No Dunks – April 8, 2026

Episode Title: Jaylen Brown Makes Celtics History, Curry’s Shoes, Giannis & The Bucks’ Big Fat Greek Divorce
Hosts: J. Skeets, Eshua Kidd, JD
Podcast by: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This episode of No Dunks centers on the NBA’s hottest headlines as the regular season nears its conclusion. Skeets welcomes back Eshua Kidd to break down the playoff races, Jaylen Brown’s record night for the Celtics, Steph Curry’s sneaker free agency, the fractured relationship between Giannis and the Bucks (dubbed "My Big Fat Greek Divorce"), and hot takes on tanking, a new pro dunking league, and more. The show is fast-paced, loaded with banter, and packed with insight, trivia, and laughs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Celtics-Hornets Recap & Jaylen Brown’s Historic Night

[07:15 – 15:23]

• Jaylen Brown scored 35 points with 9 rebounds, playing every minute of the second half as the Celtics beat the Hornets 113-102.
• Brown surpassed 2,000 points on the season: only the eighth Celtic in franchise history to do so.
  • Other names in this elite club: Bird (4x), Pierce (4x), Tatum (2x), McHale, Havlicek, Sam Jones, Isaiah Thomas.
• Celtics look poised for the playoffs—Tatum and Brown are healthy, and Eshua expresses confidence:
  • “I don’t understand how we can keep saying that, [if] they’ve won a championship... They’re going to the playoffs healthy. Just keep up that momentum.” – Eshua [07:58]
• Vucevic’s struggles and the backup center rotation are discussed, with Skeets noting how Vucevic might not be necessary in early rounds. Eshua prefers Garza as backup.
• Celtics’ defense, particularly from Jordan Walsh, was a difference maker:
  • “Jordan Walsh...shut down LaMelo in the fourth quarter. Lamelo was cooking all game—finishes with 31, 5, and 6. Doesn’t score in the fourth because of Walsh.” – Eshua [14:13]
• Brown’s postgame quote comparing the Hornets to a “younger version” of the Celtics is praised.
• Both hosts are hyped for the playoffs, noting how the East is still a jumble at the bottom.

2. Around the League: Rockets’ Comeback, Suns, Lakers, and Western Playoff Race

[15:23 – 20:54]

• Rockets erased a 21-point deficit to beat the Suns 119-105; Durant scored 24 in his Phoenix return.
• Eshua and Skeets: The Rockets are finally peaking—a 7-game win streak, building an identity with glass domination (55-34 rebound edge, 24 offensive boards).
  • “I’m taking the Rockets in a Lakers matchup.” – Skeets [17:04]
  • “You don’t have Van Vliet...he can be the coach on the floor...That’s what they need.” – Skeets [19:48]
• The fourth quarter offense remains a concern, but young talent (Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason) is stepping up.
• Wolves clinch a top-6 seed as a result of outcomes.

3. Quick Fire Results & Musings

[24:40 – 26:26]

• Miami Heat labeled “perennial play-in team”:
  • “The Heat suck, man.” – Eshua [25:12]
• Skeets and Eshua marvel at the wild Pelicans-Jazz game (no defense, video game-like scoring) and pile on to the Heat for underperformance.

4. Tanking & The NBA Draft: Draymond Green’s Rant

[27:26 – 36:43]

• Draymond Green called out the Kings for tanking with 3 minutes left, intentionally fouling Seth Curry (a bizarre move), and declared the Play-In "ain’t working."
• Draymond: “We could have lost our last 15 games [and still been 10th]...it ain’t working.” [29:30]
• Skeets and Eshua deep-dive into whether tanking can ever be “fixed,” contemplating the draft lottery’s role and whether stricter fines or rules would help.
  • “People will always find a way to game the system—even if you change the odds.” – Eshua [31:09]
• Tanking’s moral complexity, gambling’s influence on outrage, and fan perspectives are all discussed with humor and passion.

