NBA History Conversations: Basketball Record

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 an...

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 contes...

Brian Burnsed is a contributing writer for Sports Illustrated . We do a deep dive into the process behind his brilliant – yet sobering - profile of 12-year NBA veteran, Shawn Bradley . 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 proce...

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 c...

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. New York Knicks @ Phoenix Suns [01-27-1989] | Game highlights...

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...

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...

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...

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 s...

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 participan...

[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, Dan...

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 to...

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 e...

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 again...

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 top...

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 EC...

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 N...

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 Da...

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...

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. Clip...

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. Send Adam a text message o...

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 titl...

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 lin...

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, pl...

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. Se...