The Smartest NBA Discussions We’ve Ever Had | Luka, Steph, KD, Tatum, CP3, Draymond, Embiid & More

We're off this week so we decided to put together a nice compilation video of our favorite 'smart NBA hoops' talk featuring Luka Doncic (The Dallas Mavericks), Chris Paul (The Phoenix Suns), Jayson Tatum (The Boston Celtics), Stephen Curry (The Golden State Warriors), Tyrese Haliburton (The Indiana Pacers), Draymond Green (The Golden State Warriors), Kevin Durant (The Brooklyn Nets) and Desmond Bane (The Memphis Grizzlies).
Subscribe to The Old Man and The Three podcast w/ JJ Redick (ESPN / First Take) and Tommy Alter KZbin channel today for more NBA analysis, player interviews and highlights.
00:00 - Intro
01:05 - Luka Doncic on scoring in The NBA vs. Euroleague
05:10 - Chris Paul on manipulation
09:10 - Kevin Durant on why he’s never dropped 60 in a game
11:31 - Draymond Green on the power of a swing pass
16:20 - Jayson Tatum on learning the 3 for 2
19:30 - Joel Embiid on his approach to defense
23:19 - Stephen Curry on finding the flow state
26:50 - Desmond Bane why Steven Adams is so underrated
29:54 - Tyrese Haliburton breaks down a random ATO
31:29 - JJ and CP3 debate the rip through move
#nba #jjredick

[@JJRedick]

We're off this week so we decided to put together a compilation of some of our favorite conversation on the pod this year. We are so thankful for this KZbin community and hope you all have an awesome New Year.

[@pabloEscobar-hy9jo]

Thank you and happy new year!!! 🎉

[@justinramos6227]

As a person , who never got the chance to play . These convos give me a different perspective on the game that I’ve grown to love.

[@TemmeTalented]

Thanks for the video enjoy yourselves for the holidays

[@chadhicks9250]

Tuffff Brodie

[@TellTheNations]

GREAT IDEA I loved it. Thank you guys 👊🏼

[@uHMixahh]

As a fan of the NBA but never actually playing basketball, these discussions are so interesting to hear about and learn for myself.

[@Teezo13]

Thank you for trying to learn and not trolling on the internet! So many people who don’t understand basketball but talk like they do! We appreciate you!

[@abhinavthakur4556]

@teonatale5550 Thank you for appreciating another honest fan. We appreciate you too.

[@JJRedick]

Thanks for watching and listening.

[@martinwestfa4963]

@@JJRedick good stuff bro! We love you bro! You’re a fresh breathe of air!!

[@kylekilpatrick6625]

@@Teezo13 k_fky$ 9 ⁹j.

[@eddiebaker40]

Impeccable timing for this to include a clip of Luka talking about scoring in the NBA and basketball IQ the morning after he put up 60/21/10

[@yomamma26100]

Damn apparently can’t be KD they woulda made adjustments

[@JAUSHTHEBAUSS]

@@yomamma26100 they didn't double Luka though so his statement is pretty relevant

[@Ysidoroh]

@@JAUSHTHEBAUSS if you double Luka then he's hitting the open man 100% of the time though.

[@thedreaminghooper]

@@Ysidoroh i mean he mustve been doubled cause bro got 20+ assists

[@JAUSHTHEBAUSS]

@@Ysidoroh Kd is labeled a scorer while Luka is a play maker and PG so Luka passing in the double team is a given.

[@omieg89]

My biggest takeaway from this is that i really hope Chris Paul winds up on tv as an analyst. He’s so good at explaining the game.

[@jmsa2760]

Amazing how CP3 does not see his hugely intelligent actions as anything other than logical. When he says it, it sounds simple, but it isn't. What a brain that guy has.

[@Indyanajones_]

facts

[@ogmickeyc]

@@chasejordan9295 Chris Paul IQ is off the charts, almost to his demise. Lots of people hate seeing him in the refs ear, he’s really greasy. Just means he cares. Lebron is also a basketball genius. Off the court tho, he’s so socially oblivious and corny that he comes off as a dummy. He just was allowed a lil too much power for such a storied franchise and if it weren’t for the bubble ring, most people would agree he ruined the franchise for years to come

[@bn1342]

Couch potatoes trynna tell an nba Hall of Famer he’s not logical. Hilarious

[@ayeyobossman6151]

@@bn1342 you just completely missed the point of the comment huh?

