Pod of Fame

On this week's special, Jim dives into the HOF news from this weekend and gives his thoughts on four inductees from each class. From the 2020 class, he covers the careers of Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, and Tamika Catchings. From the newly elected 2021 class, he covers the careers of Bob Dandridge, Rick Adelman, Lauren Jackson, and Paul Pierce. We do have past episodes on several of the...

Jim and Wando participate in a snake draft to create Mount Rushmores consisting of their favorite NBA power forwards of the 1990s. 

Jim is joined by friend of the pod and Shawn Kemp superfan, David "Wando" Wandolowski, to discuss the hall of fame candidacy of former Seattle Supersonic Shawn Kemp. Jim and Wando first discuss NBA Jam, the dope Supersonics jerseys from the 90s, and Game 4 of the 1992 playoffs against the Golden State Warriors (06:28). Then, they cover the 1996 NBA playoffs and who the best power forwards of the 9...

Jim is joined by bestselling author Jeff Benedict to breakdown the hall of fame candidacy of former New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman. Jim and Jeff first discuss Jeff’s trip to Israel in 2019 with Edelman and Patriots owner Robert Kraft (7:12). Then, they cover Edelman's catch in Super Bowl LI, his similarities to Lynn Swann, and Edelman's ranking among the best postseason performe...

Jim is joined by David Ramil, columnist at The Step Back and host of the Locked on Heat podcast, to discuss the hall of fame candidacy of former NBA big man Chris Bosh. Jim and David first discuss the evolution of Bosh's game from his rookie season in Toronto to his final season with the Miami Heat (4:10). Then, they cover "The Rebound" in the 2013 NBA Finals, Bosh's best seasons as the number one...

Jim is joined by author Dave Jordan to break down the hall of fame candidacy of former MLB star Dave Parker. Jim and Dave first discuss Parker's memorable performance in the 1979 All-Star game (5:42). Then, Dave talks about Parker's holistic baseball resume, Pittsburgh's offensive philosophy in the 1970s, and how that contributes to Parker's low career WAR, and Parker's overlooked career on the Re...

Jim is joined by journalist and author of several books on baseball in the 1970s Dan Epstein, to breakdown the hall of fame candidacy of former New York Yankees catcher Thurman Munson. Jim and Dan first discuss Munson's grit and other intangibles (10:04). Then, they cover Munson's superior postseason performances, Ted Simmons, and somehow find a way to bring Football HOFer Roger Staubach into the...

Jim is joined by Roland Lazenby, the author of dozens of nonfiction sports books, to breakdown the hall of fame candidacy of former NBA guard Michael Cooper. Jim and Roland first discuss Cooper's ability to guard Larry Bird (6:08). Then, they cover Cooper's 1987 season, similarities to K.C. Jones, and Cooper's role on Laker teams of the 1980s (8:20). Finally, they discuss whether Magic Johnson wou...

On our special tribute podcast today, Jim breaks down the career of Basketball Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor, who passed away Monday, March 22, 2021, at the age of 86. Acclaimed sportswriter Roland Lazenby also jumps on the podcast to share a few brief thoughts on Baylor. 

Jim is joined by Denver Nuggets Reporter/Analyst for Altitude Sports Chris Dempsey, to breakdown the hall of fame candidacy of former NBA Center Marcus Camby. Jim and Matt first discuss what we all remember Camby for most, his elite ability on the defensive end of the floor (4:54). Then, they cover his performance in the 1999 NBA Finals with the New York Knicks, Ben Wallace vs. Marcus Camby, Camby...

Jim is joined by the host of The Pistons Pod, Matt Dery, to breakdown the hall of fame candidacy of former NBA point guard Chauncey Billups. Jim and Matt first discuss how Chauncey earned his nickname "Mr. Big Shot" and his performance in the 2004 NBA Finals (6:59). Then, they cover Jo Jo White, Mo Cheeks, who the best player on the 2004 Detriot Pistons actually was, best point guards of the 2000s...

Jim is joined by Neil Paine, senior writer for FiveThirtyEight, to breakdown the hall of fame candidacy of former NBA point guard Tim Hardaway. Jim and Neil first discuss just how devastating Hardaway's signature move, the killer crossover, was (3:52). Then, they cover Hardway's 1997 NBA season, his best playoff moments for the Warriors and Heat, Run TMC, NBA Live 1998, and Isiah Thomas (10:37). F...

Jim is joined by 9-time New York Times bestselling author Jeff Pearlman to break down the Hall of Fame candidacy of former USFL and NFL running back Herschel Walker. First, Jeff and Jim cover how Herschel Walker was a football god while playing football at the University of Georgia (8:04). Then, they discuss his 1985 record-breaking USFL season, what the level of competition was like in the USFL,...

