Chris Paul's midrange is more valuable than ever [Jordan Sperber collab]
Рет қаралды 221,934
The game has changed around Chris Paul's incredible midrange skills, but has that only made them more valuable? Paul is an elder statesman, but his pullup shooting and use of midrange jumpers has made him a deadly counter to playoff defenses and drop coverage. This video, with Jordan Sperber of @hoopvision68, looks at the evolution of modern offenses around Paul's midrange game, and how it's more valuable than ever today after leading to the Suns past the Los Angeles Clippers to the 2021 NBA Finals.
Support at Patreon: www.patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Book: www.amazon.com/Thinking-Basketball-Ben-Taylor/dp/1532968175
Podcast: player.fm/series/thinking-basketball or at www.stitcher.com/podcast/ben-taylor/thinking-basketball-podcast
Website: www.backpicks.com
Twitter: @elgee35
Ben Taylor is the author of Thinking Basketball, a Nylon Calculus contributor, creator of the Backpicks Top 40 series & host of the Thinking Basketball podcast.
Stats courtesy:
www.pbpstats.com @bballport
www.basketball-reference.com
stats.nba.com
-----
Footage in this video is owned by the NBA and its partners. It is intended for critique and education.
Music by csus (instrumental)
#ThinkingBasketball
@kierbot-wv1vg 2 жыл бұрын
Omg, he is back!!!
@danielbk128 2 жыл бұрын
I was starting to worry
@jacopopispola9925 2 жыл бұрын
Fr
@vasudevan333 2 жыл бұрын
He was putting out a lot of podcasts in this span tho.
@jacopopispola9925 2 жыл бұрын
@@vasudevan333 yeah I listen to them but videos are better imo. I think he also uploaded something on his patreon
@vasudevan333 2 жыл бұрын
@@jacopopispola9925 I agree, his vids are on another stratosphere.
@WhelmedButReady 2 жыл бұрын
I swear I was about to slip into a deep depression having not had any new Thinking Basketball videos for over 2 months
@moukhshiii7220 2 жыл бұрын
Nah man not a joking manner
@vasudevan333 2 жыл бұрын
He was putting out a lot of podcasts in this span tho.
@Blippy-hb4by 2 жыл бұрын
@@vasudevan333 where does he put out the podcasts please I need to know
@vasudevan333 2 жыл бұрын
@@Blippy-hb4by I listen to the "Thinking Basketball Podcast' on Spotify. I am sure it is available on all leading platforms.
@shinobu37 2 жыл бұрын
@@moukhshiii7220 nobody cares about your opinion.
@jisookwon5787 2 жыл бұрын
To Ben, Jordan, and whoever narrates these videos, thank you for the free, educational content. This channel has changed so much of my mindset when it comes to watching and knowing basketball. I appreciate the thorough analyzing in each video and the insight yall have given me.
@ThinkingBasketball 2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Jisoo!
@DrawingTheDefense 2 жыл бұрын
It’s good to know people appreciate this kind of stuff and not just highlights. Thinking Basketball is awesome stuff
@bryanmejia4826 2 жыл бұрын
These videos are so information packed they feel longer than they actually are, the quality is INSANE, if only it was possible to upload this level of content often.
@georgesears2666 2 жыл бұрын
Agree, channels like this (analytics), Clayton Crowley ("big picture" story) and Motown Noah (comedy) put mainstream basketball analysis to shame
@YangiTheCat 2 жыл бұрын
Yo I learned so much shit from this video as a casual NBA fan who knows jack shit about Xs Os.
@blackscreen1810 2 жыл бұрын
They feel long cause they’re boring
@ignitionnight 2 жыл бұрын
As a Jazz fan who has nightmares of CP3's midrange game, thank you for not having any clips of him cooking us with it in the regular season. Much appreciated!
@AAblade7 2 жыл бұрын
Please make more content
@Ricos5560 2 жыл бұрын
The value of the mid range shot increases exponentially in the playoffs. All great perimeter players like Jordan, Lebron, Kawhi, Kd, and Kobe all became lethal and it’s what made them championship level players
@ricosuave3759 2 жыл бұрын
Fax!
@yunan9610 2 жыл бұрын
More 3pt shooters, more spacings, the midrange is more open than the past decades. Snaking the pick and roll was harder back then.
