NBA History Conversations: Basketball Record

Part one of our discussion of the 1994 NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets. We dissect the history between Patrick Ewing and Hakeem Olajuwon, comment on the 1994 regular season and much more. The episode features audio snippets to add even greater context. Thanks to a new friend of the show, Jarrod Prosser, for a great conversation.

Basketball Reference is Adam's primary source for research. He is a brand ambassador. Enter promo code 𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗔𝗜𝗥𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦 for 20% off a yearly Stathead subscription. Pay monthly (plans from $9) and get your first month free! Cancel anytime.

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Part two of my extended conversation with Rich Rinaldi. We now focus on Rico's - he shares the origins of his nickname - professional career. Rich offers fascinating insights into the ups and downs of his NBA and ABA tenure.

Aged just 26 and his hoops life at a crossroads, Rinaldi traded the hardwood for a chalkboard. He worked as a physical education teacher before an offer to play basketball overseas rejuvenated his life. Rico's talents flourished in Europe. After an initial stumbling block, he starred in Switzerland for five years.

At age 50, Rinaldi began working with the National Basketball Players Association. A position he relished and was arguably tailor-made for. Rich details the highlights of his almost 20 years at the NBPA.

If you can't identify with the highs and lows of Rich's life story, I'm not sure what to tell you. This conversation is why I love producing my podcast.

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Welcome Rich Rinaldi to the show. Part one of our extended conversation about his life. We recorded this on Rich’s 75th birthday (an added treat). A wide-ranging discussion and perfect example of why I love creating my podcast. We talk baseball - Rich’s first sporting love - and what led to his switch to basketball at age 14.

Rinaldi became a hoops standout in high school and a star in college, amid the real possibility of being drafted for military service in the Vietnam War. Our chat covers through early 1971 – just before the ABA and NBA drafts (March). Keep an ear out for part two where we’ll delve into Rich’s pro career; the NBA, ABA and overseas (where he starred for six seasons).

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My recap of the final stop on the No Bull Tour (Sydney). Australian legend, Luc Longley, invited his former Chicago Bulls teammates, Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant, to our friendly shores. The show was even better than I could have imagined.

For greater context, I created this YouTube video to accompany the audio. It features a wide range of photos spanning the players' careers. There's also brief footage from the end of the show, when we were able to record video of the Bulls trio.

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Let's welcome the legendary Tom Chambers to the show. A massive thanks to our mutual friend, Jeff Wells. Jeff was my guest on episode 128. We detailed his campaign for Tom to enter the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. We also spoke at length about Jeff’s awesome YouTube channel, TC24, devoted to the life of Tommy C. Without Jeff, today’s episode would simply not be possible. I strongly encourage you to subscribe to TC24 – it features a wealth of excellent clips and features on Mr. Chambers.

This episode is sprinkled with audio snippets that add more context to my conversation  with Tom. In some instances, the audio is edited for brevity. Where applicable, most clips are available to watch – or listen to - in full on TC24.

Please note that our conversation was recorded on January 21, 2024. As of that date, the stats I discuss with Tom - re the number of 60-plus point scorers - are correct. In recent weeks, remarkably, an additional five such games have been added to that exclusive list. TC discusses a wealth of topics in this episode. From a personal point of view, it may be the most enjoyable conversation in the history of my podcast.

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On November 2nd, 2023, six-time NBA All-Star Walter Davis died of natural causes while visiting family in Charlotte. Today, I welcome back Adam Beechen - a great friend of the show. We discuss Walter’s life on-and-off the basketball court.

Amidst his innumerable accomplishments, Davis was certainly no stranger to adversity. Despite battling substance abuse for the majority of his Phoenix Suns tenure, Walter averaged 20-or-more points per season in six of his 11 campaigns in the Valley of the Sun.

A quick sidebar. Per Basketball Reference.com, on July 6, 1988, Walter Davis was the second player in NBA history to sign as an unrestricted free agent. He joined the Denver Nuggets one day after another would-be Suns legend, Tom Chambers, signed w/ Phoenix.

In the lead-up to recording this conversation, I put out a call for listener contributions. Tim Gallagher kindly answered the bell. Tim has collected sports autographs for more than 50 years and is a Consignment Director for Robert Edward Auctions. You’ll hear Tim’s reflections on Walter Davis as an interlude within the episode. Tim will also feature as a future guest on my podcast. He has a wealth of incredible stories to tell.

RIP, Walter Davis. The Man with the Velvet Touch.

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Reggie Lewis tragically passed away 30 years ago (1993) at the age of just 27. This is an updated re-release of episode 27 with my great mate, Todd Spehr. We recorded our chat ten years ago to mark the 20th anniversary of Lewis' sudden passing.

I’ve added numerous audio clips for greater context, edited our original conversation and improved its sound quality. We discussed the life and times of Reggie - from his days at Dunbar High School, to his tenure at Northeastern University and ultimately, rise from seldom-used NBA rookie to captain of the famed Boston Celtics. Todd mentioned the poem that Reggie’s widow, Donna Harris-Lewis, read to the Boston Garden faithful on Reggie Lewis Night in 1995. Audio of that poignant moment also now features.

This is a fresh listening experience even for the most-diehard fan clamoring for a new episode – of which, to be sure – many more are planned for release throughout the rest of 2023. Most of the additional audio in this episode was sourced from TV broadcasts aired at the time of Lewis’ passing. They were thankfully preserved by Tim Theriault.

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The legendary Beef Brothers (Rick Mahorn and Jeff Ruland) return for episode six.

01:49 2023 NBA Draft Lottery - Wemby to San Antonio Spurs
06:21 Ralph Sampson (and Bill Walton) - similarities to Victor?
07:16 Manute Bol was how old when he joined NBA?! Chuck Nevitt mention!
08:37 Bill Garnett ('82 Draft - pick #4) and Jeff Ruland have beef!
09:09 Rick offers Jeff tissues to get over the incident!
09:33 Ja Morant brandishing a weapon (again) on social media
13:27 Lakers and Nuggets - West Finals discussion
15:03 Mile-high (in Denver) or just high?
16:28 76ers' woes - fallout from Embiid's comments after ECSF G7
18:21 Heat and Celtics - East Finals breakdown (Beef Brothers masterclass)
20:12 Do the Heat need a Herro?
20:42 Coach Erik Spoelstra's impact
21:22 Setting Suns?
21:58 Rick and Jeff's on documentaries (don't ask Horn about The Last Dance!)
24:01 Adam looks like Andy Cohen?! It's an Aussie roast!
24:20 Listener question: Rick's opinion of Isiah Thomas (after The Last Dance)
25:38 Listener question: Jeff on battling Darryl Dawkins and Buck Williams
26:45 Rick's a big Chocolate Thunder fan. Buck Williams? Not so much!
27:50 Horn does his best impression of the Aussie accent!

Watch conversations online - episodes live on the Beef Brothers' YouTube channel. Here's episode six.

We encourage your interaction - ask questions or add comments on YouTube and the Beef Brothers will respond in future episodes. If you prefer e-mail, reach Rick and Jeff by e-mailing Adam: [email protected] - he'll collate your submissions to read out to the guys. A quick warning that ocassional language during this series is not safe for young ears.

Follow: Instagram [Rick / Jeff / Adam] | YouTube [Beef Brothers / Adam]

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Let's welcome Bill Willoughby to the show. There are many more strings to his bow – as you’ll hear in my introduction - however, Bill rose to national awareness during the 1981 NBA Playoffs, by virtue of his excellent defense against the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Willoughby is one of only a few to ever reject The Captain’s iconic skyhook. A topic we certainly cover in this refreshingly open and honest conversation.

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The legendary Beef Brothers (Rick Mahorn and Jeff Ruland) return for episode five.

01:12 2023 NBA Awards thus far
03:23 Rick Mahorn nominated for Washington Wizards President?!
05:12 Players who find a great fit on the right team
06:23 Kyrie conundrum
06:37 Jeff and Rick's role on 1980s Bullets
08:55 2023 Playoffs - 76ers, Nuggets and Suns advance to round two
09:47 Trae Young shocks Boston (Game 5)
10:30 Celtics vs 76ers / Heat vs Knicks (round two preview)
11:50 Heat's reliance on Jimmy Butler - who else can help?
12:45 Importance of good health in the playoffs, Embiid's return
14:18 Dillon Brooks' value and impact on Grizzlies' chemistry
16:30 Whining to refs / Dick Bavetta and Joey Crawford stories
18:33 Can the Kings dethrone the Warriors?
19:51 Hat-tip to Butler and Booker / Suns vs Nuggets (round two preview)
21:42 Rick and Jeff's funniest teammates!
26:23 Listener question: Rick and Jeff's relationship with Wes Unseld
28:04 Listener question: Origin of Rick's patented "pull-the-chair" move
29:44 Listener comment: Appreciation for 1980s Bullets making playoffs
31:54 Frank Johnson and Gerald Henderson brawl (1984 Playoffs)

Watch conversations online - episodes live on the Beef Brothers' YouTube channel. Here's episode five.

We encourage your interaction - ask questions or add comments on YouTube and the Beef Brothers will respond in future episodes. If you prefer e-mail, reach Rick and Jeff by e-mailing Adam: [email protected] - he'll collate your submissions to read out to the guys. A quick warning that ocassional language during this series is not safe for young ears.

Follow: Instagram [Rick / Jeff / Adam] | YouTube [Beef Brothers / Adam]

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