Hear District – Details, episodes & analysis

Naismith Hall of Fame journalist, Marc J. Spears, is the special guest on Hear District this week. Spears, who is a senior NBA writer for ESPN's race, culture, and sports platform, Andscape, was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2023 when he was recognized with the Curt Gowdy Media Award. He chronicles formative moments in his two decade-plus journey as a sportswriter, and how his Bay Area roots, college basketball career, and on-court inspirations helped him become who he is today. He also reveals why Team USA's performance in this summer's Olympics was some of the greatest basketball he has ever seen, even compared to the twenty-odd NBA Finals series he has covered. And after deeply reporting on Milwaukee Bucks head coach, Doc Rivers, and superstars Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo over their careers, he provides insights into what he expects from the team this season. For more, follow @bucksplusaudio - the official podcast network of the Milwaukee Bucks - on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and Facebook, and check out all Bucks+ podcast content at www.bucks.com/plus.

It's a reunion on Hear District this week with former Bucks digital reporter, Zora Stephenson, joining the show. For four years, Zora worked alongside Marques during Bucks broadcasts, and even became the first woman in Bucks history to act as a play-by-play announcer. The six-time Emmy winner now does play-by-play and sideline reporting for NBC Sports, and recently covered gymnastics and men's and women's basketball at the Paris Olympics. She reminisced about her time in Milwaukee, the historic moments she witnessed firsthand this summer, and her thoughts on the Bucks team going into next season. For more, follow @bucksplusaudio - the official podcast network of the Milwaukee Bucks - on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and Facebook, and check out all Bucks+ podcast content at www.bucks.com/plus

Bucks legend and Naismith Hall of Famer, Sidney Moncrief, is one of the greatest two-way basketball players in the history of the NBA. Alongside his former All-NBA teammate, Marques Johnson, the Bucks were perennial contenders under head coach, Don Nelson. This week, Moncrief joins Marques and Kris on Hear District to discuss how he became one of the toughest players of his era. Moncrief reacts to reports that Jerry West wanted to select him with the number one overall pick in the NBA draft over Magic Johnson, and how a trip to Bulgaria in college showed him just how special of a player Larry Bird would become. The two-time DPOY also reveals his strategy for defending Michael Jordan, and Kris tells the story of how he delighted the President after name-dropping Sir Sid at the White House.

Naismith Hall of Famer, Olympian, and longtime broadcaster and executive for the Phoenix Suns and Mercury, Ann Meyers, joins Marques and Kris Johnson this week. Meyers was so accomplished in her basketball career that she became the first woman to ever sign an NBA free agent contract. She shares what it was like to break barriers throughout her life, as well as how Caitlin Clark would benefit from a spot on Team USA. Marques and Kris also reminisce on their experiences with the late Jerry West, and why a familiar face returning to Milwaukee sets the team up to win another championship.

It's a special Johnson family edition of Hear District this week as the King of NBA Twitter, and co-host of Gil's Arena, Josiah Johnson, and one of the stars of BET+'s All the Queen's Men, J. Marques Johnson, join their father, Marques, and brother, Kris, to talk about the pressures of growing up in the shadow of their All-Star father. Josiah also speaks about working with LeBron James on his new film, Memes and Nightmares, and J. shares the advice Tyler Perry gave him on set that he will never forget. The brothers-in-basketball wrap up the show discussing Giannis playing for Greece in an Olympic qualifying tournament this summer, and Caitlin Clark's snub from Team USA.

On this episode, Marques and Kris Johnson memorialize NBA icon and their dear friend, Bill Walton. They share cherished memories and reflect on the Big Red Head’s legacy on and off the court. Then, longtime Bucks fan favorite John Henson comments on the infamous Matt Bartnes incident and recalls his earliest experience with Giannis Antetokounmpo and how former coach Jason Kidd pushed him and Khris Middleton to become the stars they are today.

Longtime NBA player Matt Barnes is this episode's guest with Marques and Kris Johnson! The three UCLA alums talk about Matt's time under Doc Rivers in L.A., toughness in sports, how you evolve as an adult while being a high-level athlete, Matt's interaction with John Henson almost a decade ago, why paying attention to mental health is so important now, and what he sees coming up for the Bucks.

This week, Marques and Kris react to the NBA's pair of Game 7s with MJ diving into the mindset of playing in a Game 7. They hit on some other hot NBA topics before talking with Bucks Mental Performance Coach Dr. Craig Manning about his role with the team and how he sees athletes changing how they operate with mental health. The episode wraps up with some news about Jon Horst and a discussion about Caitlin Clark, the WNBA, and a future in Milwaukee for the women's game.

On this episode, Marques and Kris welcome everyone into Mental Health Awareness month by sharing their own personal experiences and having a discussion on the importance of recognizing when something's not feeling right. They also dive into the latest Bucks coaching staff news and recap some of the latest NBA Playoffs storylines!

Marques and Kris react to the Bucks-Pacers series, analyzing the series loss for Milwaukee. What were some of the missed opportunities, and what were some of the silver linings from guys like Khris Middleton and Damian Lillard? Plus, the guys start to take a look at the offseason ahead for the Bucks.