Thinking Basketball

We break down Miami's Game 1 win over the Nuggets, starting with Erik Spoelstra big adjustment to go big, another ridiculous shooting game from the Heat, and the idea of turning Nikola Jokic into a scorer. With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

We break down Denver's Game 1 win over the Heat, and how they used size and transition to create mismatches. Is there anything Miami can do to stop Jokic and Murray, and what can the Heat build off for Game 2? With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball  Signup with the code THINKING BASKETBALL at sportsbusinessclassroom.com for $300 off.

We recap the wild Eastern Conference Finals and discuss Nuggets-Heat: Will we see the zone? Will Miami go small? Can the Heat generate enough offense? Is Erik Spoelstra the best coach ever? With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball Signup with the code THINKING BASKETBALL at sportsbusinessclassroom.com for $300.

The Celtics have won 2 in a row – what are they doing differently? How worried should Miami be heading home for Game 6? We discuss the impact of 3-point shooting variance in the playoffs, Jamal Murray's playoff performances, and the best players in league history to never make an All-Star team. With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball Signup with the code THINKING BASKE...

The Heat obliterated the Celtics in Game 3 while the Nuggets took a 3-0 lead over the Lakers. We discuss the incredible Law Firm of Martin, Vincent and Strus, Boston's process issues defending Miami, LeBron James and Nikola Jokic defensively, and Jamal Murray's key scoring explosions for the Nuggets. With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

A center has won the last 3 MVPs, and they've also dictated a ton of strategical elements in the playoffs this year. But they also get played off the court. So, are centers less valuable than they used to be? We discuss the changing role of centers and how teams attack (and protect) them as a core part of their strategy, but first, a check in on Game 1 in the Eastern and Western Conference Fin...

We preview the Conference Finals, but first! A look back at the Celtics-76ers series and the Lakers closing out the Warriors. We also discuss the “certainty” of narratives that will emerge in the next month, despite the parity and current uncertainty around teams, and how that impacts players like Nikola Jokic and Anthony Davis. With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

We discuss the conclusion of the wild Conference Semifinals – including actual Eastern Conference discussion – plus we pick our All-playoff first and second teams. What makes Jimmy Butler so good? Where does Devin Booker's play rank? And what is going on with Jokic's plus-minus numbers? With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Devin Booker has been on fire over the first 9 games of the playoffs – how sustainable is this hot shooting? We take stock in player's around the league who have moved up (or down) in our minds thus far in the postseason, including a discussion on consistent players versus up-and-down players. With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

We discuss Denver's great defense Phoenix through 2 games, the role of Big Wings in the playoffs and adaptive coaching in a playoff series. Plus, Warriors-Lakers Game 1 reactions – can Golden State adapt? – Celtics-76ers thoughts, and handing out flowers to Anthony Davis, Joel Embiid, and a ton more. With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

We wrap up the incredible Kings-Warriors first round series and look how Golden State and Los Angeles might match up. Plus, Jamal Murray is on fire and the incredible Jimmy Butler 5-on-4 injury situation with Tom Thibodeau and the Knicks. With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

After maybe the craziest night in the NBA history, we discuss Jimmy Butler's historic series, Miami's incredible upset of the Bucks, the Knicks taking down the Cavs, and preview the Eastern 2nd round along with the Nuggets and Suns series. With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Can you play 2 big men in today's playoffs? Why is scoring down in the playoffs? Before that, we discuss the classic Warriors-Kings Game 4, the Knicks outlasting the Cavs, and if the Grizzlies are on the brink against the Lakers. With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

We discuss a bunch of early series adjustments and tactics after the first week of the playoffs, the precedent for the Draymond Green suspension, and the incredible Kings defensive approach to start this series. Plus, the Nets fascinating double-team tactics, the Suns-Clippers approach, Jamal Murray and Anthony Edwards duel, and and the “UCLA” Russell Westbrook. With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.p...

What did we learn from an incredible opening playoff weekend? What games changed our minds? We discuss the Warriors-Kings incredible Game 1 and what it means going forward, the Lakers-Grizzlies matchup, the Clippers victory over the Suns and the Knicks-Cavs. With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

The Athletic's Dave DuFour stops by again for our annual mega playoff preview episode, where canvas the entire NBA, talking Warriors-Kings, the wide open West, a possible Suns-Nuggets series looming, what will change this year tactically in the postseason, and whether Milwaukee or Boston is a looming favorite. Plus, will the offensive boom continue? Sign up at SBC for $300 of with promo code “...

We pick our 2023 Defensive Award winners in categories ranging from best paint protector to best point of attack defender. Who shows up on the most ballots? And why was this our most evenly distributed year ever? With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Coach Stan Van Gundy discusses game-planning for a playoff series, what the strategy was against LeBron James in 2009, facing off against Kobe Bryant's Lakers and more. We also discuss the progression of great offense, and slowing down the hyper-skilled offensive players in today's game. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

What is “motor?” How important is it for players like Jarred Vanderbilt and Dennis Rodman? Can it be improved? Before we tackle those questions, we contextualizing a few “misleading” stats making the rounds, from defensive metrics to free throw differentials. With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Who has the best backcourt in the NBA right now? We think about building teams around current “guards,” attacking their weaknesses, offensive and defensive fit, depth, and more. But first, are you allowed to have arms on defense? Twitter thoughts on the rip through and offensive fouls. With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

What makes a good coach? How can we evaluate NBA coaches? We tackle this and look at the historical patterns of Coach of the Year to gain some insight into how voters and fans (predictably) credit coaches. With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

We discuss the latest tactics for “hunting” or “targeting” weaker defenders, and how teams are protecting these defenders, especially in the playoffs. How has this tactical arms race evolved recently? And what weaknesses or ramifications do the latest ideas like “peel” switching or “nexting” have going forward? With @codyhoudek. Support at  www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

More players than ever are averaging 30-points per game. Where do the current scoring seasons rank historically? And how do we compare scoring across different periods with all the changes we've seen to offenses lately? We compare Embiid, Giannis, Jokic, Durant to Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, James Harden, a scoring model and more. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

We discuss how the incredible offensive explosion changes defense in the playoffs, and what to expect from top defensive teams heading into the playoffs. From the Bucks twin towers, to the possible weaknesses of teams like Phoenix and Dallas, to the rangy forwards on the Cavs and Lakers, what teams are built to guard the new actions in the league this year? With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon...

Are the Kings dangerous or pretenders? Are the Lakers a sleeper? We discuss the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of the top-9 Western Conference teams, focusing on the Kings pace, the Lakers defense (and health) and more. Plus, where does Damian Lillard rank among the best offensive players in 2023? With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball