
Game Theory Podcast
Sam Vecenie, a Senior NBA Writer at The Athletic, talks all about basketball. From the NBA, to the NBA Draft, to college hoops and even some high school, Vecenie is has you covered in this show. And some thoughts on movies, too.
Latest episodes

Nov 15, 2024 • 1h 49min
NBA Rookies: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly from the first dozen games of the season!
In this episode of Game Theory, Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon & together they go through several rookies from the 2024 NBA Draft class giving their overall impressions of how this group is doing so far, as well as highlighting specific players making great early impressions on their new teams.VISIT our partners over at PrizePicks to go support the show! Download the app today and use code GAMETHEORY to get $50 instantly after you play your first $5 lineup! Use the code GAMETHEORY or visit this link to sign up: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/GAMETHEORYDUER is Built for Doing, with styles of stretch performance denim and lifestyle apparel for everyone in every season. Right now, my listeners get 20% off your first purchase when you use my exclusive URL: shopduer.com/GAMETHEORYROBINHOOD GOLD provides the privileges of the high net worth for any net worth, for just $5/month. The new gold standard is here with Robinhood Gold. Sign up at robinhood.com/gold Terms apply, for product specific disclosures visit robinhood.com/gold. Investing involves risk. Rate may change. Gold membership is offered by Robinhood Gold, LLC.CHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON THE GAME THEORY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!FOLLOW GAME THEORY ON SOCIALS:TWITTER - @GameTheorySamVINSTAGRAM - @GameTheorySamVTIKTOK - @GameTheorySamV- Sam Vecenie, a Senior NBA Writer at The Athletic, talks all about basketball. From the NBA, to the NBA Draft, to college hoops and even some high school, Vecenie has you covered in this show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 11, 2024 • 2h 2min
NBA Power Rankings: Where do Cavaliers, Celtics, Thunder rank among top teams? | Game Theory Podcast
In this episode of Game Theory, Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon to go through the top 10 in their personal NBA Power Rankings through the first few weeks of the NBA season!VISIT our partners over at PrizePicks to go support the show! Download the app today and use code GAMETHEORY to get $50 instantly after you play your first $5 lineup! Use the code GAMETHEORY or visit this link to sign up: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/GAMETHEORYDUER is Built for Doing, with styles of stretch performance denim and lifestyle apparel for everyone in every season. Right now, my listeners get 20% off your first purchase when you use my exclusive URL: shopduer.com/GAMETHEORYCHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON THE GAME THEORY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!FOLLOW GAME THEORY ON SOCIALS:TWITTER - @GameTheorySamVINSTAGRAM - @GameTheorySamVTIKTOK - @GameTheorySamV- Sam Vecenie, a Senior NBA Writer at The Athletic, talks all about basketball. From the NBA, to the NBA Draft, to college hoops and even some high school, Vecenie has you covered in this show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 8, 2024 • 1h 24min
Six Interesting NBA Draft Prospects w/ Adam Finkelstein | Game Theory Podcast w/ Sam Vecenie
In this edition of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie is joined by Adam Finkelstein from 247Sports and CBS Sports to go around the country & talk about a number of interesting 2025 NBA Draft prospects, including Egor Demin, Jaland Lowe, Kam Jones, Asa Newell and Donnie Freeman.VISIT our partners over at PrizePicks to go support the show! Download the app today and use code GAMETHEORY to get $50 instantly after you play your first $5 lineup! Use the code GAMETHEORY or visit this link to sign up: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/GAMETHEORYThis episode of Game Theory is brought to you by BetterHelp. If you're thinking of starting therapy, give Better Help a try. Visit BetterHelp.com/GAMETHEORY today to get 10 percent off your first month.CHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON THE GAME THEORY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!FOLLOW GAME THEORY ON SOCIALS:TWITTER - @GameTheorySamVINSTAGRAM - @GameTheorySamVTIKTOK - @GameTheorySamV- Sam Vecenie, a Senior NBA Writer at The Athletic, talks all about basketball. From the NBA, to the NBA Draft, to college hoops and even some high school, Vecenie has you covered in this show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 4, 2024 • 1h 51min
NBA Panic Meter! Nuggets, Bucks, Magic, Sixers & more! | GAME THEORY PODCAST
In this edition of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon to go through several different teams off to rough starts to the season & grade them all on a scale from 1-10 on the NBA Panic Meter!CHAPTERS:04:17 Discussing the Joel Embiid/Marcus Hayes incident on Saturday night32:58 NBA Panic Meter - Philadelphia 76ers44:07 NBA Panic Meter - Milwaukee Bucks57:21 NBA Panic Meter - Orlando Magic1:05:33 NBA Panic Meter - Indiana Pacers1:14:31 NBA Panic Meter - Denver Nuggets1:29:17 TRIVIA TIME w/ GMAC! 10 Players averaging at least 15 rebounds & 10 rebounds this seasonVISIT our partners over at PrizePicks to go support the show! Download the app today and use code GAMETHEORY to get $50 instantly after you play your first $5 lineup! Use the code GAMETHEORY or visit this link to sign up: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/GAMETHEORYThis episode of Game Theory is brought to you by BetterHelp. If you're thinking of starting therapy, give Better Help a try. Visit BetterHelp.com/GAMETHEORY today to get 10 percent off your first month.CHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON THE GAME THEORY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!FOLLOW GAME THEORY ON SOCIALS:TWITTER - @GameTheorySamVINSTAGRAM - @GameTheorySamVTIKTOK - @GameTheorySamV- Sam Vecenie, a Senior NBA Writer at The Athletic, talks all about basketball. From the NBA, to the NBA Draft, to college hoops and even some high school, Vecenie has you covered in this show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 1, 2024 • 1h 18min
Early Season NBA Breakout Players and Improvements? | Game Theory Podcast w/ Sam Vecenie
In this edition of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie & Bryce Simon have a conversation about some of the NBA's earliest most-improved players.VISIT our partners over at PrizePicks to go support the show! Download the app today and use code GAMETHEORY to get $50 instantly after you play your first $5 lineup! Use the code GAMETHEORY or visit this link to sign up: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/GAMETHEORYCHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON THE GAME THEORY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!FOLLOW GAME THEORY ON SOCIALS:TWITTER - @GameTheorySamVINSTAGRAM - @GameTheorySamVTIKTOK - @GameTheorySamV- Sam Vecenie, a Senior NBA Writer at The Athletic, talks all about basketball. From the NBA, to the NBA Draft, to college hoops and even some high school, Vecenie has you covered in this show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 28, 2024 • 1h 23min
NBA Opening Week Overreactions - Lakers, Celtics, Nuggets, Warriors & more! | GAME THEORY PODCAST
In this edition of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie & Bryce Simon to talk through the opening week of the NBA season with the only way we know how: by overreacting to what we've seen from the Lakers, Celtics, Nuggets and Thunder among others.VISIT our partners over at PrizePicks to go support the show! Download the app today and use code GAMETHEORY to get $50 instantly after you play your first $5 lineup! Use the code GAMETHEORY or visit this link to sign up: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/GAMETHEORYCHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON THE GAME THEORY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!FOLLOW GAME THEORY ON SOCIALS:TWITTER - @GameTheorySamVINSTAGRAM - @GameTheorySamVTIKTOK - @GameTheorySamV- Sam Vecenie, a Senior NBA Writer at The Athletic, talks all about basketball. From the NBA, to the NBA Draft, to college hoops and even some high school, Vecenie has you covered in this show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 25, 2024 • 1h 33min
NBA Rookie Extension Grades with Keith Smith of The NBA Front Office Show
