No Dunks Podcast Summary

Episode: Josh Giddey's $100M Deal & EuroBasket's Fun Final Four
Hosts: Taz Melas & Trey Kirby
Date: September 10, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of No Dunks dives into two major topics: Josh Giddey signing a $100 million contract with the Chicago Bulls, and a detailed breakdown of the EuroBasket Final Four, featuring standout performances and surprises. The hosts analyze the prospects of the Bulls' new direction with Giddey, and give their trademark, detailed, and humorous coverage of the EuroBasket semifinals, including Giannis Antetokounmpo's dominance, Alperen Şengün's triple-double, and the rise of Finland's squad.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Josh Giddey's $100M Contract with the Bulls

[00:31 – 10:18]

• Deal Details: 4 years, $100 million, fully guaranteed, no options.
• Contract Negotiation Recap: Bulls initially wanted $80M, Giddey sought $120M; they settled in the middle.
• Giddey's Chicago Impact:
  • Had an outstanding second half last year after Zach LaVine’s departure—put up "20 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists, 46% from three."

    “That ain't gonna happen again. But maybe he can shoot 37% from three.” — Trey [01:32]

  • Is only 22, entering his prime, and had his best season yet.
• Skepticism:
  • Trey remains unconvinced that Giddey is a real building block for a winning team:

    “I'm just pretty skeptical that you can build a real winning team around Josh Giddey. You have to build a team perfectly around Giddey to succeed.” — Trey [01:32]

  • Concerns about his play style in the postseason, especially when the game slows down:

    “Giddy isn't a very good half court basketball player ... teams are still helping off him even if he shoots 40% because he takes two or three per game and takes them very slowly.” — Trey [04:38]

• Financials/Team Building:
  • Bulls’ salary sheet is mostly clear after this season—only Giddey and Patrick Williams are committed long term.
  • Taz is fine with the deal given the Bulls’ lack of other big contracts, feels it’s tradable in a new CBA landscape.
  • Trey is concerned it could be an “impossible contract to trade” if things go south, referencing the bad Zeke Nnaji deal as a cautionary tale [Denver, 4 years/$32M].

    “That's what I'm a little concerned about.” — Trey [06:34]

• Cap Space Pessimism: Trey’s not optimistic about Chicago’s future free agent pursuits:

  “None of the big free agents come to Chicago. … Who are they signing? LeBron at 42? Harden as an old man? … I would have rather said goodbye to Giddy, completely bottomed out, and actually had a shot at a major prospect next year.” — Trey [09:08]

2. EuroBasket Final Four Breakdown

A. Germany vs Slovenia: Luka’s Heartbreak

[11:18 – 22:15]

• Germany stages comeback—key moment is a Tristan da Silva buzzer-beater to end third quarter ([12:28]).
• Game dominated by free throws; both teams combined for over 60 attempts.
• Luka Doncic scores 39 but fades in fourth, with Germany capitalizing on the bonus and shutting Slovenia down.

  “I thought this was a difficult game to watch … even the German commentators were complaining about the refs calling too many fouls.” — Taz [13:58] “They just picked up a couple of ticky tack fouls, and at that point, it was already bonus job. So, Germany to the line.” — Trey [16:52]

• Notable stat: Slovenia heavily reliant on Luka, supporting cast couldn’t step up.

B. Finland’s Historic Run

[21:05 – 25:36]

• Finland reaches their first-ever EuroBasket semifinals.
• Larry Markkanen’s MVP-level play:

  “He’s got a chance at the MVP if Finland is somehow able to overcome Germany.” — Trey [21:05]

  • 17 points, 6 boards, 4 blocks versus Georgia.
• Finnish bench outscores Georgia’s 44-4; contributions from Jantinen (19 pts), Sasu Salin, and others.
• Georgia’s lack of guard scoring hampers their effort.
• Finland’s “five out” style and gunslinger approach highlighted as most entertaining of the tournament.

C. Greece’s Giannis-Led Dominance

[25:36 – 31:45]

• Greece defeats Lithuania with Giannis Antetokounmpo statline: 29 pts, 16 reb, 4 stl, 1 blk.
• Giannis’ midrange game and playmaking lauded:

  “His mid range is money right now … Lithuania was giving him jumpers and Giannis was just walking into them quite easily.” — Trey [25:58]

• Costas Antetokounmpo’s significant defensive impact off the bench (4 pts, 4 blks).

