Icons Club
Filed under:
How Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and David Stern Changed the NBA
Jackie MacMullan details how a young David Stern leveraged the budding rivalry between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson to market the game
Filed under:
Dr. J: The Most Beloved and Generous NBA Superstar
Julius Erving ushered in a new era of the Icons Club—his unique style on and off the court brought a jolt to the game and opened doors to new marketing opportunities
Filed under:
How the Chosen One Unknowingly Mentored His Future Rival
Episode 8 of ‘Icons Club’ looks at how modern NBA icons navigate the new normal—trying to repay the debts they owe to those who came before and to use their wealth and influence to improve the league for the next generation
Filed under:
Kobe Bryant’s Greatest Move? Getting Michael Jordan to Share His Secrets
Episode 7 of ‘Icons Club’ focuses on Shaq and Kobe, but also delves into Mamba’s determination to learn everything he could from his idol
Filed under:
Membership in the Icons Club Requires More Than Just On-Court Greatness
Being elite gets you a seat at the table. But popularity is what gets you a lifetime pass. A handful of players had all the NBA bona fides to qualify for Icon status, but for one reason or another didn’t end up in the club.
Filed under:
The Dream Team Brought Superstars Together—Even Michael Jordan and Clyde Drexler
The 1992 Olympics spread basketball abroad and got some of the game’s best players—and fiercest competitors—to look past the names on their NBA jerseys
Filed under:
Michael Jordan’s Takeoff in the NBA Got a Bit Bumpy
Jordan—and his Jordan Brand—were an instant hit, but his success drew the ire of established vets like Magic Johnson
Filed under:
How the NBA Tapped Into the Bird and Magic Machine
A young David Stern utilized the stars’ exhilarating style of play, and the tensions around their rivalry, to market the league like never before
Filed under:
Dr. J Passed Down the Superstar Blueprint to the Next Generation
Like Bill Russell before him, Julius Erving gladly shared the Icons’ unwritten code. His mentees include Shaq, Charles Barkley, and Michael Jordan.
Filed under:
Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell Were the NBA’s First Frenemies
The NBA’s first icons shared a unique bond, but their on-court rivalry also created great friction—and, eventually, a falling out
Filed under:
Introducing ‘Icons Club: The Evolution of the NBA Superstar’
Host Jackie MacMullan will interview Michael Jordan, Dr. J, Steph Curry, and a host of other icons about how an exclusive group of NBA superstars made the league what it is today