Rick Mahorn & Michael Cooper Talk 1980s NBA Trash 🗑️

Rick Mahorn & Michael Cooper Talk 1980s NBA Trash 🗑️

Author: CLNS Media Network June 22, 2026 Duration: 47:12
In today's episode of Showtime with Coop, we dive deep into the life and career of Rick Mahorn, a key member of the Bad Boy Pistons, and explore his thoughts on today's NBA. Michael Cooper sits down with Mahorn to discuss his journey through the league, his experiences with legendary teammates and rivals, and the impact of the 1980s on the modern game. From playing football in high school to his days with the Washington Wizards (Bullets), Rick Mahorn shares his stories and opinions on a variety of topics, including the AAU, newspaper era vs social media era, Bill Laimbeer, Lakers vs Celtics, and the question of whether he's a "dirty player" or just a "thug." We'll hear all about Mahorn's unique stories, including encounters with Charles Oakley, Dan Roundfield, Wes Unseld, Bob Lanier, Maurice Lucas, and Artis Gilmore. Rick also talks about mastering the defensive art of "pulling the chair" and his perspective on the toughest players he encountered in the NBA. Don't miss the lightning round, where Mahorn shares stories about Dave Bing, Michelle Obama, President Barack Obama, ML Carr, Chuck Daly, Coach John Thompson, Isiah Thomas, Magic Johnson, and more. Discover the origins of the Bad Boy Pistons and the secret behind their victory against the Lakers in 1989. Plus, Rick Mahorn talks about the "phantom foul" on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, NBA Lakers conspiracy theory, and WNBA conspiracy theory. Stay tuned for more stories about the G-League, Charles Barkley, Dennis Rodman, and the fundamentals of today's NBA. ⏰ TOPICS ⏰ 00:00 - Rick Mahorn tease 00:30 - Michael Cooper introduces Rick Mahorn 01:55 - Rick Mahorn on the 1980s impacts on todays NBA 02:30 - Rick Mahorn explains the differences of how his generation matured without AAU 03:30 - Rick Mahorn played football in high school, not basketball 05:30 - Rick Mahorn on news paper era vs social media era 06:34 - Rick Mahorn tells a Bill Laimbeer, Bad Boy Pistons story 06:50 - Rick Mahorn Tells the Robert Parish, Bill Laimbeer takedown story 08:00 - Michael Cooper on being an enforcer in the nba: “size doesn’t matter” 09:30 - Rick Mahorn tells a Lakers vs Celtics story 10:00 - Rick Mahorn on whether he’s a “dirty player” or just a “thug” 10:15 - Rick Mahorn Explains the difference between playing in Washington vs playing in Detroit 12:50 - Coming from the Washington Wizards (Bullets), Rick Mahorn never thought he’d make the NBA Finals 13:20 - Rick Mahorn tells a Jeff Roland story 14:15 - Did Rick Mahorn ever “cross the line” with physicality 14:40 - Rick Mahorn tells a Karl Malone trash talk story 15:42 - Showtime w Coop is powered by FanD uel. FanDuel, the exclusive wagering partner of the CLNS Media Network. Get your no sweat bet up to $1000 in bonus bets– guaranteed! - if your first bet doesn’t win. Go to https://FanDuel.com/BOSTON16:10 - Rick Mahorn explains the 5 toughest players he encountered in the nba 16:30 - Rick Mahorn tells a Charles Oakley story 17:10 - Rick Mahorn tells a Dan Roundfield story 17:25 - Rick Mahorn tells a Wed Unseld story 17:30 - Rick Mahorn tells a Bob Lanier story: “Don’t look at his feet!” 18:05 - Rick Mahorn tells a Maurice Lucas story 18:20 - Rick Mahorn tells a Artis Gilmore story 19:08 - Rick Mahorn reveals the strongest man he had to play against: Wes Unseld 20:00 - Mastering the defensive art of “pulling the chair” 20:30 - Coop’s lightening round 20:37 - Rick Mahorn tells a Dave Bing story 22:00 - Rick Mahorn tells a Michelle Obama story 22:17 - Rick Mahorn talks trash to President Barack Obama 22:40 - Rick Mahorn tells a ML Carr story 23:29 - Rick Mahorn tells a Chuck Daly story: “daddy rich” 24:49 - Rick Mahorn tells a coach John Thompson story 26:00 - Rick Mahorn tells a story about Isiah Thomas and Magic Johnson kissing at center court 27:00 - Rick Mahorn tells a Lakers vs Pistons story 27:50 - Michael Cooper on Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas friendship 28:20 - Rick Mahorn explains how the Pistons became the Bad Boys 30:00 - Rick Mahorn tells a Lawrence Tanner story (lakers PA announcer) 31:15 - The Laker Girls 32:00 - Rick Mahorn tells a Michael Cooper story 33:00 - Michael Cooper explains how the Bad Boy Pistons beat the Lakers in 1989 34:00 - Rick Mahorn tells a story about the “phantom foul” on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1988 34:05 - Rick Mahorn tells the NBA Lakers conspiracy theory 37:40 - WNBA conspiracy theory? 