All Things Basketball with GD podcast, hosted by GD That Sports Dude

Trade deadline breakdown (00:35)

Friday, 2/4

LAC: G/F Norman Powell, F Robert Covington

POR: G Eric Bledsoe, F Justise Winslow, G Keon Johnson, 2025 2nd rd pick (via DET)

Sunday, 2/6

CLE: G/F Caris LeVert, 2022 2nd rd pick (via MIA)

IND: G Ricky Rubio, 2022 lottery protected 1st rd pick, 2022 2nd rd pick (via HOU), 2027 2nd rd pick (via UTA)

Tuesday, 2/8

NOP: G CJ McCollum, F/C Larry Nance Jr, G/F Tony Snell

POR: G Josh Hart, G Tomas Santoransky, G Nickeil Alexander-Walker, G/F Didi Louzada

SAC: F/C Domantas Sabonis, G Jeremy Lamb, G/F Justin Holiday, 2027 2nd rd pick

IND: G Tyrese Haliburton, G Buddy Hield, C/F Tristan Thompson

Wednesday, 2/9

UTA: G Nickeil Alexander-Walker, F Juancho Hernangomez

SAS: G Tomas Santoransky

POR: G/F Joe Ingles, F Elijah Hughes

Thursday, 2/10

MIL: F/C Serge Ibaka

SAC: G Donte DiVincenzo, G/F Josh Jackson

DET: F Marvin Bagley III

LAC: F Semi Ojeleye, G/F Rodney Hood

SAS: G Goran Dragic, 2022 lottery protected 1st rd pick

TOR: F/C Thaddeus Young, C Drew Eubanks, 2022 2nd rd pick (via DET)

PHI: G James Harden, F Paul Millsap

BKN: G Ben Simmons, G Seth Curry, C Andre Drummond, 2022 1st rd pick, 2027 protected 1st rd pick

BOS: G Derrick White

SAS: G/F Josh RIchardson, G Romeo Langford, 2022 lottery protected 1st rd pick

PHO: F Torrey Craig

IND: F Jalen Smith, future 2nd rd pick

CHA: F/C Montrezl Harrell

WAS: G Ish Smith, C Vernon Carey Jr

WAS: F/C Kristaps Porzingis

DAL: G Spencer Dinwiddie, F Davis Bertans

BOS: C Daniel Theis

HOU: G Dennis Schroeder, C Enes Freedom, F Bruno Fernando

Week 16 review (00:34)

All Star reserves reaction/Rising Stars thoughts (00:42)

East:

Jimmy Butler (MIA), Darius Garland (CLE), James Harden (BKN), Zach LaVine (CHI), Khris Middleton (MIL), Jayson Tatum (BOS), Fred VanVleet (TOR)

West:

Devin Booker (PHO), Chris Paul (PHO), Luka Doncic (DAL), Rudy Gobert (UTA), Donovan Mitchell (UTA), Karl Anthony Towns (MIN), Draymond Green (GSW)

Actually Draymond may not play so they'll have to pick a replacement player

Among four guys: Dejounte Murray (SAS), Anthony Edwards (MIN), Jaren Jackson Jr (MEM), Desmond Bane (MEM)

Outside of that, I got 6 out of 7 picks for the West

The biggest snubs to me in the East was Jaylen Brown (BOS) & Jarrett Allen (CLE)

There's still a possibility for either guy to make it with Kevin Durant likely to be replaced since he's injured

Another  under the radar snub to me was Pascal Siakam (TOR) who's playing great  even in light of OG Anunoby improving & rookie Scottie Barnes  playing well

Overall I got 5 of 7 picks for the East

Kudos to the East coaches for not picking a guy like Kyrie Irving given his small body of work & the circumstances of him playing part-time

Kudos to the West coaches for not choosing Anthony Davis who's been hurt most of the 1st half of the season & Russell Westbrook who's having a  down year

For the Rising Stars Challenge, they've changed the format to a round robin of 4 teams with 7 guys on each roster

Consists of 12 rookies, 12 sophomores & 4 G-Leaguers

Here's the list of players...

Rookies:

Scottie Barnes (TOR), Cade Cunningham (DET), Ayo Dosunmu (CHI), Chris Duarte  (IND), Jalen Green (HOU), Josh Giddey (OKC), Herbert Jones (NOP), Davion  Mitchell (SAC), Evan Mobley (CLE), Alperen Sengun (HOU), Jalen Suggs  (ORL), Franz Wagner (ORL)

Sophs:

Precious  Achiuwa (TOR), Cole Anthony (ORL), LaMelo Ball (CHA), Desmond Bane (MEM), Saddiq Bey (DET), Anthony Edwards (MIN), Tyrese Haliburton (SAC), Tyrese Maxey (PHI), Jaden McDaniels (MIN), Isaac Okoro (CLE), Isaiah Stewart (DET), Jae'Sean Tate (HOU)

G League:

MarJon Beauchamp, Dyson Daniels, Jaden Hardy, Scoot Henderson

So the question was asked: why isn't there any NYK players on either list?

The talk around the league is about all the young talent they have

Bottom line: Tom Thibodeau's coaching style doesn't lend itself to leaning heavily on his rookies & sophs

Would have loved to see Quentin Grimes, Obi Toppin or Immanuel Quickley there, but they aren't getting the consistent minutes that allow them to shine

The only player we'll likely see that weekend is Toppin in the Dunk Contest (hopefully he doesn't get robbed again)

Nonetheless I'm interested in seeing this new format & how it shakes out

Chuck Cooper (00:45)

SF/PF - 6'5", 210 lb

Born 9/29/26 in Pittsburgh, PA (birth name: Charles Henry Cooper)

Grew up in a segregated Pittsburgh area; attended Westinghouse HS

Enrolled at WV State College, a HBCU where he stayed only one semester

Was drafted by the US Navy to serve during World War II

After his tour of duty he went back home to Pittsburgh & attended Duquesne University

4 year starter scoring a school record 990 points; Led his team to 2 NIT tourneys

Was the 1st Black player to play a college game south of the Mason-Dixon line

In the 1950 Draft he became the 1st Black player drafted by BOS (2nd round, 13th overall)

Also drafted: teammate Bob Cousy (4th), Bill Sharman (17th), Earl Lloyd (101st)

Made his NBA debut on 11/1/50, one day after Lloyd

Played for 4 seasons in BOS before being traded to Milwaukee Hawks for 1 1/2 seasons

Was released & signed with Fort Wayne Pistons but played only 32 games there & then retired from the NBA

Would go on towards a life of social activism, particularly in the Pittsburgh area

Inducted into the PA Sports Hall of Fame in 1974 & the Naismith HoF in 2019 as a contributor; #15 jersey retired in 2001

Died 2/5/84 of liver cancer in Pittsburgh at the age of 57

Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton (13:33)

PF - 6'7", 220 lb

Born 10/13/22 in England, AR (in the Little Rock area); birth name: Clifton Nathaniel

Got the nickname Sweetwater because of his mixing water with sugar & not from his love of soda which was previously reported

His family migrated to CHI at age 8; played both basketball & baseball at DuSable HS

CHI Daily News called him one of the 2 greatest HS basketball players in Illinois history

Attended Xavier University (of LA), a HBCU, for one season before being drafted by the US Army to serve during World War II

After his service he started playing with the Dayton Metropolitans, NY Rens & Harlem Globetrotters from 1948-50

In the offseason he played baseball with the CHI American Giants (Negro Leagues)

Globetrotters owner Abe Saperstein sold his contract to the NYK for $12,500 ($2500 to Clifton)

Clifton thus became the 1st Black player to sign with the NBA

An integral part of the team; made the NBA Finals in his 1st 3 seasons 

Ended up making one All Star appearance during his 7 seasons with NYK

Was traded to DET where he played only one season due to his unhappiness with his role; retired after the season

Post-NBA he went back to the Negro Leagues; came out of retirement from basketball to play in the ABL, for the CHI Majors in 1961

