Hey, it's Adam here. A quick update for you on the lack of podcast episodes over the past month or two. My health hasn't been great recently, so I chose to take a break for the first time in more than eight years. New episodes will return later this month and I plan to be back bigger and better than ever. Thanks for including my show in your podcast rotation. Remember, you can always reach me via e-mail. All the best and thanks once more for being a listener of the show.   Sign-up for Adam's FREE monthly newsletter - receive exclusive details on upcoming podcast episodes and future guests to appear on the show. I appreciate all feedback and welcome ratings and reviews of my show via your podcast app of choice. Follow: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Overcast Feedback: e-mail (audio welcome)

NBA History: Michael Jordan-era & more (In all Airness)

Message from Adam - 2021 update

Eight-time Emmy Award winner, Mandy Cohen, witnessed NBA history as a vital member of WGN-TV Chicago in a decade where the Bulls won six NBA titles in eight years. This is a fun and insightful conversation about Mandy’s life in sports. Her unique first conversation with Michael Jordan, to the continued impact and influence of Phil Jackson on her life. We discuss the 10-part docuseries, The Last Dance, Mandy’s link to the series and a magical moment she witnessed involving Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen that didn’t make the cut. Plus, we delve into what it was like to cover the Chicago Bulls on a day-to-day basis at the height of their collective fame.   Sign-up for Adam's FREE monthly newsletter - receive exclusive details on upcoming podcast episodes and future guests to appear on the show. I appreciate all feedback and welcome ratings and reviews of my show via your podcast app of choice. Follow: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Overcast Feedback: e-mail (audio welcome)

Mandy Cohen: Live Sports Producer - WGN-TV Chicago, 1990s Bulls and The Last Dance - AIR117

Let's welcome iconic Boston Globe columnist and Basketball Hall of Famer, Bob Ryan. His excellent book, ‘Scribe: My Life in Sports’ (2014), will be the framework of our multi-part conversation. In this first instalment, we cover Bob’s early life in New Jersey - his parents’ influence on his love of sports, the first column he released as an 11-year old, his transition to grade school and on to Boston College where he’d first meet recently-retired NBA star, Bob Cousy - and a few years hence - the legendary Red Auerbach. Bob chats about calling the Eagles’ basketball games on student-run radio, graduating from BC and transitioning to The Boston Globe. You’ll hear the funny story behind Bob’s assignment to cover the Celtics and his unique experiences working the 1970 NBA Finals, amidst a who’s who of superstars at Madison Square Garden in New York. All that and plenty more – to top it all off, Bob’s recall is stunning.   Sign-up for Adam's FREE monthly newsletter - receive exclusive details on upcoming podcast episodes and future guests to appear on the show. I appreciate all feedback and welcome ratings and reviews of my show via your podcast app of choice. Follow: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Overcast Feedback: e-mail (audio welcome)

Bob Ryan: Legendary Boston Globe columnist and Basketball Hall of Famer - AIR116

Danny Manning has a storied career in basketball. We cover lots of topics, including his formative years of watching and learning the game, his family’s move to Kansas where he starred in college and ultimately was selected first-overall pick of the 1988 NBA Draft. Danny describes his terrifying transition of moving from Kansas to Los Angeles to begin his new life as the L.A. Clippers' number-one draft pick. We discuss his tenure with the Clippers, his back-to-back All-Star selections (1993 and 1994) and trade from Los Angeles to Atlanta, where he had the unenviable task of replacing the iconic Dominique Wilkins. In September of 1994, Manning signed with the Phoenix Suns. He played in Arizona for five seasons. Danny reflects on the importance of the support he was given from the Suns franchise and President Jerry Colangelo. Danny was named NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 1998. The conversation even ventures briefly into dessert food and body art. Plus, I quiz Danny on one play from his career to see how quickly he can recall it. An insightful and fun discussion covering his remarkable journey of perseverance, determination and achievement. Many thanks to Justin Bauman for connecting me with Danny. This conversation was recorded just before Christmas, 2020.   Sign-up for Adam's FREE monthly newsletter - receive exclusive details on upcoming podcast episodes and future guests to appear on the show. I appreciate all feedback and welcome ratings and reviews of my show via your podcast app of choice. Follow: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Overcast Feedback: e-mail (audio welcome)

Danny Manning: NCAA Champion, NBA All-Star and Sixth Man of the Year - AIR115

Hey, it’s Adam here. A quick podcast update for you as we near the end of 2020 – a year like no other in our living history. I have a couple of great guest interviews scheduled over the next few weeks and there are plenty of topic-based episodes in the works, too. This includes – all going to plan – the resumption of our #NB88 series – hello to my co-host and great mate Aaron, if you’re listening. Thanks as always for your continued support. To the super fans out there – I won’t single anyone out, but I’m confident you know who you are – your messages of support, podcast reviews and appreciation over the past eight years continue to stoke my passion for the show. I am asked from time to time how fans can monetarily support the podcast. Soon, this will be a possibility. Completely optional, of course. Your support will help offset some of the costs involved in producing the show. More on this in 2021. All the best and thanks once more for being a listener of the show. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!   Sign-up for Adam's FREE monthly newsletter - receive exclusive details on upcoming podcast episodes and future guests to appear on the show. I appreciate all feedback and welcome ratings and reviews of my show via your podcast app of choice. Follow: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Overcast Feedback: e-mail (audio welcome)

