Ball and Order

Gabe and Alex explore the legacies of two NBA Hall of Famers, Wes Unseld and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, through the lens of Kareem’s first title in their 1971 finals clash. They explore the unique play of the late Wes Unseld, a superstar player with bruising style that the NBA will likely never see again. They also explore Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s long history of civil rights activism and how it has affected our perception of him. The podcast also touches on the constant circus of the NBA-ABA era, the greatness of Oscar Robertson, and the fact that the Washington Area Professional Basketball Team has always been run exactly the same way regardless of location, owner, or stars. Show NotesSI article on Kareem’s life in LA in the late 70’sNew York Times Magazine Piece on Kareem in 2015 The Athletic’s Wes Unseld Obituary The Roast of Wes Unseld in 2014 Get on the email list at ballthroughtheages.substack.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ballandorder.substack.com

When Lebron James took his talents to South Beach, he was supposed to lead the Heat to not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, not 5, not 6, not 7 championships. But James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh failed spectacularly in trying to get 1. Dirk Nowitzki’s Mavericks put a dent in Lebron’s legacy and in Gabe’s heart, who watched this game in horror as a huge Miami Heat fan. Alex and Gabe get deep into what went wrong for the Heat, why Brian Cardinal got away with so many flagrant fouls, and how Lebron and DWade are similar to characters from Avatar the Last Airbender.

If you like our podcast, please follow us on twitter @ballthroughages, @gabe_ibrahim and @alexlange3. Also please subscribe, rate, and review us on Apple or whatever podcast app you use! Apple Podcasts Page

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ballandorder.substack.com

When Lebron James took his talents to South Beach, he was supposed to lead the Heat to not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, not 5, not 6, not 7 championships. But James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh failed spectacularly in trying to get 1. Dirk Nowitzki’s Mavericks put a dent in Lebron’s legacy and in Gabe’s heart, who watched this game in horror as a huge Miami Heat fan. Alex and Gabe get deep into what went wrong for the Heat, why Brian Cardinal got away with so many flagrant fouls, and how Lebron and DWade are similar to characters from Avatar the Last Airbender. If you like our podcast, please follow us on twitter @ballthroughages, @gabe_ibrahim and @alexlange3. Also please subscribe, rate, and review us on Apple or whatever podcast app you use! Apple Podcasts Page Get on the email list at ballthroughtheages.substack.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ballandorder.substack.com

The United States Men’s Soccer team is not a football/soccer powerhouse (to say the least). But in the 2014 World Cup, the USMNT led by head coach Jurgen Klinsmann and goalie Tim Howard brought the team to the precipice of greatness. The US got through the group of death and advanced to play Belgium in the Round of 16. On paper, the Americans had no chance against the Belgians. But after 92 minutes, the score was tied and the ball fell at the feet of Chris Wondolowski right in front of a relatively open goal. He missed. The game went to extra time. The US lost. As we continue self-loathing month, Gabe and Alex break down the devestating loss, USMNT history, and much more. Subscribe to our substack: ballthroughtheages.substack.com. Follow us on Twitter: @ballthroughages.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ballandorder.substack.com

The United States Men’s Soccer team is not a football/soccer powerhouse (to say the least). But in the 2014 World Cup, the USMNT led by head coach Jurgen Klinsmann and goalie Tim Howard brought the team to the precipice of greatness. The US got through the group of death and advanced to play Belgium in the Round of 16. On paper, the Americans had no chance against the Belgians. But after 92 minutes, the score was tied and the ball fell at the feet of Chris Wondolowski right in front of a relatively open goal. He missed. The game went to extra time. The US lost. As we continue self-loathing month, Gabe and Alex break down the devestating loss, USMNT history, and much more. Subscribe to our substack: ballthroughtheages.substack.com. Follow us on Twitter: @ballthroughages. Get on the email list at ballthroughtheages.substack.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ballandorder.substack.com

Texas and Ohio State, two of College Football’s traditional powers, met for the first time ever in 2005. Vince Young and his #2 Longhorns traveled to Columbus. Some of future Buckeye legends (and Justin Zwick) greeted them. As Ohio State juggled quarterbacks, Texas stormed to a huge win in route to a national championship. It was heartbreaking and frustrating for Buckeye fans everywhere, including Alex who attended the game. In this episode, he and Gabe breakdown what went wrong for Jim Tressel, the brilliance of Vince Young, and what we learned from Ohio State’s mistakes.

