The faces of the modern NBA take on many shapes, sizes, and brands, but have a few things in common: more money and influence than any of their predecessors. In the face of this increased responsibility, will they continue the club? And if so, who’s coming next? In the series finale, Jackie takes a look at how far the league has come, and where it might be headed. Host: Jackie MacMullan Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Scott Somerville Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/a ..read more

Some players have unassailable Icons Club resumes–MVPs, championships, iconic playoff moments–but find themselves on the outside, looking in. In this episode, Jackie lays out the criteria for becoming a club member, and examines a few of the most enigmatic stars. Host: Jackie MacMullan Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Scott Somerville Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices ..read more

The Dream Team was an unprecedented experiment for the Icons Club—an opportunity for the game’s best players to form bonds and swap notes. It also gave the NBA a chance to show off its best players to the world, and the league did not miss. Host: Jackie MacMullan Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Scott Somerville Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices ..read more

Julius Erving ushered in a new era of the Icons Club. His unique style, on and off the court, brought a jolt to the game and opened doors to new marketing opportunities. And even as punches flew during his era, Dr. J forged relationships with his peers—and future Icons, like Michael Jordan—that made him arguably the most beloved member of the club. Host: Jackie MacMullan Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier, and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Scott Somerville Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com ..read more

Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell are the founding members of the Icons Club. The big men navigated a completely different NBA than the one we know today and, along with stars like Oscar Robertson, put the league on course for unimaginable growth and success. Host: Jackie MacMullan Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier, and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Scott Somerville Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices ..read more

When Jackie started covering the NBA, it was every player for himself. But during Kobe Bryant's final season, he revealed to Jackie a secret mentorship with Michael Jordan, unlocking the door to a club that only the game's greatest players have access to. Host: Jackie MacMullan Producers: Bobby Wagner, Noah Malale, Jonathan Kermah, Isaac Lee, Justin Verrier, and Vikram Patel Sound Design: Scott Somerville Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices ..read more

On June 17, 1986, Len Bias was picked second overall in the NBA draft. He was the next chapter in the book that was the 1980s Boston Celtics dynasty. Then, just two days later on June 19, 1986, he was dead of cocaine intoxication. In this episode, we talk about the 48 hours leading up to one of the sports world’s most crushing losses. Host: Jordan Riter Conn Producers: Hannah Beal, Isaac Lee, Noah Malale, and Bobby Wagner Production Assistant: Isaiah Blakely Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices ..read more

By his senior year at the University of Maryland, Len Bias was thriving. He was perhaps the best college basketball player in the country, earning burgeoning Michael Jordan comparisons, and going second overall to the Boston Celtics in the 1986 NBA draft. In this episode, we set the stage for how Len Bias, the Maryland kid, became Len Bias, the basketball phenom; how a dark premonition weighed on his mother in the months leading up to his death; and how one night in 1986 left an imprint on American culture that lingers to this day. Host: Jordan Ritter Conn Producers: Hannah Beal, Isaac Lee, N ..read more

From The Ringer and Spotify, this is the story of Len Bias: University of Maryland phenom, second pick of the 1986 draft to the Celtics, and just two days later, one of the most tragic and shocking deaths in sports history. Over the next seven episodes, we’ll investigate how Bias’s death changed the trajectory of NBA history, sparked America’s cocaine panic, and made a lasting impact in the world of sports—and far beyond. ‘What If? The Len Bias Story’ premieres June 9 on the Book of Basketball 2.0 feed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices ..read more

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to revisit the 2008 NBA draft and discuss some of its subplots, draft comedy, and NBA legends before redrafting the top 14 lottery picks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices ..read more