Legends Of Sport With Andrew D. Bernstein

Andy visits with NBA & international basketball Legend & current President of the Metropolitans 92, Boris Diaw! Boris talks about being selected by the Atlanta Hawks in the first round in 2003, playing for the Mike D'Antoni-led Phoenix Suns, his 3D (Drive, Dish, & Defend) approach, being one of the league's earliest Point-Forwards, joining the "international" San Antonio Spurs alongside fellow Team France teammate Tony Parker, his unique first experience with Kobe Bryant, the evolution of the French men's national team, lessons from the Finals loss to the Miami Heat that informed the Spurs' Championship run the very next year in 2014, the league's newest French star in Victor Wembanyama, and their shared love for travel & photography!Presented by Fujifilm!

Andy chats with the Head Coach of the WNBA's newest expansion franchise, the Golden State Valkyries--Natalie Nakase! Andy & Natalie discuss the many "firsts" of her career, her college journey, transitioning to coaching following the injury that cut her playing short, her coaching philosophy, lessons learned from coaches Bob & Casey Hill, Doc Rivers & Ty Lue, coaching under Becky Hammond, her first presser as HC of the Valkyries, her excitement for the upcoming season, support from the Golden State Warriors organization, and so much more!Presented by Fujifilm!

Andy is joined by the Voice of the Los Angeles Kings, Nick Nickson! Nick discusses his decision to retire after 44 years with the team (50 years in pro hockey), his path to the team, serving as the LA Dodgers in-house PA Announcer, his father's broadcast career, developing his own broadcasting style, the early years with the team, the Dave Taylor interview, winning the team's first Stanley Cup in 2012, favorite players over the years, thoughts on this year's team, being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015, and more!Presented by Fujifilm!

Andy invites author & sports columnist, Mike Sielski, to talk about his new book, Magic In The Air: The Myth, the Mystery and the Soul of the Slam Dunk! Andy & Mike discuss the genesis of the book, Mike's pursuit of the first ever dunk, the history & social evolution of the dunk, "Glandular Goons", how it relates to the NFL "Tush Push" controversy, the impact of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar & Dr. J, the role the dunk played in the NBA-ABA merger, Andy's Michael Jordan free throw line dunk story, Spud Webb, the downfall of the dunk contest, Mac McClung, Andy's solution for the Dunk Contest, and more!Presented by FujiFilm!

Andy catches up with St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams Legendary Running Back, Todd Gurley! Todd talks about his relationship with fellow Rams legend Eric Dickerson, the profound impact he felt meeting Kobe Bryant for the first time, Eagles RB Saquon Barkley, his high school football journey, competing in the World Youth Olympics, his path to the Georgia Bulldogs, spending his rookie year in St. Louis, the teams' subsequent move to Los Angeles, playing his final season in Atlanta in 2020, his thoughts on the Lakers' 2020 Bubble Championship, his decision to retire after only six professional seasons, his passion for live sports, Girl Dad-hood, and more!Presented by FujiFilm!

Andy chats with Hall of Fame sportscaster, Jim Lampley! Jim is known for his over 30 years covering boxing on HBO, hosting ABC's Wide World of Sports, as well as covering 14 Olympics games, the 1992 Dream Team, Wimbledon, the 1980 Miracle On Ice game, and so many more! Andy & Jim talk about the infamous Neil Leifer-Muhammad Ali photo, incredible life advice he received from the late George Foreman, why Sugar Ray Robinson is his all-time favorite boxer, Gillette Friday Night Fights, modeling his craft after the great Don Dunphy, the red phone moment that led to his interview with Miracle On Ice hero Mike Eruzione, his book It Happened!: A Uniquely Lucky Life In Sports Television, Mike Tyson vs Michael Spinks, George Foreman vs Evander Holyfield, why Bill Beichich came to UNC, and so much more!Presented by FujiFilm!

Andy takes the show on the road to the executive offices of AEG Entertainment to speak with President & CEO, Dan Beckerman! AEG is the world's leading sports and live entertainment company! Andy & Dan discuss his path to AEG, his wide spread role as President & CEO of AEG, the Top 3 favorite events he's attended, various mentors along the way, the evolution of Crypto.com Arena, the significance of LA Live for events such as Kobe Bryant's final game, the LA Kings' Stanley Cup runs in 2012 & 2014, adjustments made during the COVID-19 shutdown, and their plans for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles!Presented by FujiFilm!

In honor of the 2025 MLB Season, Andy chats with Los Angeles Dodgers legendary third baseman, Ron Cey! Andy & Ron discuss his path to the majors, playing for an organization like the Dodgers, the feeling of finally beating the New York Yankees in the 1981 World Series, the Hollywood Stars games, meeting his idol sports Bill Sharman, the Lakers/Dodgers comparisons, his relationship with Wilt Chamberlain, being the first player to go to arbitration against the Dodgers - and winning, his thoughts on today's "load management", facing the greats like Bob Gibson, being inducted by the Legends of Dodgers Baseball, and more incredible stories from one of baseball's all time greats!

Andy sits down with Earvin "Magic" Johnson to celebrate Pat Riley's 80th Birthday! Andy & Magic sit down in Magic's office and go down memory lane with the help of Andy's photos. Magic & Andy discuss Pat Riley's command of the huddle, battles with the Celtics, why the 1987 Championship team was the best team he played on, Pat guaranteeing the '88 title during the '87 championship parade, the Showtime Reunion in Maui, Michael Cooper's Hall of Fame induction, first impressions of a young Kobe Bryant, how he's elevated women's sports, the success of his Washington Commanders, and so much more! Happy Birthday Pat Riley!

Andy sits down with Lakers & Kings legend, Vlade Divac! Vlade chats with Andy about playing with Michael Cooper, playing for Jerry West, & playing in front of Jack Nicholson! Vlade also talks about paving the way for European players, how Jerry West helped him through the Kobe Bryant deal that sent him away from the Lakers, and a memorable half court shot!

Andy chats with Seattle Supersonics legend, Xavier "X-Man" McDaniel! "X-Man" was selected 4th overall in the 1985 NBA Draft by the Seattle Supersonics, and went on to play for 13 seasons in the NBA. Andy & Xavier discuss the evolution of the game since the 80's-90's era, issues with the heavy three-point approach, his favorite teammates throughout his career, playing for Pat Riley, a potential Seattle Supersonic return, and his favorite current players to watch!Presented by FujiFilm!

Andy sits down with Atlanta Hawks Power Forward, Larry Nance Jr.! Andy & Larry discuss their long history on the court together, he & his father's Dunk Contest connection, being a rookie on the Lakers during Kobe's farewell tour, memories from Kobe's final game, growing up with Crohn's Disease, his path to the University of Wyoming, managing the transient life of an athlete, being a girl dad, the rise of the WNBA & the influential women in his life, Karl Malone's "Pretty Boy Dunk", the incredible work done at his foundation "Athletes vs. Crohn's & Colitis", and much more!Presented by FujiFilm!Auction for Los Angeles Fire Victims - https://www.charitybuzz.com/support/los-angeles-area-chamber-of-commerce-foundation?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabUjxqmDVWDMQgYY4B4xhDrlKJfG3QZj6ylZidE7G17mzmjRfxa7zBN5CI_aem_f1ORl8qokqgJA4hlmVUqIgAthlete's vs Crohn's & Colitis - AthletesvsCrohns.org

Andy chats with former Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame Kicker, Nick Lowery! Nick played 14 seasons for the Chiefs, and finished his career as the most accurate kicker in football!  First Andy & Nick give their reactions to the Chiefs Super Bowl loss to the Eagles. Next, Nick discusses his athletic & academic background, his father's career in the CIA, working in government at a young age, his desire to live a life of service, his incredibly inspirational charitable ventures, and spreading the message of giving back! Learn more at nicklowery.com & on IG @nicklowery88  Presented by FujiFilm!

Andy sits down with Dr. William Parham, Director of Mental Health & Wellness Program for the NBA Players Association, and Professor at Loyola Marymount University! Andy & Dr. Parham discuss his role at the NBA, Jerry West's own struggle with mental wealth, how NBA players today are dealing with trauma, his mantra "Mental Health is Mental Wealth", how those like Spencer Haywood have paved the way for players today, and his unique approach to helping people live their best lives!Presented by FujiFilm!Charity Buzz Auction for LA Fire Victims - https://www.charitybuzz.com/support/los-angeles-area-chamber-of-commerce-foundation?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaa4PD46XNBOEQ9wIOIKnfK5YX7xS9aiAju16twIY9-kC-bpEgFcm1XAD58_aem_HudaJQ3ccqmE_dZi__dWZQA.C. Green's Cookies - nbaironman45.com ironman45.com

Andy catches up with Los Angeles Clippers/Seattle Supersonics Legend and current Oklahoma City Thunder TV analyst, Michael Cage! The Clippers' first round pick in 1984 and prolific rebounder talks with Andy about some of the lost years of Clippers history, the many Clipper greats (Bill Walton, Harvey Catchings, Norm Nixon), his transition from scorer to rebounder, the evolution of the game over his 21 year career in broadcasting, his analysis of Chet Holmgren & Victor Wembanyama, his transition from player to broadcaster, and more!

Andy sits down with former NBA Referee & current Senior VP of Referee Deveolpment & Training, Monty McCutchen! Andy & Monty share stories from their years on the court together, discuss his transition off the court and into his current role curating the next generation of NBA/WNBA Referees, Phil Jackson's ongoing battle with strobe lights, his path into refereeing, how he developed his own unique style, and his passion for photography!Brought to you by FujiFilm!

Andy chats with 2015 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinee, Spencer Haywood! The two HOF'ers discuss his initial impressions of Michael Cooper when joining the Lakers, playing with "Pistol" Pete Maravich, being the youngest American basketball player in Olympic history, how Jerry West helped him during his court battle against the NBA's "four-year rule", his experience joining the Lakers in '79, how his battle with addiction affected his life & playing career, being sent to the Italian leagues, his decision to retire early, reconnecting with his former Showtime Lakers teammates in Hawaii, and much more! 

This week, we're celebrating the jersey retirement of Lakers Legend, Michael Cooper, with a supercut of some of our favorite Lakers Legends interviews from our time at the 2024 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame: AC Green, Byron Scott, Jamaal Wilkes, Gary Vitti, and James Worthy! Together, Andy and guests talk about their experiences with Michael Cooper, their excitement for his huge year being honored by the Hall of Fame and the Lakers, and share stories about their shared histories. 

We're back with a truly legendary start to 2025 as Andy sits down with Academy Award and Emmy winning director and writer, Basketball SuperFan Spike Lee! As a life-long New York Knicks fan, Spike Lee has been officially inducted into the James F. Goldstein SuperFan Gallery at the 2024 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, alongside Jack Nicholson, Billy Crystal, & Alan Horwitz! Spike reacts to being honored among an impressive list of inductees, and he and Andy also discuss growing up in Brooklyn, Spike's relationship with the late Kobe Bryant, his new project with Denzel Washington, and his photos being included in New York Knicks photographer Nat Butler's new book: Courtside: 40 Years of NBA Photography. 

Andy chats with NBA Shooting Coach, Lethal Shooter, aka Chris Matthews! Lethal talks about being honored by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his impact on the game, his path to becoming the league's top shooting coach, his role as Director of Nike Academy, & the key principles of his next level coaching philosophy!