American Ball Tales

American Ball Tales is a narrative podcast about professional basketball presented in a tall-tale fashion. These tales could have once been the exaggerated, what-if stories that we used to share on school buses, barber shops, or at the watercooler. Each episode explores the past and present of professional basketball as well as other related storylines that could drive our wildest imagination.

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Episodes

Glitch Theory

On November 10, 2018, Markelle Fultz, the first overall pick of the 2017 NBA draft, bent down to tie his shoe during the game. A series of spasms that resembled glitches ensued—adding another layer to the disappearance of his jump shot the year prior. This event was peculiar to say the least. It was a malfunction in an ordinary movement, not a shooting mechanic. Many have theorized as to what erased his jump shot, but no one could explain this "glitch" phenomenon. Glitch Theory explores these qu...

Sep 19, 2019•35 min•Season 1Ep. 3

SKILLUMINATI

The Triangle Offense defined almost two decades of basketball. From the '90s to '00s, it accounted for 11 championships—six with the Chicago Bulls and five with the Los Angeles Lakers. It was complex and simple. It operated like a quantum particle, existing in two places at the same time. It could transcend or hinder, depending on the practice. Skilluminati explores one man who unlocks the Triangle's many mysteries and how it affects one relationship across time. It's a tale of love and betrayal...

Jul 31, 2019•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 2

The Bird, Hair, and Vase

When the Atlanta Hawks traded Luka Doncic for the Trae Young and a future first-round pick, an outpour of criticism exploded on social media. From his defensive play to his slender frame, every aspect of Trae Young was picked apart and dissected. However, the most brutal critique and still talked about issue with Trae Young is not about his game—but about his hair . The Bird, Hair, and Vase explores one of the strangest critiques in the NBA. What if there's more to his hair than we realized? Wha...

Jun 13, 2019•37 min•Season 1Ep. 1

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