Back in 1979, Magic Johnson defied basketball convention. Analysts at the time could not figure out which position he would play when coming to the NBA. Would he play point guard? His dribble wasn’t strong enough. What about power forward? His post game wasn’t strong enough. He was a conundrum that broke the mold of what an NBA point guard should be.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Take Care" by Julian Avila

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

sportshistorynetwork.com

sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/

FACEBOOK

m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/

BUSINESS CONTACT

bballhistory101@gmail.com

College basketball had existed for over 40 years when the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament was created. But why did it take so long? Well, we have the NIT to thank for that.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Slow Dance" by Doug Maxwell

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

sportshistorynetwork.com

sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/

FACEBOOK

m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/

BUSINESS CONTACT

bballhistory101@gmail.com

Johnny Beckman was one of the greatest players of the 1920s and 1930s. In fact, at the time he was considered the greatest player of all time and that is rarified air. Only a very few players ever carried the mantle of the greatest, and Beckman was one of them.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"A Slow Day" by Chiro

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

sportshistorynetwork.com

sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/

FACEBOOK

m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/

BUSINESS CONTACT

bballhistory101@gmail.com

In 1985, Villanova University did the improbable. As the 8th seed, they toppled the heavily favored Georgetown Hoyas, led by the player of the year, Patrick Ewing. They are still the lowest seeded team to win the NCAA Championship.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Take Care" by Julian Avila

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

sportshistorynetwork.com

sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/

FACEBOOK

m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/

BUSINESS CONTACT

bballhistory101@gmail.com

What if the modern NBA went back to just 8 teams like they had in the 1960s? Only 16% of the current players would still have a roster spot in a reduced league. Everyone else would have to play in the G-league, Europe, Australia, or just get a regular job. We took the top 80 players from the 2024-2025 NBA and placed them on 8 teams. Here is what those teams would look like:

Team 1 - San Francisco Warriors

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
• Kyrie Irving
• Zion Williamson
• Brandon Ingram
• DeMar DeRozen
• Miles Bridges
• Pascal Siakam
• Evan Mobley
• Nikola Vucevic
• Keynote George

Team 2 - Boston Celtics

• Giannis Antetokounmpo
• Anthony Davis
• Steph Curry
• James Harden
• Jaylen Brown
• Coby White
• Austin Reaves
• Sharron Sharpe
• Collin Sexton
• Deni Avdija

Team 3 - New York Knicks

• Nikola Jokic
• Damian Lillard
• Karl-Anthony Towns
• Ja Morant
• Jaren Jackson Jr.
• Jordan Poole
• Kristaps Porzingis
• Tyrese Haliburton
• Michael Porter Jr.
• De’Andre Hunter

Team 4 - Los Angeles Lakers

• Luka Doncic
• Lámelo Ball
• LeBron James
• Zach Lavine
• Normal Powell
• Darius Garland
• Scottie Barnes
• Julius Randle
• Bam Adebayo
• Bradley Beal

Team 5 - St. Louis Hawks

• Anthony Edwards
• Devin Booker
• Victor Wembanyama
• De’Aaron Fox
• Jalen Williams
• Jalen Green
• Anfernee Simons
• Cameron Johnson
• OG Anonuby
• Immanuel Quickley

Team 6 - Detroit Pistons

• Jayson Tatum
• Paolo Banchero
• Trae Young
• Joel Embiid
• Kawhi Leonard
• Brandon Miller
• Desmond Bane
• Jalen Johnson
• Andrew Wiggins
• Malik Monk

Team 7 - Philadelphia 76ers

• Kevin Durant
• Jalen Brunson
• Franz Wagner
• Tyler Herro
• Jamal Murray
• RJ Barrett
• Domantas Sabonis
• John Collins
• Mikal Bridges
• Dejaunte Murray

Team 8 - Cincinnati Royals

• Tyrese Maxey
• Cade Cunningham
• Cam Thomas
• Donovan Mitchell
• Trey Murphy III
• CJ McCollum
• Alperen Sengun
• Lauri Markkanen
• Jaden Ivey
• Jimmy Butler

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

sportshistorynetwork.com

sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/

FACEBOOK

m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/

BUSINESS CONTACT

bballhistory101@gmail.com

Charles “Tarzan” Cooper was the best center of the 1930s. He was only 6'3, but a hundred years ago that meant you were a big man. He played the center position like few others and scored almost at will. He also helped lead his team to the 1939 World Basketball Championship, an integrated tournament that brought in the best teams around.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Upbeat Jazz Music I New York, 1924" by Ross Bugden

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

sportshistorynetwork.com

sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/

FACEBOOK

m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/

BUSINESS CONTACT

bballhistory101@gmail.com

For decades Oscar Schmidt was the greatest scorer in basketball history, amassing over 49,000 points for club and country. He played for 29 years at the professional level. For many years he was considered the best player in the world outside the NBA. So why did he never join the NBA? Today, we answer that question and more.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Brazilian Samba" by Benjamin Tissot

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

sportshistorynetwork.com

sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/

FACEBOOK

m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/

BUSINESS CONTACT

bballhistory101@gmail.com

The 1984 Olympic Team played eight exhibition games against a team of NBA All-Stars to prepare for the LA Olympics. The Olympic team, made up of college amateurs, won all eight games. The NBA All-Star team included players like Magic, Isiah, Bird, and McHale.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Take Care" by Julian Avila

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

sportshistorynetwork.com

sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/

FACEBOOK

m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/

BUSINESS CONTACT

bballhistory101@gmail.com