How a basic play became nearly unstoppable 

This is one of the best sports RU-vid videos I've ever seen. Great premise, tons of historical clips and context, so much team variety, clear on-screen annotations to follow everyone's role - it's just all fantastic. I already loved the channel but this is just on a whole new level

I could literally watch hours of this. So much fun to see all the intricacies of NBA offenses.

so beautiful you included old school players like oscar

This was awesome. Would love to see a similar deep-dive into how zone defense has been utilized/evolved over the years, particularly with how many variants are utilized today.

Chris paul/lob city should get an honorable mention w their high horns PNR set. Their personnel gave them the best spacing, and they got a good shot every trip down the court !

That's why it's so fun to watch CP3, Luka, and Trae Young if you're into playmaking. They see all what's happening in the court in split seconds and make you surprised, "How did he see that?" Jokic gives me this expression, too but he works mostly in high post.

So thankful for your content. Liking basketball is one thing, APPRECIATING it and all it's machinations is a whole other level.

I don't think you fully realize how appreciative I am of this type of content. Both the NFL and the NBA don't do a lot of Xs and Os, electing to instead focusing on narratives. I absolutely adore that you do the exact opposite with these analysis videos. And I can't wait for the next one you do. Same with your player and team breakdowns. All of it is very insightful and has very high production quality

Even more than his stepback, or his fadeaway, or his drives, Luka's ability to make something out of nothing in the pick and roll is probably his most dangerous skill. While most point guards, as you said, have about 4-5 options, Luka has too many to count. Hit the roll man, throw a lob, pick and pop, pull up 3, stepback 3 or middy, floater, fire a laser to a spot up shooter anywhere on the floor, hit a cutter, stop and pop mid-range, clear out the floor and post up, or often times, an absolutely ridiculous junk shot to draw a foul (that still goes in half the time!). imo, Luka is the best offensive creator in the league. Not the best overall player or even scorer (Giannis and KD), but the hardest to stop from getting a positive result on any given play.

rly dope to see the actual evolution of basketball and the strategy behind it

I can't stop watching these. Best basketball content

Hubie Brown has said that the purpose of setting screens is to make the defense think. Always liked that. A momentary mix-up, or even a split second of indecision, and the offense has an easy bucket.

I knew setting screens so often had become ubiquitous when I saw four kids around the age of 9 or 10 practicing pick and rolls in the park by themselves, one of them leading like the next Steve Nash

Highest quality basketball content on RU-vid! Can't get enough.

This might just be one of the most concise breakdowns of Basketball's most simple play, and yet turns into a basketball analysis masterpiece that I have not come across on ANY form of media. I cannot overstate how highly I personally rate this video - just mindblowing observation after mindblowing observation on a topic that, frankly, I thought I had down pat. Thank you for the much-needed dose of humility, and the content that seems to have achieved an already lofty summit, yet somehow continues to climb to ever greater heights. Much respect and love, brother!

As a hooper and a coach, I LOOOOOVE your breakdowns. I love watching other hoop-heads that KNOW what basketball looks like in it’s most beautiful moments. I appreciate you.

