1980s
"Players are a little more mercenary" - Julius Erving on the lack of loyalty in today's NBA
According to the Doctor's diagnosis, money is the root of the disease.
"Once I get the ball up above my head, I’m good" - Julius Erving recalls George Gervin's epic trash-talk on Maurice Cheeks
80s NBA stars weren't mic'd up but Dr. J still vividly recalls Iceman's savage trash-talking.
Magic Johnson explains why he was scared to leave his apartment during his first two seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers
Johnson admitted that he didn't want to go out of his house because of all the pressure he was going through in his rookie year
“Oh, well, another little guy on me” - How Adrian Dantley amazed former Boston Celtics head coach for being able to outduel taller defenders
Dantley was a matchup nightmare for opposing players and coaches
NBA teams had ''Shorter Than Spud'' promo nights where live fans shorter than Spud Webb get 50% discount
At one point, many NBA teams got their fair share of the Spud Webb phenomena.
"I tell Magic every time I see him...You were going to lose the series anyway" - Ralph Sampson on beating the Los Angeles Lakers in 1986
That time Ralph Sampson let Magic Johnson know he's not letting the Lakers win another game in the series
That time Larry Bird ignored death threats he received during the 1984 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers -"Of course, I'm still out there. It's the Finals!"
Larry Bird recalls receiving death threats during the 1984 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers
“I still couldn't guard his a**” - Dennis Rodman once revealed who was his toughest opponent to defend
Dennis Rodman who considered James Worthy as one of toughest offensive players to go up against during their era.
“He’s the best passer I’ve ever seen in my life” - Larry Bird once raved about Bill Walton’s court vision
It's a shame the NBA world never got to see a healthy Walton for a prolonged period
"I made it real easy for him to walk those streets on the west side of Chicago. My family took care of him." — Isiah Thomas reveals his impact on Michael Jordan's life in Chicago
Isiah Thomas reveals his impact on Michael Jordan in response to the disrespect displayed by Jordan in "The Last Dance".
"He went to go to shoot and I blocked his shot" — Muggsy Bogues recalled being chased by Manute Bol after he blocked his shot in practice
Muggsy Bogues had a lot of fun moments with Manute Bol, but what he'll remember the most is Bol's huge heart.
“John proceeded to wipe the floor with me” - Steve Kerr once shared how John Stockton ruined his chances of going to Gonzaga
Kerr got his revenge on Stockton by ruining the legendary point guard's chances of winning an NBA title.
“What if I make a mistake?” - Michael Jordan once shared his “biggest fear”
It seems that fear allowed MJ to find success not just on the court but also away from it.
"Jeez, if Doc gets a pimple, he wants to know why it's there" - Julius Erving's vanity was part of his greatness
Some may not know, but Dr. J cared a lot about what people say about him.
Charles Barkley called his former Philadelphia 76ers teammate the best player he ever played with
Andrew Toney had a potential Hall of Fame career, but injuries unfortunately got in the way.
"It's kinda cool and it tickles me pink, man” — James Worthy reveals who named him “Big Game James”
There's a reason why Chick Hern gave James Worthy the "Big Game James" moniker
“My mom would listen for the ball bouncing on the cement and if she heard it, she knew I was ok” - Larry Johnson shares an inspiring story about hard work
Larry Johnson learned early on that hard work gets the job done.
"Hey mop boy, go run and find the scoring record in this building" — how Larry Bird got himself fired up before games
Larry Legend would always go the extra mile to find little ways to motivate himself for a game.
"I'd have one or two of your six rings" — Ron Harper claims the Cavaliers would've stopped Michael Jordan's first three-peat
Years before he joined Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls, Ron Harper was a member of the up-and-coming Cleveland Cavaliers squad.
"I was on morphine at the time" — Steve Kerr got his World Championship Gold Medal while in a daze
Steve Kerr's professional basketball career almost ended before it even started.
"Just point at the basket" — how Jeff Hornacek became a great shooter thanks to his wife and Walter Davis
At first, Jeff Hornacek scoffed at his wife's advice. But he loved her ever more deeply when the ball started going in.
"We were the original 'Twin Towers'” - Ralph Samson on playing with Hakeem Olajuwon in the Houston Rockets
Ralph Sampson looked back at his legacy with Hakeem Olajuwon as the original "Twin Towers."
“You only missed 3 games in 15 years?!” — Byron Scott sits down with ironman A.C. Green
It's been two decades but Byron Scott still can't fathom former teammate A.C. Green's iron man streak.
"We would have had four, five or six titles" — Clyde Drexler names Portland Trail Blazers center who could've helped him win titles
Arvydas Sabonis was a 7-foot-3 center who, in his prime, fit the mold of the modern NBA big man.
Michael Cooper was humbled by Larry Bird's sentiment towards him -“Of all the accolades that you can win, or awards, that’s probably the one I cherish the most”
Larry Bird called Michael Cooper the greatest defender he’s ever faced and Cooper shares why that compliment means so much to him
"I didn't really know about it until somebody told me" - Larry Bird on being the first player to average 50-40-90
Larry Bird was the first player to join the 50-40-90 club he had no idea about it.
