In 1956, the Minneapolis Lakers were struggling with a losing record. Sid Hartman, the Lakers' general manager, had the idea to tank the rest of the season in an attempt to get the first pick in the draft and claim the great Bill Russell himself.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Christmas Village" by Aaron Kenny

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

sportshistorynetwork.com

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

FACEBOOK

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

BUSINESS CONTACT

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In the late 1980s, Arvydas Sabonis was the greatest player in the world -- yet, because he lived behind the Iron Curtain, he was unable to play in the NBA. When the Berlin Wall finally fell and he joined the Portland Trail Blazers, he was already in his 30s, well past his prime. Despite this, he still managed to play at a dominant level in the NBA against much younger men.

Link to Sabonis's top ten plays: https://youtu.be/WEYnLxrs4W8

Link to highlight reel of Sabonis's time on the Portland Trail Blazers: https://youtu.be/mbu4aKh57yw

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"At Sunrise" by the Osipov State Russian Folk Orchestra, Vera Nikolaevna Gorodovskaya, Vitaly Gnutov, and Rudolf Belov

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

sportshistorynetwork.com

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

FACEBOOK

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

BUSINESS CONTACT

[email protected]

During the 1920s and 30s, basketball players were nicknamed "cagers" because of the net wall, or cage, that separated the court from the stands. Fans at basketball games had a tendency to be violent toward the athletes, so the cage was intended to protect the players -- although it ultimately backfired and became used as a weapon...

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Speakeasy" by Shane Ivers

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

sportshistorynetwork.com

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

FACEBOOK

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

BUSINESS CONTACT

[email protected]

Today Rick tells the second half of the legend of George Mikan, the former greatest basketball player. Winning seven titles in eight years across two leagues, this giant of a center was so unstoppable that the NBA changed their rules to limit him. His talent and dominance eventually landed him a friend in the much-younger Shaquille O'Neill -- a rookie center who respected the greatness of his predecessor.

Make sure to listen to part 1, which covers his grandparents' immigration, an average childhood, and an incredible five-year college run!

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Happy Days" by Chuck Sims

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

sportshistorynetwork.com

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

FACEBOOK

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

BUSINESS CONTACT

[email protected]

After months of planning and research, Rick finally takes on the story of Mr. Basketball, the great George Mikan himself, in a two part episode. From his grandparents' emigration from Croatia to America, to his prolonged college career, Rick tells the story of the former greatest player.

Part 2 is out now, where we cover his dominance in two different professional leagues and the effect he would have on another, much younger, Hall-of-Fame center!

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Happy Days" by Chuck Sims

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

sportshistorynetwork.com

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

FACEBOOK

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

BUSINESS CONTACT

[email protected]

This story is about an illegal game between a black team and a white team in the racially segregated South of the United States, a game meant to be kept a total secret. Both teams were dominating their respective competition and wanted a chance to see which of them was better. After all, the teams were only located three miles from each other. Rick shares the context leading up to the game and then the game itself -- as well as what happened afterward.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Swing Time" by Music By Pedro

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

sportshistorynetwork.com

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

FACEBOOK

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

BUSINESS CONTACT

[email protected]

What motivated the original owners of the NBA teams to start a new league, and why did they choose basketball? This is that story.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Swing Time" by Music By Pedro

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

sportshistorynetwork.com

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

FACEBOOK

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

BUSINESS CONTACT

[email protected]

Today we profile Nate “Tiny” Archibald, the only player in NBA history to lead the league in scoring and assists in the same season. He deserves to be in the conversation of the greatest guards in league history.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Disco Funk" by Jam Morgan

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

sportshistorynetwork.com

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

FACEBOOK

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

BUSINESS CONTACT

[email protected]

Ever since their first game against -- and first loss to -- the Harlem Globetrotters, the Minneapolis Lakers had wanted their revenge. Welcome to the rematch, where they just might have a chance...

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Mediterranean" by Lyn Murray

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

sportshistorynetwork.com

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

FACEBOOK

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

BUSINESS CONTACT

[email protected]

The NBA’s color barrier was broken in 1950 by three players simultaneously: Chuck Cooper, Nat Clifton, and Earl Lloyd. Each had a hand in its downfall, as one was drafted first, one signed first, and one played first.

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

[email protected]