No Dunks – November 18, 2025

Episode: "Ranking NBA Rookies & What's To Blame For All These Calf Injuries?"
Hosts: Jay Skeets, Tas Melis, Trey Kirby, JD
Theme: The pod dives into detailed rookie rankings one month into the NBA season and examines the league’s recent plague of calf injuries—including what might be behind the trend.

Episode Overview

The No Dunks crew ranks the top NBA rookies through the first month of the season, discusses breakout performances, struggles, and projections—including the odds for Rookie of the Year. They also tackle the disturbing frequency of calf injuries among NBA stars, relate them to season awards, and recap notable games and moments from the previous night in the league with their signature blend of stats, humor, and nostalgia.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. The Top 10 NBA Rookies – One Month In

[03:07–37:00] Trey’s Rookie Rankings

Intro: Trey Kirby runs through his rookie rankings (1–10), with Skeets and Tas adding context, stats, and player comps.
Key themes: Immediate impact of this draft class; surprises, volatility of roles, and comparisons to previous rookie classes.

The Rankings in Detail

1. Con Knipple (Charlotte Hornets)

Stats: 17 PPG, 6 RPG, 3 APG, 45/40/88 shooting splits.
Role: “Front runner for Rookie of the Year,” especially after Brandon Miller’s injury opens up touches.
Quote: “He’s exactly as advertised, knocks down his open threes…he looks like a veteran.” – Trey ([04:19])
Memorable moment: Hornets team went to his childhood home for fajitas. Panel debates dream ‘childhood home meals’ (fun tangent at [06:51]).
Discussion: Setting records for rookie three-point shooting; likened to Paul Pierce (“the way he’s just a thick boy who handles the ball and gets to his spots” – Trey [06:32]).

2. Cedric Coward (Memphis Grizzlies)

Stats: 14/6/3, efficient splits, advanced stats darling (leads rookies in WS, BPM, VORP).
Background: D3 to D1 journey, now a starter in Memphis.
Quote: “Young face, old body.” – Trey ([10:09]); “If you saw him in a suit, you’d think he’s a Fortune 500 CEO.” – Pete Pranica, relayed by Trey ([11:43])
Panel laughs: At the idea (and visual) of Coward as the ‘John Legend of rookies’—“young face but older than you think.”

3. Cooper Flagg (Dallas Mavericks)

Stats: 15/6/3; numbers rising since playing with a real point guard.
Odds: Still the favorite for Rookie of the Year.
Quote: “Turns out playing with a point guard can help.” – Skeets ([13:16])
Conspiracy: Did Jason Kidd sabotage Flagg early to get the GM fired? (Supporters: “I made it up. I 100% buy it.” – Trey [15:19])
Outlook: All agree Flagg will likely win ROY by end of year.

4. VJ Edgecombe (Philadelphia 76ers)

Stats: 15/6/4, strong shooting, big clutch performer.
Quote: “He seems to make a clutch three pointer in every single game.” – Trey ([18:20])
Role: May lose some shine as team gets healthy/PG returns—but has forced coach’s hand to keep him on floor.

5. Derek Queen (New Orleans Pelicans)

Stats: 10/6/3, notable passing big (4+ assist games).
Quote: “He just looks like a jolly fellow out there.” – Trey ([20:23])
Panel: Enjoys his personality; wonders about defense/future with Zion.
Noted: Highs and lows as rookie, but flashes of fun passes and vision.

6–10 (Rapid Fire)

6. Ryan Kalkbrenner (Hornets):

81% FG, second in blocks/game; “poor man’s Jarrett Allen” comp. “Giant man, does one thing really well.” ([23:27])

7. Will Richard (Warriors):

Rotation glue guy; “Don’t mess up—that’s basically what he does.” ([25:17])

8. Collin Murray-Boyles (Raptors):

High energy, got starts as undersized center; brings hustle and defense. ([26:14])

9. Jeremiah Fears (Pelicans):

Comped to Monta Ellis, erratic but fast and scoring (41% from three in November). “A highlight package waiting to happen.” ([27:37])

10. Trey Johnson (Wizards):

11 PPG, but no real highlights; steady, but “can anybody tell me one Trey Johnson highlight from this year?” – Skeets ([31:14])

Notable snubs/mentions: Dylan Harper, Jaeger Joman, Drake Powell, Ace Bailey, Tyrese Proctor, Musa Sise, and others get some shine as guys to watch.

2. NBA Rookie Award Race & Big Class Takeaways

Class is “way better than last year’s.”
Multiple rookies scoring 15–18 points with efficiency; depth across the late lottery.
Consensus: Cooper Flagg is ROY favorite, but Knipple et al. are making it a real race.

