50. Rick Barry

The Golden State Warriors were picked to finish last in the Pacific Division before the 1974 season tipped off. They had the best record in the Western Conference. After defeating both Seattle and Chicago to advance to the NBA Finals, they were picked to get destroyed by the Bullets. Instead, they did the destroying... sweeping Washington in 4 games to win the Championship. And they were led by their captain, Rick Barry, who capped off a great season by taking home the NBA Finals MVP. Sports Illustrated noticed what was going on out by the Bay in December of '74 and put Barry on the cover and 50 years later, one of the greatest players in NBA/ABA history is joining us on the POP podcast to talk about that team, what being captain meant to him, how he started shooting free throws underhanded and why his sons wouldn't do the same. He tells of a great story of when he skipped school to go see a New York Giants game and met Willie Mays and how they became friends later in life and wore #24 in honor of his boyhood idol. Barry has opinions on most everything from comparing players from different eras to Wilt Chamberlain to the pick-n-roll. He's brash and energetic and entertaining, just like he was when he starred in the NBA/ABA half a century ago. One of the greatest to ever lace 'em up Barry is just as good with a mic in his hand as he was a basketball...and that's what he loves talking about most. Listen to one of the best to ever play on the Past Our Prime podcast wherever you get your shows and make sure you give us a follow and a review. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices