Thinking Basketball

Draymond Green and Dwight Howard were defensive superstars, but how good were they offensively? We discuss their fairly unique roles, and the progressive context of each player in Golden State and Orlando respectively, the “system player” idea and more. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Jason Kidd was one of the best defensive point guards ever, but what about his lower scoring offense? How valuable is his pace and passing despite his problematic shooting reputation? How valuable are all of the little things he does and guard rebounding? We also discuss Jayson Tatum's lack of superpowers. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

What player peaked the highest in the 21st century? We kickoff our 25 best peaks of the 21st century by discussing all the players who didn't quite make the list (and many who could have). Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball .

We discuss the major moves of the free agency and trade seasons, from Kevin Durant's trade to the Bane Magic to the Bucks wave and trade. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball . For 50% at FACTOR:  www.factormeals.com/GREATDAY50OFF  and use code GREATDAY50OFF

Who were the best players in 2025? First, we discuss all players as if they were healthy and ready for a playoff run, and then we trying to balance a year of chaotic injuries and semi-healthy players. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball  and sign up at SportsBusinessClassroom.com with code THINKINGBASKETBALL for $300 off.

We discuss the Pacers egalitarian “ecosystem” that nearly stunned the NBA world, and the Thunder's unique team construction that led to the 2025 championship. We also discuss OKC's defense and where it ranks historically, along with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball  and get 50% off plus free shipping at www.factorm...

The first two games of the NBA Finals and the Pacers prospects. Also, OKC's best defender, their historical versatility, why fans hate them and the complaints about their “special” officiating, and how Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is introducing a unique paradigm.

Does this Finals represent the future of the sport? Where does this Pacers run rank historically? We discuss this along with our All-playoff teams and a preview of the Thunder-Indiana Finals. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

What players are we higher on and lower on after seeing them in the 2025 NBA playoffs? What concepts or trends have emerged in these playoffs? From offensive rebounding to zones, we discuss what we've learned so far. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball  Sign up at SportsBusinessClassroom.com with code THINKINGBASKETBALL for $300 off.

We preview the Eastern and Western Conference Finals, but first, a look back at OKC-DEN. Do we feel differently about different players after the series? How did the Nikola Jokic vs. OKC defense battle shake out? And Ben rants about responses to the physical officiating in the playoffs. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball . For 50% at FACTOR:  www.factormeals.com/GREATDAY50OFF  and use...

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/thinkin...

Why 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 at www.patreon.com/th...

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...

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 at www.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/thinkingbasketball Sign 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 TH...

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.