Damian Lillard analysis | How his unlimited range is breaking NBA defenses

[@rene9244]

that graph really shows how insane curry was in 16 lol

[@krlllx]

@D Thomas not the original.

[@felipemasas]

Best offensive season of all time by far

[@angelsosa5903]

That curry was insane dude was shooting the lights out from 3 greatest shooter i ever seen

[@adamv9892]

D Thomas definitely not the original, yes the greatest, but Dame has more range

[@blakemasters5742]

Adam V no he doesn’t, curry been doing those deep shots for years bro

[@BlueGrovyle]

3:24 "Now there is the question of whether these are _good shots_ ," he says, immediately after showing the clip on Paul George.

[@injusticeanywherethreatens265]

I could taste the shade lmao

[@Davivd2]

What impresses me most about his range is that his 30 footers are smooth and fluid like he's shooting a normal 3. Normally to shoot from that range players need to heave their body into it and that throws off their mechanics a bit and lowers their shooting percentage. Lillard has some real strength in his body to keep his form at that distance.

[@greatness7619]

Lebron does it too If you search you’ll see him pulling from half court like its a normal jumpshot🤣

[@wallstreetzoomer]

A lot of players can do that lol, but of course only Lillard (and Curry) can make them at a 40 percent clip.

[@leilaziani9833]

@@wallstreetzoomer For now tho. I see Trae and Robinson making those on a consistent base in a couple of years.

[@GANGLYMAN117]

@@leilaziani9833 i don't think Trae is going to be as much of a sniper as people think. Though he certainly loves pulling from deep he only makes 33 percent. His college 3 percentage was never great either. Watch Bens vid on Trae he explains why Trae might not be a 40% shooter.

[@Zaghzackio]

TheHumbleNarcissist trae is only 21 hes gonna get better. Curry was still in college at this point in his career

[@Hypnoticcc69]

Those hand offs certainly tug on the d, thanks Thinking Basketball.

[@Richbeans115]

This finished me

[@Zaghzackio]

Lmfaoo sus

[@migz23]

They also pull out bigs

[@adambryant8416]

I fs thought the whole comment section was gonna be saying that. Guess not lol

[@TheRealAbraxas]

“Tug on the D” 💦💦💦

[@qwikscopez6619]

"The ability to penetrate" *moans*, cmon now Ben

[@far06c]

Lol he’s trolling us

[@thebookinthehead4573]

There is only one God, and there is only one way that people can reach God. That way is through Christ Jesus, who as a man gave himself to pay for everyone to be free. This is the message that was given to us at just the right time. 1 Timothy 2:5‭-‬6 ERV

[@justinwright3977]

The Book In The Head 🙏

[@SI10379]

@@albertmcnugget when u think ab it there's sm sus phrases in basketball. "Good / Hard D " , " A sweet stroke" "penetrate" "wet" etc.

[@JM1992]

Just trying to be Stephen A Smith

[@patrick05Morgan]

I love that their mistakes/ imperfections are shown in these videos as well. It really puts their game into perspective and shows the nuiances of the game.

[@Alexvudoo]

It’s amazing to watch Dame’s game improve throughout the years. Especially since his rookie to now. Great vid

[@cnl1213]

@4:20 "Curry's perpetual off-ball gravity" is very well put. It is a sign of an MVP-level player that the threat of the havoc one is capable of creating is bigger than the actual damage that it may cause. Developing that may be the next step in Dame's game. Then he may reach closer peak-Curry status.

[@t4d0W]

An elite players' ability to command respect off ball is what makes them a potent ceiling raiser for their team in the playoffs.

[@jsondoan2561]

Favourite bball youtuber with a vid on my favourite player. Thankyou Ben!!!

[@siddharthgundala4285]

Can you make a video on the evolution of basketball defence and how much more skilled you have to be , to be a good defender in today's NBA

[@michawirkus9030]

this is great idea. boomers don't get it.

[@jorgecueva9239]

Completely agree

[@siddharthgundala4285]

@@michawirkus9030 exactly defense today is so unappreciated...what players like kawahi and Marcus smart do on tue defense end is so amazing considering the limitations

[@NothingElseMattersJM]

Siddharth Gundala Kawhi is an all time great defender. Marcus smart no so much lol. There were a lot better perimeter defenders in the 90’s than Marcus Smart lol.

