48 Minutes: 3x NBA Champion Scott Williams on his upcoming book & shares his stories playing with Michael Jordan, the Chicago Bulls championship run, coaching Giannis, & being teammates with LeBron

The 48 Minutes podcast is joined by 3-time NBA Champion & 15 year NBA veteran Scott Williams who discusses his soon to be released book "Through the Fire: A Memoir of Trauma & Loss, Basketball, & Triumph". Scott shares his memories of playing with Michael Jordan & provides in-depth details into some of the biggest moments during the Bulls legendary 3-peat championship run. Scott also shares his memories coaching Giannis Antetokounmpo during his rookie year, being teammates with LeBron James, provides his perspective on Kevin Durant joining the Phoenix Suns, and gives us his answer to MJ vs. LeBron GOAT debate.

Where to Listen

0:00 Intro

01:12 Scott shares “his why” on sharing his journey and stories in writing his soon to be released book “Through the Fire: A Memoir of Trauma & Loss, Basketball, & Triumph” 

05:55 Scott discusses both the pain and therapy he experienced throughout the writing process 

08:42 Scott talks about his early childhood, high school days, his recruitment, and how he ended up deciding to attend the University of North Carolina 

13:30: World B asks Scott what college he likely would’ve selected if not the Tar Heels

15:39: World B picks Scott’s brain on the expectations and challenges of playing basketball at North Carolina

19:04: Scott shares his experience on going undrafted and how he ended up getting his opportunity with the Chicago Bulls 

22:53: Ross asks Scott what it was like being part of one of the greatest NBA teams of all time while also being teammates with some of the league’s best players of all time as such a young NBA player

27:09 Scott discusses the Pistons famous walk off without shaking hands after getting swept by the Bulls in the 1991 Eastern Conference Finals 

31:34 World B being a longtime Knicks fan asks Scott to talk about some of legendary the Knicks/Bulls battles and some key plays/reasons why the Bulls were able to prevail in their playoff matchup on their way to the 3-peat

36:00 Scott shares his thoughts & perspective on Pippen refusing to check back into that legendary playoff game

40:57 Scott shares his thoughts and perspective as a former player on the NBA’s current load management problem

48:09 Scott shares his thoughts on the Suns big acquisition in Kevin Durant & their chances to win it all this season

50:43: Ross asks Scott to reflect upon his time as an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks during Giannis’s rookie year

53:07: Ross asks Scott to talk about the keys to his success from the foul line as a career 72% shooter from the foul line and why many NBA bigs struggle making free throws

55:06: Ross follows up on Scott’s perspective on shooting by asking him about Ben Simmons struggles as Scott and Ben both stand at 6’10

57:44 With Scott being a former teammate of Lakers Head Coach Darvin Ham, he shares his thoughts on the Lakers this season and gives his opinion on the GOAT debate between MJ & LeBron

1:02: Ross asks Scott to provide some insight on young LeBron when they were teammates in Cleveland