Sam Vecenie
banner
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]
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
Wrote about some of the intel I’ve gotten on prospects as well as some scouting notes through Week 1 of the CBB season.

-Caleb Wilson
-Cam Boozer
-Neoklis Avdalas
-Cam Carr
-Others

www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
2026 NBA Draft prospects who stood out in Week 1 include Caleb Wilson, Koa Peat
This freshmen class looks deep and talented. Players like Neoklis Avdalas and Cameron Carr are building draft profiles.
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:12 PM
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
Reposted by Sam Vecenie
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
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
Reposted by Sam Vecenie
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
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
Reposted by Sam Vecenie
Sam has Virginia's Johann Grunloh 51 spots too low but otherwise I agree with everything.
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 12:41 PM
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
Reposted by Sam Vecenie
Over at @theathletic.com, a primer for the 2026 NBA Draft cycle that tips off in earnest tonight.

-The Race for No. 1 and what scouts want to see from Peterson, Boozer and Dybantsa.
-Arizona is a scouts’ hotspot
-the ACC is more than Duke this year

www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
NBA Draft: Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and AJ Dybantsa racing toward the top
Games that matter are starting in college basketball, but we've already learned a lot through practices and preseason action.
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Over at @theathletic.com, a primer for the 2026 NBA Draft cycle that tips off in earnest tonight.

-The Race for No. 1 and what scouts want to see from Peterson, Boozer and Dybantsa.
-Arizona is a scouts’ hotspot
-the ACC is more than Duke this year

www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
NBA Draft: Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and AJ Dybantsa racing toward the top
Games that matter are starting in college basketball, but we've already learned a lot through practices and preseason action.
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:24 AM