Omar Zahran
@omarzahran.bsky.social
Sports writer on Medium
Staff writer for KnicksFanTV
Host of the Deep Cover Podcast
Lover of sports, tech, and amazing food
Staff writer for KnicksFanTV
Host of the Deep Cover Podcast
Lover of sports, tech, and amazing food
Pinned
Omar Zahran
@omarzahran.bsky.social
· May 1
Deep Cover | Omar Zahran | Substack
Weekly sports analysis that goes beyond hot takes and highlights. Click to read Deep Cover, by Omar Zahran, a Substack publication. Launched 2 months ago.
deepcover.substack.com
Hey everyone.
If you ever want to read my stuff please subscribe to my Substack below. It’s free! And you’ll get a couple rambling sports essays from me every week!
It would mean the world to me if you subscribed!
deepcover.substack.com
If you ever want to read my stuff please subscribe to my Substack below. It’s free! And you’ll get a couple rambling sports essays from me every week!
It would mean the world to me if you subscribed!
deepcover.substack.com
The Pistons are 9-2 and sit atop the Eastern Conference. The reason? Their best player, Cade Cunningham, is taking the next step of his development into one of the best players in the sport. Wrote more about Cade and his rise in my latest on Substack 👇
deepcover.substack.com/p/the-ascens...
deepcover.substack.com/p/the-ascens...
The Ascension of Cade Cunningham
The Pistons guard has continued to refine and improve, showing that he is on the cusp of greatness
deepcover.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:02 AM
The Pistons are 9-2 and sit atop the Eastern Conference. The reason? Their best player, Cade Cunningham, is taking the next step of his development into one of the best players in the sport. Wrote more about Cade and his rise in my latest on Substack 👇
deepcover.substack.com/p/the-ascens...
deepcover.substack.com/p/the-ascens...
Every time I watch the Bucks, I feel like Ryan Rollins is making plays. Nice development story for the Bucks who needed someone to step up at that point guard spot this year. Just love watching this guy play.
November 11, 2025 at 4:07 AM
Every time I watch the Bucks, I feel like Ryan Rollins is making plays. Nice development story for the Bucks who needed someone to step up at that point guard spot this year. Just love watching this guy play.
The thing you notice when you watch Wemby is such a mental advantage that he has. Opposing players are forced to think twice before putting up a shot at the rim.
November 11, 2025 at 3:28 AM
The thing you notice when you watch Wemby is such a mental advantage that he has. Opposing players are forced to think twice before putting up a shot at the rim.
Cade Cunningham dropped 46 on 45 shots tonight in an OT win against the Wizards. That’s some Iverson and Kobe type activity! First player since Kobe in ‘02 to have 30+ missed shots in a game. What a time to be alive.
November 11, 2025 at 3:14 AM
Cade Cunningham dropped 46 on 45 shots tonight in an OT win against the Wizards. That’s some Iverson and Kobe type activity! First player since Kobe in ‘02 to have 30+ missed shots in a game. What a time to be alive.
Just want to say how cool it was to do this. Harvey Araton won the Curt Gowdy Media Award in 2017. It was an honor to be able to interview him. If you told me that I'd be talking on my podcast with someone of that stature when I started I would have said you were crazy. Surreal moment for me tbh.
New episode!
I was joined by author and journalist Harvey Araton to talk about his new book "The Goal of the Game", the commercialization of youth sports, and the pressures that young athletes face. This was such a great conversation, and I hope that you enjoy it!
open.spotify.com/episode/3MH6...
I was joined by author and journalist Harvey Araton to talk about his new book "The Goal of the Game", the commercialization of youth sports, and the pressures that young athletes face. This was such a great conversation, and I hope that you enjoy it!
open.spotify.com/episode/3MH6...
#86 - Modern Youth Sports Culture & "The Goal of the Game" w/ Harvey Araton
open.spotify.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:17 AM
Just want to say how cool it was to do this. Harvey Araton won the Curt Gowdy Media Award in 2017. It was an honor to be able to interview him. If you told me that I'd be talking on my podcast with someone of that stature when I started I would have said you were crazy. Surreal moment for me tbh.
New episode!
I was joined by author and journalist Harvey Araton to talk about his new book "The Goal of the Game", the commercialization of youth sports, and the pressures that young athletes face. This was such a great conversation, and I hope that you enjoy it!
open.spotify.com/episode/3MH6...
I was joined by author and journalist Harvey Araton to talk about his new book "The Goal of the Game", the commercialization of youth sports, and the pressures that young athletes face. This was such a great conversation, and I hope that you enjoy it!
open.spotify.com/episode/3MH6...
#86 - Modern Youth Sports Culture & "The Goal of the Game" w/ Harvey Araton
open.spotify.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:58 AM
New episode!
I was joined by author and journalist Harvey Araton to talk about his new book "The Goal of the Game", the commercialization of youth sports, and the pressures that young athletes face. This was such a great conversation, and I hope that you enjoy it!
open.spotify.com/episode/3MH6...
I was joined by author and journalist Harvey Araton to talk about his new book "The Goal of the Game", the commercialization of youth sports, and the pressures that young athletes face. This was such a great conversation, and I hope that you enjoy it!
open.spotify.com/episode/3MH6...
Recent comments have reignited thoughts about Carmelo's Knick tenure. Many have positioned him as great scorer that couldn't win, is it fair to place all that on him alone? Wrote more about how we remember Carmelo in my latest for Knicks Fan TV below
knicksfantv.beehiiv.com/p/the-dualit...
knicksfantv.beehiiv.com/p/the-dualit...
The Duality of Carmelo Anthony
Recent comments by Amar’e Stoudemire and Phil Jackson force us to remember the good and the bad of Melo, and why his Knicks legacy is so complicated.
knicksfantv.beehiiv.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Recent comments have reignited thoughts about Carmelo's Knick tenure. Many have positioned him as great scorer that couldn't win, is it fair to place all that on him alone? Wrote more about how we remember Carmelo in my latest for Knicks Fan TV below
knicksfantv.beehiiv.com/p/the-dualit...
knicksfantv.beehiiv.com/p/the-dualit...
Watching the Sixers in those 2001 throwbacks with the matching court just transported me into such a nostalgia moment. Made me think about the NYC hip hop scene at that time that led me to falling in love with the genre.
I'll be listening to mixtape Fabolous for the rest of the night if you need me
I'll be listening to mixtape Fabolous for the rest of the night if you need me
November 10, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Watching the Sixers in those 2001 throwbacks with the matching court just transported me into such a nostalgia moment. Made me think about the NYC hip hop scene at that time that led me to falling in love with the genre.
I'll be listening to mixtape Fabolous for the rest of the night if you need me
I'll be listening to mixtape Fabolous for the rest of the night if you need me
When you’re a good team, it’s important to not overlook developing teams and take care of business. The Knicks did that tonight.
During this homestand, I’ve been really impressed with the way they have made the extra pass. It’s been beautiful basketball. And the shots were falling again.
During this homestand, I’ve been really impressed with the way they have made the extra pass. It’s been beautiful basketball. And the shots were falling again.
November 10, 2025 at 1:38 AM
When you’re a good team, it’s important to not overlook developing teams and take care of business. The Knicks did that tonight.
During this homestand, I’ve been really impressed with the way they have made the extra pass. It’s been beautiful basketball. And the shots were falling again.
During this homestand, I’ve been really impressed with the way they have made the extra pass. It’s been beautiful basketball. And the shots were falling again.
This is shaping up to be a real stinker of a late window of NFL games. Not even halftime yet and we have winning margins of 35, 21, and 17.
Brutal watch.
Brutal watch.
November 9, 2025 at 10:17 PM
This is shaping up to be a real stinker of a late window of NFL games. Not even halftime yet and we have winning margins of 35, 21, and 17.
Brutal watch.
Brutal watch.
