In all Airness

AIR023 – Retro GM 1987-1993

Adam Ryan — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:29:55 +0000

Adam and Todd go head-to-head, in the debut of Retro GM. We assume the role of General Manager, to assemble the best team of players from 1987-1993. We discuss our memories of each player, plus, offer up stats and NBA chatter associated with the era.… Read more...

Retro General Manager

Adam Ryan — Thu, 16 May 2013 23:54:58 +0000

Select episodes of In all Airness will feature ‘Retro GM’ contests. The suggestion is the brainchild of good friend, Todd Spehr. Episode 23 will spotlight the debut contest.

Each contest is between two (fake) General Managers; tasked with assembling the best possible team. The winning GM is decided by a listener vote, on my Facebook Page.… Read more...

AIR022 – 1995-1998 NBA All-Star Games

Adam Ryan — Fri, 10 May 2013 07:22:25 +0000

Adam and Aaron recap the 1995 through 1998 NBA All-Star Games. We discuss rosters, coaches, leading vote getters, memorable moments and Most Valuable Players. The ‘NBA at 50′ is also a topic of conversation. Our chat is filled with plenty of insight and occasional hi-jinks, plus we inadvertently offend the city of Cleveland.… Read more...

AIR021 – Talani Goodson

Adam Ryan — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 07:32:28 +0000

Executive Producer of the TV series, Courtside Jones – Talani Goodson. We talk about New York’s culture of basketball and discuss 1980s and 1990s impact players, particularly from the Tri-State area. Talani recalls a fantastic story about meeting Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, in the hours following their 1991 NBA Championship win.… Read more...

AIR020 – Ian Eagle (2013 NBA season | Playoff Preview)

Adam Ryan — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 06:24:02 +0000

The voice of NBA Action, Ian Eagle, returns to the show. We talk about key regular season moments, including the rise of Stephen Curry, the ageless Tim Duncan, Carmelo Anthony’s MVP stock, the possibility of #TheReturn and arguably the season’s biggest story thus far – Kobe Bryant’s career-threatening achilles injury.… Read more...

AIR019 – 1990-1994 NBA All-Star Games

Adam Ryan — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 05:58:38 +0000

Adam and Aaron recap the 1990 through 1994 NBA All-Star Games. We discuss rosters, coaches, leading vote getters, memorable moments and Most Valuable Players. Controversy reigns supreme, when true feelings about a Hall of Famer bubble to the surface. The chat is filled with plenty of insight, mixed with a healthy dose of good humor.… Read more...

Infographic: Michael Jordan

Adam Ryan — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 07:23:36 +0000

A simple comparison of Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James’ (individual) offensive output, in their first seven NBA seasons.

Jordan | Kobe | LeBron | Create infographics… Read more...

AIR018 – 1996 NBA season

Adam Ryan — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 08:56:12 +0000

Adam and Aaron recap the 1996 NBA season.

Our conversation covers the whole season – we discuss best / worst team records, all major award winners and notable retirees. We also focus on the Bulls’ historic 72-10 record. We chat random stats, fake player nicknames (amazingly make a return) and of course, the 1996 Playoffs – culminating with Jordan v Payton / Kemp in the 1996 NBA Finals.… Read more...

AIR017 – Terry Cummings

Adam Ryan — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 23:47:17 +0000

NBA All-Star, Rookie of the Year and basketball legend, Terry Cummings.

We discuss Terry’s teenage years and how he recruited himself to DePaul University. He talks about his college experiences, playing with fellow great, Mark Aguirre. We hear Terry’s thoughts on the 1982 NBA Draft and his two seasons at the (San Diego) Clippers.… Read more...

AIR016 – Craig Ehlo

Adam Ryan — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 08:12:17 +0000

Cleveland Cavaliers hero and NBA veteran, Craig Ehlo.

We discuss Craig’s formative years and days playing college basketball. We talk about the injury that sidelined most of his rookie season in Houston. We chat about the Rockets’ run to the 1986 NBA Finals against Larry Bird and the mighty Boston Celtics.… Read more...

AIR015 – Ian Eagle

Adam Ryan — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 03:29:42 +0000

Emmy Award-winning play-by-play announcer and voice of NBA Action, Ian Eagle.

We talk about the influence of Ian’s parents, on his path to becoming one of America’s most versatile commentators. He recalls great stories from the NBA Finals, his career to date and delivers stupendous impressions of Bill Raftery and Marv Albert.… Read more...

AIR014 – Bob Hill

Adam Ryan — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 03:37:47 +0000

Coaching great, Bob Hill.

This wide-ranging conversation covers all aspects of Bob’s wonderful career to date. He discusses his teams’ battles against Michael Jordan and the Bulls and offers amazing insight into Hall of Famer, David Robinson. We break down his time with the Knicks, Pacers, Spurs and Sonics and cover his great contributions to the game internationally.… Read more...

