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Once Upon A Dribble

Once Upon A Dribble

By Josh Medeiros & Calvan Johnson

Once Upon A Dribble is a podcast all about the history of the NBA, and how the modern game came to be.
Join your hosts Josh Medeiros and Calvan Johnson as they take you on the NBA time machine to look back on the most noteworthy events in basketball history
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Episode #26: Thunder Boomin', The Story of the 2010s OKC Thunder

Once Upon A DribbleApr 11, 2024

00:00
01:09:18
Episode #26: Thunder Boomin', The Story of the 2010s OKC Thunder

Episode #26: Thunder Boomin', The Story of the 2010s OKC Thunder

The Thunder were the Warriors before the Warriors. Well, except for the titles.


Young, homegrown talent emerges as a dominant force in the league, consistently vying for the NBA championship. This straightforward strategy, exemplified by the successes of Oklahoma City and Golden State in the 2010s, is seldom as effective as they made it appear.


However, the OKC's inability to clinch an NBA championship is integral to their story, just like their enduring success. Equally integral is the element of excitement. Few teams have engaged in as many thrilling matches with iconic players, all within the passionate embrace of one of the league's most fervent fan bases.


Whether victorious or defeated, the Thunder's inaugural decade in the NBA was an exhilarating ride. Here at Once Upon a Dribble, Calvan and Josh bring on OKC superfan Prhymate as we recount the standout moments, beginning with the team that defined the decade.


Check out Prhymate's YouTube basketball content here:

https://www.youtube.com/@Prhymate777

Apr 11, 202401:09:18
Episode #25: The Rise, Fall and Triumph of Greg Oden

Episode #25: The Rise, Fall and Triumph of Greg Oden

It’s easy to look back now and wonder how Oden ever could have been selected ahead of a superstar like Kevin Durant. After all, KD had averaged 25.8 points and 11.1 rebounds a game as a lanky freshman at Texas, leading the Big 12 in both categories, as well as blocks.

Durant was a sure thing, like Michael Jordan was in the 1984 draft … so why draft Sam Bowie?

Because Greg Oden was never supposed to be Sam Bowie. Oden was Hakeem Olajuwon.

That narrative, that four-letter word, haunted him for a long time. It hurt to hear. It hurt to explain. But that word doesn’t capture the spirit of his struggle, his journey, his resilience, his joy, and, most importantly, where his path has taken him today

Article by Mirin Fader quoted: Greg Oden's Long Walk Home


Music: Signal to Noise by Scott Buckley, all credit to him.

Mar 22, 202457:42
Episode #24: Top of the Pack, the Story of the 2004 Timberwolves

Episode #24: Top of the Pack, the Story of the 2004 Timberwolves

In 2023-24, the Minnesota Timberwolves are seeing a resurgence as one of the premier teams in the league as we head towards the 2024 NBA playoffs. How far do you have to go back to find the last Timberwolves playoff run? 20 years in fact. 2004 is the last time the Wolves won a playoff series. In that year Kevin Garnett was MVP and got them 2 games within the NBA Finals. Join Josh and Calvan as they bring on Jeremiah, lifelong T-Wolves fan, to talk about KG, Sam Cassell, Flip Saunders, Latrell Sprewell, today's Wolves and MUCH more. This is Once Upon A Dribble. Follow Jeremiah/SmartTakes on X: https://x.com/_smarttakes_?s=20

Feb 16, 202401:01:31
Bonus Series! Conference Finals MVPs: Part 5 - Eastern Conference 1990-99, Jordan and the Bulls Take the World by Storm, Finals in the Big Apple, Miller Time in Indy, the Shaq/Penny Magic and More!

Bonus Series! Conference Finals MVPs: Part 5 - Eastern Conference 1990-99, Jordan and the Bulls Take the World by Storm, Finals in the Big Apple, Miller Time in Indy, the Shaq/Penny Magic and More!

Today we continue in part 5 of a 10-part series at Once Upon a Dribble!


During the 2022 playoffs the NBA began awarding MVP awards to the best performing player of each conference finals: the Larry Bird Eastern Conference Finals Most Valuable Player Award and the Magic Johnson Western Conference Finals Most Valuable Player Award, named for the two players credited for building the league up to greater popularity in the 1980s. 


This begs the question, with the award just being handed out for the first time last season, who are the deserving winners from the previous 50+ years of NBA history?

Find out today as Josh tackles the Eastern Conference in the 1990s!


