First Ballot: The Hall of Fame Podcast

First Ballot: The Hall of Fame Podcast

First Ballot is a weekly podcast that celebrates the moments in sports that really matter, and decides whether to induct them into the First Ballot Hall of Fame.

Episodes

Above the Rim

May 23, 2024 • 78 mins
Can you recall your favorite sports movie of all time? (No, the Karate Kid doesn't count, stop it.) Well one of our favorites, an underrated and forgotten gem, is Above The Rim. A 1994 classic that may very well have the best basketball played in a sports film ever. But is it good enough to be the first sports movie ever inducted into the First Ballot HOF? A special guest joins to help us make the call on our season finale. Timeco...
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Inside the NBA with Tim Kiely

May 16, 2024 • 83 mins
Inside the NBA isn't just a show, it's an institution. In an extra special episode, long-time Inside the NBA producer Tim Kiely joins the pod to talk about his career, working with Shaq and Charles Barkley, and if any iconic Inside the NBA moments are First Ballot Hall of Fame worthy. Timecodes: (03:54) There's no "I" in Team, but there's one in TIM (05:21) Recruiting Charles Barkley (11:39) Breaking the formula with Ernie Johnso...
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LeBron Buries Jason Terry with Niles Abston

May 9, 2024 • 57 mins
In 2013, fueled by two years of resentment after losing to Jason Terry and the Dallas Mavericks in the 2011 NBA finals, LeBron James pulled off one of the most incredible casket dunks ever. Comedian and writer on DAVE, Niles Abston joins the pod to discuss his journey to Hollywood (10:30), working with Lil' Dicky (39:40), and if the Miami Heat burying Jason Terry is worthy of the First Ballot Hall of Fame.  Showtime Codes:  (5:40) ...
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The 1988 3 Point Contest with Dale Ellis

May 2, 2024 • 74 mins
"Which one of you guys is playing for second?" In 1988, Larry Bird shot the lights out to win his third straight 3-point contest... in his warm-up jacket. Dale Ellis, a 17-year NBA veteran, 1987's NBA Most Improved Player, a 1989 NBA All-Star and All-NBA Selection, and the Godfather of the 3-point shot joins the pod to break down competing with Larry Bird in 1988, playing Michael Jordan, his advice to young shooters, and his love o...
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Jordan and Pippen Part 2 with Madeline Hill

April 25, 2024 • 74 mins
All sports news may just be...gossip! Breaking down Marcus Jordan and Larsa Pippen's relationship is Impersonal Foul writer Madeline Hill, who also talks about the best reality tv shows, how Rich Paul is an athlete, America's Royal Family, and her substack (a newsletter that is the lovechild of Bravo and ESPN). Showtime Codes:  (3:30) The four best reality tv shows (13:19) The latest greatest sports gossip is happening in the rugb...
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Caitlin Clark's Record Breaker with Mike Corbett

April 18, 2024 • 86 mins
There was no doubt that Caitlin Clark would make history by becoming the all time NCAA leading scorer. It was only a matter of how and when she would do it. Here to discuss the moment is Dunk Comp's Creative Director Mike Corbett, who joins the pod to talk about Caitlyn’s record breaking moment, the impact of Vince Carter, and the greatness of a hoop sound.  Showtime Codes:  (8:05) What inspires Mike's work  (15:50) How Dunk Comp ...
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The Vomiting Umpire with Michael Torpey

April 11, 2024 • 110 mins
Iconic sports moments can happen anywhere and to anyone. In this episode of the First Ballot Hall of Fame Podcast, friend of the show, comedian, and actor Michael Torpey breaks down one umpire's effort to leave it all on the field. Torpey also dissects the sweet relief of a barf and the most iconic vomits throughout his life.   Timecodes:  (10:11) Torpey's role on the "Young Rock"  (26:09) The universality of vomiting (28:10) Torpe...
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Ray Allen's Game 6 Three with Julio Manteiga

April 4, 2024 • 77 mins
With 5 seconds left on the clock, Ray Allen hit a clutch three from the right corner, tying the game and forcing overtime in a moment that would change NBA championship history. Here to talk about the moment is the Head of Content and Communications at the National Basketball Retired Players Association Julio Manteiga, who talks about what he saw at the game, getting starstruck by Metallica, and going to Cuba with the NBA.  Showti...
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The 2016 NBA Dunk Contest with Hanif Abdurraqib

March 28, 2024 • 83 mins
In 2016 Zach Lavine and Aaron Gordon went head to head in what is now regarded as potentially the greatest dunk contest in NBA history. Featuring a free throw line windmill dunk, a free throw line 'tween the legs dunk, and a miraculous "sitting in the air" dunk. Here to discuss is poet, essayist, and cultural critic Hanif Abdurraqib (@NifMuhammad). On this episode we talk getting lost in vowel sounds, the underappreciated aesthetic...
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Anthony Edwards' Block vs. Anthony Edwards' Dunk with Zach Harper

March 21, 2024 • 115 mins
Our first true emergency podcast! Two monster plays in two weeks from one rising superstar, Anthony Edwards. And who better to help us navigate which of these two plays should be in the FBHOF than Zach Harper (@talkhoops) of The Athletic. On this episode we talk sp5der hoodies, horse noises, thrunks, and the perfectly balanced omegablade that Thanos carries around on his index finger. Timecodes: (06:57) Appreciating the Eriq La sa...
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The Greatest Playoff Round You Don't Remember with Ashtyn Butuso

