Podcast Summary: "No Dunks" – Episode: Ranking The Last 25 NBA Finals
Podcast Information:
- Title: No Dunks
- Host/Author: The Athletic
- Description: Daily NBA podcast hosted by Skeets, Tas, Trey, and JD. The hosts discuss the league's biggest games and headlines, answer listeners' questions, and interview guests.
- Episode: Ranking The Last 25 NBA Finals
- Release Date: June 18, 2025
Introduction
The episode begins with hosts J.E. Skeets, Trey Kirby, and Drew introducing the day's topic: ranking the last 25 NBA Finals. They set the stage by explaining their intention to create a tier list ranging from S-tier (the best) to D-tier (the least impressive) based on criteria such as competitiveness, individual performances, memorable moments, and overall entertainment value.
Key Quote:
- J.E. Skeets (02:27): "On today's show we're taking a quick time out when it comes to talking about the 2025 NBA Finals... we're going to tier rank all of our tourist carnivus's best moves tomorrow."
Methodology
The hosts discuss their ranking criteria:
- Competitiveness: How closely contested the series was.
- Individual Performances: Standout performances from players.
- Memorable Moments: Iconic plays or events that defined the series.
- Entertainment Value: Overall excitement and engagement of the series.
They decide to exclude their current playoff discussions to focus solely on the historical Finals, covering 25 series including the ongoing 2025 Thunder-Pacers Finals.
Key Quote:
- J.E. Skeets (05:27): "We are ranking these with the criteria of just what, like, overall competitiveness, individual performances, like, memorable moments."
Tier Rankings
D-Tier Finals
The lowest tier includes Finals that were either dominated by one team, lacked memorable moments, or featured underwhelming performances.
-
2000 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Pacers
- Outcome: Lakers won 4-2.
- MVP: Shaquille O'Neal.
- Notable Moments: Shaq's free throw struggles in Game 2 (18 of 39), Kobe Bryant's clutch performance in Game 4.
- Key Quote:
- J.E. Skeets (07:09): "Shaq was just devouring every single guy they were trying on him, and it was nothing they could do."
-
2001 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Sixers
- Outcome: Lakers won 4-1.
- MVP: Shaquille O'Neal.
- Notable Moments: Allen Iverson's iconic step over Tyronn Lue in Game 1.
- Key Quote:
- J.E. Skeets (08:07): "Allen Iverson stepped over... that's why I'm a C tier guy on this one."
-
2003 NBA Finals: Spurs vs. Nets
- Outcome: Spurs won 4-0.
- MVP: Tim Duncan.
- Notable Moments: Low-scoring games and Tim Duncan's dominance despite the series being a sweep.
- Key Quote:
- J.E. Skeets (11:44): "This is a D tier. It was bad. It was an unfair fight."
-
2007 NBA Finals: Spurs vs. Cavaliers
- Outcome: Spurs swept Cavaliers 4-0.
- MVP: Tony Parker.
- Notable Moments: LeBron James' underwhelming performance and game three's low scoring.
- Key Quote:
- J.E. Skeets (26:16): "It's a D tier. Yeah, it's a D."
-
2018 NBA Finals: Warriors vs. Cavaliers
- Outcome: Warriors swept Cavaliers 4-0.
- MVP: Kevin Durant.
- Notable Moments: J.R. Smith's missed layup in Game 1.
- Key Quote:
- J.E. Skeets (61:29): "It feels like an automatic D tier."
-
2019 NBA Finals: Warriors vs. Raptors
- Outcome: Warriors won 4-2.
- MVP: Kevin Durant.
- Notable Moments: LeBron James' frustration and J.R. Smith's pivotal mistake.
- Key Quote:
- J.E. Skeets (63:22): "It's D tier."
C-Tier Finals
These Finals are considered average, with some memorable moments but lacking standout series dynamics or pervasive excitement.
-
2014 NBA Finals: Spurs vs. Heat
- Outcome: Spurs won 4-1.
- MVP: Kawhi Leonard.
- Notable Moments: Heat's air conditioning malfunction affecting LeBron James, Spurs' beautiful ball movement.
- Key Quote:
- J.E. Skeets (49:36): "I think it's a C tier."
-
2020 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Heat
- Outcome: Lakers won 4-2.
- MVP: LeBron James.
- Notable Moments: Jimmy Butler's stellar performances and the bubble environment.
- Key Quote:
- J.E. Skeets (70:00): "I have it as C tier."
-
2017 NBA Finals: Warriors vs. Cavaliers
- Outcome: Warriors won 4-1.
- MVP: Kevin Durant.
- Notable Moments: Kevin Durant's clutch three-pointer in Game 3, Warriors' dominant postseason run.
- Key Quote:
- J.E. Skeets (58:46): "I'm a C tier. It's not the worst, but it's down there."
-
2023 NBA Finals: Nuggets vs. Heat
- Outcome: Nuggets won 4-1.
- MVP: Nikola Jokić.
- Notable Moments: Dirk Nowitzki and Jamal Murray's triple-doubles, Heat's impressive underdog run.
- Key Quote:
- J.E. Skeets (81:59): "I have it as a B tier."
B-Tier Finals
Finals that deliver good entertainment and memorable moments but fall short of the top tiers in terms of legacy or impact.
-
2008 NBA Finals: Celtics vs. Lakers
- Outcome: Celtics won 4-2.
- MVP: Paul Pierce.
- Notable Moments: Paul Pierce's heroic comeback in Game 1, Celtics' strong team performance.
- Key Quote:
- J.E. Skeets (31:48): "We just did that in about 90 minutes."
-
2011 NBA Finals: Mavericks vs. Heat
- Outcome: Mavericks won 4-2.
- MVP: Dirk Nowitzki.
- Notable Moments: Dirk Nowitzki's emotional Game 6 performance, Heat's mid-series meltdowns.
- Key Quote:
- J.E. Skeets (41:04): "This is the top of the A tier to me."
-
2015 NBA Finals: Warriors vs. Cavaliers
- Outcome: Warriors won 4-2.
- MVP: Andre Iguodala.
- Notable Moments: Kyrie Irving's clutch performances, Iguodala's defensive impact.
- Key Quote:
- J.E. Skeets (53:36): "I'm a B tier guy."
-
2019 NBA Finals: Warriors vs. Raptors
- Outcome: Raptors won 4-2.
- MVP: Kawhi Leonard.
- Notable Moments: Pascal Siakam's 32-point performance in Game 1, Raptors' first championship win.
- Key Quote:
- J.E. Skeets (66:27): "I have it as a B tier."
-
2005 NBA Finals: Spurs vs. Heat
- Outcome: Spurs won 4-3.
- MVP: Tim Duncan.
- Notable Moments: Robert Horry's clutch plays, Manu Ginobili's emergence.
- Key Quote:
- J.E. Skeets (20:39): "I have it pretty high and maybe it going to seven plays apart."
A-Tier Finals
These Finals are highly regarded for their intense competition, memorable moments, and lasting impact on the NBA.
-
2010 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Celtics
- Outcome: Lakers won 4-3.
- MVP: Kobe Bryant.
- Notable Moments: Kobe Bryant's decisive Game 7 performance, intense rivalry between Lakers and Celtics.
- Key Quote:
- J.E. Skeets (38:03): "I'm an A tier guy on this one."
-
2015 NBA Finals: Warriors vs. Cavaliers
- Outcome: Warriors won 4-2.
- MVP: Andre Iguodala.
- Notable Moments: Iguodala's switch to defense on LeBron James, Game 6's dramatic finish.
- Key Quote:
- J.E. Skeets (78:46): "A tier. Love it."
-
2022 NBA Finals: Warriors vs. Celtics
- Outcome: Warriors won 4-2.
- MVP: Stephen Curry.
- Notable Moments: Curry's remarkable Game 4 performance with 43 points, Andrew Wiggins' significant contributions.
- Key Quote:
- J.E. Skeets (78:46): "A tier. Love it."
-
2025 NBA Finals: Thunder vs. Pacers (Ongoing)
- Outcome: Thunder lead series 3-2.
- MVP: TBD.
- Notable Moments: Tyrese Haliburton's game-winner in Game 1, ongoing high-stakes drama with potential Game 7.
- Key Quote:
- J.E. Skeets (85:12): "It's an A tier, but we could get it bumped up to an S tier."
S-Tier Finals
The pinnacle of NBA Finals history, featuring legendary performances, unforgettable moments, and significant legacy impacts.
-
2016 NBA Finals: Cavaliers vs. Warriors
- Outcome: Cavaliers won 4-3.
- MVP: LeBron James.
- Notable Moments: LeBron's block on Andre Iguodala in Game 7, Kyrie Irving's game-winning three-pointer.
- Key Quote:
- J.E. Skeets (55:23): "This is the best. I mean, this is top of the A tier."
-
2013 NBA Finals: Heat vs. Spurs
- Outcome: Heat won 4-3.
- MVP: LeBron James.
- Notable Moments: Ray Allen's clutch three-pointer in Game 6, LeBron's physical play against Spurs' defense.
- Key Quote:
- J.E. Skeets (47:33): "This is an S tier."
-
2011 NBA Finals: Mavericks vs. Heat
- Outcome: Mavericks won 4-2.
- MVP: Dirk Nowitzki.
- Notable Moments: Dirk's emotional Game 6 performance, Heat's resilience under adversity.
- Key Quote:
- J.E. Skeets (42:31): "I have it at the top of the A tier."
Conclusion
The hosts wrap up their tier list, acknowledging the subjective nature of rankings and encouraging listeners to share their opinions. They highlight their final rankings:
- S-Tier: 2016, 2013, 2011 Finals
- A-Tier: 2010, 2015, 2022, 2025 Finals
- B-Tier: 2008, 2011, 2019, 2000, 2012, 2006, 2001 Finals
- C-Tier: 2014, 2020, 2017, 2023 Finals
- D-Tier: 2024, 2018, 2007, 2002 Finals
They plan to revisit the ongoing 2025 Finals in the next episode to finalize its ranking based on final outcomes and memorable moments.
Key Quotes:
- J.E. Skeets (88:30): "Wherever you want to slot it in."
- J.E. Skeets (89:16): "C tier, that's fine by me."
Notable Quotes Throughout the Episode
- J.E. Skeets (05:57): "I'll put it at the end of the be used here. I'll put it behind the 2000 finals."
- Trey Kirby (07:28): "It was a weird playoffs for the Lakers because that one loss was their only loss the postseason."
- Drew (22:32): "I think this is the top of the A tier to me."
- J.E. Skeets (47:02): "This is an S tier. I mean, that was."
Final Thoughts
The episode provides a comprehensive and engaging analysis of the last 25 NBA Finals, offering listeners a detailed breakdown of each series' strengths and weaknesses. The inclusion of memorable quotes and timestamps enhances the narrative, making it accessible for those who haven't listened to the podcast. The hosts bring their unique perspectives, ensuring a balanced and insightful ranking system.
Note: The timestamps correspond to the podcast transcript provided and highlight key moments and quotes during the episode.