Legends Of Sport With Andrew D. Bernstein

With all the recent controversy brewing over Barry Bonds & Roger Clemens Hall of Fame snub, we thought it proper to speak with an expert on the subject! Andy invites sports journalist/author Joe Posnanski about his new book - The Baseball 100. Andy & Joe discuss the genesis of the book, the never-ending controversy over sports lists, his own unique criteria for ranking players, great players lost to history, the steroid era, and more! Joe also tells us where he stands on Barry Bonds, Pete Rose, Roger Clemens, as well as what he's working on next!

Andy chats with the logo himself... Jerry West! Jerry talks about his consulting role with the Clippers, his relationship with owner Steve Ballmer, and why he's still inspired to stay involved with the game. Andy & Jerry discuss his autobiography "West by West: My Charmed, Tormented Life"; Jerry expands on his personal battles with depression, lessons he learned about racial injustice during his playing career in the 1960s, and the power of modern athletes. Hear Mr. Clutch's definition of 'Greatness', his thoughts on the Lakers/Clippers rivalry, and the drive behind his hyper-competitive nature. Jerry also shares his thoughts on the late Kobe Bryant; how he's dealing with the impact of his tragic death, what made him unlike any other athlete, and how he remembers his life, legend & legacy.

Some Legends of Sport... wrote the legends themselves! Andy chats with writer/author Leigh Montville! The former columnist for The Boston Globe & senior writer for Sports Illustrated shares his path to becoming a writer, how the art of sports writing has changed, his opinion of modern sports journalism, and his book, "Tall Men, Short Shorts 'The 1969 NBA Finals: Wilt, Russ, Lakers, Celtics, And A Very Young Sports Reporter'". Andy & Leigh also discuss Wilt Chamberlain vs Bill Russell, why he calls the 1969 Los Angeles Lakers the first 'Super Team', and Leigh tells a few stories about Johnny Most & Chick Hearn.

In this CLASSIC episode of Legends Of Sport, Andy sat down with friend & former NBA Commissioner, David Stern. David takes us thru his early life that lead him to the NBA, implementing his vision for the NBA, bringing the NBA brand to China, Yao Ming, lessons learned over the years, post-retirement life, the current health of the NBA, and much more. David also discusses his top 3 most memorable moments during his tenure as NBA Commissioner, as well as the iconic 1992 All-Star game, and Magic Johnson's HIV diagnosis. Plus, Andy & David share some of their favorite memories working together throughout the years.

Not all Legends Of Sport grace the field! Andy invites legendary director & screenwriter Ron Shelton! Ron takes us behind the scenes & through the process of creating many of our favorite sports classics such as; Bull Durham, White Men Can't Jump, Tin Cup, and many more! Andy & Ron discuss the early years in his life that lead to a passion for sports & movies, the technical aspects of casting & shooting sports films, and Ron tells a few stories from working with acting greats like Kevin Costner, Wesley Snipes & Woody Harrelson. The two also talk about Blue Chips with Shaquille O'Neal, the impact of sports on society, how his view of an athletes' role in a society has changed, great sports cliches, and a few scripts he's working on!

Andy chats with journalist Scott Howard-Cooper! Scott talks about his life-long career in journalism & sports journalism, covering the early years of Shaq & Kobe, his relationship with Kobe Bryant, and his new book "Steve Kerr: A Life!" Scott discusses the genesis of the book, and the many surprising aspects of Steve Kerr's incredible life story. Scott shares stories from his relationship with Kobe Bryant over the years, from his rookie season on the Lakers to their final meeting in Sacramento. Plus, Scott & Andy reminisce over the many career overlapping memories throughout the years covering the NBA in Southern California!

Andy chats with former NBA player & current Head Coach of Utah Valley University - Mark "Mad Dog" Madsen! Andy & Mark talk about his incredible career, how the pandemic has affected his team, his road before the NBA, lessons he learned from Phil Jackson, his relationship with Shaq, & Kobe Bryant's legacy. Mark identifies the many lessons he's learned & incorporated from Phil Jackson, from Phil's "WTF" play, what made the Triangle Offense so great, his work-life balance philosophy, and what he's taken to his players. Mark tells some great stories about comedy Clubs with Phil, Thanksgiving Days with Shaq, winning back-to-back titles with Kobe & Shaq, his relationship with Kobe, ripping his socks off mid-play, and many more!

