Episodes

  • Kyrie's Redemption and RiP Big Red

    Kyrie's Redemption and RiP Big Red
    Jun 6 2024
    We dive deep into the legacy of the late Bill Walton, the legendary but controversial UCLA and NBA star who played through tremendous pain and injuries during his career. Walton was uncompromising in his countercultural beliefs, from his anti-government views to his refusal to take pharmaceutical drugs. Yet he was also one of the most dominant players ever, winning titles in college and the NBA MVP despite only playing 40% of potential games due to injuries. His broadcasting career provided an unconventional but beloved second act. The conversation then shifts to Kyrie Irving's recent "redemption" story with the Mavericks after years of being a lightning rod of controversy. We explore whether Irving is finally maturing into a veteran leader under Coach Jason Kidd, putting his skills and mentorship ahead of the anti-vax, anti-Semitic, and other fringe stances that made him a pariah. Like Walton, Irving marches to the beat of his own drum despite backlash. We ask when society will give such figures grace to make mistakes and evolve rather than permanently writing them off after missteps. Irving's on-court renaissance prompts us to reevaluate making room for personal growth. With the Mavs exceeding expectations behind Irving's stellar play, we ponder if this year could cement his legacy among the NBA's greatest by winning a title. Or will the Celtics' defensive grit from the Drew Holliday, Derrick White, and Co. lock him down? Tune in as we explore these "redemption songs" and more on the latest Running It Back.
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    30 mins
  • Is the "Big 3" Era Over in the NBA? 🏀

    Is the "Big 3" Era Over in the NBA? 🏀
    May 21 2024
    Is the Superstar "Big 3" Era Over in the NBA? 🏀 Knicks' Cinderella Run & the Rise of the WNBA 🌟 On this episode of the Running It Back sports podcast, hosts Tarlin Ray and Mike Palmer break down: Golf star Scotty Scheffler's bizarre arrest before the PGA Championship 🚓 Drawing hilarious comparisons to Tiger Woods and John Daly mugshots The New York Knicks' unexpected underdog playoff run led by the "Nova Knicks" 🗽 Is this gritty team the end of NBA's superstar "Big 3" era? Why the WNBA is having a moment with rising stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese 👀 Is this the tipping point for the league's popularity? Should NBA teams stop chasing manufactured "Big 3" superstar trios? 🤷‍♂️ The benefits of cohesive, role-oriented squads Get insight, analysis and laughs as the hosts banter about the latest NBA, golf and WNBA storylines in this must-listen episode! ⛳️🏀👂
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    44 mins
  • Hoops IQ Part 1 - Jalen Brunson vs Luka Doncic - Recorded Live at ASU+GSV

    Hoops IQ Part 1 - Jalen Brunson vs Luka Doncic - Recorded Live at ASU+GSV
    Apr 20 2024
    Running It Back recorded live together in person for the first time! Mike Palmer and Tarlin Ray record this podcast live from the 39th floor of a hotel in San Diego while attending the ASU+GSV education technology conference. Despite the non-sports setting, we manage to discuss a variety of basketball topics in our signature free-flowing style. Our main focus rests on Jalen Brunson's impact on the New York Knicks and his potential to be one of the most underrated stars in the NBA this playoff season. We debate his elite basketball IQ, leadership qualities that have unlocked teammates like Isaiah Hartenstein, and how his game compares to past greats like Isiah Thomas and Kevin Johnson. Other storylines include our playoff predictions, the Knicks' chances against teams like the Bucks, Celtics and 76ers in the East, and frequent references to the 1990s Knicks. Sans our usual prep, and in-person, not in Zoom, the new dynamic brings a fresh energy to the conversation. Don't miss insights into leadership, life, and more while chopping it up heading into the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
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    26 mins
  • Caitlin and the Ant-Man: Beyond the Arc and Above the Rim

    Caitlin and the Ant-Man: Beyond the Arc and Above the Rim
    Mar 21 2024
    Mike and Tarlin are back with another must-see episode of Running It Back, and this time we're raving over the transcendent athletes taking the sports world by storm. The dynamic duo kicks things off by marveling at Anthony Edwards' jaw-dropping block against the Pacers, with the "Ant-Man" soaring through the air and hitting his head on the rim and backboard in a play that instantly etched itself into highlight reel lore. But the real star of the show is Caitlin Clark, the unstoppable scorer from Iowa who's shattering records and captivating audiences with her unconscious shooting and elite playmaking. Tarlin can't get enough of Clark's gravitational pull, watching her games from start to finish as she makes a serious case for being this generation's Steph Curry...but an even better passer. The guys go full historian, waxing poetic about the iconic moments that made viewers stop everything - from Dr. J's acrobatic scoop layup to Michael Jordan's hand-switch bucket against the Lakers. They run through a veritable Mount Rushmore of must-see athletes, where absolute legends like Tiger Woods, Usain Bolt, and Serena Williams all get their shine. We even touch on chess and bowling legends as we run the gamut of riveting sports endeavors. With March Madness on the horizon, we implore folks to appreciate Caitlin's greatness and keep an eye on rising stars like Juju Watkins while filling out those brackets. Don't snooze on the Women's Bracket, because when generational talents like these take the floor, you simply can't afford to miss it. Get your popcorn ready!
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    27 mins
  • On Goats, Dynasties, and 3peats

    On Goats, Dynasties, and 3peats
    Feb 22 2024
    We're back with another episode of Running It Back, finding lessons learned from the world of sports, old and new! Tarlin shares stories about his 50th birthday and dealing with rainstorms in LA. Mike talks about playing in the snow with his 5-year-old son. Discussing NFL season highlights, we debate whether Patrick Mahomes can already be considered a GOAT after the Chiefs' Super Bowl win or if it's too soon. Tarlin thinks we should let Mahomes' career evolve before making proclamations. Reviewing NFL dynasties, we agree the Chiefs are building their own with Mahomes. We also discuss NBA dynasties and three-peats, with Mike paying his respects to Michael Jordan while exploring whether he played baseball to duck the Twin Towers in Houston. Closing topics include Eli Manning's comedic potential, Tarlin's support of QB Brock Purdy, and praise for broadcaster Nate Burleson's Super Bowl work on Nickelodeon and beyond. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. And be on the lookout for a steady flow of episodes from here on out. Thanks for listening.
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    35 mins
  • FSU Deserves a Shot

    FSU Deserves a Shot
    Dec 15 2023
    Mike and Tarlin kick things off by chatting about their recent adventures - Tarlin's trip to see Usher perform in Vegas, his progress in the step challenge (down 9 lbs!), and a podcast he discovered called Smartless. But the main event is a discussion about Florida State University's football team getting snubbed from making the College Football Playoff, despite their undefeated 13-0 record this season. Mike and Tarlin think they deserved a shot, but the selection committee went with 1-loss Alabama and Texas instead. The guys talk about how the current 4-team playoff format is flawed and often comes down to TV ratings and money rather than rewarding deserving teams. They cover some controversial playoff selections in past years too. Getting into the FSU situation, Tarlin breaks down their strong defensive rankings, key wins, and how they persevered despite losing their starting QB. For Mike and Tarlin, leaving out an undefeated power conference team goes against the competitive spirit of sports - it denies potential underdog stories. They touch on lots of famous cases where underdog teams/players defied expectations after adversity, like the 1980 Lakers without Kareem and the 1990 Giants with backup QB Jeff Hostetler. The new 12-team format starting in 2024 should improve things, but controversy will always exist on the playoff fringes. In the end, they think the system should give worthy teams like FSU their shot, between the lines not in some conference room debate. You never know how the games will unfold or who will rise to the occasion. That unpredictability and drama is part of why we watch sports. Subscribe to Running It Back wherever you get your podcasts. Now also on Youtube!
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    31 mins
  • Dissecting the Michigan Football Spying Scandal

    Dissecting the Michigan Football Spying Scandal
    Nov 22 2023
    Tarlin and Mike kick things off chatting about Tarlin's recent trip to Barbados, including some turbulent flights thanks to Tropical Storm Tammy. But we quickly segue into a step challenge Tarlin is participating in, where he's determined to beat his very competitive and fit coworkers. He's even wondering if there are any tricks to game the step counters. We're open to suggestions. We then dive into the main topic - cheating scandals in sports. We discuss famous examples like Spygate with the Patriots taping opponents' signals, the Astros' trash can sign-stealing scheme, and MLB's steroid era. An interesting debate emerges around whether cheating can ever be justified if you can pay the fines and it leads to success, especially with ultra-competitive coaches like Belichick and Harbaugh. The latest cheating drama in Michigan football takes center stage next. A rogue staffer named Connor Stalions had been illegally filming opponents' sidelines for years, but the heat is now on head coach Jim Harbaugh about how much he knew. Tarlin runs through Michigan's futility against rival Ohio State during Stallions' tenure to question whether the cheating even helped. We joke about the excuses around Stalions "acting alone" when several coaches were likely involved. We consider just how high up it goes as we think through how it relates to Uber, Air BnB, and even OpenAI. We touch on connections to our current political landscape along the way. In the end, we explore how rules in sports often have to catch up to new techniques for gaining an advantage. And many innovative companies follow a similar path - they're willing to break rules early on if it means gaining market share, and they'll pay the fine down the road if needed. An interesting perspective heading into the big Michigan vs. Ohio State grudge match in The Game. Subscribe to Running It Back wherever you listen to podcasts. Now also available on Youtube.
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    32 mins
  • Beyonce versus Taylor - NBA Comps Edition

    Beyonce versus Taylor - NBA Comps Edition
    Oct 3 2023
    Tarlin and Mike are back connecting amazing entertainers in pop culture to lessons learned from the world of sports. This time we follow up on the success of our Taylor Swift / Must-See Athletes episode by hearing about Tarlin's Beyoncé concert experience and his thoughts on finding the right "drip" for the show. We debate which athletes compare to top musicians, landing on LeBron vs MJ for Beyoncé and Steph Curry for Taylor Swift, who continues to dominate the cultural zeitgeist with her connection with NFL star Travis Kelce. We dive into the Dame Lillard trade, struggling young NFL quarterbacks, and the pathetic U.S. Ryder Cup performance in a wide-ranging conversation you won't want to miss. If you're a concert-going Dad thinking through your fashion choices, or a casual golf fan who wants keeping score to be easier, we've got something in store for you. We tease upcoming episodes on Deion Sanders, the current state of play in the NFL, and the tip-off to the new-look NBA season. Join us for all of this And share the love as we continue to grow. Subscribe to Running It Back wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at RunningItBack.fm for more lessons learned from Sports.
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    36 mins