[@jorgecueva9239]

I think that what he means is that back in the day you could physically interfere more or just clothesline people and be considered an above average defender ( not saying all good defenders where like that) while today to be a good defender you can't play physical basketball so you have to have sharper response and a better game sense than in the 90s

[@dephy11]

Channels like these really ignite my passion to analyze basketball. Love the content

[@PUFFINCAT]

1:02 i felt that MMMM, i had to replay it 5 times, that was so damn smooth!

[@ObnoxiousOtter8]

* sees that David Aldridge writes for The Athletic * *THANKS DA, GREAT INSIGHT!*

[@biznick]

I already know this is going to be a great video

[@thatsupaprokid5765]

GOAT nba analysis channel. Love the stuff you’ve been doing been a fan for a year now.

[@cidmatrix9643]

Great analysis! Dame has really taken his game to another level.

[@kekemausi02]

Skip Bayless be like: bUt cAn He AcTuallY hIt a tHrEe ?!

[@gremcilia_immermurin]

I'm surprised he had time to critique Lillard. I thought he only had eyes for Bron.

[@mrsialeipata8615]

@@gremcilia_immermurin he gotta find someone else for when bron retires

[@frank26436364]

Nur der svw

[@kekemausi02]

@@frank26436364 ehre die werder Fans sind überall 💪🏽

[@hockeytaperoom771]

When everyone’s healthy, I only have Harden, Durant, and Curry clearly better than him offensively.

[@aidanl3137]

What about lebron? Passing is also an incredibly important component for an offensive engine

[@momothunder9544]

Curry not better no way curry a better shooter but daim more complete offensively

[@navia810]

@@momothunder9544 being the best shooter of all time isnt an understatement

[@hockeytaperoom771]

I think they’re on the same level right now, when Lillard is hot like this. LeBron doesn’t have the shooting for me to comfortably say he’s clearly better. But if Lillard regresses back to his mean, LeBron probably barely has the edge

[@paulcervantes528]

@@hockeytaperoom771 i completely agree

[@david.tousignant20]

You are becoming the best basketball KZbinr. Smart and educated videos. No bias. Just facts! Keep doing your great work.

[@aidanl3137]

David Tous. Always has been

[@t-mofisher8922]

nothing to say except i really love your videos. keep doing what you’re doing.

[@JordanYap35]

Great in depth analysis. Dame is insane.

[@joshuapark7350]

I’ve been waiting for this one!

[@gray_gogy]

You know what I love about the all the Curry talk with Dame? Curry's gonna come back looking for blood. We'll see him taking more deep threes to prove a point. Whether he'll be able to prove it at this age is a different story. But I sure hope he will

[@Princeofknowelege]

My only concern with Curry is he is getting older and injuries are starting to bother him again.

[@precisism1804]

I don’t see age being an issue unless injuries come into play. Steph’s game isn’t at at all predicated upon athleticism, and the age he’s at right now is around when many all-time greats peaked in terms of skill.

[@kingdinodragonite3470]

@@precisism1804 no but aside his shooting, his best offensive skillset to get buckets are finishes and drives. He's making 65% of them. Once he gets older, he might be a spot up shooter only because he can't drive past guys easily like he did in 2016 if he's older.

[@stevenwhiters8928]

Lol curry only shoots the deep threes when he gets hot curry actually normally gets slot of Easy shots because of his off ball movement. Then after he heats up he just hit everything. dame on the other hand start off jacking

[@hyperactive9148]

They like the same age bro I think curry only got a year or 2 on him

[@dangelodrummond8315]

I 100% agree !! Dame is just different 💫

[@msesay98]

Top quality content again 🤝I think what we need next is some playoff Doncic& Mitchell analysis, if they proceed.

[@marco5030]

"His defense is another story for another day", he says, right before delving into his defense.

