Thinking Basketball

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/thinkingbasketball Become a CBA expert: 10% off at CBAMastery.com with code think...

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/thinkingbaske...

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

What are the best offenses doing differently this year? What makes teams like Cleveland, Memphis and OKC so hard to guard? Before that, we address the “non winning” of style of play for LaMelo Ball and the idea of empty stats. Bonus questions on the Thompson Twins and Evan Mobley vs. Jaren Jackson. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

We discuss the hottest teams in the last month, the standings without bottom-feeding, whether the Nuggets still have life and the red hot Indiana Pacers led by...Andrew Nembhard? With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball DONATE to LA Fire relief: https://www.directrelief.org

Wemby Hour! Is he the best defender in the league now? Where does he rank as an offensive player? How good is his passing? And where does this year compare to other 2nd year 21-year old seasons on the 3-point era? With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Are the Cavs an inner-circle contender? Where do other hot teams fall in the hierarchy? We discuss some of the potential playoff issues (or strengths) of teams not located in Boston or Oklahoma City. With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

After a rousing Part 1, we return to discuss the rest of the best young players in the NBA. Who do we decide to change the order one? Will one team dominant the remaining picks? Will Ben ever be happy with the 25th pick? With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Who are the best young players in the NBA right now? It's time for our annual under 25 draft, where we pick our way through the top under 25 players in league after a third of a new season. With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

We discuss a fascinating 2025 MVP race – can Nikola Jokic be dethroned despited having perhaps his best season? Is there are a darkhorse lurking? How will the best players on the top teams in the East fare? With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

The Rockets and Magic are 24-4 in their last 28 combined games. How good are these defenses? Do they have weaknesses? How far can they take each team in the playoffs? And is an all-defense team more dangerous today and all-offense team? With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

We discuss a wide open 2025 ROY race. Who has emerged in the last few weeks as the favorite? Will another French player win? Can a defensively oriented player win or will an older rookie sneak into contention? With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

We discuss the best defenders of the early season who are candidates for Defensive Player of the Year. Will a candidate emergy from the “defense by committee” teams? Will a dominant defender win from a mediocre team? Which of the former winners has the best chance? With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

We try to figure out how sustainable some hot (and concerning) starts are. Nikola Jokic's historic pace, Cleveland's incredible offense so far led by Darius Garland, the Thunder (and Clippers) defense, Luka and the Mavs, Wemby's bumpy start and a darkhorse Rookie of the Year candidate.

How good are the Cavs and Warriors? What's going on with the Nuggets and Wolves? Who are the best teams in the NBA after Boston and Oklahoma City, and are there any additions to the inner circle of title contenders? With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

We react to the opening week of the season, including JJ Redick's coaching in Los Angeles, the “new” officiating, a nickname for Paolo Banchero, the Cavs undefeated start and can Tyrese Haliburton catch fire again? Plus, does Cody know what color uniforms teams wear? With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

We preview the 2025 NBA season. Who can win the East or the West? Who starts the season in the inner circle of title contenders? Are there sleeper teams? With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

We bounce around the preseason with thoughts on Reed Sheppard in Houston, Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs, Paolo Banchero's maturity in Orlando, the importance of aging stars and more. With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

We take some our most strongly held beliefs and argue against them. (!) We discuss Nikola Jokic's offensive GOAT case, Jaylen Brown's lackluster plus-minus footprint, the valuing of defensive rebounding and more. With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

We discuss the Karl-Anthony Towns and Julius Randle blockbuster trade between the Knicks and the Timberwolves. What does this mean for these teams going forward? Are the Knicks going to be better on offense and defense? Will the change influence their style of play? With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Who were the best teams of the last decade? In Part 2 or a our two part finale, we discuss the best remaining teams, non Finalists and champs, and attempt to stack up a list of the best teams of the last decade. Where will the Rockets, Warriors, Spurs, Cavs and more end up? With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Who were the best teams of the last decade? In Part 1 or a our two part finale, we discuss the best teams that didn't reach the NBA Finals, and if any were championship quality teams that might make our final list. With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Who is the best coach in modern basketball? We discuss the great coaches of the last decade, including what makes an effective coach, how do we evaluate coaches, how to partition credit when great players are present and more. With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball