The Victory Degree

In the latest episode of The Victory Degree, Nik sits down with former NBA basketball player: CJ Watson. CJ's first stint in the NBA came with the Golden State Warriors in 2008, where he played for a couple of seasons until he joined the Chicago Bulls in '10. CJ went on to play for a multitude of teams including the: Nets, Pacers, and Orlando Magic until ultimately finishing his professional career in Turkey. CJ played with HoF players like Steph Curry and Derrick Rose and chronicles his journey in this exclusive interview. From humble beginnings in Tennessee to playing against LeBron James and the Miami Heat, CJ's story is one worth listening to. Please enjoy!TIMESTAMPS:(0:00) Introductions and the Sacramento Kings(2:18) What is CJ most proud of?(3:15) Where and how CJ's passion for basketball began(4:53) CJ's college experience and setting records(7:42) Playing with Deron Williams and Team USA(9:42) Why you should play basketball for the love of the game(10:10) How the NBA has changed since CJ's playing days(12:23) Why is playing in a game so much more difficult than practice?(15:18) Playing with rookie year Steph Curry and the importance of hard work(17:47) The Rose flu(18:55) The hardest player CJ had to guard(20:13) CJ's draft night story and how to succeed at the highest level(24:16) Do NBA players go out before games?(26:26) The Pacers and Heat rivalry (28:29) Playing for Coach Thibodeau(30:25) CJ's strategy for guarding the KD Warriors(31:41) Making adjustments in the playoffs(33:12) What was CJ's relationship with social media during his career?(36:00) Top 3 players CJ played with and regrets from his time in the league(37:10) Writing children's books, voiceovers, angel investing, and favorite teammates(42:30) CJ's life adviceConnect with CJ:Twitter: https://twitter.com/Quietstorm_32Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quietstorm_32/Quiet Storm Foundation: https://www.quietstormfoundation.org/Children's Books: https://cjpens.com/Connect with Nik:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikatanackovic/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Nik_Atanackovic

In the latest episode of The Victory Degree, Nik sits down with the former #1 doubles tennis player in the world: Rajeev Ram. Rajeev's resume is impressive: 6 time major champion, 3 straight US Open titles, and doubles silver with Venus Williams at the 2016 Summer Olympics. But even more impressive was the advice he shared on how to live a happier and more fulfilled life. The conversation spans multiple topics including: how to maximize longevity, life lessons from tennis, and an exclusive Venus Williams story.Please enjoy!TIMESTAMPS:(0:00) Rajeev's background and introduction (1:18) What are you most proud of?(2:02) Where and how did your love for tennis begin?(3:29) What role should parents play in a young athlete's life?(5:30) The moment Rajeev realized he could make money playing tennis(6:47) The benefits and drawbacks of a coach(10:03) Why Rajeev made the decision to focus solely on doubles tennis(11:51) Brown Sampras(13:22) How Rajeev wants people to remember him(14:34) Where Rajeev's habit of continuous self-improvement stems from(17:53) How to handle self-doubt and build self-confidence(20:41) How to stay motivated and more present in key moments(25:04) The attention to detail required to win at the highest level(28:12) How to develop mental strength and the constant battle with our own thoughts(30:12) How Rajeev deals with negativity during a tennis match(33:23) Rajeev's greatest source of pressure(34:17) Playing with Venus Williams(39:18) The relationships between players on tour(40:56) Life as a public figure(42:13) Highest and lowest moments in Rajeev's career(43:57) How Rajeev has managed to stay on top of his game at the age of 39 - a discussion on longevity (47:14) Rajeev's solution to get American tennis back on top(49:18) The art of sacrifice and is it required?(51:03) Life lessons from tennis(51:58) Rajeev's plans after tennis and the Rajeev Ram Foundation(53:31) Rajeev's routine during the tennis offseason(54:46) Rajeev's life adviceConnect with Rajeev:Twitter: https://twitter.com/RajeevRamInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rajeevram318/Rajeev Ram Foundation: https://rajeevramfoundation.org/Connect with Nik:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikatanackovic/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Nik_Atanackovic