[@hubertsumlin9697]

love this channel, best hoops content on youtube

[@andybrummel5555]

In the modern NBA, you have to be A faster, More reactive thinker, to be a good defender. With players abilities to spread the floor; with 3 point shooting; you need a lot of eyes in the back of your head and great court vision and space awareness, to cover both the paint and get to the edge man as well. In the 80s and 90s The ERA I grew up watching, The 3 point shot was hardly a factor. It was all about the big man down low and the physical nature of the game. You had to be tough as nails and Solid as a rock to survive and do well in that ERA of NBA basketball. Cause if you could not bang with the big boys down low, you were not gonna contribute much on defense. Exceptions being Pesky Guards and wings like MJ Scottie Stocton etc. Who made it a habbit of stealing your lunch money so much you starved to death. So yes, To be a great defender in the modern NBA takes a much higher level of skill sets then the past NBA. They got these poor boys running around like chickens now don't they? thanks Stephen Curry!

[@JohnSmith-eo2yx]

Watching clips with crowds is so jarring now. It's strange to think how quickly I've gotten used to the bubble environment as a viewer. Great video!!

[@simongauthier-daviault1048]

Best basketball channel on KZbin. I love your videos

[@kidjiujitsu]

Love this mans knowledge of the game.

[@243354]

Not a single mention of his incredible ability to take care of the ball? The man has a 126 ORTG on the season. That is INSANE

[@NothingElseMattersJM]

8th seed

[@Zipfei_Kloatscher]

And he has a perfect and (most) beautiful shooting form.

[@zStratoss]

A video ab my fav player from my favorite Basketball channel?!?!? GOOOOOOOD MORNING

[@rygesa]

"Isnt too far off from peak Curry" ummm looks pretty damn far off to me.

[@taterz4502]

3%is that far

[@rygesa]

@@taterz4502 he said "9% better" but that dot is closer to 8.5%. Steph is at 13%. That's a big 4.5% difference. Nice try.

[@taterz4502]

Andreas Ryge nice try? i was confused and i like currying

[@taterz4502]

Andreas Ryge curry

[@rygesa]

@@taterz4502 oh sorry. I thought you were implying there isn't a big difference.

[@user-es6wn9vj9o]

i love the way you tell both his good and bad things about his game. Other KZbinrs just overrate him.

[@paraminderdhanota9810]

I wish u posted more I love ur work

[@freshfade28]

He's been balling i hope he get a chip this year for all the doubters

[@taterz4502]

I was waiting for this

[@rThe07555]

How you gonna analyse him and not mention his 40inch vert, he's one of the most frequent dunkers of any pg literally ever.

[@simonamorim8178]

Everyone one of these videos is a gem

[@nflvideos3363]

YES best b-ball analysis out there

[@BeakerSunset]

Would love to see an analysis of some legacy NBA stars.

[@jacksonskateanddrum]

Imagine watching this 2 years on as Dame has just had the best offensive season of his career.

[@darrylwallace2428]

I cannot wait to see Lillard and Curry match up next season. Those two imo are the best guards in the league.

[@fuckoffstupidyoutub1]

Can't wait for Ben's top 10 players of the season like he did last year, it might be surprises with Durant and Curry out

[@chrisfromph]

Watching this while watching lakers drop 80pts on 1st half

[@chesssse6607]

Lillard offensive game is my second favourite in the leauge after Curry Both are really enjoyable

[@GustavoSilva-ny8jc]

3:45 That's crazy... everything after 2:45 seems unbelievable.

[@therealbando]

Why don`t you upload your podcast episodes on youtube?

[@globulin]

"Now there is the question of whether these are good shots."

[@ashtondunson2932]

That looks like some weird alternate universe Dame Lillard in the thumbnail lol

[@ruchpat1]

He really is a good ball handler as well I don’t think I have seen commit an egregious amount of turn overs. The little efficiencies can add up in a good way sometimes.

[@inordirectional]

The best basketball channel on KZbin?

[@arqumabdullah2462]

8:25 damn he got YEETED

[@Infinityflow0]

I think the best way to defend this type of threat is with very physical guards. They will make crazy shots and there is not much you can do when they pull up, but that physicality will wear them down throughout a series. The best example of this would probably be the cavs in 2016, when they were relentlessly physical with the warriors, especially as it went on. Dame is tough, but even his shot will start to break down at some point when facing that sort of defense.

