Podcasts
Ep. 146 - Raymond Lewis Doc, NBA Player-Owner-Media Dynamic & More!
On Episode 146 of the Ballislife In The Paint Show, hosts Ronnie Flores, Chelsea Hopkins and Ani Umana chop it up with "Raymond Lewis: L.A. Legend" doc co-producers Dean Prator & Ryan Polomski about the making of their doc and its parallels to current events in sports. The ITP crew discusses their reactions to the hoop doc about arguably the greatest player to never play in the NBA and the mystery surrounding his rookie contract dispute with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1973. The ITP crew draws parallels to the current situations involving Kyrie Irving (who was recently let go by Nike as a top endorser) and Kayne West (whose Donda Academy program was shut down).
The crew also discusses Deion Sanders leaving HBCU Jackson State University for Colorado and the trend of older college basketball teams relying on the NCAA transfer portal.
Prator, who grew up seeing the Lewis legend grow, and Polomski, who first learned about Raymond in 2014 when he met Prator while searching for information on Los Angeles’ playground and high school basketball scene, talk about putting together the final product, what they learned about Lewis through the interviews process, and what they hope is the lasting legacy of his mysterious story. While Dean focuses on getting Ray Lew’s story out, Polomski hopes its theatrical and Video-On-Demand release will evoke some recognition or acknowledgement of Lewis’ talent by the NCAA and of the 76ers’ role in his downward spiral as a basketball talent.
How much is Lewis to blame for never playing in the league and will the NBA formally acknowledge any the role the 76ers played in his demise?
The ITP crew offers some terrific insight on the inner-workings of the NBA 50 years ago and now, so make sure to tune in from start to finish!
(0:00) - Intro
(1:34) - shop.ballislife.com Holiday Discounts
(2:04) - Balance in HS & NCAA Basketball
(7:47) - Chelsea & Ani’s Take on Seasoned Transfers
(13:46) - Raymond Lewis Background: What’s Changed in 50 Years?
(16:29) - Deion Sanders Leaving HBCU: Getting a Fair Shake?
(23:39) - Chelsea’s HBCU Aspirations & Recruiting Realities
(33:36) - Ray Lew Doc: Kyrie Irving & Kayne West Parallels
(40:07) - Ray Lew Story: Talent Being the Authority
(41:53) - Chelsea & Ani’s First Reaction To Doc
(46:31) - Ray Lew’s Contract & Doc Premier Background
(52:13) - Dean Prator (Co-Producer) Interview
(57:58) - Ryan Polomski (Director) Interview
(1:18:54) - Chelsea’s Reaction To Interview Subjects
(1:22:22) - What the Doc Failed to Mention
(1:25:14) - Ani’s Final Doc Takeaways
(1:30:35) - Chelsea’s Final Doc Takeaways
(1:35:29) - Ron & Ani’s Holiday Plans
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