What exactly is “feel” in basketball? What do we mean when we talk about “basketball IQ?” Evan Zaucha from Premium Hoops draws on his neuroscience background to dig deeper into feel on the basketball court: we discuss reaction time, pattern recognition, chunking information and more, including how to develop this and how it changes in younger versus older players. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball and get 10 free meals including free shipping at www.hellofresh.com/thinkingbasketball/...
Jan 24, 2021•1 hr 5 min
What are the characteristics of great defensive teams historically? Are they all built around rim protectors and interior defenders? How great can a defense be without a great defender? How do coaches fit into this? I go through the most successful regular season defenses to try and answer some of these question...and confuse Andrew Lang and Grant Long! Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball and get $10 off at Hello Fresh by going to www.hellofresh.com/thinkingbasketball10
Jan 11, 2021•54 min
The Ringer's J. Kyle Mann returns to continue our meta discussions about innovation and creativity in basketball, this time through the lens of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird...as well the historical tracing of comparisons like LaMelo Ball vs. Pete Maravich or Shaq evolving into Giannis. Follow Kyle @jkylemann & support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball.
Jan 01, 2021•1 hr 6 min
The Athletic's Dave DuFour returns for our semi-annual preview episode. It's impossible to top last year's extravaganza, but we take a measured approach at guessing what the heck is going to happen in this unique NBA season. Follow Dave @DaveDuFourNBA, support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball and get $90 off at Hello Fresh by going to www.hellofresh.com/thinkingbasketball90
Dec 22, 2020•1 hr 23 min
What should we look for when we watch games? How does our basketball concepts influence what stats we produce and what we're interested in measuring? This is a natural follow up to the Tyranny of Quantifiable (from Episode 3: “The Problem with Analytics”), where what we measure influences our thoughts, but our thoughts influence what we measure. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Dec 10, 2020•41 min
I discuss Golden State's future outlook with Klay Thompson's injury and Steph Curry's return, along with the new Bucks roster after trading for Jrue Holiday. Additional trades in this episode: Chris Paul to Phoenix, Dennis Schroder to the Lakers, Danny Green and Seth Curry to Philadelphia and Robert Covington to Portland. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball and get $90 off at Hello Fresh by going to www.hellofresh.com/thinkingbasketball90
Nov 21, 2020•42 min
Who are the best passers in the NBA? In this episode I dive in to discuss the game's best passers and the difficulty in balanced a variety of strengths and weaknesses that make this tricky to unpack. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball. Check out the $1/month offer (limited time) of the Athletic at http://www.theathletic.com/thinkingbasketball
Oct 28, 2020•50 min
I try to take down the idea of the “first option” and replace it with a new framework for thinking about player hierarchies. Also thoughts on the Lakers wrapping up the 2020 title and Daryl Morey's impact after stepping down in Houston. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball. Check out the $1/month offer (limited time) of the Athletic at http://www.theathletic.com/thinkingbasketball
Oct 19, 2020•40 min
Former Bucks Director of Analytics and Athletic writer Seth Partnow joins to discuss his upcoming book, The Finals MVP, defensive versatility in the playoffs and more (including Rudy Gobert and Anthony Davis on defense and building around centers). Follow Seth on twitter @SethPartnow. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball. Check out the $1/month offer (through Oct. 9) of the Athletic at http://www.theathletic.com/thinkingbasketball
Oct 09, 2020•59 min
Has the big man really gone away on offense? Or have they just moved beyond the post up? In this episode, I lay out ways to build strong offenses around five different archetypes of modern big men, including huge playoff stars like Anthony Davis and Nikola Jokic. And what does this mean for drafting big man prospects going forward? Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball. Check out the $1/month offer (through Oct. 9) of the Athletic at http://www.theathletic.com/thinkingbasketball
Oct 03, 2020•46 min
There are lots of takeaways from the bubble, but is the biggest lesson how much we struggle with evaluating players/teams in small sample seasons? With a unique experiment on our hands, how much has jumping to the playoffs in a “new” season influenced our perceptions? And how much can we confidently conclude about players and teams in these small samples? Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball. Check out the $1/month offer (through Oct. 9) of the Athletic at http://www.theathletic.com/thi...
Sep 25, 2020•43 min
I talk Nuggets and how they match up with the Lakers, get into the Heat-Celtics clash, but before that look at the All-NBA teams and whether this year's version of Russell Westbrook is history's least scalable player. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball. Check out the free trial & discount of the Athletic at http://www.theathletic.com/thinkingbasketballpod
Sep 18, 2020•52 min
In a meandering free association exercise, I explore some of the new playoff narratives developing in the social media age – how big are “capital-M” Moments? What should we make of the Bucks and Giannis or Pascal Siakam and the Raptors? And what exactly is the “backwards” approach to basketball? Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball. Check out the free trial & discount of the Athletic at http://www.theathletic.com/thinkingbasketballpod
Sep 12, 2020•43 min
Coach Gibson Pyper from Half Court Hoops joins to deep dive into the matchups of the 2020 NBA playoffs. We discuss Giannis guarding Jimmy Butler, the Bucks approach to Miami, the success of the Celtics, Harden vs. Paul and the crazy Nuggets-Jazz series along with some Anthony Davis and Lakers-Clippers thoughts. Follow Gibson @halfcourthoops and support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball. Check out the free trial & discount of the Athletic at http://www.theathletic.com/thinkingbasketballpo...
