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
May 19, 2022 • 41min
#120: Dominant help defense! | Conference Finals Game 1 recap
We break down the opening games of the Conference Finals, fawning over the help defense from the Heat and the Warriors in their home victories. Major takeaways, early tactical wins for teams in the series, and expectations moving forward. With Cody Houdek @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
May 17, 2022 • 56min
#119: Kidd out-coaches Monty & the Playoff MVP
We look ahead to the Conference Finals, but first looking back to the Mavs and Celtics victories, Phoenix's inability to adjust to Dallas's counters, the importance of having multiple creators on the floor in the playoffs against these defensive tactics, and the Playoff MVP of the first 2 rounds. Signup with the code THINKING BASKETBALL at sportsbusinessclassroom.com for $300. With Cody Houdek @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
May 12, 2022 • 1h 4min
#118: Big men are under attack!
Larry Coon of Sports Business Classroom stops by, but first, we discuss Giannis Antetokounmpo's floor-raising, Jrue Holiday's amazing game-saving play, and the continuing trend of slower big men being attacked in space by small ball lineups. How many defenders are safe? Signup with the code THINKING BASKETBALL at sportsbusinessclassroom.com for $300. With Cody Houdek @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
May 8, 2022 • 51min
#117: A rock and a hard place | Offensive vs. defensive weaknesses
We go deep on the chaotic and controversial Game 3 between the Celtics and Bucks, compare the defensive battles of the Eastern Conference with the offensive explosions in the West, and also discuss the power of DeAndre Ayton, and whether it's better to have no weaknesses on offense or defense. With Cody Houdek @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
May 4, 2022 • 52min
#116: Howard Beck on Award voting and the Playoffs
Sports Illustrated's Howard Beck joins to discuss Gary Payton II, the original Gary Payton, Marcus Smart's DPOY, asymmetries in offensive/defensive awards, and the nature of awards voting itself. Follow @HowardBeck and support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
May 1, 2022 • 49min
#115: What can we learn from Round One?
How much stock should we put in one good or bad series from the first round? Should we ignore the regular season or fall back on it? We reflect on some of the dominant defensive performances of the first round and look ahead to round 2. With Cody Houdek @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Apr 28, 2022 • 53min
#114: What changes in the playoffs? | Gibson Pyper (Half Court Hoops)
More changes from the regular season to the playoffs than ever before. Coach Gibson Pyper of Half Court Hoops joins to discuss what makes postseason basketball different from regular season basketball in the 2020s, and what that means for star players like Kevin Durant and Trae Young, 3-point shooting, slower big men (Jokic and Gobert), scheme versatility and more. Follow Gibson @HalfCourtHoops. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Apr 24, 2022 • 52min
#113: Negative narratives & Hater's Bingo
After only 1 week of the playoffs, many stars are under fire and many narratives have momentum. We discuss how no one is safe, and whether all the criticisms of Rudy Gobert, Nikola Jokic, Kevin Durant and more are fair. With Cody Houdek @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Apr 18, 2022 • 51min
#112: The best opening game ever! | Playoff talk
We go deep on the epic Celtics-Nets opener in the East: Tatum's great game, what caused Durant's struggles and more. Plus other thoughts on officiating, physicality, rim pressure and more. With Cody Houdek @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Apr 12, 2022 • 1h 3min
#111: 2022 Playoff Preview
The Athletic's Dave DuFour stops by for our annual preview show, where we size up the contenders in the East and the West, including a stunning first round upset pick by Dave in the Eastern Conference. Follow Dave @DaveDuFourNBA. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
