Game Theory Podcast

Adam Spinella joins Sam Vecenie to do two things. First, we break down what was the best Victor Wembanyama offensive game that I've seen, a 34-point early season game against Hapoel Holon. We explain the context behind the game, and explain what made us so excited about Wembanyama's terrific performance. Then, we do what might end up being a new segment on the podcast for an hour: Prospect Wars. After a fun tweet from Nate Jones asking who would you take long-term between Anthony Edwards and Scottie Barnes, Spins and Sam came up with five other matchups that would be fun to dive into and breakdown, answering the question: who would you rather have long-term between these two players:Anthony Edwards vs Scottie BarnesTyrese Maxey vs Tyrese HaliburtonEvan Mobley vs Zion WilliamsonFranz Wagner Vs Jabari SmithDesmond Bane vs Josh GiddeyKeegan Murray vs Pat Williams 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 for one of our favorite yearly episodes here on the podcast, our win total over/unders with Robby Kalland. Using BetMGM's odds, we chat with Robby and dive deep into every NBA team's over/under win total in the Eastern Conference. We also make it abundantly clear which ones we actually like, and the other ones that we will stay completely and utterly away from because they're good numbers.Hawks: 46.5Celtics: 56.5Nets: 51.5Cavs: 47.5Hornets: 36.5Bulls: 44.5Pistons: 28.5Pacers: 24.5Heat: 49.5Bucks: 53.5Knicks: 39.5Magic: 26.576ers: 50.5Raptors: 46.5Wizards: 35.5 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 for one of our favorite yearly episodes here on the podcast, our win total over/unders with Robby Kalland. Using BetMGM's odds, we chat with Robby and dive deep into every NBA team's over/under win total in the Western Conference. We also make it abundantly clear which ones we actually like, and the other ones that we will stay completely and utterly away from because they're good numbers. But before we do that, we spend 25 minutes breaking down why the NBA's decision to fine and suspend Robert Sarver for one year is insufficient.Here are our numbers that we used for the over/unders.Mavericks: 48.5Nuggets: 50.5Warriors: 53.5Rockets: 23.5Clippers: 51.5Lakers: 45.5Grizzlies: 49.5Timberwolves: 48.5Pelicans: 45.5Thunder: 23.5Suns: 53.5Blazers: 39.5Spurs: 23.5Kings: 34.5Jazz: 24.5 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 sometimes lets the people forget that he was a professional basketball player, but he's now a writer for The Athletic and a variety of other platforms. He chats with Sam about NBA Awards odds coming into this preseason. MVP, Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved Player, and Sixth Man of the Year are all covered, with some thoughts on who we think is going to have a killer year entering the 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.

In the second part of this two-part episode, Sam is joined by Coach Spins and they chat about a couple of topics. First, they chat about Bronny James, and why they think he is actually underrated as a player. Colleges should take a really strong look if he's serious about considering that pathway.Then, Mark Cuban suggested adding a third and fourth round to the NBA Draft. Adam and Sam break down what that would look like, and whether or not we think it's possible or even likely. Also, how would can you make it work if the decision comes down in order to make it work? 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 first part of a two-part NBA Draft-centric episode! In this first part, Spins and I chat about the forthcoming Scoot Henderson vs. Victor Wembanyama matchup that has been set for October 4/6 in Las Vegas. What should we be looking for in this game? When was the last time we saw this kind of 1 vs. 2 matchup in the preseason? A deep dive into an incredibly fun NBA Draft matchup.Then, we break down this past week's OTE vs. Mega matchup in Serbia that saw three potential first round picks face off against one another. Amen and Ausar Thompson for OTE vs. Nikola Djurisic for Mega. Who played well? Who showcased some small concerns about their games? What did we take away from what might be the most important scouting game of the season for the Thompson twins?Finally, we take some questions, including answering "Should the Lakers do a Buddy Hield-Myles Turner deal or a Bojan Bogdanovic and Mike Conley deal?" 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, in conjunction with the Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony this coming weekend, Adam Spinella joins Sam Vecenie to break down how many Hall of Famers are currently in the NBA in 2022. We dive deep into some of the weirder, stranger cases like Kyle Lowry, some of the more strangely polarizing ones like Dwight Howard, and some of the future stars and what they'd have to do in order to reach that standard, such as Trae Young, Donovan Mitchell and others. 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 Sam Vecenie and they break down everything to do with the blockbuster NBA trade that sent Donovan Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Collin Sexton, Ochai Agbaji, as well as Cleveland's 2025, 2027, and 2029 unprotected first round picks in addition to pick swaps in 2026 and 2028. Is this too much for Mitchell? Should Cleveland be going all in at this point? Is Cleveland now a top-three team in the East? Where does this leave Utah? And where does it leave the Knicks after the RJ Barrett extension earlier this week? 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 chat with Adam Spinella and we break down the young cores in the Western Conference. In this episode, we dive deep into the Grizzlies, Warriors, Rockets, Thunder, Spurs, Wolves, Pelicans and others. Then we chat a bit about cooking and movies, and we call it at a brief two hours. 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.

