Explore every episode of the podcast NBA History Conversations: Basketball Record
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1995 NBA Draft Recap: Remembering Reece Pedretti (Tribute Rerelease)
This episode is dedicated to the memory of Reece Pedretti - one of the truest friends I've ever known. On February 22, 2025, Reece passed away peacefully at the age of 45, following a courageous, nearly two-year battle with a rare form of cancer. Throughout his illness, he faced major surgeries and numerous treatments with unwavering strength.
We first met at work in 2000 and became fast friends, bonding over our shared sense of humour and a deep love for basketball - especially the NBA of the 1990s. Reece had a particular admiration for Shawn Kemp and Jalen Rose; so much so that replica jerseys of both players were displayed at the celebration of his life.
Reece had many admirable qualities, but perhaps his greatest gift was his ability to make people feel at ease, regardless of the situation. He cherished his family deeply and had a love for music. A talented guitarist and singer, Reece regularly performed live, both solo and with various bands.
My thoughts are with his cherished wife Sian; his sons Huw and Paddy; his stepsons Jasper and Jude; his parents Sherry and Des; and his brother Dallas. Their loss is immeasurable.
In August 2013, Reece joined my podcast for a conversation that you're about to hear. I'm grateful to have this recording to remember him by. Knowing Reece for 25 years has made me a better person. I love you, mate, and I always will.
Today’s guest is Mike Riordan. We dive into his incredible journey - from starring in college at Providence to playing a key role on the legendary 1970 New York Knicks championship team - delivering the franchise’s first title. Mike shared the floor with icons like Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, Bill Bradley, and a young Phil Jackson.
We talk about how he carved out his role on such a stacked roster, the lessons he carried into his years with the Washington Bullets, and how the era he lived through - including the Vietnam years - shaped his outlook on life.
Off the court, Mike built a successful business career, and his reflections are insightful. A special shout-out to my friend and former guest, Rich Rinaldi, for making this connection.
Now, let’s drop the needle. My conversation with Mike Riordan.
Pete Babcock is a man deeply woven into the fabric of NBA history. Pete shares the innovative path he took to break into the league, starting as a volunteer scout and rising through the ranks as a regional scout, assistant coach, director of player personnel, VP of basketball operations, general manager, team president, and even minority owner.
We explore Pete’s passion for Black history and humanitarian work, and reflect on a remarkable 42-year career that culminated in an NBA championship ring in 2016. This conversation serves as the perfect introduction to Pete’s forthcoming biography, Courts of Justice: A Life in Basketball and Activism. You can preorder the book now at PeteBabcock.com.
In our chat, Pete offers a behind-the-scenes look at the art of scouting and drafting, and the complexities of navigating trades - including the high-profile deal that sent franchise favorite Dominique Wilkins from the Atlanta Hawks to the L.A. Clippers. We cover Pete’s tenure with several NBA franchises - including the New Orleans Jazz, Milwaukee Bucks, San Diego Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, and Cleveland Cavaliers - discussing his roles and impact at each stop.
Along the way, we talk about a wide range of players he worked with or observed closely, including Paul Westphal, Alvan Adams, Tom Chambers, Terry Cummings, Fat Lever, Christian Laettner, Dikembe Mutombo, Steve Smith, Isaiah Rider, and many more. Pete will return in a future episode to take us deeper into the making of his book.
The 1995 season opener will likely never be forgotten. A pregame fireworks display triggered a fire-prevention mechanism that dumped 12,000 gallons of water inside the Alamodome. Would Golden State make a big splash in San Antonio?
Part two of our 1994 NBA Finals rundown. We continue discussing the battle between the New York Knicks and the Houston Rockets. In part one, we covered through Game 4 of the series. Now, it’s essentially a best two-of-three scenario. As with part one, this episode contains added audio snippets for greater context. Thanks again, Jarrod Prosser, for a great conversation.
Basketball Reference is Adam's primary source for research. He is a brand ambassador. Enter promo code 𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗔𝗜𝗥𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦 for 20% off a yearly Stathead subscription. Pay monthly (plans from $9) and get your first month free! Cancel anytime.
Let's welcome long-time broadcaster, Jim Brinson, to the show. We dive into Jim's journey through radio and TV over the years. A highlight of our chat is Jim's experience covering Michael Jordan’s NBA regular-season debut on October 26, 1984. Jim has some fantastic stories to share. One involves the legendary Wes Unseld (RIP) and Danny Ainge, while the other takes us to a hilarious moment during Jim’s unforgettable visit to Wilt Chamberlain’s (RIP) bathroom. You won’t want to miss it!
Part one of our discussion of the 1994 NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets. We dissect the history between Patrick Ewing and Hakeem Olajuwon, comment on the 1994 regular season and much more. The episode features audio snippets to add even greater context. Thanks to a new friend of the show, Jarrod Prosser, for a great conversation.
Basketball Reference is Adam's primary source for research. He is a brand ambassador. Enter promo code 𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗔𝗜𝗥𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦 for 20% off a yearly Stathead subscription. Pay monthly (plans from $9) and get your first month free! Cancel anytime.
Part two of my extended conversation with Rich Rinaldi. We now focus on Rico's - he shares the origins of his nickname - professional career. Rich offers fascinating insights into the ups and downs of his NBA and ABA tenure.