@WHITEPERSUAS1ON 2 жыл бұрын
I think this is very true . James Harden is my favorite player but he completely abandoned his middie game (which is really good) and if he’s not on he can have some very bad games
@Anthonydu01630 2 жыл бұрын
@@WHITEPERSUAS1ON Thats not true, James Harden shoot a lot of 3 but he also shoot a lot of floaters like Trae young, and he is one of the best at getting on the FT line, Harden can shoot 0 3 and score 25 point with 11 FT and 7 floaters/lay up. Harden is one of the most complete scorer of all time, on the same level as KD, MJ, Lebron and Kobe, Harden isn’t steph curry man, he can live without the 3.
@yetundeadeyemi2436 21 күн бұрын
@@Anthonydu01630Steph can live without the three more than harden especially in the playoffs when those threes that harden needed weren't hitting he wasn't able to generate enough scoring to maintain the rockets offense unlike Steph who can supplement that with a better midrange and floater game than harden whilst being able to work more offball than harden
@MindfulAttraction 2 жыл бұрын
You're back!!! So happy. I know this will be great
@MindfulAttraction 2 жыл бұрын
0:22 gotta love chuck. Such a funny guy
@Zach_Ravel 2 жыл бұрын
*Game 6:* 41 PTS, 4 REB, 8 AST, 3 STL, 0 TOV, 81 TS% 🔥
@pedroaugustocosta2533 2 жыл бұрын
@Tong Zou He is the best all time it comes to assist-turnover ratio, he has the lowest ast/tov ever.
@Zach_Ravel 2 жыл бұрын
@Tong Zou Agreed
@kingdinodragonite3470 2 жыл бұрын
@@pedroaugustocosta2533 you mean high. A low assist / turnover ratio is bad. A high assist/ turnover ratio is good. 9 assists/ 2 TO is great. 5 assist/ 6 TO is bad.
@LostDream3r 2 жыл бұрын
@Tong Zou According to my research (i could be wrond tho), its actually Tyrone "Muggsy" Bogues who has the best ass/to ratio in NBA history. It shocked me at first and then it makes so much sense the guy had amazing handles, speed and due to his size was very hard to defend on passing lanes. He has a 4.7 ass/to ratio in his career (6726 assists for only 1433 to), CP3 is around 3.9 in career wich is obviously already amazing.
@oscarjames9080 2 жыл бұрын
Might be too late for him to see this, but when are you releasing the next top 10 in the NBA video?
@BringBackStoning 2 жыл бұрын
For real we need it
@luanmoin3368 2 жыл бұрын
We need a top 10 players for 2021 ASAP please
@thechickpeachef8235 2 жыл бұрын
Hi. Bro when’s the next video man? Longing for another top 10 🙏🙏🙏.
@jaypenn491 2 жыл бұрын
I've followed Thinking Basketball for while but this Sperber guy's on court edits showing the plays are really impressive. They're super helpful for me who just started following basketball and I'm deff subbing to his channel.
@Schraiber 2 жыл бұрын
Absolutely fantastic video! I think this really hit the nail on the head: prior to the 3 point revolution, offenses just ran bizarrely badly spaced offenses that made it really easy on the defense. The idea of spacing guys way out has really opened the game up for ball handlers, as is very clear in the comparison of CP3's snaking moves from the past and present.
@everyone1liesd459 2 жыл бұрын
I love this video, makes it easier to explain to friends as well as making it easier for myself to appreciate basketball more when you see plays with a video showing what's a pick and pop vs a pick and roll as well as the other stuff, in stead of just watching and waiting for a deep 3. Well done.
@josipmarasovic2436 2 жыл бұрын
COME on man where are u? U made me comment on this video just to ask, when are new videos comin? We hungry!!!!
@cloudydog12594 2 жыл бұрын
This has to be the best analytical basketball video ive ever seen. The style of editing and writing is all very concise and well done! Great job!!
@jaysonmahaguay5888 2 жыл бұрын
I love to see Midrange is become relevant again, its a lost art, because in modern NBA, there's a heavy volume of 3 pt shots, but thanks to CP3, Devin Booker, Kahwi and KD for making Midrange jumper relevant this playoff
@Isaiah_McIntosh 2 жыл бұрын
Man all the best players have a mid game except Giannis.
