Thinking Basketball
Thinking Basketball
300 episodes
Ben Taylor, creator of the popular YouTube channel Thinking Basketball (and author of Thinking Basketball the book) goes deeper on basketball analysis, history, philosophy and theory with co-host Cody Houdek, and a variety of guests ranging from journalists to former players.
More about the show
Ideal for fans interested in Xs and Os, stats & analytics, coaching and team strategy and adjustments, in-depth breakdowns on player strengths and weaknesses, and who is better and who is best in the NBA. (GOAT debates!)
Episodes page 2 of 6
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21st century peaks Ep 14 | Rankings & Lessons from the series
What were the big themes and takeaways we had from this series? What specifically players changed in our minds and why? We reflect on the series, rankings in general, p layer synergies and more before discussing our…
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21st century peaks Ep 13 | The mind-blowing value of gravity
For our final two players, we quantify the unique and devastating forms of “gravity” in basketball. In particular, off-ball gravity that is essentially missing from the box score and traditional NBA stats or…
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21st century peaks Ep 12 | The 3 LeBrody problem
We look at, perhaps, the 3 best peaks of the 21st century, all from slightly different time periods, environments and circumstances. How does an “ideal” or non ideal environment influence how we evaluate a mega peak?…
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21st century peaks Ep 11 | Judging playoff value beyond scoring
How do we make sense of small samples and outlier signals in the playoffs? How much should specifically good or bad matchups influence playoff “performance?” We discuss some titanic big men, their coaches,…
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21st century peaks Ep 10 | The Kings of downhill basket pressure
We discuss two of the most dominant downhill penetrators in league history, and the critical ways in which they're different. First, the strengths and weaknesses of Giannis's battering ram approach and how that…
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21st century peaks Ep 9 | Mega Hybrid scorers
Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant were both voluminous score on and off-ball. We discuss Durant's playoff scoring, the impact of his gravity, his floor-raising in Oklahoma City and his more mobile Thunder defense. Then, we…
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21st century peaks Ep 8 | Floor generals, “engines” & 2-way Midrangers
We tackle Chris Paul's “floor general” approach to offense and the pros and cons of how he pressured defenses (and his turnover suppression). Also, how did he change defensively from 2008 in New Orleans to his Clippers…
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21st century peaks Ep 7 | The perfect “quarterback?” & the 7-foot unicorn
Steve Nash was an early “heliocentric” star. Dirk Nowitzki was a big man who played on the perimeter and off the ball. We discuss team building around them, how big of a concern their defense is, exactly how and why…
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21st century peaks Ep 6 | Global impact and modern midrange isolation
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Joel Embiid are all-time level scorers with a ton of midrange shots. We discuss their unique (and concerning?) geometric footprints on the entire team, the concept of influencing stats for…
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21st century peaks Ep 5 | The Tracy McGrady enigma & Playoff Luka
Would Shaq's Lakers have won 3 titles with T-Mac instead of Kobe Bryant? We tackle this question and more discussing Tracy McGrady's magical but brief peak in 2003. Then we discuss Luka Doncic's improvements in the…
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21st century peaks Ep 4 | Flexibility & gaining/losing value in the playoffs
Harden and Ginobili had nearly opposite roles and box score stats. We discuss Manu's underrated defense, his role filling in the gaps in San Antonio, what to make of his more pedestrian numbers, and then dissect James…
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21st century peaks Ep 3 | A+ defenders with unique (but flawed) offense
Draymond Green and Dwight Howard were defensive superstars, but how good were they offensively? We discuss their fairly unique roles, and the progressive context of each player in Golden State and Orlando respectively,…
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21st century peaks Ep 2 | Can a weak scoring guard be a superstar?
