Game Theory Podcast

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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Adam Spinella joins the show and we re-set the table for the 2023 NBA Draft now that the Super Bowl has passed and we're into February. It's time for a Big Picture look at scouting the 2023 NBA Draft. We'll talk Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson, the Thompson twins, the best college prospects, risers, fallers, Duke's guys, and much more. Then, we're going to close on Ben Simmons, and his situation in Brooklyn and why the entire thing is just a bummer right now.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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's a jam-packed NBA Trade Deadline day, and Mark Schindler is here to join me to break down all of the action. We dive deep into everything that happened, including the Kevin Durant trade to Phoenix, the biggest deadline deal in 50-plus years.Then we dive deep into everything else, including the Lakers' continued makeover, Josh Hart to the Knicks, what in the world Toronto is planning after buying at the deadline with Jakob Poeltl, the Warriors cutting ties with James Wiseman, Saddiq Bey to Atlanta, Gary Payton II back to the Warriors, the Matisse Thybulle/Jalen McDaniels/Portland swap, Jae Crowder finally gets to Milwaukee, and the Clippers weird wheeling and dealing. 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.

Cole Huff joins the show to chat a bit about a few topics! We're going to start with the big news of the NBA on Wednesday, which is that the Russell Westbrook era in Los Angeles is over. The Lakers traded him to the Jazz in a three-team deal to acquire D'Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt. The Wolves will get Mike Conley, and the Jazz will get draft capital in addition to Westbrook.Then, we'll chat about LeBron James passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the all-time leading scorer in NBA history! Some fun memories of LeBron, what the moment looked like, and more!Then, we dive into the NBA Trade Deadline. Maybe trades will have happened by then? Or maybe we'll recklessly speculate more! Who's to say? 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.

Adam Spinella joins the show. He and Sam dive deep into into the Kyrie Irving trade saga that exploded over the weekend and culimated in his move to Dallas for Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, a first rounder and two second rounders. Was this the best fit? Should Dallas have gotten involved? Should anyone be willing to give Kyrie long-term money? Also, how does this impact Brooklyn?We also talk a bit about Dereck Lively's improved play at Duke, including a breakout game against North Carolina over the weekend, and maybe take some questions at the end of what will be a jam-packed deadline week.Cancel unwanted subscriptions – and manage your expenses the easy way – by going to rocketmoney.com/theory 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.

Mark Schindler joins the podcast today, and we break down a bunch of different topics!-How NBA teams seem to be valuing incumbency over potential trades, and how Bird rights have become valuable as a trade asset or retention tool.-The Wolves are on fire with Anthony Edwards!-A week out from the NBA Trade Deadline, what are our favorite moves that could potentially actually swing the title race? It's FAKE TRADE TIME BABY, with OG Anunoby and Jarred Vanderbilt!-Walker Kessler has become a very real NBA starting center and top-three ROY candidate in Year One!-Breanna Stewart to the New York Liberty and how the WNBA season is shaping up!-Mailbag including Cam Reddish, some rookie improvements, and more.Get 20% Off and Free Shipping with the code NBA23 at Manscaped.com and shoot your arrow with MANSCAPED™ this Valentine’s Day. 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.

In this episode, Dave DuFour joins the show to break down our choices for All-Star Reserves in both the Eastern and Western Conferences. With the starters already chosen, now the fun begins in trying to determine who the best choices are to make the All-Star game. And this is the hardest season I've ever had to consider for All-Star selections with so many great players around the league.Get 20% Off and Free Shipping with the code NBA23 at Manscaped.com and shoot your arrow with MANSCAPED™ this Valentine’s Day. 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.

Adam Spinella joins the show for a jam-packed show that includes a breakdown of Joel Embiid's masterclass against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets; the weirdo Celtics-Lakers ending from Saturday night; the Myles Turner extension that remains fascinating; the Jeremy Sochan breakout in recent weeks; plus, a look at some young rotation players that could end up playing critical roles in the NBA playoffs!Get 20% Off and Free Shipping with the code NBA23 at Manscaped.com and shoot your arrow with MANSCAPED™ this Valentine’s Day. 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.