5. The Up-Down Report: Big Fat Greek Divorce, Dunk Man, and Sneaker Talk

[38:01 – 65:01]

a. Giannis & the Bucks: Shams’ Bombshell Article

• Shams’ article on the Giannis-Bucks breakup: generally panned as more of the same, but with a few spicy tidbits (Doc Rivers telling the team “Google me,” bonus money lost for not playing 41 games).
• Eshua gives it a “thumbs down”:
  • “Nobody’s gonna say you’re a bad guy if you want out. It’s the same thing with Dame... It’s middle school to me.” [39:00]
• Speculation on whether Giannis will be moved before next season, with Skeets betting he won’t be in Milwaukee and Eshua thinking he’ll likely start the season with the Bucks. The Miami Heat’s offer for Giannis is mentioned as a signal for the possible future.
• “This was Shams giving a big middle finger to Giannis and the Bucks.” – Skeets [42:43]

b. Shaq’s New Pro Dunk League: Dunk Man

• Shaq and TNT launching a global “Dunk Man” league with an Olympic format and $500K prize.
• Both hosts are thumbs up for fun—expecting viral highlights, but Skeets wonders if the league will help or hurt the NBA’s standing as home of the world’s best dunkers.

c. Steph Curry’s Sneaker Free Agency (and Shoe Auction)

• Curry wore 70+ sneaker styles after leaving Under Armour, now auctioning them for his Eat Learn Play foundation.
  • “The shoe watch was one of the best subplots of the season.” – Eshua [56:54]
• Eshua’s favorite: Curry in yellow Kobes.
• Steph had fun signing kicks, especially Jordans: “Wow, never signed Jordans before.” [59:20]
• Both hosts give a huge thumbs up.

d. Ref in Player’s Shoes: The Shea Gilegous-Alexander Sneaker Controversy

• Ref Carl Lane wore SGA’s Converse signature shoes during a recent game; Adidas trolled online, referencing SGA’s rep for drawing whistles.
• Skeets explains that refs aren’t allowed to have shoe deals or show logos, so Lane likely bought them himself.
• Both see it as a non-issue and fun angle (“It’s literally just shoes!” – Eshua [63:25]), sparking discussion on which shoes refs actually wear, and the surprising wear-and-tear from covering five miles a night.

6. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Jordan Walsh shut down Lamelo in the fourth quarter.” – Eshua [14:13]
• “The Heat suck, man.” – Eshua [25:12]
• “Tanking’s been a part of the game forever—even before the lottery...every team’s done it at some point.” – Eshua [34:04]
• “This was Shams giving a big middle finger to Giannis and the Bucks.” – Skeets [42:43]
• On Shaq’s Dunk League: “There’s so many better dunkers than NBA dunkers...it makes you a little sad.” – Eshua [49:28]
• “The shoe watch was one of the best subplots of the season.” – Eshua [56:54]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Wedgie Watch & Celtics-Hornets Postgame: 06:04–15:23
• Rockets-Suns, Western Conference Playoff Talk: 15:23–20:54
• Quick Results Roundup & Heat/Pelicans-Jazz: 24:40–26:38
• Tanking, Draymond Green, and Play-In Debates: 27:26–36:43
• Up-Down Report (Shams/Giannis, Dunk Man, Curry’s Shoes, Ref’s Sneakers): 38:01–65:01
• Woah Boy of the Night/Star Wars Thumb War Plug: 65:08–68:35

Endnotes & Housekeeping

• “Woah Boy” of the Night: Jeremiah Fierce (Pelicans rookie) – 40 points, youngest guard ever with a 40+ point game (19 years old).
• Fun audience engagement: Trivia, opinions on tanking solutions, shoe talk, and tongue-in-cheek takes on NBA news.
• Usual camaraderie and playful jabs—especially as Skeets and Eshua recount old basketball and pickleball stories.
• Thumb War Star Wars Recap: Eshua’s involved in movie recaps, up to The Empire Strikes Back.
• NBA Play-in and playoffs coverage is imminent; anticipation high for next week’s episode with regular hosts returning.

For Listeners Who Missed It

This episode offers a detailed but lively breakdown of current NBA events. If you want the feel of hanging at the bar with basketball lifers who blend stats, pop culture, and friendship, this is the show for you. From locker-room stories and witty sneaker debates to big-picture league issues, the No Dunks crew keep it fresh, honest, and entertaining.

Essential Quotes & Segments to Check Out:

• Jaylen Brown’s place in Celtics history, plus vintage Celtics trivia [11:13]
• Rockets optimism & the “glass” identity [17:28]
• Draymond’s play-in and tanking rant [29:30]
• Giannis/Bucks trade speculation & Shams report [39:00–46:27]
• Steph’s sneaker free agency + auction for charity [56:54]
• Ref Carl Lane’s player shoes (and what refs actually wear) [60:28]

Tone: Irreverent, stat-savvy, sharp, and full of in-jokes—yet always welcoming to the NBA-curious.