In this episode of Hoopsology, we sit down with Patty Mills: Beyond Basketball author Boti Nagy for one of the most powerful and eye-opening conversations we’ve ever had on the show.

We explore Patty Mills’ remarkable journey—from his Indigenous Australian roots and the legacy of the Stolen Generation to becoming an NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs and an Olympic hero for Australia.

Boti Nagy explains the deep cultural significance behind Patty’s story, including:

🏀 How Patty Mills rose from a multi-sport kid to an AIS standout and NCAA star at Saint Mary’s

🏀 His role in the legendary 2014 Spurs championship run

🏀 His unforgettable 42-point Olympic performance that delivered Australia’s first men’s basketball medal

🏀 The impact of Indigenous icons like Michael Ahmat, Danny Morseu, and Eddie Mabo on his identity

🏀 How Gregg Popovich used Patty’s family history to inspire the Spurs locker room

🏀 Why Patty’s story is ultimately one of unity, acceptance, and global connection

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Unlock the mental side of basketball with this deep-dive interview featuring Dr. Scott Goldman, creator of the Athletic Intelligence Quotient (AIQ)—the cognitive assessment used across the NBA, NFL, MLB, and international sports.

In this episode, Dr. Goldman breaks down:

✅ What “Basketball IQ” really means

✅ How court vision, processing speed, and spatial awareness are measured

✅ Why elite athletes often feel relief, not joy, when they win

✅ The truth about neuroplasticity and “mind training” tools

✅ How coaches use cognitive data to evaluate talent and fit

✅ Why do different positions require different cognitive strengths

✅ How the game has changed with spacing, pace, and modern offensive systems

✅ The hidden pressures today’s young athletes face

He also shares powerful stories from working alongside legendary coaches, analyzing elite performers, and helping players understand how their brain impacts their game.

Whether you’re a coach, player, or hoops fan, this conversation will completely change how you see basketball decision-making and the intelligence behind elite athletic performance.

🔗 Follow Dr. Scott Goldman

Website: aiq.com

LinkedIn & X: Scott Goldman

📌 About Hoopsology

Hoopsology brings you fresh conversations on the culture of basketball—from player development to analytics to the stories shaping today’s game. Subscribe for more interviews, breakdowns, and insights.

#basketball #NBA #SportsPsychology #BasketballIQ #Hoopsology #AIQ #AthleticIntelligence #CognitiveScience #NBAPlayers #PlayerDevelopment

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The Drew League is more than just a summer pro-am — it’s the heartbeat of basketball culture. In this exclusive Hoopsology Podcast interview, Drew League Commissioner Chaniel Smiley breaks down the league’s rich history, its deep roots in South LA, and why some of the biggest NBA superstars continue to show up year after year.

From LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving, to elite overseas pros and rising amateurs, the Drew League has become the ultimate proving ground where community, competition, and culture collide. Chaniel explains how the league has stayed authentic for over 50 years, why games remain free for the community, and how grassroots basketball continues to shape the modern NBA.

This conversation dives into:

The origins of the Drew League and its community mission

Why NBA players trust and respect the league

The dynamic between amateurs and professionals on the court

How viral moments and basketball culture fuel the league’s growth

The future of pro-am basketball and what’s next for the Drew League

If you care about basketball culture, summer runs, pro-am leagues, or the soul of the game, this is a must-watch conversation.

🎙️ Hoopsology Podcast brings you in-depth basketball conversations with respected journalists, authors, and leaders from around the game. Proud member of the Ballislife Podcast Network.

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*Recorded on December 23rd, 2025*

Does the NBA own Christmas Day? — We’re breaking down every single matchup. In this episode of In the Lab on Hoopsology, Justin Goodrum, Matt Thomas, and Alan Muenzler preview the entire NBA Christmas Day slate, rank the games, and discuss the biggest storylines heading into the holiday showcase.

We dive into LeBron James’ comments about playing on Christmas, the human side of NBA superstars, and whether Christmas Day games still make sense in a world where the NFL continues to expand its holiday footprint.

This episode covers:

Spurs vs Thunder: Wembanyama vs SGA in the marquee matchup

Nuggets vs Timberwolves: Jokic vs Anthony Edwards rivalry

Lakers vs Rockets: Luka, LeBron, and Houston’s rising core

Cavaliers vs Knicks: Pressure mounting in the East

Mavericks vs Warriors: Steph Curry, Draymond drama, and team futures

We also debate:

Which Christmas Day game is the must-watch

Which teams are legit contenders vs fool’s gold

The future of NBA Christmas games and ratings

How young stars are reshaping the league

🎙️ Hoopsology Podcast delivers smart, thoughtful basketball conversations focused on NBA culture, analysis, and the stories behind the game. Proud member of the Ballislife Podcast Network.

👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more NBA previews, deep dives, and basketball culture discussions.

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In this Hoopsology Podcast highlight, we’re joined by Danny Cunningham (Locked On Cavs) for an honest, nuanced conversation about LeBron James’ legacy, his standing with Cavaliers fans, and whether a potential return to Cleveland would even make sense.

LeBron delivered Cleveland’s first championship since 1964, cementing arguably the greatest moment in franchise history. Yet despite the iconic 2016 Finals run, his relationship with the city remains emotionally complex due to The Decision, his departures, and the Cavs’ new post-LeBron era.

Danny breaks down:

Why Cavs fans are still divided on LeBron

How loyalty plays a massive role in Cleveland sports culture

Whether a LeBron return would help or hurt the franchise

Why LeBron’s defining NBA moments will always be in a Cavs jersey

How LeBron’s legacy compares to Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant

What younger NBA stars may have learned from LeBron’s Cleveland experience

We also explore whether media nostalgia aligns with what Cleveland fans actually want, and if the Cavs’ current young core has finally allowed fans to grow with a team again—rather than “microwaving” success.

💬 Cavs fans: How do you feel about LeBron James today? Has the 2016 title brought peace—or is it still complicated?

👉 Watch the full Danny Cunningham interview now on the Hoopsology Podcast channel.

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Hoopsology Podcast brings you smart NBA analysis and interviews with journalists, insiders, and voices shaping basketball culture.

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The legendary voice behind NBA Jam, NFL Blitz, MLB Slugfest, and Mutant Football League 2 joins the Hoopsology Podcast.

Tim Kitzrow — forever known as the man who made “BOOMSHAKALAKA!” part of basketball culture — sits down for an in-depth conversation about his iconic career, the creation of NBA Jam’s most famous catchphrases, and why arcade-style sports games still matter today.

In this episode, Tim breaks down:

How NBA Jam changed basketball culture forever

The untold story behind “He’s on fire!” and BOOMSHAKALAKA

Why arcade sports games like NBA Jam & NFL Blitz are missing today

His thoughts on the modern NBA, three-point shooting, and player movement

Why Mutant Football League 2 is the spiritual successor to classic sports games

Why NBA Jam helped introduce an entire generation to the NBA

Why the NBA still hasn’t fully embraced its video game legacy

Tim also shares incredible behind-the-scenes stories, including working during the golden era of Midway Games, creating unforgettable one-liners, and unforgettable fan encounters — including NBA legends who grew up playing NBA Jam.

This episode is a must-watch for basketball fans, NBA Jam lovers, retro gamers, and anyone passionate about basketball culture.

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*Recorded September 17th*

Basketball culture starts in New York City, and few people embody that legacy like God Shammgod.

On this episode of the Hoopsology Podcast, God Shammgod joins us for a powerful conversation about Rucker Park, NYC streetball, and how New York guards shaped the modern NBA. From witnessing legends at Harlem’s most famous courts to influencing today’s positionless, five-out offense, Shammgod explains why the league looks the way it does today.

We dive deep into:

The real impact of New York City basketball culture

How streetball influenced the modern NBA

Why the game became positionless

The evolution of guards, big men, and offensive freedom

His creative process behind writing his new book

Coaching today’s NBA players and what surprises him most

What fans should truly appreciate when watching NBA games

Why basketball is bigger than stats — it’s identity, art, and life

Shammgod also discusses his role as an NBA assistant coach, the future of the league, and why today’s players mirror the style NYC guards were playing decades ago.

If you love basketball history, NBA analysis, streetball culture, and elite storytelling, this is a must-watch conversation.

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In this episode of the Hoopsology Podcast, we sit down with Danny Cunningham, host of LockedOnCavs and contributor for 92.3 The Fan, to break down everything happening with the Cleveland Cavaliers this season.

The Cavs sit at a crossroads:

Donovan Mitchell is playing at an MVP-level, possibly the best basketball of his career.

The shooting has crashed, despite generating high-quality looks.

Max Strus, Darius Garland, and others have battled injuries, leaving the team incomplete.

Young players like Jalen Tyson, Tyrese Proctor, and Nay’Quan Tomlin are emerging faster than expected.

And of course… the fan base continues to debate LeBron James’ legacy and the possibility—however unlikely—of another return to Cleveland.

Danny shares insider insight on: 🏀 Whether Donovan Mitchell can truly enter the MVP race 🏀 Why Cavs shooting numbers are down despite better shot quality 🏀 Kenny Atkinson’s job security and locker room chemistry 🏀 The truth about Cleveland’s trade deadline options 🏀 How fans feel about LeBron seven years after his exit 🏀 Whether this is a “make or break” postseason for the Cavs’ core

If you’re a fan of the Cleveland Cavaliers or want an expert breakdown of one of the NBA’s most intriguing teams, this interview is packed with analysis you won’t find anywhere else.

🔔 Subscribe for more NBA interviews, deep dives, and analysis from Hoopsology. 👍 Like the video if you enjoy Cavs content! 🎧 Listen to The Hoopsology Podcast on all platforms.

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In this episode of the Hoopsology Podcast, we welcome back writer and author Jake Uitti to break down his new book Coop: The Making of a Showtime Lakers Legend — the definitive biography of Los Angeles Lakers icon Michael Cooper.

Cooper won five championships, became one of the NBA’s most feared defenders, helped fuel the legendary Lakers–Celtics rivalry, coached the WNBA’s LA Sparks to multiple titles, and remains one of basketball’s most underrated winners. Jake shares inside stories from his interviews with Cooper, details about the Showtime era, Cooper’s rivalry with Larry Bird, his years at UNM, and why his impact transcends generations.

If you’re a Lakers fan, NBA historian, or lover of basketball storytelling, this is a must-watch conversation.

Why Jake chose to write about Michael Cooper

How Cooper became the Lakers’ defensive heartbeat

The real Larry Bird vs. Michael Cooper rivalry

Behind-the-scenes of Showtime’s culture, Magic Johnson, Kareem, and Pat Riley

Cooper’s time at UNM and the importance of his Lobos roots

His journey from underdog to Hall of Famer

Writing process, storytelling, and working directly with NBA legends

Cooper’s WNBA success with the LA Sparks

His competitiveness in the NBA, WNBA, and BIG3

How basketball shaped Cooper’s life—and Jake’s

Jake’s other projects including Tim Hardaway, Robert Parish, and Jason Terry memoirs

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🔥 What We Discuss:

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Welcome back to In The Lab with the Hoopsology Podcast! In this episode, Matt and Allan break down one of the wildest weeks of the NBA season so far — from the Clippers sending Chris Paul home, to shocking media takes comparing Nikola Jokic, Tim Duncan, and Kobe Bryant, to Dillon Brooks’ incredible redemption arc, and all the surprising NBA storylines from the quarter-season mark.

We dive deep into:

🏀 Chris Paul Sent Home

The Clippers shock the league by sending CP3 home in what might be one of the most disrespectful exits for a franchise legend. What does this say about the Clippers, Ty Lue, and the future of the organization?

🏀 OKC Thunder Dominance

The Thunder are 21–1 and look like a potential all-time great regular-season team. Why isn’t the national media talking about SGA and OKC more?

🏀 Quarter-Season Surprises

The Lakers sit near the top of the West despite major drama, the Pistons are surging, Toronto is outperforming expectations, and the Spurs remain fascinating even without Wemby.

🏀 Dillon Brooks’ Redemption

How Dillon Brooks went from “Dillon the Villain” to one of the biggest positive surprises of the season with the Phoenix Suns.

🏀 Giannis & Anthony Davis Trade Rumors

Could AD get moved? Should the Bucks consider rebooting and trading Giannis? What teams make the most sense?

🏀 Wild Media Takes: Jokic vs Duncan vs Kobe

Stan Van Gundy says Jokic may be the greatest offensive player ever. Bill Simmons says comparing Kobe to Duncan is “slander.” We discuss the GOAT-conversation meltdown.

Plus: the Grizzlies’ collapse, Rockets outlook, Knicks rumors, Spurs surprises, and much more.

If you love balanced NBA analysis without the hot-take nonsense, make sure to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE. We're fewer than 200 subscribers away from our next channel milestone — let’s hit it together!

👇 Comment below:

• Should the Clippers retire Chris Paul’s jersey?

• Are OKC the favorites to repeat as NBA champions?

• Who is more impressive this season: Dillon Brooks or the Pistons?

• Who you got: Duncan or Kobe?

• What team makes the most sense for Giannis or AD?

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