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
@TheAthletic on the NBA/NBA Draft. Host of the Game Theory Podcast. Email: sam.vecenie@gmail.com
Did a Carter Bryant breakdown. I just love watching how active and disruptive he is on defense.
He flies around everywhere, contests everything, works like crazy. Huge wing with real length. Has a chance to be a BIG TIME defender for the Spurs.
gametheorysamv.substack.com/p/spurs-rook...
He flies around everywhere, contests everything, works like crazy. Huge wing with real length. Has a chance to be a BIG TIME defender for the Spurs.
gametheorysamv.substack.com/p/spurs-rook...
February 13, 2026 at 12:06 PM
Did a Carter Bryant breakdown. I just love watching how active and disruptive he is on defense.
He flies around everywhere, contests everything, works like crazy. Huge wing with real length. Has a chance to be a BIG TIME defender for the Spurs.
gametheorysamv.substack.com/p/spurs-rook...
He flies around everywhere, contests everything, works like crazy. Huge wing with real length. Has a chance to be a BIG TIME defender for the Spurs.
gametheorysamv.substack.com/p/spurs-rook...
Hello! @motorcityhoops.bsky.social and I are doing a What Are Our Biggest Takeaways from the First Half of the 2025-26 NBA Season Podcast.
And we're doing it live, starting now! Come hang out!
youtube.com/live/ih8muI6...
And we're doing it live, starting now! Come hang out!
youtube.com/live/ih8muI6...
NBA First Half Takeaways: What Have We Learned Before The Allstar Break?! | Game Theory Podcast
YouTube video by Game Theory Podcast w/ Sam Vecenie
youtube.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:09 PM
Hello! @motorcityhoops.bsky.social and I are doing a What Are Our Biggest Takeaways from the First Half of the 2025-26 NBA Season Podcast.
And we're doing it live, starting now! Come hang out!
youtube.com/live/ih8muI6...
And we're doing it live, starting now! Come hang out!
youtube.com/live/ih8muI6...
Hello! @motorcityhoops.bsky.social and I are about to go live and talk through all the winners/losers of the NBA Trade Deadline, both players, teams and more!
youtube.com/live/cn3Q2CO...
youtube.com/live/cn3Q2CO...
NBA Trade Deadline Winners & Losers! Best Deals, Most Dumbfounding Choices | Game Theory Podcast
YouTube video by Game Theory Podcast w/ Sam Vecenie
youtube.com
February 9, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Hello! @motorcityhoops.bsky.social and I are about to go live and talk through all the winners/losers of the NBA Trade Deadline, both players, teams and more!
youtube.com/live/cn3Q2CO...
youtube.com/live/cn3Q2CO...
Reposted by Sam Vecenie
Wrote about the tank race that is going to put all prior tank races to shame in the NBA over the next two months.
It’s going to be glorious and a total mess for the league.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
It’s going to be glorious and a total mess for the league.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
After NBA trade deadline, tanking season is about to bring new levels of losing
A loaded draft looms, and a third of the league has little incentive to win. How bad will it get, and will this prompt reform?
www.nytimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:18 PM
Wrote about the tank race that is going to put all prior tank races to shame in the NBA over the next two months.
It’s going to be glorious and a total mess for the league.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
It’s going to be glorious and a total mess for the league.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Wrote about the tank race that is going to put all prior tank races to shame in the NBA over the next two months.
It’s going to be glorious and a total mess for the league.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
It’s going to be glorious and a total mess for the league.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
After NBA trade deadline, tanking season is about to bring new levels of losing
A loaded draft looms, and a third of the league has little incentive to win. How bad will it get, and will this prompt reform?
www.nytimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:18 PM
Wrote about the tank race that is going to put all prior tank races to shame in the NBA over the next two months.
It’s going to be glorious and a total mess for the league.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
It’s going to be glorious and a total mess for the league.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Reposted by Sam Vecenie
Hello! Going live now with @motorcityhoops.bsky.social to break down what happened today at the NBA Trade Deadline
-No Giannis deal
-No Morant deal
-Zubac to Pacers!
-All the other stuff!
youtube.com/live/Vt7yidV...
-No Giannis deal
-No Morant deal
-Zubac to Pacers!
-All the other stuff!
youtube.com/live/Vt7yidV...
NBA Trade Deadline Madness! No Giannis Trade! No Ja Trade! Zubac to Pacers! | Game Theory Podcast
YouTube video by Game Theory Podcast w/ Sam Vecenie
youtube.com
February 5, 2026 at 10:07 PM
Hello! Going live now with @motorcityhoops.bsky.social to break down what happened today at the NBA Trade Deadline
-No Giannis deal
-No Morant deal
-Zubac to Pacers!
