Episodit
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Ep. 30 Learning Basketball with Mirin Fader
Mirin Fader is a New York Times Best-Selling author of "Giannis: The Improbable Rise of an NBA Champion" and just published her new book "Dream: The Life and Legacy of Hakeem Olajuwon”
Mirin is a sports writer with The Ringer, formerly of Bleacher Report and the Orange County Register.
Today, we learn about Mirin's writing process with the challenges in a good lead that hooks the reader before diving into her NYT Best-Selling book "Giannis", focusing on the motivations that led Giannis to development, legendary work ethic, and greatness.
Timestamps
0:00 Introduction & Background
2:20 Book Author Lifestyle & Challenge of Writing Opening Hook Leads
4:48 Feeling and Process of adding the storybook ending of Giannis winning the championship as an Epilogue to a book already on its way to New York Times Best-Seller
6:57 The 2015 Inaugural NBA Africa game where Hakeem & Mutumbo play with rising international players like Giannis & How Hakeem paved the way for the world as Basketball’s first international superstar
9:27 Giannis’ inspirations of Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony to facing them as peers
14:00 What Family means to Giannis as a motivational factor in his life and work ethic
17:45 Development in Greece and Important People who helped the Antetokoumnpo family along the way, from Coach Spiros Velliniatis finding and convincing Giannis and brothers to try basketball with the Filathlitikos team, teammate Rahman Rana being like a brother, to Tzikas the owner of the Kivotos Cafe making a small yet giant gesture of providing an apple or fruit smoothie to the brothers every time they walked to practice
20:18 Other motivational factors for the Rise of Giannis - how nourishment could have made him a higher draft pick to scout, the fear of loss coming from nothing, playing emotionless, what defined his drive and work ethic
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Ep. 29 with Dante Marchitelli
Dante Marchitelli is an Orlando Magic Host and Sideline Reporter for Bally sports and is a Host of Magic Insiders on 969 The Game and The Pod Squad with the Orlando Magic
Today we dive down Orlando Magic history: Dante's journey into Basketball Media, lessons learned working with David Steele and Jeff Turner calling Magic games, Magic player personalities off the court like Hedo Turkoglu, honor Pat Williams' legacy, the process of current front office led by Jeff Weltman, the authentic energy of head coach Jamahl Mosley, the value of Goga Bitadze, the team's heart and soul in Jalen Suggs, and the leaps made this year of Orlando's big wing stars Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero
Timestamps
0:00 Introduction & Background
7:00 Difference in goals between sideline reporting, play-by-play, and studio show and lessons learned from working with David Steele & Jeff Turner , the popularity of Is This Anything? the best recurring bit in basketball host media
15:20 Origin of The Thanksgiving Postgame Turkey Leg, kudos to Paul Kennedy
18:20 Which Magic Players’ Personalities shined off the court? 21:39 Hedo Turkoglu, Glue Guy of the 2009 Finals Magic team, and Stan Van Gundy’s Magic pioneering modern spacing around Dwight Howard & Shoutout to Magic Players like Dwight Howard, Paolo Banchero, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope giving back to the community
27:27 Honoring Pat Williams Legacy as the Orlando Magic’s Pied Piper
33:27 The Process of Orlando Magic front office Jeff Weltman, John Hammond, Anthony Parker targeting team-first people who bring two-way impact in their roster building
39:24 Head Coach Jamahl Mosley’s authenticity, impact, energy, communication style, and the impact he brings to the team’s culture: The Magic Standard
46:45 Goga Bitadze’s defense, screening, value and growth with this team
54:48 Jalen Suggs point guard development and impact: “The Heart and Soul. The lifeblood of this team.”
1:00:00 Franz Wagner & Paolo Banchero’s leaps to All-Star impact and All-NBA moments and Orlando Magic season expectations the rest of the way once everyone’s available
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Puuttuva jakso?
