Thinking Basketball

Ben Taylor built a reputation with his YouTube channel and bestselling book, and his podcast with co-host Cody Houdek extends that same rigorous, film-driven approach to basketball analysis. This is the show for people who get genuinely excited about pick-and-roll coverage schemes and help-side rotations. Each episode digs into Xs and Os, statistical models, coaching philosophy, and historical player comparisons in a way that assumes the audience is paying attention -- and rewards them for it. The GOAT debates here actually feel substantive because Taylor backs his arguments with decades of game footage and carefully constructed analytical frameworks rather than just yelling louder. At 359 episodes and counting with a semiweekly release schedule, the library isn't massive, but the quality-per-episode ratio is outstanding. The 4.8-star rating across nearly 900 reviews reflects a dedicated fanbase that appreciates depth over volume. Guest episodes featuring journalists and former players add variety without diluting the show's identity. If you've ever paused a basketball broadcast to rewind a defensive rotation, or if you find yourself frustrated by surface-level NBA takes, Thinking Basketball speaks your language. It's not trying to be the fastest reaction pod or the funniest hang -- it's trying to make you smarter about the game, and it genuinely succeeds at that.