Thinking Basketball 21st century peaks Ep 10 | The Kings of downhill basket pressure
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Sep 21, 2025 This discussion dives into the contrasting styles of two basketball legends: Giannis and Dwyane Wade. It highlights Giannis's powerful downhill approach and how it shapes his playoff performance, while also examining his unique defensive role. on the other hand, Wade's finesse and creativity in maneuvering through traffic and his ability to elevate his teammates shine through. The hosts also delve into the intricacies of their playing styles, touching on key metrics and playoff success, making for a captivating analysis of basketball greatness.
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Giannis Forces Spacing Without Raising Accuracy
- Giannis massively increases his teammates' three-point frequency while keeping their accuracy roughly the same.
- That unique spatial effect comes from his downhill rim gravity and five-out spacing around him.
Giannis Is A Metronome Offensive Engine
- Giannis' scoring volume and efficiency barely change regardless of which primary creators play alongside him.
- He operates as a metronome, keeping usage, touches, and free-throw rates remarkably constant.
Walling The Paint Exposes Giannis' Limits
- Giannis' dominance in the regular season weakens in the playoffs because teams can wall up the paint and remove his primary rim scoring.
- Without strong counter skills that materially lift teammate shot quality, his playoff offense declines.