Can you recall your favorite sports movie of all time? (No, the Karate Kid doesn't count, stop it.) Well one of our favorites, an underrated and forgotten gem, is Above The Rim. A 1994 classic that may very well have the best basketball played in a sports film ever. But is it good enough to be the first sports movie ever inducted into the First Ballot HOF? A special guest joins to help us make the call on our season finale.

Timecodes:

(3:30) Why talk about Above The Rim?

(4:45) Your memory is like Mary Lou Henner

(6:50) Are you certain this movie is good?

(10:00) Top movies that came out in 1994

(18:00) This movie could never be made today

(24:30) RIP Nutso

(29:35) “And thats WITHOUT baby oil”

(35:00) The great sports movies

(44:50) Eric Nies joins the pod!

(56:30) Dunking in front of Pamela Anderson

(58:35) Strength Shoes!!

(01:04:31) Re-using basketball highlights

(01:06:15) This movie is about family

(01:13:00) Airing out a brotherly grievance

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Inside the NBA isn't just a show, it's an institution. In an extra special episode, long-time Inside the NBA producer Tim Kiely joins the pod to talk about his career, working with Shaq and Charles Barkley, and if any iconic Inside the NBA moments are First Ballot Hall of Fame worthy.

Timecodes:

(03:54) There's no "I" in Team, but there's one in TIM

(05:21) Recruiting Charles Barkley

(11:39) Breaking the formula with Ernie Johnson Jr.

(16:47) Leaving ESPN and Tim's Dream

(22:52) Bringing in Kenny "The Jet" Smith

(28:55) Shaq's Mumble

(33:23) The Best Cast on TV

(38:10) Inside the NBA: Honorable Mention Moments

(39:25) The Champions Club

(42:54) The New Year's Eve Party

(44:42) Shaq's Gasoline Logic and Flying to the Moon

(48:46) Chuck Holding his Breath in a Fish Tank

(51:33) "One, two... back to one"

(53:54) The Race

(57:36) Shaq Falling

(59:04) Shaq Hot Chip Challenge

(01:00:27) Kenny's Jersey Retirement

(01:04:51) The X-Factor behind Inside the NBA

(01:09:15) David joins for a guest question

(01:10:05) The time TK almost got fired

(01:11:54) Inside the NBA Trivia

(01:14:35) The demise of Inside the NBA

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In 2013, fueled by two years of resentment after losing to Jason Terry and the Dallas Mavericks in the 2011 NBA finals, LeBron James pulled off one of the most incredible casket dunks ever. Comedian and writer on DAVE, Niles Abston joins the pod to discuss his journey to Hollywood (10:30), working with Lil' Dicky (39:40), and if the Miami Heat burying Jason Terry is worthy of the First Ballot Hall of Fame. 

Showtime Codes: 

(5:40) The King of all "ad reads"

(9:09) Bo Jackson vs Deion Sanders

(10:30) D1 Athlete to Writer

(13:42) Lebron James destroyed stats

(18:35) Jason Terry got JUMPED

(22:40) Niles' start in stand-up

(27:51) The dream stand-up line-up

(35:10) Writing on DAVE

(37:19) The defining moments of Niles' career 

(39:40) Is Lil' Dicky hateable?

(42:15) The best LeBron James moments

(47:47) The untouchable topics in comedy

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"Which one of you guys is playing for second?" In 1988, Larry Bird shot the lights out to win his third straight 3-point contest... in his warm-up jacket. Dale Ellis, a 17-year NBA veteran, 1987's NBA Most Improved Player, a 1989 NBA All-Star and All-NBA Selection, and the Godfather of the 3-point shot joins the pod to break down competing with Larry Bird in 1988, playing Michael Jordan, his advice to young shooters, and his love of butter pecan ice cream.

Timecodes:

(9:37) Dale's All-star experience

(11:06) Critiquing the modern all-star game

(13:39) Returning to Milwaukee and playing with Ray Allen 

(15:55) Competing against Michael Jordan

(17:30) Dale's favorite city to play in

(19:43) Wanting the last shot

(22:00) Dale's favorite announcer

(23:09) The biggest trash talker in the NBA

(24:04) Dale's love of Tennis

(27:50) Adding the 3-pt shot to his game and the origin of the 3-pt game in the NBA

(31:12) Dale Ellis' advice to young shooters 

(35:06) Dale's favorite shooters

(37:54) Losing to Larry Bird

(41:38) Larry Bird's warm-up jacket and "Who's coming in second?"

(50:07) Larry's confidence and shooting form 

(52:09) The beauty of Dale's shooting form

(53:19) Controlling your emotions on the floor

(57:16) Craig Hodges 19 straight 3's 

(59:57) "This or That" with Dale Ellis

(1:05:36) Dale Ellis' Late Night Snack

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All sports news may just be...gossip! Breaking down Marcus Jordan and Larsa Pippen's relationship is Impersonal Foul writer Madeline Hill, who also talks about the best reality tv shows, how Rich Paul is an athlete, America's Royal Family, and her substack (a newsletter that is the lovechild of Bravo and ESPN).

Showtime Codes: 

(3:30) The four best reality tv shows

(13:19) The latest greatest sports gossip is happening in the rugby world 

(16:00) Sports betting scandals are taking off 

(22:13) Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift: our version of the Royal Family 

(33:20) Madeline's favorite "athlete": Rich Paul 

(34:44) Neil's love for movies about big businesses 

(36:45) Neil's predicts that Bronny will get drafted to the Lakers

(40:20) The history of Marcus Jordan and Larsa Pippen 

(45:45) A secret relationship has to be at least 2 years long 

(47:50) Will they get back together?

(48:48) Percentage that they get married

(56:50) Similar gossip / scandals: Tiger Woods and OJ 

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There was no doubt that Caitlin Clark would make history by becoming the all time NCAA leading scorer. It was only a matter of how and when she would do it. Here to discuss the moment is Dunk Comp's Creative Director Mike Corbett, who joins the pod to talk about Caitlyn’s record breaking moment, the impact of Vince Carter, and the greatness of a hoop sound. 

Showtime Codes: 

(8:05) What inspires Mike's work 

(15:50) How Dunk Comp and Facundo Campazzo are forever intertwined 

(20:40) Thoughts on the SNL performance

(26:46) Is this era the golden age of women's basketball? 

(32:43) The timeline of the moment 

(35:50) The savageness of the moment 

(38:20) Calling timeout during runs 

(40:38) Great hoop sound 

(48:53) What makes Kelsey Plum so good

(55:35) Is this the best Caitlin Clark moment?

(01:00:05) Is Caitln Clark the best female basketball player?

(01:06:00) How Caitlin Clark is going to inspire young girls and boys

(01:09:00) This was never a long shot 

(01:16:28) Favorite passes

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Iconic sports moments can happen anywhere and to anyone. In this episode of the First Ballot Hall of Fame Podcast, friend of the show, comedian, and actor Michael Torpey breaks down one umpire's effort to leave it all on the field. Torpey also dissects the sweet relief of a barf and the most iconic vomits throughout his life.  

Timecodes: 

(10:11) Torpey's role on the "Young Rock" 

(26:09) The universality of vomiting

(28:10) Torpey's vomiting experiences

(34:53) Neil's experience driving in Manhattan

(39:12) The SNL fire hose of vomit

(42:14) "We're in white water rapids baby"

(42:56) Neil is a multiple time all-star at not vomiting

(44:23) The sweet relief of a barf

(49:07) The catcher's quick escape

(49:57) Torpey's 4th grade barfing story 

(55:06) Vomiting is the "body working in reverse" 

(58:00) The crowd reaction

(1:02:03) The Michael Torpey call of the vomiting umpire

(1:05:44) The vomiting testicle technique

(1:08:10) The question we've all been waiting for

(1:10:23) Vomiting in India 

(1:15:45) Brian O'Nora's Vomiting Story

(1:32:07) A great baseball name

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With 5 seconds left on the clock, Ray Allen hit a clutch three from the right corner, tying the game and forcing overtime in a moment that would change NBA championship history. Here to talk about the moment is the Head of Content and Communications at the National Basketball Retired Players Association Julio Manteiga, who talks about what he saw at the game, getting starstruck by Metallica, and going to Cuba with the NBA. 

