Legends Of Sport With Andrew D. Bernstein

Andy chats with Dallas Mavericks legend - Rolando Blackman! The first and ONLY Panamanian player to grace the NBA! Andy & Ro discuss the culture shock he experienced moving from Panama to Brooklyn, how he discovered the game of basketball, playing for Kansas State in college, Walt Frazier, the heartbreak from the 1980 Olympic team that never was, being drafted to a brand new Dallas Mavs franchise, playing for the very tough Coach Dick Motta, memories from the 1988 Western Conference Finals vs the Showtime Lakers, finishing his career with the New York Knicks under coach Pat Riley, the 1987 All Star Game & the legendary trash talk that ensued, and much more! Plus, his current role with the Mavs, and how he's giving back as a U.N. Ambassador to the Office of Drugs & Crime!

In honor of LA Kings legend Dustin Brown's jersey retirement and statue dedication, we're revisiting our chat with Hockey Hall of Famer and current LA Kings President - Luc Robitaille! Andy & the crew took the podcast to the LA Kings Practice facility in El Segundo, CA to chat with the LA Kings Pres. just before the 2018 season! Luc tells his story; from simply trying to make an NHL roster, to stories from his six seasons playing with Wayne Gretzky! Luc shares some of his most memorable moments from his playing AND front office careers, winning & losing Stanley Cups, lessons from Barry Melrose, the greatest goalies throughout his career, Jaromír Jágr's legendary conditioning, the ups and downs for the LA Kings franchise, and so much more! Original Air Date: September 10, 2018.

Showtime!! Andy chats with Showtime Lakers Legend "Big Game" James Worthy! Andy & James reminisce over the Showtime Lakers Reunion in Hawaii last year, the family bond the team still shares, the trash talk, and the "crawl through"! James also talks about the coin flip that made him a Laker, his first few years on an already star-studded Lakers roster, learning to play with Magic Johnson, his New Balance deal, his nickname "Clever", and LeBron James passing Kareem's NBA scoring record! James describes his welcome to the NBA moment with Kurt Rambis, his many years of charitable contributions, and his partnership with Waiakea Water!

In this week’s Legends Of Sport Classic episode, we revisit Andy’s conversation with the late Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris. Franco passed away on Dec. 20, 2022, just days shy of the Pittsburgh Steelers retiring his No. 32 in a long planned halftime ceremony celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the “Immaculate Reception.” Andy & Franco discuss his early life growing up, his path to the NFL, turning around the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s, memories from "The Immaculate Reception", how Frank Sinatra became Brigadier General of "Franco’s Italian Army", what it meant to become the first African American & first Italian American Super Bowl MVP in the league’s history, his incredible charitable work in the city of Pittsburgh, and his thoughts on the Steelers’ contract debacles with LeVeon Bell & Antonio Brown. Original Air Date: February 26, 2019 - Season 2, Episode 8.

Sports & Rock n' Roll!!! Continuing our Legends of Photography series, Andy chats with iconic sports & rock n' roll photographer - Michael Zagaris! Michael details his career throughout the 60's & 70's rock scene, as well as his many years with the San Francisco 49ers & Oakland A's! Andy & Michael also discuss his newest book "Field of Play: 60 Years of NFL Photography", the evolution of photojournalism, and his book "Total Excess" about the rock music scene in San Francisco in the 1970s! Michael shares some of his wildest adventures; from career advice from Eric Clapton, living with Peter Frampton in London, the early days of shooting sports, pitching Bill Walsh on unlimited access, Joe Montana vs Steve Young, a showdown with Coach Jim Harbaugh, exploring the punk scene with the Sex Pistols, and so much more!

This week's LOS CLASSIC features legendary basketball coach - Mike Krzyzewski! Andy & Coach K talk about his intimate recruiting process, creating a family atmosphere on all of his teams, the "one-and-done" rule, the brilliance of Coach Chuck Daly, the cultural impact of the Dream Team, the notorious Dream Team scrimmage, his relationship with Michael Jordan, Kobe's leadership on the Redeem Team, how Jerry Colangelo created the culture around USA Basketball, why he told his players to play with ego, serving with the US Army, how he used his military experience in coaching, his time coaching at West Point, a Gladiator motivation story, Bruce Springsteen, and so much more!

