ESPN

CHASING BASKETBALL HEAVEN

Sports EN ↓ 7 episodes

The 3-point shot is king in the NBA. So much so that people are asking if it’s ruining basketball. And while it seems like this all began 10 years ago with Steph Curry’s knack for shooting the ball, it actually goes back much further—to the curious world of a reclusive genius named Martin Manley. He only drank Pepsi, only listened to James Taylor, and decades before anyone saw it coming, predicted basketball’s future from a basement in Kansas. Then he vanished. And all he left was a website. From 30 for 30 Podcasts, Chasing Basketball Heaven follows two sports reporters as they take an unforge...

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ESPN

Episodes

Occasionally Brilliant 22.07.2025 55:16

From the basketball-nerd mecca of the Sloan Conference to the always-brilliant mind of stats guru Bill James, Martin’s unusual legacy lives on—along with some of the questions that defined his life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Last Manley 22.07.2025 46:17

Our hosts take a trip to Kansas, where the women in Martin’s life speak about the man they knew and loved—and hunt for Martin’s buried treasure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Clock Management 22.07.2025 49:51

Martin’s blog shines a light on a troubled but brilliant mind—and a tumultuous life defined by passion and obsession. The following podcast contains discussion of suicide and self-harm, which some listeners may find disturbing. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, or is in emotional distress, contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8, or 988lifeline.org. Listener discre...

Almost Vulcan 22.07.2025 47:46

Martin’s compulsive number-crunching lays the groundwork for people like Daryl Morey and Dean Oliver to later transform the sport, while the hunt for statistical meaning impacts his own life in profound ways. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Shoot Your Shot 22.07.2025 51:22

A young Midwesterner becomes obsessed with basketball, with an opportunity to make history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Imperfect Arc 22.07.2025 44:26

The dominance of the 3-point shot in today’s NBA can be partially traced to strange and humble origins - the curious world of a Kansas genius named Martin Manley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CHASING BASKETBALL HEAVEN 22.07.2025 2:06

Today, the 3-point shot is king in the NBA. But has it ruined basketball? The tale of a reclusive genius who predicted basketball’s future, then vanished. What he left behind: A website. And maybe buried treasure. From 30 for 30 Podcasts, Chasing Basketball Heaven follows two sports reporters as they take an unforgettable trip through basketball history and uncover the lengths a person might go t...