Sep 01, 2020•1 hr 5 min
The Athletic's Dave DuFour stops by to preview the bubble playoffs. We discuss what to make of the Lakers, challengers to the Bucks, whether Dave is still out on the Clippers and the new look Denver Nuggets. Follow Dave @DaveDuFourNBA and support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball. Check out the free trial at the Athletic at http://www.theathletic.com/thinkingbasketballpod
Aug 14, 2020•1 hr 12 min
Former Nets assistant coach Steve Jones returns to the show for the NBA return in the Orlando bubble. We discuss how the environment helps and hurts certain players and teams, and what possible surprises are in store. Follow Steve @stevejones20 and support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball. Check out the free trial at the Athletic at http://www.theathletic.com/thinkingbasketballpod
Jul 30, 2020•51 min
SBNation alum Mike Prada stops by to discuss the most influential NBA team of the last 75 years. How have the Curry Warriors, Jordan Bulls, Bad Boys Pistons and more influenced the game over the years? Mike and I bounce through a number of candidates, exploring the key concepts that have held (and evolved) over the decades...And while we agree on the most influential team ever, we also end up disagreeing over them. Follow Mike @MikePradaNBA and support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Jul 07, 2020•1 hr 10 min
Former NBA video coordinator Mo Dakhil joins to discuss the first ever Thinking Basketball Defensive Awards. We look at the best defenders in a number of key categories and discuss defensive superlatives in a more granular, qualitative approach than the typical All-Defensive team ballot. He also forces me to design trophies for each award. Follow Mo at @MoDakhil_NBA and support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Jun 09, 2020•1 hr 9 min
In the 5th episode of the Great Debates series, ESPN's Andre Snellings helps me size up three of the greatest defenders in NBA history, all with distinctly different offensive games. How successful were these players on both ends? Was Robinson better off playing more like Russell? And how would each of them look today? Follow Andre at @ProfessorDrz and support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
May 19, 2020•1 hr 25 min
The Ringer's J. Kyle Mann returns to discuss creativity and basketball innovation in the midst of his “Ball the Right Moves” video series. We discuss crossovers, Kenny Sailors and the jump shot, Michael Jordan's bendy package and why Kyle's wrists are so sore. We also discuss the mystique of pre-NBA Arvydas Sabonis. Follow him at @jkylemann and support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
May 08, 2020•1 hr 2 min
Who had the best season off the bench in NBA history? Do all the great 6th-man seasons belong to instant-offense scorers? Why are good defenders rarely acknowledged in Sixth Man of the Year voting? Can I ask anymore questions? In this episode, I rank the top 10 sixth man season of all-time. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Apr 29, 2020•1 hr 9 min
I reboot the inaugural episode with new data and a deeper look at the all-time best scorers in NBA history. What makes someone a great scorer? What misconceptions are common about volume vs. efficiency, on-ball vs. off-ball scoring and finishing vs. dependency. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Apr 20, 2020•53 min
In this episode of the Great Debates series, I compare all-time shooters and off-ball ballerinas Klay Thompson, Reggie Miller and Ray Allen. How were these players different? What changed when their roles and teammates changed? What are the important numbers and trends to know about each player, and, of course, who was better at his best? Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Apr 08, 2020•1 hr 11 min
I reboot the inaugural episode with new data and a deeper look at the all-time best scorers in NBA history. What makes someone a great scorer? What misconceptions are common about volume vs. efficiency, on-ball vs. off-ball scoring and finishing vs. dependency. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Mar 24, 2020•1 hr 28 min
The Athletic's Dave DuFour on things and the NBA MVP. We compare 2020 LeBron James to another historical MVP winner. Dr. Maia Majumder also stops by (52:00) to provide insight into modeling COVID-19 and why we should exercise caution when it comes to public numbers or models...and avoid social gatherings. Follow them at @DaveDuFourNBA and @MaiaMajumder. Support at patreon.com/thinkingbasketball and access the post show pie cast with Dave.
Mar 16, 2020•1 hr 12 min
I take a first look at the new Box Plus-Minus on Basketball-Reference that goes back to 1974, including an all-time top-10 list based on playoff BPM. What kind of player does the model love? What are the improvements from the old 1.0 on the site? And can the emerging Jayson Tatum unseat Giannis Antetokoumnpo in his quest to do something no one has ever done? Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Mar 01, 2020•53 min
The undiscussed scandal of the dunk contest! A lesson in comparing statistical profiles. Plus, The Athletic's Danny Leroux discusses lessons from others sports and what it was like to find basketball later in life...and how that influences the way he views the game. Follow Danny @DannyLeroux. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball (Patreon post show on big men and the Most Improved Player)
Feb 23, 2020•1 hr 9 min
Eric Leidersdorf, director of biomechanics of P3 Sports Science, helps expand on our idea of “athleticism” and discusses his experience measuring and testing over 600 NBA players. What happened when Zion Williamson was measured in high school? How are Luka Doncic, James Harden and Nikola Jokic athletic in non-traditional ways? Follow P3 on twitter at @P3sportscience. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball and get a FREE week trial at the Athletic at http://www.theathletic.com/thinkingbask...
Feb 14, 2020•1 hr 6 min
Jackson Frank of the Athletic stops by to discuss the beginning of Zion Williamson's career, the white shot scoring of Damian Lillard and the nuances of first-time All-Star Jayson Tatum. Follow Jackson @jackfrank_jjf. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball and get a FREE month trial at the Athletic at http://www.theathletic.com/thinkingbasketballpod
Feb 09, 2020•59 min
Who are the best players after the All-Stars? It's the 2nd annual sub All-Star team, where I agonizingly select the next group of players who are still valuable, but not quite All-Stars. Apologies to Montrezl Harrell in advance. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Feb 03, 2020•58 min
