
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

Mar 8, 2023 • 1h 34min
Are the Cleveland Cavaliers genuine contenders? Pelicans keep struggling; 2023 NBA Draft Comparison Battles, Round One
Mark Schindler is here, and we have three topics for the day.First, we chat Cleveland Cavaliers and Donovan Mitchell, asking if Mitchell has been the most consistently great guard in the NBA this season? And can they actually win the 2023 NBA title?Then, we move to the New Orleans Pelicans. As the team gets healthy outside of Zion, they're still struggling. Why?Finally, we do NBA Draft comparison battles. We bring up two names with somewhat similar roles/ideals for their future translation, and break them down in comparison to one another. We do three of them: Jordan Hawkins vs. Gradey Dick; Taylor Hendricks vs. Jarace Walker; Colby Jones vs. Terrance Shannon Jr. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 6, 2023 • 1h 42min
Ja Morant Out Two Games, Brandon Clarke Out For Season, and the Grizzles; Lakers/Warriors; Plus, 2023 NBA Draft Conference Tourney Preview
Adam Spinella joins the show to talk about three topics today. First we're going to chat a bit about Ja Morant, Brandon Clarke, and the Memphis Grizzlies. Morant will miss the next two games after his Instagram Live from a strip club showcased a firearm, Clarke will miss the rest of the season with a torn Achilles, and the Grizzlies are in the midst of their first little run of true adversity in this Morant/Jaren era.Then, we're going to talk Warriors-Lakers, a fun game where we got everything we've come to see from the Lakers, and some interesting exploits from what was a streaking Warriors team over the previous five games.Then, a 2023 NBA Draft Conference Tourneys preview. What players do you need to tune in to watch during this week, where March Madness truly tips off in earnest? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 5, 2023 • 1h 38min
Kevin Durant Debuts for Phoenix! Russ's Clippers 0-4 start! Also, Pistons and Hornets Rebuild Deep Dives!
James Edwards joins the show today, and we dive into four topics. First, we're going to talk about Russell Westbrook's inauspicious first four games with the Clippers, where things haven't exactly been great.Then, we're going to talk about Kevin Durant, his debut for the Phoenix Suns, and some of the silly narratives floating around about his career and how it'll be successful.Then, we're going to dive into the Charlotte Hornets, a rebuilding team now without its star, LaMelo Ball, for the rest of the year. What does this organization do moving forward? Finally, we dive into the Detroit Pistons, a team also mired in a rebuild without its key building block, Cade Cunningham. Are the Pistons in a strong position? Why does Troy Weaver so value his bigs? What's going on here? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 1, 2023 • 1h 49min
The Bucks and Knicks are Going Streaking! Rockets Check-In! Quin Snyder to ATL! Plus, Jalen Hood-Schifino and Dereck Lively Talk!
Mark Schindler joins the show for a bit of an across-the-gamut look at the NBA. We'll start with the good, breaking down the streaking Knicks and Bucks, and what makes these two teams work so well: the Knicks shot-making and the Bucks sans Giannis keeping it rolling. Then, we'll go to Quin Snyder and his hiring by Atlanta. Do we think this works well? Can this turn around a tough situation with the Hawks where they're capped out moving forward and at a draft deficit? Finally, we move to the Rockets. My god. Things are bad.Then we'll talk about some 2023 NBA Draft stuff. I asked him about Jalen Hood-Schifino and Dereck Lively! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 27, 2023 • 1h 47min
Lakers come back to beat Mavericks, Celtics-76ers Deep Dives! 2023 NBA Draft Prospects You Need to see NOW!
Adam Spinella joins Sam Vecenie this episode to break down two hugely important NBA games over the weekend. We start with the awesome Lakers-Mavericks game where the Lakers came back from down deep in the first half against the Mavericks to win. Then we move to the awesome Sixers-Celtics game from Saturday, where the Celtics pulled out a big win but the 76ers maybe got some belief for a future playoff series?After that, Sam and Spins talk about a few 2023 NBA Draft prospects that you need to catch right now as opposed to waiting, because their season is about to end. Prospects like Brice Sensabaugh, GG Jackson, Brandin Podziemski, Taylor Hendricks, Max Lewis, and Judah Mintz are all interesting in some regard, but probably only have a couple of weeks left of play. Diving into their games and what to watch for. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 26, 2023 • 1h 38min
2023 NBA Championship Race: The Most Important Non-Superstar X-Factors; Plus: Leonard Miller Deep Dive!
Mark Schindler is here, and we're talking Schindler dudes. We're talking about the most important X-Factors in the 2023 NBA Title Race. Essentially, the goal here is to look below the superstar level and dive into guys whose presences on their current teams can absolutely swing NBA title races. Who are the role players who will be critical to some of the NBA contenders' chances to win an NBA title? Who are some of the unheralded guys that could swing championship pictures? The NBA is a superstar league, but what players can put those guys in the best positions to do what they do best?First though, we start with Russell Westbrook to the Clippers. Then at the end, we dive into Leonard Miller, a fascinating prospect with the G League Ignite. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 23, 2023 • 1h 38min
NBA Title Tiers at the All-Star Break: Ranking the 13 teams that have a reasonable shot to win the 2023 NBA Championship
Kane Pitman from ESPN and Locked on Bucks joins the show, and we dive into NBA title tiers. Who are the favorites currently to win the NBA Championship. This will be broken out very simply: We're going to dive into the teams that have a genuine chance to win the NBA championship, and simply explain why they will or will not win the title. We're diving into a bunch of teams, as the league is wide open this year, and breaking down what makes each team such an impressive contender.Take advantage of MANSCAPED®’s best valued bundle and save 20% Off and Free Shipping with the code NBA23 at Manscaped.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 20, 2023 • 1h 17min
A Messy NBA All-Star Weekend + Plus: 2023 NBA Draft: Keyonte George Look-in!
Adam Spinella joins Sam Vecenie to break down all that we saw over the course of NBA All-Star Weekend. From Jose Alvarado and Josh Giddey's fur coat on Friday, to Mac McClung's dunks on Saturday, to Damian Lillard drilling halfcourt shots on Sunday in a game filled with horrid defense. Plus, a fun Jayson Tatum blow up performance that earned MVP with 55 points.Then, we're going to dive into some 2023 NBA Draft Stuff. Who played well this weekend? We'll also use this opportunity to talk about Keyonte George out of Baylor for a little while, and why this incredibly productive freshman has been very polarizing for scouts this season. Some Gradey Dick, a bit Cam Whitmore, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 18, 2023 • 2h 3min
First Impressions of 2023 NBA Trade Deadline; What do new faces look like in their new places?
Mark Schindler joins the show to break down the 2023 NBA Trade Deadline and our first impressions of it coming up to the All-Star Break. What has Mike Conley looked like in Minnesota? Kyrie in Dallas? D'Angelo Russell and the rest of the new Lakers in LA? Poeltl in Toronto? Hart in New York? We break it down and also discuss Malaki Branham's fun little breakout in San Antonio.We also chat some about Kevin Love and his seemingly impending buyout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 16, 2023 • 1h 2min
The Toronto Raptors Were Surprise Buyers at the NBA Trade Deadline. What now? How do they build from here?
Samson Folk from Raptors Republic joins the program to discuss the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors surprised many by aggressively buying at the NBA Trade Deadline, acquiring Jakob Poeltl from the San Antonio Spurs. With Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. becoming free agents this summer; the OG Anunoby situation still persistent as he enters the last year of his deal; the Pascal Siakam extension question; buying a potential free agent in Poeltl; the Scottie Barnes: franchise player questions all the still hanging around for the Raptors, where does the organization go from here? They are genuinely in maybe the most interesting position of any franchise in the NBA.LinkedIn Jobs helps you find the qualified candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/theory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices