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Had to start this one off by talking about the state of the NBA and how the game has changed in recent years from the influence of analytics. Let’s breakdown some of these teams and these first round matchups. The playoffs have been unpredictable so Ekam gives us his thoughts on who he thinks will be in the NBA finals. How has “ring culture” effected the game? Who are the guys we’d want to have leading our team in the toughest playoff games? Finally, let’s talk about pure hoopers in the NBA. No matter the environment these guys are going to cook!

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Both the 76ers and the Kings had phenomenal years but do they have what it takes to make a deep playoff run? The West is wide open so watch out for the Lakers and in the East keep on eye on the Cavaliers because they could surprise some people. On this episode I am joined by Drew Hill, a Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Daily Memphian. We talk about the Grizzlies championship aspirations and the players that need to step up for them to get past the Lakers in the first round. What can we expect to see from players like Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Dillon Brooks in the playoffs?

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It is going to be hard to give the MVP award to someone other than Joel Embiid. Is he the most skilled big man this game has ever seen? Jay Appaji from the MavsFilmRoom joins the podcast today. Let’s talk about Dirk Nowitzki’s impact on the Maverick’s franchise. What if Dirk and Steve Nash had more years together? The Kyrie Irving trade shook the basketball world but why hasn’t it worked out yet? Where would the Mavs be if they kept Jalen Brunson? Also, let’s wrap it up by talking about some of our favourite Mavericks of all-time.

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The 2023 Hall-of Fame class has been announced. So let’s start this off by highlighting a couple of these basketball legends. On this episode I am joined by Denver Sports Analyst, Swipa. We talk about Jokić’s playmaking ability and the key pieces around him. What do the Nuggets need to do to live up to their expectations? Who do they need to step up in the playoffs? Discussion then shifts to the MVP race. Embiid, Jokić or Giannis? This might be the best generation of bigs that we have ever seen. Finally, who are the best players we’ve seen since Michael Jordan retired and who are our favorite Nuggets of all-time? Another episode down! Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss a thing. 

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Welcome to episode 1 of Hoop Ties! Today we are joined by Suns writer Gerald Bourguet. We all know this Suns team is dangerous. Let’s talk about Kevin Durant and his impact on the team. Is there anyone else that needs to step up to make the Suns true contenders? Are the Suns lacking depth? Who is the most valuable trade asset on this team? Finally, who are Gerald’s top 5 favorite players of all time? That’s a wrap on our first episode! Make sure you all subscribe and tune in weekly. 

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As promised Trish and Kurt welcome the “Grande Frappuccino” himself Dhanung Bulsara, new co-host of “Beyond the Press”. We get the “Full D Experience” and hear about the amazing things D is working on in all things sport and lifestyle. We also get to know some of the backstory behind what makes this highly caffeinated and super sweet guy who he is. From a traditional East Indian upbringing, to auditioning for “So You Think You Can Dance”, to focusing on broadcast journalism and everything that’s happened in between.

They laugh, they get deep and then our hosts have the tables turned on them when D becomes the interviewer.

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Trish is back and she's a winner! We get right into things with the return of civilization and what that looks like. The ESPN conundrum with Rachel Nichols and Max Kellerman and how do big networks manage growth? How Tidal League has grown into a network that's built on relationships.  The generational shift of people with social media and the pressure that comes with it. 

Today we are joined by WNBA Champion, Sixth Woman of the Year, and WNBA All-Star Jantel Lavender, one of the newest members of the Indiana Fever. Entering her 10th year in the WNBA, we talk about the disparities between the NBA and WNBA and her role as a leader and a voice in inspiring other young girls to be their true selves.

With more and more networks airing WNBA games, fans will have unprecedented access to watch the women play and our podcast today continues to raise the profile of the League and the elite athletes who have changed the way the game is played. 

With the start of the WNBA season, Jantel shares her thoughts on how the League has used its platform to raise the profile of social justice issues, in particular, the Black Lives Matter movement, how breaking her foot impacted her career in exceptional ways, and what she’s most looking forward to, playing for her new team.

We talk about what it was like to play for the LA Sparks and Magic Johnson at the Staples Centre, winning it all in the 2016 championship series. Jantel tells us about the constant grind to stay at the top and in the game, the pressure around body image, and her message to other women who face similar challenges - celebrate yourself! 

