Welcome to Born to the Game

Meet the Father-Daughter Duos

Age Reveals and Physical Checks

Know Your Player: Food Preferences

Know Your Player: Pet Peeves and Shopping

Childhood Memories and Parental Pride

Basketball Terminology Quiz

Hot Seat: Player Selection and Game

Photo Analysis and Dad's Disguises

Rapid Fire Basketball Questions

Old School vs New School Basketball

Overcoming Adversity in Basketball Careers

Life Lessons and Family Legacy

Final Thoughts and Surprises

Closing Remarks and Thanks

🎙️ Born to the Game — Mike Woodson, Mariah Woodson, Olden Polynice & Alexis Polynice

NBA Fatherhood, Family Legacy & Old-School Basketball Stories

What happens when two NBA fathers sit down with their daughters to talk legacy, family, basketball, and the stories fans never get to hear?

In this special episode of Born to the Game, we bring together two father-daughter duos: Mariah Woodson and her father, former NBA player and longtime coach Mike Woodson, alongside Alexis Polynice and her father, former NBA player Olden Polynice.

This conversation is playful, heartfelt, unfiltered, and full of real family energy. From father-daughter games and hilarious old-school vs. new-school debates to NBA memories involving J.R. Smith, Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, Ray Allen, Ben Wallace, DeAndre Jordan, and Andre Drummond, this episode gives listeners a rare look at the men behind the basketball careers — as fathers, mentors, friends, and protectors.

Mike Woodson opens up about fatherhood, watching his daughters grow into their own lives, the pride he feels in their independence, and why family is the true definition of legacy. He also shares stories from his NBA journey, including overcoming a serious college injury, coaching personalities like J.R. Smith, and the unforgettable fashion choices his family still will not let him live down.

Olden Polynice reflects on growing up in Haiti, being born with a physical challenge, learning basketball later than most, and still becoming a professional player. He talks about resilience, brotherhood, old-school toughness, protecting the family name, and how having daughters taught him to soften, listen, and grow.

Together, the group laughs through stories about shopping, cooking, chili, vegan food, fashion, basketball terminology, Start/Bench/Cut debates, and the difference between old-school and new-school basketball. But beneath the jokes is a deeper conversation about safety, parenting, adversity, identity, family pride, and what it means to build a legacy that goes far beyond the game.

This is a funny, warm, and meaningful episode about NBA families, fatherhood, daughters, resilience, legacy, and the lessons passed down from one generation to the next.

🔑 In This Episode:

Two father-daughter duos on one couch
Mike Woodson and Mariah Woodson on family, growth, and legacy
Olden Polynice and Alexis Polynice on fatherhood, independence, and family pride
What NBA fathers really know about their daughters
The Know Your Player game
Favorite foods, pet peeves, shopping, and dad phrases
Mike Woodson’s legendary fashion story from the Knicks era
Olden Polynice on cooking, Haiti, and family roots
Old-school vs. new-school basketball
Explaining basketball terms like pick and roll, boxing out, fast break, switch defense, weak side rotation, and blitz
Start/Bench/Cut: Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, and Dirk Nowitzki
Who takes the last shot: Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, or Ray Allen
Free throw pressure with Ben Wallace, DeAndre Jordan, and Andre Drummond
Mike Woodson on coaching J.R. Smith and professionalism
Olden Polynice on blocking Michael Jordan
The story behind Mike Woodson shaving his eyebrows
NBA brotherhood, golf trips, and lifelong friendships
How fathers help daughters feel safe going into the world
Why boys and girls both need emotional support and stability
Mike Woodson’s comeback from a serious college injury
Olden Polynice’s journey from Haiti to the NBA
Why adversity does not have to define your life
What legacy means beyond awards, stats, and careers
Family as the real legacy
Protecting your name, your values, and your people

💬 Key Takeaway:

Legacy is bigger than basketball. It is not only about points, championships, coaching careers, or who you played against — it is about the family you build, the name you protect, the lessons you pass down, and the way your children carry that love forward.

Subscribe, share, and join the journey. New episodes drop every Tuesday.

Follow Born to the Game:
INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/borntothegamepodcast/