@t4d0W 2 жыл бұрын
All the best scorers/shot creators NEED to have it in their game to take that next step to be a top 5-10 player. Along with the ability to attack the hoop and draw contact.
@gurjassinghbatra5758 2 жыл бұрын
Please please please please do a Scottie Pippen complete breakdown
@jeshuafigueroa3070 2 жыл бұрын
Actually a pretty good idea I would love to see that
@ericthvedt3202 2 жыл бұрын
Scottie Pippen's having a complete breakdown right now lmao
@Anthonydu01630 2 жыл бұрын
@@ericthvedt3202 lol
@mateorp_31 2 жыл бұрын
Yes that would be great
@sexyshadowcat7 2 жыл бұрын
@@ericthvedt3202 How dare you beat me to this comment
@safewordiswolfy2012 2 жыл бұрын
Mid range lethal in the playoffs
@yunan9610 2 жыл бұрын
More so with the spacing from the 3pt shooters
@wallstreetzoomer 2 жыл бұрын
The video is dismissing generalizations like this... It's more like it's good when the ball handler have it giving him another option of attack.
@bleach4k239 2 жыл бұрын
@@wallstreetzoomer imo... It's good if a player could shoot it 50% of the time just like CP3 otherwise it's a bad shot.
@t4d0W 2 жыл бұрын
Also a very rare attribute to have. Some of top legends have this and even some of the promising modern scorers aren't up to snuff with making the midrange their game and exploiting it.
@mrmacross 2 жыл бұрын
@@yunan9610 Yeah, it's more like a tool you need to have because defenses are doing their best to take points in the paint and threes. If you make that your primary mode of attack, then it's not so good. It's also almost implying that a team that only shoots layups and three-pointers is punishing itself for making things easier on the defense...
@dinospumoni5611 2 жыл бұрын
i ADORE the editing on this video, the on-time text on the relevant players is insanely helpful in understanding the breakdown
@arrownoir 2 жыл бұрын
Would love to see CP3 get his ring, guy deserves it more than anyone else right now.
@OjoRojo40 2 жыл бұрын
Yes but chill, the Bucks are even better without Giannis, that's a dirty little secret.
@arrownoir 2 жыл бұрын
@@OjoRojo40 The Bucks aren’t beating Phoenix without Giannis. Even with Giannis it’s a toss up.
@OjoRojo40 2 жыл бұрын
@@arrownoir Still a toss up
@arrownoir 2 жыл бұрын
@@OjoRojo40 Hardly.
@1992Face 2 жыл бұрын
Welcome Back Thinking Basketball! I've missed seeing these videos and love how much they inform me about new things everytime i watch one of your videos. Jordan's explanation on how hard it is for defenses to defend great teams now is a great point but, what do you think the nba can do to help defenders counteract offensive possessions that just relying on great players missing open shots? Maybe you can go over it on a next video or podcast. Again, Thanks for the information!
@daltoncole4405 2 жыл бұрын
I have been waiting patiently for a new video. These playoffs are wild, I'm glad to see this
@mateorp_31 2 жыл бұрын
Dude I was beginning to worry. Your videos are wonderful, keep it up!
@moto2442 2 жыл бұрын
When 2021 player rankings?
@eliaspepito3281 2 жыл бұрын
That luka doncic stat caught my eye, 21ppg 47% just on pull up j’s.
@sethrawlings6237 2 жыл бұрын
Luka is quite literally the main initiator on like 80% of possessions and handles the ball for more of that possession than anyone. It makes sense, but that’s an insane total over a 7 game series.
@linkinlinkinlinkin654 2 жыл бұрын
Luka is quite literally mav's strength and weakness. No reasonable strategy for other players to get in if Luka is underperforming
@LommeMann1 2 жыл бұрын
I really enjoy your collabs, hope you’ll do more in the future
@atangnkoane3314 2 жыл бұрын
I smile every time I see a new Thinking Basketball video
@KnightWolfGaming-uw6tv 2 жыл бұрын
Dude i love how you edit, i actually feel like im learning a little bit of basketball. Good job man 🤙🏽
@READYSETGOTIMEx 2 жыл бұрын
Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Glad to see some new material!
@arp_909 2 жыл бұрын
That was great! Really enjoyed how the plays were labelled
@sharifbrown3567 2 жыл бұрын
When is 2021 Top 10 coming?
@TheBronzeBomber38 2 жыл бұрын
Lebron wouldn’t crack the top 10 lol
@sharifbrown3567 2 жыл бұрын
@@TheBronzeBomber38 Am I supposed to care what you think?
@dilanmarfatia5923 2 жыл бұрын
Wheres the top 10 players 2021
@futurehofer1564 2 жыл бұрын
You dont understand how MUCH I've tried explaining this to people, hopefully this video helps bring increased awareness to this in the basketball community. STARS STILL TAKE MIDRANGES, NO ONE EVER SAID THEY SHOULDNT ROLE PLAYERS GOTTA SHOOT THREES, NOT LONG TWOS It really isnt that hard too understand...
@Tonio5100 2 жыл бұрын
Love these type of videos so much!!!!!!!! This the type of stuff you won't learn by watching the mainstream media shows
@travisambrose 2 жыл бұрын
This video was fantastic. Very well done 👏🏻
@jamesmarshall6619 2 жыл бұрын
Love this video and how it explained how analytics often reveals what is occurring. My job is a data analyst and the one thing that's frustrating to hear is when people say "Analytics tells you to do this." Analytics doesn't tell you to do anything, it gives you probabilities of what is most likely to occur and when you speak to someone whose job it is to come up with those numbers we don't dryly tell you do this because the numbers say so, we explain the reasons behind those numbers, why those probabilities are most likely to occur and will often explain why sometimes doing the action with the lower probability is a smart action to take at particular times. This video basically does that in a visual sense and is great to see.
@OmarKnowsBasketball 2 жыл бұрын
Love the collab, you guys are a blessing to NBA fans worldwide.
@randomperson2540 2 жыл бұрын
YES you finally uploaded I was waiting for you and this was very neeeded
@devonparker20 2 жыл бұрын
Im here because of Bbal breakdown and your video came up after ... And proudly im glad it did you didnt disappoint subbbbbbeeeddd for life
@henrydalmann2137 2 жыл бұрын
Love your vids Kyle! And so happy that Chris is finally in the Finals!
@BladeintheBrain 2 жыл бұрын
Kyle?
@Bankai2169 2 жыл бұрын
Who the heck is Kyle? His name is Ben lol
@felipegregorio4915 2 жыл бұрын
Man, this way that you illustrate on the action what which player is doing its fucking awesome. To me, who is not a big brain of the game, but know a little bit of the basics and the terms that are discriminated on the screen, helps me A LOT to fully comprehend what it's happening and appreciate even more. My congratulations to the Jordan for the idea, the excellent explanation and for the collaboration. I really would like to see more of this happening.
@coledorillo6685 2 жыл бұрын
YOU CANT LEAVE ME!! I NEED MY BASKETBALL ANYALSIS DRUG, I was going through with drawl symptoms 😂
@triggeredtrey 2 жыл бұрын
We need more of this!!!
@liambailey1239 2 жыл бұрын
Is your top 10 players of the season coming? Been waiting all year for it
@BringBackStoning 2 жыл бұрын
Same where is he at
@Qub3rs 2 жыл бұрын
I almost missed this vid. Luckily I checked the channel and I'm glad I didn't miss it. Again, amazing vid.
@hmohngcheelee7549 2 жыл бұрын
Was looking forward to this
@Kumingaaa 2 жыл бұрын
Top 10 players of the season please
@erwinrommelgaminde9572 2 жыл бұрын
The collab we never knew we needed. 🔥🔥🔥
@ChrisSkinner1 2 жыл бұрын
This is FANTASTIC content! I just learned a ton
@samuelmaccarthy6643 2 жыл бұрын
The GOAT of Bball KZfaq! Love your channel bro keep it up
@BabaWehWehWande4789 2 жыл бұрын
Brilliant analysis!
@rogeliochavez40 2 жыл бұрын
Ben, I love your work. You have really changed my mind and your influence is even getting to some spanish channels
@llleeolly1717 2 жыл бұрын
Happy that your back
@just_leo8930 2 жыл бұрын
This is such a great video.. The in-depth analysis with fitting footage and its so easy to understand. Thanks YT-Algorithm for guiding me here
@jayzn1374 2 жыл бұрын
Can't wait to see ur top 10 list this season has been crazy
@ckq 2 жыл бұрын
New thinking basketball vid!
@thomasderham5629 2 жыл бұрын
dude where is the top 10 players of the season
@teejay818 2 жыл бұрын
Super insightful - thanks!
@nunezinkgaming 2 жыл бұрын
wow well researched thanks alot man
@dremainesands7635 2 жыл бұрын
I've been waiting patiently for more youtube content the clippers pack is ready lets watch this.
@praneshj1578 2 жыл бұрын
The best basketball channel on yt right now
@heath2 2 жыл бұрын
i watch these videos like they're a movie bruh it's such good content
@mrspiffyhimself2696 2 жыл бұрын
A HoopVision/ThinkingBasketball collab? You love to see it
@edgm.14 2 жыл бұрын
I know there were 10 less games this season but even last year during everything that happened you made a top 10 players of the season despite everything that was happening right after the finals. So many of us want to see this years top 10 just like the past 2 seasons
@aVanGeLz07 2 жыл бұрын
Wow, I like the caption put in the player to display their action (i.e. Drop, Helps, etc). Pls do more vids like this. 1 like here
@BringBackStoning 2 жыл бұрын
The legend lives
@lennartrentzow4821 2 жыл бұрын
Damn, that's a quick video.
@davidkelly1507 2 жыл бұрын
This was excellent I didn't even know this guy's channel
@wasphern 2 жыл бұрын
Damn, unexpected collab, love both channels
@tdfhion9936 2 жыл бұрын
They’ve collabbed before when talking about the rockets and warriors offense a couple years ago
@matheusbarreto7281 2 жыл бұрын
What a great video!
@jakewaugh2059 2 жыл бұрын
Another stellar video
@nolanjones9374 2 жыл бұрын
Great video! As a rockets fan I’ve been indoctrinated into the “3 or at the rim” mentality, but watching Chris Paul work the midrange is beautiful. We all miss him in Houston.
@Crying2Death 2 жыл бұрын
We missed you Thinking Basketball!
@langslays1881 2 жыл бұрын
Man I’ve watched CP3 since I was a little kid and I’d love to see him win a ring. He really deserves it.
@TheTariqibnziyad 2 жыл бұрын
thank you for this video.
@StefanStefan90 2 жыл бұрын
Man this is some good basketball stuff, you da best
@thatcoolkid777 2 жыл бұрын
What an amazing video 🔥
@JZinAZ 2 жыл бұрын
This is brilliant.
@aaronmichelson5510 2 жыл бұрын
Damn, huge video. Definitely need more views!
@Omar-ov2iu 2 жыл бұрын
I can’t wait for the top 10 players of 2021. Could u do another top 10 passers or scorers in the nba podcast ?
@francisayala9310 2 жыл бұрын
Thank guys for giving us such an informative video. Big thanks to Jordan for basically dissecting why the media complaints about analytics are dumb. Just comes to show that most talking heads really don't know what the hell they are talking about. I hope this channel and all other insightful basketball channels get big because you guys deserve it. Best wishes.
@pablomariachi16 2 жыл бұрын
Just imagine Jordan in this era. He would have a field day shooting midrange Js!
@marckost2000 2 жыл бұрын
Well someone would come up with something because he would be just too dominant, like the defense is done today to stop 3 point shooters like curry and Lillard. The problem wouldn't even be Jordan, but his teammates with a very lighter defense on them.
@starkk19 2 жыл бұрын
I think he'd average the same points as he had(slightly more probably because of the pace), but would have significantly more assists. Teams wouldn't hesitate doubling or shading the paint with Jordan(which was actually illegal to do during the 90s because of illegal defense). I think that's why we have a lot of guys averaging 25+ points and 8+ assists a game right now. Players like Harden, Westbrook, Trae, Luka - If you help, they'll just kick it out to the corner for a three.
