On today’s podcast, Jim is joined by Rick Telander, senior sports columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, to breakdown the hall of fame candidacy of former NFL defensive tackle Steve "Mongo" McMichael.  Jim and Rick first discuss McMichael's wild personality, how we might never see another player quite like him, and the differences between McMichael and his hall of fame teammate Dan Hampton (3:26). Then, they breakdown the defensive roster of the 1985 Bears and how they rank among the best defenses of all time, including the 1969 Kansas City Chiefs, 1976 Pittsburgh Steelers, and 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. (26:40). Finally, they make a final verdict on whether or not McMichael deserves a place in Canton and what his chances are of eventually getting inducted by the Senior Committee (35:00).  

On today’s podcast, Jim is joined by Neil Paine, senior writer for FiveThirtyEight, to breakdown the hall of fame candidacy of Andrei Kirilenko.  Jim and Neil first discuss the early days of basketball analytics and Kirilenko's membership in the 5X5x5X5X5 club (14:54). Then, they cover what Kirilenko has in common with Dr. J. and how according to one advanced metric, Kirilenko should have won 2 MVP awards (24:22). Finally, they make a call on whether or not Kirilenko deserves to be voted into the Basketball Hall of Fame and discuss how his international career impacts his candidacy (54:05).

On today’s podcast, Jim is joined by Chris Price of the Boston Globe, to breakdown the resume of former strong safety Rodney Harrison. Jim and Chris first discuss how violent of a hitter Harrison was (4:23). Then, they talk about Harrison's performance in the 2003 and 2004 playoffs, the lack of safeties in the Hall of Fame today, Steve Atwater, Richard Seymour, Corey Dillion, and Harrison's membership in the 30/30 club. (8:14).  Finally, they rank the best players on the 2000s New England Patriots and talk about how Harrison played in the golden age of the safety (28:03), before making a final call on whether or not Harrison deserves to be voted into the Football Hall of Fame (41:59).

On today’s podcast, Jim is joined by Sacramento Kings Insider for NBC Sports California, James Ham, to breakdown the resume of former NBA power forward Chris Webber. Jim and James first breakdown the 2002 Western Conference Finals between the Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers (2:24). Then, they talk about how Webber changed the way other players viewed Sacramento as a free agency destination, Mitch Richmond, All-NBA teams in the early 2000s, and Webber's issues with the media (23:04).  Finally, they discuss the golden era of NBA power forwards (36:04), before making a final call on whether or not Webber deserves to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame (40:10).

On today’s podcast, Jim is joined by Zack Meisel, writer for The Athletic and author of the book "Cleveland Rocked", to breakdown the resume of former MLB shortstop Omar Vizquel. Jim and Zack first talk about whether or not Vizquel is the most beloved Cleveland Indian in team history (6:11). Then, they talk about Vizquel's missed squeeze bunt "walk-off" in game 3 of the 1997 ALCS, Ozzie Smith, defensive advanced metrics, and whether having a 24-year career helps or hurts Vizquel's case for the Hall of Fame (10:24).  Finally, they discuss if Vizquel was ever even a top-five player on those great Cleveland teams of the 90s (29:04), before making a final call on whether or not Vizquel deserves to be voted into the Cooperstown (46:54).

On this week’s podcast, Jim takes a break from looking into the past and instead makes way too early predictions about the hall of fame prospects of NBA players under the age of 25. He discusses Luka Doncic, Donovan Mitchell, Jayson Tatum, Bam Adebayo, and Jamal Murray. He also brings up Jimmy Butler, Mike Bibby, Chris Webber, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, LeBron James, Jimmy Butler, and more.

On today’s podcast, Jim is joined by Bulls.com writer, former Chicago Tribune sports reporter, and New York Times best-selling author of "The Jordan Rules", Sam Smith, to break down the Hall of Fame candidacy of former NBA power forward Horace Grant. Jim and Sam begin with "The Last Dance" and discuss what Smith thought of the 10-part docuseries (2:23). Then, they cover how Grant was better than Shaq and Penny Hardaway during the 1995 Magic/Bulls Eastern Conference Semifinals, how rare it is to win four NBA championships, and dynasties throughout NBA history (17:39). Finally, they talk about how Michael Jordan and the Bulls probably wouldn't have won all three NBA titles without Grant (35:26), before making a final call on whether or not Grant deserves to be voted into the Basketball Hall of Fame (52:26). After the final verdict, Sam provides his thoughts on the recent hiring of new Bulls head coach Billy Donovan (57:11). 

On our special tribute podcast today, I discuss the career of Baseball Hall of Famer Bob Gibson, who passed away yesterday at the age of 84. 

Gibson was voted into Cooperstown the first year he became eligible in 1981, earning 84% of the vote. 

On today’s podcast, Jim is joined by Nate Taylor, Kansas City Chiefs beat writer for The Athletic, to breakdown the resume of former running back Priest Holmes. Jim and Nate first talk about why you can't talk about Priest Holmes without first talking about touchdowns (4:02). Then, they breakdown the dominance of Holmes's 2003 season, LaDainian Tomlinson, Holmes hardware, and how Frank Gore may never retire (9:29).  Finally, they discuss just how good the Chief's offense line was during the 2000s and if their ability should impact how we look at Holmes's career (31:45), before making a final call on whether or not Priest deserves to be voted into the Football Hall of Fame (36:25).

On our special tribute podcast today, I discuss the brief, but brilliant career of Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers, who passed away yesterday at the age of 77.

Sayers was voted into the Football Hall of Fame the first year he became eligible despite playing only 7 seasons in the NFL. At 34, he was the youngest player ever inducted.