YOUTUBE - https://www.youtube.com/@BornToTheGamePodcast

https://borntothegamepodcast.com/

🎙️ Born to the Game &mdash; Mike Woodson, Mariah Woodson, Olden Polynice &amp; Alexis Polynice
NBA Fatherhood, Family Legacy &amp; Old-School Basketball Stories
What happens when two NBA fathers sit down with their daughters to talk legacy, family, basketball, and the stories fans never get to hear?
In this special episode of Born to the Game, we bring together two father-daughter duos: Mariah Woodson and her father, former NBA player and longtime coach Mike Woodson, alongside Alexis Polynice and her father, former NBA player Olden Polynice.
This conversation is playful, heartfelt, unfiltered, and full of real family energy. From father-daughter games and hilarious old-school vs. new-school debates to NBA memories involving J.R. Smith, Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, Ray Allen, Ben Wallace, DeAndre Jordan, and Andre Drummond, this episode gives listeners a rare look at the men behind the basketball careers &mdash; as fathers, mentors, friends, and protectors.
Mike Woodson opens up about fatherhood, watching his daughters grow into their own lives, the pride he feels in their independence, and why family is the true definition of legacy. He also shares stories from his NBA journey, including overcoming a serious college injury, coaching personalities like J.R. Smith, and the unforgettable fashion choices his family still will not let him live down.
Olden Polynice reflects on growing up in Haiti, being born with a physical challenge, learning basketball later than most, and still becoming a professional player. He talks about resilience, brotherhood, old-school toughness, protecting the family name, and how having daughters taught him to soften, listen, and grow.
Together, the group laughs through stories about shopping, cooking, chili, vegan food, fashion, basketball terminology, Start/Bench/Cut debates, and the difference between old-school and new-school basketball. But beneath the jokes is a deeper conversation about safety, parenting, adversity, identity, family pride, and what it means to build a legacy that goes far beyond the game.
This is a funny, warm, and meaningful episode about NBA families, fatherhood, daughters, resilience, legacy, and the lessons passed down from one generation to the next.
🔑 In This Episode:
Two father-daughter duos on one couch Mike Woodson and Mariah Woodson on family, growth, and legacy Olden Polynice and Alexis Polynice on fatherhood, independence, and family pride What NBA fathers really know about their daughters The Know Your Player game Favorite foods, pet peeves, shopping, and dad phrases Mike Woodson&rsquo;s legendary fashion story from the Knicks era Olden Polynice on cooking, Haiti, and family roots Old-school vs. new-school basketball Explaining basketball terms like pick and roll, boxing out, fast break, switch defense, weak side rotation, and blitz Start/Bench/Cut: Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, and Dirk Nowitzki Who takes the last shot: Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, or Ray Allen Free throw pressure with Ben Wallace, DeAndre Jordan, and Andre Drummond Mike Woodson on coaching J.R. Smith and professionalism Olden Polynice on blocking Michael Jordan The story behind Mike Woodson shaving his eyebrows NBA brotherhood, golf trips, and lifelong friendships How fathers help daughters feel safe going into the world Why boys and girls both need emotional support and stability Mike Woodson&rsquo;s comeback from a serious college injury Olden Polynice&rsquo;s journey from Haiti to the NBA Why adversity does not have to define your life What legacy means beyond awards, stats, and careers Family as the real legacy Protecting your name, your values, and your people
💬 Key Takeaway:
Legacy is bigger than basketball. It is not only about points, championships, coaching careers, or who you played against &mdash; it is about the family you build, the name you protect, the lessons you pass down, and the way your children carry that love forward.
Subscribe, share, and join the journey. New episodes drop every Tuesday.
Follow Born to the Game: INSTAGRAM - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/borntothegamepodcast/">https://www.instagram.com/borntothegamepodcast/</a>
YOUTUBE - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@BornToTheGamePodcast">https://www.youtube.com/@BornToTheGamePodcast</a>
<a href="https://borntothegamepodcast.com/">https://borntothegamepodcast.com/</a>

Welcome to Born To The Game Podcast. Hosted Mariah Woodson, the daughter of NBA great Mike Woodson, and her cousin Temara Payton. This podcast is where the children of legendary athletes, entertainers, businessmen and entrepreneurs share what it’s really like growing up under the lights of legacy. From identity to trust, from pain to purpose, these stories break down what fame can’t protect you from—and what it means to build a name of your own.

Born To The Game Podcast

Welcome to Born To The Game Podcast. Hosted Mariah Woodson, the daughter of NBA great Mike Woodson, and her cousin Temara Payton. This podcast is where the children of legendary athletes, entertainers, businessmen and entrepreneurs share what it’s really like growing up under the lights of legacy. From identity to trust, from pain to purpose, these stories break down what fame can’t protect you from—and what it means to build a name of your own.

 

New episodes every Tuesday!

Welcome to Born To The Game Podcast. Hosted Mariah Woodson, the daughter of NBA great Mike Woodson, and her cousin Temara Payton. This podcast is where the children of legendary athletes, entertainers, businessmen and entrepreneurs share what it&rsquo;s really like growing up under the lights of legacy. From identity to trust, from pain to purpose, these stories break down what fame can&rsquo;t protect you from&mdash;and what it means to build a name of your own.
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New episodes every Tuesday!

NBA Fathers & Their Daughters: Olden Polynice & Mike Woodson on Legacy, Love & the Game | Born To The Game Podcast

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/95a60226-87de-44ba-b7d5-b47100cfae0b/transcript