Thinking Basketball

#366: Top Scoring games, Kawhi's renaissance, Awards Anarchy & Villains

18 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Huge takes on Bam's 83 point game, the possible anarchy of the looming 65-game rule, Kawhi Leonard's incredible rebirth this season, the Clipp...

#365: 1-game peaks, Wemby's MVP stat, Thanos & Tatum concerns

10 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A stat that captures Victor Wembanyama's unrivaled defensive impact! We discuss his latest ascension and where he ranks among the best 1-game peak...

#364: What IS a role player? + Knicks, Nuggets updates

04 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the concept of a role player: Offense vs defense concepts, the negative vs positive uses of the term, great complementary players and wheth...

#363: 1-way vs. 2-way Heliocentrism + Spurs-Pistons fallout

26 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the extremes of Luka Doncic and massive production vs. value, weird fit and building around negative defenders vs. 2-way players. Plus, the...

#362: The East race post deadline; 1-on-1 Tourney?

18 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The trade deadline changed a few rosters in the East – we discuss James Harden's move to Cleveland, and where that leaves them next to the Celti...

#361: 2026 Sub All-Stars!

11 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Who are the NEXT best players after the All-Stars? It's time for our annual sub all-star team – those players that move the needle but aren'...

#360: The value of great plays, the Hornets are good? & Best offensive players Part 3

04 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss how valuable great plays are versus good subtle plays that happen repeatedly, then the surging Charlotte Hornets and Moussa Diabete. We als...

#359: Who pairs WITH ball-dominant stars & Pistons energy!

29 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We start with the Pistons, and possible spacing issues with multiple non-shooters for them and Houston. Then, we continue our top offensive players co...

#358: What is LaMelo? & Top On-Ball players

23 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the complicated, adventurous, talented LaMelo Ball and his play this season. Then we discuss the best on-ball offensive players this year (...

#357: Ethical rankings, Dangerous matchups & Best players in the East

14 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss some dangerous teams and dangerous matchups for the top title contenders, along with “ethical” players right now and the best players i...

#356: Paolo's complexity & Injuries vs. the 65-game limit

07 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the polarizing Paolo Banchero – why some fans think he's a star, why we aren't sold, what makes his situation unique and more. Be...

#355: Best guard trios, Spurs-Thunder & SG archetypes

31 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the best guard trios of all-time and the implications of the Spurs sweep over the Thunder in the last month. But first, Jaylen Brown and An...

#354: Reed's Rockets vs. Denver & Officiating Saga

25 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We dive into the 3-game series between the Rockets and Nuggets, Reed Sheppard's X-Factor role, and the Jokic-Sengun matchup. First, a brief reacti...

#353: Top 25 under 25 Draft

18 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Our annual best players (for a playoff tournament right now!) who will be under the age of 25 on February 1, 2026! Will a rookie be picked? Paolo Banc...

#352: Boston's offense, Youth Movement & the COY race!

10 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How are the Celtics so good on offense right now? We examine Boston's blazing month, Neemias Queta and Jordan Walsh's role, Joe Mazzula and a ...

#351: NBA trends (and college comps) with Jordan Sperber

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Hoopvision's Jordan Sperber joins to discuss trends in the NBA this season, and in basketball in general in the last few years, from bigger lineup...

#350: Slop Ball rules & Are the surprise teams for real?

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We start with the increase in scoring (again), increase in fouls, and complete undercutting of defenses based on the way the game is being called righ...

#349: Thunder dominance, Jokic's efficiency + Power Rankings!

19 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

OKC is a machine and Jokic can't miss! We discuss our first title contenders of the year, the Rockets offense, the strange Eastern Conference cont...

#348: Floor-raising coaches & new offensive trends

12 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the Rockets unique, league-leading offense this year, Doc Rivers floor-raising coaching around Giannis and the Bucks, and the trend toward ...

#347: AR's ascension, Cade's passing & Point Jrue

05 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the Lakers resilience and Austin Reave’s place among the 2021 draft class, Cade Cunningham’s passing and Jrue Holiday’s point guard r...

#346: Seriously, how good is Wemby? Plus Week 1 thoughts

28 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the incredible start from Victor Wembanyama, and where he fits into the NBA hierarchy right now. Plus the teams and players that jumped out...

#345: 2026 Season preview

22 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We preview the 2025-26 NBA season. We discuss Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs, the enormous Denver Nugget off season, teams that could win the west, t...

21st century peaks Ep 14 | Rankings & Lessons from the series

12 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What were the big themes and takeaways we had from this series? What specifically players changed in our minds and why? We reflect on the series, rank...

21st century peaks Ep 13 | The mind-blowing value of gravity

07 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For our final two players, we quantify the unique and devastating forms of “gravity” in basketball. In particular, off-ball gravity that is essent...

21st century peaks Ep 12 | The 3 LeBrody problem

01 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We look at, perhaps, the 3 best peaks of the 21st century, all from slightly different time periods, environments and circumstances. How does an “i...

