No Dunks – November 19, 2025

Episode: LeBron's Season 23 Debut, Pistons Win 11th Straight & Washed NBA Trivia
Hosts: Jay Skeets, Tas Melas, Trey Kirby, JD (Super Producer)
Main Theme:
A classic No Dunks episode, mixing in-depth NBA discussion with playful banter and classic segments. The crew breaks down LeBron James’ milestone 23rd season debut, the Detroit Pistons’ 11-game win streak, evaluates the tiers of the Eastern Conference, discusses the surging Orlando Magic, and wraps up with a “Washed NBA Trivia” game inspired by grizzled All-Washed vets.

LeBron's Season 23 Debut with Lakers (02:32–13:20)

Main Points:

• LeBron James returns after missing training camp and first 14 games due to sciatica, making NBA history as the only player with 23 seasons. Lakers win against Jazz, 140-125.
• LeBron (40) becomes only the second player to appear in a 23rd season (after Vince Carter’s 22 seasons).
• Game stats: modest 11 points but dominant as a playmaker with 12 assists and just 1 turnover. Highlighted willingness to pass (“Lungs of a newborn baby” – LeBron [04:08]).
• Lakers’ offensive chemistry is excellent: Luka Dončić shines, Austin Reaves excels as the third option (especially when Luka sits), Jake LaRavia fits perfectly shooting and cutting.
• Notable celebration: LeBron’s “rocket/freezer” hand gesture after a pass to Gabe Vincent for a corner three, confusing the crew about the meaning. ("It looked like it was on his upper bicep/tricep area...it's more of a cannon kind of thing." – Tas [09:48]).
• Lakers’ offense is not a concern; defense is the question going forward.

Memorable Quotes:

• “LeBron’s an old man. But he said he had the lungs of a newborn baby.” —Trey Kirby (04:08)
• “If he’s willing to come off the ball like this…he’s more than willing to pass it.” —Tas Melas (06:35)
• “He’s still good. Is the other part that’s wild.” —Jay Skeets (11:48)

Notable Timestamps:

• 04:31 – LeBron’s mood and returning to action
• 06:34 – LeBron’s assisted highlight passes and evolving playstyle
• 08:31 – Lakers’ game-changing third quarter run

Pistons’ 11th Straight Win – Big vs. Finesse (16:29–23:33)

Main Points:

• Detroit Pistons win 120-112 against Atlanta Hawks, extend to 11-game winning streak—their best in 18 years.
• Dominant paint presence: 66 points in the paint, with Jalen Duren (24pts on his birthday) and Isaiah Stewart (13pts).
• Team identity: labeled “Nasty Dogs”—priding on physicality and force.
• Cade Cunningham returns and hits pivotal shots, notching his fifth straight 25+ point, 10+ assist game—a first in franchise history.
• Doubts about strength of competition—Pistons haven’t faced Knicks or Cavaliers yet.
• Jalen Duren emerges as Most Improved Player frontrunner (+175 odds).

Memorable Quotes:

• “The Nasty Dogs were barking. 66 points in the paint for Detroit.” —Trey Kirby (16:57)
• “They figured out, we’re a big strong team. So let’s keep being big and strong.” —Trey Kirby (18:03)
• “Jalen Duren…he’s the favorite right now on FanDuel…he might win this most improved.”—Jay Skeets (22:24)

Notable Timestamps:

• 16:52 – Breakdown of Pistons-Hawks game and team identity
• 19:25 – Analyzing which “tier” Pistons belong to in East

Eastern Conference: Tier Debates & Magic’s Rise (23:33–30:55)

Main Points:

• Hosts debate the Pistons’ tier—are they with Knicks, Cavs, or Magic? Trey labels Pistons the “best team in the Eastern Conference right now.”
• Orlando Magic praised for defense, balance, and bench production in win vs. Warriors (121-113). Anthony Black and Da Silva’s efforts highlighted; team’s ability to share touches with Paolo Banchero out.
• Challenges when Banchero returns, especially sharing the ball with Franz Wagner and Bain, but confidence that coach Jamahl Mosley will integrate him well.
• Jalen Suggs’ unusual pre-game “football drip” headband fashion—starts around neck, then on forehead, causing amusement and questions about NBA uniform rules.

Memorable Quotes:

• “Franz is a more efficient player than Paolo…he makes the right play every single time.” —Trey Kirby (26:36)
• “Magic are who we thought they were…they found their identity here a little bit.” —Jay Skeets (28:41)

Notable Timestamps:

• 24:07 – Magic’s defensive identity and bench production
• 29:21 – Jalen Suggs’ “football drip” headband discussion

Around the League: Game Quick Hits (31:48–36:51)

Main Points:

• Spurs beat Grizzlies 111-101; Jaren Jackson Jr. continues to underwhelm, furthering concern about team direction and morale.
• Suns easily handle Blazers as Devin Booker scores 19; Suns praised for effort, Jordan Knott cited as a possible Coach of the Year candidate.
• Celtics beat Nets, moving above .500.
• Blazers’ defense collapses in recent stretch.