3. NBA Injury News & Calf Injury Discussion

[38:02–66:45]

Giannis Groin Strain & Injury Fallout

Bucks lose to Cavs after Giannis goes down; scheduled MRI pending ([38:02]).
Team outlook: “Few teams, honestly, if any, look shockingly different when you take a superstar out… than the Bucks without Giannis.” – Skeets ([42:17])
Panel debates who steps up—“Bobby Portis time” joked (43:28), but “they have to do it by committee.”

Calf Strain Epidemic, Wembanyama & Ja Morant Out

Both out at least 2–3 weeks, jeopardizing awards and playoff hopes ([62:26]).
Is it shoes? Pace? Bad luck?
Trey: “More flexibility, more explosion, more injuries…these are two of our best highlight guys.” ([63:34])
Skeets: Wemby’s absence could reignite debate on 65-game awards eligibility.

Notable quote:

“Castrains are ruining everything right now. …More flexibility, more explosion, more injuries.” – Trey ([63:04])

“Calf tightness is not something you want to take lightly… it could lead to an absolute debilitating injury.” – Mitch Johnson via Skeets ([65:58])

4. Game Recaps & Notable Moments

[48:49–61:56]

Cavs vs. Bucks: Donovan Mitchell “monster game” as Cleveland pulls away after Giannis injury.
Raps vs. Hornets: Walk-off block from Scottie Barnes; “a game they probably wouldn’t have won last year” ([54:13]).
76ers vs. Clippers: Philly’s league-best fourth-quarter team wins another comeback, highlighted by Tyrese Maxey’s 39 points.
Heat vs. Knicks: Confusing, dramatic finish with block/goaltend review, and tons of last-second chaos ([57:09]).

Fun Fact:

Scottie Barnes now averaging 1.8 blocks/game, tied with Rudy Gobert (53:19).
Dennis Jenkins, Detroit Pistons: 26/8 night while “everyone injured.” Panel jokes about the “nasty boy” Pistons.

Highlight Quote:

“We’re all nasty dogs. Nasty boys.” – Dennis Jenkins, quoted by Skeets ([67:24])

Trivia (60:11):

Only four players since the ABA-NBA merger with higher FG% in a 30/15 game than Jalen Duren: Dwight Howard, Brad Daugherty, Alonzo Mourning.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Exchanges

“If you saw [Cedric Coward] in a suit, you’d think he’s a Fortune 500 CEO.” – Pete Pranica quote via Trey ([11:43])
“Turns out playing with a point guard can help.” – Skeets on Cooper Flagg ([13:16])
“I made it up. I 100% buy it.” – Trey on Jason Kidd point-guard conspiracy theory ([15:19])
“He just looks like a jolly fellow out there.” – Trey on Derek Queen ([20:23])
“Castrains are ruining everything right now… More flexibility, more explosion, more injuries.” – Trey ([63:04])
“We’re all nasty dogs. Nasty boys.” – Dennis Jenkins, via Skeets ([67:24])

Timestamps for Key Segments

Rookie Rankings Start: [03:07]
Meals w/ NBA Teams (Light Banter): [06:51]
Cooper Flagg, Dallas Drama: [13:16]
End of Top 10, Snubs Discussion: [29:34]
Giannis Injury/Calf Injury Section Begins: [38:02]
Wemby/Ja Calf Strain News: [62:26]
Notable Game Recaps – Bulls/Nuggets, Raps, Sixers/Clippers: [48:49]–[61:56]
‘Nasty Dawgs’ Pistons Quote: [67:24]

Episode Tone & Style

True to No Dunks form, the tone is irreverent, stat-savvy, but always conversational and peppered with off-beat humor (long tangents on home-cooked meals, player name puns, etc.). Analysis is rigorous but playful—panelists bring strong evidence but undercut each other with jokes and pop culture references.

Closing Notes

All hosts agree: 2025 rookie class is dramatically outpacing last year’s crop.
Extensive injury discussion, with a warning for the league about calf/Achilles risks.
The Cooper Flagg vs. Con Knipple chase for Rookie of the Year will be a season-long story.
Panel calls out award eligibility rules as potentially needing adjustment if injuries linger.
The show ends with a rundown of NBA games and “embrace the day” sign-off.

For NBA and basketball fans who missed the show, this episode delivers a stats-rich but highly entertaining guide to the league’s hottest rookies, the impact of mounting injuries, and the always-comic chemistry of the No Dunks crew.

No Dunks – November 18, 2025

Episode Overview

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. The Top 10 NBA Rookies – One Month In

[03:07–37:00] Trey’s Rookie Rankings

Intro: Trey Kirby runs through his rookie rankings (1–10), with Skeets and Tas adding context, stats, and player comps.
Key themes: Immediate impact of this draft class; surprises, volatility of roles, and comparisons to previous rookie classes.

