Game Theory Podcast

Mark Schindler joins the show and we break down a few different topics that are happening either around the NBA or adjacent to it.First, we'll start with Brandon Ingram's struggles with Team USA. Do they matter for his future? What does this say about Ingram and his standing league-wide?Then, we move to the Sacramento Kings, an interesting team worth discussing in light of their offseason where they decided to run it back. What do the post-breakout 2023-24 Sacramento Kings look like?Finally, we chat about how basketball evaluation has changed in the last 12 months? Is there anything that we've noticed or continued to pick up upon that stands out?CHAPTERS0:00 Intro2:44 Pistons Talk3:35 Jaden Ivey Improvement throughout year5:37 Why I'm fundamentally opposed to Jalen Duren-James Wiseman lineups11:15 Will Jalen Duren-Isaiah Stewart lineups work?13:50 Why I would strongly consider starting Alec Burks for the Pistons17:20 Brandon Ingram on Team USA, what hasn't worked?21:20 Brandon Ingram's struggles away from the ball and on defense25:15 Brandon Ingram's dynamic offensive game matters, too31:15 Ingram and Zion together has been AWESOME41:38 Sacramento Kings Time!42:20: Reasons to be bullish on the Kings45:45 Why the Kings front office has done a great job of building the roster47:25 Why health is a huge factor for the Kings49:34 Why Mark is bullish on the Kings winning more games next year anyway51:05 Chris Duarte is a good bet for the Kings58:05 Why Denver is the point of comparison for Sacramento's team build1:04:15 What have we learned evaluation-wise in 2023?1:07:30 NBA rookies have less time to prove themselves now1:09:40 The Rondae Hollis-Jefferson example1:12:10 How Sam has changed his tune on draft stock and when kids should leave school1:17:25 How many MVP candidates are "elite" athletes by the traditional definition of athleticism?1:26:20 How has shooting changed and the way you get into your shot1:34:20 Why the intel piece matters more than ever1:40:00 Outro and future podcast schedule Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins the show and we chat about a few different NBA things. We start with PJ Washington signing with the Charlotte Hornets on a 3-year, $48 million deal. Smart move for everyone?Then, we move to FIBA World Cup quickly and talk about Team USA, and the fun Australia-Germany game from overnight.Finally, we talk about sophomores in the 2024 NBA Draft. What names do you need to know? How often to sophomores go from expected one-and-dones to actual two-and-dones? And what names do you need to know? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Danny Leroux joins the podcast to break down what the next NBA dominoes to fall will be in terms of team movement. How should teams be planning moving forward? Where are the potential action points and what teams are we watching as potential movement spots? What decisions will shape the next couple of years of the league? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Adam Spinella is here to join the show and we have three topics.We're going to start with Team USA getting to 5-0 in its World Cup exhibition matches after coming back from down 16 to beat Germany. What have we learned about Team USA?Then, we're going to talk about the five teams we believe in to go from the lottery in 2023 to the playoffs in 2024. Why these teams are poised for big leaps.Finally, we want to spend a minute on the NBA Draft and TyTy Washington, who was waived by the Oklahoma City Thunder over the weekend. What lessons are there to learn here? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryce Simon joins the show for the first time and we hit a few different topics. Bryce is awesome at talking about the NBA Draft, so we have him come on to chat about some 2024 NBA Draft prospects he's looking forward to tracking, as well as his overall thoughts.But first, we start with an update on James Harden throwing Daryl Morey entirely under the bus, and Trentyn Flowers making the decision to head to Adelaide with the 36ers instead of going to Louisville. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Adam Spinella and Sam Vecenie dive DEEP into what a potential 2024 Expansion Draft would look like, with excel spreadsheets, rules, plans, and all. We have it all set up thanks to Adam! Many rules, many negotiations to be had, and a lot of fun players to be picked.Here is the doc we're using to work off of that Adam created!https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1icfYiwXDSNqDRPMX8s5V4ee0ofeUj6liP08bpdI1348/edit#gid=0 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins the show to chat about some news and notes across the basketball world. First, they chat about the big news that James Harden trade talks have broken down, according to ESPN, and that he still does not plan to report to camp, according to The Athletic. Where does that leave all of this?Then, they talk two big high school things. First, Cooper Flagg has officially reclassified into the 2024 recruiting class. How does that change things moving forward for the 2025 NBA Draft? Also, Flory Bidunga commits to Kansas, who is on a heater right now across the recruiting world.Finally, some questions and answers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pascal Siakam remains in the news as a potential trade target. So with Mark Schindler, Sam dives into what a potential trade market for Siakam would look like. Is Atlanta clearly the best fit? Does a De'Andre Hunter and A.J. Griffin core of a trade plus picks make sense from Atlanta to Toronto? Who could the other suitors be.Then, we dive a bit into the 2024 NBA Draft, as Sam released his 2024 mock draft earlier this week at The Athletic. Anything there stand out to Mark? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

James Edwards joins the show to chat about the Pistons, who after Cade Cunningham's Team USA Select Team performance have become the talk of the NBA. We also talk about his Ausar Thompson feature from today, and what reasonable expectations are for the Pistons heading into the 2023-24.We might also take some questions, and we'll definitely chat about Team USA in the World Cup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins the show and we have a fun idea for an episode from one of our listeners. What makes prospects struggle to succeed in the NBA if they've been taken highly in the NBA Draft? Sam gives an overarching idea set of why this can happen, and he and Adam dive deep into some examples going back from the 2015 draft through the 2020 NBA Draft, explaining with some specific players. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices