Basketball History 101

Wes Unseld was severely undersized for being an NBA center, standing at a height of only 6'6". Despite this, he reached league MVP while still in his rookie year and later became a five-time All-Star. Now in the Hall of Fame, Unseld overcame long odds to become one of the best players in NBA history.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Disco Funk" by Jam Morgan

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

Breaking from tradition today, Rick tells two stories of some of the greatest dunks in basketball history. All great dunks have names, and these two are no exceptions. The Lister Blister was performed by Shawn Kemp of the Seattle SuperSonics when he windmill jammed over the head of Golden State's Alton Lister, and Le Dunk de la Mort, or The Dunk of Death, was tomahawked by Vince Carter over French player Frederic Weiss at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Wilt Chamberlain and Lew Alcindor began their relationship as great friends with Wilt playing the big brother to Lew. Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse when Lew, now going by the more recognizable name of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, joined the NBA. While Wilt was much older, their careers overlapped by a few years -- and Kareem began to outplay his friend. Slowly but surely, jealousy crept into Wilt's life, culminating in his all-time NBA scoring record being broken by Kareem. By the 1980s, the two were no longer on speaking terms. Today, Rick tells the tragic tale of these two terrific centers.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"This or That" by Reks

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

From an underdog player to a Hall of Fame player, Willis Reed is still the only captain in the New York Knicks' history to win an NBA championship. As he led his team to two titles both physically and emotionally, Reed is regarded today as one of the greatest players of all time.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Disco Funk" by Jam Morgan

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

In 1983, the Detroit Pistons challenged the Denver Nuggets in an NBA game. The final score? 186-184, the highest score in league history. Four players scored over 40 points that night, but why? Even thirty years later, that kind of score is unheard of. What exactly happened to create such a record? Today, Rick investigates the events of that cold December night.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Rock You" by RockSounds

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

Meadowlark Lemon is remembered as one of the greatest Globetrotters in the team's history. His gift for comedy connected with audiences for nearly 30 years. Despite his remarkable showmanship, however, his actual basketball skills lacked true greatness, leading to resentment from his teammates and a downfall of his own making.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Disco Funk" by Jam Morgan

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

The college recruitment of Moses Malone was so steeped in NCAA violations that his case was under investigation for his entire senior year of high school. Despite an agreement he made with the University of Maryland, however, he was approached by the Utah Stars of the ABA who had a single revolutionary offer: skip college altogether and make the jump straight to the professional ranks...

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Disco Funk" by Jam Morgan

"Running" by Jens East

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

In 1984, American basketball coach Bob Knight was selecting his Olympic squad from about 100 college athletes. Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, and John Stockton -- three players who would soon join the NBA and eventually end up in the Hall of Fame together -- all were at the tryout, and Coach Knight decided to cut all three of them. What led to Knight ignoring some of the greatest basketball talent in history that had fallen into his lap? Today, Rick tells that story.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Take Care" by Julian Avila

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

Despite being one of the greatest shooting guards in NBA history, Sam Jones is talked about shockingly little. His ten championship rings are unmatched by any except Bill Russel's eleven, so why is he rarely discussed? Today, Rick tackles that question in hopes of reviving the memory of this incredible athlete.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"This or That" by Reks

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

Once an undervalued minor league team, the Baltimore Bullets jumped at the chance to join an upstart league: the BAA, later to be known as the NBA. Taking this new league by storm, the Bullets surprised everyone by winning the championship in their first season. But another new team approached, one with such incredible talent that the Bullets were sent spiraling to be long forgotten in the halls of history...

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Swing Has Swung" by Shane Ivers

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

When Garfield Heard, a role player on the Phoenix Suns, hit a buzzerbeater shot to send Game 5 of the 1976 NBA Finals to its third overtime, it made basketball history and would be forever known as The Shot Heard Round The World.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Disco Funk" by Jam Morgan

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

In 1956, the Minneapolis Lakers were struggling with a losing record. Sid Hartman, the Lakers' general manager, had the idea to tank the rest of the season in an attempt to get the first pick in the draft and claim the great Bill Russell himself.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Christmas Village" by Aaron Kenny

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

In the late 1980s, Arvydas Sabonis was the greatest player in the world -- yet, because he lived behind the Iron Curtain, he was unable to play in the NBA. When the Berlin Wall finally fell and he joined the Portland Trail Blazers, he was already in his 30s, well past his prime. Despite this, he still managed to play at a dominant level in the NBA against much younger men.

During the 1920s and 30s, basketball players were nicknamed "cagers" because of the net wall, or cage, that separated the court from the stands. Fans at basketball games had a tendency to be violent toward the athletes, so the cage was intended to protect the players -- although it ultimately backfired and became used as a weapon...

