Talking with Karl Malone in the space that amounted to his wildlife museum, strolling the streets of Spokane with hometown tour guide John Stockton, guilting Larry Bird into sitting still for an interview, and silently wondering why Clyde Drexler would suddenly start talking about why he was as good as Michael Jordan.

Why I Had to Pull Out the Operation Card to Get Larry Bird

The #1 New Sports Podcast of 2020. The greatest team in NBA history, the 1992 Dream Team that won Olympic gold in Barcelona. Hear the incomparable players in their own words, including Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Scottie Pippen, Clyde Drexler, Karl Malone and the others. Renowned sportswriter and author Jack McCallum was there with the guys and brings us the thrilling memories, personal stories, and sometimes surprising anecdotes of the twelve historic players. Season 2 joining Jack McCallum with J.A. Adande for an epic examination of the incomparable 2008 US Olympic Men's Basketball Team and the legendary players that defined a new generation of NBA basketball. They talk to players and coaches including Carmelo Anthony, Phil Jackson, Jason Kidd, Chris Bosh, Robert Horry, Jerry Colangelo, Deron Williams, Mike Krzyzewski and more, bringing you an insider's study in athletic challenge, transformation, and ultimate victory. Assembling icons like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Dwayne Wade, The Redeem Team composed the greatest single team since the superlative Dream Team of Jordan, Johnson, and Bird from 1992. The US team was in shambles following the rise of Olympic teams around the world and their humiliation at the 2004 Games. It was the gold medal in ’08 or total failure — there was nothing in between. What The Redeem Team achieved signaled a total rebirth of USA Basketball —and some would say basketball in general — whose legacy we are living out today.

History

Society & Culture

Sports

Basketball

In this second bonus episode, Jeff Van Gundy suggests that Pat Riley's political battles with the NBA might've had something to do with the fact that he never coached the national team, while Zach Lowe theorizes that we're bound to have a reduced NBA schedule in the future. Our takes on the state of the NBA game--are there just too many threes being hurled up unless Steph Curry is shooting them?- are also covered in this loaded discussion.

Bonus Episode pt. 2

Special guests Jeff Van Gundy and Zach Lowe agree on whom they would choose to take the last shot between LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. (It might be a surprise.) That and many other topics, such as the uphill battle the U.S. faces in the upcoming Olympic Games, are rolled out on the first of two bonus episodes.

Bonus Episode pt. 1

At last the gold medal game is here, and Spain, led by Kobe Bryant’s new Los Angeles Lakers teammate Pau Gasol, is the formidable opponent. Back and forth they go, and at crunch time it’s going to be up to LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and, of course, the late, great Mamba. Interviews with Craig Miller, Mike D'Antoni, Chris Bosh, Coach K, Sean Ford, Jason Kidd, Deron Williams.

La Busqueda Para El Oro (The Search For Gold)

As the Redeem Team tears through the Beijing Olympics, we meet some of the lesser-knowns on the team, like Tayshaun Prince and Michael Redd; deconstruct the quarterbacking and athletic brilliance of LeBron James and even ponder the relative merits of Whitney Houston vs. Mariah Carey, Olympians in their own way. Interviews with Jerry Colangelo, Chris Bosh, Deron Williams, Jason Kidd, Carmelo Anthony, Jim Boeheim, Craig Miller and Mike D'Antoni.

Cruising and Snoozing

In the days leading up to the 2008 Games, Kobe Bryant gets away (barely) with tardiness but not with questionable shot selection. Once in Beijing, Yao Ming hits an opening shot heard throughout the land, but the U.S. at last gets the chance to flex its Olympic muscle.  Starring Chris Bosh, Coach K, Craig Miller, Jason Kidd, Carmelo Anthony, Jerry Colangelo.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why I Had to Pull Out the Operation Card to Get Larry Bird

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