Deep Cover Podcast

In this episode of Deep Cover, we explore a pressing question: Why do sports journalists refuse to leave X (formerly Twitter) despite the platform's troubling evolution?

Sparked by recent controversies involving X's AI chatbot Grok and its lack of content safeguards, there is a complex relationship between sports media and social platforms. We trace the golden age of NBA Twitter—when the platform fostered vibrant fan communities and direct access to reporters and players—and contrast it with today's fractured landscape.

As alternatives like Threads, Bluesky, and Mastodon gain traction, why do beat reporters and high-profile personalities remain anchored to X? Is it the follower count? The engagement metrics? Or something deeper about how we've built our sports communities online?

From the impact of algorithmic changes and the monetization of verification to the challenges of rebuilding audiences elsewhere, this episode unpacks the prisoner's dilemma facing sports media in 2025 and whether we're simply trading one tech billionaire's platform for another—and what it would actually take for sports journalism to embrace a new digital home.

Topics Discussed:

• The rise and evolution of NBA Twitter and sports social media
• X's controversial AI chatbot Grok and content moderation issues
• The migration challenge: Threads, Bluesky, and Mastodon
• Why sports journalists stay despite declining user numbers
• The future of sports journalism and fan communities online

Welcome back to the Deep Cover Podcast! As we close out 2025, today we have a special New Year's episode featuring returning guest Drew Davis, host of Too Good to Be Drew.

We reflect on personal highlights from 2025, debate the merits of New Year's resolutions versus year-round goal-setting, and tackle the instant gratification culture affecting content creators and athletes alike.

Topics covered:

• Personal milestones and goals for 2026
• The psychology behind New Year's resolutions and why most fail
• New Year's resolutions for sports fans, leagues, teams, and players
• NFL's fourth-down analytics obsession and officiating consistency
• College football's transfer portal chaos and G6 team treatment
• NBA All-Star Game woes and injury concerns
• The importance of self-care and avoiding burnout in hustle culture
• Book recommendations spanning fiction, history, and sports
• Building authentic connections in the digital age

Follow Drew Davis:Social Media: @DrewJayDavisPodcast: Too Good to Be Drew (Apple & Spotify)

Subscribe to Deep Cover on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for more thought-provoking sports and culture conversations.

This week on Deep Cover, I'm joined by Lex Mickens, a prominent voice in the NBA Threads community and founder of the nonprofit Run It Back.

Lex shares her journey from working in-game entertainment for the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden to becoming a key figure in the NBA Threads community. We covers her experiences at the NBA Emirates Cup in Las Vegas, where she both played in the Creator Cup and hosted content for Threads.

Episode Highlights:

• Growing up as a Knicks fan in New York and working for the team during the Jeremy Lin and Carmelo Anthony era
• The Knicks' current championship aspirations and their Emirates Cup victory
• How NBA Threads has evolved into a vibrant, welcoming community that rivals the old NBA Twitter
• Behind-the-scenes stories from the Emirates Cup weekend in Las Vegas
• The debate around whether the NBA Cup matters and how it's legitimizing in-season competition
• Potential NBA expansion into Europe and what it could mean for the league
• Run It Back nonprofit's mission to revolutionize communities through sports with free basketball, student athlete mentorship, and professional development services

Thank you to Lex for joining me, make sure to follow all the work she is doing below!

Connect with Lex Mickens:All platforms: @LexisMickensLearn more about Run It Back: werunback.org

Welcome to the Deep Cover Podcast. This week let's explore a fascinating contradiction in sports fandom: everyone says they want parity, but do we actually enjoy it more than dynasties? With the Kansas City Chiefs injury-plagued season and early playoff elimination, let's examine how quickly fans have turned on successful teams like the Chiefs and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Tracing the history of great dynasties, from the Bulls and Cowboys of the '90s to the Patriots and Warriors, and whether our shortened attention spans and constant social media exposure are preventing new dynasties from developing the mystique that made their predecessors so captivating.

Topics discussed:

• The Chiefs' devastating injuries and what it means for the NFL landscape
• Why fans already seem tired of the Oklahoma City Thunder's dominance
• How social media and algorithm-driven content have changed our relationship with team success
• The importance of "Goliaths" in sports storytelling and why we need villains to root against
• Whether parity actually makes sports more or less interesting
• The theater of officiating and why controversy fuels engagement

Thank you for tuning into the Deep Cover Podcast, happy holidays everyone!

In this episode, I'm joined by Brandon Leopold to dissect one of college football's most shocking stories of the season: the firing of Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore.

What started as a surprising coaching change quickly unraveled into a scandal involving alleged misconduct, threats, and serious criminal charges. We explore the timeline of events, the human element of the tragedy, and what it means for Michigan football moving forward.

