Tidal League

IMG Academy is known as one of the world’s most prestigious sports, performance and educational institutions.  Today we are thankful to be joined by Dan Barto, Associate Director who has been with the IMG Academy basketball program since 2003.  Dan has trained over 100 current or former NBA players and is known as a training design expert.

In our episode, we talk about what he’s done to bring the inspirational aspect of playing basketball back to the young players he coaches, what keeps him inspired, the direction the game is moving in and what strategies will continue to emerge as teams try to achieve the ultimate goal, an NBA championship. 

Dan takes us through the evolution of the game and his role in it, what it takes to stay connected to a game you love and what it means to have the opportunity to fulfill your life long passion.

He gives his thoughts on the impact of COVID on basketball long term and why he believes the agent, player, team relationships will never be the same.  He also talks about what it’s been like to have the WNBA bubble at IMG.

We wrap up with a great discussion on how the season will play out and his prediction of who will win it all.

When Tidal League hosted an episode of the podcast “Inside the Green Room” in Halifax in 2018 it was then Toronto Raptor Danny Green’s first welcome to Canada.  As the show celebrates year 2 we are joined from L.A. by Executive Producer Amjed Osman, who talks about the show, the story behind it, how he and Danny met, the start of the podcast, how it has grown and how he grasped the opportunities that came his way and made their vision a reality.  

Amjed shares his thoughts about how the collision of COVID and the Black Lives Movement has resulted in a perfect storm for making change and how he’s using his voice to make a difference, inspiring the next generation and empowering youth by equipping them with the skills to succeed.  

Amjed talks about the restart of the NBA season and while he’s excited to have basketball back, not wanting it to take away from the Black Lives Matters movement and how to use this opportunity with everyone bubbled in Orlando to bring people together and  to ensure these important issues continue to remain front and centre.  

We also touch on the death of Kobe Bryant and the legacy he’s left behind, and what it’s meant to him and the world, to lose such an icon.  Lots of great listening so tune in to not miss a moment!

What does it take to make it to the NBA?  On today’s show Dwayne Bacon of the Charlotte Hornets joins us to talk about the journey he’s endured, his mini documentary “The Real Me” playing for Michael Jordan, his social media and what it’s like to be entering into the free agency world amidst a global pandemic.

Dwayne opens up about his top three passions in life - basketball, music and clothes and tells us about the album he recently released and his fashion line, “Bad Section”.  As well he lets us in on who he’s cheering on in the upcoming NBA season restart.

Kurt and Trish are joined by two-time NBA Champion, and current Guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, Danny Green, from inside of the NBA bubble. Join us as we discuss Danny’s journey to the Lakers, the importance of using his platform, how we should look at 2020 and what life inside the bubble has really been like.  

Will it be a Raptors/Lakers final? If there’s an asterisk by this championship what does that actually mean? And will there ever be another Kobe? Join us as we go inside the Green (hotel) room.

Mike Morreale, a 12 year CFL veteran, and Commissioner of the Canadian Elite Basketball League joins us this week on the Tidal League Podcast. Mike talks about what the League has done to prepare for, and the innovative ways they plan to engage fans in, this new world.

Mike shares how the League was created; bringing together Canadian elite players with international pro basketball players, the challenges they’ve overcome, always believing that being afraid to fail cannot be an option for something like this to succeed.

We hear why they have adopted the “first to a point” system in the fourth quarter and other creative ways they are moving the game forward including the partnership with U Sports allowing student athletes to play at a professional level and stay in school, creating a new basketball experience both on and off the court.  

Mike’s insights and stories about the game we love are just in time for the Summer Series tip off on July 25.

Fans of the  Minnesota Timberwolves were asked: What should Josh Okogie’s nickname be?  The answer is easy and after listening to this week’s episode with “NonStop” Josh Okogie you will think so too.  Nigerian born, Josh immigrated to the US as a 3 year old.His talent led him to the NBA at the young age of 20 and his roots led him to also play for the Nigerian National Basketball Team.  

Josh talks about what’s been like for him in Minnesota, taking the opportunity to embrace this experience and the chance to play for the Timberwolves. He shares his thoughts on this past year, calling it the most eventful in his life with many challenges from a social and political perspective.

He has been a loud voice in the Black Lives Matter movement and shares with us what he hopes to achieve through his social activism, most importantly holding people accountable for their actions and empowering those who have no voice.

He is a star with many interests and talents, smart and articulate and his insights and experiences make this a must listen to episode.We loved having him on and we hope you love listening to his story.  Not to mention we think he’s one of the swaggiest players in the NBA.

On today’s show we welcome Mike Melnychuk, former University of Alberta Golden Bear and CIS champion. The game of basketball has changed significantly since his time at U of A and he talks about what it was like then when the chances of a Canadian making it to the NBA were rare compared to today where so many opportunities exist for Canadian talent and over 150 Canadians are playing basketball at the NCAA level.

Mike recalls what it was like when the NBA expanded into Canada, the potential for a second Canadian team, what things might look like over the next few years as we experience the fallout from the global pandemic, how this will impact future collective agreements and what the impact might be on all major league sports.

Mike shares his thoughts on the chances of the NBA season actually starting up as planned and what will carry more sway - COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter movement vs players wanting to get back on the court and the economics behind these choices as well as the chances of the Canadian Olympic team making it to the podium in Tokyo 2021.

The podcast wraps up with Mike talking about what it was like to transition away from the dream of playing professional basketball onto a new career path, how playing sports helped prepare him and his advice for young people today looking for careers outside of basketball. Tune in to another great episode!

Trish and KB talk about grassroots basketball in Canada, how things have changed, in particular over the past 20 years where opportunities for young Canadians dreaming of a pro basketball career have evolved. From Drake to the success of Canadian players in the NBA to Raptormania, the popularity of the sport has grown incredibly, becoming the most participated in game in Canada.

North Pole Hoops is a big reason for these changes. Begun 10 years ago by brothers Tariq and Elias Sbiet, North Pole Hoops has evolved into a leading resource for Canadian basketball prospects from coast-to-coast. Our guest today is Tariq Sbiet and he talks about the inspiration behind the organization, and how they have helped shape the basketball landscape resulting in Canada having the most international NBA talent in the world, with an inevitable incline for years to come.

Spearheaded by NPH, our guest talks about the development of the National Preparatory Association, an organization that is evolving Canadian basketball, providing student-athletes an opportunity to play high level hoops on home soil, with an emphasis on development on and off the floor, accompanied with the highest form of exposure. Tariq shares the challenges and successes they’ve faced and gives us his thoughts on a road map for the future. It’s another great episode so join us and tune in!

We are excited to welcome Robert Covington of the Houston Rockets.

In one of our most personal episodes, Rob shares his story beginning during his junior year at Tennessee State when the dream of playing in the NBA started to become a reality, the emotional rollercoaster of draft day and what it took to stay motivated, ignore those who told him he’d never make it and achieve his dream.

He now considers Nashville his home and where he has concentrated his off the court efforts. We hear about his experiences as a black man living in the US, why Black Lives Matter has become such an important part of his life and his thoughts on what it will take to change the experiences of future generations.

Rob also opens up about his emotional struggles and talks about how he pulled himself out of despair, the power of his faith, the importance of taking care of one’s mental health and what keeps him going day to day, including sharing his story to inspire and motivate others. Tune in for the latest from Tidal League!

Join hosts Kurt and Trish as they share the story of Tidal League and how a love of sports and entertainment resulted in the company we see today.

From Jurassic Park Halifax where hundreds of Raptors fans came together to watch live outside in Roger’s Square, the phenomenal run to the championship that united a Country, to the launch of our first podcast, Court-side Moms and the incredible stories we’ve had the opportunity to hear from the perspective of the moms of professional athletes.

We hear about what it takes to turn a startup into a success, the importance of relationships and the ability to adapt quickly. 2020 was headed in one direction and as a result of the pandemic, and the uniqueness of Tidal League in its ability to pivot and adapt as things change, we altered course and our newest shows were born - the Tidal League Podcast and Tidal League FC.