Hank Waters: How an NBA Superfan Built a High School Basketball Powerhouse From Scratch
An Orlando Magic superfan with zero experience building sports programs just assembled three players he's convinced will be top-6 NBA draft picks — and his strategy was brutally simple: "hire the right person and let them do everything." Hank Waters went from Orlando Magic courtside season ticket holder and lawyer to co-owner of Southeastern Preparatory Academy, transforming a struggling private school into a national basketball powerhouse in just 2.5 months. Waters details his recruitment of...
23 Apr 2026
Horace Grant: What He Really Thought Playing Against His Twin Brother
NBA legend Horace Grant admits he "wanted to kick his ass" every time he faced his twin brother Harvey on the court — and their childhood games always ended in actual fights because neither could stand losing. The 4-time NBA champion shares stories about winning championships with Michael Jordan's Bulls and later with Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant's Lakers. Grant reveals why he ranks Kobe right behind MJ as his greatest teammates, discusses the impossible task of stopping prime Shaq, and e...
16 Apr 2026
James Pickens Jr.: 22 Years of Grey's Anatomy and Cleveland Basketball Loyalty
Marc's daughter had to tell him he was interviewing a major TV star. Sometimes the best interviews happen when you least expect them. Marc thought he was sitting down with a regular basketball fan, until his daughter pointed out he was about to interview Dr. Richard Webber himself, James Pickens Jr., star of Grey's Anatomy for an incredible 22 seasons. Pickens shares the legendary casting story behind Grey's Anatomy, including the executive producer's famous question: "What are you doing for ...
9 Apr 2026
Obba Babatunde: What 35 Years of Talking to Horses Taught Me
You've seen Obba Babatunde on screen, but wait until you hear about his other life as a horse whisperer and professional rodeo competitor. The acclaimed actor and entertainer reveals his fascinating dual career with the all-Black Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, sharing wisdom that applies far beyond the arena. From explaining how Bill Pickett invented "bulldogging" by literally biting steers, to his core philosophy that "investment of time and consistency of behavior earns trust," Babatunde ...
2 Apr 2026
Glynn Turman: Partying with Kareem in 1965 and Why LeBron is "Built Like a Centaur"
Glynn Turman has stories that will blow your mind — like attending Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's UCLA acceptance party in 1965 when it was so packed they ended up celebrating in the hallway of a Harlem project. At 79, this legendary actor just got his Hollywood Walk of Fame star and describes LeBron James like poetry, calling him "built like a centaur but graceful as a gazelle." Glynn shares incredible stories from his New York roots, his 66-year entertainment career from Broadway's "A Raisin in the ...
26 Mar 2026
Byron Scott: From Sneaking Into The Forum To Playing There
Byron Scott drops some serious basketball knowledge and his GOAT take might surprise you. The 3-time Lakers champion explains why Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the greatest player ever and shares untold stories from his playing days with Magic Johnson and Michael Cooper. Byron went from sneaking into Lakers games as a kid in Inglewood to becoming part of one of the greatest dynasties in NBA history. In this All-Star Weekend conversation, he opens up about his toughest opponents, his closest teammate...
19 Mar 2026
Wayne Federman: The Real Reason Pistol Pete Died at 40 Will Shock You
Wayne Federman reveals the shocking medical discovery about Pistol Pete Maravich that changed everything. Wayne Federman, authorized biographer of Pete Maravich, spent 20 years researching the life of basketball's most tragic genius. From Pete's impossible 44.2 points per game average at LSU (with no 3-point line) to the shocking autopsy discovery that he was missing his left coronary artery, this conversation reveals untold stories from unprecedented access to Pete's personal diaries and fam...
12 Mar 2026
Martin Guigui: The Story The NBA Tried to Ignore for 50 Years
Filmmaker Martin Guigui joins Marc Israel at Warner Brothers Studios to tell the incredible 28-year journey of bringing "Sweetwater" to the big screen — the untold story of Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton, one of the first three Black players to integrate the NBA in 1950. What started as a shocking discovery at the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996 became a decades-long mission involving Norman Lear, Adam Silver, President Obama, and Clint Eastwood. Martin reveals how he tracked down families, built ...
6 Mar 2026
Ryan Hollins: Joy, Work Ethic & the NBA Broadcast Booth
Houston Rockets analyst and former NBA center Ryan Hollins joins Marc Israel onCourtside for an unforgettable conversation about basketball joy, preparation, and leadership. Ryan shares behind‑the‑scenes insight into the Rockets broadcast, breaks down the development of young stars like Amen Thompson and Alperen Şengün, and reflects on lessons learned from a 10‑year NBA career—including playing alongside Kevin Garnett. This episode covers: - What fans don’t see behind the broadcast - Why joy ...
