Courtside with Marc
A fan's view of the NBA and the people that make it so exciting.
Episodes
18 episodes
Hank Waters: How an NBA Superfan Built a High School Basketball Powerhouse From Scratch
An Orlando Magic superfan with zero experience building sports programs just assembled three players he's convinced will be top-6 NBA draft picks — and his strategy was brutally simple: "hire the right person and let them do everything."...
Horace Grant: What He Really Thought Playing Against His Twin Brother
NBA legend Horace Grant admits he "wanted to kick his ass" every time he faced his twin brother Harvey on the court — and their childhood games always ended in actual fights because neither could stand losing.The 4-time NBA champion shar...
James Pickens Jr.: 22 Years of Grey's Anatomy and Cleveland Basketball Loyalty
Marc's daughter had to tell him he was interviewing a major TV star.Sometimes the best interviews happen when you least expect them. Marc thought he was sitting down with a regular basketball fan, until his daughter pointed out he...
Obba Babatunde: What 35 Years of Talking to Horses Taught Me
You've seen Obba Babatunde on screen, but wait until you hear about his other life as a horse whisperer and professional rodeo competitor.The acclaimed actor and entertainer reveals his fascinating dual career with the all-Black B...
Glynn Turman: Partying with Kareem in 1965 and Why LeBron is "Built Like a Centaur"
Glynn Turman has stories that will blow your mind — like attending Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's UCLA acceptance party in 1965 when it was so packed they ended up celebrating in the hallway of a Harlem project.At 79, this legendary actor ...
Byron Scott: From Sneaking Into The Forum To Playing There
Byron Scott drops some serious basketball knowledge and his GOAT take might surprise you. The 3-time Lakers champion explains why Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the greatest player ever and shares untold stories from his playing days with Magic ...
Wayne Federman: The Real Reason Pistol Pete Died at 40 Will Shock You
Wayne Federman reveals the shocking medical discovery about Pistol Pete Maravich that changed everything.Wayne Federman, authorized biographer of Pete Maravich, spent 20 years researching the life of basketball's most tragic geniu...
Martin Guigui: The Story The NBA Tried to Ignore for 50 Years
Filmmaker Martin Guigui joins Marc Israel at Warner Brothers Studios to tell the incredible 28-year journey of bringing "Sweetwater" to the big screen — the untold story of Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton, one of the first three Black players to integ...
Ryan Hollins: Joy, Work Ethic & the NBA Broadcast Booth
Houston Rockets analyst and former NBA center Ryan Hollins joins Marc Israel onCourtside for an unforgettable conversation about basketball joy, preparation, and leadership.Ryan shares behind‑the‑scenes insight into the Rockets ...
EJ Kusnyer: The NBA Salary Cap, Explained
NBA agent and salary-cap expert EJ Kusnyer joins Marc Israel on Courtside to explain the business side of basketball.From Bird Rights and max contracts to the first and second apron, EJ breaks down the NBA’s Collective Bargainin...
Rafer Alston: From Skip to My Lou to the NBA
Streetball legend and former NBA point guard Rafer “Skip to My Lou” Alston joins Marc Israel on Courtside for a powerful conversation about basketball culture, creativity, and longevity.From Queens playgrounds to the AND1 Mixtap...
Mo Evans: The Long Way to the NBA
Former NBA veteran Mo Evans joins Marc Israel on Courtside to share the unfiltered truth about his journey to the league.From going undrafted to grinding overseas, learning from legends like Kevin Garnett and Chris Webber, and u...
Edward Pollard: From Buckets to City Hall
Edward Pollard’s basketball career didn’t end — it evolved.In this episode of Courtside, Marc Israel talks with the former Lamar High and Morehouse hooper about his journey from high-level basketball to overseas leagues, law sch...
Isaiah Taylor: From the NBA to Pro Basketball Around the World
Former NBA guard Isaiah Taylor sits down with Mark Israel on Courtside to share his journey through professional basketball — from the NBA to leagues across Europe, China, and the Middle East.Isaiah talks candidly about h...
Natalie Alvarado: Inside the Entertainment Engine of the Houston Rockets
What happens at an NBA game when the cameras aren’t focused on the players?In this episode of Courtside, host Marc Israel sits down with Natalie Alvarado, Director of Live Programming & Entertainment for the Houston Rockets....
Jonathan Sanford: The Voice Behind the Houston Rockets
In Episode 2 of Courtside, host Marc Israel sits down with Jonathan Sanford, the public address announcer for the Houston Rockets and the University of Texas Longhorns, to explore the hidden craft behind the...
Craig Ackerman: From Intern to the Voice of the Houston Rockets
In the inaugural episode of Courtside, host Marc Israel sits down with Craig Ackerman, the longtime television voice of the Houston Rockets, to unpack one of the most unique journeys in professional sports broadcasting.
