Nba History [unofficial] | Michael Jordan-era And More (in All Airness)

Indiana Pacers staffer (Media Relations / Publications: 1991-2007), MaryKay Hruskocy.Though a native of Whiting, IN, MaryKay grew up a fan of Chicago sports. As the Bulls were celebrating their 1991 NBA Championship at Grant Park, MaryKay was driving to Indianapolis to commence her career in media relations for the Indiana Pacers.Our conversation covers behind-the-scenes memories from MaryKay’s tenure with the team. This includes, arguably, the biggest one-day sporting event of the 1990s. Two words: “I’m back”. She discusses the frenzy surrounding Michael Jordan’s NBA return in 1995; detailing how the Pacers managed the news and went into overdrive to prepare Market Square Arena - in less than 24 hours - for a game that suddenly held as much importance as the NBA Finals.Hruskocy details how she created the Pacers' team newsletter, distributed by fax to approximately 3,000 loyal subscribers. MarkyKay discusses how she was tasked with putting together Indiana's media guides in-house and shares a fanta

Washington Mystics Head Coach and General Manager, Mike Thibault. Our wide-ranging conversation examines a multitude of great topics. Thibault's (pronounced Tee-bo) coaching career began in the 1970s. Before the decade ended, he was scouting for the L.A. Lakers and contributed to the team’s 1980 and 1982 NBA championships.We discuss Mike's move to Chicago, where he was an assistant coach for the Bulls for four seasons (1983 through 1986). He scouted the top-three picks - Olajuwon, Bowie and Jordan - in the iconic 1984 NBA Draft. Mike details Chicago’s approach to that draft and the behind-the-scenes decision making that led to Michael Jordan's selection. Plus, you’ll hear just how close the Bulls came to selecting a future Hall of Famer in the 1985 draft. A ‘what if?’ for the ages.After a year at the helm of the inaugural World Basketball League's (WBL) Calgary 88's - where he was responsible for almost every decision affecting the franchise - Mike took over another first-year franchi

My friend, Mike Fraler, host of Forgotten Maverick (now Mavs Archives) recently invited me on his show. We discuss how our podcasts came to be and reminisce about our love of NBA history. I also discuss my 1994 and 1995 trips to the USA, and how luck wasn’t on my side – both times I visited the States, Michael Jordan was in the midst of his first retirement. Fancy some NBA trivia? Listen in and test your knowledge against mine.As the name of Mike's podcast cleverly suggests, he chats with Dallas Mavericks players of years gone by. Mike’s twin brother, Jeff, has his own NBA-history podcast: Forgotten Lakers, Are you sensing a theme?If you enjoy my podcast, you’ll certainly enjoy Mike and Jeff’s. Editor's note: sign-up for my monthly newsletter - receive exclusive details on upcoming podcast episodes and future, high-profile guests to appear on the show.I appreciate all feedback, FB Page 'Likes' and iTunes ratings / reviews.Follow: Facebook | Instagram | TwitterSubscribe: iTunes | Android |

Adam & Aaron celebrate the 30th anniversary of Michael Jordan's fourth season in the National Basketball Association. This episode covers:- November 21 through December 4, 1987- Insightful minutiae, all but lost to the annals of basketball history Notable:Petur Gudmundsson – career-high 21 pointsMark McNamara – career-high 22 reboundsFranklin Edwards – career-high 16 assists Links discussed:* Travelin’ Bulls (Higher Ground)* Jordan jabs Jazz: “Was he big enough?” This episode continues our coverage of the 1987-88 NBA season. If you enjoy the content, please share it with your friends! For context, here’s our 13-episode series (#NB87), exploring Michael Jordan’s third season in the NBA.Tune in to hear this and plenty more, as we uncover some hidden gems from the NBA’s golden era.People mentioned include: Horace Grant, Mark Jackson, Xavier McDaniel, Fat Lever, Adrian Dantley, Wes Matthews, Clyde Drexler, Manute Bol, Muggsy Bogues, Walt Frazier, Tellis Frank & Bob Ryan. Editor's note: sign-up f

Four-time NBA All-Star, All-NBA (1993) and Dream Team II (1994) member, Mark Price.Mark Price rose to basketball prominence from humble beginnings. He starred at Enid High School in Oklahoma, breaking many records; serendipitously, equaling feats set by his famous father, Denny, decades earlier.After high school, Mark played four years with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. To this day, his name is littered throughout the record books. As a freshman, he led the ACC in scoring (20.3 ppg) – an outstanding achievement, given the depth of talent in the conference. Prior to his sophomore campaign, he was a member of Team USA’s gold-medal winning squad at the 1983 Pan-American Games in Venezuela. Mark, and fellow teammate, John Salley, were named team co-captains as sophomores. As a junior, Mark led his team to a 27-8 record. Tech won the ACC Championship, Price was named Tournament MVP and also won (1985) ACC Player of the Year. Georgia Tech advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, before finally bowing

The one and only "Mr. Stats" (NBA on NBC) and author of Who’s Better, Who’s Best in Basketball?, Elliott Kalb.Elliott is a multiple Sports Emmy-winning producer, writer and television personality. He has worked in sports television for more than 35 years, including more than two decades with NBC, where he was known as “Mr. Stats”. Currently, he is the Senior Editorial Director of MLB Network.In the 1990s through early-2000s, Elliott didn’t often appear on camera, however, he was a vital cog in the mighty NBA on NBC machine. We cover a wide variety of topics and he shares plenty of great stories about his life and the experiences he’s had with a who’s who of talent for more than 30 years.He discusses his most-memorable games from his 12-year run with the NBA on NBC. Elliott also chats about his love for the 1972 L.A. Lakers and how, almost 20 years later, he ended up alongside Pat Riley - a member of that famed squad - a recent addition to the NBA on NBC team.Links discussed (include):* Magic Johnson

Adam & Aaron celebrate the 30th anniversary of Michael Jordan's fourth season in the National Basketball Association. This episode covers:- November 7 through November 20, 1987- Insightful minutiae, all but lost to the annals of basketball history Notable:Larry Bird opens the season with an amazing performance at WashingtonArtis Gilmore returns to Chicago (last played for the Bulls in 1982 season)Chicago wins its 500th game in franchise historyDarren's day(e). Bird-less Celtics, down 28, beat Knicks at the buzzerThe Chicago Bulls' home-sellout streak commenced Links discussed:* Philadelphia 76ers @ Chicago Bulls (season-opener)* Bird's buzzer-beater buries Bullets* Reggie Miller, Chuck Person pace Indiana This episode continues our coverage of the 1987-88 NBA season. If you enjoy the content, please share it with your friends! For context, here’s our 13-episode series (#NB87), exploring Michael Jordan’s third season in the NBA.Tune in to hear this and plenty more, as we uncover some hi

Adam & Aaron celebrate the 30th anniversary of Michael Jordan's fourth season in the National Basketball Association. This episode covers:- 1987 NBA Hall of Fame Game - Bulls versus Lakers- The origin story of Michael Jordan's 'Come Fly with Me' dunk- Insightful minutiae, all but lost to the annals of basketball history A short but sweet episode - a primer for the start of the Bulls' 1987-88 season. We're as excited about our #NB88 series as you are. Links discussed:Chicago Bulls v L.A. Lakers – Hall of Fame Game (87-88 preseason)1988 Bulls Luncheon – Jordan, Pippen & Oakley All-Star presser This episode continues our coverage of the 1987-88 NBA season. If you enjoy the content, please share it with your friends! For context, here’s our 13-episode series (#NB87), exploring Michael Jordan’s third season in the NBA.Tune in to hear this and plenty more, as we uncover some hidden gems from the NBA’s golden era.People mentioned include: Doug Collins, Michael Jordan, James Wort

Adam & Aaron celebrate the 30th anniversary of Michael Jordan's fourth season in the National Basketball Association. This episode covers:- Off-season news, notes and quotes- 1987 NBA Draft- Chicago Bulls 1987-88 training camp and preseason games- Insightful minutiae, all but lost to the annals of basketball history We’re back with a new series (#NB88). Following a brief visit to April of 1987, we head to early-to-mid June, discussing a wide array of interesting topics and happenings from the NBA’s off-season.We cover the 1987 NBA Draft and the Bulls’ draft-day dealings that secured Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant – foundation players who would team with Michael Jordan and John Paxson to form the nucleus of the franchise’s future success.We’re also joined by special guest, Joyce Szymanski, who was in the unique position of working (media relations) for the Seattle SuperSonics on 1987 NBA Draft day. Shortly after, she began work with the Chicago Bulls. Joyce shares her 1987 memories.We recap Chicago’s

Adam & Aaron celebrate the 30th anniversary of Michael Jordan's third season in the National Basketball Association. This episode covers:- Playoffs through 1987 NBA Finals (April 23 through June 14)- Insightful minutiae, all but lost to the annals of basketball historyThe ultimate episode of #NB87. We finish our series with a detailed recap of the postseason. Notable milestones:Magic Johnson - named Most Valuable Player / Finals MVPChuck Person - named Rookie of the YearRicky Pierce - named Sixth Man of the YearMichael Cooper - named Defensive Player of the YearDale Ellis - named Most Improved PlayerMike Schuler - named Coach of the Year Links discussed:Magic Johnson's 77'8" buzzer-beater (WCQF G1)Warriors @ Jazz - mayhem erupts as game ends (WCQF G2)Sleepy wakes Warriors, drops 51 points on Lakers (WCSF G4)Laimbeer clips Bird's wings (ECF G3)Larry Legend steals victory from the jaws of defeat (ECF G5)Kill Bill (Laimbeer)? Parish the thought (ECF G5)Doubting Thomas? Isiah on his L

Adam & Aaron celebrate the 30th anniversary of Michael Jordan's third season in the National Basketball Association. This episode covers:- NBA regular season – March 31 through April 19, 1987- Insightful minutiae, all but lost to the annals of basketball history Notable milestones:Trent Tucker - career-high 34 pointsJohn Salley - career-high 28 pointsKenny Walker - career-high 26 pointsJohn Paxson - career-high 14 assistsNick Vanos - career-high 13 rebounds Links discussed:* Jordan throws down some classic dunks versus the Bullets* Phoenix Suns tribute - honoring Nick Vanos* MJ ties his season-high scoring mark of 61 points This episode continues our coverage of the 1986-87 NBA season. We encourage your interaction. Feel free to suggest specific games, moments and events from within the season, for us to cover in future episodes of the series. Thanks for taking the time to listen to the show. If you enjoy the content, please share it with your friends!Tune in to hear this and plenty more, as we uncov

(Former) Senior Vice President and Executive Producer of NBA Entertainment, Don Sperling.Don Sperling has a remarkable filmography that you’d almost certainly be familiar with. Titles including Michael Jordan: Come Fly with Me, NBA Awesome Endings, Michael Jordan’s Playground, NBA Superstars and Michael Jordan: Air Time, are just a handful of his iconic releases.Sperling was Senior Vice President and Executive Producer of NBA Entertainment, NBA TV and NBA.com for 15 years. Don discusses his early life, the opportunities that presented themselves and how he moved from his native New York, to Atlanta, prior to being contacted by soon-to-be NBA Commissioner, David Stern, regarding the establishment of NBA Entertainment. Don discusses its formation and amazing growth, plus, offers fascinating specifics on some iconic moments from Come Fly with Me. He recounts some amazing stories about travelling with The Dream Team in 1992, particularly, a wonderful 48-hour span he’ll never forget, chronicling Michael Jordan, th

This episode covers:- 'Full Court with Michael Jordan'. A charity game with a backstory almost as fantastic as MJ's performance [Sep 14, 1985]Behind the Game. Learn how Normal, IL, was anything but, on a mid-September night in 1985. MJ entertained 6,000 lucky fans.Others mentioned in this episode, include: Stan Albeck, Jim Barnhart, Mike Justin, Rick Cooper, C.L. Strickland and Reggie Redbird.If you enjoy the content, please share it with your friends!Editor's note: sign-up for my monthly newsletter - receive exclusive details on upcoming podcast episodes and future, high-profile guests to appear on the show.I appreciate all feedback, FB Page 'Likes' and iTunes ratings / reviews.Follow: Facebook | Instagram |  TwitterSubscribe: iTunes | Android | Spotify | Stitcher | NewsletterFeedback: e-mail (audio welcome) | Voicemail

Adam & Aaron celebrate the 30th anniversary of Michael Jordan's third season in the National Basketball Association. This episode covers:- NBA regular season – March 16 through 30, 1987- Insightful minutiae, all but lost to the annals of basketball history Notable milestones:Jeff Malone - career-high 48 pointsDarrell Walker - career-high 39 pointsDavid Wingate - career-high 28 points Links discussed:* MJ delivers a classic leaner, Bulls dominate Clippers* Johnny ‘Red’ Kerr‘s tribute to Julius Erving This episode continues our coverage of the 1986-87 NBA season. We encourage your interaction. Feel free to suggest specific games, moments and events from within the season, for us to cover in future episodes of the series. Thanks for taking the time to listen to the show. If you enjoy the content, please share it with your friends!Tune in to hear this and plenty more, as we uncover some hidden gems from the NBA’s golden era.Others mentioned in this episode, include: Charles Oakley, Magic Johnson, Tree Ro

Chicago sports-radio pioneer and broadcasting veteran, Cheryl Raye-Stout.   As a young girl, Cheryl was taught the nuances of baseball, by her maternal grandfather. That helped foster her love of sports and set the path for what would be - and still is - a pioneering career in Chicago sports radio.We chat about Cheryl's early years in radio and her experiences in the early-1980s, as she sought equal footing as a sports reporter in a largely male-dominated industry. Cheryl had PR directors ask her to leave locker rooms, resulting in her conducting interviews on the floor outside. Finally, after "a couple of years", Chicago Bears rookie, Jim Harbaugh, put an end to Cheryl's outside-the-locker-room conversations; she was finally allowed to join her male counterparts.Cheryl talks about the state of the Chicago Bulls, pre-Michael Jordan. We discuss her recollection of when she first heard Jordan's name. This was well before Michael arrived in Chicago. Cheryl, and the city-at-large, were ea

'Mr. Basketball', Michigan State star, NBA champion and Global Coach, Sam Vincent.As a youngster, Sam Vincent witnessed intense, cross-town high-school basketball battles between his older brother, Jay Vincent, and Magic Johnson. A few years later, Jay and Earvin joined forces at Michigan State University, winning the 1979 National Championship against Larry Bird - Sam's future teammate in the NBA.Sam led Eastern High School to the 1980 State Championship. He was named (1981) Michigan's first 'Mr. Basketball'. Following in the footsteps of (his brother) Jay and Magic, Sam Vincent attended Michigan State and would be a four-year standout with the Spartans. He played in the 1981 McDonald's High School All-American game against Michael Jordan. Little did he know then, however, Sam and Jordan's lives would be linked forever.As a rookie, Sam was a member of the 1986 Boston Celtics - arguably, the greatest team to have ever played the game. We discuss his memories of that sea

Three-time HS State Championship coach, 25-year NCAA veteran and basketball luminary, Mike Jarvis.Mike Jarvis played on Rindge Technical High School’s 1962 Class A Championship (East Massachusetts) team. Today, he’s a member of the Cambridge High School, Massachusetts Coaches, New England Coaches Association and George Washington University Hall of Fame. However, Mike’s storied life in basketball almost didn’t happen.As a sophomore at Northeastern University, he quit the team – deciding to work for his father and brother’s fish-and-chip shop – before his brother convinced him to return to Northeastern and apologize to his coach, Dick Dukeshire. Given a second chance, it wasn’t long before Mike knew that his calling was as a basketball coach.We discuss Mike’s memories of working at Northeastern with future great, Jim Calhoun, followed by a move to Harvard, alongside eight-time NBA Champion of the Boston Celtics, Tom Sanders. Whilst working with Harvard’s varsity team, it wasn’t uncommon for one of Mike’s idols

Honorable Mention All-American (1983) and NBA veteran, Roy Hinson.Roy Hinson calls himself a “late bloomer”. His underlying talent – matched with his height – didn’t lay dormant for long. As a senior, his sudden impact on the hardwood helped steer Franklin Township High School to a 25-2 senior season, culminating in the Sectional Championship Game.Roy details the decision making behind his choice to attend Rutgers University, where he became a standout and future Hall of Fame player. Not only did Roy make post-season tournaments in his junior and senior seasons, he also had the opportunity to fly to Europe, twice, representing Team USA (1981 World University Games) and an All-Star squad (1982 National Invitational Tournament tour).Our conversation covers a wide range of topics. We discuss Roy’s early years in the NBA, his appearance in the 1986 Slam Dunk Contest, his trade to Philadelphia – and later, New Jersey, his home state – and the injury concerns that ultimately forced him into an early retirement. The

Adam & Aaron celebrate the 30th anniversary of Michael Jordan's third season in the National Basketball Association. This episode covers:- NBA regular season – March 1 through 15, 1987- Insightful minutiae, all but lost to the annals of basketball history Notable milestones:Jeff Malone - career-high 48 pointsDarrell Walker - career-high 39 pointsDavid Wingate - career-high 28 points Links discussed:* MJ scorches the Pistons for a Silverdome-record 61 points This episode continues our coverage of the 1986-87 NBA season. We encourage your interaction. Feel free to suggest specific games, moments and events from within the season, for us to cover in future episodes of the series. Thanks for taking the time to listen to the show. If you enjoy the content, please share it with your friends!Tune in to hear this and plenty more, as we uncover some hidden gems from the NBA’s golden era.Others mentioned in this episode, include: Kiki VanDeWeghe, Benoit Benjamin, Buck Williams, Charles Oakley, Danny Ainge, Dar

Adam & Aaron celebrate the 30th anniversary of Michael Jordan's third season in the National Basketball Association. This episode covers:- NBA regular season – February 14 through 28, 1987- Insightful minutiae, all but lost to the annals of basketball history Notable milestones:Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - surpassed 36,000 career pointsSidney Moncrief - surpassed 10,000 career pointsGerald Wilkins - career-high 43 pointsBuck Williams - career-high 35 pointsMichael Jordan - seventh-highest scoring game ever (58 points)Nate McMillan - career-high 25 assistsGerald Henderson - career-high 17 assistsManute Bol - (matched) career-high 15 blocks and career-high 19 rebounds Links discussed:* MJ lights-up Chicago Stadium en route to 58 points* Alvin Roberston spurs San Antonio to victory This episode continues our coverage of the 1986-87 NBA season. We encourage your interaction. Feel free to suggest specific games, moments and events from within the season, for us to cover in future episodes of the series. Thanks f