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Ep. 28 with Matt Powers
Matt covers the NBA/WNBA draft, is an Editor/Co-Founder of Swish Theory, and formerly was a contributor at The Stepien
Today we learn about The Modern Wave of Skilled Bigs entering the NBA, Scouting Zach Edey and Matt’s #1 prospects in the 2024 NBA Draft, Scouting Cooper Flagg as our #1 prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft, debate Asa Newell vs Derik Queen as a top lottery pick, discuss Thomas Sorber impressions after Matt saw him live, and finish with a 2025 Big Man Only NBA Draft where we pick our favorite big prospects this cycle
Timestamps
0:00 Introduction, Background, Scouting Process 5:36 The Modern Wave of Skilled Bigs
13:27 Zach Edey #1 on Matt Powers’ 2024 Big Board, what’s Edey’s ceiling and floor as an NBA Player?
31:55 Cooper Flagg Scouting Report and #1 on our 2025 Big Board 52:14 Asa Newell vs Derik Queen
1:11:05 Thomas Sorber Scouting Impressions - Matt seeing live at MSG against St Johns + Ryan seeing his tape vs UConn
1:16:07 The 2025 Big Man Only NBA Draft
Derik Queen
Asa Newell
Collin Murray-Boyles
Khaman Maluach
Thomas Sorber
Johni Broome
Noah Penda
Danny Wolf
Eric Dixon
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Ep. 27 with Lucas Kaplan
Lucas is an NBA Writer with Nets Daily and Swish Theory, formerly at SIS_Hoops
He covers the Brooklyn Nets, the NY Liberty, and the NBA Draft
He Cohosts The Backcourt Podcast with Sarah Kustok
Today we learn about the difference-making strengths of the WNBA Champion NY Liberty, Scoot Henderson's coming out party 39pt Career-High game and development, ask and answer the question "What are the Brooklyn Nets doing?", and ponder the Best Landing Spots for the Duke and Rutgers NBA Draft prospects projected to be selected in the 1st Round.
Timestamps
0:00 Introduction & Background
5:35 Celebrating the WNBA Champion NY Liberty
24:36 Sabrina Ionescu Combo Guard skills as a Scoring Creator
37:30 Scoot Henderson’s Coming Out Party
50:45 What are the Brooklyn Nets doing?
1:05:51 NBA Draft Preview from Brooklyn Nets Perspective & Favorite Landing Spots for Kasparas + Duke & Rutgers Prospects Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, Cooper Flagg, Khaman Maluach, Kon Knueppel
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Ep. 26 with Zach Welch
Zach Welch is a Basketball Scout & Analyst with Pro Insight
We draft our Top-10 “Scoring Creators” at the NBPA Top-100 Camp, targeting the most consistent offensive engine prospects.
We also provide our Scouting thoughts on Illinois’ Kasparas Jakucionis as a potential Top-5 2025 NBA Draft Pick, along with detailing Zach’s Scouting Process for Evaluating Potential Future Pros
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction & Basketball Background
5:07 Zach’s Scouting Process Watching Film, In Person, Evaluating Future Pros
11:30 Scouting Kasparas Jakučionis
19:35 Defining a “Scoring Creator” Offensive Engine, a primary initiator with decision making feel who runs the offense and has the ability to score but is looking for the best decision for the team every play (h/t Evan Zaucha on processing feel)
23:04 The 2024 NBPA Top-100 Scoring Creator Draft - Targeting Offensive Engines from the Camp + shoutout to Chris Cenac Jr. and Davis Fogle off the top
24:30 #1 Pick - Brayden Burries
27:30 #2 Pick - Meleek Thomas
33:32 #3 Pick - Kingston Flemings
36:35 #4 Pick - Acaden Lewis
41:07 #5 Pick - Jaylen Petty
46:35 #6 Pick - Deron Rippey Jr.
52:42 #7 Pick - Dante Allen
58:13 #8 Pick - Shon Abaev
1:03:29 #9 Pick - Davion Hannah
1:06:48 #10 Pick - Kaden Magwood
1:12:38 Shoutout to the next best available offensive engines a the NBPA Top-100 Camp:
Kiyan Anthony
Darius Adams
Derek Dixon
Nyk Lewis
Jordan Smith Jr.
Cameron Ward
Caleb Holt
Eric Chatfield
Jalen Reece
Courtland Muldrew
Jerry Easter
Tyler Jackson
Shoutout to the Camp’s top Scoring Creator Prospects: Brayden Burries Meleek Thomas Kingston Flemings Acaden Lewis Jaylen Petty Deron Rippey Jr. Dante Allen Shon Abaev Davion Hannah Kaden Magwood Chris Cenac Davis Fogle Kiyan Anthony Darius Adams Derek Dixon Nyk Lewis Jordan Smith Jr. Cameron Ward Caleb Holt Eric Chatfield Jalen Reece Courtland Muldrew Jerry Easter Tyler Jackson
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Ep. 25 Learning Basketball with Brian McCormick (from Poland!)Victor Wembanyama The Generational Prospect, Fake Fundamentals, Developing Playmakers at Every Position, Basketball Book Author Writing Process
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction & Background & Coaching Philosophy
20:20 Communication Skills when Players might not understand
26:30 Fake Fundamentals - disproving basketball concepts & phrases that may not be always true
39:15 Playmakers 3v3 League - Every player at every position should develop Playmaking skills
1:04:10 The Evolution of 180 Shooter Concept - Creating better shots for players' development as shooters can improve production as much as changing technique, Shooting in groups so every player gets reps no matter the position
1:17:24 Generational Prospects: Was Victor Wembanyama The Greatest Basketball Prospect Ever?
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Ep. 24 with Eric Weiss @EricWeiss_SA
Director of Learning @ Luceo Sports
Former Draft & Development Consultant @ Sports Aptitude and Head of NBA Scouting @ Draft Express
Co-Creator of CrowdScout with William Huang, a new helpful tool for finding, sharing, and breaking down NBA Film clips
Timeline:
0:00 Introduction & Background
1:00 Creating the Crowdscout App for NBA Film Editing and Sharing
5:00 Tracking Player Development after the Draft, the full pipeline from high school through their pro career, not just up to the draft, in the Finding a Role Series with Swish Theory
12:55 Lessons learned working at Draft Express with Jonathan Givony & Mike Schmitz
15:20 NBA Draft Scouting Process - what does Eric look for in player traits that will translate to the NBA level
29:00 Being able to evaluate different contexts for a player + Scouting Liam McNeeley’s different contexts between Montverde and UConn
32:30 Prioritizing good basketball players who impact the game in many ways over hoping for potential stars + Scouting Cooper Flagg being a scalable winning two-way player
42:25 The Luka - Trae Trade and Scouting the 2018 NBA Draft with Jaren Jackson Jr.
52:00 Creating systems that score a lot of points because the system creates matchup advantages that are advantageous for a narrow skill set
53:00 “Positionless sports” - How other sports like football have also become positionless in the aspect of more players needing to be able to do more things and handle more roles than before: mobility, versatility, awareness, processing
1:02:45 Creating entire lineups of quick-processing 5-out two-way versatility, creating as many possible matchup advantages as possible like the Boston Celtics
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Learning Basketball – @AlexHoops – OKC Thunder, Franz Wagner, Amen Thompson, Scottie Barnes
Alex of @AlexHoops on YouTube/Twitter is a cohost of The Media Pass podcast with Mat Issa
Timeline:
0:00 Introduction & Background
1:06 Creative Process Watching Film & Editing YouTube Videos 9:41 Michael Jordan vs. Jackie Moon
11:06 Media Pass Podcast with Mat Isa
15:40 Film Breakdown: Touch Miami, Double Drag, Horns, Ghost Screen – How OKC Thunder are making NBA Teams look clueless, Isaiah Hartenstein’s strong screening unlocking DHOs for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
34:58 Scottie Barnes Video Breakdown - Scottie Barnes is about to shock the NBA
