No Dunks Podcast Summary

Episode: NBA Weekend Winners & Losers | KD's Heroics, Wemby vs. Draymond, Willie Green Fired
Date: November 17, 2025
Hosts: J. Skeets, Tasmelis (Tass), Trey Kirby, JD

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the NBA's busiest recent weekend, highlighting the most impactful games, performances, and news—including Kevin Durant's clutch play for Houston, the memorable Wemby vs. Draymond showdown, the firing of Pelicans head coach Willie Green, and plenty more. The crew hands out "winners" and "losers" across the NBA landscape and provides their signature mix of analysis, humor, and authentic fandom.

Main Topics & Key Insights

1. Willie Green Fired by the Pelicans

[08:00–13:30]

• Pelicans fire head coach Willie Green after a 2–10 start to the season.
• Reasons for firing: Lack of identity, effort, and underperformance despite strong draft picks (Chris Paul, Anthony Davis, Zion Williamson).
• Ownership Dynamics: Reports that David Griffin wanted to make a move earlier but was delayed by ownership. New GM Joe Dumars seeks to build a team identity and culture.
• Coaching Change Impact:

  "They just ain’t playing that hard when they get blown up by 30 in three of their first six games. The first time that's ever been done." — (Tasmelis, 08:20)

• Fan Base Issues: Even marquee Lakers games weren’t generating buzz in New Orleans, reflecting broader apathy.

2. NBA Weekend Winners

a. Houston Rockets & Kevin Durant's Heroics

[14:10–21:24]

• Houston goes 2–0, stuns Magic:
  • Defeated Orlando in OT despite key injuries and rough games from Sengun and Thompson.
  • Kevin Durant scored 35 on 13-24 FG: Comes through in crunch time with huge shots and composure.
  • Alperen Sengun delivered a key block and a game-tying hook shot.
  • Quote:

    "Durant with 35 points... still at the end of the game there’s like few guys you’d want to just hand the ball to and say just go get us a 2 or 3. He’s going to get a look every single time.”
    — J. Skeets (19:54)

  • Reed Sheppard is breaking out as a valuable role player. Rockets dominated offensive boards (19 OREB).

b. Wemby vs. Draymond: Generational Moment

[23:52–28:26]

• Iconic clash: Fourth quarter, Draymond Green bodying up Victor Wembanyama, who throws down a lob over Draymond and yells in his face.
  • Postgame quote from Wemby:

    "If somebody speaks to you a certain way, you have to respond a certain way." — Trey Kirby (24:20)

• Steph Curry continues to defy age: 49 points, ties Jordan for most 40+ point games after age 30.

  • "Is this guy the best post-prime scorer ever?" — J. Skeets (26:37)

• Draymond's defense: Despite Wemby’s size advantage, Draymond's physicality keeps things competitive.

c. Sunday OT Madness & Other Game Winners

[28:26–33:29]

• Three of Sunday’s eight games went to OT: Rockets-Magic, Mavericks-Blazers, Jazz-Bulls (Double OT).
  • Lauri Markkanen drops 47 for Jazz; Keontae George hits game-winner.
  • Hawks rally from 22 down vs. Suns: Nikhil Alexander-Walker stars in the comeback.
  • Quote:

    "Just a heck of a start for this depth of this team." — Tasmelis on the Lakers’ depth, after detailing team resilience in LeBron’s absence [38:15].

d. Other Winners

[39:11–44:48]

• Knipple Family: Con Knipple's first NBA game in Milwaukee is celebrated by his hometown, parents host the team for fajitas in their basement.

  • "Imagine having LaMelo Ball and Mason Plumlee eating dinner in your basement!" — Trey Kirby (41:06)

• More Notables: Pistons and Nuggets extend win streaks; Brooklyn Nets beat the Wizards in the "Nut Dust Bowl."

3. NBA Weekend Losers

a. Wizards & Kings: "Medieval Times" of the NBA

[50:33–55:24]

• Wizards: Lose badly to the Nets in their most winnable game, even while wearing City Edition gold jerseys.
• Kings: Six straight losses, blown out by Timberwolves and lose to Spurs without Wemby.
  • Coaching carousel: Discussion on whether Doug Christie will be next to be fired.
  • Chemistry Issue:

    "DeRozan and LaVine especially...they never have good games at the same time." — J. Skeets (55:02)

  • Roster needs shaking up; no clear solutions.

b. Deni Avdija and... Yellow Starburst?

[56:00–58:22]

• Deni Avdija misses two big shots in crunch time, then is spotted eating a yellow Starburst, which the crew (playfully) calls out as a low-tier choice:

  • "Of all the colors, you pick yellow?" — Tasmelis (57:06)

c. Referee Pat Frer vs. Game Ball Tradition

[58:22–62:27]

• Referee controversy:
  • Referee Pat Frer tried to stop the Lakers from giving the game ball to a rookie who scored his first points; ultimately, Giannis intervenes and delivers the ball.

  • "Why does the referee give a damn? Who cares? Just get out of there Pat. Go have a beer, man." — J. Skeets (61:14)

  • Callbacks to previous NBA game ball disputes.

d. Houston Rockets’ Banner Oddity

[62:27–64:19]

• Confusing banners:
  • The Rockets’ championship/conference banners are missing year dashes, leading to minor confusion and calls for deep investigative journalism.

4. Other Notable Moments and Quotes

- Pick ‘Em Losing Streak

[37:00–68:50]

• Tass is on a historic month-long losing streak in their “Pick ‘Em” contest.

  • "I can’t believe you’ve lost 10 straight...this is really fun. I’m enjoying how far you’ve gone with this." — J. Skeets (68:06)

- City vs. City: Niagara Falls Debate

[06:03–07:34] & [69:24–70:51]

• Early light-hearted banter about John Legend’s concert in Niagara Falls, which segues into a discussion about why the city doesn’t live up to its natural wonder:

  • "It’s like they put all their money into the tourism spot in Niagara Falls in 1984, and nothing’s changed since." — J. Skeets (06:10)

Memorable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• On Willie Green’s firing:

  "They just ain't playing hard. They weren't playing hard for Willie Green. I think he knew it was over." — Tasmelis (09:30)

• Wemby vs. Draymond:

  "If somebody speaks to you a certain way, you have to respond a certain way. That was just so, so cool to see." — Trey Kirby, quoting Wemby (24:20)

• Steph Curry’s longevity:

  "Is this guy, the best post-prime scorer ever? I think he tied MJ for the most 40 plus point games after the age of 30." — J. Skeets (26:37)

• Banner confusion:

  "I need somebody to research this...What happened to the dashes on the conference championship banner in Houston?" — J. Skeets (63:37)

• Yellow Starburst Controversy:

  "Of all the colors, you pick yellow? You're an NBA superstar. Just have a pink." — Tasmelis (57:06)

• Ref Pat Frer & Game Ball:

  "Why does the referee give a damn? Who cares?" — J. Skeets (61:14)

Important Timestamps

• Willie Green fired discussion: [08:00–13:30]
• Winners segment begins: [14:03]
• Houston Rockets/Orlando Magic breakdown: [14:10–21:24]
• Wemby vs. Draymond moment: [23:52–28:26]
• Sunday Overtime games: [28:26–33:29]
• Additional winners & city edition courts: [39:11–44:48]
• Losers segment starts: [50:33]
  • Wizards/Kings struggles [50:33–55:24]
  • Deni Avdija & yellow Starburst: [56:00–58:22]
  • Referee/game ball incident: [58:22–62:27]
  • Rockets banner/dashes: [62:27–64:19]
• NBA injury updates: [64:20–65:03]
• Pick ‘Em segment and losing streak: [65:03–68:50]
• Ending banter & Niagara Falls: [69:24–70:51]

Tone & Style

• Conversational, irreverent, basketball-nerd energy.
• The pod mixes sharp, insightful analysis with running jokes (“Nut Dust Bowl,” Starburst debate, fake trade packages).
• Hosts play off one another’s asides and bring in plenty of NBA history and trivia.

Final Thoughts

An episode packed with lively breakdowns of standout NBA moments, coaching drama, clutch performances, and playful debates. No Dunks delivers a passionate mix of serious basketball talk and inside-joke humor, highlighting why the NBA can be both thrilling and ridiculous—often at the same time.

Join them next episode for rookie rankings and more nightly NBA hijinks!