AIR013 – Corie Blount

Adam Ryan — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 09:20:43 +0000

Former University of Cincinnati star and 11-year NBA veteran, Corie Blount.

We discuss his compelling background and unique ascent to the highest level of basketball. We talk about his relationship with college coach Bob Huggins, Nick Van Exel, Scottie Pippen, Shaquille O’Neal and others.… Read more...

AIR012 – Sedale Threatt

Adam Ryan — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 23:09:48 +0000

NBA veteran and L.A. Lakers great, Sedale Threatt.

We begin by talking about the sad loss of Lakers owner, Dr. Jerry Buss. Sedale discusses his rise to the NBA and being drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers. Our chat covers his days playing with Michael Jordan and the Bulls, including a great MJ story.… Read more...

Jordan: The Shot – unseen footage

Adam Ryan — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 09:34:04 +0000

This is simply astonishing footage. Amazing it has taken over 23 years to emerge. Without Michael Jordan, there would be no ‘In all Airness’. MJ, you’re the Greatest of All-Time.

Happy 50th birthday, Michael Jordan!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRIiXjK3TtQ

[original uploader] Thoughts?!!… Read more...

Top 5: Favorite Jordan-era NBA guards

Adam Ryan — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 00:58:27 +0000

It’s important to distinguish, these are my favorite players – clearly, subjective. A host of past players resonate with me for many reasons; a select moment in time, a well-played, yet under-appreciated career, or merely happenstance.

In no particular order, here are my favorite guards of the Jordan-era [obviously MJ-excluded; must have played at least 4 seasons against MJ's Bulls]:

Lafayette Lever (1983-1994) | Player profile

Notable: 2-time All-Star (1988, 1990) | 6th all-time, steals per game

Opinion: criminally underrated player, deserving of much higher recognition.… Read more...

AIR011 – Sam Smith

Adam Ryan — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 12:07:33 +0000

Author of The Jordan Rules, Bulls.com columnist and Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, Sam Smith.

Our conversation begins with Sam’s early career at the Chicago Tribune. He talks about meeting Michael Jordan for the first time, covering the Bulls in the 1980s and his continued friendship with all-time great, Phil Jackson.… Read more...

AIR010 – 1993 NBA season

Adam Ryan — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 06:25:23 +0000

Adam and Aaron recap the 1993 NBA season.

Our conversation covers the whole season – we discuss best / worst team records, all major award winners and notable retirees – plus, two tragic deaths that rocked the NBA. We also chat unique jersey numbers, fake player nicknames (for possibly the first and last time) and of course, the 1993 Playoffs – culminating with Jordan v Barkley in the 1993 NBA Finals.… Read more...

AIR009 – Ray Clay

Adam Ryan — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 09:44:32 +0000

Legendary Chicago Bulls PA Announcer, Ray Clay.

Our conversation starts with Ray’s pre-Bulls years, discussing how he first became involved in announcing. We talk about his remarkable live, in-game tryouts for the Bulls PA position in 1990, where he initially competed with over 100 broadcasters for the top job.… Read more...

AIR008 – Peter Vecsey

Adam Ryan — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 04:59:17 +0000

Legendary reporter and columnist, Peter Vecsey.

Our extensive chat covers Peter’s whole career – his candor is second-to-none. We talk about his relationship with Julius Erving, experiences covering Rick Barry, Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson and a host of other greats. Peter recalls his friendship with Drazen Petrovic and discusses possibly his greatest exclusive – Latrell Sprewell’s choke-hold on then-coach, P.J.… Read more...

AIR007 – Dennis Hopson

Adam Ryan — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 04:22:09 +0000

Ohio State Buckeyes legend and NBA Champion, Dennis Hopson.

Our chat covers his whole career – playing at OSU, being a top 3 NBA draft pick and adjusting to life as a New Jersey Nets player. We talk about his championship season in Chicago, playing as a backup to none other than Michael Jordan.… Read more...

AIR006 – Cliff Robinson

Adam Ryan — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 12:10:32 +0000

Portland Trail Blazer great and basketball Iron Man, Cliff Robinson.

Our chat spans his entire career – playing at the University of Connecticut, two NBA Finals appearances, Sixth Man of the Year and emergence as an All-Star. We also discuss his memories of ‘The Shrug’ – Michael Jordan’s history-making performance in Game 1 of the 1992 NBA Finals – plus plenty more.… Read more...

AIR005 – Luc Longley

Adam Ryan — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 16:33:46 +0000

Three-time Olympian / NBA Champion and Australia’s first ever NBA player, Luc Longley.

We chat about Luc’s early sporting career, his formative years playing basketball and representing Australia at the Olympic Games. Luc tells us how he was recruited to play college basketball for the University of New Mexico.… Read more...

AIR004 – Andrew Gaze

Adam Ryan — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 07:59:50 +0000

Australia’s greatest ever basketballer – 2-time NBL Champion, 5-time Olympian and NBA Champion, Andrew Gaze.

Our discussion begins with Andrew’s formative years, literally surrounded by basketball and the influence of his famous father, Lindsay. We talk about Andrew’s early years in the NBL and representing Australia internationally with his close friends, Luc Longley, Shane Heal and Mark Bradtke.… Read more...

AIR003 – Christian Laettner

Adam Ryan — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 13:51:34 +0000

Two-time NCAA Champion of the Duke Blue Devils, 1992 Dream Team member and 13-year NBA veteran, Christian Laettner.

Our discussion includes the origin of Laettner’s competitive nature, his four years and two titles at Duke, plus his role on the incomparable Dream Team.… Read more...

AIR002 – Tom Dore

Adam Ryan — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 12:27:58 +0000

Former long-time Chicago Bulls play-by-play man, Tom Dore.

Our discussion includes Tom’s native Illinois, his time at Missouri University and subsequent journey to France and New Zealand where he played basketball professionally. We talk about Andrew and Lindsay Gaze (Australia’s own basketball royalty), how Tom became a broadcaster for the Bulls and his association with two of the all-time greats; Jim Durham and Johnny ‘Red’ Kerr (both RIP).… Read more...

Jim Durham – RIP

Adam Ryan — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 10:34:11 +0000

Today is a sad day for longtime NBA fans, with the passing of Jim Durham. ‘JD’ was only 65 years old. My fondest memories of Durham are from his time as play-by-play man for the Chicago Bulls TV & radio networks in the 1980′s and early 1990′s.… Read more...

NBA on VHS, DVD and more

Adam Ryan — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 04:41:00 +0000

Remember the 1990′s? I do – fondly. In 1992, I was first made aware of a company named PonTel. What’s this got to do with basketball and the NBA you ask? Well, plenty. This company has been producing officially licensed NBA Game Videos since 1980!… Read more...

AIR001 – Bill Wennington

Adam Ryan — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 14:30:34 +0000

Three-time NBA Champion of the Chicago Bulls, Bill Wennington.

Our discussion includes Bill’s formative years in Canada, the Olympics and his time at St. John’s University. We talk about the 1985 NBA Draft, his NBA career and foray to Italy where he won a Euroleague Championship.… Read more...

Top 5: Basketball movies that never were

Adam Ryan — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 04:23:03 +0000

After researching the history of basketball movies that never received a green-light for distribution, I was amazed to discover the following working titles that somehow missed the cut. Here they are, in reverse order:

5. Curious Georgetown (1981) John Thompson stars as The Man in the Yellow Hat, who hires an inquisitive monkey to officially scout players for his basketball program.… Read more...

Poem: Rookie Jordan

Adam Ryan — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 04:23:22 +0000

Here’s my first attempt at a poem. The main focus is Michael Jordan entering the NBA, following his college days at the University of North Carolina. Please let me know your thoughts below, good or otherwise…

—

Jordan left UNC following his junior year

with an expanse of honors, the NBA Draft near

He co-captained USA, en route to Olympic gold

averaging 17 points per game, a sight to behold

Along came the Draft, June of 1984

his basketball skill-set, never dreamt of before

First went Olajuwon, then Bowie of Kentucky,

Bulls took Jordan at three, experts said they were lucky

Jordan, now a Chicagoan, his coach Kevin Loughery

the only problem?… Read more...

NBA poetry

Adam Ryan — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 10:30:44 +0000

I’m introducing a new wrinkle to the site – poetry. Yes, poetry. It should be noted, it took every ounce of my being not to use the word ‘slam’ in the main title of this post.

Ideally, I’d love to field reader requests for any Jordan-era player, moment, event, indiscretion or anything else you can throw at me.… Read more...

The ‘Double Nickel’

Adam Ryan — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 20:23:20 +0000

March 28, 1995: Chicago Bulls (36-33) @ New York Knicks (44-23) / Box Score

You need to know: the Bulls enter Madison Square Garden on the back of MJ’s last-second heroics against the Atlanta Hawks:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7K0ofXtR8g

The Knicks are coming off an 11-point man-handling (pun intended) from The Glove (26p-8r-4a) and his streaking Seattle Supersonics.… Read more...

Who am I?

Adam Ryan — Sun, 20 May 2012 08:15:02 +0000

Hey – I’m Adam, website admin of ‘In all Airness’.

I’ve been a fan of Michael Jordan and the Bulls since 1989, when Chicago upset the Cavaliers in their first-round Playoffs tilt; forever synonymous with MJ’s ‘The Shot’:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5WUOnTxwPw

At that time – in Australia, where I live – one NBA game aired each week on TV.… Read more...

The Chicago Bulls pick Michael Jordan

Adam Ryan — Sun, 06 May 2012 09:45:32 +0000

Welcome to In all Airness. The goal is to become the pre-eminent residence for fans of Michael Jordan-era basketball. Whilst my focus is well and truly one Michael Jeffrey Jordan, I plan to cover plenty of topics relating to the world’s greatest game – curling…sorry, basketball.… Read more...