Message from Adam - 2020 update

Andrew Goldberg's mission? To collect each-and-every ticket from Michael Jordan's NBA career - regular-season, postseason and All-Star games included. You’ll be surprised at the unique, delightful ways Andrew has obtained some of the tickets in his collection. He also shares a great story about his brief encounter with Michael Jordan during the 1993 NBA Finals.   Sign-up for Adam's FREE monthly newsletter - receive exclusive details on upcoming podcast episodes and future guests to appear on the show. I appreciate all feedback and welcome ratings and reviews of my show via your podcast app of choice. Follow: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Overcast Feedback: e-mail (audio welcome)

Andrew Goldberg: Collecting 1,264 Michael Jordan NBA game tickets - AIR114

Alfred 'Butch' Beard was named Kentucky’s Mr. Basketball in 1965. He paints a picture of life in 1960s Kentucky - the civil rights movement and his exposure to racism. Butch starred at the University of Louisville and is a member of their Athletics Hall of Fame. Butch was named an NBA All-Star in 1972 and played a key role in helping the Golden State Warriors secure their first NBA title in 1975. After retiring as a player, Butch was an assistant coach with the Knicks (1979-1982) and Nets (1989-1990). He was named the Nets' head coach for the 1995 and 1996 seasons. Earlier this year (2020), Butch spoke out on the lack of Black executives in the NBA. We also discuss Butch's (1980s) broadcasting memories with Marv Albert in this enlightening - and sometimes shocking - conversation about his remarkable life. Many thanks to great friend of the show, Peter Vecsey, for connecting me with Butch.   Sign-up for Adam's FREE monthly newsletter - receive exclusive details on upcoming podcast episodes and future guests to appear on the show. I appreciate all feedback and welcome ratings and reviews of my show via your podcast app of choice. Follow: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Overcast Feedback: e-mail (audio welcome)

Butch Beard: Mr. Basketball, UofL Hall of Famer, NBA All-Star / Champion - AIR113

Jeff Turner was a standout - on-and-off the court - at Vanderbilt University. Before turning pro, he had played internationally and won a gold medal at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. This is a fun, insightful chat about Jeff’s life in basketball. We do a deep dive on his NBA career. You'll also learn how Jeff became an original member of the Orlando Magic - a team he enjoys strong links to today.   Sign-up for Adam's FREE monthly newsletter - receive exclusive details on upcoming podcast episodes and future guests to appear on the show. I appreciate all feedback and welcome ratings and reviews of my show via your podcast app of choice. Follow: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Overcast Feedback: e-mail (audio welcome)

Jeff Turner: Vanderbilt standout, 1984 gold medalist and ten-year NBA veteran - AIR112

Steve Johnson starred at Oregon State University and was selected by the Kansas City Kings with the seventh-overall pick in the 1981 NBA Draft. He was named an All-Star in 1988. This is an enlightening chat about Steve’s unique rise from high school to the NBA. He truly took a path that very few pro players ever have. Johnson is a great storyteller and the conversation features numerous laughs, plus, a fantastic story about Steve, Michael Jordan and Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. Steve entered the State of Oregon Hall of Fame in 1995, had his OSU #33 retired during the 1997 season and was added to the Pac-12 Conference Hall of Honor in 2007.   Sign-up for Adam's FREE monthly newsletter - receive exclusive details on upcoming podcast episodes and future guests to appear on the show. I appreciate all feedback and welcome ratings and reviews of my show via your podcast app of choice. Follow: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Overcast Feedback: e-mail (audio welcome)

Steve Johnson: Oregon State University great, NBA All-Star and ten-year veteran - AIR111

Eldridge Recasner is a member of the Washington Huskies' Hall of Fame. His rise from college to the NBA is filled with plenty of twists and turns. We discuss the unique path that led to him enjoying an eight-year run at the highest level with teams such as the Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks. I had the pleasure of meeting Eldridge earlier this year in Chicago during NBA All-Star Weekend.   Sign-up for Adam's FREE monthly newsletter - receive exclusive details on upcoming podcast episodes and future guests to appear on the show. I appreciate all feedback and welcome ratings and reviews of my show via your podcast app of choice. Follow: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Overcast Feedback: e-mail (audio welcome)

Eldridge Recasner: Husky Hall of Famer, CBA MVP / Champ and eight-year NBA veteran - AIR110

