LaPhonso Ellis! 11-Year NBA Vet on the 8-Seed Shock

LaPhonso Ellis! 11-Year NBA Vet on the 8-Seed Shock

LaPhonso Ellis joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about his journey from East St. Louis to Notre Dame, becoming the fifth overall pick in the loaded 1992 NBA Draft, and playing 11 seasons in the league. We revisit the historic 1994 Denver Nuggets playoff run, when LaPhonso, Dikembe Mutombo and a fearless young roster became the first No. 8 seed to eliminate a No. 1 seed by stunning the Seattle SuperSonics. LaPhonso also takes us inside the legendary 1988 McDonald’s All-American class and explains why a teenage Shawn Kemp looked like a future Hall of Famer before ever reaching the NBA. He shares stories about Michael Jordan being awakened by trash talk, Mutombo inviting opponents to challenge him at the rim, and the unforgettable night LaPhonso caught Brian Davis’ dunk attempt in midair. Along the way, we discuss Notre Dame recruiting, Charles Barkley, Gary Payton, Antonio McDyess, rookie-year double teams and the teammates who helped shape his career. Subscribe and join us for a genuine conversation filled with classic NBA stories and basketball history. Timestamps: (00:00:01) - Introducing LaPhonso Ellis and reconnecting with Justin Kutcher (00:03:01) - UCLA, Syracuse and the four-school recruiting decision (00:06:34) - Digger Phelps’ Notre Dame pitch and national television exposure (00:10:25) - Michael Jordan, Derek Martin and the danger of trash talk (00:14:39) - Why Shawn Kemp was an overlooked high school phenomenon (00:19:37) - How the young Denver Nuggets matched up with Seattle (00:22:51) - Dikembe Mutombo’s eight-block performances and the iconic celebration (00:27:00) - Producing immediately against the NBA’s elite power forwards (00:31:18) - Learning to handle double teams as a rookie (00:34:38) - The story behind LaPhonso’s legendary caught-dunk block (00:38:24) - What made Dikembe Mutombo an elite rim protector (00:42:33) - The loaded 1992 NBA Draft and becoming a top-five pick (00:46:18) - The Denver workouts that transformed his draft position (00:50:33) - Mentoring Caron Butler and Rasual Butler in Miami (00:54:00) - Rapid fire: NBA travel, recovery and four games in six days (00:57:06) - All-Rookie teammates, getting dunked on and dunking on Vlade Divac (01:00:44) - The best people LaPhonso ever called teammates (01:04:05) - Reflections on friendship, broadcasting and life after basketball Key Topics: Denver Nuggets’ historic No. 8 seed playoff upset over Seattle Shawn Kemp’s athletic dominance in the 1988 McDonald’s All-American class Michael Jordan, Gary Payton and memorable NBA trash-talking stories Dikembe Mutombo’s shot-blocking, defensive presence and leadership LaPhonso Ellis’ rise from projected late pick to fifth overall in 1992 Notre Dame recruiting, rookie development and life lessons from Digger Phelps About LaPhonso Ellis: LaPhonso Ellis is a former McDonald’s All-American, Notre Dame standout and 11-year NBA veteran who was selected fifth overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 1992 NBA Draft. He earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors, helped lead Denver to its historic 1994 playoff upset and later built a respected career in basketball broadcasting. ️ About the JustIn Time Podcast: The JustIn Time Podcast brings you exclusive, in-depth conversations with the biggest names in sports and beyond. As veteran broadcasters, Justin brings unfiltered discussions with legendary coaches, professional athletes, and influential figures who share their remarkable journeys and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Subscribe now on any major platform to never miss an episode of these timeless conversations. #LaPhonsoEllis #DenverNuggets #NotreDameBasketball #NBAHistory #ShawnKemp #DikembeMutombo #TheJustInTimePodcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Brad Dalke! U.S. Amateur Runner-Up’s YouTube Rise

Brad Dalke joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about the golf journey that took him from elite junior events to Augusta National, the U.S. Open, and an unexpected second act on YouTube. A former U.S. Amateur runner-up, two-time All-American, and NCAA champion at Oklahoma, Brad takes us inside the moments that shaped both his career and his relationship with the game. We revisit the junior golf circuit where he competed with Scottie Scheffler, Sam Burns, Cameron Young, Will Zalatoris, and Sahith Theegala before they became PGA Tour stars. Brad also shares what it was like staying in the Crow’s Nest during Masters week, receiving course advice from Tom Watson, and standing over the most nerve-racking opening tee shot of his life. Just as revealing is his honest account of losing confidence in his driver, falling out of love with golf, and finding his game again through Good Good and YouTube golf. It is a conversation about talent, pressure, friendship, resilience, and why enjoying the game can sometimes be the key to playing your best. Watch or listen to the full episode and join us for the stories behind the scorecards. Timestamps: (00:00:01) - Brad Dalke’s U.S. Amateur, Oklahoma, and YouTube golf journey (00:04:53) - Winning an elite AJGA event at only 13 years old (00:08:34) - Growing up in a competitive golfing family (00:12:35) - Competing with Scottie Scheffler from childhood (00:17:14) - Junior golf friendships with Sam Burns and Cameron Young (00:21:09) - Driver struggles and falling out of love with golf (00:25:01) - The YouTube golf round that restored Brad’s confidence (00:28:30) - His U.S. Amateur run and battle with the driver (00:32:57) - Defeating Will Zalatoris in match play (00:36:33) - Staying in Augusta National’s legendary Crow’s Nest (00:41:24) - Playing Augusta with Jordan Spieth and Bubba Watson (00:45:20) - Why Augusta National remains unlike any other course (00:48:52) - Receiving Masters advice directly from Tom Watson (00:53:09) - Returning to PGA Tour competition as a YouTube star (00:56:14) - Playing golf with Steph Curry and other rapid-fire stories (01:00:17) - Pebble Beach, Oakmont, St. Andrews, and dream courses Key Topics: Brad Dalke’s elite junior golf career and early winning mindset Growing up alongside Scottie Scheffler, Sam Burns, and Cameron Young His U.S. Amateur runner-up finish and victory over Will Zalatoris Masters week, the Crow’s Nest, and Augusta National traditions Overcoming driver struggles through Good Good and YouTube golf Returning to major professional events with a new golf audience About Brad Dalke: Brad Dalke is a former U.S. Amateur runner-up, two-time All-American, and NCAA national champion with the University of Oklahoma. He competed in the Masters and U.S. Open before building a major following through Good Good and YouTube golf, bringing elite competitive experience to a new generation of golf fans. ️ About the JustIn Time Podcast: The JustIn Time Podcast brings you exclusive, in-depth conversations with the biggest names in sports and beyond. As veteran broadcasters, Justin brings unfiltered discussions with legendary coaches, professional athletes, and influential figures who share their remarkable journeys and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Subscribe now on any major platform to never miss an episode of these timeless conversations. #BradDalke #YouTubeGolf #TheMasters #ScottieScheffler #GoodGoodGolf #GolfStories #TheJustInTimePodcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Steve Lavin! NCAA Coach on Keady, Wooden & UCLA

Steve Lavin joins us for a wide-ranging conversation that basketball fans are going to love. Lavin, the former head coach at UCLA, St. John’s, and the University of San Diego, takes us inside a life shaped by coaching legends, March Madness pressure, and relationships that defined his career. We get into his early years writing letters to Gene Keady, Bobby Knight, Mike Krzyzewski, Jerry Tarkanian, and John Wooden, and how that curiosity turned into a coaching career. Lavin also takes us behind the scenes of UCLA’s 1995 national championship run, including Tyus Edney’s unforgettable 4.8-second coast-to-coast shot against Missouri, Ed O’Bannon’s leadership after the Tulsa loss, and what it felt like sitting on the bench in those pressure-packed NCAA Tournament moments. We also talk Coach Wooden’s wisdom, Pete Carril’s Princeton upset, Matt Painter at Purdue, Coach K, Madison Square Garden, Pauley Pavilion, and the relationships that make sports matter. Subscribe and join us for another timeless sports conversation. ** Timestamps:** (00:00:01) - Justin welcomes former UCLA, St. John’s, and USD head coach Steve Lavin (00:00:44) - Justin remembers first meeting Lavin and Gene Keady at St. John’s (00:01:26) - Lavin shares how writing letters to legendary coaches launched his career (00:05:14) - Gene Keady’s intensity, humor, humility, and lasting impact (00:07:28) - Becoming a 24-year-old assistant coach at Purdue (00:12:28) - Life at Mackey Arena, recruiting, film study, and Wendy’s coupons (00:18:00) - Matt Painter as a Purdue player and future coaching mind (00:21:41) - John Wooden’s Purdue roots and how that connection led toward UCLA (00:23:34) - Why Lavin left Purdue for UCLA (00:27:24) - Tyus Edney’s legendary 4.8-second shot against Missouri (00:32:51) - UCLA’s 1995 title run, UConn, Arkansas, and Ed O’Bannon’s dominance (00:36:46) - Nolan Richardson, “40 Minutes of Hell,” and championship adjustments (00:39:00) - What Lavin felt on the bench during Edney’s Missouri buzzer-beater (00:43:31) - The 1996 Princeton upset and Pete Carril’s system (00:48:58) - A Las Vegas broadcast story and Coach Wooden’s idea of poise (00:50:27) - John Wooden’s influence when Lavin became UCLA head coach (00:55:10) - Visiting Coach Wooden, breakfast spots, and decision-making wisdom (00:57:46) - Coach Wooden’s breakfast order and Lavin’s memories after UCLA (01:02:46) - Taking over UCLA at 32 and navigating early adversity (01:09:16) - Cameron Dollar’s selfless move that helped spark UCLA’s turnaround (01:12:49) - Lavin’s NCAA Tournament success and why relationships matter (01:18:26) - Tournament coaching, pressure, and learning from great coaches (01:20:17) - Broadcast lessons, Brent Musburger, and listening on the call (01:22:59) - “This Justin” rapid-fire segment begins (01:23:43) - The coaches Lavin was most nervous to face (01:29:29) - Pauley Pavilion vs. Madison Square Garden (01:31:20) - Best players Lavin coached, including Earl Watson and Baron Davis (01:36:12) - Lavin’s favorite restaurant stories from New York and Los Angeles (01:39:09) - St. John’s team meals, recruiting, and Big East memories (01:42:16) - Baron Davis, Don Pointer, and the changing college basketball landscape (01:44:43) - Recruiting misses, CJ Watson, Chuck Hayes, and lessons learned (01:48:58) - Taking the high road, relationships, and final reflections (01:51:39) - Closing thanks and final goodbye Key Topics: Steve Lavin’s coaching journey from Purdue to UCLA, St. John’s, and USD Gene Keady, John Wooden, Coach K, Bobby Knight, and coaching mentorship UCLA’s 1995 NCAA championship run and Tyus Edney’s Missouri buzzer-beater Ed O’Bannon’s leadership, national title impact, and NIL legacy Pete Carril, Princeton’s upset of UCLA, and March Madness strategy College basketball relationships, recruiting lessons, and behind-the-scenes stories ** About Steve Lavin:** Steve Lavin is a longtime college basketball coach and TV analyst who served as head coach at UCLA, St. John’s, and the University of San Diego. He was part of UCLA’s 1995 national championship staff and later led UCLA through multiple NCAA Tournament runs as head coach. His career has connected him with some of the most influential figures in basketball history, including John Wooden, Gene Keady, Mike Krzyzewski, and Pete Newell. ️ About the JustIn Time Podcast: The JustIn Time Podcast brings you exclusive, in-depth conversations with the biggest names in sports and beyond. As veteran broadcasters, Justin brings unfiltered discussions with legendary coaches, professional athletes, and influential figures who share their remarkable journeys and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Subscribe now on any major platform to never miss an episode of these timeless conversations. #SteveLavin #UCLABasketball #MarchMadness #JohnWooden #TyusEdney #CollegeBasketball #TheJustInTimePodcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Geoff Ogilvy! 2006 U.S. Open Champion on Winning Winged Foot

In this episode, we sit down with Geoff Ogilvy, 2006 U.S. Open Champion, 8-time PGA Tour winner, and International Team Captain of the Presidents Cup, for a deep dive into some of the most defining moments of his career and the modern era of golf. We talk about what it was really like going head-to-head with Tiger Woods at his peak in match play, where Geoff breaks down the psychological edge Tiger carried onto the first tee — the kind of presence that made opponents feel like they were already behind before the first shot was even struck. From there, Geoff takes us inside his unforgettable 2006 U.S. Open victory at Winged Foot, a week defined by survival, chaos, and pressure where even par felt like world-class golf. He walks us through the final stretch — from a chip-in that shifted everything to the closing holes where history was still undecided. And we also explore his deep connection to the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne, where childhood memories, home-course advantage, and global competition all collided in one of the most emotional environments in golf. If you love golf history, Tiger Woods-era storytelling, or behind-the-scenes championship pressure, this one delivers. ---------------------------------------- TIMESTAMPS (00:00:00) - Introduction: Geoff Ogilvy’s career highlights and Presidents Cup role (00:02:00) - Growing up in Australia & learning golf at Royal Melbourne (00:06:00) - Caddying at Royal Melbourne and playing the Sandbelt courses (00:10:00) - Playing in professional tournaments as a teenager in Australia (00:15:00) - Early career on the European Tour and Q-School breakthrough (00:19:00) - First PGA Tour experiences and adjusting to U.S. competition (00:23:00) - First PGA Tour win and confidence shift leading into 2006 (00:27:00) - Match play mindset and why Ogilvy thrived in head-to-head golf (00:31:00) - Facing Tiger Woods in Presidents Cup match play (00:35:00) - The psychological pressure of Tiger’s presence and aura (00:39:00) - Team chemistry and Presidents Cup locker room culture (00:43:00) - KJ Choi partnership and trust in match play (00:46:00) - Strategy, gamesmanship, and match play psychology (00:50:00) - Winning the 2006 U.S. Open: setup, mindset, expectations (00:54:00) - Winged Foot final round breakdown and leaderboard drama (00:58:00) - Chip-in moment that changed the championship (01:02:00) - Final holes chaos: Phil Mickelson, Monty, and pressure swings (01:06:00) - Closing putt and becoming U.S. Open Champion (01:10:00) - Media, fame, and post-win realization (01:14:00) - Reflections on Presidents Cup vs U.S. Open meaning (01:18:00) - Rapid fire: courses, mindset, and career reflections ---------------------------------------- KEY TOPICS Tiger Woods match play dominance & psychological edge Geoff Ogilvy 2006 U.S. Open Winged Foot breakdown Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne childhood-to-pro journey Match play strategy vs stroke play mentality Chip-in momentum shift at Winged Foot Team golf vs individual pressure in professional golf ---------------------------------------- ABOUT GEOFF OGILVY Geoff Ogilvy is an Australian professional golfer and 2006 U.S. Open Champion at Winged Foot. An eight-time PGA Tour winner, he is also a Presidents Cup competitor and captain of the International Team. Known for his elite short game and match play excellence, Ogilvy remains one of the most respected strategic thinkers in modern golf. ---------------------------------------- ️ ABOUT THE JUSTIN TIME PODCAST The JustIn Time Podcast brings you exclusive, in-depth conversations with the biggest names in sports and beyond. As veteran broadcasters, Justin brings unfiltered discussions with legendary coaches, professional athletes, and influential figures who share their remarkable journeys and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Subscribe now on any major platform to never miss an episode of these timeless conversations. ---------------------------------------- HASHTAGS #GeoffOgilvy #USOpen2006 #WingedFoot #TigerWoods #PresidentsCup #GolfHistory #TheJustInTimePodcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Clint Dempsey! USA Captain Reveals Behind-the-Scenes Stories

In this episode of The JustIn Time Podcast, we sit down with Clint Dempsey, one of the greatest American soccer players ever. Clint shares his journey from growing up in Nacogdoches, Texas, to scoring in three consecutive World Cups and excelling in both the MLS and English Premier League. We hear his firsthand account of scoring his first World Cup goal against Ghana, the pressure of leading the U.S. as captain in 2014, and the thrill of hearing fans chant his name after crucial goals for Fulham. Clint also opens up about the challenges of moving overseas, adapting to new cultures, and earning respect in the Premier League while staying true to his American roots. Beyond soccer, he reflects on his unique path in golf, his favorite courses, and how he channels his competitive spirit across sports. Join us for an insider look at the dedication, grit, and mindset that propelled Clint to soccer stardom, and gain perspective on what it takes to succeed on the biggest stages in sports. Don’t miss these behind-the-scenes stories from one of the most iconic figures in American soccer history. ---------------------------------------- TIMESTAMPS (00:00:00) - Intro & early freestyle soccer stories (00:03:00) - Growing up in Texas and discovering soccer (00:06:00) - Club soccer & college recruitment journey (00:12:00) - Transition to English Premier League (Fulham & Tottenham) (00:18:00) - Avoiding relegation and first Premier League goal (00:23:00) - World Cup experiences & scoring in three consecutive tournaments (00:30:00) - Leading the U.S. national team as captain (00:38:00) - Memorable moments, injuries, and perseverance (00:45:00) - Cultural experiences & learning languages on the field (00:50:00) - Most challenging games & Snow Clasico story (00:54:00) - Golf, bucket list courses, and personal reflections (00:56:00) - Closing remarks & upcoming projects ---------------------------------------- KEY TOPICS * Clint Dempsey’s World Cup goals and leadership experiences * Transitioning from MLS to EPL and adapting overseas * Overcoming injuries and personal setbacks in pro soccer * Memorable matches: relegation battles, Ghana, and Snow Clasico * Cultural immersion and learning languages through soccer * Golf passions and bucket list courses ---------------------------------------- ABOUT CLINT DEMPSEY Clint Dempsey is a retired professional soccer player who represented the United States in three World Cups and played for top clubs in the MLS and English Premier League. Known for his scoring prowess, leadership, and creativity on the field, Clint remains one of the most iconic figures in American soccer history. He currently contributes to media coverage of major soccer tournaments and shares his insights with fans around the world. ---------------------------------------- ️ ABOUT THE JUSTIN TIME PODCAST The JustIn Time Podcast brings you exclusive, in-depth conversations with the biggest names in sports. Justin Kutcher provides unfiltered discussions with legendary coaches, professional athletes, and influential figures, highlighting their remarkable journeys and behind-the-scenes stories. Subscribe now on any major platform to never miss these timeless conversations. ---------------------------------------- HASHTAGS #ClintDempsey #USNationalTeam #WorldCupGoals #MLSLegend #PremierLeague #AmericanSoccer #SoccerCaptain #SportsPodcast #JustInTimePodcast #JustinKutcher #SoccerStories #BehindTheScenes #SoccerLeadership #GoalScorer #SoccerJourney #TexasSoccer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.