Aged just 26 and his hoops life at a crossroads, Rinaldi traded the hardwood for a chalkboard. He worked as a physical education teacher before an offer to play basketball overseas rejuvenated his life. Rico's talents flourished in Europe. After an initial stumbling block, he starred in Switzerland for five years.
At age 50, Rinaldi began working with the National Basketball Players Association. A position he relished and was arguably tailor-made for. Rich details the highlights of his almost 20 years at the NBPA.
If you can't identify with the highs and lows of Rich's life story, I'm not sure what to tell you. This conversation is why I love producing my podcast.
Welcome Rich Rinaldi to the show. Part one of our extended conversation about his life. We recorded this on Rich’s 75th birthday (an added treat). A wide-ranging discussion and perfect example of why I love creating my podcast. We talk baseball - Rich’s first sporting love - and what led to his switch to basketball at age 14.
Rinaldi became a hoops standout in high school and a star in college, amid the real possibility of being drafted for military service in the Vietnam War. Our chat covers through early 1971 – just before the ABA and NBA drafts (March). Keep an ear out for part two where we’ll delve into Rich’s pro career; the NBA, ABA and overseas (where he starred for six seasons).
My recap of the final stop on the No Bull Tour (Sydney). Australian legend, Luc Longley, invited his former Chicago Bulls teammates, Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant, to our friendly shores. The show was even better than I could have imagined.
For greater context, I created this YouTube video to accompany the audio. It features a wide range of photos spanning the players' careers. There's also brief footage from the end of the show, when we were able to record video of the Bulls trio.
Let's welcome the legendary Tom Chambers to the show. A massive thanks to our mutual friend, Jeff Wells. Jeff was my guest on episode 128. We detailed his campaign for Tom to enter the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. We also spoke at length about Jeff’s awesome YouTube channel, TC24, devoted to the life of Tommy C. Without Jeff, today’s episode would simply not be possible. I strongly encourage you to subscribe to TC24 – it features a wealth of excellent clips and features on Mr. Chambers.
This episode is sprinkled with audio snippets that add more context to my conversation with Tom. In some instances, the audio is edited for brevity. Where applicable, most clips are available to watch – or listen to - in full on TC24.
Please note that our conversation was recorded on January 21, 2024. As of that date, the stats I discuss with Tom - re the number of 60-plus point scorers - are correct. In recent weeks, remarkably, an additional five such games have been added to that exclusive list. TC discusses a wealth of topics in this episode. From a personal point of view, it may be the most enjoyable conversation in the history of my podcast.
On November 2nd, 2023, six-time NBA All-Star Walter Davis died of natural causes while visiting family in Charlotte. Today, I welcome back Adam Beechen - a great friend of the show. We discuss Walter’s life on-and-off the basketball court.
Amidst his innumerable accomplishments, Davis was certainly no stranger to adversity. Despite battling substance abuse for the majority of his Phoenix Suns tenure, Walter averaged 20-or-more points per season in six of his 11 campaigns in the Valley of the Sun.
A quick sidebar. Per Basketball Reference.com, on July 6, 1988, Walter Davis was the second player in NBA history to sign as an unrestricted free agent. He joined the Denver Nuggets one day after another would-be Suns legend, Tom Chambers, signed w/ Phoenix.
In the lead-up to recording this conversation, I put out a call for listener contributions. Tim Gallagher kindly answered the bell. Tim has collected sports autographs for more than 50 years and is a Consignment Director for Robert Edward Auctions. You’ll hear Tim’s reflections on Walter Davis as an interlude within the episode. Tim will also feature as a future guest on my podcast. He has a wealth of incredible stories to tell.
Reggie Lewis tragically passed away 30 years ago (1993) at the age of just 27. This is an updated re-release of episode 27 with my great mate, Todd Spehr. We recorded our chat ten years ago to mark the 20th anniversary of Lewis' sudden passing.
I’ve added numerous audio clips for greater context, edited our original conversation and improved its sound quality. We discussed the life and times of Reggie - from his days at Dunbar High School, to his tenure at Northeastern University and ultimately, rise from seldom-used NBA rookie to captain of the famed Boston Celtics. Todd mentioned the poem that Reggie’s widow, Donna Harris-Lewis, read to the Boston Garden faithful on Reggie Lewis Night in 1995. Audio of that poignant moment also now features.
This is a fresh listening experience even for the most-diehard fan clamoring for a new episode – of which, to be sure – many more are planned for release throughout the rest of 2023. Most of the additional audio in this episode was sourced from TV broadcasts aired at the time of Lewis’ passing. They were thankfully preserved by Tim Theriault.
01:49 2023 NBA Draft Lottery - Wemby to San Antonio Spurs 06:21 Ralph Sampson (and Bill Walton) - similarities to Victor? 07:16 Manute Bol was how old when he joined NBA?! Chuck Nevitt mention! 08:37 Bill Garnett ('82 Draft - pick #4) and Jeff Ruland have beef! 09:09 Rick offers Jeff tissues to get over the incident! 09:33 Ja Morant brandishing a weapon (again) on social media 13:27 Lakers and Nuggets - West Finals discussion 15:03 Mile-high (in Denver) or just high? 16:28 76ers' woes - fallout from Embiid's comments after ECSF G7 18:21 Heat and Celtics - East Finals breakdown (Beef Brothers masterclass) 20:12 Do the Heat need a Herro? 20:42 Coach Erik Spoelstra's impact 21:22 Setting Suns? 21:58 Rick and Jeff's on documentaries (don't ask Horn about The Last Dance!) 24:01 Adam looks like Andy Cohen?! It's an Aussie roast! 24:20 Listener question: Rick's opinion of Isiah Thomas (after The Last Dance) 25:38 Listener question: Jeff on battling Darryl Dawkins and Buck Williams 26:45 Rick's a big Chocolate Thunder fan. Buck Williams? Not so much! 27:50 Horn does his best impression of the Aussie accent!
We encourage your interaction - ask questions or add comments on YouTube and the Beef Brothers will respond in future episodes. If you prefer e-mail, reach Rick and Jeff by e-mailing Adam: inallairness@gmail.com - he'll collate your submissions to read out to the guys. A quick warning that ocassional language during this series is not safe for young ears.
Let's welcome Bill Willoughby to the show. There are many more strings to his bow – as you’ll hear in my introduction - however, Bill rose to national awareness during the 1981 NBA Playoffs, by virtue of his excellent defense against the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Willoughby is one of only a few to ever reject The Captain’s iconic skyhook. A topic we certainly cover in this refreshingly open and honest conversation.
01:12 2023 NBA Awards thus far 03:23 Rick Mahorn nominated for Washington Wizards President?! 05:12 Players who find a great fit on the right team 06:23 Kyrie conundrum 06:37 Jeff and Rick's role on 1980s Bullets 08:55 2023 Playoffs - 76ers, Nuggets and Suns advance to round two 09:47 Trae Young shocks Boston (Game 5) 10:30 Celtics vs 76ers / Heat vs Knicks (round two preview) 11:50 Heat's reliance on Jimmy Butler - who else can help? 12:45 Importance of good health in the playoffs, Embiid's return 14:18 Dillon Brooks' value and impact on Grizzlies' chemistry 16:30 Whining to refs / Dick Bavetta and Joey Crawford stories 18:33 Can the Kings dethrone the Warriors? 19:51 Hat-tip to Butler and Booker / Suns vs Nuggets (round two preview) 21:42 Rick and Jeff's funniest teammates! 26:23 Listener question: Rick and Jeff's relationship with Wes Unseld 28:04 Listener question: Origin of Rick's patented "pull-the-chair" move 29:44 Listener comment: Appreciation for 1980s Bullets making playoffs 31:54 Frank Johnson and Gerald Henderson brawl (1984 Playoffs)
We encourage your interaction - ask questions or add comments on YouTube and the Beef Brothers will respond in future episodes. If you prefer e-mail, reach Rick and Jeff by e-mailing Adam: inallairness@gmail.com - he'll collate your submissions to read out to the guys. A quick warning that ocassional language during this series is not safe for young ears.
Watch Adam's TV debut. Or, listen to this audio and learn how his adventure went. Can he justify his self-proclaimed title of Michael Jordan / NBA-history obsessive?!
I recently made my first - and perhaps last - appearance on television. I was a contestant on Australia's top-rated game show, Hard Quiz. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation's on-demand TV streaming service, ABC iview, describes Hard Quiz thusly: "Not satisfied with winning the 2022 AACTA Award for Best Comedy Entertainment Program, Tom Gleeson has combed the nation to find a new bunch of self-nominated experts willing to undergo the HARDEST test there is".
My Hard Quiz appearance aired on April 12, 2023. It was recorded in-front of a live studio audience in early September, 2022. The description for episode 10 of series eight: 'Four contestants are after one Big Brass Mug and host Tom Gleeson is in the way. Expert topics this week are Scouts Australia, animated film The Incredibles, NBA superstar Michael Jordan and penny farthing bicycles!'
No prizes for guessing my specialty topic. Thanks to my best mate of over 40 years, Nicholas, for encouraging me to apply for the show. A special thanks to Hard Quiz Contestant Producer, Zim, who ensured each contestant had a fantastic time on the day of recording.
00:50 NBA reg-season recap (best records, league leaders) 01:18 NBA MVP picks for 2023 season 02:41 League parity 04:03 Did Suns win Durant trade? 04:52 Will Kyrie and Luca remain a duo, win a title? 06:28 Dwane Casey's replacement as Pistons coach 07:17 Josh's Giddey nether regions / Beef Brothers inflicting pain 08:13 Fashion sense (or lack thereof) in today's NBA 09:47 2023 Play-in Tournament (last two games) 11:43 2020 NBA Playoffs - Round one preview 15:28 Wizards' outlook / free agency across the NBA 18:59 Beef Brothers washing uniforms in the sink or shower? 19:58 Who will win Wembanyama Sweepstakes? 20:55 Kangaroo meat for Wemby?! 21:10 Rick's and Jeff's off-the-court interests 22:50 Listener question: Jeff on denying Jordan's first NBA jam ('84) 23:56 Beef Brothers were "built to make posters", put players on their a$$! 24:32 Listener question: Rick on Isiah Thomas punching him in the head ('90)
25:46 JEFF UNFILTERED - Rules doesn't mince words re Isiah! 27:25 Listener question: Beef Brothers t-shirts (latest re availability) 28:21 Episode frequency to increase / special guest appearances, too! 29:29 Power to the people, avoid kangaroo meat and subscribe to Beef Brothers!
We encourage your interaction - ask questions or add comments on YouTube and the Beef Brothers will respond in future episodes. If you prefer e-mail, reach Rick and Jeff by e-mailing Adam: inallairness@gmail.com - he'll collate your submissions to read out to the guys. A quick warning that ocassional language during this series is not safe for young ears.
- NBA season thru Mar 1, 2023 - All-Star Game fixes? - Rick's trade from the Washington Bullets to Detroit Pistons (1985) - Jeff's 1984 All-Star Game memories - Listener-submitted questions
Please note that Rick was absent from part of this recording (when Jeff recalls his ASG memories and responds to listener feedback).
Watch conversations online - episodes live on the Beef Brothers' YouTube channel. There's 24 minutes of video from episode three. The remainder is a separate audio-only upload.
We encourage your interaction - ask questions or add comments on YouTube and the Beef Brothers will respond in future episodes. If you prefer e-mail, reach Rick and Jeff by e-mailing Adam: inallairness@gmail.com - he'll collate your submissions to read out to the guys. A quick warning that ocassional language during this series is not safe for young ears.
- NBA season thru Dec 11, 2022 - Rick and Jeff's iconic Beef Brothers photo shoot - Paul Silas' recent passing (3x NBA Champ) - Manute Bol memories (2x Block Champ)
Watch conversations online - episodes live on the Beef Brothers' YouTube channel. Though there's no (full) video of episode two, select clips will be added soon.
We encourage your interaction - ask questions or add comments on YouTube and the Beef Brothers will respond in future episodes. If you prefer e-mail, reach Rick and Jeff by e-mailing Adam: inallairness@gmail.com - he'll collate your submissions to read out to the guys. A quick warning that ocassional language during this series is not safe for young ears.
Our goal is to regularly release episodes of 45 minutes or less. Rick and Jeff share their opinions on today's NBA, before we go back in time to explore the wonders of NBA history. The Washington Bullets' Beef Brothers were arguably the NBA's most-fearsome duo from 1982 through 1985. They teamed with Greg Ballard (RIP) to form an imposing front-line.
Select episodes may feature special guests, Bullets-era teammates or adversaries from the halcyon days of Rick's and Jeff's careers. The audio is delivered here in podcast form, but you can watch our conversations online. Full episodes will live on the Beef Brothers' channel (episode two onwards), whilst an old-school-only-edit will appear on Adam's YouTube channel. Relevant links also appear beneath the video.
We encourage your interaction - ask questions or add comments on YouTube and the Beef Brothers will respond in future episodes. If you prefer e-mail, reach Rick and Jeff by e-mailing Adam: inallairness@gmail.com - he'll collate your submissions to read out to the guys. A quick warning that ocassional language during this series is not safe for young ears.
A sliding doors moment from the 1993 NBA Playoffs would have significantly impacted the course of NBA history. Though I’m not normally a fan of what-if scenarios, let’s entertain one. Specifically, an examination of Game 5 of the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals (Knicks v Bulls).
Behind the Game - this episode details the would-be ramifications on NBA history had the Knicks held on to win the ECF and advance to the 1993 Finals.
People mentioned include Charles Smith, Scottie Pippen, Michael Jordan, Horace Grant, Pat Riley, David Robinson and Nick Anderson.
We journey back to 1989 and discuss a key matchup between Central Division rivals, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons.
Let's welcome a new friend to the show – Ryan Van Dusen – an archivist and curator of Detroit Pistons and NBA-history content at-large. Over 80,000 fans already subscribe to Ryan's YouTube channel.
It’s the final week of the 1989 NBA regular season. This contest had significant implications on postseason play. For added context, we cover a few incidents that happened earlier in the season that had an impact on this game – including a late-January fight between the Cavs’ Brad Daugherty and the Pistons’ Bill Laimbeer. Plus, a second fight, when Detroit’s Isiah Thomas mixed it up with Chicago’s Bill Cartwright, less than two weeks before the game we’re covering today. This conversation was a lot of fun and there are numerous audio drops to enjoy, too. After the recap, we briefly discuss Ryan’s YouTube channel. He kindly created a dedicated playlist of this game.
Existing fans of my show will likely know that I’ve been a big fan of Shawn Bradley since 1994. I briefly elaborate on my fandom during this chat, however, we largely cover how Brian’s profile came to be, his process throughout, its impact on him and of course, how Shawn’s terrible accident has forever changed the course of not only his life, but that of his family.
Jeff Wells is a Tom Chambers superfan. This is a super-fun conversation about Jeff’s excellent YouTube channel – TC24 – devoted to showcasing Tom’s fantastic career and advocating his worthiness for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
You’ll soon realise Jeff’s importance in relation to Tom Chambers being named a first-time nominee and candidate for the Hoop Hall’s Class of 2022. Our conversation covers the origin story of Jeff’s NBA fandom and the unique details behind his fascination with Tom Chambers. We talk about his YouTube channel and do a deep dive into the process behind the tremendous features he produces. We reference Pete Croatto's FanSided feature, too.
