No Dunks Podcast Summary

Episode: Magic & Knicks Advance in NBA Cup, AD Trade Rumors, Shams' Inside Slop
Date: December 10, 2025
Hosts: Jay Skeets, Tas Melas, Trey Kirby, JD

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the NBA Cup quarterfinals, where the Orlando Magic and the New York Knicks each advanced to the semifinals in Las Vegas. The crew breaks down both games, reflects on key performances, and dives into wide-ranging NBA rumors courtesy of Shams Charania – with plenty of their trademark humor and random, memorable tangents.

1. NBA Cup Quarterfinals: Game Breakdowns

A. Orlando Magic vs. Miami Heat

Desmond Bane's Monster Night Lifts Orlando

Key Segment: [03:10 – 16:00]

• Desmond Bane scored 37 points, carrying the Magic past the Heat and into the semifinals.
  • "Desmond Bane, 37 points carrying the Magic past the Heat into the NBA cup semifinals. ... What a monster game from this guy." – Jay Skeets (03:10)
  • Bane continues his unique streak: all three of his 30+ point games this season have been exactly 37.
• Magic started cold, quickly fell behind 15–0 at home, but defensive adjustments, especially by Jalen Suggs and Anthony Black, sparked the comeback.
• In the 4th, Bane dominated: "Those makes in the fourth quarter specifically were great. The 15-point fourth quarter..." – Tas (05:07)
• Key play: Goga Bitadze, from the floor amid defenders, dishes to Bane for a three, highlighting Orlando's chemistry and Miami's defensive struggles.
• Paolo Banchero adapted to the team-centric game: unselfish, making sharp passes, and finding spots off the ball.
  • "He actually was adapting. He made some great passes when he drove… just adapting." – Tas (08:52)
• Frontcourt credit: Wendell Carter Jr. and Goga Bitadze outplayed Miami's bigs, shutting down the paint and contributing offensively.
• Matchup analysis: Orlando's lineup is tough for Miami. The Heat, reliant on early offense and mismatches, struggled to attack against Orlando's versatile defenders.
  • "The Magic are a bad matchup for the Heat because ... Magic don't have a lot of [weak defenders] out there." – Skeets (09:42)
• Crowd & atmosphere: Lively for a midweek game; the NBA Cup is beginning to "feel different," with rising excitement.

Notable Quotes/Lines

• "He shoots a free throw like a gentleman." – Eric Collins, as quoted by the crew [22:44]
• On the Heat's defensive woes: "They're collapsing way too much... Bane just exposed it because he felt good from three." – Skeets (11:05)
• On the Cup's young team trend: "Maybe this bodes well for the Orlando Magic, who we came into the season with a lot of hope..." – Skeets (12:49)

Random/Memorable Moments

• MVP-level Eric Collins commentary: "He was stronger than 10 rows of onions." [22:02]
• The dunk contest versus NBA Cup championship debate: "Would you be more proud of being a cup winner or a dunk contest winner?" – Trey (15:34); "A dunk contest winner by a mile." – Skeets (15:40)
• The ongoing saga of the NBA Cup courts: Magic’s was “damaged in storage”; Lakers’ was “too slippery.”

B. New York Knicks vs. Toronto Raptors

Brunson Cooks, Raptors Collapse

Key Segment: [26:38 – 37:16]

• Jalen Brunson exploded for 35 points (20 in the first quarter) as the Knicks dominated the Raptors.
  • "Jalen Brunson doing whatever he wanted...He was so freaking good." – Tas (27:03)
• Knicks’ offense thrived, especially running actions that tested Jakob Poeltl’s mobility on defense.
• Josh Hart played "the best basketball of his career," adding scoring and smart play (34:51).
• Raptors' initial energy faded; after a competitive first quarter, they were "destroyed" in the second (34–13 run), and trailed by 17 at halftime.
• Toronto’s struggles: Offense sputtered without RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley (missing ~40 points). Scotty Barnes had a particularly ineffective game.
• Atmosphere in Toronto: Notably flat; described as “men (Knicks) vs. boys (Raptors)” (32:40). The crowd was only roused by a kid on the jumbotron and the prospect of free pizza.

Notable Quotes/Lines

• "That felt like men and the Raptors felt like boys. That was just a professional ass kicking." – Skeets (32:40)
• "Brunson was just phenomenal, especially in the first quarter. 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting." – Trey (29:51)
• "Knicks are on their way to being the number one seed in the Eastern Conference." – Tas (27:03), echoed throughout.