48:50 Franz Wagner Video Breakdown - How Franz Wagner is making the Magic elite
1:05:32 Amen Thompson Video Breakdown - Are we sure Amen Thompson needs a jump shot
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Ep. 22 Learning Basketball with Ricky O’Donnell
Ricky O’Donnell is a writer, editor, associate director of programming at SB Nation
Ricky covers the NBA Draft, Grassroots Scouting, the NBA and the Chicago Bulls
Timestamps:
0:00 Background
2:15 NBA Christmas
10:15 Ricky’s Journey into Basketball Media & Creative Writing Process
14:05 Evaluating The NBA Draft Prospect Pipeline from Grassroots through College & NBA
24:05 Film Watching Process & Predicting Future Pros
31:27 Chicago Bulls Season Update + Trade Rumors
50:55 Jeremiah Fears 2025 NBA Draft Scouting (+ thoughts on Asa Newell, Derik Queen, Cooper Flagg)
1:05:05 Kasparas Jakucionis NBA Draft Scouting
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Ep. 21 Learning Basketball with Stone Hansen
Stone Hansen covers the NBA draft and is a Co-host of the @upsideswings Podcast with Cooper Klein and Bryce Hendrick
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction & Background
3:35 Shoutout Upside Swings podcast and The Cerebro Sports Team + Grassroots Database
6:45 Interviewing players for first hand perspective on basketball development
8:45 Scouting Noah Penda
14:34 Scouting Rutgers: Dylan Harper & Ace Bailey
27:55 Scouting Cooper Flagg
34:20 Scouting Khaman Maluach
39:35 Scouting Duke: Sion James, Tyrese Proctor
41:33 Scouting Collin Murray-Boyles
43:40 2024-25 Los Angeles Lakers Season, Impressions of Head Coach JJ Redick so far, Rui Hachimura’s two-way impact, Anthony Davis all-league offensive start, LeBron fully embracing the point-forward role, where will the Lakers go from here? Any trades to make to save the season? (Recorded before DLo for DFS trade)
59:00 Impressive Young NBA Players around the league like Jaylen Wells, Jake LaRavia, and Cason Wallace
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Memphis Grizzlies "Wheel" Concept, Jaren Jackson Jr.'s Development, Ja Morant's Return, Impact Rookies, Noah LaRoche, Thomas Lisalo, "Iverson Follow" & "Horns Out Chase" Film Breakdowns with Adam Pike
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction & Background
2:00 What’s new with the Grizzlies this season? Hand Tracking the Grizzlies offensive possessions by Freelance, Organized, and Freelance P&R
4:10 How do the Grizzlies Rank Top-5 in Offense yet Run the least amount of P&Rs and DHOs in the NBA?
6:30 The Wheel Concept - the entire lineup relocates in unison as the driver bends the defense/ball penetrates the paint 13:40 Jaren Jackson Jr. jumping from DPOY to #1 scoring option with Ja out
14:48 Offensive Style Frequency and Playtype Efficiency Breakdown
16:00 The Return of Ja Morant
17:48 Jaren’s New Role and Development
24:27 Film Breakdown: Iverson Follow Empty + Iverson Follow Step Up brought to Memphis by Thomas Lisalo, Assistant Coach
35:23 Noah LaRoche’s (Grizzlies Player Development Coach) impact on draft philosophy: Versatile 5-out positionless players who can attack closeouts and switch on defense
38:38 Film Breakdown: Horns Out (Stack Out) Chase
46:45 Will Rookies Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells contribute to the Grizzlies’ Playoff Rotation?
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Ep. 19 Learning Basketball with Spencer DaviesHost of Courtside with Cavs on SI PodcastNBA Writer with RG Media, Babcock Hoops, and Hoop IndustryCovers the Cleveland Cavalilers and NBA at large
Timestamps
0:00 Introduction & Background
2:10 Writing Process
11:10 How to build a full time career in freelance basketball media
15:55 What to look for when watching film
24:20 How to think of good interview questions
29:30 Diving into this Cleveland Cavaliers season: What’s different this year?