Jeff Sanders is the first of numerous former players - that I had the pleasure of meeting in Chicago (All-Star Weekend 2020) - to guest on the podcast. Sanders was one of the Chicago Bulls' three first-round picks in the 1989 NBA Draft. The other two? Stacey King and B.J. Armstrong. Jeff shares fond memories of his time running with Michael Jordan and the Bulls. Jeff is a member of Georgia Southern University's Hall of Fame. He is one of the school's all-time greats. This is a fun chat that I’m confident you’ll enjoy.   Sign-up for Adam's FREE monthly newsletter - receive exclusive details on upcoming podcast episodes and future guests to appear on the show. I appreciate all feedback and welcome ratings and reviews of my show via your podcast app of choice. Follow: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Overcast Feedback: e-mail (audio welcome)

Jeff Sanders: Georgia Southern Hall of Famer and five-year NBA veteran - AIR109

Andrew Bernstein and Nathaniel Butler - Senior NBA Photographers - detail iconic photos from their respective careers behind the lens. This is the audio of our Zoom recording from May, 2020. Watch the video of our conversation on YouTube - including each of the iconic photos that Andy and Nat discuss herein. We cover Michael Jordan’s final shot – and the moments thereafter – from the 1998 Finals, Magic Johnson’s "Junior Junior Sky Hook" at Boston Garden from the 1987 Finals, Jordan’s locker-room celebration w/ his late father, James, from the 1991 Finals and a stunning breakaway slam-dunk from the late Kobe Bryant (circa 2000).   Sign-up for Adam's FREE monthly newsletter - receive exclusive details on upcoming podcast episodes and future guests to appear on the show. I appreciate all feedback and welcome ratings and reviews of my show via your podcast app of choice. Follow: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Overcast Feedback: e-mail (audio welcome)

Senior NBA Photographers: Andrew Bernstein and Nathaniel Butler - AIR108

Detlef Schrempf was a large part of the first wave of European-born players to make their mark in the NBA. He is a three-time NBA All-Star, back-to-back Sixth Man of the Year and two-time Olympian. We discuss his formative years in Germany and the foreign-exchange program that would change his life forever. We cover his standout tenure at the University of Washington, the ups-and-downs of his early-pro career with the Dallas Mavericks and the 1989 trade to the Indiana Pacers that ultimately allowed his game to shine. Detlef talks about his return to Washington state - where he played six seasons for the Seattle SuperSonics - before closing out his playing days with the Portland Trailblazers.   Sign-up for Adam's FREE monthly newsletter - receive exclusive details on upcoming podcast episodes and future guests to appear on the show. I appreciate all feedback and welcome ratings and reviews of my show via your podcast app of choice. Follow: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Overcast Feedback: e-mail (audio welcome)

Detlef Schrempf: 3x NBA All-Star and 2x Sixth Man of the Year - AIR107

Legendary sportswriter, Jack McCallum, discusses a wide range of hoops-related topics. We begin with his eight-part podcast series, The Dream Team Tapes. We cover its origin story and Jack's original audio recordings with superstars such as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. Jack shares great insights from his books - Golden Days (the remarkable through line between Jerry West and the history of the NBA), Seven Seconds or Less (his season on the bench with the 2006 Phoenix Suns) and Unfinished Business (his inside look at the 1991 Boston Celtics). We also chat about (ESPN's) The Last Dance docuseries, Jack's omission from the list of interviewees and his Last Night on The Last Dance episode recaps for Sports Illustrated. Jack discusses his approach to book research and offers great advice for aspiring writers. We round out the conversation with an anecdote for the ages featuring 1980s NBA veteran, Darren Daye - made possible thanks to another fantastic author, Jeff Pearlman.   Sign-up for Adam's FREE monthly newsletter - receive exclusive details on upcoming podcast episodes and future guests to appear on the show. I appreciate all feedback and welcome ratings and reviews of my show via your podcast app of choice. Follow: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Overcast Feedback: e-mail (audio welcome)

Jack McCallum: Hall of Fame Sportswriter - AIR106

My guest is long-time Birmingham Barons Radio Broadcaster, Curt Bloom. This is a special episode as it’s the first devoted purely to Michael Jordan’s baseball career. This conversation was recorded after episode eight of the The Last Dance had aired. Curt talks about first hearing the news that MJ could be headed to Alabama, how Jordan adjusted to life as a Minor League player, his interactions – and later, a special one-on-one interview - with Michael and more. Plus, Curt gave me the thumbs-up to include audio snippets of some iconic calls he made of various MJ milestones as a Barons player; all unheard for over 25 years.   Sign-up for Adam's FREE monthly newsletter - receive exclusive details on upcoming podcast episodes and future guests to appear on the show. I appreciate all feedback and welcome ratings and reviews of my show via your podcast app of choice. Follow: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Overcast Feedback: e-mail (audio welcome)

The Last Dance - Extras 3 [Guest: Curt Bloom - Birmingham Barons Radio] - AIR105

Episodes feature former-NBA, ABA & CBA players, coaches and media. Plus, conversations about particular games, memorable moments and much more. My focal point is Michael Jordan, however, I cover everything NBA - with my unique Australian sense of humor.