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This episode is dedicated to the memory of Reece Pedretti - one of the truest friends I've ever known. On February 22, 2025, Reece passed away peacefully at the age of 45, following a courageous, nearly two-year battle with a rare form of cancer. Throughout his illness, he faced major surgeries and numerous treatments with unwavering strength.

We first met at work in 2000 and became fast friends, bonding over our shared sense of humour and a deep love for basketball - especially the NBA of the 1990s. Reece had a particular admiration for Shawn Kemp and Jalen Rose; so much so that replica jerseys of both players were displayed at the celebration of his life.

Reece had many admirable qualities, but perhaps his greatest gift was his ability to make people feel at ease, regardless of the situation. He cherished his family deeply and had a love for music. A talented guitarist and singer, Reece regularly performed live, both solo and with various bands.

My thoughts are with his cherished wife Sian; his sons Huw and Paddy; his stepsons Jasper and Jude; his parents Sherry and Des; and his brother Dallas. Their loss is immeasurable.

In August 2013, Reece joined my podcast for a conversation that you're about to hear. I'm grateful to have this recording to remember him by. Knowing Reece for 25 years has made me a better person. I love you, mate, and I always will.

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Today’s guest is Mike Riordan. We dive into his incredible journey - from starring in college at Providence to playing a key role on the legendary 1970 New York Knicks championship team - delivering the franchise’s first title. Mike shared the floor with icons like Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, Bill Bradley, and a young Phil Jackson.

We talk about how he carved out his role on such a stacked roster, the lessons he carried into his years with the Washington Bullets, and how the era he lived through - including the Vietnam years - shaped his outlook on life.

Off the court, Mike built a successful business career, and his reflections are insightful. A special shout-out to my friend and former guest, Rich Rinaldi, for making this connection.

Now, let’s drop the needle. My conversation with Mike Riordan.

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Pete Babcock is a man deeply woven into the fabric of NBA history. Pete shares the innovative path he took to break into the league, starting as a volunteer scout and rising through the ranks as a regional scout, assistant coach, director of player personnel, VP of basketball operations, general manager, team president, and even minority owner.

We explore Pete’s passion for Black history and humanitarian work, and reflect on a remarkable 42-year career that culminated in an NBA championship ring in 2016. This conversation serves as the perfect introduction to Pete’s forthcoming biography, Courts of Justice: A Life in Basketball and Activism. You can preorder the book now at PeteBabcock.com.

In our chat, Pete offers a behind-the-scenes look at the art of scouting and drafting, and the complexities of navigating trades - including the high-profile deal that sent franchise favorite Dominique Wilkins from the Atlanta Hawks to the L.A. Clippers. We cover Pete’s tenure with several NBA franchises - including the New Orleans Jazz, Milwaukee Bucks, San Diego Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, and Cleveland Cavaliers - discussing his roles and impact at each stop.

Along the way, we talk about a wide range of players he worked with or observed closely, including Paul Westphal, Alvan Adams, Tom Chambers, Terry Cummings, Fat Lever, Christian Laettner, Dikembe Mutombo, Steve Smith, Isaiah Rider, and many more. Pete will return in a future episode to take us deeper into the making of his book.

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[as an Amazon Associate, Adam earns from qualifying purchases - you'll be supporting his podcast at no extra cost]