[@voe8]

He's being sensitive and defensive about being called manipulative LOL

[@SidelineFilmz]

This is awesome. The 3-for-2 still amazes me like it did JT. And CP3's conversation about manipulation remains hilarious 😂

[@BezmenovWasRight]

He had an issue with that word, it does have a bad demeanor. Maybe "maneuver" or "exploit" would be better idk.

[@show4ballers]

Anyone want to tell CP3 and JJ that a 2 for 1 is better than 3 for 2? 2 for 1 is double the possessions and 3 for 2 is only 1.5 times the possessions...

[@NapoleonSoares]

@@show4ballers ... you are entirely missing the point.

[@Bruno-oc5xu]

@@show4ballers its not about the ratio lmao, its just ensuring you get more possessions at the end of a quarter.

[@immanuelray23]

Honestly that depends on personnel and the situation at hand like are you really gonna go for a 3 for 2 into halftime down 6 to bring you back or risk possessions to give the other team a double digit lead?

[@andresposada7755]

CP and JJ have great chemistry together.. even if JJ is always left shaking his head 😂😂😂

[@Tonio5100]

I've been a basketball fan for a LOOOOOOOOOOONG TIME and this is my first time ever hearing about a 3 for 2 just goes to show how deep these players go to try to find ANY edge against the opponent.... I remember when I heard Phil Jackson say "Tony Parker falls down alot when he drives and when he fall to the ground make it or miss we RUNNING" And I thought to myself that's genius

[@versatillion15]

The 3 for 2 I thought was common sense but that Phil Jackson part is really genius I never thought about that

[@JP-rw5cd]

@@versatillion15 congrats bro you’re a genius 🎉🙄

[@zoomzoom670]

I forgot who but someone was talking about coming into the league hearing Chris Paul talk about a 5 for 4. Most likely exaggerating the numbers but the point was that Chris Paul is thinking and planning out the end of the quarter like none other

[@kopostudios8375]

tatum learning the 3 for 2 just sounds like an NBA thing and its good to hear he cares enough about his job to ask after a game what exactly is a 3 for 2

[@MarkoRabin]

And its cool cp3 told him

[@lukadonchich]

Can u explain what a 3 for 2 is?

[@zackeastin1743]

@Rhyan Chua it's where you give the other team 3 points, so you can have 2

[@lukadonchich]

@@zackeastin1743 2 points or 2 possessions?

[@AguanteTheWitcher]

@@lukadonchich Basically at the end of a quarter you have to shoot it at 1:05 or close to that. That way you get more possessions at the end of the quarter. Is like a 2 for 1 when you shoot it at 35-31 second left because you know the other team is gonna use their 24 second so you get the last possession of the quarter. Here is the same concept but you shoot it earlier so that you get 3 shots (or possessions) up to their 2.

[@andrewfung8591]

3:20 the way Luka explains the game is just funny too me he makes it sound so easy 😂

[@versatillion15]

He’s like harden they both simplified the game no need to make it harder than it has to be

[@sstteevveenn77]

I’m primarily a football (soccer) fan, but I love basketball. I watch the NBA at the most basic level (game, score, great plays, main stats, postgame shows)…but I can’t help but absolutely enjoy listening to this. Its like listening to a physicist give a lecture on the math behind quantum physics 😂. I have no clue wtf you guys are talking about but I love it.

[@DynamicAero]

I am a huge fan of the NBA and specifically players with high basketball IQ, mainly because I don't play basketball myself and so the only real way I can track the games I watch is through the tactics of various plays. This video is a godsend for me trying to figure out how to read games well from the position of only having watched the game for a few years. Thanks JJ!

[@Teezo13]

Thank you for trying to learn! So many trolls on the interwebs trying to proclaim they know all when it comes to the strategies and schemes of basketball but they dont, we commend you and you’re intrigue to learn! 😊

[@DynamicAero]

@@Teezo13 Appreciate it, still struggling to piece together what I see on the screen with the stuff that I know, but I like to think I can talk basketball at a decent level after following the game for a few years and delving into the history of it as well.

[@JJRedick]

Thanks for watching and listening. Appreciate the support.

[@sensethevillen]

I loved Draymond breakdown. Low man is the strong side corner , him forgetting to pull in . Regular people like me don’t think like this and I appreciate that.

