
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 5, 2025 • 2h 3min
Warriors-Rockets Game 7 REACTIONS! Plus, Pacers-Cavs G1, and DEN-LAC G7! | GAME THEORY PODCAST
In this editon of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon to break down Warriors-Rockets Game 7 & previewing the next round matchup vs the Timberwolves. They also disucss the Nuggets blowout win in Game 7 vs the Clippers & upcoming matchup vs OKC before reacting to Game 1 between the Cavs & Pacers and a brief preview of Knicks/Celtics. 01:55 WARRIORS/ROCKETS GAME 744:57 PACERS/CAVALIERS GAME 11:21:10 CLIPPERS/NUGGETS GAME 71:37:10 2ND ROUND PREDICTIONS1:48:53 TRIVIA!CHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON THE GAME THEORY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!FOLLOW GAME THEORY ON SOCIAL: TWITTER / INSTAGRAM / TIKTOK / BLUESKY / THREADSSPONSORS: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!POST YOUR JOB FOR FREE AT LINKEDIN DOT COM SLASH GAME. THAT’S LINKEDIN.COM/GAME TO POST YOUR JOB FOR FREE. TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY.RIGHT NOW, TRADE IS EXCLUSIVELY OFFERING OUR LISTENERS 50% OFF YOUR ONE MONTH TRIAL AT DRINKTRADE.COM/GAME.SHOP SKIMS MENS AT SKIMS.COM AND SKIMS STORES. LET THEM KNOW WE SENT YOU! AFTER YOU PLACE YOUR ORDER, SELECT “PODCAST” IN THE SURVEY AND SELECT OUR SHOW IN THE DROPDOWN MENU THAT FOLLOWS!

May 3, 2025 • 1h 31min
ROCKETS/WARRIORS REACTION! PLUS: Knicks survive DET & LAC forces game 7 vs DEN | GAME THEORY POCAST
In this editon of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon to break down Warriors-Rockets Game 6 before going through Clippers/Nuggets, Knicks/Pistons, Gregg Popovich stepping away from coaching, some NBA draft trivia and much more!01:40 - ROCKETS/WARRIORS GAME 6 REACTION30:18 - NUGGETS/CLIPPERS GAME 6 REACTION42:50 - KNICKS/PISTONS GAME 6 REACTION1:09:30 - GRIZZLIES HIRE TUOMAS IISALO1:11:29 - GREG POPAVICH STEPS AWAY FROM COACHING; SPURS HIRE MITCH JOHNSON1:17:01 - NBA DRAFT TRIVIA!CHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON THE GAME THEORY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!FOLLOW GAME THEORY ON SOCIAL: TWITTER / INSTAGRAM / TIKTOK / BLUESKY / THREADSSPONSORS: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!SHOP SKIMS MENS AT SKIMS.COM AND SKIMS STORES. LET THEM KNOW WE SENT YOU! AFTER YOU PLACE YOUR ORDER, SELECT “;PODCAST” IN THE SURVEY AND SELECT OUR SHOW IN THE DROPDOWN MENU THAT FOLLOWS! SKIMS IS THE OFFICIAL UNDERWEAR PARTNER OF THE NBA, WNBA AND USA BASKETBALL.

May 1, 2025 • 1h 2min
Lakers ELIMINATED By Timberwolves; Rockets Survive Warriors To Force Game 6 | NBA Playoffs Recap
In this edition of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie is joined by Andrew Claudio (aka GMAC) to break down the Lakers' elimination at the hands of Timberwolves, and the Rockets surviving Game 5 against the Golden State Warriors. 01:10 - LAKERS/TIMBERWOLVES GAME 5 REACTION33:53 - PRIZEPICKS!35:44 - SKIMS!37:11 - ROCKETS/WARRIORS GAME 5 REACTION!48:47 - FINAL THOUGHTSCHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON THE GAME THEORY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!FOLLOW GAME THEORY ON SOCIAL: TWITTER / INSTAGRAM / TIKTOK / BLUESKY / THREADSSPONSORS: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!SHOP SKIMS MENS AT SKIMS.COM AND SKIMS STORES. LET THEM KNOW WE SENT YOU! AFTER YOU PLACE YOUR ORDER, SELECT “;PODCAST” IN THE SURVEY AND SELECT OUR SHOW IN THE DROPDOWN MENU THAT FOLLOWS! SKIMS IS THE OFFICIAL UNDERWEAR PARTNER OF THE NBA, WNBA AND USA BASKETBALL.

