Game Theory

In this episode, I chat with Dieter Kurtenbach from the San Jose Mercury News about some of the things that have surprised us early on in the NBA. Here are the topics we discuss: 

Boston Celtics Offense

The Pelicans and League-Wide Pace

Denver Nuggets Defense

The Thunder are Rough

The Bulls are Awful but Zach LaVine is not

The Spurs, DeRozan, Aldridge, and offense

The Kings are Feisty

The Raptors are great now

In this episode, Tony Jones from The Athletic joins to discuss the great spitting controversy of 2018, and we lay out prediction about what the punishment should have been for Rajon Rondo, Brandon Ingram, and Chris Paul. We also discuss how this type of stuff will affect how we remember Rondo's career. 

Then, we break down Utah vs. Golden State, which was the game of the young NBA season. How you know Golden State thinks Utah is a real team (they actually tried to win), how Stephen Curry is basically going god mode this season, and how the Jazz need to find a way to get more offensive creativity to reach that next level. 

Then, Chris Stone joins the show to give a quick preseason breakdown on the 2019 NBA Draft's potential wings. Why it has potential to be this draft's position of strength. Names discussed:

RJ Barrett, Nassir Little, Romeo Langford, Keldon Johnson, Kevin Porter, Tyus Battle, Jarrett Culver, Kris Wilkes, Charles Matthews, Jarrey Foster, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Matisse Thybulle, Jalen Hudson, Kellan Grady, Zach Norvell, the Martin twins, John Petty, Fletcher Magee, TJ Gibbs, Herb Jones, Jordan Poole, Kerwin Roach, Lagerald Vick, Xavier Sneed, Josh Reaves, Desmond Bane

In this episode, Dave DuFour joins to chat about all of the NBA's opening few days. We run through something we saw from every team, what we're excited about, what we're watching, and what we are expecting going forward. 

First though, we break down the Lakers-Blazers in-depth, then we break down Milwaukee's new offense, Houston's continued defensive questions, New Orleans' athleticism, Minnesota's weird game with San Antonio, and then we run through everything else that happened over the first three days. 

In this episode, Dieter Kurtenbach joins Sam to break down Great British Bake Off, Hereditary, Haunting of Hill House...well, for the first seven minutes at least. 

But if you want to skip forward to the basketball, the Celtics win over the 76ers takes up half the conversation due to the fascinating nature of the game. Jayson Tatum making the leap? Gordon Hayward's return? Kyrie's game, the bench, etc. Then, they chat about the 76ers, the Simmons game, their offensive gameplan, and particularly Markelle Fultz, and what the Sixers should do with him right now. Also, Joel Embiid and turnovers. Mostly, it's why I'm not melting down about Philadelphia.

Then they move on to the Warriors win over the Thunder, Stephen Curry's monster outing, the stars' play, and more. They also focus in on the center position, Damian Jones and Kevon Looney, and the Warriors bench. 

Finally, they chat about the teams they're excited for this week. Dieter wants to watch Indiana, I want to watch Minnesota, and we're both excited for Utah and more. And then we finish on Venom. Because Venom is getting underrated. 

In this episode, Tony Jones joins the podcast to chat about Jimmy Butler coming to practice, Joakim Noah being gone, and some NBA awards predictions. 

First, Jimmy Butler came to practice (shout out MGRADS), and totally destroyed his teammates. Why is he still in Minnesota? Why are they seriously going to play him this season to start the year? What a bad idea. 

Then, we chat about why stretching Noah now is a bad idea versus later, and some of the other cuts around the NBA. Finally, we chat about Mike Muscala's dad, why the 76ers did the right thing getting out in front of it, and why there's no place for that bullshit. 

Finally, we give predictions on MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Most Improved Player, first time All-NBA player, Western/Eastern Conference Finalists, NBA Finalists, and NBA Champion. 

In this episode, Dieter Kurtenbach joins the podcast and we chat about the upcoming NBA season. Particularly, we give some takes. This is the episode where we give purposely bold predictions about the 2018-19 season. The idea is to be purposely be somewhat over the top on these. We give predictions on Jimmy Butler, on MVP, on surprise teams, on shock Rookie of the Year picks, on Donovan Mitchell, Ben Simmons, and Jayson Tatum, and more. 

In this episode, I chat with Sporting News's Chris Stone about the NCAA Corruption scandal and the NBA Draft. First, we discuss for 15 minutes the NCAA's first trial into the FBI investigation that has engulfed the sport over the last year. Why I'm not super excited by the way this thing will be covered, and why it's most likely outcome is a situation that just hurts teenage athletes. 

The bulk is the podcast is spent discussing NBA Draft prospects. Specifically, Chris and I jump into the weeds and break down all of the big-time lead guards who will be vying for position throughout this college basketball season. In order, here are the names, with longer breakdowns on the first 10: 

Quentin Grimes, Darius Garland, Coby White, Ashton Hagans, Carsen Edwards, Ja Morant, Lindell Wigginton, Ky Bowman, Ty Jerome, Shamorie Ponds, Jon Elmore, Jaylen Hands, Barry Brown, McKinley Wright, D’Marcus Simonds, Tremont Waters, Cassius Winston, Adam Mokoka, Devon Dotson, Tre Jones, JaVonte Smart, Immanuel Quickley, Jahvon Quinerly

In this episode, Dieter Kurtenbach pops on to chat about Jimmy Butler, Kyrie Irving's conspiracy theories, our favorite conspiracy theories, Luka Doncic's debut, Markelle Fultz making 3s, Patrick McCaw's deal, and the Ryder Cup. 

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In this episode, Tony Jones from The Athletic joins the pod and chats with Sam about potential rookie contract extensions. They run through the two that have already been done, Karl-Anthony Towns and Devin Booker, then go through the rest and chat about which ones would make sense for both parties to explore, and which ones should wait until the offseason. Among the players discussed: 

Myles Turner, Kristaps Porzingis, D’Angelo Russell, Willie Cauley-Stein, Stanley Johnson, Justise Winslow, Kelly Oubre, Terry Rozier, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Larry Nance, Trey Lyles, Delon Wright, Bobby Portis, Tyus Jones.

In this episode, I chat with Dieter Kurtenbach. We mostly bullshit about Jimmy Butler, Tom Thibodeau, and the situation in Minnesota. But we also chat about some media day quotes, some of what wasn't said in media days. Also, about Elton Brand, and potential free agency questions, and my ridiculous theory on why it's beneficial for players to be coy with upcoming free agency.