Andy chats with fellow 2018 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame classmate - Rick Welts! Andy & Rick share stories from over the years, how "retirement" is treating him, the state of the NBA when he arrived in the late 70's, the genesis & evolution of the NBA's All-Star Weekend, his 2018 HOF enshrinement, a great Spencer Haywood story, his deep love for the Seattle SuperSonics, his unlikely friendship with Bill Russell, his coming out moment in 2011 & why that was the right time, working with former Commissioner David Stern, & what he's doing now!

Andy chats with legendary commentator Andrés Cantor! Andy & Andrés relive the final moments of Argentina's emotional World Cup victory! Plus, his path into broadcasting, how he found his signature style, the passion & history behind his famous "GOOOOL" calls, the moment he thought France had won, Argentina's incredible passion for the game, & so much more!

SHOWTIME! Andy chats with friend and Showtime Lakers Legend - Byron Scott!! Andy & Byron discuss their time at the Showtime Lakers Reunion in Maui this year, thinking back on how special the Showtime era really was, the family bond that was created on the Showtime teams, what he saw in an 18-year-old Kobe Bryant, facing Kobe & the Lakers as a coach in the 2002 NBA Finals, his podcast "Off the Dribble", how Pat Riley & Larry Brown inspired him to coach, the idea of LeBron passing Kareem, why Kareem will always be his GOAT, & his incredible charitable work! Plus, Kareem shooting skyhooks at 75 years old, trash talk, the legendary rivalry between the Lakers & Celtics, & so much more!

This week's LOS CLASSIC features legendary UCLA gymnastics coach - Valorie Kondos Field! Andy & Miss Val discuss her professional dance career, her path into coaching gymnastics, how Coach John Wooden's book informed her coaching style, how she transformed UCLA’s program, the topic of body shaming in gymnastics, changing the culture of the sport, Katelyn Ohashi, the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal, her battle with breast cancer, and what's next!

Andy chats with one of the most iconic broadcasting duos of all time - Ralph Lawler & Bill Walton! Ralph & Bill share memories from their 13 years in the booth together, their first time meeting, how Ralph saved Bill's life, the chance moment that lead to Bill's broadcasting career, memories from the early days of their broadcast partnership, an infamous river rafting trip, entertaining the lean years of the Clippers, all the times Bill was "fired", a spanish prank, & Ralph's new book "Bingo!: 40 Years In The NBA".

This week's LOS CLASSIC features the most iconic skateboarder of all time - Tony Hawk! Tony discusses his life in skateboarding, mentorship from Stacy Peralta, the evolution of the sport & business of skateboarding, DogTown & Z-Boys, his father's leadership, inventing the backside varial, the early days of the X Games, the impacts of landing the "900", starting his own skate company Birdhouse, skateboarding in the Olympics, the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater video game franchise, his new app video game Tony Hawk's Skate Jam, injuries & concussions, Atiba Jefferson, as well as his philanthropic ventures!

The tables have turned! Andy takes the guest chair as he's interviewed by friend & collaborator, Iain Thackrah, about their new project - Beyond The Lens! Want to learn from a Hall Of Fame photographer? Andy & Iain detail the new venture (a Masterclass 2.0, if you will), what the workshop will entail, how the Mamba Mentality is interwoven into the fabric of the program, why Andy decided to start the project, & more! Beyond The Lens launches TODAY at www.beyondthelens.live - early bird pricing (the lowest price EVER) is now available!

Andy chats with long-time colleague & sports journalist - J.A. Adande! Andy & J.A. talk about the Showtime Lakers reunion in Hawaii, his start in sports journalism (& why he credits Magic Johnson), stories from covering Kobe Bryant for 19 of his 20-year career, the Shaq & Kobe era, how sports journalism has evolved over the years, the role of media in today's world, his new position as Director of Sports Journalism at Northwestern, his new book "The Year's Best Sports Writing 2022", and so much more!

The business of sports! Andy takes the show on the road to the inaugural 2022 Global Sports Business Forum at UCLA! Andy chats with 11 different guests from the world of sports business, from NBA Hall Of Famer Mitch Richmond, to sports super-agent Leigh Steinberg, professional jockey Romero Maragh, and many of the industry's leading experts in branding, marketing, & analytics! Each guest shares their part & perspectives on what makes the world of sports possible in today's world!

Andy chats with Los Angeles Kings Hockey Operations & Prospect Advisor - Manon Rhéaume! Manon, aka "The First Woman of Hockey", was the first & only woman to ever play in the NHL! Andy & Manon discuss the 30th anniversary of her debut as goalie for the Tampa Bay Lightning, her early hockey journey, how she became a goalie, her personal goalie style, winning the silver medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics with the Canadian team, the moment she was invited to camp by the Lightning, team comaraderie as a woman, her hockey & goalie role models, her children's book "Breaking The Ice: The True Story of the First Woman to Play in the National Hockey League", her role with the Red Wings youth programs, & working as an analyst for RDS & Bally's!

Hey Lakers fans! This week's LOS CLASSIC features Andy with Lakers legend - Rick Fox! Rick discusses growing up in the Bahamas, being inspired by the path of neighborhood friend Mychal Thompson, playing under legendary coaches Dean Smith, Phil Jackson & Red Auerbach, the competitive nature of Larry Bird, guarding Michael Jordan, the Shaq & Kobe era, his motivation for signing with the Lakers, the significance of selecting #17, being recruited by Jerry West, why Shaq is his favorite teammate, Shaq & Kobe's reunion winning co-MVPs in the 2009 All-Star game, as well as his exciting new venture in the world of ESports! PLUS, Andy shares some of his favorite photos from over the years & the art of capturing the magic! Original Air Date: June 25, 2019.

Andy chats with fellow Naismith HOF Curt Gowdy Media Award winner & writer for The Athletic - David Aldridge! David discusses his route into journalism, the Dream Team & other Olympic teams, covering the NBA full time for ESPN, transitioning from writing to television work, his time at Turner Broadcasting, the early days of the Autism Awareness campaign, & the top NBA storylines heading into the 2022 season! The guys talk Warriors dynasty, Lakers or Clippers, a big year for Zion Williamson, and a few great memories of the incomparable Kobe Bryant!

Since the LA Dodgers & LAFC are back in the playoffs, & the Golden State Warriors are on the brink of another season - we decided to talk to the owner! In this LOS CLASSIC, we revisit Andy's chat with Chairman & CEO of Mandalay Entertainment & Sports Media - Peter Guber! As co-owner of the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Dodgers, LAFC, and ESports franchise 'Team Liquid' - Peter knows entertainment! The guys discuss Peter's entrepreneurial path into the sports & entertainment world, his enduring commitment to higher education & teaching, the movie biz vs the sports biz, creating the sporting experience for fans, the business relationship between fans & owners, the REAL purpose of the jumbotron, lessons in leadership & management, how to engage fans in the 21st Century, & the future of American soccer! Original Air Date: July 2, 2018.

As we've highlighted time & time again on this podcast - not all Legends of Sport are forward facing. This week, Andy chats with longtime colleague, friend, & former USC Sports Information Director - Tim Tessalone! Over Tim's 43-year tenure at USC - his office publicized 47 National Championships across the Men's & Women's sports programs, 267 Olympians, 5 Heisman Trophy Winners, 12 Rose Bowl's(that the USC Trojans participated in), and countless honors. Andy & Tim discuss his sports fandom growing up in Southern California, his path to USC & the world of PR, how the world of Public Relations has changed over the years due to technology, & so much more! Plus, the time Will Ferrell interned for his office, how NIL deals are changing college sports, & a few stories from cutting their teeth together over the years!