Jokic & The MVP Ladder, Players Union Blasts Bucks, Fire The 65-Game Rule Into The Sun
Digest
The podcast features recaps of NBA games, including the Nuggets vs. Suns and Cavs vs. Magic, highlighting standout player performances like Nikola Jokic and Donovan Mitchell. Discussions delve into MVP candidacies, the controversial 65-game rule impacting player awards, and the NBA Players Association's stance. The hosts also share personal grudges and anecdotes, introduce competitive jigsaw puzzle events, and touch upon sports betting and prediction markets. Additionally, the episode includes promotional segments for various iHeart podcasts such as "Rorschach: Murder at City Hall," "Love Trap," and "No Grip," as well as an announcement for the iHeart Radio Music Awards.
Outlines
Podcast Promotions and Music Awards
The podcast opens with promotional snippets for iHeart podcasts like "Vorschach: Murder at City Hall" and "Love Trapped," followed by an announcement for the iHeart Radio Music Awards, detailing its date, hosts, and performers.
Introduction to "No Grip" and NBA Season Kick-off
A new podcast, "No Grip," focusing on Formula One culture, is introduced, exploring its history and scandals. The NoDunks podcast begins, discussing the upcoming baseball season and transitioning to NBA news, including player participation rules and the 65-game threshold.
NBA Game Recaps: Nuggets vs. Suns and Tactical Analysis
A detailed recap of the Nuggets vs. Suns game, highlighting Nikola Jokic's performance and a game-winning shot. Analysis follows on Nuggets' small-ball lineups, Jokic's passing, and their fouling strategy.
NBA Standings, MVP Race, and Player Rankings
An update on Western Conference standings and a discussion on Nikola Jokic's MVP candidacy amidst strong competition, including speculation on player rankings and straw polls.
NBA Game Recaps: Cavs vs. Magic and Offensive Showcase
Recaps of the Cavaliers vs. Magic game, focusing on high scoring from Donovan Mitchell and the Cavs' offense, while questioning the Magic's defense. Further analysis of the game's offensive output and player contributions.
Coach's Message, Player Injuries, and Jersey Talk
Coach Kenny Atkinson's message to the Magic about defense is discussed. Mentions of James Harden's assist, the Magic's jerseys, the importance of Jalen Suggs, and player injuries are included.
Cavaliers' Offensive Rating and Donovan Mitchell's Scoring
Discussion on Sam Merrill's offensive contributions for the Cavaliers and the team's high offensive rating. Donovan Mitchell's scoring prowess is assessed, comparing his style to other notable players.
True Crime and Scandal Podcast Promos
Return to "Worshack: Murder at City Hall" with crime scene details. A promo for "Love Trap" focuses on a paternity scandal involving Clayton Eckard.
Deeper Dive into "No Grip" Formula One Podcast
Further exploration of the "No Grip" podcast, discussing the lack of female participation in F1 and the rise of F1 romance novels.
iHeart Radio Music Awards and NBA Game Recaps
A repeat announcement for the iHeart Radio Music Awards, listing performers and honorees. Recaps of the Knicks vs. Pelicans and Hornets vs. Kings games are presented.
Hornets' Three-Point Record and Playoff Hopes
Discussion on the Hornets' three-point shooting record, LaMelo Ball's franchise history, and their push for a playoff spot, including analysis of their remaining schedule.
NBA Players Association Statement and Expansion News
The NBA Players Association addresses the Giannis Antetokounmpo situation and the league's tanking crisis. Breaking news on NBA expansion, with exploration of bids for Las Vegas and Seattle.
NBA Expansion Debate and FanDuel Promotion
A debate on the necessity of NBA expansion, considering talent distribution and league parity. A FanDuel Sportsbook promotion for March Madness is detailed.
Listener Mailbag and Bam Adebayo's Hall of Fame Case
Discussion about creating a medley of FanDuel songs and reading listener emails, starting with a question about Bam Adebayo's Hall of Fame chances and an in-depth analysis of his career.
Memorable Moments, Player Careers, and NBA Records
The podcast concludes with final thoughts, comparing memorable moments like Vince Carter's dunk contest with Bam Adebayo's scoring game. NBA record-holders not in the Hall of Fame are discussed.
Podcast Promos: True Crime and Formula One
Promotional segments for "Rorschach: Murder at City Hall" detailing a public murder, and "Love Trap" focusing on a paternity scandal. A promo for "No Grip" explores Formula One culture.
Coining Terms for Defensive Plays and Hypothetical Scenarios
The discussion focuses on creating new terms for defensive plays against Victor Wembanyama. A humorous hypothetical scenario about the Thunder playing in socks is presented.