A knee injury forced him to retire for good from all sports

With no pension from the NBA he became a taxi driver serving the CHI area

Inudcted into the Naismith HoF in 2014 as a contributor

Died 8/31/90 In Chicago at age 67

Earl  Lloyd (25:10)

SF - 6'5", 200 lb (nicknames: Big Cat, Moon Fixer)

Born 4/3/28 in Alexandria, VA (birth name: Earl Francis Lloyd)

Attended Parker-Gray HS, a segregated school in Alexandria

Drafted in the 1950 Draft by the Washington Capitols (9th round, 101st overall)

Played his 1st pro game on 10/31/50; one day before Chuck Cooper & 4 days before Nat Clifton

Only played 7 games as a rookie; team folded in 1951

Was drafted to serve in the US Army to fight during the Korean War

Had his most successful season in 1954-55 as SYR won the NBA title

He & teammate Jim Tucker became the 1st Blacks to play in a NBA Finals

Played 6 seasons in SYR before being traded to DET for cash; played 2 seasons there until he retired in 1961

Inducted into the Naismith HoF as a contributor in 2003

Died 2/26/2015 in Fairfield Glade, TN at age 86

Show notes to follow...

All Star Reserves - East (00:30)

The candidates:

F  Jimmy Butler (MIA), G Tyler Herro (MIA), G Zach LaVine (CHI), F Tobias  Harris (PHI), G Darius Garland (CLE), C Jarrett Allen (CLE), F Khris  Middleton (MIL), G Jrue Holiday (MIL), G James Harden (BKN), F Miles  Bridges (CHA), G LaMelo Ball (CHA), G Fred VanVleet (TOR), F Pascal  Siakam (TOR), F OG Anunoby (TOR), F Jayson Tatum (BOS), G Jaylen Brown  (BOS), F Julius Randle (NYK), F Domantas Sabonis (IND), G Bradley Beal  (WAS)

Reserves consist of 2 guards, 3 frontcourt players & 2 wild cards picks

My predictions (probably no Kyrie Irving given the short amount of games played):

G  - Darius Garland -> being that the game will be in Cleveland he is  pretty much a shoo-in, especially with the way the team is playing

G  - James Harden -> with the slight chance that Kevin Durant can't  play he should make it in & could be the only representative

F - Jayson Tatum -> pretty much solid all season long for a team that's hanging around in the playoff picture

F - Jimmy Butler -> as the leader of the top team in the conference it seems he's guaranteed to get in

F - Jarrett Allen -> I think the city of Cleveland will be rewarded with 2 players from their team getting in

W - Zach LaVine -> The wait is over; he finally makes his 1st appearance this year

W - Jaylen Brown -> Will probably make a return to the game again

Possible replacements for Kevin Durant: Khris Middleton, Domantas Sabonis, Fred VanVleet

I think VanVleet sneaks in as Durant's fill-in

All Star Reserves - West (24:16)

The candidates:

G  Devin Booker (PHO), G Chris Paul (PHO), F Draymond Green (GSW), G  Desmond Bane (MEM), G Donovan Mitchell (UTA), C Rudy Gobert (UTA), G  Luka Doncic (DAL), C Karl Anthony Towns (MIN), F Anthony Edwards (MIN), G  D'Angelo Russell (MIN), G Russell Westbrook (LAL), C Jusuf Nurkic  (POR), F Brandon Ingram (NOP), C Jonas Valanciunas (NOP), G Dejounte  Murray (SAS)

Reserves consist of 2 guards, 3 frontcourt players & 2 wild cards picks

My predictions (probably no Anthony Davis, Paul George or Damian Lillard thanks to injuries):

G - Devin Booker -> the top player for the league's best team is a shoo-in to make the game

G  - Luka Doncic -> was among the leading vote getter in the early  returns but squeezed out by Ja Morant; he makes the squad nonetheless

F - Karl Anthony Towns -> enjoying a fantastic season for a surprising Minnesota team

F - Anthony Edwards -> the exciting sophomore has been a key cog in Minnesota's surge as playoff contenders

F - Rudy Gobert -> the anchor of a tough Utah defense will once again make the team

W - Donovan Mitchell -> the de facto leader of a solid Utah squad (I'm doing a mea culpa: Mitchell over Dejounte Murray)

W - Chris Paul -> the quarterback for the top team in the NBA

The results come this Thursday, Feb 3rd

Hakeem Olajuwon - 7'0", 255 lb (00:30)

Born 1/21/63 in Lagos, Nigeria (Akeem Abdul Olajuwon)

Family of 6; his parents owned a cement mixing company

Started playing at age 15; mostly played soccer & handball when younger

Entered a basketball tournament at Muslim Teachers College

As a HS junior he played in All-Africa Games

Emigrated to the US to attend the University of Houston in 1981

Coach Guy Lewis invited him on the recommendation of a friend

Redshirted in his 1st year; his soccer & handball skills served him well for basketball

In his debut season he came off the bench

Made it to the Final 4; lost to eventual champs UNC

In the summer of 1982 he worked out with HOU's Moses Malone

With his newfound skills which earned him the nickname The Dream, he became the starter & averaged 13.9 PPG, 11.4 RPG & 5.1 BPG

A member of the famed fraternity Phi Slama Jama

Made it to Final 4 again to face Louisville & won behind Olajuwon's 21 pts, 22 rebs & 8 blks; upset in the Finals to NC State

Returned the following season; led the nation in rebounds (13.5), blocks (5.6) & FG% (67.5)

Got back to the NCAA Finals; lost to Patrick Ewing's Georgetown team

Declared himself eligible for the 1984 Draft; HOU wins coin toss & picks him #1

Other picks: Michael Jordan (#3), Charles Barkley (#5), John Stockton (#16) & Oscar Schmidt (#131)

Made the All Star team as a rookie; finished 2nd to Jordan as Rookie of the Year

Him & Sampson formed what was the Twin Towers

In 1985-86 his sophomore season a greater success

Beat SAC, DEN & LAL to reach NBA Finals; lost to BOS in 6 games

The next few seasons saw Sampson's decline due to sore knees; was eventually traded

In his 1st full season as franchise player & under new coach Don Chaney he led the league in rebounds (13.5); lost in 1st rd to SEA

In 1989-90 he had one of the greatest defensive seasons by a center since Bill Russell

His 14 RPG & 4.6 BPG led the NBA; had one of the only 4 quadruple-doubles in history: 18 pts, 16 rebs, 10 asts & 11 blks

In 1990-91 he became a truly devout Muslim; changed his name from Akeem to Hakeem

Missed 25 games (broken orbital bones)

In 1991-92 he endured a coaching change with Chaney fired & replaced with Rudy Tomjanovich; missed 7 games (irregular heartbeat)

In 1992-93 the team & Hakeem progressed under coach Rudy T

Won Defensive Player of the Year; led NBA in blocks (4.2)

Finished 2nd in MVP voting to Barkley; lost in West semis to SEA

1993-94 became his greatest season; won another DPOY, league MVP, a NBA title & a Finals MVP

Averaged 27.3 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 3.7 BPG, 1.6 SPG & 52.8% FG; topped POR, PHO, UTA & NYK

In 1994-95 his team got off to sluggish start; reignited by midseason trade for college teammate Drexler

As 6th seed they got back to the Finals; beat UTA, PHO, SAS & swept ORL to win it all & another Finals MVP

From 1995-96 to 2000-01 they never matched that playoff success again

Made Dream Team II & won a gold medal

Played 2 more seasons before going to TOR; ended a 20 year stay in HOU

Retired after 2001-02 season; after his playing career he ran his Big Man Camp

ACCOLADES:

Became only player in the top 11 all time in 4 major categories when he retired

Now is the all time leader in blocks, 9th in steals, 12th in points & 14th in rebounds

His #34 jersey retired (2000)

Inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2008 & FIBA HoF in 2016

50th & 75th Anniversary Teams

Named to 50th & 75th Anniversary Teamsx All Star, 12x All-NBA, 9x All-Defense, 2x Reb Champ 3x Block Champ, 1 MVP, 2x DPOY, 2x NBA Champ, 2x Finals MVP, 1 Olympic gold medal

Show notes to follow...

Isiah Thomas (00:30)

6'1", 180 lb; played PG

Born April 30, 1961 in Chicago, IL; family of 9 children (7 boys, 2 girls)

Grew up in roughest & poorest part of town (Chicago's West Side)

His mother Mary Thomas had a TV movie based on her life

Went to St Joseph HS in the Westchester area; led them to state finals as a junior

As a top prospect, goes to Indiana University; many thought the combo of coach Bob Knight & Isiah would clash

Finished freshman year being named 1st team All-American

Selected to US Olympic team in 1980; US boycott those Olympics

Led his team as a sophomore to a NCAA title over UNC; named tourney's Most Outstanding Player

After declaring hardship for 1981 Draft, 2nd overall pick by DET (#1, friend Mark Aguirre of DePaul to DAL)

In 1981-82 the drafting of Isiah & Kelly Tripucka (12th overall) with the trade for Bill Laimbeer propelled them to 39-43

Started in the 1982 All Star Game as a rookie

His obvious competitive drive led Laimbeer to give him the nickname Zeke (Isiah's alter ego)

A leader & floor general in only his 2nd season

With the hiring of Chuck Daly in his 3rd season, became more aware of getting his teammates involved; finished 2nd in assists (11.1 APG)

Participated in highest scoring game in history: DET beating DEN 186-184 in 3 OTs (47 points, 17 assists, 5 rebounds & 4 steals)

In his 1st taste of playoffs; loses in 5 games to NYK (scored 16 points in 94 seconds to force OT in Game 5)

Sets assist average record with 13.9 in 1984-85; lost in the playoff semis to BOS

1985 All Star Game also known as the "freeze out game"; rookie Michael Jordan supposedly not being passed to which was arranged by Isiah who  strongly denies this

Made major strides in 1986-87 finishing 3rd in the East; had their most crushing blow in losing to BOS

With DET ahead 107-106 with 5 secs left in Game 5; he threw an inbounds pass that Larry Bird stole & threw it to Dennis Johnson who scored the go-ahead basket

After winning Game 7, brass rookie Dennis Rodman said Bird's overrated & that if he were black he'd be just another good player which Isiah agreed with (later does a press conference with Bird present to refute what he said)

Took yet another step in 1987-88 exercising the demons by defeating BOS to reach NBA Finals vs good friend Magic Johnson

While leading 3-2 Isiah sprains his ankle & playing on one leg scored 43 points (25 in a quarter) before losing to LAL in Game 6 & then Game 7

Finally reaches the summit in 1988-89 winning his 1st NBA title knocking off BOS, MIL, CHI & LAL; included controversial midseason trade: Adrian Dantley to DAL for Isiah's buddy Aguirre

For 1989-90 he captured back-to-back title defeating IND, NYK, CHI & POR (Finals MVP); started out slow but went on a 25-1 run & finished 59-23

Efforts at a 3-peat thwarted in 1990-91 by CHI in a season; more controversy: walked off the court with his teammates (something done to them by BOS)

In Chuck Daly's last season they were eliminated from playoffs, 1st round to NYK; left off the inaugural Dream Team roster

For 1992-93 he made one last All Star appearance; missed the playoffs

Was in the twilight of his career during 1993-94; in his final game he torn his Achilles

ACCOLADES

Retired as 3rd all time in assists & 5th in steals

Still holds DET records as all time leader in minutes, points, assists & steals

His #11 jersey retired & named to the 50th Anniversary Team in 1996; 75th Anniversary Team in 2021

Inducted into the Indiana University Sports Hall of Fame (1993), Michigan Sports H0F (1998) & Naismith HoF (2000)

12x All Star (2x MVP), 5x All-NBA, 1 Assist Champ, 2x NBA Champ with a Finals MVP

Week 13 review (00:28)