Game Theory

This episode of the podcast is dedicated to handing out the NBA Awards and All-NBA teams. As is tradition, Dieter Kurtenbach joins the show and he and Sam Vecenie run through each of their teams. 

We hand out and break down: MVP; 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Team All-NBA; Defensive Player of the Year; 1st and 2nd Team All-Defense; Rookie of the Year; 1st and 2nd Team All-Rookie; Sixth Man of the Year; Most Improved Player; Coach of the Year. 

This episode is sponsored by eHarmony, where you can use the promo code GAMETHEORY to get one month off of a three-month subscription to the dating service. 

In this episode, Cole Zwicker joins Sam for his weekly appearance on the podcast, where the two chat about the 2017 NBA Draft Class. In detail, they break down the entire class's performance in their rookie seasons, discussing whether or not each player exceeded expectations, lived up to them, or has work to do as a sophomore to get to the level they need. They particularly spend a lot of time on Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball, Jayson Tatum, Josh Jackson, De'Aaron Fox, Dennis Smith, Lauri Markkanen, and Donovan Mitchell. Still, every player selected is mentioned, with every first round pick getting a few words. 

This episode is sponsored by eHarmony, where you can use the promo code GAMETHEORY to get one month off of a three-month subscription to the dating service. 

In this episode, Jared Weiss joins Sam Vecenie and chats about the Kyrie Irving injury. What exactly is Kyrie Irving's injury in detail? What procedure is he undergoing? How does this affect the Celtics moving forward this season? Do they have a legitimate chance to make the Eastern Conference finals, still? All that and more thoughts on the roster as a whole, including Marcus Morris, Terry Rozier, and more.

Also, they discuss the long-term ramifications of the Kyrie injury. Should the Celtics offer him a long-term extension now following this issue? Does this affect how the Celtics have to build their roster moving forward?

Also, at the start, they discuss Kyrie's personality and intellectual curiosity, asking the simple question: What is a drugged-up, coming-out-of-surgery Kyrie Irving like? 

In this episode, Sam chats with Cole Zwicker about a variety of topics. First, they talk about the Kawhi Leonard report from ESPN, which noted that teams are going to be gathering their war chest to make big-time offers for Leonard this summer. They chat about the situation surrounding him, his contract situation, and the CBA's supermax failure. Then, they go into detail on why the Spurs are likely to offer him said supermax, how he'll need to make a decision on whether or not to accept it, and if he doesn't, potential trade possibilities. They break down Boston's, Philadelphia's, Los Angeles', Denver's, and more potential offers to San Antonio. 

Then, they go into detail on the Final Four, and some of the players involved there, including the Michael Jordan of Delaware, Omari Spellman, Mikal Bridges, Jalen Brunson, Mo Wagner, Udoka Azubuike and more. Then, they discuss some of the recent decisions in the NBA Draft, including Jaren Jackson Jr., Shake Milton, Kevin Knox, and more. 

Finally, they discuss Darius Bazley's decision to go to the G-League straight out of high school. Cole is interested, while Sam mostly thinks this is a bad decision and explains why. 

In this episode, Sam Vecenie is joined by Michael Pina of Vice Sports about the mess that is the Eastern Conference. What do we think of the Cavaliers, and the problem that is the fact that they haven't played a ton together yet? Does their dysfunction make the Raptors the favorite?  Should the Raptors be worried about the fact they get an inordinate production from their bench? Should they be worried about the Bucks in the first round if they get matched up against Giannis?

Then they move on to the Celtics. What do they think of the Marcus Morris resurgence? Is Terry Rozier the god or only for real? Also, how do the Celtics fare in the playoffs offensively without Kyrie Irving? Finally, how far can the Sixers go? Can Markelle Fultz help in the playoffs, and how big of a matchup problem for the rest of the Eastern Conference is Joel Embiid? 

Finally, I ask Pina to give an opinion on how the Eastern Conference Playoffs end. 

In this episode, Sam Vecenie chats with good friend of the program Cole Zwicker in a super-sized episode featuring a variety of topics. First, the two of them discuss Markelle Fultz's return to action with the 76ers, and what he looked like on Monday night against Denver in dropping a solid 10-point, eight-assist, four-rebound night versus only one turnover. 

Then, they chat about the NBA injuries that could end up shaping the course of the regular season. What do they make of the Warriors being down a few key guys right now, including Stephen Curry for the start of the playoffs? What about the Celtics, who could be missing Kyrie Irving (and Marcus Smart) for that first round series, too? What would the Spurs look like with Kawhi if he was to return? 

Finally, they go over some of the more interesting NBA Draft decisions that have been made, and some of the more interesting NBA Draft performances of the NCAA Tournament. Those include Zhaire Smith, Daniel Gafford, Kevin Knox, Jevon Carter, Robert Williams, Moe Wagner, Devonte Graham, Malik Newman, and many more in a rapid-fire session. 

In this episode, I chat with Reags from over at Barstool about what we saw in the NCAA Tournament, and what we expect to see going forward. First though, we chat about gambling on the Tournament, and the mess that was the opening weekend from that perspective. 

Then we chat about some of the funnier moments we saw from the weekend, some of the biggest news from this past weekend. Then we jump into some discussion on who the best players, best matchups, and best NBA Draft Prospects remaining in the NCAA Tournament. We chat about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kevin Knox, Marvin Bagley, Wendell Carter, Mikal Bridges, Robert Williams and more. 

This podcast is sponsored by HIMS. Go to ForHims.com/gametheory to get a trial month for $5. 

In this episode, I chat with friend of the program Cole Zwicker to break down all of the important action of the first round in the NCAA Tournament. First, we chat about what I saw out in San Diego (not much, other than Jon Elmore exploding into our minds and hearts). Then, we get into the big stories, including:

VIRGINIA BECOMES THE FIRST NO. 1 SEED TO LOSE

Arizona also cops a pretty bad ass-kicking to Buffalo

Michael Porter and Trae Young likely play their last college games

Kentucky beats a tough Davidson behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Kevin Knox

Mohamed Bamba continues to ride the roller coaster in his play

Collin Sexton carries Alabama late

Plus, a rapid-fire breakdown, including thoughts on Rob Gray, D'Marcus Simonds, Miles Bridges, Ohio State, Lonnie Walker's bad final two minutes, and more!

In this episode, Sam Vecenie is joined by Chris Stone from over at FanSided, where they break down -- in pain-staking detail -- every NBA prospect matchup in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, and all of their potential favorite matchups that could happen later in the Tournament. 

They start in the South, where Virginia, Kentucky, and Arizona are the standout teams to watch. Then, they move to the West, which seems to be the weakest NBA Draft region. Then, they chat about the East, where Villanova looks to be in for some fun, athletic matchups. Finally, they move to the midwest, where Michigan State-Duke awaits in the Sweet 16. 

This episode is sponsored by RXBar. Go to RXBar.com/gametheory to get 25 percent off on the best nutrition bar money can buy. 

In this episode, Sam chats with Cole Zwicker about the NBA MVP race, which is heating up quickly. They go in detail on James Harden, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Stephen Curry, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, and discuss each of their cases for the top-five. 

Then, they deep dive on some of the players Sam has gotten a chance to see on his trip to Las Vegas for conference tournament week. Some in-depth breakdowns on Killian Tillie, Rui Hachimura, Troy Brown, Allonzo Trier, and Aaron Holiday. Then, they go in detail on Cole's article scouting NBA defense, particularly as it refers to team defense and help defense, using some underrated prospects and the elite prospects as examples.