@ryanr20091 2 жыл бұрын
jordans game would need to expand . remember he played almost 20 years ago the game has changed tremendously since then . when he played bigs were rarely perimeter threats and were not used in screens the way they are used today. see its not that simple to say jordan would dominate because he has a midrange . the way paul utilizes the midrange is different than the way jordan used it
@t4d0W 2 жыл бұрын
@@ryanr20091 its because bigs didn't need to be perimeter threats in his era. They were very effective carrying the team offense from the mid range and the post. To some degree it still works if you can attack the paint like Joel Embiid at least from 15 feet out. Which many of the legendary centers in the 80s/90s could do anyway. MJs methodical play style is similar where he attacks you from the triple threat from about 20 feet out and he's always looking to take away a defender and cause a mismatch to attack inside and get a FT call or use his fade away to get a score and possibly a FT if there was contact. So yes Jordan's utilization of the midrange is VERY different from CP3s.
@ozzee5094 2 жыл бұрын
@@ryanr20091 are you high. look at what derozan is doing right now averaging 26 ppg and he's no where near the player Jordan was. Jordan would assault this current nba. keep in mind Jordan averaged over 20ppg at age 40 in 2003 which is arguably the toughest defensive era ever and by that point Jordan had little athletic abilities left.
@TheACMonti 2 жыл бұрын
Not only valuable, but aesthetically pleasing at that!
@monkeymoo87 2 жыл бұрын
so correct. it's more about the quality of the look then the type of look itself. an open shot is an open shot.
@Slimjimmy215 2 жыл бұрын
Literally every basketball fan needs to see this video
@kevinkimmy14 2 жыл бұрын
this is such a good video
@jangardini7909 2 жыл бұрын
I thought you died lol. Finally the best basketball channel on youtube is back💯💯💯
@jimmyhofdimer 2 жыл бұрын
This is masterful basketball content
@doctorvladandhisbluejaysd2802 2 жыл бұрын
Thinking Basketballs alive? An upload on Canada Day? Hell yeah
@sleepyheadz 2 жыл бұрын
Hi! Thank you for doing a great service to the basketball community. What are your thoughts of Tex Winter's triangle offence against today's defensive scheme? Would it still be effective against so much switching today?
@qqw743 2 жыл бұрын
It's so annoying when TV commentators or friends reduce "analytics" to "you're always supposed to shoot a 3." No one who can do math ever said that. This great analysis shows that there's a lot more to it. It's about maximizing efficiency, and CP3 is amazingly efficient.
@prolifik5 2 жыл бұрын
These fools talk about "analytics" like it's a dude with a cattle prod waiting to zap players for taking midrange jumpers. 😂
@t4d0W 2 жыл бұрын
At the same time players whose mid range game has as much weight as a 3-ball shot or an inside shot that gets a FT are VERY rare. They also help raise the floor of their teammates skillsets.
@prolifik5 2 жыл бұрын
@@t4d0W No doubt, and that lines up with the points being made in the video. Where it gets dumb is when commentators look at CP3 raining down a barrage of midrangers as proof that "analytics" are wrong. I mean, not only are we talking about a very special handful of players who are still taking those shots pretty regularly, but they themselves benefit from having more space due to almost everyone else shooting threes.
@GCWen 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for the wonderful explanation of the midrange. The midrange isn’t dead. It’s only that for role players, the midrange has been replaced for the three.
@wolfgangank8851 2 жыл бұрын
Great video
@tempota7792 2 жыл бұрын
For us plebs, here are the levels of basketball IQ: Level 0: watch orange ball bounce, maybe drool a little (a lot 🤤🤤), "flashy play, wow", unga bunga ook ook Level 1: watch some breakdowns, look at markings and arrows, "wow, such knowledge, much wisdom", still kinda unga bunga Level 2: watch Thinking Basketball, ACTUALLY gets taught the 5 man small unit tactics, Third Eye 👁️ has now been OPENED 😨, every move, every cut, every screen, all now make sense like a well choreographed dance! I am no longer just watching 10 guys run around seemingly for no reason, but are actually in the middle of a non-stop orchestration of 2 sets of intricate offense and defense! I have now ascended, and I am now Thinking Basketball.
@themaninblack8271 2 жыл бұрын
When you see the spacing compared to the 90s etc it honestly makes me wonder how lethal MJ would be in this era lol he would be shooting mids and dunks like his life depended on it scary
@Bankai2169 2 жыл бұрын
Welcome back boss
@benjaminbaumgardner7620 2 жыл бұрын
That was freaking great!
BaylorAthletics
Рет қаралды 13 МЛН
Life Football
Рет қаралды 8 МЛН