As we wrap up Magic Mom Month we turn the tables and welcome Cam Reddish's mom Zanthia Reddish as our guest host interviewing our very own Magic Mom, Court-Side Moms host Wendy Sparks, mom of Khem Birch.  

After hearing so many stories from mom’s of NBA players, it’s special to hear Wendy’s story.  Different from many, Khem didn’t actually like basketball as a young boy. Football was his game until he was about 13 when he realized basketball was his true calling. Wendy talks about the limited opportunities to play pro ball in Canada and why they made the choice to send him to prep school in the US.  

Khem’s road to the NBA was a difficult one. Declaring in 2014 was a tough decision. Wendy talks about the experience including draft night and the disappointment when he went undrafted.  Determined not to give up on his dream his journey took him to Summer League and more disappointment. Offered a contract to play in Turkey, he decided it was the right time for him to play overseas. In 2017, the Orlando Magic came calling and taking the risk, he finally realized his dream, making the team and playing in the NBA.

TL is excited to welcome WNBA star Bria Hartley, point guard for the Phoenix Mercury, Recovering from an ACL injury, Bria tells us about her rehab, her goals for 2021, including the start of the season and playing for Team France at the Tokyo Olympics next summer.  

Drafted seventh overall by the Seattle Storm in the 2014 WNBA draft, Bria played for the UConn women's basketball team, and won back to back national championships in 2013 and 2014 prior to the start of her professional career.

In our time today we talk Drake, her competitive nature and what it’s been like to play with some of the best players in the WNBA.  We touch on what it was like to lose one of her idols, Kobe Bryant, what she’s wearing on the court, LeagueFits, tunnel walks and what her hopes are for her life after basketball.  

She shares her thoughts on the inequalities women face within professional sports, how change will happen, how the BLM has impacted her and her family and in particular her son and what it means for him growing up in the US.  She opens up about the impact her career has had on her son, playing overseas during the offseason and her hopes for his future.  Tune in to learn more about Bria Hartley!

For Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, NBA star who recently signed with the New York Knicks, watching the movie The Lion King is his way of staying connected to the father he lost as a result of gun violence before his third birthday.  Today we welcome Michael’s mom, Cynthia Kidd-Gilchrist Richardson who talks about how this loss has shaped Michael’s life and shares with us the highs and lows of watching her son make it to the NBA. 

From the time he was 5 years old, basketball was Michael’s passion.  As a mom, it never crossed her mind where this would lead.  Very quickly, it became clear that he was destined for greatness, with scouts watching him at age 7.

Playing for St. Patrick’s during his high school years paved the way for the future for Michael.

Cynthia talks about how she managed the onslaught of colleges vying for his talent, the lead up to the draft where he was chosen 2nd overall and what it was like to play for Michael Jordan and the Charlotte Bobcats.

We hear how hard it is for her to actually watch a game that Michael is playing in, especially when the stakes are high and what it took for her to realize she’s “just his mom”, the role she is most comfortable with, bearing witness to the life of an NBA player, the injuries, the mental game versus the physical game, the power of faith, debunking some of the myths that surround the glamour of professional sports, and how Michael, quietly without fanfare, gives back to his community. 

Today CSM welcomes Vanessa Waters, mom of Tremont Waters, on a two way contract with the Maine Red Claws and the Boston Celtics.

Smaller than the average point guard, many doubted his ability which only made him more determined. With much adversity thrown his way, Tremont stayed the course and Vanessa shares with us how they’ve dealt with life head on and come out the other side.

Wendy and Vanessa talk about the challenges and opportunities Tremont has faced including the excitement of draft night, the death of his dad, winning rookie of the year honors in the G League and playing in the bubble with the Celtics.

Today we welcome Felicia Garland, mom of NBA superstar Darius Garland of the Cleveland Cavs whose dad is former NBA player Winston Garland.

Darius has always loved the game and we talk about his rise to fame.  The “Tennessee Mr. Basketball” winner was a five-star recruit, ranked among the best point guards in the 2018 class, and a McDonald's All-American, recruited by Vanderbilt after high school.  After an injury cut short his college career, Felicia tells us how things played out and how he fought back to make it to draft night, going 5th, and a future in the NBA including the excitement of his debut game. 

Darius is represented by Clutch Sports who also manage Lebron James and Anthony Davis, and we talk about what it’s been like for Darius to be amongst the elite of the NBA.  Wendy and Felicia relive the 2020 season, the hiatus, the disappointment of not being in the bubble and her advice to other moms.