37:38 Evan Mobley’s Star Ascension & grab-and-go playmaking skills, Donovan Mitchell leading the way, role players Ty Jerome, Caris Levert, Isaac Okoro stepping up as efficient outside shooters
41:17 Darius Garland’s scoring efficiency and Jarrett Allen the steady hand with experience playing for Kenny Atkinson
48:00 Can the Cavs’ hot start help them secure 3 All-Stars? 49:55 How will Max Strus fit into this machine after finally recovering from injury? Kenny Atkinson wants multiple ball handlers running the offense
54:45 Looking back at the Magic - Cavs 2024 NBA Playoffs Round 1 Series
1:04:50 Cavs season goals and thoughts about some other playoff teams - Boston, Milwaukee, Denver, Thunder, Magic
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Joel Rush is an NBA writer with Forbes who covers the Denver Nuggets from Japan!
Hear about his background, process watching film, ideas for writing stories, and dive into this Denver Nuggets season
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction & Background
2:28 Writing Process
5:00 Michael Porter Jr.’s Playmaking Development
6:50 What’s going on with Jamal Murray?
12:50 How much will Denver miss KCP?
13:45 Is Nikola Jokić having the best single player start to an NBA season, ever?
17:40 Michael Porter Jr. becoming Denver’s 2nd scoring option
18:30 Russell Westbrook 2-man game connection with Jokic + Jokic assist combos
27:17 Denver Nuggets league standings, four factors and team rankings
30:00 Is Aaron Gordon the Nuggets’ best option at backup center? Valuing AG’s defensive versatility going back to Denver’s championship run , Role players stepping up with KCP no longer in Denver
43:30 Appreciating Nikola Jokic’s insane tough shot making and the 2023 Nuggets title
44:55 Aaron Gordon’s development and changing roles from on-ball perimeter potential star in Orlando to off-ball secondary play-finisher in Denver
58:25 Joel makes Ryan pick which family member to choose with a gun to his head: Franz or Paolo
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Evin Gualberto is a Basketball Coach at DeMatha who loves film study, as his YouTube channel will show you: http://youtube.com/evingualberto
Evin is a Freelance basketball writer, a pro video scout.
Evin is a Cohost of multiple podcasts: The Step Through WNBA Podcast with Sabreena Merchant; Bouncing Around with Samson Folk; Ready to Diagram with @bowser2bowser, who he helps define terms for at the Basketball Action Dictionary.
NBA Legend Traits + Film Breakdowns (Veer, Grenade, Skip)
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction & Background
10:05 What inspires videos on players or moves?
16:00 Victor Oladipo’s Magic Defense
19:50 Don’t Switch against Steph Curry
27:10 Carmelo Anthony’s Post Up Footwork
38:08 Tracy McGrady’s Triple Threat Footwork
46:20 Manu Ginobili P&R Maestro
55:27 Franz Wagner’s Gliding Footwork
1:09:20 Herb Jones Defensive Dynamo
1:15:10 What makes a play/action interesting enough to break down on film?
1:19:20 Breaking down the Action: 77 Spain Veer (77 is also known as Double Drag)
1:28:28 Breaking down the Action: 77 Post Split Stagger (+ Gaggle/Bilbao)
1:39:50 Breaking down the Action: Ram Ghost Skip (Skip Passes/Skip Concepts from JJ Redick, inspired by Dan Hurley)
1:49:50 Breaking down the Action: Delay Zoom Skip (Skip passes with Kenny Atkinson)
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Ep. 16 of Learning Basketball with Prolific Prep Basketball Coach Mo Haroon!
Coaching AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Tyran Stokes, Niko Bundalo, Seven Spurlock, Winters Grady, Aiden Sherrell, Obinna Ekezie, Mikey Lewis, Zoom Diallo, Rajan Roberts, Derrion Reed at Prolific Prep with Mo Haroon
Projected Top-3 2026 NBA Draft Pick Darryn Peterson and Prolific Prep are fresh off beating fellow projected Top-3 picks AJ Dybantsa’s Utah Prep and Cameron Boozer’s Columbus
Dybantsa attended Prolific Prep last season, at the same time as projected #1 2027 Overall Pick Tyran Stokes
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
2:55 Background
9:40 Coaching and getting to know Obinna Ekezie Jr.
