Game Theory

In this episode, I chat with Jared Weiss of CelticsWire and CLNS about the Christmas Day NBA games, and each team involved. We talk about them in the order they'll be played: Sixers-Knicks, Warriors-Cavs, Wizards-Celtics, Rockets-Thunder, and Wolves-Lakers. A nice, extended breakdown on each of those teams, plus a bit of fun stuff at the end figuring out what we're most excited for. 

The sponsors today: DraftKings and MyBookie. You can use the promo code CLNS at DraftKings, and on MyBookie use GAMETHEORY. 

In this episode, I chat with good friend of the program Dieter Kurtenbach about the Anthony Davis headlines this week, and try to craft fake trades around the Pelicans star if things go south this year (hint: BOSTON).

Then, we chat about some of the other potentially available stars around the league, including Marc Gasol, DeAndre Jordan, Paul George, DeMarcus Cousins, and others. It's solely a fun, speculative podcast, and it includes my favorite Warriors fake trade idea involving Spencer Dinwiddie. 

The sponsors today: DraftKings and MyBookie. You can use the promo code CLNS at DraftKings, and on MyBookie use GAMETHEORY. 

In this episode, I chat with Cole Zwicker about the Rockets, Trae Young, and more NBA Draft discussion. 

First, we chat about Houston, and how the Rockets are out to the best start in the NBA. Is this sustainable? Are they the Warriors chief competition for the title this year? What makes them so good? How much does Clint Capela get this offseason? 

Then, we chat Trae Young, and discuss how hard it is to find five better NBA prospects than him right now. What has turned him into such a high level prospect? Beyond him, what do we make of Landry Shamet? Do we like Jalen Brunson? Is there anything particularly interesting about Mississippi State or Cincinnati (no and yes). Also, is Trevon Bluiett turning into a legit prospect? 

The sponsors today: DraftKings and MyBookie. You can use the promo code CLNS at DraftKings, and on MyBookie use GAMETHEORY. 

In this episode, I chat with Cole Zwicker about basketball this week. First, we chat about the Ball Family's decision to head over to Lithuania for LiAngelo and LaMelo. How does that situation work?

Then, we chat about the silliness of the "Is Ben Simmons a rookie?" discussion before moving into a mailbag. What should the Boston Celtics draft board look like? How do we evaluate rare skillsets? What is the value of big men in today's NBA marketplace? Who is the most exciting/boring lottery prospect? How much sense does Trae Young make for the Sixers? All that and more, including 10 minutes at the end of the show discussing Paul George, when should the the Thunder potentially start shopping him, and what could teams offer for him?

The sponsors today: DraftKings and MyBookie. You can use the promo code CLNS at DraftKings, and on MyBookie use GAMETHEORY. 

In this episode, I chat with Tony Jones of the Salt Lake Tribune about the NBA and some of the college hoops players who have impressed us in the early season. 

First, we chat about the Jahlil Okafor trade, how we were surprised the Sixers got a piece like Trevor Booker in return, and why we think it's ultimately a good deal for both sides. How can Boooker help Philly, and how can Okafor turn it around in Brooklyn?

Then, we chat about the team Tony covers, Utah, and break down how they've been relatively impressive so far given expectations. How has the calculus changed for the Jazz due to the Donovan Mitchell selection? How great of a job has Dennis Lindsey done? Why has Ricky Rubio been so bad? What happens with Derrick Favors? 

Next, we go to Oklahoma City, and talk about the Thunder's start? Should we be worried? Is it that big a concern that they're 12-13, especially in light of their recent run? Is the Melo deal working? Why has Russell Westbrook struggled a bit this year?

Finally, we chat NBA Draft and college hoops for a while. What do our respective top-10s look like right now? Who is the third-best point guard in the draft after Collin Sexton and Trae Young? And just how awesome is Mikal Bridges? 

The sponsors today: DraftKings and MyBookie. You can use the promo code CLNS at DraftKings, and on MyBookie use GAMETHEORY. 

In this episode, I chat with Cole Zwicker about two topics. First, we talk about the Celtics. Why has Jayson Tatum been so successful this year? What's been the difference in his jump shot? How good is Jaylen Brown? What makes Marcus Smart such a special player despite the lack of individual efficiency?

Then, we chat NBA Draft prospects. Mikal Bridges had his big breakout last night against Gonzaga, so where is he now? What happened in the big DeAndre Ayton vs. Robert Williams matchup? How about Lonnie Walker's breakout game against Boston, and Mohamed Bamba's alien dunk against VCU? Finally, some notes on players like Landry Shamet, Bonzie Colson, Jevon Carter, Chandler Hutchison, and finally Killian Tillie. 

The sponsors today: DraftKings and MyBookie. You can use the promo code CLNS at DraftKings, and on MyBookie use GAMETHEORY. 

In this episode, I chat with good friend of the program Danny Leroux about the Eastern Conference. Is that side of the NBA better than anticipated? What has improved with the Cavs during their 11-game win streak? How have the Bucks improved since Eric Bledsoe arrived? Why have the Pistons been the NBA's biggest surprise? What do we think of the Knicks' start? How fun have the Pacers been? 

Also, Danny and I chat briefly about the fun teams of the East, if he agrees with my Spencer Dinwiddie love, and finally do seven or so minutes on the Warriors given Danny's work there. 

The sponsors today: DraftKings and MyBookie. You can use the promo code CLNS at DraftKings, and on MyBookie use GAMETHEORY. 

In this episode, I chat with The Athletic's Derek Bodner about the 76ers. Just how good has Ben Simmons been this year? Should he be in the all-star game? Has Joel Embiid lived up to lofty expectation this year? How ridiculously valuable was the Robert Covington extension? What do we make of Markelle Fultz? How impressive has Brett Brown been this year?

Finally, we chat about the draft quickly, and who the Sixers could potentially target with the Lakers' pick that may transfer? 

The sponsors today: DraftKings and MyBookie. You can use the promo code CLNS at DraftKings, and on MyBookie use GAMETHEORY. 

In this episode, I chat with Matt Moore from over at CBS Sports about three separate topics that are all relatively intertwined. First, we talk about the Grizzlies, their decision to fire David Fizdale to side with Marc Gasol and continue to build around their soon-to-be 33-year-old center. 

Then, we chat about the Clippers, and get creative in light of the news Blake Griffin will be out for two months. Should they blow it up? If they do, how should they do it? We get extremely creative, including Matt dropping essentially a nuclear bomb on the NBA by totally changing the power structure. That involves trading Blake Griffin instead of DeAndre. Oh, and we talk DeAndre deals, too. 

Finally, we chat about when it's time to hit the eject button and rebuild in the NBA. What are the factors that make it tenable? Also, we then get into the fickleness of how the arduous rebuilding process can go wrong. 

The sponsors today: DraftKings and MyBookie. You can use the promo code CLNS at DraftKings, and on MyBookie use GAMETHEORY. 

In this episode, I chat with Cole Zwicker in his weekly appearance about all of the NBA Draft action we saw over the last week with the PK80, Battle 4 Atlantis, and a billion other early season tournaments. Included: Marvin Bagley, Mohamed Bamba, Trae Young, Collin Sexton, Trevon Duval, Gonzaga's prospects, DeAndre Ayton/Arizona stuff, and more.