The Kings and Clippers scored an incredible 351 points over the weekend, Damian Lillard scored 71, and offenses continue to explode league-wide. We discuss this, and what can be done – what should be done? – to help defenses moving forward as offenses get better and better. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

James Harden missed the All-Star game for the first time in a decade, but that actually has us wondering if this year makes his career look better. We discuss Harden's fit with Embiid, stylistic changes, challenging seasons from Rudy Gobert, Trae Young, and the art of re-evaluating players with new – and sometime competing – information. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Who was the best 18-year old in league history? The best 20-year old? When do players become MVP-level players? In this episode, we discuss Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady and a number of other great young players in their earliest seasons. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Today's 3-and-D players are doing more than just spot-up and shoot on offense – we discuss the expanded skills that have added an extra dimension to these role players, the history of 3-and-D, and more. Also, first impressions of 2023 top-pick Victor Wembanyama. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Who are the best players at the “other” skills? We discuss under-represented skills like cutting, screening and more, nominating some of the NBA's best in each category. But first, we revisit the Suns-Nets trade through the lens of first-round pick value, looking at the historical data on trades involving big names in exchange for multiple first round picks. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Who are the inner circle title contenders after the trade deadline? Are the Suns the new favorite in the West? We break down the primary and fringe title contenders in a wide open league, along with Kevin Durant's trade – how many players this good have been traded in the middle of a season before? With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

We select the 5th annual Thinking Basketball “Sub” All-Stars – those players in the next tier below All-Stars (the “Almost Stars”) who don't quite make the cut. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Is Luka Doncic's ball-dominance more similar to peak James Harden or LeBron James? Where is he as an all-time offensive player right now? Before that, we discuss his old teammate Jalen Brunson in New York, and his backcourt mate Quentin Grimes. And first, Big Jelly Naz Reid. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Who had the best “old” seasons in league history? We compare LeBron's incredible 37 and 38-year old seasons with the best in history while looking ahead to future seasons for him and Kevin Durant. Also, the insanity of Jaren Jackson's statgate and conspiracies. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball

Golden State has hovered around .500 all season while battling a few injuries. Do they have a big run coming? Or has their competitive advantage over the league shrunk this season? We discuss the changing league dynamics, Klay Thompson's role on offense, the Warriors defense this season and where that leaves them among the NBA's best. With @codyhoudek. Support at www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball