Bill Hanzlik on the Run-and-Gun Nuggets, Doug Moe & Building Gold Crown | OTGS

Tom Green welcomes longtime Denver sports figure Bill Hanzlik for a wide-ranging conversation about basketball, coaching, and community impact. Hanzlik reflects on his unlikely path to the NBA, including how his defensive mindset helped him stand out at Notre Dame and eventually carve out a role with the Denver Nuggets. He shares behind-the-scenes stories from the Nuggets’ fast-paced 1980s teams under coach Doug Moe and explains why that system fit his game perfectly. The conversation also touches on the modern NBA, including the Nuggets’ battles with Oklahoma City and the physical defensive style that players like Lu Dort bring against Nikola Jokić. Hanzlik explains how he approached being a defensive agitator during his playing career and how that mentality translates to today’s game. Beyond basketball, Hanzlik discusses the origins of the Gold Crown Foundation, the nonprofit he co-founded to provide youth sports and educational opportunities in Colorado. What began as a girls basketball camp in the 1980s has grown into a large organization serving thousands of kids each year through athletics, STEM education, career readiness programs, and community outreach. Hanzlik shares how Gold Crown expanded its facilities, the impact it’s had on young athletes and families, and plans for a major new sports complex that could double the number of kids the organization serves. The episode closes with stories from Hanzlik’s broadcasting career and reflections on the friendships and experiences that have defined more than four decades in Colorado sports. 00:00 – Tom Green’s path to Colorado and ESPN 02:09 – Bill Hanzlik arrives in Denver after NBA trade 04:17 – Becoming a defensive stopper at Notre Dame 06:00 – Notre Dame teammates and future NBA talent 07:41 – Being an NBA “pest” and dealing with physical play 08:28 – Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City and Lu Dort’s defense 09:12 – Playing in Doug Moe’s fast-paced Nuggets offense 10:58 – The high-scoring Nuggets teams of the 1980s 12:39 – Doug Moe’s coaching style and player freedom 16:43 – Playing center and guarding NBA big men 17:36 – Coaching the Nuggets and the 1997 season 20:16 – The origins of the Gold Crown Foundation 22:04 – Why girls basketball camps started in the 1980s 23:28 – Building facilities and expanding youth programs 25:34 – STEM education and career readiness initiatives 28:39 – New sports programs including girls flag football 30:31 – Youth sports, officiating shortages, and parents 31:13 – How youth sports culture has changed 33:24 – Plans for a new Gold Crown sports complex 36:14 – Gold Crown fundraising and March Madness picks 37:00 – Broadcasting and working with Vic Lombardi 39:30 – Memories of covering the Nuggets in the 1980s 42:31 – ESPN’s early days and “Shot of the Day” story 44:40 – Final thoughts on Hanzlik’s impact in Colorado OTGS is sponsored in part by American Financing Visit: AmericanFinancing.net/Green NMLS 182334, nmlsconsumeraccess.org. APR for rates in the 5s start at 6.196% for well-qualified borrowers. Call 855-581-5828 for details about credit costs and terms, or visit AmericanFinancing.net/Green Furniture provided by Furniture Rowdenvermattress.furniturerow.com     Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.