15:00 Getting to know AJ Dybantsa, Tyran Stokes, Mikey Lewis, Derrion Reed, Zoom Diallo, Aiden Sherrell up close as human beings and Prolific Prep’s pro pipeline (Jalen Green, Gary Trent, Josh Jackson)
18:20 Scouting Prolific Prep - Montverde matchups in 2024, the first time ESPN aired a matchup between 3 projected #1 Picks: ft. AJ Dybantsa, Tyran Stokes, Cooper Flagg, Aiden Sherrell, Mikey Lewis, Winters Grady, Zoom Diallo (Swish Theory Written Scouting Report
LINK: https://theswishtheory.com/analysis/amateur-basketball/2024/04/scouting-the-2024-hoophall-classic-title-game-montverde-academy-invitational-tournament/
21:50 Scouting, Coaching, & getting to know Winters Grady at NBPA Top-100 Camp and marquee matchups last two seasons
LINK: https://theswishtheory.com/analysis/amateur-basketball/2024/07/2024-nbpa-top-100-scouting-report-notes-film-quotes-and-data-visualizations-on-70-standout-players/
25:58 Scouting Darryn Peterson’s Claim for the Throne as 2026 #1 Overall Pick Upsetting Cam Boozer’s #1 Ranked High School team Columbus
LINK: https://theswishtheory.com/analysis/amateur-basketball/2024/11/darryn-peterson-makes-his-claim-for-the-throne/
31:15 Scouting & Coaching Seven Spurlock
34:29 Scouting & Coaching Niko Bundalo
38:05 Scouting & Coaching Rajan Roberts
41:09 Getting to know AJ Dybantsa off the court + Scouting AJ & Darryn Peterson in marquee matchup between Prolific Prep vs. Utah Prep
47:55 AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and the incredibly talented 2026 NBA Draft loaded with start potential throughout the lottery
49:14 Scouting Darryn Peterson, the “Up-and-Thunder” driving jams
54:49 Who will wind up the #1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft between Darryn, Dybantsa, and Boozer?
57:00 Early impressions of Mazi Mosley, Magic Johnson’s nephew, after his transfer from Montverde to Prolific
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Jordan Allen is the Founder at Rising Stars Scouting and Creator of the Rising Stars Substack covering under the radar prospects and g-league players
Basketball Insider and Advisor at Basketball Intelligence
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction & Background, Rising Stars Scouting & Substack
3:28 Jordan's Scouting Process
6:55 Meleek Thomas Commits to Arkansas + NBPA Top-100 Scouting Report
14:11 Kiyan Anthony Commits to Syracuse + NBPA Top-100 Scouting Report
19:10 Chris Cenac Jr. NBPA Top-100 Scouting Report + Recruitment Talks
26:25 Kingston Flemings Commits to Houston + NBPA Top-100 Scouting Report, imagining Flemings + Cenac playing together at Houston
30:16 Deron Rippey Jr. NBPA Top-100 Scouting Report
33:05 Acaden Lewis Commits to Kentucky + NBPA Top-100 Scouting Report
37:50 Dwayne Aristode Commits to Arizona + Shon Abaev Recruitment Talks + NBPA Top-100 Scouting Report
39:55 NBPA Top-100 Scouting Report Standouts + Commitments:
King Grace makes two-way winning plays + commits to Mississippi State,
Malachi Moreno commits to Kentucky,
Nykolas Lewis Commits to Xavier,
Zymicah Wilkins Commits to NC State,
Winters Grady commits to Michigan,
Jaylen Petty impressive two-way feel + commits to New Mexico,
Davis Fogle shows great motor + commits to Gonzaga,
Kaden Magwood walking bucket commits to Auburn,
Tyler Jackson natural point guard impresses (considering Maryland, Syracuse, Auburn),
Marcus Jackson’s popping athleticism but decommits from Maryland, could he end up at Charleston?