Grip, Slippage, and the 65-Game Rule Debate
The conversation delves into the concept of "grip" in basketball and the potential for slippage. The NBA's 65-game rule for award eligibility and the Players Association's opposition are discussed.
Modifying the 65-Game Rule and Creative Team Names
Options for modifying or abolishing the 65-game rule are explored. Participants brainstorm creative names for a hypothetical team of players ineligible for awards due to the rule.
Personal Grudges and Sports Anecdotes
The conversation shifts to personal grudges and "rational hate" towards individuals, starting with an anecdote about Isaiah Thomas and a childhood basketball camp incident. Participants share personal grudges.
Grudges Against Athletes and Producers
A detailed account of a grudge against Isaiah Thomas over missing champagne. Discussions include comparing champagne and wine preferences, a negative experience with Dan Le Batard, and a grudge against producer Caby Richards.
Sports Incidents and Competitive Jigsaw Puzzles
An explanation of Chris Webber's "Gong Show" incident. Grudges against Michael Rappaport and Curtis Conway are shared. An introduction to a competitive jigsaw puzzle event, "Puzzle Block Party," is presented.
Nikola Jokic's Triple-Double and Puzzle Competition Details
Discussion of Nikola Jokic achieving his 29th triple-double and a recent haircut. Speculation on the hosts' puzzle-solving skills and details about the Jigsaw Nationals competition.
Sports Betting Predictions and Prediction Markets
A segment discussing sports betting predictions, focusing on a Nuggets game and the use of FanDuel's "Predix" platform. The conversation touches on prediction markets and betting on various events.
NBA Game Discussion and March Picks
The hosts discuss an upcoming NBA game between the Celtics and the Thunder, analyzing point spreads and individual predictions. They note the remaining games and solicit suggestions for March picks.
Jigsaw Puzzle Challenge and Host Vacation Plans
The idea of a contestant completing a jigsaw puzzle during the show is discussed. One host announces an upcoming vacation to the Great Smoky Mountains, with others covering the show.
Road Trip Preparations and Accommodation
Discussions about travel time to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, preparations for the road trip including bear safety, and accommodation details, including the use of Airbnb for a cottage with a hot tub.
Podcast Wrap-up and Future Content
The hosts thank listeners, promote upcoming content, and encourage engagement with the show, concluding the episode.
Keywords
Bam Adebayo
Bam Adebayo is a prominent NBA player known for his versatility and defensive prowess. His career achievements and potential for future accolades are discussed in the context of memorable NBA moments and Hall of Fame considerations.
Vince Carter
Vince Carter is a legendary NBA player celebrated for his high-flying dunks, particularly his performance in the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest. His iconic moments are compared to other significant basketball events.
Hall of Fame (NBA)
The criteria and process for induction into the NBA Hall of Fame are discussed, including the debate around record-holders and players with exceptional careers who may or may not be enshrined.
Manu Ginobili
Manu Ginobili, a former NBA player, is mentioned in the context of NBA records, specifically his high number of blocks in a game, and his status regarding Hall of Fame induction.
Scott Skiles
Scott Skiles is recognized for his NBA record of 30 assists in a single game. His achievements are brought up in discussions about players who hold records but are not in the Hall of Fame.
Victor Wembanyama (Wemby)
Victor Wembanyama, a highly touted NBA rookie, is a focal point of discussion regarding defensive impact. New terms are proposed to describe offensive players' reactions to his presence.
65-Game Rule (NBA)
This NBA rule mandates that players must participate in at least 65 games to be eligible for regular season awards. It has sparked controversy and debate among players, the union, and the league.
Player Participation Policy (PPP)
The Player Participation Policy, including the 65-game rule, aims to encourage players to participate in more games. Its effectiveness and fairness are debated, especially concerning injury exceptions.
Cade Cunningham
Cade Cunningham, an NBA player, is highlighted as a case study for the unfairness of the 65-game rule, as a potential injury could make him ineligible for awards despite an MVP-caliber season.
Personal Grudges
The concept of holding personal grudges or "rational hate" against individuals, particularly in the sports world, is explored through various anecdotes and personal experiences shared by the podcast hosts.
Isaiah Thomas
Isaiah Thomas, a former NBA player and executive, is mentioned in a story about a childhood basketball camp incident that led to a lasting grudge for one of the hosts.
Competitive Jigsaw Puzzles
The emergence of competitive jigsaw puzzle events is discussed, including the format, rules, and the growing community around this niche hobby.
Nikola Jokic
Nikola Jokic, an NBA player, is recognized for achieving his 29th triple-double of the season, highlighting his consistent all-around performance.
