Today, Rick hosts an interview with Rabbi Dr. Zev Eleff, president of Gratz College and professor of Jewish-American history, as well as the author of recent title The Greatest of All Time: A History of an American Obsession. Here in the first part of this two-part interview, Rick and Zev dive into what qualifies something to be considered the greatest, how that applies to a discussion of basketball players, and the uniqueness this category seems to be to the United States.

Buy Dr. Eleff's book here!

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]

Damon Bailey was probably the most hyped 13-year-old basketball player ever. In rural Indiana people were already predicting that Bailey would dominate the NBA someday. He even made the cover of Sports Illustrated. But he never played a single NBA game. Bailey is one of thousands of players who showed NBA potential, but did not make it.

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

[email protected]

Only two players can say that they played for both the best team in NBA history and the worst team in NBA history. Leroy Ellis and John Trapp were those two players. They played for both the 1972 LA Lakers (69-13) and the 1973 Philadelphia 76ers (9-73). This is their story.

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]

The story of Len Bias is a modern tragedy. Coming from the University of Maryland, Bias was a player that had the potential to be another Jordan, or even better than Jordan. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead just 36 hours after being drafted #2 by the Boston Celtics. This is the story of that tragedy.

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

[email protected]

Digits Dynasty is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

HIGHLIGHTED SHOW - DIGITS DYNASTY

“Digits Dynasty” is an engaging podcast where we debate the greatest athletes to don each uniform number in sports history.

Each episode focuses on a specific number, featuring passionate discussions, stats, and anecdotes across all of sports history, that highlight the legends who wore it. From iconic moments to personal stories, we break down the impact these athletes had on their teams and the game itself.

Learn more about the show on the Sports History Network.

Mentioned in this episode:

Sports History Network Theme Song

This theme song was produced by Ron "Tyke" Oliver of Music Meets Sportz

Immaculata College won the first three women’s national championships in 1972, 1973, and 1974. It was a tiny school with only 500 students and they did it with virtually no budget. They did not even have their own gym. They had to play their home games at a local high school. This is the story of those three championships.

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]

Earvin Johnson was only 15 years old when a local sportswriter started calling him Magic. The name caught on quickly and soon everyone was referring to this young basketball phenom as Magic. This is that story.

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]

Sam Bowie was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in 1984 while Michael Jordan still available. Bowie then suffered a series of significant leg injuries who severely limited his playing time and overall production. He gets a bad rap for being taken ahead of Jordan, but we take a fresh look at his story and realize it was not such a bad idea, at the time.

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

[email protected]

Yao Ming’s journey to the NBA was filled with roadblocks and other problems. We share how Yao overcame legal and political hurdles to reach the Houston Rockets and the NBA.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Ancient China by Mostakim Harun" by

"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]

GP Soccer Podcast is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

HIGHLIGHTED SHOW

Giovanni Pacini is a noted expert in the game with significant expertise in the areas of player and coach development.

He is a United Soccer Coaches Master Coach, member of its National Staff, and National Goalkeeper Staff. He is a USYS East Region Staff Coach and is the GK Coach at Regis College (MA).

Learn more about the show on the Sports History Network.

Mentioned in this episode:

Sports History Network Theme Song

This theme song was produced by Ron "Tyke" Oliver of Music Meets Sportz