This is Part 1 of our Kobe Bryant career retrospective, released in honor of his legacy. In this episode, we explore Kobe’s early life in Italy, his legendary high school career, his bold jump to the NBA, and his first two seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers.Long before the championships, the MVPs, and the Mamba Mentality, Kobe Bryant was a basketball-obsessed kid growing up overseas, studying footwork, discipline, and the global game.We break down:• Kobe’s childhood in Italy and international influence• His dominance at Lower Merion High School• The 1996 NBA Draft and the Hornets–Lakers trade• His rookie struggles, growth, and role during his first two NBA seasonsThis episode sets the foundation for one of the greatest careers in NBA history.This series is a tribute to Kobe Bryant’s career, mindset, and lasting impact on basketball.🐍 New episodes drop in this 3-part Old Head Hoops retrospective.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Special Episode Announcement16:28 Kobe Bryant's Accolades and Early Life19:20 Kobe's Formative Years in Italy22:16 High School Career and Early Challenges25:10 The Mamba Mentality Begins28:03 Draft Process and Entry into the NBA31:14 Kobe's Rookie Season and Early Struggles33:51 Kobe's Growth and Development in the NBA37:13 The Impact of Kobe's Early Career on the Lakers39:53 Conclusion and Reflection on Kobe's Legacy54:25 New Outro.mp4Kobe BryantKobe Bryant careerKobe Bryant documentaryKobe Bryant early lifeKobe Bryant ItalyKobe Bryant high schoolLower Merion Kobe BryantKobe Bryant rookie season1996 NBA Draft Kobe BryantKobe Bryant LakersNBA legends documentaryOld Head HoopsKobe Bryant, basketball, Mamba Mentality, NBA history, legacy, Shaquille O'Neal, Lakers, personal growth, sports podcast, Kobe's careerKobe BryantKobe Bryant documentaryKobe Bryant career retrospectiveKobe Bryant early yearsKobe Bryant ItalyLower Merion High School KobeKobe Bryant high school highlightsKobe Bryant rookie seasonKobe Bryant LakersNBA historyNBA legendsMamba MentalityOld Head HoopsBasketball documentary#KobeBryant#MambaMentality#NBAHistory#BasketballLegacy#Lakers#OldHeadHoops
Who is the greatest NBA duo of all time?
Who's the greatest NBA duo ever - Jordan & Pippen, Kobe & Shaq, or Steph & KD? Drop your ranking in the comments below👇
In this episode of Old Head Hoops, we rank and debate the best duos in NBA history, using championships, advanced stats, on/off impact, playoff dominance, and era context. From Michael Jordan & Scottie Pippen, to Kobe Bryant & Shaquille O'Neal, to Stephen Curry & Kevin Durant, we break down which pairs truly defined winning basketball.
This isn't just nostalgia - we dive into head-to-head comparisons, era-adjusted statistics, offensive and defensive synergy, and playoff performance under pressure. Old-school legends meet modern superteams in one definitive ranking.
📊 Included in this episode:
If you love NBA debates, basketball history, and real hoops talk, this one's for you!
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Setup
01:34 Shirt Reveal and Design Process
04:21 Recording Challenges and Technical Setup
05:15 Nostalgia for NBA Jam
08:10 Gameplay Mechanics and Strategies
11:19 Ranking NBA Jam Duos
16:30 KD and Westbrook
18:55 Harden and Paul
21:21 Giannis and Middleton's Impact
24:16 Kobe and Pau's Legacy
27:56 Historical Context of Russell and Havlicek
34:35 Jokic and Murray's Championship Run
43:54 The Dominance of Durant and Curry
55:17 The Legacy of Stockton and Malone
01:00:15 Bird and McHale: A Legendary Duo
01:02:37 The Splash Brothers: Curry and Thompson
01:06:45 Duncan and Parker: Spurs' Dynamic Duo
01:13:22 LeBron and Wade: Miami's Power Couple
01:22:50 Shaq and Kobe: The Unstoppable Force
01:28:40 The Dynamic Duo: Shaq and Kobe
01:29:02 Magic and Kareem: A Legendary Partnership
01:30:11 Debunking Myths: Magic Johnson's Impact
01:32:25 The Internet's Ignorance: A Call for Informed Opinions
01:34:24 The Greatest Players: A Discussion on Legacy01:36:46 MJ and Pippen: The Bulls' Unmatched Legacy
01:39:58 The Fallout: Pippen's Controversial Statements
01:41:44 Ranking the Best Duos: A Tough Decision
01:43:38 The Top Ten: A Breakdown of NBA Greats
01:53:20 The Final Countdown: Top Three Duos Revealed
02:05:25 The Greatest of All Time: MJ vs. Shaq and Kobe
02:12:22 Logo Subscribe 169.mp4
Best NBA duos of all timegreatest nba duosnba duos rankedjordan pippenkobe shaqsteph curry kevin durantbest basketball duos evernba history debatenba rankings all timeold head hoopsnba legacy discussionnba playoff dominancebasketball podcast nbatop nba players all timenba advanced stats#nba #NBADuos #basketballhistory #jordanpippen #Kobeshaq #stephkd #nbadebate #Oldheadhoops #nbahistory #basketballtalk #greatestofalltime #basketball #nbabasketball #sports #podcast #nbahighlights #jordan #pippen #kobebryant #shaq #stephencurry #magicjohnson #kevindurant #timduncan #kareem #goat #lalakers #chicagobulls
Welcome to another Episode of Old Head Hoops, and have we got a DOOZY for you!! Every generation of NBA basketball fan truly believes that their era was the best. Sometimes it’s true, sometimes they’re delusional!