This episode is filled with information on Tom’s journey from high school to the NBA. You’ll also hear some snippets of audio from Jeff’s videos that demonstrate the care and precision he takes with each upload. It’s a really fun and informative conversation. You can subscribe to Jeff’s channel by searching ‘TC24’ on YouTube.
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame recently announced the list of eligible candidates for the Class of 2022, including high-profile first-time nominee, Tom Chambers.
Behind the Game - this episode details one of the NBA’s all-time greatest slam dunks. Learn why Tom Chambers and Mark Jackson are forever linked in NBA history.
People mentioned include Jerry Colangelo, Eddie Johnson, Jeff Hornacek, Kevin Johnson, Mark West, Tyrone Corbin, Larry Nance, James Edwards, Jay Humphries, Dan Majerle, Tim Perry, Andrew Lang, Patrick Ewing and Gerald Wilkins.
Hey, it's Adam here. A quick podcast update for you as we near the end of 2021.
It's official. My recent conversation with the great Jerry Colangelo was episode number 200 overall. It was the 127th edition of 'In all Airness'. The remaining episodes are a combination of detailed season-recaps, short-form stories and a few podcast updates.
My great mate Aaron Stehn has featured regularly throughout the history of the show. We released a 30-episode series called #NB85 (devoted to Michael Jordan's rookie season). Our #NB86 series (you guessed it, chronicling the 1986 NBA seaon) is comprised of 15 episodes and #NB87 is a 13-episode run detailing the 1987 season. We're currently five episodes into #NB88 and hope to resume the series early next year. Shout-out to another great friend, Todd Spehr, for his support over the years, too.
I created this show in 2012 because I couldn't find a podcast that offered what I wanted to hear as a diehard fan of old-school basketball. Looking back on the extensive episode list, I'm very proud of my podcast. There's been an incredible array of guests on the show - Hall of Famers, All-Stars, role players, journeymen and those who have made significant contributions to the history of the game, from off the court, too. I've also made some fantastic friendships and acquaintances over the years.
Recent updates to my website now allow fans of the show to support the podcast monetarily. Completely optional, of course. There are numerous costs involved to produce this show and with the recent rise of crowd-funded podcasts, I've finally jumped on board. You can 'Buy Me a Coffee' (more so a donation similar to the price of a cup of coffee). You can make one-off PayPal donations - if you'd prefer to make recurring payments, please contact me and that can be arranged. In the show notes of this episode, there are various affiliate links to basketball-related retailers here in Australia and the USA. By clicking on those links, you can support my show at no extra cost to you. If you make a purchase within 24 hours of visiting a link, I'll receive a small commission.
I also offer a free 30-day trial to Audible. Sign-up using my link and you'll get a credit to purchase any premium title (regardless of price). For example, if you're a fan of the legendary columninst - and repeat podcast guest - Bob Ryan, you can obtain his excellent book Scribe, by taking advantage of this Audible trial. Best yet, you can cancel anytime and still keep your purchase. If you wish to sponsor an episode of the show, that is also possible. Reach out to me and we can discuss specifics.
Your support will help offset some of the costs involved in producing the show, which is now in its tenth year. Those costs include my
Let's welcome ‘The Godfather of Arizona Sports’, Jerry Colangelo. Jerry’s contributions to professional sports are immeasurable. In this conversation, we focus primarily on his incredible basketball journey. Jerry discusses his high school, college and semi-pro career, before detailing how he became involved with the birth of Chicago’s NBA franchise in 1966. He recalls how the Bulls nickname came to be and what it was like to be a day-one employee.
We cover his move to Arizona where he was named GM of another expansion franchise, the Phoenix Suns. Jerry talks about the famed coin flip to obtain the services of Lew Alcindor (later, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), and how the Suns worked their way to an NBA Finals appearance in 1976 versus the mighty Boston Celtics. Jerry describes how he built the mid-to-late 80s Suns into title contenders and the big trade that brought Sir Charles Barkley from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Valley of the Sun.
We briefly cover Jerry’s vital role in rebuilding Team USA. For more context, listen to this great conversation that Jerry had on The Crossover NBA Show (with Chris Mannix). He discussed how he turned the entire program around.
Joanne worked with Reebok for over 15 years. Her family has links to the Boston Celtics dating back nearly five decades. Joanne details what it was like to grow up within the confines of the Boston Garden and the unique relationships she has developed with the franchise and its players throughout her lifetime.
Our conversation covers a wide range of Joanne’s amazing experiences working with Reebok. She joined the team in the mid-1980s and talks about the development of the brand and how Reebok managed to compete – and then thrive - in an intensely-competitive market for shoes and apparel. You’ll hear some tremendous stories about some of the NBA’s biggest names of the era – Larry Bird, Dominique Wilkins, Shawn Kemp, Dee Brown and Shaquille O’Neal, to name just a few.
I’m excited to welcome Basketball Hall of Fame legend, Dave Cowens. The first NBA Most Valuable Player to appear on the podcast. In this fun, insightful and wide-ranging conversation, Dave discusses his days at Newport Catholic HS and run-ins with the assistant principal, who also doubled as his basketball coach. Dave details his recruitment to Florida State University – where he was a four-year standout with the Seminoles.
