No Dunks Podcast Summary

Episode: The Knicks Are Champs* & Do You Care About The NBA Cup?
Date: December 17, 2025
Hosts: J.E. Skeets, Tas Melas, Trey Kirby (TK), JD

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the Knicks' NBA Cup championship victory over the Spurs, analyzing the key performances, tactical shifts, and the impact of the newly popular in-season tournament. The crew debates whether the NBA Cup matters, discusses potential playoff implications, player development, and the future of the tournament. The show also features lively banter about player antics, memorable moments from the game and broadcast, and “up/down” debates on recent NBA rumors and trends.

Main Topic: Knicks Win the NBA Cup

Knicks vs. Spurs – Game Recap & Takeaways

• Opening Run: The Knicks went on a key 15–3 run early in the fourth quarter, turned the tide, and claimed a 124–113 victory.
• Bench Impact: Knicks’ bench (Mitchell Robinson, Jordan Clarkson, Tyler Kolek) was instrumental, especially in the fourth quarter.
  • "Mitchell Robinson... grabbed 10 offensive rebounds in 18 minutes. Literally, blow for blow, you say Mitchy had a more impactful game [than Wemby]." – Tas (04:56)
• Jalen Brunson’s Leadership & MVP:
  • Named MVP for his steady play (33 pts, 3 rebs, 6 asts per game in the Cup).
  • "You could see Jalen Brunson as far as him accepting everything... Here’s the trophy Cat, you take it... trying to play it cool." – Tas (22:00)
  • Brunson’s catchphrase postgame: “We're gonna find a way.” (37:16)
• OG Anunoby’s Breakout: Huge first half (20 pts), finished with 28 pts, 9 rebs, 3 asts, had key defensive stops.
  • "OG had such a good game... that three-pointer in the corner was crazy… finished with 28 points, nine rebounds, three assists.” – TK (13:53)
• Tyler Kolek’s Ascendance: Compared to Derek Fisher for his clutch decisions and ball movement.
  • "I woke up in the morning and I had the answer. Derek Fisher, okay?" – TK (08:27)
• Spurs’ Struggles:
  • Wembanyama was up-and-down, playing with a “heavy heart” after his grandmother’s passing. Had impact in third quarter but struggled with physicality and rebounding.
  • "He was only good in the third quarter... The physicality, I thought, bothered him..." – TK (14:35)

Game’s Big Themes

• Depth & Coaching Move: Mike Brown's rotation and bench reliance were credited for the team’s increased versatility and resilience.
  • "Bringing in Mike Brown for Tom Thibodeau... felt like a mandate... use your bench more." – TK (07:35)
• Resilience: Knicks were repeatedly described as “fighters” and “resilient”—Brunson and OG Anunoby in particular.
  • “They are just a resilient bunch. That’s who they are.” – TK (13:38)
• Key Moments and Stats
  • Knicks: 21 offensive rebounds, 32 second-chance points.
  • Mitchell Robinson’s impact—suggestion to “just hack him” due to his lousy free-throw shooting (23:59).
  • Jordan Clarkson’s big threes, and the “walk-in off the street” summer workout story (21:44).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Bench’s Unheralded Heroes:
  • "Tyler Kolek, the cup riser... made play after play after play. It was an extra pass, saving under the basket, taking charges..." – JD (08:00)
• On OG Anunoby emulating Butler/Kawhi:
  • "They were talking about how he tried to model his game after Kawhi and Jimmy Butler… he looked a lot like Jimmy Butler last night." – TK (13:53)
• Dwyane Wade’s attitude:
  • On the Cup pins: “Dwyane Wade respects his shirt more than the Cup.” (29:51)
• Player Antics:
  • Josh Hart’s celebratory "thumb in the butt" of Brunson (“caught in 4K” on social media)—ribbing about friendship and boundaries (31:27).
  • "Putting your thumb in somebody else's butt just as a joke. You can't do it unless you are very close to the person." – TK (32:18)
• Dirk Nowitzki’s Shooting Tip:
  • "Let your pointer and middle finger be the last two to touch it... it’s all about the railroad." – (35:51)

Extended NBA Cup Discussion

What’s Working, What’s Not ([58:47]–[70:00])

What’s Working:

• Point differential tiebreaker in group stage makes games exciting.
• Single-elimination format is “must-watch” and adds chaos akin to NCAA or NFL playoffs.
• Scheduling has gradually improved; semifinals/finals as event TV.
• Final as a neutral-site event is a big draw, with potential to rotate venues like Super Bowl or college finals.