So on this special episode of @OldHeadHoops-c9r we debate the age old question of which generation is the best, by pitting a current player against his retro equivalent, and weighing up the pros and cons of each, before ultimately deciding who is greater.
There are some agreements, and it wouldn’t be Old Head Hoops without some disagreements between the boys 😂!!! We’ve pulled no punches here ladies and gentlemen, and we match some absolute all time legends of NBA history up against some of the future first ballot hall of famers!! It’s a who’s who of superstars from the 80s all the way to 2025!
Please don’t forget to like and subscribe to the channel for all your retro and current NBA content! And let us know in the comments what you think of our choices! We don’t mind copping a bit of humble pie!
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage
01:48 The Mothership Studio: A Nostalgic Journey
04:25 Shaq vs. Jokic
10:31 Clyde the Glide vs. Ant-Man
15:14 KG vs. Giannis: A Clash of Titans
20:18 Wemby vs. The Admiral
22:19 Larry Bird vs. Kevin Durant: Generational Greats
25:22 Where Kevin Durant Sits on the All Time Great List
26:09 Point Guard Showdown: Jason Kidd vs. Chris Paul
29:08 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander vs Allen Iverson
34:15 Magic Johnson vs. Steph Curry: A Clash of Eras
39:19 Kobe vs. LeBron: The Ultimate Legacy Debate
52:35 Wrap-Up: The Future of Basketball Legends
53:03 New Outro.mp4
#nba #basketball #podcast #nbahighlights #michaeljordan #kobebryant #larrybird #lebronjames #nbadebate #1990s #kevindurant #giannisantetokounmpo #alleniverson #nikolajokic #goat #shaq #lalakers
basketball, player comparisons, NBA legends, Shaquille O'Neal, Nikola Jokic, Clyde Drexler, Anthony Edwards, Kevin Garnett, Giannis Antetokounmpo, David Robinson, Victor Wembanyama, Larry Bird, Kevin Durant, Jason Kidd, Chris Paul, Magic Johnson, Steph Curry, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James
Discover our top 10 Greatest NBA Players of all time in this ultimate GOAT rankings breakdown... well, sort of! It's OUR version of the great debate, our own unique take on who made us fall in love with the NBA. This episode is part 2, as our co-host Mus responds to Clay's top 10 rankings in the previous episode! Mus's top 10 players are filled with the legends of the 80s, 90s and 2000s that shaped the league! The debate gets downright nasty at times, as we each fire hot take after hot take!From Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson, to Shaq, Hakeem Olajuwon and beyond, we analyse the icons who changed basketball forever. We cover career achievements, advanced stats, championship impact, off the court impact, style, and all the narratives that define each legend's legacy. If you love NBA history, GOAT debates, and basketball nostalgia, this episode is for you!! Drop your top 10 list in the comments! @OldHeadHoops-c9r @BillSimmons @NBA #alleniverson #ai #dennisrodman #nba #basketball #podcast #sports #1990s #nbahighlights #nbadebate #90snba #michaeljordan #lebronjames #lalakers #shaq #shaquilleoneal #hakeemolajuwon #magicjohnson #larrybird #bostonceltics #kevingarnett #houstonrockets #anferneehardaway #kobebryant #kobe #nbalegends #celticsnation NBA, top 10 players, basketball, player analysis, sports commentary, favourite players, basketball history, player rankings, basketball legends, sports podcast, basketball, NBA, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, sports history, player dynamics, basketball legendsTakeaways
The conversation has evolved into a relaxed format, focusing on genuine discussions.
Top 10 lists are subjective and reflect personal connections to players.
Dennis Rodman is celebrated for his defensive prowess and unique playing style.
Mahmoud Abdul-Raouf is recognized for his shooting skills and social activism.
Shawn Kemp's dunking ability and athleticism made him a fan favorite.
Allen Iverson's impact on the game and culture is undeniable.
Clyde Drexler's combination of power and grace set him apart.
Shaquille O'Neal's dominance in the paint changed the game.
Charles Barkley's rebounding ability at his height is remarkable.
Hakeem Olajuwon's all-around skills and legacy are unmatched.
