A Legacy of Legends: 75th Year Celebration   First played in 1951, the NBA All-Star Game was created to showcase the league’s biggest stars in one electrifying matchup. Over the decades, it has evolved from a simple exhibition into a global celebration of basketball culture, talent, and iconic moments. Mary Lou and Phyllis have done their homework and are ready to put it all into perspective. 

NBA All-Stars  The OGs discuss the star-studded lineup of the league’s top All Star performers and the entire weekend festival of basketball events. This 3-day event highlights both established superstars and exciting first-time selections as well as a newly created US vs the World game format.

Deal or No Deal?  The February trade deadline has passed. NBA teams are settled into clear lanes; contenders have been fine-tuned, while those rebuilding squads are solidifying their rosters. There were a few big splashes while some plan for the the next phase. Highlights, surprises and standouts will be discussed.

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The OGs discuss iconic outdoor courts of the world, deep threes that light up a game, and the latest basketball highlights that keep the game timeless and fans wanting more!

Sacred Ground: Iconic Outdoor Basketball Courts    Join us for a vibrant conversation about outdoor basketball courts around the world that are so much more than just playing spaces. Court locations range from New York’s legendary Rucker Park to colorful courts in Europe where they reflect the local style, energy, and love for the game.  

Long Range. Big Impact    Back when the paint ruled and jumpers were earned, the three was a gamble. Now it’s a staple. The OGs talk about how the game and players made that shift.

Hoop Watch: Who’s ‘Cooking’?                                                                                                 Mary Lou and Phyllis are watching hoopers closely.  Which NBA teams are balling hard enough to earn a batch of OG fresh-baked delights?

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A Century of Spin, Smiles, and Swishes  Happy 100th Birthday to the legendary Harlem Globetrotters basketball team. The OGs pay tribute to this collective group of icons known for their skill, humor, and showmanship; some variation of this group has been around since their 1926 inception. It is an honor to recognize the Globetrotters and their lasting impact on basketball and entertainment.                                                                                                 

Book Review: Sooley  Mary Lou and Phyllis take a break from basketball chatter to discuss this powerful novel written by John Grisham. Sooley is about a gifted, young basketball player from ravaged South Sudan who is chasing an NBA dream while also facing life-changing challenges beyond the game.        

The Wizard of Westwood  John Wooden was a legendary college basketball coach best known for leading UCLA to 10 NCAA championships and for teaching life lessons along the way. The OGs discuss the legend and pay homage to Coach Wooden, for his lasting impact on basketball, as well as his leadership and character both on and off the court.

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Basketball Buzz   How is it that in both women’s and men’s college basketball, ratings races are close and can change weekly? Is it possible that a single loss can really define an entire season? Mary Lou and Phyllis wonder about these things out loud and also couldn’t resist discussing NBA trade rumors.

When the Whistle Blows    Team fouls vs. personal fouls - what’s the difference? What’s the limit?  The OGs break it down and talk about how fouls can flip a game in a heartbeat. 

Business Beyond the Game A conversation about professional basketball players who have achieved financial success long after their basketball playing days are over.  While on the topic of salaries, the OGs couldn’t ignore talking about how much money NBA coaches are paid.

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Power, Performance and Profit   Basketball shoe endorsements are BIG business and not just about 'pretty shoes'. Athletes depend on the quality of their shoes to aid performance, lessen injuries and more. Join us for a deep dive into this multi-faceted topic.

The Impact of NIL on College Athletics    Since it’s inception in 2021, NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) has opened the door for college level athletes to cash in on their own brands. The OGs discuss how NIL effects have reshaped of the recruitment process (including the transfer portal) and how it has changed the power dynamics of all college sports.

Highlights On and Off the Court     Phyllis and Mary Lou take a look at the new NBA All-Star format.  12 minute games!?!  How are the All- Stars chosen?  Who votes? So many questions with hopes that answers will be forthcoming.

