What can turnovers tell us about ball-handlers, passers and scorers? Who becomes the most efficient scorers when we account for “scoring” turnovers? In this solo episode, Ben looks at how this impact Nikola Jokic's scoring, Steve Nash and Chris Paul as “aggressive” vs. “conservative” passers, Tyrese Haliburton and Allen Iverson as ball-handlers and more. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball Sign up for Sports Business Classroom with code THINKING BASKETBALL www.sportsbusinessclassroom.c...
Feb 18, 2024•58 min
We select the 6th annual Sub All-Stars or “Almost Stars,” the players who are in the next tier after All-Stars. First, we sort out All-Star level players, then discuss players on the fringe and possible Sub All-Stars. Who makes the cut? With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Feb 12, 2024•1 hr 39 min
The Ringer's J. Kyle Mann returns to discuss Wemby's incredible potential after exploding in the last month. What are realistic areas of improvement for him? What does he look like with more size? We discuss his offensive potential, defensive feel and IQ and whether he could have the highest peak we've ever seen. Follow @jkylemann. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Feb 09, 2024•1 hr 14 min
Cleveland has moved into the 2nd seed in the East after a bumpy start. Why are so many teams catching fire in the mid season? How do we make sense of a league with so many poor teams at the bottom of the standings? And is there another team waiting to make a run up the standings? Mo Dakhil and John Schuhmann join. Follow @johnschuhmann @MoDakhil_NBA. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Feb 06, 2024•54 min
Dave DuFour joins to discuss the surging Knicks since the OG Anunoby trade, what makes him such a good fit in New York, and why the Knicks are so good at offensive rebounding. But first, a big Clippers announcement after the Boston game. Follow @DaveDuFourNBA. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Jan 29, 2024•58 min
There can be a razor's edge for young players putting up big stats on bad teams. We discuss these polarizing players, whether they're miscast as primary options, the inconvenient truth about shooting efficiency, and why we're lower – for this season, at least – on players like Cade Cunningham and Paolo Banchero because of it. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Jan 26, 2024•1 hr 2 min
What makes a great passer? What characteristics set the best apart from the rest? We discuss the different types of passers in the NBA, some archetypes of passers that aren't quite as valuable, and attempt to sort out the best passers in the in 2024 right now. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Jan 22, 2024•1 hr 9 min
Is Will Hardy making a push for Coach of the Year? How are the Jazz suddenly playing so well? Are they going to make the playoffs and bump Golden State or the Lakers out? We discuss Utah's white hot month, coaching adjustments, and the all-time legendary team the Jazz remind us of. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Jan 15, 2024•53 min
We break down the Knicks-Raptors trade involving Immanuel Quickley, R.J. Barrett and O.G. Anunoby, and discuss trading a known commodity versus a potential breakout star in a bench role. Plus, with LeBron James and others excelling in their late 30s, are stars playing longer today than ever before? With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Jan 09, 2024•54 min
The Clippers are hot and the Thunder are fighting for the top seed – are either inner circle contenders for the 2024 NBA championship? Can Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and OKC's creative offense be schemed for? Plus, Cody makes a bold proclamation about Nick Nurse and the 76ers, and there's a violent disagreement (or agreement) about the Bucks. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Jan 04, 2024•1 hr 13 min
Who are the best young players in the league right now? We draft the top players who are in their age 24 (or younger) season according to basketball-reference, if the playoffs were to start today. What happens when Ben forgets to follow his board and forces Cody to do a re-draft? What do we make of players struggling to start the season? Where should the microwave scorers go? With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball...
Dec 28, 2023•1 hr 50 min
Offensive rating around the league is up AGAIN! Multiple teams would be “the best offense in NBA history” by efficiency right now – why? What's changed? What's driving this? Will it stop? We discuss three major factors driving the offensive explosion, whether it “should” be changed, and how defenses can be helped going forward. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Dec 21, 2023•1 hr 1 min
Boston and Minnesota have the best records in the league, but who has a better playoff defense? We discuss the sustainability of the Timberwolves impressive defensive, along with the makeup of the other top defenses team in the league. Plus, Derrick White, Kirstaps Porzingis, and the incredible way the Celtics assembled their starting 5. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Dec 18, 2023•1 hr 4 min
Who is better right now, Joel Embiid or Giannis Antetokounmpo? We discuss the offensive and defensive strengths of these former MVPs, the new context of their seasons (and coaches), Embiid's passing improvement, their defensive versatility and more in this resurrection of the Great Debates series. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Dec 14, 2023•1 hr 3 min
Can you have an all-time peak without a big regular season? How important is a “single series” playoff peak? After Anthony Davis's dominant NBA Cup Final (In-season Tournament) for the Lakers over the Pacers, we discuss bully ball, defensive versatility, twin towers and the importance of size in today's NBA. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Dec 11, 2023•51 min
We make our MVP predictions for the 2024 season, filling out our predicted top-5 ballots by balancing narrative, player performance and team trajectories after the first 20 games of the year. But first, more NBA Cup predictions. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Dec 07, 2023•1 hr 14 min
We break down the quarterfinal matchups in the first ever NBA Cup while handicapping the games – will there be adjustments? Added intensity? A massive home-court edge? But before that, we dive into the recent “Luka is overrated” thread and try to make sense of his massive box score stats and underwhelming scoreboard signal. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Dec 04, 2023•1 hr
We attempt to rank the best pairings of current teammates in the NBA, taking into account the fit of each player and building around them. What great duos are in bad situations? Which ones look better because of their team success? Are there any duos that Cody actually likes? With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Nov 30, 2023•1 hr 23 min
We discuss the importance of pace and the shot clock – both offensively and defensively – but first! We break down the top-rated defense in the NBA, what makes them successful, and whether they can sustain this. Along with “do you believe” in great starts like the Timberwolves and Chet Holmgren's outside shooting. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Nov 28, 2023•1 hr 1 min
In a crazy episode, The Ringer's J. Kyle Mann discusses his new Rookie rankings, the floater 3-pointer, Chet vs. Wemby, Scoot Henderson's bumpy start and more. With @codyhoudek and @jkylemann. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Nov 22, 2023•1 hr 22 min
Who is taking a leap? Which players look like the most improved? We discuss our candidates for the Most Improved Player award, and debate whether the Rockets can make the playoffs based on their strong start. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Nov 17, 2023•1 hr 8 min
We sort out our “inner circle” contenders, fringe contenders and other possible “really good team” candidates after the first 10 games or so of the so, and discuss the new-look Mavericks and Luka Doncic. Is their 8-2 start for real? With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Nov 13, 2023•58 min
We discuss the best defenders of the early season who are candidates for Defensive Player of the Year. How good is this Timberwolves defense? Will there be another non-big in the race at the end of the year? Will a former winner repeat? Who will win our made up competition? With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Nov 09, 2023•59 min
We discuss the Thunder's positionless basketball and their young core, the versatility of big men like Joel Embiid and the new look 76ers, and an incredible perimeter defender who is emerging in the midwest. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Nov 06, 2023•55 min
We discuss the exciting start of Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama, the Bucks early start with Damian Lillard, the Lakers bumpy offense, the Magic defense, and Chris Paul's Golden State Warriors. Plus, a look ahead at the first ever NBA cup. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Oct 31, 2023•56 min
We preview the upcoming NBA season, mapping out the contenders in each Conference, possible surprise teams, arguments over health and availability, the best leg pressers and more. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Oct 24, 2023•1 hr 27 min
We attempt to discuss who the best rim “finishers” (scorers?) of the last 40-something years. How should we balance finishing near the rim as a big man versus driving into the paint? What about roll men versus post up players? How many small players should be considered great rim finishers? With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Oct 14, 2023•1 hr 25 min
What are the blindspots in analyzing basketball players? What do stats fail to capture, and what concepts are rarely (or never!) discussed that make an impact on the court? We look to some of the Offensive Legends for insights on areas that are overshadowed by Episode 3's “the Tyranny of the Quantifiable.” With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Oct 05, 2023•1 hr 2 min
We breakdown the blockbuster trade for Milwaukee, but first we help Cody through the loss of one his all-time favorite Bucks, Jrue Holiday. Also, the first ever “Guess That Number.” With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Sep 28, 2023•47 min
In the finale, we list possible GOAT peaks, talk about intricacies in turnovers, decision-making, and on-ball primacy while going deep on Larry Bird, David Robinson, Hakeem Olajuwon and more. We also discuss issues with head-to-head matchups or specific playoff series as dispositive measures of ranking players. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Sep 20, 2023•1 hr 43 min