[@NothingElseMattersJM]

Ask Jrue Holiday and Rondo :)

[@Splackavellie85]

Conclusion: Lillard shines when Curry is out and not around to overshadow him

[@hoodielexballard8102]

Bruhhh 🤣 this man is great stop curry is a all time great we know there’s other players to “he’s a threat from the logo “

[@jaychulo1936]

Simple he just keeping the seat warm for curry 😎💯

[@misaelintriago5434]

@@hoodielexballard8102 I think people just get annoyed when someone other than curry gets the spotlight and they call it "disrespectful" lol. Like let him get all the attention right now 'cause once curry is back everyone is going to forget about Dame again

[@hoodielexballard8102]

Misael Intriago ye curry out rn curry is a better player then dame ye but dame puts up 60 and it goes under oh curry could’ve done that no doubt but this man underrated that’s all I’m trynaget curry fans to see

[@Splackavellie85]

Hoodie lex Ballard How is he overrated? If anything, he’s a bit overrated since the bubble. And could you try typing in normal English next time?

[@Heat_Hoops_Basketball_League]

Gotta do a video on defensive player of the year

[@kalginage]

8:26 we're just gonna ignore this insane block...

[@marco5030]

He's 7 foot tall and just runs and blocks, that takes no skill...

[@panner11]

It may have been ruled a goaltend

[@jebinm4706]

goaltend?

[@mintesinotsturm388]

Do one of Duncan Robinson plz. I wanna see somebody talk about how amazing he’s been in his rookie season.

[@futurehofer1564]

Omg 16 Steph was something else 😳

[@jeffgiblin1]

kick out to the open shooter always seems to be Gary Trent Jr #underrated

[@sethsassy]

He's the new Clyde Drexler. Offensive powerhouse stuck in Portland. If he ever gets out of there he will get a ring.

[@nathanxu666]

do an analysis on PG's playing so far

[@nofuture_at_all]

I always put him behind Kyrie and Westbrook on point guard rankings before but this year, he's clearly the best at his position.

[@NothingElseMattersJM]

Westbrook is still better.

[@imdbtruth]

Luka is a PG, and Luka is the best at his position.

[@jackhamilton2484]

“Those hand offs tug on the d” bro cmon

[@ballerkidz1226]

Elite shooting in a point guard opens up a lot

[@vexzore7019]

Fire vid

[@Kaitos11]

God damn, that was the sneakiest ad read I've ever seen.

[@joshgoodloe4830]

Banger

[@yohnyarvis9653]

I admit I busted out laughing when he said "tug on the D".

[@raygordonteacheschess5501]

Lillard and Young are the best players in the NBA, redefining the game to eliminate their weaknesses.

[@wallstreetzoomer]

Can you say what do you think of people that thinks Lillard is better than Curry now? Recency bias?

[@GANGLYMAN117]

A most extreme version.

[@javierlandaverde4108]

Its literally people forgetting Curry because he is not in the bubble and getting caught in the moment because a guy has his range on the court but different players. Both are different players as a whole. Only resemblence is the unlimited range.

[@brendanbloom3366]

Lillard and Kyrie have been just as good if not better but in different and worse situations.

[@wallstreetzoomer]

@@brendanbloom3366 and you're wrong. they never reach Curry's volume and efficiency at his absolute best, they aren't as good off-ball and defensively too. Only thing they are better at is driving to the rim, but Curry finishes better too.

[@brendanbloom3366]

@@wallstreetzoomer curry finishes better cause he has better spacing. That doesn't mean he's a better finisher. He's a better shooter and better off ball but they're better iso players. Dame has had better passing numbers and Kyrie did too after he left Cleveland. Nothing supports him being a better defender. He's surrounded by better defense and they hide him on defense. They're all in different systems with different teamates so it's hard to compare them when they all are close in overall skill.

[@tinopazhernandez6701]

IDK about that in many of the games in the bubble dame, sometimes guarded the best player on the other team and did pretty good. I feel like he is good at defense when the blazer really need him but he doesn't want to waste his energy

[@NothingElseMattersJM]

He’s a minus defender.

[@andreacallegari7137]

If the Blazers manage to upset the Lakers and the Rockets overcome the Thunder, we will get an interesting duel between the step back three and the logo shot in the second round

[@hopoff9968]

I agree what he is doing is incredible he's very Steph Curry-esque Steph Curry Lite if you will

[@GustavoSilva-ny8jc]

4:18 Insane that even after ALL THAT he's still way inferior to 16 Curry, insane. Probably because of the lack of off ball movement AND supporting cast.

