playful, and self-deprecatingâmixing deep basketball analysis with plenty of jokes, pop culture references, and behind-the-scenes podcast banter. Quotes and debates flow fast, but the camaraderie and deep NBA knowledge are always front and center.
For New Listeners
- This episode is a quintessential No Dunks blend of NBA analysis (with unique angles), sharp group chemistry, and deeply entertaining sidetracking.
- Youâll get a strong sense of the leagueâs current storylines, the shifting All-Star landscape, and plenty of basketball âfood for thought,â all while laughing along with the teamâs signature wit.
