We breakdown the Doc Rivers drama. Is there substance to this or does JJ Redick have old beef with his former coach? NBA Draft updates and more. Be sure to check out my guest episode on Hoops Tonight - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJ5U5... Follow Sam Vecenie on X https://twitter.com/sam_vecenie Listen on Audio Apple- https://bit.ly/3SpkHFJ Spotify- https://bit.ly/3OvPvU2 Sam Vecenie, a Senior NBA Writer at The Athletic, talks all about basketball. From the NBA, to the NBA Draft, to college hoops and even some high school, Vecenie is has you covered in this show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All-Star Weekend is wrapped and we're officially into the second half of the NBA season. We get into what to expect Listen on Audio Apple- https://bit.ly/3SpkHFJ Spotify- https://bit.ly/3OvPvU2 Sam Vecenie, a Senior NBA Writer at The Athletic, talks all about basketball. From the NBA, to the NBA Draft, to college hoops and even some high school, Vecenie is has you covered in this show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

These trades almost happened and would have shook up the NBA. Sam Vecenie reports on what really went down on NBA Trade Deadline. What to look for at All-Star Weekend and what can we do to fix it. Follow Sam Vecenie on X https://twitter.com/sam_vecenie Listen on Audio Apple- https://bit.ly/3SpkHFJ Spotify- https://bit.ly/3OvPvU2 Sam Vecenie, a Senior NBA Writer at The Athletic, talks all about basketball. From the NBA, to the NBA Draft, to college hoops and even some high school, Vecenie is has you covered in this show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is it ever too early to talk NBA Draft? Nah! We did a Tank-A-Thon and drafted for every team. There might be some surprises. Tune in. Follow Sam Vecenie on X https://twitter.com/sam_vecenie Listen on Audio Apple- https://bit.ly/3SpkHFJ Spotify- https://bit.ly/3OvPvU2 Sam Vecenie, a Senior NBA Writer at The Athletic, talks all about basketball. From the NBA, to the NBA Draft, to college hoops and even some high school, Vecenie is has you covered in this show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Vecenie & Bryce Simon breakdown all the NBA trade deadline moves and discuss those trades that almost happened. Who are the winners and losers heading into the 2nd half of the season. Follow Sam Vecenie on X https://twitter.com/sam_vecenie Listen on Audio Apple- https://bit.ly/3SpkHFJ Spotify- https://bit.ly/3OvPvU2 Sam Vecenie, a Senior NBA Writer at The Athletic, talks all about basketball. From the NBA, to the NBA Draft, to college hoops and even some high school, Vecenie is has you covered in this show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What a crazy week in the NBA. We go into all the league injuries including Joel Embiid and Zach LaVine. We discuss the trade rumor rejections for Dorian Finney-Smith and Mikal Bridges. And of course trade deadline predictions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2024 NBA Draft has more questions than answers right now. Sam Vecenie and Bryce Simon break down some of the most burning questions like who's going #1, prospects on the rise, and who's ready to make an immediate impact. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bryce Simon is here for the Sunday podcast on a Monday (thanks NFL) and we're going to talk NBA Trade Deadline that comes next week on February 8. We'll dive deep into the NBA Trade candidates and break down what we think about each siutation, where the best fits are for guys like Dejounte Murray, DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Bojan Bogdanovic, Gordon Hayward, PJ Washington, Quentin Grimes and others. CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 2:45 Quick Pistons take on win over OKC 5:35 Dejounte Murray Trade Fits and the Lakers 17:31 D'Angelo Russell and the Lakers, what now? 21:00 Brooklyn for Murray maybe? 24:00 Other Murray Fits 31:00 Bogdan Bogdanovic is very valuable; potential trades? 44:00 Charlotte Hornets potential trade chips; Gordon Hayward, Miles Bridges, PJ Washington 1:00:46 Brooklyn Nets question 1:02:00 More Charlotte Hornets and PJ Washington 1:12:00 Knicks and Quentin Grimes? 1:27:40 Detroit Pistons and Bojan Bogdanovic? 1:35:00 Bruce Brown fits? 1:45:00 Wizards players? 1:51:00 Grab bag of Rockets, Blazers, more 1:53:30 My reasoning on my insane Jalen Green-Alex Caruso idea and why it might actually make sense 2:10:00 Chiefs to the Super Bowl! 2:14:00 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Schlecht is here to do midseason awards for the NBA this season. Now that every team has played at least 41 games, it's time to dive in and break down where we sit on the NBA Awards as we head into the Trade Deadline and beyond. We'll break down MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Rookie of the Year, All-NBA, All-Defense, All-Rookie, Sixth Man of the Year. Then, we'll also talk about the Terry Rozier deal to the Miami Heat, which I've written a deep dive on from both the Hornets and Heat's perspective. Then, we'll also talk Bucks firing Adrian Griffin and bringing in Doc Rivers. 0:00 Intro 4:40 Adrian Griffin fired; Milwaukee Bucks hire Doc Rivers 15:20 Terry Rozier traded to Miami Heat! What does it mean for Miami? 26:20 Great deal for Charlotte, What now for Hornets? 31:30 Victor vs Chet last night! Plus, ROY takes! 49:45 Midseason All-Rookie Picks 56:15 Midseason MVP Top-Five Picks 1:11:35 Midseason 2nd and 3rd Team All-NBA 1:22:45 Midseason Defensive Player of the Year 1:28:45 Midseason All-Defense Teams 1:35:30 Midseason Coach of the Year, Most Improved Player and Sixth Man of the Year Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bryce Simon joins Sam Vecenie to break down Joel Embiid's historic dominance in the NBA. What he's doing is unprecedented, and we have numbers to prove it. He's been staggeringly good. Then, they break down NBA Trade Deadline news and notes. Dejounte Murray's awesome game-winning run and his impact as the biggest name currently on the market. The Lakers lose to the Nets. Does that finally give them a sense of urgency? The Suns certainly seem like they want to do something. Other potentially interesting moves? CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 2:45 Joel Embiid is HISTORICALLY dominant 5:45 Diving Into Some Joel Embiid Tape 20:15 Stats Behind Joel Embiid's dominance 28:30 65-game threshold for awards is too many 37:45 Trade Deadline News and Notes 37:50 Milwaukee Bucks reach out about Dejounte; why it can't happen 43:00 Other Bucks ideas? 49:00 Why the Nets make sense for Dejounte Murray 1:01:00 Lakers for Dejounte? Can that work? 1:06:00 Other Lakers moves 1:12:00 Bruce Brown moves? 1:21:00 LaVine injury 1:23:00 Suns Trade Stuff? 1:31:00 Should Free Agency be moved ahead of the draft? 1:36:00 If you had one hour to scout a prospect, how would you do it? 1:39:30 What are you and your partner's love languages? 1:41:00 Final Q and A on Draft Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Schindler joins the show to break down the Pascal Siakam trade by the Toronto Raptors to the Indiana Pacers. We'll dive deep into what you need to know about Siakam's fit in Indiana, his chances of staying put there in the offseason, and where this leaves the Pacers. Then, we'll talk about the Raptors, what this return of three first round picks means for them, and where their rebuild goes from here. CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 0:29 The Pacers Angle of the Siakam Trade 29:22 The Raptors Angle of the Siakam Trade 49:10 Future Raptors Moves? 1:03:51 Overall Trade Deadline Impact League Wide Outside of the Pacers and Raptors 1:18:36 Outro

Bryce Simon is here! We're going to chat about the Pistons and Wizards trade involving Marvin Bagley and Danilo Gallinari to open the show. Then, we'll talk Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, the Kawhi Leonard extension and what it means, and we'll close on what it means league-wide. Finally, we close on Jaylon Tyson, our NBA Draft Prospect of the Week CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 3:25 Pistons-Wizards Trade Bagley and Livers plus two seconds for Gallo and Muscala 17:50 A Fun Fake Trade Hypothetical that helps the Wizards, Celtics and Rockets 26:36 Houston Rockets Dive! Why they've progressed this year! 50:16 Atlanta Hawks are a mess 1:03:00 Kawhi Leonard Extension; what makes him so special 1:13:20 How does the Leonard Extension impact the deadline and offseason? 1:21:45 Jaylon Tyson out of Cal is the Game Theory NBA Draft Prospect of the Week!

Bryce Simon joins the show to break down the first half of the season from the 2023-24 NBA Rookie class. We'll dive into Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama to start, then Jaime Jaquez with the Miami Heat. We'll also chat Dereck Lively II, Brandin Podziemski, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Cason Wallace, Brandon Miller, Cam Whitmore, Amen Thompson, Ausar Thompson, Scoot Henderson, Bilal Coulibaly, and others. CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 2:35 NBA is going to have a two-night NBA Draft! Is this good? 16:35 Who is the Rookie of the Year so far? 19:26 Victor Wembanyama 33:10 Chet Holmgren 44:05 Jaimie Jaquez Jr 53:50 Dereck Lively II 1:02:50 Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis 1:12:50 Cam Whitmore and Amen Thompson (and Rockets) 1:30:04 Brandon Miller 1:35:20 Scoot Henderson 1:42:20 Ausar Thompson and Marcus Sasser 1:46:50 Cason Wallace 1:52:06 Bilal Coulibaly 1:57:55 Keyonte George 2:02:17 Craig Porter Jr. 2:04:20 Isaiah Collier out for next 4-6 weeks 2:11:00 Outro

Danny Leroux joins the show! We're here to dive into the NBA Trade Deadline. What do the Warriors do? What happens with the Atlanta Hawks? What's the deal with Dejounte Murray? Can the Hornets move into seller mode? What teams are looking to make a change? We'll talk about it all and more! We'll start with Ja Morant being out for the season, though, a crushing blow to any hopes the Grizzlies had of getting back into the play-in picture. CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 5:35 Ja Morant Out for the Season, What now for Memphis? 19:55 Trade Deadline Intro! 20:57 Chicago Bulls 30:56 Atlanta Hawks 47:10 Golden State Warriors 59:07 Los Angeles Lakers 1:12:53 Sacramento Kings 1:23:35 Washington Wizards 1:28:20 Charlotte Hornets (plus 76ers in there) 1:32:20 Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves 1:32:40 OKC Thunder trade idea 1:35:10 Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets 1:38:00 Orlando Magic 1:39:54 Miami Heat 1:42:10 Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs 1:44:03 Outro

The Toronto Raptors are, yet again, a team in the driver's seat at the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline. Last year, instead of selling like many expected, they actually bought by completing the Jakob Poeltl deal. Now, with a trade of Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett for OG Anunoby already complete, the team is 2-0 since that move and still has Pascal Siakam's impending free agency and potential trade status to deal with, Gary Trent Jr.'s impending free agency, and a roster that looks better, but could still use some work. Samson Folk from Raptors Republic joins us and we break down everything, including me pitching him some wild fake trades. Then, we start the show with the Jonathan Kuminga report and what it says about young players, playing time, the NBA at large, and more.

Bryce Simon is here and we're going to talk about five topics across the NBA/NBA Draft today. -First, OKC Thunder. After beating Boston, Denver and Minnesota in the last 10 days, can they just straight up win the NBA title in 2024? -The LA Lakers; What's up with them? How are they 17-17 with LeBron playing extremely well, AD having only missed three games? -First Impressions of the OG Anunoby/Immanuel Quickley/RJ Barrett deal -NBA Draft Prospect of the Week! Jared McCain from Duke! CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 5:06 OKC Thunder deep dive, why are they successful? 28:15 Potential Thunder upgrades at the deadline? 35:00 Can OKC win the title in 2024? 40:32 Wendell Carter, Goga Bitadze and the Orlando Magic big situation 48:00 LA Lakers are 17-17, what's going on? 1:10:35 First Impressions of Knicks with Anunoby? 1:18:09 First Impressions of Raptors with Barrett and Quickley? 1:23:55 Jared McCain, NBA Draft Prospect of the Week 1:39:27 Tyrese Proctor and Kyle Filipowski takes 1:45:15 Outro

Jonathan Macri from Knicks Film School joins the show to break down the surprising OG Anunoby trade to the New York Knicks earlier on Saturday. The Knicks move Immanuel Quickley, R.J. Barrett and a second round pick to the Raptors for Anunoby, Malachi Flynn and Precious Achiuwa. How does this deal make sense for the Knicks? What works for the Raptors here? We'll break it all down!

Bryce Simon is here and we're talking about five topics again across the NBA -The Cavaliers have lost both Darius Garland and Evan Mobley to long-term injuries. What now? -What do the Knicks do now with Mitchell Robinson out while Jalen Brunson is on fire? -Coby White breakout for the Bulls! -The Clippers keep rolling following the James Harden deal. -Kings Check-in; Fox continues hot streak, more CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro/Zach Edey and Donovan Clingan take 5:00 Cleveland Cavaliers playing well without Garland and Mobley! 16:00 Cavaliers Future and What their next moves are 28:45 The New York Knicks Post-MitchRob Injury plus Brunson Breakout 38:00 Why Dejounte Murray or other non-No. 1 options don't make sense for NYK 51:35 Coby White and the Bulls! The White Breakout! PatWill playing better! 1:06:25 LA Clippers are rolling. Why the Harden trade is working and why Kawhi is balling 1:15:34 A Sacramento Kings check-in; Why the Kings are still fine even with recent losses 1:29:55 Outro plus a genius Will Wade to West Virginia idea

Bryce Simon is here to break down five NBA topics as we head into the new year. -Pistons lose 27 straight, have to talk about it. -Phoenix Suns are struggling. What's up there? -Why don't people believe in the Milwaukee Bucks? -Ja Morant back! -Luka for MVP? CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 6:10 The Pistons lose 27 STRAIGHT GAMES 22:30 The Pistons need to move on from Troy Weaver 35:49 The Phoenix Suns; Is it time to hit the Panic Button? 51:45 Dallas Mavericks strong run and if Luka Doncic can win MVP 1:03:49 Why don't people believe in the Milwaukee Bucks? 1:15:30 Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies are BACK 1:27:20 Outro

Bryce Simon joins the show, and we do Western Conference Overreactions for the first quarter of the 2023-24 NBA season! We talk about five topics: CHAPTERS:  0:00 Intro 1:55 The Warriors are Cooked and Need to make a TRADE 16:04 The Timberwolves are the best team in the NBA 27:15 The Los Angeles Clippers finish ahead of the Suns in the standings 43:55 The Thunder make the Western Conference Finals 55:17 The Spurs have done wrong by Victor Wembanyama to start the season 1:10:40 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bryce Simon joins the show, and we do Eastern Conference Overreactions for the first quarter of the 2023-24 NBA season! We talk about five topics: CHAPTERS:  0:00 Intro 2:50 The Celtics need more depth to win the title and have to make a trade 16:52 The Raptors should blow up their roster 26:57 The Pacers can make a legit playoff run and Haliburton makes first team All-NBA 40:30 The Cavs’ core doesn’t work as presently constructed as a legitimate contender and is running out of time 56:50 The Knicks are genuinely dangerous still and can make an Eastern Conference Finals appearance.  1:08:45 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bryce Simon joins Sam Vecenie to preview the NBA Trade Deadline. The unofficial start of NBA trade season is typically December 15, as a significant portion of the league becomes eligible to be moved after signing as free agents in the summer. What players can you expect to move? Who is potentially on the block? Will the Raptors blow it up with OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam moving? Will the Bulls blow it up with Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan moving? Can the Warriors make a move? Can the 76ers make their in-season swing? We'll talk about all that and more as we preview teams first, then players that could be available. CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 4:20 Draymond Green smacks Jusuf Nurkic. What are you doing man? 10:58 Cam Whitmore Watch! 13:31 Trade Deadline Primer Intro 13:59 Atlantic Division -- Celtics, Knicks, Nets, Raptors, 76ers 25:50 Central Division -- Bulls, Pacers, Cavaliers, Bucks, Pistons 33:35 Southeast Division -- Heat, Hornets, Magic, Wizards, Hawks 40:50 Northwest Division -- Nuggets, Wolves, Thunder, Jazz, Blazers 50:20 Pacific Division -- Lakers, Clippers, Kings, Suns, Warriors 1:13:50 Southwest Division -- Mavericks, Pelicans, Rockets, Spurs, Grizzlies 1:21:44 Best Fits for LaVine, Siakam, Anunoby, Caruso, Bogdanovic, Tate, DeRozan, Hayward, Tyus, others Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey! Sam Vecenie is going live to answer YOUR QUESTIONS about the 2024 NBA Draft! Send off some questions ahead of time, and I'll answer as many as I can live on the show! Already, we'll be talking about guys like Isaiah Collier, Kyle Filipowski, Reed Sheppard, Donovan Clingan, and more! CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 1:20 Isaiah Collier and Bronny James, G, USC 8:00 Kentucky, Aaron Bradshaw, Reed Sheppard 24:10 UConn, Donovan Clingan, Tristen Newton 32:32 Nikola Topic, G, Mega 40:24 Ryan Dunn, F, Virginia (plus some Pacers stuff) 46:00 Raptors stuff, plus should teams try to convey draft picks in 2024? 51:49 Biggest faller top-15 54:03 Evaluating Upperclassmen, who can find success? 58:47 Garwey Dual, G, Providence 1:00:08 Robbie Avila, Indiana State 1:01:37 Oklahoma City Thunder Trade Stuff 1:03:54 Jarin Stevenson, F, Alabama 1:05:23 Malik Mack, G, Harvard! 1:08:23 Otega Oweh, W, Oklahoma 1:10:03 Aday Mara and what makes Sengun, Jokic, Sabonis special 1:11:26 Andrej Stojakovic, Jaylon Tyson, Hansen Yang, Ajay Mitchell 1:16:45 Ignite 1:18:38 Bub Carrington, G, Pittsburgh 1:21:43 Tyler Smith, F, Ignite 1:23:13 Kyle Filipowski, C, Duke 1:29:51 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Schlecht joins Sam Vecenie and they pick who the NBA Award race winners would be through the first quarter of the season. They'll dive into MVP, All-NBA, Defensive Player of the Year, All-Defense, Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, and more. Apologies on the audio for the first minute, had the wrong audio setting. It fixes literally right after the intro. CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 3:38 Bucks, Bobby Portis confront coaching staff after IST loss 8:25 Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers are unstoppable 14:32 Zion Williamson's, what up there? 22:13 AWARDS 23:30 MVP, First Team All-NBA Jokic, Giannis and Embiid 33:20 Haliburton vs Shai for No. 3 or 4? 39:45 INSANE Haliburton stats 46:00 Second Team All NBA: Luka, Tatum, LeBron, KD, Steph, Fox 56:55 Third Team All-NBA Fox/Steph, Edwards, Maxey, Booker, PG, Trae 1:02:10 DPOY? Rudy Gobert vs Anthony Davis 1:09:15 All-Defense Suggs, Caruso, Mobley, Shai, Brooks, Herb, Jaren, Bam, more 1:17:55 Rookie of the Year? Chet vs Wemby plus Jaquez 1:25:45 All Rookie 1:31:50 Coach of the Year 1:34:23 Most Improved Player including Duncan Robinson thoughts 1:39:45 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bryce Simon is here to join Sam to break down a group of players that will be incredibly important to their team's title race moving forward. We'll talk about players on the Lakers, the Pelicans, the Pacers, the Warriors, the Rockets and the Bucks, and explain how those teams have looked recently and why those players are so important to each team's hopes moving forward. CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 5:10 Indiana Pacers, their defense, the In Season Tournament, and where they go from here 26:00 Andrew Wiggins and the Warriors 37:00 The Lakers and Austin Reaves 44:28 Jalen Green and the Houston Rockets 55:03 Trey Murphy and the New Orleans Pelicans 1:04:10 Khris Middleton and the Milwaukee Bucks 1:11:30 Others, including Jaime Jaquez, Dereck Lively, Bojan Bogdanovic and Terance Mann Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Schindler joins the show today, and we're here to dive into a few news-y and notes-y items across the NBA. The In-Season Tournament has been a huge success. Why? Second, LaMelo Ball will miss some significant time with an ankle injury. Third, what's going on with the Warriors? Why have they been so messy? Fourth, Sacramento is rolling again with De'Aaron Fox back. Where does it go from here? And finally, the Pistons. Oh, Detroit. Do you blow this whole thing up? CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 4:12 Mark Cuban sells majority stake in Mavericks, Steven Rales buys part of Indiana Pacers 11:35 In-Season Tournament is great! Plus, In-Season Tournament picks! 21:30 LaMelo Ball injured; what happens with Hornets? 34:17 Golden State Warriors are kind of a mess? 53:00 Sacramento Kings are good again! 1:10:20 Detroit Pistons need to blow something up 1:33:50 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

C.J. Moore from over at The Athletic joins us, and we're here to break down early college basketball season breakouts that may be morphing into first round picks. We'll break down at least Reed Sheppard from Kentucky, Dalton Knecht from Tennessee, Kobe Johnson from USC, Ryan Dunn from Virginia, Tyler Kolek and Oso Ighodaro from Marquette, and more. CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 1:09 Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky 14:04 Robert Dillingham, G, Kentucky 18:25 Oso Ighodaro, C, Marquette 27:45 Tyler Kolek, G, Marquette 32:32 Kam Jones, G, Marquette, and a crazy Kolek clip 39:33 Ryan Dunn, W, Virginia 47:54 Kobe Johnson, W, USC 53:25 Kevin McCullar, W, Kansas 58:30 Dalton Knecht, W, Tennessee 1:06:23 Jamir Watkins, W, Florida State 1:10:25 Alex Karaban, W, Connecticut 1:13:40 Harrison Ingram, W, North Carolina 1:16:46 Braden Smith, G, Purdue 1:21:05 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bryce Simon is here and we're breaking down the sophomores in the NBA. We'll dive deep into Paolo Banchero, Jalen Williams, Shaedon Sharpe, Jeremy Sochan, Jaden Ivey, Jabari Smith Jr., Jalen Duren, Christian Braun, Keegan Murray, Mark Williams, Dyson Daniels. CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 7:25 Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic Breakout! 26:50 Jalen Williams 36:38 Jabari Smith Jr. 45:45 Keegan Murray 52:30 Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren 1:03:26 Shaedon Sharpe 1:07:40 Dyson Daniels 1:15:30 Jeremy Sochan 1:27:20 Mark Williams 1:30:56 Walker Kessler 1:36:25 Christian Braun 1:43:35 Other Sophomores 1:49:00 STOP RAISING YOUR BASKETBALL COURTS 1:50:06 Bub Carrington takes at Pittsburgh Q and A 1:54:25 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bryce Simon is here to join Sam Vecenie and break down the 11 rookies you need to know across the NBA one month through the 2023-24 season. From the to picks to the surprises and the breakouts, we'll talk about Chet Holmgren, Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson, Brandon Miller, Ausar Thompson all the way through Toumani Camara and Cason Wallace. CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 2:38 Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace @okc + OKC 23:42 Victor Wembanyama 35:25 Brandon Miller 45:44 Ausar Thompson + Pistons 56:03 Scoot Henderson and Toumani Camara 1:06:23 Dereck Lively II 1:10:47 Jordan Hawkins 1:15: 26 Jaime Jaquez Jr. 1:18:38 Bilal Coulibaly 1:23:35 Other Rookies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bryce Simon joins Sam Vecenie and they deep dive into the 2024 NBA Draft prospects! We go back and forth, making picks and giving our top-30 players in the class. Names like Alex Sarr, Isaiah Collier, Ja'Kobe Walter, Nikola Topic and many others will get picked and discussed, and we'll dive into what we like about their tape, and dislike about it so far. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ricky O'Donnell from SB Nation joins the show to break down the two things he knows best: the Chicago Bulls, and the NBA Draft. The long-time Bulls fan and Game Theory Bulls Correspondent explains the Zach LaVine trade rumors, and breaks down what seems to be an impending Bulls blow up. Then, he was also at Champions Classic last night, so we break down what he saw as Duke beat Michigan State and Kansas beat Kentucky. What NBA Draft prospect do we need to know? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bryce Simon is here and we do Week 3 NBA Overreactions! As usual, six statements here about the NBA, where we draw purposefully overreactive conclusions and then discuss if they're actually true or not! Today, we talk Milwaukee Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin, the Houston Rockets playofffs hopes, the Minnesota Timberwolves aspirations to contend, the Utah Jazz backcourt, Isaiah Collier and his chances to go top-3, and Ryan Dunn/Riley Kugel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Schindler is back, and we're here to dive into a few fun topics around the NBA. First, we want to start with the 76ers, Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and where the team goes from there. Then, we'll hit Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers, his continued growth, and the team's defense. Next, we'll hit Cam Thomas and the Nets, as well as the Shaedon Sharpe Year Two Breakout that seems to be upon us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jason Timpf from Hoops Tonight is here, and it's time for Week Two of the NBA Overreactions pod! We'll break down: The Boston Celtics, the final team left unbeaten; The Memphis Grizzlies, dead in the water?; The Milwaukee Bucks, a defensive mess?; The Atlanta Hawks, a top-four team in the East?; Franz Wagner, the best Magic prospect?; The LA Clippers backcourt with Russ and Harden Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bryce Simon joins the show and we look ahead to the 2024 NBA Draft. We dive in and ask 10 Questions about the 2024 NBA Draft, explaining what this draft is and isn't, what players to watch, and how teams should look at this draft class. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Vecenie is here to go live and break down the James Harden deal to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Athletic's Clippers beat writer Law Murray joins him. The Clippers get Harden, P.J. Tucker and Filip Petrusev. The 76ers receive Nicolas Batum, Marcus Morris, Robert Covington and KJ Martin, a 2028 unprotected first-round pick, two second-round picks, and a additional future first from a mystery third team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bryce Simon is here and we're ready to overreact! Week One of the NBA season is almost in the books, and we are going to do a show this week reacting to all that we've seen with six OVERREACTIONS to the NBA. What do we think we know early on? The Nuggets are a 60-win team? Luka Doncic for MVP? Tyrese Maxey an all-star? The Pistons a top-10 defense? Chet Holmgren better than Evan Mobley already? Should the Bulls blow it up? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Danny Leroux joins Sam and we're here to break down all of the rookie extensions that occurred over the last month, and generally what the rookie extension window has told us about the new collective bargaining agreement and team building within it. We'll talk Devin Vassell, Jaden McDaniels, Onyeka Okongwu, Deni Avdija, Josh Green, Cole Anthony, Aaron Nesmith, Zeke Nnaji, and Payton Pritchard, in addition to some of the earlier ones like Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, LaMelo Ball and Desmond Bane. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bryce Simon joins Sam today and we're going to talk about the biggest questions for each NBA team heading into the 2023-24 season. Some of these are good, some of them are bad, but we'll talk about all 15 teams in alphabetical order, from the Dallas Mavericks and the Denver Nuggets to Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs and the Utah Jazz CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 1:36 Dallas Mavericks 8:50 Denver Nuggets/Zeke Nnaji Extension 15:30 Golden State Warriors 20:39 Houston Rockets 26:26 LA Clippers 30:43 LA Lakers 35:03 Memphis Grizzlies/Steven Adams Out 43:42 Minnesota Timberwolves 48:39 New Orleans Pelicans 51:26 Oklahoma City Thunder 55:50 Phoenix Suns 1:01:19 Portland Trail Blazers 1:09:48 Sacramento Kings 1:13:36 San Antonio Spurs/Victor 1:18:24 Utah Jazz 1:23:13 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bryce Simon joins Sam today and we're going to talk about the biggest questions for each NBA team heading into the 2023-24 season. Some of these are good, some of them are bad, but we'll talk about all 15 teams in alphabetical order, from the Atlanta Hawks and the Boston Celtics to the Toronto Raptors and the Washington Wizards CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 4:16 Atlanta Hawks 10:32 Boston Celtics 16:06 Brooklyn Nets 23:22 Charlotte Hornets 29:02 Chicago Bulls 34:34 Cleveland Cavaliers 40:56 Detroit Pistons 49:26 Indiana Pacers 53:53 Miami Heat 57:52 Milwaukee Bucks 1:01:40 New York Knicks 1:06:10 Orlando Magic 1:09:37 Philadelphia 76ers 1:14:50 Toronto Raptors 1:19:30 Washington Wizards And Deni Extension 1:24:18 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bryce Simon is here and we're going to answer some listener questions! But first, we'll talk about the James Harden trade discussions, per a report from Sam Amick at The Athletic (a great website!), as well as the Kevin Porter Jr. trade from the Rockets for Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Victor Oladipo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bryce Simon joins the show to break down how some of the rookies have looked in the preseason so far. We dive deep into Victor Wembanyama's WTF game against Miami, Scoot's start, the Thompson twin flashes, Bilal Coulibaly's play, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Vecenie is largely going to go solo on this episode, breaking down some of the things he's seen from preseason basketball thus far. Some news and notes and first impressions on New Orleans-Orlando, Boston-Philadelphia, Spurs-OKC, Brooklyn-Lakers, Hornets-Heat, and Rockets-Pacers. But first, Adam Spinella is here, and he says goodbye to the podcast before going to work for the Philadelphia 76ers! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Bryce Simon joins the show and we dive deep into a few different topics. We start with James Harden and the seeming progress that might exist in a potential Clippers-76ers trade. Then, we talk quickly about the Kai Jones trade request which, uh, what now? The bulk of the episode, though, will be spent talking about our favorite breakout players in 2023-24 in the NBA. What six guys are we most looking forward to watching take a leap next season? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh Lloyd is here to come on the show and explain fantasy basketball to me in 2023-24. What's going on? Why should you play fantasy basketball? And most importantly, what do you need to know about your upcoming fantasy drafts for this season? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Schindler joins the show and we have three topics to break down. First, we're going to talk about the teams who lost out on acquiring Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday, including Miami, Toronto and Philadelphia. Do they shift into a different trade? Change directions? In Toronto's case, maybe choose a direction? Then, we're going to talk some news and notes, including Devin Vassell signing his deal, and potential landing spots for Malcolm Brogdon if the Blazers decide to move him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bryce Simon joins the show again and we're here to break down trades! Jrue Holiday was moved to the Boston Celtics for Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams III, and two first round picks. What do we make of this move? Then, we pivot to the Eastern Conference as a whole? Where does this arm's race leave us following the Lillard and Holiday moves? Boston or Milwaukee at the top? Where do Miami, New York and Cleveland fit in? What in the world is going on in Philly? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric Nehm joins the podcast and is here to break down the Damian Lillard blockbuster that occurred on Wednesday. Lillard will head to the Bucks, Jrue Holiday and Deandre Ayton head to the Blazers. And Jusuf Nurkic heads to Phoenix in one of the more baffling parts of a trade that I can remember. Let's break it all down! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bryce Simon is here, and we chat NBL Blitz prospects. Who played well at the Blitz? What prospects stood out? Who looked interesting among the potentially 10 NBA Draft picks in Australia this season? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bryce Simon is here and we break down three separate topics. First, we start with Damian Lillard, because of course we do. Logically, what makes sense in a Damian Lillard deal for Portland? Should they want Deandre Ayton back? Should the Suns want to move Deandre Ayton? Should the Raptors want Lillard? How can the Bulls get involved? Does this just end with Miami still? Is Tyler Herro on the move? Finally, we chat a bit about the Mavericks's starting lineup following Jason Kidd's comments to Marc Stein this weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Schindler joins the show and the two of them break down some of the prospects that have a real chance to swing NBA title races and NBA Playoff races this season. But first, they start with the Kelly Oubre signing with Philadelphia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The podcast is back, and this time with Bryce Simon! Bryce is here and we're going to talk about a few NBA news and notes that have popped up. First, we'll touch on the Kevin Porter Jr. and Arterio Morris investigations following different accusations of violence against women. Why people within basketball need to take a stricter stance on these issues. Then, we're going to touch on Damian Lillard and trade talks potentially being back on the cards, per Adrian Wojnarowski. What's going on there? Then, we'll hit the Jarred Vanderbilt extension news, and some topics on the player participation policy that will go into effect this year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robby Kalland joins the show to complete our yearly tradition: breaking down in detail each team's win-total over/under line according to Vegas, and deciding which teams we like most and least as comparison to the Vegas consensus. In this episode, we dive into the Western Conference, breaking down all 15 teams, starting with the Mavericks and going in alphabetical order on down to the Jazz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robby Kalland joins the show to complete our yearly tradition: breaking down in detail each team's win-total over/under line according to Vegas, and deciding which teams we like most and least as comparison to the Vegas consensus.  In this episode, we dive into the Eastern Conference, breaking down all 15 teams, starting with the Hawks and going in alphabetical order on down to the Wizards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric Nehm joins the show to end our series reviewing the 2023 NBA Offseason by teams! In this episode, we break down the middle 10 teams alphabetically: the Houston Rockets, the Indiana Pacers, the LA Clippers, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Memphis Grizzlies, the Miami Heat, the Milwaukee Bucks, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the New Orleans Pelicans and the New York Knicks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Schlecht joins the show to start our series reviewing the 2023 NBA Offseason by teams! In this episode, we break down the first 10 teams alphabetically: the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Orlando Magic, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Phoenix Suns, the Portland Trail Blazers, the Sacramento Kings, the San Antonio Spurs, the Toronto Raptors, the Utah Jazz, and the Washington Wizards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins the show to start our series reviewing the 2023 NBA Offseason by teams! In this episode, we break down the first 10 teams alphabetically: the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons and Golden State Warriors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Schindler joins the show and we break down a few different topics that are happening either around the NBA or adjacent to it. First, we'll start with Brandon Ingram's struggles with Team USA. Do they matter for his future? What does this say about Ingram and his standing league-wide? Then, we move to the Sacramento Kings, an interesting team worth discussing in light of their offseason where they decided to run it back. What do the post-breakout 2023-24 Sacramento Kings look like? Finally, we chat about how basketball evaluation has changed in the last 12 months? Is there anything that we've noticed or continued to pick up upon that stands out? CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 2:44 Pistons Talk 3:35 Jaden Ivey Improvement throughout year 5:37 Why I'm fundamentally opposed to Jalen Duren-James Wiseman lineups 11:15 Will Jalen Duren-Isaiah Stewart lineups work? 13:50 Why I would strongly consider starting Alec Burks for the Pistons 17:20 Brandon Ingram on Team USA, what hasn't worked? 21:20 Brandon Ingram's struggles away from the ball and on defense 25:15 Brandon Ingram's dynamic offensive game matters, too 31:15 Ingram and Zion together has been AWESOME 41:38 Sacramento Kings Time! 42:20: Reasons to be bullish on the Kings 45:45 Why the Kings front office has done a great job of building the roster 47:25 Why health is a huge factor for the Kings 49:34 Why Mark is bullish on the Kings winning more games next year anyway 51:05 Chris Duarte is a good bet for the Kings 58:05 Why Denver is the point of comparison for Sacramento's team build 1:04:15 What have we learned evaluation-wise in 2023? 1:07:30 NBA rookies have less time to prove themselves now 1:09:40 The Rondae Hollis-Jefferson example 1:12:10 How Sam has changed his tune on draft stock and when kids should leave school 1:17:25 How many MVP candidates are "elite" athletes by the traditional definition of athleticism? 1:26:20 How has shooting changed and the way you get into your shot 1:34:20 Why the intel piece matters more than ever 1:40:00 Outro and future podcast schedule Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins the show and we chat about a few different NBA things. We start with PJ Washington signing with the Charlotte Hornets on a 3-year, $48 million deal. Smart move for everyone? Then, we move to FIBA World Cup quickly and talk about Team USA, and the fun Australia-Germany game from overnight. Finally, we talk about sophomores in the 2024 NBA Draft. What names do you need to know? How often to sophomores go from expected one-and-dones to actual two-and-dones? And what names do you need to know? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Danny Leroux joins the podcast to break down what the next NBA dominoes to fall will be in terms of team movement. How should teams be planning moving forward? Where are the potential action points and what teams are we watching as potential movement spots? What decisions will shape the next couple of years of the league? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella is here to join the show and we have three topics. We're going to start with Team USA getting to 5-0 in its World Cup exhibition matches after coming back from down 16 to beat Germany. What have we learned about Team USA? Then, we're going to talk about the five teams we believe in to go from the lottery in 2023 to the playoffs in 2024. Why these teams are poised for big leaps. Finally, we want to spend a minute on the NBA Draft and TyTy Washington, who was waived by the Oklahoma City Thunder over the weekend. What lessons are there to learn here? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bryce Simon joins the show for the first time and we hit a few different topics. Bryce is awesome at talking about the NBA Draft, so we have him come on to chat about some 2024 NBA Draft prospects he's looking forward to tracking, as well as his overall thoughts. But first, we start with an update on James Harden throwing Daryl Morey entirely under the bus, and Trentyn Flowers making the decision to head to Adelaide with the 36ers instead of going to Louisville. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella and Sam Vecenie dive DEEP into what a potential 2024 Expansion Draft would look like, with excel spreadsheets, rules, plans, and all. We have it all set up thanks to Adam! Many rules, many negotiations to be had, and a lot of fun players to be picked. Here is the doc we're using to work off of that Adam created! https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1icfYiwXDSNqDRPMX8s5V4ee0ofeUj6liP08bpdI1348/edit#gid=0 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins the show to chat about some news and notes across the basketball world. First, they chat about the big news that James Harden trade talks have broken down, according to ESPN, and that he still does not plan to report to camp, according to The Athletic. Where does that leave all of this? Then, they talk two big high school things. First, Cooper Flagg has officially reclassified into the 2024 recruiting class. How does that change things moving forward for the 2025 NBA Draft? Also, Flory Bidunga commits to Kansas, who is on a heater right now across the recruiting world. Finally, some questions and answers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pascal Siakam remains in the news as a potential trade target. So with Mark Schindler, Sam dives into what a potential trade market for Siakam would look like. Is Atlanta clearly the best fit? Does a De'Andre Hunter and A.J. Griffin core of a trade plus picks make sense from Atlanta to Toronto? Who could the other suitors be. Then, we dive a bit into the 2024 NBA Draft, as Sam released his 2024 mock draft earlier this week at The Athletic. Anything there stand out to Mark? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Edwards joins the show to chat about the Pistons, who after Cade Cunningham's Team USA Select Team performance have become the talk of the NBA. We also talk about his Ausar Thompson feature from today, and what reasonable expectations are for the Pistons heading into the 2023-24. We might also take some questions, and we'll definitely chat about Team USA in the World Cup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins the show and we have a fun idea for an episode from one of our listeners. What makes prospects struggle to succeed in the NBA if they've been taken highly in the NBA Draft? Sam gives an overarching idea set of why this can happen, and he and Adam dive deep into some examples going back from the 2015 draft through the 2020 NBA Draft, explaining with some specific players. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Schindler joins the show and we chat about three topics here before undoubtedly going on a number of other tangents. First, we start with James Harden, and what can be expected of his situation moving forward. Is there actually a trade on the market that fits the needs of the 76ers? We explore. Then we dive into three big overseas commitments to blue bloods: Zvonimir Ivisic to Kentucky, Aday Mara to UCLA, and Johnny Furphy to Kansas. Then, we chat more about the PJ Washington restricted free agency situation and Mark explains why PJ is such an intriguing player moving forward. Finally, we chat about four younger, rising guys that we think could break out with more minutes this season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella takes over the show and asks Sam Vecenie 10 questions about team building and philosophy across the NBA with regard to the NBA Draft and young players. Also, they start with thoughts on the NBA's statement on Damian Lillard and his trade that may be forthcoming. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins the show and we break down a few NBA-related topics. First, we chat about Damian Lillard again. We do an exercise here: essentially, the idea is this: if not Miami, then who? If we suspend disbelief for a second and say that Miami can't get Lillard, who should go all-in and try to get him given the treasure trove of assets it would require? Then, we answer your listener questions! Come join and ask us questions! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Schlecht joins the show today to break down what remains of the 2023 NBA Offseason? Will James Harden or Damian Lillard get traded? Is Pascal Siakam available or not? Will any more rookie contracts get extended? Will any more stars get extended? Will Jaylen Brown sign an extension? Who are the best free agents remaining? All that and more, in the 10 most important questions remaining this offseason. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins the show while I try to do what is essentially a sick game on the podcast. I have the Vegas flu after getting back from Las Vegas late last week, and we're going to stop and break down the performances of the 2023 NBA Draft picks at Summer League. We'll dive deep into Anthony Black, Ausar Thompson, Marcus Sasser, Jett Howard, Dereck Lively II, Bilal Coulibaly, Jarace Walker, Keyonte George, and many more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins the show while I try to do what is essentially a sick game on the podcast. I have the Vegas flu after getting back from Las Vegas late last week, and we're going to stop and break down the performances of the 2023 NBA Draft picks at Summer League. We'll dive deep into Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson, Brandon Miller, the Thompson twins, Summer League MVP Cam Whitmore and many more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Vecenie is joined by Andrew Schlecht live from NBA Summer League, breaking down the first couple of games of Las Vegas Summer League, from the perspective of the most interesting 2nd/3rd-Year Players in attendance! We start with the Houston Rockets' breakouts, including Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason, both of whom have looked like the two best guys in Summer League thus far. Then, we hit Chet Holmgren and a quick thought on Jalen Williams. Then, we move to Keegan Murray, the Pistons with Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren, Bennedict Mathurin, Shaedon Sharpe, Dyson Daniels, Johnny Davis, Ochai Agbaji, Max Christie, Peyton Watson, and more, including a quick take on the difference between the Memphis Grizzlies' summer league team and the Charlotte Hornets Summer League team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Schindler joins the show, and we break down five topics across the NBA. We start with an update on the Damian Lillard saga, as the Blazers look set to try to dig in their heels on whether or not they will move him. Then, we chat about the Dallas Mavericks, who acquired Grant Williams and offer-sheeted Matisse Thybulle this week. Then we move to Bol Bol getting waived by the Orlando Magic. Finally, we chat a bit more about the Rockets, because Mark wants to talk about the Rockets. Intro Damian Lillard Trade Talks Mavericks get Grant Williams, offer sheet Matisse Thybulle Bol Bol Waived by Magic Houston Rockets Talk Brandon Miller Summer League Start Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robby Kalland joins the show today and we dive deep into Days 2 and 3 of NBA Free Agency! 0:00 Intro 5:10 Damian Lillard asks for trade from Portland 23:25 What are the Houston Rockets doing? Sign Dillon Brooks to a 4-yr/80M deal; miss out on Brook Lopez; sign Jock Landale; trade TyTy Washington, Usman Garuba, KJ Martin, Josh Christopher? 50:23 Brook Lopez back with MIL on 2-yr, $48M deal 58:46 Austin Reaves re-signs with Lakers: 4-yr/54M 1:08:18 Max Strus gets to Cleveland; 4-yr, 63M; Cedi, Lamar Stevens, 2nd go to SAS, 2nd goes to Miami; Cavs sign Ty Jerome; Cavs trade for Damian Jones; 1:15:33 Extension Time! Domantas Sabonis signs 5-yr, $217M with SAC; $197M in new money; Also sign Sasha Vezenkov to 3-yr/22M deal 1:22:55 LaMelo Ball signs 5-yr, $260M extension with CHA; Also, Miles Bridges signs qualifying offer for $7.9M 1:32: 13 Tyrese Haliburton signs 5-yr, $207M extension with supermax language with IND; IND also trades for Obi Toppin 1:37:03 Desmond Bane signs 5-yr, $207M extension with MEM 1:40:18 Donte DiVincenzo signs 4/50M deal with NYK 1:44: 17 SPEED ROUND Jalen McDaniels to TOR for 2-yr, $9M deal; Dallas re-signs Dwight Powell; Nuggets sign Justin Holiday; Vasa Micic to OKC 1:52:00 SHOUT OUT RICKIE FOWLER Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella is here, and we dive deep into the first day of NBA Free Agency, breaking down all of the deals that have occurred in the first three hours. 0:00 Intro 1:30 Fred VanVleet signs in Houston! 12:13 Jakob Poeltl re-signs in Toronto, where does Toronto go from here? 19:30 Jerami Grant re-signs in Portland! 28:33 Kyrie Irving re-signs in Dallas! 37:45 Bruce Brown signs with Indiana! 43:33 Draymond Green re-signs with Golden State 45:32 Kyle Kuzma re-signs in Washington! 50:54 Cam Johnson re-signs in Brooklyn! 53:10 Detroit Pistons aside, what now? 57:34 Back to Cam Johnson 58:18 Khris Middleton back to Milwaukee! 1:02:10 Los Angeles Lakers sign Vincent, Rui, Reddish, Prince 1:06:00 Austin Reaves aside, why the Spurs should max and Lakers should match 1:09:30 Back to the Lakers signings 1:12:13 Suns sign Bates-Diop, Watanabe, Eubanks, Metu, Okogie, Lee 1:15:53 Kristaps Porzingis signs 2-yr, $60 extension with Boston 1:19:14 Cavaliers re-sign LeVert, sign Niang, maybe Strus next? 1:23:10 Bulls re-sign Coby White, sign Jevon Carter; Also Sam's brain momentarily breaks while comprehending Balsa Koprivica's rights getting traded 1:28:20 Wizards trade Monte Morris to Pistons 1:31:10 Speed Round! Herb Jones-NOP deal, Ingles to ORL, Tre Jones to SAS, Shake Milton to MIN, Trey Lyles and Chris Duarte to SAC, others 1:48:30 Q and A! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Schindler is here to join the show, and we're going to dive into all of the pre-free agency news and moves. From John Collins' trade to Utah to Nikola Vucevic's extension with the Bulls. Oh yeah, and James Harden's opt-in in order to find a trade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins the show and we dive deep into the 2023 NBA Draft, and break down what every team in the Western conference did on draft night. We'll go in alphabetical order, discussing all 15 teams for a few minutes and spending a bit more time on the important ones. Dallas Mavericks Denver Nuggets Golden State Warriors Houston Rockets LA Clippers Los Angeles Lakers Memphis Grizzlies Minnesota Timberwolves New Orleans Pelicans Oklahoma City Thunder Phoenix Suns Portland Trail Blazers Sacramento Kings San Antonio Spurs Utah Jazz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins the show and we dive deep into the 2023 NBA Draft, and break down what every team in the Eastern conference did on draft night. We'll go in alphabetical order, discussing all 15 teams for a few minutes and spending a bit more time on the important ones. Atlanta Hawks Boston Celtics Brooklyn Nets Charlotte Hornets Chicago Bulls Cleveland Cavaliers Detroit Pistons Indiana Pacers Miami Heat Milwaukee Bucks New York Knicks Orlando Magic Philadelphia 76ers Toronto Raptors Washington Wizards Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's 2023 NBA Draft Day! Adam Spinella joins Sam Vecenie to dive deep into the draft! We'll start breaking down some of the trades that occurred pre-draft, such as Kristaps Porzingis to the Celtics, Marcus Smart to the Grizzlies, Chris Paul to the Warriors, Jordan Poole to the Wizards, and more! But moreover, we're breaking down all 30 picks! No. 16 Jazz: Keyonte George 01:56:51 Midway Through The First Round Mailbag 02:02:04 No. 17 Lakers: Jalen Hood-Schifino 02:10:33 No. 18 Heat: Jaime Jaquez Jr. 02:17:40 No. 19 Warriors: Brandin Podziemski 02:23:44 No. 20 Rockets: Cam Whitmore 02:31:23 No. 21 & 22 Nets: Noah Clowney & Dariq Whitehead 02:38:34 No. 23 Blazers: Kris Murray 02:49:11 No. 24 Mavericks (via Kings): Olivier-Maxence Prosper 02:54:21 No. 25 Pistons (via Celtics): Marcus Sasser 03:00:41 No. 26 Pacers: Ben Sheppard 03:08:20 No. 27 Hornets: Nick Smith Jr. 03:10:48 No. 28 Jazz: Brice Sensabaugh 03:17:27 No. 29 Nuggets: Julian Strawther 03:19:16 No. 30 Clippers: Kobe Brown 03:25:34 First Round Recap/Answering Chat Questions 03:28:33 Outro 03:57:41 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's 2023 NBA Draft Day! Adam Spinella joins Sam Vecenie to dive deep into the draft! We'll start breaking down some of the trades that occurred pre-draft, such as Kristaps Porzingis to the Celtics, Marcus Smart to the Grizzlies, Chris Paul to the Warriors, Jordan Poole to the Wizards, and more! But moreover, we're breaking down all 30 picks! Sections: Intro 00:00 Porzingis to Boston, Smart to Memphis 01:23 CP3 to the Warriors, Poole to the Wizards 09:08 The Grizzlies Future 15:05 No. 1 Spurs: Victor Wembanyama 18:30 No. 2 Hornets: Brandon Miller 30:27 No. 3 Blazers: Scoot Henderson 36:19 No. 4 Rockets: Amen Thompson 44:00 No. 5 Pistons: Ausar Thompson 50:15 No. 6 Magic: Anthony Black 55:17 No. 7 Wizards (via Pacers): Bilal Coulibaly & No. 8 Pacers (via Wizards): Jarace Walker 59:45 No. 9 Jazz: Taylor Hendricks 01:13:33 No. 10 Thunder (via Mavericks): Cason Wallace 01:16:30 No. 11 Magic: Jett Howard 01:24:50 No. 12 Mavericks (via Thunder): Dereck Lively II 01:34:48 No. 13 Raptors: Gradey Dick 01:41:21 No. 14 Pelicans: Jordan Hawkins 01:48:51 No. 15 Hawks: Kobe Bufkin 01:54:23 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Edwards from The Athletic joins the show today to talk about what I think is one of the five most interesting teams in the NBA this offseason: the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons have a top-five draft pick, a ton of cap space, and an intriguing core loaded with interesting talent such as Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren. What do they do in the draft? And who are the most interesting free agents on the market? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins the show and we chat about a few topics related to the 2023 NBA Draft. Who are our guys in the 2023 NBA Draft? Who do we disagree on? We have fun diving deep. But first, we talk Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns. How is that all the Wizards could get for Beal? What does his fit look like in Phoenix? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins the podcast to do a mock draft! Adam and I dive deep into the first round, breaking down 2023 NBA Draft prospects. Potential trades! Potential team fits! All first round picks covered! We start, though, with news that Bradley Beal may or may not be available for a trade! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins the show tonight and we break down the Nuggets winning the 2023 NBA Championship from a team-building perspective. What lessons are there to be taken from this championship victory? How does one learn from what the Nuggets built and how they patiently built their core? Then, we'll talk 2023 NBA Draft. What do we make of the rumors that the Pelicans want Scoot Henderson? How do they do it? Do any of the teams at the top decide to bite? Plus, other potential news, notes, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Schlecht is here to take over the Game Theory Podcast feed and ask Sam questions about the 2023 NBA Draft class. Particularly, we're going to dive into the perceived weaknesses of 2023 NBA Draft prospects. Are the weaknesses for these prospects true or false? Overhyped or underhyped? We're going to break it all down, and allow Sam to dive into the context of each situation and each issue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Schindler is in the building. We talk about the Nuggets taking a 2-1 lead over the Miami Heat in the 2023 NBA Finals. Nikola Jokic totally dominates, so we chat about that. Then, we'll talk about the Chris Paul news, and how it could impact the Phoenix Suns moving forward if he's waived, or not waived, or waived then stretched, or waived then agrees to a new contract, and more. Finally, we'll about some 2023 NBA Draft news and notes, including the Dariq Whitehead injury update, and a few other prospects that Mark wants to talk about Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins the show and we break down the first two games of the 2023 NBA Finals, which feature the Nuggets and Heat battling to a 1-1 draw through two games. Have we seen anything that makes you believe the Heat can win this? What have the Heat done well to stymie the Nuggets and make life harder for them? Then, we chat about Bilal Coulibaly, one of the most interesting players in the 2023 NBA Draft. He had his best prospect game of the season earlier this week, so we dive in and break down what makes him an absolutely fascinating upside bet for a team, potentially in the lottery. Finally, we chat a bit about some NBA Draft news and notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella is here and we're going to chat about three things! First, we dive into Celtics-Heat Game 6 and what is in store with Game 7. Then, we're going to talk a bit about the G League Ignite, and finally we'll close on some NBA Draft Early Entry Decisions that we're looking forward to tracking this week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Schindler joins the show and we dive into some NBA talking points. The Nuggets sweep the Los Angeles Lakers to reach the NBA Finals so we dive into their roster and understand if there are lessons to be learned from a team-building perspective. Then we chat about the Lakers, a drastically different team-build exercise and what their options are this summer. Finally, we chat a bit about the Heat being up 3-1 against the Celtics, and we'll give a few NBA Draft news and notes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins the show to break down how the Miami Heat took a commanding 3-0 lead vs the Boston Celtics after the Celtics look like they quit sometime in the middle of the third quarter. What in the world just happened? Then, we chat about some 2023 NBA Draft news and notes, including what do Charlotte and Portland do from here? Do we have any more or less information about their plans than we did previously? Go to https://www.chime.com/theory to sign up for a Chime Checking Account today! Thanks to Chime for supporting the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robby Kalland from Uproxx is here! The only important bi-annual podcast of the year, when we break down what happens in the Fast and Furious movies. And we have some significant questions about what in the world just happened in Fast X, the latest installment of the Fast and Furious movies. But first, we break down Lakers-Nuggets Game 3. What did we see? Where does that series sit? Then, we chat about Jimmy Butler taking over the basketball world in his dominant fourth quarter against the Celtics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Vecenie goes solo tonight and talks about the Nuggets-Lakers series, where the Nuggets are up 2-0 and firmly in the driver's seat as it refers to getting to the NBA Finals. How are they doing it? How are the Lakers struggling and making errors? And also, why this series is showing that Nikola Jokic is the best basketball player on the planet. Then, we'll talk quickly about Celtics-Heat Game 1, and how Boston allowed the Heat to basically get wherever they want whenever they want. We'll break down film on how Jimmy Butler is pinpointing mismatches, and how the Celtics are making it a bit too easy for him to do so. Finally, just some quick NBA Draft and NBA Draft Combine thoughts as we get into that cycle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Vecenie is joined by Adam Spinella to break down the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery immediately after its conclusion! Who won the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes? What about Scoot Henderson and Brandon Miller? How San Antonio, Charlotte, and Portland were the winners, how Houston is still fine, and then finally a mock draft immediately after the order was set! CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 1:11 Spurs Win No. 1! How does Wembanyama Fit in SA? 10:59 Charlotte gets No. 2: Henderson or Miller? 20:16 Portland gets No. 3! How do they handle their future? 31:56 Houston Rockets fall to No. 4: Why it works out fine for them 47:43 Detroit Pistons drop to No. 5 57:15 Is there a team most likely to move up from the lottery to the top-five? 1:03:30 POST LOTTERY 2023 NBA MOCK DRAFT 1:30:00 END OF SHOW Q+A IN COMMENTS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins the show to break down Game 7 in Celtics-76ers. What in the world happened in Game 7 as Boston blew out the 76ers and dominated the game. Then, we chat about Memphis and Ja Morant. What is going on, man? Come on. Finally, Phoenix fires Monty Williams and Mat Ishbia seemingly takes over. What happens now? CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 2:31 Celtics-76ers Game 7 Intro 11:20 FILM: How the Celtics shut down Joel Embiid and James Harden 33:02 FILM: How Jayson Tatum wrecked Joel Embiid in space 52:53 Where do the 76ers go from here? 1:18:30 Ja Morant seen with a firearm on Instagram. What now? 1:27:05 Monty Williams fired; Where does Phoenix go from here? 1:53:20 NBA Draft Combine lookahead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Vecenie is here to break down the Warriors and Lakers Game 6. We spend some time after focusing on the situation facing the Golden State Warriors this summer. Then, he'll chat briefly about the Heat and Nuggets advancing. And then, will close on the Knicks and Suns facing fascinating offseasons over the next few months. CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 1:59 Lakers Defeat Warriors 122-101 8:35 FILM: How AD Dominated the Interior for the Lakers 26:38 Austin Reaves' play and his upcoming contract 37:25 Warriors Future: Where do they go from here? 53:37 Miami knocks out the Knicks 1:00:14 FILM: Bam Adebayo's Off-ball Offensive Play Keyed the Heat in Game 6 1:11:30 Knicks Offseason Preview: Should they trade for a star? 1:25:40 Phoenix Suns Offseason Preview: Why Trading Ayton and Paul Makes Sense 1:34:30 Deandre Ayton potential destinations? 1:48:20 Chris Paul Destinations? 1:54:20 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2023 NBA Draft Lottery is upon us! Mark Schindler joins the show to break down what we're referring to as "The Wembanyama Rankings." What team in the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery do we most want to see Victor Wembanyama end up with? Mark Schindler joins and we dive deep, breaking down each of the potential spots and whether or not we actually want Wembanyama there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Vecenie goes solo following a wild night of basketball, including the Los Angeles Lakers somehow defeating the Golden State Warriors to go up 3-1 in their series. How the Warriors failed to capitalize on real tactical advantages they had all night. We'll dive deep into the Warriors ball-screen attack all night and how it succeeded early and failed late. Then, a chat briefly on Heat-Knicks, and how that series is playing out. It seems like that series is about to be over sooner rather than later. Then, just a quick note on Phoenix-Nuggets, and Nikola Jokic avoiding suspension for his Mat Ishbia shove. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins the show and we dive deep on a few NBA games from over the weekend. We start with 76ers-Celtics, a beautiful disaster of a basketball game that saw James Harden go for 42 and nine assists, saw the Celtics complete a tremendous comeback to force overtime, and saw them again fail to mount consistent late-game offense in clutch moments. Then we're going to dive deep into Lakers-Warriors Game 3, which featured a number of incredible tactical adjustments. Why this is by far the best series of the second round, and how the Warriors can counteract and adjust to what is happening. Finally, we chat briefly about Knicks-Heat, a series that seems relatively uninteresting due to the distinct advantages the Heat possess. CHAPTEER: 00:00 Intro 02:45 Thoughts on Joe Mazzulla and Doc Rivers? 10:33 FILM: James Harden has ANOTHER masterclass game 36:17 The beauty of the Lakers v Warriors 44:46 FILM: What adjustments the Lakers made in game three 01:13:05 Who should the Warriors start next game? 01:19:27 Heat v Knicks is an UGLY series 01:26:49 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Vecenie goes live after the Suns-Nuggets game to break down the last two days of NBA Playoff action. He starts with Suns-Nuggets Game 3, and how the Suns made a few changes while also getting a spectacular 47-point Devin Booker performance. We dive into the Booker performance on film! He's then breaking down film on the Celtics-76ers and how Joe Mazzulla has been terrific since Game 1 in adjusting to what the 76ers are presenting with Joel Embiid back, particularly by pulling Embiid away from the rim in creating ball-screen scenarios Then, he'll chat Warriors-Lakers, and how the Warriors dominated Game 2 through heavy ball-screen usage with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green with some tape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins the show and he and Sam do a 2023 NBA Mock Draft Podcast! We dive deep into the 2023 NBA Draft and its first 30 picks breaking down who we would pick for each team at each spot. Sections: 00:00 Intro 07:45 1st overall pick, Victor Wembanyama 13:58 2nd overall pick, Scoot Henderson 20:30 3rd overall pick, Amen Thompson 28:28 4th overall pick, Brandon Miller 31:58 5th overall pick, Cam Whitmore 39:48 6th overall pick, Taylor Hendricks 45:03 7th overall pick, Jarace Walker 48:44 8th overall pick, Anthony Black 52:14 9th overall pick, Ausar Thompson 57:53 10th overall pick, Cason Wallace 01:02:03 11th overall pick, Gradey Dick 01:05:28 12th overall pick, Leonard Miller 01:13:50 13th overall pick, Kobe Bufkin 01:17:03 14th overall pick, Dereck Lively 01:21:12 15h overall pick, GG Jackson 01:25:23 16th overall pick, Brice Sensabaugh 01:29:34 17th overall pick, Keyonte George 01:34:02 18th overall pick, Nick Smith Jr. 01:37:11 19th overall pick, Kris Murray 01:41:01 20th overall pick, Jalen Hood-Schifino 01:43:16 21st overall pick, Sidy Cissoko 01:46:07 22nd overall pick, Dariq Whitehead 01:49:31 23rd overall pick, Jordan Hawkins 01:51:43 24th overall pick, Noah Clowney 01:53:51 25th overall pick, Colby Jones 01:55:04 26th overall pick, Bobi Klintman 01:57:22 27th overall pick, Jett Howard 02:01:25 28th overall pick, Rayan Rupert 02:03:12 29th overall pick, Max Lewis 02:05:01 30th overall pick, Andre Jackson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Schindler joins the show to break down the two playoff games tonight. First, we start with the Warriors-Lakers game, one of the most fun games of the playoffs so far just insofar as adjustments and different looks that each team gave the other throughout the game. Then, we move to a Jimmy Butler-less Knicks win over the Heat to even that series at 1-1. We chat about RJ Barrett's breakout, a few Heat sets, and where that series goes from here. Finally, we finish on two news-y topics, including Joel Embiid winning MVP and Dillon Brooks being out as an option for Memphis in free agency. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Vecenie goes live to break down the two NBA games tonight. First, we go into the film and explain how in the world a Joel Embiid-less 76ers team just went into Boston and defeated the Celtics in Game 1 behind a virtuoso James Harden performance. There will also be Joe Mazzulla thoughts. Then, we'll dive into Game 2 of the Nuggets-Suns series. How the Suns are in some trouble with Chris Paul being injured now, and with their inability to put pressure on the rim. On top of it, the Nuggets have been exceptionally good on defense. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins the show and we dive deep into the three weekend games, breaking down film and chatting big picture about each. First, we start with the Warriors advancing to play the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Semifinals, defeating the Kings by 20 points on the road. Stephen Curry goes for 50, so we'll talk about that. Second, we go to the Heat-Knicks game, and how the Heat were able to pull out an enormous victory on the road after a disastrous start in the first quarter. How Erik Spoelstra adjusted after a quarter-time coaching spray that was right on the money. Finally, we go to the Nuggets-Suns series, where the Nuggets took Game 1 behind an offensive explosion in the first three quarters. How the Suns need to do way more in order to disrupt the Nuggets actions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins the show and we dive deep into the two NBA games that occurred on Friday night, one resulting in a series end and the other in a Game 7. First, we dive into Lakers-Grizzlies, a Lakers blowout win that showcased the full terror of the Lakers' defensive upside. Anthony Davis particularly dominated, so we'll break down tape in-depth there. Then, we chat about the Warriors and Kings, who will be going to a Game 7 after the Kings dominated the second half on the road. The Kings also won this game through a surprising venue: terrific, unbelievable on-ball defense. CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 1:18 Lakers BLOW OUT Grizzlies. They were NOT "Good in the West" 8:55 FILM BREAKDOWN: Anthony Davis DOMINATES the Paint 21:25 What's next for Memphis? 26:30 Kings Beat Warriors, Force Game 7 32:55 FILM BREAKDOWN: The Kings' Defensive Effort was ELITE 57:00 What happens in Game 7 for Warriors-Kings? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Mark Schindler joins and we break down all of the action over what might be the last four-game day of the NBA season! We start with the Bucks' epic collapse to the Miami Heat, dropping a 16-point fourth quarter lead. We break it down from all angles, including how the collapse happened, whether or not the they have to fire Mike Budenholzer, if the team needs to reset its roster at all, and more. Also, we do a film deep dive into how Jimmy Butler got loose in the fourth quarter using off-ball movement. Then we move to the Knicks moving into Round 2! They defeated the Cavaliers with ease again. What does this 4-1 series win mean for them, and can they go farther? Also: a Mitchell Robinson tape dive into what made him so good this series! Then, we dive into Grizzlies-Lakers, where the Grizzlies blitzed the Lakers in the late third quarter and forced a Game 6 back in Los Angeles. We dive into how Desmond Bane has been the best player in this series for the last two games. Finally, we close with the Warriors facing off against the Kings, and how the Warriors' bigs won this game with their aggression, passing and physicality on the interior. CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 4:58 Bucks Collapse Embarrassingly to Heat 11:04 Where do the Bucks go from here? 24:44 FILM: How Jimmy Butler led the Miami Comeback 32:53 Why the Cavs struggled vs. NYK 45:00 FILM: How Mitchell Robinson dominated the Cavs bigs 51:35 RJ Barrett's elite run over the last three games 55:20 FILM: Desmond Bane leads Grizzlies to win over Lakers 1:12:40 FILM: How Draymond Green and Kevon Looney's passing led the way to a crucial Game 5 Win 1:25:45 A Yellowjackets Season 2 First Half Deep Dive! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I'm solo and jumping into a few different things. We're going to start with the Trae Young dominance and Boston breakdown in the fourth quarter, where Trae dropped 38 points and 13 assists on his way to beating Boston on the road 119-117 to force Game 6 back in Atlanta with Dejounte Murray back. Some tape there on how Trae attacked Boston in the fourth. Then, we'll do a quick deep dive into Jimmy Butler's 56-point masterclass against Milwaukee. I dive into the tape, explain why Jimmy is essentially built to beat the Milwaukee defensive structure with his game. Next, we dive into the two Western Conference games, where the Denver Nuggets moved on against Minnesota Timberwolves, and Phoenix Suns moved on against the Clippers to set up a potentially awesome playoff series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins Sam Vecenie to break down the early games on the NBA Playoff slate today. First, they dive deep into Knicks-Cavs, breaking down some tape on how Jalen Brunson is dominating the Cavs' defensive plans to overhelp in the paint, and how the Cavs are not doing a good enough job in terms of offensive gameplanning to get their players the ball in the best positions to succeed, as seen by the dominant run they had in the third quarter. Then, we'll dive into Warriors-Kings and how the Warriors tied the series 2-2. Then, we'll chat some NBA Draft. Then, we break down five players that we think have the highest upside in the 2023 NBA Draft OUTSIDE of the consensus top-four upside players (Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson, Brandon Miller, Amen Thompson). CHAPTERS: 0:00 Knicks-Cavs Film Room Deep Dive 43:58 Warriors-Kings tied at 2-2 1:03:30 Cam Whitmore 1:18:05 GG Jackson 1:30:01 Brice Sensabaugh, Nick Smith, Leonard Miller more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Vecenie goes live after the Lakers-Grizzlies Game 3 to break down all the action from that game. Then, he breaks down all of the action from earlier in the day. Russell Westbrook shines but Suns continue to take control and get a 3-1 lead against the Clippers. The Heat and Bucks play Game 3. And then the 76ers eliminated the Brooklyn Nets. Where does Brooklyn go from here. CHAPTERS 0:00 How the Lakers used ONE single set to beat the Grizzlies 23:24 Jimmy Butler's empty side actions beat Milwaukee 32:12 Phoenix takes 3-1 lead on LA, Deandre Ayton rim runs were huge 46:48 How do the Brooklyn Nets handle this offseason? 1:07:55 Q: Who should the Cavs start at SF vs. New York? 1:10:09 Q: How does the new second round contract exception impact the value of second round picks? 1:15:20 Q: Should the Nets try to acquire Pascal Siakam? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Sam Vecenie jumps on the podcast and breaks down what we saw in the NBA on Thursday night, with the Nets and 76ers playing the strangest NBA Playoff game that I can remember; the Warriors pulling one back against the Kings behind Stephen Curry and a huge Kevon Looney performance; and then the Suns pulling one out against a Russell Westbrook-Norman Powell-led Clippers that were very game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode with Mark Schindler, we break down everything we've seen from the four Western Conference Playoff series being played thus far between the Lakers and Grizzlies (Tied 1-1), Suns and Clippers (Tied 1-1), Kings and Warriors (Kings Up 2-0), and Nuggets-Timberwolves (Nuggets up 2-0). We dive into each series, and explain what's going on in terms of Xs and Os, scheme, and honestly sometimes just the bigger picture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode with Adam Spinella, we break down everything we've seen from the four Eastern Conference Playoff series being played thus far between the Celtics and Hawks (Celtics up 2-0), Cavaliers and Knicks (Tied 1-1), Nets and 76ers (76ers Up 2-0), and Bucks and Heat (Heat up 1-0). We dive into each series, and explain what's going on in terms of Xs and Os, scheme, and honestly sometimes just the bigger picture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins the show! We dive into the Play-In Games that we've seen thus far, including Oklahoma City's win, the Lakers win, and much more. Then, we talk a bit about the Mavericks and their decision to tank at the end of the regular season. Was it the right thing to do? Finally, we chat about NBA Draft Prospects who have decided to return to school for the 2023-24 season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Schindler joins Sam Vecenie to break down their picks for NBA Awards in 2022-23. It's an insane class. An insane group of candidates. We dive deep into MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, All-Defense teams and All-NBA teams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Vorkunov from The Athletic joins the show and we break down exactly what new details are in the new collective bargaining agreement, from new basketball-related income additions for the players, to new trade rules, to some of the internal ownership battle dynamics that seem to have unfolded over these negotiations that have led to some of these more strict spending rules on a team-by-team basis. We'll also chat briefly about the NCAA Title game, where UConn did what was expected and rolled San Diego State. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins the show and we break down the race for the Play-in Tournament in the NBA, especially in the Western Conference. We'll talk Lakers, Wolves a bit, Pelicans, Mavericks, Warriors, Clippers, Thunder! And in the East we'll break down if Miami can catch Brooklyn for the No. 6 seed quickly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Schindler joins the show today and we dive into the NBA. We hit four topics. First, what do we think of the Wolves now that Karl-Anthony Towns is back and the team is playing well? Second, do we buy the Immanuel Quickley Sixth Man of the Year hype? Third, what do we think of the Kristaps Porzingis extension? Fourth, do we buy the Lakers? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins the podcast today to dive into two topics. First, we talk about the Final Four. Who joined Connecticut and Florida Atlantic in the Final Four? We dive deep and explain how we got to this wild group of teams. Then, we talk about the Dallas Mavericks, who are firmly in the danger zone right now after dropping a back-to-back against the Charlotte Hornets. What happened to the Mavericks? How have they failed Luka so much? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Schindler joins the show. We break down the action we saw from the Sweet 16 this week. Alabama loses! Gonzaga-UCLA classic! Houston losing as we start! Absolute madness! Then, we dive into our 2023 NBA Defensive Player of the Year voting process and the top-five we would have for the award. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Andrew Schlecht joins and we dive deep into two topics of NBA conversation. First, we chat about ranking the top-five NBA title contenders right now. Who are the teams best equipped to win a championship over the next three months? Then, we dive into a deep look at the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are maybe the team I enjoy watching play most right across the league. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is somewhere in the top-10 of the MVP race, Jalen Williams is emerging into a potential star, and the team continues to find great NBA Draft success stories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Adam Spinella joins the show to break down everything that occurred in the second round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Kentucky and Duke fall to Kansas State and Tennessee. Alabama and Houston continue to march onward. Connecticut continues to look like one of the best teams in the country. Creighton rolls over Baylor. Michigan State upsets Marquette, and Florida Atlantic is one of our glorious Cinderellas remaining in the dance, along with Princeton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Schindler joins Sam Vecenie and they breakdown everything that occurred over a jam-packed first two days of the NCAA Tournament, including Fairleigh Dickinson's massive upset over Purdue, Princeton's upset over Arizona, Furman over Virginia, Duke's dominance over Oral Roberts, all that and way more. We also talk some 2023 NBA Draft prospects in the NCAA Tournament. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jason Timpf from The Volume and Hoops Tonight joins us, and we dive deep into what we love about some of the most interesting future stars in the NBA. We talk Mikal Bridges, Jaden Ivey, Jalen Williams, Franz Wagner, and Scottie Barnes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins the show to break down the NCAA Tournament bracket reveal. What teams are in the NCAA Tournament bracket? Who got left out? What games do you need to watch? What NBA Draft Prospects do you need to watch? We break it all down for you and discuss the important matchups for you to see. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Danny Leroux joins us for a talk about the top two teams in the Western Conference: The Denver Nuggets and the Sacramento Kings. They are the two best offenses in the league, but each have defensive warts (the Kings much moreso than the Nuggets). Can these two teams win a title with their respective defenses? Then, Danny and I shift into future mode. The NBA changes in tangible ways every year. The NBA in 2028 will look different than the NBA in 2023. And figuring that out ahead of time is one of the true keys to team-building. So Danny and I chat about it and try to determine what the future of NBA team building could hold. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Schindler is here, and we have three topics for the day. First, we chat Cleveland Cavaliers and Donovan Mitchell, asking if Mitchell has been the most consistently great guard in the NBA this season? And can they actually win the 2023 NBA title? Then, we move to the New Orleans Pelicans. As the team gets healthy outside of Zion, they're still struggling. Why? Finally, we do NBA Draft comparison battles. We bring up two names with somewhat similar roles/ideals for their future translation, and break them down in comparison to one another. We do three of them: Jordan Hawkins vs. Gradey Dick; Taylor Hendricks vs. Jarace Walker; Colby Jones vs. Terrance Shannon Jr. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins the show to talk about three topics today. First we're going to chat a bit about Ja Morant, Brandon Clarke, and the Memphis Grizzlies. Morant will miss the next two games after his Instagram Live from a strip club showcased a firearm, Clarke will miss the rest of the season with a torn Achilles, and the Grizzlies are in the midst of their first little run of true adversity in this Morant/Jaren era. Then, we're going to talk Warriors-Lakers, a fun game where we got everything we've come to see from the Lakers, and some interesting exploits from what was a streaking Warriors team over the previous five games. Then, a 2023 NBA Draft Conference Tourneys preview. What players do you need to tune in to watch during this week, where March Madness truly tips off in earnest? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Edwards joins the show today, and we dive into four topics. First, we're going to talk about Russell Westbrook's inauspicious first four games with the Clippers, where things haven't exactly been great. Then, we're going to talk about Kevin Durant, his debut for the Phoenix Suns, and some of the silly narratives floating around about his career and how it'll be successful. Then, we're going to dive into the Charlotte Hornets, a rebuilding team now without its star, LaMelo Ball, for the rest of the year. What does this organization do moving forward? Finally, we dive into the Detroit Pistons, a team also mired in a rebuild without its key building block, Cade Cunningham. Are the Pistons in a strong position? Why does Troy Weaver so value his bigs? What's going on here? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Schindler joins the show for a bit of an across-the-gamut look at the NBA. We'll start with the good, breaking down the streaking Knicks and Bucks, and what makes these two teams work so well: the Knicks shot-making and the Bucks sans Giannis keeping it rolling. Then, we'll go to Quin Snyder and his hiring by Atlanta. Do we think this works well? Can this turn around a tough situation with the Hawks where they're capped out moving forward and at a draft deficit? Finally, we move to the Rockets. My god. Things are bad. Then we'll talk about some 2023 NBA Draft stuff. I asked him about Jalen Hood-Schifino and Dereck Lively! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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? After that, Sam and Spins talk about a few 2023 NBA Draft prospects that you need to catch right now as opposed to waiting, because their season is about to end. Prospects like Brice Sensabaugh, GG Jackson, Brandin Podziemski, Taylor Hendricks, Max Lewis, and Judah Mintz are all interesting in some regard, but probably only have a couple of weeks left of play. Diving into their games and what to watch for. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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? First though, we start with Russell Westbrook to the Clippers. Then at the end, we dive into Leonard Miller, a fascinating prospect with the G League Ignite. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Take advantage of MANSCAPED®’s best valued bundle and save 20% Off and Free Shipping with the code NBA23 at Manscaped.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Then, we're going to dive into some 2023 NBA Draft Stuff. Who played well this weekend? We'll also use this opportunity to talk about Keyonte George out of Baylor for a little while, and why this incredibly productive freshman has been very polarizing for scouts this season. Some Gradey Dick, a bit Cam Whitmore, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. We also chat some about Kevin Love and his seemingly impending buyout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. LinkedIn Jobs helps you find the qualified candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/theory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. LinkedIn Jobs helps you find the qualified candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/theory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Then we dive deep into everything else, including the Lakers' continued makeover, Josh Hart to the Knicks, what in the world Toronto is planning after buying at the deadline with Jakob Poeltl, the Warriors cutting ties with James Wiseman, Saddiq Bey to Atlanta, Gary Payton II back to the Warriors, the Matisse Thybulle/Jalen McDaniels/Portland swap, Jae Crowder finally gets to Milwaukee, and the Clippers weird wheeling and dealing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Then, we'll chat about LeBron James passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the all-time leading scorer in NBA history! Some fun memories of LeBron, what the moment looked like, and more! Then, we dive into the NBA Trade Deadline. Maybe trades will have happened by then? Or maybe we'll recklessly speculate more! Who's to say? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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? We also talk a bit about Dereck Lively's improved play at Duke, including a breakout game against North Carolina over the weekend, and maybe take some questions at the end of what will be a jam-packed deadline week. Cancel unwanted subscriptions – and manage your expenses the easy way – by going to rocketmoney.com/theory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Schindler joins the podcast today, and we break down a bunch of different topics! -How NBA teams seem to be valuing incumbency over potential trades, and how Bird rights have become valuable as a trade asset or retention tool. -The Wolves are on fire with Anthony Edwards! -A week out from the NBA Trade Deadline, what are our favorite moves that could potentially actually swing the title race? It's FAKE TRADE TIME BABY, with OG Anunoby and Jarred Vanderbilt! -Walker Kessler has become a very real NBA starting center and top-three ROY candidate in Year One! -Breanna Stewart to the New York Liberty and how the WNBA season is shaping up! -Mailbag including Cam Reddish, some rookie improvements, and more. Get 20% Off and Free Shipping with the code NBA23 at Manscaped.com and shoot your arrow with MANSCAPED™ this Valentine’s Day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Dave DuFour joins the show to break down our choices for All-Star Reserves in both the Eastern and Western Conferences. With the starters already chosen, now the fun begins in trying to determine who the best choices are to make the All-Star game. And this is the hardest season I've ever had to consider for All-Star selections with so many great players around the league. Get 20% Off and Free Shipping with the code NBA23 at Manscaped.com and shoot your arrow with MANSCAPED™ this Valentine’s Day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins the show for a jam-packed show that includes a breakdown of Joel Embiid's masterclass against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets; the weirdo Celtics-Lakers ending from Saturday night; the Myles Turner extension that remains fascinating; the Jeremy Sochan breakout in recent weeks; plus, a look at some young rotation players that could end up playing critical roles in the NBA playoffs! Get 20% Off and Free Shipping with the code NBA23 at Manscaped.com and shoot your arrow with MANSCAPED™ this Valentine’s Day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Schindler joins the show, and they chat about three topics. First, the Orlando Magic! One of the most fun teams in the NBA resides in Orlando. With Jonathan Isaac back, Franz Wagner emerging, Markelle Fultz leading, and Paolo Banchero flashing all-star vibes, the Magic look set to take the NBA by storm sooner rather than later. Then, Schindler and Sam do another Midseason Top-Five! This time, we do midseason Defensive Player of the Year race. They talk Jaren Jackson Jr., Bam Adebayo, Brook Lopez, and plenty more. Finally, Mark wants to talk a bit about Dariq Whitehead and Brandon Miller. We hit Whitehead as one of the hardest prospects to evaluate this year, and Miller's emergence into a top-five prospect in the 2023 NBA Draft this year! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Seth Partnow joins the show! We'll start by talking about Rui Hachimura's deal to the Los Angeles Lakers, where the team acquired him for three second round picks. Then, we move on to other players at the trade deadline who could actually use a change of scenery, and where we'd most like to see them. Some of those players include Obi Toppin, John Collins, Malachi Flynn, Eric Gordon, Jaxson Hayes, and more! Cancel unwanted subscriptions – and manage your expenses the easy way – by going to rocketmoney.com/theory Go to https://www.chime.com/theory to sign up for a Chime Credit Builder Visa Credit Card today! Thanks to Chime for supporting the show. Get PayPal Honey for FREE at joinhoney.com/theory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins the show and we dive deep into two topics. First, we start by investigating something that has been seen as a done deal for years: are we positive that Scoot Henderson does not have a legitimate No. 1 overall case in the 2023 NBA Draft over Victor Wembanyama? The conversation is at least worth an investigation and discussion. Then, we do NBA Rookie of the Year Midseason Top-Five. With every team at least midway through the season, which rookies have truly stood out and become the players that have become difference-makers for their teams? We chat Paolo Banchero, Bennedict Mathurin, Walker Kessler, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The NBA is loaded with terrific young players and a boatload of parity. It feels like a number of different teams could win a title within the next few years. Largely, that will depend on the development of certain key players acrosss the NBA. So today, I got with Mark Schindler, and we broke down six players who parts of their game that could swing title races in the next few years. What if Ja Morant learns to consistently take and make 3-pointers behind ball-screens when defenders go under in pick-and-roll coverage? What if Zion Williamson can make a spot-up jumper? What if Evan Mobley is a catch-and-shoot threat and the Cavs can play basically 5-out basketball? What if Michael Porter Jr. can process the game quickly as a passer and get more of a degree of control over the ball as a handler? All of these guys and more as we break down some of the things that could swing NBA championship races in the next few years. Cancel unwanted subscriptions – and manage your expenses the easy way – by going to rocketmoney.com/theory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Schlecht is in the building and we chat about a very simple concept: who are the most teams to watch right now in the NBA? Who do you find yourself switching over to most often if you have some free time? You could see this as a "League Pass Rankings" or whatever, but we just want to dive into which teams we've having the most fun with, including the Kings, Grizzlies, and Cavaliers, among others. But first, we open on Alperen Sengun and his breakout game against the Lakers last night. Cancel unwanted subscriptions – and manage your expenses the easy way – by going to rocketmoney.com/theory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins the show for his weekly Sunday appearance, and this week we're doing our monthly 2023 NBA Mock Draft Deep Dive! Join us as we dive deep into the top-30 selections, breaking down what we'd do in each spot as of mid-January, halfway through the yearly draft cycle. We'll dive into players like Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson, Amen Thompson, Ausar Thompson, Brandon Miller, Cason Wallace, Nick Smith Jr, Jett Howard, Cam Whitmore, Brice Sensabaugh and many others. Cancel unwanted subscriptions – and manage your expenses the easy way – by going to rocketmoney.com/theory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Parity is everywhere in the NBA this season, and it's made it extremely difficult to gauge exactly where exactly many teams across the league fall. So today, Mark Schindler joins the show, and we try to figure out what in the world is going on with the Clippers, Blazers, Knicks, Hawks, Pacers and more. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/theory Go to HelloFresh.com/theory22 and use code THEORY22 for 22 free meals plus free shipping! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Danny Leroux joins the show today to break down the 2023 NBA Trade Deadline by diving into the targets that could be available at the deadline. Who are the real move pieces that could shift the title race in what has turned into an exceedingly cluttered year across the NBA? Are there real sellers? Who are some of the players that actually could come available, and how much of what comes out publicly right now is posturing? We chat about the Raptors players, the evolving Bojan Bogdanovic race, and the questions about whether or not guys like Kyle Kuzma and Myles Turner are even available? Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/theory Go to HelloFresh.com/theory22 and use code THEORY22 for 22 free meals plus free shipping! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Adam Spinella joins Sam Vecenie to break down how the players in the 2021 NBA Draft class have fared thus far into their careers. We break down names like Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, Evan Mobley, Scottie Barnes, Jalen Suggs, Josh Giddey, Jonathan Kuminga, Franz Wagner, Davion Mitchell, Chris Duarte, Moses Moody, Alperen Sengun, Trey Murphy, Quentin Grimes and many more. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/theory Go to HelloFresh.com/theory22 and use code THEORY22 for 22 free meals plus free shipping! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Schindler is here! It's time for midseason All-NBA choices now that multiple teams have played at least 41 games this year. We break down our picks for first team, second-team, and third-team All-NBA, and some of the candidates for each slot. But first, we start on the Houston Rockets, and why Sam thinks it might be time for a change down there, and we finish with Brice Sensabaugh, a fascinating one-and-done player that might end up as a lottery pick by the time it's all said and done this season. Oh, and Mark gives a solid Georgetown rant at the end of the show. Get 3 months free with a one-year package at expressvpn.com/THEORY Cancel unwanted subscriptions – and manage your expenses the easy way – by going to RocketMoney.com/THEORY Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Adam Spinella joins the show to dive into the 2022-23 NBA Rookie class. We chat Paolo Banchero, Dyson Daniels, Keegan Murray, AJ Griffin, Bennedict Mathurin, Andrew Nembhard, Jalen Williams, Jeremy Sochan, Jalen Duren, Jaden Ivey, and plenty, plenty more! Get 3 months free with a one-year package at expressvpn.com/THEORY Cancel unwanted subscriptions – and manage your expenses the easy way – by going to RocketMoney.com/THEORY Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, The Volume's Jason Timpf joins the show for the first time! Jason comes on and chats about the MVP race, with this week marking the midseason point as most teams get to their 40th game of the year. In what is currently the most wide-open MVP Race that I can remember in years, with something like eight legitimate candidates plus a few others hanging on the periphery of the proceedings, how would we cast out 1 through 5 votes right now? But first, we start with the Lakers, a team without Anthony Davis and in the midst of having to make some real decisions regarding its future both for this season and the next over the course of the next 40 days. We dive deep into why Kyle Kuzma makes the most sense on this Lakers team among potential targets. Cancel unwanted subscriptions – and manage your expenses the easy way – by going to RocketMoney.com/THEORY Get 3 months free with a one-year package at expressvpn.com/THEORY Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Schindler joins the show, and we dive into the biggest takeaway from 2022 in the NBA: this is the year that redefined what a star is within the league. The talent level has never been higher. We dive into why this season has seen the biggest overlap of superstardom eras, and if this is an outlier year or if it's a thing to continue within the league moving forward. How the overlaps of the Curry/KD/LeBron era, the Jokic/Giannis/Embiid era, and the Luka/Tatum/Zion era of stars has led to such a dominant stretch of stardom in the NBA this season. Then, we move to the Nuggets. Why are the Nuggets legit contenders to win the title? How special is Nikola Jokic? Why have they been as successful as they've been recently winning 8 out of 10? Finally, we do a Cam Whitmore breakdown. What has the potential top-five pick out of Villanova shown in his first few games? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins the show this week to chat about improvement areas for 2023 NBA Draft prospects, this time in New Year's Resolution form. What are some of the ways top prospects in the class like Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson, Amen Thompson, Anthony Black, Ausar Thompson, Cam Whitmore, Nick Smith, G.G. Jackson and many, many more can take their games to the next level? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Adam Spinella is here and we're doing to dive into some topics within college basketball and the 2023 NBA Draft. And to do so, we're giving out superlatives! Best Team so far! Fastest Rising Upperclass prospect! Surprise one-and-done prospect! Biggest question marks in CBB? Biggest disappointment? We hit on everything from the Connecticut Huskies to the Duke Blue Devils to Maxwell Lewis and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Vecenie is joined on this episode of the Game Theory Podcast by Ricky O'Donnell and Samson Folk in a two-part episode. In the first part, Ricky joins to talk about the Chicago Bulls, who beat the Heat last night but have only moved to 12-18 and are struggling fairly immensely despite health. We discuss whether or not this team should entirely blow it up, and what some potential moves could look like. How could they go about starting to rebuild? Then, Samson Folk from Raptors Republic joins the show, and we break down the Raptors, who are on a six-game losing streak. Why are they struggling? Is there a reason to be bullish on them moving forward? What's going on with the offensive execution? Is it roster construction or coaching? How should the team adjust? Should they go out and buy at the trade deadline, and what should that look like? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a reversion of the usual schedule, Mark Schindler is here to break down a few different topics. First, we start with something I have a vague idea about scrolling through Twitter and looking at fans' pages: are NBA fans more engaged in nightly results from their team than ever? Why would that be? It seems like fans are living and dying more than ever with the results of games before Christmas, so Mark and I explore what's happening. But then we move onto the big news, which is Anthony Davis being out for a month. What should the Lakers do? Then, we move to Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets, a team that is on fire since Jacque Vaughn took over for Steve Nash. What's going on with the Nets? And just how realistic is a Kevin Durant MVP push? Finally, we finish with a Keyonte George scouting report, and a quick note on recent NBA retiree Tyrell Terry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Edwards from The Athletic is here to break down a few different things across the NBA. First, we chat about how Maxi Kleber's injury will impact the Mavericks, and where they're headed. Then, we chat about Cade Cunningham. What does Cade's injury mean for the Detroit Pistons here moving forward? Do they know enough to call him the out-and-out centerpiece? What questions remain to be answered about his game? Additionally, what is going on with the Killian Hayes resurgence that is one of my favorite stories around the NBA? Then we chat briefly about the Hornets, a mess. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Schindler is here and we're diving deep across the NBA. First, we're going to start with Jaren Jackson, whose emergence for the Memphis Grizzlies from elite defensive player into "best defensive player in the NBA" has pushed them to the top of the Western Conference again. Then, we're going to talk about some NBA teams, and some potential shake-up trades across the league, particularly in regard to the Mavericks and the Heat. What teams need to make a move? We'll also chat a bit about the Eric Gordon/KJ Martin/Jae Crowder idea that was reported by Shams Charania this week. Finally, a Jarace Walker breakdown! What makes the Houston forward prospect such an intriguing 2023 NBA Draft proposition? We'll also talk a bit about Brandon Miller, given that the two played this weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Adam Spinella joins to break down the race for the No. 3 prospect in the 2023 NBA Draft. Assuming that Victor Wembanyama goes No. 1, and Scoot Henderson is the second-best prospect, who is the third-best? Is it Cam Whitmore? Is it Amen Thompson? What about Nick Smith and Brandon Miller? Anthony Black and Ausar Thompson? Then, we dive into Tank Watch. What's going on with the Washington Wizards? And why Louisville gets a special mention in Tank Watch for the sheer disaster with the Cardinals right now. Then, we give out Game Theory Prospect Of The Week awards, and we do FOUR of them because we've taken the last couple of weeks off. We talk Taylor Hendricks, followed by Donovan Clingan, Tucker DeVries and Arthur Kaluma. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dave DuFour from The Athletic joins the show! And we dive into NBA Contender tiers. As in: which teams do we think have the best chance to win the NBA title as presently constructed? Which teams need to make moves to get into that mix? We dive into the Celtics, Bucks, Warriors, Clippers, Cavaliers, Suns, Pelicans, Nuggets, Grizzlies and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Schindler joins the show to talk about some birds. First, we chat about the New Orleans Pelicans, a team that has a case as the deepest team in the NBA and one that is playing exceptionally well right now. Then we move to the Hawks, a team struggling with injuries that also has some weird stuff seemingly happening. Then, we move to the Raptors, who aren't birds but birds are descended from dinosaurs so they count anyway. What's going on with Scottie Barnes? We dive in and try to figure it out. Finally, we finish with Mark Schindler's prospect of the week, Michigan's Jett Howard, a fascinating player that has drawn real top-20 attention so far this season at Michigan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I'm joined by Adam Spinella where we decide to dive deep into what has been a disappointing 2020 NBA Draft and re-draft it. What order should that class have gone in? Should Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, LaMelo Ball, or Desmond Bane go first? What about guys like Tyrese Maxey and Devin Vassell? Where do James Wiseman and Killian Hayes fall to? All that and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dear friend of the program Fred Katz joins the show to talk about a few different topics. Our plan is to start with a quick word on the Al Horford extension, talk a bit about Jayson Tatum's incredible run. We also give a brief MVP Power Ranking. Then, we want to dive into the Knicks, and just try to figure out what exactly they are? What are they doing? What is their plan here moving forward? Then we'll get into a couple quick things, and talk Karl Towns' injury and how that impacts Minnesota. Time Stamps: -Open is an Al Horford Appreciation following his extension: 0-12:00 -Jayson Tatum and MVP Power Rankings: 12:00-31:00 -Knicks: 31:00-1:06:00 -Towns Out, Timberwolves Outlook: 1:06:00-end. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Schindler joins the show! We chat about potential first-time all-stars for the 2023 NBA All-Star game. Who is shaping up to potentially make the event for the first time by leveling up? Can Tyrese Haliburton, De'Aaron Fox, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and others continue on this run. Are there are there any other potential dark horses that could rise up? Also, thoughts on GG Jackson at South Carolina and his first few games! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Adam Spinella joins the show to talk about everything we saw during Feast Week. From the Maui Invitational to all of the Phil Knight Invitational events, we dive into guys like Brandon Miller, Anthony Black, Dereck Lively, Purdue and Zach Edey, Battle 4 Atlantis and the big Julian Phillips game we saw, Gradey Dick and Kansas playing well at times, Gonzaga not being quite up to par yet, then also the Maui Invitational where Arizona won behind its bevy of prospects, Arkansas looked great, and Creighton battled to the title game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Mark Schindler joins the show to break down six of the biggest breakout players in the NBA thus far in 2022-23! Who has really stepped their game up in the first month of the season? We dive into Desmond Bane, Lauri Markkanen, Bol Bol, Kevin Huerter and many more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins Sam Vecenie to break down the first major weekend of college basketball, including Kentucky-Gonzaga, Virginia's games against Illinois and Baylor, UCLA's games against Baylor and Illinois, Houston-Oregon, and way more. We look at it from a prospects perspective with a deep dive into all of the action that occurred across the country, in addition to just talking hoops about some good, fun teams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Mo Dakhil joins the podcast and we talk about five teams: the Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets, Sacramento Kings and Portland Trail Blazers. The Blazers and Kings have turned it on to start the year, while the other three are stuck in neutral. Why? We dive deep into all five. The order: Chicago Bulls: Start to 20:00 Golden State: 24:00-47:00 Brooklyn Nets: 47:00-1:03:00 Blazers: 1:03:00-1:13:00 Kings: 1:13:00-1:25:00 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Schindler joins Sam to break down the Champions' Classic, where Kentucky played Michigan State and Duke played Kansas. What do we make of Jon Scheyer's big game debut? What do we think about Duke moving forward? Did Dereck Lively, Kyle Filipowski or Tyrese Proctor impress? GRADEY DICK. Then, we chat about Kentucky. Why was Cason Wallace the best long-term prospect we saw on the court tonight? What did we make of Kentucky and John Calipari's offense? Anyone in particular on Michigan State stand out? Then, we chat about three NBA topics. First, who has been the best defender in the NBA through 15 games? Particularly, we dive deep into OG Anunoby and Brook Lopez, among discussing others. Then, we talk about the Celtics and whether or not the team's defense, which has give up way more points than you'd think early in the season, should be worried? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Adam Spinella joins the show to break down the first week of college basketball action. We start with Emoni Bates, chat about some of the other terrific prospects who have looked great to start the season, such as Brandon Miller, Jett Howard, Keyonte George, and plenty others, We also chat about the G League Ignite's start to the season, including a Mojave King breakdown. Then, we do Tank Watch on the Hornets and Wizards. Then, Sam chats with Zach Edey, one of the most dominant players in the country for the last two years at Purdue, a 7-foot-4 center who establishes position whenever he wants. But his journey in basketball has been fascinating, going from Canada, where he played baseball and hockey to eventually finding basketball and embracing the grind. He explains his journey within the game at this point, and then dives deep into his game, explaining how it's not just his size that allows him to dominate games: it's his focus on the fundamentals and little things. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Schlecht joins the podcast today to chat about three things! First, we start with how the MVP race is shaping up in the early season, and how we'd handicap the race at this stage after this first portion of the season. Then, we move to the Lakers, who continue to lose and look not particularly good in doing so. Should the Lakers look into moving Anthony Davis, as Bill Simmons mentioned recently as a potential option? How should the team proceed here? Finally, we chat about the team near and dear to Andrew's heart, the Oklahoma City Thunder, a beautiful team with a weird roster, a monster Shai Gilgeous-Alexander start, and real Poku developments! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Schindler joins Sam to, much like last week, dive into seven teams across the NBA. This time, we play a game called "Real or Fake?" We'll dive into the Mavs, Warriors, Heat, Jazz, Hawks, Wolves, and Pacers and decide if their performances thus far after 10-12 games this season for each are real, or if they're fool's gold so far. Then, a hottest take on Rings of Power and Celebrimbor, then finally, a Mark Schindler food takes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the eve of the college basketball season starting, Adam Spinella joins Sam to dive into a 2023 NBA Mock Draft. It's a good way to preview what we'll be looking for from certain players as they get started in college basketball this season, as well as what we're continuing to hunt for throughout the country this year. Guys like Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson, Amen Thompson, Cam Whitmore, Nick Smith, Tyrese Proctor, Dereck Lively, and many more will be discussed in depth as we run through and make picks! After that is over, Sam interviews Gonzaga center Drew Timme, where they discuss what brought him back to Gonzaga for a fourth year, in addition to doing a tape watchalong! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Sam chats with Mark Schindler where they dive deep into some lineup data and talk a bit about what the best NBA lineups tell us about some of those teams? Basically, it was a good way into talking about the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns and....the Washington Wizards?! But first, we start on the Kyrie and Josh Primo situations and just how incredibly disappointing they are for the league as a whole. Also, they close on the Houston Rockets, and why they have been disappointing even by rebuilding standards thus far. Time stamps: Kyrie Irving -- 0:00-10:30 Josh Primo -- 10:30-20:00 The play on-court has been incredible -- 20:30-29:00 Cavaliers! 29:00-42:00 Bucks -- 42:00-50:00 Suns: 50:00-1:00:00 Warriors: 1:00:00-1:11:00 Wizards, Thunder: 1:11:00-1:27:00 Rockets: 1:27:00-1:38:00 BARBARIAN: 1:38:00-1:43:00 Kyrie: `1:47:00-1:53:00 Caleb Love Interview: 1:53:00-end Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella is back for the second part of a promised two-part episode this week, with us diving deep into the 2023 NBA Draft class with some bold predictions heading into the college basketball season. We talk about Duke's freshman four, overall outlooks on the class, the upperclass prospects heading into the year, Ausar Thompson, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Indiana, and more. But first, we start with the NCAA's Baba Miller decision, as the organization handed down a 16-game suspension to the Spanish freshman forward that defies comprehension. Then, around the one-hour mark, Sam chats with Dayton center DaRon Holmes. Holmes is considered a potential 2023 NBA Draft prospect, and a likely breakout player in college basketball. Sam and DaRon chat about how he ended up at Dayton, how he got involved in basketball, and then they break down tape for 25 minutes, discussing his rim-running, his passing, his jumper and his defensive ability across the board. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time to check the vibes across the NBA after two weeks of the NBA season. Adam Spinella joins Sam to dive deep into seven teams across the league. First though, they have to chat about a few news items. They start with Bojan Bogdanovic's extension in Detroit. Then, they move on to Josh Primo, who was cut in San Antonio after allegedly exposing himself to women; then, we chat about Kyrie, and why his press conference following the Nets' loss to Indiana was as harmful as it was. Then they move on to checking the vibes. We start with the Nets, then move to the 76ers, Lakers, Hornets, Blazers, Knicks and Cavaliers. Some positives, some negatives, some fake trades, and a lot of fun storylines league-wide to dive into. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam is joined by Mike Prada, an editor at The Athletic, formerly of SB Nation, and the author of a new book, Spaced Out, which discusses in-depth how the NBA's 3-point revolution has changed basketball, and how the rest of the game has adjusted around it. In that vein, Mike and I will discuss some interesting theories he discusses within the book, and then we do a little experiment trying to determine which NBA teams and rosters have the most "modern" construction and are set up for the best success long-term because of it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Mark Schindler is here and he joins Sam to break down some of the fun, exciting teams and moments across the NBA thus far, including another Pascal Siakam leap, the Raptors, why we're still believing in the Kings, how fun the Pelicans are with Zion Williamson back, how the Nets are fitting together, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins the show for this episode to break down the Rookies that we've seen across the NBA so far, including some of the standout performances from players like Paolo Banchero, Jaden Ivey, Bennedict Mathurin, Keegan Murray, and others. But first, we have to start with the Lakers 0-3 start. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cole Huff from The Athletic and a variety of places is here to break down a lot of different things from the opening week of the NBA! Kawhi Leonard is back! Philadelphia is 0-2, but should anyone hit the panic button? The Hawks have a new backcourt they're integrating, Boston has a new bench unit, and Detroit/Orlando played the most fun game of the early season! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The NBA's rookie extension window has come and gone. So for that, we've got a three-part episode. First, I chatted with Danny Leroux about what we can take away from this year's window, a strange one at the nexus of a draft that hasn't established a normal amount of stars yet and a television deal that everyone expects but has yet to be signed. Should we think much of the players not extended like Cam Johnson, Grant Williams and P.J. Washington? What should we take away from guys like De'Andre Hunter and Keldon Johnson getting extended? All that and more. Then, I chatted with Kelly Iko about the wild Kevin Porter extension, a deal unlike any extension we've seen in history for a rookie scale player. It has 16M guaranteed on a 4 year, 82.5M deal. We talk about it. Then, I chat with Brad Rowland about the De'Andre Hunter extension. Why has Hunter, outside of the injuries, not quite reached his full potential yet? And is 4/90M an overpay? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella is here, and we dive deep into the Warriors extensions of Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins. Are these good value deals? Does this make sense for the Dubs? And what does this mean for their long-term planning? We also chat Brandon Clarke and his extension with the Grizzlies. Then, we dive deep into bigs in the 2023 NBA Draft. Who are the guys you need to know? Including Victor Wembanyama, GG Jackson, Kel'el Ware, Dereck Lively, and more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shamit Dua joins this episode, and we dive deep into bold predictions for the upcoming 2022-23 NBA season in the Eastern Conference. We chat about the Blazers, Nuggets, Grizzlies, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jared Weiss from The Athletic joins this episode, and we dive deep into five bold predictions for the upcoming 2022-23 NBA season in the Eastern Conference. We chat about the 76ers, the Cavaliers, the Magic, the Hornets and Knicks, and give some takes on what is coming for those teams this season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Adam Spinella joins the show to chat about a few things. First, we chat Draymond Green and Jordan Poole, and the fallout from the punch that Draymond chose to throw in practice at Poole. Then, we chat about the Lakers extending Rob Pelinka and whether or not that's a good plan. Finally, we move to our quick 2023 NBA Draft Wings preview, where we dive deep into all of the wings that could feature in this 2023 NBA Draft class. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The G League Ignite played Metropolitans 92 on October 6 in the second game of their series, which means NBA scouts and evaluators got a live, in-person look at Victor Wembanyama against Scoot Henderson, the potential No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks in the 2023 NBA Draft. Unfortunately, Henderson got hurt, but good lord Wembanyama did some special things. A dive into what could be an epic tanking saga this year in the NBA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Mark Schindler joins the show to break down the NBA's most likely break out players in 2022-23. The way we're doing this is simple. We go back and forth, choosing three players each and diving deep into each of them and explaining why we're all in on each of these players.  Then, I chat with Ricky O'Donnell, and dive deep into the best prospect game we've seen in many years: Victor Wembanyama vs. Scoot Henderson. on Tuesday night in Las Vegas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins the episode to break down a few things. First! We chat about the Tyler Herro extension and why extensions will look pretty wild over the next couple of weeks. Then, we chat about the Larry Nance and Steven Adams extensions, and if extending bigs at lower cap hits still have value. Then, we move to Warriors preseason stuff, talking about James Wiseman and Pat Baldwin particularly, and how they've looked early on. The biggest part of the episode, though, will be previewing guards in the 2023 NBA Draft. Diving deep into guys like Nick Smith, Scoot Henderson, Keyonte George, Cason Wallace, Terquavion Smith, Tyrese Proctor, and returnees like Caleb Love, Mike Miles, Marcus Sasser, Tyrese Hunter, and some breakout candidates coming back to college. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Danny Leroux joins the show to break down the NBA Trade Market in the preseason. We dive deep into some of the players that could move throughout the season, but also talk about how rare it is that we enter the season with seemingly few stars available. But we also talk about Jae Crowder, Mike Conley, Jordan Clarkson, Jakob Poeltl, Myles Turner, Deandre Ayton a bit, D'Angelo Russell, Harrison Barnes, and plenty others that feature on the mid-tier starter/high-end starter market.  But first, we dive into a Victor Wembanyama breakdown, as Danny was in France and got to see the potential 2023 No. 1 overall pick in person this week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Sam chats with James Edwards from The Athletic about NBA Media Days. We scanned across the league and found all of the important, newsworthy things that happened over the last 24 hours so you don't have to. Those items include: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is not on the trade block; The Suns don't seem to be in an awesome place; Zion Williamson looks jacked again; the Lakers have some things to figure out; The Nets have some things to figure out; The Celtics found out about Ime Udoka on Twitter like everyone else; Myles Turner understands that a trade could happen; Draymond Green and Jordan Poole haven't extended yet, but are comfortable going into the season without them; and MUSCLE WATCH 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins the show to dive deep into some NBA news and notes. First, we chat briefly about the Ime Udoka suspension in Boston. Then, we move to the Bojan Bogdanovic trade to Detroit, and why more teams should be willing to make moves like this. Then, we jump into Jae Crowder's trade request, and the C.J. McCollum and Dean Wade extensions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I chat with the 3 Man Weave, our favorite college basketball analysts here at the show, to break down the upcoming season in conjunction with the release of The Almanac, a new college basketball online magazine that will go on sale next week. We chat in-depth about the changing tides within college basketball and whether the changes are good. How college basketball has continued to stylistically diverge from the NBA, and why we're cool with that. And then we get into teams. Who are our title favorites? Who are the best forthcoming teams? Who are the most underrated teams? What coach do we trust most when it comes to in-game adjustments and getting the most out of his team? In this year of the big, who is the best one? Who is the most underrated one? Who will break out? Which teams are we most interested in seeing perform this year? And finally, our favorites for national player of the year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella joins Sam Vecenie to do two things. First, we break down what was the best Victor Wembanyama offensive game that I've seen, a 34-point early season game against Hapoel Holon. We explain the context behind the game, and explain what made us so excited about Wembanyama's terrific performance.  Then, we do what might end up being a new segment on the podcast for an hour: Prospect Wars. After a fun tweet from Nate Jones asking who would you take long-term between Anthony Edwards and Scottie Barnes, Spins and Sam came up with five other matchups that would be fun to dive into and breakdown, answering the question: who would you rather have long-term between these two players: Anthony Edwards vs Scottie Barnes Tyrese Maxey vs Tyrese Haliburton Evan Mobley vs Zion Williamson Franz Wagner Vs Jabari Smith Desmond Bane vs Josh Giddey Keegan Murray vs Pat Williams Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time for one of our favorite yearly episodes here on the podcast, our win total over/unders with Robby Kalland. Using BetMGM's odds, we chat with Robby and dive deep into every NBA team's over/under win total in the Eastern Conference. We also make it abundantly clear which ones we actually like, and the other ones that we will stay completely and utterly away from because they're good numbers. Hawks: 46.5 Celtics: 56.5 Nets: 51.5 Cavs: 47.5 Hornets: 36.5 Bulls: 44.5 Pistons: 28.5 Pacers: 24.5 Heat: 49.5 Bucks: 53.5 Knicks: 39.5 Magic: 26.5 76ers: 50.5 Raptors: 46.5 Wizards: 35.5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time for one of our favorite yearly episodes here on the podcast, our win total over/unders with Robby Kalland. Using BetMGM's odds, we chat with Robby and dive deep into every NBA team's over/under win total in the Western Conference. We also make it abundantly clear which ones we actually like, and the other ones that we will stay completely and utterly away from because they're good numbers. But before we do that, we spend 25 minutes breaking down why the NBA's decision to fine and suspend Robert Sarver for one year is insufficient. Here are our numbers that we used for the over/unders. Mavericks: 48.5 Nuggets: 50.5 Warriors: 53.5 Rockets: 23.5 Clippers: 51.5 Lakers: 45.5 Grizzlies: 49.5 Timberwolves: 48.5 Pelicans: 45.5 Thunder: 23.5 Suns: 53.5 Blazers: 39.5 Spurs: 23.5 Kings: 34.5 Jazz: 24.5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cole Huff sometimes lets the people forget that he was a professional basketball player, but he's now a writer for The Athletic and a variety of other platforms. He chats with Sam about NBA Awards odds coming into this preseason. MVP, Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved Player, and Sixth Man of the Year are all covered, with some thoughts on who we think is going to have a killer year entering the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the second part of this two-part episode, Sam is joined by Coach Spins and they chat about a couple of topics. First, they chat about Bronny James, and why they think he is actually underrated as a player. Colleges should take a really strong look if he's serious about considering that pathway. Then, Mark Cuban suggested adding a third and fourth round to the NBA Draft. Adam and Sam break down what that would look like, and whether or not we think it's possible or even likely. Also, how would can you make it work if the decision comes down in order to make it work? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first part of a two-part NBA Draft-centric episode! In this first part, Spins and I chat about the forthcoming Scoot Henderson vs. Victor Wembanyama matchup that has been set for October 4/6 in Las Vegas. What should we be looking for in this game? When was the last time we saw this kind of 1 vs. 2 matchup in the preseason? A deep dive into an incredibly fun NBA Draft matchup. Then, we break down this past week's OTE vs. Mega matchup in Serbia that saw three potential first round picks face off against one another. Amen and Ausar Thompson for OTE vs. Nikola Djurisic for Mega. Who played well? Who showcased some small concerns about their games? What did we take away from what might be the most important scouting game of the season for the Thompson twins? Finally, we take some questions, including answering "Should the Lakers do a Buddy Hield-Myles Turner deal or a Bojan Bogdanovic and Mike Conley deal?" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, in conjunction with the Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony this coming weekend, Adam Spinella joins Sam Vecenie to break down how many Hall of Famers are currently in the NBA in 2022. We dive deep into some of the weirder, stranger cases like Kyle Lowry, some of the more strangely polarizing ones like Dwight Howard, and some of the future stars and what they'd have to do in order to reach that standard, such as Trae Young, Donovan Mitchell and others. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Adam Spinella joins Sam Vecenie and they break down everything to do with the blockbuster NBA trade that sent Donovan Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Collin Sexton, Ochai Agbaji, as well as Cleveland's 2025, 2027, and 2029 unprotected first round picks in addition to pick swaps in 2026 and 2028. Is this too much for Mitchell? Should Cleveland be going all in at this point? Is Cleveland now a top-three team in the East? Where does this leave Utah? And where does it leave the Knicks after the RJ Barrett extension earlier this week? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I chat with Adam Spinella and we break down the young cores in the Western Conference. In this episode, we dive deep into the Grizzlies, Warriors, Rockets, Thunder, Spurs, Wolves, Pelicans and others. Then we chat a bit about cooking and movies, and we call it at a brief two hours. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex Schiffer from The Athletic joins the show to break down a few things. First, Chet Holmgren is out for the season and we are sad. Then, we chat about the Patrick Beverley for Talen Horton-Tucker trade, and why it makes sense for everyone across the board. Finally, we chat about Alex's area of expertise, with Kevin Durant deciding to stay in Brooklyn instead of continuing to seek a trade. We are actually, genuinely excited for this Brooklyn Nets team! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I chat with Adam Spinella about who has the best young core in the Eastern Conference. We dive deep into the Magic, Pistons, Cavaliers, and Pacers, as well as chat a bit about the Raptors, Wizards, Hawks, Hornets, and others. We break down all of the young guys on those teams, then decide which core we'd most want to build around moving forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Athletic's Jovan Buha joins the show and we break down where the Lakers stand now in the offseason. LeBron James has signed his extension. Russell Westbrook is still on the roster. Where does the team go from here? What does the team's current closing lineup look like? Where do they sit in the Western Conference hierarchy? All that and more for one of the most fascinating, active teams in the league with one of the people who knows the Lakers best. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Spinella AKA Coach Spins joins and we chat about a few different team-building constructs within college basketball. First, we ask the question: Do recruiting rankings matter? We discuss the ways in which they're dissected and talk about what matters and what doesn't within them. Then, we chat about team-building in general in college basketball today. Do you focus on the transfer portal or recruiting? How does NIL factor in at this point? How should coaches worry about continuity versus flexibility with roster spots? A lot of complicated factors heading into basketball at this point. Then we do a mailbag, and prospects of the week, including a rant about the Pittsburgh Pirates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Matt Pennie joins the show for the FINAL time and we explain what's going on and what has prompted this sad change. Additionally, we announce the new addition to the Game Theory family, Adam Spinella of Coach Spins fame! Then, I bring Coach Spins in, and we talk about two things: first, we focus on the Kevin Durant to the Celtics rumor that emerged early this week. Then, we dive into G.G. Jackson's decision to reclassify and attend South Carolina for the 2022-23 season, thus making him eligible for the 2023 NBA Draft. What is his game? How valuable does he project to be in the SEC this season? And why we both really love his defense. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is focused on two topics: Donovan Mitchell and Russell Westbrook. Fred Katz has covered both of these topics extensively, so he joins to dive in. First, we chat about Mitchell and how the Jazz-Knicks trade talks are probably a bit more complicated than they would appear on first glance. Then, we focus on a simple question: should the Knicks be willing to go all-in for Mitchell? Our second topic is Russell Westbrook, a fascinating conversation about a player who, for my money, has been the most interesting NBA player of his era. Inscrutable and non-communicative, yet undeniably productive, Russ has now been moved around a ton and just recently parted ways with his long-time agent. Where does Russ's career go from here? Should it continue with the Lakers, or go on elsewhere? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Adam Spinella aka Coach Spins from The Box and One joins us to break down a number of NBA things. First, we start for 15 minutes on the Deandre Ayton saga ending, with the Suns matching his max contract extension. Then, we ask the simple question: who has been the best player at Summer League? We both have the same answer. Finally, we break down the rookie class at Summer League, diving deep into who has performed well, with dives into all of the top-six picks as well as a lot of other players. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a special Game Theory Podcast episode! Potential 2023 lottery picks Amen and Ausar Thompson are here to break down their own tape with Sam Vecenie. First, they introduce themselves to an NBA audience and give a bit of background on themselves and on their games. Then, we dive into tape together, with the Thompson explaining some of their best, most fun highlights of the 2021-22 season! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Caitlin Cooper from over at Indy Cornrows and SB Nation joins the show. Caitlin is one of the few people that I think legitimately makes me sound dumb when she talks about basketball, so I had her on to talk about Deandre Ayton, what Phoenix seems to be doing with Ayton, and why the Pacers make a ton of sense if they do indeed decide to give him a restricted free agency offer, as has been reported. Then, we chat a bit about Donovan Mitchell, how all of the Ayton, Mitchell, Kevin Durant stuff could be connected, and how his game fits with a potentially different organization, particularly the Heat and Knicks. Then, we chat a bit about Summer League, including Caitlin's impressions of Benn Mathurin and Keegan Murray. Oh, and some love for two of her favorite players at the end, Tyrese Haliburton and Domantas Sabonis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Sam Vecenie is joined by Andrew Schlecht, where they dive into Chet Holmgren's Summer League debut last night, which was a monster game that has the hype train firmly off the rails. Then we chat NBA offseason. I did some research and we do a bit of a deeper dive into the Rudy Gobert trade to Minnesota, explaining why maybe this might make more sense than immediately meets the eye. Then, we dive into why Kyrie to LA just kinda continues to make sense in my mind. We then close on Deandre Ayton, and why we're baffled that teams don't seem to have as much interest in him as we would despite him being a 17/10 guy while shooting 63 percent from the field and playing good defense on the best team in the NBA last season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Shamit Dua of Boot Crewe Media joins the show and we do a substantial deep dive into 2022 NBA Free Agency and the offseason. We start with the Rudy Gobert trade. Why we're skeptical for Minnesota, and why it's a great deal for Utah. Then, the Kyrie-for-Russell Westbrook report came from Chris Haynes while recording, so we dove deep into that, explaining why this is the kind of deal that just kind of makes sense for everyone involved given the weird stages of both organizations. Then, we move to the Malcolm Brogdon trade. Then, we go, in order: Portland's free agency moves, the Knicks signing Brunson and Mitchell Robinson, the 76ers having a normal offseason!, Milwaukee's smart moves, the Tyus Jones deal, Golden State's moves, the Raptors bringing back Chris Boucher and Thad Young, the Lakers bringing in JTA, Walker and Brown, the weird Mo Bamba re-signing in Orlando, Marvin Bagley's deal in Detroit, DORT's extension versus Jae'Sean Tate's extension, Malik Monk, Bruce Brown, Ricky Rubio. Finally, we then dive into the rampant Kevin Durant speculation portion of the episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex Schiffer joins Sam Vecenie to break down the massive Brooklyn Nets news that Kevin Durant has asked for a trade. They dive deep into a number of topics, from how this all went down, why it happened, what it all means for KD and Kyrie, and of course, we jump into the fake trade well and try to come up with the best deals for KD. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Sam Vecenie is joined by Dieter Kurtenbach to break down the 2022 NBA Free Agency period's early beginnings. We chat the Dejounte Murray trade to Atlanta from San Antonio; Jalen Brunson seemingly headed to the Knicks; Kyrie headed back to Brooklyn by opting in; James Harden heading back to Philly by opting out; some John Wall, some Denver and Washington deal. All that and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Vecenie and Matt Pennie dive deep and chat 2022 NBA Draft. The first three picks! What team had the best draft? That and much, much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Vecenie and Matt Pennie dive deep into the 2022 NBA Draft, breaking it all down as it happened live in front of them. This is part two of a two-part episode, where you will get to listen to Matt and I react to the draft as it happened. This is everything that happened post-lottery, with picks 15 to 30. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Vecenie and Matt Pennie dive deep into the 2022 NBA Draft, breaking it all down as it happened live in front of them. This is part one of a two-part episode, where the duo breaks down Paolo Banchero's surprising choice at No. 1 overall, Chet Holmgren at No. 2, Jabari Smith at No. 3, and plenty more as the lottery unfolded in a wild manner over the course of the first two hours of the evening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, James Edwards from The Athletic joins to break down the Jerami Grant deal that saw the Pistons move Grant to the Trail Blazers for a first round pick, some pick swapping and two seconds. Then, they break down the offseasons for the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Sam Vecenie and Matt Pennie dive deep into a number of 2022 NBA Draft props. We run through what's going on with the No. 1 overall pick markets, debate No. 2 and No. 3, then we dive deep into about a dozen Draft Slot Over/Unders for prospects, including AJ Griffin, Tyty Washington, Jalen Duren, Dyson Daniels, Mark Williams, Jeremy Sochan, and many more. Then, we jump into answering YOUR questions, diving into Johnny Davis, Walker Kessler, our favorite prospects, our favorite fits, and plenty more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie joins Sam Vecenie to break down the 2022 NBA Draft. They do a 1 through 30 mock draft, diving deep into each pick! In between the fourth and fifth picks, they break down the Christian Wood trade from Houston to Dallas. And after, they do a quick mailbag with produces Jacob and Zach. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie joins Sam Vecenie on the show and they dive deep into the 2022 NBA Draft Class and its top prospects. Jabari Smith, Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren, Jaden Ivey, and plenty others. Instead of talking about the players, they dive into their favorite fits for each of the lottery prospects in the class. We chat about the places a player could end up for peak fun, the way they fit with each roster if it will help idealize their best situation, potential fits with coaching staffs, with styles of play, with players that will help actualize their skill set. We dive into a fun conversation about who fits best where. Then, we finish with a fun mailbag that includes something called Pirate's Booty. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Fred Katz and Sam dive deep into the 2022 NBA Offseason. We start with 10 minutes on the NBA Finals in Game 2. But then, we go into conversations and big questions that will be raised by each team this offseason. We dive deep into the Atlantic Division here. We start with Boston, then go Brooklyn, the Knicks, the 76ers then the Raptors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Danny Leroux and Sam dive deep into the 2022 NBA Offseason. We start with 10 minutes on the NBA Finals. But then, we go into conversations and big questions that will be raised by each team this offseason. We start with the Southwest Division, going in alphabetical order starting with Dallas, Houston, Memphis, New Orleans, San Antonio. Then in order, we go through the Northwest Division of Denver, Minnesota, Oklahoma City, Portland and Utah. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Matt Pennie joins Sam Vecenie to break down the 2022 NBA Draft and its Early Entry Deadline Decisions. Who made critical decisions that will have ramifications? Who were the winners and losers? We dive deep into Drew Timme, Julian Strawther, Gonzaga, Marcus Sasser and Houston, Michigan, Caleb Houston and Moussa Diabate, NC State with Terquavion Smith and Dereon Seabron, Kansas with Kevin McCullar and Jalen Wilson, Harrison Ingram and Stanford, Trevor Keels and Duke, Trayce Jackson-Davis and Indiana, Justin Lewis and Marquette, Ryan Rollins and Toledo, Josh Minott and Memphis, Aminu Mohammed and Georgetown, and plenty of other big decisions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Matt Pennie joins the show to discuss a number of different things. First, we start with the Celtics-Heat series for 15 minutes, breaking down that series, the Al Horford renaissance, and more. Then, we move to a discussion of how the NBA playoffs impact NBA Draft evaluations. Should we be considering all of this given how quickly the game changes? How far forward should you be looking? And how does this impact certain prospects like Jalen Duren, Mark Williams, and the top prospects in the 2022 NBA Draft? Then, we go to post-combine takes, and the narratives that seem to be forming. Finally, we close with a long mailbag where we answer an awful lot of great questions from our incredible listeners Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2022 NBA Draft Combine has come and gone, and it's time to dive into everything that happened in Chicago this week. Adam Spinella from The Box And One joins us to dive into everything we saw this week. What do we actually take away from the combine? What is worthwhile and what isn't? How do we avoid falling into combine traps? Then, who were the winners and losers of Combine week? How Jalen Williams, Terquavion Smith and others took advantage of their opportunity and ran with it. Finally, we chat about two guys that Adam is going against the consensus on. Why he's higher on Jaden Hardy than most, and why he's lower on A.J. Griffin than most. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie joins Sam Vecenie to break down the 2022 NBA Draft, now that we finally have a set order and we're ready to go when the event goes down one month from now. The top-four picks will be held by Orlando, Oklahoma City, Houston and Sacramento. What else is there to know? Matt and Sam break it down with a mock draft. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the podcast, Sam is joined by two guests. First, Kane Pitman joins the show to break down the Celtics win over the Bucks. One of the best first round series in a while, the Celtics blew out Milwaukee from the 3-point line. What happened? Then, we do a mini preview of the Heat-Celtics series. Then, Kellan Olson is here, and we dive into a completely baffling Suns blow out loss to the Mavericks, where they looked entirely overmatched from the first moment onward. Is it even explainable what happened here to the NBA's most consistent team? How does Dallas match up with Golden State? And most importantly now for Phoenix, where do the Suns even go from here following that game? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In episode two of the Future of Sports series, The Athletic's Mike Smeltz looks at how the team experience may change in the future: increased use of technology in gameplay, robotic umpires and the unique initiatives of a startup sports league. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In episode one of the Future of Sports series, The Athletic's Mike Smeltz looks at how the fan experience may change: how going to games, watching games at home and how memorabilia is shifting from physical to digital. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie joins Sam Vecenie to break down the 2022 NBA Draft Combine Invite list, with Sam going on a rant explaining why the selection process for the combine is flawed and needs to change. But first, we start on Giannis Antetokounmpo, why he's the best player in the league, and why Boston fan Matt is frustrated with how he gets officiated. Then we move to an MVP discussion, and whether or not the playoffs and how the bigs in the MVP race have played changes the discussion as it refers to the 2022 NBA Draft. Finally, we close with a mailbag! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, James Edwards from The Athletic joins the show and we chat about the NBA, MVP, and the playoffs. We start with 10 minutes on MVP, which NIkola Jokic reportedly has won. James had a vote, and explained why he voted for Jokic. I explain why the whole conversation this year just bummed me out. Then, we dive into all of the playoff series. We start with 76ers-Heat, then we move to Mavs-Suns, then to Warriors-Grizzlies, then some quick thoughts on Bucks-Celtics (because they play as this podcast is getting released). Finally, I talk to James about Jaden Ivey, and why I love a potential fit with the Pistons and Jaden Ivey if he ends up there on draft night while James has been a bit more skeptical. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie joins Sam Vecenie to break down how Bigfoot stole his AirPods at LegoLand, then we discuss the Celtics-Bucks series, Dillon Brooks' WTF foul on Gary Payton II; A deep dive into Leonard Miller from a scouting perspective in the 2022 NBA Draft; then, we do mailbag questions! A packed, fun show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Matt Pennie and Sam Vecenie dive deep into the 2022 NBA Draft with a Mock Draft! See where Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero, Jaden Ivey, Jabari Smith, Shaedon Sharpe, and 25 other players end up! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Sam Vecenie is joined by Cole Huff to chat about the NBA playoffs. We start with a deep dive into the Brooklyn Nets and their sweep at the hands of the Boston Celtics. Then, we dive into why the Celtics should be considered the favorite right now in the Eastern Conference.  Then, we move to the Raptors-76ers series, and we do a deep dive on that series explaining why the Raptors are in a good position here moving forward despite going down 3-0 and bringing it back to 3-2 with the Sixers set to travel back to Toronto. Then, we move to Utah, where the Jazz are a mess because of their perimeter defense and look unlikely to mount much of a game against Dallas in Game Six based off of what we've seen so far.  Finally we finish on the Pelicans-Suns series. The Pelicans are good! We break down why that is, and why the team is poised to give Phoenix all it can in the next few games with that series at 2-2. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Sam Vecenie is joined by Matt Pennie and they dive deep into a number of things. First, they talk about the Boston Celtics-Brooklyn Nets series, some of the factors that have led to Boston taking a 2-0 lead in the series, and then focus specifically on how Boston's success drafting this team has made them the most positive draft story of the 2022 season. The narrative that Danny Ainge couldn't draft should be dead. Then, they move into talking about Jay Wright, a coach with an incredible career whose retirement has brought out so many of the terrible takes that Twitter can bring. Why Jay Wright's retirement doesn't mean that college basketball is dying, and why the transfer portal and NIL rights are GOOD for college basketball. Then, they chat about Shaedon Sharpe, and his NBA Draft situation after he announced that he is declaring for the draft and after media reports announced that he will be in the draft for good. We dive deep into his game, the situation surrounding him, and plenty more. Finally, mailbag! We answer your questions on scouting defense, on if there is another Herb Jones in this class, some of the potential early rotation players who will be drafted later in this class. And plenty, plenty more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The second part of a two-part episode breaking down the NBA playoffs Game 1 action. We chat a lot about Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves, the Nuggets' lineup struggles against the Warriors, the Grizzlies-Timberwolves super fun series, the Mike Budenholzer experience, and Chris Paul going absolute god mode in Game 1 versus the Pelicans Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the first part of a two-part Game Theory episode, Sam is joined by Jared Weiss to dive deep into an instant classic: the Celtics beat the Nets on a killer late layup by Jayson Tatum. They outlasted an unbelievable Kyrie Irving performance that included 39 points, six assists, five rebounds, at least four middle fingers to the crowd, and one expletive-filled interaction with a fan.  What do we make of this series moving forward? How does Brooklyn respond? Can Boston keep taking advantage of these mismatches they're getting? Should the Nets try to get Ben Simmons back as early as possible? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dave DuFour joins the show, and we run through a quick preview of the play-in games: Cleveland-Brooklyn, Minnesota-Clippers, Hawks-Hornets, Spurs-Pelicans. However, the meat of the show is a deep dive into All-Defense teams. We do that in the most fun way possible: we try to competitively draft All-Defense teams. We try to pick the best All-Defense team possible, and will send it to the listeners: who drafted the best All-Defense team, Dave or Sam? Then, we jump into some stray rookie thoughts, including Rookie of the Year and an explanation as to my pick in the Scottie Barnes versus Evan Mobley conundrum (as well as where Cade Cunningham fits into the mix). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie joins Sam Vecenie to discuss the Final Four in New Orleans! We got to hang out! Sam is stuck in the health and safety protocols with a COVID diagnosis in Portland! But more than that, we also got to see a number of awesome games and prospects, including the best matchup I've ever seen in person, the Duke-UNC game that doubled as Coach K's last game. On top of that, Kansas-Villanova played a fun game, then Kansas went on to beat North Carolina to win the national title! All of the prospects including Paolo Banchero, AJ Griffin, Wendell Moore, Mark Williams, Ochai Agbaji, Christian Braun, Caleb Love, Armando Bacot and more. Then, we chat about some prospects who recently declared for the 2022 NBA Draft, including Ryan Rollins and others. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Sam chats with Matt Moore from The Action Network to dive deep into everything NBA MVP as we get into the final week of the season. Is this truly a three-man race between Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid? Could anyone like Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Luka Doncic, or others crash the party? We do a dive on ALL of the candidates, including deep dives on Giannis, Jokic and Embiid. We discuss the candidates in comparison to one another without getting particularly negative on anyone, and we come up with a ballot for each of us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Matt Pennie joins the show to break down all of the action we saw this weekend during the Sweet 16 and the Elite 8. Particularly, we focus on the teams who progressed to the Final Four. We talk for 25 minutes about Duke, its prospects, and Coach K. Is Mark Williams a lottery guy? Who is Duke's second-best prospect?  Then we move forward into Kansas, Villanova and North Carolina, and dive deep into some of the players who have had some success over the course of the tournament. We then move toward the Sweet 16 action we saw, including some stuff on Jaden Ivey, Chet Holmgren, Jaylin Williams, and plenty more. Then my internet goes out and we end the podcast early! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie joins Sam Vecenie to dive DEEP into the first and second rounds of the 2022 NCAA Tournament! We jump in about St. Peter's and how they've found success under Shaheen Holloway, then dive into some draft prospects. Who succeeded and failed in their auditions for NBA teams? Who was the player that helped themselves most? We talk Chet Holmgren and his game against Memphis, Jabari Smith against Miami, Paolo Banchero, Jaden Ivey, Johnny Davis, Benn Mathurin and Arizona, Tennessee and Michigan, Malaki Branham and plenty more. Then, we look forward to the weekend, and what games we're most excited to see this weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is one of the best NBA seasons ever, and it's because the star power across the league is playing at the highest level imaginable. The league has never been deeper with stars than it is right now. For 20 minutes, Danny Leroux joins the show and we talk about all of the utterly elite performances we're seeing on a nightly basis from Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, Giannis, Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker, Steph prior to his injury, LeBron, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka, Trae Young, Darius Garland, Ja Morant and all of the other amazing players who have continued to step up league wide.  Then, we talk about the MVP race between Jokic, Embiid and Giannis, and finished with some talk about the weird Defensive Player of the Year race, which is littered with injuries from the best candidates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Vecenie and Matt Pennie are here to break down all of the NCAA Tournament Bracket reveal. We run through region by region, breaking down all of the matchups, the NBA prospects, the big picture takeaways, and more from an eventful Sunday in sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Matt Pennie joins Sam Vecenie and they talk about eight players who have the most to gain or lose as March Madness gets going. The first of those names is Chet Holmgren, and they start with 20 minutes on the conversation surrounding Chet, including why he's such a monster and why the conversation needs to shift from what he doesn't have to how complete his game is. (0:00-20:00) Then, they chat about Ochai Agbaji, Jaden Ivey, AJ Griffin, TyTy Washington, Tari Eason, Dalen Terry, Alondes Williams and Jake LaRavia. (20:00-42:00 Then, they talk NBA Draft Prospects of the Week: Ryan Rollins at Toledo and Matthew Murrell at Ole Miss. (42:00-50:00). Then, they answer mailbag questions (50:00-1:00:00). Finally they close with 15 minutes on The Batman, a fantastic new entry into the series of Batman films from Matt Reeves (1:00:00-end). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Sam Vecenie is joined by Matt Pennie to answer questions regarding the 2022 NBA Draft as we head into March Madness. We start by addressing the MANY rumors that he is a candidate to take over as head coach at his alma mater, UMass. Then we actually dive into draft questions. We address weaknesses that the top pick candidates have in 2022, the best teams to watch in the NCAA Tournament for NBA fans, the players most likely to spike up the board come March Madness. In all, I think we answered over 30 questions in 90 minutes, so we covered a lot of ground! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Schlecht joins the podcast, and we discuss a fun topic today: how do NBA teams keep fans engaged when the team is tanking? On top of that, how do you be a fan of a rebuilding team? The Oklahoma City Thunder have done a great job of both this season, featuring in the top half of all NBA teams in local TV ratings while also putting a fun, exciting product on the floor while losing, so Schlecht joins the show to break down what they've done right. On top of it, we then create a to-do list for all teams and fans for how to create an exciting tanking situation that keeps everyone enthusiastic about the product. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony Jones joins the show with Sam Vecenie to give some fun bold predictions for the rest of the 2022 NBA season in the Western Conference! This is the second part of a two-part episode. The Eastern Conference with Dave DuFour came earlier in the week. In this episode, Sam and Dave bounce back hot takes about the way the rest of the Western Conference season will go. Will the Pelicans get Zion Williamson answers? Can the Lakers do anything to end the season? Will Mikal Bridges win Defensive Player of the Year? Will the Jazz have playoff success? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie joins Sam Vecenie in this episode to mock the 2022 NBA Draft by doing a mock draft. At first, we dive deep on the depth of the 2022 draft, breaking down the class as a whole. Then, we make 30 picks. All of the first round. It's fun! See where Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero, Jabari Smith, Jaden Ivey, and plenty more end up! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dave DuFour joins the show with Sam Vecenie to give some fun bold predictions for the rest of the 2022 NBA season in the Eastern Conference! This is the first part of a two-part episode, with the second part coming on Wednesday on the Western Conference.  In this episode, Sam and Dave bounce back hot takes about the way the rest of the Eastern Conference season will go. Giannis for MVP? Chicago out in the playoffs early? DeMar DeRozan makes the Hall of Fame on the back of this season? The Cavaliers fall to the play-in tournament? Or the Cavaliers rise to the No. 1 seed? Boston makes a run and wins two playoff series? All those takes and more, including a random aside on Nikola Jokic and his elite play so far. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Matt Pennie joins Sam Vecenie to break down the 2022 NBA Draft by answering 21 Questions to re-set the process as we get beyond the Super Bowl and basketball starts to take center stage in the consciousness. 1. What is your overall thought on the 2022 NBA Draft as we get past the Super Bowl and into the part of the year where everything starts to focus on basketball? 2. Who are the contenders for the No. 1 overall pick? 3. Chet Holmgren is dominating. Do we chalk this up to playing in the WCC or genuine improvement throughout the year? 4. Paolo Banchero has slowed down just a bit from his early dominance, averaging 14.9 points on 14.9 shots per game over his last seven. Is he still a candidate? 5. What makes Jabari Smith such an elite prospect? 6. Whether or not you agree, scouts generally have Jaden Ivey as the clear top guard prospect. Do you think Purdue's scheme holds him back in terms of production and efficiency, or do you think believe that he's just a bit limited skill wise? 7. Who has been the clear breakout prospect of the 2022 NBA Draft cycle? 8. Shaedon Sharpe is the 2022 NBA Draft cycle wild card. Where would he be ranked if he enters this process? 9. The G League Ignite has a group of players this year that could end up being draft picks. Who is the best of that group, and is this a particularly interesting crop of players? 10. Can we expect much from the international class this year? 11. Overtime Elite: How is the first year going, and are there interesting prospects there? 12. How deep do we believe the 2022 NBA Draft is? 13. In that vein, it seems like there is a bizarre mix this year of players who are upperclassmen and more ready to play but with lower upsides, and freshmen who are high-upside but total wild cards. What do scouts do with this? 14. What do players do with this? Should these players who aren't actually ready for the NBA try to learn on the job as pros? What kind of risk factor do they have? 15. Who do you see as being the player that is being undervalued right now? Is there a potential lottery guy hiding in plain sight? 16. For a non-college basketball fan, which teams could they tune into in order to learn the most about this class? Are there teams that play enough of an interesting schedule, or have enough interesting prospects to make such a viewing experience worthwhile? 17. Heading into the NCAA Tournament and conference touranmetns, what players do you think can really emerge, given there is SO MUCH opportunity for such emergences? 18. Mailbag question 19. Mailbag question 20. Mailbag question 21. Have you watched any movies/TV shows this week? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Vecenie is joined by a pair of awesome guests to break down one of the most action-packed NBA Trade Deadlines in recent memory. First, Michael Levin of The Rights to Ricky Sanchez and TV writer fame joins to break down the Ben Simmons-James Harden deal, the biggest midseason trade that has happened in the NBA in a long time.  Then, Mo Dakhil joins to break down the rest of the NBA Trade Deadline. We chat Simmons-Harden for a bit at the top, then move to the Kristaps Porzingis move, the Derrick White trade to Boston, the four-teamer involving Donte Divincenzo and Marvin Bagley, the Thad Young-Goran Dragic deal and everything else that occurred -- or in the Lakers case, did not occur -- on a wild deadline day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Matt Pennie joins Sam Vecenie to dive deep into the trades that have occurred in the NBA thus far at the deadline. They start with the Tyrese Haliburton for Domantas Sabonis deal. They talk a lot about the Kings, and what exactly their plan is here. Then they move to the McCollum deal, one that seems almost impossible to evaluate without knowing the context of where Zion Williamson is in his recovery. Finally, they talk Levert, and he figures to help Cleveland. Then they move to Chet Holmgren, and discuss how the Gonzaga center has upended the Race for No. 1 in our weekly segment. They get into the center crop of Walker Kessler, Mark Williams and Christian Koloko next, wondering if the two of us are collectively underrating that trio given their relatively high floors. Finally, they move to Prospects of the Week, and some final Oscars nominations talk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Vecenie is joined by The Athletic contributor and pro basketball player Cole Huff to run through some things within the NBA. They start on the Norman Powell/Robert Covington/Keon Johnson deal briefly, then they move to the Wizards being kind of a mess. Should Bradley Beal ask out? What should the team do at the deadline? They then chat about 76ers and the Nets potentially talking again about a Ben Simmons-James Harden swap, they give a fake trade that might make some sense, then discuss whether or not such a trade makes sense. How would Simmons and Harden fit in their respective situations? Then they chat about the Lakers, and they finish on some of their favorite players to watch right now league-wide -- including a discussion on guards Darius Garland and Jalen Brunson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Matt Pennie is here and Sam is sick with vaccine side effects! They trudge through anyway, diving deep on a few topics. First, they break down the race to be the first guard selected in the 2022 NBA Draft. Is it Wisconsin's Johnny Davis, or Purdue's Jaden Ivey? Then, we move to the race to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. We recap Jabari Smith, Paolo Banchero and Chet Holmgren's weeks, or look forward to what they have coming up. We move on to a group of freshmen that have stood out in recent weeks, including Peyton Watson, Max Christie, Jeremy Sochan, AJ Griffin and Josh Minott.  Finally, we close on mailbag questions, which were awesome this week. And on our Game Theory Prospects of the Week, Justin Lewis from Marquette and DaRon Holmes from Dayton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Edwards from The Athletic joins the show! We break down a few items from the NBA Trade Deadline market, including the Kings apparently being out on Ben Simmons and the Pacers setting a hilarious Caris LeVert price tag, per reports.  Then, we chat about the All-Star teams. We break down the All-Star starters that were named in the East and West last night, including the Andrew Wiggins inclusion. Then, we make our picks for All-Star reserves, including what is an absolute bloodbath in the East and a pretty straight forward choice in the West. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Matt Pennie joins Sam Vecenie to run through a million things. First, we start with the Ben Simmons/James Harden rumors that have percolated in the last 24 hours. Then, we move to the Shaedon Sharpe report, and what makes him such an interesting prospect for the 2022 NBA Draft if he is eligible and decides to go down that route.  Then we talk #PennieFieldTrip, where this weekend Pennie went to Auburn-Kentucky, a G League Ignite game, and an OTE game. We break down Walker Kessler, Jabari Smith, the Auburn crowd, Jaden Hardy, Dyson Daniels, MarJon Beauchamp, Michael Foster, the OTE experience, Jean Montero, Dom Barlow and more.  We close with mailbag questions and our two Game Theory Prospects of the week, Isiaih Mosley from Missouri State and Colby Jones from Xavier. Then we talk "Random Movies Sam sees on TV while searching for Australian Sports." We close on Yellowjackets for a 10-minute, spoiler-ridden conversation that goes from 1:35:00 to 1:48:00. Then a late breaking addition to the pod comes at the end, when they talk Chris Mack and Louisville consciously uncoupling, per a report from The Athletic's Seth Davis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Athletic's Jared Weiss joins Sam Vecenie to talk about the NBA Trade Deadline, giving a deep dive on where the market stands by talking about the teams and players that will shape this season's event. We dive deep into the following players: Ben Simmons, Myles Turner, Caris LeVert, Jerami Grant, Eric Gordon , Marcus Smart, Talen Horton Tucker, Buddy Hield, Robert Covington, Joe Ingles, and Kenrich Williams as a stand-in for all of the guys under the radar who could help teams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Matt Pennie joins Sam Vecenie where they draft college hoops. Particularly, if you had to win a game tomorrow, who would you pick in college hoops? We dive deep, and select eight players each that we would use to fill out a lineup and bench. Team Pennie vs. Team Vecenie: Who You Got? Also, we do a mailbag section with questions on Christian Braun, most shocking NBA Draft picks we can remember, the player ranked in the 20s most likely to become a lottery pick, and the worst movie we've seen. Also, Game Theory Prospects of the Week: Mark Williams from Duke, and Iverson Molinar from Mississippi State. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's that time of the month! It's Mock Draft SZN. In this episode, Matt Pennie and Sam Vecenie trade off picks, deep diving into the 2022 NBA Draft. We deep dive into players like Jabari Smith, Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren, Jaden Ivey, Johnny Davis, Keegan Murray, TyTy Washington, Blake Wesley, Ochai Agbaji, Dyson Daniels, Jaden Hardy, and plenty others as we run through 30 picks over two hours. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fred Katz joins Sam Vecenie to hand out some Game Theory midseason NBA hardware! Fred joins and we run give out our ballots for MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Most Improved, and Sixth Man of the Year, while also doing All-NBA and All-Defense at the end. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Seth Partnow joins Sam Vecenie to re-draft the 2019 NBA Draft! Should Ja Morant have gone No. 1 overall, or Zion Williamson? Is Darius Garland a future all-star? Tyler Herro or Jordan Poole? R.J. Barrett or De'Andre Hunter? How has this draft gone so poorly in terms of providing value thus far? What happened? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie joins Sam Vecenie on the show this week to break down the NBA's rookie class at the midway point of the 2021-22 NBA season. They start with asking the simple question: who has been the best rookie in the 2021-22 NBA rookie class? They talk Evan Mobley, Scottie Barnes, Jalen Green, Jalen Suggs, Cade Cunningham, Franz Wagner, Josh Giddey and plenty more. Then, they answer mailbag questions, including ones on Keegan Murray and EJ Liddell, Johnny Davis and the best prospect games we've seen this year, and freshmen who are having a tough season. Finally, they recognize prospects of the week, Dereon Seabron and Kellan Grady. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Matt Pennie joins Sam Vecenie after a stint in the health and safety protocols. First, they spend 20 minutes chatting about the Boston Celtics. Why are they a mess? What can they do to fix it? How should they go about building this roster long-term? Then, they move to 2022 NBA Draft Wings. First, they break down who they believe to be the top wing in the 2022 NBA Draft, a conversation about Arizona's Benn Mathurin and Baylor's Kendall Brown. Next, they break down a bunch of other wings, including Johnny Davis, AJ Griffin, Ochai Agbaji, MarJon Beauchamp, Trevor Keels, Blake Wesley, Bryce McGowens and Max Christie, Peyton Watson, Caleb Houstan, Harrison Ingram, and more. They close with the Game Theory Prospects of the Week, Aminu Mohammed and Tari Eason; And finally, with draft mailbag questions, including stuff on the Cleveland Cavaliers vs the Memphis Grizzlies; Jonathan Kuminga; and Analytics in Draft Analysis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Then we actually get to the point of what we wanted to talk about after 25 minutes. We chat about NBA teams that have given us joy this season. Particularly, we end up spending a lot of time talking about the Cavaliers, who have been incredible, and the Grizzlies, who are so fun even without Ja Morant. Then we close with a little bit of NBA Draft talk, including some thoughts on Kyle's beloved Kentucky Wildcats and TyTy Washington, as well as some stuff on the first overall pick race. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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:  -How does the top-four in the 2022 NBA Draft compare to 2021's top-four?  -How does Jalen Duren compare to other lottery big guys? -How good is Johnny Davis and where is he ranked? -Who is the best guard defender in the class?  -What to do with the Detroit Pistons? And many more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.  Then, we move to mailbag questions. How often do the two of us look at Draft Twitter? Where would Emoni Bates be taken in the 2022 NBA Draft? How would we rank the Arizona prospects: Bennedict Mathurin, Christian Koloko, Azuolas Tubelis and Dalen Terry?  Finally, we finish with our Game Theory NBA Draft Prospects of the Week. Pennie's is Terrence Shannon Jr from Texas Tech, and Sam's is Pete Nance from Northwestern. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Also, go subscribe to the Game Theory YouTube page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Then, we move to the Lakers. What a weird Lakers season so far. Jovan and I dive deep into everything we've seen from Los Angeles thus far, including the Russell Westbrook fit, the lack of continuity lineup wise due to absences, the defensive issues on the perimeter, and the question of Frank Vogel as coach. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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? Then, Danny and I chat about the rest of the Western Conference, with special focus on the middle teams. We play a little game of Buy/Sell/Hold teams in the West, including the Lakers, Nuggets, Timberwolves, Mavericks, Clippers, Grizzlies, Spurs, and Trail Blazers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Then, we get into the meat of the episode, and break down the two best teams in the NBA, the Warriors and Suns. We spend time waxing poetically about Deandre Ayton and the Suns' defense. Then, we chat about the Warriors, the impending return of Klay Thompson, the weird situation surrounding James Wiseman, and more. We also close on the Timberwolves, where I make a bold prediction regarding the team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie is here with Sam to talk a little NBA Draft. We each pose four Fact or Fiction-style questions to each other without any prep, and dive deep into the NBA Draft. Your eight statements that are decided upon in terms of fact/fiction -This is the best start to a college basketball season in the last decade -Jaden Ivey has solidified himself as a top-five pick in the 2022 NBA Draft -Kendall Brown has solidified himself as a top-8 guy in the 2022 NBA Draft -Max Christie is the first Michigan prospect taken in the 2022 NBA Draft -Tyrese Hunter is a better prospect than Kennedy Chandler -The 2022 NBA Draft Class has the worst lead guard crop since the 2015 NBA Draft -Paolo Banchero and Chet Holmgren are the only two players that have a real shot to go No 1 overall -Chet Holmgren is not the only 2022 first round pick on the Gonzaga Bulldogs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 21 Questions Covered: Are the Golden State Warriors the NBA title favorites?  Fact or fiction? From the mid-point of last year onward, Stephen Curry has been the best player in the NBA It seems like there is a consistent outrage economy right now surrounding the Brooklyn Nets. The Brooklyn Nets are also 11-5, and currently tied for the first place in the Eastern Conference. How do we feel about the Nets right now, and do we think something is off or that they're fine? The Phoenix Suns are on a 10-game winning streak and look like a buzzsaw again because of Chris Paul. Are we ever going to see someone like Paul again? A small point who lasts into his late 30s and dominates games in this way.  How are the Washington Wizards doing this?  Which team of the following are you most panicked about? Milwaukee, Boston, Atlanta We're about one-fifth of the way through the season. Who is the team that decides at the deadline that it's time to break up some of their core and make a big trade that acts more as a "seller." Okay, the obligatory three minutes that every podcast must do on Ben Simmons. It feels like this thing goes through cycles of pressure, and that the pressure has been ratcheted down again. A deal isn't close now, but do we think Simmons finishes the season as a Sixer, and what is a potential move that actually makes sense? But speaking of Simmons, the 76ers have a burgeoning star right now in Tyrese Maxey. How has Maxey gone about making this leap into looking like the point guard of the future for the 76ers? The closest team to you for the last couple of years has been San Antonio, so you've gotten a close look at DeMar DeRozan when everyone seemed to tune the Spurs out. Do we think that like, people just weren't watching how good he was last year? Why do people seem to be surprised that he's been as great as he's been in Chicago? The hardest team for me to figure out in the NBA right now is the Dallas Mavericks. They are 9-5. Ostensibly, they're winning games. They are also below the league average in both offense and defense, have a negative point differential, and Luka Doncic hasn't quite worked his way back into the peak of his powers. Are you buying or selling the Mavericks long-term? The Clippers are 9-6 and holding steady without Kawhi. Is there a more important player to his team in the NBA right now than Paul George? Who is the most fun team in the NBA, and why is it the Memphis Grizzlies? Who is the least fun team in the NBA right now, and why is it the New Orleans Pelicans?  Every season since 1991, there have been at least two players who have never made the All-NBA team make the team for the first time. Who are your picks for those two players this year? Every year since 2006, there has been at least one new player to make the All-Defense team int he NBA. Who is your pick among players that have never made All-Defense?  The Lakers are 25th in offensive rating, and are only 8-8 despite playing the fifth-easiest schedule thus far in the league. Do we think the problems expand beyond "no LeBron James" for the Lakers, or is it just a matter of getting him back and starting to roll? The Nuggets have no Michael Porter Jr. and no Jamal Murray. They are shooting 30 percent from 3. How in the world does this team still have a winning record?  How do we think the Neil Olshey inquiry ends following the "fair and independent review" of the workplace environment that he has fostered since running the Trail Blazers? The Cavs are starting to come back down to earth with losses to Boston, Brooklyn and Golden State. Do you believe it's important for them to compete this year, or is it fine if they are still a year away given that they seem to have found the actual organizational centerpiece in Evan Mobley?  Have you accepted Pokuism, the belief that Aleksej Pokusevski is your basketball lord and savior? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's back! Pennie and Vecenie go back and forth, doing a deep dive on the 2022 NBA Draft, Mock Draft style, making picks out to No. 30 back and forth in an exercise that will almost assuredly make us look dumb as soon as next week, given this draft class. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie is here to record a first reaction episode to the Champions' Classic on the NBA Draft. We dive into Paolo Banchero, Trevor Keels and Ochai Agbaji as well as all of the many other prospects who played on Tuesday in the opener. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rob Dauster joins to run through everything you need to know about the 2021-22 college basketball season, 21 Questions style. College basketball is older than it's been in years due to the decision to grant an extra year of eligibility. Does that mean we think the quality will be better? What is your favorite preseason bet on winning the national title? Who is your national player of the Year pick? Do we buy the Gonzaga hype?  ACC: This is Coach K's farewell season. Will you miss him? And do we think this Duke team has a chance to actually win the title given that they are ranked top-five in the preseason? ACC: Is the ACC kind of down this year? I have no first round prospects in the ACC right now outside of Duke. Duke is the only top-20 KenPom team at 10.  Big East: Are we sure that Villanova is by far the favorite? Who is the No. 2 team in the Big East?  Big Ten: The Big 10 is definitely the best league, right? Michigan, Illinois, Purdue and Ohio State look loaded. Maryland and Michigan State are talented. Big Ten: Kofi Cockburn, Trevion Williams, Hunter Dickinson, EJ Liddell, Trayce Jackson Davis, Zach Edey, even Keegan Murray to an extent. Can you remember the last time a league had this many great bigs? Big 12: Am I missing something on Kansas? Big 12: this race feels totally open to me. This is not just a Kansas walkover right?  Pac-12: UCLA went to the Final Four, returned all of its top-10 rotation players, and brought in Myles Johnson and Peyton Watson? Do we think they're the Final Four team that got hot late, or more the early season team that struggled last year? Pac-12: This is a weird league. Do we buy Arizona coming back to relevance? Can Oregon's transfers coalesce? USC without Evan Mobley? Colorado is a top-40 team without McKinley Wright? Is the SEC the deepest league? It feels like the most talented, athletic league to me across the board.  How weird is this Kentucky team?  AAC: Houston and Memphis are considered the two best teams in the league in the preseason. Which one do you like better? Anything teams you're looking forward to seeing? MWC, A10, MVC, rest of WCC: Who is the best team in these leagues? Best mid/low-major team?  Who is the most underrated team in the country?  Who will win the national title? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pennie and Vecenie are here, and we chat about the second-year players across the NBA. First though, we do a little news recap including the Robert Sarver report, the Celtics team meeting, and some rookie scale options being declined. We run through Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, James Wiseman, Pat Williams, Tyrese Haliburton, the Pistons' guys, Desmond Bane, Cole Anthony, and plenty others. On top of that, when we dive into Precious Achiuwa, I make sure to spend some time on the Raptors given that the previous 21 Questions podcast was only 20 questions because I missed one on the Raps. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nekias Duncan from The Dunker Spot and Basketball News is here to dive into what we've seen from the NBA thus far. Questions on the Bulls, the Heat, Evan Mobley, the Celtics, Zion and plenty more. Full list below: Is the Miami Heat the best team in the NBA? I think they're the best, most complete team I've seen this year.  We definitely trust Jimmy, Bam and Kyle at this point. But do we think that this Tyler Herro two-week star turn is real? The Chicago Bulls are the other team I've probably enjoyed watching most this year in the East. Do you believe in the Bulls yet, and how much does the Pat Williams injury hurt them? DeMar DeRozan: closer to the Hall of Fame than we think? My case: by the end of the year, DeRozan will likely be right around No. 55 all-time in scoring. At the end of next year if he averages 20 points per night, he'll be around No. 43. All of the top-48 scorers all time are in the HOF?  Boston might be a mess. What the hell is happening with the Celtics on both ends of the floor, where they don't look good in any regard? What do you think of foul calls league-wide? Are you a fan of fewer fouls being called on shots? Is there room for improvement?  Speaking of the fouling thing, do we think the narrative that some players have been affected by the new interpretation of the rules is true? For example, do we believe that James Harden is more just working his way back into shape, or do we think he's actually playing at a less elite level due to officiating? Who is your favorite league pass team so far? You don't really watch a ton of college basketball, but you've now seen this rookie class for a couple of weeks. How excited are you about Evan Mobley literally transforming Cleveland's defense? The Hawks are taking more midrange jumpers than any other team in the NBA, and fewer above-the-break 3s than any team other than Phoenix or Chicago. How worried are we about the Nate McMillan era in its first full season? Up until last night against Toronto, the Knicks have been running some sweet, sweet halfcourt offense. They were literally first in the NBA in points per possession out of halfcourt, per Synergy, at 1.033. Do we trust this to hold up? Toronto is 5-3 after a road win against the Knicks. Do we trust Toronto's weird mix of guys between 6-foot-7 and 6-foot-10 who can sort of, kind of shoot to continue generating efficient halfcourt offense by running and taking 3s? Draymond Green has looked incredible to start the season. Are we sure he shouldn't have made the NBA 75?  Portland's defense is statistically fine but it feels a bit noisy based off of shot quality being strong for opposition. Do we think they can actually turn it around or is this the end of this core's run? The Pacers finally got a second win last night, and Caris LeVert helped them look much better. But do we think the Pacers are the most likely team to shake things up a bit pre-deadline?  How worried are you about the entirety of the Zion Williamson situation? If you were ranking players on the Lakers in terms of importance, how high would Austin Reaves rank? In other words, how worried are you about the way the depth veteran signings have played outside of Carmelo?  The Jazz are averaging the second-fewest passes per possession right now. Two years ago, they were in the top-third of the league. Despite very little personnel change overall, do you think this style of play is more sustainable for them as they try to move toward playoff success? The Wizards are winning with depth. Kyle Kuzma has been good. KCP has been good. Spencer Dinwiddie and Montrezl Harrell have given them more offensive firepower. Are we at the point where we buy the Wizards as a playoff team?  Small sample size theatre: which top-10 defense do we buy most so far: Minnesota, Chicago, or Dallas? The all-important No. 1 question comes last: Have you accepted Aleksej Pokusevski as the basketball lord and savior? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie joins Sam to break down the first week we've seen from the NBA's rookies so far. Special attention to Evan Mobley, Scottie Barnes, Jalen Green, Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, Chris Duarte, Josh Giddey and Davion Mitchell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony Jones from The Athletic is here, we run through the NBA's first week by breaking down its contenders and more. We dive in by discussing some of the weaknesses the league has shown so far. We start with Brooklyn, then go to the Lakers. Then, we move to the East and run through Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Atlanta (not Miami just because I haven't seen them yet). Then we run through Utah, Denver, Phoenix, the Clippers, the Mavs, and the hit on plenty of other teams throughout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Danny Leroux joins for a new style of episode jumping around the NBA to talk about the NBA's first games, including Giannis, the Mavericks, the Hawks, and plenty other topics. The goal here is to do a show where we can talk about a lot of things within an hour and have fun doing so. We spend approximately three minutes on each question, and they include: -what team disappointed you most with their opener? -What team surprised you most? -If Giannis learned how to shoot pull-ups like he showed confidence with in the opener, how drastically does that alter the MVP/best player in the world discussion? -Did the Suns make the right or wrong call not extending DeAndre Ayton? -Is Anthony Edwards the most fun player in the NBA? -Kings! I think my pick for first time all-star in the west this year is De’Aaron Fox in a wild card slot. Are you as high on Fox as I am? -Can Eric Bledsoe sustain in a Bruce Brown-like role from last year?  -The Spurs were really fun against the Magic. Who is your favorite young guy on the Spurs? -How long does this three-big experiment last for the Cavaliers?  -Can Will Barton bring the Nuggets jusssstttttt enough offense to keep the perimeter play afloat while Jamal Murray is out for them to sustain as a 50-win team? -Robert Williams looks great for the Celtics. Is there a chance we look back at that deal as a legitimate steal for Boston? -the pacers tossed up 3s on 53% of their shots. They lost to the Hornets in the opener, but are you more bullish on them just based on process? -Are the Blazers a six-deep team, or do we trust Simons/Little/Snell once he gets back? -are you a believer in Pokuism, the acceptance of Aleksej Pokusevski as your basketball savior? And others! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Opening Night in the NBA! I chatted with Cole Huff from The Athletic about Warriors-Lakers and Bucks-Nets. We saw tonight that continuity matters. But, are we worried about Russell Westbrook? Do we just stay the course with the Lakers? Why Anthony Davis looks awesome. What did we think of the Warriors tonight? Then, we chat about the Bucks. Jordan Nwora looks great, Jrue Holiday looks great, and Giannis looks like he's going to destroy worlds. On top of it, the Nets are also just going to take some time but Kevin Durant remains incredible. We finish on rookie extensions. We chat about the Deandre Ayton lack of extension, followed by some thoughts on Jaren Jackson Jr., Mikal Bridges, and Kevin Huerter. Finally, Marvin Bagley III's reps threw down the gauntlet on the Kings. Some thoughts on his career so far and where it goes from here. What is the best outcome? Why this has been a bad situation for everyone involved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie and I preview the guards in the 2022 NBA Draft Class. Including Jaden Hardy, Jaden Ivey, JD Davison, Kennedy Chandler, TyTy Washington, Nolan Hickman, Aminu Mohammed, Jean Montero, Andre Curbelo, Jordan Hall, Kadary richmond, Iverson Molinar, Kendric Davis, Max Abmas, Adam Flagler, Jahvon Quinerly and some further. We also talk about my diving into Boston sports and culture in a way that I'm almost serious about. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Derek Bodner is here and we chat about the two dominant NBA storylines of the preseason that came to a head on Tuesday: Ben Simmons coming to the front door of the 76ers unannounced to return to the team, and Kyrie Irving being ruled out of all basketball activities until something changes with his vaccination status or the rules allowing him to play in home games. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dave DuFour is here to break down all of the potential awards races this year, from Kevin Durant and the narrative race for MVP; DPOY and the push for a perimeter player to win; some ROY thoughts and a sleeper to win that award; and other stuff like most likely to be traded, most interesting trade targets, and plenty more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie and I preview the wings in the 2022 NBA Draft Class. Including AJ Griffin, Peyton Watson, Johnny Juzang, Jaime Jaquez, Benn Mathurin, Dyson Daniels, and a slew of freshmen. We also talked a bit about a big Boston sports weekend with Pennie, my Instagram account dying an oil-covered death at the hands of Nicolas Cage, and we talk a lot about The Many Saints of Newark at the end. Finally, we close with four minutes on Emoni Bates' measurements that people seem to be melting down about online. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the fourth year in a row, Robby Kalland joins Sam for the only essential preview podcast: NBA Win total over/unders. This episode is on the Western Conference. We use our good friends over at BetMGM and their win total lines to dive deep into each team, and discuss what we think will happen this year for every one. The teams go in alphabetical order.  DAL: 48.5; DEN: 47.5; GSW: 48.5; HOU: 27.5; LAC: 45.5; LAL: 52.5; MEM: 41.5; MIN: 34.5; NO: 39.5; OKC: 23.5: PHX: 51.5; POR: 44.5; SAC: 36.5; SAS: 28.5; UTA: 52.5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the fourth year in a row, Robby Kalland joins Sam for the only essential preview podcast: NBA Win total over/unders. This episode is on the Eastern Conference. We use our good friends over at BetMGM and their win total lines to dive deep into each team, and discuss what we think will happen this year for every one. The teams go in alphabetical order. The numbers we go off of can be found below: ATL 47.5; BOS 45.5; BKN 56.6; CHA 38.5; CHI 42.5; CLE 26.5; DET 24.5; IND 42.5; MIA 48.5; MIL 54.5; NYK 41.5; ORL 22.5; PHI 50.5; TOR 35.5; WAS 33.5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fred Katz joins the show, and we tier the Eastern Conference into four ways: Pretenders, Play-in Contenders, Playoff Contenders, and Title Contenders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie joins Sam to run through a preseason lookahead to the 2022 NBA Draft. Who are the wing forwards that you need to know? We do deep dives on Patrick Baldwin, Jabari Smith, Caleb Houstan, Kendall Brown, Matthew Mayer, Keegan Murray, Julian Champagnie, Jabari Walker, E.J. Liddell, Michael Foster, Toumani Camara, Dawson Garcia, Moussa Diabate, then throw out some of the sleeper names we like. First though, we start on J.J. Redick's retirement, one of the most interesting careers in the last two decades of basketball Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie joins Sam to run through a preseason lookahead to the 2022 NBA Draft. Who are the big men that you need to know? We do deep dives on Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero and Jalen Duren. Then, we move onto Daimion Collins, Mark Williams, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Drew Timme, Walker Kessler, Azuolas Tubelis, Kofi Cockburn, Hunter Dickinson, Moussa Cisse. Armando Bacot, Liam Robbins, Trevion Williams, Zach Edey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The podcast where John Hollinger and I explore the biggest swing piece still remaining this offseason: Ben Simmons. What should Philadelphia do with him? What is his value? Where do we think the best landing spots are? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie is back! We break down Emoni Bates and the Memphis Tigers. We talk Kentucky getting Shaedon Sharpe, a top-5 player in the 2022 recruiting class; Then, OTE and some college hoops injuries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dieter Kurtenbach, the busiest man in Bay Area media, has returned to break down the Pacific Division's offseason moves. We do deep dives into all of Golden State, Lakers, Clippers, Phoenix, Sacramento, discussing whether or not they got better this offseason Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Edwards joins the show to break down the offseasons for all of Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Indiana, Milwaukee. We do deep dives on each and explain whether or not each of these teams looking to compete on some level next season got better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Schlecht makes his long-awaited Game Theory Podcast debut, and his dulcet tones break down the offseason moves made by teams in the Northwest Division! We chat Denver, Minnesota, Oklahoma City, Portland, Utah, a group of teams marked as much by what they didn't do as opposed to what they did Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Danny Leroux is here to run through all of the offseason moves that occurred this past season in the Southeast Division. We hit Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami, Orlando, Washington in detail, discussing how each team got better or worse this offseason Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Blake Murphy joins the show and we dive deep into the Atlantic Division, breaking down all of the offseason moves from Boston, Brooklyn, New York, Philadelphia, and Toronto. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Danny Leroux joins the podcast, and we break down the offseasons of Dallas, Houston, Memphis, New Orleans, and San Antonio. For a quick time stamp: Dallas: start Houston: 15:00 Memphis: 22:30 New Orleans: 35:00 San Antonio Spurs: 51:00 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie and Sam Vecenie run through the first few days of Las Vegas Summer League, breaking down all the important action which has occurred in this largely inconsequential event that creates volcanic hot takes every year.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Dave DuFour joins the show to talk about what we've seen from the first two days of NBA free agency. We chat about the Bulls (first 15 minutes), the Pelicans (15:00-30:00), the Heat (30-36:00), the Lakers (36:00-44:00), the Knicks (43:00-48:00), the Spurs (48:00-53:00), then kind of a grab bag of other moves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pennie and Vecenie break down the 2021 NBA Draft, doing a deep dive on all of what we saw. From Cade Cunningham going No. 1, to the fit between Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, to the surprises throughout the lottery and the teams that succeeded, we run through everything we saw on Thursday night. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pennie and Vecenie do a deep dive into NBA Draft betting props, discussing every over/under prop on the board right now. It serves as a good little set discussion point as we head into draft day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pennie and Sam run through the draft order and go back and forth, giving the top-30 picks and explaining why this is what they would do.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a rankings episode! Matt Pennie shares his top-20 prospects in the 2021 NBA Draft. We also discuss how he went about making the rankings, and he gets to share some love on some of the high school standouts from Cartersville with Under Armour's first recruiting event of the season. Oh, and we discuss movies, including one of my favorite movies I've seen this entire year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pennie is here. We run through some thoughts on NIL rights, and on the NBA Draft Deadline Decision Day. We answer the important questions here, too. How much would Pennie's NIL rights have been worth at UMass? What movies have you watched more than any other in your lifetime? And what players made good decisions to turn pro? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sreekar Jasthi, aka SreekyShooter, joins to chat about the Suns going to the NBA Finals with the fellas. Everything you need to know about this crazy season of Phoenix basketball. The Devin Booker conversation; James Jones building the team; Monty Williams going from not-great in New Orleans to phenomenal in Phoenix; Chris Paul; and being the man to make the jokes and memes about the whole franchise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie and Sam run through some NBA Draft Combine stuff, including what is valuable to take away from the combine? How should we be evaluating it versus tape versus pro days versus every other piece of the process? First though, they start on "what would Shaquille O'Neal look like in today's NBA? Would he be just as dominant as he was in the 1990s and 2000s? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robby Kalland joins for the only important podcast of the year: the F9 recap, along with updated Fast and Furious rankings. Oh yeah, given that this is a basketball podcast, we talked a bit about Hawks-Bucks and the Suns for the first hour. The Fast and Furious convo is absolutely spoiler-heavy, but if you're here for basketball and haven't seen F9, you are safe until around the hour mark when we give a clear EJECTO PODCAST, CUZ warning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie is here to break down what happened in the 2021 NBA Draft Lottery, and discuss Cade Cunningham, Jalen Suggs, Jalen Green and Evan Mobley. Also some Combine talk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Edwards from The Athletic is here and we run through everything that happened in basketball this weekend. It was a lot. A breakdown of the 76ers and Hawks series. Some flowers for Trae Young, and real questions about the Ben Simmons era in Philly. A Clips-Jazz breakdown, and what happens when you don't have a circuit breaker for when the scheme gets broken. Bucks-Nets, the best Game 7 of the playoffs. Some quick thoughts on the Kemba Walker Trade. And a Draft Lottery Preview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie joins and we run through the NBA Draft Combine, G League Elite Camp, and some thoughts on the lottery heading into the week. Who are the most important names to know in terms of who could be moving around the board? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam didn't wake up until 6:30 AM Melbourne time, which meant that while he was asleep, the NBA basically broke. Danny Leroux broke all the news to him live on the spot, so he reacted to all of the wild news that happened in the NBA on June 16. In order.... -Chris Paul in COVID protocols -Kawhi Leonard injured with an ACL injury -Stan Van Gundy out in New Orleans -Scott Brooks out in Washington -Donnie Nelson out in Dallas -LaMelo wins ROY -John Calipari? -Then finally, a discussion of Kevin Durant, an absolute superstar who painted his masterpiece last night against Milwaukee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pennie is here, and we run through what he saw at Pangos All-American camp, then talk about eight guys we would bet on to help themselves during the 2021 NBA Pre-Draft Process. We also break down what it's like to be savagely burned on the internet by someone calling you a pipsqueak. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former NBA scout and executive Drake U'u joins the podcast to chat about Clippers-Mavs Game 7; Philly-76ers Game 1; Bucks-Nets Game 1; Suns-Nuggets; and a couple of minutes at the end about the 2021 NBA Draft. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie is here and we run through the Celtics news, Coach K news, the NBA Draft Early Entry list, and we talk more about Mare of Easttown. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie is here and we have a grassroots episode for Pennie to take the lead. Overtime Elite has signed four players, all of whom are very interesting long-term prospects. Sam lets Pennie explain them, while they talk through the Overtime Elite program a bit and try to figure out where it's headed. Additionally, we run through Alperen Sengun, who continues to build buzz due to his terrific Turkish League playoffs. Then, we talk Pennie recruiting stories, and he gives a beauty. Finally, Sam and Pennie go deep into Mare of Easttown, explaining why we love the show and giving our theories on what happens. That is a very spoiler-ridden conversation, and one that we give ample warning to for people to turn off if they haven't seen the show yet. It starts at around the 55:00 mark. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NBA Playoffs breakdown with Dave DuFour. We run through each of the eight series currently taking place.  In order: ATL-NYK, MIL-MIA, BKN-BOS, PHI-WAS. Then, UTA-MEM, LAL-PHX, LAC-DAL, and DEN-POR. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony Jones is here and we dive deep into the play-in games then go into our NBA Awards picks. Tony is an actual voter for the awards, I am a fake voter, so we run through our picks for MVP, All-NBA, ROY, All-Defense, COY, 6MOY, MIP and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben Taylor is here! We deep dive into the MVP race (among other tangents), discussing Nikola Jokic's historical dominance, Steph Curry's second peak, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Danny Leroux is here to run through offseason previews for the 10 eliminated teams before the playoffs start on this coming week in the NBA. In order, we go: HOU, DET, OKC, CLE, ORL, MIN, TOR, CHI, NOP, SAC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Part Three of The Athletic’s Origins story for Dell Technologies ‘Small Business Podference’ series. In this episode The Athletic’s co-founders Alex Mather and Adam Hansmann continue on about the company’s expansion into the U.K., how the team got through the shutdown of sports and challenges that lay ahead. Writers, Marcus Thompson, Anthony Slater, Zach Harper and David Aldridge give their thoughts on that process as well. For the complete lineup of episodes, visit delltechnologiespodference.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Part Two of The Athletic’s Origins story for Dell Technologies ‘Small Business Podference’ series. In this episode The Athletic’s co-founders Alex Mather and Adam Hansmann continue on about the company’s first steps into the marketplace. The challenges they met selling this idea to investors, and journalists they were trying to recruit, specifically with the expansion into the Bay Area. Writers, Marcus Thompson and Anthony Slater give their thoughts on that process as well. For the complete lineup of episodes, visit delltechnologiespodference.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Part One of The Athletic’s Origins story for Dell Technologies ‘Small Business Podference’ series. In this episode we hear from The Athletic’s co-founders Alex Mather and Adam Hansmann about how they met, how an idea for better sports coverage materialized into a significant media player in the sports landscape and the spirit at the heart of The Athletic’s culture. For the complete lineup of episodes, visit delltechnologiespodference.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie joins to do another updated 2021 NBA Mock Draft. For the first time, we talk about teams and prospect fits instead of just a top-30 prospect listing. So it's a bit of a deeper dive into not just college prospects, but also some thoughts on where NBA teams sit as they enter the close of their season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we run through why the Lakers, Clippers, Jazz, Suns, Nuggets, 76ers, Nets, and Bucks will or will not win what has quickly morphed into the most wide open NBA title chase in years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie and I run through the top international prospects in the class, but first we talk Emoni Bates and what's going on with him as he starts the offseason and AAU cycle before his senior year. Longer thoughts on Alperen Sengun, Josh Giddey, Usman Garuba, Roko Prkacin, and Rokas Jokubaitis, plus others. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kyle Mann from The Ringer joins and we break down the rookies from the 2020 NBA Draft class. Deep dives on Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Immanuel Quickley, POKU, and Tyrese Haliburton, plus more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Part Two of our series breaking down the 25 best coaching jobs in college basketball. Part One is in the podcast before this, where we run through the other jobs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie joins to chat about what the best jobs are in college basketball. Which program would be the best to coach? A deep dive into what matters in a coaching job, why there are more good jobs for coaches than ever, why you can be successful in more places than ever, and into the jobs rated No. 25 to No. 13, with discussions on all of the ones that just missed out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NBA Catch-Up w/ Nekias Duncan. We run through the NBA Title Race, the MVP Race, the East, the Suns, the Knicks, the weird middle of the Eastern Conference and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie is here to chat about winning and the NBA Draft; Josh Giddey, the toughest evaluations in the class, and some segments that include Pennie Recruiting Stories, Sam Explores Australia, Movies, Two-Year-Old Children, and more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie is back, we break down thoughts on the transfer portal, on the NBA Draft and some of the kids who have made early decisions to stay or go -- such as DJ Steward, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Taevion Kinsey, Scottie Lewis, and plenty more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pennie joins the show for the first of a two-part episode. In this first part, we break down everything to do with what we saw this weekend in the Final Four. Prospects, game breakdowns, contextualizing this season and way, way more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie joins to break down what we saw in the NCAA Tournament, the Indiana coaching hire, and Russell Westbrook thoughts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pennie is back, and we run through what draft prospects over and under performed in the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament.  We start with Cade, move through to the lottery guys still left like Suggs and Mobley. Then, we run through some of the fun stories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Root from the Three Man Weave joins the show and we run through a bunch of games in the Round of 64 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pennie joins the show, and we run through every matchup in the NCAA Tournament Round of 64 and discuss the NBA prospects in each. We also open talking about Isaiah Jackson's decision to test the waters versus straight-up declare for the draft, and additionally we talk about the Indiana men's basketball job, and why we need Brad Stevens to take it for the CONTENT. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nicole Auerbach joins, and we run through the 2021 NCAA Tournament bracket, chatting about everything we saw with the Selection Show. We start with grand takeaways, then move to the bubble, then we do a region-by-region breakdown starting at the 17-minute mark. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matthew Pennie joins the show to discuss whether or not Jared Butler and Davion Mitchell have a case as the best collegiate point guard duo of the last 20 years? Plus, a dive into James Bouknight and Franz Wagner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie joins, and we start with the G League Ignite, we move to potential March breakout players, then talk Arizona Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie joins the show to break down the weaknesses of the top draft prospects as their collegiate seasons wind down Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A deep dive into the Western Conference All-Star picks with legend of the podcast Dieter Kurtenbach. We break down all of the incredible players up for selection in the Western Conference, and agonize over tough decisions about who to put on and who to leave off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A deep dive into the Eastern Conference All-Star picks with legend of the podcast Dieter Kurtenbach. We break down all of the incredible players up for selection in the Eastern Conference, and agonize over tough decisions about who to put on and who to leave off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie joins to discuss Jalen Johnson opting out, some thoughts on Sharife Cooper, and an update on our four G League Ignite Prospects Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie joins to break down the G League Ignite season starter, plus some thoughts on Tennessee's Keon Johnson and Jaden Springer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie is here to talk about if Tennessee is getting the best from its prospects, what Luka Garza's NBA prospects look like, and if Gonzaga or Baylor is the better basketball team Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony Jones joins the show to have a long discussion about Rudy Gobert, then we chat about the Nic Batum All-Stars, guys who have been written off for one reason or another that have had great seasons through the first quarter of 2020-21. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie and I run through a back-and-forth top-30 NBA mock draft, breaking down a variety of guys and where we'd have them.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie is here, we run through Duke and Louisville, Alabama, and break down a few fun mid-major prospects. Oh, and some Donovan Mitchell-Shaq thoughts, too Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mo Dakhil jumps on the show to break down some early impressions of NBA rookies this season. We dive deep on the top-three picks (Edwards, Wiseman, Ball) then talk a lot about Haliburton, Okoro, Pat Williams, and many, many others who have stood out in one way or another. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie joins the show to talk about Kevin Porter and then we dive deep into a few draft topics, such as BJ Boston's struggles, Sharife Cooper's burst onto the scene, Ziaire Williams, Moses Moody and evaluating blowouts, and then we dive deep into the G League Ignite team before they play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nekias Duncan joins the show to break down the James Harden deal, where we dive DEEP on how all four teams fared. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie joins Sam and they chat about some of the roster construction that will happen this spring and winter in the transfer market, then some upperclassmen who are interesting draft prospects Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The legend (and The Athletic's own) John Hollinger catches Sam up to speed on what's happening in the NBA after Sam has finally returned from vacation and is behind the eight-ball in terms of what he's seen. Need a refresher on what's happening league-wide? This is your best bet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie joins Sam to break down how the 2021 NBA Draft has about as much uncertainty as any year we can remember as we head into the calendar draft year.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's back again! Every year, Robby Kalland joins Sam Vecenie in dissecting all 30 NBA teams and breaking down whether or not they will surpass or not reach their Vegas win total over/under. We break down each one by whether or not we'd bet on it, whether we'd pass, and discuss what side we'd bet on in this two-part podcast extravaganza. Today, it's the Western Conference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's back again! Every year, Robby Kalland joins Sam Vecenie in dissecting all 30 NBA teams and breaking down whether or not they will surpass or not reach their Vegas win total over/under. We break down each one by whether or not we'd bet on it, whether we'd pass, and discuss what side we'd bet on in this two-part podcast extravaganza. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Danny Leroux joins the show to run through all 15 teams in the Western Conference, diving deep into the offseason moves they made. Who got better? Who stagnated? We run through the teams alphabetically. Meaning we go: Dallas, Denver, Golden State, Houston, Clippers, Lakers, Memphis, Minnesota, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, San Antonio, Utah Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie joins Sam Vecenie and we run through our top-30 prospects after we're now two weeks through the college basketball season, diving deep into some of what we've seen early.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dave DuFour joins Sam Vecenie, and they break down all 15 teams in the Eastern Conference, and the moves they made in the offseason. They go in alphabetical order, starting with Atlanta and ending with Washington. So the order: Atlanta, Boston, Brooklyn, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Indiana, Miami, Milwaukee, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Toronto, Washington. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie joins the podcast and we break down everything we've seen through the first week of NBA Draft evaluations at the college basketball level. To do so, we give blatant overreaction takes, then discuss if those takes will turn out right or wrong. Included are thoughts on Kentucky, Duke, Gonzaga, Jalen Suggs, Cade Cunningham, Corey Kispert, Jalen Johnson, Isaiah Jackson, Kai Jones, the film Happiest Season, and much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rob Dauster and I run through the top returning players for the 2021 NBA Draft to college basketball, then dive deep on some of the things we've seen from the early portion of the college basketball season so far.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie joins the program and we break down the incoming freshmen and potential one-and-dones in the 2021 NBA Draft Class Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie and I run through everything that happened in the 2020 NBA Draft on Wednesday night. We have fun! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony Jones and I got together to podcast about the NBA Draft and potential James Harden trades. Then, the NBA imploded in upon itself and Robert Covington got moved to Portland and Jrue Holiday went to Milwaukee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie joins the show and we break down a group of 11 NBA Draft Sleepers, and talk Chet Holmgren vs. Emoni Bates. Names we get through: Daniel Oturu, Jordan Nwora, Skylar Mays, KJ Martin, Ty-Shon Alexander, Sam Merrill, Mason Jones, Nate Hinton, Saben Lee, Markus Howard and Cassius Winston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony Jones and I dive deep into the five teams in the Northwest Division: Minnesota, Utah, Denver, Portland and Oklahoma City. The order is Minnesota, then Utah, then Portland, then Oklahoma City, then Denver. Throughout, we also talk a bit about the NBA Draft. Also, a quick note at the top about how a long conversation with Tony ended up getting split into two podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie joins the show and we run through NBA Player Comps for all of the top-30 guys in the 2020 NBA Draft. We go in order, 1-30. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nekias Duncan joins the episode, and we break down Daryl Morey getting hired in Philly, then do an offseason preview for Miami, Orlando, Atlanta, Charlotte and Washington. Time Stamps! Morey to Philly: 0:00 to 23:00 Miami: 25:00-41:00 Atlanta: 41:00-1:00:00 Charlotte: 1:00:00-1:25:00 Washington: 1:25:00-1:40:00 Orlando: 1:40:00-end Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Seth Partnow joins the podcast to explain and dive deep into how he ranked the top-125 players in the NBA over the course of last week. We also talk some draft strategy at the end of the show.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the podcast, James Edwards from The Athletic joins the show to chat about Stan Van Gundy being hired in New Orleans, then about the offseason for all five Central Division teams. Time Stamps: Stan Van to NOP: 0:00-15:00 MIL: 15:00-41:00 IND: 41:00-1:09:00 DET: 1:09:00-1:38:00 CHI: 1:38:00-1:52:00 CLE: 1:52:00-end Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie joins Sam to do an NBA Mock Draft, choosing every first round pick and breaking it down going back and forth. But they open with some words on Daryl Morey's resignation in Houston.  Time Stamps: 0:00-21:00 -- Morey resigns in Houston 24:00-end: Mock Draft Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jared Weiss joins the episode to preview the offseason for the five teams in the Atlantic Division: Boston, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, New York, Toronto. Approximate: time stamps: 0:00-26:00: Boston 26:00-50:00: Philadelphia 55:00-1:15:00: Brooklyn 1:15:00 to end -- New York and Toronto, connected by Fred VanVleet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Danny Leroux joins to break down the Lakers winning the NBA Championship, then preview the offseason for the Lakers, Clippers, Warriors, Kings and Suns. Lakers win title: 0:00-0:28:00 Lakers Offseason: 0:28:00-0:43:00 Clippers Offseason 0:46:00-0:59:00 Suns Offseason: 0:59:00-1:12:00 Kings: 1:12:00-1:28:00 Warriors: 1:28:00-end Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NBA scouting consultant Spencer Pearlman joins to talk the Lakers taking a 3-1 lead, why LaMelo Ball sits at No. 1 on each of our boards, and we dive deep into Isaac Okoro, Devin Vassell, Patrick Williams, Saddiq Bey and Aaron Nesmith. Lakers-Heat: 0:00-20:00 LaMelo Ball at No. 1: 24:00-34:00 Nesmith: 34:00-41:30 Bey: 41:30-48:00 Williams: 48:00-57:00 Vassell: 57:00-1:07:00 Okoro: 1:07:00-end Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie joins Sam to discuss the NBA Draft, the Boston Celtics and their offseason, and Kentucky prospects. We bounce all over the place to discuss a wide variety of topics, Pennie shares some news on what the shooting workouts at the combine will look like, and we dive deep on the Bubble and what it means to the NBA Draft process this year. We also laugh hysterically at Sam's disaster fantasy football team in the college basketball media league. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Seth Partnow joins to preview the NBA Finals, discuss how each finalist was built, and then get a surprise mid-podcast with Doc Rivers getting fired by the Clippers. Time Stamps: How each finalist was built: 0:00:00-0:35:00 Doc Rivers Fired: 0:38:00-0:49:00 NBA Finals Preview: 0:49:00 to end Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a two-parter! First episode is with Matt Moore from The Action Network, where we dive very deep on the Denver Nuggets and why they have taken a true leap during this playoffs. What has gone right? Why has Jamal Murray been so good? Why Nikola Jokic has become the best true center in the league. How has the Nuggets supporting cast helped out? Then, we chat about the Bulls' decision to hire Billy Donovan as their head coach. The second part of the episode is an interview with Markus Howard out of Marquette. Seen as a potential second round pick, Howard is a two-time All-American who averaged 28 points per game as a senior. Why is he not higher on draft boards? I ask him about that, his upbringing in basketball, and much more in this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mo Dakhil is a former video coordinator for multiple NBA teams and the Australian national basketball team. He's also a podcaster and writer for us at The Athletic, so I brought him on to dive deep into what's happening in the X's and O's of the Nuggets-Lakers series, followed by the Heat-Celtics series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two-part episode! In the first episode, Jovan Buha from The Athletic. We chatted about how the Clippers fell apart against the Nuggets, and how the flaws in this team were readily apparent all season. Also, where do they go from here? In the second part, I interview TCU guard and potential first round pick Desmond Bane, chatting about his upbringing, his development in basketball, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nuggets-Clippers: 0:00 to 33:30 Raptors-Celtics and team-building for the playoffs: 35:00-1:00:07 Rockets: 1:10:00 to end Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I chat with Seth Partnow about a few topics. We start with the Milwaukee Bucks, the organization he used to work for. We chat about how the Heat series exposed some holes, what to lay at the feet of Mike Budenholer, and what to lay at the feet of the front office. And where do they go from here?   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 400th episode of the Game Theory Podcast is super packed with three guests. First, I chat with The Athletic's Jay King about Celtics-Raptors, and where that series goes from here. Second, I talked with Basketball News' Nekias Duncan about Bucks-Heat and how that series has unfolded. Finally, I finish with Reid Forgrave, as we discuss his new book, "Love, Zac," football, and the dissonance of enjoying a sport that hurts those who participate.   Celtics-Raptors: 0:00-24:00 Bucks-Heat: 27:00-51:00 Love, Zac, and football: 51:30-end Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I chat with Dave DuFour from The Athletic. I ask Dave five important questions regarding the NBA Playoffs thus far.   1. Is the Mitchell-Murray Leap for real? Is this sustainable? 2. Do the Raptors have enough offensive firepower to overcome the Celtics and make this a series at least? 3. Who is the second best player in the Eastern conference right now? 4. What is Mike Budenholzer doing? 5. Clippers and Lakers get a big rest advantage against their opponents. Does this matter, and are they still on a collision course? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Pennie joins the podcast. We open talking about Donovan Mitchell and Jamal Murray dueling in Orlando. What is happening? How have they gotten on such fire? Also, what has their developmental trajectory looked like from when they were prospects til now, setting the world on fire?   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I chat with The Athletic's own Tony Jones. We talk for 43 minutes at the top about the Bucks' walkout, and why it was so important in the construct of sports yesterday. And how despite what those making disingenuous arguments will tell you, it DID matter.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A two-part episode today. First, I chat with Derek Bodner to break down the demise of the Philadelphia 76ers over the last four years. All of the missteps that led to a 4-0 sweep at the hands of the Boston Celtics.   Then, I chat with Tim Cato, and we discuss Luka Doncic, and the Mavericks-Clippers series that has quickly become the most exciting in the league.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A two-parter! In the first half of the episode, I chat with John Hollinger about the 2020 NBA Draft Lottery, which took place on Thursday night. What do we think of this draft and potential trades that are on the table with the order finally set? Then in the second half, I talk to Villanova forward and potential first round pick Saddiq Bey. Bey won the Julius Erving Award this season as a small forward, and is expected to be taken in the top-20 of the NBA Draft.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Mo Dakhil joins, we break down everything that's happening in the NBA Bubble in Orlando. First, we chat about the Kings' split with Vlade Divac as Joe Dumars seemingly takes over as the lead basketball ops guy in Sacramento. Then, we break down each playoff series and talk Blazers-Grizzlies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First, Rob Dauster joins, and we break down all of the news in the NCAA regarding college football cancellations, and whether or not the college basketball season can be saved. Then, I interview Isaiah Stewart out of Washington, a likely first round pick in the upcoming 2020 NBA Draft Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I chat with Blake Murphy about the Eastern Conference as we head down the stretch of the seeding games. We do 30 minutes on the Raptors particularly, and what makes them such a tough out heading into the playoffs. Then we chat Bucks, Celtics, Heat, 76ers and Pacers.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I chat with Fred Katz from The Athletic about the Race in the Western Conference. We chat Lakers, Clippers, Nuggets, Jazz, Rockets, Thunder, and Mavericks.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Intro and NBA trends: 0:00-9:30 Jonathan Isaac Injury: 9:30-22:15 Race for the eighth seed in the Western Conference, including thoughts on Spurs, Suns, Blazers, Grizzlies and Pelicans: 22:15-1:11:00 Philadelphia 76ers: 1:11:00-1:16:30 Skylar Mays Interview: 1:16:30-end Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Intro, combine discussion, notes on Big Board: 0:00-16:30 Cole Anthony, Tre Jones, and Kira Lewis: 16:30-40:00 Who is the best wing in the draft?: 40:00-57:30 Elijah Hughes Interview: 59:30-end Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Intro: 0:00-3:00 NBA Scrimmage Overreactions with Dave DuFour: 3:00-28:00 Interview with Freddie Gillespie: 30:00-end Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Intro and explaining the landscape within which kids have to make their early entry decision: 0:00-22:30 Xavier Tillman: 22:30-30:30 Tyrell Terry: 30:30-35:00 Robert Woodard: 35:00-38:30 Corey Kispert, Jared Butler: 38:30-43:00 Ayo Dosunmu, Kofi Cockburn, Isaiah Joe, Chris Smith, other rapid fire players: 43:00-51:00 Cassius Winston Interview: 54:00-end Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a two-part episode, first I chat with Michael Pina about 10 high-variance players who can swing the NBA title race. Then, for the final 25 minutes, I chat with Utah State guard Sam Merrill, who is a top-50 2020 NBA Draft prospect and has helped himself as much as anyone in the pre-draft process. Conversation with Michael Pina: 0:00-1:18:00. We run through Eric Gordon, Eric Bledsoe, Jamal Murray, Kemba Walker, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, OG Anunoby, Marcus Morris, Kristaps Porzingis, Shake Milton and Joel Embiid. Conversation with Sam Merrill: 1:21:00-end Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Intro: 0:00-1:30 What does Spencer look for in scouting? 1:30-6:20 Isaiah Stewart: 6:20-14:00 Obi Toppin: 14:00-34:00 Tyrese Haliburton: 34:00-50:00 Killian Hayes: 50:00-1:05:00 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Intro: 0:00-4:30  Portland Trail Blazers: 4:30-20:00 Los Angeles Lakers: 20:00-31:00 Los Angeles Clippers: 31:00-41:00 Denver Nuggets: 41:00-52:00 Houston Rockets: 52:00-59:00 Dallas Mavericks: 59:00-1:05:00 Utah Jazz: 1:05:00-1:11:00 Oklahoma City Thunder: 1:11:00-1:18:00 (Rudy Gobert interlude: 1:18:00-1:20:00 Memphis Grizzlies: 1:20:00-1:30:00 New Orleans Pelicans: 1:30:00-1:48:00 Phoenix Suns:  1:48:00-1:52:00 Sacramento Kings: 1:52:00-1:55:00 San Antonio Spurs: 1:55:00-1:57:00 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode Time Stamps:  General Overall Thoughts on the East: 2:00-5:40 Milwaukee Bucks: 5:40-15:30 Toronto Raptors: 15:30-23:10 Miami Heat: 23:10-30:15 Boston Celtics: 30:15-37:45 Philadelphia 76ers: 37:45-46:20 Indiana Pacers: 46:20-50:50 Orlando Magic: 50:50-54:45 Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets: 54:45-end Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Timestamps:  Intro to The Athletic: 0:00 to 4:00 Matt Pennie Intro: 4:10-7:00 Overall Thoughts on 2020 Draft: 7:00-16:00  Nico Mannion: 16:30-24:00 Who would you take at No. 1?: 24:00-31:00 Anthony Edwards: 31:00-39:00 Who is Pennie's favorite prospect? 39:30-45:00 Rapid Fire Prospects: 45:00-End Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Sam is joined by Jon Krawczynski and Danny Leroux to break down NBA defensive standouts. On Wednesday, Krawczynski and Josh Robbins published their anonymous coaches poll of who should make the All-NBA defensive team. What did the coaches look for in their conversations with Jon? What were the trends? Did anything surprise them about how the coaches voted?  Then, I chat with Danny Leroux, and we chat about what we look for when evaluating defenders as public facing analysts. How do we contextualize scheme? How do we look at effort defensively throughout the regular season? Who are some of the best defenders, and what are some of the differences we'd have with the coaches from taking a league-wide view?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A two-part episode. First, I chat with Brian Snow of 247Sports about Emoni Bates and his decision to commit to Michigan State. How good is Bates? Is he a superstar in waiting? What does this mean for Michigan State? And what do you need to know about when he can enter the NBA? Then, Seth Partnow from The Athletic joins and we break down my recently released 2020 NBA Rookie Scale Prospect Rankings. What is the process for something like this? Where does Seth think I missed? Did I get the top 10 guys right?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dieter Kurtenbach is back in this episode of the Game Theory Podcast, where we break down a few different topics about the Bubble, about labor strife in baseball, and most importantly: what are we most looking forward to watching when the NBA returns?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I chatted with Tony Jones from The Athletic, and we chatted about the Kyrie meeting, the NBA Bubble and restart, and the 2020 NBA Draft.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I've wanted to get Rashad Phillips on the podcast to chat for a while, so I got on the phone with him today to chat about some of the guards in the 2020 NBA Draft. We disagree a lot! We both like LaMelo Ball, but have very different evaluations on RJ Hampton. We like Grant Riller, but disagree on Jahmi'us Ramsey. All that and more on all of the guards in the 2020 NBA Draft.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I chatted with former NBA agent Matt Babcock from over at Babcock Hoops. We chatted about the top of this draft class, the point guard group, the big men, the weakness of the wing class, and some of the guys you would pound the table for in this class in the second round.  We ran through just about everyone in an hour.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I chat with Dieter Kurtenbach. First, we discuss the G League's initiative to pay high school prospects to turn pro. Why I like the idea of it, but am a bit skeptical going forward.  Second, we chat about The Last Dance, and how great it is while also not bringing anything new to the table.  Finally, we chat about the NFL Draft for a while, and Dieter yells about SPARQ scores.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, current senior writer at The Athletic and former Memphis Grizzlies executive John Hollinger and I break down the 2020 NBA Draft. We run through what we look for in prospects, the pre-draft process's value, and break down a lot of the highest profile prospects in the 2020 draft.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, actual basketball content! We break down the NBA Awards we would vote for if the season ends today (and it looks like it might). MVP, All-NBA, DPOY, all the good stuff. But we open on a couple of things, including a hilarious scuttled Knicks-Hornets deal, and the sham that is the NCAA's agency accreditation process. Finally, we talk about Tiger King and the Unauthorized Bash Brothers Experience, both of which were definitely experiences.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Dieter Kurtenbach joins. We went heavy on the US response to the coronavirus epidemic for the first 21 minutes. If you're not interested in listening to complaints about the federal government's response to COVID-19, then skip to the 21:00 mark.  Then, we chat about Josh Harris and the 76ers trying to convince their employees to take a pay cut. And we close out by answering mailbag questions from listeners. Some stuff on the Cavaliers' backcourt, the Warriors offseason, the NBA Draft, and then some thoughts on what the best bad movies are to watch during quarantine.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Chris Stone from The Sporting News joins us to chat about Kansas, its national title banner, and how I want them to do it.  Then, we break down the NBA Draft and Chris and I run through a lot of the prospects.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Dieter joins and we talk for some time about coronavirus, the bummer that is the sports world, and what you can watch in the meantime without sports. Oh, and some coaching carousel stuff.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Dieter Kurtenbach joins to chat about the Houston Rockets being super fun and enjoyable; the Bulls being a total mess; and Collin Sexton! Collin Sexton is a legitimately good scorer! Oh, and I made Dieter talk with me about the Democratic Primary.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Because it doesn't seem like anyone is talking enough about how the Bucks are one of the literal best teams in NBA history through 58 games, I had The Athletic's Eric Nehm on to break down how exceptional this team is. Why they're so good, and why we should believe in them come title time.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 76ers remain the most fascinating team in the league to me, so I decided to make Derek Bodner come on and chat about it. He's the most plugged-in person in the market, so if he can't figure it out, no one can, right? We leave no stone unturned, chatting about the Al Horford fit, the Ben Simmons-Joel Embiid fit, the offensive concerns, has the defense been good enough, and finally, the front office's performance. What should the team do? And what should their expectations be the rest of the way? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I'm joined by Jovan Buha from The Athletic, and we chat about the NBA now that we've hit the proverbial "Second Half."  We start on the Brooklyn Nets with news of Kyrie Irving being out for the year. How does this affect the rest of their season? But more importantly, how does this affect their future planning with Kevin Durant coming back soon? Will they make some tough decisions this summer? Then, we move on and break down the Western Conference. We focus for about 35 minutes on the Los Angeles teams, how they match up with one another, what their strengths are, and most importantly what their biggest weaknesses are heading into the playoffs? Also, what do we think of the recent additions of Markieff Morris and Reggie Jackson?  Then we chat about the rest of the West. Which of Utah, Denver or Houston are we worried about most (sorry Denver, who we didn't talk enough about)? Which of Oklahoma City or Dallas is the team you want to play the least? Which team gets the No. 8 seed? Also, shout out to sponsors Keeps and Bet Online.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jim Root from the Three Man Weave joins, and we start with All-Star weekend, breaking down what we thought of the increase competitiveness of the event this year.  Then, we move to John Beilein, chatting about why this thing didn't work, why I don't expect him to coach the Cavs again, and what could happen with him next? Then we get into the main portion of the episode, talking about the entire college basketball season. Why is the talent level down in college basketball? Are there any great teams? Which teams do we trust most? We talk about almost all of the best teams in the country. We talk about the national player of the year race and who the best players in the country are (including my spiel on Luka Garza).  Then, we close on the five players we like to watch most in college basketball this year, in addition to our favorite futures bets to win the national title.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I chat with Dieter Kurtenbach. First, I explain where the podcast has been. Then, I chat with Dieter about the Warriors-Timberwolves trade. What are the Warriors doing? Where are they going from here? Then we chat about All-Star weekend. And finish on the Oscars, and my excitement about Parasite winning.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I get with Rob Dauster over at NBC Sports and we chat about a few different topics. We open with 15 minutes on Kobe Bryant, then we move on to discuss Coach K yelling at the Duke fans like a crazy person because it's hilarious.  Finally, we spend the majority of the podcast talking about prospects. Who has impressed Rob? What do we think of Anthony Edwards? What do we think of Memphis' guys? Of guys like Saddiq Bey, Daniel Oturu, and the players at Gonzaga? All that and a lot more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I'm joined by Dieter Kurtenbach, where we chat about who should make the 2020 NBA All-Star Game. We run through in categories and by conference. We say who the No-Doubters are, the very likely guys, and the wild cards who could crash the party. Then we chat a bit about movies, about the Oscars, and about the Baseball Hall of Fame at the end.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I'm joined by Michael Pina from SB Nation, the Winning Plays Podcast, and the Open Floor podcast.  We chatted about a few things. First we hit quickly on the Atlanta-Minnesota deal at the top. Then, we chatted about Kyrie Irving making comments about what he thinks is or is not the future core of the Nets roster, and why naming names is never a good idea.  Then, we move to Boston, and chat about why Boston has been so good this year.  And finally, we close on Utah, who is on a fun little winning run here largely centered around Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, and moving Joe Ingles into the starting lineup.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Dieter Kurtenbach is back, and we really run the gamut of sports. We talk Green Bay-San Francisco, then Clemson-LSU and Dabo Swinney.  Then, we move into the meat of the episode, where we discuss if the NBA Media is Biased toward big markets.  Finally, we chat about the Oscars. Or rather, I talk about the Oscars and Dieter nods along in agreement.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Danny Leroux joins the podcast and we chat about Andre Drummond and Chris Paul. First, we break down Andre Drummond potentially moving on from Detroit, particularly potentially to Atlanta. Then, we chat about Drummond and Detroit and whether or not Detroit should do it?  Then, we chat about Chris Paul, and Chris Paul's start to the season. Should he be an all-star? And should he be on the trade market? And why is Philadelphia the best spot?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Cole Zwicker and I run through the NBA Trade Market. What are the biggest potential deals on the market? What are our favorite ones that could be under the radar, but could help NBA teams and contenders improve? We run through nearly every team in the league at some point in a free-flowing conversation that goes a lot of different directions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Cole and I break down a few different things. First, Deandre Ayton returned to action against the Clippers last night, so we stop and break down the game. Then, we chat about the Clippers and their overall play this year, particularly since Paul George has been back.  We close on NBA Draft news. We chat about LaMelo Ball's injury, Cole Anthony's injury, R.J. Hampton's injury, Myles Powell's injury, then move on to some sleeper guys we like, including Spencer Jones. Payton Pritchard, Robert Woodard, Kaleb Wesson, Mason Jones, Joel Ayayi   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I chat with Cole Zwicker, except the typical format of the podcast gets turned on its head. Cole gets to ask me the questions this time, about my overall opinions on this draft class, some format and philosophy questions on the draft, and more. We talk about the Race for No.1, some sleepers, and some more interesting players across the board.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cole Zwicker and Sam discuss some of the fun early-season stories, including Davis Bertans and Washington, Devonte Graham and PJ Washington, the Spurs being bad, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I chat with Cole Zwicker about a variety of topics. First, the Knicks fire David Fizdale. Was it earned? What happens now? Then, the Cavaliers aren't happy with John Beilein. What happens next?  Then, we chat Vernon Carey, Paul Reed, Romeo Weems, Terrance Shannon Jr, Yves Pons, and Aaron Wiggins.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the podcast, I chat with Dieter Kurtenbach about the top of the Eastern Conference. We start with the Bucks because not enough people are talking about how dominant Milwaukee has been to start the year. Then we move to Miami and its super fun group of players, we talk about the Celtics and their cohesion, the Raptors and the leaps they've gotten from young players, and the roller coaster that is watching 76ers games.  Then, we move on to the Rockets and how watching them play is a bit frustrating. We close on The Irishman and Knives Out, two movies were very wildly different experiences.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast, Cole Zwicker and Sam run through their overall thoughts on a big variety of prospects.  Somewhat in order of who we discuss:  James Wiseman, Tyrese Haliburton, Isaac Okoro, Arizona, Grant Riller, , Florida, Kira lewis, Myles Powell, Aaron Nesmith, Jahmi'us Ramsey, Tyrell Terry, Mason Jones, Franz Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Cole Zwicker and I break down a bunch of different college prospects. We start with Anthony Edwards' massive explosion against Michigan State, where he scored 33 points in 15 minutes in the second half.  Then, we move on to the Michigan State prospects, including Cassius Winston, Aaron Henry, and Xavier Tillman.  Then, in this order, we jumped around to other teams and players: Landers Nolley, Obi Toppin, The Kansas guys, UCLA.  Finally, we close on the Duke Loss to Stephen F. Austin, and why we're seeing so many high-end upsets this season. Then, we break down Duke's prospects and how they've looked.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Ricky O'Donnell from SB Nation joins for our yearly "Bulls in Crisis" podcast. In this edition, we discuss Jim Boylen being a disaster, the players struggling, management, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Dieter Kurtenbach joins me to talk about the NBA ratings stuff. Does it matter that the NBA ratings are down? Should the alarm bells be going for the league? Is this an actual issue of viewership? Or is it a monetization problem where the NBA needs to figure out how to sell advertising in regard to internet viewers? Is it a surprise? What matters here?  We chatted about movies, too. What are the best movies I've seen this year? What did Dieter think of The Irishman?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Cole Zwicker and I break down NBA Draft prospects. Particularly, we start with James Wiseman, move onto the rest of Memphis-Oregon.  Then, we have our typical "LaMelo Ball's Australian Journey" segment.  Then, we move to Stock Up/Stock Down, where we break down Isaac Okoro, Devin Vassell, Paul Reed, Isaiah Stewart, Jaden McDaniels, Kentucky, Onyeka Okongwu, Zeke Nnaji, Wendell Moore Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Cole Zwicker and I break down the starts for seven teams across the NBA and decide whether or not these starts or real or if they're fool's gold in one way or another.  The New York Knicks, the Phoenix Suns, the Portland Trail Blazers, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Boston Celtics, and the Philadelphia 76ers.  This episode is brought to you by Manscaped.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cole joins the pod, and we break down the bigs and forwards in this draft class for like 90 minutes. It's a lot. James Wiseman, Isaiah Stewart, Jaden McDaniels, Precious Achiuwa, Matthew Hurt, Patrick Williams, and many, many, many more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I'm joined by the Three Man Weave guys (Jim, Matt, and Ky) to preview college basketball. We use and explain Season Long Pool to discuss and jump into each conference and team. We go through the Big Ten, ACC, Big East, Big 12, Pac-12, and SEC. Plus, we chat about the other leagues and some of our most interesting teams to watch.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Cole Zwicker and I run through a lot of different topics!  -Ayton suspended and Bagley hurt -Early season thoughts on: Karl-Anthony Towns, Cleveland and the grand point guard experiment, Markelle Fultz, the Miami Heat are crazy athletic, Ja Morant, Luka Doncic, and Trae Young. Then, we did our typical Melo Ball segment. Finally, we jumped into Rookie Extensions. Pascal Siakam max with All-NBA. Jaylen Brown 4/103 with incentives. Buddy Hield: 4/86 4/94 achievable, 4/106 higher end. Domantas Sabonis 4/77. Cedi Osman 4/31 with last year non guarantee. Dejounte Murray 4/64. Taurean Prince: 2/29 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Back again for what I think is the third straight year, Dieter Kurtenbach joins to give bold predictions on the NBA season. We run through the best fiery takes on the 76ers, the Lakers, the Heat, the Kings, the Warriors, the Pacers, the Rockets, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Cole Zwicker joins and we run through some news, some NBA preseason thoughts, and then preview NBA Draft wings.  First, we discuss Bradley Beal extension and its effects on both the Wizards and Beal. Then, we chat the Warriors keeping Marquese Chriss over Alfonzo McKinnie. We move then to Zion Williamson's injury, and some preseason thoughts on guys like Michael Porter Jr., the Bulls, the Mavericks, and Tyler Herro.  Then, we chat about NBA Draft wing prospects in this class. Oh, and we chatted about Joker. Don't @ me.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, friend of the program Robby Kalland from UPRoxx Sports joins the podcast, and we chat about Eastern Conference Over/Under Win totals in the NBA.  The order we go in: Golden State, LA Clippers, LA Lakers, Phoenix, Sacramento Then, Denver, Minnesota, Oklahoma City, Portland, Utah Then, Dallas, Houston, Memphis, New Orleans, San Antonio Finally, we finish with NBA title odds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, friend of the program Robby Kalland from UPRoxx Sports joins the podcast, and we chat about Eastern Conference Over/Under Win totals in the NBA.  The order we go in: Boston, Brooklyn, New York, Philadelphia, Toronto Then, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Indiana, Milwaukee Then, Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami, Orlando, Washington Finally, we finish with MVP odds.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Cole Zwicker is here and we break down some early thoughts on the 2020 NBA Draft. Why this draft is still totally wide open. Then, we jump into breaking down LaMelo Ball's start in the NBL and the hype that it's generated already. Where are we on this? What do we think of Melo as a prospect? Then, we move on to Cole Anthony, and why we're super, super high on him. We then jump into Anthony Edwards and James Wiseman, and why they're both upper-echelon prospects.  Then, the rest of the podcast is breaking down the other point guards who will be eligible for the 2020 NBA Draft. Who are the names you need to know? Also: why this is a particularly strong lead guard group.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, it's the first one with me as a married podcaster. Dieter joins, discusses the wedding, then we move onto a few different topics. First, we discuss the FIBA World Cup from the US perspective. Why it really doesn't matter, and why I just couldn't really get myself to care about any of it.  Then, we move to the California bill. Tim Tebow went on TV and showed his ass to everyone, which we discuss in detail. Then, we go into the California bill, discuss why it matters, why it might not really actually change anything for the NCAA, but why it's overall good.  Finally, we talk about Caris LeVert's extension, Eric Gordon's extension, and the audacity of hope within trainer workout videos of NBA players. Oh, and we talk about a bunch of movies.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I chat with Cole Zwicker, where we run through our yearly tradition, where we break down our top-25 players who are 23 or younger in the NBA. As usual, the rules are simple: any player born in 1996 or later in eligible that is currently in the NBA. We break them down based off of what their future value to the NBA is, not necessarily what their current standing league-wide is.  In this one, we run through the nine players ranked in the top-eight.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I chat with Cole Zwicker, where we run through our yearly tradition, where we break down our top-25 players who are 23 or younger in the NBA. As usual, the rules are simple: any player born in 1996 or later in eligible that is currently in the NBA. We break them down based off of what their future value to the NBA is, not necessarily what their current standing league-wide is.  In this one, we run through the nine players ranked 16th through 9th, as well as discuss some of the honorable mentions.