American Ball Tales

On November 10, 2018, Markelle Fultz, the first overall pick of the 2017 NBA draft, bent down to tie his shoe during the game. A series of spasms that resembled glitches ensued—adding another layer to the disappearance of his jump shot the year prior. This event was peculiar to say the least. It was a malfunction in an ordinary movement, not a shooting mechanic. Many have theorized as to what erased his jump shot, but no one could explain this "glitch" phenomenon.

Glitch Theory explores these questions: What if Markelle Fultz's jump shot disappearance was evidence of something else? What if it was something other than basketball, something many people refuse to believe or consider? Could we be living in a simulated reality?

Join us as we indulge in the coincidences between Markelle Fultz, games designers, and the University of Washington's physicists researching simulated realities.

Animated Artwork by: Fern Studio (fern.team)

Story Notes:
00:00:35 - The Shoe Tie
00:04:38 - The Discovery
00:08:08 - The Bugs
00:11:35 - The Press Conference
00:14:59 - The BMX Jump
00:19:39 - The Vengeful Eye
00: 25:29 - The Shock & Ahh

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The Triangle Offense defined almost two decades of basketball. From the '90s to '00s, it accounted for 11 championships—six with the Chicago Bulls and five with the Los Angeles Lakers. It was complex and simple. It operated like a quantum particle, existing in two places at the same time. It could transcend or hinder, depending on the practice.

Skilluminati explores one man who unlocks the Triangle's many mysteries and how it affects one relationship across time. It's a tale of love and betrayal, confusion and wonder. It introduces Tex Winter's Triangle origins and the real rationalization behind Matt Barnes' and Derek Fisher's tussle. Once again, join us as we take a deep dive into a possible, exaggerated what-if universe.

Story Notes:

00:38 -The Guinea Pig

6:33 - Barnes Becomes a Dolphin

14:58 - Fisher Makes the Greatest Sandwich

20:32 - Tex Forgets His Lines

25:52 - The Drive Before The Drive

32:30 - Barnes Vs Fisher

41:44 - The Stick in the Mud

49:14 - But We Just Met?

55:15 - One Last Gift

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When the Atlanta Hawks traded Luka Doncic for the Trae Young and a future first-round pick, an outpour of criticism exploded on social media. From his defensive play to his slender frame, every aspect of Trae Young was picked apart and dissected. However, the most brutal critique and still talked about issue with Trae Young is not about his game—but about his hair.

The Bird, Hair, and Vase explores one of the strangest critiques in the NBA. What if there's more to his hair than we realized? What if Trae Young's hair holds all the power to his transcendent game? In this bizarre, exaggerated episode, we witness the origins, sacrifices, and consequences in dealing with the upcoming rookie's future fuzz.