Book of Basketball 2.0

The faces of the modern NBA take on many shapes, sizes, and brands, but have a few things in common: more money and influence than any of their predecessors. In the face of this increased responsibility, will they continue the club? And if so, who’s coming next? In the series finale, Jackie takes a look at how far the league has come, and where it might be headed. Host: Jackie MacMullan Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Scott Somerville Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 12 April 2022

Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal are one of the most successful—and combustible—duos in NBA history. Their contrasting styles led to tension in the locker room, but dominance on the court. And in the end, each of them changed the rules of the Icons Club forever, just maybe not in the way you’d expect. Host: Jackie MacMullan Producers: Bobby Wagner, Kaya McMullen, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier, and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Scott Somerville Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 8 April 2022

Some players have unassailable Icons Club resumes–MVPs, championships, iconic playoff moments–but find themselves on the outside, looking in. In this episode, Jackie lays out the criteria for becoming a club member, and examines a few of the most enigmatic stars. Host: Jackie MacMullan Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Scott Somerville Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 5 April 2022

The Dream Team was an unprecedented experiment for the Icons Club—an opportunity for the game’s best players to form bonds and swap notes. It also gave the NBA a chance to show off its best players to the world, and the league did not miss. Host: Jackie MacMullan Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Scott Somerville Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 1 April 2022

Michael Jordan built his career—and his billion-dollar brand—by going it alone. But Jordan himself explains how he pulled from Dr. J’s business acumen and Magic’s charisma to chart his flight, and even offered pointers to certain Icons who followed in his footsteps. Host: Jackie MacMullan Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Scott Somerville Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 29 March 2022

Magic vs. Larry is the rivalry that, for many, defines the NBA. On-court battles between these bitter foes showed a ravenous public just how enticing the NBA could be. But how about Magic and Larry: friends? In this episode, Jackie compares and contrasts the icons of the '80s, tracing a bond how that went well beyond the court. Host: Jackie MacMullan Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Scott Somerville Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 25 March 2022

Julius Erving ushered in a new era of the Icons Club. His unique style, on and off the court, brought a jolt to the game and opened doors to new marketing opportunities. And even as punches flew during his era, Dr. J forged relationships with his peers—and future Icons, like Michael Jordan—that made him arguably the most beloved member of the club. Host: Jackie MacMullan Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier, and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Scott Somerville Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 22 March 2022

Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell are the founding members of the Icons Club. The big men navigated a completely different NBA than the one we know today and, along with stars like Oscar Robertson, put the league on course for unimaginable growth and success. Host: Jackie MacMullan Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier, and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Scott Somerville Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 18 March 2022

When Jackie started covering the NBA, it was every player for himself. But during Kobe Bryant's final season, he revealed to Jackie a secret mentorship with Michael Jordan, unlocking the door to a club that only the game's greatest players have access to. Host: Jackie MacMullan Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier, and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Scott Somerville Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 18 March 2022

From The Ringer and Spotify, ‘Icons Club’ will examine how an exclusive group of NBA superstars made the league what it is today. These icons were not just the best of the best on the court, but they also changed the NBA’s culture. Host Jackie MacMullan interviews Michael Jordan, Julius Erving, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Isiah Thomas, Hakeem Olajuwon, Dwyane Wade, and a host of other NBA icons about their relationships with each other, their places in the club, and how much superstardom has changed since the early days of the league. ‘Icons Club' premieres on March 18. Host: Jackie MacMullan Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier, and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Scott Somerville Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 15 March 2022

In the finale, we examine how the passing of time has changed the way we process the memory of Len Bias, what his death meant to the city of Boston and the Celtics franchise, and why his story lingers for sports fans and non-sports fans alike. Host: Jordan Ritter Conn Producers: Hannah Beal, Isaac Lee, Noah Malale, and Bobby Wagner Production Assistant: Isaiah Blakely Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 14 July 2021

By the summer of 1986, America’s relationship with drugs was already at the brink of combustion. And in the highly publicized death of Len Bias, policymakers found a spark to light the flame. The draconian legislation introduced on Capitol Hill thereafter, especially the ratification of mandatory minimum sentences, disproportionately targeted Black citizens — one of whom, ironically, was Len’s childhood friend. Host: Jordan Ritter Conn Producers: Hannah Beal, Isaac Lee, Noah Malale, and Bobby Wagner Production Assistant: Isaiah Blakely Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 7 July 2021

