Digest

The podcast begins with the host greeting the audience in Akron, Ohio, and sharing his recent travel experiences. He then introduces his co-host, Tim Bontemps, and guest, Ban McMahon, before welcoming NBA player Larry Nance Jr. to the show. Nance discusses his connection to Akron, his experiences playing with Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, and his recent trade to the Atlanta Hawks. The conversation then shifts to the possibility of LeBron James and his son, Bronny, playing together in the NBA. Nance shares the story of how he ended up playing basketball at Wyoming and reflects on his time with the Lakers and Cavaliers. He also discusses his experiences playing with Zion Williamson in New Orleans and the emotional and logistical aspects of being traded in the NBA. The host then introduces Keith Dambrot, a legendary basketball coach who coached LeBron James in high school. Dambrot recounts a pivotal moment in LeBron James's career when he took him to San Francisco to play in front of Sonny Vaccaro, a key figure in the sneaker industry. He also discusses his recent coaching experience at Duquesne University, leading them to the NCAA tournament for the first time in 47 years and pulling off an upset against BYU. Dambrot reflects on his coaching philosophy and the unpredictable nature of basketball, highlighting the importance of teamwork and player development. He praises Brian Windhorst's success as a journalist and acknowledges his journey from humble beginnings to his current position. The podcast concludes with a thank you to the audience and a donation of $20,000 to St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, where LeBron James played basketball.

Outlines

00:00:00

Akron, Ohio: A Basketball Mecca

The podcast begins with greetings to the audience in Akron, Ohio. The host acknowledges the murals on the walls and mentions his past experiences attending shows at the venue. He then shares his recent travel experiences, including losing his luggage for five days and encountering delays that led to a late arrival in Cleveland. He shares a heartwarming story about a Hoop Collective fan who helped him get to his destination.

00:02:17

Introducing the Guests: Tim Bontemps, Ban McMahon, and Larry Nance Jr.

The host introduces his co-host, Tim Bontemps, and a guest, Ban McMahon, both of whom receive letterman jackets as a gift. The conversation turns to Akron and the guests' impressions of the city. The host then welcomes NBA player Larry Nance Jr. as a guest. They discuss Nance's connection to Akron, his experiences playing with Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, and his recent trade to the Atlanta Hawks.

00:08:05

Father's Day Trivia and the LeBron-Bronny Connection

The host poses a trivia question about the biggest day in the NBA, revealing the answer to be Father's Day. The conversation shifts to the possibility of LeBron James and his son, Bronny, playing together in the NBA. Nance shares the story of how he ended up playing basketball at Wyoming, highlighting the role of former Cowboys coach Larry Shyatt and his father's belief in his potential.

00:11:23

Nance's Experiences with the Lakers and Cavaliers

Nance reflects on his time with the Lakers, playing alongside Kobe Bryant, and his transition to the Cavaliers, where he faced pressure to win a championship. He shares his memories of watching LeBron James play in high school and discusses the impact of James's 2017 playoff run, particularly his game-winning shots against Indiana and Toronto.

00:16:27

Nance's Time with the Pelicans and Zion Williamson

Nance talks about his experiences playing with Zion Williamson in New Orleans, highlighting Williamson's incredible athleticism and potential. He discusses the emotional and logistical aspects of being traded in the NBA, sharing his experiences with various trades throughout his career.

00:32:28

Introducing Keith Dambrot: LeBron James's High School Coach

The host introduces Keith Dambrot, a legendary basketball coach who coached LeBron James in high school and led him to two state championships. They discuss Dambrot's coaching career and his impact on James's development. Dambrot recounts a pivotal moment in LeBron James's career when he took James to San Francisco to play in front of Sonny Vaccaro, a key figure in the sneaker industry.

00:44:28

Dambrot's Coaching Philosophy and the Inexact Science of Basketball

Dambrot discusses his recent coaching experience at Duquesne University, leading them to the NCAA tournament for the first time in 47 years and pulling off an upset against BYU. He reflects on his coaching philosophy and the unpredictable nature of basketball, highlighting the importance of teamwork and player development. He praises Brian Windhorst's success as a journalist and acknowledges his journey from humble beginnings to his current position.

00:50:30

Closing Remarks and Donation to St. Vincent-St. Mary

The podcast concludes with a thank you to the audience and a donation of $20,000 to St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, where LeBron James played basketball.

Keywords

Q&A

• What was the most memorable moment you had coaching LeBron James in high school?

  Keith Dambrot shares a story about a tournament game where LeBron was struggling and he had to give him a stern talking-to at halftime. He emphasizes that LeBron was a team-first player who always wanted to be coached and challenged.

• How did you end up coaching at Duquesne University?

  Dambrot explains that he left St. Vincent-St. Mary to coach at Duquesne, his alma mater, because he wanted to give back to the university that gave him a second chance in coaching. He also mentions that he was tired of hearing his father talk about how bad Duquesne was.

• What was it like to coach a team that had never experienced the NCAA tournament before?

  Dambrot describes the feeling of leading Duquesne to the NCAA tournament for the first time in 47 years as a great accomplishment, especially considering the program's history of struggles. He emphasizes that the team had a self-fulfilling prophecy of losing every year, but they were able to break that cycle.

• What are your thoughts on the future of the Cleveland Cavaliers?

  Dambrot expresses optimism about the Cavaliers' potential, highlighting the importance of player development for Evan Mobley and Darius Garland. He believes that if Mobley can elevate his offensive game, the Cavaliers could become a top team in the Eastern Conference.

• What is your biggest takeaway from your coaching career?

  Dambrot emphasizes the importance of teamwork and player development, noting that even without LeBron James, the players he coached at St. Vincent-St. Mary were talented and had high basketball IQs. He stresses the importance of staying together as a team and supporting each other.

Show Notes