Thinking Basketball

We sort out our “inner circle” contenders, fringe contenders and other possible “really good team” candidates after the first 10 games or so of the so, and discuss the new-look Mavericks and Luka Doncic. Is their 8-2 start for real? 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. How good is this Timberwolves defense? Will there be another non-big in the race at the end of the year? Will a former winner repeat? Who will win our made up competition? With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

We discuss the Thunder's positionless basketball and their young core, the versatility of big men like Joel Embiid and the new look 76ers, and an incredible perimeter defender who is emerging in the midwest. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

We discuss the exciting start of Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama, the Bucks early start with Damian Lillard, the Lakers bumpy offense, the Magic defense, and Chris Paul's Golden State Warriors. Plus, a look ahead at the first ever NBA cup. With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

We preview the upcoming NBA season, mapping out the contenders in each Conference, possible surprise teams, arguments over health and availability, the best leg pressers and more. With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

We attempt to discuss who the best rim “finishers” (scorers?) of the last 40-something years. How should we balance finishing near the rim as a big man versus driving into the paint? What about roll men versus post up players? How many small players should be considered great rim finishers? With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

What are the blindspots in analyzing basketball players? What do stats fail to capture, and what concepts are rarely (or never!) discussed that make an impact on the court? We look to some of the Offensive Legends for insights on areas that are overshadowed by Episode 3's “the Tyranny of the Quantifiable.” With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

We breakdown the blockbuster trade for Milwaukee, but first we help Cody through the loss of one his all-time favorite Bucks, Jrue Holiday. Also, the first ever “Guess That Number.” With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

In the finale, we list possible GOAT peaks, talk about intricacies in turnovers, decision-making, and on-ball primacy while going deep on Larry Bird, David Robinson, Hakeem Olajuwon and more. We also discuss issues with head-to-head matchups or specific playoff series as dispositive measures of ranking players. With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

In part 2, we discuss the strengths of weaknesses of some specific players, the nature of interactions between teammates, using players optimally, and the value (and confusion) of the scoreboard family of stats. With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Who REALLY had the best peak in NBA history? In discussing players with “GOAT” cases, we hit on the uncertainty of player rankings, methods of determining player impact, and the evidence that we're heavily influenced by teammate quality when splitting hairs among the best players. With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

We discuss players on our radar for taking a big leap this season – and some of the teams that might impact – although so much hilarity ensues that we forgot to mention Keegan Murray's possible on-ball expansion. With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

In part 3 of our series, we look at the best guard defenders since 2008. What makes a small player a good defender? How valuable are they? How do they stack up with bigger defenders, and what's changed in the last 15 years? With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

In part 2 of our series, we look at the best wing defenders since 2008. Who was the best at his peak since 2008? How has defensive value changed over that time period? And how do these players compare with the best big men? With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Who were the best defenders of the last 15 seasons, at their peak? How has defensive value changed over that time period? We start this 3-part series on the best big men since 2008. With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Directors of the new documentary “Goliath,” Christopher Dillon and Rob Ford, join to discuss the making of the film, Wilt the player and person, what they learned and more. GOLIATH is streaming now on Paramount plus with Showtime. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

We “superdraft” players from the 2021, 2022 and 2023 NBA draft in a vacuum to guess at their future career value based on what we know so far. Who goes #1? What team has the best potential? And what will this sound like in 5 years? With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

How much “luck” is involved in an NBA game or playoff series? Is it all about outside shooting? How big of a difference does streaky shooting make, and how should we talk about and think about this relative to “skill” or “quality?” We tackle that with some new data, but first, a few impressions of Summer League, and a white debate about whether the new NBA Cup is a good idea. With @codyhoudek. Sup...

We break down some of the big trades and free agent signings of the off-season so far, while attempting to remember who plays where and the names of players past and present. With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

It's time for the annual top-10 players list, this year in podcast form! We make our way through the best players of the 2023 season, and finish by comparing to a list voted on our by our Patreon subscribers. With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Our resident draft expert Chip Jones breaks down the 2023 NBA lottery picks, sleepers, and what teams had the best night in a class highlighted by Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson at the top. Follow @ChipJNBA. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Is Victor Wembanyama the best prospect ever? Is it even fair to expect today's prospects to compete with more “certain” rookies from the past? We discuss the history of great prospects, changes in the draft process, value in later draft selections, and also attempt to list the best prospects to ever come into the league. With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

The Nuggets win the title, the Heatiest heat game, Denver's defense, and Nikola Jokic's 2023 season stacked up historically against the greats. With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

We discuss Nikola Jokic's defense, the Nuggets role players and more in our Game 4 breakdown. With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

We break down Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray's historic night, adjustments in the game, Christian Braun's outburt and what the Heat can do to attack Denver's defense. With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball