Pablo Torre Finds Out — “The G.O.A.T You’ve Never Known” (March 14, 2024) Podcast Summary
Episode Overview
On this compelling episode of Pablo Torre Finds Out, Pablo takes listeners deep into the story of Oscar Schmidt, a basketball legend often called the greatest scorer the NBA never knew. Sitting in Schmidt’s home in Orlando, Pablo unveils the life, legacy, and overlooked impact of the “Holy Hand” — a man arguably responsible for the globalization of basketball and the creation of the famed 1992 Dream Team. Through in-depth conversations with Schmidt, sports journalists, and former competitors, the episode digs into why Oscar's legacy remains mostly unknown in the United States, the cultural and structural barriers that kept him out of the NBA, and his huge role in basketball history.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Who Is Oscar Schmidt? (00:33–03:43)
- Schmidt is the all-time leading scorer in international basketball, with 49,737 career points—more than LeBron, Kareem, or Michael Jordan.
- Known as “Holy Hand” in Italy and revered across Europe and Latin America.
- Pablo admits he only recently learned Schmidt’s full story, underlining how even devoted basketball fans in the US may not know him.
2. Basketball Journey & Nicknames (01:30–03:00)
- Oscar shares the origin of “Holy Hand” (“In Italy, your nickname was what? — ‘It's my Holy Hand.’” – 01:32).
- Hall of Fame ring represents his unique status as a legend outside the NBA.
3. Heroes & Influence (03:43–06:15)
- Schmidt was welcomed into the Naismith Hall of Fame by his idol, Larry Bird.
- “[Larry Bird] was my idol my whole life.” — Oscar Schmidt (03:52)
- Kobe Bryant considered Oscar his favorite player after watching him outplay Kobe’s father in Italy.
- Oscar's influence directly touched Kobe's formative years in the game.
4. The Underrated G.O.A.T. (06:28–07:29)
- Schmidt believes he could have been a top-10 NBA player had he played there.
- “I would be top 10, sure that I'll be top 10. Me, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan…” — Oscar Schmidt (06:31)
- Pablo frames Oscar as possibly the most underappreciated basketball player ever.
5. Ahead of His Time: Shooter & Style (07:55–10:58)
- Analyst Fran Frischilla describes Schmidt as a “shooting savant,” ahead of his time, whose style would have transcended in today’s NBA.
- “Oscar was ahead of his time…His strength was scoring the ball. Great shooter, could score from anywhere…” — Fran Frischilla (07:55)
- Schmidt had a nearly 45% 3-point average, shooting more threes than entire NBA teams in the '80s.
- “My objective [was to] shoot more than anybody.” — Oscar Schmidt (09:28)
- Oscar’s chocolate anecdote: he received chocolates for defense as motivation, eating 55 in one day, paralleling his shooting mentality—take as many as possible (09:57–10:58).
6. Declining the NBA for National Pride (11:16–14:13)
- Drafted by the New Jersey Nets in 1984 (sixth round, 131st), Oscar turned down the NBA to keep his eligibility for the Brazilian national team due to FIBA rules.
- “If you play just one game in NBA on that time, you could not play never more with your national team.” — Oscar Schmidt (13:28)
- Explains the lack of respect for international players in the NBA at the time.
- His choice was easy: “I just want to know if I am capable. And today I know that I am capable to play in NBA.” — Oscar Schmidt (14:10)
7. Legendary Moments: Facing Jordan, Toppling the USA (14:49–25:19)
- Schmidt faced Michael Jordan in exhibition (glass-shattering dunk anecdote).
- “I said to [Jordan], ‘you are not from the earth.’ And he respond, ‘you too.’” (15:24)
- The 1987 Pan Am Games: Brazil, led by Schmidt (46 points), staged a stunning comeback to defeat a US team that had never before lost on home soil.
- Mike Wilbon reveals reporters left the arena early believing the US’s victory was assured, only to be stunned by Schmidt’s single-handed comeback. (18:44–19:00)
- Schmidt describes being “in the zone,” talking to God, making seven threes in the second half, slapping his face to stay awake, and the euphoria of making history.
- “I'm weak. Come on, give him the ball.” — Oscar Schmidt (23:33)
- On crying after the win: “Because when you win something that you're not supposed to win…most of the times you cry.” — Oscar Schmidt (25:00)
- The US was so unprepared they didn’t even have the Brazilian anthem ready for the ceremony.
8. The Domino Effect: Creating the Dream Team (25:33–33:13)
- The loss triggered a rule change—NBA players could now compete internationally, making the 1992 Dream Team possible.
- “If we didn’t win that game, there is no Dream Team.” — Oscar Schmidt (30:08)
- “You’re kind of personally responsible for Kobe Bryant becoming the player that he was…” — Pablo Torre (05:47)
- Oscar humbly but firmly claims credit: “A young responsible for the Dream Team.” (31:21)
- Pablo reveals to Oscar how this “first domino” transformed global basketball, paving the way for all international NBA stars to follow.
9. A Career “Without” the NBA—But With No Regrets (33:13–39:48)
- Oscar considered joining the NBA after the rule change but felt he was already past his prime.
- “NBA wouldn't change my game, wouldn't change my personality, nothing.” — Oscar Schmidt (33:13)
- He watched the Dream Team thrash Brazil in ’92, recognizing his own influence in basketball’s global expansion.
- He underscores: “I never played in NBA because I didn’t want to play in NBA, because New Jersey drafted me at 6 round…that’s why…” (39:07)
10. Legacy, Recognition & Reflections (39:48–46:06)
- Pablo and Oscar discuss LeBron James likely to surpass his points record and Oscar’s reaction.
- “Records are made to be broken. So broke as fast as he wants.” — Oscar Schmidt (40:33)
- Oscar gives advice to LeBron: “Keep playing the way you were playing…you’ll be the first one in the world.” (41:18)
- Humorous look at Oscar playing (and dominating) celebrity basketball at age 60+.
- Oscar discusses life in America, his love for Disney and the NFL, and fondness for American pastime.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Respect in the Hall of Fame:
“My idol welcoming Oscar to the hall of Fame is Larry Bird. Ladies and gentlemen, Oscar Schmidt. It's too easy to have Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant as an idol.… Larry Bird was my idol my whole life.”
— Oscar Schmidt (03:52) -
On Declining the NBA:
“If you play just one game in NBA on that time, you could not play never more with your national team.”
— Oscar Schmidt (13:28)“I never played in NBA because I didn’t want to.”
— Oscar Schmidt (39:07) -
On the Pan Am Games Comeback:
“I talk to God too. Talk to God is something almost perfect right now.”
— Oscar Schmidt (19:51)“If you are emotional, I was very emotional. And all our players are crying.”
— Oscar Schmidt (25:00) -
On Creating the Dream Team:
“If we didn’t win that game, there is no Dream Team. Simple like this. And I know this.”
— Oscar Schmidt (30:08)“You’re the first domino that results in the Dream Team exporting basketball, which leads to all of the great international players who did the thing that you did not do, which is they went to the NBA.”
— Pablo Torre (31:24) -
On Shooting Mentality:
“My objective [was to] shoot more than anybody.”
— Oscar Schmidt (09:28) -
On Modern NBA & Legacy:
“I look for Luka Doncic, I look for Jokic. I look for all the foreign players. Much more than American players. Because they are better than American players. They are much better.”
— Oscar Schmidt (36:16) -
On Regret or Bitterness:
“I feel like you don’t know me. Okay, no problem. Go, go with your team. I don’t get upset about this.”
— Oscar Schmidt (38:18)
Segment Timestamps
- 00:33–03:43 — Introduction to Oscar Schmidt’s legend
- 03:43–06:15 — Idols, Kobe connection, and Hall of Fame story
- 06:28–07:29 — The most underappreciated basketball player
- 07:55–10:58 — Innovation, 3-point shooting, and “chocolate strategy”
- 11:16–14:13 — Decision not to join NBA, FIBA rule, national pride
- 14:49–15:24 — Playing against Michael Jordan, dunk story
- 16:04–25:19 — 1987 Pan Am Games, upset over Team USA
- 25:33–33:13 — Ramifications of US loss, Dream Team creation, worldwide ripple
- 33:13–39:48 — Post-prime NBA thoughts, reflections on global legacy
- 39:48–46:06 — LeBron’s record, aging, celebrity game, and American life
Final Reflections
Pablo concludes that Oscar Schmidt’s story is not just about missed opportunities in the NBA, but about global impact and a career that changed the very structure of international basketball. Schmidt, ever cheerful, feels no bitterness—only pride. Through contagious charm, thoughtful reflection, and a laugh as noteworthy as his scoring, he emerges as the G.O.A.T. the American basketball world never truly recognized, but that history will not forget.
Listen for:
- The “talking to God” moment and self-slapping in the Pan Am game (19:51, 23:33)
- Surreal video messages from rivals, especially Rex Chapman’s emotional tribute (27:38)
- Oscar’s sharply witty takes on chocolate, shooting, and NBA philosophy (09:57, recurring throughout)
- The revelation that “if you don’t shoot from trees, you don’t win anymore” (37:21)
- The poignant: “Records are made to be broken. So broke as fast as he wants.” (40:33)
A must-listen for anyone interested in global basketball, hidden legends, and the real forces that shaped the modern NBA.