Apr 30, 2025 • 2h 3min
NBA Playoff Recap: LAC/DEN, NYK/DET, MIL/IND & ORL/BOS! | Game Theory Podcast
In this editon of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon to break down a full night of NBA Playoff action, whcih included the Nuggets blow out win over the Clippers, the Pacers stunning comeback in the final minute of overtime to eliminate the Bucks and begin all Giannis trade speculation, the Celtics advancing after eliminating the Magic and the Pistons avoiding elimination by outlasting the Knicks in MSG (joined by Andrew Claudio aka GMAC).01:50 - NUGGETS/CLIPPERS GAME 5 REACTION28:17 - PACERS/BUCKS GAME 5 REACTION46:58 - WHAT HAPPENS WITH GIANNIS?1:07:25 - CELTICS/MAGIC GAME 5 REACTION1:13:05 - WARRIORS/ROCKETS GAME 5 REACTION1:20:00 - KNICKS/PISTONS GAME 5 REACTONCHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON THE GAME THEORY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!FOLLOW GAME THEORY ON SOCIAL: TWITTER / INSTAGRAM / TIKTOK / BLUESKY / THREADSSPONSORS: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!SHOP SKIMS MENS AT SKIMS.COM AND SKIMS STORES. LET THEM KNOW WE SENT YOU! AFTER YOU PLACE YOUR ORDER, SELECT “;PODCAST” IN THE SURVEY AND SELECT OUR SHOW IN THE DROPDOWN MENU THAT FOLLOWS! SKIMS IS THE OFFICIAL UNDERWEAR PARTNER OF THE NBA, WNBA AND USA BASKETBALL.

Apr 28, 2025 • 2h 18min
Wolves/Knicks take 3-1 leads on Lakers/Pistons, Denver ties Clippers, Dame Lillard Injured & a FULL NBA Playoff Weekend Recap! | GAME THEORY PODCAST
In this editon of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon to talk about the NBA Playoff games from over the weekend! We'll start with Lakers-Wolves, then go to Knicks-Pistons (joined by Andrew Claudio aka GMAC ) before going through Saturday's games - Nuggets/Clippers, Rockets/Warriors, Thunder-Grizzlies - before wrapping up with Cavs/Heat & Pacers/Bucks where Dame Lillard went down with what is feared to be a significant achilles injuiry. 02:00 - NFL Draft Recap: Why did Shedeur Sanders fall to the 5th round?14:12 - TIMBERWOLVES/LAKERS GAME 4 REACTION35:12 - KNICKS/PISTONS GAME 4 REACTION1:17:36 - ROCKETS/WARRIORS GAME 3 REACTION1:31:17 - NUGGETS/CLIPPERS GAME 4 REACTION1:44:26 - CELTICS/MAGIC GAME 4 REACTION1:50:26 - THUNDER/GRIZZLIES GAME 4/SERIES REACTION1:57:25 - CAVALIERS/HEAT GAME 3 REACTION1:59:00 - PACERS/BUCKS GAME 4 REACTION2:02:24 - DAME LILLARD INJURED: WHAT'S NEXT FOR MILWAUKEE?CHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON THE GAME THEORY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!FOLLOW GAME THEORY ON SOCIAL: TWITTER / INSTAGRAM / TIKTOK / BLUESKY / THREADSSPONSORS: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!SHOP SKIMS MENS AT SKIMS.COM AND SKIMS STORES. LET THEM KNOW WE SENT YOU! AFTER YOU PLACE YOUR ORDER, SELECT “;PODCAST” IN THE SURVEY AND SELECT OUR SHOW IN THE DROPDOWN MENU THAT FOLLOWS! SKIMS IS THE OFFICIAL UNDERWEAR PARTNER OF THE NBA, WNBA AND USA BASKETBALL.

Apr 25, 2025 • 1h 24min
HISTORIC Thunder comeback win! Morant hurt | Knicks beat Pistons | Clippers rout Nuggets REACTION!
In this editon of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon to recap a crazy night in the NBA Playoffs where the Thunder came back from 29 points down to beat the Grizzlies following a Ja Morant injury. They also briefly discuss the Clippers blowout win over the Nuggets before being joined by Andrew Claudio aka GMAC to break down a thrilling Knicks/Pistons game 3 where New York took a 2-1 lead in the series at Little Ceasers Arena.01:55 - THUNDER/GRIZZLIES GAME 3 REACTION27:16 - NUGGETS/CLIPPERS GAME 3 REACTION40:00 - KNICKS/PISTONS GAME 3 REACTION1:13:32 - EVAN MOBLEY WINS DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR!CHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON THE GAME THEORY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!FOLLOW GAME THEORY ON SOCIAL: TWITTER / INSTAGRAM / TIKTOK / BLUESKY / THREADSSPONSORS:POST YOUR JOB FOR FREE AT LINKEDIN DOT COM SLASH GAME. THAT’S LINKEDIN.COM/GAME TO POST YOUR JOB FOR FREE. TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY.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!START YOUR HAIR GROWTH JOURNEY WITH NUTRAFOL! FOR A LIMITED TIME, NUTRAFOL IS OFFERING OUR LISTENERS TEN DOLLARS OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH’S SUBSCRIPTION AND FREE SHIPPING WHEN YOU GO TO NUTRAFOL.COM AND ENTER THE PROMO CODE “GAMETHEORY”TRY MITOPURE & AWAKEN THE STRENGTH, POWER AND RESILIENCE ALREADY IN YOU WITH THE FIRST AND ONLY SUPPLEMENT CLINICALLY PROVEN TO REJUVENATE HEALTH AT THE CELLULAR LEVEL! GO TO TIMELINE.COM/GAMETHEORY & RECEIVE 10% OFF YOUR ORDER!

Apr 24, 2025 • 1h 15min
Rockets Tie Warriors 1-1 & Cavs, Celtics go up 2-0 on Heat, Magic REACTION! | GAME THEORY PODCAST
In this edition of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon to break down Wedensday night in the NBA playoffs, where Jimmy Butler got injured, Paolo Banchero tried to push Orlando to a valiant win over Boston, and a 3-point barrage led the Cavaliers to a 2-0 series lead. 02:45 - ROCKETS/WARRIORS GAME 2 REACTION36:00 - CELTICS/MAGIC GAME 2 REACTION54:10 - CAVALIERS/HEAT GAME 2 REACTION1:04:55 - PELICANS HIRE JOE DUMARS & TROY WEAVERCHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON THE GAME THEORY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!FOLLOW GAME THEORY ON SOCIAL: TWITTER / INSTAGRAM / TIKTOK / BLUESKY / THREADSSPONSORS:POST YOUR JOB FOR FREE AT LINKEDIN DOT COM SLASH GAME. THAT’S LINKEDIN.COM/GAME TO POST YOUR JOB FOR FREE. TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY.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!START YOUR HAIR GROWTH JOURNEY WITH NUTRAFOL! FOR A LIMITED TIME, NUTRAFOL IS OFFERING OUR LISTENERS TEN DOLLARS OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH’S SUBSCRIPTION AND FREE SHIPPING WHEN YOU GO TO NUTRAFOL.COM AND ENTER THE PROMO CODE “GAMETHEORY”TRY MITOPURE & AWAKEN THE STRENGTH, POWER AND RESILIENCE ALREADY IN YOU WITH THE FIRST AND ONLY SUPPLEMENT CLINICALLY PROVEN TO REJUVENATE HEALTH AT THE CELLULAR LEVEL! GO TO TIMELINE.COM/GAMETHEORY & RECEIVE 10% OFF YOUR ORDER!