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Mary Lou and Phyllis are back from a winter break and ready to talk all things basketball. A look at the women's Unrivaled league as it adds a fresh new chapter to the sport; how three pointers changed the game of basketball and a first half of the NBA season breakdown- surprises, breakout performances, and shifting contenders.                                                                                               

The Next Evolution of Basketball   The OGs talk about Unrivaled, a women's pro basketball league spotlighting top talent in a fast-paced, player-first format that gives women hoopers more visibility and a bigger voice in the game.          

The Shot That Changed Basketball After a deep dive into the research, Mary Lou and Phyllis explore how the three-point shot became such a big part of basketball.  

NBA Highlights    What's happening in the NBA today?  The OGs talk about on-court trends and storylines shaping the league. 

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College Hoops Lowdown. The OGs are checking into what’s been going on with men and women’s college basketball- rising teams and star players. The scoop, the stories and highlights get the spotlight. 

Breaking Down Basketball “D” You have probably seen a variety of defenses used in any given game. Digging deeper, Mary Lou and Phyllis break down “D” in a way that’s simple, sharp, and just a bit sweet and spicy, showing how teams and players really lock in on various types of basketball defenses.

NBA Highlights   Which team or player was the highlight of the week? Maybe more than one! Tune in to hear the OGs’ picks and guess who could be getting coveted fresh-baked goodies!

Podcast Programming Note: OGs Talkin’ Ball will be taking the next two weeks off and will return on January 7th! Happy Holidays to all! 

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Level up: the NBA G League  In this episode, the OGs dive into a discussion about the NBA G League - the league behind the league. It’s where hoop prospects sharpen their game, veterans fight for another shot, and new ideas/rules are tested before hitting the NBA spotlight. From player development to fast-paced competition, the G League is the proving ground that keeps basketball growing.

The Path of the Whistle-Blower A look at the world of NBA officiating uncovers what it truly takes to earn the whistle. From rigorous training to high-pressure decision-making, the OGs explore the skill, training, discipline and mindset behind becoming one of the league’s elite referees.

Chirp First; Challenge Later and Who’s Getting those Fresh Baked Cookies Mary Lou and Phyllis break down the art of NBA trash talk- those quick, sharp exchanges that fuel rivalries and momentum and answer questions about the coach’s challenge, the modern tool that lets teams dispute key calls and can shift the flow of a game. When all is said and done, the spotlight will shine on who deserves those yummy, fresh baked cookies.

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The French Connection The OGs are eyeing pro basketball’s international wave, and France is leading the charge.   With a growing lineup of elite French talent making noise in the NBA, these players are proving that the future of the league speaks a little français. 

Fouls - One More Time. Yes, Mary Lou and Phyllis break down the misunderstood, overlooked, and downright confusing fouls that keep the game spicy. From sneaky reach-ins to those fouls that shift the game’s momentum, the OGs sort through the whistles so every fan better understands what’s really going on. 

Fresh News   The latest NBA storylines, a sprinkle of what’s buzzing in college hoops, and of course serving up batches of fresh baked cookies - the chatter is about what’s happening. With sharp takes and a little sweetness, the OGs keep fans plugged into basketball things happening on and off the hardwood. 

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Rookie Check-In: How the Top Five Draft Picks are Settling-in   Mary Lou and Phyllis discuss the most recent top five NBA draft picks who are already making their presence felt. From instant-impact scorers to developing prospects finding their footing, this group is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing rookie classes in recent years.

High-Flying Slams The slam dunk can be described as a blast of energy combined with ball-handling skills on the court. The completion of a successful slam and how fans respond to its rim-rattling finish can energize a game. The OGs look at the history of the slam, its current use and how fans respond to the rim-rattling finish.

In the Spotlight  The basketball world of college and pros is buzzing with standout performances, rising stars, and a shift in momentum across leagues. The pace is fast and the storylines are big, with new highlights and fresh twists appearing almost every night. There’s no shortage of action keeping fans locked in and, of course, there are oven-baked cookies ready to share!

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