On today’s podcast, Jim is joined by Bulls.com writer, former Chicago Tribune sports reporter, and New York Times bestselling author of "The Jordan Rules", Sam Smith, to break down the Hall of Fame candidacy of former NBA forward and international star Toni Kukoc. First, Sam and Jim discuss how Toni Kukoc was Luka Doncic before Luka Doncic (9:59). Then, they cover Arvydas Sabonis, the 11 combined...

On today’s podcast, Jim is joined by hall of fame voter and godfather of Jacksonville sports reporting, Sam Kourvaris, to breakdown the hall of fame candidacy of former NFL running back Fred Taylor. Jim and Sam first discuss the rare size and speed Taylor possessed and his 234-yard performance against the Steelers in 2000 (6:29). Next, they talk about Tony Boselli, Taylor's place on the career NFL...

On this week's special podcast, Jim breaks down the 2021 Football Hall of Fame Class, as well as the non-existent 2021 Baseball Hall of Fame Class. When it comes to Canton, Jim briefly discusses the career of all eight class members and then provides a brief preview of new players eligible for the 2022 class (3:56). Next, Jim covers the rarity of zero inductees for a Baseball HOF Class, reveals wh...

On today’s podcast, Jim is joined by Joe Starkey from 93.7 The Fan and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, to breakdown the hall of fame candidacy of former NFL guard Alan Faneca. Jim and Joe first discuss how much of a technician Faneca was on the field and how he was one of the few offensive linemen capable of consistently making highlight plays (6:32). Next, they compare Faneca and HOFer Steve Hutchin...

On today’s podcast, Jim is joined by hall of fame voter and writer for Panthers.com Darin Gantt to breakdown the hall of fame candidacy of former linebacker Sam Mills.  Jim and Darin first discuss how Mills was a foundational piece of every defense he played for and why he means so much to the Panthers organization despite playing only three seasons there (11:39). Next, they talk Mike Singletary,...

On our special tribute podcast today, I discuss the career of Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron, who passed away yesterday, January 22, 2021,  at the age of 86. I cover his statistical highlights, 715th home run, and remarkable consistency as a top ballplayer, before going into Aaron's place in baseball history. 

On today’s podcast, Jim is joined by hall of fame voter and Lions beat writer for the Detroit Free Press Dave Birkett to breakdown the hall of fame candidacy of former Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin "Megatron" Johnson.  Jim and Dave first discuss the combination of speed, size, and athleticism that made Johnson a nightmare for opposing defensive backs (3:12). Next, they cover his record-b...

On today’s podcast, Jim is joined by Lyndsey D'Arcangelo, writer for The Athletic, to breakdown the hall of fame candidacy of former Buffalo Bills special teamer Steve Tasker.  Jim and Lyndsey first discuss the current Bills season and whether Josh Allen can take them to the Super Bowl (7:19). Then, they discuss the 1993 pro bowl, special teamers in the hall of fame today, the problem with statist...

On today’s podcast, Jim is joined by journalist Graham Womack to breakdown the hall of fame candidacy of former MLB pitcher Tim Hudson. Jim and Graham first discuss the book he is writing on the baseball hall of fame (4:31). Then, they rank the pitchers on this year's ballot, discuss what is the value of a "win" today, and talk about other great pitchers not in the hall of fame today (25:36). Fina...

On today’s podcast, Jim is joined by Shane Swiderek to breakdown the hall of fame candidacy of former NBA point guard Sam Cassell. Jim and Shane first discuss how Sam Cassell was one of the most underrated playoff performers in NBA history (8:24). Then, they breakdown Cassell's 2004 season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, discuss the origins of the "Sam Cassell dance", and talk similarities betwee...

On today’s podcast, Jim is joined by Neil Paine, senior writer for FiveThirtyEight, to breakdown the hall of fame candidacy of former MLB slugger Gary Sheffield.  Jim and Neil first discuss Sheffield's famous batting stance and which MLB franchise they associate him with the most (4:10). Then, they cover the 1997 World Series, Chipper Jones, Mel Ott, the Polo Grounds, and just how dominant of...

On today's podcast, Jim is joined by USA TODAY Sports reporter and Baseball Hall of Fame voter Steve Gardner to breakdown down the resume of former MLB pitcher Curt Schilling.  First, Steve talks to us about how it felt to receive his first ballot in the mail this November and how his ballot is coming along (2:59). Next, Steve and Jim cover the infamous bloody sock game, the 2001 World Series...