1990: Chicago Bulls vs Detroit Pistons - Isiah Thomas (02:17)

1991: Chicago Bulls vs Detroit Pistons - Michael Jordan (09:38)

1992: Chicago Bulls vs Cleveland Cavaliers - Michael Jordan (12:40)

1993: Chicago Bulls vs New York Knicks - Michael Jordan (17:50)

1994: Indiana Pacers vs New York Knicks - Patrick Ewing (23:35)

1995: Indiana Pacers vs Orlando Magic - Shaquille O'Neal (28:07)

1996: Chicago Bulls vs Orlando Magic - Michael Jordan (33:09)

1997: Chicago Bulls vs Miami Heat - Michael Jordan (38:09)

1998: Chicago Bulls vs Indiana Pacers - Michael Jordan (44:01)

1999: Indiana Pacers vs New York Knicks - Marcus Camby (52:36)

Final award tally - (55:50)

Feb 11, 202459:07
Episode #23: Big Apple NBA Finals, the Story of the Cinderella 1999 New York Knicks

Episode #23: Big Apple NBA Finals, the Story of the Cinderella 1999 New York Knicks

We are going back to the year of 1999. Picture this: the New York Knicks, one of the most iconic brands in sports, a team that defied the odds, embraced the role of Cinderella, is etching their names in basketball immortality amidst age, lockouts, injury and more. But as the saying goes, heroes emerge in the face of adversity. 

From unexpected stars stepping into the spotlight to unforgettable victories that echoed through Madison Square Garden, this is a tale of determination, passion, and the indomitable spirit of a team unwilling to back down

So, buckle up as we travel back to a time when underdogs became giants, and the 1999 Knicks etched their names in the annals of NBA folklore. This is a podcast that goes beyond the box score, capturing the essence of a team that refused to be counted out, even when the odds seemed insurmountable.

Get ready for a nostalgic ride through the highs and lows of a Cinderella story that unfolded on the hardwood. This is Once Upon a Dribble

Jan 15, 202401:09:59
Bonus Episode! Hoops on the Holidays: A Brief History of the NBA on Christmas!

Bonus Episode! Hoops on the Holidays: A Brief History of the NBA on Christmas!

NBA Christmas day games have been an annual tradition since the league's second season in 1947. Let’s take a step in the NBA time machine and look at some of the best moments in NBA Yuletide Lore.

Dec 23, 202310:47
Episode #22: The Evolution of the 3-Point Shot: From Rare Commodity to the Lethal Weapon of Today!

Episode #22: The Evolution of the 3-Point Shot: From Rare Commodity to the Lethal Weapon of Today!

In 1987 Michael Jordan averaged 37.1 points per game. In 2006 Kobe Bryant put up 35.5 points per game. And in 2019 James Harden lit up the stat sheets to the tune of 36.1 points per game. These three marks rank as the best individual scoring seasons of the modern era

And how those 3 prolific scorers achieved those historical remarks was in extremely different ways.

Harden attempted 13 threes per game during his campaign, Bryant only tried 6.5. But the leader of them all, MJ, attempted less than 1 per game, averaging just 0.8 threes per game

3 all-time great, 3 unique and distinct play styles. 

On today’s episode, we take the NBA time machine across several stops, as we into the history of the 3 Point shot, how it has evolved over some 40 years, and imagine what may lie ahead for the game we all love.


This is Once Upon a Dribble

Dec 05, 202343:09
Episode #21: Blood In The Water, some of the GREATEST Elimination and Close-Out Games Ever

Episode #21: Blood In The Water, some of the GREATEST Elimination and Close-Out Games Ever

Being a team leader during the regular season and playoffs is vital to a team’s success and a chance at a championship. 

Normally, there are 1 or 2 guys who step up when their team needs it the most to go get themselves a clutch basket or completely take over on the offensive end. 

There are also the guys who elevate their game when their backs are against the wall. They are players who leave it all out on the floor when they are facing elimination from championship contention. 

These guys do whatever it takes to keep their team’s hopes alive for at least one more day.

There are also the situations where you are one game away from closing out a series, or even a championship, and you need your best guy to give their team that final push across the proverbial finish line. 

These guys do whatever it takes to ensure the job is finished, the guys who smell blood in the water and go for the kill. 

And we are the guys who will take you through NBA history talking about some of the GREATEST elimination and close-out games of all time. 

Nov 20, 202301:10:59
Bonus Series! Conference Finals MVPs: Part 4 - Western Conference 1980-89, It's SHOWTIME in LA as the Lakers Dominate the West, Hakeem's Rockets Have Their Moment and the Weirdest WCF EVER in 1981!

