Sporting Max

About Sporting Max

Our host Max Becker takes us on the journey of the lives of sporting stars, their careers, struggles, growing up and of course a few laughs along the way!

Publisher

Sporting Max

Category

sports

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

21 Apr 2020

Latest episode

30 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

284 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   30 Oct 2026

   John Buchanan: Inside Australia's Golden Era, The Ashes & The World Cup | #271

   In episode 271, Max chats with former Australian cricket coach John Buchanan! From his early playing days and transition into coaching to guiding Queensland to its historic first Sheffield Shield title and taking charge of Australia in 1999, John reflects on the journey and leadership philosophy that shaped one of cricket's most successful coaching careers. We dive into Australia's golden era, coaching legends including Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh and Adam Gilchrist, the contrasting leadership styles of Waugh and Ponting, and the standards and culture that underpinned Australia's sustained dominance. John takes us behind the scenes of Australia's back-to-back World Cup triumphs in 2003 and 2007, Shane Warne's shock departure on the eve of the 2003 tournament, Andrew Symonds' remarkable innings against Pakistan, and the historic 2004 Test series victory in India. He opens up on the devastating 2005 Ashes defeat, his own shortcomings as coach, the questions surrounding his future, and the determination to reclaim the Ashes. He reflects on Australia's controversial military boot camp, the players' reactions, and the extraordinary 5–0 whitewash of England in 2006-07. Plus, we discuss his unconventional coaching methods, managing elite personalities, the importance of continually evolving, his transition into business leadership, and what separates successful teams from those capable of sustaining excellence over time. A fascinating conversation on Australian cricket's golden era, the Ashes, World Cup triumphs, Shane Warne, Ricky Ponting, leadership, culture and building one of the most dominant teams in sporting history. All this and much more in episode 271 of Sporting Max! www.instagram.com/sportingmax.podcast/

2. 

   22 Oct 2026

   Scott Morrison: Inside the Utah Jazz, Brad Stevens & the Pressures of Coaching in Perth | #271

   In episode 271, Max chats with Utah Jazz Assistant Coach Scott Morrison! From coaching university basketball in Canada to taking a year away from his job to volunteer in the NBA D-League, Scott reflects on the unlikely journey that eventually took him to the NBA. We dive into contacting all 30 NBA teams looking for an opportunity, receiving just one rejection while the remaining teams ignored him, driving buses and doing laundry for the Maine Red Claws, and the unexpected opportunity that led to him becoming Head Coach of the Celtics' D-League affiliate. Scott also takes us behind the scenes of his time in Boston, working alongside Brad Stevens, how their contrasting coaching styles changed his approach to leadership, the emergence of Jayson Tatum, the Celtics' remarkable run to the 2018 Eastern Conference Finals, and interviewing for the Boston head coaching position following Stevens' move into the front office. Morrison opens up on his move to Australia, the pressure of replacing Trevor Gleeson at the Perth Wildcats, coaching through COVID, working with Bryce Cotton and Jesse Wagstaff, and the difficult end to the season that brought the club's historic playoff streak to an end. Plus, we discuss the Utah Jazz entering a new phase ahead of the 2026–27 NBA season, Will Hardy's leadership, Ace Bailey and Darryn Peterson, the expectations surrounding Utah's young roster, and the lessons Scott has learned throughout his coaching career. A fascinating conversation on the NBA, Brad Stevens, the Boston Celtics, the Perth Wildcats, leadership, resilience, player development and building a winning culture. All this and much more in episode 271 of Sporting Max! www.instagram.com/sportingmax.podcast/

3. 

   5 Oct 2026

   Braden Cotter: Inside the COE & Developing Australia’s Next Generation | #270

   In episode 270, Max chats with Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence Head of Basketball Braden Cotter! From spending more than a decade working outside basketball to returning to coaching and eventually leading one of the most important development programs in Australian basketball, Braden reflects on his coaching journey and the experiences that have shaped his approach. We go inside the Centre of Excellence and what it takes to develop Australia’s next generation of elite players, from creating a high-performance environment and teaching athletes how to become professionals to the role relationships, education and life away from basketball play in their development. Braden also takes us inside how Basketball Australia identifies talent, why selection starts long before one strong tournament, the data and depth charting behind the process, and how the COE decides when a player is ready for their next challenge. Plus, we discuss the development of Luke Paul, the mentality that separated him during his time at the COE, the rapid rise of Johnny Furphy, working with emerging bigs, learning from experienced coaches, and Braden’s ambition to return to head coaching in the future. A fascinating conversation about talent identification, player development, high-performance environments and the pathway producing the next generation of Australian basketball talent. All this and much more in episode 270 of Sporting Max! www.instagram.com/sportingmax.podcast/

Who has been a guest on Sporting Max

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Sergio Raimundo
• Paul Gow
• Jack Munro
• Jason Taylor
• Darren Burgess

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

5,819

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Spotify

5.0 / 5

12 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 68 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

56

Social presence

94

YouTube

68

Engagement

85

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