The best in the game share why they love basketball, and speak about the players they grew up emulating, late nights practicing in the driveway, and how basketball provided a refuge from the realities of life.

The 1997 incident where Latrell Sprewell choked his coach, PJ Carlesimo, sparks the conversation about the relationship between player and coach.

The beginnings of basketball are traced from James Naismith to the expansion of the game across the country - leading to the development of college leagues.

The story of a point shaving scandal in the college ranks that almost derailed the sport in the 1950s, as well as a profile of two of the first superstars of the sport: George Mikan and Bob Cousy.

The NBA's first dynasty, the Boston Celtics, powered by Red Auerbach and Bill Russell. And an introduction to Wilt Chamberlain, a giant even in a sport of big men, during his time at University of Kansas.

Oscar Robertson and Jerry West lead the U.S. Olympic team in a symbolic win against the USSR during the Cold War in 1960. In 1968, players face a difficult choice to play or not to play when a boycott by prominent Black athletes is implemented.

A look at gambling in the early days of the sport, and Hall of Famer Connie Hawkins who was wrongly accused of being involved in a point shaving scandal during his freshman year at University of Iowa.

Explore the tumultuous years of the ABA, where the league did everything it could to compete with the NBA, with differing levels of success.

Al McGuire won an NCAA title with Marquette in the last game he ever coached. The game's top coaches debate whether finally winning brings joy, or relief?

Bobby Knight, one of the most prolific and vilified coaches of all-time, led his Indiana program to glory.

George Gervin and David Thompson competed down the wire in one of the NBA's tightest races for the scoring title ever. The two were within fractions of a point in scoring average entering the last game of the season, and both put on a show.

Magic Johnson, then a rookie, puts himself on the map leading the LA Lakers to the 1980 NBA title. Johnson's brilliant career serves as a jumping off point to discuss whether basketball genius is born or made.

A look at how the game of basketball became international, starting with coach John McLendon and later a wave of stars. In light of the emerging international talent, the US is unexpectedly beaten at the 1988 Olympics, finishing with the bronze medal.

A celebration of the greatest big men to play the game: from international players such as Hakeem Olajuwon, Yao Ming, and Dirk Nowitzki to the United States' Shaquille O'Neal and Anthony Davis.

The ball, the common denominator, the object of a shared feeling is held, passed to and from, caressed, embraced, twirled, hugged, whispered to, and even kissed as the final act of an expression of shared emotion.