Basketball History 101

College basketball had existed for over 40 years when the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament was created. But why did it take so long? Well, we have the NIT to thank for that. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Slow Dance" by Doug Maxwell "Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK sportshistorynetwork.com sportshistorynetwork.co...

Back in 1979, Magic Johnson defied basketball convention. Analysts at the time could not figure out which position he would play when coming to the NBA. Would he play point guard? His dribble wasn’t strong enough. What about power forward? His post game wasn’t strong enough. He was a conundrum that broke the mold of what an NBA point guard should be. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, a...

In 1985, Villanova University did the improbable. As the 8th seed, they toppled the heavily favored Georgetown Hoyas, led by the player of the year, Patrick Ewing. They are still the lowest seeded team to win the NCAA Championship. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Take Care" by Julian Avila "Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY...

Johnny Beckman was one of the greatest players of the 1920s and 1930s. In fact, at the time he was considered the greatest player of all time and that is rarified air. Only a very few players ever carried the mantle of the greatest, and Beckman was one of them. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "A Slow Day" by Chiro "Horizon...

What if the modern NBA went back to just 8 teams like they had in the 1960s? Only 16% of the current players would still have a roster spot in a reduced league. Everyone else would have to play in the G-league, Europe, Australia, or just get a regular job. We took the top 80 players from the 2024-2025 NBA and placed them on 8 teams. Here is what those teams would look like: Team 1 - San Francisco...

For decades Oscar Schmidt was the greatest scorer in basketball history, amassing over 49,000 points for club and country. He played for 29 years at the professional level. For many years he was considered the best player in the world outside the NBA. So why did he never join the NBA? Today, we answer that question and more. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Edi...

Charles “Tarzan” Cooper was the best center of the 1930s. He was only 6'3, but a hundred years ago that meant you were a big man. He played the center position like few others and scored almost at will. He also helped lead his team to the 1939 World Basketball Championship, an integrated tournament that brought in the best teams around. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob...

The 1984 Olympic Team played eight exhibition games against a team of NBA All-Stars to prepare for the LA Olympics. The Olympic team, made up of college amateurs, won all eight games. The NBA All-Star team included players like Magic, Isiah, Bird, and McHale. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Take Care" by Julian Avila "Hor...

Shawn Kemp should be in the Hall of Fame, if only his prime years could have lasted longer. He was unstoppable in the open court, but weight issues derailed his career when he should have been at his peak. This is the story of the Reign Man. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Rap Beat" by MaverickMyers "Horizons" by Roa SPOR...

Julius Erving is better known as Dr. J, or just The Doctor. But where did that nickname come from? We answer that in today’s episode. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Disco Funk" by Jam Morgan "Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK sportshistorynetwork.com sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOO...

Connie Hawkins has a fascinating story of initially being banned by the NBA and later suing the league to be allowed to play. And it all started with a simple loan he took from gambler, Jack Molinas. We interview Bo Belanger about his new podcast series “Connie & Jack: A Rigged Game”. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "H...

David Robinson was an incredibly gifted student who had walked away from basketball at the age of 13 to focus on his studies and playing the saxophone. However, three years later the basketball coach at his high school convinced him to try out for the team. And just five years after that Robinson was the first pick in the 1987 NBA Draft. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jaco...

Mike D’Antoni grew up in West Virginia with a dream of someday playing in the NBA. He achieved his dream by playing with the Kings. But he was out of the NBA in only three years. Then he had a chance to play in Italy where he became a superstar for Olimpia Milano. This is the story of his Italian adventure. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and...

In 1978 Magic Johnson nearly left college early to go to the NBA. The Kansas City Kings were ready to take him with the 2nd pick in the draft. So what led to him waiting until 1979 before leaving for the NBA? That’s what today’s episode is all about. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Disco Funk" by Jam Morgan "Horizons" by...

Max Zaslofsky led the NBA in scoring during the second season of the league in 1947-48. He put the Chicago Stags on the basketball map. Later he led the Knicks to three straight NBA Finals. He was one of the greatest players from the early years of the league. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Slow Dance" by Doug Maxwell "H...

Thump & Bump was one of the most obscure duos of NBA basketball. It was a short lived era for the Philadelphia 76ers featuring Charles Barkley and Rick Mahorn. They never came close to a title, but they were fun to watch. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Rap Beat" by MaverickMyers "Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWO...

Prior to 1950 the NBA did not even keep records of rebounds. Why was it not considered worthy of tracking? Why was the rebound under appreciated? We try to answer that question in this episode. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Flashing Lights" by MokkaMusic "Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK sportshistorynetwork.com...

The Sky Hook is arguably the most famous shot in NBA history. But how did Kareem Abdul-Jabber learn it in the first place? That is our story for today.  CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher   MUSIC "Funky Retro Funk [Funk Music]" by Mokka Music "Horizons" by Roa   SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK sportshistorynetwork.com sportshisto...

 From 1949 until 1965, the NBA employed the concept of the Territorial Draft Pick, which allowed team to automatically take a player that played their university basketball within 50 miles of the NBA team’s arena. It allowed college superstars to play locally where their fans could see them play in the NBA. It made sense at the time. Join us as we take a look back. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head resea...

 For this Christmas week episode, we're re-airing Episode 177 from January 2, 2024. We had done a redux of our very first episode, telling the story of basketball's first game, and if you missed it then, this is our present to you now! From all of us here at BBH.101, we wish you a very merry Christmas! CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and pu...

 Basketball’s first professional game was played in New Jersey in 1896, just five years after the game was invented. That is an incredibly short window. And the fouls were rough. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher   MUSIC "The Stars and Stripes Forever" by John Philip Sousa "Horizons" by Roa   SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK spor...

 Larry Bird pulled out a performance for the ages in Game 5 of the first round of the 1991 NBA Playoffs. He suffered an injury to his face, but still found a way to perform. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher   MUSIC "Rap Beat" by MaverickMyers "Horizons" by Roa   SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK sportshistorynetwork.com sportshis...

Kareem Abdul-Jabber spent one season as an assistant coach at Alchesay High School, a Native American school. This is the story of that season where he learned as much as he taught the boys on the basketball team.  CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher   MUSIC "The Heartbeat of Mother Earth" by Carlos Carty "Horizons" by Roa &nb...

Bill Laimbeer was one of the biggest villains in NBA history. He was an easy player to hate if you were not a fan of the Detroit Pistons. However, he was a player who grew up with luxury and privilege in Southern California. So where did he develop his attitude on the court? Today we share that story.  CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and pub...

 The American Basketball League (ABL) was the first major pro basketball league starting in 1925. They paid their players enough money that the players did not need another job. It was the first league of its kind and set the blueprint for future leagues like the NBA. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher   MUSIC "A Slow Day" by...