Sam Vecenie
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samvecenie.bsky.social
Sam Vecenie
@samvecenie.bsky.social
I write about basketball. And watch movies. Senior Writer at
@TheAthletic on the NBA/NBA Draft. Host of the Game Theory Podcast. Email: sam.vecenie@gmail.com
Monday Takeaways podcast with @motorcityhoops.bsky.social is up.

-Favorite League Pass teams
-Hornets, my love/hate NBA watch
-East Playoff Picture
-76ers Backcourt Trio
-OKC figuring things out with JDub back
-Christmas Day preview

youtu.be/TXL3bNzUUkI
NBA Christmas Day Primer! | Hornets Love/Hate Watch | Fav League Pass Teams | Week 9 NBA Takeaways
YouTube video by Game Theory Podcast w/ Sam Vecenie
youtu.be
December 22, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Trade Deadline Big Board is up!

I think I wrote about 10k words about trade candidates this cycle. Started at 40 players, but this will obviously expand over the next month or so.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
NBA Trade Board 2025-26: Anthony Davis, Trae Young and other potential movers
Which players are being the most discussed as trade targets as the race to the Feb. 5 deadline begins?
www.nytimes.com
December 19, 2025 at 9:20 PM
What's been wildly impressive about the Spurs? It's the way all of the guys around Victor Wembanyama complement his game so well, and with how they're able to impose their will athletically on other teams.
December 15, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Hey! New Game Theory is up w/ @motorcityhoops.

-Spurs are officially in second tier of title contenders behind OKC.
-Knicks continue impressive run since Josh Hart entered the starting lineup
-NBA Cup pick
-Stars on bad teams
-Celtics
-Cavs, what's up?

youtu.be/wn-a0B0Jaqo
December 15, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Sorry guys, no podcast for tomorrow. Destroyed my back earlier this week on Wednesday so can’t even really sit at my desk. We’ll be back Monday.
December 11, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Reposted by Sam Vecenie
If you want to hear a couple hoop guys give our guy Jordan Walsh (and the Celtics org) some flowers then have I got the pod for you.
Hey! The Takeaways Podcast for this week is with Jason Timpf over at Hoops Tonight ! We talked...

-Timberwolves, Underrated?
-Celtics are awesome again
-Why I'm sick of long-term tanking
-The Spurs Offense/Defense
-Jason's Giannis Trade Idea
-Pat Spencer: That Mother******

youtu.be/w_pR-fDP5V8
December 8, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Talked with @adamfinkelstein.bsky.social about the freshman class in the 2026 NBA Draft class.

-What has surprised him the most?
-What does he feel like he's learned about Boozer, Wilson and Dybantsa?
-Who are the biggest swing guys as we enter conference play?

youtu.be/A8OXTiJvxpE
What has surprised @CBSSports Adam Finkelstein most about the 2026 NBA Draft freshman class?
YouTube video by Game Theory Podcast w/ Sam Vecenie
youtu.be
December 9, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Hey! The Takeaways Podcast for this week is with Jason Timpf over at Hoops Tonight ! We talked...

-Timberwolves, Underrated?
-Celtics are awesome again
-Why I'm sick of long-term tanking
-The Spurs Offense/Defense
-Jason's Giannis Trade Idea
-Pat Spencer: That Mother******

youtu.be/w_pR-fDP5V8
December 8, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Truly one of the more surprising things I’ve seen in a while
December 3, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Reposted by Sam Vecenie
The Monday Game Theory Show is up with @motorcityhoops.bsky.social.

-Lakers: Real Contenders?
-Heat: Most Fun team in the NBA?
-Unsung NBA Heroes
-Clippers Mess
-Good things about the Bottom 5 teams
-Reintegrations of injured stars

youtu.be/Ct1Brs3FC-k
December 1, 2025 at 11:55 AM
The Monday Game Theory Show is up with @motorcityhoops.bsky.social.

-Lakers: Real Contenders?
-Heat: Most Fun team in the NBA?
-Unsung NBA Heroes
-Clippers Mess
-Good things about the Bottom 5 teams
-Reintegrations of injured stars

youtu.be/Ct1Brs3FC-k
December 1, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Today's Game Theory show: @motorcityhoops.bsky.social and I broke down the NBA sophomore class about 100 games into their careers.