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Speakeasy" by Shane Ivers

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

Today Rick tells the second half of the legend of George Mikan, the former greatest basketball player. Winning seven titles in eight years across two leagues, this giant of a center was so unstoppable that the NBA changed their rules to limit him. His talent and dominance eventually landed him a friend in the much-younger Shaquille O'Neill -- a rookie center who respected the greatness of his predecessor.

Make sure to listen to part 1, which covers his grandparents' immigration, an average childhood, and an incredible five-year college run!

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Happy Days" by Chuck Sims

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

After months of planning and research, Rick finally takes on the story of Mr. Basketball, the great George Mikan himself, in a two part episode. From his grandparents' emigration from Croatia to America, to his prolonged college career, Rick tells the story of the former greatest player.

Part 2 is out now, where we cover his dominance in two different professional leagues and the effect he would have on another, much younger, Hall-of-Fame center!

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Happy Days" by Chuck Sims

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

This story is about an illegal game between a black team and a white team in the racially segregated South of the United States, a game meant to be kept a total secret. Both teams were dominating their respective competition and wanted a chance to see which of them was better. After all, the teams were only located three miles from each other. Rick shares the context leading up to the game and then the game itself -- as well as what happened afterward.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Swing Time" by Music By Pedro

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

What motivated the original owners of the NBA teams to start a new league, and why did they choose basketball? This is that story.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Swing Time" by Music By Pedro

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

Today we profile Nate “Tiny” Archibald, the only player in NBA history to lead the league in scoring and assists in the same season. He deserves to be in the conversation of the greatest guards in league history.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Disco Funk" by Jam Morgan

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

Ever since their first game against -- and first loss to -- the Harlem Globetrotters, the Minneapolis Lakers had wanted their revenge. Welcome to the rematch, where they just might have a chance...

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Mediterranean" by Lyn Murray

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

The NBA’s color barrier was broken in 1950 by three players simultaneously: Chuck Cooper, Nat Clifton, and Earl Lloyd. Each had a hand in its downfall, as one was drafted first, one signed first, and one played first.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

We here at Basketball History 101 are so excited to see the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Season, and we hope you are too! Rick shares a couple of thoughts on the new season.

Make sure to check out today's usual episode as well, where we discuss the time when Magic Johnson got his own coach fired after a disagreement on game strategy.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

The Lakers and Celtics battled for the 1969 NBA championship, and it came down the very end of Game 7. Bill Russell, Sam Jones, and John Havlicek of the Celtics starred against Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, and Wilt Chamberlain of the Lakers.  One of the most competitive Finals ever, Russell and Jones would ultimately retire at the end of the series.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Take Care" by Julian Avila

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

Kevin McHale’s low post moves were known as the Torture Chamber, and any defender trying to stop him was in for a long night. He is one of the 50 greatest players in NBA for a reason, but he also had a huge impact as an NBA executive as he ushered in the high school era of the late 1990s.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Rock You" by RockSounds

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

Dutch Dehnert is credited with perfecting the concept of the pivot in basketball. He played for the Original Celtics and his ideas about how to create cutting lanes led the Celtics to dominate their era. Dehnert and three of his teammates are all in the Hall of Fame today.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Mediterranean" by Lyn Murray

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

The Continental Basketball Association, or the CBA, was the primary development league for the NBA prior to the formation of the G-League. It originally started as a rival to the NBA before settling as America’s secondary league. Eventually, because of some bad decisions by Isaiah Thomas, the league folded.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

Today, we cover the story of Forrest “Phog” Allen, the Father of Basketball Coaching. His books on basketball became the foundation for how other coaches approached the training of their players. He set the template that is still followed today regarding the development of players.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"The Stars and Stripes Forever" by John Philip Sousa

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

We cover arguably the most famous defensive play in NBA history, the night where Havlicek stole the ball. His steal bailed out Bill Russell, who had just made a devastating turnover.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Disco Funk" by Jam Morgan

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

On today's episode of Basketball History 101, we profile one of the NBA’s 50 greatest players: Paul Arizin. He was one of the NBA’s early stars and one of only four players in NBA history to make the All-Star Game in every season he played!