  “Costas feels like you offer this man enough, you never know … He looks ridiculously good and he was one of those guys that kind of help change the game.” — Taz [27:07]

• Lithuanian team played hard behind Jonas Valanciunas (24 & 15), but missed key guards.

D. Turkey’s Şengün Triple-Double

[31:45 – 37:43]

• Alperen Şengün, 15/12/10 triple-double; youngest ever in EuroBasket.

  “Some absolute dimes in this one… every assist was a guy just zooming to the back after the Polish team was so eyes on Sengun.” — Trey [31:45]

  • Showcased highlight passing and patience.
• Turkey’s depth and balance (“seven guys in double digits”) propels them.
• Defensive emergence noted—Şengün credited for improved athleticism and playmaking on both ends:

  “Sengun is playing the best defense I’ve ever seen him play.” — Trey [35:05]

• Hosts project a marquee Greece-Turkey semifinal showdown featuring Giannis vs Şengün.

3. Tournament MVP Race & EuroBasket Culture

[36:57 – 41:50]

• Discussed MVP favorites: likely coming from the championship team; frontrunners are Giannis, Şengün, and Markkanen.
• Noted Franz Wagner’s rise as Germany’s focal point.
• Observations on the lively EuroBasket atmosphere, including unexpected fan behavior and music—

  “The soundtrack to a Eurobasket game is a little bit different. You’re hearing basically all wedding songs played through the intercom. … Country Road by John Denver. … Is Country Road by John Denver a basketball song?” — Trey [38:28]
  “I always thought, man, that John Denver’s full of shit, man. I never thought you would see that ever.” — Taz [40:01]

• Cultural surprise: “Take Me Home, Country Roads” is a European sports anthem, especially in Germany and the Netherlands.

4. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Giddey's hot-and-cold stats:

  “If he’s able to play as a 20-point per game triple double for the entire season, then I’ll gladly eat my words.” — Trey [06:34]

• On Bulls cap space plans:

  “Save me from the cap space plan … None of the big free agents come to Chicago.” — Trey [09:08]

• On Finland’s bench performance:

  “44 to 4 for their bench. It's absolutely ridiculous.” — Taz [21:58]

• On Giannis’ form:

  "Giannis as point center, creating for others, also looking for his own offense. And if that’s the case, he’s going to have to hit these shots when people are playing underneath him.” — Trey [25:58]

• On Şengün’s Eurobasket run:

  “He would be my pick for mvp. I know Giannis has an incredible case here as well, but Turkey’s going to win the Euro basket, so I think it’s going to go to Sengun.” — Trey [31:45]

• Humorous cultural reflection:

  “I always thought, man, that John Denver's full of shit, man. I never thought that you would see that ever.” — Taz [40:01]

Important Timestamps

• [00:31] — Trey’s initial take & skepticism on Giddey deal
• [01:32] — Discussion of Giddey’s stats and fit with Bulls
• [04:38] — Trey’s concerns about Giddey’s halfcourt play
• [06:34] — Possibility of Giddey outperforming contract and tradeability concerns
• [09:08] — Cap space futility and Bulls’ rebuilding limbo
• [12:28] — Germany’s comeback vs Slovenia, da Silva buzzer-beater
• [16:52] — Free throw parade and reffing controversy
• [21:05] — Finland’s bench explosion and Markkanen's MVP run
• [25:58] — Giannis’ midrange evolution, Greece’s team depth
• [31:45] — Şengün’s triple-double, Turkey’s offensive engine
• [35:05] — Şengün’s defense and MVP case
• [38:28] — Country Roads & EuroBasket musical atmosphere
• [40:01] — Taz’s astonishment at European sports anthems

Conclusion

With honest, data-driven skepticism about Chicago’s investment in Josh Giddey married to a buoyant enthusiasm for the drama and style of EuroBasket, this No Dunks episode delivers expert NBA analysis and the trademark humor and cultural tangents fans expect. Whether it’s dissecting the fine print of NBA cap space or marveling at international fandom singing “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” Tas and Trey keep it lively, nuanced, and always entertaining.

Next up: Friday’s episode will cover the EuroBasket semifinals: Greece vs Turkey; Germany vs Finland, plus fresh NBA headlines.