NBA All-Star Caron Butler talks Kobe Bryant stories, Pat Riley and The Miami Heat, UConn basketball and Jim Calhoun, Kevin Durant, Gilbert Arenas, Shaq, and much more.

On this episode of The JustIn Time Podcast, we sit down with Caron Butler—two-time NBA All-Star, NCAA standout at UConn, and current Miami Heat assistant coach. Caron takes us behind the curtain of his remarkable basketball journey, from his days growing up in Racine, Wisconsin, to starring under Coach Jim Calhoun at UConn, and being drafted 10th overall by the Miami Heat. We dive deep into Caron’s unique bond with Kobe Bryant, sharing never-before-heard stories of their legendary workouts, the trust they built, and the life lessons Kobe passed on. Caron opens up about the emotional impact of being traded, the business side of the NBA, and what it meant to return to Miami as a coach. Plus, he reveals how his entrepreneurial spirit was shaped by his upbringing and how he’s building generational wealth off the court.

⏰ Timestamps:

(00:00:00) - Justin introduces Caron Butler, NBA All-Star, coach, and broadcast partner

(00:02:17) - UConn days: Coach Calhoun’s recruitment and family’s influence

(00:05:06) - Declaring for the NBA Draft and emotional departure from UConn

(00:07:33) - Becoming a lottery pick, joining Miami Heat, and signing first NBA contract

(00:13:15) - Entrepreneurial roots: early business mindset and learning at UConn

(00:17:41) - Early NBA years in Miami: young core and Pat Riley’s influence

(00:19:01) - The Shaq trade: Moving to the Lakers, and learning the business side of basketball

(00:21:33) - Joining Kobe Bryant in LA: breaking the ice and forging a brotherhood

(00:24:07) - Legendary Kobe workouts and the “blackout” training sessions

(00:27:23) - Impact of Kobe’s mentorship on Caron’s game and All-Star leap

(00:29:41) - Washington Wizards era: All-Star seasons and staying connected with Kobe

(00:31:02) - On-court rivalry and mutual respect with Kobe Bryant

(00:32:02) - Famous foul story: Kobe’s mind games and competitive edge

(00:34:56) - The day of Kobe’s passing: Atlanta memories and personal loss

(00:36:53) - Kobe’s influence on Caron’s second act, philanthropy, and family

(00:39:19) - Full circle: returning to Miami as a coach and Heat family culture

(00:42:28) - The origin of “Tough Juice” nickname and playing through pain

(00:44:26) - Rapid fire: best trash talkers and toughest matchups

(00:45:38) - Guarding T-Mac and reflections on NBA rivalries

(00:46:57) - Most memorable game: 40-point hometown performance in Milwaukee

(00:48:13) - Favorite dunk: posterizing Yao Ming

(00:49:25) - Best restaurant in an NBA city: KD’s in Oklahoma City

💡Key Topics:

📌 Caron Butler’s journey from UConn to NBA All-Star (UConn basketball, NBA Draft, Miami Heat)

📌 Behind-the-scenes stories of Kobe Bryant’s mentorship and legendary work ethic (Kobe Bryant, NBA brotherhood)

📌 Coaching philosophy, player development, and returning to Miami (Miami Heat, NBA coaching)

📌 Memorable NBA moments: guarding T-Mac, dunking on Yao Ming, and favorite team memories (NBA highlights, basketball stories)

🏀 About Caron Butler:

Caron Butler is a two-time NBA All-Star, NCAA All-American at UConn, and currently serves as an assistant coach for the Miami Heat. Caron’s 14-year NBA career included stints with the Heat, Lakers, Wizards, and more.

🎙️ 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.

#CaronButler #KobeBryant #NBAAllStar #MiamiHeat #UConnBasketball #JustInTimePodcast #JustinKutcher #SportsPodcast #NBAStories

Unlock legendary Duke basketball stories, Coach K insights, unforgettable NCAA moments, ACC rivalries, and exclusive behind-the-scenes ESPN broadcasting tales with Jay Bilas—ESPN’s lead college basketball analyst, former Duke Blue Devil, and Final Four veteran—on this must-listen sports podcast episode.

Jay Bilas—ESPN’s lead college basketball analyst, former Duke Blue Devil, assistant coach, and practicing attorney joins the podcast. Jay’s journey from LA to Durham under a then-unknown Coach K is the stuff of basketball legend, and today he shares stories you won’t hear anywhere else. We dive deep into the early days of Coach K, the brotherhood behind Duke’s rise, and the unforgettable battles with ACC greats like Len Bias, Michael Jordan, and Mark Price. Jay opens up about the heartbreak and triumph of Duke’s first Final Four run, the inside story of the legendary 1992 Kentucky game, and what it was like to witness LeBron James as a high school phenom.

⏰ Timestamps:

(00:01:51) – Jay’s recruitment: Choosing Coach K over other legendary coaches and the decision to attend Duke

(00:07:49) – Facing Len Bias, Michael Jordan, and ACC legends; what made the league and those rivalries special

(00:17:21) – 1986 Final Four run: From freshman struggles to national title contention and the experience of losing the championship

(00:20:29) – Why so many Duke players returned as coaches; Coach K’s mentorship and helping players beyond basketball

(00:22:24) – Jay’s early broadcasting experience: Working the 1984 Olympics, learning the ropes, and behind-the-scenes stories

(00:27:45) – Transition to broadcasting: Reuniting with old colleagues, memorable moments as an assistant coach, and Digger Phelps stories

(00:29:16) – Coaching at Duke: The 1990 blowout loss to UNLV, the 1991 upset, and lessons from Coach K

(00:34:40) – The pain of losing the 1986 title game and the emotional toll of coming so close

(00:40:27) – Inside “The Shot”: 1992 Duke-Kentucky, drawing up the play, practice memories, and Coach K’s empathy for Kentucky

(00:48:52) – Duke’s floor slap tradition: Origins, meaning, and how it became a national meme

(00:51:28) – ESPN’s Big Monday crew: First broadcast with Bill Raftery and Sean McDonough, chemistry, and favorite moments

(01:03:55) – Broadcasting LeBron James’ first high school game and the evolution of high school basketball coverage

(01:12:11) – Rapid fire: Best game witnessed, favorite postgame spots, all-time Duke starting five, and more personal favorites

💡 Key Topics:

📌 Jay Bilas’s Duke career and the rise of Coach K (Duke basketball, Coach K, ACC history)

📌 Behind-the-scenes stories from Duke’s Final Four and legendary ACC rivalries (Final Four, NCAA Tournament, ACC basketball)

📌 The making of “The Shot” and the 1992 Duke-Kentucky game (Christian Laettner, Grant Hill, NCAA upsets)

📌 Reflections on LeBron James, Len Bias, and the evolution of the college game (LeBron James, Len Bias, NBA Draft, basketball legends)

🏀 About Jay Bilas:

Jay Bilas is a former Duke Blue Devil, NCAA Final Four participant, assistant coach under Mike Krzyzewski, and one of ESPN’s most respected college basketball analysts. Known for his sharp insights, storytelling, and advocacy for student-athletes, Jay has shaped how fans experience the game—on the court and in the broadcast booth.

🎙️ 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.

#JayBilas #CoachK #DukeBasketball #ESPN #CollegeBasketball #NCAATournament #TheShot #SportsPodcast #JustinKutcher #ACC #GrantHill #BillRaftery #SportsStories

This week on The JustIn Time Podcast, we sit down with Mark DeRosa—16-year MLB veteran, current MLB Network analyst, and Team USA manager. Mark’s journey from Ivy League standout at Penn to playing alongside Hall of Famers with the Atlanta Braves, and now leading America’s best on the international stage, is packed with incredible stories and wisdom. We reminisce about collecting baseball cards, childhood idols like Don Mattingly, and those pinch-me moments facing legends like Randy Johnson and Greg Maddux. Mark opens up about mentoring Bryce Harper as a rookie, the art of building team chemistry, and the thrill (and heartbreak) of managing Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. You’ll hear candid tales from inside iconic clubhouses, lessons from Chipper Jones and Bobby Cox, and why Mark’s passion for the game—and its next generation—remains as strong as ever.

⏰ Timestamps:

(00:00:00) - Justin welcomes Mark DeRosa; they bond over Don Mattingly and baseball card collecting

(00:03:52) - Mark’s prized photo with Don Mattingly and childhood card collecting stories

(00:06:21) - Early fan moments: meeting Yankee players, the impact of player-fan interactions

(00:12:47) - First MLB at-bat vs. Randy Johnson; “pinch me” moments in Yankee Stadium

(00:15:43) - Facing Hall of Famers: Bobby Cox’s tough assignments, early struggles, and learning to belong

(00:21:35) - Braves clubhouse culture, Chipper Jones’ mentorship, and learning to add value

(00:25:09) - Reinventing his swing: Texas, Michael Young, and the turning point in Mark’s career

(00:26:59) - Greg Maddux stories, clubhouse pranks, and the art of pitching

(00:30:53) - Mentoring Bryce Harper, rookie lessons, and earning your place in the clubhouse

(00:34:36) - Buster Posey’s arrival and recognizing future stars

(00:36:06) - Yankees vs. Braves in the World Series; Mark’s dual loyalties and Judge admiration

(00:38:42) - Comparing Aaron Judge and Barry Bonds; Bonds as the most dominant opponent

(00:41:42) - 2009 World Baseball Classic: playing with Jeter, David Wright, and Jimmy Rollins

(00:43:27) - Managing Team USA: Trout vs. Ohtani, WBC heartbreak, and building a winning culture

(00:54:05) - Bringing back infield/outfield drills and team bonding at the WBC

(00:55:38) - Venezuela game: team meeting, Trey Turner’s grand slam, and the power of chemistry

(00:57:15) - Learning to manage on the fly, trusting instincts, and the challenge of leading stars

(01:03:27) - Family influence, choosing Penn, and the decision between football and baseball

(01:04:44) - Losing his father, playing one last year for himself, and the meaning of legacy

(01:06:27) - Rapid fire: favorite athletes, Big East basketball, and jersey numbers

(01:10:14) - Favorite positions, shortstop memories, and realizing his role in the big leagues

(01:13:31) - Reflections on leadership, Team USA’s future, and the dream of winning it all

💡Key Topics:

📌 Mark DeRosa’s MLB journey: Atlanta Braves, Texas Rangers, and beyond

📌 Mentoring Bryce Harper and building veteran leadership

📌 Legendary teammates and stories: Chipper Jones, Greg Maddux, Jimmy Rollins

📌 Behind the scenes of Team USA and the World Baseball Classic

🧢 About Mark DeRosa:

Mark DeRosa played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball, contributing to teams like the Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, and San Francisco Giants. An Ivy League graduate from Penn, he’s now a respected MLB Network analyst and serves as the manager for Team USA, bringing his wealth of experience and leadership to the next generation of stars.

🎙️ 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.