In the latest episode of The Victory Degree, Nik sits down with Los Angeles Lakers reporter, Jovan Buha. Jovan graduated from USC in 2014, worked various jobs within ESPN, and then became a NBA reporter for the LA Clippers in 2018. A short 2 years later, Jovan found himself as a reporter for the LA Lakers. Through this role, he's had the opportunity to meet celebrities such as Dan Bilzerian & Migos and has been a guest on popular sports podcasts such as Bill Simmons & Chris Broussard.  Please enjoy!TIMESTAMPS:(0:00) Jovan's background and introduction (1:47) What has been Jovan's most unbelievable experience(3:41) Jovan's relationship with sports growing up(6:28) Highschool basketball star Jovan Buha(8:53) Jovan details his experience at ESPN(12:56) The do's and don'ts of NBA reporting(17:28) The fine art of the post game interview(22:30) Jovan describes the responsibilities of a NBA reporter(26:17) Is Jovan friends with any of the Lakers players?(30:28) Jovan's favorite moment covering the Lakers & Kobe's last game(34:42) Being on the court for LeBron's record breaking night(37:07) Are NBA reporters allowed to be fans of the teams they cover(41:04) Trying out for the G-League(47:34) The future of sports media & player podcasts (52:34) What has Jovan learned from covering some of the highest performing athletes in the world?(57:09) Jovan's life advice Connect with Jovan:Twitter: https://twitter.com/jovanbuhaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jovanbuha/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jovanbuhaConnect with Nik:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikatanackovic/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Nik_Atanackovic

In the latest episode of The Victory Degree, Nik sits down with NFL gambling industry expert, Ben Fawkes. Ben has covered the world of sports betting since 2010, working for companies like ESPN & VSiN. Additionally, he's planned and executed content for some of sports media's biggest names including: Chris Berman, Mel Kiper, Todd McShay, Matthew Berry & Adam Schefter. "Anyone who has followed the sports betting industry over the past several years is well aware of Ben and his great work. He was one of the architects behind ESPN’s sports betting coverage and continues to be one of the most respected and prolific voices in sports betting."Please enjoy!TIMESTAMPS:(0:00) Ben's background and introduction (5:16) How did Ben get into sports betting?(9:34) Has sports betting helped or hindered the final NFL product?(12:30) Is referee bias real & the Adam Silver story(21:23) How are betting lines set?(25:24) What does it mean to be a "professional sports bettor?"(30:20) Why do most people such at betting, the psychology of sports betting(37:10) What is points betting?(39:23) What is the future of sports betting?(45:29) Ben's experience working with Todd McShay & Mel Kiper(51:56) Why is it so hard to draft franchise quarterbacks?(57:56) Ben's analysis of all 32 NFL starting QBs(1:02:41) Ben's life advice for the next guest Connect with Ben:Twitter: https://twitter.com/BFawkes22Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bfawkes22/Ben's USA Today Content: https://ftw.usatoday.com/author/bfawkes22Connect with Nik:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikatanackovic/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Nik_AtanackovicBen's Articles Referenced:Ranking all 32 QBs: https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-quarterbacks-against-the-spread-worth-ranked-backupsRanking NBA Players Against the Spread: https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/nba-most-valuable-players-against-the-spread

In this episode of The Victory Degree, Nik sits down with the leading voice in NFL analytics - Aaron Schatz.Aaron graduated from Brown University with a degree in Economics in 1992. From there, Aaron worked various jobs, including stints at a couple of radio stations, until ultimately starting FootballOutsiders.com in July 2003. He also found himself as an NFL Analyst at ESPN.com and is credited for inventing numerous football analytics such as DVOA and DYAR over the course of his 20+ years in the industry. TIMESTAMPS:(0:10) Aaron's background, working in radio, and his relationship with sports(4:09) The early days of football analytics(5:03) Why was Football Outsiders started? Why get into analytics?(6:07) What was Aaron's early competitive advantage?(7:57) Aaron reflects on his journey and all the things that had to go right(10:14) Best advice for people looking to get into NFL analytics(10:53) What is the big data bowl?(11:52) What is the role of analytics in sports?(13:17) How are 4th down analytics computed?(16:22) Going for it on 4th down and winning games, correlated?(17:22) How are the Steelers good?(18:48) How has analytics changed the game?(20:42) What is DVOA?(23:23) How do you balance analytics with the eye test?(25:30) Has the game of football become less predictable?(27:39) What Aaron bases his pre-season Super Bowl predictions off of(29:30) What's wrong with the Patriots?(33:01) Brady vs Belichick, who was more important for the Patriots dynasty?(33:47) What is being on the MVP panel like? What do you consider when voting for MVP?(37:20) Is Mahomes the most talented QB of all time?(41:36) How do you get selected to be on the MVP panel?(44:23) Special teams analytics talk(46:03) Lucky vs. predictive plays(46:39) Aaron's prediction for the future of analytics(48:33) How would Aaron revive baseball?(52:11) Aaron's hottest take on the NFL season thus far(53:50) Aaron's Super Bowl prediction(54:23) Frameworks that have helped fuel Aaron's success(56:43) Aaron's advice for the next guestFollow Aaron: Twitter: https://twitter.com/ASchatzNFLInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aschatznfl/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@aschatznflLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-schatz-74b644/FTN Fantasy: https://www.ftnfantasy.com/dvoaFollow Nik:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikatanackovic/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Nik_Atanackovic

In this episode of The Victory Degree, Nik sits down with podcaster, creator, & NBA enthusiast Tray Edwards. Tray's journey starts in Compton, California and leads him to many interesting stops along the way. Everything from working at UPS, playing college basketball at Waldorf University, being a part of an NBA entourage, going to Drake's pool party, and covering the NBA for The Athletic, Tray has a wealth of experiences and stories worth sharing. TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Intro & Tray's life in bullet points 1:10 Growing up in Compton & childhood 6:40 Importance of youth sports9:01 Drake's pool party 11:04 Hanging out with athletes & celebrities 13:28 Life as a school teacher 16:25 Why athletes struggle post retirement 19:01 Life in a NBA entourage 21:48 How do athletes deal with fame? 26:08 Creating a viral Twitter account during the NBA bubble 29:27 Was the NBA bubble a success? 30:55 LeBron icing his knees in the club & NBA players hanging out after games 32:53 Where is LeBron in Tray's GOAT rankings? 34:26 Experience as a NBA journalist and importance of relationships with players 38:41 Most surprising thing about athletes 40:49 Success in the NBA: mostly genetic or result of hard work? 44:54 Tray's frameworks for success 48:32 What legacy does Tray want to leave? 50:25 Tray's advice for the next guest Connect with Tray: Twitter: https://twitter.com/Travonne Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travonneedwards/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tray-edwards-3882268a/ Count The Dings Podcast Network: https://linktr.ee/countthedings Follow Nik:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikatnite97/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Nik_Atanackovic

In the first episode of The Victory Degree, Nik sits down with biographer and NBA savant, Roland Lazenby. Roland has written more than 60 nonfiction books and was a sports journalist for decades covering teams such as the 95-96 Bulls and early 2000s Lakers. Some of his most notable work includes biographies written about MJ ("Michael Jordan: The Life"), Kobe ("Showboat: The Life of Kobe Bryant"), Jerry West ("The Life and Legend of a Basketball Icon"), & his newest title "Magic: The Life of Earvin "Magic" Johnson."In this conversation, Roland and Nik discuss topics such as:The long road to success in sports journalismWhy the Phoenix Suns wanted to ruin the triangle offenseWhat made MJ & Kobe different?How much work goes into writing a good sports biography?Difference between today's players and players from the 90s & early 2000sMost important takeaways from studying the lives of Kobe & MJFollow Roland:TwitterInstagramWatch the episode on YouTube:https://youtu.be/ZVN5g6CA2vgFollow me:InstagramTwitter