How much should defense factor into the MIP discussion? Is the award too scoring centric? I stack up the Most Improved players this year by diving into overall changes in impact and looking at where players have grown on offense and defense. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball and get a FREE week trial at the Athletic at http://www.theathletic.com/thinkingbasketballpod
Heat VP Shane Battier joins to discuss how players use data as part of their game preparation and how it can create an advantage. How has the scouting process changed in the last 20 years? Are players resistant to more data? And did he really have a special packet of information delivered before each game by the analytics maesters in Houston? Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
ESPN's Andre Snellings and I go deep on a classic player comparison between Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett. We stack up their playoff comparisons, historical impact metrics, team circumstances and how they would fare in today's NBA. Follow Andre @ProfessorDrz and support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
How important is rebounding? And how much do rebounding stats really tell us about players today? This episode takes a deep dive into the value of rebounding, the context behind rebounding numbers and the diminishing returns involved. http://basketball-statistics.com/blog1/2009/12/06/the-diminishing-returns-of-rebounds-and-other-stats/ Pomeroy: https://theathletic.com/789794/2019/01/29/kenpom-offensive-rebounding-is-at-an-all-time-low-what-are-teams-really-missing-out-on/ Support at www.patreon....
An actual physicist joins to explain the stunning reality of out of bounds calls like the LeBron James one on Christmas. Also, diving into modern post ups and Rick Carlise's controversial comments on Kristaps Porzingis and some observations from the Christmas games. Follow Matt at @MrJCrossesRoads Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball and get a FREE week trial at the Athletic at http://www.theathletic.com/thinkingbasketballpod
Breaking down a number of proposed trades involving marquee players like Chris Paul, Ben Simmons, Jrue Holiday and more, with an emphasis on how these players fit on contending teams and what those top teams need to get over the hump. Also, is heliocentrism good for basketball? Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball and get a FREE week trial at the Athletic at http://www.theathletic.com/thinkingbasketballpod
In the 2nd episode of the Great Debates series, Nate and I size up Dirk Nowitzki, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone and the best portage systems in Eastern Canada. Who was better at his best? What are the important numbers and trends to know about each player? How do they succeed in the regular season versus the playoffs, and which of these players is best suited for playing next to high-level teammates? Follow Nate @NateDuncanNBA and support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Former Nets assistant coach Steve Jones discusses the principles of the best offensive teams in the NBA in 2020, including the incredible Raptors, Kemba replacing Kyrie and the LeBron-Anthony Davis partnership. Also, stories of dislocated shoulders. Follow Steve @stevejones20 and support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
I went out to talk to real fans, both casual and hardcore, to research the things NBA consumers love and hate about the current state of the league. Is it load management? Tanking? In a special episode, we'll try to identify the real problems facing the league and use fan feedback to propose ideas for a more perfect NBA. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
In the first episode of the Great Debates series, I size up James Harden, Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade and deep sea aquatic creatures. Who was better at his best? What are the important numbers and trends to know about each player? How do they succeed in the regular season versus the playoffs, and which of these players is best suited for playing next to high-level teammates? Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball and get a FREE month trial at the Athletic at http://www.theathletic.com/thinki...
The Ringer's J. Kyle Mann joins to discuss Luka Doncic, legacies, along with Kevin Garnett and Shaq in the modern NBA. Also, how does having a legendary parent impact young players? And what does that mean for LeBron James Jr. and 2020 draft prospects like Cole Anthony? Following Kyle @jkylemann. Post show at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball and get a FREE month trial at the Athletic at http://www.theathletic.com/thinkingbasketballpod
Why are do superstars really play fewer minutes today? Does load management work? In this episode I take a deep dive into this hot button issue by looking at available data and unpacking some of the biomechanics involved in basketball. I also answer questions about true shooting percentage and share how my magic facial recognition powers led to some real-life magic. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball and get a FREE month trial at the Athletic at http://www.theathletic.com/thinkingbask...
