No Dunks – April 9, 2026

Episode Overview

In this lively episode, hosts JD Skeets and Tasmelis reunite after Tasmelis' vacation to deliver spirited, detailed breakdowns of the latest NBA action. The show covers Cade Cunningham’s much-anticipated return, the Thunder's dominant clinching of the No. 1 seed, a deep dive into the top five NBA fanbases, and more. The chemistry and humor between the hosts shine, interspersed with basketball insights, stats, and memorable anecdotes.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Cade Cunningham’s Return & The Pistons’ Playoff Push

(04:02 - 08:24)

• Cade’s Impactful Comeback: After missing 11 games due to a collapsed lung, Cade Cunningham returns to lead the Pistons to a blowout win over the Bucks.

  • “He comes back, I thought he looked okay, had the double-double in his return…nearly every single one of his shots was in the lane.” — JD Skeets (06:04)
  • “Right from the get-go, I mean, Ryan Rollins cut him off one way and he spins from the three-point line, gets all the way to the rim…he was ready to be physical.” — Tasmelis (04:35)

• Team Depth and Resilience: The hosts marvel at Detroit’s depth, with other players stepping up during Cade’s absence.

  • “It is miraculous how deep they are and how deep those guys have produced…now, fully healthy, perfect timing as they get ready.” — Tasmelis (08:24)

• All-NBA Eligibility Debate: They discuss the nuances of Cade’s eligibility for All-NBA honors with only 64 games if he plays out the season and the role of the arbitrator (06:50).

• Isaiah Stewart’s Return:

  • “He only played ten minutes off the bench but finished three for three…scored on a post-up, then blew by a defender…scored in transition off Cade.” — JD Skeets (07:42)

2. Cavs vs. Hawks – Playoff Preview & Rotations

(09:19 – 16:35)

• Mitchell’s Clutch Gene: Donovan Mitchell delivers four buzzer-beaters in a Cavs victory over the Hawks.

  • “That’s the definition of Donovan Mitchell in the playoffs…he just needs Harden and Allen and Mobley to get him there.” — Tasmelis (10:32)

• Mobley’s Breakout Game: Evan Mobley’s aggression and career-high 19 boards highlight Cleveland’s interior dominance.

• Strategic Substitutions & Playoff Implications:

  • Skeets critiques the Hawks' late-game rotations: “Do you just run with the guys that got you back in the game…or go back to your starters?”
  • Discussion of Zac Ricache’s first DNP-CD and the evolving role of Jonathan Kuminga.

3. Thunder Dominate, Clinch No. 1 Seed – Historical Company

(19:56 – 26:16)

• Chet Holmgren’s Standout Performance:

  • “I thought this was one of the best games I’ve seen Chet Holmgren play…he looked like Wemby last night.” — Skeets (23:42)
  • “Chet was so good…shooting the three, getting into his midrange…twenty-four in the first half.” — Tasmelis (22:25)

• Thunder’s Place in NBA History:

  • Now only the 6th team with three straight years as a top playoff seed, putting them alongside dynasties like the Bulls and Lakers (19:56).
  • “Chet Holmgren has never finished worse than the number one seed in his entire basketball career…high school, U19, Gonzaga, and NBA.” — Skeets (24:45)

• Clippers' Outlook: The hosts note Kawhi Leonard is “already getting ready for next season” as the current focus is clearly on rebuilding chemistry with new additions.

4. Playoff Picture: West and East Rundown

(26:40 – 31:09)

• Quick Results and Notes:

  • Spurs beat Blazers without Wemby or Castle.
  • Suns lock up the No. 7 seed.
  • Magic secure four straight wins behind Paolo Banchero’s strong play.
  • Nuggets notch their 10th win in a row; special handshake for Jonas Valanciunas' 1,000th game.
  • Nuggets coach David Adelman’s formal handshake: “It was just a straight handshake…like he was on LinkedIn.” — Skeets (28:17)

• Anonymity Level: The Memphis Grizzlies:

  • Hilarious note about Toby Okani — started four games but doesn’t have an NBA.com profile or headshot (28:47).
  • “The Grizzlies have unlocked a new level of anonymity.” — Skeets

• Tank Watch: Skeets and Tasmelis detail teams deep into the tank (Grizz, Jazz) and reflect on past tanking teams.

5. Kings “Tankgate” — Timeout vs. Foul Debate

(31:09 – 37:13)

• Strange Late-Game Sequence: Coach Doug Christie instructs Doug McDermott to foul Seth Curry while in the penalty, spurring “intentional tanking” allegations.

  • “The Kings say it was just a mistake…he miscalculated that the Warriors were in the bonus.” — Skeets (31:09)
  • “They’re definitely not tanking. I think they’re playing their best ball with Nick Clifford, Daquan Plowden, Maxime Reynaud…just a misstep.” — Tasmelis (32:26)

• League Due Diligence: The hosts explain why the NBA is investigating, but both agree it’s a “non-story” stemming from honest confusion.

