The G.O.T.E. - The Greatest of Their Era

Offense wins games. Defense wins championships. The axiom, like most general rules in life, rings true. The only thing more impressive than putting the ball into the basket in spectacular fashion is stopping an elite athlete from putting the ball into the basket in spectacular fashion. Defensive players are the specialist’s specialist. They study tendencies. Traits. Behaviors. Memorize opponent’s playbooks. They overview performances to a tee to devise a strategic counter-attack. Whether they’re picking a player up at the baseline for 94 feet, or establishing physical dominance at the rim, the defensive standouts throughout NBA history are some of the most unique athletes known to man — wired differently than most.  Today we have the HONOR of speaking with a player from the grueling 80’s era who hustled his way into the Hall of Fame by being excellent at his defensive craft, and served as the paradigm of guards winning the Defensive Player of the Year Award throughout that decade, Michael Cooper!! You do not want to miss the gems Coach Coop imparts from his playing days, and the insights from his 2025 Big3 Championship winning team. This episode is a real Westside Connection - tune in!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seth and Tray discuss the big men that shaped the NBA during the 90's, from Hakeem Olajuwon and Patrick Ewing to David Robinson and Shaquille O'Neal. They rank the Top-5 Centers of the time, and describe why Vlade Divac was "born in the wrong era." Seth talks about his family connection to Alonzo Mourning and how he memorized 90's players free throw routines, plus Tray remembers the incredible swag of the Dikembe Mutombo finger wag and why it changed the rules in the league. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is a fraternity within the NBA fraternity comprised of a particular breed of relentless, scrappy individuals who have made a way out of seemingly no way. These men are the Swiss Army Knives of the league, readily adaptable by any means necessary to contribute to their ball club however needed. This is a unique club that our very own host, Seth Curry, is a proud member of— a distinction he touts as a badge of honor rather than a marker of shame. This elite club is the Mud Boyz, more commonly known as undrafted players in the league. They started from the bottom and are STILL here! Today, we sit with special guest C.J. Watson to discuss the most notable players who went undrafted throughout the 2000’s. You won’t want to miss this discussion!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we’re showing love to the Big Dawgs who played in one of the last truly physical eras of the NBA. These giants had imposing physiques and were not afraid to turn their backs to the basket to overpower and demoralize opponents. Sure, they could shoot too and had range, but this elite list that we’re discussing today made their hay doing the dirty work and sending an overt message to whomever they faced: YOU CANNOT STOP ME. Tune in to find out which power forwards we think did it best.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2000’s is marked with so many trendsetting players that impacted not only their franchises, but the league as a whole. Whether we’re talking international giants, college standouts, high-flying League Pass acrobats, the youngest eventual MVP, or the kid from Akron, we can say without a doubt that these players lived up to the hype! Tune in to listen to us debate which players made our Top 5. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it mean to have a “handle” on a situation? It means you’re in absolute and steady control, despite any pressure that is applied. It means you understand what is required to advance, and you’re effective enough to convert on your progress. It means you have flow. Today, we’re gonna unpack the improvisational brilliance of maestros who played the blue notes of the scales. We’re excited to have a guest who has been flowin’ since the Mix Tape Era: Austin Rivers himself. Tap in to find out who indeed had the Greatest Handles of the 2010’s. Special thanks to Scott Rochelle and the NBRPASee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When we think of finishing in the paint, our minds usually travel to high flying dunks. However, a crafty layup finish that defies gravity and the laws of physics equally can take our breaths away. Today, we salute the fearless players who were able to enthrall crowds and confuse defenders with their inventive footwork, incredible wingspans, unorthodox timing, and improvised creativity. Tune in to find out who were the best at finishing at the rim during an era still littered with big men stationed in the paint.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alright folks, we’re back discussing the greatest sixth men of their era. Except this time, we’re focusing on the 2010’s- a time filled with high flyers, volume shooters, and selfless players who could simply do it all on the floor. The 2010’s notably heralded perennial sixth men who possessed unique styles of play and the ability to fill in the gaps by exploiting the rhythm of the game. There were also dark horse hustlers who made impacts in their own special ways that could not be emulated. Tune in as we speak with sixth man and world champion Damion Lee as he discusses his approach to the game as a proud member of the “Bench Mob!”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we’re honored to welcome back to our program Mr. Craig Hodges to get into the nitty gritty when it comes to pure sharp shooting. Not shooting. Sharpshooting! “What’s the difference?,” you ask. One gets the job done while the other puts fear into the hearts and minds of opponents and crowds. It’s the unrelenting surety that once the ball leaves the fingertips of said mercenary, the defense might as well cherry pick into transition offense. It’s a done deal. “Foundation, form, and follow through” are the pillars of the fraternity within the fraternity — as the perennial 3-point champ coaches.  This episode we break down the mechanics, mindsets, and everything in between that constitutes an ice cold assassin from the ‘90’s. Tap in to get some pointers on your jump shot. If you enjoyed this two-parter featuring the multiple world champion and political icon Craig Hodges, check out his book “Long Shot: The Triumphs and Struggles of an NBA Freedom FighterSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy Juneteenth! As we know, freedom doesn’t come freely. Today, we celebrate athletes who put it all on the line and sacrificed in the struggle for equality and justice for all. We have a very special guest, Mr. Craig Hodges, with us to not only describe how he was blackballed by the league in the early ‘90’s for taking a righteous stand, but more importantly talk about the heroic figures throughout his lifetime who molded and shaped him to be courageous of spirit and of sound mind and conscience. You won’t want to miss some of these never told before stories that serve to inform, educate, and inspire! Oh, and tune in to find out who REALLY taught the Bulls the triangle offense…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on the pod we’re breaking new ground — tapping into the 1980’s!! A physical era that played ball inside out. A time when the NBA went from its Finals being preempted to transitioning into prime time live television - thanks to some of the players we’re discussing today. To delve into this wild era, we relied on an expert to be our guide. A walking library. A small forward with BIG game. Showtime’s own, the Hall of Fame 1982 #1 draft pick out of North Carolina, James Worthy, joins our show today to break down the era and the talent it was littered with. You don’t want to miss this!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today’s episode we highlight the players who grind the hardest and make the most of their moments on the court. Every championship contending team has one of these- a formidable sixth man. A hungry player who gets on the floor and immediately impacts the pace and complexion of a game through his style of play. A noteworthy sixth man is a trusted player who can lead the second unit and give the starters a much needed breather while continuing to execute the game plan. See who Tray and Seth think got it out the mud and did it best throughout the 2000’s.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve all heard this term thrown around — “clutch” — but what does that really mean? Is it a trait that’s teachable? Is it innate? Does making the right “basketball play” disqualify one from being considered such? Depending on who you ask you will hear different qualifications, and how that ability stacks up against other attributes. Today, we intend to set the record straight by highlighting the closers who delivered with a go-ahead bucket, free throw, or finish at the basket when the stakes are the highest and the game is on the line. Special shout out to the players with ice in their veins. Find out who tops our list for the 2000’s.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ladies and gentleman, we have a special episode upon our hands — highlighted by the most noteworthy guest. For us to break down the best shooting guards of the 90’s, it is only right that we bring on the progenitor of the Curry Brand, one of the original Leaders of the Long Range, Mr. Dell Curry himself! Now he’s known as Stephen and Seth’s dad, but in the 90’s Dell was known as that man with the arm cannon who you selected on NBA Jam — a deadly sniper who not only exploited the three-point line, but who also workshopped its origins in college. That’s right, we caught up with one of the true OG’s to not only break down the finer points of the Shooting Guard position throughout the 90’s era but also speak to the ongoing evolution of the nuanced position…and the league in general. You won’t want to miss all the jewels dropped in this enlightening trip down Memory Lane!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the NBA continued to evolve, we began to witness what was once a rarity become more commonplace: the positionless player. Rather than fitting into a neat box and performing specific duties on the floor, this new type of player had more versatility and range. Mentally, they were agnostic to playing within a limited job description. They wanted all the smoke all over the floor and had the varied skillsets, attributes & athletic build of a 1 through 5 – offensively and defensively. Today, we pay homage to those special players who did it all on both sides of the court with finesse, grace, and sheer grit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.