GOAT talk usually happens when one legend or icon speaks about someone of similar status doing impactful work in their respective industry. And when it comes to basketball, several names pop up in the GOAT conversation. The more recurring ones are Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant. However, many basketball enthusiasts would argue that this list is incomplete. If the talk is about holistic impact, a few more names must hit the GOAT rankings — from the current and more recent stars like Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and Giannis Antetokounmpo to OGs like Magic Johnson, Bill Russell, and Isiah Thomson. And in an interview Thomas had on the Pivot Podcast, he shared his thoughts on how players like James are changing the business of the game.

Former NBA player Isiah Thomas is taking his champagne brand to the next level and expanding its consumer reach. The NBA Hall of Famer introduced his brand, Cheurlin Champagne, to U.S. customers back in 2016, making it the largest minority-owned champagne in the world. According to a news release , Thomas has now entered into an innovative tech partnership with Thirstie — the leader in e-commerce and logistics solutions for beverage alcohol brands — to build an innovative direct-to-consumer purchase option for customers via the Cheurlin website. “I take great pride in being able to expand Cheurlin Champagne to U.S. consumers,” said Chairman/CEO Thomas in a statement . “This partnership with Thirstie is the next step in that journey.” Cheurlin — which was founded in the Aube in 1788 — has continued its hands-on tradition of staking its name and reputation on crafting France’s finest Champagne. The brand’s full suite of products is now available for U.S. customers to purchase here ....