Chapters
00:00 The Relaxed Conversation Begins
02:45 Top 10 Players Discussion
04:39 Eclectic Player Choices
05:08 Dennis Rodman: The Defensive Maestro
12:07 Mahmoud Abdul-Raouf: The Unseen Talent
16:21 Sean Kemp: The Rain Man of Dunks
22:14 Allen Iverson: The Iconic Scorer
27:00 Clyde Drexler: The Perfect Blend of Power and Grace
29:31 The Legacy of Clyde Drexler
35:04 The Dominance of Shaquille O'Neal
36:30 The Brilliance of Charles Barkley
42:25 Hakeem Olajuwon's Impact
45:48 Kobe Bryant: The Black Mamba Mentality
55:23 The Lasting Impact of Kobe Bryant
01:02:13 New Outro.mp4
Discover our top 10 Greatest NBA Players of all time in this ultimate GOAT rankings breakdown... well, sort of! It's OUR version of the great debate, our own unique take on who made us fall in love with the NBA. This episode is our best yet, filled with the legends of the 80s, 90s and 2000s that shaped the league! The debate gets downright nasty at times, as we each fire hot take after hot take!From Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson, to Shaq, Hakeem Olajuwon and beyond, we analyse the icons who changed basketball forever. We cover career achievements, advanced stats, championship impact, off the court impact, style, and all the narratives that define each legend's legacy. If you love NBA history, GOAT debates, and basketball nostalgia, this episode is for you!!Drop your top 10 list in the comments!@OldHeadHoops-c9r @BillSimmons @NBA #nba #basketball #podcast #sports #1990s #nbahighlights #nbadebate #90snba #michaeljordan #lebronjames #lalakers #shaq #shaquilleoneal #hakeemolajuwon #magicjohnson #larrybird #bostonceltics #kevingarnett #houstonrockets #anferneehardaway #kobebryant #kobe #nbalegends #celticsnation NBA, top 10 players, basketball, player analysis, sports commentary, favourite players, basketball history, player rankings, basketball legends, sports podcast, basketball, NBA, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, sports history, player dynamics, basketball legendsChapters00:00 Introduction to the Top 10 Players Discussion04:42 #10: Penny Hardaway: Magic 2.010:52 #9: Chris Webber: Changed the Power Forward Position17:39 #8: Hakeem Olajuwon: Unmatched Footwork and Skill24:31 #7: Grant Hill: The NBA's Biggest What If29:55 #6: Jason Kidd: Versatility and a Pure Winner37:50 #5 Larry Bird, and a HEATED Lebron debate!46:07 #4 Kevin Garnett: The Intensity and Impact56:49 #3 Magic Johnson: The Game Changer01:09:34 #2 Shaquille O'Neal: The Most Dominant Force01:16:00 Were Kobe and Shaq the Best NBA Duo of All Time?01:23:25 Shaq's Dominance and Career Highlights01:29:02 Injuries and Their Impact on Shaq's Career01:34:56 Shaq's Championship Journey with Miami01:37:34 #1 Michael Jordan; The Path to GOAT Status01:50:47 The Mamba Mentality and Winning at All Costs
The boys are back, talking NBA basketball in the mothership studio! In the latest episode of Old Head Hoops, Mus and Clay get into a deep dive recap of the NBA season as it currently stands. They cover a huge range topics, from the explosion of scoring, injuries to key players, league risers and fallers, and so much more! The guys introduce a fun new segment called "Woody or Wesley" that you absolutely MUST listen to! They talk about the teams and players who are piquing our interest the most so far this season, and whether or not we're buying it.True to form, the boys break off into countless tangents, including internet haters, the GOAT debate and so much more...As always, the boys are raw and rowdy, and things get extremely interesting towards the end of the episode... watch to find out what I mean!!
Lebron James, Luka Doncic, LA Lakers, Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons#nba #podcast #1990s #comedy #basketball #bostonceltics #sports #houstonrockets #lalakers #michaeljordan #nbalegends #lebronjames #goat #lukadoncic #haters #detroitpistons #cadecunningham
Summary
In this episode of Old Head Hoops, the boys dive into their Honourable Mentions list for their top 10 favourite NBA players to watch, emphasizing personal enjoyment over traditional metrics of greatness. They discuss the first week of the NBA season, highlighting standout performances, particularly from Victor Wembanyama, and reflect on the legacy of LeBron James. The conversation also touches on various players who didn't make their top 10 lists, including Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson, and the impact of players like Vince Carter and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf on the game.
In the inaugural episode of Old Head Hoops, hosts Clay and Mus dive into their shared passion for basketball, exploring their personal journeys with the sport, memorable moments, and the evolution of basketball culture, particularly in Australia. They discuss the impact of the 1992 Dream Team, the rise of signature shoes, and the significance of basketball cards. The conversation also touches on their favorite players and teams, the dynamics of team play, and the legacy of 90s NBA basketball. The episode concludes with a look at the future of the podcast and what listeners can expect moving forward.