Mark Schindler joins the show, and they chat about three topics. First, the Orlando Magic! One of the most fun teams in the NBA resides in Orlando. With Jonathan Isaac back, Franz Wagner emerging, Markelle Fultz leading, and Paolo Banchero flashing all-star vibes, the Magic look set to take the NBA by storm sooner rather than later.Then, Schindler and Sam do another Midseason Top-Five! This time, we do midseason Defensive Player of the Year race. They talk Jaren Jackson Jr., Bam Adebayo, Brook Lopez, and plenty more.Finally, Mark wants to talk a bit about Dariq Whitehead and Brandon Miller. We hit Whitehead as one of the hardest prospects to evaluate this year, and Miller's emergence into a top-five prospect in the 2023 NBA Draft 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.

In this episode, Seth Partnow joins the show! We'll start by talking about Rui Hachimura's deal to the Los Angeles Lakers, where the team acquired him for three second round picks. Then, we move on to other players at the trade deadline who could actually use a change of scenery, and where we'd most like to see them. Some of those players include Obi Toppin, John Collins, Malachi Flynn, Eric Gordon, Jaxson Hayes, and more!Cancel unwanted subscriptions – and manage your expenses the easy way – by going to rocketmoney.com/theoryGo to https://www.chime.com/theory to sign up for a Chime Credit Builder Visa Credit Card today! Thanks to Chime for supporting the show.Get PayPal Honey for FREE at joinhoney.com/theory 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.

Adam Spinella joins the show and we dive deep into two topics. First, we start by investigating something that has been seen as a done deal for years: are we positive that Scoot Henderson does not have a legitimate No. 1 overall case in the 2023 NBA Draft over Victor Wembanyama? The conversation is at least worth an investigation and discussion.Then, we do NBA Rookie of the Year Midseason Top-Five. With every team at least midway through the season, which rookies have truly stood out and become the players that have become difference-makers for their teams? We chat Paolo Banchero, Bennedict Mathurin, Walker Kessler, and more. 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.

The NBA is loaded with terrific young players and a boatload of parity. It feels like a number of different teams could win a title within the next few years. Largely, that will depend on the development of certain key players acrosss the NBA. So today, I got with Mark Schindler, and we broke down six players who parts of their game that could swing title races in the next few years.What if Ja Morant learns to consistently take and make 3-pointers behind ball-screens when defenders go under in pick-and-roll coverage? What if Zion Williamson can make a spot-up jumper? What if Evan Mobley is a catch-and-shoot threat and the Cavs can play basically 5-out basketball? What if Michael Porter Jr. can process the game quickly as a passer and get more of a degree of control over the ball as a handler? All of these guys and more as we break down some of the things that could swing NBA championship races in the next few years.Cancel unwanted subscriptions – and manage your expenses the easy way – by going to rocketmoney.com/theory 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.

Andrew Schlecht is in the building and we chat about a very simple concept: who are the most teams to watch right now in the NBA? Who do you find yourself switching over to most often if you have some free time? You could see this as a "League Pass Rankings" or whatever, but we just want to dive into which teams we've having the most fun with, including the Kings, Grizzlies, and Cavaliers, among others. But first, we open on Alperen Sengun and his breakout game against the Lakers last night.Cancel unwanted subscriptions – and manage your expenses the easy way – by going to rocketmoney.com/theory 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.

Adam Spinella joins the show for his weekly Sunday appearance, and this week we're doing our monthly 2023 NBA Mock Draft Deep Dive! Join us as we dive deep into the top-30 selections, breaking down what we'd do in each spot as of mid-January, halfway through the yearly draft cycle. We'll dive into players like Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson, Amen Thompson, Ausar Thompson, Brandon Miller, Cason Wallace, Nick Smith Jr, Jett Howard, Cam Whitmore, Brice Sensabaugh and many others.Cancel unwanted subscriptions – and manage your expenses the easy way – by going to rocketmoney.com/theory 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.

Parity is everywhere in the NBA this season, and it's made it extremely difficult to gauge exactly where exactly many teams across the league fall. So today, Mark Schindler joins the show, and we try to figure out what in the world is going on with the Clippers, Blazers, Knicks, Hawks, Pacers and more.Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/theoryGo to HelloFresh.com/theory22 and use code THEORY22 for 22 free meals plus free shipping! 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.

