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: [email protected]
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
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
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
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
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! @motorcityhoops.bsky.social and I coming to you with Week 2 of the Game Theory NBA Draft Show.

-Caleb Wilson Breakout
-Peterson, Dybantsa
-Boozer Finishing ?s
-Koa Peat, Neoklis Avdalas monster performances

youtu.be/M_0zPt5mgN4
November 11, 2025 at 11:04 AM
New show with @motorcityhoops.bsky.social is up. Week 3 NBA Takeaways

-Wemby/Sengun is the next great NBA big rivalry
-The Pistons are on fire
-Alex Sarr's breakout
-Phoenix Suns are...fine?
-Bucks potential ceiling?
-Role Player Madness

youtu.be/rPq0dPQfJq4
November 10, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Hello! @motorcityhoops.bsky.social and I talked through the Rookies of the NBA through the first 8-10 games of the season.

Lots of stuff on Cooper, VJ, the Hornets (!), Fears and Queen, Harper, Coward, more.

youtu.be/SOZo2vcg4yI
November 7, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Also, on Tuesdays this year, @motorcityhoops.bsky.social and I will have a show talking only NBA Draft.

We started this week with a baseline preview of the class and a breakdown of the top-3 (Peterson, Boozer, Dybantsa), but we'll have more to talk next week.

youtu.be/DE0x3QN84sk
November 4, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Big NBA Draft day from me.

2026 NBA Mock Draft is here over at @theathletic.com. Lot of prospects to dive into beyond just the loaded top-three of Peterson, Dybantsa and Boozer.

But man, that top-3 is going to tempt a lot of NBA teams to tank in 2026.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
November 4, 2025 at 11:40 AM
New Podcast is up with @motorcityhoops.bsky.social. Week 2 NBA Takeaways is here.

-The Pivotal Point of Ja Morant's career in Memphis
-Trae Young Out
-Fun Chicago Bulls!
-Slow starts for new acquisitions?
-Jazz Frontcourt!
-Wide Open East

youtu.be/Zx-M1WPQvpg
November 3, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Hey! @motorcityhoops.bsky.social and I podcasted!

-Wemby and the 5-0 Spurs
-The East's big stories so far, to me, are the Bucks, 76ers and Magic.
-Austin Reaves
-Pelicans are struggling hard.

youtu.be/Pst4WZdaJRk
October 31, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Over on Game Theory, did a Dylan Harper breakdown from his performance over the weekend vs. BKN. 20 pts, 6 rebs, 8 asts

Harper has been a monster in transition, but it's more the chemistry he and Wemby are building that should terrify the NBA long-term.

gametheorysamv.substack.com/p/dylan-harp...
October 28, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Hey! @motorcityhoops.bsky.social and I did Week 1 NBA Takeaways.

-Great Rookie Class!
-Defensive Trend!
-Wemby's MVP chances
-76ers Backcourt
-More!

youtu.be/yLhmLNYH1Ck
October 27, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Recorded a podcast with @andrewjclaudio.bsky.social after Nuggets/Warriors.

-The Steph/AG show
-OKC 2OT x2
-NBA Gambling Arrests Reaction
-WEMBY
-SAS/DAL, PHI/BOS, NYK/CLE, MIN/POR, ORL/MIA

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlwA...
October 24, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Went quite basic on the Criterion Flash Sale this time around. But honestly, feel pretty great about what I picked up here.
October 22, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Hello! @motorcityhoops.bsky.social and I recorded a podcast last night!

Reactions to HOU-OKC and GSW-LAL (mostly Rockets-Thunder).

Then some talk about the preseason extension window, including Dyson, Braun, Nesmith, and some notes on guys who didn't extend.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWdU...
October 22, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Did a second video breakdown on Kansas' Darryn Peterson. My No. 1 guy entering 2026 NBA draft cycle.

What makes him so special? The way everything flows together. The pull-up looks the same as his hesitations and he's excellent at maintaining his dribble

gametheorysamv.substack.com/p/darryn-pet...
October 20, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Hey, going live here momentarily with @motorcityhoops.bsky.social and we're giving predictions on who wins the title as well as some best offense/defense stuff in the NBA this year.

Plus, KD Extension, some other news and notes.

youtube.com/live/70fKqLs...
October 19, 2025 at 9:38 PM