"I'm a student of the game...Mike couldn't go left" - George Gervin revealed how to stop Michael Jordan
Having guarded a young MJ, "Iceman" was certain he knew what his weakness was.
The story behind Michael Jordan’s $615K ‘Shattered Backboard’ sneakers
Michael Jordan shattered a backboard during an exhibition game in Italy. The sneakers he wore in that game were sold for a massive $615,000
"How am I ever going to shoot this thing?" — multicolored balls worried Larry Bird ahead of the 1986 3-point contest
Boston Celtics icon Larry Bird shared some behind the scenes stories reagrding the 1986 NBA three-point contest
“I’d look at Cheryl, she’d look at me, we’d wink” — Reggie Miller and his sister Cheryl ran a hustle scam in California
This is how true ballers make money for a Happy Meal.
“There was a lot of drug use” — Larry Bird on how David Stern kept the NBA afloat before being commissioner
According to Larry Bird, David Stern made two key moves that saved the NBA.
“I wore number 33 in high school and college because of you” — when Shaquille O’Neal told Patrick Ewing that he was his favorite player
O'Neal and Ewing also believe that the days of big men imposing themself inside the paint as they did for years now aren't as common as they used to be.
One of the most iconic NBA games was dropped from national TV because of The Incredible Hulk series
Game 6 of the 1980 NBA Finals was one of the most iconic NBA games ever, but almost nobody saw it on live TV because of The Incredible Hulk series
From Magic Johnson to Michael Jordan — why Kobe Bryant switched idols
Kobe threw a funny dig at his father while explaining why he decided to switch from Magic to MJ.
"I’m guarding Joe Dumars and I seen Laimbeer standing there by himself" - Larry Bird on one of the greatest Boston Celtics moments of all time
Larry Bird didn't have enough time to think, but just enough time to make history. The best part - he wasn't going for the steal.
When 21-year-old Michael Jordan named the best player he ever saw
MJ didn't just study and steal from Hall of Famers. He knew game wherever he saw it.
“18 to 22 points, 10 to 12 rebounds, and he wasn’t going to mess up” - Kevin McHale lauds the most consistent Boston Celtics star in the 80s
There were many great players in that 80s Boston Celtics team, but Kevin McHale knows there was one guy who never failed to deliver.
Magic Johnson is still not happy that Larry Bird won Rookie of the Year over him
It's not that he lost - Magic is frustrated with the lopsided nature of Bird's win.
“He's 7'7'' but he thought he was 5'10''” — Muggsy Bouges on playing with Manute Bol
Muggsy Bogues shared how fun it was to be teammates with Manute Bol despite their differences.
“I love that man but he was in between me and that NBA championship” — Magic Johnson showed no mercy to his mentor Julius Erving
Dr. J. made an icredible gesture that helped Magic make one of the most important decisions in his life.
“I’m the coldest white boy in the league!” — that time Larry Bird trash-talked Pat Riley
Larry Bird had to holler at Pat Riley to let him know what's up.
“You dogged me twice” — George Gervin feels Pat Riley stole 2 All-Star MVP awards from him
George Gervin still feels Pat Riley owes him not one, but 2 All-Star MVPs - and he reminds Riley about it every time they see each other.
Pat Riley reveals his all-time favorite moment with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Former Los Angeles Lakers coach Pat Riley shared many unforgettable moments with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar but there was one that always stands out
Bill Walton was in shock when he first saw prime Arvydas Sabonis play in the 80s: "He probably had a quadruple-double at halftime"
Bill Walton describes what impressed him the most when he first saw Arvydas Sabonis play during the 80s, well before he came to the NBA
"We were the lucky ones to be on his team" — Bill Walton credited one teammate for being the reason the 80s Celtics were great
For Bill Walton, neither Larry Bird nor Cedric Maxwell were the reason the 80s Celtics being a dynasty.
”When I see you out, I light up!“ — Jamie Foxx on the impact the Showtime Lakers on the modern NBA
Jamie Foxx admits he still gets starstruck seeing Byron Scott in the flesh because of how dominant the Showtime Lakers were.
“If I had went to the Bulls there would be no Michael Jordan in Chicago" — Magic Johnson on almost playing for the Bulls
A coin flip in 1979 draft determined the fate of Magic Johnson, L.A. Lakers, Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan.
Dan Dakich — the man who spoiled Michael Jordan's final college game
Dan Dakich narrates how he stopped Michael Jordan's vaunted fadeaway jump shot.
“I was coachable. I was a sponge and aggressive to learn!” — Michael Jordan shares his best skill
Michael Jordan became a great player because he was willing to learn and unlearn things to improve in whatever way he could.
Darryl Dawkins on his nickname "Dr. Dunkenstein" — “I wasn’t surgically operating but my operating did cause patients”
The late Darryl Dawkins was known as "Chocolate Thunder" but he also loved being called "Dr. Dunkenstein"