The More Than A Game Podcast: Recent Episodes
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Sydney Kings game announcer Eric Stephens has become one of the most recognisable voices in basketball, calling some of the sport's biggest moments both in Australia and on the international stage. In this episode of More Than A Game, Eric shares his journey into sports announcing and the lessons basketball has taught him. Dan and Eric explore the often unseen world of preparation, what game day looks like behind the microphone, handling pressure in high-stakes moments, and why the best announcers elevate the game without becoming the focus. Beyond basketball, Eric also reflects on the values, relationships, and passions that continue to shape his life and career.
In Episode 38 of More Than A Game Podcast, Dan Walz is joined by Illawarra Hawks and Australian Boomers guard Dan Grida for a raw and insightful conversation that goes beyond the game, exploring his journey through professional basketball, the pursuit of championships, and the importance of finding balance along the way, as Dan opens up about mental health, handling pressure, and the daily habits and mindset that help him stay grounded and perform at an elite level,
In this episode of the More Than A Game Podcast, Fleur McIntyre takes us inside her incredible journey from Australian hoops to the WNBA, where she now serves as Assistant General Manager of the Phoenix Mercury. Fleur reflects on the two NBL titles she helped secure with the Sydney Kings, the habits and mindset that drive her every day, and shares how the importance of listening, learning, and loving the game of basketball has shaped her journey. A thoughtful and energising conversation with one of the sport’s inspiring leaders.
In this episode, Dan sits down with former NBL and Boomers star Mark Nash to reflect on his journey from growing up in Tasmania to playing for the Hobart Tassie Devils and winning a championship with the Adelaide 36ers. Mark shares insights on representing Australia at the 2001 Goodwill Games, the rise of the Tasmania JackJumpers, and the importance of athletes developing an identity beyond the sport they play. We also explore his transition into coaching and how he's stayed connected to the game after retirement. A must-listen for basketball fans and anyone interested in the bigger picture of life in and beyond elite sport.
Dan is joined by former Perth Wildcats and Lakeside Lightning player Jarrad Prue, Current Perth Lynx and Lakeside Lightning NBL1 Women's captain Teige Morrell, and former NBL1 coach Dave Olley for the 30th Anniversary celebrations of NBL1 West club, the Lakeside Lightning.
DJ & Dan discuss the Boomers early exit from the Paris Olympic Games, who they believe will be the new Boomers coach now that Brian Goorjian has stepped down, as well as previewing each of the upcoming Medals Games in both the Men's and Women's tournaments.
With both the Australia Boomers and Australia Opals booking Quarter Finals showdowns with Serbia, DJ and Dan preview both games and discuss their chances of progressing through to the Semi Finals, as well as reviewing all of the Aussie basketball action at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
With the 2024 Paris Olympics well under way, DJ & Dan review the Australia Boomers games against Spain and Canada, preview their final pool game against Greece, as well as discuss the Opals loss against Nigeria and how they can bounce back against Canada and France.
Australia Boomers guard DJ Vasiljevic rejoins the podcast to review the Australia Boomers warm up games against Puerto Rico and France as well as preview the Australia Boomers group games for the 2024 Paris Olympics Games.
Australia Boomers guard joins the podcast to preview and discuss the Australia Boomers road to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Dan and DJ sit down to unpack and discuss the Boomers team selections as well as their exhibition games against Team USA and Serbia.
With the 2024 Olympic Games fast approaching, former Australian Boomers player and Basketball Australia Hall of Fame Inductee, Damian Keogh, joins the podcast to share his story, and discuss the Boomers chances of medalling at the Paris Games. Damian also explores the key ingredients that lead to healthy transition in life, and in organisational environments.
Former NBL coach Mark Watkins joins the podcast to share the highs and lows of his professional coaching career including the pain of losing the 2003-2004 NBL Championship series to the Sydney Kings during his time as coach of the West Sydney Razorbacks. He also shares his insights into the importance of building and strengthening elite pathways systems in Australia.
The first of our new 'Sports Talk' series with sporting personalities from other sporting codes. Former NRL Coach Matt Elliot joins the podcast to share his sporting journey as well as how he came to start his health and well-being business 'The Change Room'. Matt shares his insights into the importance of maintaining holistic health as well as the valuable leadership lessons he has learned throughout his career playing and coaching in the NRL.
Sydney Kings Legend and NBL Commentator Brad Rosen joins the podcast to share his story of achieving his dreams of playing in the NBL for the Sydney Kings, as well as unpacking the key leadership skills of preparation and people management. Brad also provides his insights into the Australia Boomers upcoming World Cup campaign, as well as profiling every NBL team's recruitment for the NBL24 season.
Former Illawarra Hawks Head Coach, Eric Cooks, joins the podcast to share his journey from Saint Mary's College in the NCAA, to the Ballarat Miners in the SEABL, and the famous family who brought him to Australia. Eric also shares his insights into professional coaching as well as sharing an update as to how his son, Xavier Cooks, is fairing in the NBA for the Washington Wizards.
Brisbane Bullets point guard Jason Cadee joins the podcast to share his incredible story of almost losing his life in a terrible car accident, to playing over 350 NBL Games. Jason shares how building healthy habits early on in his career has set him up for success today, and opens up about what really happened in that infamous Australia Boomers game against the Philippines. All this and more on in Episode 24 of The More Than A Game Podcast.
2x CIBACOPA Champion and former Sydney Kings star, Patrick Sanders, joins the More Than A Game Podcast to share his story of playing basketball at the highest level all across the world, and draws on his achievements on the basketball court to share his wisdom of how to translate sporting success into business success.
2x NBL Champion and NBL great Lanard Copeland joins to podcast and draws on his career and experience to explain the importance of finding the balance in leadership with selling vision whilst realising the need to to empower others.
What kind of person are you behind the senses when no one is looking? NBL Champion and 2x Olympian Mark Worthington, draws on his professional basketball career to discuss the importance of living a self disciplined life particularly when no one is watching, as well as the importance of self-motivation and how it breeds success on and off the court.
Having recently been named as part of the NBA Referee Development program, Former WNBL & NBL Referee Jacqui Dover takes us into the world of elite officiating. Jacqui also discusses growing the game at indigenous grass roots level and the path to becoming an elite referee.
Former NBL sharp shooter and Australian Boomers captain James Harvey joins the More Than A Game Podcast. Having played sixteen successful seasons at the highest level, winning the NBL Championship with the Perth Wildcats in 99/00 amongst other accolades, James shares his story, as well as his insights into the Elite Success Mindset.
NBL legend Derek Rucker joins the More Than a Game podcast to preview the upcoming NBL22 season and to share his thoughts on leadership and coaching through adversity. All this and more on episode 18 of 'The More Than A Game' Podcast.
Former NBL player Ben Madgen joins the More Than A Game Podcast to share his story and explain how his time in the sport taught him how to bounce back from adversity and the importance of reaching out for support when going through hardship. Ben also discusses his time playing for the Sydney Kings and South East Melbourne Phoenix in the Australian NBL.
Australian Basketball Icon Shane Heal joins the More Than A Game Podcast to share his story and reflect on the Australian Boomers historic Bronze Medal win at the Tokyo Olympics. Shane also shares with us his three ingredients for success: Passion, Sacrifice and Good Culture.
Former NBL champion and 2-time Olympian Chris Anstey, joins the More Than A Game Podcast. Chris takes us through the highs and lows of his glittering 20-year professional career, which included stints in the NBA and Euro-League. Chris also discusses the life lessons and strategies that he's learned along the way, all of which are discussed in his new book, 'Tall Tales: What the Whiteboard never Taught Me'. All this and more in Episode 15 of the More Than a Game Podcast.
One of the most inspiring stories ever on the More Than A Game Podcast. Tracy Williams speaks about growing up playing against Michael Jordan and Dominque Wilkins, travelling the world with the Harlem Globetrotters, speaking in front of US Presidents, and how his faith influences his current role as Global Ambassador for Charity Bounce.
Oscar Forman joins the More Than A Game Podcast to discuss his 17 year NBL career; the importance of forming healthy life habits that breathe success; mastering public speaking; as well as the idea of an NBL v NZNBL Champions League. All this and more in Episode 13 of the More Than A Game Podcast.
Sydney Kings guard DJ Vasiljevic joins the More Than A Game Podcast to share his story and rise from breaking records in his time at the University of Miami and NCAA, too starring in NBL21. DJ also speaks of his NBA aspirations and the importance of goal setting in life and sport.
In this episode we speak to NBL Hall of fame Inductee, Cal Bruton OAM. Cal is a former championship winner with the Brisbane Bullets, two-time member of the NBL All-First Team, Former NBL Coach of the Year and a recipient of the Order of Australia Medal for his work in the community particularly with Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander Communities. Cal joins us to unearth the Pride, Passion and Positivity that has driven him to achieve success both on and off the court.
In this episode NBL Commentator, Journalist and historian, Matt McQuade, joins the podcast to preview the upcoming NBL21 season and to discuss how passion fuels a strong work ethic.
We all have challenges and hardships in life that can set us back, it's what we implement to overcome them that's important. In this episode we speak with former Sydney Kings and Sutherland Sharks point guard, BJ Carter who shares his story of overcoming adversity and the importance of developing a strong work ethic in all that we do.
BJ also shares his experiences of winning three NBL championships with the Sydney Kings and three ABA championships with the Sutherland Sharks in the NSW Waratah League.
On the 20th Anniversary of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, we speak with Olympic Silver Medalist and 3x WNBL Champion Annie La Fleur on the More Than A Game Podcast. Annie speaks to us about her experience representing Australia at the Olympics, her career playing at the highest level in both the WNBL & WNBA, as well as diving into the importance of the role that mentoring plays in developing one's potential.
After the NBL's announcement that they have established a Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group to focus on providing a framework for the NBL to support the national reconciliation movement, I speak with former NRL star and avid Sydney Kings fan, Jamie Soward who speaks to us about the progress the NBL are making in the realms of reconciliation.
Jamie also speaks to us about winning a premiership with try St. George Illawarra Dragons and the ingredients that make a successful organisation and winning team culture. He also dives into his own mental health battles since retiring from the NRL and speaks about strategies that he regards as important in overcoming anxiety and depression.
In this episode we speak to NBL and Fox Sports Commentator Matt Russell who he gives us a behind the scenes look at sports broadcasting in the NBL and the importance of adaptability and integrity in sports journalism. Being a Wollongong resident, Matt also provides us with his thoughts of The Hawks new ownership structure and pays tribute to retiring NBL legend Damian Martin.
In Episode 5 we chat with former Brisbane Bullets and Sydney Kings point guard Jeremy Kendle who speaks to us about the importance of the three 'C's'; Character, Competency and Culture, as well as the importance of another 'C', Convictions. Jeremy also shares with us his incredible story of playing professional basketball around the world, and his aspirations of continuing his career in the NBL.
After the NBL confirmed that a team will be based in Tasmania for the first time since 1996 for the 2021/2022 NBL Season, we speak with Bill Tomlinson, who was the last coach to coach a Tasmanian based team in the NBL. Bill speaks to us about his time coaching the Hobart Tassie Devils, the Sydney Kings and Sydney Flames, being apart of the Sydney Kings Three-Peat success, as well as coaching grass roots basketball.
In this episode I am joined by Jason Smith who speaks to me about the Sydney Kings Three-peat, the 2000 Olympic Games experience, the importance of clear communication in leadership, and matching up against a young LeBron James.
In this episode we speak to Jeff Van Gronigen, General Manager of the Adelaide 36ers. Jeff speaks to us about his relationship with Andrew Gaze, the importance of organisational structures understanding their vision and purpose, and reflects on the life and legacy of his late brother John Van Gronigen.
In this episode, Rob reacts to the news of Kevin Lisch's retirement, talks about coaching Andrew Bogut and winning gold at the World Junior Championships as well as providing some helpful tips for young coaches.