Thinking Basketball 21st century peaks Ep 10 | The Kings of downhill basket pressure
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Sep 21, 2025 This discussion dives into the contrasting styles of two basketball legends: Giannis and Dwyane Wade. It highlights Giannis's powerful downhill approach and how it shapes his playoff performance, while also examining his unique defensive role. on the other hand, Wade's finesse and creativity in maneuvering through traffic and his ability to elevate his teammates shine through. The hosts also delve into the intricacies of their playing styles, touching on key metrics and playoff success, making for a captivating analysis of basketball greatness.
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The 2021 Finals 'Apex' Block
- Cody described Giannis' block in the 2021 Finals where he turned, recovered, and erased DeAndre Ayton's lob at the apex.
- The hosts framed it as one of the most remarkable single defensive plays in NBA Finals history.
Wade's Dual Threat: Finish And Feed
- Dwyane Wade combined elite downhill finishing with top-tier paint passing, creating sustained team lift.
- His dual threat made defenses choose wrong: double and get the pass, stay and get beaten to the rim.
Wade's Massive Offense Multiplication
- In 2005–06 Wade produced massive dual lifts: large personal scoring plus huge teammate TS improvements near +5–6%.
- That combined effect created one of the most elastic and playoff-stable downhill offenses in the century.