
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

May 13, 2023 • 1h 55min
Lakers BLOW OUT Warriors; How AD Dominated; Where do Warriors go from here? Bam sends Knicks home; PHX, NYK Offseason Preview
Sam Vecenie is here to break down the Warriors and Lakers Game 6. We spend some time after focusing on the situation facing the Golden State Warriors this summer. Then, he'll chat briefly about the Heat and Nuggets advancing. And then, will close on the Knicks and Suns facing fascinating offseasons over the next few months.CHAPTERS0:00 Intro1:59 Lakers Defeat Warriors 122-1018:35 FILM: How AD Dominated the Interior for the Lakers26:38 Austin Reaves' play and his upcoming contract37:25 Warriors Future: Where do they go from here?53:37 Miami knocks out the Knicks1:00:14 FILM: Bam Adebayo's Off-ball Offensive Play Keyed the Heat in Game 61:11:30 Knicks Offseason Preview: Should they trade for a star?1:25:40 Phoenix Suns Offseason Preview: Why Trading Ayton and Paul Makes Sense1:34:30 Deandre Ayton potential destinations?1:48:20 Chris Paul Destinations?1:54:20 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 12, 2023 • 1h 28min
The Wembanyama Lottery: Ranking the 14 potential landing spots for the 2023 NBA Draft's top prospect? Why is Vic so special?
The 2023 NBA Draft Lottery is upon us! Mark Schindler joins the show to break down what we're referring to as "The Wembanyama Rankings." What team in the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery do we most want to see Victor Wembanyama end up with? Mark Schindler joins and we dive deep, breaking down each of the potential spots and whether or not we actually want Wembanyama there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 9, 2023 • 1h 16min
Lakers Go Up 3-1 on Warriors; HOW THEY DID IT; Plus, Heat up 3-1 on Knicks; Jokic avoids suspension
Sam Vecenie goes solo following a wild night of basketball, including the Los Angeles Lakers somehow defeating the Golden State Warriors to go up 3-1 in their series. How the Warriors failed to capitalize on real tactical advantages they had all night. We'll dive deep into the Warriors ball-screen attack all night and how it succeeded early and failed late.Then, a chat briefly on Heat-Knicks, and how that series is playing out. It seems like that series is about to be over sooner rather than later.Then, just a quick note on Phoenix-Nuggets, and Nikola Jokic avoiding suspension for his Mat Ishbia shove. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 8, 2023 • 1h 28min
Lakers Defense Deep Dive vs. Warriors; James Harden goes for 40 again; Heat up 2-1 on Knicks
Adam Spinella joins the show and we dive deep on a few NBA games from over the weekend.We start with 76ers-Celtics, a beautiful disaster of a basketball game that saw James Harden go for 42 and nine assists, saw the Celtics complete a tremendous comeback to force overtime, and saw them again fail to mount consistent late-game offense in clutch moments.Then we're going to dive deep into Lakers-Warriors Game 3, which featured a number of incredible tactical adjustments. Why this is by far the best series of the second round, and how the Warriors can counteract and adjust to what is happening.Finally, we chat briefly about Knicks-Heat, a series that seems relatively uninteresting due to the distinct advantages the Heat possess.CHAPTEER:00:00 Intro02:45 Thoughts on Joe Mazzulla and Doc Rivers?10:33 FILM: James Harden has ANOTHER masterclass game36:17 The beauty of the Lakers v Warriors44:46 FILM: What adjustments the Lakers made in game three01:13:05 Who should the Warriors start next game?01:19:27 Heat v Knicks is an UGLY series01:26:49 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 6, 2023 • 1h 12min
Devin Booker GOES FOR 47!!! Celtics adjust to take 2-1 series lead on 76ers; Warriors tie Lakers 1-1
Sam Vecenie goes live after the Suns-Nuggets game to break down the last two days of NBA Playoff action. He starts with Suns-Nuggets Game 3, and how the Suns made a few changes while also getting a spectacular 47-point Devin Booker performance. We dive into the Booker performance on film!He's then breaking down film on the Celtics-76ers and how Joe Mazzulla has been terrific since Game 1 in adjusting to what the 76ers are presenting with Joel Embiid back, particularly by pulling Embiid away from the rim in creating ball-screen scenariosThen, he'll chat Warriors-Lakers, and how the Warriors dominated Game 2 through heavy ball-screen usage with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green with some tape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 4, 2023 • 2h 12min
