No Dunks Podcast Summary: "Drafting Bold NBA Predictions"
Date: October 21, 2025
Hosts: J. Skeets, Tas Melas, Trey Kirby, JD (super producer)
Theme: The crew reacts to NBA contract extensions, roster news, and then draft listeners’ bold basketball predictions for the coming season.
Episode Overview
This episode is a celebration of the NBA season tip-off, featuring plenty of good-natured banter and high energy as the No Dunks team recaps big contract news before holding a draft of the boldest, wildest predictions submitted by their Substack community. The discussion is rich with player analysis, league trends, and memorable quotes, punctuated by the crew's usual irreverent style.
Key Discussion Points
1. NBA Contract Extensions: News & Reactions
Christian Braun (Denver Nuggets)
- Deal: 5 years, $125 million, no options.
- Panel Take: Seen as the ideal fifth starter: durable, efficient, thrives in transition, excellent fit next to Jokic, Murray, Gordon, and Cam Johnson.
- Tas: “He is just the perfect guy to have there as your fifth guy.” (06:56)
- Trey: “Nikola Jokic is the new Steve Nash. He just gets guys paid.” (08:15)
- Noted: Good deal for structure/success; only concern is if they paid above market (“Maybe they could have gotten him for like $20 million a year…” – 09:11)
Dyson Daniels (Atlanta Hawks)
- Deal: 4 years, $100 million.
- Panel Take: Defensive dynamo, Most Improved Player, rising offensively. Hawks chose higher AAV over longer contract length.
- Trey: “Daniels is a great defensive playmaker... Is he like a point guard of the future for the Hawks?” (12:38)
- Tas: “You can literally put him on anybody.” (15:26)
- Only question: Can he develop as a shooter (free throws/3P%) and not be played off in the playoffs?
Aaron Nesmith (Indiana Pacers)
- Deal: 2 years, $40.4 million with a trade kicker.
- Panel Take: Represents value as a true “3 and D” player; big playoff performer. Pacers stick with their core.
- Trey: “He had that awesome 15 point fourth quarter against the Knicks last year… found himself as a player after two seasons in Boston…” (20:09)
- J. Skeets: “That guy has proven he’s a 3 and D guy… He can play small guys, big guys.” (22:01)
Extension Misses & Discussions
- Tari Eason (Rockets) did not get extended, betting on himself.
- Trey: “He thinks he’s a multiple-time All-Star in the waiting. Maybe he is, maybe he’s overvaluing himself.” (26:38)
- Risk he gets traded if minutes dry up with Rockets' depth.
- Brief mentions of other teams’ “missed” or pending rookie extensions.
2. Injury Update
- Kobe White (Bulls) out 2 more weeks (calf)
- Ty Jerome (Grizzlies) & Jalen Williams (OKC) sidelined
- Trey: “Everybody gets hurt on this team at all times… I don’t know what’s going on in Memphis for people to be hurt all the time, but it’s piling up right now.” (33:24)
- Cautions about over/under bets and early season impacts.
3. Drafting Bold NBA Predictions
Format: Snake draft of wild audience-sourced predictions with lively analysis (starts 40:05).
Selected Predictions & Reactions
Round 1:
-
Tas:
- Steph Curry smashes single-game 3PT record with 18 threes on a 60-pt night
- Source: Travis O
- “It just takes this record that belongs to him… do it now, again, without Horford and Jimmy and Draymond—just give him the ball.” (41:02)
- All agree—if anyone can break it, it’s Steph.
-
Trey:
- Multiple 5x5s: Wembanyama gets two, Mobley gets one, Flag gets one (in the same game)
- “I will be locked in.” (44:11)
- Also name-check J-Dub, Scottie Barnes, Giannis as 5x5 candidates.
- Agree that the rarity makes it fun; blocks/steals hardest stats for guards.
-
Skeets:
- VJ Edgecombe (Sixers rookie) leads all rookies in scoring, wins ROY over Cooper Flagg
- “I like this. This is bold… if Embiid’s healthy, they’re not brutal.” (47:09)
- Panel agrees: opportunity = stats on Philly, could surprise.