Showtime Codes: 

(5:15) What was it like working for the NBA for 18 years?

(9:27) What was David Stern like?

(11:20) The biggest moment of Julio's career--going to Cuba

(14:20) Who is the best former player to hang out with?

(18:58) Getting starstruck by Metallica 

(24:13) How Ray Allen's age helped with the shot

(30:35) What did Julio see?

(37:09) The undersold part--the Chris Bosh tip

(46:00) Training for this shot

(52:00) New credential: butterfly effect

(56:46) Best teammate of all time

(01:05:20) The Heat's culture 

(01:07:30) The best diner in Miami 

(01:08:00) Favorite pass 

(01:09:00) Best sports' branding 

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In 2016 Zach Lavine and Aaron Gordon went head to head in what is now regarded as potentially the greatest dunk contest in NBA history. Featuring a free throw line windmill dunk, a free throw line 'tween the legs dunk, and a miraculous "sitting in the air" dunk. Here to discuss is poet, essayist, and cultural critic Hanif Abdurraqib (@NifMuhammad). On this episode we talk getting lost in vowel sounds, the underappreciated aesthetics in a Zach Lavine dunk, and the surprising beauty and force of an Aaron Gordon dunk.

Timecodes: 

(06:44) Anticipating the Greatness of Caitlin Clark

(10:28) Living Long Enough To Have A Favorite “Tyrese” In The NBA

(12:11) The Way That Whitney Houston Lands The “T” Sound in “Heat with somebody”

(18:17) Deep Dive Into NBA Mascot Salaries

(23:26) Aaron Gordon is 6’9” 240lbs

(28:20) The Controversy of This Contest

(30:09) Is This The Best Dunk We've Ever Seen?

(33:40) The High Art and Effortlessness of a Zach Lavine Dunk

(42:40) “Lets go home! It’s Over!”

(47:23) Appreciating Aaron Gordon’s Evolution

(58:18) Greatest NBA Game Winners with 0 Seconds Left

(01:01:23) Lebron Lying About Reading a Book

(01:08:15) Facundo Campazzo’s Absurd Mixtape

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Our first true emergency podcast! Two monster plays in two weeks from one rising superstar, Anthony Edwards. And who better to help us navigate which of these two plays should be in the FBHOF than Zach Harper (@talkhoops) of The Athletic. On this episode we talk sp5der hoodies, horse noises, thrunks, and the perfectly balanced omegablade that Thanos carries around on his index finger.

Timecodes:

(06:57) Appreciating the Eriq La salle Punch in ER’s Theme

(09:07) Can The Timberwolves Win A Chip This Year?

(12:05) “How Can That Profitable For Frito Lay?”

(17:00) Ant’s Performance Vs. The Pacers

(19:55) When A Basketball Fan Can Feel An NBA Player’s Rhythm

(20:50) Ant’s Performance Vs. The Jazz

(24:00) Breaking Down Ant’s Block in 4 Parts

(32:10) “The Audacity To Jump From There With Someone In Your Way Is Insane... It’s Rude”

(35:50) Dislocating Your Finger HURTS

(37:30) Top 3 Reactions to Ant’s Dunk

(42:40) He Only Had a Plan to Block The Shot and After That He Was All Out of Ideas

(45:40) “Have You Ever Been Skydiving?”

(47:30) Neil’s Life Changing Observation

(56:00) Please Give Us Free Merch Sp5der

(01:02:50) Aktshually, It Wasn’t Technically A Dunk

(01:06:25) How Does Ant’s Block and Dunk Stack Up Against History

(01:16:05) The Candor of Anthony Edwards

(01:26:01) Horse Noises

(01:33:54) The Perfectly Balanced Nature Of These Plays

(01:35:30) The Voting Committee Weighs In

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