#31: Ben Falk | The one-number debate, film in analytics & measuring defense by Ben Taylor experiments
The Athletic's Dave DuFour joins the podcast for a mega season preview of the upcoming 2020 season! We size up the playoff teams in each conference, the Terminator makes an appearance, and there's even a post show podcast for Patreon subscribers. Follow Dave @DaveDuFourNBA. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
In part III of our look at the aging curve, Danny Leroux, returns for a (less fun) foray into players we think are candidates to give way a bit to Father Time this year, or just take a meaningful step back for other reasons. Follow Danny on twitter @DannyLeroux. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
In part 2, Danny Leroux returns to round out our most likely breakout player candidates of 2020. Follow him on twitter @DannyLeroux. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
In part I, Danny Leroux, Athletic columnist, host of realgm radio and co-host of the Dunc'd On podcast joins me for a deep dive into the breakout player candidates of 2020. We focused mainly on under-25 players, looking at the “how” and “how much” of players likely to improve this year. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball Follow Danny @DannyLeroux
By popular demand, I took a crack at the All-Decade team for the 2010s by sizing up which players had the most championship equity over the last 10 years. I also discuss NBA.com's controversial choices (Kobe Bryant & Carmelo Anthony) and some interesting omissions along with a brief discussion about MVP criteria. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
An exploration of young volume scorers on really bad teams. What happens historically when these players are surrounded by better talent? How often are their numbers “empty?” And how does that influence our perception of young, exciting players like Devin Booker and Zach LaVine? Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
A look at the greatest playmakers in NBA history using an updated model that balances shot creation, passing ability, turnovers and teammates/team performance to figure out who made life the easiest for their teammates. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Draft expert Cole Zwicker joins to discuss draft concepts, draft philosophy, and provide an in-depth breakdown of how this year's rookies fit on their new teams. Following him @colezwicker on twitter. www.thestepien.com. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
I dive into the final minutes of the NBA Finals and the incredible on-court stories that history might completely forget. Also some reflections on the series as a whole and thoughts on the value of Anthony Davis after the reported Pelicans-Lakers trade. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
After Game 4, an in-depth breakdown of key players like Steph Curry, how Toronto succeeded on offense against a depleted Warriors defense, the emerging brilliance of Nick Nurse, and Fred Van Vleet's defense / phonetics. I also discuss Kawhi Leonard's narrative along with Kevin Durant and the Warriors supporting cast. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Former Brooklyn Nets assistant coach Steve Jones Jr. stops by for hardcore Xs & Os on the Warriors-Raptors, his theory about Golden State’s “data collection,” adjustments for the rest of the series, Kevin Durant’s defensive value & Toronto’s 2nd-best player. Follow Steve on twitter @stevejones20. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Are the Rockets doomed with their analytics-driven style? Should midrange jumpers make a comeback? In this episode I address the controversy around “letting nerds tell you how to play” and the idea that strategic decisions are separate from on-court skills. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
The Athletic's Dave DuFour stops by to discuss the greatness of Steph Curry, similarities between Kawhi Leonard and Michael Jordan and why some Toronto players won't shoot. Follow him @DaveDuFourNBA. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Neil Paine of 538 stops by to discuss James Harden's controversial play style, the 3-point revolution, the emergence of the 76ers & some insight into just how influential analytics have become behind the scenes. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Reactions to Game 1 between the Bucks and Celtics along with adjustments Milwaukee can make moving forward, overachieving in the playoffs, and brief thoughts on the other 3 second rounds series. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Which 2019 rookies will become great shooters? Can we predict who will be a great shooter based on the beginning of their career and the years before they entered the NBA? What are the statistical patterns of the greatest shooters of the 3-point era? In this episode I explore some of the best shooters ever and their shooting profiles along with forecasting the best shooters of this year's rookies. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
How many players became superstars by blowing through their ceiling? How often are we surprised by guys becoming better than we could have ever expected? In this episode, I discuss ~20 superstars who entered the league since 1997 and how many of them achieved their potential, and how many reached amazing heights in some unexpected manner. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