Despite the ongoing Brian Tribble investigation, there was still a question the press and public had no answer for: Who was to blame for the tragic cocaine intoxication of Maryland’s star basketball player? The spotlight shifted to Maryland University and the man who had built the basketball program up in his image: Lefty Driesell. Host: Jordan Ritter Conn Producers: Hannah Beal, Isaac Lee, Noah Malale, and Bobby Wagner Production Assistant: Isaiah Blakely Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 30 June 2021

Before the fallout from Len Bias’s death could ripple through society, the facts surrounding the night of his death had to be established. So why was that so difficult? In this episode, we examine Brian Tribble’s trial on charges of cocaine distribution, the public’s need to assign immediate blame for Bias’s death, and the ensuing chaos caused by that need. Host: Jordan Ritter Conn Producers: Hannah Beal, Isaac Lee, Noah Malale, and Bobby Wagner Production Assistant: Isaiah Blakely Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 23 June 2021

In this episode, we examine the life and career of Spencer Haywood, a basketball Hall of Famer and one of the sport’s biggest stars of the 1970s. Haywood spent the latter half of his career battling a cocaine addiction at a time when the league lacked both an understanding and a policy for how to deal with a growing drug problem. We explore the climate around cocaine in basketball in the lead-up to the mid-'80s, and how that climate informed the public’s reaction to Len Bias’s death. Host: Jordan Riter Conn Producers: Hannah Beal, Isaac Lee, Noah Malale, and Bobby Wagner Production Assistant: Isaiah Blakely Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 16 June 2021

On June 17, 1986, Len Bias was picked second overall in the NBA draft. He was the next chapter in the book that was the 1980s Boston Celtics dynasty. Then, just two days later on June 19, 1986, he was dead of cocaine intoxication. In this episode, we talk about the 48 hours leading up to one of the sports world’s most crushing losses. Host: Jordan Riter Conn Producers: Hannah Beal, Isaac Lee, Noah Malale, and Bobby Wagner Production Assistant: Isaiah Blakely Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 9 June 2021

By his senior year at the University of Maryland, Len Bias was thriving. He was perhaps the best college basketball player in the country, earning burgeoning Michael Jordan comparisons, and going second overall to the Boston Celtics in the 1986 NBA draft. In this episode, we set the stage for how Len Bias, the Maryland kid, became Len Bias, the basketball phenom; how a dark premonition weighed on his mother in the months leading up to his death; and how one night in 1986 left an imprint on American culture that lingers to this day. Host: Jordan Ritter Conn Producers: Hannah Beal, Isaac Lee, Noah Malale, and Bobby Wagner Production Assistant: Isaiah Blakely Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 9 June 2021

From The Ringer and Spotify, this is the story of Len Bias: University of Maryland phenom, second pick of the 1986 draft to the Celtics, and just two days later, one of the most tragic and shocking deaths in sports history. Over the next seven episodes, we’ll investigate how Bias’s death changed the trajectory of NBA history, sparked America’s cocaine panic, and made a lasting impact in the world of sports—and far beyond. ‘What If? The Len Bias Story’ premieres June 9 on the Book of Basketball 2.0 feed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 2 June 2021

In the sixth episode of Season 3, Bill Simmons and Joe House explain why Chris Webber should have been one of the best power forwards of all time had bad luck, bad timing, and bad decisions not conspired against him. He may have one of the ultimate “What If?” careers of all time, yet wasn’t he memorable and talented enough to make the basketball Hall of Fame anyway? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 17 December 2020

In the fifth episode of Season 3, Bill Simmons, Malcolm Gladwell, and Tony Kornheiser explain why Rick Barry was one of the 35 greatest players ever, as well as one of the most influential stars of the league’s first 40 years. However, his prickly personality and a few unfortunate mistakes somehow overshadowed much of his basketball legacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 10 December 2020

