Thinking Basketball
Thinking Basketball
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!)
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!)
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 24, 2023 • 1h 10min
#179: The “new” James Harden | Re-evaluating players
James Harden missed the All-Star game for the first time in a decade, but that actually has us wondering if this year makes his career look better. We discuss Harden's fit with Embiid, stylistic changes, challenging seasons from Rudy Gobert, Trae Young, and the art of re-evaluating players with new – and sometime competing – information. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Feb 20, 2023 • 1h 18min
#178: The best Age 21 and younger seasons in NBA history
Who was the best 18-year old in league history? The best 20-year old? When do players become MVP-level players? In this episode, we discuss Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady and a number of other great young players in their earliest seasons. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Feb 16, 2023 • 58min
#177: The evolution of 3-and-D players
Today's 3-and-D players are doing more than just spot-up and shoot on offense – we discuss the expanded skills that have added an extra dimension to these role players, the history of 3-and-D, and more. Also, first impressions of 2023 top-pick Victor Wembanyama. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Feb 12, 2023 • 1h 15min
#176: Overvaluing 1st round picks & The best cutters, screeners, dunkers and more...
Who are the best players at the “other” skills? We discuss under-represented skills like cutting, screening and more, nominating some of the NBA's best in each category. But first, we revisit the Suns-Nets trade through the lens of first-round pick value, looking at the historical data on trades involving big names in exchange for multiple first round picks. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Feb 9, 2023 • 1h 6min
#175: Post deadline power rankings
Who are the inner circle title contenders after the trade deadline? Are the Suns the new favorite in the West? We break down the primary and fringe title contenders in a wide open league, along with Kevin Durant's trade – how many players this good have been traded in the middle of a season before? With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Feb 6, 2023 • 1h 23min
#174 2023 Sub All-Stars
We select the 5th annual Thinking Basketball “Sub” All-Stars – those players in the next tier below All-Stars (the “Almost Stars”) who don't quite make the cut. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Feb 3, 2023 • 51min
#173: Peak Harden vs. Luka & Brunson-Grimes
Is Luka Doncic's ball-dominance more similar to peak James Harden or LeBron James? Where is he as an all-time offensive player right now? Before that, we discuss his old teammate Jalen Brunson in New York, and his backcourt mate Quentin Grimes. And first, Big Jelly Naz Reid. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Jan 31, 2023 • 1h
#172: Is LeBron having the best 38-year old season ever?
Who had the best “old” seasons in league history? We compare LeBron's incredible 37 and 38-year old seasons with the best in history while looking ahead to future seasons for him and Kevin Durant. Also, the insanity of Jaren Jackson's statgate and conspiracies. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Jan 25, 2023 • 1h
#171: Has the league overtaken the Warriors?
Golden State has hovered around .500 all season while battling a few injuries. Do they have a big run coming? Or has their competitive advantage over the league shrunk this season? We discuss the changing league dynamics, Klay Thompson's role on offense, the Warriors defense this season and where that leaves them among the NBA's best. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Jan 22, 2023 • 54min
#170: Development in the modern game & All-Star minutes
Offenses seem to have a strategic edge of defenses in today's game, so what does this mean for development? Are there differences between International styles of development and the US pipeline? Also, should minutes played be a major determiner when selecting All-Stars? With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
