Blazing the Trail

Chris Webber: The Read-and-React King

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 10:00:00 -0000

On this episode of Blazing the Trail, we explore Chris Webber, his elite passing at his position, how it unlocked the Kings’ offense, and his standing in the league during his peak season in 2001-02, along with much, much more. Joining us for this discussion will be his former teammate, 12-year NBA veteran Jason Williams (2:25), and Basketball News’ very own Mark Schindler (24:13). Also, be sure to check out the accompanying article written on Chris Webber over at BasketballNews.com.

Make sure to also check out part one on Steve Nash: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-blazing-the-trail-steve-nash-phoenix-suns-mike-dantoni-raja-bell-steph-curry-all-time-great-point-guard

Part two on Rashard Lewis: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-blazing-the-trail-rashard-lewis-all-star-stretch-four-orlando-magic-stan-van-gundy-dwight-howard-hedo-turkoglu

Part three on Shane Battier: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-blazing-the-trail-shane-battier-the-databall-defender-memphis-grizzlies-houston-rockets-miami-heat-daryl-morey-david-fizdale-detroit-pistons-draymond-green

Part four on Reggie Miller: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-blazing-the-trail-reggie-miller-the-moving-target-indiana-pacers-rik-smits-dan-burke-michael-jordan-joe-dumars-golden-state-warriors-chris-mullin-steph-curry-klay-thompson

Part five on Andrei Kirilenko: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/blazing-the-trail-andrei-kirilenko-the-fivetool-defender-

Part six on Shawn Kemp: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-blazing-the-trail-shawn-kemp-the-aerial-artist-seattle-supersonics-sonics-george-karl-nate-mcmillan-yvan-kelly

Part seven on Dirk Nowitzki: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-blazing-the-trail-dirk-nowitzki-the-unicorn-that-became-world-champion-dallas-mavericks-dwane-casey-brad-davis-adrian-griffin-greg-buckner-kevin-durant-nikola-jokic

Part eight on Penny Hardaway: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-blazing-the-trail-anfernee-penny-hardaway-the-floor-giant-orlando-magic-johnson-nick-anderson-shaquille-o-neal-danny-schayes-richie-adubato-shai-gilgeous-alexander

Part nine on Chauncey Billups: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/blazing-the-trail-chauncey-billups-the-basketball-cheat-code

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Chauncey Billups: The Basketball Cheat Code

Thu, 06 Oct 2022 10:00:00 -0000

On this episode of Blazing the Trail, we explore Chauncey Billups, his pull-up shooting, what it opened up for him and his teams, and his standing in the league during his peak season in 2005-06, along with much, much more. Joining us for this discussion will be Bryce Simon of the Pistons Pulse and Sports Illustrated’s Draft Digest (2:15), and Billups’s former coach, 15-year NBA Assistant Coach, Dave Hanners (1:11:00). Also, be sure to check out the accompanying article written on Chauncey Billups over at BasketballNews.com.

Make sure to also check out part one on Steve Nash: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-blazing-the-trail-steve-nash-phoenix-suns-mike-dantoni-raja-bell-steph-curry-all-time-great-point-guard

Part two on Rashard Lewis: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-blazing-the-trail-rashard-lewis-all-star-stretch-four-orlando-magic-stan-van-gundy-dwight-howard-hedo-turkoglu

Part five on Andrei Kirilenko: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/blazing-the-trail-andrei-kirilenko-the-fivetool-defender-

Part six on Shawn Kemp: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-blazing-the-trail-shawn-kemp-the-aerial-artist-seattle-supersonics-sonics-george-karl-nate-mcmillan-yvan-kelly

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Penny Hardaway: The Floor Giant

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 10:00:00 -0000

On this episode of Blazing the Trail, we explore Penny Hardaway, his unique size at the point guard position, his blend of scoring and passing, and his standing in the league during his peak season in 1995-96, along with much, much more. Joining us for this discussion will be Tyler of the Hoop Venue YouTube channel Tyler Britton (2:15), and Hardaway’s former teammate and first-ever Orlando Magic draft pick, Nick Anderson (1:03:10). Also, be sure to check out the accompanying article written on Penny Hardaway over at BasketballNews.com.

Make sure to also check out part one on Steve Nash: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-blazing-the-trail-steve-nash-phoenix-suns-mike-dantoni-raja-bell-steph-curry-all-time-great-point-guard

Part two on Rashard Lewis: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-blazing-the-trail-rashard-lewis-all-star-stretch-four-orlando-magic-stan-van-gundy-dwight-howard-hedo-turkoglu

Part five on Andrei Kirilenko: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/blazing-the-trail-andrei-kirilenko-the-fivetool-defender-

Part six on Shawn Kemp: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-blazing-the-trail-shawn-kemp-the-aerial-artist-seattle-supersonics-sonics-george-karl-nate-mcmillan-yvan-kelly

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Dirk Nowitzki: The Unicorn that Became World Champion

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 10:00:00 -0000

On this episode of Blazing the Trail, we explore Dirk Nowitzki, his outlier skillset, his revolutionary training methods, and his mini-redemption arc that culminated with a title in 2011, along with much, much more. Joining us for this discussion will be former Mavericks Coach and current head coach of the Detroit Pistons, Dwane Casey (2:10), and Nowitzki’s former teammate and current Toronto Raptors Assistant Coach, Adrian Griffin (22:10). Also, be sure to check out the accompanying article written on Dirk Nowitzki over at BasketballNews.com.

Make sure to also check out part one on Steve Nash: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-blazing-the-trail-steve-nash-phoenix-suns-mike-dantoni-raja-bell-steph-curry-all-time-great-point-guard

Part two on Rashard Lewis: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-blazing-the-trail-rashard-lewis-all-star-stretch-four-orlando-magic-stan-van-gundy-dwight-howard-hedo-turkoglu

Part five on Andrei Kirilenko: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/blazing-the-trail-andrei-kirilenko-the-fivetool-defender-

Part six on Shawn Kemp: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-blazing-the-trail-shawn-kemp-the-aerial-artist-seattle-supersonics-sonics-george-karl-nate-mcmillan-yvan-kelly

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Shawn Kemp: The Aerial Artist

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 10:00:00 -0000

On this episode of Blazing the Trail, we explore Shawn Kemp, his ferocious rim running, his defensive versatility, and what made him different from the low post warriors of the 1990s, along with much, much more. Joining us for this discussion will be former Seattle SuperSonics Head Coach Goerge Karl (2:20) and Seattle icon and current Head Coach of the Atlanta Hawks, Nate McMillan (37:08). Also, be sure to check out the accompanying article written on Shawn Kemp over at BasketballNews.com.

Make sure to also check out part one on Steve Nash: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-blazing-the-trail-steve-nash-phoenix-suns-mike-dantoni-raja-bell-steph-curry-all-time-great-point-guard

Part two on Rashard Lewis: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-blazing-the-trail-rashard-lewis-all-star-stretch-four-orlando-magic-stan-van-gundy-dwight-howard-hedo-turkoglu

Part five on Andrei Kirilenko: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/blazing-the-trail-andrei-kirilenko-the-fivetool-defender-

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Andrei Kirilenko: The Five Tool Defender

Thu, 25 Aug 2022 10:00:00 -0000

On this episode of Blazing the Trail, we explore Andrei Kirilenko, his uber versatile defensive package, his standing in the league hierarchy during his infamous 2003-04 All-Star campaign, the X’s and O’s that made the Jazz so good for so long, and much, much more. Joining us for this discussion will be former Utah Jazz Assistant Coach Gordon Chiesa (2:46) and NBA Historian of the Thinking Basketball Podcast, Cody Houdek (54:12). Also, be sure to check out the accompanying article written on Andrei Kirilenko over at BasketballNews.com.

