This episode was filmed early in the season. You can tell Sam has his earlier hairstyle from the original pilot. Also, in an earlier episode, someone wrote "the Double Deuce" on the chalkboard in the back pool room. This is a reference to Buzz Crowder's 22nd infantry brigade squad in World War 1.
Aired the same night as Rhea Perlman's (Carla) last appearance as Zena Sherman on Taxi.
Buzz mistakes Norm for his old buddy, Pinky Peterson. Norm's last name is Peterson, but he doesn't comment on this.
Cliff's claim of a Mayan origin for basketball is of course wrong but has a slight historical basis. In many Mesoamerican ruins archaeologists have discovered ball courts which include elevated stone hoops that may have been targets for scoring goals. The modern sport of Ulama is an attempt to recreate this game, but it more closely resembles volleyball or team handball.