

Game Theory Podcast
Sam Vecenie
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 27, 2023 • 1h 19min
2024 NBA Draft: Breaking down the NBL Blitz, including Alex Sarr, Bobi Klintman, AJ Johnson, Trentyn Flowers, more
Bryce Simon is here, and we chat NBL Blitz prospects. Who played well at the Blitz? What prospects stood out? Who looked interesting among the potentially 10 NBA Draft picks in Australia this season? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 25, 2023 • 1h 32min
Damian Lillard Trade Pre-Training Camp? Heat, Raps, Bulls, Suns, more? Plus: Mavericks Starting Two Rookies?
Bryce Simon is here and we break down three separate topics.First, we start with Damian Lillard, because of course we do. Logically, what makes sense in a Damian Lillard deal for Portland? Should they want Deandre Ayton back? Should the Suns want to move Deandre Ayton? Should the Raptors want Lillard? How can the Bulls get involved? Does this just end with Miami still? Is Tyler Herro on the move?Finally, we chat a bit about the Mavericks's starting lineup following Jason Kidd's comments to Marc Stein this weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 20, 2023 • 1h 27min
NBA Prospects Who Can Swing NBA Playoff Races, including Mobley, Murray, Holmgren and more; Kelly Oubre signs with 76ers
Mark Schindler joins the show and the two of them break down some of the prospects that have a real chance to swing NBA title races and NBA Playoff races this season. But first, they start with the Kelly Oubre signing with Philadelphia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 18, 2023 • 1h 53min
Lillard Trade Talks Happening Again? NBA Player Participation Policy; Lakers Extend Vanderbilt
The podcast is back, and this time with Bryce Simon! Bryce is here and we're going to talk about a few NBA news and notes that have popped up. First, we'll touch on the Kevin Porter Jr. and Arterio Morris investigations following different accusations of violence against women. Why people within basketball need to take a stricter stance on these issues.Then, we're going to touch on Damian Lillard and trade talks potentially being back on the cards, per Adrian Wojnarowski. What's going on there?Then, we'll hit the Jarred Vanderbilt extension news, and some topics on the player participation policy that will go into effect this year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 16, 2023 • 2h 28min
NBA Betting Western Conference Win Total Over/Under Odds and Projections!
Robby Kalland joins the show to complete our yearly tradition: breaking down in detail each team's win-total over/under line according to Vegas, and deciding which teams we like most and least as comparison to the Vegas consensus.In this episode, we dive into the Western Conference, breaking down all 15 teams, starting with the Mavericks and going in alphabetical order on down to the Jazz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 13, 2023 • 1h 50min
NBA Betting Eastern Conference Win Total Over/Under Odds and Projections!
Robby Kalland joins the show to complete our yearly tradition: breaking down in detail each team's win-total over/under line according to Vegas, and deciding which teams we like most and least as comparison to the Vegas consensus. In this episode, we dive into the Eastern Conference, breaking down all 15 teams, starting with the Hawks and going in alphabetical order on down to the Wizards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 11, 2023 • 1h 46min
NBA OFFSEASON RECAPS: Rockets, Pacers, Clippers, Lakers, Grizzlies, Heat, Bucks, Wolves, Pelicans, Knicks
Eric Nehm joins the show to end our series reviewing the 2023 NBA Offseason by teams! In this episode, we break down the middle 10 teams alphabetically: the Houston Rockets, the Indiana Pacers, the LA Clippers, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Memphis Grizzlies, the Miami Heat, the Milwaukee Bucks, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the New Orleans Pelicans and the New York Knicks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 6, 2023 • 1h 45min
NBA OFFSEASON RECAPS: Thunder, Magic, 76ers, Suns, Blazers, Kings, Spurs, Raptors, Jazz, Wizards
Andrew Schlecht joins the show to start our series reviewing the 2023 NBA Offseason by teams! In this episode, we break down the first 10 teams alphabetically: the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Orlando Magic, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Phoenix Suns, the Portland Trail Blazers, the Sacramento Kings, the San Antonio Spurs, the Toronto Raptors, the Utah Jazz, and the Washington Wizards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 4, 2023 • 2h 17min
NBA OFFSEASON RECAPS: Hawks, Celtics, Nets, Hornets, Bulls, Cavs, Mavs, Nuggets, Pistons, Warriors
Adam Spinella joins the show to start our series reviewing the 2023 NBA Offseason by teams! In this episode, we break down the first 10 teams alphabetically: the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons and Golden State Warriors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 31, 2023 • 1h 43min
Brandon Ingram's Team USA struggles; How has NBA evaluation changed in 2023? Detroit Pistons in 2023-24, Sacramento Kings post-breakout
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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.