Yep really good point about the 7 seconds Suns. People who weren’t watching back then might see them as constantly being in transition mostly due to the name. And sure they were way faster in pace than almost anyone before them for a long time, at least in the “modern NBA” and especially vs the early mid 90s to 2000s. So yea compared to an early 2000s Pistons Spurs game they were constantly in transition in comparison. Average pace by year fell to 92.9 in 94-95, then 91.8 in 95-96, 90.1 in 96-97, 90.3 in 97-98, 88.9 in 98-99, 93.1 in 99-‘00, then 90.3, 88.9, 93.1, 91.3, 90.7, 91.0, 90.1, 90.9, and 90.5 in 05-06. So between 94-95 and 05-06, it was mostly in the very very low 90s. The last time it got to 92.9+ after 94-95 was 93.9 in 13-14 and 14-15. Then it has gone up from there, hitting 100 in 18-19, 100.3 in 19-20, and 99.2 in 20-21. The Suns in 05-06 were at 95.8. That was obviously 1st in the league, and if you look at average pace by season, their pace was faster than the average pace in the NBA from 93-94 to 12-13. 13-14 the average pace was 93.9. So it’s pretty crazy the pace they had that year was higher than the average for like 20 seasons. But yea the half court offense is a very under-looked part of the 7 seconds Suns days, and this video is awesome as usual. Happy to see you got the opportunity to make a video on the NBA’s channel, and I hope they’re letting you get full monetization using their footage since it’s fair use anyway. I’ve been a long time reader/listener/watcher of your work and it’s cool to see you getting more exposure. I never miss a video or podcast. You’re seriously the best at what you do and that’s not hyperbole. I hope to see you being a guest on more podcasts, it’s awesome to see you pop up on some of the other pods I love like, and would love to see you guest on more. I know you’ve been on some of these, I forget the exact list, but some of my favorites are: Dunc’d On, Hollinger and Duncan, RealGM Radio, The Void on the Ringer with KOC, Game Theory with Sam Vecenie, The BBALL Breakdown with Coach Nick, and a more young group of podcasters with Kenny “KOT4Q” Beecham who is very well established, and his podcast with his friends called Through The Wire. That’d be such an awesome collab. Even if it’s just more of a 1 on 1 w/ Kenny or whatever. He’s a young content creator that has paved the way for a younger group and he’s fantastic, just an awesome guy.

One of the aspects of the modern game I appreciate is the threat of the 3 point shot and how it's opened up the game. In the case of the pick and roll, we can see how the defense has to come out high even beyond the 3 pt line which often results in a 4 on 3 or even a 3 on 2 half court "fast break".

Chris Paul is my favorite player to watch the PnR and their modifications. He just knows how to do it all

I'm sure you get this on most of your videos but after watching this one in particular I feel that you've really increased my appreciation for basketball. I'm very excited to watch an NBA game with the insights you've given to me.

As someone who loves your content, this may be my fav so far. So detailed, yet accessible.

This episode is by far the most entertaining&educational. Editing and narration at its best!!!

It’s honestly amazing I love the pick and roll

I've watched plenty of basketball commentaries, but nothing like this! It's humbling that after 30 years of playing and watching basketball, I've never noticed such intricacies about the pick-and-roll. Simply amazing! Thank you for this outstanding content!

Prior to your first video dropped and me finding it, I was the most casual NBA fan alive. I just looked at points/rebounds/assists to judge performance. Thank you for basketball-pilling me with all your videos and podcasts

My high school basketball coach always mentioned Bird and Mchale’s pick and roll.

Fantastic video. Absolutely love this detailed analysis of how plays are run. The history and context were great too. My mind is blown by all the complexity of a modern offense. There's just so much going on.

The first crossovers were atributed to him, then now the pick n roll. Dang Oscar you're on a roll! Truly a genius in basketball the Big O.

Amazing video - love to see this sort of tactical breakdown. My favourite might be the Hornets version with the double-pindown for the first screener as a misdirection. What a beauty.

More Thinking Basketball content? Say less!!

Happy to see you got the opportunity to make a video on the NBA’s channel, and I hope they’re letting you get full monetization using their footage since it’s fair use anyway. I’ve been a long time reader/listener/watcher of your work and it’s cool to see you getting more exposure. I never miss a video or podcast. You’re seriously the best at what you do and that’s not hyperbole. I hope to see you being a guest on more podcasts, it’s awesome to see you pop up on some of the other pods I love like, and would love to see you guest on more. I know you’ve been on some of these, I forget the exact list, but some of my favorites are: Dunc’d On, Hollinger and Duncan, RealGM Radio, The Void on the Ringer with KOC, Game Theory with Sam Vecenie, The BBALL Breakdown with Coach Nick, and a more young group of podcasters with Kenny “KOT4Q” Beecham who is very well established, and his podcast with his friends called Through The Wire. That’d be such an awesome collab. Even if it’s just more of a 1 on 1 w/ Kenny or whatever. He’s a young content creator that has paved the way for a younger group and he’s fantastic, just an awesome guy. Also I listen to some more Athletic and Ringer pods, but those are definitely my favorites. I do love Saturday’s Athletic pod with Andrew Schlecht. Alex v the Beat is fun, just an overall really fun pod. Obviously any pod you guest on I’ll listen. If you could post the ones you do guest on that’d be great. Thanks Ben and keep doing what you do.

Love this kind of video! I got the Thinking Basketball book for Christmas and adored it! I almost read through it all by New Years. I love the analogies and commentary on human pyschology that affects how we talk about and engage a sport. It's a great book for fans of basketball, psychology, or statistics. I would definitely recommend the book and this channel. Keep up the great work Ben!

Wow, what an incredible overview! This is one of my favourite videos that you've done, Ben.

That was an absolutely beautiful play and so well set up by you sir.

Ben, I simply cannot express how much you've improved my basketball viewing experience. I'm so much more engaged when watching games now, since I'm able recognize more of what's happening on/off ball on offense, and how defenses are communicating and adapting to the play. I really appreciate your work.

Excellent video. Brilliant, it really breaks down the basics of how the PnR has evolved. It also helps people understand that the plays they run in the NBA aren't as simple as they seem once you include high level players at their positions. Great video.

Liking these videos before I watch is a habit now, you already know the content is going to be excellent

Yessssir! Was waiting on a video breaking down the PNR. Such a simple idea that continues to evolve.

This play is the key to understanding basketball in my opinion. Once I got my head around the pick and roll a lot of other things fell in to place

Love it! Great historical footage and context. Best channel

Loving the content, you’re killing it

This is hands down the most interesting and elaborate sports video I have ever seen. Wow. Really feel like watching old nba clips for the rest of the night now.

This really drives home the fact that players from different eras are really hard to evaluate against one another. The game has evolved so much and so quickly. Bill Russell never saw a spread pick and roll (or a three-point line, for that matter).

This video is absolutely spectacular I was engrossed from start to finish, keep it up

Long time viewer, but a very infrequent commenter. Just wanted to extend my appreciation for your content, has really helped to develop my understanding of the game and it translates to my actual play on the court as well. Thanks man, looking forward to more. Also I really look forward to all your podcast episodes, highly entertaining and informative.

Thinking Basketball for NBA and Brett Kollman for NFL. Two of the best sports channels on RU-vid and leagues ahead of anything on ESPN, or any other major network!

This came up on my recommended and I subscribed before the end of the video. Seeing how the first Mavericks play was drawn out blew my mind. Great video man

I wasn’t expecting to be so interested, but when Thinking Basketball posts, I watch. So I got pleasantly surprised by how well you explained every facet of a pick and roll offense. Props to you.

Omg this video made me love this page even more. I’m actually a stan for this channel

Excellent vid! Great work, dude!

I wish you delved little into Mark Price's splitting the pick and roll which i think is what most modern players do now.

What a big difference on early 90s PnR for other players vs today. Back then, the just hang back and let the two play but now, they're all waiting and aware that the play mighty shift to them. I love nba

This guy's narration is awesome. Most yt video essayists sound nerdy or boring. This guy totally sells it, great mic quality, not to mention the compelling content

Amazing video!! Two of my sons play basket, i already taught them the pick and role move. But now we can understand it's origin and evolution, and most of all the variations and using it in game. Amazing content!! TY so much!!!

The Bulls under Thibs used to run the screen and roll and double down screen on the weak side play all the time. It was basically their default play if nothing worked out. This screen and pin down seem like a variation of that.