Sports Betting (Peer-to-Peer)
The discussion touches upon peer-to-peer sports betting platforms and the workaround they provide for legal betting in certain regions, questioning their legitimacy as gambling.
Prediction Markets
Platforms where individuals can bet on the outcome of future events. They aggregate information and can be used for forecasting, similar to betting on sports or other outcomes.
Jigsaw Nationals
Refers to a competition or event related to jigsaw puzzles, possibly the Jigsaw Nationals, where participants race to complete puzzles.
NBA Betting
Wagering on the outcomes of National Basketball Association games, including point spreads, moneylines, and over/under totals.
March Picks
A segment where hosts select their preferred bets or predictions for the month of March, often in a sports context.
Great Smoky Mountains
A mountain range in the eastern United States, known for its scenic beauty and hiking trails, a popular vacation destination.
Buc-ee's
A popular chain of large convenience stores and gas stations in the Southern United States, known for their cleanliness and wide selection of snacks and merchandise.
Airbnb
An online marketplace for lodging, where people can rent out their properties or spare rooms to travelers.
Q&A
Is the 2000 dunk contest performance more memorable than Bam Adebayo's 83-point game?
The consensus leans towards Vince Carter's dunk contest performance being more memorable, placing it on a different level of iconic moments in basketball history.
Which NBA record-holders are not in the Hall of Fame?
The segment mentions Manu Ginobili (15 blocks in a game), Scott Skiles (30 assists), Charles Oakley (35 rebounds), and Kendall Gill (11 steals) as examples of players with significant records who are not in the Hall of Fame.
What new term could be used to describe offensive players giving up on a play due to Victor Wembanyama's defense?
Suggestions include "nope," "abort," "turn back," "big bro," "scaredy stat," and "oh hell nozz." The hosts debate the merits of each, with "nope" gaining traction.
How many games would the Oklahoma City Thunder win if they played the entire season in socks?
One host estimates they would win 13 games against weaker opponents but lose all others, resulting in a 13-59 record. Another host believes they might win only one game due to the extreme slippage.
Why is the NBA's 65-game rule controversial?
The rule is criticized for being unfair to players, especially those who miss games due to significant injuries rather than load management. The Players Association argues it arbitrarily disqualifies deserving players from awards.
What are some creative names for the hypothetical team of players ineligible for awards due to the 65-game rule?
Suggestions include the "almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades team," the "PPP All-Stars," and the "final four fits."
What is the "gong show" incident involving Chris Webber?
Chris Webber, during his time at NBA TV, publicly dissed a new show on the network, calling it awful. This led to a promotional "gong show" segment and a later reconciliation with the hosts.
What is the "Puzzle Block Party" and what are they competing in?
"Puzzle Block Party" is a team competing in the Jigsaw Nationals, a competitive jigsaw puzzle event. The competition involves teams racing to complete the same puzzle.
What is Nikola Jokic's latest achievement?
Nikola Jokic recorded his 29th triple-double of the season early in the third quarter of a game, finishing with 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 17 assists.
What is the "peer-to-peer" betting system discussed?
It's a system where users can predict outcomes, acting as a workaround for legal sports betting in certain areas. The hosts question its legitimacy, calling it essentially gambling.
What are prediction markets and how are they discussed in the podcast?
Prediction markets are platforms where people bet on future events. The podcast mentions betting on jigsaw puzzle competitions and NBA games, highlighting the diverse applications of these markets.
What NBA game is being discussed, and what are the betting insights?
The hosts discuss the Celtics vs. Thunder game, with the Celtics being 3.5-point underdogs at home. They analyze the point spread and individual predictions for the game's outcome.
What is the significance of the Great Smoky Mountains trip mentioned in the podcast?
One of the hosts is taking a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains for hiking. This leads to discussions about travel time, road trip preparations, and accommodation.
What are some of the unique aspects of the road trip preparations discussed?
Preparations include the need to buy bear spray for safety in the mountains and the potential to stop at a Buc-ee's, a well-known convenience store chain.
How is Airbnb related to the discussion about Gatlinburg?
Airbnb is mentioned as the platform through which the accommodation in Gatlinburg was booked, suggesting a preference for unique lodging options.
Show Notes
On Wed.'s ep. of No Dunks, the guys discuss where Jokic lands on the NBA MVP ladder, the Cavs outscoring the Magic, another Jalen Brunson takeover, Charlotte Hornets trivia, and the NBA Players Association getting involved in the Bucks-Giannis standoff. That, plus we hit the beach to answer questions about Bam Adebayo's Hall of Fame credentials, Wemby NOPEs, playing in socks, whether the league should abolish the 65-game rule, secret grudges, jigsaw puzzles, and more.
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