Memorable Quotes:

• “That was surprising not to see Jaren Jackson Jr. finish the job. Harrison Barnes had a 23-point game. That’s a man we don’t talk about. We probably won’t.” – Tas Melas (32:13)

Washed NBA Trivia with Skeets (42:18–56:47)

Summary:

• Classic trivia returns, focusing on veteran “washed” players and NBA history, inspired by recent No Dunks “All Washed” teams.
• Key categories: record playoff threes (Klay, Curry, Dame, Ray Allen), shortest players’ defensive win shares (Stockton, Chris Paul), historical triple-doubles under 20 (Luka, Josh Giddey), rebounding/scoring combos post-merger (Shaq, Moses Malone, Jokic, Giannis), Beal’s career high (60), and old-man playoff three-point barrages (LeBron, Jason Kidd, Eddie Johnson).
• Fun detours on All-Star Weekend history, NBA nicknames (“Piggy, the smooth shooter, and the man who put the J in jump shot”—Eddie Johnson [56:25]), and more.

Notable Quotes:

• “You guys just did NBA trivia and you guys just knocked it out.” —Jay Skeets (56:17)
• “Piggy’s the best of the bunch, but that’s saying something.” —Jay Skeets (56:33)

Notable Timestamps:

• 42:18 – NBA trivia segment begins
• 54:26 – Al Horford old-man three-point record question

The Return of “Woah Boy!” Fantasy Line Segment (57:06–58:22)

Main Points:

• The Peloton-sponsored "Woah Boy" segment returns—first time in a long time.
• Luka Doncic awarded Fantasy Line of the Night for monstrous effort vs. Jazz: 37 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists, and 4 steals.

Memorable Quotes:

• “Luka gets The Woah Boy of the night.” —Jay Skeets (57:56)

Final Thoughts & Upcoming (58:22–end)

Main Points:

• Hosts hype up the NBA night ahead (notably Rockets-Cavs), discuss Bulls’ playback watch-along for their 72-10 season, and reminisce about rec leagues and past banter.
• Engagement with stream team and podcast listeners encouraged: “Hit the like button. Subscribe. Five-star ratings!” (41:18).

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• “The NBA season is a grind, especially with these new 11pm coast to coast starts.” —Trey Kirby, lightly ribbing the scheduling (36:55)
• “We love trivia, though. We're just sickos. When I do it, I forget we’re even doing a show.” —Jay Skeets on their passion for trivia (58:43)
• “Bulls’ plus-37 point differential after one rec-league game. ‘I bet we’re in first.’” —Trey Kirby (63:37)

Key Timestamps Reference

| Segment | Start | Noteworthy Moment | |------------------------------------------|--------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | LeBron’s Debut & Lakers-Jazz | 02:32 | LeBron’s passing, chemistry, milestone context | | Pistons-Hawks, Duren's MIP Case | 16:29 | Pistons’ size, “Nasty Dogs”, Cade’s record | | East Tier Discussion & Magic’s Rise | 23:33 | Who belongs in Tier 1? Suggs’ headband fashion saga | | Quick Game Hits (Spurs, Suns, Celtics) | 31:48 | Grizzlies malaise, Suns’ effort, Celtics’ hot streak | | Washed NBA Trivia | 42:18 | Playoff threes, defensive win shares, Beal’s career high, etc.| | Woah Boy Segment Returns | 57:06 | Luka wins first revived Woah Boy for fantasy line | | Closing Banter & Upcoming | 58:22 | Next games, Bulls’ playback, Trivia love |

Overall Tone & Style

Lighthearted, loose, filled with inside jokes but always informative. The hosts riff on fashion quirks (headbands), meme segments (Woah Boy), and NBA history with a mix of culinary polls (hot dogs) and stat nerdery. Mixes detailed breakdowns for hoop-heads with fun tangents for longtime listeners.

For New/Non-Listeners

This episode is a snapshot of what makes No Dunks a unique NBA podcast: plenty of laughs, engagement with quirky NBA lore and trivia, lengthy but sharp breakdowns of games and players, and interactive segments that connect with the audience as much as with the daily grind of basketball.

Skip the ads—listen for:

• LeBron’s historic 23rd season takeaways
• The Pistons’ surging identity and Duren’s breakout
• Magic’s defensive, unselfish identity
• NBA trivia deep-dives
• The return of the “Woah Boy!” segment

(And if you know someone who’s had a brother choke them with a headband, let the stream team know! [30:38])