2023 NBA MOCK DRAFT! Version 2.0, May 3 Edition: Where do Victor Wembanyama, Scoot, Miller go?
Adam Spinella joins the show and he and Sam do a 2023 NBA Mock Draft Podcast! We dive deep into the 2023 NBA Draft and its first 30 picks breaking down who we would pick for each team at each spot.Sections:00:00 Intro07:45 1st overall pick, Victor Wembanyama13:58 2nd overall pick, Scoot Henderson20:30 3rd overall pick, Amen Thompson28:28 4th overall pick, Brandon Miller31:58 5th overall pick, Cam Whitmore39:48 6th overall pick, Taylor Hendricks45:03 7th overall pick, Jarace Walker48:44 8th overall pick, Anthony Black52:14 9th overall pick, Ausar Thompson57:53 10th overall pick, Cason Wallace01:02:03 11th overall pick, Gradey Dick01:05:28 12th overall pick, Leonard Miller01:13:50 13th overall pick, Kobe Bufkin01:17:03 14th overall pick, Dereck Lively01:21:12 15h overall pick, GG Jackson01:25:23 16th overall pick, Brice Sensabaugh01:29:34 17th overall pick, Keyonte George01:34:02 18th overall pick, Nick Smith Jr.01:37:11 19th overall pick, Kris Murray01:41:01 20th overall pick, Jalen Hood-Schifino01:43:16 21st overall pick, Sidy Cissoko01:46:07 22nd overall pick, Dariq Whitehead01:49:31 23rd overall pick, Jordan Hawkins01:51:43 24th overall pick, Noah Clowney01:53:51 25th overall pick, Colby Jones01:55:04 26th overall pick, Bobi Klintman01:57:22 27th overall pick, Jett Howard02:01:25 28th overall pick, Rayan Rupert02:03:12 29th overall pick, Max Lewis02:05:01 30th overall pick, Andre Jackson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 3, 2023 • 1h 42min
Lakers beat Warriors in Game 1; Knicks tie Heat 1-1; Dillon Brooks out for Memphis; Embiid wins MVP
Mark Schindler joins the show to break down the two playoff games tonight. First, we start with the Warriors-Lakers game, one of the most fun games of the playoffs so far just insofar as adjustments and different looks that each team gave the other throughout the game.Then, we move to a Jimmy Butler-less Knicks win over the Heat to even that series at 1-1. We chat about RJ Barrett's breakout, a few Heat sets, and where that series goes from here.Finally, we finish on two news-y topics, including Joel Embiid winning MVP and Dillon Brooks being out as an option for Memphis in free agency. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 2, 2023 • 59min
Harden steals Game 1 for 76ers vs. Celtics! Nuggets win Game 2 vs Suns with Defense!
Sam Vecenie goes live to break down the two NBA games tonight. First, we go into the film and explain how in the world a Joel Embiid-less 76ers team just went into Boston and defeated the Celtics in Game 1 behind a virtuoso James Harden performance. There will also be Joe Mazzulla thoughts.Then, we'll dive into Game 2 of the Nuggets-Suns series. How the Suns are in some trouble with Chris Paul being injured now, and with their inability to put pressure on the rim. On top of it, the Nuggets have been exceptionally good on defense. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 1, 2023 • 1h 46min
Steph goes for 50, Warriors Win Game 7 over Kings; Nuggets, Heat win Game 1s; Where do the Kings go from here?
Adam Spinella joins the show and we dive deep into the three weekend games, breaking down film and chatting big picture about each.First, we start with the Warriors advancing to play the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Semifinals, defeating the Kings by 20 points on the road. Stephen Curry goes for 50, so we'll talk about that.Second, we go to the Heat-Knicks game, and how the Heat were able to pull out an enormous victory on the road after a disastrous start in the first quarter. How Erik Spoelstra adjusted after a quarter-time coaching spray that was right on the money.Finally, we go to the Nuggets-Suns series, where the Nuggets took Game 1 behind an offensive explosion in the first three quarters. How the Suns need to do way more in order to disrupt the Nuggets actions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 29, 2023 • 1h 2min
Lakers BLOW OUT. Grizzlies, win series behind Anthony Davis! Kings Force Game 7 vs. Warriors with Defense!
Adam Spinella joins the show and we dive deep into the two NBA games that occurred on Friday night, one resulting in a series end and the other in a Game 7.First, we dive into Lakers-Grizzlies, a Lakers blowout win that showcased the full terror of the Lakers' defensive upside. Anthony Davis particularly dominated, so we'll break down tape in-depth there.Then, we chat about the Warriors and Kings, who will be going to a Game 7 after the Kings dominated the second half on the road. The Kings also won this game through a surprising venue: terrific, unbelievable on-ball defense.CHAPTERS0:00 Intro1:18 Lakers BLOW OUT Grizzlies. They were NOT "Good in the West"8:55 FILM BREAKDOWN: Anthony Davis DOMINATES the Paint21:25 What's next for Memphis?26:30 Kings Beat Warriors, Force Game 732:55 FILM BREAKDOWN: The Kings' Defensive Effort was ELITE57:00 What happens in Game 7 for Warriors-Kings? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices