No Dunks Podcast Summary

Episode: Silver's Tone-Deaf 'Highlights' Comment, Brogdon To Knicks & EuroBasket Finalists
Date: September 12, 2025
Hosts: Tas Melas & Trey Kirby

Overview

This episode of No Dunks dives deep into Commissioner Adam Silver’s recent controversial comments about NBA viewership, discusses a minor but interesting NBA rule change (“heave” shots), breaks down the Malcolm Brogdon signing with the Knicks, previews changes to the NBA Cup semifinals, theorizes about a possible one-on-one event at All-Star Weekend, and recaps the EuroBasket semifinals.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Adam Silver’s “Highlights League” Comment

Segment: [01:11–09:03]

Discussion Points:

• Silver called the NBA a “highlights-based sport” in a press conference, suggesting fans can consume large amounts of NBA content for free via highlights on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, etc. ([01:45])
• Hosts strongly criticized Silver, saying the comment undermined regular season games' importance and was dismissive to passionate fans and those priced out of full-game viewing.
• Trey compared it to “Marie Antoinette, let them watch highlights,” calling it tone-deaf and a “slap in the face.” ([02:25])
• Tas pointed out that while highlights are important, fans want access to real games, especially with NBC set to air more free games due to the new TV deal.
• The hosts debated the optics of celebrating highlight consumption over actual game-watch, with Trey saying, “It did just feel a little bit like, eh, we got our money. We don’t care if you’re really watching right now because the check’s already been written.” ([06:18])
• Tas critiqued Silver’s use of “broadcast game exposures” as awkward corporate lingo. ([08:04])

Notable Quotes:

• Trey Kirby: “This is a disappointing comment from Adam Silver… going Marie Antoinette, let them watch highlights. Super disappointing.” ([02:25])
• Tas Melas: “He shouldn’t have talked that much about people liking clips… calling it a highlight-based sport is just odd.” ([03:35])
• Trey Kirby: “At this point, highlights on YouTube are table stakes. It used to be that the NBA was ahead of the curve... Now everybody does it.” ([03:10])

2. Rule Change: “Heave” Shots No Longer Penalize Player Stats

Segment: [09:03–13:11]

Discussion Points:

• NBA will now count end-of-quarter “heave” shot misses as team misses, not personal stats—a move debated as incentivizing more attempts.
• Trey was torn, acknowledging it might “reward cowardice” but also could lead to more spectacular long shots; cited that Jokic’s shooting percentage would’ve risen from 41% to 44% last season without heave misses. ([09:46])
• Tas initially thought the rule wouldn’t matter much, then reconsidered after Trey’s stats.

Notable Quotes:

• Trey Kirby: “Devil on my shoulder: this is rewarding cowardice… Angel: more heaves, and I like heaves.” ([09:46])
• Tas Melas: “It’s just truly, truly lame that a player not getting it up… that’s probably—Jokic is probably the guy who took the most, right?” ([11:13])

3. Fun With Heave Stats & Player Behavior

Segment: [13:11–15:12]

Discussion Points:

• LeBron James identified as one of the most “flagrant” field goal percentage protectors—only 37 recorded heave attempts in 22 seasons, and made just two.
• Joking suggestion to create a “Steve Heaves” video series highlighting player reluctance.

4. Malcolm Brogdon Signs With the New York Knicks

Segment: [15:58–19:08]

Discussion Points:

• Trey “2/3rds up” on signing; sees Brogdon as depth but worries Knicks are guard-heavy and lack wings behind starters.
• Tas “huge up”; praises Knicks’ aggressive approach, deep bench, and flexibility despite guard logjam.

Notable Quotes:

• Trey Kirby: “I just don’t think there’s enough minutes to go around for all these guards.” ([18:43])
• Tas Melas: “They see the Eastern Conference and they say we’re doing what we can… Mike Brown, you’re in. Mikal Bridges… We believe in you.” ([17:37])

5. NBA Cup Semifinals Move to Home Sites (2026–27)

Segment: [19:38–21:57]

Discussion Points:

• NBA Cup semifinals moving from Las Vegas to home arenas to build atmosphere and reward home fans; finals likely to remain a big Vegas event.
• Both hosts “way up” on change, saying it remedies lack of energy and logistical issues in Vegas.
• Suggestion that future finals be held in The Sphere for a one-night spectacle ([21:57])

6. Rumor: One-on-One Tournament at NBA All-Star Weekend

Segment: [22:08–27:50]

Discussion Points:

• Tracy McGrady (T-Mac) rumored that a one-on-one event is coming to All-Star Weekend.
• Both hosts strongly support: believe it could bring real excitement, showcase stars or lesser-known talents, and should completely replace the Skills Challenge.
• Debate on whether big stars would participate (unlikely for LeBron; Durant “maybe”).

Notable Quotes:

• Trey Kirby: “One-on-one is an easy choice for the NBA to make.” ([23:54])
• Tas Melas: “I think hardcore guys, like a Durant, would be the name to do it. Would a LeBron do it? Heck no. He hates one on one.” ([25:41])

7. EuroBasket Semifinals Recap

Segment: [27:50–41:04]

Germany vs Finland ([27:50–34:26])

• Germany beat Finland to advance to the finals. Franz Wagner (22 pts, strong first half), Dennis Schroder (26 pts, 12 ast), and Daniel Theis stand out.
• Both agreed Germany finally played to potential, but Trey felt they were “on cruise control” most of the knockout stage.
• Finland’s Mika Mäkönen and Isaac Bonga praised; conversation about Bonga’s NBA future ([33:16–34:26])

Turkey vs Greece ([36:40–41:04])

• Turkey trounced Greece (22 Greek turnovers); Turkey’s Osman (28 pts), Osman and Larkin were key.
• Giannis was contained (12 pts on 13 shots), and hosts lamented Greece’s inability to get him involved.
• Turkey’s defense, energy called decisive; “wire to wire” domination.
• Side anecdotes about Cheddy Osman, Hedo Turkoglu, and the legacy of classic Euro stars.
• Random baseball digression: Barry Larkin’s MLB greatness and favorite Cincinnati Reds ([40:38–41:01])

Notable Quotes:

• Trey Kirby: “22 turnovers for Greece. Turkey did a really good job of limiting Giannis… Osmani had 28 points and six threes. He has been awesome in this tournament.” ([36:40])
• Tas Melas: “They led wire to wire.” ([39:50])

8. Clippers/Kawhi Investigation Update

Segment: [42:26–44:56]

Discussion Points:

• New Pablo Torre report: Clippers minority owner transferred money directly to Kawhi Leonard.
• Both think investigation hints at a likely penalty for the team, with Trey calling it “sketchy.”
• Expectation that the longer the investigation goes, the harsher the penalty could be.

Notable Quotes:

• Tas Melas: “It feels like with every detail it drops that the Clippers are going to get hit with something.” ([43:13])

Memorable Moments & Quotes

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |-----------|-------|---------| | 02:25 | “This is a disappointing comment from Adam Silver… going Marie Antoinette, let them watch highlights.” | Trey Kirby | | 06:18 | “It did just feel a little bit like, eh, we got our money. We don’t care if you’re really watching right now because the check’s already been written.” | Trey Kirby | | 09:46 | “Devil on my shoulder: this is rewarding cowardice… Angel: more heaves, and I like heaves.” | Trey Kirby | | 13:42 | “LeBron is one of the most flagrant field goal percentage protectors… only 37 heaves in 22 years.” | Trey Kirby | | 23:54 | “One-on-one is an easy choice for the NBA to make.” | Trey Kirby | | 25:41 | “Would a LeBron do it? Heck no. He hates one on one. He thinks it’s not real basketball.” | Tas Melas |

EuroBasket Medal Game Preview

Segment: [46:41–46:54]

• Germany faces Turkey in the final; both have looked like tournament favorites at times.
• Both hosts eager for a quality, high-intensity game.

Final Notes & Tone

• The show maintains its light, fast-paced, and slightly irreverent tone, with playful “up/down” judgments and side jokes/co-host banter.
• At several points, the hosts poke fun at stats quirks (LeBron’s infamous heave reluctance), tired NBA skills challenge events, and Adam Silver’s corporate speak.
• Occasional brief off-topic asides (baseball Reds, etc.) never outweigh the basketball focus.

Timestamps by Topic

• Adam Silver comments (highlights): [01:11–09:03]
• Heave Rule Change & Player Impact: [09:03–15:12]
• Malcolm Brogdon to Knicks: [15:58–19:08]
• NBA Cup Semis Home Sites: [19:38–21:57]
• All-Star One-on-One Rumor: [22:08–27:50]
• EuroBasket Semi-Finals: [27:50–41:04]
• Clippers Investigation: [42:26–44:56]
• EuroBasket Final Preview: [46:41–46:54]

For those who missed the episode, this summary covers all critical topics, captures the show’s tone, and highlights the episode’s best insights and jokes.