Alex Schiffer from The Athletic joins the show to break down a few things. First, Chet Holmgren is out for the season and we are sad. Then, we chat about the Patrick Beverley for Talen Horton-Tucker trade, and why it makes sense for everyone across the board. Finally, we chat about Alex's area of expertise, with Kevin Durant deciding to stay in Brooklyn instead of continuing to seek a trade. We are actually, genuinely excited for this Brooklyn Nets team! 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 chat with Adam Spinella about who has the best young core in the Eastern Conference. We dive deep into the Magic, Pistons, Cavaliers, and Pacers, as well as chat a bit about the Raptors, Wizards, Hawks, Hornets, and others. We break down all of the young guys on those teams, then decide which core we'd most want to build around moving forward. 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 Athletic's Jovan Buha joins the show and we break down where the Lakers stand now in the offseason. LeBron James has signed his extension. Russell Westbrook is still on the roster. Where does the team go from here? What does the team's current closing lineup look like? Where do they sit in the Western Conference hierarchy? All that and more for one of the most fascinating, active teams in the league with one of the people who knows the Lakers best. 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 AKA Coach Spins joins and we chat about a few different team-building constructs within college basketball. First, we ask the question: Do recruiting rankings matter? We discuss the ways in which they're dissected and talk about what matters and what doesn't within them.Then, we chat about team-building in general in college basketball today. Do you focus on the transfer portal or recruiting? How does NIL factor in at this point? How should coaches worry about continuity versus flexibility with roster spots? A lot of complicated factors heading into basketball at this point.Then we do a mailbag, and prospects of the week, including a rant about the Pittsburgh Pirates. 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, Matt Pennie joins the show for the FINAL time and we explain what's going on and what has prompted this sad change. Additionally, we announce the new addition to the Game Theory family, Adam Spinella of Coach Spins fame!Then, I bring Coach Spins in, and we talk about two things: first, we focus on the Kevin Durant to the Celtics rumor that emerged early this week. Then, we dive into G.G. Jackson's decision to reclassify and attend South Carolina for the 2022-23 season, thus making him eligible for the 2023 NBA Draft. What is his game? How valuable does he project to be in the SEC this season? And why we both really love his defense. 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.

This episode is focused on two topics: Donovan Mitchell and Russell Westbrook. Fred Katz has covered both of these topics extensively, so he joins to dive in. First, we chat about Mitchell and how the Jazz-Knicks trade talks are probably a bit more complicated than they would appear on first glance. Then, we focus on a simple question: should the Knicks be willing to go all-in for Mitchell?Our second topic is Russell Westbrook, a fascinating conversation about a player who, for my money, has been the most interesting NBA player of his era. Inscrutable and non-communicative, yet undeniably productive, Russ has now been moved around a ton and just recently parted ways with his long-time agent. Where does Russ's career go from here? Should it continue with the Lakers, or go on elsewhere? 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 aka Coach Spins from The Box and One joins us to break down a number of NBA things. First, we start for 15 minutes on the Deandre Ayton saga ending, with the Suns matching his max contract extension. Then, we ask the simple question: who has been the best player at Summer League? We both have the same answer.Finally, we break down the rookie class at Summer League, diving deep into who has performed well, with dives into all of the top-six picks as well as a lot of other players. 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 special Game Theory Podcast episode! Potential 2023 lottery picks Amen and Ausar Thompson are here to break down their own tape with Sam Vecenie. First, they introduce themselves to an NBA audience and give a bit of background on themselves and on their games. Then, we dive into tape together, with the Thompson explaining some of their best, most fun highlights of the 2021-22 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.

Caitlin Cooper from over at Indy Cornrows and SB Nation joins the show. Caitlin is one of the few people that I think legitimately makes me sound dumb when she talks about basketball, so I had her on to talk about Deandre Ayton, what Phoenix seems to be doing with Ayton, and why the Pacers make a ton of sense if they do indeed decide to give him a restricted free agency offer, as has been reported. Then, we chat a bit about Donovan Mitchell, how all of the Ayton, Mitchell, Kevin Durant stuff could be connected, and how his game fits with a potentially different organization, particularly the Heat and Knicks. Then, we chat a bit about Summer League, including Caitlin's impressions of Benn Mathurin and Keegan Murray. Oh, and some love for two of her favorite players at the end, Tyrese Haliburton and Domantas Sabonis 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 Vecenie is joined by Andrew Schlecht, where they dive into Chet Holmgren's Summer League debut last night, which was a monster game that has the hype train firmly off the rails. Then we chat NBA offseason. I did some research and we do a bit of a deeper dive into the Rudy Gobert trade to Minnesota, explaining why maybe this might make more sense than immediately meets the eye. Then, we dive into why Kyrie to LA just kinda continues to make sense in my mind. We then close on Deandre Ayton, and why we're baffled that teams don't seem to have as much interest in him as we would despite him being a 17/10 guy while shooting 63 percent from the field and playing good defense on the best team in the NBA last 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.

In this episode, Shamit Dua of Boot Crewe Media joins the show and we do a substantial deep dive into 2022 NBA Free Agency and the offseason. We start with the Rudy Gobert trade. Why we're skeptical for Minnesota, and why it's a great deal for Utah.Then, the Kyrie-for-Russell Westbrook report came from Chris Haynes while recording, so we dove deep into that, explaining why this is the kind of deal that just kind of makes sense for everyone involved given the weird stages of both organizations. Then, we move to the Malcolm Brogdon trade.Then, we go, in order: Portland's free agency moves, the Knicks signing Brunson and Mitchell Robinson, the 76ers having a normal offseason!, Milwaukee's smart moves, the Tyus Jones deal, Golden State's moves, the Raptors bringing back Chris Boucher and Thad Young, the Lakers bringing in JTA, Walker and Brown, the weird Mo Bamba re-signing in Orlando, Marvin Bagley's deal in Detroit, DORT's extension versus Jae'Sean Tate's extension, Malik Monk, Bruce Brown, Ricky Rubio.Finally, we then dive into the rampant Kevin Durant speculation portion of the episode. 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.

Alex Schiffer joins Sam Vecenie to break down the massive Brooklyn Nets news that Kevin Durant has asked for a trade. They dive deep into a number of topics, from how this all went down, why it happened, what it all means for KD and Kyrie, and of course, we jump into the fake trade well and try to come up with the best deals for KD. 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 Vecenie is joined by Dieter Kurtenbach to break down the 2022 NBA Free Agency period's early beginnings. We chat the Dejounte Murray trade to Atlanta from San Antonio; Jalen Brunson seemingly headed to the Knicks; Kyrie headed back to Brooklyn by opting in; James Harden heading back to Philly by opting out; some John Wall, some Denver and Washington deal. 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.

Sam Vecenie and Matt Pennie dive deep and chat 2022 NBA Draft. The first three picks! What team had the best draft? That and much, much 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 and Matt Pennie dive deep into the 2022 NBA Draft, breaking it all down as it happened live in front of them. This is part two of a two-part episode, where you will get to listen to Matt and I react to the draft as it happened. This is everything that happened post-lottery, with picks 15 to 30. 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 and Matt Pennie dive deep into the 2022 NBA Draft, breaking it all down as it happened live in front of them. This is part one of a two-part episode, where the duo breaks down Paolo Banchero's surprising choice at No. 1 overall, Chet Holmgren at No. 2, Jabari Smith at No. 3, and plenty more as the lottery unfolded in a wild manner over the course of the first two hours of the evening. 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, James Edwards from The Athletic joins to break down the Jerami Grant deal that saw the Pistons move Grant to the Trail Blazers for a first round pick, some pick swapping and two seconds. Then, they break down the offseasons for the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic and 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.

In this episode, Sam Vecenie and Matt Pennie dive deep into a number of 2022 NBA Draft props. We run through what's going on with the No. 1 overall pick markets, debate No. 2 and No. 3, then we dive deep into about a dozen Draft Slot Over/Unders for prospects, including AJ Griffin, Tyty Washington, Jalen Duren, Dyson Daniels, Mark Williams, Jeremy Sochan, and many more. Then, we jump into answering YOUR questions, diving into Johnny Davis, Walker Kessler, our favorite prospects, our favorite fits, and plenty 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.

Matt Pennie joins Sam Vecenie to break down the 2022 NBA Draft. They do a 1 through 30 mock draft, diving deep into each pick! In between the fourth and fifth picks, they break down the Christian Wood trade from Houston to Dallas. And after, they do a quick mailbag with produces Jacob and Zach. 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.

Matt Pennie joins Sam Vecenie on the show and they dive deep into the 2022 NBA Draft Class and its top prospects. Jabari Smith, Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren, Jaden Ivey, and plenty others. Instead of talking about the players, they dive into their favorite fits for each of the lottery prospects in the class. We chat about the places a player could end up for peak fun, the way they fit with each roster if it will help idealize their best situation, potential fits with coaching staffs, with styles of play, with players that will help actualize their skill set. We dive into a fun conversation about who fits best where. Then, we finish with a fun mailbag that includes something called Pirate's Booty. 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, Fred Katz and Sam dive deep into the 2022 NBA Offseason. We start with 10 minutes on the NBA Finals in Game 2. But then, we go into conversations and big questions that will be raised by each team this offseason. We dive deep into the Atlantic Division here. We start with Boston, then go Brooklyn, the Knicks, the 76ers then the Raptors. 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, Danny Leroux and Sam dive deep into the 2022 NBA Offseason. We start with 10 minutes on the NBA Finals. But then, we go into conversations and big questions that will be raised by each team this offseason. We start with the Southwest Division, going in alphabetical order starting with Dallas, Houston, Memphis, New Orleans, San Antonio. Then in order, we go through the Northwest Division of Denver, Minnesota, Oklahoma City, Portland and Utah. 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, Matt Pennie joins Sam Vecenie to break down the 2022 NBA Draft and its Early Entry Deadline Decisions. Who made critical decisions that will have ramifications? Who were the winners and losers?We dive deep into Drew Timme, Julian Strawther, Gonzaga, Marcus Sasser and Houston, Michigan, Caleb Houston and Moussa Diabate, NC State with Terquavion Smith and Dereon Seabron, Kansas with Kevin McCullar and Jalen Wilson, Harrison Ingram and Stanford, Trevor Keels and Duke, Trayce Jackson-Davis and Indiana, Justin Lewis and Marquette, Ryan Rollins and Toledo, Josh Minott and Memphis, Aminu Mohammed and Georgetown, and plenty of other big decisions. 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, Matt Pennie joins the show to discuss a number of different things. First, we start with the Celtics-Heat series for 15 minutes, breaking down that series, the Al Horford renaissance, and more. Then, we move to a discussion of how the NBA playoffs impact NBA Draft evaluations. Should we be considering all of this given how quickly the game changes? How far forward should you be looking? And how does this impact certain prospects like Jalen Duren, Mark Williams, and the top prospects in the 2022 NBA Draft?Then, we go to post-combine takes, and the narratives that seem to be forming. Finally, we close with a long mailbag where we answer an awful lot of great questions from our incredible listeners 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 2022 NBA Draft Combine has come and gone, and it's time to dive into everything that happened in Chicago this week. Adam Spinella from The Box And One joins us to dive into everything we saw this week. What do we actually take away from the combine? What is worthwhile and what isn't? How do we avoid falling into combine traps?Then, who were the winners and losers of Combine week? How Jalen Williams, Terquavion Smith and others took advantage of their opportunity and ran with it.Finally, we chat about two guys that Adam is going against the consensus on. Why he's higher on Jaden Hardy than most, and why he's lower on A.J. Griffin than most. 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.

Matt Pennie joins Sam Vecenie to break down the 2022 NBA Draft, now that we finally have a set order and we're ready to go when the event goes down one month from now. The top-four picks will be held by Orlando, Oklahoma City, Houston and Sacramento. What else is there to know? Matt and Sam break it down with a mock draft. 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 of the podcast, Sam is joined by two guests. First, Kane Pitman joins the show to break down the Celtics win over the Bucks. One of the best first round series in a while, the Celtics blew out Milwaukee from the 3-point line. What happened? Then, we do a mini preview of the Heat-Celtics series.Then, Kellan Olson is here, and we dive into a completely baffling Suns blow out loss to the Mavericks, where they looked entirely overmatched from the first moment onward. Is it even explainable what happened here to the NBA's most consistent team? How does Dallas match up with Golden State? And most importantly now for Phoenix, where do the Suns even go from here following that 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 episode two of the Future of Sports series, The Athletic's Mike Smeltz looks at how the team experience may change in the future: increased use of technology in gameplay, robotic umpires and the unique initiatives of a startup sports league. 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 episode one of the Future of Sports series, The Athletic's Mike Smeltz looks at how the fan experience may change: how going to games, watching games at home and how memorabilia is shifting from physical to digital. 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.

Matt Pennie joins Sam Vecenie to break down the 2022 NBA Draft Combine Invite list, with Sam going on a rant explaining why the selection process for the combine is flawed and needs to change. But first, we start on Giannis Antetokounmpo, why he's the best player in the league, and why Boston fan Matt is frustrated with how he gets officiated. Then we move to an MVP discussion, and whether or not the playoffs and how the bigs in the MVP race have played changes the discussion as it refers to the 2022 NBA Draft. Finally, we close with a mailbag! 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, James Edwards from The Athletic joins the show and we chat about the NBA, MVP, and the playoffs. We start with 10 minutes on MVP, which NIkola Jokic reportedly has won. James had a vote, and explained why he voted for Jokic. I explain why the whole conversation this year just bummed me out.Then, we dive into all of the playoff series. We start with 76ers-Heat, then we move to Mavs-Suns, then to Warriors-Grizzlies, then some quick thoughts on Bucks-Celtics (because they play as this podcast is getting released). Finally, I talk to James about Jaden Ivey, and why I love a potential fit with the Pistons and Jaden Ivey if he ends up there on draft night while James has been a bit more skeptical. 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.