[@clorenzpogi]

The most interesting point of this entire compilation for me is the Draymond clip. He specifically says “it takes at least half a season for guys to really catch on (to the system).” When you watched GP2, Belly, Otto, etc. last year they fumbled a bunch on the court despite the great start they had last year. Their struggles were shown in the middle of the season when steph started missing games. However near the end of the regular season and come playoffs, they went from plays being created for them, to creating plays for Steph and Klay fluidly. One example is GP2’s handoff screens to Steph during the finals. I wonder if this year, since they’re doing complete dogshit in this half of the season, they’re gonna have a turnaround 3/4 of the way.

[@bryant5786]

Already seeing it happen

[@mursuka80]

Their team is weird this year. Best home record and worst road record. Has this happened before?

[@johannesgrote270]

@@mursuka80 It’s continuing

[@TashdidKhan]

I literally noticed how much more efficient the team at GSW is when Draymond is on the floor

[@brandondavis131]

Bro! Such a subtle flex when JJ asked Luka about what he’s feeling for when going into ISO. This man luka immediately said “look who’s under the basket” COMPLETELY disregarding the actual grown man right in front of him lol MVP!

[@jalenad11]

As a Steelers fan, that reminded me of when Coach T says that the opponents are just "blank grey faces" and just people in the way.

[@davidmorley3760]

These are the parts of each episode that I love. The way JJ can get pros breaking down different aspects of the game in a way that only comes from experience.

[@peds103]

There's a video showing how Luka in the last play of the Bucks game figured out that the Bucks knew the Mav's play and was signaling the bench and CWood to change it up but no one else figured it out and he ended up in a difficult situation with Holiday on him and missed the desperation shot. He's the smartest on and off the court for the Mavs.

[@jakobhoorens9428]

Mvl

[@ButterI3ean]

Chris Paul: *denies manipulation* Also CP: So a 3 for 2 is your shoot at 1:03 so you force a 3rd possession out

[@Chris_94298]

I love the conversation with Chris Paul with the way that he asks questions back at you to get you to think its really amazing how smart of a guy he is and how his intelligence keeps him a great player against all the young talent in the league

[@Stardust414]

This has to be one of the best compilations you guys have put together. As a fan who wants to learn and understand more this was extremely helpful and my appreciation for players with a high basketball IQ continues to grow. Looking forward to more amazing content next year but for now I hope you guys enjoy some well deserved time off this week!!

[@StO1Rm_Enterprises]

These are the videos and discussions that make me realize as an average basketball fan, how little I really know about the game. I like to analyze more than most, but these discussions taught me a lot about how smart these guys really are. I can't even imagine how smart KOBE was when it came to understanding the game... damn.

[@bg357wg]

In case you didn't know, Kobe had a show called "Detail" in which he analyzed plays

[@StO1Rm_Enterprises]

@@bg357wg I know of "Detail" .. one of the most intelligent basketball shows. Wish we got more of it. Kobe's Basketball IQ was severely overlooked because of the tenacity he played the game with. He was a basketball savant for sure.

[@BlightStorm]

I can't stop thinking about the meaning of calling Chris Paul a "Sicko". The context really shows the compliment and the "No! You're actually insane CP!"

[@Love2Hoop]

As a basketball nerd, I can't get enough of these conversations and break downs.

[@damiannothankyou1420]

Man... dray is such a supermind when it comes to that teams flow on both ends.

[@mychannel-be4jr]

Most podcasts with nba players don't get into x's and o's enough, but that's what nba players know better than anyone else, love to see stuff like this

[@justanobody0]

I really found the Chris Paul JJ convo insightful

[@jaymonei8089]

Shout out to JJ Redick for these interviews this content is going to upgrade him tremendously. Hopefully he stays consistent with them

[@jastrology4192]

I love how Chris Paul is like the boogie man of this show that pops up in other people's stories. "He's a real sicko."

[@dnuggey]

perfect video. I love hearing from the players on the show talking about what it’s like for them off the court but there’s nothing better than pure basketball talk

[@xInfiniteCaliber]

We NEED Bron on here man. I feel like he’d have the best insight out of anyone.

[@iglooman7412]

Draymond Green is a true student of the game bruh you can hear it in his voice

[@rubenahlers8186]

Love the idea of this interview-compilation! Sooo interesting to hear how these players actually view some details of the game. Would love even more content / questions like this - maybe even while seeing footage / them showing some stuff while viewing clips...

