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Game Theory Podcast

Sam Vecenie
NBA
NBA Draft
Oklahoma City Thunder
New York Knicks
Los Angeles Lakers
Indiana Pacers
Detroit Pistons
San Antonio Spurs
Denver Nuggets
Minnesota Timberwolves
Cleveland Cavaliers
Houston Rockets
Cooper Flagg
NBA Playoffs
Philadelphia 76ers
Golden State Warriors
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Washington Wizards
Los Angeles Clippers
Victor Wembanyama

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. And some thoughts on movies, too.

PublishesDailyEpisodes860Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TV & FilmSportsBasketballFilm Reviews

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Game Theory Podcast

Latest Episodes

In this edition of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie & Bryce Simon react to the trade that sent LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves & Naz Reid, picks to the Charlotte Hornets.

CHECK OUT THE ⁠⁠VIDEO VERSION⁠⁠ OF THE FULL LIVE SHOW ON THE GAM... more

In this edition of the Game Theory Podacst, Sam Vecenie is joined by Kyle Mann (The Ringer) to provide in the moment analysis of every player take in the 2nd round of the 2026 NBA Draft!

CHECK OUT THE ⁠⁠VIDEO VERSION⁠⁠ OF THE FULL LIVE SHOW ON THE G... more

In this edition of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie & Bryce Simon react LIVE to all 30 picks selected during the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft!

(24:58) - #1. Washington Wizards draft AJ Dybantsa (BYU)

(31:15) - #2. Utah Jazz draft Darryn Pe... more

Giannis Antetokounmpo has finally been traded to the Miami Heat, so Andrew Claudio joins Sam Vecenie to break down the deal and what it means for the Heat, the Bucks and the rest of the league.

(0:00) GIANNIS TRADED TO THE MIAMI HEAT

(24:35) What's... more

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Recent Guests

Sam Vecenie
Senior NBA Writer at The Athletic
The Athletic
Episode: New York Knicks WIN NBA TITLE Over San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 (REACTION) | Game Theory Podcast
Andrew Claudio
Host of Knicks Film School
Knicks Film School
Episode: Thunder Win Game 5, 3-2 Lead Over Spurs | Game Theory Podcast
Tyler Britton
Guest from Hoop Venue
Hoop Venue
Episode: Thunder take 2-1 lead over Spurs w/ Tyler Britton of Hoops Venue | Knicks Lead 2-0 | NBA Draft Lottery Proposal
Steve Smith
Former NFL wide receiver, host of the 89 show on YouTube
YouTube
Episode: Sixers UPSET Celtics! Pistons/Cavs BLOW OUT Magic/Raptors! | Bulls, Mavs NBA Front Office Hires
Es Baraheni
Special guest
Episode: Dylan Harper ARRIVES for Spurs | Rockets BLOW Game 3 vs Lakers | Celtics-76ers | Game Theory Podcast
Adam Finkelstein
CBS Sports High School Rankings and NBA Draft expert
CBS Sports
Episode: Six Interesting NBA Draft Prospects w/ Adam Finkelstein | Game Theory Podcast w/ Sam Vecenie
Fred Katz
NBA Writer at The Athletic
The Athletic
Episode: Most Important Players In The NBA This Season w/ Fred Katz of The Athletic
Bryce Simon
A basketball analyst at Motor City Hoops
Episode: NBA Offseason: Lakers, Warriors & more teams with moves still to make!
Samson Folk
A leading expert on the Toronto Raptors
Raptors Republic
Episode: Raptors Hold the Keys at the Trade Deadline Again, so what now? Also, Warriors and Kuminga blow up?

Hosts

Sam Vecenie
Senior NBA Writer at The Athletic; host of plus frequent guest appearances.
Bryce Simon
Co-host of the show; frequent in offseason previews and draft discussions.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1.8k ratings
  • Loud Breathing

    I can’t legitimately rate this program because the constant deep breaths make it unlistenable. After every sentence you get a loud obnoxious breath. Producer editor please fix it.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Tom Manningham
    United Statesa month ago
  • Great analysis, “Right?”

    This would be a 5 star podcast if the host could quit saying “Right?” to manufacture agreement with himself after every other sentence. The constant sharp on-mic inhalations also makes for a tough listen for what is otherwise an excellent deep (deep, deep, very deep) dive nerdy NBA analysis show.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Guitars Ruin Lives- Josh
    United States2 months ago
  • Smart podcast, but definitely biased.

    Ever since the 2nd host joined, this show has been a pistons centric podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Jmbellam
    United States2 months ago
  • Weeds

    I really like this podcast and do consider myself a basketball sicko, but even for me this really gets a bit too deep into the weeds occasionally. Also, they can be annoyingly contrarian sometimes. Can you just admit that the way Bam scored his 83 points was a little cringy and unsatisfying to watch? The guy was just jacking up shots at the end and most of his points from 60 to the end were gifts from the wizards playing some of the worst defense you’ll ever see

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    dirtylebs
    United States3 months ago
  • Such a shame

    Used to be great, and had a point of difference covering the draft. Now it’s just another ball podcast. Sad

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Langs92
    Australia4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners wish for more pushback to create hotter debates; overall very positive.
Very insightful on front-office moves and drafts; a top pick for serious NBA fans and analysts.
Quality takes and strong guest lineup; sponsorships feel like a natural fit for basketball brands.
The host duo combines sharp basketball IQ with clear strategic takeaways, great for listeners who want depth.
Polished analysis with occasional long-form focus; could be dense but valuable for strategy enthusiasts.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#12
United States/Sports/Basketball
Apple Podcasts
#90
United States/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#10
United Kingdom/Sports/Basketball
Apple Podcasts
#13
Canada/Sports/Basketball
Apple Podcasts
#155
Canada/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#8
Australia/Sports/Basketball

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Thunder Win Game 5, 3-2 Lead Over Spurs | Game Theory Podcast
Q: Would you take a deal that involves both Asar Thompson and Jalen Durin for the four pick if it guaranteed a foundational piece and controlled cost?
They disagreed on merit; one suggested keeping one and moving the other for a balanced, higher floor pick, while the other argued that giving up both weakens future flexibility and doesn't guarantee a better return, underscoring the complexity of top-5 draft trade scenarios.
Thunder Win Game 5, 3-2 Lead Over Spurs | Game Theory Podcast
Q: Would you trade Asar Thompson or Jalen Durin to Chicago for the number four overall pick?
The panelists argued that trading either young star for four would come with expensive future costs and roster reshaping, leaning toward keeping both if possible unless a game-changing package emerged, with emphasis on cost control and immediate impact.
Thunder Win Game 5, 3-2 Lead Over Spurs | Game Theory Podcast
Q: From Dirty Dancer, would be interested to hear Bryce's thoughts on Bobby Marx's proposed number on Asar Thompson of five years, $162 million, feels a bit much.
Bryce explained that while $162 million over five years is steep, the overall market for a high-confidence two-way prospect like Asar Thompson could justify a top-five rookie-scale deal, though he'd prefer a somewhat lower figure and emphasized the need for surrounding him with shooting and flexibility.
Thunder and Spurs TIED at 1-1 | Knicks Stuns Cavs | NBA Conference Finals | Kidd OUT in Dallas
Q: How did the Knicks adjust to the Harden switches and what did Brunson do to exploit them?
The Knicks used off-ball actions and Brunson's elite screening to force Harden into unfavorable matchups, capitalizing on switches to create clean looks and drive momentum in the fourth quarter.
Thunder and Spurs TIED at 1-1 | Knicks Stuns Cavs | NBA Conference Finals | Kidd OUT in Dallas
Q: What changes did San Antonio make after Game 1 to slow down Wembenyama and defend him better in Game 2?
They improved ball pressure, employed aggressive defensive rotations, and leaned on Hartenstein's physicality to contest Wembenyama while using zone looks to disrupt the rookie's rhythm and force him into tougher shots.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Game Theory Podcast

What is Game Theory Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show delivers data-driven, strategy-focused basketball analysis, with deep dives into the NBA, the Draft, college hoops, and the occasional film or entertainment angle. Episodes routinely pair tactical game breakdowns with roster construction, front-office moves, and long-range team-building conversations, often featuring guest voices that sharpen the directional take. A standout is the balance between rigorous Xs-and-Os discussion and accessible, opinionated commentary on rosters, trades, and draft prospects, making it a go-to for listeners who want both technical insight and practical implications for teams and sponsorships.

Noteworthy is the consistent emphasis on cap considerations, player development trajectories, and draft evalu... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Game Theory Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Game Theory Podcast:

1. Dunc'd On Basketball NBA Podcast
2. Hollinger & Duncan NBA Show - NBA Basketball Podcast
3. The Athletic NBA Daily
4. The Kevin O'Connor Show
5. The Zach Lowe Show

How many episodes of Game Theory Podcast are there?

Game Theory Podcast launched 11 years ago and published 860 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Game Theory Podcast?

Recent guests on Game Theory Podcast include:

1. Sam Vecenie
2. Andrew Claudio
3. Tyler Britton
4. Steve Smith
5. Es Baraheni
6. Adam Finkelstein
7. Fred Katz
8. Bryce Simon

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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