No Dunks – NBA All-Star Saturday Night Recap & Chris Paul Retires

Date: February 15, 2026
Hosts: Jay Skeets, Tasmelis (Taz), Trey Kirby, JD

Episode Overview

The No Dunks crew gathers for a lively, pizza-fueled recap of NBA All-Star Saturday night 2026, running through all of the evening’s contests: the Dunk Contest, Three-Point Contest, and the return of the Shooting Stars event. They also discuss the Rising Stars and Celebrity Game from Friday, and reflect on breaking news of Chris Paul’s official NBA retirement. Expect the classic No Dunks banter, irreverence, and insightful analysis, plus passionate tangents about Ludacris, influencer marketing, and the nostalgia crisis of All-Star entertainment.

Dunk Contest Breakdown

[03:56 – 21:42]

Key Points

• Winner: Keshad (Keyshot) Johnson, an NBA relative unknown, stole the show with infectious dancing as much as his dunks.

  • “He seized the opportunity. Kind of an unknown player around the league...He squeaked into the finals just ahead of Jackson Hayes, only one on the scorecards at the end of two dunks in the first round. Was it from selling the dunks afterwards with his dancing? Maybe so, but the finals, yeah, and he showed nerves of steel. Kept dancing the whole time, even when the cards were down.” – Tasmolis [04:31]

• Finals Drama: Carter Bryant posted the contest’s sole “50” score and seemed poised to win, but a botched final dunk and time mismanagement cost him.

  • “Carter Bryant lost the moment that could have been his...talking to Vince Carter mid 90 seconds...He just had to throw it down. Vince did talk him up...but the ball was in his hands and it looked like it just slipped...this could have been Carter Bryant’s moment.” – Taz [06:37]

• Unforgettable (for the Wrong Reasons):

  • Jackson Hayes: Performed “the worst made dunk of all time. He just ran up and dunked it. Unbelievable.”
    • “He just ran way back there and then ran up and then just did a dunk.” – Jay Skeets [07:49]
  • Jace Richardson: Multiple misses, including a crash into the side of the backboard with a dangerous-looking fall.
    • “He fell and wiped out on his ass and looked like he smoked his head...those are the two moments that are taking over...Not just because of what Twitter is right now, but because it wasn’t a spectacular night otherwise.” – Jay Skeets [08:02]

• Judges: Brent Barry was a strict judge (“He was the lawyer, should be back...almost the whole time.” – Jay Skeets [20:34]), Dwight Howard more generous.

• Overall Impression: Not as bad as feared, not historically terrible, but instantly forgettable.

  • “Not the greatest dunk contest. No, Amazingly not the worst, which is pretty wild.” – Jay Skeets [16:46]

Notable Quotes

• “He came out of the hallway dancing...showing his abs, and showed his abs a lot.” – Jay Skeets [06:31]
• “The contest is so stupid...It’s great.” – Jay Skeets [17:55]

Three-Point Contest Recap

[25:53 – 35:48]

Key Points

• Winner: Damian Lillard, with a final round score of 29, beats Devin Booker and Con Knipple.

  • “Dame won competition with a final round score of 29. Edged out Booker. He edged out Knipple...Dame, yeah, a 29...he did it all in pants.” – Jay Skeets [25:53]

• Historical Note: Lillard joins Bird and Craig Hodges as the only three-time event champions.

  • “Lillard joins Larry Bird and Craig Hodges as the only three-time winners of the event, which started in 1986.” – Jay Skeets [31:27]

• Energy and Execution: High level of play, fun finale, and production touches (fireworks behind the stanchion) add flair.

  • “Production-wise, it was cool to see the fireworks behind the background as a shot goes down.” – Taz [29:24]

• Contestant Insights: Booker's rack placement possibly gave him a scoring edge; Knipple finishes an impressive third for a rookie.

• Debate: Should the 3-Point Contest be the final event? (hosts generally in favor)

  • “Should we end with it? Should it be the final?...Let’s try the three-point contest last. Let’s see what happens.” – Tasmolis [35:19]

Notable Quotes

• “Respect to him for doing it again. I did see on Fanduel today there were odds for each shooter...Dame had the best odds because he hit some deep balls and he was ready for this moment. So good for him.” – Taz [27:44]
• “They’re in the NBA. There’s nobody when there’s no defense...these are the best of the best.” – Jay Skeets [29:17]

Shooting Stars Returns

[36:10 – 42:26]

Key Points

• Event Structure: First appearance in 11 years, now with a "celebrity passer" on each team (sometimes influential to results).
• **Team Knicks (Jalen & Rick Brunson, Alan Houston, etc.) win, with Rick Brunson providing crisp, professional passes.
  • “He was had the most zip on his passes. 100%. That’s an assistant coach right there.” – Jay Skeets [37:30]
• Unexpected Star: Drew Ski, a celebrity passer, delivers wild passes including one “sailed like 10ft over” Scotty Barnes’ head [37:13]
• No Half-Court Shot: Best part of the classic event (the climactic half-court make) replaced by a deep three.
  • “The best part about the old Shooting Stars competition was Chris Bosh inevitably hitting a half court shot. That was fun. So then they take that best part out.” – Jay Skeets [40:13]
• Overall: More fun than the old skills competition, especially thanks to the celebrity chaos.