-All the other stuff!
youtube.com/live/Vt7yidV...
-No Giannis deal
-No Morant deal
-Zubac to Pacers!
-All the other stuff!
youtube.com/live/Vt7yidV...
Hello! Going live now with @motorcityhoops.bsky.social to break down what happened today at the NBA Trade Deadline
-No Giannis deal
-No Morant deal
-Zubac to Pacers!
-All the other stuff!
youtube.com/live/Vt7yidV...
-No Giannis deal
-No Morant deal
-Zubac to Pacers!
-All the other stuff!
youtube.com/live/Vt7yidV...
NBA Trade Deadline Madness! No Giannis Trade! No Ja Trade! Zubac to Pacers! | Game Theory Podcast
YouTube video by Game Theory Podcast w/ Sam Vecenie
youtube.com
February 5, 2026 at 10:07 PM
Hello! Going live now with @motorcityhoops.bsky.social to break down what happened today at the NBA Trade Deadline
-No Giannis deal
-No Morant deal
-Zubac to Pacers!
-All the other stuff!
youtube.com/live/Vt7yidV...
-No Giannis deal
-No Morant deal
-Zubac to Pacers!
-All the other stuff!
youtube.com/live/Vt7yidV...
Congrats Warriors fans, you no longer have to care about Jonathan Kuminga's development, trade value, or the insane discourse surrounding him anymore. It is over.
February 5, 2026 at 5:34 AM
Congrats Warriors fans, you no longer have to care about Jonathan Kuminga's development, trade value, or the insane discourse surrounding him anymore. It is over.
Gonna go live here and try to make sense of all the deals that have occurred today with @MotorCityHoops in about five minutes.
-Anthony Davis to...Wizards?!
-Jared McCain to Thunder
-Coby White to Hornets
youtube.com/live/U_BUX-w...
-Anthony Davis to...Wizards?!
-Jared McCain to Thunder
-Coby White to Hornets
youtube.com/live/U_BUX-w...
NBA Trade Deadline Mania! Anthony Davis to Wizards?! Jared McCain to Thunder | Coby White to Hornets
YouTube video by Game Theory Podcast w/ Sam Vecenie
youtube.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:39 PM
Gonna go live here and try to make sense of all the deals that have occurred today with @MotorCityHoops in about five minutes.
-Anthony Davis to...Wizards?!
-Jared McCain to Thunder
-Coby White to Hornets
youtube.com/live/U_BUX-w...
-Anthony Davis to...Wizards?!
-Jared McCain to Thunder
-Coby White to Hornets
youtube.com/live/U_BUX-w...
There just is not a better running tally of the NBA Trade Deadline and all of its rumors, deals, and analysis than @theathletic.com's Live Blog. Literally everything you need all in one place.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...
NBA trade deadline 2026 live tracker, updates: Cavaliers trade Lonzo Ball; Clippers move Chris Paul to Raptors
www.nytimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:17 PM
There just is not a better running tally of the NBA Trade Deadline and all of its rumors, deals, and analysis than @theathletic.com's Live Blog. Literally everything you need all in one place.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...
Did a long deep dive on the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade to Utah yesterday. Think it’s a win for both teams involved
-Memphis gets a boatload of picks
-Utah solves a huge weakness on defense without making an all-in move.
t.co/wfLNQvFLqE
-Memphis gets a boatload of picks
-Utah solves a huge weakness on defense without making an all-in move.
t.co/wfLNQvFLqE
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7019430/2026/02/04/jaren-jackson-jr-trade-grizzlies-jazz-winners/?source=emp_shared_article
t.co
February 4, 2026 at 9:52 PM
Did a long deep dive on the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade to Utah yesterday. Think it’s a win for both teams involved
-Memphis gets a boatload of picks
-Utah solves a huge weakness on defense without making an all-in move.
t.co/wfLNQvFLqE
-Memphis gets a boatload of picks
-Utah solves a huge weakness on defense without making an all-in move.
t.co/wfLNQvFLqE
What in the world am I waking up to today with this trade deadline? Feels like we’ve broken contain lol
February 4, 2026 at 8:06 PM
What in the world am I waking up to today with this trade deadline? Feels like we’ve broken contain lol
Talked about the Grizzlies on the show today. The front office has hit every draft pick outside of two in seven years and only made a couple of trade mistakes.
But when you're a small market team and your star ends up not being The Guy, what the front office does doesn't matter.
But when you're a small market team and your star ends up not being The Guy, what the front office does doesn't matter.
February 4, 2026 at 4:59 AM
Talked about the Grizzlies on the show today. The front office has hit every draft pick outside of two in seven years and only made a couple of trade mistakes.
But when you're a small market team and your star ends up not being The Guy, what the front office does doesn't matter.
But when you're a small market team and your star ends up not being The Guy, what the front office does doesn't matter.
I still just can't get past the timing of the James Harden stuff over the last week. Clippers had won 16 out of 20. They're rolling, look great. Kawhi in maybe career-best form. And it wasn't enough.
Good luck to Cleveland.
Good luck to Cleveland.
February 4, 2026 at 3:51 AM
I still just can't get past the timing of the James Harden stuff over the last week. Clippers had won 16 out of 20. They're rolling, look great. Kawhi in maybe career-best form. And it wasn't enough.
Good luck to Cleveland.
Good luck to Cleveland.
Going to go live here with @motorcityhoops.bsky.social in like 15 minutes or so.
-Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah
-Jaden Ivey to Chicago
-Nikola Vucevic to Boston
-The Harden stuff
youtube.com/live/ouMyisH...
-Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah
-Jaden Ivey to Chicago
-Nikola Vucevic to Boston
-The Harden stuff
youtube.com/live/ouMyisH...
NBA Trade Deadline! Grizzlies Trade Jaren Jackson Jr. to Jazz | Ivey to Bulls | Game Theory Podcast
YouTube video by Game Theory Podcast w/ Sam Vecenie
youtube.com
February 3, 2026 at 11:04 PM
Going to go live here with @motorcityhoops.bsky.social in like 15 minutes or so.
-Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah
-Jaden Ivey to Chicago
-Nikola Vucevic to Boston
-The Harden stuff
youtube.com/live/ouMyisH...
-Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah
-Jaden Ivey to Chicago
-Nikola Vucevic to Boston
-The Harden stuff
youtube.com/live/ouMyisH...
Talked about this reacting live to all-star choices, but Kawhi not being an all-star is completely insane right?
February 2, 2026 at 1:55 AM
Talked about this reacting live to all-star choices, but Kawhi not being an all-star is completely insane right?
Hey! @motorcityhoops.bsky.social and I are going to go live to talk NBA Trade Deadline, other stuff.
-Cavaliers/Kings/Bulls trade
-Vit Krejci trade
-Paul George trade
-Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel
-Other stuff!
youtube.com/live/-wyah8m...
-Cavaliers/Kings/Bulls trade
-Vit Krejci trade
-Paul George trade
-Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel
-Other stuff!
youtube.com/live/-wyah8m...
Cavs/Kings Trade REACTION | Paul George Suspended | Coop v Kon | NBA Takeaways | Game Theory Podcast
YouTube video by Game Theory Podcast w/ Sam Vecenie
youtube.com
February 1, 2026 at 10:02 PM
Hey! @motorcityhoops.bsky.social and I are going to go live to talk NBA Trade Deadline, other stuff.
-Cavaliers/Kings/Bulls trade
-Vit Krejci trade
-Paul George trade
-Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel
-Other stuff!
youtube.com/live/-wyah8m...
-Cavaliers/Kings/Bulls trade
-Vit Krejci trade
-Paul George trade
-Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel
-Other stuff!
youtube.com/live/-wyah8m...
Reposted by Sam Vecenie
🥞SLAM N JAM🥞
@samvecenie.bsky.social on the 2026 NBA Draft class
PLUS
NBA ROOKIES
podfollow.com/nba-daily
@samvecenie.bsky.social on the 2026 NBA Draft class
PLUS
NBA ROOKIES
podfollow.com/nba-daily
January 31, 2026 at 8:44 PM
🥞SLAM N JAM🥞
@samvecenie.bsky.social on the 2026 NBA Draft class
PLUS
NBA ROOKIES
podfollow.com/nba-daily
@samvecenie.bsky.social on the 2026 NBA Draft class
PLUS
NBA ROOKIES
podfollow.com/nba-daily
Congrats to the 76ers for now being able to duck the tax in a drastically easier way this week!
January 31, 2026 at 8:57 PM
Congrats to the 76ers for now being able to duck the tax in a drastically easier way this week!
Basically true and totally get @minakimes.bsky.social point about “you can’t seek validation” from these types of things. Just gotta do the process and the work!