Bonus Series! Conference Finals MVPs: Part 4 - Western Conference 1980-89, It's SHOWTIME in LA as the Lakers Dominate the West, Hakeem's Rockets Have Their Moment and the Weirdest WCF EVER in 1981!

Today we continue in part 4 of a 10-part series at Once Upon a Dribble!

During the 2022 playoffs the NBA began awarding MVP awards to the best performing player of each conference finals: the Larry Bird Eastern Conference Finals Most Valuable Player Award and the Magic Johnson Western Conference Finals Most Valuable Player Award, named for the two players credited for building the league up to greater popularity in the 1980s. 


This begs the question, with the award just being handed out for the first time last season, who are the deserving winners from the previous 50+ years of NBA history?

Find out today as Josh tackles the Eastern Conference in the 1980s!

1980: Los Angeles Lakers vs Seattle SuperSonics - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (03:33)

1981: Houston Rockets vs Kansas City Kings - Moses Malone (07:06)

1982: Los Angeles Lakers vs San Antonio Spurs - Magic Johnson (09:54)

1983: Los Angeles Lakers vs San Antonio Spurs - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (12:13)

1984: Los Angeles Lakers vs Phoenix Suns - Magic Johnson (15:05)

1985: Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers - James Worthy (22:16)

1986: Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers - Hakeem Olajuwon (25:18)

1987: Los Angeles Lakers vs Seattle SuperSonics - James Worthy (31:28)

1988: Dallas Mavericks vs Los Angeles Lakers - Magic Johnson (35:19)

1989: Los Angeles Lakers vs Phoenix Suns - Magic Johnson (40:21)

Final award tally - (42:00)

Nov 11, 202344:60
Bonus Episode! 2023-24 NBA Season Preview Part 2: Calvan takes us through the WILD, WILD West!

Bonus Episode! 2023-24 NBA Season Preview Part 2: Calvan takes us through the WILD, WILD West!

Here we are! The 2023-24 NBA season will be here before you know it. Opening night is just around the corner, it's time to prepare for what should be another season of intense competition.

There are plenty of storylines to follow and Calvan takes you through the wild, wild West for what promises to be a memorable race to the playoffs.

Oct 19, 202321:24
Bonus Episode! 2023-24 NBA Season Preview Part 1: Josh DIVES into the Eastern Conference!

Bonus Episode! 2023-24 NBA Season Preview Part 1: Josh DIVES into the Eastern Conference!

Here we are! The 2023-24 NBA season will be here before you know it. Opening night is just around the corner, it's time to prepare for what should be another season of intense competition.

There are plenty of storylines to follow and Josh takes you along the East coast to keep an eye out for what should be a top heavy race!

Oct 19, 202320:48
Episode #20: KD K.O. and the Story of the Warriors vs Thunder in the 2016 Western Conference Finals

Episode #20: KD K.O. and the Story of the Warriors vs Thunder in the 2016 Western Conference Finals

We all remember the memes. “Golden State blew a 3-1 lead”. The unfortunate demise of the NBA’s record-breaking 73-win team that failed to win a ring.

While we remember the astonishing efforts of LeBron James to bring a championship to Cleveland against impossible odds, we often overlook the events that occurred just before that.

Losing a series after going up 3-1 is a tough pill to swallow. But many forget that Golden State overcame a 3-1 deficit themselves just days before.

The 2016 Western Conference Finals is perhaps one of the greatest playoff series in NBA history, for both what happened on the court, and the shocking aftermath. 

Join us today as we take the NBA time machine back just seven years in real time, but find ourselves in a place that feels like a whole different era to many NBA fans.

This, is Once Upon a Dribble.

Oct 05, 202301:08:04
Episode #19: The Unbelievable Story of Larry Legend: A Larry Bird Deep Dive

Episode #19: The Unbelievable Story of Larry Legend: A Larry Bird Deep Dive

He’s regarded as one of the top 10 basketball players of all-time, maybe even top 5, and the story of his rise from relative obscurity to Boston Celtic legend is one of the most unlikely of all-time.The story of Larry Legend is one that Celtic fans have passed down through multiple generations. For Josh as a life-long Celtics fan, it’s a story that’s rooted into his basketball DNA. And In today’s special episode of Once Upon a Dribble, he is passing the story down to Calvan, a lifelong Jazz fan, of just how Larry Bird became the face of basketball in Boston.

Aug 30, 202358:17
Bonus Series! Conference Finals MVPs: Part 3 - Eastern Conference 1980-89, Bird's Celtics Run the Decade, Liberty Rings in Philly, The 'Bad Boys' Pistons, the Bucks Can't Break Through and MJ Up Next!

Bonus Series! Conference Finals MVPs: Part 3 - Eastern Conference 1980-89, Bird's Celtics Run the Decade, Liberty Rings in Philly, The 'Bad Boys' Pistons, the Bucks Can't Break Through and MJ Up Next!

Today we continue in part 3 of a 10-part series at Once Upon a Dribble!


During the 2022 playoffs the NBA began awarding MVP awards to the best performing player of each conference finals: the Larry Bird Eastern Conference Finals Most Valuable Player Award and the Magic Johnson Western Conference Finals Most Valuable Player Award, named for the two players credited for building the league up to greater popularity in the 1980s. 


This begs the question, with the award just being handed out for the first time last season, who are the deserving winners from the previous 50+ years of NBA history?

Find out today as Josh tackles the Eastern Conference in the 1980s!


1980: Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers (03:10)

1981: Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers (07:17)

1982: Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers (09:50)

1983: Milwaukee Bucks vs Philadelphia 76ers (12:00)

1984: Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks (15:53)

1985: Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers (20:00)

1986: Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks (22:59)

1987: Boston Celtics vs Detroit Pistons (26:30)

1988: Boston Celtics vs Detroit Pistons (29:21)

1989: Chicago Bulls vs Detroit Pistons (30:38)

Final award tally - (33:57)

Aug 20, 202338:41
Random Game Rewind Micro Episode #2: Minnesota Timberwolves vs Cleveland Cavaliers, 2018

Random Game Rewind Micro Episode #2: Minnesota Timberwolves vs Cleveland Cavaliers, 2018

An 82-game regular season has been the norm in the NBA for the better part of 5 decades now. In a regular season where action takes place every night, even the most dramatic of moments can be fleeting, especially in today’s age of social media where it’s all about clicks and impressions before our brains starve for the next piece of content. Rightfully and fairly so, the greatest NBA moments belong to the Finals and the postseason, where herculean heroes duke it out for eternal glory in the lore of this beautiful game.


In today’s episode we continue our series of Random Game Rewind, where we hope in the NBA time machine and take a visit to some of the forgotten games from regular season history, and analyze how they’ve gone on to affect the grand scheme of things. Pack  your winter gear, bundle up, and join me as we take a short trip back to a cold February night in Cleveland just 5 ½ years ago.


Two years before LeBron James and Jimmy Butler would square off in the 2020 NBA Finals, they put on a big time show, specifically LeBron James, in a random regular season game just two years prior to their championship tilt.

This is Once Upon A Dribble. 



Aug 10, 202317:04
Episode #18: Southwest Scramble: Hakeem vs Chuck, the Epic Showdowns From 1994 and 1995

Episode #18: Southwest Scramble: Hakeem vs Chuck, the Epic Showdowns From 1994 and 1995

Hakeem Olajuwon and Charles Barkley are widely known as two of the game's greatest players. Both have incredibly unique and fascinating stories of how they triumphed all odds to make it to the pro ranks and scale the NBA hierarchy until twice in the mid 1990s their teams met as they were at the peak of their individual powers.


Join Calvan and Josh as they deep dive into the fascinating stories of Hakeem and Chuck as well as their pivotal playoff matchups in 1994 and 1995 and how those series shaped their careers.


This is Once Upon A Dribble!

Jul 23, 202354:41
Random Game Rewind Micro Episode #1: Utah Jazz vs Chicago Bulls, 1992

Random Game Rewind Micro Episode #1: Utah Jazz vs Chicago Bulls, 1992

In today's micro episode of Once Upon a Dribble (@OnceDribble), Calvan (@CJRealHoops1) begins a new mini-series: Random Game Rewind.

January 2nd, 1992, was a freezing cold day in Salt Lake City, Utah. But the NBA action in the newly built Delta Center was as hot as can be, as the World champion Chicago Bulls, in pursuit of their 2nd straight NBA title, landed in the salty city to take on the Utah Jazz, who led by prime John Stockton and Karl Malone, had title aspirations of their own.

What resulted was one of the longest, most hard-fought regular season games in NBA history, that far too few NBA fans actually even remember!

In Random Game Rewind, the OUD team take a look at some of the best (yet at times overlooked) regular season games in NBA history!

Jul 18, 202316:49
Bonus Episode! Analyzing the Top 10 Picks of the 2010 NBA Draft

Bonus Episode! Analyzing the Top 10 Picks of the 2010 NBA Draft

Join Josh as he takes a look at the top 10 picks of the 2010 NBA draft class and deems if the pick was a "hit" or a "miss" for the team that drafted them. Do you agree or disagree? Give us your thoughts!

Jul 14, 202315:01
Episode #17: From Lob City to Sob City, the Story of the 2012-17 Los Angeles Clippers

Episode #17: From Lob City to Sob City, the Story of the 2012-17 Los Angeles Clippers

At the end of the 1983-84 NBA season, the owner of the San Diego Clippers made the bold decision to move the franchise 120 miles north up the California coast to the city of Los Angeles.

While it can be argued if an attempt to share the City of Angels with the NBA’s hallmark franchise was or was not a 'slam dunk' of a business move, there were certainly no slam dunks being made on the court as over the next 26 years the Clippers would produce just four playoff berths on just three .500+ seasons, as they flopped to an overall record of just 730-1370, a winning percentage of just .347

In an era in which the Lake Show won 8 championships, the 'Clip Show' would finish dead last in the regular season standings 6 times.

Despite often finding themselves in an advantageous draft position, the Clippers often failed and failed miserably, selecting only 3 future all-stars in 26 years. However, fate finally changed for the NBA’s most hapless franchise in 2009 when they used the #1 overall pick to select the national college player of the year out of Oklahoma, Blake Griffin, followed by the acquisition of the Point God himself, Chris Paul, just two years later

Over the next six years, the eclectic duo would lead the Clippers to six straight playoff appearances, and title aspirations became a regular expectation for the newly dubbed “Lob City Clippers”... but in the end, a blue and red banner never joined the many purple and gold banners hanging from the Staples Center Rafters, as the team fell short, time and time again.

This is the story of how Lob City, turned to Sob City, squandering championship potential in dramatic fashion

This, is Once Upon a Dribble!


Intro Music: Beat Chill Trap - MMS

Outro Music: Corrupt Kind - DJ BAI

Jun 27, 202301:01:12
Episode #16: 2022-23 NBA Season Recap-a-plooza!

Episode #16: 2022-23 NBA Season Recap-a-plooza!

Join Calvan and Josh as they review their predictions for the 2023 NBA season by looking at how some of the big teams fared this year. Calvan and Josh review their win, playoff and award predictions and see how close they actually were to how things played out!

Jun 13, 202353:32
Episode #15: "Now and Then": Analyzing the Bad Boy Pistons, Twin Tower Spurs and the Shaq-Penny Magic in Today's Game!

Episode #15: "Now and Then": Analyzing the Bad Boy Pistons, Twin Tower Spurs and the Shaq-Penny Magic in Today's Game!

The NBA was founded on June 6, 1946. In the 77 years since, we’ve seen dynasties rise up and then crumble apart, and superstars ascend and then fade away. Throughout that time, there have been several transcendent moments and quintessential teams that have shaped the history of basketball as we know it. But how would some of these remarkable teams fare in today’s NBA? In an ever-changing and evolving game, would the greats of yesteryear still be great if they played in 2023?
In today’s episode, Josh and Calvan take the NBA Time Machine across three different stops, as we project how some of the most iconic and unique teams of the last 35 years would stack up in the modern NBA.
{3:21}: 1988-90 Bad Boy Pistons
{16:10}: 1994-95 Shaq-Penny Magic
{28:36}: 1999 Twin Tower Spurs

May 27, 202344:22
Bonus Series! Conference Finals MVPs: Part 2 - Western Conference 1971-79, Kareem's Early Career Dominance, the West/Wilt Lakers, Rick Barry's Legendary Tantrum, the Sonics' Reign and more!

Bonus Series! Conference Finals MVPs: Part 2 - Western Conference 1971-79, Kareem's Early Career Dominance, the West/Wilt Lakers, Rick Barry's Legendary Tantrum, the Sonics' Reign and more!

Today we embark on part 2 of a brand new, 10-part series at Once Upon a Dribble!


During the 2022 playoffs the NBA began awarding MVP awards to the best performing player of each conference finals: the Larry Bird Eastern Conference Finals Most Valuable Player Award and the Magic Johnson Western Conference Finals Most Valuable Player Award, named for the two players credited for building the league up to greater popularity in the 1980s. 


This begs the question, with the award just being handed out for the first time last season, who are the deserving winners from the previous 50+ years of NBA history?


The Conference Finals, the Final 4 of the NBA, have gifted us fans with some of the most iconic and enduring moments in league history. Signature teams and players have indelibly left their mark on us through unforgettable series and games. Join Josh has he takes the time machine through each decade and each conference to retroactively highlight some of the most remarkable, high-pressure playoff performances from yesteryear. Which NBA legends deserve to have their performances backed by a Conference Finals MVP?


Today we continue in the 1970s with the Western Conference! Part 2 of a 10 part series.

May 02, 202340:07
Bonus Series! Conference Finals MVPs: Part 1 - Eastern Conference 1971-79, Let's Talk Walt Frazier, the Washington Bullets Dominance, Dr. J's First Conference Finals in the NBA and more!

Bonus Series! Conference Finals MVPs: Part 1 - Eastern Conference 1971-79, Let's Talk Walt Frazier, the Washington Bullets Dominance, Dr. J's First Conference Finals in the NBA and more!

Today we embark on part 1 of a brand new, 10-part series at Once Upon a Dribble!


During the 2022 playoffs the NBA began awarding MVP awards to the best performing player of each conference finals: the Larry Bird Eastern Conference Finals Most Valuable Player Award and the Magic Johnson Western Conference Finals Most Valuable Player Award, named for the two players credited for building the league up to greater popularity in the 1980s. 


This begs the question, with the award just being handed out for the first time last season, who are the deserving winners from the previous 50+ years of NBA history?


The Conference Finals, the Final 4 of the NBA, have gifted us fans with some of the most iconic and enduring moments in league history. Signature teams and players have indelibly left their mark on us through unforgettable series and games. Join Josh has he takes the time machine through each decade and each conference to retroactively highlight some of the most remarkable, high-pressure playoff performances from yesteryear. Which NBA legends deserve to have their performances backed by a Conference Finals MVP?


Today we start in the 1970s with the Eastern Conference! Part 1 of a 10 part series.

Mar 18, 202340:01
Episode #14: How To Kill A King - The 2007 NBA Finals

Episode #14: How To Kill A King - The 2007 NBA Finals

At some point within the 2022-23 NBA season, LeBron James will become the all-time leading scorer in NBA history. In a paramount career, LeBron has established himself as an undisputed top 3 player ever, and in the opinion of many, the Greatest Of All Time.

But even GOATs have to take their lumps.

Today, Josh and Calvan take the NBA time machine back to June 2007, when LeBron led the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first ever Finals appearance only to fall horrendously to Tim Duncan’s San Antonio Spurs. 

What went so wrong? 

Find out as Once Upon A Dribble reviews how the Spurs showed the world how to kill a king!

Feb 03, 202356:36
Episode #13: Chocolate Thunder - Darryl Dawkins

Episode #13: Chocolate Thunder - Darryl Dawkins

In the annals of NBA lore, former 76ers and Nets center Darryl Dawkins stands out as perhaps the most boisterous and active in perpetuating his own mythology. 

He was funny, confident, playful, clever, and articulate. Long before the NBA had seen the likes Shaquille O’Neal or even Charles Barkley, Dawkins was THE one-man quote machine. Not many players would name each of their dunks, let alone claim to be from the planet "Lovetron, a place where love is the only currency".

Join Once Upon The Dribble as we dissect the man, the myth and the legend with a heart of gold, Chocolate Thunder. 

Nov 29, 202217:03
Episode #12: 2022-23 NBA Preview Part 2 - Over/Under - Western Conference and Season Awards

Episode #12: 2022-23 NBA Preview Part 2 - Over/Under - Western Conference and Season Awards

In Part 2 of a two-part podcast, join Calvan and Josh as they make their picks for the 2023 regular season win totals in the Western Conference as well as give their picks for all of the season awards and discuss some fun long shots!
Oct 14, 202201:04:18
Episode #11: 2022-23 NBA Preview Part 1 - Over/Under - Eastern Conference

Episode #11: 2022-23 NBA Preview Part 1 - Over/Under - Eastern Conference

In Part 1 of a two-part podcast, join Calvan and Josh as they make their picks for the 2023 regular season win totals in the Eastern Conference as well as give their picks for the conference finals!

Oct 14, 202254:10
Episode #10: The King's Court

Episode #10: The King's Court

Calvan and I collaborated on a research piece about the lost-to-history 2002 Sacramento Kings, a team that came a single Game 7 away from playing in the NBA Finals and defeating the dynasty Lakers.

In this piece we look at the story of the early 2000s Kings, and more specifically, the 2002 Western Conference Finals between Sacramento and Los Angeles.

Game winners, inconsistent officiating, poisoned room service, the road to the last Laker three-peat, this story has it all. Join us as we cover the final chapter in one of the greatest rivalries in recent NBA history.