This is some of the best basketball content I've ever seen. Thanks for this.

this is truly lovely. keep up the great work!

Great video. One of the things I find difficult as a newer viewer of basket ball is the off ball movement which is super fast and often out of frame. This broke it down so well thanks

It was always the best play. My high school coach in the '70s, who had a cup of coffee in the ABA, showed me all of those variations. But I think there's a danger of hoops getting boring. 90% of college ball is now high pick-and-roll, 3 guys outside the 3 pt line. I miss motion offenses and high/low stuff. International ball has now become NBA "Lite" since they adopted the 24 sec clock. The great European passing skills are starting to fade into memory.

Awesome as always. Thank you!

One of the best if not the best basketball video I have ever seen. You made this day great, Sir.

great content and explained very precise. good job on this!

Amazing video, loved the historical evolution with clips from various era leading into the modern day. Also, shout out the Theis seal you put in, always enjoyed that move from him

Mike D'antoni is the greatest offensive coach in league history I my opinion. I think he deserves more praise than people give him for his innovative system which changed the game.

man ican't wait for that future thinking basketball video on the next variations of screens & pick n rolls you spoke about towards the end

7:57 into the video and all this info just give me more and more appreciation for the Defense, especially the Golden State Defense!! And how it's the wall that progresses the game... without a strong resistance the offense doesn't feel compelled to change, the obstacle is the start of the evolution and revolution. And the better the defense the more complex the game. Gosh, how i love this fundamental!!!

You guys are killing it with these videos. Fantastic breakdowns

Watching Jabari Smith on Auburn the other day with my wife I was explaining different pick-and- roll options for the offense and defense and said that it can explain 75% of basketball these days. This video is such a perfect encapsulation of what I was trying to say and with video to match. Chefs kiss. Truly amazing content, thanks Ben!

I always amaze the pick and roll in basketball, the one who created it is truly a genius

thank you for your content......brilliant just brilliant!

Subscribed. What an unbelievable video from start to finish, the effort does not go unnoticed.

The video I didn't knew I wanted. Really shows you how beautiful basketball can be.

incredible work - this is a beautiful basketball video

This is very amazing breakdown…love every bit of it 💯💯

Love this video! 🔥🔥🔥

The Curry-Draymond pick n roll game is a lethal combo.

Amazing basketball video, as a player it helps understand how every one should run the pick and roll.

This gave me a ton more appreciation for the game. Thanks!

I'm impressed by the quality of the video, thanks to the RU-vid algorithm. Watching games sometimes gets "messy", because there is so much happening for all 10 players in any given play that I miss key information.

Great video, the best I've seen.

This is amazing!!!

Fantastic analysis as always!

Yo this is one of the best basketball videos I've watched. Makes ya think the game better.

You explain these sooooo masterfully, most ytbers trying to explain nba plays result in just a jamble of words with no meaning

Great video my fav so far

What a beautiful explanation!

This is great. Thank you

Man!!! This is great 👍👌👍👌. Thank you. Now I feel that I understand more the game 🙂.

Great video as always! I didn’t know there were this many variations on the pick and roll used in today’s game. Also, I’d love a video on how the hawks run their offense & what types plays they tend to use. From what I’ve seen, they don’t use 2 screeners on the ball often.

This is great. Cheers.

Brilliant job. Just brilliant

Tus videos son una locura. Me enseñaste a entender mejor a los jugadores y lo que hacen dentro de la cancha. Felicidades por tu video colaboracion con la NBA. Saludos

Magic an amazing passer

Love the analysis both on the offense and defense.

Thank you for teaching me more about basketball

This is a beautiful video I can’t even lie great vid Thinking Basketball

Excellent job man.

Great video !! Thanks bro !!

So funny that we were actually working on the pick and roll today in training. High school basketball, but I remember the days when I was new on the team and the then captains ran this play over and over and over and it worked like a charm every time.

Watching what Nash did in Phoenix was just an awesome time. Miss those days.