March 14, 2024 • 69 mins
A 4-OT Game, the peak of CJ McCollum's career, and Evan Turner flipping off Michael Porter Jr. are just a few reasons that make the 2019 second round match-up between the Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets special...But is it worthy of the First Ballot Hall of Fame? Writer, producer, and founder of Flagrant Magazine, Ashtyn Butuso joins the pod to break down this iconic series for Portland, the tears she shed for Damian Lill...
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The Search for the Funniest Sports Moment Pt 1 with George Anagnostakos

March 7, 2024 • 95 mins
In this episode of the First Ballot Hall of Fame, we're on the search for the funniest sports moment of all time. TV writer and producer, George Anagnostakos rejoins the pod to break down the Isaiah Thomas Frosty Freeze Out Ejection and Gregg Popovich's Hack-A-Shaq special and help decide if either moment is worthy of the First Ballot Hall of Fame. George also talks his favorite chicken sandwich, getting free food in NYC, and paral...
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March Madness Moments with Nick Bernstein and Michael Torpey

February 29, 2024 • 118 mins
March Madness is arguably the best part of college basketball and generates iconic moments year after year. SVP of Late Night West Coast at ViacomCBS and the Official College Basketball Fan of the First Ballot Hall of Fame Podcast, Nick Bernstein and Actor and Writer Michael Torpey join the pod to break down some of NCAA's most iconic moments and if any of them are worthy of the First Ballot Hall of Fame. Together they break down "...
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Steph's 32-Footer in OKC with LaJethro Jenkins

February 22, 2024 • 73 mins
Stephen Curry is one of the greatest shooters of all time. In 2016, with just 0.6 seconds on the clock, Curry hit a game-winning three against the Oklahoma City Thunder and got a Double Bang from Mike Breen. Is this shot the moment that changed the NBA? Producer and co-host of the Jenkins and Jonez podcast, John "LaJethro Jenkins" Nichols joins the pod to decide if this moment is worthy of the First Ballot Hall of Fame, pick out th...
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Ben Simmons Passes Up Dunk with Anthony Moore

February 15, 2024 • 69 mins
In the 2021 Eastern Conference Semifinals, Philadelphia 76er Ben Simmons infamously passed up a wide-open dunk over Trae Young. Comedian, Philadelphia native, and host of the We Want Moore podcast, Anthony Moore joins the pod to break down this infamous play and decide if it is worthy of the First Ballot Hall of Fame. Anthony also breaks down Wemby's build, being the face of a viral meme, and his go-to bodega snack.  Timecodes: (4...
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The Jump that Never Happened with Joe Posnanski

February 8, 2024 • 80 mins
One of the greatest sports journalists in the country and New York Times bestselling author of seven books, Joe Posnanski joins the podcast to talk about the longest jump never recorded and Mike Powell's long jump record. Plus, Joe's favorite baseball moments, how he and Michael Schur started their podcast, and things that kick ass.  Timecodes:  (7:58) Joe is writing a book about football (15:50) Are First Ballot moments in Joe's ...
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SLAM Magazine Tribute with Ben Osborne, Russ Bengtson, and Lang Whitaker

February 1, 2024 • 84 mins
In this very special edition of the First Ballot Hall of Fame Podcast, legendary SLAM contributors Ben Osborne, Lang Whitaker, and Russ Bengtson join the pod to celebrate SLAM magazine's 30th anniversary. They go into all the gritty details of working at one of the most important publications in basketball history from Shawn Kemp's emails to fist bumps with Patrick Ewing.  Timecodes:  (8:45) The next generation learning about sne...
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Dirk's Game 2 Layup with Jason Gallagher

January 25, 2024 • 90 mins
In 2006 the Dallas Mavericks lost in the NBA finals to the Wade and Shaq led Miami Heat. (Thanks in large part to an astounding 97 free throws by D-Wade…) Later in the 2011 NBA Finals, Nowitzki would find himself on the precipice of rewriting NBA history with one fateful lefty lay. Jason Gallagher, of The Old Man and The Three, joins the pod to discuss the ugliest jerseys in the NBA, the hubris of the Heatles, and the handful of mo...
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The Best Shattered Backboard Dunk of All Time Part 2 with Dan Devine, @DUNKCOMP, and David Astramskas

January 18, 2024 • 53 mins
Dan Devine, Paul from @Dunkcomp, and David Astramskas are back for Part 2 of determining the greatest shattered backboard dunk. This week they break down Shaq's 1992 dunk on NBA Inside Stuff and Darryl Dawkins' OG back-board shattering dunk against the Kansas City Kings and decide which of these dunks are worthy of induction into the First Ballot Hall of Fame.  Timecodes: (4:15) David's Submission: 5/10/1992, Shaq on NBA Inside St...
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The Best Shattered Backboard Dunk of All Time Part 1 with Dan Devine, @DUNKCOMP, and David Astramskas

January 11, 2024 • 61 mins
Legends of the industry, Dan Devine, Paul from @Dunkcomp, and David Astramskas join the pod as the first-ever First Ballot Hall of Fame voting committee panel to determine and induct the greatest shattered backboard dunk into the First Ballot Hall of Fame. In part one of the first ever two-part episode, the panel breaks down Jerome Lane's thunderous dunk at Pittsburgh and Michael Jordan's legendary 1985 dunk in Trieste, Italy.  Ti...
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