6. Top 5 NBA Fanbases – Tasmelis’ Ranking

(38:48 – 58:12)

• No. 5: Los Angeles Clippers

  • “Name me another team with a wall of fans behind one backboard…51 rows, the loudest, most energetic fans.” — Tasmelis (39:06)
  • “Would you eat a hot dog from the sky?” — Skeets, referencing parachuting hot dogs at the Intuit Dome (40:49)

• No. 4: Oklahoma City Thunder

  • “It is extremely loud…they stand until the first bucket is made. Loud City.” — Tasmelis (43:11)
  • New arena coming: “Calling it the Continental Coliseum.” — Skeets (43:41)

• No. 3: New York Knicks

  • “You can tell...Knicks fans are just more in tune with the game. Smarter isn’t the right word, but they just ‘get’ basketball.” — Skeets (46:32)

• No. 2: Boston Celtics

  • “They are also one of a kind…and when you made Al Horford feel different, you’re doing a good job.” — Tasmelis (48:22)
  • “There’s nothing like winning in Boston, nothing like winning as a Celtic.” — Al Horford (quoted by Tasmelis)

• No. 1: San Antonio Spurs

  • “It felt like a college game…all here to support this team. The Jackals bring constant chants, songs, know their stuff. Hardcore.” — Tasmelis (49:47)
  • Gives credit to Wembanyama for championing the Jackals: “He played a part...picking them and they’re going to bat for him.” — Skeets (51:33)

• Omissions & Discussion:

  • The hosts address why Lakers and Raptors aren’t on the list, with Tasmelis noting the difference in intensity and culture versus the five chosen.
  • “The buzz in the crypto arena isn’t the same as even Boston, which is also a legacy franchise.” — Tasmelis (54:29)

Notable Quotes & Fun Moments

• “Right from the get go...he didn’t hold up in any way...ready to be physical.” — Tasmelis on Cade Cunningham (04:35)
• “Chet Holmgren looked like Wemby last night…that was Wemby-like highlights and force.” — Skeets (23:42)
• “An influencer even livestreamed the whole thing. Not good for business. The influencer did get us 53 new followers though.” — Tasmelis (19:02, ad, but left in for comedic value)
• “Would you eat a hot dog from the sky?” — Skeets (40:49)
• “There’s nothing like winning in Boston, nothing like winning as a Celtic.” — Al Horford (quoted by Tasmelis, 48:22)
• “The Grizzlies started a player that doesn’t even have a player profile on NBA.com as of Thursday morning.” — Skeets (28:47)
• “It just feels like a different place…and makes everyone who plays there feel different.” — Tasmelis on Boston (49:21)
• “I've been wearing [the No Dunks jersey] all day, not one person recognized it…but my daughter said, hey No Dunks!” — Tasmelis (66:47, lighthearted end)

Important Timestamps

• Cade’s Return & Pistons: 04:02 – 08:24
• Cavs-Hawks Playoff Implications: 09:19 – 16:35
• Thunder Clinch No. 1 / Chet Holmgren’s Game: 19:56 – 26:16
• Game Recaps / Tank Watch: 26:40 – 31:09
• Kings Tankgate/Timeout Analysis: 31:09 – 37:13
• Top 5 Fanbases Countdown: 38:48 – 58:12

Language, Tone, and Flow

The tone is relaxed, humorous, and highly conversational, mixing irreverent jokes (“Would you eat a hot dog from the sky?”) with nuanced basketball analysis. The hosts oscillate between laughter and in-depth X’s and O’s, always maintaining a sense of fun and inclusivity—a hallmark of the No Dunks brand.

Episode Summary Table

| Segment | Topic | Timestamp | |---|---|---| | Intro & Vacation Recap | Light banter, Dominican experiences | 00:40 – 03:47 | | Cade Cunningham Return | Pistons, All-NBA eligibility | 04:02 – 08:24 | | Cavs vs. Hawks | Playoff seeding, rotations | 09:19 – 16:35 | | Thunder No. 1 Seed | Chet Holmgren, NBA history | 19:56 – 26:16 | | Quick Recaps | Other games, Grizzlies anonymity | 26:40 – 31:09 | | Kings “Tankgate” | Timeout/foul confusion, league integrity | 31:09 – 37:13 | | Top 5 NBA Fanbases | Rankings, criteria, anecdotes | 38:48 – 58:12 | | Closing Chatter | Merchandise, fan emails, outro | 65:52 – End |

Conclusion

A packed, entertaining episode with expert-level analysis, cultural commentary, and enthusiastic celebration of NBA fandom. The deep dive into returning stars, emerging powerhouses, and the unique spirit of NBA fanbases encapsulates what No Dunks does best: balancing basketball nerdery with welcoming, comedic energy.