Today we welcome Teer Butler, mom of Courtney Lee of the Dallas Mavericks who starts us off with some quick thoughts on the history making 2020 US election. As a single mom, raising three sons, she shares some of  the challenges she faced as she helped her sons avoid the fate of many of their friends.

Always pushing them towards an education, she talks about what it took to see them all graduate college, how Courtney’s college experience shaped him and how the death of his roommate became his inspiration as he approached the draft. 

Drafted 22nd overall to the Orlando Magic, Teer takes us through all of the emotions of draft night as Courtney embarked on his NBA career, the injuries, the trades, playing for Michael Jordan, what it’s been like to work for Mark Cuban, how the Mavs have rallied in response to the pandemic and through it all what she is most grateful for and what have been her most difficult moments.

Chris Paul of the Oklahoma City Thunder is one of the leading point guards in the NBA and a superstar in the NBA world.and today we are joined by his mom Robin Paul.

After 15 years watching her son play professional basketball, Robin talks about the stress she still feels during a close game and what it’s been like watching her son’s career take off.

Drafted by Oklahoma City, Chris has come full circle and Robin shares stories throughout his time in the League including the many trades and how he has used his success to help others.

As President of the NBPA since 2013, Chris has fought for major changes for the players and Robin shares some of what he’s been able to accomplish.  

As one of the co-chairs with Michelle Obama of “When We all Vote” his activism has focused on the recent election and the power to influence change through the ballot.   

We also touch on the Social Change Fund that Chris started with Carmelo Anthony and Dwayne Wade to support critical and timely issues impacting the Black community and the Chris Paul Family Foundation, an important part of Chris’ legacy.  

Join us for a great episode with the mom of one of the top NBA players in the game.

In this special episode of “Court-side Moms” our host Wendy Sparks, sits down with the pro-athlete who started her on this journey; her son, Orlando Magic starting Center, Khem Birch.

Join them for a heartfelt, and entertaining conversation that follows their journey together from that first shot at a basketball net, to the determination to bring home Canada’s first Olympic Gold medal in the sport.

As with most mothers and sons there are a few memories shared that are remembered differently, and hilariously, by each.  This is an episode full of love and one we are very proud to share with all of you.

In a special episode of CSMs we welcome Angela Mooney and her son Matt who plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers on a two-way contract with the Canton Charge of the NBA G League. Matt’s journey hasn’t been easy and his dream has been plagued with injuries and other challenges.

As a mother of 5 (3 of whom play professional sports) and Director of Communications at West 40 School in Hillside, Illinois, Angie talks about how she’s kept her children the priority.

We hear about the experience of going undrafted, how their faith in God has guided them and given them the strength and the belief in Matt’s talent to continue and the special relationship the two share. 

Now on a two-way contract, Matt isn’t sure what the future holds but he knows as long as his love of the game continues he will keep playing and pursue his dream with everything he’s got.  

Today CSMs welcomes Karri Kuzma, mom of Kyle Kuzma of the 2020 NBA Champion LA Lakers.  Raising her children in Flint Michigan, Karri and her family were faced with many challenges and she talks about how this shaped Kyle’s life, both as a person and a basketball player.

Karri talks about her son’s journey - from his first Fisher Price basketball net, to playing for the “Flintstones” as a teenager, basketball was his safe haven and what he loved doing most. Drafted 27th overall, we hear about draft night and the dream of playing for Magic Johnson and the Lakers, watching him play in his first NBA game to the excitement and anticipation of the championship series.

Karri gives us Kyle’s insights on the BLM movement, how it’s impacted him as bi-racial man and why he is so vocal in his support.   We talk Kuzmania - Kyle’s clothing line, her advice to other moms whose children have the potential to enter the world of professional sports and much more so tune in!

How do you survive the worst tragedy a mother can face?  We welcome Essence Bembry mother of DeAndre’ Bembry of the Atlanta Hawks and hear their story of loss, grief and making meaning of that loss.  

A few weeks before the draft, Essence’s youngest son Adrian was shot and killed.  She shares  how they got through that time, burying one son and preparing her other son for the chance of a lifetime.  

Essence tells us about her passion, AP World, helping victims of gun violence started in honor of Adrian.