Thinking Basketball 21st century peaks Ep 11 | Judging playoff value beyond scoring
Sep 26, 2025
Dive into the intricacies of playoff performance versus regular season stats. Explore how matchups, injuries, and luck affect legends like Jokic and Duncan. Discover the unique challenges faced by big men, including Garnett's defensive brilliance and synergy with teammates. The hosts debate ideal pairings for stars and analyze how coaching systems can amplify player value. Ultimately, they compare the peaks of Duncan, Garnett, and Jokic, shedding light on their impact and legacy in the league.
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Playoff Samples Distort Regular-Season Signals
- Playoff samples and matchups change player signals dramatically compared to the regular season.
- Small-sample variance and opponent scheming make postseason performance harder to interpret.
On/Off Splits Can Mislead In Playoffs
- On/off playoff net rating splits can flip familiar regular-season narratives.
- Small minutes without a primary teammate can produce extreme and misleading net-rating swings.
Playoffs Expand Both Ceilings And Floors
- Playoff dynamics can widen regular-season performance ranges in both directions.
- Great teams can crush weak opponents while role players' flaws get exposed under intense scouting.
