Basketball History 101

The 2008 Boston Celtics were built in one summer and then won the championship. This is the story of the two trades that the Celtics made in the summer of 2007 to bring in Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Broken" by AJ PRO"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

Today, Rick finishes his interview with Rabbi Dr. Zev Eleff, president of Gratz College and professor of Jewish-American history, as well as the author of recent title The Greatest of All Time: A History of an American Obsession. Here in the second part of this two-part interview, Rick and Zev dive into the qualities that define greatness for us, and how that impacts who we actually view as being the greatest.Buy Dr. Eleff's book here!CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

Today, Rick hosts an interview with Rabbi Dr. Zev Eleff, president of Gratz College and professor of Jewish-American history, as well as the author of recent title The Greatest of All Time: A History of an American Obsession. Here in the first part of this two-part interview, Rick and Zev dive into what qualifies something to be considered the greatest, how that applies to a discussion of basketball players, and the uniqueness this category seems to be to the United States.Buy Dr. Eleff's book here!CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

Damon Bailey was probably the most hyped 13-year-old basketball player ever. In rural Indiana people were already predicting that Bailey would dominate the NBA someday. He even made the cover of Sports Illustrated. But he never played a single NBA game. Bailey is one of thousands of players who showed NBA potential, but did not make it.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Take Care" by Julian Avila"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

Only two players can say that they played for both the best team in NBA history and the worst team in NBA history. Leroy Ellis and John Trapp were those two players. They played for both the 1972 LA Lakers (69-13) and the 1973 Philadelphia 76ers (9-73). This is their story.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Disco Funk" by Jam Morgan"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

The story of Len Bias is a modern tragedy. Coming from the University of Maryland, Bias was a player that had the potential to be another Jordan, or even better than Jordan. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead just 36 hours after being drafted #2 by the Boston Celtics. This is the story of that tragedy.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Take Care" by Julian Avila"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

Digits Dynasty is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.HIGHLIGHTED SHOW - DIGITS DYNASTY“Digits Dynasty” is an engaging podcast where we debate the greatest athletes to don each uniform number in sports history.Each episode focuses on a specific number, featuring passionate discussions, stats, and anecdotes across all of sports history, that highlight the legends who wore it. From iconic moments to personal stories, we break down the impact these athletes had on their teams and the game itself.Learn more about the show on the Sports History Network.

Immaculata College won the first three women's national championships in 1972, 1973, and 1974. It was a tiny school with only 500 students and they did it with virtually no budget. They did not even have their own gym. They had to play their home games at a local high school. This is the story of those three championships.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Disco Funk" by Jam Morgan"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

Earvin Johnson was only 15 years old when a local sportswriter started calling him Magic. The name caught on quickly and soon everyone was referring to this young basketball phenom as Magic. This is that story.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Disco Funk" by Jam Morgan"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

Sam Bowie was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in 1984 while Michael Jordan still available. Bowie then suffered a series of significant leg injuries who severely limited his playing time and overall production. He gets a bad rap for being taken ahead of Jordan, but we take a fresh look at his story and realize it was not such a bad idea, at the time.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Take Care" by Julian Avila"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

Yao Ming's journey to the NBA was filled with roadblocks and other problems. We share how Yao overcame legal and political hurdles to reach the Houston Rockets and the NBA.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Ancient China by Mostakim Harun" by "Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

GP Soccer Podcast is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.HIGHLIGHTED SHOWGiovanni Pacini is a noted expert in the game with significant expertise in the areas of player and coach development.He is a United Soccer Coaches Master Coach, member of its National Staff, and National Goalkeeper Staff. He is a USYS East Region Staff Coach and is the GK Coach at Regis College (MA). Learn more about the show on the Sports History Network.

The two most entertaining players of the 1970s were Pistol Pete Maravich and Dr. J. For about a week they were teammates on the Atlanta Hawks. In this episode we cover how this pairing happened and how it quickly fell apart.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Disco Funk" by Jam Morgan"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

When it comes to team chemistry, the 1989 Detroit Pistons epitomized the concept of a complete team. They had the perfect balance of offense, defense, team leadership, and commitment to winning above individual statistics.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Rock You" by RockSounds"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

What is the perfect body type for an NBA player? You might be thinking really tall, right? Well, that is part of it. In this episode we will look at wing span, long legs, and narrow hips as physical patterns that we see all over the NBA and have a direct impact on performance.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Flashing Lights" by MokkaMusic"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

Why does the NBA have a draft in the first place? And which draft class was the best and worst? We will answer those questions in today's episode.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

We share the story of the Lakers' 18th championship, or rather, their first of 18 championships. This is the story of how the Minneapolis Lakers won the 1948 NBL championship before joining the NBA where they won 17 more championships.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Slow Dance" by Doug"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

Over the course of their time together on the Celtics, Bill Russell and Red Auerbach became incredible friends. The two could not be more different. However they were both incredibly competitive and wanted to win championships. They recognized in each other a partner that could help win games.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"60s and 70s Rock" by Hyde"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