Jason Kidd was one of the best defensive point guards ever, but what about his lower scoring offense? How valuable is his pace and passing despite his problematic shooting reputation? How valuable are all of the little…
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21st century peaks Ep 1 | Honorable Mentions
What player peaked the highest in the 21st century? We kickoff our 25 best peaks of the 21st century by discussing all the players who didn't quite make the list (and many who could have). Support at…
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#330: 2025 free agency reactions
We discuss the major moves of the free agency and trade seasons, from Kevin Durant's trade to the Bane Magic to the Bucks wave and trade. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball. For 50% at FACTOR:…
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#329: Top-10 players of 2025
Who were the best players in 2025? First, we discuss all players as if they were healthy and ready for a playoff run, and then we trying to balance a year of chaotic injuries and semi-healthy players. Support at…
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#328: The legendary Pacers & the Thunder championship
We discuss the Pacers egalitarian “ecosystem” that nearly stunned the NBA world, and the Thunder's unique team construction that led to the 2025 championship. We also discuss OKC's defense and where it ranks…
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#327: Indy's chances, OKC hatred & SGA's paradigm
The first two games of the NBA Finals and the Pacers prospects. Also, OKC's best defender, their historical versatility, why fans hate them and the complaints about their “special” officiating, and how Shai…
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#326: Final Preview + All-Playoff teams
Does this Finals represent the future of the sport? Where does this Pacers run rank historically? We discuss this along with our All-playoff teams and a preview of the Thunder-Indiana Finals. Support at…
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#325 What we've learned in the 2025 Playoffs
What players are we higher on and lower on after seeing them in the 2025 NBA playoffs? What concepts or trends have emerged in these playoffs? From offensive rebounding to zones, we discuss what we've learned so far.…
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#324: Jokic-Caruso war & Conference Finals previews
We preview the Eastern and Western Conference Finals, but first, a look back at OKC-DEN. Do we feel differently about different players after the series? How did the Nikola Jokic vs. OKC defense battle shake out? And…
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#323: Rob Mahoney on DEN-OKC! Playoffs vs Regular Season
Rob Mahoney of the Ringer is here to discuss the incredible Thunder-Nuggets series before Game 7, how good the play has been, Playoff Jamal Murray, rim finishing differences and coaching moves and Jalen Williams. We…
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#322: Themes of the 2025 NBA Playoffs
Why are defenses defending stars so well? Why are rotations so short for some teams? We discuss the key themes and trends from the playoffs, from physicality to defensive coverages to the importance of versatile…
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#321: The MVPs can't score! Zones are everywhere! The Cavs & Celtics have life!
Xs and Os expert Mike De La Rosa returns to break down the latest games of the week, including the insane Nuggets-Thunder OT thriller in Game 3 and how they are defending the MVPs so well. We also discuss Donovan…
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#320: The 2nd round is crazier than the first!
Who should be most worried among Cleveland, Boston and Oklahoma City? Is there something to Shail Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams bumpy offensive starts? Do the Celtics take too many 3s? Do the Pacers have the…
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#319: 3 West finishes + mini East previews
ESPN's Bobby Marks joins to discuss the end of the Western Conference 1st round: The Wolves wrapping the Lakers, the Clippers-Nuggets going to the brink behind more Ty Lue magic, and the Warriors trying to survive the…
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#318: The best 1st round ever?
We discuss the incredible physicality, wild Rockets-Warriors series, the latest in the Nuggets-Clippers classic, the importance of “playoff players” and depth, some Lakers-Wolves and more! Bonus: who has the most…
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#317: Week 1 emergency reactions!
Our Xs and Os expert Mike De La Rosa joins for an emergency episode on the first week of the 2025 NBA playoffs: Lakers-Wolves, Clippers-Nuggets, Knicks-Pistons and do the Bucks have any life against the Pacers? Support…
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#316: Playoff opening weekend!
Clippers-Nuggets! Rockets-Warriors! Lakers-Wolves! What an opening weekend of the playoffs! We also discuss Knicks-Pistons, and a brief acknowledgement of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks.…
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#315: 2025 Playoff Preview
We focus on three (potentially) huge series in the Western Conference, along with some light discussion about the potentially competitive Eastern Conference series in the 1st round. With @codyhoudek. Support at…
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#314: The 2025 Thinkies (Defensive Awards)
It's time for our 7th annual Defensive Awards – we discuss the best defenders in the NBA across categories like best paint protector, best perimeter helper, best point of attack defender and more. With @codyhoudek.…
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#313: The Giannis Offense + “Top-10” shooters
We discuss the Giannis Offense, Zion Williamson and more, and then Cody “presents” his top-32 shooters (or is it April's Fools?) as we think about spacing effects of different shooting skills in today's game. With…
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#312: What's real in March??
We discuss the exploding (and crumbling) teams in March, players coming out of nowhere like Quentin Grimes and Josh Giddey, tanking, the up and down Lakers and more. With @codyhoudek. Support at…
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#311: How good is Shai historically?
What exactly has made Shai Gilgeous-Alexander the MVP favorite this season, and where does he stack up historically with some of his skills? We discuss the great MVP race between Shai and Jokic, the all-time seasons…
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#310: The best offensive players in the NBA
Who is the best first option in the league? The best second option? We discuss the top offensive players right now from off-ball big men who space the floor to more heliocentric options who might not fit well with…
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#309: Power ranking the top challengers
Ben thinks his camera is flipped, there are 2 new teams in a “dangerous” tier to challenge the Inner Circle title contenders, and Cody and Ben have a big disagreement about a lurking lower seed. But first, the…
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#308: Depth & the crazy history of trading 3 1st round picks
We discuss the importance of depth in today's NBA, focusing on the Knicks, Lakers and Suns, and then break down the incredible history of trading 3 first round picks, and how that high-risk, high-reward move can build…
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#307: Great Debates | Jalens vs. Jaylen
Who is the best Jalen in the league right now!? We debate Jaylen Brown, Jalen Williams and Jalen Brunson – what are their strengths and weaknesses? How do they compare offensively and defensively? With @codyhoudek.…
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#306: Trade deadline fit
How will these new teams fit together after the wild trade deadline? Are the Lakers dangerous? Are the Mavs? We discuss the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis blockbuster, along with De'Aaron Fox in San Antonio next to Wemby,…
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#305: 2025 Sub All-Stars
It's time for our 7th annual Sub All-Star team – who are the best players in the next tier AFTER the All-Stars. Who straddles the line and makes the actual All-Star team? Who were the toughest omissions? And what…
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#304: How good is OKC? How good is Shai!?
The Oklahoma City Thunder currently have one of the best point differentials ever. How good is their defense? How good are they overall? And how well is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander playing right now? Before that, we…
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#303: LaMelo's empty stats & Cutting-edge offenses
What are the best offenses doing differently this year? What makes teams like Cleveland, Memphis and OKC so hard to guard? Before that, we address the “non winning” of style of play for LaMelo Ball and the idea of…
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#302: January Battle Royale & 2 surging teams
We discuss the hottest teams in the last month, the standings without bottom-feeding, whether the Nuggets still have life and the red hot Indiana Pacers led by...Andrew Nembhard? With @codyhoudek. Support at…
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#301: Victor Wembanyama's Year 2 Leap
Wemby Hour! Is he the best defender in the league now? Where does he rank as an offensive player? How good is his passing? And where does this year compare to other 2nd year 21-year old seasons on the 3-point era? With…
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#300: Power Rankings | The “playoff-ness” of the Cavs, Grizz and Knicks
Are the Cavs an inner-circle contender? Where do other hot teams fall in the hierarchy? We discuss some of the potential playoff issues (or strengths) of teams not located in Boston or Oklahoma City. With @codyhoudek.…
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#299: 25 under 25 draft Part 2
After a rousing Part 1, we return to discuss the rest of the best young players in the NBA. Who do we decide to change the order one? Will one team dominant the remaining picks? Will Ben ever be happy with the 25th…
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#298: 25 under 25 draft Part 1
Who are the best young players in the NBA right now? It's time for our annual under 25 draft, where we pick our way through the top under 25 players in league after a third of a new season. With @codyhoudek. Support at…
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#297: MVP predictions
We discuss a fascinating 2025 MVP race – can Nikola Jokic be dethroned despited having perhaps his best season? Is there are a darkhorse lurking? How will the best players on the top teams in the East fare? With…
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#296: Rockets, Magic & defensive ceilings
The Rockets and Magic are 24-4 in their last 28 combined games. How good are these defenses? Do they have weaknesses? How far can they take each team in the playoffs? And is an all-defense team more dangerous today and…
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#295: 2025 Rookie of the Year predictions
We discuss a wide open 2025 ROY race. Who has emerged in the last few weeks as the favorite? Will another French player win? Can a defensively oriented player win or will an older rookie sneak into contention? With…
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