21st century peaks Ep 11 | Judging playoff value beyond scoring

26 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How do we make sense of small samples and outlier signals in the playoffs? How much should specifically good or bad matchups influence playoff “perf...

21st century peaks Ep 10 | The Kings of downhill basket pressure

21 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss two of the most dominant downhill penetrators in league history, and the critical ways in which they're different. First, the strengths...

21st century peaks Ep 9 | Mega Hybrid scorers

17 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant were both voluminous score on and off-ball. We discuss Durant's playoff scoring, the impact of his gravity, his floor...

21st century peaks Ep 8 | Floor generals, “engines” & 2-way Midrangers

11 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We tackle Chris Paul's “floor general” approach to offense and the pros and cons of how he pressured defenses (and his turnover suppression). ...

21st century peaks Ep 7 | The perfect “quarterback?” & the 7-foot unicorn

06 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Steve Nash was an early “heliocentric” star. Dirk Nowitzki was a big man who played on the perimeter and off the ball. We discuss team building ar...

21st century peaks Ep 6 | Global impact and modern midrange isolation

01 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Joel Embiid are all-time level scorers with a ton of midrange shots. We discuss their unique (and concerning?) geometric f...

21st century peaks Ep 5 | The Tracy McGrady enigma & Playoff Luka

25 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Would Shaq's Lakers have won 3 titles with T-Mac instead of Kobe Bryant? We tackle this question and more discussing Tracy McGrady's magical b...

21st century peaks Ep 4 | Flexibility & gaining/losing value in the playoffs

19 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Harden and Ginobili had nearly opposite roles and box score stats. We discuss Manu's underrated defense, his role filling in the gaps in San Anton...

21st century peaks Ep 3 | A+ defenders with unique (but flawed) offense

11 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Draymond Green and Dwight Howard were defensive superstars, but how good were they offensively? We discuss their fairly unique roles, and the progress...

21st century peaks Ep 2 | Can a weak scoring guard be a superstar?

05 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jason Kidd was one of the best defensive point guards ever, but what about his lower scoring offense? How valuable is his pace and passing despite his...

21st century peaks Ep 1 | Honorable Mentions

28 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What player peaked the highest in the 21st century? We kickoff our 25 best peaks of the 21st century by discussing all the players who didn't quite ...

#330: 2025 free agency reactions

13 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the major moves of the free agency and trade seasons, from Kevin Durant's trade to the Bane Magic to the Bucks wave and trade. Support...

#329: Top-10 players of 2025

01 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Who were the best players in 2025? First, we discuss all players as if they were healthy and ready for a playoff run, and then we trying to balance a ...

#328: The legendary Pacers & the Thunder championship

23 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the Pacers egalitarian “ecosystem” that nearly stunned the NBA world, and the Thunder's unique team construction that led to the 20...

#327: Indy's chances, OKC hatred & SGA's paradigm

10 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The first two games of the NBA Finals and the Pacers prospects. Also, OKC's best defender, their historical versatility, why fans hate them and th...

#326: Final Preview + All-Playoff teams

04 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Does this Finals represent the future of the sport? Where does this Pacers run rank historically? We discuss this along with our All-playoff teams and...

#325 What we've learned in the 2025 Playoffs

27 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What players are we higher on and lower on after seeing them in the 2025 NBA playoffs? What concepts or trends have emerged in these playoffs? From of...

#324: Jokic-Caruso war & Conference Finals previews

21 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We preview the Eastern and Western Conference Finals, but first, a look back at OKC-DEN. Do we feel differently about different players after the seri...

#323: Rob Mahoney on DEN-OKC! Playoffs vs Regular Season

16 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Rob Mahoney of the Ringer is here to discuss the incredible Thunder-Nuggets series before Game 7, how good the play has been, Playoff Jamal Murray, ri...

#322: Themes of the 2025 NBA Playoffs

13 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Why are defenses defending stars so well? Why are rotations so short for some teams? We discuss the key themes and trends from the playoffs, from phys...

#321: The MVPs can't score! Zones are everywhere! The Cavs & Celtics have life!

11 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Xs and Os expert Mike De La Rosa returns to break down the latest games of the week, including the insane Nuggets-Thunder OT thriller in Game 3 and ho...

#320: The 2nd round is crazier than the first!

06 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Who should be most worried among Cleveland, Boston and Oklahoma City? Is there something to Shail Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams bumpy offensiv...

#319: 3 West finishes + mini East previews

02 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

ESPN's Bobby Marks joins to discuss the end of the Western Conference 1st round: The Wolves wrapping the Lakers, the Clippers-Nuggets going to the br...

#318: The best 1st round ever?

29 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the incredible physicality, wild Rockets-Warriors series, the latest in the Nuggets-Clippers classic, the importance of “playoff players”...

#317: Week 1 emergency reactions!

26 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Our Xs and Os expert Mike De La Rosa joins for an emergency episode on the first week of the 2025 NBA playoffs: Lakers-Wolves, Clippers-Nuggets, Knick...

#316: Playoff opening weekend!

22 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Clippers-Nuggets! Rockets-Warriors! Lakers-Wolves! What an opening weekend of the playoffs! We also discuss Knicks-Pistons, and a brief acknowledgemen...

#315: 2025 Playoff Preview

16 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We focus on three (potentially) huge series in the Western Conference, along with some light discussion about the potentially competitive Eastern Conf...

#314: The 2025 Thinkies (Defensive Awards)

09 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's time for our 7th annual Defensive Awards – we discuss the best defenders in the NBA across categories like best paint protector, best peri...

#313: The Giannis Offense + “Top-10” shooters

01 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the Giannis Offense, Zion Williamson and more, and then Cody “presents” his top-32 shooters (or is it April's Fools?) as we think a...

#312: What's real in March??

25 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the exploding (and crumbling) teams in March, players coming out of nowhere like Quentin Grimes and Josh Giddey, tanking, the up and down L...

#311: How good is Shai historically?

19 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What exactly has made Shai Gilgeous-Alexander the MVP favorite this season, and where does he stack up historically with some of his skills? We discus...

#310: The best offensive players in the NBA

12 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Who is the best first option in the league? The best second option? We discuss the top offensive players right now from off-ball big men who space the...

#309: Power ranking the top challengers

05 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ben thinks his camera is flipped, there are 2 new teams in a “dangerous” tier to challenge the Inner Circle title contenders, and Cody and Ben hav...

#308: Depth & the crazy history of trading 3 1st round picks

26 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

#307: Great Debates | Jalens vs. Jaylen

19 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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? ...

#306: Trade deadline fit

12 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

#305: 2025 Sub All-Stars

05 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 make...

#304: How good is OKC? How good is Shai!?

29 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

#303: LaMelo's empty stats & Cutting-edge offenses

22 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

#302: January Battle Royale & 2 surging teams

15 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 Pace...

#301: Victor Wembanyama's Year 2 Leap

08 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 co...

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

01 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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)...

#299: 25 under 25 draft Part 2

24 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 do...

#298: 25 under 25 draft Part 1

18 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 i...

#297: MVP predictions

11 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss a fascinating 2025 MVP race – can Nikola Jokic be dethroned despited having perhaps his best season? Is there are a darkhorse lurking? Ho...

#296: Rockets, Magic & defensive ceilings

04 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

#295: 2025 Rookie of the Year predictions

27 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 oriente...

#294: Defensive Player of the Year predictions

20 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

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

13 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

#292: Team power rankings

05 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

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

29 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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, t...

#290: 2025 NBA Season preview

23 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 tea...

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

16 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We bounce around the preseason with thoughts on Reed Sheppard in Houston, Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs, Paolo Banchero's maturity in Orlando, the i...

#288: Are we wrong? Arguing against ourselves

12 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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-...

#287: The KAT Knicks are fascinating

02 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the Karl-Anthony Towns and Julius Randle blockbuster trade between the Knicks and the Timberwolves. What does this mean for these teams goi...

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

27 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 att...

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

16 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

#283: Top coaches of the Pace & Space Era

05 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 evalua...

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

14 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We continue our “Best of Pace & Space” series by looking at the best offensive players of the last decade. We discuss different archetypes, pl...

#281: 2024 Olympic Tournament

08 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the medal round of the FIBA Olympic Tournament, how would we construct the Team USA roster, Germany, Canada and more. With @codyhoudek. Su...

#280: The best rookies of the Pace & Space Era

30 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 be...

#279: 2024 NBA Draft (post Summer League)

24 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

#278: The best 3&Ds of the Pace & Space Era

19 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

#277: The best iso scorers of the Pace & Space Era

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

#276: 2-way forwards are more valuable than ever

02 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

#275: Top-10 players of 2024

26 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 playo...

#274: Top-10 teams of 2024

20 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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-Ma...

#273: Celtics on the brink

10 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 Final...

#272: 2024 NBA Finals Preview

04 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 offen...

#271: Why are the Mavs cooking the Wolves?

28 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

#270: Wolves win (!) a crazy series & playoff shooting

20 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How did Minnesota dethrone the Denver Nuggets? We break down Game 7, compare this to other classic series, and also discuss an interesting difference ...

#269: Denver is alive! + The Robert Horry Award

14 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Nuggets are apparently not dead despite the rumors – who is in the driver's seat in that series with 3 games remaining between Denver and th...

#268: No more Luka-ball!? Bizarro Cavs strike

10 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What did the Mavericks do that was so radically different with Luka Doncic from Game 1? Eric Pincus from Bleacher Report and Sports Business Classroom...

#267: Wolves-Nuggets insanity + Mavs-Thunder preview

07 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why are the Wolves destroying the Nuggets? How good is their defense? Will it keeps up? We break down that series, along with previewing the other Wes...

#266: Best players of Round 1

03 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Who were the best players of the First round of the playoffs? Ben selects his 1st and 2nd team All-NBA teams based on the opening round of the 2024 ...