Matt Pennie joins Sam Vecenie to break down how Bigfoot stole his AirPods at LegoLand, then we discuss the Celtics-Bucks series, Dillon Brooks' WTF foul on Gary Payton II; A deep dive into Leonard Miller from a scouting perspective in the 2022 NBA Draft; then, we do mailbag questions! A packed, fun show! 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, Matt Pennie and Sam Vecenie dive deep into the 2022 NBA Draft with a Mock Draft! See where Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero, Jaden Ivey, Jabari Smith, Shaedon Sharpe, and 25 other players end up! 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 Vecenie is joined by Cole Huff to chat about the NBA playoffs. We start with a deep dive into the Brooklyn Nets and their sweep at the hands of the Boston Celtics. Then, we dive into why the Celtics should be considered the favorite right now in the Eastern Conference. Then, we move to the Raptors-76ers series, and we do a deep dive on that series explaining why the Raptors are in a good position here moving forward despite going down 3-0 and bringing it back to 3-2 with the Sixers set to travel back to Toronto. Then, we move to Utah, where the Jazz are a mess because of their perimeter defense and look unlikely to mount much of a game against Dallas in Game Six based off of what we've seen so far. Finally we finish on the Pelicans-Suns series. The Pelicans are good! We break down why that is, and why the team is poised to give Phoenix all it can in the next few games with that series at 2-2. 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 Vecenie is joined by Matt Pennie and they dive deep into a number of things. First, they talk about the Boston Celtics-Brooklyn Nets series, some of the factors that have led to Boston taking a 2-0 lead in the series, and then focus specifically on how Boston's success drafting this team has made them the most positive draft story of the 2022 season. The narrative that Danny Ainge couldn't draft should be dead.Then, they move into talking about Jay Wright, a coach with an incredible career whose retirement has brought out so many of the terrible takes that Twitter can bring. Why Jay Wright's retirement doesn't mean that college basketball is dying, and why the transfer portal and NIL rights are GOOD for college basketball.Then, they chat about Shaedon Sharpe, and his NBA Draft situation after he announced that he is declaring for the draft and after media reports announced that he will be in the draft for good. We dive deep into his game, the situation surrounding him, and plenty more. Finally, mailbag! We answer your questions on scouting defense, on if there is another Herb Jones in this class, some of the potential early rotation players who will be drafted later in this class. And plenty, plenty 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 second part of a two-part episode breaking down the NBA playoffs Game 1 action. We chat a lot about Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves, the Nuggets' lineup struggles against the Warriors, the Grizzlies-Timberwolves super fun series, the Mike Budenholzer experience, and Chris Paul going absolute god mode in Game 1 versus the Pelicans 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 the first part of a two-part Game Theory episode, Sam is joined by Jared Weiss to dive deep into an instant classic: the Celtics beat the Nets on a killer late layup by Jayson Tatum. They outlasted an unbelievable Kyrie Irving performance that included 39 points, six assists, five rebounds, at least four middle fingers to the crowd, and one expletive-filled interaction with a fan. What do we make of this series moving forward? How does Brooklyn respond? Can Boston keep taking advantage of these mismatches they're getting? Should the Nets try to get Ben Simmons back as early as possible? 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 joins the show, and we run through a quick preview of the play-in games: Cleveland-Brooklyn, Minnesota-Clippers, Hawks-Hornets, Spurs-Pelicans. However, the meat of the show is a deep dive into All-Defense teams. We do that in the most fun way possible: we try to competitively draft All-Defense teams. We try to pick the best All-Defense team possible, and will send it to the listeners: who drafted the best All-Defense team, Dave or Sam?Then, we jump into some stray rookie thoughts, including Rookie of the Year and an explanation as to my pick in the Scottie Barnes versus Evan Mobley conundrum (as well as where Cade Cunningham fits into the mix). 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.

Matt Pennie joins Sam Vecenie to discuss the Final Four in New Orleans! We got to hang out! Sam is stuck in the health and safety protocols with a COVID diagnosis in Portland! But more than that, we also got to see a number of awesome games and prospects, including the best matchup I've ever seen in person, the Duke-UNC game that doubled as Coach K's last game. On top of that, Kansas-Villanova played a fun game, then Kansas went on to beat North Carolina to win the national title! All of the prospects including Paolo Banchero, AJ Griffin, Wendell Moore, Mark Williams, Ochai Agbaji, Christian Braun, Caleb Love, Armando Bacot and more. Then, we chat about some prospects who recently declared for the 2022 NBA Draft, including Ryan Rollins and others. 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 Matt Moore from The Action Network to dive deep into everything NBA MVP as we get into the final week of the season. Is this truly a three-man race between Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid? Could anyone like Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Luka Doncic, or others crash the party? We do a dive on ALL of the candidates, including deep dives on Giannis, Jokic and Embiid. We discuss the candidates in comparison to one another without getting particularly negative on anyone, and we come up with a ballot for each of us. 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, Matt Pennie joins the show to break down all of the action we saw this weekend during the Sweet 16 and the Elite 8. Particularly, we focus on the teams who progressed to the Final Four. We talk for 25 minutes about Duke, its prospects, and Coach K. Is Mark Williams a lottery guy? Who is Duke's second-best prospect? Then we move forward into Kansas, Villanova and North Carolina, and dive deep into some of the players who have had some success over the course of the tournament. We then move toward the Sweet 16 action we saw, including some stuff on Jaden Ivey, Chet Holmgren, Jaylin Williams, and plenty more. Then my internet goes out and we end the podcast early! 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.