Game Theory Podcast

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 He

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

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 t

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