3 episodes

American Ball Tales is a narrative podcast about professional basketball presented in a tall-tale fashion. These tales could have once been the exaggerated, what-if stories that we used to share on school buses, barber shops, or at the watercooler. Each episode explores the past and present of professional basketball as well as other related storylines that could drive our wildest imagination.

American Ball Tales Mr. Jakyl

    • Sports
    • 5.0 • 19 Ratings

American Ball Tales is a narrative podcast about professional basketball presented in a tall-tale fashion. These tales could have once been the exaggerated, what-if stories that we used to share on school buses, barber shops, or at the watercooler. Each episode explores the past and present of professional basketball as well as other related storylines that could drive our wildest imagination.

    Glitch Theory

    Glitch Theory

    On November 10, 2018, Markelle Fultz, the first overall pick of the 2017 NBA draft, bent down to tie his shoe during the game. A series of spasms that resembled glitches ensued—adding another layer to the disappearance of his jump shot the year prior. This event was peculiar to say the least. It was a malfunction in an ordinary movement, not a shooting mechanic. Many have theorized as to what erased his jump shot, but no one could explain this "glitch" phenomenon.
    Glitch Theory explores these questions: What if Markelle Fultz's jump shot disappearance was evidence of something else? What if it was something other than basketball, something many people refuse to believe or consider? Could we be living in a simulated reality?
    Join us as we indulge in the coincidences between Markelle Fultz, games designers, and the University of Washington's physicists researching simulated realities.
    Animated Artwork by: Fern Studio (fern.team)
    Story Notes:00:00:35 - The Shoe Tie00:04:38 - The Discovery00:08:08 - The Bugs00:11:35 - The Press Conference00:14:59 - The BMX Jump00:19:39 - The Vengeful Eye00: 25:29 - The Shock & Ahh
    Follow us on Instagram: AmericanBallTales
    Subscribe to our newsletter at AmericanBallTales.com
     

    • 35 min
    SKILLUMINATI

    SKILLUMINATI

    The Triangle Offense defined almost two decades of basketball. From the '90s to '00s, it accounted for 11 championships—six with the Chicago Bulls and five with the Los Angeles Lakers. It was complex and simple. It operated like a quantum particle, existing in two places at the same time. It could transcend or hinder, depending on the practice.
    Skilluminati explores one man who unlocks the Triangle's many mysteries and how it affects one relationship across time. It's a tale of love and betrayal, confusion and wonder. It introduces Tex Winter's Triangle origins and the real rationalization behind Matt Barnes' and Derek Fisher's tussle. Once again, join us as we take a deep dive into a possible, exaggerated what-if universe.
    Story Notes:
    00:38 -The Guinea Pig
    6:33 - Barnes Becomes a Dolphin
    14:58 - Fisher Makes the Greatest Sandwich
    20:32 - Tex Forgets His Lines
    25:52 - The Drive Before The Drive
    32:30 - Barnes Vs Fisher
    41:44 - The Stick in the Mud
    49:14 - But We Just Met?
    55:15 - One Last Gift
    Follow us on Instagram: AmericanBallTales
    Subscribe to our newsletter at AmericanBallTales.com

    • 1 hr
    The Bird, Hair, and Vase

    The Bird, Hair, and Vase

    When the Atlanta Hawks traded Luka Doncic for the Trae Young and a future first-round pick, an outpour of criticism exploded on social media. From his defensive play to his slender frame, every aspect of Trae Young was picked apart and dissected. However, the most brutal critique and still talked about issue with Trae Young is not about his game—but about his hair.
    The Bird, Hair, and Vase explores one of the strangest critiques in the NBA. What if there's more to his hair than we realized? What if Trae Young's hair holds all the power to his transcendent game? In this bizarre, exaggerated episode, we witness the origins, sacrifices, and consequences in dealing with the upcoming rookie's future fuzz. 

    • 36 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
19 Ratings

19 Ratings

Xstaz6 ,

New favorite podcast

If you don’t like basketball, this is a great listen. Fun storytelling, great music, and great characters!

Laurenedwards123 ,

Never thought I like a basketball podcast

It made me go down a rabbit-hole, researching the basketball material Jackal tells. To my surprise, some of foundational parts are true! Truth can be stranger than fiction!

daniel g potter ,

baffling, memorable and great

I listened to Glitch Theory ep more than a month ago and still find myself thinking about it regularly. I've never heard anything quite like it. Super adventurous and ambitious storytelling and 👌 sound design. Creator: you deserve to be proud. Audience: you're in for a treat. Yep

Top Podcasts In Sports

Pardon My Take
Barstool Sports
The Bill Simmons Podcast
The Ringer
New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce
Wave Sports + Entertainment
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Dan Le Batard, Stugotz
Club Shay Shay
iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Spittin Chiclets
Barstool Sports