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© Rick Loayza
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I am your author and host, Rick Loayza. This is the blog and podcast where we bring to life some of the forgotten stories from basketball history.
I love basketball. I love watching it. I love reading about it. I love learning about its history. I am, for all intents and purposes, a basketball junkie. I’ve coached all three of my kids in youth basketball. In fact, I still coach my youngest each winter. Something just happened to me when I was 11 where I was bitten by the basketball bug. And starting then, I just couldn’t get enough of this amazing game.
And the purpose of this podcast and blog is to bring back some of the old stories from basketball’s history. I want to bring you a new story each week from the older days of basketball before there were 22 cameras and instant highlights on your device. Of course, any story from anywhere in basketball history is up for grabs. But I want the focus to be on those stories that are interesting and impactful but long forgotten.
I’ll be covering stories going all the way back to the invention of the game in the 1890s, to the barnstorming days of basketball in the 1920s and 30s, to the creation of the current NBA in the 1940s and beyond.
So, if you love basketball as much as I do, or you just want to hear a few stories from basketball’s past, then go ahead and subscribe to the podcast and come back to this blog to hear or read a new story each week.
For me, this is a labor of love as I get to work with my older son, Jacob Loayza, who serves as my editor and producer. Until next time…
I love basketball. I love watching it. I love reading about it. I love learning about its history. I am, for all intents and purposes, a basketball junkie. I’ve coached all three of my kids in youth basketball. In fact, I still coach my youngest each winter. Something just happened to me when I was 11 where I was bitten by the basketball bug. And starting then, I just couldn’t get enough of this amazing game.
And the purpose of this podcast and blog is to bring back some of the old stories from basketball’s history. I want to bring you a new story each week from the older days of basketball before there were 22 cameras and instant highlights on your device. Of course, any story from anywhere in basketball history is up for grabs. But I want the focus to be on those stories that are interesting and impactful but long forgotten.
I’ll be covering stories going all the way back to the invention of the game in the 1890s, to the barnstorming days of basketball in the 1920s and 30s, to the creation of the current NBA in the 1940s and beyond.
So, if you love basketball as much as I do, or you just want to hear a few stories from basketball’s past, then go ahead and subscribe to the podcast and come back to this blog to hear or read a new story each week.
For me, this is a labor of love as I get to work with my older son, Jacob Loayza, who serves as my editor and producer. Until next time…
289 Episodes
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Kareem Abdul-Jabber spent one season as an assistant coach at Alchesay High School, a Native American school. This is the story of that season where he learned as much as he taught the boys on the basketball team.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"The Heartbeat of Mother Earth" by Carlos Carty"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com
Bill Laimbeer was one of the biggest villains in NBA history. He was an easy player to hate if you were not a fan of the Detroit Pistons. However, he was a player who grew up with luxury and privilege in Southern California. So where did he develop his attitude on the court? Today we share that story.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Take Care" by Julian Avila"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com
The American Basketball League (ABL) was the first major pro basketball league starting in 1925. They paid their players enough money that the players did not need another job. It was the first league of its kind and set the blueprint for future leagues like the NBA.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"A Slow Day" by Chiro"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com
When John Wooden retired from coaching UCLA, the big question was how do you replace John Wooden? Gene Bartow was hired away from Memphis State to take over UCLA. It was a no-win situation. This is that story. But that should not take away from the fact that Bartow was a great coach.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Take Care" by Julian Avila"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com
Chuck Daly is one of the greatest coaches the NBA has ever seen. He is also one of the most beloved coaches. He made lifelong friends everywhere he went. That is rare in an environment as competitive as the NBA. Today, we focus on his relationships with his players.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com
Jumpin’ Joe Fulks was the NBA’s very first scoring leader back in 1947. He also led his team, the Philadelphia Warriors, to the very first NBA championship. Yet, he hardly ever gets talked about today. We correct that with this episode.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"1940s Slow Dance" by Doug"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com
Kobe Bryant once shot four airballs in five minutes in a playoff game against the Utah Jazz. But that failure had a direct impact on Kobe becoming one of the greatest players of all time.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Rap Beat" by MaverickMyers"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com
UCLA won 10 National Championships under Coach John Wooden. But what many don’t know is that behind the scenes a booster named Sam Gilbert had been providing improper financial benefits to UCLA players for decades. This is his story.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Funky Retro Funk [Funk Music]" by MokkaMusic"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com
The NBA was struggling financially in the late 1970s. They needed something to turn things around. In 1979, two rookies joined and led their teams to the two best records in the entire league and made the NBA popular and fun again.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Take Care" by Julian Avila"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com
Everyone knows about Linsanity. But in this episode, we take you back to Lin’s childhood in Palo Alto, California where he was an undersized point guard who seemingly had no chance to make the NBA.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Broken" by AJ PRO"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com
In 78 years of NBA Drafts, the top pick has helped his team to a championship only 10 times. Here is that list.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Flashing Lights" by MokkaMusic"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com
The ABA did everything they could to land Lew Alcindor as an ABA player with the New York Nets. They prepared a file on him and were ready to offer nearly a million dollars more than the Milwaukee Bucks. So, why did Alcindor sign with the Bucks? The ABA misread the negotiations, and this is that story.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"60s and 70s Rock" by Hyde"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com
Johnny Neumann was one of those players who should be remembered as an ABA superstar. But his youth and immaturity undermined his own career. He started out hot, averaging 18 points/game as a rookie, but then quickly saw his numbers drop. Neumann is a cautionary tale about what it takes to achieve greatness in the pros.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Disco Funk" by Jam Morgan"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com
The NBA has had a variety of Big 3s in its history, but we want to go back to the 1940s to share the story of the original Big 3. We share the championship run of the Minneapolis Lakers, which featured George Mikan, Vern Mikkelson, and Jim Pollard.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"1940s Slow Dance" by Doug"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com
The shot to tie Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals was the biggest shot of Ray Allen’s career But did you know that he had been practicing that scenario for years? This is the story of that preparation.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Flashing Lights” by MokkaMusic"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com
Bob Cousy and Bill Russell won six NBA championships in just seven seasons as teammates. But after their careers ended they rarely spoke. It wasn’t until later in their lives that they were able to reconnect. In today’s episode we delve into why they were not able to maintain that connection.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"" by "Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com
The formal professional dunk contest was the 1976 ABA Dunk Contest. It featured Dr. J, David Thompson, and George "Ice Man" Gervin. It was a great idea, but nobody knew how to run a dunk contest. What were the rules? And should the dunkers plan out their dunks, or just improvise?CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Disco Funk" by Jam Morgan"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com
The 1972 Olympic Gold Medal Match was between the USA and the USSR. This was more than just a game. This was a battle of political ideologies. Going into the game the USA had never lost an Olympic game. But the Soviets would not be intimidated.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"Коробейники" by VladimirGLenin"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com
We wrap our story on Jerry West by reviewing his time as an NBA executive. He was arguably a better executive than he was a player, and was already one of the greatest players of all time. As an executive alone he went to the NBA Finals 14 times. That is some true excellence.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"50s Noir Jazz" by TaleKeeper Studios"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com
Jerry West played in the NBA Finals 9 times and won the championship only once. It was a career that frustrated him to the point that he threatened to retire several timesCREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"50s Noir Jazz" by Talekeeper Studios"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com
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