Dante Allen two-way impact transferring to Montverde
46:50 Darryn Peterson’s claim for the throne leading to Utah Prep’s upset over Boozer Twins’ #1 Columbus team
51:20 Full NBPA Top-100 Camp Scouting Report on theswishtheory.com , Shoutout to other standouts Tounde Yessoufou, Jamarion Batemon, Jacob Wilkins, Mike Williams, Brayden Burries, Jerry Easter, Tajh Ariza, + Trent MacLean Commits to West Virginia
54:00 Jason Crowe NBPA Top-100 Camp Scouting Report + Recruitment Update (Crowe to USC?)
57:05 Scouting AJ Dybantsa vs Nate Ament Matchup + Recruiting Update (Ament to Duke? Dybantsa to BYU?)
1:09:05 Scouting Alijah Arenas + Recruitment Talks: Is Arenas The Best Player in High School Basketball? (Arenas to Arizona?) (Reclassifies to 2026 NBA Draft)
1:15:10 Scouts need to sign Landyn Colyer (SFA Academy) under the radar Tall Guard 3pt sniper with two-way feel
1:22:15 Jordan's Under The Radar Prospects who need more attention: Gene Roebuck, Isaiah Rogers, Kamden McGilveary, Hunter Caplan & Bradyn Alward
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Ep. 14 of Learning Basketball with Krishna Narsu!Krishna Narsu is the inventor of the LEBRON impact metric with BBall Index, the default stat used in the popular NBA Trade Machine on Fanspo for projecting wins after fake trades. He contributes to Nylon Calculus and has formerly worked as an Analytics Consultant with the Dallas Mavericks.
Find his work at @KNarsu3 and @The_BBall_Index on Twitter
Timeline: 0:00 Introduction & Background 1:00 What goes into Developing an Impact Metric like Krishna's LEBRON stat? 16:00 How do Film and Analytics go hand in hand when evaluating basketball? 22:10 Karl-Anthony Towns Percentiles & Grades with clean fit with New York Knicks 24:30 Franz vs. Paolo - The Magic Fan Dilemma - Why do so many impact stats rate Franz Wagner higher than Paolo Banchero?43:21 How long will the Warriors continue to play such a deep 12-man rotation? -
0.5 Decision-Making Advantage Creation with Flagler Basketball Coach Brandon Benson on his experience from Prep to D1, studying NBA Head Coach Concepts, and Coaching Moustapha Thiam and Savo Drezgic
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction & Background, how Brandon got into coaching
13:50 Getting to work with different coaches with different experiences
21:50 Valuing hustle stats, winning plays, and fundamental skills that apply to every level - controlling what you control, accountability
32:35 “0.5 Decision Making” Mentality, dribble pass and shoot ideals, Princeton sets, off-ball movement, setting up advantage basketball more than scripted sets
47:25 Learning from NBA Coaching Concepts:
25 teams probably run similar sets like 5-out, Wide pindowns/screen aways, Spain P&R, staggers, traditional Horns
Coaches covered:
Quin Snyder Hawks - Blender system, Kenny Atkinson Cavs - Advantage Basketball, 2 on the ball, force long closeouts Joe Mazulla Celtics & Charles Lee (Hornets/Celtics) - true selfless 5-out, Delay/Wide/swing to trailer, Stagger/Pindown flow, moving 5 to the wing/taking rim-protector off the ball
JJ Redick Lakers - showing off modern sets, Decoys/False actions movement, advantage, might have taken Dan Hurley play on first play as head coach, move bigs to weak side corner force big in help, immediately handoff
Steve Kerr Warriors - Split actions, steph+klay pin downs, Looney throwing post feed
Taylor Jenkins Grizzlies - hired development gurus Noah LaRoche, Joe Boylan, to help build modern offense
Mark Daigneault Thunder - drive at you all game long, Hartenstein with DHOs, ZOOM actions involving any combination of down screen into dribble hand off — okc is doing like a Triple Zoom between big men with multiple down screens and handoffs
Charles Lee Hornets (formerly Boston/Milwaukee) bringing that experience to try to implement culture with a winning pedigree
Ime Udoka Rockets - Horns 1-4 High, Iverson Curl
1:10:10 The value of having a veteran presence in an NBA locker room 1:12:35 Getting to know Projected NBA Draft Picks Moustapha Thiam and Savo Drezgic as people and players
1:27:38 Breaking down the Horns 1-4 High play that Ime Udoka and Coach Benson like to run to start games, one guy curls over top, one guy loops underneath, as soon as cutter cuts pass the face
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Ahmed Jama (@SlipTheScreen) covers NBA Draft and Grassroots Basketball , does NBA Scouting work with Next Up Basketball Consulting and Swish Theory, and is the Co-Host of The Draft Council Podcast with Dan Olinger.
Best NBA Draft Prospect Alive?
Scouting 2025 & 2026 NBA Draft: Cooper Flagg, Cam Boozer, AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Chris Cenac, Meleek Thomas, Acaden Lewis, Jamarion Batemon, King Grace, Shon Abaev, Nolan Traore, Braylon Mullins, Liam McNeely
His Swish Theory Piece "The Draft Shooting Heuristic" evaluating shooters from Shot Speed-Volume-Versatility to Room-Rhythm-Range
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction & Background1:37 2024 NBA Draft Shooting Heuristic piece with Swish Theory - Developing a scouting evaluation process from Shot Speed-Volume-Versatility to Room-Rhythm-Range
8:32 Scouting Jamarion Batemon
9:01 Scoring Versatility to threaten defenses & two-way impact for long-term careers in the NBA
14:43 Scouting King Grace
16:04 Scouting Chris Cenac Jr.
24:00 Boozer Twins Commit to Duke - Scouting Cameron & Cayden Boozer
28:25 AJ Dybantsa & Darryn Peterson in the talks for #1 Pick in the 2026 NBA Draft
33:53 2026 NBA Draft may be deepest in years - Meleek Thomas (Arkansas / Overtime Elite) , Acaden Lewis (Kentucky), Davis Fogle (Gonzaga), Shon Abaev (Overtime Elite)
38:55 Who’s the Best Prospect alive not in the NBA right now? Spoiler Alert: still Cooper Flagg
45:08 Is Nolan Traore the Top 2025 NBA Draft Prospect after Flagg?
55:00 Most Underrated Draft Prospect in 2026? Braylon Mullins (UConn)
58:00 Scouting Liam McNeely (UConn / Montverde)
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Learning Basketball with Maurya Kumpatla
Covers the Oklahoma City Thunder and NBA Draft
Writer for Swish Theory and an NBA Draft Writer on SI.com for Draft Digest
Studying Data Science at University of Tennessee Knoxville
Find him on Twitter at @TheFlareScreen
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Background
7:50 Amen Thompson’s impressive athleticism, instincts, and surprise skill acquisition as a rebounder
11:34 Nolan Traore’s rare ability to get low, attack gaps, comfortability shooting, tracking if his ability to drive and finish left improves
13:39 What surprise skill does Amen Thompson share with Angel Reese?
14:09 Isaiah Hartenstein’s offensive fit with OKC Thunder, full article on Swish Theory
22:55 Team Goals for Thunder signing Hartenstein: Win the non-Chet minutes, stagger 1 defensive anchor at all times, twin tower mismatch lineup versatility, more traditional big man matchup option, and improving an already elite defense, and more on his offensive fit as a dho passing hub, decision-maker, off-ball mover in paint, sweet floater touch
25:38 3 Concepts: Delay/Open series, 4.5 Out, 5 Slot - how Hartenstein will fit smoothly into OKC’s playsets and how it relates to Draymond’s Warriors halfcourt playmaking
37:03 2025 Thunder Season Predictions
- Näytä enemmän