Dave recounts an intriguing letter he wrote to Celtics legend – and then-Cincinnati Royals coach, Bob Cousy – ahead of the 1970 NBA Draft. Cowens was a busy man in the lead-up to his rookie debut with the Celtics. During the week, he played in Boston’s Neighborhood Basketball League (BNBL) and on weekends commuted to New York to play in the famed Rucker League. For good measure, Dave teamed with ‘Pistol’ Pete Maravich and stole the show at the Maurice Stokes Memorial Basketball Game.
Of course, there’s plenty of NBA and Celtics discussion. We chat about the two titles Dave won with Boston in the 1970s, how he prepared for games and battled with all-time great centers that often had significant height advantages over him. We even found time to talk about Larry Bird, too. This conversation primarily covers Dave’s on-court days. Hopefully he’ll return to the show to discuss his post-playing career and life after basketball. This is a candidate for my favorite episode yet.
If you enjoy this chat and you’re on Twitter, I’d be most grateful if you’d consider a quick tweet to Bob Ryan (@GlobeBobRyan), thanking him for the connect with Mr. Cowens. This conversation would not have happened without Bob’s continued generosity.
How good is your knowledge of NBA trivia? This episode is all about nicknames. 30 questions in total, courtesy of the mighty Basketball-Reference. Players from the 1950s thru 1990s. Only one question went unanswered. Test your knowledge and see how you match-up!
Our first foray into NBA trivia. This is an edit of my Twitter Spaces recording from late August, 2021. We initially had four participants. In alphabetical order – Aiden, David, Joel and Richo. A fifth entrant, Matt, joined approximately halfway through. Competition was tough. Richo and David were particularly ruthless. However, everyone answered at least one question correctly.
Due to the nature of Twitter Spaces, the audio quality is variable. If you want to hear more trivia episodes, or even take part in a future one, please reach out and let me know. I’d be more than happy to set-up my own higher-quality recordings.
[2015 re-release] Adam and Aaron discuss Dominique Wilkins' return to Atlanta - his first game versus the Hawks as an opposition player. Nique dropped 36 points on his former team, as the L.A. Clippers defeated the Atlanta Hawks by three points. This game was just four weeks after the Hawks' blockbuster trade that sent Dominique to the Clippers, in exchange for two-time NBA All-Star, Danny Manning.
We discuss all the key aspects of the game. We talk about the SportSouth broadcast and the commentary team's (Tim Brando and Mike Glenn) mention of an alleged rivalry between former teammates, Kevin Willis (1992 NBA All-Star) and The Human Highlight Film. We talk about each team's roster and our memories and opinions on this memorable match-up. Arguably, a forgotten gem of the 1994 NBA season.
People mentioned include Ron Harper, Mark Jackson, Mookie Blaylock, Stacey Augmon, Bo Outlaw, Harold Ellis, Duane Ferrell, Jon Koncak, John Williams and Elmore Spencer.
I’m very pleased to welcome Caitlin Shea and Greg Hassall - co-producers of Australian Story’s two-part feature on Luc Longley - ‘One Giant Leap’. Personally, this podcast episode is extra special. Luc contacted me in June to ask if I’d be interested in doing research for the project. When Luc Longley calls, you don’t need to be asked twice. I offered some historical context and pointed Greg towards particular video footage of Luc’s career. A minor role, however, I'm extremely thankful to Luc, Caitlin and Greg for trusting my judgement.
In this conversation, we discuss behind-the-scenes details on how One Giant Leap originated. The pair talk about their experiences meeting Luc and the interview process with Longley’s family and friends. You’ll learn how interviews with US-based guests such as Scottie Pippen, Coach Phil Jackson and Steve Kerr were conducted. Of course, we examine how Caitlin and Greg managed to secure the involvement of Michael Jeffrey Jordan. They chat about how it felt to speak with one of the world’s most-recognisable names and the unique relationship between Luc and Jordan whilst teammates on the Chicago Bulls. Truly fascinating to hear.
Not in Australia? Watch here [Australian Story on YouTube].
Approximately 20 basketball crazies here in Australia, flew to the USA for two weeks of NBA experiences we’ll never forget. It was an amazing time that I’ve occasionally mentioned throughout the course of this podcast’s existence.
You’re about to hear me reflect on that trip, enhanced with additional research and select audio clips. I also share a few unexpected twists and turns that I guarantee even the most ardent fans of the show have never heard before.
Once you’ve listened to this episode, I recommend venturing into the podcast archive. A great mate of mine, Aaron Stehn, joined me to recap the 1994 NBA season. That conversation is a perfect complement to what you’re about to hear.
I’ll preface this episode by saying that Michael Jordan’s October 1993 retirement from the Chicago Bulls was just weeks after the deposit for my USA trip had been paid.
Hey, it’s Adam here. A quick podcast update for you as we near the end of the first week of July, 2021. Here’s a snapshot of what’s happening behind the scenes.
I have recorded - but not yet released - part one of my conversation with Wali Jones. He starred in college at Villanova, before entering the NBA and earning an All-Rookie selection in 1965 and winning an NBA championship in 1967 as a key member of one of the most-dominant teams in history - the Philadelphia 76ers. Wali discusses his memories of being teammates with the iconic Wilt Chamberlain and much more.
