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 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support

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. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support

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 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support

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 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support

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 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support

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 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support

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 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support

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 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support

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 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support

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 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support

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 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support

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 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support

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 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support

We continue our “Best of Pace & Space” series by looking at the best rookies of the last decade? What makes a great rookie? How many of the best rookies red-shirted? How should we handle missed time? And just how good were the best freshman of this period? With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support

With the knowledge of summer league, Ahmed Jama of Swish Theory joins to discuss the 2024 NBA draft. Are there hidden stars in this class? Are the top picks ready to play right away? And who, if anyone, stood out after Summer League in Vegas? Follow Ahmed @slipthescreen. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support

We continue our “Best of Pace & Space” series by looking at the best “Three and D” players of the last decade. What's the history of 3&D? Do better teams tend to have more of these players? And who has been the best of this archetype? With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support

We kick off our “Best of Pace & Space” series by looking at the best isolation scorers of the last decade. What does it mean to be a great iso scorer? What types of plays are considered isolation? And how can we interpret “isolation” numbers for different types of passers and scorers? With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support

After Paul George's move to Philadelphia and O.G. Anunoby's contract with the Knicks, we discuss the importance of big, “two-way” forwards in today's NBA, why they give teams so much versatility, and how they fill a massive playoff need for nearly every contender. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support

It's time for the annual top-10 players list. We discuss the players we think are “best” when healthiest, based on adding value to other playoff-level teams, and finally attempt to adjust for their health and injury problems at the end of the year. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support

Who were the best teams this season? How did matchups, injuries an parity influence the results of the 2024 playoffs? First, we wrap up the Celtics-Mavs Finals, then we attempt to rank the best teams based on what we just saw in the playoffs. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support

We discuss Games 1 and 2 of the NBA Finals – can the Dallas Mavericks make any adjustments? Why has been Boston been so successful? Who is the Finals MVP thus far? With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support

We preview the 2024 NBA Finals – will the Celtics come in with a matchup advantage against the Mavs? How does Dallas defend Boston's elite offense? Will the Celtics throw a curveball at Luka Doncic? We discuss this and much more in our Finals Preview. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/message Support this podcast:...

How has Dallas taken a 3-0 lead over the Timberwolves? What happened to the Minnesota defense? We also discuss playoff narratives, rim finishing after the officiating points of emphasis, and a classic Cody history question at the end. Remember to be kind. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/message Support this podcast:...

How did Minnesota dethrone the Denver Nuggets? We break down Game 7, compare this to other classic series, and also discuss an interesting difference between regular season shooting and playoff shooting. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-basketball/support