Marty Blake is not well known to the casual NBA fan, but he is considered a genius within the professional basketball community. He was the NBA's first Director of Scouting and advanced the science of scouting a player to heights never known before. His contributions to basketball are immeasurable.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Funky Retro Funk [Funk Music] by MokkaMusic"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

In Game 4 of the 1984 NBA Finals, there was one play that turned the entire series around. Kurt Rambis was on his way in for a dunk when Kevin McHale clotheslined him and nearly injured him. This one play changed the series momentum from the Lakers to the Celtics.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Rock You" by RockSounds"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

Julius Erving, better know as Dr. J, was one of the most entertaining players of all time. He spent his first five seasons of his pro career in the ABA. Unfortunately, there is painfully little video of his time in that league. Stories about his exploits grew into mythical status because there was no video to prove otherwise. Some claimed that he dunked the ball from the 3-point line. The stories began to grow out of control until he joined the NBA and people could see how good he really was. And he was indeed very good.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Disco Funk" by Jam Morgan"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

The Spirits of St. Louis was one of the wildest teams in the ABA, and that is saying something. They had so much talent, but could not find success on the court. They had players like Marvin Barnes, Moses Malone, Mike D'Antoni, and Fly Williams, and still could not win consistently. This is their story.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Disco Funk" by Jam Morgan"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

We bring you the final entry into our series on the lost teams of the ABA: the Houston Mavericks. Eventually, they relocated to become the Carolina Cougars, and finally became the Spirits of St. Louis. They were a wild team at a wild time.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Disco Funk" by Jam Morgan"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

Today, we continue and conclude our interview with author, Bob Kuska, on his new book “Balls of Confusion: Pro Basketball Goes To War (1965-1970).”BUY BOB'S BOOK!Click here for Amazon link!CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

Today we interview author Bob Kuska to discuss his new book “Balls of Confusion: Pro Basketball Goes To War (1965-1970)” He goes deep into the ABA's attempt to put pressure on the NBA by rivaling it in talent, hoping for a merger...BUY BOB'S BOOK!Click here for Amazon link!CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"" by "Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

For this Christmas bonus 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!CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"The Stars and Stripes Forever" by John Philip Sousa"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

The NBA's two original high school players entered the league in 1975. They were Bill Willoughby and Darryl Dawkins. They each had different levels of success, but neither were all-time greats, and it was because of this that no high school player would attempt the jump until Kevin Garnett in 1995.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Disco Funk" by Jam Morgan"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

Watching nationally televised college basketball is extremely common today. But this was the first regular season game televised nationwide. It was 1968 and it featured #1 UCLA vs. #2 Houston. It also featured two future Hall-of-Famers in Lew Alcindor (later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) and Elvin Hayes.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Funky Retro Funk [Funk Music]" by MokkaMusic"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

The National Industrial Basketball League (NIBL) was an alternate to the NBA. They attracted some top talent by paying more than the NBA in some cases. However the player had to be a full time employee of a sponsoring company and then play basketball for free. So, what was this all about?CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Happy Days" by Chuck Sims"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

The San Diego Conquistadors were the final team to join the ABA and only lasted just over 3 full seasons before going out of business. However, they did sign Wilt Chamberlain to be their head coach -- probably the worst decision they ever made.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Disco Funk" by Jam Morgan"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

Back in the 1930s Ned Irish would out on college basketball double-headers in Madison Square Garden. These matchups pitted some of the best teams in the country against each other. This led to two outcomes. First, teams with radically different styles of play were scheduled in dream matchups for the fans. Second, it led to Irish making a small fortune that allowed him to be a key figure in the creation of the NBA.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"A Slow Day" by Chiro"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

Magic Johnson's greatest performance as an NBA player came in his rookie year, and in the most clutch moments against the Philadelphia 76ers. Not only did he have to fill in for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but he scored 40 points in a closing Finals Game and took the Finals MVP trophy for himself.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"60s and 70s Rock" by Hyde"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

Spencer Haywood was the first player to try to enter the NBA early. There was a rule at the time that a player could not enter the NBA until he was four years removed from high school, but Haywood was already playing in the ABA and wanted to jump to the NBA. In the end the U.S. Supreme Court had to decide the matter.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Funky Retro Funk [Funk Music]" by MokkaMusic"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

The Oakland Oaks were able to make a huge splash by signing Rick Barry away from the San Francisco Warriors. The reason they were able to do this was because the guy that ran the Oaks was Barry's father-in-law. The team would later become the Washington Capitols and then the Virginia Squires where they brought in Dr J. and George Gervin. It was a wild history.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Disco Funk" by Jam Morgan"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

Michael Jordan once lost a game of 1-on-1 to a 45-year-old business man. And this was in 2003 just after Jordan played his final NBA All-Star Game. It was an incredible game that will live forever.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Rap Beat" by MaverickMyers Radio"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

The NBA would be what it is if the early professional leagues had not proved that basketball was entertaining enough to sell tickets. These early leagues were the toddler phase of pro basketball development. Most of these leagues were each based in one city and the play style was closer to pro wrestling.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"The Stars and Stripes Forever" by John Philip Sousa"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

Lew Alcindor was one of the most hyped high school players of all time. He was nationally famous at the age of 15. If social media and ESPN existed back in his day he would have his highlights all over the place. Even Wilt Chamberlain predicted greatness for Alcindor. Of course, Alcindor is known today at Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, one of the greatest players of all time.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"A Slow Day" by Chiro"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

Today, we share the story of the New Orleans Buccaneers, who later moved to Memphis, and then Baltimore. In all they had six different names in just eight seasons of play. But they also had some great players come through the organization like Doug Moe, Larry Brown, and Steve “Snapper” Jones.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Disco Funk" by Jam Morgan"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

The Buffalo Germans were the original powerhouse team in basketball history. They started out as 12- and 13-year-old German immigrants from a YMCA in Buffalo, New York. They later won the Olympic Tournament in 1904 as grown men. They were miles ahead of other teams. But things changed as the original players started to retire and were replaced by younger players.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"The Stars and Strips Forever" by John Philip Sousa"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

Just about every basketball fan knows about the University of Michigan Fab Five. But nearly 50 years earlier, the University of Utah had their own Fab Five that won the 1944 NCAA Tournament. And Utah was last minute replacement when another school dropped out.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"1940's Slow Dance" by Doug"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

Dave Stallworth of the New York Knicks suffered a heart attack during a game against the Warriors in 1967. His doctors forced him to retire immediately. However, after two years of working out and increasing his activity, his cardiologist cleared him to return to the Knicks in 1969. He was the first NBA player to return to his sport after a heart attack.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Funky Retro Funk [Funk Music]" by MokkaMusic"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

Today we share the story of the Pittsburgh Pipers who later became the Pittsburgh Condors. The team only lasted five seasons before going out of business, but they relocated twice, went through 8 head coaches, and 3 name changes. But they will always be the original ABA champions when they featured Connie Hawkins as their leading scorer.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Disco Funk" by Jam Morgan"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

Bobby Plump went on to have a full life after winning the 1954 Indiana State Championship. He played in the NIBL, then started a successful company, opened a restaurant, and won a seat to the Indiana State House of Representatives. He came to represent hope for the underdog.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Happy Days" by Chuck Sims"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

Bobby Plump is the real life player that was the basis for the character of Jimmy Chitwood in the movie “Hoosiers.” But his life far more than a single game winning shot. In part one of Plump's story, we will go through the end of high school and the Milan Miracle.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Happy Days" by Chuck Sims"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

When basketball was first invented, nobody thought about height being an advantage. Most coaches looked for players who were fast and athletic. It wasn't until the 1930s that some coaches started looking for height. Today, the NBA has 70 players that are 7-feet tall or taller. We go through the history of how we got from pro players who averaged 5-foot-8 in height to today's average of 6-foot-7 in the NBA.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"A Slow Day" by Chiro"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

The Minnesota Muskies could not catch a break. After one year they relocated to Florida and became the Miami Floridians. No matter how hard they tried, they could not get people to come watch the games. In the end they only lasted five seasons before closing down.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Disco Funk" by Jam Morgan"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

The 1960 Olympic Basketball Team was selected using a tournament format where four NCAA teams, three adult amateur teams, and a military team competed in hopes of getting their players on the Olympic roster. The AAU was in charge of the selection process, but they saw their power diminish when the college players dominated the AAU players.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Funky Retro Funk [Funk Music]" by MokkaMusic"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

Larry Costello was the last NBA player to employ the two-handed set shot. The one-handed jump shot had taken over basketball in the 1940s, but Costello was still using the old-fashioned shot even in the 1960s. Later during his tenure as the Bucks' coach in the 1970s, he invented the idea of watching game film to study an upcoming opponent, an invaluable practice now. While he may have been an old-school player, he was certainly not an old-school coach, and he was even inducted into the Hall of Fame as a contributor for creating the idea of studying film.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Funky Retro Funk [Funk Music] by MokkaMusic" by "Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

Pete Newell was one of the greatest coaches of all time. In the summer of 1976, he took time to help Kermit Washington improve his low post skills. That became the start of his Big Man Camp that he ran for nearly 30 years. Every summer some of the greatest players in the NBA took time to learn from Pete Newell; players like Shaquille O'Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, Scottie Pippen, Charles Oakley, and Chris Mullin were only some of the players that went through the camp.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Take Care" by Julian Avila"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

The ABA started in 1967, and one of the original teams was the Anaheim Amigos. They later changed their name to the Los Angeles Stars and then moved to become the Utah Stars. Unfortunately, they did not make it to the merger with the NBA, but we tell their story anyway...CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Disco Funk" by Jam Morgan"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com

In Indiana, high school basketball is the most popular sport -- and for good reason. In many rural towns, it is what brings a community together. Fans still talk about the Milan Miracle in 1954 when a rural team upset a big city school for the state championship. So when the state legislature decided to split the state up into four divisions, it was a huge deal to everyone in the state, and a controversy still talked about today.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Summertime" by Joe Alfaraby"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com