No Dunks | The Drop | Are We Watching The Greatest Team In NBA History?

iHeartPodcasts | December 12, 2025

Hosts: Jay Skeets, Tas Melas, Trey Kirby, JD

Episode Overview

This episode of "No Dunks" focuses on the Oklahoma City Thunder's potentially historic regular season, exploring whether we’re witnessing the greatest team in NBA history. The crew discusses the Thunder’s dominance, the NBA Cup odds, MVP races, in-depth trade rumors, and touches on quirky NBA news and rapid-fire questions. Rich with stats, banter, and memorable moments, this is a must-listen for NBA fans curious about shifting power dynamics and the historic possibilities at play this season.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NBA Cup Odds & Storylines

[03:53–13:39]

• Current NBA Cup Favorites:
  The Oklahoma City Thunder are odds-on favorites (-250) to take the NBA Cup, followed by the Knicks (+390), Spurs, and Magic.

  • Trey Kirby felt the Magic deserved better odds due to the uncertainty of their opponents and the one-game knockout nature.
  • The hosts debate if the Spurs, especially with Wemby’s status uncertain, should rank higher.

• Cup Narratives:

  • Thunder: Redemption after last year’s Cup loss.
  • Spurs: “Playing for a llama” (Keldon Johnson’s inside joke).
  • Knicks: Seeking their first title in 50 years.
  • Magic: Want to springboard Cup momentum into playoff success—a la the Pacers in 2023.

• NBA Cup MVP

  • SGA is the MVP favorite (-200), but the hosts argue Jalen Williams (J-Dub) or Chet Holmgren (both +6500) are tempting dark horses, given they could explode in semis/finals.

Memorable Quote:

"Knicks haven’t won anything in 50 years. Winning a championship in the lifetime of most of their fans would be very exciting." — Trey Kirby [10:25]

2. Oklahoma City Thunder: Quest for 74 Wins

[13:39–24:33]

• Are the Thunder the Best Team Ever?

  • OKC is on pace to break the 2015-16 Warriors’ 73-9 record. Odds for 74+ wins sit at +235.
  • They hold a historic net rating: Outscoring opponents by 17.5 points per 100 possessions, dwarfing last season’s record (12.9).

• Thunder’s Style & Public Perception:

  • The Thunder are compared to the Duncan-era Spurs: respected but not "beloved," lacking in flashy personalities or highlight-style offense.
  • Defense is cited as their foundation, making their massive leads "balloon" instead of evaporate.
  • Skeets praises their killer instinct and consistency: “When they get up 15, they get up 20, it balloons to 30 and 35…” [17:00]

• Winning Streak Odds:

  • Odds for a 29-game winning streak (+450) and a 34-gamer (+1200) are discussed, but the panel sees a loss coming before year-end.

Notable Quote:

"It’s like the equivalent of prime Michael Jordan on the ’04 Pistons...what a combo. No wonder they're gonna win a ton of games." — Jay Skeets [19:40]

3. Are Thunder Getting Enough Love? (Media & Fans)

[20:36–24:33]

• Media Figures Bill Simmons & Zach Lowe recently questioned why OKC and SGA don’t "connect" with the broader NBA fanbase.
  • The crew compares SGA to Tim Duncan — serious, workmanlike, rarely flamboyant.

“No one on social media is really, ‘hey, look at us!’...They are like Duncan. Shea is like Duncan.” — Tas Melas [21:22]

4. Most Improved Player (MIP) Odds

[28:22–31:52]

• Top Candidates:

  • Deni Avdija (+220), Jalen Duren, Austin Reeves, Jalen Johnson.
  • Tas sides with Jalen Duren for consistency, Trey with Jalen Johnson for best overall impact.

• Trends & Surprises:

  • Recent MIP winners’ teams haven’t always been successful—team success isn’t crucial for MIP votes.

5. Western Conference Play-In Odds & Trade Rumors

[32:24–49:02]

• Play-In Odds:

  • The Suns, Warriors, Grizzlies, Clippers, Mavericks, Blazers, and others are jostling for play-in positions.
  • Clippers are described as a “joke” given their dismal 6–19 record and late-game blunders.

• Memphis' Zach Edey Injury:

  • Out at least four weeks with stress reaction in his surgically repaired ankle. Panel worries about big men and repeat ankle issues.

• Bulls’ Kobe White Trade Chatter:

  • Minnesota rumored as a suitor (“big game hunting”), but packages discussed (e.g., Mike Conley, Terence Shannon Jr., Leonard Miller) seem more like "combo deals" than blockbuster moves.
  • Trey Kirby doubts White’s value will translate into a big return, as the Bulls may have missed their window to maximize his trade value.

Notable Quote:

“I wouldn’t say getting Kobe White is big game hunting...the guy's never made an All-Star team.” — Trey Kirby [42:44]

6. Worst of the Week

[55:36–61:08]

1. Refereeing Blunders:
   • "Brutal" non-call on Andrew Nembhard’s blatant carry: “Hand under the ball...ref running alongside him!” — Tas Melas [55:36]
2. Clippers’ Abysmal Late-Game Execution:
   • Back-to-back botched possessions against the Rockets; seasoned team that shouldn't make rookie errors.

7. Rapid Fire/Listener Engagement

[68:44–82:14]

• Favorite Wrestler — Spirited debate and nostalgia, with shoutouts to Macho Man Randy Savage, The Rock, 1-2-3 Kid, and John Cena.
• Life’s Incremental Improvements — From kids learning to flush to learning to cook.
• What Could You Beat Anthony Edwards At? — Panel jokes about technical know-how, trivia, and packing suitcases—referencing Ant’s need for his uncle to pack for him.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Thunder’s Public Image, [21:22]:
  “They are like Duncan. Shea is like Duncan...they’re so even-keeled...the absolute opposite of ‘look at me’ culture.” — Tas Melas

• On Defensive Dominance, [18:25]:
  “You can’t get hot on the Thunder, really. So that’s why they don’t blow the leads. Even if the offense goes cold, they’re still forcing bad shots and turnovers.” — Trey Kirby

• On Play-In Mess, [33:11]:
  “If you’re under .500 you shouldn’t be in the play-in...just cap it at 8!” — Trey Kirby

• On Trading Kobe White, [42:44]:
  “I wouldn’t say getting Kobe White is big game hunting...the guy’s never made an all-star team...zero accolades.” — Trey Kirby

Important Timestamps

• [03:53] – NBA Cup Odds and Team Narratives
• [13:39] – Thunder’s 74-Win Pace, Historic Net Rating
• [20:36] – Thunder Media Respect & Connections
• [28:22] – Most Improved Player Odds
• [32:24] – Western Conference Play-In Odds
• [37:52] – Zach Edey Injury Analysis
• [42:05] – Bulls’ Kobe White Trade Scenarios
• [55:36] – Worst of the Week: Nembhard Carry
• [68:44] – Rapid Fire: Wrestling, Life Skills, Ed Ant Challenges

Episode in Summary

• The Thunder's mix of depth, relentless defense, and focused mentality may be propelling them toward the best regular season in NBA history—but might not be earning them widespread adulation.
• The NBA Cup gets serious, with OKC favored but each team playing for something unique (or a llama).
• Most Improved Player and play-in scenarios are as wide open as ever, with the bottom of the West resembling a game of survival.
• The pod’s sharp wit shines through, connecting league news—serious and offbeat—with classic No Dunks style.

A can’t-miss episode for NBA fans tracking potential history in real-time.

(Ad sections, intros, and outros omitted; summary remains focused on content-rich NBA discussion.)