Thinking Basketball

270 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 17 hours ago - ★★★★★ - 787 ratings

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!) Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support

Sports nba basketball warriors radio ethan steve kerr sports lifestyle entrepreneurship boston bostonceltics
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed

Episodes

#20: How the Raptors klawed away at the Warriors

June 08, 2019 21:38 - 50 minutes - 40.1 MB

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 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/message Support this podcast: https://po...

#19: Steve Jones Jr. on Game 1 of the NBA Finals

May 31, 2019 21:58 - 49 minutes - 34.2 MB

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 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/...

#18: Nerds can't tell you how to play | skill vs. strategy

May 18, 2019 20:04 - 39 minutes - 31.4 MB

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 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support

#17: Dave DuFour on GoT, NBA Playoffs & the greatness of Steph Curry

May 10, 2019 23:21 - 1 hour - 41.6 MB

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 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support

#16: Neil Paine on the Battle for Basketball's Soul

May 04, 2019 17:11 - 57 minutes - 39.8 MB

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 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support

#15: Adjustments the Bucks can make in Game 2 & Round 2 thoughts

April 28, 2019 20:52 - 35 minutes - 28.7 MB

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 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support

#14: Projecting the best shooters of the 3-pt era

April 04, 2019 15:36 - 40 minutes - 32.5 MB

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 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters...

#13: Unexpected superstars breaking their ceiling

March 10, 2019 23:20 - 45 minutes - 36.1 MB

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 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/message Support th...

#12: Mo Dakhil & scouting the East contenders

February 23, 2019 20:52 - 42 minutes - 29.5 MB

Former Spurs & Clippers video coordinator Mo Dakhil (@MoDakhil_NBA) stops by to size up Xs and Os among the Celtics, Bucks, 76ers and Raptors. We discuss how to watch a game, Toronto’s 2 different offenses, tradeoffs with defensive schemes for Milwaukee and playoff-defining movie speeches from Draft Day and Any Given Sunday. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/message Support this podcast: ht...

#11: The 2019 Sub-All Stars, Trade thoughts

February 09, 2019 21:44 - 39 minutes - 31.7 MB

After biting off more than I can chew, I try to list the next best group of players -- the "Sub All-Star Team" -- after the top 25 or so players in the league. I also weigh in on Philadelphia and Toronto and their big deadline moves. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support

#10: Big man defense in 2019 & James Harden's portability

January 11, 2019 00:21 - 33 minutes - 27.2 MB

With new trends toward spacing and faster pace, how valuable are the best defenders in the league in 2019? Also, is James Harden's scoring binge during his hot streak conducive to championship-level basketball? Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support

#9: Bad signs for Ben Simmons and Donovan Mitchell

December 23, 2018 18:53 - 31 minutes - 25.5 MB

The reasons Ben Simmons is already close to his peak and why Donovan's Mitchell's sophomore slump is a bad omen for his future value as a prospect. Plus, the problem with Bill Simmons Trade Value philosophy. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support

#8: Luka, Jaren and the top rookie seasons ever

December 10, 2018 00:20 - 45 minutes - 36.8 MB

Sizing up Luka Doncic and his main ROY competitor Jaren Jackson, where these two exciting rookies rank among the all-time best first-year players in NBA history, and a controversial take on Michael Jordan's rookie year with a surprise pick for best rookie ever. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support

#7: The Bucks historic start & interpreting modern numbers

November 13, 2018 00:28 - 36 minutes - 29.3 MB

The Bucks are off to an incredible start after a month – where does history say they will finish? How have other teams fared who started similarly? And what should we make of the huge numbers being put up by players around the league? Visual history spacing: http://www.backpicks.com/2017/11/02/the-history-of-nba-spacing/ Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/message Support this podcast: http...

#6: Nate Duncan, Part II - LeBron vs. Jordan

October 18, 2018 19:28 - 56 minutes - 38.6 MB

In Part II of our conversation, Nate and I (finally) talk Jordan vs. LeBron, comparing levels of competition, conference disparities, outside shooting, defensive consistency, longevity and the problems with Delorean-free time travel. If you like it, please support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support

#5: Nate Duncan, Part I - 2019 League trends & the GOATness of Steph Curry

October 15, 2018 22:42 - 38 minutes - 26.2 MB

In Part I, Nate Duncan stops by the show to discuss parity, isoball trends and the liabilities of weak offense and defense. We also discuss Steph Curry’s place among the all-time great seasons and his underrated four-year run. If you like it, please support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support

#4: The Lakers Math Problem & the Promise of Passing

October 04, 2018 20:36 - 32 minutes - 26.1 MB

In this episode, I discuss the Lakers overload of on-ball players and how the pieces will fit together with LeBron James and the returning talent. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support

#3: The Problem with Analytics

September 12, 2018 14:21 - 32 minutes - 26.1 MB

I discuss the good and the bad of analytics while pondering the single most important philosophical question of our time: Can the Eye Test and Stats ever co-exist? I also reminisce about a controversial Dwight Howard vs. Rudy Gobert comparison. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support

#2: Best Scorers in NBA History Part II

August 25, 2018 22:56 - 39 minutes - 31.4 MB

In part 2, I discuss the value of lower efficiency scorers like Russell Westbrook and Allen Iverson, sort out who improved and declined the most in the playoffs and stack up the best overall scorers in NBA history. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support

#1: Best Scorers in NBA History Part I

August 16, 2018 05:12 - 40 minutes - 32.8 MB

How valuable were Wilt's 50 points per game? Kobe's 35? A new way to measure scoring seasons based on historical impact data reveals just how much big scoring can move the needle compared to other components of offense. Armed with this information, I then stack up the best regular-season scorers in NBA history. If you like it, please support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/message Support this ...