[@dheerajnihalani2430]

Bruh, legit making notes from what they are saying. Just so much insight into how a player thinks on the court. Specially the CP bit, going to watch his complete pod again.

[@RJTradess]

Cp3 got tight af at that manipulate question 🤣

[@dannyscott3871]

We need more of these IQ discussions. They're really good food for thought! Love it

[@Edwurrd_]

The fact that we have access to hearing conversations like these is special. Learning so much as a fan and as a casual hooper.

[@davit368]

when i listened to the cp3 part i realized smth, i love how smart/genius people cannot physically comprehend that not everybody is that smart😂😂😂😂

[@Salhd10]

Still find it crazy how KD think he the only one that teams make adjustments for 😂

[@ridersofrohan13]

Same AF. the level of arrogance is in real lol

[@pedrochorao8952]

He is a way better scorer than passer, so teams easily choose to double team him. With prime Harden or Luka, teams are way more willing to try and not double team or hedge despite risk of 50 piece on you. That's how great they are as passers.

[@ridersofrohan13]

@@pedrochorao8952 how about booker and his 70?

[@unitedleagueofgamers3633]

@@ridersofrohan13he lost

[@Jordarr8994]

@@ridersofrohan13 you gotta be crazy you if think KD can't drop 70

[@satisfyingcuts]

Those seemingly spontaneous dribbles being muscle memory for Steph is absolutely incredible

[@nahmanimgood.3194]

“Big dummies get your arm outa there” is the perfect quote to end the video on 😂

[@francescomanetti01]

Thanks JJ and Tommy, this is fantastic! More of these contents, keep going💪

[@lamp9478]

i like how cp3 makes JJ frustrated because he knows cp3 is right but its still pisses him off

[@a_coleman11]

dray is correct about the swing pass because you see the moving parts and if the defense is off by 1 step either someone is open or you drive the lane. Btw love the smart NBA discussions and essentially being taught by the best in the game. its great.

[@MrMjosiah]

Easily the best discussions. Love the knowledge of the game spilled into these conversations.

[@Adrian-us1ui]

I love CP3 and how he talks about the game

[@jonathankelly1283]

As a basketball fan I really appreciated you making this mashup of all the technical basketball conversations

[@clemence8623]

Been waiting for this kind of episode thank you JJ. keep doing the good work

[@JoshTheTrill]

This was perfect guys happy holidays 🎉 Love this kind of content since I don’t always have time to watch every episode!

[@ELi-gt4oi]

im such a fan of basketball, thank you JJ for being one as well and asking these questions

[@emanuelsanchez2501]

JJ your channel is so good dude honestly I just love the questions and people you bring onto the show! Keep up the good work onto the New Year brother!

[@karlkibonge3862]

Love this video and love this type of conversation.

[@calamityswag7673]

Great video. Get this man on the table

[@MikeydeLaraCovers]

THE best pure basketball conversation compilation I’ve seen in memory. God, for the basketball geek, this is incredible.

[@MikeydeLaraCovers]

@@JJReddick1 Thanks, fake JJ! Good thing I’ve never heard of scams before! I loved you in “Good Times!”

[@CouchCit]

lol great spliced reel here. CP is so funny cause he's such a natural "manipulator" that looks to abuse any and everything to get an advantage.

[@TheIcemanthomas]

And people be pissed about it as if he’s not supposed to find the best advantage to win. ALL the greats did it. Not a single one hadnt manipulated the rules, been overly physical knowing they wouldn’t get caught, knowingly broke a rule knowing it wouldn’t get called, utilized the specifics of the rule book, etc.

[@JSalonsky]

And it doesn’t work, no rings 😂

[@sudowoodo5826]

@@JSalonsky it actually works,m tho, a lot of great players got away with that kind of playstyle and won rings (first ones to come to mind are wade and ginobili), it never worked for Cp3 because he’s alway injured in the playoffs

[@stelchipz6932]

Wow. I'm impressed. Jj asks the right questions and gets great info out of these guys

[@willardth]

Loved this!!!

[@JustinRiray]

Jesus man.... I'm a Warriors fan and have always hated playing against Chris Paul (almost how I used to hate us playing against Kobe). But man, it's so cool to hear how he sees and assesses the game. He's a genius.

[@andrew3068]

love a compilation video. expecting more of these

[@lilfolkes]

As a fan and student of the game love hearing players breakdown the game from their prospective on the court🔥🔥🔥🔥 video

[@MoeKizzy1901]

This my favorite basketball iq video, very insightful. Shoutout to JJ for asking the high level questions.

[@fkkingknow4017]

One of the best ball videos on the internet rn. Great stuff

[@loushendrikyung5546]

They know ball. I like these convos man. Most of these dudes just playing when you watching on TV you can't hear the layers of thinking call outs and all that

[@jordanonconsole]

Honestly I'm watching this to help in my 2k game.🤣 These are actually some gems

[@ryanshaddy1847]

I will literally put my foot in my mouth after watching this. Always respected Dre Green but never knew him other than a dirty player. I sincerely apologize...this guy is brilliant when it comes to the court. Keep doing Dre and keep motivating and changing minds! Much love bro!

[@keithvassell7074]

Awesome to watch. Please make more videos like this.

[@lr861]

This is my favorite thing to hear about sports just the details and how tuned in these guys are is amazing

[@pvpichozen2027]

I love this hopefully we can get more videos like this so the young ones know how to “think basketball” 🔥🔥

[@sensethevillen]

Do you watch the “Thinking Basketball” channel?

[@chefrengray240]

Needed this!!!

[@ranjitjaques1051]

Amazing collage

[@damilolaolusesi5923]

I love watching basketball but play football. hearing how pros see and perceive the game is insane and helps with perception in other sports. great content

[@zenn7638]

Its mind bogglingly how good pros memory are when it comes to past games, and training. Its like they remember every play, not even just basketball, like most sports if not all, pros will have amazing recollection of past games.

[@prabhsingh5936]

Loved the Tatum part 😂!!

[@setboy1]

Great video. I would a welcome more video like this on different topics

[@rashadmyers4330]

Whoever put this together... tell them I love them ❤️

[@cortlandsimmons6241]

Love listening to this pro insight. 💯

[@jusurluck6094]

This was a great idea for a compilation

[@patd.robinson2331]

So good!

[@Mattalloftheeabove]

As a player still at 35 I love at his type of footage wish ESPN would tap in to this side of basketball great job JJ!! 🏀🧠

[@harrisonrich6807]

This was awesome

[@DhiaFraj92]

these conversations are the only reasons why i watch this channel and not ESPN

[@jonathanbutlerii8182]

This is amazing.

[@maggo_1111]

Love this

[@gerrimiccio9033]

JJ does it again with another interesting technical compilation of the best hoopers 🏀 IQ!!! There is so much more to the game than just watching it. Can’t wait for the season to start!!!

[@NoBadgeForIQ]

Sucha Underrated video🤞🏽🤞🏽

[@versatillion15]

I would love to see Harden on this show. JJ asks all the good IQ questions & Hardens IQ is very underrated

[@ungree]

love this

[@cozyfades1587]

Gotta find a way to get Bron or Giannis on here

[@isaiahcoleman7709]

Now THIS is content!!

[@MastermindRell]

The creativity here is top tier 🎉

[@kingtmoney06]

Love these type episodes. The NBA mind just different!

[@Thurokiir1]

Signing off with: "Big dummies get your arm outta there." Good ending, gj editor, happy holidays!

[@OnlyHTMRK]

jj went tomato red when jt talked about the 3 for 2 😂😂

[@yugiisama]

man being a guy like KD must be such a blessing & a curse, like you yourself know you can go get 50 whenever you want but so does the entire league too, so they plan around that and constantly adjust the game plan around you. Must be frustrating but those times when he’s in the zone must be so rewarding.

[@jalenad11]

Look at MJ in game 4 of the 93 ECF. Constant adjustments the whole game but he just made it work. Sometimes you just have to go God Mode if you're that good.

[@jcf8880]

Haliburton is gonna have a long great future. A great player in the making already

[@skrenson1]

WILD stuff, I love hearing ball like this

[@asac_mcgill]

JJ: *breathes* D Bane: “For sure”

[@honeybadger1325]

This is my only outlet to hear and listen to other basketball sickos and I love it

[@keithsmith339]

JJ you and Jason from The Volume should have a basketball analysis segment on your predictions for the All Star game and teams making the playoff. Basketball ball IQ: Lebron, Chris Paul, Luka, Draymond, Stephn, C J McCullough, and Ja.

[@imhotepnixon]

I second this Jason is the best

[@greg6722]

That first question to Jason Tatum was unbelievably good wow

[@michaeltremarco8062]

These are the best podcasts on the game