No Dunks Podcast: Jokic & The MVP Ladder, Players Union Blasts Bucks, Fire The 65-Game Rule Into The Sun

Date: March 25, 2026
Hosts: Jay Skeets, Tas Melis, Trey Kirby, JD
Presented by: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into some of the hottest issues currently swirling around the NBA: Nikola Jokic’s remarkable season and fluctuating MVP candidacy, the mounting standoff between Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks (and the NBA players union’s intervention), and sharp critiques of the controversial 65-game rule for awards eligibility. The crew breaks down critical games, analyzes award races, debates policy changes, and fields off-beat questions from listeners with their trademark humor and insight.

Key Discussions & Segments

Nuggets vs. Suns Recap & Jokic’s Incredible Season

[06:52] Main Game Breakdowns

• The episode opens with discussion of Nikola Jokic’s game-winning shot against the Suns—his signature “floater push shot” with 11 seconds to go ("He hit a 12 foot jumper...that was the game winner" – Skeets, 07:32).
• Devin Booker’s missed last-second three is noted, with props given to Bruce Brown’s defense.

[07:54] Nuggets Bench Shine

• The hosts praise the Nuggets’ performance during Jokic’s bench minutes, a traditional weak spot. Denver’s bench, led by Tim Hardaway Jr., Spencer Jones, and Bruce Brown, won minutes without Jokic—crucial for their playoff potential ("They won those minutes by seven...especially in that second quarter" – Trey, 09:00).

[10:13] Jokic the Floor General

• Deep dive into Jokic’s passing brilliance: "17 assists, only two turnovers" (Tas, 11:22), and his ability to survey defenses, highlighted by a rifled corner-pass described by Derek Fisher.

[11:22] Haka-Noso Debate

• Denver tried the “Haka-Noso” (intentional fouling of Suns’ Oso Ighodaro). Tas and Trey question the logic: “It was a little perplexing...being in the bonus was a problem…just play basketball.” (Tas, 12:40)

[12:38] MVP Case & Ladder

• Discussion segues to Jokic’s MVP standing and highlights a jaw-dropping stat: he could become the first player to ever lead the league in both rebounds and assists per game, while averaging 28 efficient points. Despite this, he might not finish top 2 or 3 in MVP voting due to stiff competition and missed games.
  • "He might not finish in the top two or three for MVP. Mind-blowing." (Skeets quoting NBA.com’s John Schuhmann, 13:38)
  • The hosts debate whether Jokic will end up behind Shea (SGA), Wemby, and Luka, citing defensive impact and games missed.

[15:09] MVP Ballot Predictions

• Early top five ballots: SGA, Wemby, Jokic, Luka, with Jokic’s missed games a sticking point.

[17:00] Fun Moment

• Devin Booker’s “Gus Macker” player-exclusive sneakers get a nostalgic Midwestern shoutout from Skeets and Tas.

Around the League – Big Games & Player Spotlights

Cavs vs. Magic: A Shootout with Warnings

[17:32]

• Donovan Mitchell pours in 42; the Cavs beat the Magic 136-131 to extend their win streak to four.
• Despite high scoring, neither coach was pleased: "We can’t play like this come playoff time...we’ll get cooked." (Skeets, 20:00)
• Tas laments the Magic abandoning their calling card: "They have to play defense because they just don’t have the offensive talent to keep up…” (Tas, 19:16)
• Sam Merrill earns props from Mitchell ("He’s like Giannis, man, the way this guy attacks" – 23:52).

Knicks Quietly Surging

[30:12]

• Jalen Brunson drops 32 as the Knicks beat the Pelicans for their seventh straight win.
• Tas notes: "15 points in the fourth quarter...Brunson time. He just took over." ([31:21])
• Winning streak overshadowed by soft competition, but the Knicks look dangerous heading to the postseason.

Charlotte Hornets’ Three-Point Barrage

[32:17]

• Hornets set a franchise record with 26 threes in a blowout over the Kings.
• Con Knipple moves up franchise all-time lists ("He moved into second place in franchise history for threes made in a season with 247" – Skeets, 32:31).
• Implications for the Eastern Conference play-in and a fun trivia segment on Hornets’ all-time three-point leaders ([35:35]).

Hot Topics: Players Union vs. Bucks (Giannis Standoff)

[39:33] NBA Players Association Voices Outrage

• The NBPA releases a statement blasting the Bucks for forcing Giannis to sit out (despite being healthy and wanting to play), framing it as a “tanking” issue:
  • "Fans, broadcast partners and the integrity of the game itself will continue to suffer as long as ownership goes unchecked." (NBPA, read by Skeets, 40:17)
• The hosts argue this isn’t traditional tanking, but rather Milwaukee protecting trade or extension leverage for Giannis (Tas: “It’s more like, ‘We want Giannis healthy to maximize value—whether that’s for us, or in a trade.’” 43:37).

[44:44] Should Giannis Play?

• Trey: "I think he should. He wants to play, it’s for him and the fans...but the Bucks gotta be worried."
• Skeets wonders if Bucks-Giannis relationship has reached a point where even this becomes a source of mutual resentment: "Everything feels like an insult both ways." (Tas, 47:59)
• They speculate if Giannis' repeated injuries have hurt his trade value, and whether he’ll suit up again for Milwaukee this season.