As someone who is frequently wrong, @minakimes.bsky.social nailed this: "You get nothing out of being proven right and only get... people take joy when you're proven wrong"
January 30, 2026 at 9:52 PM
Basically true and totally get @minakimes.bsky.social point about “you can’t seek validation” from these types of things. Just gotta do the process and the work!
Genuinely do not think I have seen a weirder film this year than Ella McCay! I think I just sat there aghast at what in the world was happening across my eyeballs in this exceedingly strange movie film! I didn't even hate it, it's just very weird! letterboxd.com/samvecenie/f...
A ★★ review of Ella McCay (2025)
There is a point here in this movie where Ella reads the definition of trauma in a dictionary to an 8-year-old. It kind of embodies the entire film where every single thing is overexplained to the nth...
letterboxd.com
January 28, 2026 at 5:00 AM
Genuinely do not think I have seen a weirder film this year than Ella McCay! I think I just sat there aghast at what in the world was happening across my eyeballs in this exceedingly strange movie film! I didn't even hate it, it's just very weird! letterboxd.com/samvecenie/f...
Did an hourlong Kingston Flemings video on his 42-point explosion versus Texas Tech.
The raw speed and power at his size is a sight to behold. What a fun player. Some work to do, but has a ton of tools to be an awesome guard. Potential top-5 pick.
open.substack.com/pub/gametheo...
The raw speed and power at his size is a sight to behold. What a fun player. Some work to do, but has a ton of tools to be an awesome guard. Potential top-5 pick.
open.substack.com/pub/gametheo...
January 28, 2026 at 12:08 AM
Did an hourlong Kingston Flemings video on his 42-point explosion versus Texas Tech.
The raw speed and power at his size is a sight to behold. What a fun player. Some work to do, but has a ton of tools to be an awesome guard. Potential top-5 pick.
open.substack.com/pub/gametheo...
The raw speed and power at his size is a sight to behold. What a fun player. Some work to do, but has a ton of tools to be an awesome guard. Potential top-5 pick.
open.substack.com/pub/gametheo...
NBA Draft Show is up with @motorcityhoops.bsky.social and I. Go subscribe!
We went into the weeds on potential top-six picks Keaton Wagler, Kingston Flemings and AJ Dybantsa's 40-balls from over the weekend, plus some of the other fun performances.
open.substack.com/pub/gametheo...
We went into the weeds on potential top-six picks Keaton Wagler, Kingston Flemings and AJ Dybantsa's 40-balls from over the weekend, plus some of the other fun performances.
open.substack.com/pub/gametheo...
January 27, 2026 at 8:52 PM
NBA Draft Show is up with @motorcityhoops.bsky.social and I. Go subscribe!
We went into the weeds on potential top-six picks Keaton Wagler, Kingston Flemings and AJ Dybantsa's 40-balls from over the weekend, plus some of the other fun performances.
open.substack.com/pub/gametheo...
We went into the weeds on potential top-six picks Keaton Wagler, Kingston Flemings and AJ Dybantsa's 40-balls from over the weekend, plus some of the other fun performances.
open.substack.com/pub/gametheo...
I'm open to the Bucks keeping Giannis long-term. I get wanting to keep your franchise guy.
But I do think we're at the point where they need an answer now on if he's willing to sign his extension when he can in October. They can't keep mortgaging their future without knowing
But I do think we're at the point where they need an answer now on if he's willing to sign his extension when he can in October. They can't keep mortgaging their future without knowing
January 26, 2026 at 6:36 PM
I'm open to the Bucks keeping Giannis long-term. I get wanting to keep your franchise guy.
But I do think we're at the point where they need an answer now on if he's willing to sign his extension when he can in October. They can't keep mortgaging their future without knowing
But I do think we're at the point where they need an answer now on if he's willing to sign his extension when he can in October. They can't keep mortgaging their future without knowing
lol today was insane in college hoops. Obviously the Wagler game, but Flemings and AJ, Ament went off at night, Swain played well, Boozer’s Ho-hum 32/9 (lol), Burries was awesome, Mikel back. Just a glorious day of college basketball.
Truly can’t do better than that
Truly can’t do better than that
January 25, 2026 at 10:29 AM
lol today was insane in college hoops. Obviously the Wagler game, but Flemings and AJ, Ament went off at night, Swain played well, Boozer’s Ho-hum 32/9 (lol), Burries was awesome, Mikel back. Just a glorious day of college basketball.
Truly can’t do better than that
Truly can’t do better than that