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 best offensive players and overall players from the series. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball Bubble : Jimmy Butler, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Paul George '03 Jason Kidd [21-32] '17 Russell Westbrook [20-32] '25 Jayson Tatum [20-28] '11 Dwight Howard [17-28] '16 Draymond Gr...
Oct 12, 2025•1 hr 29 min•Season 1Ep. 14
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 measurements, the strongest interior force of the century and what happens to a team with a mega gravitational force running around the entire court. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Oct 07, 2025•1 hr 37 min•Season 1Ep. 13
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? How do we account for era changes that influence spacing and the proliferation of shooters? Can anyone solve the 3 LeBrody problem? Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball Previously discussed players and their ranges: Jason Kidd [21-32] Jayson Tatum [20-28] Dwight Howard [17-...
Oct 01, 2025•1 hr 27 min•Season 1Ep. 12
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, environments, teammate synergies and how much we should care about their individual scoring numbers in the postseason. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball Previously discussed players and their ranges: Jason Kidd [21-32] Jayson Tatum [20-28] Dwight Howard [17-28] Draymond Green [18-2...
Sep 26, 2025•1 hr 46 min•Season 1Ep. 11
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 influences his playoff impact. Then, Dwyane Wade's unique balance between slicing through traffic and passing through traffic. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball Previously discussed players and their ranges: 25 Jason Kidd [21-32] 24 Jayson Tatum [20-28] 23 Dwight Howard [17-28...
Sep 21, 2025•1 hr 38 min•Season 1Ep. 10
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 upend Kobe Bryant's “inefficiency” narrative, contextualize his problem-solving and huge scoring numbers without dominating the ball. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Sep 17, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 9
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 tenure? Where does he rank among small defenders? Then we make sense of Kawhi Leonard's historic scoring numbers and shooting, and the surprising heights of his team's offenses, along with his fluctuating defensive signals. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball...
Sep 11, 2025•1 hr 28 min•Season 1Ep. 8
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 they imparted so much value on an offense and whether they were beneficiaries of a fortunate system. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Sep 06, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 7
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 the entire team, and then the conundrum of evaluating Anthony Davis. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Sep 01, 2025•1 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 6
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 playoffs, how hard he is to scheme for, and he polarizing defense. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Aug 25, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 5
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 Harden's offensive environment with Mike D'Antoni and what changes with him from the regular season to the playoffs and the tradeoffs of extreme heliocenstrism. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Aug 19, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 4
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, the “system player” idea and more. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Aug 11, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 3
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 things he does and guard rebounding? We also discuss Jayson Tatum's lack of superpowers. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Aug 05, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 2
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 www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball .
Jul 28, 2025•1 hr 34 min•Season 1Ep. 1
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: www.factormeals.com/GREATDAY50OFF and use code GREATDAY50OFF
Jul 13, 2025•51 min
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 www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball and sign up at SportsBusinessClassroom.com with code THINKINGBASKETBALL for $300 off.
Jul 01, 2025•1 hr 38 min
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 historically, along with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball and get 50% off plus free shipping at www.factormeals.com/GREATDAY50OFF with code GREATDAY50OFF
Jun 23, 2025•1 hr 5 min
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 Gilgeous-Alexander is introducing a unique paradigm.
Jun 10, 2025•1 hr 12 min
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 www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Jun 04, 2025•1 hr 10 min
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. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball Sign up at SportsBusinessClassroom.com with code THINKINGBASKETBALL for $300 off.
May 27, 2025•1 hr 13 min
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 Ben rants about responses to the physical officiating in the playoffs. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball . For 50% at FACTOR: www.factormeals.com/GREATDAY50OFF and use code GREATDAY50OFF...
May 21, 2025•1 hr 15 min
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 also hit on the importance of the regular season versus playoffs today and how today's league could break the traditional championship paradigm. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
May 16, 2025•1 hr 10 min
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 “playoff players” like Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges. Also, the best defensive game ever and is there a star who could beat the Thunder defense? Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball Sign up at SportsBusinessClassroom.com with code THINKINGBASKETBALL for $300 off....
May 13, 2025•1 hr 16 min
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 Mitchell's explosions, the Cavs huge zone move, and the Celtics winning in New York. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
May 11, 2025•1 hr 9 min
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 matchup edge? We break down all 3 top seed losses and then preview (mini) Minnesota and Golden State. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball Sign up at SportsBusinessClassroom.com with code THINKINGBASKETBALL for $300 off....
May 06, 2025•1 hr 11 min
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 Rockets. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball Sign up at SportsBusinessClassroom.com with code THINKINGBASKETBALL for $300 off.
May 02, 2025•51 min
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 “inelastic” move in NBA history? Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball Sign up at SportsBusinessClassroom.com with code THINKINGBASKETBALL for $300 off.
Apr 29, 2025•1 hr 13 min
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 at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball Sign up at SportsBusinessClassroom.com with code THINKINGBASKETBALL for $300 off.
Apr 26, 2025•59 min
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. Will Cody make it through the show without saying Andrew Nembhard or Jrue Holiday? Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball Sign up at SportsBusinessClassroom.com with code THINKINGBASKETBALL for $300 off.
Apr 22, 2025•1 hr 11 min
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 www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball Sign up at SportsBusinessClassroom.com with code THINKINGBASKETBALL for $300 off.
Apr 16, 2025•1 hr 18 min
