Game Theory Podcast

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

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. 

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