Apr 23, 2025 • 1h 18min
Lakers WIN over Wolves & Pacers up 2-0 on Bucks REACTION! | GAME THEORY PODCAST
In this edition of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie is joined by Andrew Claudio aka GMAC to break down the NBA playoffs. We start with Lakers-Wolves and then move to the Pacers defeating the Bucks to take a 2-0 lead in that series. We'll also chat briefly about Oklahoma City versus Memphis. 01:00 - LAKERS/TIMBERWOLVES GAME 2 REACTION31:23 - PACERS/BUCKS GAME 2 REACTION50:19 - THUNDER/GRIZZLIES GAME 2 REACTION1:01:15 - NBA NEWSCHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON THE GAME THEORY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!FOLLOW GAME THEORY ON SOCIAL: TWITTER / INSTAGRAM / TIKTOK / BLUESKY / THREADSSPONSORS:POST YOUR JOB FOR FREE AT LINKEDIN DOT COM SLASH GAME. THAT’S LINKEDIN.COM/GAME TO POST YOUR JOB FOR FREE. TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY.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

Apr 22, 2025 • 1h 49min
Nuggets/Clippers, Pistons/Knicks REACTION | EVERY GAME 1 of NBA Playoffs Round One | GAME THEORY PODCAST
In this edition of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon to react to game 2 of Nuggets/Clippers & Pistons/Knicks before going through every Game 1 from the NBA playoffs opening weekend & discussing the start each first round series is off to. 03:40 - NUGGETS/CLIPPERS GAME 2 REACTION25:27 - KNICKS/PISTONS GAME 2 REACTION57:01 - ROCKETS/WARRIORS GAME 1 REACTION1:15:00 - LAKERS/TIMBERWOLVES GAME 1 REACTION1:25:08 - PACERS/BUCKS GAME 1 REACTION1:31:48 - THUNDER/GRIZZLIES GAME 1 REACTION1:39:13 - CELTICS/MAGIC GAME 1 REACTION1:40:47 - CAVALIERS/HEAT GAME 1 REACTION1:44:00 - NBA AWARDS FINALISTSCHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON THE GAME THEORY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!FOLLOW GAME THEORY ON SOCIAL: TWITTER / INSTAGRAM / TIKTOK / BLUESKY / THREADSSPONSORS:- POST YOUR JOB FOR FREE AT LINKEDIN DOT COM SLASH GAME. THAT’S LINKEDIN.COM/GAME TO POST YOUR JOB FOR FREE. TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY.- 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!- START YOUR HAIR GROWTH JOURNEY WITH NUTRAFOL! FOR A LIMITED TIME, NUTRAFOL IS OFFERING OUR LISTENERS TEN DOLLARS OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH’S SUBSCRIPTION AND FREE SHIPPING WHEN YOU GO TO NUTRAFOL.COM AND ENTER THE PROMO CODE “GAMETHEORY”- TRY MITOPURE & AWAKEN THE STRENGTH, POWER AND RESILIENCE ALREADY IN YOU WITH THE FIRST AND ONLY SUPPLEMENT CLINICALLY PROVEN TO REJUVENATE HEALTH AT THE CELLULAR LEVEL! GO TO TIMELINE.COM/GAMETHEORY & RECEIVE 10% OFF YOUR ORDER!

Apr 15, 2025 • 1h 1min
NBA AWARDS (Part 2): MVP & All-NBA Teams Selections!
In part 2 of 2 of this NBA Awards edition of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon make their OFFICIAL picks NBA MVP & all 3 All-NBA Teams!CHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON THE GAME THEORY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!FOLLOW GAME THEORY ON SOCIAL: TWITTER / INSTAGRAM / TIKTOK / BLUESKY / THREADSSPONSORS: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!TIMELINE IS OFFERING 10% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER OF MITOPURE! GO TO TIMELINE.COM/GAMETHEORY