Basketball History 101

For this Christmas bonus episode, we're re-airing Episode 177 from January 2, 2024. We had done a redux of our very first episode, telling the story of basketball's first game, and if you missed it then, this is our present to you now! From all of us here at BBH.101, we wish you a very merry Christmas!

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"The Stars and Stripes Forever" by John Philip Sousa

"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 two original high school players entered the league in 1975. They were Bill Willoughby and Darryl Dawkins. They each had different levels of success, but neither were all-time greats, and it was because of this that no high school player would attempt the jump until Kevin Garnett in 1995.

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]

Watching nationally televised college basketball is extremely common today. But this was the first regular season game televised nationwide. It was 1968 and it featured #1 UCLA vs. #2 Houston. It also featured two future Hall-of-Famers in Lew Alcindor (later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) and Elvin Hayes.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Funky Retro Funk [Funk Music]" by MokkaMusic

"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 National Industrial Basketball League (NIBL) was an alternate to the NBA. They attracted some top talent by paying more than the NBA in some cases. However the player had to be a full time employee of a sponsoring company and then play basketball for free. So, what was this all about?

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]

The San Diego Conquistadors were the final team to join the ABA and only lasted just over 3 full seasons before going out of business. However, they did sign Wilt Chamberlain to be their head coach -- probably the worst decision they ever made.

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]

Back in the 1930s Ned Irish would out on college basketball double-headers in Madison Square Garden. These matchups pitted some of the best teams in the country against each other. This led to two outcomes. First, teams with radically different styles of play were scheduled in dream matchups for the fans. Second, it led to Irish making a small fortune that allowed him to be a key figure in the creation of the NBA.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"A Slow Day" by Chiro

"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]

Magic Johnson’s greatest performance as an NBA player came in his rookie year, and in the most clutch moments against the Philadelphia 76ers. Not only did he have to fill in for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but he scored 40 points in a closing Finals Game and took the Finals MVP trophy for himself.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"60s and 70s Rock" by Hyde

"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]

Spencer Haywood was the first player to try to enter the NBA early. There was a rule at the time that a player could not enter the NBA until he was four years removed from high school, but Haywood was already playing in the ABA and wanted to jump to the NBA. In the end the U.S. Supreme Court had to decide the matter.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Funky Retro Funk [Funk Music]" by MokkaMusic

"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 Oakland Oaks were able to make a huge splash by signing Rick Barry away from the San Francisco Warriors. The reason they were able to do this was because the guy that ran the Oaks was Barry’s father-in-law. The team would later become the Washington Capitols and then the Virginia Squires where they brought in Dr J. and George Gervin. It was a wild 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]

Michael Jordan once lost a game of 1-on-1 to a 45-year-old business man. And this was in 2003 just after Jordan played his final NBA All-Star Game. It was an incredible game that will live forever.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Rap Beat" by MaverickMyers Radio

"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]