In the fourth episode of Season 3, Bill Simmons and Ryen Russillo explain why future Hall of Famer Chris Paul is so hard to evaluate historically. They compare him to Isiah Thomas and other smaller stars, break down his biggest playoff moments (and stumbles) and decide where Paul ranks in Bill’s Hall of Fame Pyramid. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 3 December 2020

In the third episode of Season 3, Bill Simmons and Jackie MacMullan explain why Kevin Garnett’s career should have been even greater than it was, compare and contrast him to Tim Duncan, break down what it was like to cover him every day, reveal why he may have been the most secretly impactful player of the past 25 years, and decide where KG ranks in Bill’s Hall of Fame Pyramid. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 25 November 2020

In the second episode of Season 3, Bill Simmons and Brian Koppelman explain why Julius Erving kept basketball fun before Bird and Magic arrived, why his barely seen ABA seasons added to his legend, why he eventually became an underrated superstar, and where he ranks in Bill’s Hall of Fame Pyramid. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 17 November 2020

In the first episode of Season 3, Bill Simmons and J.A. Adande break down Allen Iverson’s incredible career, the surreal experience of seeing him in person, why he belatedly became one of the league’s most beloved superstars, and where he ranks in Bill’s hall of fame pyramid. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 12 November 2020

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to revisit the 2010 NBA draft and discuss some of its subplots, draft comedy, and NBA legends before redrafting the top 14 lottery picks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 1 July 2020

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons and ESPN’s Zach Lowe revisit the 2009 NBA draft and discuss some of its subplots, draft comedy, and NBA legends before redrafting the top 14 lottery picks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 29 June 2020

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to revisit the 2008 NBA draft and discuss some of its subplots, draft comedy, and NBA legends before redrafting the top 14 lottery picks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 24 June 2020

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to revisit the 2007 NBA draft and discuss some of its subplots, comedy, and legends before redrafting the top 14 lottery picks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 17 June 2020

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Chris Ryan and Joe House to revisit the 2006 NBA draft and discuss some of its subplots, comedy, and legends before redrafting the top 14 lottery picks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 15 June 2020

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to revisit the 2005 NBA draft and discuss some of its subplots, draft comedy, and NBA legends before redrafting the top 14 lottery picks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 11 June 2020

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Joe House to revisit the 2004 NBA draft and discuss some of the subplots, draft comedy, and NBA legends from that class before redrafting the top 14 lottery picks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 29 May 2020

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Chad Ford to revisit the 2003 NBA draft and discuss some of the subplots and legends from that draft class before redrafting the top 14 lottery picks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 21 April 2020

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Chris Ryan and Joe House to revisit the bizarre 2002 NBA draft and discuss some of the subplots and legends from that draft class before redrafting the top 14 lottery picks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 14 April 2020

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by ESPN’s Zach Lowe to revisit the 2001 draft and discuss some of the NBA subplots and legends from that draft class before redrafting the top 14 lottery picks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 8 April 2020

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to revisit the 2000 NBA draft, talk through some of the NBA subplots and what made this draft the worst in NBA history, and then break down the first 14 lottery picks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 8 April 2020

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Joe House and Chris Ryan to revisit the 1999 NBA draft, talk through some of the NBA subplots and legends in that draft class, and redraft the first 14 lottery picks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 3 April 2020

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo and Chris Ryan to revisit the 1998 NBA draft and some of the legends in that draft class, before redrafting the first 15 picks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 1 April 2020

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Joe House to revisit the 1997 NBA draft and discuss the gravitas of NCAA basketball, the lack of info on most draft prospects, the "Duncan Lottery," and more before redrafting the top 15 picks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 31 March 2020

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to revisit the 1996 NBA draft and discuss mid-'90s NBA subplots and legends of the '96 draft class before redrafting the top-14 lottery picks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 31 March 2020

What made Bill Russell so great? Was Russell a pioneer, a genius, or both? Why did he mean so much to the 1960s? Why did he walk away after his 11th title and never look back? And why wouldn’t he forgive the city of Boston? In 2012, Bill Simmons flew to Seattle and spent two days with the greatest winner in sports history, hoping to find these answers and more. It ended up being the highlight of his career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 3 March 2020

