Thinking Basketball

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!)

#301: Victor Wembanyama's Year 2 Leap

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

01-08
01:08:39

#300: Power Rankings | The “playoff-ness” of the Cavs, Grizz and Knicks

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

01-01
01:11:19

#299: 25 under 25 draft Part 2

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

12-24
01:25:57

#298: 25 under 25 draft Part 1

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

12-18
01:13:47

#297: MVP predictions

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 atwww.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

12-11
01:03:46

#296: Rockets, Magic & defensive ceilings

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

12-04
01:06:49

#295: 2025 Rookie of the Year predictions

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

11-27
01:20:32

#294: Defensive Player of the Year predictions

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

11-20
01:08:06

#293: Jokic & Cavs perfect starts | What's real so far?

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.

11-13
01:01:44

#292: Team power rankings

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

11-05
01:13:47

#291: Redick's coaching, Banchero Magic, Cavs cooking

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

10-29
52:48

#290: 2025 NBA Season preview

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

10-23
01:40:06

#289: Preseason thoughts | Reed, Paolo, Aging stars

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

10-16
52:30

#288: Are we wrong? Arguing against ourselves

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

10-12
01:33:03

#287: The KAT Knicks are fascinating

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

10-02
50:08

#286: Top teams of the Pace & Space era, Part II

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

09-27
01:43:33

#284: Top teams of the Pace & Space era, Part I

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

09-16
01:08:18

#283: Top coaches of the Pace & Space Era

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

09-05
01:38:02

#282: Top offensive players of the Pace & Space Era

We continue our “Best of Pace & Space” series by looking at the best offensive players of the last decade. We discuss different archetypes, playoff changes, challenges comparing different styles and more. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

08-14
01:33:12

#281: 2024 Olympic Tournament

We discuss the medal round of the FIBA Olympic Tournament, how would we construct the Team USA roster, Germany, Canada and more. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

08-08
58:28

psychotic#1 fan of Michael and Us

I need that Kelly Olynyk section

01-16 Reply

Nick Hazen

Starting a petition to get Cody's "Pizza party" take made into a YouTube short. The masses need to hear this take!!!

07-13 Reply

Fatiha Khan

Hi, as a manager of basketball team I really enjoyed your thinking about basketball.

03-07 Reply

Michael

around 21:20 it skips ahead, seems to be an incomplete upload

07-18 Reply

Zeke Tweedie

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.

02-04 Reply

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