NBA History Conversations: Basketball Record

Three-time HS State Championship coach, 25-year NCAA veteran and basketball luminary, Mike Jarvis.

Mike Jarvis played on Rindge Technical High School’s 1962 Class A Championship (East Massachusetts) team. Today, he’s a member of the Cambridge High School, Massachusetts Coaches, New England Coaches Association and George Washington University Hall of Fame. However, Mike’s storied life in basketball almost didn’t happen.

As a sophomore at Northeastern University, he quit the team – deciding to work for his father and brother’s fish-and-chip shop – before his brother convinced him to return to Northeastern and apologize to his coach, Dick Dukeshire. Given a second chance, it wasn’t long before Mike knew that his calling was as a basketball coach.

We discuss Mike’s memories of working at Northeastern with future great, Jim Calhoun, followed by a move to Harvard, alongside eight-time NBA Champion of the Boston Celtics, Tom Sanders. Whilst working with Harvard’s varsity team, it wasn’t uncommon for one of Mike’s idols, the all-time great, Red Auerbach, to watch the team practice.

In the mid-1970s, a Jamaican teenager moved to Massachusetts. His name? Patrick Ewing. Mike and Patrick didn’t know it at the time, however, soon enough their lives would be linked forever. A few year later, Mike was appointed head coach of his (high school) alma mater (Cambridge Rindge and Latin School – renamed from Rindge Technical, following a merger). In a stunning run of success, Ewing led Cambridge to three-consecutive state championships (1979-1981), amassing a remarkable 77-1 record during that span. Mike was named Massachusetts HS Coach of the Year in each of those three seasons.

In 1985, Mike commenced a 25-season run (1986-2014) as head coach at Division 1 NCAA schools; Boston University (1985-86–1989-90), George Washington (1990-91–1997-98), St. John’s (1998-99–2003-2004) and Florida Atlantic (2008-09–2013-14). Mike led three schools to the NCAA Tournament, making nine appearances in all. We talk about George Washington’s famed (1993) Sweet Sixteen match-up versus Michigan’s ‘Fab Five’ and the Red Storm’s (1999) journey to the Elite Eight.

Mike shares a great story about the 1981 McDonald’s HS All-American Game, where his son, Mike Jr., played a crucial role as his young assistant. We cover Mike’s post-coaching life and much more.

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Honorable Mention All-American (1983) and NBA veteran, Roy Hinson.

Roy Hinson calls himself a “late bloomer”. His underlying talent – matched with his height – didn’t lay dormant for long. As a senior, his sudden impact on the hardwood helped steer Franklin Township High School to a 25-2 senior season, culminating in the Sectional Championship Game.

Roy details the decision making behind his choice to attend Rutgers University, where he became a standout and future Hall of Fame player. Not only did Roy make post-season tournaments in his junior and senior seasons, he also had the opportunity to fly to Europe, twice, representing Team USA (1981 World University Games) and an All-Star squad (1982 National Invitational Tournament tour).

Our conversation covers a wide range of topics. We discuss Roy’s early years in the NBA, his appearance in the 1986 Slam Dunk Contest, his trade to Philadelphia – and later, New Jersey, his home state – and the injury concerns that ultimately forced him into an early retirement. The conversation concludes with discussion about Roy’s role at the NBA Players Association, the 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend / Legends Brunch and terrific insight into the reasoning behind the jersey numbers that Roy wore throughout his career.

Links discussed (include):
* Cleveland clinch playoffs berth; despite terrible start to season
* 1986 Slam Dunk Contest

People mentioned include George Karl, World B. Free, Julius Erving, Kevin McHale, Hakeem Olajuwon, Michael Jordan, Billy Cunningham, Spud Webb, Maurice Lucas, John Bagley and Ralph Sampson.

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Adam & Aaron celebrate the 30th anniversary of Michael Jordan's third season in the National Basketball Association. This episode covers:

- NBA regular season – March 1 through 15, 1987

- Insightful minutiae, all but lost to the annals of basketball history

Notable milestones:

- Jeff Malone - career-high 48 points

- Darrell Walker - career-high 39 points

- David Wingate - career-high 28 points

Links discussed:

* MJ scorches the Pistons for a Silverdome-record 61 points

This episode continues our coverage of the 1986-87 NBA season. We encourage your interaction. Feel free to suggest specific games, moments and events from within the season, for us to cover in future episodes of the series. Thanks for taking the time to listen to the show. If you enjoy the content, please share it with your friends!

Tune in to hear this and plenty more, as we uncover some hidden gems from the NBA’s golden era.

Players mentioned include Kiki VanDeWeghe, Benoit Benjamin, Buck Williams, Charles Oakley, Danny Ainge, Darnell Valentine, Larry Bird, John Long, Tom Chambers, Magic Johnson and Rolando Blackman.

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Adam & Aaron celebrate the 30th anniversary of Michael Jordan's third season in the National Basketball Association. This episode covers:

- NBA regular season – February 14 through 28, 1987

- Insightful minutiae, all but lost to the annals of basketball history

Notable milestones:

- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - surpassed 36,000 career points

- Sidney Moncrief - surpassed 10,000 career points

- Gerald Wilkins - career-high 43 points

- Buck Williams - career-high 35 points

- Michael Jordan - seventh-highest scoring game ever (58 points)

- Nate McMillan - career-high 25 assists

- Gerald Henderson - career-high 17 assists

- Manute Bol - (matched) career-high 15 blocks and career-high 19 rebounds

Links discussed:

* Jordan lights-up Chicago Stadium en route to 58 points

* Alvin Roberston spurs San Antonio to victory

This episode continues our coverage of the 1986-87 NBA season. We encourage your interaction. Feel free to suggest specific games, moments and events from within the season, for us to cover in future episodes of the series. Thanks for taking the time to listen to the show. If you enjoy the content, please share it with your friends!