Expansion News: Seattle & Vegas

[50:07] BREAKING – NBA Expansion Moves

• Shams Charania reports (read live): "NBA's Board of Governors has approved bids for expansion teams exclusively in Las Vegas and Seattle...bidding process expected to generate offers in the $7-10 billion range per team." (Tas, 50:07)
• Lively debate: Should NBA expand? Is there enough talent? Trey says yes, points to parity and deep player pool. Tas is skeptical about the need, but expects the teams will be competitive.

Listener Mailbag – "Beach Steppin’"

1. Does a Record-Breaking Game Make Bam Adebayo a Hall-of-Famer?

[56:52]

• Listener asks if Bam’s hypothetical 83-point game would “single-handedly” vault him to the Hall.
• Consensus: "One game doesn’t get you in." (Trey, 57:13). Historical records don’t guarantee enshrinement (Oakley, Skiles, etc.)
• Fun comparison: Skeets argues Vince Carter’s dunk contest win is probably the closest “single moment” that put a borderline guy over the top.

2. Naming Wemby’s Defensive “Nope” Stat

[66:59]

• Henry suggests tracking times players give up shots with Wemby lurking—suggests names like "Nope," "Abort," "Oh Hell No."
• Hosts love “Nope”: "Wemby had six nopes in the game last night." (Skeets, 68:16)
• “Altar Boy” is floated as a nickname (Trey) but doesn’t stick.

3. If The Thunder Had To Play In Socks, How Many Games Would They Win?

[70:33]

• Absurdist fun: Tas guesses 13 wins vs. tankers, Trey says maybe one, Skeets says zero.

4. Naming the Team of Award-Snubbed Players

[75:07]

• With the 65-game rule, many star players are ineligible for awards—what to call their “all-snubbed” team?
  • Suggestions: "Almost Only Counts in Horseshoes and Hand Grenades" (Skeets, 76:21), "PPP All-Stars" (Tas), "Final Forfeits" (Trey).

65-Game Rule: Fire It Into The Sun?

[77:06] Players Union: Reform or Scrap the Rule

• NBPA wants reform/abolishment of the 65-game eligibility rule—citing Cade Cunningham’s situation.
  • "Since its implementation, far too many deserving players have been unfairly disqualified from end of season honors by this arbitrary and overly rigid quota." (statement, 77:51)
• There’s a carve-out for season-ending injuries at 62 games, but Cade’s injury timing makes even that unfair.
• Hosts agree: let the media weigh impact, not an arbitrary number (“…media was doing an okay job determining between a guy that plays 40 games and 65, and the weight and impact in award races.” – Skeets, 80:00).
• Alternatives: scrap, lower to 58-60 games, or add injury exceptions.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Jokic’s MVP case:
  "A guy is going to be the first player ever to lead the league in both rebounds and assists per game...He might not finish in the top two or three for MVP. Mind-blowing." – Jay Skeets quoting John Schuhmann, [13:38]

• On 'Nope' as Wemby's deterrence stat:
  "Wemby had six nopes in the game last night. I like it. Don’t overthink it." – Jay Skeets, [68:16]

• On the Bucks benching Giannis:
  “They are keeping our guy out and they shouldn’t be doing that because he’s healthy and he wants to play” – Tas Melis, [42:46]

Lightning Round Listener Questions

• Petty NBA grudges and irrational hates ([90:09])

  • Multiple funny stories, including JD holding a champagne grudge against Isaiah Thomas for not delivering a promised bottle ("I have the same grudge against Isaiah Thomas for a completely different reason," – JD, [93:21]), and Skeets’ memorable shade for Dan Le Batard.

• Jigsaw Puzzle Nationals?

  • Shoutout to listener Joey’s wife’s team “Puzzle Block Party” competing in Atlanta ([103:57]).

Notable Timestamps

• [06:52] — Jokic’s game-winner & Suns/Nuggets recap
• [13:38] — Jokic’s historic potential MVP snub
• [17:32] — Cavs/Magic shootout & coaches not happy
• [30:12] — Knicks streak, Brunson praise
• [32:17] — Hornets’ 3-point record, franchise trivia
• [39:33] — NBPA blasts Bucks’ handling of Giannis
• [50:07] — Expansion breaking news: Seattle & Vegas
• [77:06] — Players association on 65-game rule (Cade Cunningham focus)
• [90:09] — Greatest NBA/grudge stories from the hosts

Tone & Style

The episode is energetic, irreverent, and offbeat—balancing stats-heavy hoops talk with deeply silly listener segments, behind-the-scenes stories, and lots of honest, bantering debate. The hosts are passionate, opinionated, and plugged-in, comfortable mixing Xs & Os with pop culture and personal anecdotes.

Summary

• Nikola Jokic’s historic production is being oddly undervalued in the MVP race, due to missed games and defensive shortcomings compared to peers like SGA, Wemby, and Luka.
• NBPA is intervening in the Giannis-Bucks standoff, publicly criticizing Milwaukee's alleged “tanking” via benching the star, but hosts say it’s really about protecting value for trade or extension.
• The 65-game awards rule, introduced to curb resting, is now drawing union ire as injured stars like Cade Cunningham are unfairly excluded from recognition; change likely coming.
• NBA expansion to Seattle & Vegas is officially in motion.
• Listener questions bring out the show’s classic goofy side, with answers on everything from “NOPEs” (Wemby’s shot deterrence) to playing in socks, to long-held NBA staff grudges.

A jam-packed, entertaining pod that covers the momentous and trivial of today’s league in true No Dunks style.