What’s Not:

• Little fan interest in the group stage; confusing for casuals (“nobody knows what the groups are” (65:54)).
• “Mercenary” bonus money focus felt awkward for highly paid players, less so for end-of-bench guys (59:01).
• Complaints about court designs and visual presentation.
• Incentive tweaks (e.g., Cup winner getting tiebreaker in playoffs) debated as potential improvements.

“This is a tiebreaker basically... in any situation because they won the cup, they would get to implement that and they would be bumped up... I like that.” – Skeets (70:17)

Future Ideas:

• Hosts debate shifting to pure single-elimination format (no group stage), especially when league expands to 32 teams.
• Neutral site finals could go to college arenas, rotate like the Super Bowl, or even go international (Dubai? Europe?).
• Amazon & NBA remain committed to neutral sites for Cup championship (57:53).

Additional Up/Down Topics

Raptors Trade Rumors ([41:58])

• Rumored to pursue Anthony Davis or Domantas Sabonis—hosts go “thumbs down” (Tass: 41:58) — high cost, questionable upgrade for current core; favor smaller move for bench center (Gafford).
• “Does this make them a championship team right here, right now? … I just don't think those two guys really take them over the top.” – Tas (41:58)

Warriors Owner Joe Lacob Emails Fan ([48:13])

• Responds directly to a frustrated fan—thumbs up on transparency, mild thumbs down on revealing “coach’s desires” and team strategy drama (49:00).
• “That’s pretty interesting because we know Lacob has been a big Jonathan Kuminga backer. Steve Kerr obviously not...” – TK (49:00)

NBA Cup Venue Future ([54:35])

• Neutral sites recommended to rotate; Las Vegas as permanent home unlikely if/when it gets expansion team.
• Possibility of international sites for finals or beyond discussed.

Chris Paul–Clippers Divorce Drama ([71:12])

• Ramona Shelburne’s ESPN report gets love for details on the fractured relationship between CP3, coaches Jeff Van Gundy/Ty Lue, and the team’s lack of “culture.”
• “When no one asks for your opinion but you offer it, people see it as a judgment and they don’t like that.” – Ramona Shelburne via Tas (71:53)
• Sad/hilarious party story: “Chris Paul tried to throw a Halloween party for the Clippers and basically nobody showed up.” – TK (74:50)
• “There’s no culture on that team... it’s usually your star player who helps set the tone of a culture. But that’s Kawhi, and it’s sort of James Harden. And they're not vocal leaders.” – Skeets (75:13)

Fun Segment Highlights & Random Notes

• Stan Van Gundy’s “crush graphic” on Castle – lighthearted in-broadcast moment (30:47)
• Luke Kornet’s Jumbotron shenanigans and game-day outfits (29:14–29:31)
• Champagne Room Curse: Knicks’ celebration—uncertain if they used the reserved Champagne Room, Bucks/Lakers in prior years refused it (34:47)
• Dirk Nowitzki giving OG shooting tips live on broadcast (35:36)
• Cup banner tradition – Knicks will hang one per James Edwards, like Lakers/Bucks (33:37)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Knicks’ Fourth Quarter Run & Bench Analysis: 04:56–11:34
• OG Anunoby’s Performance: 09:54–14:25
• Wembanyama’s Struggles: 14:25–16:05
• Brunson’s MVP & Leadership: 20:28–22:00, 37:16
• Celebration Antics – Josh Hart & Brunson “butt thumb”: 31:27–32:24
• NBA Cup Format Debate: 58:47–70:00
• Raptors Rumor Chat: 41:58–47:39
• Warriors Fan Email/Lacob Response: 48:13–53:50
• NBA Cup Venue Future: 54:35–57:53
• Chris Paul/Clippers Drama: 71:12–79:19

Tone & Style

• Loose, irreverent, and passionate NBA talk—hosts bounce off each other with inside jokes, sports nerdery, and authentic fan energy.
• Frequent interplay between sharp analysis (e.g., “Mitch Rob’s offensive rebounding”) and playful banter ("butt bud" jokes, fashion quips).
• Notable for referencing inside NBA lore, player personalities, and broadcast quirks.

Conclusion

The episode celebrates the Knicks’ NBA Cup win, marvels at the team’s growth and the bench's unlikely heroics, and enthusiastically breaks down what works in the Cup format and what still needs refinement to win over casual fans. The crew's blend of tactical insight, relatable fan complaints, and comedic asides (e.g., awkward celebrations, pinless Dwyane Wade, “French dish” puns) makes it a lively, in-depth listen for NBA die-hards.

For full NBA Cup tournament reflections, trade deadline speculation, and more basketball banter, check out the full episode!