Book of Basketball 2.0

The faces of the modern NBA take on many shapes, sizes, and brands, but have a few things in common: more money and influence than any of their predecessors. In the face of this increased responsibility, will they continue the club? And if so, who’s coming next? In the series finale, Jackie takes a look at how far the league has come, and where it might be headed.

Host: Jackie MacMullan

Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Scott Somerville

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal are one of the most successful—and combustible—duos in NBA history. Their contrasting styles led to tension in the locker room, but dominance on the court. And in the end, each of them changed the rules of the Icons Club forever, just maybe not in the way you’d expect.

Host: Jackie MacMullan

Producers: Bobby Wagner, Kaya McMullen, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier, and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Scott Somerville

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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Some players have unassailable Icons Club resumes–MVPs, championships, iconic playoff moments–but find themselves on the outside, looking in. In this episode, Jackie lays out the criteria for becoming a club member, and examines a few of the most enigmatic stars.

Host: Jackie MacMullan

Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Scott Somerville

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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The Dream Team was an unprecedented experiment for the Icons Club—an opportunity for the game’s best players to form bonds and swap notes. It also gave the NBA a chance to show off its best players to the world, and the league did not miss.

Host: Jackie MacMullan

Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Scott Somerville

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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Michael Jordan built his career—and his billion-dollar brand—by going it alone. But Jordan himself explains how he pulled from Dr. J’s business acumen and Magic’s charisma to chart his flight, and even offered pointers to certain Icons who followed in his footsteps.

Host: Jackie MacMullan

Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Scott Somerville

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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Magic vs. Larry is the rivalry that, for many, defines the NBA. On-court battles between these bitter foes showed a ravenous public just how enticing the NBA could be. But how about Magic and Larry: friends? In this episode, Jackie compares and contrasts the icons of the '80s, tracing a bond how that went well beyond the court.

Host: Jackie MacMullan

Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Scott Somerville

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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Julius Erving ushered in a new era of the Icons Club. His unique style, on and off the court, brought a jolt to the game and opened doors to new marketing opportunities. And even as punches flew during his era, Dr. J forged relationships with his peers—and future Icons, like Michael Jordan—that made him arguably the most beloved member of the club.

Host: Jackie MacMullan

Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier, and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Scott Somerville

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell are the founding members of the Icons Club. The big men navigated a completely different NBA than the one we know today and, along with stars like Oscar Robertson, put the league on course for unimaginable growth and success.

Host: Jackie MacMullan

Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier, and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Scott Somerville

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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When Jackie started covering the NBA, it was every player for himself. But during Kobe Bryant's final season, he revealed to Jackie a secret mentorship with Michael Jordan, unlocking the door to a club that only the game's greatest players have access to.

Host: Jackie MacMullan

Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier, and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Scott Somerville

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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From The Ringer and Spotify, ‘Icons Club’ will examine how an exclusive group of NBA superstars made the league what it is today. These icons were not just the best of the best on the court, but they also changed the NBA’s culture. Host Jackie MacMullan interviews Michael Jordan, Julius Erving, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Isiah Thomas, Hakeem Olajuwon, Dwyane Wade, and a host of other NBA icons about their relationships with each other, their places in the club, and how much superstardom has changed since the early days of the league.

‘Icons Club' premieres on March 18.

Host: Jackie MacMullan

Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier, and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Scott Somerville

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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