Basketball History 101

From an underdog player to a Hall of Fame player, Willis Reed is still the only captain in the New York Knicks' history to win an NBA championship. As he led his team to two titles both physically and emotionally, Reed is regarded today as one of the greatest players of all time. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Disco Funk...

In 1983, the Detroit Pistons challenged the Denver Nuggets in an NBA game. The final score? 186-184, the highest score in league history. Four players scored over 40 points that night, but why? Even thirty years later, that kind of score is unheard of. What exactly happened to create such a record? Today, Rick investigates the events of that cold December night. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researche...

Meadowlark Lemon is remembered as one of the greatest Globetrotters in the team's history. His gift for comedy connected with audiences for nearly 30 years. Despite his remarkable showmanship, however, his actual basketball skills lacked true greatness, leading to resentment from his teammates and a downfall of his own making. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: E...

The college recruitment of Moses Malone was so steeped in NCAA violations that his case was under investigation for his entire senior year of high school. Despite an agreement he made with the University of Maryland, however, he was approached by the Utah Stars of the ABA who had a single revolutionary offer: skip college altogether and make the jump straight to the professional ranks... CREDITS R...

In 1984, American basketball coach Bob Knight was selecting his Olympic squad from about 100 college athletes. Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, and John Stockton -- three players who would soon join the NBA and eventually end up in the Hall of Fame together -- all were at the tryout, and Coach Knight decided to cut all three of them. What led to Knight ignoring some of the greatest basketball talent...

Despite being one of the greatest shooting guards in NBA history, Sam Jones is talked about shockingly little. His ten championship rings are unmatched by any except Bill Russel's eleven, so why is he rarely discussed? Today, Rick tackles that question in hopes of reviving the memory of this incredible athlete. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer,...

When Garfield Heard, a role player on the Phoenix Suns, hit a buzzerbeater shot to send Game 5 of the 1976 NBA Finals to its third overtime, it made basketball history and would be forever known as The Shot Heard Round The World. 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 NE...

In 1956, the Minneapolis Lakers were struggling with a losing record. Sid Hartman, the Lakers' general manager, had the idea to tank the rest of the season in an attempt to get the first pick in the draft and claim the great Bill Russell himself. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Christmas Village" by Aaron Kenny "Horizons"...

In the late 1980s, Arvydas Sabonis was the greatest player in the world -- yet, because he lived behind the Iron Curtain, he was unable to play in the NBA. When the Berlin Wall finally fell and he joined the Portland Trail Blazers, he was already in his 30s, well past his prime. Despite this, he still managed to play at a dominant level in the NBA against much younger men. Link to Sabonis's top te...

During the 1920s and 30s, basketball players were nicknamed "cagers" because of the net wall, or cage, that separated the court from the stands. Fans at basketball games had a tendency to be violent toward the athletes, so the cage was intended to protect the players -- although it ultimately backfired and became used as a weapon... CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loa...

Today Rick tells the second half of the legend of George Mikan, the former greatest basketball player. Winning seven titles in eight years across two leagues, this giant of a center was so unstoppable that the NBA changed their rules to limit him. His talent and dominance eventually landed him a friend in the much-younger Shaquille O'Neill -- a rookie center who respected the greatness of his pred...

After months of planning and research, Rick finally takes on the story of Mr. Basketball, the great George Mikan himself, in a two part episode. From his grandparents' emigration from Croatia to America, to his prolonged college career, Rick tells the story of the former greatest player. Part 2 is out now, where we cover his dominance in two different professional leagues and the effect he would h...

This story is about an illegal game between a black team and a white team in the racially segregated South of the United States, a game meant to be kept a total secret. Both teams were dominating their respective competition and wanted a chance to see which of them was better. After all, the teams were only located three miles from each other. Rick shares the context leading up to the game and the...

What motivated the original owners of the NBA teams to start a new league, and why did they choose basketball? This is that story. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Swing Time" by Music By Pedro "Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK sportshistorynetwork.com sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBO...

Today we profile Nate “Tiny” Archibald, the only player in NBA history to lead the league in scoring and assists in the same season. He deserves to be in the conversation of the greatest guards in league history. 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 sportshisto...

Ever since their first game against -- and first loss to -- the Harlem Globetrotters, the Minneapolis Lakers had wanted their revenge. Welcome to the rematch, where they just might have a chance... CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Mediterranean" by Lyn Murray "Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK sportshistorynetwork.co...

The NBA’s color barrier was broken in 1950 by three players simultaneously: Chuck Cooper, Nat Clifton, and Earl Lloyd. Each had a hand in its downfall, as one was drafted first, one signed first, and one played first. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK sportshistorynetwork.com sportshi...

When Magic Johnson was just 22 years old, he demanded a trade after disagreeing with the offense Coach Paul Westhead was running. Westhead was fired later that day, making Johnson look like the epitome of a spoiled athlete.  Make sure to check out today's bonus episode, where Rick shares some thoughts on the new 75th NBA season, beginning tonight! CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and...

We here at Basketball History 101 are so excited to see the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Season, and we hope you are too! Rick shares a couple of thoughts on the new season. Make sure to check out today's usual episode as well, where we discuss the time when Magic Johnson got his own coach fired after a disagreement on game strategy. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza:...

The Lakers and Celtics battled for the 1969 NBA championship, and it came down the very end of Game 7. Bill Russell, Sam Jones, and John Havlicek of the Celtics starred against Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, and Wilt Chamberlain of the Lakers.  One of the most competitive Finals ever, Russell and Jones would ultimately retire at the end of the series. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer,...

Kevin McHale’s low post moves were known as the Torture Chamber, and any defender trying to stop him was in for a long night. He is one of the 50 greatest players in NBA for a reason, but he also had a huge impact as an NBA executive as he ushered in the high school era of the late 1990s. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "R...

Dutch Dehnert is credited with perfecting the concept of the pivot in basketball. He played for the Original Celtics and his ideas about how to create cutting lanes led the Celtics to dominate their era. Dehnert and three of his teammates are all in the Hall of Fame today. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Mediterranean" by...

The Continental Basketball Association, or the CBA, was the primary development league for the NBA prior to the formation of the G-League. It originally started as a rival to the NBA before settling as America’s secondary league. Eventually, because of some bad decisions by Isaiah Thomas, the league folded. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and...

Today, we cover the story of Forrest “Phog” Allen, the Father of Basketball Coaching. His books on basketball became the foundation for how other coaches approached the training of their players. He set the template that is still followed today regarding the development of players. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "The Star...

We cover arguably the most famous defensive play in NBA history, the night where Havlicek stole the ball. His steal bailed out Bill Russell, who had just made a devastating turnover. 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 sportshistorynet...