Andy chats with legendary professional & Olympic Volleyball player & coach, as well as the current Head Coach of the U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team - Karch Kiraly! In addition to his heavily decorated college & professional career, Karch is the only player in the world to win three Olympic Gold Medals in Volleyball - in '84, '88 & '96. Andy & Karch reminisce about the early days of beach volleyball on the beaches of Southern California, playing for UCLA under Coach Al Scates, indoor vs beach volleyball, the 1986 USA Cup tournament, how the pandemic affected training & preparation for his team, & much more! Plus, Andy & Karch discuss the importance of growing women's sports leagues, a brand new women's only pro league called Athletes Unlimited, the Starlings Volleyball program, memories of meeting Kobe Bryant, & how he views his legacy. Good luck to Coach Karch & Team USA!!

Andy chats with eight-time Olympic medalist - Apolo Ohno! Andy & Apolo talk about his heavy travel schedule, his path into speed skating, his involvement in "The Weight Of Gold" documentary on HBO, his passion for mental health advocacy & financial literacy, and more! Apolo gives his perspective on Naomi Osaka's battles with mental health, how he's helping athletes with their second acts, his new book "Hard Pivot," memories of Kobe Bryant, his work in the financial world with Personal Capital, and so much more!

Andy chats with marketing consultant & former lead of Nike's Business Affairs department - Mark Thomashow! Mark is responsible for many of Nike's most successful marketing campaigns from "Just Do It," Charles Barkley's "I'm Not a Role Model" commercial, "Bo Knows" with Bo Jackson, the concept of Championship hats, and many more! Andy & Mark discuss the genesis of his career from school teacher, to lawyer, to leading some of Nike's most iconic advertising campaigns. Mark describes the behind the scenes of how some of the biggest ad campaigns in sports got started, and the incredible stories he has from along the way. Andy & Mark also discuss the time he was sued by The Beatles, the Dream Team vs. Reebok, the idea of athletes as role models, his involvement with the Earl Monroe Charter School, and so much more!

Andy chats with South Carolina Gamecocks & USA Women's National Team Head Coach - Dawn Staley! Dawn discusses her journey from the projects of Philadelphia to the University of Virginia, the ABL, being voted one of the 15 best players in WNBA history, and ultimately being named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall Of Fame! Andy & Dawn also discuss her various inspirations & mentors along the way, memories from the first Women's Dream Team at the Olympics in Atlanta, how she defines Philly basketball, her philosophy on losing, her 24-Hour Rule, her Players Tribune article "Black People Are Tired," and so much more!

Andy chats with sports attorney & entrepreneur Leonard Armato! Leonard discusses his path to representing elite athletes Shaquille O'Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, creating brands such as Golden Boy for Oscar De La Hoya and “Dunkman” for Shaq, the NBA Tech Summit, AVP Beach Volleyball, and so much more! Andy & Leonard trade Shaq stories, Leonard talks about what attracted him to O'Neal as a client, how Ronnie Lott became his first client, a new book he's currently working on, how he views the modern athlete's responsibilities with social media, and his philosophy on how he approaches "work-life balance".

Andy chats with NASCAR Legend - Kurt Busch! Andy & Kurt discuss the origins of his over 20-year professional racing career, the 2020 season, his Top Five Sweetest Wins of his 775 starts, competition with his younger brother Kyle, the common qualities among elite athletes, and the Mamba Mentality he brings to his training! Kurt also shares his thoughts on the Black Lives Matter issues during last season, including NASCAR's decision to ban the Confederate Flag, & his support for fellow driver Bubba Wallace. Kurt is coming in hot with Ricky Bobby quotes, his love for the Chicago Cubs, a memorable Kobe Braynt performance he witnessed, 24-hour races, and the fire behind his 21st season on the NASCAR circuit. Plus, Kurt tells us about his passion & support for VetTix.org - an organization providing Tickets for Troops & Veterans!

In honor of Kobe Bryant's induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall Of Fame on May 15th, Andy chats with veteran Los Angeles sports journalists Brad Turner & Bill Plaschke - hear stories & memories from three men who covered the entirety of Kobe's illustrious career. The guys go down memory lane describing their first moments with the young Mamba, his battles against other 2020 HOF inductees -Tim Duncan & Kevin Garnett, Kobe's unmatched confidence as a rookie, his falling out with Shaquille O'Neal, the post-Shaq era, and more! Andy, Brad & Bill also discuss Kobe's evolution into the Black Mamba, Phil Jackson's book, Magic Johnson's comment calling Kobe "the greatest Laker of All-Time", Kobe's storybook final game, and how we'll define Kobe's legacy in years to come.

Andy chats with former WNBA star & current VP of Player Development & Organizational Growth for the Boston Celtics - Allison Feaster! Andy & Allison discuss her current role with the Celtics, the 2021 season, her transition from player to front office, being a pioneer as a woman in men's sports, and so much more! Allison describes her on-court career path from being a 3x Ivy League Player of The Year at Harvard to dominating the European league & WNBA, her passion for women empowerment, & memories of Kobe Bryant. Plus, special guest MIMI asks Allison a question!

In honor of the late Kobe Bryant, please enjoy this re-release of Andy & Kobe's discussion about their book, "The Mamba Mentality: How I Play". Andy & Kobe delve into their bestselling book collaboration as Kobe shares his thoughts and emotions around the craft he held so dear. Kobe & Andy discuss the championships, his iconic work ethic, Team USA, the importance of overcoming his achilles injury, his storybook final game, and the true meaning behind "The Mamba Mentality" from the Mamba himself. We Love You Kobe.

Andy chats with author, filmmaker & entrepreneur Gotham Chopra! Andy & Gotham discuss the genesis of his sports documentaries "Muse" about Kobe Bryant, "Shut Up & Dribble" with LeBron James, the spiritual aspects of sports, being a Boston sports fan, athlete activism, Religion Of Sports, the theme of Greatness, and more! Gotham describes his relationship with Kobe Braynt, working with Tom Brady this past season, and gives his thoughts on the pause in sports. Hear about Andy's experiences working with Kobe on their book "The Mamba Mentality: How I Play", Gotham's experience working on "Decoding Deepak" about his father, and so much more!

Andy chats with legendary basketball player & broadcaster Ann Meyers Drysdale! Andy & Ann discuss her book "You Let Some Girl Beat You," dynamics of her early life, where her dream of becoming an Olympian began, the importance of recognizing female role models, signing with the Indiana Pacers in 1979, her extensive broadcasting journey, playing in the Women's Professional Basketball League(WPBL), and more! Ann also discusses her many "firsts", Title 9, the Men's Superstars & Women Superstars, pickup games with Tommy Lasorda, golfing with husband Don Drysdale, trail blazers, resiliency, and memories of Kobe Bryant.

Andy chats with MLB legend Darryl Strawberry! Andy & Darryl discuss his book "Turn Your Season Around," successfully endearing himself to both Mets & Yankees fans, his time with the LA Dodgers, photoshoots with Andy, his personal battles with addiction & cancer, and how his spiritual journey changed his life! Andy & Darryl also reflect on the social impact of the Miracle Mets of 1969, how he puts the pandemic into context, playing under the microscope of major cities, and more! Darryl speaks on rejection, criticism, contentment, the positive influences in his life, relationships with Gary Carter & Mookie Wilson, he & his wife's work in the Autism community, and how he's "switched teams & put on a new uniform"!

Andy chats with 20-year NBA veteran and all-around class act - Jamal Crawford! Andy & Jamal discuss his early life growing up between Seattle & LA, working out with Michael Jordan after being drafted, playing against MJ & Kobe and the relationships that followed, Lob City, athlete activism, and more! Hear Jamal share what he learned from MJ & Kobe, favorite memories of his two heroes, "A Midsummer Night's Magic", favorite teams he's played for, his love & hopes for a Seattle SuperSonics return, and the Black Lives Matter movement. Andy & Jamal also share their favorite NBA photos, as well as Andy's favorite players to shoot & favorite photos. If you love MJ & Kobe, you won't want to miss this episode!