Game Theory

In this episode, Cole Zwicker joins, and we chat about some of the later moves in free agency. We also chat about the Knicks stating their intention to buy out Joakim Noah, a move that makes absolutely zero sense to us. We also discuss the Pelicans signing Jahlil Okafor, and why Okafor has failed in the NBA so far. Then we talk about the Sam Dekker trade. 

Then we move on and get into the meat of the podcast. We break down the prospects for the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Portland Trail Blazers, and the Utah Jazz. Here is the rough order we go in, including all of the prospects we break down in detail. 

Oklahoma City: Alex Abrines, Hamidou Diallo, Devon Hall, Deonte Burton, Kevin Hervey, Tim Luwawu Cabarrot, Abdel Nader, Terrance Ferguson

Portland: Zach Collins, Anfernee Simons, Gary Trent Jr., Caleb Swanigan, Jake Layman, Wade Baldwin

Utah: Donovan Mitchell, Dante Exum, Royce O’Neale, Grayson Allen, Tony Bradley

A two-part podcast. First, I chat with Brian Snow from 247Sports for 25 minutes about the announced NCAA rule changes yesterday that show a pretty blatant misunderstanding of the process that elite level basketball players undertake now. On the recruiting calendar changes, the draft changes, the agency changes, and everything else. 

Then, I chat with Cole Zwicker, where the two of us drastically underestimate how long it is going to take us to get through the Northwest Division prospects in the NBA and instead decide to just chat about Denver and Minnesota's prospects. We break down Nikola Jokic in-depth, chat about Jamal Murray, Gary Harris briefly, Michael Porter, and the ceiling for Denver's offense.

Then we chat about all of Timberwolves' young players. We chat about Karl-Anthony Towns ceiling, and whether or not I still buy into him having potential MVP potential. How do we rank the young bigs in the NBA? Then, we have the great Andrew Wiggins debate of the summer of 2018. Then we break down all of the others, Tyus Jones, Josh Okogie, and more. 

In this episode, Cole Zwicker joins Sam on the podcast and chats about the Southwest Division. First, they break down the Rockets' offseason, and chat if they're better or worse equipped to take down the Warriors next season. 

Next, they break down all of the prospects in the Southwest Division, including the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, San Antonio Spurs. Here's the list of everyone we chatted about:

Dallas Mavericks: Luka Doncic, Dennis Smith, Jalen Brunson, Ray Spalding, Dorian Finney-Smith, Kostas Antetokounmpo, Chinanu Onuaku, Terry Larrier, Daryl Macon, DING

Houston Rockets: De’Anthony Melton, Gary Clark, Isaiah Hartenstein, Zhou Qi, Vince Edwards

Memphis Grizzlies: Jaren Jackson, Dillon Brooks, Wayne Selden, Jevon Carter, Ivan Rabb, Kobi Simmons, Yuta Watanabe

New Orleans Pelicans: Cheick Diallo, Trevon Bluiett, Frank Jackson, Kenrich Williams

San Antonio Spurs: Lonnie Walker, Dejounte Murray, Jakob Poeltl, Derrick White, Chimezie Metu

In this episode of the podcast, Sam is joined by Cole Zwicker where the pair discuss the Carmelo Anthony/Dennis Schroder/PHI trade. Then, they get back into breaking down all of the prospects in the NBA, finishing off the Eastern Conference by discussing those in the Southeast Division. 

Again, the cut-offs here are 1995 birthdates or later, or players on rookie contracts under the age of 27. Here is the list of players discussed: 

Atlanta Hawks: Trae Young, John Collins , Taurean Prince, Kevin Huerter, DeAndre Bembry, Omari Spellman, Justin Anderson, Tyler Dorsey, Daniel Hamilton

Charlotte Hornets: Miles Bridges, Malik Monk, Frank Kaminsky, Willy Hernangomez, Dwayne Bacon, Devonte Graham

Miami Heat: Bam Adebayo, Justise Winslow. Derrick Jones Jr., Yante Maten, Derrick Walton

Orlando Magic: Mohamed Bamba, Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac, Melvin Frazier, Jerian Grant, Wes Iwundu, Justin Jackson. Isaiah Briscoe, Troy Caupain

Washington Wizards: Kelly Oubre, Troy Brown, Thomas Bryant, Devin Robinson

In this episode, Cole Zwicker joins Sam Vecenie and chats about the Kawhi Leonard trade. Do we like the risk for the Raptors now that we're a little bit of a ways out from the decision? Do we like the Spurs still just going in and competing? 