[@yetundeadeyemi2436]

It's also because dame can't handle the ball or pass like Steph, dame is more explosive yet Steph and dame finish at similar rates even when Steph's teams are bad and there is worse spacing

[@stefanos4429]

So with this defence theory I think Portland make big moves to help him Covington Giles Derick Jones help to make the Portland defence more power

[@towersj6132]

A Milwaukee Buck

[@geomaryy]

Great thumbnail

[@GustavoSilva-ny8jc]

2:45 Instead of focusing on shooting from that far he should have focused on his passing... that you break the defense.

[@memtub8782]

Hey Thinking Basketball, it would be cool if you made a video on comparing dame with Steph curry, since many people are comparing him with Steph, and even saying that dame has surpassed Steph ( personally I don't believe that )

[@qwikscopez6619]

There isn't a man born from his mother that can shoot better than Stephen Curry

[@keithwilliams1018]

Damien lillars deep range dead eye badge is gonna be HOF in 2k21

[@adamcho9129]

5:00 "draw out bigs and tug on the D" PAUSE

[@grandpa203]

Kenny Smith was straight up disrespectful saying "He doesn't know if curry has as much range as Dame". Lets not forget Steph has been doing this since 2016. I mean he shoots damn near 50 perecent from 3. Steph is the greatest long range shooter of all time. Dame is in the conversation I'll give him that. But when it comes down to shooting a basketball I'm taking Steph 10/10 times

[@preciousaweh8521]

Who is better between Curry and Dame. I only trust you to determine who has a better range or the better 3 point shooter. Thank you

[@shivang12345]

Just imagine if lillard going to team up with giannis.

[@DarkOPSPro]

this has aged incredibly well

[@IJGZ]

Yeah dame is probably the best offensive player right now. blazers have the best offense in the league when hes on the floor.

[@fear7126]

l m a o

[@brooksandrew3505]

"The tug on the D" was great, ignore everyone who says it was bad

[@jackdonsurfer]

1:02 *pause*

[@MarquisdeSuave]

I pray to God that I see Big Game Dame play one season in a Mike D'antoni coached offense. 40ppg is not out of the question.

[@NothingElseMattersJM]

He can’t get to the rim or draw fouls like Westbrook or Harden

[@kyrie4451]

What is a good shot? One that you have a good chance of making, for Lillard these are good shots. Even if he only shoots 30% (He shoots over 42% from 30ft out, better than the rest of the league), it will still help create spacing for Blazers offense.

[@NothingElseMattersJM]

Blazers and Dame are extremely overrated lol

[@daneforden3136]

Great vid. I loved your old thumbnails. Please go back to that format.

[@afrohawk]

Portland has figured out how to get into offense immediately. That's great! You can't make a move offensively until you make the defense react. Kids today like to stand and watch, which doesn't make the defense do anything. We teach our team how to get into something immediately just like this. Why we wait, I'm always screaming. Play downhill and see what happens. Nothing but good things, that's what.

[@mrcobbs6227]

It's always a good shot if it goes in:)

[@jonjuko8859]

Harden, Lillard, Durant, Curry and Luka would be my top 5 best offensive players not taking into account health

[@NothingElseMattersJM]

Luka’s reputation supersedes his shooting ability. 31% from 3 and 75% from the line. He’s an elite playmaker but Kawhi is better than Luka from everywhere on the court. Damian Lillard is a poor man’s Stephen Curry.

[@jonjuko8859]

Benjamin Franklin he’s still a very efficient scorer and his playmaking puts him ahead of Kawhi offensively. Curry is better for sure but it’s more like an upper middle class version of Steph than a poormans 😂

[@jrsdt2ndaccount30]

Can you do a video why freethrows are so hard?

[@atxng11]

May you please analyse Steph Curry, people are forgetting just how good he is

[@AF-we4re]

He already did

[@atxng11]

@@AF-we4re not the finals one, I meant an overall analysis of Steph's game

[@misaelintriago5434]

It’s not that people are forgetting they’re just appreciating greatness from someone else.

[@geoks.509]

I'm pretty sure I've heard something like this before... oh Curry. No doubt Lillard is a great player but it feels ore like Kerr has cracked the code with Curry and the league is finally knowing how to use small players hence Lillard is starting to shine more this few years.

[@ijoseph7343]

How is the screen at 2:02 legal with a base that wide?