Memorable Notes & Observations

• Tim Hortons cups sparked a lengthy Canadian cultural sidebar. "If he had said double double... I was sort of surprised he didn't say that." – Skeets (38:38)
• Brent Barry dropped a John Mayer "Gravity" reference in commentary.
• Raptors Superfan Nav Bhatia spotted with Santa at the game: "Did Nav bring Santa with him to the game last night?" – Skeets (41:45)
• Red Panda's halftime bowls: "What do you think those bowls are made out of?" (43:20)

2. NBA Trade Rumors & “Slop Scale”

[48:32 – 72:21]

A. Anthony Davis (AD) Rumors

• Shams reports Pistons, Hawks, Raptors interested in trading for AD.
• Crew “rates the slop” (rumor credibility/juiciness) at 4 buckets (out of 5), mostly for Hawks.
  • "This is sloppy. I think I'll go four because it all depends on what the Mavs get back. ... The Hawks are the ones from these three teams." – Tas (49:37/51:25)
• Concerns with AD: injury history, fit, and massive salary obligations.
• Raptors as the team in most urgent need, but fit issues if paired with Ingram/Barnes.

B. Other Mavericks Trade Candidates

• Mavs open to deals for Klay Thompson, Daniel Gafford, D'Angelo Russell.
• Crew less enthusiastic about the likelihood/impact: "Only like two buckets of slop to me." – Trey (57:19)
• Gafford is viewed as an essential keep due to Lively's injury concerns.

C. Jonathan Kuminga (Warriors)

• "Warriors will discuss trades for forward Jonathan Kuminga..." [63:26]
• Crew expects a trade as highly likely ("five buckets of slop"), forecasting a move to a rebuilding team for minimal return.
  • "At the point where they'll be happy almost to get sort of anything in return." – Skeets (66:08)

D. Pacers Searching for a Center

• Indiana seeking a “center of the future” after losing Myles Turner.
• Fit/availability of targets like Walker Kessler, Jock Landale, Daniel Gafford, Nick Claxton discussed, but crew skeptical a true long-term solution is available at the deadline.

3. Notable Quotes & Fun Moments

• "These NBA cup games feel different and our guys have bought into it." – Tas (13:47)
• "Would you be more proud of being a cup winner or a dunk contest winner?" – Trey (15:34)
  • “A dunk contest winner by a mile.” – Skeets (15:40)
• "He shoots a free throw like a gentleman." – Eric Collins, via Trey/Skeets (22:44)
• Best Collins-ism: "Stronger than 10 rows of onions." (22:02)
• "No NBA player has ever worn the number 69..." – Eric Collins, prompting a tangent about jersey numbers and league customs (22:27)
• "If you just give New York enough opportunities, they're going to make it happen." – Trey (31:15)
• Miscellaneous: Tim Hortons apostrophe Mandela Effect, Red Panda bowl conspiracy, Jordan Clarkson’s ear tattoos, Holiday gameday Santa sighting with Nav Bhatia

4. Predictions & Listener Polls

Who wins Knicks vs. Magic in the semifinal? [46:09]

• Trey: Knicks
• Tas: Magic
• Skeets: Knicks

Listener Poll: Bigger accomplishment – NBA Cup or Slam Dunk Contest Winner? (44:33)

• Results: 58% say Slam Dunk Contest

5. Timestamps of Key Segments

• Magic-Heat recap & Bane performance: 03:10–16:00
• Knicks-Raptors recap & crowd observations: 26:38–37:16
• Slop scale: trade rumor breakdowns: 48:32–72:21
• Random notes & show banter: Interspersed throughout, e.g. Tim Hortons [37:22], Nav & Santa [41:36], Red Panda [43:20]
• Listener poll/closing: 44:33, 46:09

6. Tone & Style

The No Dunks crew maintains a playful, irreverent, and deeply knowledgeable tone—mixing genuine basketball analysis with inside jokes, off-topic tangents, and “slop” (NBA insider rumor) metaphors. The hosts are quick to rib each other, dissect random details (from Canadian coffee cups to NBA court design to halftime entertainment), and reference NBA media quirks.

7. For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode delivers a lively, detailed breakdown of the NBA Cup semifinals, celebrates breakout performances (especially Desmond Bane and Jalen Brunson), and digs into the swirling trade rumor season with an equal mix of skepticism and wild speculation. Along the way, you'll catch cultural sidebars, sharp jabs at NBA traditions, and plenty of one-liners you’ll only find on No Dunks.