The Rant

The pandemic has brought New York basketball at a standstill. Island Garden has been no different, but as things are opening up they are making it work. In this pod, Jim discusses his former life as an official, opening up about how Island Garden developed over time, what the pandemic has taught him, and what the future holds for the Lightning brand, with the NY Madness tournament and beyond. All that and more, my conversation with Jim, now.

Everytime Tim and I catch up, it’s always a ball. In this pod, we discuss the state of the pandemic now, having a shortened season but making the most of it, balancing coaching as well as teaching, where he got his passion for coaching and teaching, and what the future holds, all the while catching up. All that and more, my conversation with Coach Blackford, now.

It was exactly 260 episodes since we last sat down with the legendary coach of Cardozo HS. He makes his return on The Rant and discusses how collectively, the pandemic fatigue has been at an all-time high, how he’s stayed active for himself, what he’s been up to during this whole time of pause and his excitement for the NY March Madness tournament; for the kids. All that and more, Part 2, Coach Naclerio, now.

Phil is a New Yorker through and through. In this pod, we discuss his early life in Staten Island, his early start in officiating, his daily grind and passion he has for reffing Basketball, his longing to get back to normal so we can get back to the court, and his pursuit to get to the highest levels of Division 1 Basketball. All that and more, my conversation with Phil, now.

It was just a year ago when Ray, the Basketball Official did some of the most meaning basketball games in the city. A year into the pod, he has gained perspective. In this pod, we discuss his early life playing sports, his pursuits playing multiple sports including Baseball at a High Level, how he discovered officiating, and how he spent time during the pandemic with this family, and making his new brand, Nature Boys NY. All that and more, my conversation with Ray, now.

It was some 20 years ago when Dan was a freshman at the end of the bench of the Kellenberg Volleyball team. 2 decades later, he’s making his own impact with his own team. In this pod, we discuss his early life playing sports, his journey to get to Kellenberg and playing volleyball, playing hockey, and what it’s like impacting young men and women through teaching and coaching. All that and more, my conversation with Dan, now.

Andrew is always on the move. We catch him in Wyndanch to discuss his early life in Amityville, his love of Long Island, his playing days in high school and in college, to building the best tournament out here. Harlem got Rucker. Uptown got Dyckman. Brooklyn got Gersh. Queens got Lincoln. Long Island has got the Mack. All that and more, my conversation with Andrew, now.

Countless kids have been helped by one Coach Tsikitas. In this pod we discuss his early life in Queens, his love of Basketball, how he founded Seaford Heat for his kids to play, to his big announcement for his bug give back for High School Basketball in New York State. All that and more, my conversation with Coach Nick, now.

Countless accolades precede the name Matt Prince. In this wide long ranging interview, we chop it up with him at Vienna of Roslyn, to talk his Love of sports, his rise in Baseball at Hofstra, owning bars as a college student and his long winding journey in Flag Football, with Bogarts. All that and more, my conversation with Matt, now.

As officials, the pandemic took us off the field and off the court. That goes to the same for players, trainers, and coaches. Jesse returns to the pod and discusses his pivot from those early dark months, to seeing light in making the most of connecting with young athletes and partnering up with Evan to make a pod. All that and mote, my conversation with Jesse and Evan, now.