An Orlando Magic superfan with zero experience building sports programs just assembled three players he's convinced will be top-6 NBA draft picks — and his strategy was brutally simple: "hire the right person and let them do everything."

Hank Waters went from Orlando Magic courtside season ticket holder and lawyer to co-owner of Southeastern Preparatory Academy, transforming a struggling private school into a national basketball powerhouse in just 2.5 months. Waters details his recruitment of elite coach David Peavy from championship-winning Duncanville High School and assembly of future NBA prospects including Beckham Black (Anthony Black's brother), CJ Rosser, and Obinna Ekezie.

The episode covers the complete operation: player housing, national competition leagues, international travel, maintaining academic standards, and the financial realities of running a private school. Waters shares his bold prediction that three of his juniors will be top-6 NBA draft picks and his vision for program expansion.

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NBA legend Horace Grant admits he "wanted to kick his ass" every time he faced his twin brother Harvey on the court — and their childhood games always ended in actual fights because neither could stand losing.

The 4-time NBA champion shares stories about winning championships with Michael Jordan's Bulls and later with Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant's Lakers. Grant reveals why he ranks Kobe right behind MJ as his greatest teammates, discusses the impossible task of stopping prime Shaq, and explains how the Grant family basketball legacy continues through his nephews including current NBA player Jerami Grant.

Key topics covered: Twin brother rivalry, playing with MJ and Kobe, facing Len Bias in college, 1987 NBA Draft with Scottie Pippen, championship mentality, modern NBA appreciation

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New episodes drop weekly, bringing you conversations from inside the NBA and the people who live the game every day.

Marc's daughter had to tell him he was interviewing a major TV star.

Sometimes the best interviews happen when you least expect them. Marc thought he was sitting down with a regular basketball fan, until his daughter pointed out he was about to interview Dr. Richard Webber himself, James Pickens Jr., star of Grey's Anatomy for an incredible 22 seasons.

Pickens shares the legendary casting story behind Grey's Anatomy, including the executive producer's famous question: "What are you doing for the next 5 years?" — which turned into over two decades and nearly 500 episodes. As one of only two remaining original cast members from the show's initial nine, Pickens offers rare insight into what makes a television phenomenon work.

Key topics: Grey's Anatomy casting story, Hollywood longevity, Cleveland Cavaliers loyalty, surviving 22 seasons on television, basketball fandom in Lakers territory

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New episodes drop weekly, bringing you conversations from inside the NBA and the people who live the game every day.

You've seen Obba Babatunde on screen, but wait until you hear about his other life as a horse whisperer and professional rodeo competitor.

The acclaimed actor and entertainer reveals his fascinating dual career with the all-Black Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, sharing wisdom that applies far beyond the arena. From explaining how Bill Pickett invented "bulldogging" by literally biting steers, to his core philosophy that "investment of time and consistency of behavior earns trust," Babatunde delivers insights about communication, respect, and building relationships.

Key topics covered: • The hidden history of Black cowboys in America • Predator vs. prey psychology in horse behavior • Why most horse problems are actually human problems • Japanese business communication philosophy • The art of earning trust through consistency

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New episodes drop weekly, bringing you conversations from inside the NBA and the people who live the game every day.

Glynn Turman has stories that will blow your mind — like attending Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's UCLA acceptance party in 1965 when it was so packed they ended up celebrating in the hallway of a Harlem project.

At 79, this legendary actor just got his Hollywood Walk of Fame star and describes LeBron James like poetry, calling him "built like a centaur but graceful as a gazelle." Glynn shares incredible stories from his New York roots, his 66-year entertainment career from Broadway's "A Raisin in the Sun" to Disney's current hit "Percy Jackson and the Olympians," and his evolving friendship with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Key topics covered: • Kareem's 1965 UCLA acceptance party in Harlem • Growing up playing street games in Greenwich Village • 66-year entertainment career highlights • Current friendship with Kareem over shared interests in Black history and jazz • Lakers fandom and favorite players across eras • Current starring role in Disney's "Percy Jackson"

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New episodes drop weekly, bringing you conversations from inside the NBA and the people who live the game every day.

Byron Scott drops some serious basketball knowledge and his GOAT take might surprise you. The 3-time Lakers champion explains why Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the greatest player ever and shares untold stories from his playing days with Magic Johnson and Michael Cooper.

Byron went from sneaking into Lakers games as a kid in Inglewood to becoming part of one of the greatest dynasties in NBA history. In this All-Star Weekend conversation, he opens up about his toughest opponents, his closest teammates, and why Larry Bird called Michael Cooper the best defender who ever guarded him.

Key Topics: • Why Kareem is the real GOAT • Toughest opponents: Jordan, Miller, Isaiah Thomas • The "Three Amigos" bond with Magic and Cooper • Sneaking into Forum games as a kid • Modern NBA analysis: LeBron, Luka, KD

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New episodes drop weekly, bringing you conversations from inside the NBA and the people who live the game every day.

Wayne Federman reveals the shocking medical discovery about Pistol Pete Maravich that changed everything.

Wayne Federman, authorized biographer of Pete Maravich, spent 20 years researching the life of basketball's most tragic genius. From Pete's impossible 44.2 points per game average at LSU (with no 3-point line) to the shocking autopsy discovery that he was missing his left coronary artery, this conversation reveals untold stories from unprecedented access to Pete's personal diaries and family materials.

Key topics covered: • Pete's revolutionary training methods that influenced today's NBA stars like Curry and Kyrie Irving • The million-dollar contract controversy that fractured the Atlanta Hawks locker room • How getting cut from high school basketball led Wayne to comedy and eventually to Hollywood • Marc's childhood Pete Maravich obsession and the legendary desk covered in 50-year-old box scores

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New episodes drop weekly, bringing you conversations from inside the NBA and the people who live the game every day.

Filmmaker Martin Guigui joins Marc Israel at Warner Brothers Studios to tell the incredible 28-year journey of bringing "Sweetwater" to the big screen — the untold story of Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton, one of the first three Black players to integrate the NBA in 1950.

What started as a shocking discovery at the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996 became a decades-long mission involving Norman Lear, Adam Silver, President Obama, and Clint Eastwood. Martin reveals how he tracked down families, built the "Sweetwater family" with NBA legends, got Clifton inducted into the Hall of Fame, and found his lead actor in the final hour.

In this episode:
• Why the Basketball Hall of Fame didn't know basketball's "Jackie Robinson" story
• How Norman Lear's WWII "assimilation" philosophy shaped his longevity 
• The magic phone call from Clint Eastwood's company the day after Martin's son said "make this movie"
• Building relationships with Adam Silver, Wilt Chamberlain, and NBA pioneers
• Finding Everett Osborne among 900+ audition videos just weeks before filming

Martin Guigui is a Grammy-nominated filmmaker, director, and musician who spent nearly three decades bringing this crucial piece of American sports and cultural history to audiences worldwide. His film "Sweetwater" was produced alongside Clint Eastwood's Malpaso Productions.

Subscribe to Courtside with Marc for more insider stories from the world of basketball. Leave a review and share this episode with anyone who loves untold sports history.

Thanks for listening to Courtside.
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New episodes drop weekly, bringing you conversations from inside the NBA and the people who live the game every day.

Houston Rockets analyst and former NBA center Ryan Hollins joins Marc Israel onCourtside for an unforgettable conversation about basketball joy, preparation, and leadership.

Ryan shares behind‑the‑scenes insight into the Rockets broadcast, breaks down the development of young stars like Amen Thompson and Alperen Şengün, and reflects on lessons learned from a 10‑year NBA career—including playing alongside Kevin Garnett.

This episode covers: - What fans don’t see behind the broadcast - Why joy matters in basketball - NBA work ethic at the highest level - Learning from legends - Teaching the next generation

A must‑listen for Rockets fans and anyone who loves the game.

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If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review — it helps more fans find the show.

New episodes drop weekly, bringing you conversations from inside the NBA and the people who live the game every day.

NBA agent and salary-cap expert EJ Kusnyer joins Marc Israel on Courtside to explain the business side of basketball.

From Bird Rights and max contracts to the first and second apron, EJ breaks down the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement in plain English—and explains why recent rule changes are reshaping teams across the league.

This episode covers: - How the NBA salary cap really works - Why drafting well can actually hurt teams - How player contracts are structured - The real impact of luxury tax and apron penalties - What fans should expect in the next CBA

A must-listen for NBA fans who want clarity instead of confusion.

Thanks for listening to Courtside.
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review — it helps more fans find the show.

New episodes drop weekly, bringing you conversations from inside the NBA and the people who live the game every day.