No Dunks Podcast — Episode Summary

Title: NBA Midseason Awards Watch, Lakers Family Drama, The Giannis Situation
Date: January 22, 2026
Hosts: JE Skeets, Tas Melas, Trey Kirby, JD

Episode Overview

This episode of No Dunks covers a packed NBA night and the midseason landscape—including deep dives on the Bucks’ ongoing drama with Giannis, the Lakers’ explosive ownership saga, and a comprehensive check-in on midseason NBA awards. The hosts mix spirited game analysis, candid reflections on league storylines, and hilarious tangents, all while maintaining their trademark lively camaraderie.

Key Topics & Discussions

1. Game Reactions & Analysis

(Starts ~02:55)

Hawks vs. Grizzlies — Jalen Johnson Shows Out

• Jalen Johnson’s Career Game: 32 points, 15 rebounds, and late-game heroics. "He just took his time, got to his spot, knocked it down nice and easy." (C, 06:10)
• Grizzlies Resilience: Despite missing key players, Ja Morant returned strong, with "two awesome chase-down blocks."
• Grizzlies Season Woes: "Such a weird season...They don’t have their two best point guards beside Ja, and they’re still fighting." (B, 04:35)
• Notable Moment: Johnson after Morant’s late-game heave: “We like our odds.” (A, 08:08)

Bucks vs. Thunder — Giannis’ Frustration Mounts

• Thunder Cruise, Bucks Spiral: OKC dominates behind SGA.
• Giannis’ Blunt Postgame Remarks:

  “We’re not playing hard… not playing together. Our chemistry’s not there. Guys are being selfish...” (A paraphrased, 11:24)

• Team Morale & Trade Deadline Drama:
  Giannis leaves future open: “I don’t know,” on deadline rumors. (B, 13:20)
• Analysis:
  “What’s definitely changed…is that Giannis is more vocal. He’s calling out his team…more of a, a Kobe-esque, more of the Mamba mentality.” (B, 13:48)
  “The Bucks are even contemplating moving him at the deadline.” (A, 15:00)

Knicks Blowout Nets — Players’ Only Meeting Pays Off

• 120–66, lowest Nets total since 2016.
• “Whatever Jalen Brunson said turned into the best game the Knicks have had ever... best offensive and defensive game of the season.” (C, 19:14)
• Notable:
  "Do you think they should have a players-only meeting after every game?" (A, 19:39, joking about team chemistry)

Other Games:

• Raptors on a hot streak, solving zone defenses.
• Cavs outlast Hornets in a rough ESPN game; rough “Lamelo Ball game...just brutal. 1 of 15.” (A, 24:41)

2. Deep Dive: Lakers Ownership Drama & LeBron Tension

(Starts ~27:19)

ESPN’s Baxter Holmes Report

• Buss Family In-Fighting: “It’s like a season of Succession.” (C, 28:14)
• LeBron/Jeanie Buss Relationship:
  "She was not disputing the family drama aspect, but this whole LeBron part she tried to shoot down." (A, 28:14)
• Infighting Details: Allegations Jeanie told stepbrothers, “You shouldn’t have been born.” (B, 31:16)
• Analysis:
  “It is very much transactional…not what Kobe was…he’s not married to this organization at all for next year.” (B, 32:36)
• Kurt & Linda Rambis Windfall:
  “Landing $32 million from the Lakers sale…just being around Jeanie, being buds.” (A, 34:04)
• Big Picture:
  “The team is pretty clearly mismanaged…They’re run like a mom-and-pop shop.” (C, 29:24)
  “Family-zoned teams are going…all about the dollar bills.” (B, 33:45)
• Future Outlook:
  “If they actually put a smart brain trust there…the Lakers could be an even more successful franchise.” (C, 30:32)

3. NBA Midseason Awards Watch: “Check the Polls” Segment

(Starts ~37:33)

The hosts review fan-voted results for major awards and weigh in on their choices.
Method: About 200 votes per poll; only FanDuel’s favorites included.

a) MVP (37:58 - 42:48)

• Fan Results:
  • SGA — 44.5%
  • Jokic — 31.3%
  • Cade — 18%
  • Luka — 7%
• Hosts’ Analysis:
  • “This is definitely Shea’s to lose…considering Jokic’s injury.” (B, 39:00)
  • “He [SGA] has a turnover percentage under 8%. That is incredible.” (A, 41:11)
  • “SGA is having the most efficient 30-point season ever.” (A, 41:11)
• Notable:
  “Barring injury, Shea should go back-to-back in MVPs.” (A, 41:11)

b) Most Improved Player (MIP) (42:53 - 46:37)

• Deni Avdija (Blazers) leads; Keonte George and Jalen Johnson other serious contenders.
• Trey’s pick: Keonte, “He was trending out of the league—now a legit player.” (C, 44:35)
• Tas’ pick: Deni, “Being relied upon in the 4th, more shots—same efficiency.” (B, 45:35)
• Skeets: “Jalen Johnson…has bumped his scoring from 17 to 26, nearly doubled assists... he’s basically an All-Star lock at this point.” (A, 46:01)

c) Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) (46:56 - 51:56)

• Fan Winner: Wembanyama (53%), Rudy Gobert (25%), Chet Holmgren (19%)
• “Wemby is the best defensive player...but minutes may hurt.” (C, 47:17)
• “This could be the last year that Wemby doesn’t win it, if he qualifies.” (B, 49:09)
• Discussion: Scotty Barnes, Derek White (block stats), others deserve mention.

d) Rookie of the Year (51:56 - 54:57)

• Con Knueppel barely edges Cooper Flagg; hosts note Flaggs’ all-around impact, Knueppel’s shooting efficiency.
• “Cooper’s the only rookie in the top three in total points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals.” (C, 52:26)
• “Knueppel…shooting 63.9% TS vs. 55.6% for Cooper...the efficiency is ridiculous.” (B, 54:26)
• “Nice we have a real race between the two.” (A, 54:25)

e) Sixth Man of the Year (54:57 - 59:26)

• Kelvin Johnson leads voting.
• “I think Tas, you made a good point…Jaime Jaquez is the only player here whose team is actually better when he’s on the court.” (C, 56:35)
• “Isaiah Stewart has been awesome…one of the best defenders in the league.” (A, 58:50)

f) Coach of the Year (59:32 - 62:58)

• JB Bickerstaff gets most votes, with Joe Mazzulla, and Jordan Ott close behind.
• “JB’s a great story…no Cade last night, but here comes D. Jenkins, no problem.” (B, 61:00)
• “Missoula…expected nothing; now Celtics are 2nd best in the East without Tatum.” (A, 61:52)
• “It always comes down to who surprised.” (B, 62:58)

g) Clutch Player of the Year (64:01 - 66:29)

• Anthony Edwards (Ant) leads – 36%, Cade 26%, SGA 21%, Tyrese Maxey 17%
• “Ant is shooting 68% from the field in clutch situations...55% from three…If you’re shooting almost 70%, hard to vote for anyone else.” (C, 65:01)
• “Shea leads in clutch points... but Ant’s efficiency wins.” (B, 65:39)

4. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• "You never want to see your team’s name in a headline followed by ‘by Baxter Holmes’ because you know it’s going to be bad." (C, 28:14)
• "It’s like a season of Succession." (C, 28:16)
• "New rule…if you’re going to be the crazy person that names every one of your kids starting with the same letter…avoid being controversial and having a profile written about you." (A, 30:32)
• "We’re not playing hard…not playing together. Our chemistry’s not there. Guys are being selfish." (Giannis, quoted by A, 11:24)
• "This could be the last year that Wemby doesn’t win it." (B, 49:09)
• "I still think of that clip—all the time…‘Happy International Women's Day.’" (A, 35:36, riffing on LeBron)
• "He’s just really, really good at creating…[Jaime Jaquez] has made the bench so much better." (B, 55:32)

Key Timestamps for Segments

• Intro/Banter: 00:00–02:55
• Game Discussion (Hawks-Grizzlies, etc.): 02:55–27:00
• Bucks/Giannis Situation: 10:23–17:32
• Lakers Family Drama Segment: 27:19–36:28
• Midseason Awards Voting/Analysis (“Check the Polls”): 37:33–66:29
  • MVP: 37:58
  • MIP: 42:53
  • DPOY: 46:56
  • ROY: 51:56
  • 6MOY: 54:57
  • COY: 59:32
  • Clutch POY: 64:01
• “Whoa Boy” Player of the Night (SGA): 66:58–68:09
• Final Segment & Wrap: 68:09–72:27

Tone & Style

The No Dunks crew balances sharp, stats-driven NBA discussion with irreverent banter and inside jokes. The hosts bring strong opinions on league storylines while also seeking out weird box scores, memorable soundbites, and side tangents (e.g., T-shirt logistics, license plate games, gummy bear stories). Their camaraderie and self-awareness make for an upbeat, informed, and entertaining listen—accessible to hardcore and casual fans alike.

For listeners:
This episode includes clear-thinking on major NBA questions—will the Bucks blow it up, is Giannis on the move, are the Lakers headed for a new era, and which players and coaches actually deserve midseason awards—while never taking itself too seriously. If you want an informed snapshot of the NBA at the midpoint of the 2025-26 season, this is essential listening.