Subscribe to our substack: ballthroughtheages.substack.com. Follow us on twitter: @ballthroughages. Check us out on Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ball-through-the-ages-a-sports-history-podcast/id1507212836.

Show Notes

* A very good and very 2005 preview of the College Football season

* Story on Troy Smith’s suspension in the prior season

* Story on Les Miles’s first year at LSU starting as Hurricane Katrina happened

* SBNation Rewinder episode about the perfect 2006 Rose Bowl featuring this Texas team

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ballandorder.substack.com

Texas and Ohio State, two of College Football’s traditional powers, met for the first time ever in 2005. Vince Young and his #2 Longhorns traveled to Columbus. Some of future Buckeye legends (and Justin Zwick) greeted them. As Ohio State juggled quarterbacks, Texas stormed to a huge win in route to a national championship. It was heartbreaking and frustrating for Buckeye fans everywhere, including Alex who attended the game. In this episode, he and Gabe breakdown what went wrong for Jim Tressel, the brilliance of Vince Young, and what we learned from Ohio State’s mistakes. Subscribe to our substack: ballthroughtheages.substack.com. Follow us on twitter: @ballthroughages. Check us out on Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ball-through-the-ages-a-sports-history-podcast/id1507212836. Show NotesA very good and very 2005 preview of the College Football seasonStory on Troy Smith’s suspension in the prior seasonStory on Les Miles’s first year at LSU starting as Hurricane Katrina happened SBNation Rewinder episode about the perfect 2006 Rose Bowl featuring this Texas team Get on the email list at ballthroughtheages.substack.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ballandorder.substack.com

The Miami Hurricanes came into the 2003 Fiesta Bowl with a 34-game win streak looking to win their second straight National Championship. They (and Gabe) left with heartbreak and anger, in part due to the most infamous pass interference call in college football history. Alex and Gabe talk about the Canes fan’s pain rewatching this game as a Miami fan, what went wrong for Miami and right for Ohio State, and why that pass interference call shouldn’t define this game.

Let us know what you think on twitter: @ballthroughages. Subscribe to our substack: ballthroughtheages.substack.com. (There’s some explicit language in this episode.)

Show Notes

* FiveThirtyEight’s ELO rankings which put the 2002 Miami team ahead of the famed 2001 team

* SBNation did a good Rewinder episode on this game

* An article from BUCKNUTS breaking down analysis of the game

* The State of the U article saying the loss broke Miami’s program

* More proof that Canes fans should blame Larry Coker for this loss.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ballandorder.substack.com

The Miami Hurricanes came into the 2003 Fiesta Bowl with a 34-game win streak looking to win their second straight National Championship. They (and Gabe) left with heartbreak and anger, in part due to the most infamous pass interference call in college football history. Alex and Gabe talk about the Canes fan’s pain rewatching this game as a Miami fan, what went wrong for Miami and right for Ohio State, and why that pass interference call shouldn’t define this game. Let us know what you think on twitter: @ballthroughages. Subscribe to our substack: ballthroughtheages.substack.com. (There’s some explicit language in this episode.)Show NotesFiveThirtyEight’s ELO rankings which put the 2002 Miami team ahead of the famed 2001 teamSBNation did a good Rewinder episode on this gameAn article from BUCKNUTS breaking down analysis of the game The State of the U article saying the loss broke Miami’s programMore proof that Canes fans should blame Larry Coker for this loss. Get on the email list at ballthroughtheages.substack.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ballandorder.substack.com

The We Believe Warriors made history on the court by beating the top seeded Mavericks as an eighth seed. Speaking of seeds and eighths, a lot of the players, coaches, and commentators from this game were involved with marijuana in some way. They all had different experiences with cannabis and represent the wide range of outcomes for NBA figures with pot. If you missed our breakdown of the game, check out our last episode.

Show Notes

* Ethan Sherwood Strauss’s story about smoking pot with Don Nelson ($)

* Don Nelson: “I’ve been smoking some pot”

* If you want to learn more about Al Harrington’s business, watch this video. If you want see him hot box a car, watch his appearance on the smokebox.

* Article about Matt Barnes being cannabis hero.

* Matt Barnes’s story about the party after the game.

* Steve Kerr: MASTER BLUNT ROLLER

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ballandorder.substack.com