Coaching High-IQ Defense, Math (yep!) & the 1st-Place Minnesota Lynx with Victoria Larson

Coaching High-IQ Defense, Math (yep!) & the 1st-Place Minnesota Lynx with Victoria Larson

In this episode of the Splash City Basketball Podcast, host Steve Hartman is joined by Victoria Larson, former Riverland Community College player and current coach with the Minnesota Timberwolves & Lynx Basketball Academy!  Victoria opens up about her transition from a record-setting three-point shooter in college to coaching youth hoops and sharing her passion for the game. The two dive deep into what it takes to build high-IQ players, simple ways to teach anticipation and court angles, and why bringing a little "math logic" onto the floor can completely change how young players understand spatial awareness.  Topics Covered in This Episode: * Victoria’s Journey: Transitioning from high school to junior college ball, dealing with the speed of the game, and finding a love for shooting.  * Coaching & Player IQ: How to teach spatial awareness, defensive positioning, active hands, and reading passing lanes.  * Youth Development: Essential fundamentals every kid needs, from pounding the dribble to mastering help defense.  * Timberwolves & Lynx Basketball Academy: The mission behind getting kids in the gym, having fun, and learning the right way.  * WNBA Breakdown: Napheesa Collier’s explosive return, Courtney Williams' mid-range dominance, Cheryl Reeve’s Coach of the Year case, and the impact of Rookie of the Year candidate Olivia Miles on the first-place Lynx!  Connect & Learn More: * Check out camp schedules and sign up at Timberwolves Basketball Academy [https://www.timberwolvesbasketballacademy.com/].  * Don't forget to Subscribe, Rate, and Leave a Review wherever you listen to podcasts! Listen on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2tGpTAUseXH9tVsUr3ekFz], Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/splash-city-basketball-podcast/id1840441062]or YouTube [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD8I0TibcyogP9f6eDJ5sFM36EdBEIHRD&si=RtwH8GHmXT9T2GJT].  Follow Splash City Basketball Podcast on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/splashcitypodcast], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@splashcitybasketb?_r=1&_t=ZP-9809lVGU8ha], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/people/Splash-City-Basketball-Podcast/61582133618619/] and Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/splashcitypodcast.bsky.social].

Unpacking the Vegas Summer League Notebook PLUS: Lynx, TC Pro-Am, & Breakdown Series

In this action-packed episode, host Steve Hartman sits down with friend Derek Bolden to unpack their annual pilgrimage to the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Despite the blistering desert heat, the guys spent two days at Thomas & Mack Center to scout the future of the league. From dodging the legendary arena Dairy Queen lines to watching star prospects like Cameron Boozer Caleb Wilson, and Mikel Brown Jr, they give their raw, firsthand notebook drops on what stood out. Plus, they share insights from a fascinating courtside conversation with an assistant GM from the Japanese B-League, Indiana Pacers scout and track how local Minnesota standouts are faring on the big stage.  But before diving deep into the desert recap, Steve runs through a massive wave of local hardwood news shaking up the Land of 10,000 Lakes:  * Lynx Make History: Celebrating Cheryl Reeve’s legendary, record-breaking 380th regular-season victory and a strong win over the powerhouse New York Liberty. Napheesa Collier's return is looming, which will give the Lynx a boost going into the stretch run. * Wolves Summer Session: A look at the early summer league showings for Isaiah Evans, Rocco Zikarsky, and the consistency of Zyon Pullin.  * Twin Cities Pro-Am is BACK: Everything you need to know about the premier (and free!) local summer tradition. https://www.twincitiesproam.com/schedule * Breakdown Summer Series: Highlighting the fast-paced high school circuit sweeping through St. Louis Park, Fergus Falls, Austin, Delano, and beyond. https://breakdownsportsusa.com/boys-summer-series/ Tune in for unfiltered basketball energy, listener mailbag questions, and a sneak peek at the annual tradition that is NBA Summer League. Listen on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2tGpTAUseXH9tVsUr3ekFz], Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/splash-city-basketball-podcast/id1840441062]or YouTube [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD8I0TibcyogP9f6eDJ5sFM36EdBEIHRD&si=RtwH8GHmXT9T2GJT].  Follow Splash City Basketball Podcast on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/splashcitypodcast], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@splashcitybasketb?_r=1&_t=ZP-9809lVGU8ha], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/people/Splash-City-Basketball-Podcast/61582133618619/] and Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/splashcitypodcast.bsky.social].

Hello LaMelo: Wolves Acquire PG for Naz Reid PLUS The Surprising 1st-Place Lynx

It has been a wild, whiplash-inducing stretch for professional basketball in Minnesota, and we are breaking it all down in this jam-packed episode.  First, host Steve Hartman welcomes Derek Long (aka "Croonch" on social media) to process a stunning wave of Minnesota Timberwolves offseason moves. They unpack the emotional fallout of the blockbuster trade sending fan-favorite Naz Reid to Charlotte in exchange for All-Star guard LaMelo Ball.  From the "business side" vs. the "emotional side" of losing a homegrown legend, to analyzing how LaMelo's elite pick-and-roll play will mesh with Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert, they leave no stone unturned. Plus, they dive into the Julius Randle trade, the re-signing of Ayo Dosunmu, NBA draft night featuring second-round pick Isaiah Evans, and assistant coach Micah Nori landing the head coaching job in Portland.  Then, the conversation shifts to the sizzling-hot Minnesota Lynx, who are currently sitting atop the WNBA standings. The Star Tribune’s Cassidy Hettesheimer joins the show to discuss the immediate, generational impact of rookie point guard Olivia Miles, the #2 overall pick in the draft. Cassidy gives us the latest timeline updates on Napheesa Collier's return from injury, evaluates the elite defensive schemes of Cheryl Reeve using Nia Coffey and Natasha Howard, and explores the legendary player-evaluation and organizational culture built by head coach and GM Reeve.  * Host: Steve Hartman  * Guests: Derek Long (@Croonch) & Cassidy Hettesheimer (The Star Tribune)  * Check out more: Read Cassidy's work at StarTribune.com/sports [https://www.google.com/search?q=https%3A%2F%2FStarTribune.com%2Fsports] and follow Derek's writing on Substack. Listen on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2tGpTAUseXH9tVsUr3ekFz], Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/splash-city-basketball-podcast/id1840441062]or YouTube [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD8I0TibcyogP9f6eDJ5sFM36EdBEIHRD&si=RtwH8GHmXT9T2GJT].  Follow Splash City Basketball Podcast on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/splashcitypodcast], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@splashcitybasketb?_r=1&_t=ZP-9809lVGU8ha], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/people/Splash-City-Basketball-Podcast/61582133618619/] and Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/splashcitypodcast.bsky.social].

Bringing the City Back: St. Paul Central’s Cam Jones on his 1st year with the Minutemen

Fresh off an incredible 25-4 debut season that brought packed stands back to the St. Paul community, St. Paul Central Head Coach Cam Jones joins the podcast.  As the reigning St. Paul City Conference Coach of the Year, Jones pulls back the curtain on what made last season's team so special and what he learned to help prepare this year's team with summer workouts starting.  We trace his relentless journey from volunteer AAU circles to the collegiate ranks at Bethel University, and how those foundational experiences shaped his high-level, detail-oriented approach at Central. Inside the Episode: * The Power of Trust: How long-term player relationships and having a "floor general" like Eli Moseman fueled a championship run. * The College Blueprint: The lessons Jones learned coaching at Bethel and how those defined his coaching staff roles at the high school level. * Offseason Reality Checks: Navigating year two with a young roster, moving past a historic 11-senior class, and why "comparison is the thief of joy" when measuring program success. * Brutal Recruiting Truths: What college coaches are actually looking for on the circuit, and the body language habits that will get a player crossed off a recruiting list instantly. * Lightning Round: The toughest road environments in the St. Paul City Conference (shoutout to Johnson and Highland), a surprising take on the LA vs. Twin Cities food scene, and the ultimate non-negotiable of his program: "dying to yourself" for the team. Host Steve Hartman also kicks off the show with a look at the latest headlines: the newly confirmed Gophers/St. Thomas home-and-home series, the Lynx’s dominant run and star rookie Olivia Miles, and the Knicks finally snapping their 53-year title drought. Connect with the Show & Guest: * Follow the Pod on Socials: @SplashCityPodcast on Instagram, Bluesky and Facebook * Website: SplashCityBasketball.com [http://splashcitybasketball.com/] * Read Steve’s Latest Blog: Check out the Gophers vs. St. Thomas breakdown at HittingTheHardwood.com [https://www.google.com/search?q=http://hittingthehardwood.com] * Follow Coach Cam Jones: @coach_camjones  If you love the breakdown, make sure to hit that subscribe button, leave us a 5-star review, and share the show with a fellow hoops fan. Your support makes it all possible! Listen on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2tGpTAUseXH9tVsUr3ekFz], Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/splash-city-basketball-podcast/id1840441062]or YouTube [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD8I0TibcyogP9f6eDJ5sFM36EdBEIHRD&si=RtwH8GHmXT9T2GJT].  Follow Splash City Basketball Podcast on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/splashcitypodcast], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@splashcitybasketb?_r=1&_t=ZP-9809lVGU8ha], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/people/Splash-City-Basketball-Podcast/61582133618619/] and Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/splashcitypodcast.bsky.social].

From MSG to KAT: A Fan's View of the Knicks' NBA Finals Run

What is it actually like to be a die-hard fan when your team is on the precipice of ending a championship drought? On this episode of the Splash City Basketball Podcast, host Steve Hartman shifts the focus to the bleachers and the concourses, bringing on New York native and ultimate Knicks fan Nick Jezerian to deliver the definitive fan perspective on the 2026 NBA Finals.  Nick opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of traveling down to San Antonio with his teenage son, confronting past sports trauma from road arenas, deciding whether to boldly wear his Knicks gear, and discovering that an incredible third of the crowd was packed with fellow New York faithful. From fans singing in the hallways to high-fiving in the Uber lines, Nick describes the surreal feeling of watching a high-stakes away game turn completely into a home environment.  The guys also contrast that hostile road victory with the legendary, localized DNA of Madison Square Garden. Nick looks back at the legendary playoff comebacks he’s witnessed at the Mecca —where not a single soul leaves their seat early —and describes the pure basketball culture of a city that lives and breathes the sport.  Finally, they pivot to the fan relationship with Karl-Anthony Towns, tracing how a city built on grit and attitude transformed a complicated regular season connection into full-blown love for a potential Finals MVP frontrunner.  It’s an episode dedicated to the traveling fan, arena camaraderie, and the beautiful, raucous reality of New York basketball peaking at the perfect time! Listen on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2tGpTAUseXH9tVsUr3ekFz], Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/splash-city-basketball-podcast/id1840441062]or YouTube [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD8I0TibcyogP9f6eDJ5sFM36EdBEIHRD&si=RtwH8GHmXT9T2GJT].  Follow Splash City Basketball Podcast on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/splashcitypodcast], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@splashcitybasketb?_r=1&_t=ZP-9809lVGU8ha], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/people/Splash-City-Basketball-Podcast/61582133618619/] and Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/splashcitypodcast.bsky.social].