Tune in to hear this and plenty more, as we uncover some hidden gems from the NBA’s golden era.

Players mentioned include Derek Smith, Horace Grant, Michael Cage, Larry Smith, Caldwell Jones and Ben Poquette.

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My lovely wife Lisa joins me to discuss the highlights / basketball-related experiences from our recent USA holiday. We visited the States for three weeks - Dec 20, 2017, through Jan 10, 2018.

Hear about my first (in-person) NBA game in 23 years, Lisa's first-ever NBA game, meeting Hall of Fame legend Bernard King, catching-up with previous podcast guests and plenty more.

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New York City Player of the Year, LSU great and eight-year NBA veteran, Jerry Reynolds.

Jerry Reynolds talks about his childhood in Brooklyn and the crucial role that basketball has played in his life. His journey from high school – where he was cut from Alexander Hamilton as a freshman – to the NBA, is one of perseverance, hard work and tremendous talent. Jerry capped off his high-school career by being named New York City Player of the Year (1981) and leading his team to the NYC Public School Championship.

We discuss the circumstances behind Jerry’s decision that ultimately saw him play for three seasons at Louisiana State University. To this day, Reynolds’ name is still littered throughout the record books at LSU. We break down his great impact on the Tigers, matching Michael Jordan (point-for-point) in a performance for the ages at Chapel Hill, his final (collegiate) game against Navy’s David Robinson in the 1985 NCAA Tournament and more.

We round out our in-depth conversation by examining Jerry’s eight seasons at the highest level; including his three years as an original member of the (expansion) Orlando Magic – where he achieved his best-statistical seasons. Learn about the ups-and-downs of pro basketball, plus the unique details behind Jerry’s return to the NBA at age 33, after a three-year, forced retirement due to injury.

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Bullets shoot-down Pistons in classic contest. This episode covers:

- details behind Jeff Malone's (Washington) amazing buzzer-beater that left the Pistons shot [Jan 3, 1984]

Behind the Game. Discover the background behind one of the NBA's all-time great game-winning shots.

Links discussed:
* Detroit Pistons at Washington Bullets [January 3, 1984]

* Malone's game-winner

People mentioned include Ricky Sobers, Jeff Ruland, John Long, Darren Daye, Kelly Tripucka & Bill Laimbeer.

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Adam & Aaron celebrate the 30th anniversary of Michael Jordan's third season in the National Basketball Association. This episode covers:

- NBA regular season – January 30 through February 13, 1987
- Insightful minutiae, all but lost to the annals of basketball history

Notable milestones:

Ron Harper - career-high 40 points

Mike Woodson - season-high 37 points

Manute Bol - (then) career-high 12 blocks

Links discussed:

* Jeff Hornacek's miracle shot versus the Pistons

* Charles Oakley breaks Paul Mokeski's nose

This episode continues our coverage of the 1986-87 NBA season. We encourage your interaction. Feel free to suggest specific games, moments and events from within the season, for us to cover in future episodes of the series. Thanks for taking the time to listen to the show. If you enjoy the content, please share it with your friends!

People mentioned include Michael Jordan, Joe Barry Carroll, Alex English, Jeff Ruland, Manute Bol, Dominique Wilkins, Buck Williams & Magic Johnson.

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Adam & Aaron celebrate the 30th anniversary of Michael Jordan's third season in the National Basketball Association. This episode covers:

- NBA regular season – January 15 through 29, 1987
- Insightful minutiae, all but lost to the annals of basketball history

Notable milestones:
Alex English - season-high 46 points
Walter Davis - career-high 45 points
Craig Ehlo - season-high 26 points
Artis Gilmore - career-high 25 rebounds
Fat Lever - season-high 36 points
John Paxson - season-high 25 points
Mike Brown - season-high 17 points
Terry Porter - (then) team-record [Blazers] 18 assists

Links discussed:
* Michael Jordan - '60 Minutes' (1987)

This episode continues our coverage of the 1986-87 NBA season. We encourage your interaction. Feel free to suggest specific games, moments and events from within the season, for us to cover in future episodes of the series. Thanks for taking the time to listen to the show. If you enjoy the content, please share it with your friends!

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Adam & Aaron celebrate the 30th anniversary of Michael Jordan's third season in the National Basketball Association. This episode covers:

- NBA regular season – December 31, 1986, through January 14, 1987
- Insightful minutiae, all but lost to the annals of basketball history

In this episode, we discuss numerous happenings from the next 15-day block of the 1986-87 NBA season. The Chicago Bulls played five games in this span – four wins and one loss.

Notable milestones:
Rolando Blackman - season-high 41 points
Brad Sellers - first-career start (27 points [12/14 FGs] and 12 rebounds)
Alvan Adams - season-high 25 points

Links discussed:
* Michael Jordan torches the Trail Blazers for 53 points at Chicago Stadium

This episode continues our coverage of the 1986-87 NBA season. We encourage your interaction. Feel free to suggest specific games, moments and events from within the season, for us to cover in future episodes of the series. Thanks for taking the time to listen to the show. If you enjoy the content, please share it with your friends!

People mentioned include Dominique Wilkins, Sedale Threatt, Pete Myers, Mitchell Wiggins, Lewis Lloyd, Gene Banks, Fred Cofield, John Stockton, Alvan Adams, Stanley Brundy & Grant Gondrezick.

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