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Happy Days" by Chuck Sims

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

This week, Rick covers Bob Davies, the most forgotten player in basketball history. Despite deserving to be added to the list of the top 50 basketball players of all time, his name is nowhere to be found on said lists.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Swing Time" by Music By Pedro

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

The Kentucky Colonels were one of the most successful ABA teams, winning the ABA Championship in 1975. Yet, just one year later they were excluded from the ABA/NBA merger. This is their story.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Disco Funk" by Jam Morgan

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

In this episode we explore the life of James Naismith, the inventor of basketball. Rick will share about his early life and how he came to be in a position to create a brand new game.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"The Stars and Stripes Forever" by John Philip Sousa

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

Today, we cover the history of the three-point line and how it got its start in the early 1960s. Abe Saperstein, owner of the Harlem Globetrotters, introduced it into mainstream basketball through his own startup league, the ABL.

REFERENCES

The breakup of Yugoslavia as a nation had a major impact on the national basketball team, which was the best team in the world at the time. They had won two European Championships and the Basketball World Cup.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"At Sunrise" by the Osipov State Russian Folk Orchestra, Vera Nikolaevna Gorodovskaya, Vitaly Gnutov, and Rudolf Belov

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

Friendship and sacrifice is at the heart of today’s story. Maurice Stokes and Jack Twyman developed a bond few ever get to experience. Their story is an inspiration.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"60's and 70's Rock" by Hyde

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

Kutsher’s Hotel and Country Club was the place where some of the best basketball in the country was played during the summer months. NBA All-Stars would regularly travel to upstate New York to get together and play at this mountain resort.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Happy Days" by Chuck Sims

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

This bonus episode covers a shot from Game 1 of the 1952 NBA Finals where the referees failed to see a shot go in. Therefore, the basket was not counted in the official score. If the referees had seen the shot go in, it could have changed the outcome of the entire series.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Happy Days" by Chuck Sims

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

Although in the 1960s he was considered to be at the same level as Sam Jones, Jerry West, and Oscar Robertson, Hal Greer is a relatively unknown figure in basketball history. His story, however, greatly deserves to be told. This is it.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Take Care" by Julian Avila

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

The 1936 Olympics were the first one with basketball as a full medal sport. The American team travelled to Adolph Hitler’s Nazi Germany to compete for the gold medal.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Panzerlied" by Oberleutnant Kurt Wiehle

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

The NBA had its first merger after only three seasons, but this merger with the NBL was crucial to their future success. Without this event, there is a chance that the NBA as we know it today never exists.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Happy Days" by Chuck Sims

Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

Little Milan High School defeated much larger Muncie Central High School for the 1954 Indiana State Championship. This is the game that inspired the movie "Hoosiers."

REFERENCES

Bevo Francis scored over 100 points in a college game, TWICE! He became a national sensation. But, after just two years of college basketball, he all but disappeared. This is his story.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Swing Time" by Music By Pedro

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

Don Barksdale was a true pioneer of basketball. He was the first black player to be a college All-American, the first to play basketball at the Olympics, and the first to make an NBA All-Star Game. And aside from basketball, he found such success as an entrepreneur and club owner that most of his friends never realized he played professional ball.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Mediterranean" by Lyn Murray

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

Today we bring you the almost unbelievable story of how nobody wanted to draft Bob Cousy in the 1950 NBA draft. The Blackhawks drafted him but traded him immediately to the Stags. The Stags were considering trading him again when they went out of business. Then he was reassigned to the Celtics. The rest is history.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Swing Time" by Music By Pedro

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

Today we focus on the significant rule changes from basketball’s second 50 years. Hear how the game developed during the second half of the 1900s, from 1944 to 1994. If you want to hear about the the first 50 years of rule changes, go check out Episode 20.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

Today we share the story of the first time that Magic Johnson and Larry Bird played together as teammates on Team USA in 1978. In that tournament, they played against Cuba, Yugoslavia, and the Soviet Union. This experience would lay the foundation for their later friendship.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Disco Funk" by Jam Morgan

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

Today, Rick explains how the blocked shot came to be. He covers this defensive technique from the very beginning of the game until today. Until the 1950s, goal tending was perfectly legal. Once it was outlawed, however, the block developed as a way to stop the shot while the ball was still on its way up.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

REFERENCES

For this story we place our spotlight on Chuck Connors, one of the original Boston Celtics. His basketball career was short lived, so he switched to playing Major League Baseball for the Dodgers and Cubs. After just a few seasons, however, he left professional sports to go to Hollywood. Landing the lead role in one of the most successful TV shows of the 1950s, The Rifleman, Connors' story is one for the ages.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Happy Days" by Chuck Sims

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

We finish our story on Adolph Rupp as we discuss allegations of racism. This issue came to a head in 1966 at the NCAA championship game when Rupp’s all-white Kentucky squad faced Texas Western University's all-black starting lineup. To hear the beginning of Rupp's story, go check out Part 1 from last week!

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Swing Time" by Music By Pedro

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK