Open Floor Podcast: Jimmy Goldstein, the NBA's first fan

Jimmy Goldstein, a fixture on NBA sidelines for more than four decades, discusses his courtside seats, love of basketball, and longtime relationship with the late great Wilt Chamberlain.

In the latest episode of the Open Floor Podcast, SI.com’s Lee Jenkins sits down with Jimmy Goldstein, a man who has been a courtside fixture at Lakers and Clippers games for four decades. His leather outfits and crocodile hats are hard to miss, but the wealth of NBA knowledge he possesses is more striking than his clothing choices.

The NBA’s first fan, who will soon set off on a two-month odyssey through the playoffs, explains how the league became such a large part of his life, why Kobe Bryant told Pau Gasol not to speak to him, and what led to his close relationship with Wilt Chamberlain. 

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And while he never played or coached, NBA stars revere Goldstein and seek him out before games. Goldstein, who has attended 4,000 games, discusses his critical advice for HakeemOlajuwon, Russell Westbrook's fashion sense, and Dwyane Wade's grand gesture. 

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