Thinking Basketball - podcast cover

Thinking Basketball

Thinking Basketballwww.patreon.com
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. 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!)
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

#223: Who *could* be the GOAT? (Part 2)

In part 2, we discuss the strengths of weaknesses of some specific players, the nature of interactions between teammates, using players optimally, and the value (and confusion) of the scoreboard family of stats. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Sep 14, 20231 hr 15 min

#222: Who *could* be the GOAT? (Part I)

Who REALLY had the best peak in NBA history? In discussing players with “GOAT” cases, we hit on the uncertainty of player rankings, methods of determining player impact, and the evidence that we're heavily influenced by teammate quality when splitting hairs among the best players. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Aug 31, 20231 hr 25 min

#221: Potential breakout players in 2024

We discuss players on our radar for taking a big leap this season – and some of the teams that might impact – although so much hilarity ensues that we forgot to mention Keegan Murray's possible on-ball expansion. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Aug 25, 20231 hr 6 min

#220: The best defenders of the last 15 years | Guards

In part 3 of our series, we look at the best guard defenders since 2008. What makes a small player a good defender? How valuable are they? How do they stack up with bigger defenders, and what's changed in the last 15 years? With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Aug 18, 20231 hr 29 min

#219: The best defenders of the last 15 years | Wings

In part 2 of our series, we look at the best wing defenders since 2008. Who was the best at his peak since 2008? How has defensive value changed over that time period? And how do these players compare with the best big men? With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Aug 10, 20231 hr 18 min

#218: The best defenders of the last 15 years | Big Men

Who were the best defenders of the last 15 seasons, at their peak? How has defensive value changed over that time period? We start this 3-part series on the best big men since 2008. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Aug 03, 20231 hr 29 min

#217: Making the Wilt Chamberlain documentary

Directors of the new documentary “Goliath,” Christopher Dillon and Rob Ford, join to discuss the making of the film, Wilt the player and person, what they learned and more. GOLIATH is streaming now on Paramount plus with Showtime. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Jul 27, 20231 hr 8 min

#216: Who will have the best career from the last 3 drafts?

We “superdraft” players from the 2021, 2022 and 2023 NBA draft in a vacuum to guess at their future career value based on what we know so far. Who goes #1? What team has the best potential? And what will this sound like in 5 years? With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Jul 20, 20231 hr 26 min

#215: How much “luck” is there in basketball?

How much “luck” is involved in an NBA game or playoff series? Is it all about outside shooting? How big of a difference does streaky shooting make, and how should we talk about and think about this relative to “skill” or “quality?” We tackle that with some new data, but first, a few impressions of Summer League, and a white debate about whether the new NBA Cup is a good idea. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball...

Jul 12, 20231 hr 13 min

#214: The off-season moves

We break down some of the big trades and free agent signings of the off-season so far, while attempting to remember who plays where and the names of players past and present. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Jul 06, 202353 min

#213: Top 10 players of 2023

It's time for the annual top-10 players list, this year in podcast form! We make our way through the best players of the 2023 season, and finish by comparing to a list voted on our by our Patreon subscribers. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Jun 28, 20231 hr 51 min

#212: 2023 NBA draft with Chip Jones

Our resident draft expert Chip Jones breaks down the 2023 NBA lottery picks, sleepers, and what teams had the best night in a class highlighted by Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson at the top. Follow @ChipJNBA. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Jun 23, 20231 hr 20 min

#211: Victor Wembanyama & the best prospects ever

Is Victor Wembanyama the best prospect ever? Is it even fair to expect today's prospects to compete with more “certain” rookies from the past? We discuss the history of great prospects, changes in the draft process, value in later draft selections, and also attempt to list the best prospects to ever come into the league. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Jun 21, 20231 hr 12 min

#210: NBA Finals Game 5

The Nuggets win the title, the Heatiest heat game, Denver's defense, and Nikola Jokic's 2023 season stacked up historically against the greats. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Jun 14, 202346 min

#209: NBA Finals Game 4 | Jokic's defense

We discuss Nikola Jokic's defense, the Nuggets role players and more in our Game 4 breakdown. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Jun 11, 202338 min

#208: NBA Finals Game 3

We break down Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray's historic night, adjustments in the game, Christian Braun's outburt and what the Heat can do to attack Denver's defense. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Jun 09, 202340 min

#207: NBA Finals game 2

We break down Miami's Game 1 win over the Nuggets, starting with Erik Spoelstra big adjustment to go big, another ridiculous shooting game from the Heat, and the idea of turning Nikola Jokic into a scorer. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Jun 06, 202345 min

#206: NBA Finals game 1

We break down Denver's Game 1 win over the Heat, and how they used size and transition to create mismatches. Is there anything Miami can do to stop Jokic and Murray, and what can the Heat build off for Game 2? With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball Signup with the code THINKING BASKETBALL at sportsbusinessclassroom.com for $300 off.

Jun 02, 202348 min

#205: NBA Finals preview

We recap the wild Eastern Conference Finals and discuss Nuggets-Heat: Will we see the zone? Will Miami go small? Can the Heat generate enough offense? Is Erik Spoelstra the best coach ever? With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball Signup with the code THINKING BASKETBALL at sportsbusinessclassroom.com for $300.

May 30, 20231 hr 11 min

#204: Boston's comeback & Best non All-Stars ever

The Celtics have won 2 in a row – what are they doing differently? How worried should Miami be heading home for Game 6? We discuss the impact of 3-point shooting variance in the playoffs, Jamal Murray's playoff performances, and the best players in league history to never make an All-Star team. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball Signup with the code THINKING BASKETBALL at sportsbusinessclassroom.com for $300 off....

May 26, 202356 min

#203: Surprise! Miami Thrice and Playoff Murray on the brink

The Heat obliterated the Celtics in Game 3 while the Nuggets took a 3-0 lead over the Lakers. We discuss the incredible Law Firm of Martin, Vincent and Strus, Boston's process issues defending Miami, LeBron James and Nikola Jokic defensively, and Jamal Murray's key scoring explosions for the Nuggets. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

May 22, 20231 hr 1 min

#202: How valuable are big men in the playoffs?

A center has won the last 3 MVPs, and they've also dictated a ton of strategical elements in the playoffs this year. But they also get played off the court. So, are centers less valuable than they used to be? We discuss the changing role of centers and how teams attack (and protect) them as a core part of their strategy, but first, a check in on Game 1 in the Eastern and Western Conference Finals. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball...

May 18, 20231 hr 7 min

#201: Bubble redux preview & 20/20 hindsight!

We preview the Conference Finals, but first! A look back at the Celtics-76ers series and the Lakers closing out the Warriors. We also discuss the “certainty” of narratives that will emerge in the next month, despite the parity and current uncertainty around teams, and how that impacts players like Nikola Jokic and Anthony Davis. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

May 15, 20231 hr 13 min

#200: All-Playoff teams!

We discuss the conclusion of the wild Conference Semifinals – including actual Eastern Conference discussion – plus we pick our All-playoff first and second teams. What makes Jimmy Butler so good? Where does Devin Booker's play rank? And what is going on with Jokic's plus-minus numbers? With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

May 11, 20231 hr 10 min

#199: Whose stock is up in the playoffs?

Devin Booker has been on fire over the first 9 games of the playoffs – how sustainable is this hot shooting? We take stock in player's around the league who have moved up (or down) in our minds thus far in the postseason, including a discussion on consistent players versus up-and-down players. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

May 08, 20231 hr 5 min

#198: Denver's defense & adaptive coaching in the playoffs

We discuss Denver's great defense Phoenix through 2 games, the role of Big Wings in the playoffs and adaptive coaching in a playoff series. Plus, Warriors-Lakers Game 1 reactions – can Golden State adapt? – Celtics-76ers thoughts, and handing out flowers to Anthony Davis, Joel Embiid, and a ton more. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

May 04, 20231 hr 5 min

#197: Warriors-Lakers preview & Bubble Murray is back

We wrap up the incredible Kings-Warriors first round series and look how Golden State and Los Angeles might match up. Plus, Jamal Murray is on fire and the incredible Jimmy Butler 5-on-4 injury situation with Tom Thibodeau and the Knicks. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

May 01, 202356 min

#196: Nuggets-Suns preview & Heat-Knicks mania!

After maybe the craziest night in the NBA history, we discuss Jimmy Butler's historic series, Miami's incredible upset of the Bucks, the Knicks taking down the Cavs, and preview the Eastern 2nd round along with the Nuggets and Suns series. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Apr 27, 202358 min

#195: Warriors “twin towers” & Cavs+Grizz on the brink

Can you play 2 big men in today's playoffs? Why is scoring down in the playoffs? Before that, we discuss the classic Warriors-Kings Game 4, the Knicks outlasting the Cavs, and if the Grizzlies are on the brink against the Lakers. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Apr 25, 202357 min

#194: Early adjustments, the Kings D & Murray-Ant duel!

We discuss a bunch of early series adjustments and tactics after the first week of the playoffs, the precedent for the Draymond Green suspension, and the incredible Kings defensive approach to start this series. Plus, the Nets fascinating double-team tactics, the Suns-Clippers approach, Jamal Murray and Anthony Edwards duel, and and the “UCLA” Russell Westbrook. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Apr 20, 202359 min
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android