Just want to appreciate how the Saints closed the game against the Panthers. Two score lead win seven minutes left. They run the ball effectively and force Carolina to use all their timeouts and don’t let their offense back on the field. Just elite ball control offense.
November 9, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Just want to appreciate how the Saints closed the game against the Panthers. Two score lead win seven minutes left. They run the ball effectively and force Carolina to use all their timeouts and don’t let their offense back on the field. Just elite ball control offense.
London watching Berlin get a watchable NFL game
a bald man wearing a plaid shirt and a black vest
ALT: a bald man wearing a plaid shirt and a black vest
media.tenor.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:46 PM
London watching Berlin get a watchable NFL game
The team that will get the automatic bid for the ACC in the college football playoff just got real fascinating tonight.
November 9, 2025 at 6:58 AM
The team that will get the automatic bid for the ACC in the college football playoff just got real fascinating tonight.
New podcast episode!
This week I'm joined by Adrianna from Black Girls Love Football to talk about Lamar Jackson, the view of the Black QB in 2025, and how the goal posts shift when people talk about him. It's a great convo, and I hope you enjoy it!
open.spotify.com/episode/4Qpe...
This week I'm joined by Adrianna from Black Girls Love Football to talk about Lamar Jackson, the view of the Black QB in 2025, and how the goal posts shift when people talk about him. It's a great convo, and I hope you enjoy it!
open.spotify.com/episode/4Qpe...
#85 - Lamar Jackson & the View of Modern Black Quarterbacks w/ Black Girls Love Football
open.spotify.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:01 AM
New podcast episode!
This week I'm joined by Adrianna from Black Girls Love Football to talk about Lamar Jackson, the view of the Black QB in 2025, and how the goal posts shift when people talk about him. It's a great convo, and I hope you enjoy it!
open.spotify.com/episode/4Qpe...
This week I'm joined by Adrianna from Black Girls Love Football to talk about Lamar Jackson, the view of the Black QB in 2025, and how the goal posts shift when people talk about him. It's a great convo, and I hope you enjoy it!
open.spotify.com/episode/4Qpe...
Whenever there is a strange score in an NFL game, many wonder if it will be a Scorigami. Wrote more about why the concept works so well in football and why we are so fascinated by statistical rarity. Check out my latest below:
medium.com/@omarzahran/...
medium.com/@omarzahran/...
Scorigami & the Joy of Statistical Rarity
Why the thrill of a rare final score taps into something deeply human
medium.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Whenever there is a strange score in an NFL game, many wonder if it will be a Scorigami. Wrote more about why the concept works so well in football and why we are so fascinated by statistical rarity. Check out my latest below:
medium.com/@omarzahran/...
medium.com/@omarzahran/...
I’m working on an article about Scorigami and boy this is getting real nerdy, REAL QUICK. And I love every second of it 😂
November 6, 2025 at 4:59 AM
I’m working on an article about Scorigami and boy this is getting real nerdy, REAL QUICK. And I love every second of it 😂
Watching Tyrese Maxey this year, his evolution in the way he can get his points is incredible. Able to create his shot and manipulate space to put defenders at a disadvantage. Just remarkable year over year improvement from what I saw of his last season.
November 6, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Watching Tyrese Maxey this year, his evolution in the way he can get his points is incredible. Able to create his shot and manipulate space to put defenders at a disadvantage. Just remarkable year over year improvement from what I saw of his last season.
Me as a Knicks fan who happens to subscribe to YouTube TV that can’t watch my favorite basketball team because of the Google and Disney carriage dispute
a black and white cat is peeking out from behind a curtain .
ALT: a black and white cat is peeking out from behind a curtain .
media.tenor.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Me as a Knicks fan who happens to subscribe to YouTube TV that can’t watch my favorite basketball team because of the Google and Disney carriage dispute
I'm so glad that Mamdani won. He executed one of the best political campaigns that I have ever seen. Built up excitement, understood the modern landscape, and spoke to voters in a way that not many have. Just a masterclass in modern political campaigning.
November 5, 2025 at 6:24 AM
I'm so glad that Mamdani won. He executed one of the best political campaigns that I have ever seen. Built up excitement, understood the modern landscape, and spoke to voters in a way that not many have. Just a masterclass in modern political campaigning.
Something to monitor are low post up opportunities for OG Anunoby. He got great positioning tonight but had issues converting and getting the ball poked away. Would love to see him work on that throughout the season because that could add a fascinating dimension to this offense down the stretch.
November 4, 2025 at 4:32 AM
Something to monitor are low post up opportunities for OG Anunoby. He got great positioning tonight but had issues converting and getting the ball poked away. Would love to see him work on that throughout the season because that could add a fascinating dimension to this offense down the stretch.
Tonight's Knicks win had so many positive KAT elements. On a night where Brunson's shot wasn't there, they used him as a hub at times and his reads were good and made the right decisions.
November 4, 2025 at 4:29 AM
Tonight's Knicks win had so many positive KAT elements. On a night where Brunson's shot wasn't there, they used him as a hub at times and his reads were good and made the right decisions.
New podcast episode!
This week I'm joined by Andy Whittier. Andy is a Skeleton athlete, working towards representing the US in the '26 Winter Olympics. We talk about the sport, his journey from college football, and his passion for sport. Listen below!
open.spotify.com/episode/2gwQ...
This week I'm joined by Andy Whittier. Andy is a Skeleton athlete, working towards representing the US in the '26 Winter Olympics. We talk about the sport, his journey from college football, and his passion for sport. Listen below!
open.spotify.com/episode/2gwQ...
#84 - Skeleton, Overcoming the Odds, & a Love of Sport w/ Andy Whittier
open.spotify.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:30 AM
New podcast episode!
This week I'm joined by Andy Whittier. Andy is a Skeleton athlete, working towards representing the US in the '26 Winter Olympics. We talk about the sport, his journey from college football, and his passion for sport. Listen below!
open.spotify.com/episode/2gwQ...
This week I'm joined by Andy Whittier. Andy is a Skeleton athlete, working towards representing the US in the '26 Winter Olympics. We talk about the sport, his journey from college football, and his passion for sport. Listen below!
open.spotify.com/episode/2gwQ...
The latest NBA gambling scandal has caused us to think about the pervasiveness of sports betting in our sports. But has it forever altered the fan experience? Last week Chris Lindsey joined me to discuss this 👇
youtu.be/L-narvKad-A?...
youtu.be/L-narvKad-A?...
Has the injection of sports betting compromised the fan experience?
YouTube video by Omar Zahran
youtu.be
November 3, 2025 at 5:58 AM
The latest NBA gambling scandal has caused us to think about the pervasiveness of sports betting in our sports. But has it forever altered the fan experience? Last week Chris Lindsey joined me to discuss this 👇
youtu.be/L-narvKad-A?...
youtu.be/L-narvKad-A?...
Saw some good things from the Knicks tonight against Chicago. Incredibly evident how important a healthy Mitchell Robinson is to this team. His rebounding and space erasure on defense leads to so much on in transition.
November 3, 2025 at 5:10 AM
Saw some good things from the Knicks tonight against Chicago. Incredibly evident how important a healthy Mitchell Robinson is to this team. His rebounding and space erasure on defense leads to so much on in transition.
Victor Wembanyama has started this season by showing everyone proof of concept of his capability. His trajectory and ceiling are seemingly limitless. While he ascends he is also battling the precedent of players that preceded him. Check out my latest on below:
open.substack.com/pub/deepcove...
open.substack.com/pub/deepcove...
The Exquisite Wembanyama
The Spurs center continues to amaze, doing the impossible while also fighting the war of historical precedent
open.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:06 AM
Victor Wembanyama has started this season by showing everyone proof of concept of his capability. His trajectory and ceiling are seemingly limitless. While he ascends he is also battling the precedent of players that preceded him. Check out my latest on below:
open.substack.com/pub/deepcove...
open.substack.com/pub/deepcove...