Sep 30, 202254:51
Episode #9: It's Not So Easy Being Green: The Story of the Post-Larry Bird Celtics

Episode #9: It's Not So Easy Being Green: The Story of the Post-Larry Bird Celtics

The Celtics are recognized as one of the premier brands in the NBA. They are amongst the most iconic franchises in the sport alongside the Lakers, Bulls, Sixers, Knicks and so on. They have 17 championships to their name, tied with the Lakers for most in league history.

Yet for all the success, they’ve only won 1 championship since 1986. What happened in the post-Bird era that led to a relatively dry run of success for a franchise so accustomed to winning and winning again?

It was poor drafting, bad coaches, natural league expansion and above all some tragedy and bad luck.

Ironic for a team whose logo is the shamrock.

Join us as we look into those important events and why the Celtics found out that it’s not so easy being green. This is Once Upon a Dribble!

Sep 02, 202201:02:59
Episode #8: So Close But No Cigar

Episode #8: So Close But No Cigar

History smiles warmly upon the champions who have etched themselves in legend, those who conquered the league by achieving the ultimate goal, winning an NBA title. 

Unfortunately, for every winner, there is a loser. Throughout NBA history we find embryos of potential dynasties, champions that never came to be, players and teams that were special if not elite for a time in their own right, but couldn't quite get over that final hump. 

Join Calvan and Josh as they look back specifically at the 1980-87 Bucks, 1991-96 Sonics and the 2011-15 Bulls as a few of the teams who were a couple bounces away from a different ending... teams who were "so close, but no cigar".

Part 1 of a continuing series. 

Aug 15, 202201:04:27
Episode #7: The G.O.A.T. of Every NBA Franchise Part 2: The Western Conference

Episode #7: The G.O.A.T. of Every NBA Franchise Part 2: The Western Conference

In our last episode, we set off on a the ultimate NBA time machine road trip to crown the best player from every NBA franchise. In our race across the Eastern Conference, we highlighted players from practically every era of NBA history. 

At times we easily agreed… and then at other times, we went vastly different directions!

Today, come and join us as we finish our trip across NBA America and basketball history, as we debate the greatest player to ever play for each WESTERN conference team.

The NBA time machine is gassed up, our destinations have been set, and it’s time to once again jump into some of the biggest debates in the sport and try to settle the never ending debate: who is the GOAT... over and over again!


Jul 22, 202201:32:23
Episode #6: The G.O.A.T. of Every NBA Franchise Part 1: The Eastern Conference

Episode #6: The G.O.A.T. of Every NBA Franchise Part 1: The Eastern Conference

It’s the classic "barber shop" question among fans in any sport, in any era: who is the greatest of all time?

In basketball, the debate most often comes down to Michael Jordan or LeBron James, and maybe the occasional fringe candidate here and there but the truth is, the GOAT debate may never be fully settled in any sport. As even the factors and conditions and numbers required to make a determination are seldom agreed upon by fans.

In truth, any GOAT debate will probably never provide a truly definitive answer... but that’s sure not going to stop us from trying!

In this episode, a first part of a two-part episode, we take the NBA time machine to countless stops, as we determine the best player in the history of every NBA franchise

Today we focus on teams in the Eastern Conference, one by one, as we argue who the best player was in franchise history, for EVERY franchise!

May 23, 202201:29:49
Josh's Nook #1: Quick Thoughts on the Stretch Run of the 2021-22 NBA Season

Josh's Nook #1: Quick Thoughts on the Stretch Run of the 2021-22 NBA Season

With Calvan and Josh's NBA Time Machine getting some brief repairs, we take a quick detour with Josh as he shares some thoughts on all of the NBA teams jockeying for playoff position as we close in on the 2022 NBA Playoffs. 

Mar 12, 202225:37
Episode #5: The Bummer Years

Episode #5: The Bummer Years

In the 1990s, Michael Jordan set a new standard of dominance in American sports, bringing six championship banners to Chicago. His talent, accomplishments, and sheer force of will made him the greatest basketball player of all-time. 

But that didn't happen overnight.

In the 1980s, while a young Michael Jordan was setting numerous scoring records on a regular basis, he found himself marred in year after year of playoff disappointment, as the hapless Bulls floundered in a pre Scottie Pippin, pre Phil Jackson era.

In today's episode of Once Upon a Dribble, Josh and Calvan review the seasons that most Michael fans like to pretend never happened, and explain why it took the GOAT six years of famine, before his legendary six years of supremacy!

Before the wonder years, there was: The Bummer Years

Jan 28, 202244:43
Episode #4: Unbreakable

Episode #4: Unbreakable

Today Calvan and Josh hop back in the NBA Time Machine and take it all over the league's history to discuss the Association's most unbreakable records. 

Part of what makes our the game we love so addicting is seeing the world's very best athletes push the limit on what we think is possible. Those who reach that threshold leave behind some of the most astounding records and feats that we have ever seen. 

From inspiring records, like Wilt's 100-point game, to uninspiring records, like Houston's 27-consecutive missed 3's in the 2018 WCF, we tackle it all. Will anyone catch Stockton and his ludicrous body of work? And will ANYONE be as bad as the 2012 Bobcats?

Calvan and Josh break down some of these iconic NBA records and debate if they truly are "Unbreakable". 


(*music provided by bensound.com)

Dec 10, 202144:43
Micro Episode #2: Overreactions to Week 1 of the 2021-22 NBA Season

Micro Episode #2: Overreactions to Week 1 of the 2021-22 NBA Season

The NBA time machine is in the shop today, as Josh and Calvan give their opinions and predictions on the 2021-22 NBA season after one week of play

Oct 28, 202115:25
Episode #3: The Team That (Almost) Did the Impossible Twice: The 1993-94 Denver Nuggets

Episode #3: The Team That (Almost) Did the Impossible Twice: The 1993-94 Denver Nuggets

In 1994, a young Dikembe Mutombo led a group of misfits, has-beens, and fringe guys to a 42-40 record and an 8-seed in the western conference playoffs to take on the vaunted 63-win Seattle Supersonics, led by prime Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp. At the time, an 8-seed had never beaten a 1-seed, and many questioned if such a feat would ever happen.

Over the next five games, however, something truly remarkable unfolded as the team from the Mile High City upset the odds-on title favorites in five games to pull-off the upset that many people said was impossible!

But the 93-94 Nuggets would not be content with making history just once, as just a few days later, finding themselves on the verge of being swept by the Utah Jazz, the Nuggets reeled off three straight improbable wins to set up the possibility of becoming the first team to ever come back from a 3-0 series deficit to win the series in 7.

Would the clock strike midnight on this Cinderella story? Or would the Nuggets do the impossible AGAIN? Join Josh and Calvan as they break down the team that nobody saw coming, and examine how this unprecedented upset impacted the entire NBA, and what would become of that miracle team afterwards, right here on Once Upon a Dribble

(*music provided by bensound.com) 

Oct 28, 202142:00
Episode #2: Traded Across The Hallway: How Kobe Bryant ALMOST became a Clipper

Episode #2: Traded Across The Hallway: How Kobe Bryant ALMOST became a Clipper

Life is full of a lot of almost moments. We almost took a different job, we almost married a different person, we almost moved to a different city. Back in 2004, something almost happened that would've changed the destiny of the whole NBA as we know it in innumerable ways. Join Josh and Calvan as they break down the time Kobe Bryant almost left the Los Angeles Lakers, and almost became a Los Angeles Clipper. 

(Intro and outro music generously provided by bensound.com)

Sep 23, 202137:11
Episode #1: The Worst NBA Draft Class of All-Time

Episode #1: The Worst NBA Draft Class of All-Time

The NBA draft is where legends are born. A single night that can change the trajectory of a franchise for years. A good decision can elevate a team to championship heights (we're talking to you, 2009 Golden State Warriors), and a bad decision can just as easily trap a team in the proverbial cellar (we're talking to you, 2009 Minnesota Timberwolves). A bad draft selection and the accompanying "what if" can haunt a fanbase for decades.

In the case the 2000 NBA draft, however, it wasn't so much about good decisions or bad decisions. From first first pick down to the last, 2000 was more an example of bad decisions, or even worse decisions. With a bevy of role players, and dull players, 2000 takes the cake for worst NBA draft class of all-time!

In today's episode, Josh and Calvan discuss the what went wrong, and look back at the best individual accomplishments of players from the 2000 class (hint: there ain't too many). All this and more, right here, on Once Upon a Dribble

Aug 27, 202132:22
Micro Episode 1: The Nickname Game

Micro Episode 1: The Nickname Game

Once Upon a Dribble kicks off a special series of micro-episodes! In these quick and crisp mini shows, all 15 minutes or less, Calvan and Josh discuss the lighter side of NBA history. With a mixed bag of NBA trivia, off-beat discussions, and what-if scenarios, the Once Upon a Dribble Podcast micro-episodes are perfect for the on-the-go NBA fan!  

In the first episode of our micro-series, we play "The Nickname Game". Join Calvan and Josh as they guess the identity of players behind some of the wildest nicknames in NBA history! 


Aug 15, 202111:18