Finish Strong Hoops

Dr. Chris Hart
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Finish Strong Hoops

Finish Strong Hoops is your premiere source for industry insights into basketball athletic performance and health. Hosted by Dr. Chris Hart, PhD, a current NBA Strength & Conditioning Coach and Physical Therapist, this podcast brings exclusive interviews with leading experts in sports science, performance training, nutrition, and rehabilitation. Each episode unpacks the latest science and turns it into real-world strategies to help you stay ahead of the competition and finish strong.

Episodes

  1. Ep 5: Jess Elis - Realities for Success in the NBA

    MAY 30

    Ep 5: Jess Elis - Realities for Success in the NBA

    Dr. Jess Elis is the founder of Rehab Code, and the former Vice President of Player Health with the New York Knicks and before that the Director of Player Health and Performance with the Trailblazers. He is someone that has mastered both the science and art of high-performance sports medicine and leadership. In this episode, Jess shares his journey from starting with minimal network connections to leading multiple departments in the NBA. The discussion covers key moments in his career, the value of sacrifice, being realistic in your education pursuits, and avoiding the arrogance that comes with the titles. Jess also highlights the underbelly of the NBA, the real challenges professionals face in high-performance settings, and not tying your identity to your job. We wrap up discussing his company, Rehab Code, aimed at offering community-based sports rehab education and mentorship as well as his other initiatives. Rehab Code: https://www.therehabcode.com/ Jess Elis on Instagram: @physio_elis 00:00 Introduction 00:51 Journey into Professional Sports 02:02 Breaking into the Industry 04:43 Challenges and Sacrifices 12:10 The Importance of Personality in Pro Sports 16:36 Arrogance vs. Mastery 20:10 Communication and Collaboration in Pro Sports 22:31 Staff Size and Role Definition 25:13 Player Relationships and Role Dynamics 25:47 Athlete-Led Experience vs. PT-Led Model 28:22 Realities of Working in Pro Sports 33:36 Mentorship and Professional Growth 37:02 Introducing Rehab Code 39:46 Future Ventures and Opportunities 42:39 Connecting with Rehab Code

    47 min
  2. Ep 4: Maggie Bryant - Evolving Leadership in the NBA

    MAY 21

    Ep 4: Maggie Bryant - Evolving Leadership in the NBA

    Maggie Bryant, President of Performance, Health, and Wellness for the LA Clippers joins us today to share her career story and how she has evolved to lead a highly reputable medical & performance department within the league. Maggie discusses her early interest in basketball, the injuries that led her to physical therapy, and her progression through various roles within the NBA. She provides deep insights into handling complex relationships and communication strategies within the team. The conversation also explores the importance of role clarity, continuing education, and the use of biomechanics to enhance player performance and injury prevention. Maggie's experience and strategies offer valuable lessons for both current and aspiring professionals in the field. This episode is brought to you by Vald and Teambuildr Contact Maggie: Email: maggieibryant@gmail.com IG: maggsb55 X: bryant5maggie 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:45 Entering Professional Sports 04:09 Role with the Clippers 06:14 Staff Development and Team Dynamics 11:50 Handling Player Relationships 16:35 Challenges and Strategies 21:45 Communication and Decision Making 29:08 Innovations and Future Directions 34:22 Personal Insights and Advice 36:22 Conclusion and Contact Information

    40 min
  3. Ep 3: Lee Taft - Effective Speed & Agility Training in Basketball

    MAY 8

    Ep 3: Lee Taft - Effective Speed & Agility Training in Basketball

    In this episode, I sit down with Lee Taft, widely known as "The Speed Guy." With over 35 years of experience, Lee is a renowned authority on athletic movement and multidirectional speed training. His methodologies, drills, and principles are used by NFL, NBA, and MLB teams, top NCAA programs, and performance facilities across the globe. Lee’s coaching roots run deep — he has coached basketball teams and athletes at all levels and does an exceptional job at simplifying complex concepts into digestible skills that can directly apply to the game. He has a deep passion for the game of basketball, and is an incredible advocate for developing athletes and bridging the gap between coaches and players. 01:09 Importance of Language in Coaching 02:14 Guest's Background and Journey 05:32 Common Misconceptions in Basketball Coaching 12:42 Developing Locomotion Literacy in Athletes 17:18 Rehabilitation and Return to Play 21:01 Using Bands for Deceleration Training 23:43 Using Bands for Lower Body Emphasis 25:23 Importance of Skill Development and Free Play 29:40 Incorporating Skill Development in Team Settings 35:28 Conditioning and Skill Training Integration 39:17 Balancing Play and Training for Young Athletes 44:08 Conclusion and Resources for Further Learning This episode is powered by Teambuildr. TeamBuildr PRACTICE is running a limited-time pre-sale. Secure 25% off by heading to teambuildr.com/practice before May 31, 2025. Learn more from Lee at his website: https://leetaft.com/ Follow Lee on IG: https://www.instagram.com/leetaft/

    48 min
  4. Ep 2: Erik Meira - Keeping the Science & Effective Athlete Care

    APR 26

    Ep 2: Erik Meira - Keeping the Science & Effective Athlete Care

    Erik is a nationally recognized physical therapist, consultant, and educator based in Portland, Oregon, specializing in sports rehabilitation and applying science to sports medicine, with his current focus on supporting professional and elite collegiate athletes. In this episode, he shares his observations on the gaps medical & performance professionals typically have when it comes to applying science into their practice. The conversation delves into what is really "evidence-based practice" and the critical appraisal of new technology in high-level basketball. Speaking from over two decades of experience, he advocates for the role of practitioners as guides rather than "fixers", stressing the need for transparency, hammering the basics well, and keeping interactions centered around the athlete's values. Learn more about Erik and his courses at: www.thesciencept.com Register for the Elite Rehab Basketball Conference at: https://basketball.eliterehabconferences.com/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 01:05 Starting the PT Inquests Podcast 02:37 Journey into Physical Therapy 04:42 Developing a Unique Practice 06:00 Engaging with Higher-Level Athletes 08:02 Evidence-Based Practice in Physical Therapy 09:06 Challenges in Research and Application 22:13 Efficacy vs. Effectiveness in Therapy 28:18 Critically Appraising New Technology 29:22 Identifying and Addressing Performance Gaps 30:23 Challenges with High-Tech Solutions in Sports Science 32:50 The Importance of Simplicity in Athletic Testing 33:53 Athlete Perception and Technology 35:03 Focusing on Fundamentals Over Cutting-Edge Tech 36:57 Addressing Basic Issues in Athletic Performance 43:46 The Role of Medical Providers in Sports 52:32 Elite Basketball Rehab Conference and Networking 56:15 Online Courses and Resources for Professionals

    1h 2m
  5. Ep 1: Keith D'Amelio - Navigating the Professional Landscape in High-Level Basketball

    APR 10

    Ep 1: Keith D'Amelio - Navigating the Professional Landscape in High-Level Basketball

    Dr. Keith D'Amelio has an extensive background in elite sports, including roles with such organizations as the Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors and Stanford University as well as being the former Director of Athlete Performance at Nike, In this episode, Keith shares his background on the evolution of the basketball landscape over his career as well as the changes in athlete expectations and relationships with training staff. He shares his opinions on the current structure of medical/performance departments as well as providing advice to professionals feeling the pressure of inevitable departures. We wrap up the conversation discussing the missing untapped aspect of player development that can give your athletes the competitive advantage. Best contact to reach Keith is via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-d-amelio-phd-2166b54/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/finish_strong_hoops/

    57 min
  6. Ep 0: Dr. Chris Hart - Introduction

    SEASON 1 TRAILER

    Ep 0: Dr. Chris Hart - Introduction

    Finish Strong Hoops is your premiere source for industry insights into basketball athletic performance and health. This podcast will bring exclusive interviews with leading experts in sports science, performance training, nutrition, and rehabilitation. Each episode will unpack the latest science and turn it into real-world strategies to help you deliver high-quality services to your athletes.

    2 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Finish Strong Hoops is your premiere source for industry insights into basketball athletic performance and health. Hosted by Dr. Chris Hart, PhD, a current NBA Strength & Conditioning Coach and Physical Therapist, this podcast brings exclusive interviews with leading experts in sports science, performance training, nutrition, and rehabilitation. Each episode unpacks the latest science and turns it into real-world strategies to help you stay ahead of the competition and finish strong.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Chris Hart
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Chris Hart
  • Show Website
    Finish Strong Hoops

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