38:00 - Michael Cooper G-League champion 38:30 - Rick Mahorn tells a chuck daly story 40:50 - Rick Mahorn trashes Charles Barkley as former teammate 42:00 - Rick Mahorn tells a Dennis Rodman story 42:40 - Rick Mahorn tells a Isiah Thomas story 43:00 - why fundamentals in todays nba are non existent CLNS Media’s preferred Daily Fantasy partner is PrizePicks. Sign up at https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CLNS & Get $50 instantly when you play $5! Use Code CLNS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Step into the huddle with a five-time NBA champion for a conversation that bridges basketball eras. On the Showtime Podcast with Michael Cooper-5x NBA Lakers Champion, the legendary defensive stopper and high-flyer from the iconic Lakers teams offers his unique vantage point on the modern game. Alongside co-host Nick Gelso, Coop blends lighthearted stories with serious analytical breakdowns, constantly measuring today's strategies and stars against the relentless, fast-breaking style of the 1980s. This isn't just nostalgia; it's a master class in basketball IQ from someone who lived it. The discussion naturally flows from a player's instincts to a coach's clipboard, dissecting current matchups and league trends. Listeners are treated to unparalleled insider access when Hall of Fame guests like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Pat Riley, and Byron Scott join the show, sharing their own candid perspectives. Produced by the CLNS Media Network, this podcast delivers authentic, unfiltered commentary rooted in championship experience. You'll hear the game through the eyes of a winner who values defensive grit as much as highlight dunks, making for a rich and rewarding listen for anyone who loves the sport's past, present, and future.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Showtime Podcast with Michael Cooper - 5x NBA Lakers Champion
Podcast Episodes
5 UNTOLD Magic Johnson Stories Revealed by Michael Cooper! 🤯 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:26
Lakers legend Michael Cooper breaks down the 5 wildest, funniest, and most legendary stories about playing with Magic Johnson during the Showtime era. You think you know the Showtime Lakers? Think again. 5x NBA Champion…
Norm Nixon Looks back on his time with Lakers & Shares great Memories [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:24
On this episode of Showtime With Coop Michael Cooper and Ari Temkin welcome someone who, alongside Jamaal Wilkes and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, helped Coop become a Pro ball player, Norm Nixon. Coop, Ari and Norm discuss Norm…
Michael Cooper & NBA Historian Look back on Greatest Lakers of All Time [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:15
NBA Historian Josh Schnitman joins Michael Cooper to talk greatest Lakers of all time, Coop's career, and the future of the Lakers. Showtime with Coop on CLNS Media is Powered by: 💰 Prize Picks - Sign up at http://prizep…
Start, Bench, Cut: NBA Legends Edition with Michael Cooper [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:33
Join us for an exciting episode of "Showtime w/ Coop" as we dive into a thrilling game of "Start, Bench, Cut" featuring some of the NBA's greatest legends! In this week's discussion, we analyze the careers of iconic play…
Norm Nixon Talks Being traded from Lakers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:24
On this episode of Showtime With Coop Michael Cooper and Ari Temkin welcome someone who, alongside Jamaal Wilkes and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, helped Coop become a Pro ball player, Norm Nixon. Coop, Ari and Norm discuss Norm…