27 Feb 2026
EJ Kusnyer: The NBA Salary Cap, Explained
NBA agent and salary-cap expert EJ Kusnyer joins Marc Israel on Courtside to explain the business side of basketball. From Bird Rights and max contracts to the first and second apron, EJ breaks down the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement in plain English—and explains why recent rule changes are reshaping teams across the league. This episode covers: - How the NBA salary cap really works - Why drafting well can actually hurt teams - How player contracts are structured - The real impact of l...
20 Feb 2026
Rafer Alston: From Skip to My Lou to the NBA
Streetball legend and former NBA point guard Rafer “Skip to My Lou” Alston joins Marc Israel on Courtside for a powerful conversation about basketball culture, creativity, and longevity. From Queens playgrounds to the AND1 Mixtape Tour to an NBA career alongside Hall of Famers, Rafer shares how he balanced flair with fundamentals—and why understanding the right way to play the game mattered at every level. This episode covers: - The origins of the “Skip to My Lou” move - Streetball vs. NBA ba...
13 Feb 2026
Mo Evans: The Long Way to the NBA
Former NBA veteran Mo Evans joins Marc Israel on Courtside to share the unfiltered truth about his journey to the league. From going undrafted to grinding overseas, learning from legends like Kevin Garnett and Chris Webber, and ultimately carving out an 11-year NBA career, Mo breaks down the decisions, sacrifices, and mindset that defined his path. This episode dives deep into: - The emotional impact of draft night - Why Europe helped save his NBA career - What separates great tea...
6 Feb 2026
Edward Pollard: From Buckets to City Hall
Edward Pollard’s basketball career didn’t end — it evolved. In this episode of Courtside, Marc Israel talks with the former Lamar High and Morehouse hooper about his journey from high-level basketball to overseas leagues, law school, and ultimately serving on Houston City Council. Pollard explains how the discipline, competitiveness, and “get it done” mentality from basketball now drive his approach to leadership, community service, and running District J. This is a basketball story first — j...
26 Jan 2026
Isaiah Taylor: From the NBA to Pro Basketball Around the World
Former NBA guard Isaiah Taylor sits down with Mark Israel on Courtside to share his journey through professional basketball — from the NBA to leagues across Europe, China, and the Middle East. Isaiah talks candidly about his time with the Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, and Cleveland Cavaliers, learning from stars like James Harden, and guarding LeBron James. He also explains what most fans never see: the realities of overseas basketball — language barriers, cultural differences, hostile crow...
19 Jan 2026
Natalie Alvarado: Inside the Entertainment Engine of the Houston Rockets
What happens at an NBA game when the cameras aren’t focused on the players? In this episode of Courtside, host Marc Israel sits down with Natalie Alvarado, Director of Live Programming & Entertainment for the Houston Rockets. Natalie is responsible for everything fans experience inside the arena — from national anthems and halftime shows to mascots, contests, music, and real-time game flow. Natalie’s story goes far beyond the arena. A former Rockets Power Dancer, she went on to sign a rec...
12 Jan 2026
Jonathan Sanford: The Voice Behind the Houston Rockets
In Episode 2 of Courtside, host Marc Israel sits down with Jonathan Sanford, the public address announcer for the Houston Rockets and the University of Texas Longhorns, to explore the hidden craft behind the NBA game-day experience. Jonathan shares his remarkable journey from a small town in Alabama to announcing NBA Finals games, winning a championship with the San Antonio Spurs, and ultimately becoming the voice fans hear inside Toyota Center. This episode explores: 🎙️ What a public address...
5 Jan 2026
Craig Ackerman: From Intern to the Voice of the Houston Rockets
In the inaugural episode of Courtside, host Marc Israel sits down with Craig Ackerman, the longtime television voice of the Houston Rockets, to unpack one of the most unique journeys in professional sports broadcasting. Craig shares how a childhood love of the Rockets, a college baseball career, and an unpaid internship inside the Rockets organization ultimately led him to one of the rarest jobs in sports: NBA play-by-play announcer. This conversation covers: 🎙️ How broadcasters actually brea...
1 Jan 2026
Official Preview: Ready for launch!
This short episode introduces Courtside, a basketball podcast built around real conversations and real perspective from inside the game. Host Marc Israel is known for his fandom, sitting courtside at Houston Rockets games. He's bringing that same energy and love of the game to this podcast. Courtside isn’t about headlines or hot takes. It’s about context — the people who play, coach, cover, and shape the sport, and the stories that don’t always make it into a broadcast or box scor...
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