Thurl Talk

Latest Episodes:

Julius "Dr. J" Erving on his autobiography, racial tensions, transitioning from the ABA to the NBA, and life after basketball Jun 09, 2020

Show notes

Thurl Bailey is joined by Julius "Dr. J" Erving (NBA Hall of Famer, 1982-'83 NBA Champion, 3x ABA MVP, 1981 NBA MVP) to talk about his book, Dr. J: The Autobiography, the racial tensions he experienced growing up, why he's always been a follower of rules and how he used that to his advantage in sports at an early age.

Then he dives into what it was like playing basketball on his Salvation Army team, how his high school coach, Ray Wilson, was his idol growing up, and the way Elgin Baylor shaped Julius's game growing up.

We also talk about the evolution of Julius's game from his time spent in the ABA, how it transitioned into the NBA, and what he learned by sacrificing for the 76ers during their championship run in 1983.

Lastly, we discuss how guards have taken the spotlight from the historically dominant centers, the movement from athlete to non-athlete, the importance of planning for life after basketball, and what will it take for the NBA to return.

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Natalie Williams on being drafted by the Utah Starzz, inequalities between the NBA and the WNBA, and her passion for coaching Jun 02, 2020

Show notes

Thurl Bailey is joined by Natalie Williams (WNBA Hall of Famer, 4x WNBA All-Star, 3x All-WNBA First Team, 2x All-ABL First Team) to talk about how getting a later start in basketball, choosing to go to school on a volleyball scholarship, and how she ultimately led to choosing basketball over volleyball after being cut from the 1996 Olympic volleyball team.

Then we dive into her experience winning the Gold medal in the 2000 Summer Olympics, getting drafted by the Utah Starzz, the inequalities between the NBA and the WNBA, and why female professional basketball players are forced to play overseas during the offseason.

Lastly, Natalie describes the pride she has for coaching young women, how important motherhood has been in her life, and the hurdles the WNBA has to address before returning to play.

To learn more about Natalie Williams and her work as a coach, visit: https://www.nataliewilliamsbasketballacademy.com/

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We remember and honor Basketball Hall of Fame coach ⁠— Jerry Sloan May 26, 2020

Show notes

In this week's episode, Thurl Bailey honors Basketball Hall of Fame coach, Jerry Sloan.

Thurl recalls what he learned from the late coach, how coach Sloan helped him grow as an NBA player, and how he helped prepare Thurl for the business side of the league.

We also dive into why coach Sloan was so well respected by all of his players and how his drive to be great helped motivate his players throughout his tenure as the Utah Jazz head coach.

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Cliff Levingston on his early days in the NBA and Michael Jordan's competitiveness May 12, 2020

Show notes

Thurl Bailey is joined by Cliff Levingston (2x NBA champion, Chicago Bulls 1990-91, 1991-92) to talk about growing up in San Diego, CA., how his first passion was baseball, and what drove him to get out of California.

Cliff also recalls being drafted 9th in the first round to the Detroit Pistons, even though he never thought he was good enough to play in the NBA. Then we talk about how being traded to the Atlanta Hawks was exactly what Cliff needed to find his footing in the NBA.

Lastly, Cliff recalls his time with the Chicago Bulls and how Michael Jordan's competitiveness divided the early 90s team. Then we dive into how his job on the Bulls was to beat up Scottie Pippen during practice, the euphoric feeling of winning a championship, and the lessons he learned from the team that he lives with every day.

You can learn more about Cliff's foundation, Legends Leaving Legacies, by clicking the link below:
https://www.facebook.com/Legends501c3/

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Bringing everyone together with the power of music May 05, 2020

Show notes

This week we're switching things up a little bit. Thurl Bailey takes us on a musical journey in the hopes of healing any pain we might be feeling during the pandemic.

Thurl talks about some of his favorite cover songs that he's recorded, from Bill Withers to Harry Chapin, the original tracks that Thurl is the proudest of, and how the message and power of music can help get us through these hard times.

TRACKLIST:
It’s Gonna Be Alright - 4:08
Ain’t No Sunshine - 8:19
My Love - 13:25
Not Giving Up On Love Duet with Christine Gordon - 17:23
Here Comes My Love duet with Jolsyn Petty - 21:42
What You Won’t Do For Love - 25:47
Love Saved The Day (Duet with Billy Dean) - 30:50
Let There Be Peace On Earth - 37:07
Every Mind - 41:45
Cat’s In The Cradle - 46:16
Lovely Day - 50:27

You can find Thurl's entire collection of music on Apple music.

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Dick Vitale on his time as Piston's head coach, NCAA one-time transfer rule, and Jim Valvano's impact Apr 28, 2020

Show notes

Thurl Bailey is joined by Dick Vitale (ESPN College Basketball Analyst) to talk about how coaching a baseball team in Rutherford, NJ ultimately led to him coaching for the Detroit Pistons in the NBA.

Then we dive into his time in Detroit, his love for college hoops, and why the traditional big man is a lost art.

Dick also talks about why the one-time transfer rule is going to cause chaos for the NCAA and why players should be able to skip college and go straight to the NBA.

Lastly, we remember the late, great Jim Valvano and how his impact can still be felt decades after succumbing to cancer on April 28, 1993.

You can donate to the V Foundation for Cancer Research by clicking the link below:
https://bit.ly/35iF8ez

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Mark Eaton on his book, The Four Commitments of a Winning Team Apr 21, 2020

Show notes

Thurl Bailey is joined by Mark Eaton (Utah Jazz center 1982-1993, NBA All-Star, 2x Defensive Player of the Year) to talk about his story of working as a mechanic before getting picked up by the Utah Jazz on a one-year contract and the power of persistence.

Then we talk about Mark's latest book, The Four Commitments of a Winning Team, the importance of knowing your role, focusing on your strengths, doing what you're asked to do, and the bond you build when protecting others.

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Jimmer Fredette talks about COVID-19, BYU, the NBA, and his time playing overseas Apr 14, 2020

Show notes

Thurl Bailey is joined by Jimmer Fredette (professional basketball player) to talk about how COVID-19 has shaped international basketball, growing up in Glen Falls, NY, and the benefits of growing up in an athletic and competitive family.

Then we talk about how Jimmer's early game was refined in 3-on-3 games across New York, his decision to attend BYU after not getting heavily recruited, and the power of setting a goal.

We also dive into Jimmer's time at BYU and how his approach towards practice set him up for success throughout his college career.

Jimmer then describes how a great game against San Diego State changed his life, his early struggles with the Sacramento Kings, and what Jimmer learned from his time playing in China.

Lastly, we talk about the level of competition in the EuroLeague and some of his goals in his basketball and post-basketball career.

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Tony Finau on COVID-19, the challenges he faced growing up, his goals, and his pride of being a father and husband Apr 07, 2020

Show notes

Thurl Bailey is joined by Tony Finau (professional golfer) to talk about how his life has changed since COVID-19 has taken over the sports world, how he's spending his time since the outbreak, and his true love for basketball.

Then we talk about his passion for golfing stemmed from his younger brother and father, how he always knew he wanted to be on the PGA tour, and what it was like winning a national tournament as a twelve-year-old.

We also dive into some of the hurdles Tony's family had to overcome to while navigating the sport, deciding whether to participate in a $2 million tournament or commit to BYU, and how Lee Trevino set Tony up to succeed as a professional golfer.

Tony then recalls how he was able to move on from the death of his mother, what being a husband and father means to him, and the philanthropic efforts he's been able to do with his foundation, the "Tony Finau Foundation".

Lastly, we talk about Tony's goal of becoming the best golfer in the world and what it was like to play with Tiger Woods.

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Ranger Brody Young recalls the day he was shot nine times while on patrol Mar 31, 2020

Show notes

Thurl Bailey is joined by Ranger Brody Young (Utah State Park Ranger) to talk about how his love for the outdoors led him to become a ranger and how a routine patrol at Poison Spider trailhead changed his life forever after being shot nine times on November 19, 2010.

Ranger Young describes the gunfight that took place that night, his will to stay alive while thinking of his wife and kids, and how he was able to call for help after falling unconscious thanks to years of training.

Then we talk about his experience with getting help from all of his coworkers, the recovery process he had to go through to get back to work, and what gets him through when he retells his amazing journey.

We then dive into ranger Young's assailant, Lance Leeroy Arellano, why he would do such a thing, and how two local boys found Arellano's body five years later.

Lastly, Ranger Young talks about his work as a motivational speaker and his message that he hopes can help a lot of people.

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