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.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.