The Heart of a Champion

NBA Pulse host Sarah Kustok joins Hannah for a special bonus episode of NBA DNA. Hannah and Sarah recap their favorite moments from the series, reflect on the history of women's hoops, and share their advice for young journalists trying to break into the business. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How did the NBA become…well, the NBA? On this final episode of NBA DNA, Hannah digs into the magic behind the scenes, featuring interviews with Bob Costas, Willow Bay, Isiah Thomas, and others. Former NBA Entertainment boss Don Sperling walks us through how the league went from tape-delayed games of the 80s to the mega successes of the 90s and beyond. Plus, the incredible legacy of David Stern, the creation of Inside Stuff, and how the league forever changed the landscape for professional athletes and fans. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hannah heads back to 2015 and one of her favorite assignments to date: covering an up-and-coming Golden State Warriors for ESPN’s Face to Face. Legendary coach Steve Kerr and NBA All-Star Andre Iguodala recap the highs and lows of Golden State’s incredible 2014-2015 season, including the NFL legend that helped Kerr develop his coaching philosophy, the origins of the team’s “death lineup,” and how Steph Curry changed everyone’s opinion on what’s a good shot.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of NBA DNA, Hannah dives into the first dynasty of the new millennium, the Shaq/Kobe Los Angeles Lakers of the early 2000s. Lakers owner and President Jeanie Buss, and seven-time NBA champion Robert Horry join the show to discuss the team’s iconic three-peat, the secret behind Phil Jackson’s success, and what Shaq and Kobe’s teammates wish you knew about their relationship.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s episode of NBA DNA, Hannah revisits the summer of 1997 and the inaugural season of the WNBA. Basketball legends Val Ackerman, Rebecca Lobo, Annie Meyers, and Lisa Lax join the show to talk about that shortened first season: featuring six initial teams, one accidental dynasty, one ulcer, and lots of happy tears.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s episode of NBA DNA, we dig into the history of women’s pro hoops: from the early days in colleges and church basements to the ill-fated leagues of the 1980s, and finally, the creation of the 1996 Women’s Dream Team. Hannah shares the lesser-known story of the barnstorming tour that led to today's WNBA and sits down with some of the women who made it possible: Rebecca Lobo and former WNBA president Val Ackerman.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Michael Jordan retired from the NBA, attention shifts to the other greats: Olajuwon, Ewing, Stockton, Malone, and Barkley — all hungry for a championship. Former Rockets coach Rudy T and seven-time NBA Champion Robert Horry sit down with Hannah to talk about the team’s back-to-back wins, the strangest Game Five ever played, and the surprising origins of The Heart of a Champion.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special bonus episode of NBA DNA, Hannah sits down with one of the greatest to play the game, Charles Barkley. Hannah and Sir Charles dig into his storied career (including when he almost joined the Trail Blazers!), his early years in Philly and golden years in Phoenix, and his pivot to broadcasting. Plus, how his mea culpa moment with Hannah helped him rethink his final years as a player. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s episode of NBA DNA, we look at the greatest team assembled: The 1992 Men’s Olympic Basketball Team — aka, The Dream Team. Hannah is joined by Hall-of-Famer Charles Barkley and Dream Team Coach PJ Carlesimo who reminisce about their unforgettable summer, complete with iconic practices, international rivalries, and late nights at the poker table. Plus, Hannah delves into her move to NBC in the early '90s just as the Dream Team took basketball global.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Detroit Pistons legend Isiah Thomas stops by to talk about the team's back-to-back NBA championships, his biggest gripe with the Chicago Bulls, and whether the team is the NBA’s forgotten dynasty. But first, we head inside the metaphorical locker room that once was CNN Sports Tonight, complete with 2:30 a.m. newscasts, Subway sandwiches, and Hannah’s future husband Dan Hicks. Hannah and Dan revisit the earliest days of their relationship and reminisce about how the Detroit Pistons changed East Coast basketball. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.