Game Theory

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?

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?