Then, they break down the prospects (23 and under and rookie scale guys) in the Atlantic Division. They are as follows: 

Boston Celtics: Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Terry Rozier, Robert Williams, Semi Ojeleye, Guerschon Yabusele, Jabari Bird

Brooklyn Nets: D’Angelo Russell, Caris LeVert, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Dzanan Musa, Rodions Kurucs

New York Knicks: Kristaps Porzingis, Kevin Knox, Frank Ntilikina, Mario Hezonja, Mitchell Robinson, Emmanuel Mudiay, Damyean Dotson, Allonzo Trier

Philadelphia 76ers: Ben Simmons, Dario Saric, Markelle Fultz, Zhaire Smith, TJ McConnell, Furkan Korkmaz, Landry Shamet, Shake Milton

Toronto Raptors: OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, Delon Wright, Malachi Richardson

In this episode, Sam Vecenie embarks on a new project with Cole Zwicker, where they break down every prospect either on rookie contracts or born after 1995 on each team. Here, they start with the Central Division. 

Before they do that, though, they break down the Kevin Love extension, a deal that Cole is understanding of but that Sam doesn't really like. Then, they go into prospects, and go in this order: 

Chicago Bulls: Lauri Markkanen, Wendell Carter Jr., Jabari Parker, Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn, Bobby Portis, Chandler Hutchison, Denzel Valentine, Antonio Blakeney, Cameron Payne

Cleveland Cavaliers: Collin Sexton, Cedi Osman, Larry Nance, Ante Zizic, Billy Preston

Detroit Pistons: Luke Kennard, Stanley Johnson, Bruce Brown, Khyri Thomas, Henry Ellenson

Indiana Pacers: Myles Turner, Domantas Sabonis, Aaron Holiday, TJ Leaf, Edmond Sumner, Alize Johnson, Ike Anigbogu

Milwaukee Bucks: Malcolm Brogdon, Thon Maker, Sterling Brown, Donte DiVincenzo, DJ Wilson

The big Summer League Breakdown podcast! Cole and I run through all of the best and worst that we saw at Summer League this year, giving in-depth breakdowns on all of the highest draft picks, the important second year players, and the third year players still stuck in Vegas. 

If you're interested in a player, the odds are we likely bounced around to him at some point. 

In this episode, Sam Vecenie chats with Cole Zwicker about some of the bigger moves in the NBA offseason that have happened since the recent podcast. 

Discussion centers around:

-Jabari Parker, Zach LaVine, and the Chicago Bulls

-Kyle Anderson signing and Garrett Temple trade for Memphis

-Remaining free agents Clint Capela, Marcus Smart, Rodney Hood, Montrezl Harrell, and David Nwaba

-Houston Rockets offseason

-Nemanja Bjelica staying overseas and Philadelphia

-Denver gets under the tax

-Brooklyn's smart maneuvering

-Atlanta? 

-Tony Parker to Charlotte

In this episode, Cole Zwicker and I run through all of free agency's Day 1 transactions outside of LeBron James, chatting about Paul George, where Oklahoma City goes from here, Chris Paul and Trevor Ariza, The Denver moves, Ersan Ilyasova and Doug McDermott, why we like what Brooklyn is doing, and can't really understand Portland. 

In this episode, Cole Zwicker joins the podcast to chat about -- what else? -- LeBron James' decision to go to the Lakers in free agency. What does the structure of his contract mean? Where do the Lakers go from here? How does the team go about building its roster? How do the young pieces fit? Do they make a move for Kawhi Leonard? How does this affect Julius Randle? 

All that, in addition to some discussion on how this affects the Cavaliers going forward, and what road they should go down to recover.