In this edition of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie is joined by Keith Smith of the @NBAFrontOffice Show to discuss the NBA contract extensions that were reported earlier this week & give their grades for each one from the team perspective.VISIT our partners over at PrizePicks to go support the show! Download the app today and use code GAMETHEORY to get $50 instantly after you play your first $5 lineup! Use the code GAMETHEORY or visit this link to sign up: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/GAMETHEORYCHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON THE GAME THEORY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!FOLLOW GAME THEORY ON SOCIALS:TWITTER - @GameTheorySamVINSTAGRAM - @GameTheorySamVTIKTOK - @GameTheorySamV- Sam Vecenie, a Senior NBA Writer at The Athletic, talks all about basketball. From the NBA, to the NBA Draft, to college hoops and even some high school, Vecenie has you covered in this show.CHAPTERS:2:30 How do you watch NBA games?7:30 Big picture look at Rookie Extension Window from Keith18:15 Houston Rockets extend Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green43:25 Orlando Magic extend Jalen Suggs50:45 Atlanta Hawks extend Jalen Johnson55:15 The real money pressure on NBA players to extend now1:06:18 New Orleans Pelicans extend Trey Murphy III1:11:42 Corey Kispert extends with Washington Wizards1:15:12 Moses Moody and Jaden Hardy extensions, rookie scale guys that haven't extended1:22:00 Aaron Gordon and Denver Nuggets come to agreement1:25:45 Minnesota Timberwolves extend Rudy Gobert1:35:45 BOSTON KEITH TALKS ABOUT THE CELTICS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 21, 2024 • 1h 45min
NBA Breakout Players for the 2024-25 Season! | Game Theory Podcast w/ Sam Vecenie
In this edition of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie & Bryce Simon to talk about players they're looking at this season who could break out as important, impact players or even NBA stars in the 2024-25 season.CHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON THE GAME THEORY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!FOLLOW GAME THEORY ON SOCIALS:TWITTER - @GameTheorySamVINSTAGRAM - @GameTheorySamVTIKTOK - @GameTheorySamV- Sam Vecenie, a Senior NBA Writer at The Athletic, talks all about basketball. From the NBA, to the NBA Draft, to college hoops and even some high school, Vecenie has you covered in this show.CHAPTERS:
7:40 Christian Braun (and Julian Strawther)
22:41 Jalen Williams
35:05 Jaden Ivey
43:55 Amen Thompson
51:50 Deuce McBride
57:05 Nikola Jovic
1:03:00 Rapid Fire on Brandin Podziemski, Jordan Miller, Dyson Daniels, Ayo Dosunmu, Tre Mann, Andrew Nembhard, Lonzo Ball, and others
1:24:17 GMAC joins for Trivia 11 players who have 14k points and 6k rebounds. name them!
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Oct 19, 2024 • 1h 31min
2025 NBA Draft Preseason Scouting w/ Keandre Ashley of Hoop Intellect
In this edition of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie is here to break down 2025 NBA Draft prospects, including Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, Dylan Harper, V.J. Edgecombe and Nolan Traore among others with @HoopIntellect 's own Keandre Ashley.CHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON THE GAME THEORY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!FOLLOW GAME THEORY ON SOCIALS:TWITTER - @GameTheorySamVINSTAGRAM - @GameTheorySamVTIKTOK - @GameTheorySamV- Sam Vecenie, a Senior NBA Writer at The Athletic, talks all about basketball. From the NBA, to the NBA Draft, to college hoops and even some high school, Vecenie has you covered in this show.CHAPTERS:
2:50 How do you rate the 2025 NBA Draft compared to other NBA Draft classes?
7:05 Can any other prospect break into the top-five of the 2025 NBA Draft?
910:00 Ben Saraf and Noa Essengue takeaways versus Portland
20:45 Cooper Flagg Preseason Eval
38:00 Rating Cooper Flagg compared to other elite prospects
40:15 Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper
1:11:20 V.J. Edgecombe
1:23:50 Nolan Traore (and some Kasparas Jakucionis)
1:31:35 Tony Bennett retires
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Oct 14, 2024 • 1h 33min
PREDICTIONS for the 2024-25 NBA Season! | GAME THEORY
In this edition of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie & Bryce Simon make their predictions for the 2024-25 NBA Season!CHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON THE GAME THEORY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!FOLLOW GAME THEORY ON SOCIALS:TWITTER - @GameTheorySamVINSTAGRAM - @GameTheorySamVTIKTOK - @GameTheorySamV- Sam Vecenie, a Senior NBA Writer at The Athletic, talks all about basketball. From the NBA, to the NBA Draft, to college hoops and even some high school, Vecenie has you covered in this show.CHAPTERS:
9:55 Luka Doncic wins MVP
17:55 The Thunder will win 65 games
27:31 The Suns finish top 4 in the West
39:15 The Pistons will NOT finish bottom 3 in the NBA
44:36 Tyrese Maxey makes ALL-NBA
49:26 The Pelicans will NOT finish top 8 in the West
1:01:11 The Cavaliers will trade 1 of their core 4
1:06:07 OKC vs BOS in the Finals & goes 7
1:21:35 TRIVIA
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