Ludacris’ Half-Time Performance & All-Star Entertainment Critique

[42:43 – 53:35]

Key Points

• Technical Snafu: Audience couldn’t hear Ludacris on the broadcast, leading to speculation about soundboard issues and a lengthy, good-natured debate about production.
  • “We legit could not hear Ludicrous rapping. Like, his mic was not on...for the most part, we couldn’t hear a thing.” – Jay Skeets [42:45]
• Nostalgia & Demographics: The guys reflect on the “crisis” of All-Star entertainment booking, noting the NBA’s tendency to go with nostalgic acts that appeal to older fans while using influencers to try and reach younger viewers.
  • “This is the problem that...with All Star...all dads are super happy... kids are like, I’m not even watching.” – Guest or Producer [49:00]
  • “If you’re gonna reach a younger audience, it’s going to be via social media and these people who are just there being at the events. More so than who they’re booking.” – Tasmolis [53:13]

Notable Quotes

• “He was jacked. And I guess I didn’t realize how jacked Ludacris had become.” – Jay Skeets [46:55]
• “He makes a crowd. Friendly rap...these are not new songs. We were here.” – Tasmolis [47:44]

Friday Night: Rising Stars & Celebrity Game

[58:35 – 68:48]

Rising Stars

• MVP: 76ers’ VJ Edgecombe powers Team Vince to tournament win with clutch shotmaking.
  • “He was awesome. In the semi final game where he scored the final 10 points...and then he clinched the final with two big free throws” – Jay Skeets [59:16]
• Format Praise: Shorter, target-score games raise intensity and effort.
  • “They all did care, I thought...instead of going four quarters on a Friday night...it kind of lasts a long time.” – Taz [59:58]

Celebrity Game

• MVP: Rome Flynn (second straight), but controversy as Taco Fall’s 20 points, 21 boards, and 5 blocks not rewarded.
  • “How did Taco fall not win MVP? That guy had 20 points, 21 rebounds, 5 blocks – robbed.” – Jay Skeets [64:06]
• Other Highlights: Matt Ishbia shines, hitting a sky-high teardrop over Taco Fall; Shams struggles, missing all five shots and spending a lot of time open and waving for the ball.
  • “Matt Ishbia...teardrop insane...he had to put it that high or it was getting rejected and it somehow dropped.” – Jay Skeets [66:38]
  • “Shams...0 for 5, I want to say from the field, I think all three-point attempts. Fell in love with the three ball.” – Jay Skeets [64:12]

Notable Moment

• JD’s Observations:
  • On youth-oriented programming: “That’s how it should be. I’m 55 years old. I should not be into this at all, right?” [50:16]

Chris Paul Officially Retires

[68:48 – 78:25]

Key Points

• Retirement Statement Recap: Chris Paul announces (via Instagram) retirement after 21 seasons, expressing gratitude and mixed emotions.
  • “After over 21 years, I’m stepping away from basketball. As I write this, it’s hard to really know what to feel, but… mostly I’m filled with so much joy and gratitude.” – Jay Skeets, reading CP's post [68:58]
• Strange Ending: No Kobe-style farewell, no retirement tour; waived after late-career return to L.A., then dealt and waived by the Raptors.
  • “Sort of weird. Chris Paul ends this way via an Instagram...and then announced early in the season this would be his last year...Instead he gets told to leave and go home and then gets traded and waived by the Raptors.” – Jay Skeets [69:45]
• All-Time Ranking: Consensus: Top-5 point guard of all time, cemented by "every team got better with him." Notable for all-time assists and steals, 11-time All-NBA, 9-time All-Defensive.
  • “Everywhere he went, the team for the most part got really good. Like way better than they were before.” – Jay Skeets [75:03]
  • “He made 11 All-NBA teams...led the league in assists five times, in steel six times. And he ranked second in NBA history in both of those categories.” – Jay Skeets [74:32]
• Iconic Moments: Discussed rookie breakthrough, the vetoed Lakers trade, “Lob City,” multiple postseason heartbreaks, and the 2021 Finals run.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On the Dunk Contest:

  • “The three things you're going to remember are Jackson Hayes, Jace Richardson and Carter Bryant. Running out of time.” – Tasmolis [09:57]
  • “The contest is so stupid...It’s great.” – Jay Skeets [17:55]

• On All-Star Entertainment:

  • “This is the problem that. This is the problem with All Star. Right? Like, you guys love it. You’re all 40 plus guys...all the kids...don’t want to be there because it’s cringe.” – JD [49:00+]

• On Chris Paul:

  • “While this chapter of being an NBA player is done, the game of basketball will forever be ingrained in the DNA of my life.” – Chris Paul via Jay Skeets [68:58]

• On All-Star Format Tinkering:

  • “We’ll try anything with All Star Weekend, except it has to end with the dunk contest. Change the format a hundred times...Just try the three point contest last. Let’s see what happens.” – Tasmolis [35:19]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:56 – Dunk Contest Recap (Keyshad Johnson’s win & contestant breakdown)
• 25:53 – Three-Point Contest (Lillard’s victory and contest format talk)
• 36:10 – Shooting Stars returns (event structure, celebrity passers)
• 42:43 – Ludacris performance, All-Star entertainment tangent
• 58:35 – Rising Stars Game (Edgecombe MVP, format)
• 64:09 – Celebrity Game (Rome Flynn’s MVP, Taco Fall debate, Ishbia shines)
• 68:48 – Chris Paul Retirement reaction and career discussion

Closing Thoughts

The hosts bring their signature mix of basketball savvy and humor, creating an All-Star wrap-up that both critiques and celebrates the NBA’s annual mid-season spectacle. From dunk contest mishaps to the weirdness of influencer-heavy entertainment and the end of a point guard legend’s career, it’s a richly detailed debrief for fans who missed the festivities or want to relive every awkward, amusing, and awe-inspiring moment.

Next Up: Live recaps return for Sunday’s All-Star Game and more sharp banter, nostalgia, and pizza-fueled analysis from the No Dunks crew.