The Rankings in Detail

1. Con Knipple (Charlotte Hornets)

Stats: 17 PPG, 6 RPG, 3 APG, 45/40/88 shooting splits.
Role: “Front runner for Rookie of the Year,” especially after Brandon Miller’s injury opens up touches.
Quote: “He’s exactly as advertised, knocks down his open threes…he looks like a veteran.” – Trey ([04:19])
Memorable moment: Hornets team went to his childhood home for fajitas. Panel debates dream ‘childhood home meals’ (fun tangent at [06:51]).
Discussion: Setting records for rookie three-point shooting; likened to Paul Pierce (“the way he’s just a thick boy who handles the ball and gets to his spots” – Trey [06:32]).

2. Cedric Coward (Memphis Grizzlies)

Stats: 14/6/3, efficient splits, advanced stats darling (leads rookies in WS, BPM, VORP).
Background: D3 to D1 journey, now a starter in Memphis.
Quote: “Young face, old body.” – Trey ([10:09]); “If you saw him in a suit, you’d think he’s a Fortune 500 CEO.” – Pete Pranica, relayed by Trey ([11:43])
Panel laughs: At the idea (and visual) of Coward as the ‘John Legend of rookies’—“young face but older than you think.”

3. Cooper Flagg (Dallas Mavericks)

Stats: 15/6/3; numbers rising since playing with a real point guard.
Odds: Still the favorite for Rookie of the Year.
Quote: “Turns out playing with a point guard can help.” – Skeets ([13:16])
Conspiracy: Did Jason Kidd sabotage Flagg early to get the GM fired? (Supporters: “I made it up. I 100% buy it.” – Trey [15:19])
Outlook: All agree Flagg will likely win ROY by end of year.

4. VJ Edgecombe (Philadelphia 76ers)

Stats: 15/6/4, strong shooting, big clutch performer.
Quote: “He seems to make a clutch three pointer in every single game.” – Trey ([18:20])
Role: May lose some shine as team gets healthy/PG returns—but has forced coach’s hand to keep him on floor.

5. Derek Queen (New Orleans Pelicans)

Stats: 10/6/3, notable passing big (4+ assist games).
Quote: “He just looks like a jolly fellow out there.” – Trey ([20:23])
Panel: Enjoys his personality; wonders about defense/future with Zion.
Noted: Highs and lows as rookie, but flashes of fun passes and vision.

6–10 (Rapid Fire)

6. Ryan Kalkbrenner (Hornets):

81% FG, second in blocks/game; “poor man’s Jarrett Allen” comp. “Giant man, does one thing really well.” ([23:27])

7. Will Richard (Warriors):

Rotation glue guy; “Don’t mess up—that’s basically what he does.” ([25:17])

8. Collin Murray-Boyles (Raptors):

High energy, got starts as undersized center; brings hustle and defense. ([26:14])

9. Jeremiah Fears (Pelicans):

Comped to Monta Ellis, erratic but fast and scoring (41% from three in November). “A highlight package waiting to happen.” ([27:37])

10. Trey Johnson (Wizards):

11 PPG, but no real highlights; steady, but “can anybody tell me one Trey Johnson highlight from this year?” – Skeets ([31:14])

Notable snubs/mentions: Dylan Harper, Jaeger Joman, Drake Powell, Ace Bailey, Tyrese Proctor, Musa Sise, and others get some shine as guys to watch.

2. NBA Rookie Award Race & Big Class Takeaways

Class is “way better than last year’s.”
Multiple rookies scoring 15–18 points with efficiency; depth across the late lottery.
Consensus: Cooper Flagg is ROY favorite, but Knipple et al. are making it a real race.

3. NBA Injury News & Calf Injury Discussion

[38:02–66:45]

Giannis Groin Strain & Injury Fallout

Bucks lose to Cavs after Giannis goes down; scheduled MRI pending ([38:02]).
Team outlook: “Few teams, honestly, if any, look shockingly different when you take a superstar out… than the Bucks without Giannis.” – Skeets ([42:17])
Panel debates who steps up—“Bobby Portis time” joked (43:28), but “they have to do it by committee.”

Calf Strain Epidemic, Wembanyama & Ja Morant Out

Both out at least 2–3 weeks, jeopardizing awards and playoff hopes ([62:26]).
Is it shoes? Pace? Bad luck?
Trey: “More flexibility, more explosion, more injuries…these are two of our best highlight guys.” ([63:34])
Skeets: Wemby’s absence could reignite debate on 65-game awards eligibility.