Make sure to also check out part one on Steve Nash: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-blazing-the-trail-steve-nash-phoenix-suns-mike-dantoni-raja-bell-steph-curry-all-time-great-point-guard

Part two on Rashard Lewis: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-blazing-the-trail-rashard-lewis-all-star-stretch-four-orlando-magic-stan-van-gundy-dwight-howard-hedo-turkoglu

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Reggie Miller: The Moving Target

Thu, 18 Aug 2022 10:00:00 -0000

On this episode of Blazing the Trail, we discuss Reggie miller, his unique brand of movement shooting, how it separated him from the other great shooters of his time, and how his imprint on the game can be seen when watching the defending champion Golden State Warriors. And much, much more. Joining us for this discussion will be former Indiana Pacers Assistant Coach Bob Ociepka (2:50) and NBA Editor at The Athletic (and soon-to-be author), Mike Prada (33:40). Also, be sure to check out the accompanying article written on Reggie Miller over at BasketballNews.com.

Make sure to also check out part one on Steve Nash: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-blazing-the-trail-steve-nash-phoenix-suns-mike-dantoni-raja-bell-steph-curry-all-time-great-point-guard

Part two on Rashard Lewis: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-blazing-the-trail-rashard-lewis-all-star-stretch-four-orlando-magic-stan-van-gundy-dwight-howard-hedo-turkoglu

And part three on Shane Battier: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-blazing-the-trail-shane-battier-the-databall-defender-memphis-grizzlies-houston-rockets-miami-heat-daryl-morey-david-fizdale-detroit-pistons-draymond-green

Pre-Order Mike’s upcoming book, “Spaced Out”: https://www.amazon.com/Spaced-Out-Three-Point-Revolution-Everything/dp/1629378860/

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Shane Battier: The Data-Ball Defender

Thu, 04 Aug 2022 10:00:00 -0000

On this episode of Blazing the Trail, we discuss Shane Battier, his role in the Moreyball revolution in Houston, his unique, at the time, approach to defense that has become commonplace today, his role on “The Heatles,” and much, much more. Joining us for this discussion will be the man of the hour himself, Shane Battier (2:45), and his former coach and current Associate General Manager for the Utah Jazz, David Fizdale (35:24). Also, be sure to check out the accompanying article written on Rashard Lewis over at BasketballNews.com.

Make sure to also check out part one on Steve Nash.

And part two on Rashard Lewis.

Support the Battier Take Charge Foundation at https://www.battiertakecharge.org/.

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Rashard Lewis: The All-Star Stretch Four

Thu, 28 Jul 2022 10:00:00 -0000

On this episode of Blazing the Trail, we discuss Rashard Lewis, his iconic tenure as a stretch four on the Orlando Magic, the team’s legendary 2009 playoff run, their clash with LeBron’s Cavaliers, and much, much more. Joining us for this discussion will be former Orlando Magic Assistant Coaches Bob Beyer (2:35) and Ahmad Ajami (34:00). Also, be sure to check out the accompanying article written on Rashard Lewis over at BasketballNews.com.

Make sure to also check out part one on Steve Nash: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-blazing-the-trail-steve-nash-phoenix-suns-mike-dantoni-raja-bell-steph-curry-all-time-great-point-guard

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Steve Nash: The Magician Who Danced in the Paint

Thu, 21 Jul 2022 10:00:00 -0000

On this episode of Blazing the Trail, we discuss Steve Nash, his iconic "Nash dribble," the spread pick and roll offense, and the revolutionary impact of the Seven Seconds or Less Pheonix Suns. Joining us for this discussion will be Nash's longtime coach, Mike D'Antoni (2:35), his former backcourt running mate, Raja Bell (34:41), and Sporting News' Steph Noh (58:30). Also, be sure to check out the accompanying article written on Steve Nash over at BasketballNews.com.

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The Blazing the Trail Podcast is Coming!

Thu, 14 Jul 2022 15:35:00 -0000

"Blazing the Trail: NBA Players Who Influenced a Generation" is a ten-part podcast/article series breaking down the games and legacies of ten of some of the most influential players from the 1990s and 2000s. The series features exclusive interviews with over 30 former and current players and coaches and in-depth conversations with some of the best analysts in the business. New episodes and articles will be released every Thursday starting on July 21st -- subscribe on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

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