Lot of stuff on Castle, Reed, the Wizards guys, Ajay, Risacher, Matas, Holland, Ware, way more.

youtu.be/JmnSa1nOU_0
November 28, 2025 at 11:49 AM
On the Game Theory NBA Draft Show, @motorcityhoops.bsky.social and I talked about:

-Cam Boozer's start to the year at Duke
-Kingston Flemings at Houston
-Who is Illinois' best prospect?
-What games we're most looking forward to this Feast Week

youtu.be/-sdzUaguEYk
November 25, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Hey! The Monday Game Theory Takeaways show with @motorcityhoops.bsky.social is up.

-Superstar Maxey
-The Pelicans, and how Derik Queen's emergence opens the door
-Thunder's historic pace
-Magic figuring things out?
-Knicks depth issues?
-CP3: last of a dying breed

youtu.be/qYaSrwoFWNQ
November 24, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Reposted by Sam Vecenie
Hello! @motorcityhoops.bsky.social and I recorded a new Game Theory:

-30 minutes on the Pistons and their 11-game win streak
-LeBron's back
-LaMelo "open to trade," per report
-All-Star picture one month in
-Who would you watch to introduce the NBA to a new fan?

youtu.be/ecCHyd8HAEo
November 21, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Hello! @motorcityhoops.bsky.social and I recorded a new Game Theory:

-30 minutes on the Pistons and their 11-game win streak
-LeBron's back
-LaMelo "open to trade," per report
-All-Star picture one month in
-Who would you watch to introduce the NBA to a new fan?

youtu.be/ecCHyd8HAEo
November 21, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Did a video on Pistons C Jalen Duren.

Broke down his 24-pt, 8-reb game vs. ATL. Averaging 20/12 now.

He's taken a massive leap in his comfort in short-rolls as teams blitz Cade. But moreover, he can just create shots as a driver now in mismatches.

gametheorysamv.substack.com/p/jalen-dure...
November 20, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Wrote about a bunch of topics and gave a bunch of NBA Draft notes.

-Cam Boozer
-Kingston Flemings
-AJ Dybantsa
-Kentucky’s got some things to figure out
-Duke’s best guard is coming off the bench.
-Illinois’ best prospect?

www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
November 20, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Reposted by Sam Vecenie
Hello! @motorcityhoops.bsky.social and I recorded the NBA Draft Show.

-Mikel Brown Jr.
-AJ Dybantsa vs. UConn
-Braden Smith vs. Labaron Philon
-Mara/Lendeborg and Michigan

youtu.be/IaDZMtoHCc0
November 18, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Reposted by Sam Vecenie
Houston's Kingston Flemings has been one of the most impressive freshmen in the country. Serious one-and-done potential.

Why? His burst, and then his ability to decelerate and counter from midrange. Had 22/5/7 vs. Auburn.

Full 60-minute Video Breakdown: gametheorysamv.substack.com/p/is-houston...
November 18, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Houston's Kingston Flemings has been one of the most impressive freshmen in the country. Serious one-and-done potential.

Why? His burst, and then his ability to decelerate and counter from midrange. Had 22/5/7 vs. Auburn.

Full 60-minute Video Breakdown: gametheorysamv.substack.com/p/is-houston...
November 18, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Hello! @motorcityhoops.bsky.social and I recorded the NBA Draft Show.

-Mikel Brown Jr.
-AJ Dybantsa vs. UConn
-Braden Smith vs. Labaron Philon
-Mara/Lendeborg and Michigan

youtu.be/IaDZMtoHCc0
November 18, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Reposted by Sam Vecenie
Hey! Week 4 NBA Takeaways Show is here with @motorcityhoops.bsky.social!

-Nikola Jokic is breaking basketball
-The kids are all right
-The Warriors: still got it
-Who are the real contenders?
-Hawks w/out Trae: Good!
-Raptors: a beautiful chaotic bench experience

youtu.be/DYf_O7NyBEA
November 17, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Hey! Week 4 NBA Takeaways Show is here with @motorcityhoops.bsky.social!

-Nikola Jokic is breaking basketball
-The kids are all right
-The Warriors: still got it
-Who are the real contenders?
-Hawks w/out Trae: Good!
-Raptors: a beautiful chaotic bench experience

youtu.be/DYf_O7NyBEA
November 17, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Hello! The Friday Podcast is up with @motorcityhoops.bsky.social.

-Nico Harrison Fired; Where do Mavs go now?
-Clippers: most disappointing team in NBA?
-Kings rebuild coming?
-Reed Sheppard!

youtu.be/tlfxhtseYjQ
Nico Harrison Fired | Mavericks Rebuild? | Kings Vets Available | Reed Sheppard Good? Clippers Bad?
YouTube video by Game Theory Podcast w/ Sam Vecenie
youtu.be
November 14, 2025 at 11:20 AM