Danny Leroux joins the show today to break down the 2023 NBA Trade Deadline by diving into the targets that could be available at the deadline. Who are the real move pieces that could shift the title race in what has turned into an exceedingly cluttered year across the NBA? Are there real sellers? Who are some of the players that actually could come available, and how much of what comes out publicly right now is posturing? We chat about the Raptors players, the evolving Bojan Bogdanovic race, and the questions about whether or not guys like Kyle Kuzma and Myles Turner are even available?Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/theoryGo to HelloFresh.com/theory22 and use code THEORY22 for 22 free meals plus free shipping! 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.

Mark Schindler is here! It's time for midseason All-NBA choices now that multiple teams have played at least 41 games this year. We break down our picks for first team, second-team, and third-team All-NBA, and some of the candidates for each slot.But first, we start on the Houston Rockets, and why Sam thinks it might be time for a change down there, and we finish with Brice Sensabaugh, a fascinating one-and-done player that might end up as a lottery pick by the time it's all said and done this season. Oh, and Mark gives a solid Georgetown rant at the end of the show.Get 3 months free with a one-year package at expressvpn.com/THEORYCancel unwanted subscriptions – and manage your expenses the easy way – by going to RocketMoney.com/THEORY 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.

In this episode, Adam Spinella joins the show to dive into the 2022-23 NBA Rookie class. We chat Paolo Banchero, Dyson Daniels, Keegan Murray, AJ Griffin, Bennedict Mathurin, Andrew Nembhard, Jalen Williams, Jeremy Sochan, Jalen Duren, Jaden Ivey, and plenty, plenty more!Get 3 months free with a one-year package at expressvpn.com/THEORYCancel unwanted subscriptions – and manage your expenses the easy way – by going to RocketMoney.com/THEORY 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.

In this episode, The Volume's Jason Timpf joins the show for the first time! Jason comes on and chats about the MVP race, with this week marking the midseason point as most teams get to their 40th game of the year. In what is currently the most wide-open MVP Race that I can remember in years, with something like eight legitimate candidates plus a few others hanging on the periphery of the proceedings, how would we cast out 1 through 5 votes right now?But first, we start with the Lakers, a team without Anthony Davis and in the midst of having to make some real decisions regarding its future both for this season and the next over the course of the next 40 days. We dive deep into why Kyle Kuzma makes the most sense on this Lakers team among potential targets.Cancel unwanted subscriptions – and manage your expenses the easy way – by going to RocketMoney.com/THEORYGet 3 months free with a one-year package at expressvpn.com/THEORY 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.

Mark Schindler joins the show, and we dive into the biggest takeaway from 2022 in the NBA: this is the year that redefined what a star is within the league. The talent level has never been higher. We dive into why this season has seen the biggest overlap of superstardom eras, and if this is an outlier year or if it's a thing to continue within the league moving forward. How the overlaps of the Curry/KD/LeBron era, the Jokic/Giannis/Embiid era, and the Luka/Tatum/Zion era of stars has led to such a dominant stretch of stardom in the NBA this season.Then, we move to the Nuggets. Why are the Nuggets legit contenders to win the title? How special is Nikola Jokic? Why have they been as successful as they've been recently winning 8 out of 10?Finally, we do a Cam Whitmore breakdown. What has the potential top-five pick out of Villanova shown in his first few games? 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.

Adam Spinella joins the show this week to chat about improvement areas for 2023 NBA Draft prospects, this time in New Year's Resolution form. What are some of the ways top prospects in the class like Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson, Amen Thompson, Anthony Black, Ausar Thompson, Cam Whitmore, Nick Smith, G.G. Jackson and many, many more can take their games to the next level? 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.

In this episode, Adam Spinella is here and we're doing to dive into some topics within college basketball and the 2023 NBA Draft. And to do so, we're giving out superlatives!Best Team so far! Fastest Rising Upperclass prospect! Surprise one-and-done prospect! Biggest question marks in CBB? Biggest disappointment? We hit on everything from the Connecticut Huskies to the Duke Blue Devils to Maxwell Lewis and more. 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.

Sam Vecenie is joined on this episode of the Game Theory Podcast by Ricky O'Donnell and Samson Folk in a two-part episode. In the first part, Ricky joins to talk about the Chicago Bulls, who beat the Heat last night but have only moved to 12-18 and are struggling fairly immensely despite health. We discuss whether or not this team should entirely blow it up, and what some potential moves could look like. How could they go about starting to rebuild?Then, Samson Folk from Raptors Republic joins the show, and we break down the Raptors, who are on a six-game losing streak. Why are they struggling? Is there a reason to be bullish on them moving forward? What's going on with the offensive execution? Is it roster construction or coaching? How should the team adjust? Should they go out and buy at the trade deadline, and what should that look like? 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.

In a reversion of the usual schedule, Mark Schindler is here to break down a few different topics. First, we start with something I have a vague idea about scrolling through Twitter and looking at fans' pages: are NBA fans more engaged in nightly results from their team than ever? Why would that be? It seems like fans are living and dying more than ever with the results of games before Christmas, so Mark and I explore what's happening.But then we move onto the big news, which is Anthony Davis being out for a month. What should the Lakers do?Then, we move to Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets, a team that is on fire since Jacque Vaughn took over for Steve Nash. What's going on with the Nets? And just how realistic is a Kevin Durant MVP push?Finally, we finish with a Keyonte George scouting report, and a quick note on recent NBA retiree Tyrell Terry. 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.

James Edwards from The Athletic is here to break down a few different things across the NBA. First, we chat about how Maxi Kleber's injury will impact the Mavericks, and where they're headed. Then, we chat about Cade Cunningham. What does Cade's injury mean for the Detroit Pistons here moving forward? Do they know enough to call him the out-and-out centerpiece? What questions remain to be answered about his game? Additionally, what is going on with the Killian Hayes resurgence that is one of my favorite stories around the NBA? Then we chat briefly about the Hornets, a mess. 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.

Mark Schindler is here and we're diving deep across the NBA. First, we're going to start with Jaren Jackson, whose emergence for the Memphis Grizzlies from elite defensive player into "best defensive player in the NBA" has pushed them to the top of the Western Conference again.Then, we're going to talk about some NBA teams, and some potential shake-up trades across the league, particularly in regard to the Mavericks and the Heat. What teams need to make a move? We'll also chat a bit about the Eric Gordon/KJ Martin/Jae Crowder idea that was reported by Shams Charania this week.Finally, a Jarace Walker breakdown! What makes the Houston forward prospect such an intriguing 2023 NBA Draft proposition? We'll also talk a bit about Brandon Miller, given that the two played 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.

In this episode, Adam Spinella joins to break down the race for the No. 3 prospect in the 2023 NBA Draft. Assuming that Victor Wembanyama goes No. 1, and Scoot Henderson is the second-best prospect, who is the third-best? Is it Cam Whitmore? Is it Amen Thompson? What about Nick Smith and Brandon Miller? Anthony Black and Ausar Thompson?Then, we dive into Tank Watch. What's going on with the Washington Wizards? And why Louisville gets a special mention in Tank Watch for the sheer disaster with the Cardinals right now.Then, we give out Game Theory Prospect Of The Week awards, and we do FOUR of them because we've taken the last couple of weeks off. We talk Taylor Hendricks, followed by Donovan Clingan, Tucker DeVries and Arthur Kaluma. 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.

Dave DuFour from The Athletic joins the show! And we dive into NBA Contender tiers. As in: which teams do we think have the best chance to win the NBA title as presently constructed? Which teams need to make moves to get into that mix? We dive into the Celtics, Bucks, Warriors, Clippers, Cavaliers, Suns, Pelicans, Nuggets, Grizzlies and more. 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.

Mark Schindler joins the show to talk about some birds. First, we chat about the New Orleans Pelicans, a team that has a case as the deepest team in the NBA and one that is playing exceptionally well right now. Then we move to the Hawks, a team struggling with injuries that also has some weird stuff seemingly happening. Then, we move to the Raptors, who aren't birds but birds are descended from dinosaurs so they count anyway. What's going on with Scottie Barnes? We dive in and try to figure it out. Finally, we finish with Mark Schindler's prospect of the week, Michigan's Jett Howard, a fascinating player that has drawn real top-20 attention so far this season at Michigan. 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.

In this episode, I'm joined by Adam Spinella where we decide to dive deep into what has been a disappointing 2020 NBA Draft and re-draft it. What order should that class have gone in? Should Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, LaMelo Ball, or Desmond Bane go first? What about guys like Tyrese Maxey and Devin Vassell? Where do James Wiseman and Killian Hayes fall to? All that and more! 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.

Dear friend of the program Fred Katz joins the show to talk about a few different topics. Our plan is to start with a quick word on the Al Horford extension, talk a bit about Jayson Tatum's incredible run. We also give a brief MVP Power Ranking.Then, we want to dive into the Knicks, and just try to figure out what exactly they are? What are they doing? What is their plan here moving forward? Then we'll get into a couple quick things, and talk Karl Towns' injury and how that impacts Minnesota.Time Stamps:-Open is an Al Horford Appreciation following his extension: 0-12:00-Jayson Tatum and MVP Power Rankings: 12:00-31:00-Knicks: 31:00-1:06:00-Towns Out, Timberwolves Outlook: 1:06:00-end. 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.

Mark Schindler joins the show! We chat about potential first-time all-stars for the 2023 NBA All-Star game. Who is shaping up to potentially make the event for the first time by leveling up? Can Tyrese Haliburton, De'Aaron Fox, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and others continue on this run. Are there are there any other potential dark horses that could rise up? Also, thoughts on GG Jackson at South Carolina and his first few games! 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.

In this episode, Adam Spinella joins the show to talk about everything we saw during Feast Week. From the Maui Invitational to all of the Phil Knight Invitational events, we dive into guys like Brandon Miller, Anthony Black, Dereck Lively, Purdue and Zach Edey, Battle 4 Atlantis and the big Julian Phillips game we saw, Gradey Dick and Kansas playing well at times, Gonzaga not being quite up to par yet, then also the Maui Invitational where Arizona won behind its bevy of prospects, Arkansas looked great, and Creighton battled to the title game. 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.

In this episode, Mark Schindler joins the show to break down six of the biggest breakout players in the NBA thus far in 2022-23! Who has really stepped their game up in the first month of the season? We dive into Desmond Bane, Lauri Markkanen, Bol Bol, Kevin Huerter and many more! 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.

Adam Spinella joins Sam Vecenie to break down the first major weekend of college basketball, including Kentucky-Gonzaga, Virginia's games against Illinois and Baylor, UCLA's games against Baylor and Illinois, Houston-Oregon, and way more. We look at it from a prospects perspective with a deep dive into all of the action that occurred across the country, in addition to just talking hoops about some good, fun teams. 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.

In this episode, Mo Dakhil joins the podcast and we talk about five teams: the Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets, Sacramento Kings and Portland Trail Blazers. The Blazers and Kings have turned it on to start the year, while the other three are stuck in neutral. Why? We dive deep into all five.The order: Chicago Bulls: Start to 20:00Golden State: 24:00-47:00Brooklyn Nets: 47:00-1:03:00Blazers: 1:03:00-1:13:00Kings: 1:13:00-1:25:00 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.

Mark Schindler joins Sam to break down the Champions' Classic, where Kentucky played Michigan State and Duke played Kansas. What do we make of Jon Scheyer's big game debut? What do we think about Duke moving forward? Did Dereck Lively, Kyle Filipowski or Tyrese Proctor impress? GRADEY DICK. Then, we chat about Kentucky. Why was Cason Wallace the best long-term prospect we saw on the court tonight? What did we make of Kentucky and John Calipari's offense? Anyone in particular on Michigan State stand out?Then, we chat about three NBA topics. First, who has been the best defender in the NBA through 15 games? Particularly, we dive deep into OG Anunoby and Brook Lopez, among discussing others. Then, we talk about the Celtics and whether or not the team's defense, which has give up way more points than you'd think early in the season, should be worried? 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.

In this episode, Adam Spinella joins the show to break down the first week of college basketball action. We start with Emoni Bates, chat about some of the other terrific prospects who have looked great to start the season, such as Brandon Miller, Jett Howard, Keyonte George, and plenty others, We also chat about the G League Ignite's start to the season, including a Mojave King breakdown. Then, we do Tank Watch on the Hornets and Wizards.Then, Sam chats with Zach Edey, one of the most dominant players in the country for the last two years at Purdue, a 7-foot-4 center who establishes position whenever he wants. But his journey in basketball has been fascinating, going from Canada, where he played baseball and hockey to eventually finding basketball and embracing the grind. He explains his journey within the game at this point, and then dives deep into his game, explaining how it's not just his size that allows him to dominate games: it's his focus on the fundamentals and little things. 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.

Andrew Schlecht joins the podcast today to chat about three things! First, we start with how the MVP race is shaping up in the early season, and how we'd handicap the race at this stage after this first portion of the season.Then, we move to the Lakers, who continue to lose and look not particularly good in doing so. Should the Lakers look into moving Anthony Davis, as Bill Simmons mentioned recently as a potential option? How should the team proceed here?Finally, we chat about the team near and dear to Andrew's heart, the Oklahoma City Thunder, a beautiful team with a weird roster, a monster Shai Gilgeous-Alexander start, and real Poku developments! 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.

Mark Schindler joins Sam to, much like last week, dive into seven teams across the NBA. This time, we play a game called "Real or Fake?" We'll dive into the Mavs, Warriors, Heat, Jazz, Hawks, Wolves, and Pacers and decide if their performances thus far after 10-12 games this season for each are real, or if they're fool's gold so far.Then, a hottest take on Rings of Power and Celebrimbor, then finally, a Mark Schindler food takes. 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.

On the eve of the college basketball season starting, Adam Spinella joins Sam to dive into a 2023 NBA Mock Draft. It's a good way to preview what we'll be looking for from certain players as they get started in college basketball this season, as well as what we're continuing to hunt for throughout the country this year.Guys like Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson, Amen Thompson, Cam Whitmore, Nick Smith, Tyrese Proctor, Dereck Lively, and many more will be discussed in depth as we run through and make picks!After that is over, Sam interviews Gonzaga center Drew Timme, where they discuss what brought him back to Gonzaga for a fourth year, in addition to doing a tape watchalong! 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.

In this episode, Sam chats with Mark Schindler where they dive deep into some lineup data and talk a bit about what the best NBA lineups tell us about some of those teams? Basically, it was a good way into talking about the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns and....the Washington Wizards?! But first, we start on the Kyrie and Josh Primo situations and just how incredibly disappointing they are for the league as a whole. Also, they close on the Houston Rockets, and why they have been disappointing even by rebuilding standards thus far.Time stamps:Kyrie Irving -- 0:00-10:30Josh Primo -- 10:30-20:00The play on-court has been incredible -- 20:30-29:00Cavaliers! 29:00-42:00Bucks -- 42:00-50:00Suns: 50:00-1:00:00Warriors: 1:00:00-1:11:00Wizards, Thunder: 1:11:00-1:27:00Rockets: 1:27:00-1:38:00BARBARIAN: 1:38:00-1:43:00Kyrie: `1:47:00-1:53:00Caleb Love Interview: 1:53:00-end 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.

Adam Spinella is back for the second part of a promised two-part episode this week, with us diving deep into the 2023 NBA Draft class with some bold predictions heading into the college basketball season. We talk about Duke's freshman four, overall outlooks on the class, the upperclass prospects heading into the year, Ausar Thompson, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Indiana, and more.But first, we start with the NCAA's Baba Miller decision, as the organization handed down a 16-game suspension to the Spanish freshman forward that defies comprehension.Then, around the one-hour mark, Sam chats with Dayton center DaRon Holmes. Holmes is considered a potential 2023 NBA Draft prospect, and a likely breakout player in college basketball. Sam and DaRon chat about how he ended up at Dayton, how he got involved in basketball, and then they break down tape for 25 minutes, discussing his rim-running, his passing, his jumper and his defensive ability across the board. 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.

It's time to check the vibes across the NBA after two weeks of the NBA season. Adam Spinella joins Sam to dive deep into seven teams across the league. First though, they have to chat about a few news items.They start with Bojan Bogdanovic's extension in Detroit. Then, they move on to Josh Primo, who was cut in San Antonio after allegedly exposing himself to women; then, we chat about Kyrie, and why his press conference following the Nets' loss to Indiana was as harmful as it was.Then they move on to checking the vibes. We start with the Nets, then move to the 76ers, Lakers, Hornets, Blazers, Knicks and Cavaliers. Some positives, some negatives, some fake trades, and a lot of fun storylines league-wide to dive into. 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.

Sam is joined by Mike Prada, an editor at The Athletic, formerly of SB Nation, and the author of a new book, Spaced Out, which discusses in-depth how the NBA's 3-point revolution has changed basketball, and how the rest of the game has adjusted around it.In that vein, Mike and I will discuss some interesting theories he discusses within the book, and then we do a little experiment trying to determine which NBA teams and rosters have the most "modern" construction and are set up for the best success long-term because of it. 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.