Game Theory Podcast

In this episode of Game Theory, Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon to first react to the latest headlines from the weekend, which included the Nuggets losing to the Wizards (snapping their 16-game losing streak) & the brutal injuries to Franz Wagner & Brandon Ingram. They also go through 5 different NBA players that they enjoy watching the most before being joined by GMAC for an intense round of Game Theory Trivia!04:55 - Denver Nuggets LOSE to the Washington Wizardes, depite 56 points from Nikola Jokic28:52 - Franz Wagner suffered a torn right oblique and is out indefinitely (Shams)43:48 - Brandon Ingram has suffered a significant low left ankle sprain and is sidelined indefinitely (Shams)59:13 - Our Favorite NBA Players To Watch!1:43:48 - TRIVIA TIME! Sam vs GMAC!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! Use the code GAMETHEORY or visit this link to sign up: https://prizepic

In this episode of Game Theory, Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon for an early look at 2025 NBA offseason & how all potential free agents are currently playing. They also look ahead to the NBA Cup & answer questions submitted about the 2025 NBA Draft!9:45 What does the 2025 NBA Free agency class look like?12:30 LeBron and what's going on with the Lakers right now?26:20 Jimmy Butler and what are the Heat's plans?42:00 Kyrie, Harden, and if guard scorers will become more valuable if the league expands?50:50 Brandon Ingram and what should the Pelicans do?1:00:23 Myles Turner and Brook Lopez (and a few others)1:15:30 Ja Morant going to stop dunking as much? presented by Robinhood!1:22:00 NBA Cup quarters and what we're most looking forward to1:33:00 NBA Draft Q and AVisit 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! Use the code GAMETHEORY or visit this link to sign up: https://prizepicks

In this episode of Game Theory, Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon to give their quarter-season NBA awards picks & to discuss each race in detail for MVP, DPOY, All-NBA & much more!CHAPTERS:5:40 NBA Awards Intro for the Podcast Explainer10:20 MVP44:30 All-NBA1:22:00 Defensive Player of the Year1:31:00 All-Defense Teams1:46:25 Most Improved Player, 6th Man of the Year, Coach of the Year1:57:40 Rookie of the Year and All-Rookie2:04:30 Trivia Time!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! Use the code GAMETHEORY or visit this link to sign up: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/GAMETHEORYROBINHOOD GOLD provides the privileges of the high net worth for any net worth, for just $5/month. The new gold standard is here with Robinhood Gold. Sign up at robinhood.com/gold Terms apply, for product specific disclosures visit robinhood.com/gold. Investing involves risk. Rate may change. Gold

In this episode of Game Theory, Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon to go through 10 different questions about the NBA season, starring the Lakers, Celtics, Rockets, All-NBA, and 2025 NBA Draft!CHAPTERS:06:45 - HOW BIG OF AN ISSUE IS THE DEFENSIVE SIDE OF THE COURT FOR THE LAKERS?14:52 - HOW BIG OF AN ISSUE IS THE DEFENSIVE SIDE OF THE COURT FOR THE KNICKS?26:08 - WITH KRISTAPS PORZINGIS BACK, CAN ANYONE COMPETE WITH BOSTON?34:14 - ARE THE HOUSTON ROCKETS A CONTENDER TO WIN A PLAYOFF SERIES THIS YEAR?44:57 - HAVE THE MILWAUKEE BUCKS ACTUALLY FIGURED THINGS OUT NOW?50:04 - WHO DO YOU THINK WILL BE THE PLAYER THAT MAKES ALL-NBA FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS SEASON?58:17 - WHO IS THE PLAYER THAT YOU CAN REALISTICALLY SEE GETTING MOVED THAT WOULD SWING THE TITLE RACE MOST?1:04:37 - AT LEAST ONE OF HOUSTON, DALLAS, MEMPHIS, PHOENIX, LA, GOLDEN STATE, DENVER AND MINNESOTA WILL NOT MAKE THE PLAYOFFS. WHO WILL THAT TEAM BE?1:11:03 - WHO IS THE PROSPECT YOU ARE MOST INTRIGUED BY IN THE 2025 NBA DRAFT?1:15:06 - WHO IS THE B

In this episode of Game Theory, Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon to go through all the teams they've tuned in for the most on NBA League Pass through one month of the NBA season.CHAPTERS:07:40 - NBA League Pass Rankings! (Explained)11:40 - Los Angeles Clippers17:30 - Orlando Magic30:49 - Denver Nuggets37:13 - Houston Rockets47:38 - San Antonio Spurs57:27 - Cleveland Cavaliers1:14:27 - Golden State Warriors1:23:26 - Memphis Grizzlies1:31:12 - OKC Thunder1:40:33 - Los Angeles Lakers1:49:08 - Honorable mentions w/ GMAC1:52:45 - TRIVIA!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! Use the code GAMETHEORY or visit this link to sign up: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/GAMETHEORYDUER is Built for Doing, with styles of stretch performance denim and lifestyle apparel for everyone in every season. Right now, my listeners get 20% off your first purchase when you use my exclusive URL: shopduer.c

In this episode of Game Theory, Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon to go through several early NBA trade ideas setting a market for who might be available, which teams might be buyers & which teams might be sellers.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! Use the code GAMETHEORY or visit this link to sign up: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/GAMETHEORYDUER is Built for Doing, with styles of stretch performance denim and lifestyle apparel for everyone in every season. Right now, my listeners get 20% off your first purchase when you use my exclusive URL: shopduer.com/GAMETHEORYROBINHOOD GOLD provides the privileges of the high net worth for any net worth, for just $5/month. The new gold standard is here with Robinhood Gold. Sign up at robinhood.com/gold Terms apply, for product specific disclosures visit robinhood.com/gold. Investing involves risk. Rate may change. Gold membershi

In this episode of Game Theory, Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon to go through the opposite end of the NBA standings & decide which teams they believe will finish w/ the bottom 8 records (as of now).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! Use the code GAMETHEORY or visit this link to sign up: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/GAMETHEORYDUER is Built for Doing, with styles of stretch performance denim and lifestyle apparel for everyone in every season. Right now, my listeners get 20% off your first purchase when you use my exclusive URL: shopduer.com/GAMETHEORYROBINHOOD GOLD provides the privileges of the high net worth for any net worth, for just $5/month. The new gold standard is here with Robinhood Gold. Sign up at robinhood.com/gold Terms apply, for product specific disclosures visit robinhood.com/gold. Investing involves risk. Rate may change. Gold membership is offered b

In this episode of Game Theory, Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon & together they go through several rookies from the 2024 NBA Draft class giving their overall impressions of how this group is doing so far, as well as highlighting specific players making great early impressions on their new teams.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! Use the code GAMETHEORY or visit this link to sign up: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/GAMETHEORYDUER is Built for Doing, with styles of stretch performance denim and lifestyle apparel for everyone in every season. Right now, my listeners get 20% off your first purchase when you use my exclusive URL: shopduer.com/GAMETHEORYROBINHOOD GOLD provides the privileges of the high net worth for any net worth, for just $5/month. The new gold standard is here with Robinhood Gold. Sign up at robinhood.com/gold Terms apply, for product specific disclosure

In this episode of Game Theory, Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon to go through the top 10 in their personal NBA Power Rankings through the first few weeks of the NBA season!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! Use the code GAMETHEORY or visit this link to sign up: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/GAMETHEORYDUER is Built for Doing, with styles of stretch performance denim and lifestyle apparel for everyone in every season. Right now, my listeners get 20% off your first purchase when you use my exclusive URL: shopduer.com/GAMETHEORYCHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON THE GAME THEORY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!FOLLOW GAME THEORY ON SOCIALS:TWITTER - @GameTheorySamVINSTAGRAM - @GameTheorySamVTIKTOK - @GameTheorySamV- 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 has

In this edition of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie is joined by Adam Finkelstein from 247Sports and CBS Sports to go around the country & talk about a number of interesting 2025 NBA Draft prospects, including Egor Demin, Jaland Lowe, Kam Jones, Asa Newell and Donnie Freeman.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! Use the code GAMETHEORY or visit this link to sign up: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/GAMETHEORYThis episode of Game Theory is brought to you by BetterHelp. If you're thinking of starting therapy, give Better Help a try. Visit BetterHelp.com/GAMETHEORY today to get 10 percent off your first month.CHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON THE GAME THEORY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!FOLLOW GAME THEORY ON SOCIALS:TWITTER - @GameTheorySamVINSTAGRAM - @GameTheorySamVTIKTOK - @GameTheorySamV- Sam Vecenie, a Senior NBA Writer at The Athletic, talks all about basketball. From t

In this edition of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon to go through several different teams off to rough starts to the season & grade them all on a scale from 1-10 on the NBA Panic Meter!CHAPTERS:04:17 Discussing the Joel Embiid/Marcus Hayes incident on Saturday night32:58 NBA Panic Meter - Philadelphia 76ers44:07 NBA Panic Meter - Milwaukee Bucks57:21 NBA Panic Meter - Orlando Magic1:05:33 NBA Panic Meter - Indiana Pacers1:14:31 NBA Panic Meter - Denver Nuggets1:29:17 TRIVIA TIME w/ GMAC! 10 Players averaging at least 15 rebounds & 10 rebounds this seasonVISIT 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! Use the code GAMETHEORY or visit this link to sign up: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/GAMETHEORYThis episode of Game Theory is brought to you by BetterHelp. If you're thinking of starting therapy, give Better Help a try. Visit BetterHelp.com/GAMETHEORY tod

In this edition of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie & Bryce Simon have a conversation about some of the NBA's earliest most-improved players.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! Use the code GAMETHEORY or visit this link to sign up: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/GAMETHEORYCHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON THE GAME THEORY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!FOLLOW GAME THEORY ON SOCIALS:TWITTER - @GameTheorySamVINSTAGRAM - @GameTheorySamVTIKTOK - @GameTheorySamV- 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 has you covered in this show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this edition of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie & Bryce Simon to talk through the opening week of the NBA season with the only way we know how: by overreacting to what we've seen from the Lakers, Celtics, Nuggets and Thunder among others.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! Use the code GAMETHEORY or visit this link to sign up: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/GAMETHEORYCHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON THE GAME THEORY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!FOLLOW GAME THEORY ON SOCIALS:TWITTER - @GameTheorySamVINSTAGRAM - @GameTheorySamVTIKTOK - @GameTheorySamV- 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 has you covered in this show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this edition of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie is joined by Keith Smith of the  @NBAFrontOffice  Show to discuss the NBA contract extensions that were reported earlier this week & give their grades for each one from the team perspective.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! Use the code GAMETHEORY or visit this link to sign up: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/GAMETHEORYCHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON THE GAME THEORY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!FOLLOW GAME THEORY ON SOCIALS:TWITTER - @GameTheorySamVINSTAGRAM - @GameTheorySamVTIKTOK - @GameTheorySamV- 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 has you covered in this show.CHAPTERS:2:30 How do you watch NBA games?7:30 Big picture look at Rookie Extension Window from Keith18:15 Houston Rockets extend

In this edition of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie & Bryce Simon to talk about players they're looking at this season who could break out as important, impact players or even NBA stars in the 2024-25 season.CHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON THE GAME THEORY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!FOLLOW GAME THEORY ON SOCIALS:TWITTER - @GameTheorySamVINSTAGRAM - @GameTheorySamVTIKTOK - @GameTheorySamV- 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 has you covered in this show.CHAPTERS: 7:40 Christian Braun (and Julian Strawther) 22:41 Jalen Williams 35:05 Jaden Ivey 43:55 Amen Thompson 51:50 Deuce McBride 57:05 Nikola Jovic 1:03:00 Rapid Fire on Brandin Podziemski, Jordan Miller, Dyson Daniels, Ayo Dosunmu, Tre Mann, Andrew Nembhard, Lonzo Ball, and others 1:24:17 GMAC joins for Trivia 11 players who have 14k points and 6k rebounds. name them! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices

In this edition of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie is here to break down 2025 NBA Draft prospects, including Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, Dylan Harper, V.J. Edgecombe and Nolan Traore among others with @HoopIntellect 's own Keandre Ashley.CHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON THE GAME THEORY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!FOLLOW GAME THEORY ON SOCIALS:TWITTER - @GameTheorySamVINSTAGRAM - @GameTheorySamVTIKTOK - @GameTheorySamV- 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 has you covered in this show.CHAPTERS: 2:50 How do you rate the 2025 NBA Draft compared to other NBA Draft classes? 7:05 Can any other prospect break into the top-five of the 2025 NBA Draft? 910:00 Ben Saraf and Noa Essengue takeaways versus Portland 20:45 Cooper Flagg Preseason Eval 38:00 Rating Cooper Flagg compared to other elite prospects 40:15 Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper 1:11:20 V.J. Edgecombe 1:23:50 Nolan Traore (and some K

In this edition of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie & Bryce Simon make their predictions for the 2024-25 NBA Season!CHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON THE GAME THEORY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!FOLLOW GAME THEORY ON SOCIALS:TWITTER - @GameTheorySamVINSTAGRAM - @GameTheorySamVTIKTOK - @GameTheorySamV- 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 has you covered in this show.CHAPTERS: 9:55 Luka Doncic wins MVP 17:55 The Thunder will win 65 games 27:31 The Suns finish top 4 in the West 39:15 The Pistons will NOT finish bottom 3 in the NBA 44:36 Tyrese Maxey makes ALL-NBA 49:26 The Pelicans will NOT finish top 8 in the West 1:01:11 The Cavaliers will trade 1 of their core 4 1:06:07 OKC vs BOS in the Finals & goes 7 1:21:35 TRIVIA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this edition of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie is joined by his colleague at The Athletic Fred Katz to discuss who they think are the most important players in the NBA this season.CHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON THE GAME THEORY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!FOLLOW GAME THEORY ON SOCIALS:TWITTER - @GameTheorySamVINSTAGRAM - @GameTheorySamVTIKTOK - @GameTheorySamV- 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 has you covered in this show.CHAPTERS: 7:00 - Bradley Beal 20:08 - Ja Morant 33:25 - Cooper Flagg 44:25 - Victor Wembanyama 59:09 - Chet Holmgren & Evan Mobley 1:11:24 - Khris Middleton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this edition of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie & Bryce Simon do their first 2025 NBA Mock Draft of the season! Come join us and break down a loaded draft class with Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, Dylan Harper, V.J. Edgecombe, and many more!CHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON THE GAME THEORY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!FOLLOW GAME THEORY ON SOCIALS:TWITTER - @GameTheorySamVINSTAGRAM - @GameTheorySamVTIKTOK - @GameTheorySamV- 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 has you covered in this show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this edition of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie is joined by Jason Timpf, where we're going to talk through his best players in the NBA list that he recently released. How does he go about ranking his top players? And who does he think is set for enormous seasons?CHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON THE GAME THEORY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!FOLLOW GAME THEORY ON SOCIALS:TWITTER - @GameTheorySamVINSTAGRAM - @GameTheorySamVTIKTOK - @GameTheorySamV- 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 has you covered in this show.3:00 Karl-Anthony Towns trade; Why Sam and Jason disagree a bit!33:00 Jason's Player Rankings; How does Jason go about ranking players? What is his criteria?45:27 Jayson Tatum vs. Anthony Edwards and Tatum's ranking57:15 Victor Wembanyama1:03:10 Tyrese Maxey, most important player in the league?1:13:00 Big group of guards and how to parse through the league's best1:17:00