Notable quote:

“Castrains are ruining everything right now. …More flexibility, more explosion, more injuries.” – Trey ([63:04])

“Calf tightness is not something you want to take lightly… it could lead to an absolute debilitating injury.” – Mitch Johnson via Skeets ([65:58])

4. Game Recaps & Notable Moments

[48:49–61:56]

Cavs vs. Bucks: Donovan Mitchell “monster game” as Cleveland pulls away after Giannis injury.
Raps vs. Hornets: Walk-off block from Scottie Barnes; “a game they probably wouldn’t have won last year” ([54:13]).
76ers vs. Clippers: Philly’s league-best fourth-quarter team wins another comeback, highlighted by Tyrese Maxey’s 39 points.
Heat vs. Knicks: Confusing, dramatic finish with block/goaltend review, and tons of last-second chaos ([57:09]).

Fun Fact:

Scottie Barnes now averaging 1.8 blocks/game, tied with Rudy Gobert (53:19).
Dennis Jenkins, Detroit Pistons: 26/8 night while “everyone injured.” Panel jokes about the “nasty boy” Pistons.

Highlight Quote:

“We’re all nasty dogs. Nasty boys.” – Dennis Jenkins, quoted by Skeets ([67:24])

Trivia (60:11):

Only four players since the ABA-NBA merger with higher FG% in a 30/15 game than Jalen Duren: Dwight Howard, Brad Daugherty, Alonzo Mourning.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Exchanges

“If you saw [Cedric Coward] in a suit, you’d think he’s a Fortune 500 CEO.” – Pete Pranica quote via Trey ([11:43])
“Turns out playing with a point guard can help.” – Skeets on Cooper Flagg ([13:16])
“I made it up. I 100% buy it.” – Trey on Jason Kidd point-guard conspiracy theory ([15:19])
“He just looks like a jolly fellow out there.” – Trey on Derek Queen ([20:23])
“Castrains are ruining everything right now… More flexibility, more explosion, more injuries.” – Trey ([63:04])
“We’re all nasty dogs. Nasty boys.” – Dennis Jenkins, via Skeets ([67:24])

Timestamps for Key Segments

Rookie Rankings Start: [03:07]
Meals w/ NBA Teams (Light Banter): [06:51]
Cooper Flagg, Dallas Drama: [13:16]
End of Top 10, Snubs Discussion: [29:34]
Giannis Injury/Calf Injury Section Begins: [38:02]
Wemby/Ja Calf Strain News: [62:26]
Notable Game Recaps – Bulls/Nuggets, Raps, Sixers/Clippers: [48:49]–[61:56]
‘Nasty Dawgs’ Pistons Quote: [67:24]

Episode Tone & Style

Closing Notes

All hosts agree: 2025 rookie class is dramatically outpacing last year’s crop.
Extensive injury discussion, with a warning for the league about calf/Achilles risks.
The Cooper Flagg vs. Con Knipple chase for Rookie of the Year will be a season-long story.
Panel calls out award eligibility rules as potentially needing adjustment if injuries linger.
The show ends with a rundown of NBA games and “embrace the day” sign-off.

Ranking NBA Rookies & What's To Blame For All These Calf Injuries?

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Summary

No Dunks – November 18, 2025

Episode Overview

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. The Top 10 NBA Rookies – One Month In

The Rankings in Detail

1. Con Knipple (Charlotte Hornets)

2. Cedric Coward (Memphis Grizzlies)

3. Cooper Flagg (Dallas Mavericks)

4. VJ Edgecombe (Philadelphia 76ers)

5. Derek Queen (New Orleans Pelicans)

6–10 (Rapid Fire)

2. NBA Rookie Award Race & Big Class Takeaways

3. NBA Injury News & Calf Injury Discussion

Giannis Groin Strain & Injury Fallout

Calf Strain Epidemic, Wembanyama & Ja Morant Out

Notable quote:

4. Game Recaps & Notable Moments

Fun Fact:

Highlight Quote:

Trivia (60:11):

Notable Quotes & Memorable Exchanges

Timestamps for Key Segments

Episode Tone & Style

Closing Notes

Summary

No Dunks – November 18, 2025

Episode Overview

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. The Top 10 NBA Rookies – One Month In

The Rankings in Detail

1. Con Knipple (Charlotte Hornets)

2. Cedric Coward (Memphis Grizzlies)

3. Cooper Flagg (Dallas Mavericks)

4. VJ Edgecombe (Philadelphia 76ers)

5. Derek Queen (New Orleans Pelicans)

6–10 (Rapid Fire)

2. NBA Rookie Award Race & Big Class Takeaways

3. NBA Injury News & Calf Injury Discussion

Giannis Groin Strain & Injury Fallout

Calf Strain Epidemic, Wembanyama & Ja Morant Out

Notable quote:

4. Game Recaps & Notable Moments

Fun Fact:

Highlight Quote:

Trivia (60:11):

Notable Quotes & Memorable Exchanges

Timestamps for Key Segments

Episode Tone & Style

Closing Notes