Round 2 (Selected):
- Tas: Suns win more than last year, make play-in, Booker second-team All-NBA (Espo’s prediction) (48:05)
- “I’m starting to buy into the camaraderie, the chemistry in there…” (49:05)
- Trey: Jalen Brunson has a 20 assist game (Simon) (51:09)
- “I personally would bet against it… that’s a lot.” (52:51)
- Skeets: Celtics collapse, Joe Mazzulla goes psycho at press conference (Apocalypse Now reference) (Dan Lan) (54:28)
- “I love the idea of Joe Mazzulla just going insane.”
Round 3 (Selected):
- Tas: NBA Cup so ignored finals never happen, no one notices (Jamie) (59:29)
- “I don’t think it’s going anywhere… but I hear the tension!”
- Trey: Stephon Castle (Spurs rookie) will have the highest dunk score of the season (Die Mr. Bond) (62:23)
- Skeets objects to “Steph” nickname; all agree the dunks are real.
- Skeets: Cole Anthony averages 18/6, wins Sixth Man AND Most Improved (Dylan Horner) (65:54)
- “Dylan… I was sort of almost with you until you threw out both awards.”
Round 4 (Selected):
- Tas: Luka Doncic averages 35/10/10 (“Huevos Bancheros”) (67:49)
- “I do think he leads the league in scoring—no question.”
- Trey: 75 wedgies tracked this season (over/under) (Tomer) (69:13)
- “It’s been 179 days since our last wedgie…” (69:19)
- Skeets: Celtics make 1,600+ 3s, win East, casuals learn about Pritchard/White (MTR) (71:51)
- “Let it fly. 1,600 threes. That’s what we’re going to be watching…”
Other Notables:
- Ghostface Ziller’s meta-prediction: NBC’s broadcast is seamless; Ernie/Inside the NBA crew “see what they can get away with on ESPN” (75:09)
4. Memorable Quotes & Moments
- Trey: “Nikola Jokic is the new Steve Nash. He just gets guys paid.” (08:15)
- Tas (on Curry’s potential 18 threes): “This is why it works.” (41:42)
- Skeets (on Mazzulla): “I love the idea of Joe Mazzulla just going insane.” (54:28)
- Trey (injury-plagued Grizzlies): “Everybody gets hurt on this team at all times… it’s piling up right now.” (33:24)
- Skeets: “That guy has proven he’s a 3 and D guy.” (22:01)
5. Episode Timestamps
| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|---------------| | Start & Banter (Baseball, Merch) | 01:26 – 06:29 | | Contract Extension News | 06:29 – 24:25 | | Injury Updates | 30:51 – 35:32 | | Drafting Listener Bold Predictions (Intro) | 40:05 | | Draft – Round 1 (Top Bold Predictions) | 40:29 – 47:56 | | Draft – Further Rounds & Analysis | 48:01 – 73:49 | | Ghostface Ziller’s Broadcast Prediction | 73:49 – 76:12 | | Pick ‘Em Payoff & Troll Man Bit | 76:59 – 80:19 |
Tone & Style
Friendly, energetic, irreverent, and full of inside jokes, but also packed with analytics, facts, and real hoops talk. The hosts riff freely, challenge each other’s logic, and have deep respect for listeners’ contributions.
Conclusion
The No Dunks crew kicked off NBA opening day by evaluating the biggest contract extensions, exploring key injury stories, and most engagingly, drafting and analyzing the boldest predictions from their community. From Steph Curry’s potential for three-point immortality to wild awards races and bonkers press conferences, the pod was both a deep dive into player impacts and a celebration of basketball's unpredictability.
Fans who want rapid-fire player/team news mixed with witty banter and sharp hoops insight will find this episode essential.
Notable Subheadings for Easy Navigation
- Contract Extensions: Nuggets, Hawks, Pacers
- Injury Roundup: Bulls, Grizzlies, OKC
- Drafting Listener Bold Predictions (from 40:05)
- Steph’s 3-Point Record Dream
- Wild Awards and Stat Lines
- Rookie Breakout Calls
- NBA Cup Apathy
- Dunk Scores and More
- Quotes & Banter Highlights
- Pick ‘Em Update: “Troll Man” Bit
Memorable, upbeat, and full of basketball optimism and shrewd forecasting, this episode is a must-listen for anyone eager for the 2025 NBA season.