Numerous topic-based episodes are also in the works. Fans of Tom Chambers would be wise to keep an eye on the podcast feed over the coming months. Plus, upcoming episodes will feature authors discussing a range of great basketball books.
I've updated my website. It now offers the ability for fans of the show to support the podcast monetarily. Completely optional, of course. You can make PayPal donations, sponsor episodes or visit an affiliate link - at no extra cost to you - to basketball-related retailers here in Australia and the USA. Listener support helps offset some of the costs involved in producing the show, which is now in its tenth year.
Remember, you can always reach me via e-mail. All the best and thanks once more for being a listener of the show.
I’m very pleased to welcome Terry Davis (10-year NBA veteran). All going to plan, Terry will join the show at a future date for a deep dive on his life in basketball.
Here, Terry reflects on his NBA return and pivotal role in the debut of Washington’s MCI Center, early in the 1998 NBA season. Shout-out to great friend of the show, Jim McIlvaine, whose VHS tape of the game – his Sonics played against Terry’s Wizards – is the source audio you’ll hear during the episode.
Normally, I’d preface a conversation with facts and figures about my guest. However, in this format, it’s best to listen and learn as the episode unfolds.
Last week marked the 45th anniversary of Game 5 (3OT) of the 1976 NBA Finals. Phoenix Suns at Boston Celtics. It's often called The Greatest Game Ever Played.
Let's welcome back legendary Basketball Hall of Famer, Bob Ryan. Plus, my good pal from Phoenix (who lives in Los Angeles) - Suns Super Fan - Adam Beechen. We discuss the iconic game, the series in general and numerous other topics from NBA history.
Though it was the early hours of June 5th here in Australia, for Bob and Adam, our conversation was held on the afternoon of June 4th in the USA – 45 years to the day since the game was played. Bob covered the 1976 Finals for The Boston Globe. He shares wonderful anecdotes from his vantage point at the famed Boston Garden. Adam was seven years of age and shares his recollections of the '76 Finals and the impact they would have on his life. Me? Well, I was only 11 months, 21 days old. The first I learnt about the series was when I watched the excellent NBAE VHS, Awesome Endings, circa 1990.
Adam first appeared on the podcast in 2016. We released an episode titled ‘Phoenix Rising - Suns: 1968-69 through 1993 NBA Finals'. We covered the evolution of the Phoenix Suns. This episode is a terrific complement to that conversation.
This week marks the 30th anniversary of the NBA's 1991 Eastern Conference Finals. Chicago versus back-to-back NBA Champion, Detroit.
Chicago and Detroit had met in each of the previous three postseasons. In 1988 it was the ECSF (Pistons 4-1). In 1989, Chicago went one better, meeting Detroit in the ECF (Pistons prevailed 4-2). In 1990, Chicago took Detroit to the brink of extinction in the ECF, before Detroit’s experience saw the Pistons advance to - and win - the NBA Finals for the second time in a row.
The Eastern Conference Finals, whilst often physical, were largely a non-event. Chicago cruised to a 3-0 lead with the opportunity to close out the series in Detroit and advance to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. The bruising nature of the series was punctuated in the second quarter of Game 4, as Scottie Pippen drove to the hoop, only to be confronted by two of the men responsible for Detroit’s iconic Bad Boys moniker. Down 23 points, with less than five minutes left in Game 4, Pistons Coach Chuck Daly subbed out Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars. Detroit’s reign was over.
With under 10 seconds left in the series, most of the Pistons left the floor, not waiting around for the final buzzer. Less than a handful remained to congratulate the Bulls on their victory. Post-game, Daly said: “At this point, I think Chicago’s a better club than we are. Any club that can handle us four straight deserves to go to the Finals”. From the ever-philosophical coach of the Bulls, Phil Jackson: “To say that this is unexpected, to sweep this team, is an understatement. But after losing to this team for three years, I think we deserve a shot”. Michael Jordan added “We wanted to go through Detroit. There can’t be any tarnish now on what we do from here on in because we went through Detroit”.
The Bulls looked towards the 1991 NBA Finals. The beginning of a magical run that would result in six championships in eight years.
My friend, Joseph Corr - host of NBL Pocket Podcast - invited me on his show. We recorded this evergreen conversation in August of 2019. The episode was released on his podcast feed in early 2020.
This is my edit of the hour-long episode that Joe released. Fans of my show may be interested to hear me mention a few guest episodes that have not yet come to fruition. We also discuss plenty of 1990s NBA topics.
Joe's podcast is primarily focused on Australia's National Basketball League (NBL). Our league gained global recognition recently due to its Next Stars program, thanks largely to LaMelo Ball and RJ Hampton.
Check out Joe’s podcast if you haven't already. Search for ‘NBL Pocket Podcast’ on your podcast player of choice. I'm a fan of his interviewing style - he is matter of fact, curious and asks great questions of his guests.
Eight-time Emmy Award winner, Mandy Cohen, witnessed NBA history as a vital member of WGN-TV Chicago in a decade where the Bulls won six NBA titles in eight years.
This is a fun and insightful conversation about Mandy’s life in sports. Her unique first conversation with Michael Jordan, to the continued impact and influence of Phil Jackson on her life.
We discuss the 10-part docuseries The Last Dance, Mandy’s link to the series and a magical moment she witnessed involving Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen that didn’t make the cut.
Plus, we delve into what it was like to cover the Chicago Bulls on a day-to-day basis at the height of their collective fame.
Let's welcome iconic Boston Globe columnist and Basketball Hall of Famer, Bob Ryan. His excellent book, Scribe: My Life in Sports (2014), will be the framework of our multi-part conversation.
In this first instalment, we cover Bob’s early life in New Jersey - his parents’ influence on his love of sports, the first column he released as an 11-year old, his transition to grade school and on to Boston College where he’d first meet recently-retired NBA star, Bob Cousy - and a few years hence - the legendary Red Auerbach. Bob chats about calling the Eagles’ basketball games on student-run radio, graduating from BC and transitioning to The Boston Globe.
You’ll hear the funny story behind Bob’s assignment to cover the Celtics and his unique experiences working the 1970 NBA Finals, amidst a who’s who of superstars at Madison Square Garden in New York. All that and plenty more – to top it all off, Bob’s recall is stunning.
Danny Manning has a storied career in basketball. We cover lots of topics, including his formative years of watching and learning the game, his family’s move to Kansas where he starred for the Jayhawks in college and ultimately was selected first-overall pick of the 1988 NBA Draft.
Danny describes his terrifying transition of moving from Kansas to Los Angeles to begin his new life as the L.A. Clippers' number-one draft pick.
We discuss his tenure with the Clippers, his back-to-back All-Star selections (1993 and 1994) and trade from Los Angeles to the Atlanta Hawks, where he had the unenviable task of replacing the iconic Dominique Wilkins.
In September of 1994, Manning signed with the Phoenix Suns. He played in Arizona for five seasons. Danny reflects on the importance of the support he was given from the Suns franchise and President Jerry Colangelo. Danny was named NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 1998.
The conversation even ventures briefly into dessert food and body art. Plus, I quiz Danny on one play from his career to see how quickly he can recall it. An insightful and fun discussion covering his remarkable journey of perseverance, determination and achievement.
Many thanks to Justin Bauman for connecting me with Danny. This conversation was recorded just before Christmas, 2020.
Hey, it’s Adam here. A quick podcast update for you as we near the end of 2020 – a year like no other in our living history.
To the super fans out there – I won’t single anyone out, but I’m confident you know who you are – your messages of support, podcast reviews and appreciation over the past eight years continue to stoke my passion for the show.
I am asked from time to time how fans can monetarily support the podcast. Now, this is a possibility. Completely optional, of course. Your support will help offset some of the costs involved in producing the show.
All the best and thanks once more for being a listener of the show. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Andrew Goldberg's mission? To collect each-and-every ticket from Michael Jordan's NBA career - regular-season, postseason and All-Star games included.
You’ll be surprised at the unique, delightful ways Andrew has obtained some of the tickets in his collection. He also shares a great story about his brief encounter with Michael Jordan during the 1993 NBA Finals.
Alfred 'Butch' Beard was named Kentucky’s Mr. Basketball in 1965. He paints a picture of life in 1960s Kentucky - the civil rights movement and his exposure to racism. Butch starred at the University of Louisville and is a member of their Athletics Hall of Fame.
Butch was named an NBA All-Star in 1972 and played a key role in helping the Golden State Warriors secure their first NBA title in 1975. After retiring as a player, Butch was an assistant coach with the Knicks (1979-1982) and Nets (1989-1990). He was named the Nets' head coach for the 1995 and 1996 seasons. In 2020, Butch spoke out on the lack of Black executives in the NBA.
We also discuss Butch's (1980s) broadcasting memories with Marv Albert in this enlightening - and sometimes shocking - conversation about his remarkable life.
Many thanks to great friend of the show, Peter Vecsey, for connecting me with Butch.
Jeff Turner was a standout - on-and-off the court - at Vanderbilt University. Before turning pro, he had played internationally and won a gold medal at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
This is a fun, insightful chat about Jeff’s life in basketball. We do a deep dive on his NBA career. You'll also learn how Jeff became an original member of the Orlando Magic - a team he enjoys strong links to today.
Steve Johnson starred at Oregon State University and was selected by the Kansas City Kings with the seventh-overall pick in the 1981 NBA Draft. He was named an All-Star in 1988.
This is an enlightening chat about Steve’s unique rise from high school to the NBA. He truly took a path that very few pro players ever have. Johnson is a great storyteller and the conversation features numerous laughs, plus, a fantastic story about Steve, Michael Jordan and Lake Shore Drive, Chicago.
Steve entered the State of Oregon Hall of Fame in 1995, had his OSU #33 retired during the 1997 season and was added to the Pac-12 Conference Hall of Honor in 2007.
Eldridge Recasner is a member of the Washington Huskies' Hall of Fame. His rise from college to the NBA is filled with plenty of twists and turns.
We discuss the unique path that led to him enjoying an eight-year run at the highest level with teams such as the Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks. I had the pleasure of meeting Eldridge earlier this year in Chicago during NBA All-Star Weekend.