Remember the night when Tim Duncan’s Spurs basically ended Shaq and Kobe’s quest for a four-peat, only they blew a huge lead and got saved because Robert Horry MISSED the game-winning shot? Remember when Duncan won a series against Shaq and Kobe in their primes? Remember when the thought of Duncan winning five titles seemed absurd? Remember the season when Kobe looked the most like MJ? Bill breaks it all down with The Ringer’s Shea Serrano. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 25 February 2020

Everyone remembers Kobe’s Lakers finally winning a title without Shaq in 2009. But why don’t they remember Orlando’s epic Game 4 collapse? Was this one of the biggest Finals meltdowns ever? Should the Magic have won the the series? How did those two missed free throws change Dwight Howard’s legacy? And just what the hell was Jameer Nelson doing? Bill breaks it down with The Ringer’s Kevin Clark and Joe House. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 18 February 2020

Dwight Howard was the league’s best center for five straight seasons. He even toppled LeBron in a conference finals to make the 2009 Finals. So what derailed him from being an all-time great? Was it injuries? Was he just kind of a jackass? Had the level of competition at center dipped so much that it made him seem better than he was? How do you explain his redemption with the 2019-20 Lakers? And why was Dwight the most properly rated NBA star ever? Bill breaks it all down with The Ringer’s Ryen Russillo and Joe House. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 11 February 2020

Chapter 18: In December 2012, Kobe Bryant wasn’t even halfway through his last elite Lakers season, but he was putting more thought into the bigger picture than ever before. What was leadership all about, anyway? How could he use social media to advance his message? Would he rather be remembered as a winner or a great teammate? And what made him want to pick up the phone and call Bill Simmons out of the blue? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 4 February 2020

In 2015, Kobe Bryant joined Bill Simmons and Jalen Rose on the Grantland Basketball Hour to discuss the tail end of his NBA career, his partnership with Shaquille O’Neal, the state of basketball in 2015, and his upcoming basketball documentary, ‘Muse.’ Watch the video here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 30 January 2020

Was Larry Johnson’s 4-point shot the last truly great Knicks moment? Was he fouled in the first place? Why was basketball so BAD back then? Why did we still love it so much? And was it a coincidence that James Dolan took over the Knicks shortly thereafter and ruined all the fun? Bill breaks it all down with The Ringer’s Sean Fennessey and Jason Concepcion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 23 January 2020

Chapter 7: Was Reggie Miller a superstar? Is he the best example of a player who was way ahead of his time? Did he save pro basketball in Indiana? What would he have been like during the advanced metrics era? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 14 January 2020

Chapter 6: What’s the second-best thing you can win if you never win a title? Critical acclaim! Bill made Hall of Famer Steve Nash rewatch Game 4 of the infamous 2007 Spurs-Suns series—when the Suns were derailed by suspensions, bad luck, and one terrible commissioner decision—before breaking it all down. Did the Suns get screwed? What would Nash do-over in that series? Were the Suns way ahead of their time or not ahead of their time enough? And did Phoenix’s front office sabotage that season more than the Horry shove did? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 7 January 2020

Remembering the Game 7 when Kawhi Leonard became immortal, the Jimmy Butler era ended in Philly, Joel Embiid cried, the 2019 playoffs shifted gears, and Kawhi sank the greatest (and craziest) series-winning shot of all time. Would the NBA ever be the same? Was this one of the greatest performances ever? And why did Kawhi shoot 39 times while still obeying the Secret? Bill Simmons breaks it all down with The Ringer’s Ryen Russillo and Chris Ryan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 24 December 2019

Cleveland won a championship? The Cavs rallied back from 3-1? LeBron delivered on his promise to Ohio? The Warriors blew a chance to become the greatest team ever? How did one dramatic Game 7 yield The Shot, The Block, AND The Stop? Why wasn’t Stephen Curry a bigger goat? Was this LeBron’s greatest performance ever? And did this nudge Kevin Durant to the Warriors and change the course of NBA history? Bill answers all of these questions and more as he breaks down Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals with ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 19 December 2019