In this episode:

• The details behind Sherrone Moore's termination for cause
• Michigan's institutional responsibility and Athletic Director Warde Manuel's role
• The pattern of scandals plaguing the program (Connor Stallions, recruiting violations, etc.)
• How this tarnishes Michigan's "leaders and best" reputation
• The complicated coaching search ahead and potential candidates
• Whether Moore can ever coach again, and comparisons to Bobby Petrino and Mel Tucker
• The toxic power dynamics in big-time college football
• Why G6 football deserves more respect and attention

Subscribe to Deep Cover Podcast for more in-depth college sports analysis and conversation.

In this episode, host Omar Zahran sits down with Gary Thrapp, founder of Beyond the Baseline and author of The Wild World of Youth Sports, to explore how athletics can be more than just games—they can be lifelines.

Gary shares his journey from coaching his own kids to running a four-court gymnasium that now serves as a hub for youth development. Omar and Gary dive into:

• The challenges and opportunities in youth sports today

• How rising costs and the travel-team model are widening the opportunity gap

• Why development and fundamentals matter more than endless tournaments

• The role of sports in teaching life lessons, accountability, and resilience

• How community-driven programs can provide positive lifelines for kids facing instability

From success stories of athletes who found a path forward to sobering realities of kids who struggled, this conversation highlights the power of sports to shape lives, families, and communities.

A big thanks to Gary for joining the show this week. Check out the work he's doing below:

Gary's website: Gary Thrapp | sports | 1540 West 12th Street, Davenport, IA, USA

Beyond the Baseline: Join Our Youth Basketball Programs Today!

Check out Gary's book: Amazon.com: The Wild World of Youth Sports: Strategies to Help Your Child Succeed in Sports and Life eBook : Thrapp, Gary: Books

This week let's get into some college football talk.

Topics include:

- A re-examination of rivalries in today's college football landscape and how the playoff has diminished them

- How the devaluation of regionality has hurt the sport

- The Lane Kiffin departure that is unsurprising but incredibly damaging to Ole Miss

- College football's broken calendar and its transactional nature in 2025

Thanks as always for listening, please consider following on your podcast player of choice and subscribe to deepcover.substack.com for all my written pieces!

When Seattle Reign head coach Laura Harvey revealed she used ChatGPT to help decide on a "back five" formation against an NWSL opponent, it raised eyebrows. On this episode we argue that while AI can be a powerful tool for processing data, using it to dictate strategy threatens the integrity of sports.

Let's explore the limitations of Large Language Models, and how they scrape forum opinions rather than conducting deductive reasoning. Is it possible that the over-reliance on tech can dull a coach's critical thinking skills.? Join us as we discuss finding the middle ground between technological innovation and the "soul" of sports.

Thank you for tuning into the show, please make sure to give us a follow on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Also follow Omar below:

Threads

BlueSky

Medium

Substack

he defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder are rewriting the rules of what a young team can achieve. This week I'm joined by Paula and Brittany of The Thunder Gals Podcast to break down how Sam Presti’s bold rebuild turned into a title run ahead of schedule, why “Thunder culture” feels more like college basketball than the NBA, and how Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander is evolving from MVP scorer into a complete playmaker.

We dive into the community, chemistry, and relentless mentality that make OKC the league’s most fascinating contender.

Topics include:

• The Paul George trade and SGA’s rise to superstardom
• Thunder culture and the unique bond between players and fans
• Lottery luck, draft hits, and building on the margins
• Why OKC might be the NBA’s best bet for a repeat champion

A special thanks to Paula and Brittany for joining me, make sure to check them out on social media and give their podcast a listen, links below:

Follow Brittany on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@oklasotagal

Follow Paula on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@ogbpaula

Follow Thunder Gals on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@thundergals

If you enjoyed this episode, please give us a follow on your podcast player of choice.

Let's dive deep into the strange allure of the Washington Wizards — a team defined by youth, inconsistency, and flashes of raw potential. I'm joined by Jarrett Spence, NBA and WNBA writer for The Lead, Sports Illustrated, and Stop and Pop on Substack, to unpack what it’s really like to cover a franchise in flux.

From the development arcs of Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, and Bilal Coulibaly to the veteran presence of CJ McCollum and Khris Middleton, this episode explores the emotional and strategic layers of rebuilding in real time. Jarrett shares insights on lineup experimentation, fan engagement, and the subtle differences between covering the NBA and WNBA — including his work with the Liberty and Mystics.

A special thanks to Jarrett Spence for joining me. Make sure to follow him on Threads, check out his Substack, and check out his work at SI and The Lead.