For most basketball fans, the beauty of the NBA lies in the blur of a fast break or the sudden, explosive lift of a dunk. It is a game of highlights and instinct. But for those who play it at the highest level, the game is less a blur and more a series of calculated reads, a constant mental chess match played at 100 miles per hour. It is the difference between seeing a play happen and understanding why it happened.
That distinction is the heartbeat of a new instructional venture from the league. In a move to pull back the curtain on professional preparation, Chet Holmgren shares his knowledge on ‘Beyond the Take’, a new series that transforms the Oklahoma City Thunder center-forward into a digital professor of the hardwood. Available across the NBA App, NBA.com, and various social channels, the series aims to bridge the gap between the casual viewer and the professional strategist.
In my years covering five Olympics and three World Cups, I have always been fascinated by the “invisible” part of the game—the hours of film study and the cognitive load that athletes carry. We often credit “natural talent” for a game-winning block or a perfectly timed pass, but as Holmgren demonstrates in this series, those moments are usually the result of rigorous pattern recognition. By breaking down film from a player’s perspective, the series offers a rare glimpse into the mental architecture of a modern NBA star.
Decoding the Professional Read
The premiere of “Beyond the Take” positions Holmgren not just as a subject, but as a guide. He uses high-definition film to dismantle the complexities of playmaking, explaining the split-second decision-making that occurs before a ball ever leaves a player’s hand. For the uninitiated, a full-court press might look like chaotic aggression; for Holmgren, it is a structured system of traps and angles designed to force a specific mistake.
Holmgren’s approach is grounded in the “tricks of the trade”—those subtle nuances that aren’t found in a coaching manual but are learned through repetitions and failures. “I know a lot of tips and tricks that I’ve learned along the way. Things that are little known, well known, tricks of the trade,” Holmgren says.
One of the most compelling segments of the series focuses on the evolution of the center position. Holmgren discusses the resurgence of “double bigs”—the strategy of deploying two traditional big men simultaneously. In an era where versatility is the ultimate currency, the ability for centers to stretch the floor or switch onto smaller guards has fundamentally changed how teams construct their lineups. For the Oklahoma City Thunder, this versatility is a cornerstone of their identity, and Holmgren uses the series to explain how this flexibility creates defensive advantages and offensive mismatches.
The Art of Rim Protection
While the offensive fireworks often steal the headlines, Holmgren spends significant time on the defensive finish, specifically the intricacies of rim protection. To the average viewer, a block is a physical feat of reach and timing. To a professional, it is about “reading” the driver’s hips, anticipating the angle of the attack, and understanding the geometry of the paint.
The series breaks down these reads in real-time, showing how Holmgren processes the floor to neutralize threats before they reach the basket. This focus on basketball IQ highlights a broader shift in the league: the move toward “positionless” basketball, where a player’s value is determined less by their height and more by their ability to process information and react accordingly.
Strategic Pillars Covered in ‘Beyond the Take’
The series doesn’t just focus on individual skill, but on the systemic elements that define the modern NBA. Key areas of focus include:
- The Full-Court Press: Analyzing how defensive pressure is used to disrupt the opposing team’s rhythm and force turnovers.
- The Versatile Big: Exploring the tactical shift toward “double big” lineups and how modern centers operate outside the paint.
- Defensive Geometry: A deep dive into the keys of protecting the rim and the specific reads required to stop high-percentage shots.
- Playmaking Logic: Breaking down the thought process behind the pass, focusing on how players manipulate defenders to open up lanes.
A New Era of NBA Content
“Beyond the Take” is not an isolated project but part of a larger strategic pivot by the league to integrate original, educational content into its streaming ecosystem. Launched as part of a broader programming slate for the 2025-2026 season, the initiative seeks to turn the league’s platforms into a destination for both entertainment and education.
The series joins other specialized programming, such as “Coaches Corner,” which provides a similar deep dive into the tactical side of the game. Together, these shows represent a move toward transparency, giving fans a more sophisticated understanding of the sport. By leveraging players like Holmgren—who possesses both the skill and the articulateness to teach—the NBA is effectively turning its stars into ambassadors of the game’s intellectual side.
For the fans, Which means a transition from being passive observers to active students of the game. When we witness a play unfold in the fourth quarter of a tight game, we are no longer just seeing a result; we are seeing the execution of the very “reads” Holmgren describes.
As the series continues to roll out across NBA social channels and the official app, the league will likely introduce more player-led breakdowns, further expanding this library of professional knowledge. The next phase of the streaming platform’s rollout is expected to integrate more live-game analytical overlays, bringing the “Beyond the Take” philosophy directly into the live viewing experience.
Do you think player-led film breakdowns change how you watch the game? Share your thoughts in the comments below or join the conversation on social media.
