The New York Knicks have become one of the great stories of the NBA season. But due to COVID, the hysteria that would normally engulf Madison Square Garden has been muted. What hasn't been muted is the passion of Knicks fans for their overachieving team. Barry Sacks and Michael "MJ" Jackson are former colleagues at ESPN who are great examples of the highly intelligent New York basketball fan. In this episode of Pure Thoughts, MJ and Barry join dejected Celtics fan Bruce Bernstein for a deep dive into what makes this Knicks team unlike any other in recent years.

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During his 25 seasons as an NBA Referee, Steve Javie carved out a reputation as a "no nonsense" official who was an excellent game manager and a man of integrity. After retiring due to chronic knee problems, he became the highly visible rules expert for ESPN/ABC's game broadcasts. But his journey didn't end in the Secaucus, NJ Replay Center where millions heard his analysis of difficult calls on the court. As a man of faith, Steve answered the calling and embarked on a journey of study and reflection that led him to become an ordained Deacon in the Catholic Church. In this wide ranging conversation with Bruce Bernstein, Steve shared stories of his life as an official, some fun stories from his years calling games, and his current role as a religious and spiritual leader.

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Joel Platt of Sports Immortals is the greatest collector of sports memorabilia in the world. He's traveled more than 1,000,000 miles over seven decades in his quest to preserve and exhibit his collection of more than one million sports mementos. In this episode of Pure Thoughts, Joel shares the stories of four all-time basketball greats. Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, George Mikan, and Maurice Lucas. Joel's partner Jim Platt, the Sports Immortals President also explains how the new partnership between Sports Immortals and Collectable.com allows sports fans to invest in shares of different items and own a part of sports history. Two of the items available for investment are Wilt Chamberlain's game worn (and signed) high school jersey and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's UCLA warmup from the late 1960's when he was still known as Lew Alcindor. Joel will share the stories of how he acquired these amazing items and tell a great Muhammad Ali story.

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Pat Summitt (1952-2016) was one of the greatest basketball coaches of the modern era. In her 38 years at the University of Tennessee, her Lady Vols won eight National Championships and her final 31 teams made the NCAA Tournament. Before she was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers Disease in 2011, she did a series of interviews where she explained the secrets to her success. In this appreciation of Coach Summitt, she explains in her own words how she approached recruiting, education, scheduling, motivation, and even described a famous fight she had .... with a raccoon! We also hear from her son Tyler, who shared his thoughts on her courageous battle against Alzheimers. While the great Pat Summitt left us in 2016, her words of wisdom resonate to this day.

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Brad Daugherty is one of the most unique individuals in basketball history. He was one of the best big men ever to play at the University of North Carolina for coach Dean Smith. He was the #1 overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft, ahead of his good friend the late Len Bias who went #2. His NBA career was on a Hall of Fame trajectory, with 5 All Star appearances in his first 7 seasons. But at the age of 28 he was forced to retire due to severe back injuries. As a lifelong auto racing fan, he became a NASCAR team owner in his early 30's and was a successful businessman and broadcaster along the way for ESPN and currently NBC. As perhaps the highest profile African American in the NASCAR world, he has spoken out against the display of the confederate flag and against all forms of discrimination. Find out how Brad Daugherty's unique journey has shaped in the new edition of "Pure Thoughts."

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Nancy Lieberman is one of truly unique basketball players of all time. Growing up in a tough neighborhood in Queens, as a teenager she took the subway to Harlem and played against the men at Rucker Park. Always in search of the best competition, she developed skills, mental toughness, and a competitive fire that burns as hot as ever. She was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996 and has continued to compete on the court and as a coach right up to the present day. She was a pioneer who battled against stereotypes and gender discrimination but never made excuses and never backed down. In this episode of Pure Thoughts, Nancy shares the secrets of her success in her own words.

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Hall of Famer Spencer Haywood is one of the most significant figures in American sports history. He was born into poverty, working in the cotton fields of Mississippi until he left as a 14 year old in 1964 and went to live with his brother in Detroit. What followed was a legendary career as a 1968 Olympic gold medalist, ABA superstar, NBA All Star, and member of the 1980 Lakers championship team. But the road to success was challenging and the word "hardship" became forever associated with his name. Listen as he describes his journey and the indelible mark he left on the NBA and how his courage allowed future generations of players unprecedented opportunities.

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In the first episode of "Pure Thoughts," the late Hall of Famer Dennis Johnson tells us in his own words the secrets of his success. "DJ," who passed away in 2007 became a household name in the basketball world when he led the 1979 Seattle Sonics to the NBA Championship and was named the NBA Finals MVP. He would go on to win two more NBA Championships as a member of the 1984 and 1986 Boston Celtics. His lockdown defense, clutch play, hard work, and intelligence made him a fan favorite in Boston and the player that Larry Bird called his "favorite" teammate.

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