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I chat with Cole Zwicker, where we run through our yearly tradition, where we break down our top-25 players who are 23 or younger in the NBA. As usual, the rules are simple: any player born in 1996 or later in eligible that is currently in the NBA. We break them down based off of what their future value to the NBA is, not necessarily what their current standing league-wide is.  In this one, we run through the nine players ranked 25th through 17th, as well as discuss some of the honorable mentions.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I chat with Cole Zwicker where we break down Magic Johnson's movie list, as well as all of the players who participated in the Nike Academy event this weekend, including Cole Anthony, Kahlil Whitney, Scottie Lewis, Udoka Azubuike, Obi Toppin, Charles Bassey, and many, many more. Oh yeah, and Michael Porter made a oopsy.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Dieter Kurtenbach joins and we chat about a variety of things. First, we chat about the Rich Paul Rule, and why it's total bullshit on behalf of the NCAA. Then, we chat about Kevin Durant's interview with Chris Haynes, then about Kemba Walker, the Hornets, and the Celtics. We finish on mental health in the NBA and a new initiative by the league.  Oh, and we chat feral hogs and people getting angry on the internet.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, it's a two-parter! First, Dieter Kurtenbach joins and we break down the Draymond Green four-year, $100 million extension -- as well as his role in the historical context of the NBA.  Then, we chat with Cole Zwicker about a variety of topics. We break down CJ McCollum's three-year, $100 million extension, followed by breaking down the weak 2020 free agency class. It gets dire in a hurry, but there are at least some interesting names worth bringing up including Andre Drummond, DeMar DeRozan, Mike Conley, Derrick Favors, Fred VanVleet, and more.  Finally, we jump into some draft prospects. First we talk Game Theory Podcast favorite Isaiah Joe. Then we run through some of the interesting returning prospects in the NCAA. This part jumps around.  Oh, and we read an absolutely legendary podcast review. I think it's the greatest in Game Theory Podcast history.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Seth is back! My new colleague at The Athletic, Seth Partnow, joins the show and we chat about a variety of topics surrounding analytics in the NBA, including shot distribution, over/underrated players, what is different about the team side versus the public side, and more. As former Director of Research for the Bucks, Seth has a wide number of areas of expertise.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I chat with Cole Zwicker about three topics. First, we chat about Bradley Beal, and the Wizards options for him. What should they do if he doesn't sign the extension? Should they trade him? If they decide to move him, which team has the best package of assets?  Then, we chat briefly about Dragan Bender. What are his odds of resurrecting his career in Milwaukee?  Finally, we break down the potential 2019 Rookie extension candidates. First, we talk about the deals Ben Simmons and Jamal Murray have already signed. Then, we move to Pascal Siakam, Jaylen Brown, Buddy Hield, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Brandon Ingram, Dario Saric, Caris LeVert, Jakob Poeltl, Domantas Sabonis, Taurean Prince, Juan Hernangomez, Malik Beasley, Dejounte Murray. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Dieter and I talk about the the Clippers, then we take a brief tangent onto baseball and the trade deadline, then we chat about Tampering and its effect on the league. How do we fix it, does it matter, and more? Then we chat about the weird Wizards front office stuff, followed by some thoughts on the World Cup and whether or not we care.  Oh, and we chatted about some movies.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I chat with Cole Zwicker about two subjects: the Russell Westbrook-Chris Paul trade, and NBA Summer League. First, we talk for half an hour about why the Westbrook-Paul deal might be the most interesting in the NBA. Then, we break down what we think each team looks like going forward.  Then, we run deep into Summer League, where Cole makes me talk about like 25 more players than I actually wanted to.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Cole joins and we break down what happened with the Kawhi Leonard deal. How does it shift the balance of power in the NBA? How does it change the stakes across the league? What will the Clippers look like? Are they title favorites? Where does Oklahoma City go from here? Should they trade Russell Westbrook? Can Masai Ujiri turn Toronto around? Finally, what do the Lakers do now? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Cole Zwicker joins and we break down what ended up being a completely bonkers opening day of free agency. We break down Kevin Durant and Kyrie to the Nets, D'Angelo Russell to the Warriors, Al Horford, Tobias Harris and Josh Richardson to the 76ers, Jimmy Butler heading to Miami, Kemba to the Celtics, Terry Rozier to the Hornets, Orlando running it back, Milwaukee mostly running it back without Brogdon, Indiana and Utah doing really well, and the Knicks. Oh, the Knicks. The Knicks went full Knicks.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I chat with Dieter about a bunch of free agency stuff, including Harrison Barnes, the Lakers, Kemba Walker, Al Horford, a quick Kevin Durant update, and the rest of free agency. Oh yeah, and we chat about a couple of movies we've seen recently.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the pod I'm joined by Cole Zwicker. We start by breaking down the Mike Conley trade, then move into the Al Horford opt-out.  Then, we do the top-10 prospects on my big board:  10. Sekou Doumbouya 9. Cam Reddish 8. Goga Bitadze 7. Coby White 6. Darius Garland 5. Jarrett Culver 4. De'Andre Hunter 3. R.J. Barrett 2. Ja Morant 1. Zion Williamson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I chat with Cole Zwicker. We break down the Anthony Davis deal and run through all of the pieces of the trade. We actually kind of like this deal for both sides! Then, we do a 2019 NBA Mock Draft through the first round, where we go back and forth and take our picks.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I chat with Cole Zwicker where we break down the wild Game 5 between the Raptors and Warriors, including Kevin Durant's injury. We try and look at it from all angles, and look at why it's an incredible bummer on all accounts.  Then, we break down the prospects ranked 20th through 11th on my big board. Here's the order.  20. PJ Washington 19. Romeo Langford 18. Tyler Herro 17. Rui Hachimura 16. Nickeil Alexander-Walker 15. Grant Williams 14. Kevin Porter Jr.  13. Jaxson Hayes 12. Brandon Clarke 11. Nassir Little Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I get with Dieter Kurtenbach and we chat about the NBA Finals, Kevin Durant, the Warriors dynasty, the Raptors unbelievable play, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Cole Zwicker and I break down Game 2 of the NBA Finals and where the series stands heading the rest of the way.  Then, we start our NBA Draft Big Board series, where we have conversations about all of the top-30 prospects in the class. We break down Nos. 30 through 21 on my board. Here's the rundown:  30. Eric Paschall 29. Chuma Okeke 28. Luguentz Dort 27. Carsen Edwards 26. Cam Johnson 25. Luka Samanic 24. KZ Okpala 23. Mfiondu Kabengele 22. Keldon Johnson 21. Nic Claxton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Dieter Kurtenbach joins to break down Game One of the NBA Finals. lot of fun talk here breaking down a big game one win for the Raptors.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Cole Zwicker joins the podcast and we jump around to every level of basketball within the course of an hour and a half. First, we discuss the NBA Finals, previewing what figures to be a fascinating series from an Xs and Os standpoint and giving our prediction on who comes away with the win.  Then, we talk about the R.J. Hampton decision. What does the decision say about college basketball and its role in the ecosystem? How does this affect Hampton? We try to run through all of the nuances, particularly surrounding development.   Finally, we chat about some NBA Draft decisions, and give some in-depth Ja Morant takes at the end of the podcast.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I chat with Cole Zwicker. We break down the All-Rookie and All-Defense teams, noting what our teams would look like in each situation and what our mindsets are on how to vote for these teams.  Then, we chatted about the NBA Draft Combine. Who stood out? Who were some of the interesting players in attendance?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the podcast, I chat with good friend of the program Cole Zwicker, where we break down all the madness that unfolded as the New Orleans Pelicans ended up winning the NBA Draft Lottery on Tuesday night, with Memphis moving up to 2, the Knicks to No. 3, and the Lakers up to NO. 4.  Then, we chat about my experiences here at the G League Combine. Finally, we give some hot takes on Game of Thrones.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dieter Kurtenbach jumps on to chat with me about like 100 different things in a very scattered podcast. We start with Liverpool (because of course), then go into Dieter deciding to throw fire on the Rockets with a joke tweet about how Adam Silver should fix the Finals for the Warriors in order to help the TV ratings. But then we actually decide to chat seriously about the topic of why the discussion about TV ratings within sports (particularly as it refers to NBA TV ratings) is flawed.  Then we chat about the Warriors-Rockets series, then Denver-Portland (Jokic!), Raptors-Sixers (Kawhi!), and Celtics-Bucks (Giannis!). Finally, we finish on Game of Thrones for 10 minutes.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast, Cole Zwicker and I break down, in order: Golden State-Houston Boston-Milwaukee Toronto-Philadelphia Denver-Portland,  Then, we chat about a bunch of different NBA Draft-related topics, including the great Grant Williams-Rui Hachimura debate of 2019.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Cole Zwicker returns! We chat about what's been going on with Cole the last year. Then, we move on to Damian Lillard, and his place in the NBA right now after his series winner against Oklahoma City. Then, we chat about takeaways from the playoffs from the perspective of team-building? How has what we've seen affected the way we go about trying to most effectively create a champion?  After that, we start to preview second round playoff series. The Bucks-Celtics, then the potential Warriors-Rockets, and finally the Raptors-Sixers. Who do we think wins those series?  Finally, we chat about some draft takes, including who Cole would have at No. 2 on his board right now.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I chat with Michael Pina from over at SB Nation about a lot of different NBA playoffs stuff. We spend the first 25 minutes on the Ben Simmons explosion, Embiid being out, and the 76ers general strategy of team building. Then we talk about the Celtics and Pacers series, and then bounce around a bunch around the rest of the NBA playoffs. This includes a fire take from Pina on who will win the title.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I chat with Dieter Kurtenbach about every Game 1 in the NBA Playoffs series. We frame each series with a Panic Meter: a 0 to 5 rating of how panicked each team should be after Game 1 of the series, and then discuss what we saw in each game. We start with Utah-Houston, then go to Indiana-Boston, then Orlando-Toronto, then San Antonio-Denver, then Oklahoma City-Portland, then Milwaukee-Detroit, Clippers-Golden State, and finish on Brooklyn-Philadelphia.  The podcast is sponsored by Robinhood. Go to gametheory.robinhood.com.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I chat with Dieter Kurtenbach about the BANANAS last few days of the regular season. We start with Magic Johnson's hilarious, impromptu, WTF-level resignation.  Then, we talk about the last couple of days of the regular season. Jamal Crawford goes for a 50-piece, Dirk and Wade are done, and more, including the most absurd Trail Blazers box score in the history of box scores.  Then, we talk about playoff series, and preview the ones we're most looking forward to.  Finally, we talked about Us, the Jordan Peele movie and the last film I've seen in theatres before my absurd trips took me away from the podcast.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I hop on with Chris Stone from Sporting News, and we preview every matchup in the NCAA Tournament from an NBA Draft perspective. What games and prospects do you need to watch? What should you be watching for? What are the fun games to look out for? When should you be glued to your TV?  We go in order of the bracket, starting with the entire left side then moving to the right side.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I chat with Dieter Kurtenbach, where we break down the people across the NBA that will shape the league most in the calendar 2019 year. Obviously it includes both on and off the floor personalities that will play a critical part in creating the future of the league, including Kevin Durant, Rich Paul, Kyrie Irving, Magic Johnson, and more, then additionally guys like Bradley Beal, Mike Budenholzer, Zion Williamson and Kemba Walker.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I chat with Dieter Kurtenbach about the Celtics-Warriors game last night, the ultimate narrative game of this NBA season thus far. We chat about Kyrie Irving's weird media stuff, the effect that the off-court stuff has had on the Celtics, and where there's still time for the season to turn around. Then, we chat about DeMarcus Cousins struggling a bit for the Warriors.  Then we move to the Lakers, and the mess that is their season. We chat about Jeanie Buss' comments, then we also chat about the idea that teams are out to get the Lakers.  Finally, we chat about some Western Conference teams who have impressed, including the Trail Blazers and the Nuggets, even if the Nuggets have scuffled a bit recently against good teams.  Then we talk about the Oscars, because of course I needed to talk about the Oscars.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I chat with friend of the program Rob Dauster about college basketball. At the Game Theory Podcast, we understand that conference tournament season starts this week, presenting ample opportunity for you guys to gamble on college hoops. So to help you figure out exactly what you want to put your hard-earned dollars on, Rob and I basically re-set where we are in college basketball. We gave out our favorite picks for futures on who will win the NCAA title, then discussed the top-10 teams in-depth.  Then, we moved onto some of the more interesting teams like Kansas, Indiana, and others. Then, we played a game that Rob and I have been playing over text message for the last couple of weeks, where I read a quote from an assistant coach from my NBA Draft College Coaches Poll survey, and he tries to guess who the player is.  Sponsors: BetOnline.ag, promo code CLNS50 Harry's: Harrys.com/theory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I get with Doug Gottlieb from Fox Sports, where we chat about a lot of different topics centering around one all-encompassing force of takes, basketball, and fun: Zion Williamson. We talk about the should he sit the rest of the year take, the amateurism takes inherent to his situation, and whether the NCAA should upend the system. Doug and I disagree on a lot of this, which makes the talk fun.  Then, we chat about some of the prospects he's seen around the country this season that he likes more than others, and finish on RJ Barrett.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Sam and Cole chat about Dell Demps being fired by the New Orleans Pelicans, and why the time was right. The Demps era will be known for its missed opportunities as much as anything else.  Then, they talk about what they're most looking forward to on All-Star weekend.  Next, we discuss this question: is Zion Williamson the No. 1 asset in the NBA if he was thrown into a NBA 2k Fantasy Draft style setting? I discuss why I don't think he is. Cole thinks it's a little bit more of a question.  Finally, they get into their bread and butter and discuss the draft. Why are we both so high on De'Andre Hunter? Why do they both like Brandon Clarke as much as they do? They then talk about the worst award list I've ever seen in my life, the Kareem Abdul Jabbar award top-10. Then, they bounce around to a lot of random prospects.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I talk to Dieter Kurtenbach about some NBA topics heading into the All-Star break. First, we talk about the Thunder, which leads into a conversation about the rest of the Western Conference. Do we believe in the Thunder? What are the other teams in the West we have faith in? Has Russell Westbrook been a top-12 player in the league this season?  Then, we move on and talk about Anthony Davis, whose situation in New Orleans is quickly becoming untenable. I give my idea on how to end this entire farce.  Then, Dieter talks about the Kevin Durant situation from up in the Bay Area. Kevin liked a lot of tweets calling something Dieter wrote trash after not liking any tweets since October. So we talk about that dynamic, and how weird the situation is in Golden State.  Finally, we talk about some buyout candidates briefly, and if they can help NBA teams.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast, Cole Zwicker and I break down a variety of trades. We chat about all of the deals in the order below. Then, we chat about Anthony Davis not getting dealt, and about Kevin Durant vs. the Media:  TOR: Marc Gasol for MEM: Jonas, Wright, Miles, 2024 2nd LAC: Temple, Green for MEM: Bradley — Clippers waive Gortat MIL: Nikola Mirotic, NOP: Jason Smith, Stanley Johnson, Four future seconds, DET: Thon Maker ORL: Markelle Fultz for PHI: Jonathon Simmons, OKC 1st, PHI 2nd CHI: Otto Porter Jr. for WAS: Jabari Parker, Bobby Portis, and a 2nd.  — Portis wants 16M, got offered a 40-50M extension NOP: Markieff Morris for WAS: Wes Johnson SAC: Harrison Barnes for DAL: Justin Jackson and Z-Bo PHX: Tyler Johnson, Wayne Ellington for MIA: Ryan Anderson HOU: Shumpert, Stauskas, Baldwin, CLE: Knight, Chriss, 2019 HOU 1st, SAC: Burks LAC: Zubac and Beasley for LAL: Muscala ATL: Shelvin Mack for MEM: Tyler Dorsey PHI: James Ennis for HOU: 2021 2nd POR: Skal for SAC: Swanigan HOU: 2nd for IND: Stauskas, Baldwin PHI: Malachi Richardson, a 2nd, Emir Preldzic for TOR: Cash Anthony Davis Not Dealt Kevin Durant vs. the Media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Dave DuFour joins and we chat about all the trades that have gone done 24 hours out from NBA Trade Deadline. First, we break down the Tobias Harris trade to Philadelphia. Why is that a deal that makes sense for them? Is there a reason that this deal might not work? Is there an opportunity cost?  Next, we talk about the Memphis talks. What do we think of the potential Marc Gasol deal to Charlotte? What do we think of the offers for Mike Conley? Then, we chat about the Detroit-Milwaukee deal, the Detroit-Lakers deal, and the Rodney Hood trade to Portland.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Sam Vecenie is joined by Tony Jones, where they discuss the latest in As The Anthony Davis Rumors Turn, with Rich Paul leaks and information galore. Also, we play some game theory and play out some scenarios on why the Pelicans should wait to deal Anthony Davis. Also, we break down what the Lakers package is.  Next, we move to Lonzo Ball. Why it's funny Lonzo thinks he has sway in where he ends up, why Lonzo is a great fit in Phoenix, and why we still buy him overall. Then, we move on to talking about the Kristaps Porinzigs deal. Re-visiting five days after the deal, why I still don't love if for the Knicks.  Then, we move on to Mike Conley. Tony provides a bit of reporting on where the Conley talks stand, why Conley would be a great fit in Utah, why he'd make sense in a lot of places, and why the Pistons should go and try to get him, too. We also chat about Marc Gasol.  Finally, we finish on NBA Prospects talk. Some Ja Morant, some Zion, and some sleepers to watch over the next year.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Game Theory Podcast, Cole Zwicker joins and we break down what the hell just happened. Why did the Knicks dump Kristaps Porzingis to the Dallas Mavericks essentially in a salary move? Do they feel this confident on Kevin Durant? What is Kristaps actual trade value? Why is this a good deal for the Mavericks? We also talk trading Anthony Davis and what such a deal could look like before we were rudely interrupted by the WojBombs. Finally, we finish on the NBA Draft, and discuss some of the prospects we've seen and been fans of recently, including the three prospects at Kentucky, Dylan Windler, Kevin Porter Jr., Matisse Thybulle, Aaron Nesmith, Aaron Wiggins, Neemias Queta, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast, Dieter Kurtenbach joins to discuss everything Anthony Davis. First, we chat about the Pelicans in general, and their direction. Then, we talk about Boston, the Knicks, the Lakers, and all of the other potential deals. What is the best asset in a potential deal? Then, we continue to discuss why the Pelicans should tear the whole thing down and trade Julius Randle, Nikola Mirotic, and look into Jrue Holiday offers.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Cole Zwicker joins the podcast and we preview the NBA's trade deadline. Who should be on the move? What teams could act as sellers, as a large portion of the NBA gears up to be buyers? What teams could realistically act as buyers? What names should be on the market? What are the Grizzlies going to do, and what is the market for their stars?  Then, we move on to college. We break down what we liked in Virginia-Duke on Saturday, then move on to discuss Nassir Little's breakout week. Finally, we chat about Defensive Player of the Year in the NCAA, after the Naismith Award released its 15-person watch list for its award (an immensely frustrating list missing two of the top-10 defenders in the country) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, MGrads comes on the podcast and chats about James Harden's insane scoring run, on the media coverage surrounding rookies and Luka Doncic, on the new AAU and recruiting calendar changes, on the NBA's best fighters, and on Tre Jones and Duke.  Yeah, MGrads and I really jumped around a lot.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Cole Zwicker joins and we do a split podcast. The first half is on the NBA, with us discussing the Clint Capela injury to start. Can James Harden possibly keep up this pace? Then we move to Robin Lopez. Should the Bulls hang on to him for a trade, or buy him out? We make the case that a trade between the Bulls and the Rockets could make a lot of sense, and also run through the other potential options for the Rockets to replace Capela over this stretch.  Then, we move on to Chicago in full, where Jim Boylen got more money, including more guaranteed money next season. We, uh....riff on that.  Finally, we move on and chat about the NBA Draft and some college prospect. Cam Reddish finally broke out again for Duke. Why that's important. Then, we run the gamut on Aric Holman, Terrence Davis, Tyrese Haliburton, Chuma Okeke, Rayshaun ammonds, Nic Claxton, Isaiah Roby, Jalen Pickett, and the weird Kevin Porter suspension.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Sam is joined by Dieter Kurtenbach, where the two of them break down their midseason picks for MVP, All-NBA, DPOY, 6MOY, ROY, Most Improved and COY.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I chat with Cole Zwicker about the Tom Thibodeau era ending in Minnesota, the Fred Hoiberg/Ryan Saunders of it all, and what we think of the Timberbulls being no more. Next, we chat about Ben Simmons, and whether or not Ben needs to shoot to be a success in Philadelphia.  Then, we move onto some news-y stuff, like Patrick McCaw's contract being waived in Cleveland and Chandler Parsons being waived in Memphis.  Finally, we move on to draft stuff. Jordan Poole has broken out in a big way. What do we think of the Brandon Clarke archetype of player? Then, we talk about Jaxson Hayes, someone who we both like, but that Cole likes a considerable amount more than I do.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a two-part year-end episode. In the first 40 minutes of the episode, Rob Dauster and I talk about UCLA and Steve Alford being fired. It's a realistic assessment of what he accomplished, didn't accomplish, where the job sits in the hierarchy of college jobs, and who are the realistic candidates to replace Alford as the UCLA head coach?  Then, I spend an hour and 20 minutes with Cole Zwicker, where we jump around. First, a realistic assessment of where UCLA's prospects are from an NBA Draft perspective (hint: not good). Then, a discussion of the Patrick McCaw contract. Then, we discuss Dennis Smith Jr., and his role on the Dallas Mavericks. Why we're both a bit higher on Smith than most seem to be, and an interesting assessment of his trade value if the team decides to go that direction. Then, we have a theoretical discussion about big men in the NBA Draft. Finally, we talk about NBA Draft Risers for the last hour of the podcast. Who are the guys who have really helped themselves in the 2018 calendar year as it refers to the 2019 Draft? It includes Jarrett Culver, Ja Morant, Ty Jerome, Admiral Schofield, Grant Williams, Jaxson Hayes, and many more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Dieter Kurtenbach joins the show and we break down all angles of the Pelicans-Anthony Davis situation. Given that Davis is making public comments about it, LeBron and Giannis are publicly courting him, and the Pelicans have fallen to 15-20, the time is right to start looking at this seriously. What should the Pelicans do to try to keep him? What should they be looking for in a trade? Who matches up best with what the Pelicans need when this potentially comes to fruition in the summer?  Then, we move on and talk about the Warriors. Specifically, this is a two-star team right now that needs its other two stars to step up. Do we believe in Klay Thompson and Draymond Green right now?  Then, we move on to the Celtics and Sixers, and proceed to freak out a bit about both.  Finally, in the things we like section, Dieter talks about D.J. Wilson hours before the Bucks' sophomore went off for his first career double-double, and I talk about the unique path the Pacers have taken to building a team.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Making a triumphant return to the podcast, Cole Zwicker joins to chat about a few interesting player development and evaluation topics.  First, we chat about the Suns. The Suns had won four straight games at the time of this recording, and seemed tailor made for a long-form breakdown to start by Cole and I given the sheer number of young players on the roster.  Then, we move into The Rookie Class. How insane has Luka been? What do we think of Jaren Jackson, Wendell Carter, Trae Young, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Miles Bridges, Marvin Bagley, and more.  Then, we chat about the draft class. Where are we on the draft class? Is it as bad as everyone says? What do we think of Romeo Langford, Quentin Grimes, Cam Reddish and R.J. Barrett, and some of the elite players?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I chat with Dieter Kurtenbach about the NBA and life and technology apparently.  1:30-11:00: Could Skip Bayless beat Tom Brady or LeBron in an eight-mile race? 11:00-24:10: LOL Trevor Ariza, what happened? Breakdown of the madness of Friday's non-trade, in addition to the trade that eventually happened sending him to the Wizards for Kelly Oubre and Austin Rivers' contract.  24:10-30:15: Spencer Dinwiddie Extension makes sense for everyone 30:15: 32:10: Intro to the Nuggets section 32:10-33:10: POLICY GENIUS AD 33:10-42:20: Nuggets section in full. Just how good are they? Are they legit the No. 2 team in the West? Do we buy the defense now? 42:20-44:15: ROBINHOOD AD 44:15-57:35: The 76ers have depth issues. What can they do to fix the depth issues? Also, why the Markelle Fultz situation just continues to be a bummer all around. 57:35-59:05: HIMS AD 59:05-1:11:20: Dieter goes on a rant about technology in today's day and age, spawned by Malika Andrews' piece on the Bucks and Bulls teaching their players spacing and the gamification of practice. I think that's about the best way to describe it.  1:11:20-1:16:50: I like Emmanuel Mudiay! He's good, and why the developmental system in the NBA is kind of a little fucked right now. 1:16:50 to end: we chat about Little Drummer Girl and Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the podcast, Dieter Kurtenbach makes his triumphant return from his sojourn to South America.  1:30-7:20 -- STEPHEN CURRY MOON LANDING 7:20-12:00 -- Dieter goes to Uruguay and Argentina, and likely avoids needing to be subpoenaed.  12:00-26:05 -- THE BULLS ARE A TRAIN WRECK AND DIETER GREW UP A BULLS FAN. DISCUSS THE MESS 26:05-34:00 -- THE CELTICS HAVE WON SEVEN IN A ROW AND KIND OF FIGURED THINGS OUT DESPITE INJURY 34:00-36:15 -- RXBar ad read 36:15-50:30 -- The Lakers! They're good! The defense is good now. Kyle Kuzma has taken a leap. SHould they trade Brandon Ingram?  50:30-52:45 -- Simple Contacts ad read 52:45-1:04:00 -- The Thunder are who we thought they were! They're super good! 1:04:00-1:12:40 -- The Top-12 Rookies in the 2018 Rookie Class have all been pretty good! That's weird.  1:12:40-End -- Allonzo Trier signs deal, end of podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Michael Pina from over at Vice Sports joins the show to talk about a lot of different teams. First, we chat about the Raptors, the best team in the NBA currently. Kawhi's adjustment to Toronto, Lowry's adjustment to the DeMar trade and having Kawhi, and some of the other incredible players we've seen step up, including Pascal Siakam.  Then we chat about the Spurs, and their problems. What should the Spurs do? Why is their defense so bad? Why is their shot distribution so bad? Where do they go from here this season? Should they consider tacitly losing some games and moving off some spare pieces? Then we talk Wolves. Why has the Wolves defense been so good since the Jimmy Butler trade? Should Robert Covington be the defensive player of the year in the league so far? What is happening with Karl Towns? Have I finally given up a bit on Andrew Wiggins? Finally, we move to the Pacers. Despite the Victor Oladipo injury, the Pacers are holding steady and stable. Why? How good has Domantas Sabonis been? What's going on with Myles Turner? Finally, how depth has really helped them this season.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Ricky O'Donnell joins the podcast to chat about Fred Hoiberg getting fired by the Chicago Bulls. What do we make of the Hoiberg era? How did the Bulls front office undercut the scheme? Do we have faith in the Bulls getting out of this long-term bad run with John Paxson and Gar Forman involved? Was this really their fault and not Hoiberg's?  Then, we move on to something positive and chat about the Raptors, who we're super excited about! How did the Spurs not get any of their good young players in the Kawhi trade? Finally, we chat about Ricky's takes on the NBA Draft.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Chris Stone of Sporting News joins the podcast and we chat about some NBA Draft matters. Ja Morant played one of this two most critical games of his season this week, and dropped 38/9/5. What does that mean for him? Is he a potential top-10 pick? We then chat about Darius Garland's injury, and whether or not it hurts him and his stock (it doesn't). We throw Coby White and Tre Jones into the mix as well and compare and contrast the group of top point guards.  Next, we talk about Romeo Langford and Quentin Grimes' early season performances. Both have been up and down. Where are scouts and evaluators on them?  Next, we chat about how Duke's offense has developed over the first seven games. How has RJ Barrett changed his approach? How has Zion Williamson's leap changed things for them?  Then we chat about Bol Bol, who I wrote about at The Athletic this week. Finally, we finish with some early season standouts who seem to have helped themselves, including Brandon Clarke, Alpha Diallo, Jaxson Hayes, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I chat with Dieter Kurtenbach about a variety of NBA topics. Intro: Start to 2:20.  Bucks: 2:20.... Bucks Offense is best in NBA: 2:20-10:45 Bucks Defense is good too (and overall): 10:45-14:55 Eric Bledsoe/Bucks Supporting Cast/Depth have been great: 14:55-20:00 Giannis is MVP at the quarter-mark of the season: 20:00-24:25.  AD FOR HIMS: 24:50-27:25 ------ The Magic... The Magic are fun! -- 27:25-30:20 What is JOnathan Isaac? -- 30:20-34:50 What do the Magic do at center, and how good as Nikola Vucevic been? -- 35:20-43:35 Aaron Gordon is good, too! -- 43:35-48:45 ----- The Celtics... The Celtics don't really have an identity yet. It's 50:00-1:06:00. Not really sure where to cut, though.  ----- The West has been really good and deep. Dieter and I pick the eight playoff teams in the Western Conference through the quarter mark of the season.  1:06:30-1:14:00ish ----- Dieter likes the fact that Kawhi Leonard has signed with New Balance. Why does he like that? It's the perfect blend of function over style. I also make a lot of semi-offensive jokes about white basketball players. 1:15:50-1:21:45   I like Allonzo Trier balling out for the Knicks: 1:21:45-1:28:00 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Tony Jones chats about the team he covers, the Utah Jazz. We break down some of the issues that currently exist on both sides of the floor, and why we think the defense is a bit more concerning than the offense right now. Then we move to some weird potential shake-up trades, including why we think the Jazz and Wizards line up really well for a big deal in January if things keep going this same way.  Then, we chat about some of the terrific rookies who have played this season, including Luka Doncic, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Next, we move to the Lakers, who are quickly figuring some things out. LeBron has been ridiculous, lineups with Lonzo have been working, and why Brandon Ingram's numbers seem a bit deceiving on the surface.  Finally, we chat about some college players. Why Tony is super high on Bol Bol, why Zion Williamson is the favorite to go No. 1, and some of the other guys who are exciting us so far.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I chat with Dieter Kurtenbach about a variety of topics. First, we hit on Gordon Hayward moving out of the Celtics' starting lineup in favor of Aron Baynes. Then we talk about the Terry Rozier tweets. Then, we move to Kemba Walker, who is a legit MVP candidate right now. Can the Hornets get him some help? Then, we chat about the Warriors, and where they're going from here. Also, Dieter tells us about the time he wrote about Klay Thompson making 14 3s in a game was unimpressive, and about Klay's response.  Then, we spent a bunch of time on Markelle Fultz, and the weird situation surrounding his shoulder and its potential injury. Having said that, the Fultz situation and experiment probably needed to end for the team in its rotation.  Then, Dieter says why he likes the Clippers, and I explain why I love Luka Doncic beyond even having him at 25-1 to win Rookie of the Year. But more than that, I give my take on why I think the Trae-Luka trade made sense for both parties even with all of the information we have.  Finally, we chat about Thanksgiving and the Crimes of Grindelwald being a disappointment.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices