Game Theory

In this episode, Matt Pennie joins Sam Vecenie after a stint in the health and safety protocols.

Kyle Mann from The Ringer joins Sam Vecenie to chat about the NBA. We start by talking about the craziest fanbases and explain why we think fans have such an attachment to the subject that Kyle and I hold near and dear to our heart: young players. Then, I pitch him my two favorite Ben Simmons trade ideas.

With Matt Pennie out due to family obligations for the holidays, Sam Vecenie is here for a solo mailbag episode to answer some of your questions about the 2022 NBA Draft. The listeners asked great questions, including: 

Matt Pennie and Sam Vecenie's weekly draft episode, where this week they explore the simple question: Where have all the lead guards gone in the 2022 NBA Draft? Why is this group of lead guards so bad compared to past drafts? We dive deep on Alabama's JD Davison, Tennessee's Kennedy Chandler, and Kentucky's TyTy Washington. 

Dave DuFour from The Athletic is here, and we preview the NBA's impending trade period. Who could be on the move? We start with the Danny Ainge news, that he's taking over the Jazz' front office. Then, we break down the Celtics situation and explain why the Jaylen Brown trade rumors are silly; we move into Ben Simmons discussions, and Sam gives a couple of interesting potential trade constructions there; we chat Jerami Grant and the Pistons; Cam Reddish and the Hawks; some weird Pacers constructions; and way more.

This week's draft episode is a deep dive into the top-four prospects in the class: Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith and Jaden Ivey. We also debut a new mailbag segment, and name prospects of the week.

In this episode, Jovan Buha of The Athletic joins the show. We start with 20 minutes on the Pacers, following a report that the team is finally willing to look into trading some of its core players including Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner. We take a look at few trade constructions and situations that could make sense.

In this episode, Danny Leroux and I dive deep into the Portland Trail Blazers, discussing what in the world that organization is doing following what has undeniably been a messy start to the season. Do they try to shake things up with some moves, or do they stick with the status quo given that the Western Conference is a mess and Damian Lillard hasn't even gotten going yet?

A full episode of the Game Theory Podcast! Anthony Slater from The Athletic joins, and we break down Michael Porter Jr.'s third back surgery and how it affects the Nuggets. Brook Lopez' back surgery and how it affects the Bucks. Bam Adebayo's thumb surgery and whether or not the Heat should be worried about the play-in.

Matt Pennie joins Sam to run through some important questions about prospects, including the Scoot Henderson breakout; the Gonzaga-Duke game from over the long weekend; and Emoni Bates' struggles early in the season. We also run through the other G League Ignite prospects, including Jaden Hardy, Dyson Daniels, MarJon Beacuhamp, and Michael Foster.