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© Thinking Basketball
Description
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!)
321 Episodes
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Rob Mahoney of the Ringer is here to discuss the incredible Thunder-Nuggets series before Game 7, how good the play has been, Playoff Jamal Murray, rim finishing differences and coaching moves and Jalen Williams. We also hit on the importance of the regular season versus playoffs today and how today's league could break the traditional championship paradigm. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
2Why are defenses defending stars so well? Why are rotations so short for some teams? We discuss the key themes and trends from the playoffs, from physicality to defensive coverages to the importance of versatile “playoff players” like Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges. Also, the best defensive game ever and is there a star who could beat the Thunder defense? Support atwww.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball Sign up at SportsBusinessClassroom.com with code THINKINGBASKETBALL for $300 off.
Xs and Os expert Mike De La Rosa returns to break down the latest games of the week, including the insane Nuggets-Thunder OT thriller in Game 3 and how they are defending the MVPs so well. We also discuss Donovan Mitchell's explosions, the Cavs huge zone move, and the Celtics winning in New York. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Who should be most worried among Cleveland, Boston and Oklahoma City? Is there something to Shail Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams bumpy offensive starts? Do the Celtics take too many 3s? Do the Pacers have the matchup edge? We break down all 3 top seed losses and then preview (mini) Minnesota and Golden State. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball Sign up at SportsBusinessClassroom.com with code THINKINGBASKETBALL for $300 off.
ESPN's Bobby Marks joins to discuss the end of the Western Conference 1st round: The Wolves wrapping the Lakers, the Clippers-Nuggets going to the brink behind more Ty Lue magic, and the Warriors trying to survive the Rockets. Support atwww.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball Sign up at SportsBusinessClassroom.com with code THINKINGBASKETBALL for $300 off.
We discuss the incredible physicality, wild Rockets-Warriors series, the latest in the Nuggets-Clippers classic, the importance of “playoff players” and depth, some Lakers-Wolves and more! Bonus: who has the most “inelastic” move in NBA history? Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball Sign up at SportsBusinessClassroom.com with code THINKINGBASKETBALL for $300 off.
Our Xs and Os expert Mike De La Rosa joins for an emergency episode on the first week of the 2025 NBA playoffs: Lakers-Wolves, Clippers-Nuggets, Knicks-Pistons and do the Bucks have any life against the Pacers? Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketballSign up at SportsBusinessClassroom.com with code THINKINGBASKETBALL for $300 off.
Clippers-Nuggets! Rockets-Warriors! Lakers-Wolves! What an opening weekend of the playoffs! We also discuss Knicks-Pistons, and a brief acknowledgement of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks. Will Cody make it through the show without saying Andrew Nembhard or Jrue Holiday? Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball Sign up at SportsBusinessClassroom.com with code THINKINGBASKETBALL for $300 off.
We focus on three (potentially) huge series in the Western Conference, along with some light discussion about the potentially competitive Eastern Conference series in the 1st round. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball Sign up at SportsBusinessClassroom.com with code THINKINGBASKETBALL for $300 off.
It's time for our 7th annual Defensive Awards – we discuss the best defenders in the NBA across categories like best paint protector, best perimeter helper, best point of attack defender and more. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball Sign up at SportsBusinessClassroom.com with code THINKINGBASKETBALL for $300 off.
We discuss the Giannis Offense, Zion Williamson and more, and then Cody “presents” his top-32 shooters (or is it April's Fools?) as we think about spacing effects of different shooting skills in today's game. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
We discuss the exploding (and crumbling) teams in March, players coming out of nowhere like Quentin Grimes and Josh Giddey, tanking, the up and down Lakers and more. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
What exactly has made Shai Gilgeous-Alexander the MVP favorite this season, and where does he stack up historically with some of his skills? We discuss the great MVP race between Shai and Jokic, the all-time seasons their having, and more. But first, the rise of Quentin Grimes and misinformation on NBA Reddit! With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Who is the best first option in the league? The best second option? We discuss the top offensive players right now from off-ball big men who space the floor to more heliocentric options who might not fit well with other players. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Ben thinks his camera is flipped, there are 2 new teams in a “dangerous” tier to challenge the Inner Circle title contenders, and Cody and Ben have a big disagreement about a lurking lower seed. But first, the aesthetics of today's offenses and the Celtics. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball Sign up at CBAMastery.com with code thinkingbasketball for %10 off.
We discuss the importance of depth in today's NBA, focusing on the Knicks, Lakers and Suns, and then break down the incredible history of trading 3 first round picks, and how that high-risk, high-reward move can build a dynasty or completely crater a team's depth. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketballBecome a CBA expert: 10% off at CBAMastery.com with code thinkingbasketball
Who is the best Jalen in the league right now!? We debate Jaylen Brown, Jalen Williams and Jalen Brunson – what are their strengths and weaknesses? How do they compare offensively and defensively? With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
How will these new teams fit together after the wild trade deadline? Are the Lakers dangerous? Are the Mavs? We discuss the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis blockbuster, along with De'Aaron Fox in San Antonio next to Wemby, Jimmy Butler in Golden State, Zach Lavine in Sacramento, Brandon Ingram in Toronto, and the biggest move of all, Kyle Kuzma to the Bucks. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball Sign up at CBAMastery.com with code thinkingbasketball for %10 off.
It's time for our 7th annual Sub All-Star team – who are the best players in the next tier AFTER the All-Stars. Who straddles the line and makes the actual All-Star team? Who were the toughest omissions? And what position of player is deeper than ever? With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
The Oklahoma City Thunder currently have one of the best point differentials ever. How good is their defense? How good are they overall? And how well is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander playing right now? Before that, we discuss teams suddenly filling up with new (injured) players like the Clippers and Kawhi Leonard. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
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I need that Kelly Olynyk section
Starting a petition to get Cody's "Pizza party" take made into a YouTube short. The masses need to hear this take!!!
Hi, as a manager of basketball team I really enjoyed your thinking about basketball.
around 21:20 it skips ahead, seems to be an incomplete upload
Writing this here 2 years late before I forget it: if a lower seeded team won the season series against their opponent, they get home court. Maybe just for the first round or two.
This is an amazing pod.
Love the podcast. I cannot recommend it enough if you're a fan of NBA basketball. I devour every episode.
keep doing them!
best basketball podcast still!
2 of my favorite basketball content creators 🔥🔥🔥woop woop