Reinis Lacis's Basketball Blog

The Handle Podcast – J. Bruce Miller: 01/29/18

Whether it is the ABA’s Kentucky Colonels or any of the attempts of bringing them back in the form of an NBA team, J. Bruce Miller has long been involved in Louisville’s professional basketball scene. A conversation with him gave us the chance to explore his career as…

January 29, 2018 · Leave a comment

The Handle Podcast – Ray Scott: 12/13/17

When the 1961-62 Detroit Pistons made the Division Finals, Ray Scott was their impressive rookie forward. When the team first won 50+ games in 1973-74, he was their head coach. Thus we talked about the Pistons, yet also about the city of Philadelphia (and Wilt Chamberlain), fun with the Virginia Squires…

December 13, 2017 · Leave a comment

The Handle Podcast – Mark Montieth: 12/04/17

“Reborn: The Pacers and the Return of Pro Basketball to Indianapolis” is a recently released book which I enjoyed very much. Its author Mark Montieth joined me on the podcast to talk about the many topics concerning it. The first professional…

December 4, 2017 · Leave a comment

The Handle Podcast – Steve Chubin: 10/30/17

Steve Chubin is among the basketball pioneers in more than one way. We talked about him going overseas to play in Europe after his college career when few players did so, the first season of ABA basketball in 1966-67 during which he played with the Anaheim…

October 30, 2017 · Leave a comment

The Handle Podcast – Gar Heard: 10/13/17

An NBA lifer of 30 years in the league, Gar Heard had plenty of stories to tell on this episode of The Handle Podcast. From debuting in the NBA as a rookie on Lenny Wilkens’s Seattle SuperSonics and being the glue guy for the fast-paced Buffalo Braves to making the Finals with the 1975-76 Phoenix Suns. The years…

October 13, 2017 · 1 Comment

The Handle Podcast – Willie Somerset: 09/11/17

How many athletes have turned to a career in another field right after an All-Star season at the age of 27? Willie Somerset has. The 1969 ABA All-Star-turned-pharmacist explored the biggest influences in his life, the fun times he had during a short stint with the…

September 11, 2017 · 2 Comments

The Handle Podcast – Butch Beard: 07/19/17

NBA All-Star, champion and coach Butch Beard has had an unparalleled career. From death threats during a Kentucky vs. Louisville recruiting battle to being drafted in the army after his rookie NBA season and contributing to the 1974-75 Warriors…

July 19, 2017 · Leave a comment

The Handle Podcast – Dave Feitl: 06/27/17

UTEP Miners great Dave Feitl joined the show and reminisced about the university’s success under coach Don Haskins, remembered the difficulties the Houston Rockets faced after the 1986 Finals and told us his story about regaining confidence in Europe after being run…

June 27, 2017 · Leave a comment

The Handle Podcast – Mike Storen: 05/15/17

You can’t tell the story of the ABA without multiple mentions of Mike Storen. The former general manager of the Indiana Pacers, the Kentucky Colonels and the one-time commissioner of the league joined the podcast to describe his career path, provide us with insight about his front office…

May 15, 2017 · 5 Comments

The Handle Podcast – Adam Criblez: 05/01/17

Author Adam Criblez came on the podcast to talk about his book “Tall Tales and Short Shorts” on the 1970s NBA, Pete Maravich’s struggles in the NBA, Julius Erving joining the Bucks as the best what if of the decade and plenty of other 70s basketball minutiae.

May 1, 2017 · 1 Comment