First Things First - 2026 MLB Opening Day, Patrick Mahomes seen practicing, Nick’s Tiers, Brou’s MVP Ballot

Episode Date: March 25, 2026

(0:00) World Series predictions, Would Shohei Ohtani be the G.O.A.T with a 3rd-straight World Series? (26:13) Patrick Mahomes practices, Shocked if Chiefs draft an OL? (38:27) Thunder vs. Celtics preview (46:31) NIck’s Tiers (01:04:28) Most to Gain Opening Day Edition (01:13:30) Brou’s MVP Ballot (01:20:02) Packed Stats, Can anyone stop the Dodgers from getting a 3-peat?  (01:46:10) Anthony Becht previews UFL (01:54:13) Danny’s Fastball (02:03:01) Will Patrick Mahomes bounce back from his injury? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Live for New York. It's a show that wants to shout out the trumpeters and the break dancers. And I'll just do it. We got not, that's probably too much. That's probably, I was, that's probably too much. I knew you were going to feel that way, AW. That's why I didn't tell you. For everyone that's involved in the show, including a whole team of people that rigged

the banner drops. And there's a lot of people that make this show work. We're thanking everybody. We got nominated for an Emmy. Go ahead, say, Brew, do you like being nominated for an Emmy? I don't like it. I love it!

That's great. And today's, you know, we appreciate everyone watching and everyone who works hard on the show. I'm also a little upset. About what? Well, the only thing Brew and I can be nominated for is this, and this is the most important thing, because we're not analysts, we're opinionists, and there's not an opinionist category.

You can definitely be an analyst. Well, but I'm not. So there's just no category. There's no category for what Bruin I do. There is, though, a category for what you do. And once again, KW. Best Daily Studio host was snubbed. For the record.

You were definitely snubbed. No chance that was snubbed. Snubbed. No chance of. A list of your rivals are going to be. Not my rivals. They are. No.

And the false humility, nobody's buying it. It's not false humility. Scott Van Pelt will put. put 50 on me easily. If Witt was like, hey, you're out, Scott Van Peltin, you know what I would say? I respect it. He'd like give you 50. He'd give me 50.

You're dropping 41 on him. No. You don't get yours. Yeah. I promise you. Be like Wimby and be like, you know what? I would get it. I will.

In a few years, once I don't stumble over the old bit, I'll do great. But thank you everybody. Yes. Thank you very much. By everybody, we mean a small group of people. Today, opening day starts with Giants Yankees tonight. Who will be playing in October? Is Otani going to win three in a row?

Meanwhile, we look at the NFL draft is protecting Mahomes the number one priority in Kansas City. I'm starting to get into draft mode. Oh, yeah. 29 days away. Our, guess what comes out on Monday? Your mock draft? Mock draft 1.0. Wow.

I can't wait for a mock. It might be next Monday. I'm not sure which. It's on a calendar. We're not yet a week from Monday is mock draft 1.0. I'm fired up for you. Looking at these highlights,

they better take alignment. No, they do not need to. I mean, I mean, look, poor Mahon. You wonder why it got hurt. Golly. Yeah, it's not. Well, he's also injured.

Yeah. Guys, we'll discuss it. Just saying. A special edition of Tiers, Emmy nominated Tiers, Best Segment. nomination. Best segment. Sure.

That would be nice. Cheers. And by the way, congrats also, if I may, to the 37 other Fox Sports nominations. Yeah. You look at it like that. Yeah, there are 37 other Fox Sports nominations.

So shout out to the other sports. Yeah, really great. Alongside Nick Wright, Chris Prasad, Kevin Wilds. We are starting with opening day. Yankees Giants tonight, world champion Dodgers in action tomorrow. And yesterday, Otani got on the mound, struck out 11 batters in four innings.

Dodgers lost, but still is an impressive outing. Now, check out this tweet from a February interview that Otani did with NBC. O'Tonny was asked if he thinks about pulling off a three-peat with the Dodgers and sitting at the same table as Michael Jordan and Tom Brady, a little bit of a goat reference. I missed the Tom Brady three-peat. It was just, it's, it's, it's, it's, that's all I recognize. Dodgers Nation is air-phrasing. I don't think about it too much.

much. However, I do hope that when I retire, I look back, I can be able to say that I was on team that won three championships in a row. That would be very cool. So if the Dodgers three Pete, what would that mean for O-Tani, bro? Well, can we first all agree? I think it is indisputable. He's the boat. Can we agree with that? I'll be honest with you. The best we've ever, that we've seen, if you literally mean, seen. I'm just saying the best baseball player ever. And here's Babe Ruth was obviously a great pitcher as well as hitter

but he didn't do him at the same time at that level. When he stopped, the most home runs he ever hit when he pitched full time was 29. Yeah. Then after that, buy a lot. Right, right. But then when he was hitting 40, 50, 60 he wasn't pitching. He only

pitched four games the rest of his career during that time. Barry Bonds is the best I've seen prior to Otani. And forgetting even the steroid PEDs, all that stuff, Bond's only had, for all his greatness, one season where he hit 50 or more homers. Otani's already had two 50 plus home run seasons in seven years.

Well, it was 73. But still. Yeah. Yeah. So I think Otani, not to mention the pitching. Yeah. He has the all-time high in strikeout. per nine innings at 11.4.

He's just not eligible yet because he needs a thousand innings. He's got like 500 something. So I think he's clearly the boat. We all think probably the best game ever last season in the playoffs. But I got to be honest, as much as I think he'll get there,

I don't think, Nick, this would be his eighth complete season. One year he only played 44 games he was hurt. I don't think that's enough to just say goat. Even though he's got four MVP which is second most to bonds already. But I just think that there does need, like baseball in particular is such a sport about magic numbers,

3,000 hits, 500 homers, used to be 300 wins for a pitcher. And he obviously can hit none of those in just eight seasons. He wouldn't have the full resume. And you can argue, I don't know what exactly the number of years, you need to have is Sandy Kofax, a lot of people consider him the best, or at least in the discussion of a best pitcher ever. He played 12 years, but only had 10, like, full time where he's full time pitcher and all that. And so, I mean, I might use 10 or 11 years as a threshold.

Look, one caveat, if they win the World Series, he's World Series MVP, and he's the regular season MVP and Sy Young. Well, that would be. Then I think you just the game would be over at that point. Even if he's just, if they win it, he doesn't win the World Series MVP, but they win the World Series. He's Cy Young and MVP. What you're describing

is not at all far-fetched. He is the big favorite to win MVP. They are the big favorite to win the World Series. He is, you know, if the odds existed right now for World Series MVP, he would

would be the favorite there and he's, I think, in the top five of the Sy Young Od. So it's very interesting you've landed there, Brew, because I think I agree with you almost entirely that for him to be the goat, what you have to be saying is I'm kind of changing the rules on what your totality of accomplishments are and just saying, peak, peak, peak, it's him.

And he's unique. Because he does pitch. Well, so that's what I want to talk about because I don't think the three Pete, I don't think winning the title this year, which is a team accomplishment in a sport where the one team sport where we don't say you have to win. Ted Williams is the go-to example. Well, hell, Barry Bonds is another great example. If he wins the Cy Young this year. Without the MVP.

Yeah. Yeah, then I'll start believing Brew on the boat piece. Oh, you're not at boat. Well, here's why. And again, if people are new to the show, best of all time versus greatest of all time, we're drawing a distinction. I don't totally know the distinction. The distinction is the totality of your career is goat and boat is for what Drew is saying is,

if you were to say who played the sport at the highest level anyone's ever played it, brew is saying he already has accomplished that, but he doesn't yet have the full career piece of it. Right. And maybe this is because we've spent so much time this week talking about the two ends of the court and basketball. To me, the three greatest baseball players of all time, and I think are Barry Bonds, Willie Mays, and Babe Ruth. Barry Bonds, in addition to his seven MVP's and his home run record, has eight gold gloves. Willie Mays, in addition to his 660 home runs, has 12 gold gloves. Babe Ruth, in the two years that he was a full-time 40 start-a-year pitcher,

had 47 wins, 58 complete games, and a 1.8 ERA. In his three World Series starts, he had a 0.87 ERA and 31 innings pitch. So there are 31 innings pitch in his World Series crew, the 0.87 ERA. Because Otani is a D-H and because he is not, with his one year he pitched full-time and he did great, but didn't come close to winning to Cy Young. And he's not going to be able to match, obviously, bonds or maize in the field, because he doesn't play the field. I would need to see an overwhelming, dominant pitching season from him to be like, I don't care about the lack, you know, that that's a void on his resume.

And again, not to say he's an all-time great. You're talking about just for the boat. Yeah, because, yeah, I mean, because, again, Barry Bonds was a seven-time MVP that was an all-time great defensive player and the greatest offensive player of my lifetime. Willie Mays has an argument that he is one of the three best offensive players ever and the best defensive player ever.

Again, Babe Ruth, I'm just reading stuff. And so I've got to trust Bill James and those. And so I just think that the pitching side of Otani is right now like an added bonus because he hasn't done it enough compared to the rest. And if he has a dominant season where it's like, okay, hey, in my last six years in baseball, I've won four league MVP's came in second once and won a Cy Young and maybe another MVP. That to me. Championships. Yeah. Wouldn't you say, though, the, like, it sounds like you're almost saying the equivalent of his pitching is Bonds and Mays playing in the outfield.

I don't think playing in the field is the equivalent of pitching. Oh, I agree, but I, which is why, let's say it's one dominant pitching season is the equivalent of five gold clubs. You know what I mean, that's why I'm not saying he needs to have a bunch of dominant. Like, even if he's just a great, he may never win a, I mean, likely never will win a Cy Young. If he's like all-star level, 3.0. Then I'm not saying he's not going to get there. I'm just saying I wouldn't be willing to say it in five months. For me to be willing to say it in five months, again, we are really trying to,

we're not trying to, but this would be a speed race to this status. That's why I think I would not be there. This is going to be a pop quiz. So if you don't have the answer, don't take his Emmy away. Did Bonds win any gold gloves with the Giants? Yes. He did. But not the vast majority were with the Pirates.

I remember him being a great, once he got a little bigger, I felt like. He won MVP, but he didn't get huge immediately with the Giants. He won MVP in 90, 92, and 93, and then 0.1, 2, 3, 4. So he had, and his gold gloves, gold gloves were early, but, and Josh, fact check me on, I thought he won one with the Jones. Okay, I remember being more of a defensive presence in Pittsburgh. He was absolutely. Oh, yeah, well, yeah.

He was fast and that's where he had a stolen bases and all of them. Then he really got in a weight room. Yeah. He came huge. Prioritized power. All right, let's take a look at World Series odds. The Dodgers are still at number one. The Yankees at two.

The Mariners, their magical season at three. Won the Super Bowl, too. Seattle, what's going on? A good vibes out there. And they're about to get the sonics. You know, it's interesting. You say good vibes. Because the Mariners' vibes are going to come up for me later on the show.

Mets, Blue Jays, Red Sox and Phillies tied at six, Danny's Cubs, the Braves, and then the Tigers of School Bowl, who will be fresh since he didn't want to pitch in WBC at 10? So who do you have for the World Series? We're doing World Series? No, doing AL MVP, NLMVP, and then World Series. Okay, all in one. Yeah. Scott Van Pampel. Godfam Pelt wouldn't have made that message.

I don't know. Exactly my point. ALMVP, the best all around American in baseball. Bobby Witt, Jr. He is the ALMBP. What a surprise. This is actually, I mean, he's got the guy. He can win it.

He can win. If you're going to call me a Homer brew, wait about 20 seconds. In LNVP, show, hey. I think that's a pretty strong bet. And don't tell me, This can't happen because I saw this happen. The World Series, fresh off, do vibes matter? Do having an all-star?

In fact, not just an international all-star riddled lineup matter. Do moving in the fences matter? Royals over Mets. The Mets who I think are, Royals Mets in the World Series with Royals over Mets. It's Deja, it's 2015 all over again in my World Series. What do we do? What's the problem?

We just lost the end. I'm just lost the end. I'm just letting you know right now. I don't know your pick. But if you're, if you, I know my pick, but I have a rationale. I roll at the Royals and you dare pick the Red So. I have a reason. Oh, well, so do I.

What? I will give you the Royals. Coming back healthy. Three healthy pitchers. No, no, no. Two of which finished top five Sy Young voting the year before last when they were healthy. Moving in the fences, I think will be great for, uh, Passwatch and Jack Caglione.

And I think Bobby Witt's the best player in the AL. All of that, it's not an outrageous opinion. Okay. Is it what I'm rooting for? Obviously. The fences go both ways.

I understand that. No, no, no. Of course. So that's my pick. All right. My AL MVP, and I think that Aaron Judge is going to have a phenomenal year,

but I think there will be a tad bit of voter fatigue. Sure. And I think there also, I thought Kyle Rowley should have won it last year. I agree. Catcher hitting 60 home runs. And I think there will be, if he has a good, I think he'll be in the 40s. Now, he's improved his home runs every year for like the last four years. He's a legitimate home run hitter.

I don't think he's going to improve off 60 or even get to 60. But I think he can be in the 40s. And I think there will be some feeling of. See, I worry Bruce that. That hit him hitting in the 40s, while wildly impressed for a catcher because of what he did last year, won't resonate. You know what I mean?

Yeah, but I think people might feel like they owe him one. Yeah, yeah, I mean, which I think they do. Benched in the WBC. Yeah. I think he went like, how'd that work out? Well, certainly if you went 10 for 10, I'd like this guy's hot. He went over 10. So you're rolling your eyes at my pick, if WBC carryover,

how'd the Royals are in the WBC? Who's the MVP of the entire tournament? Was that a Royal? I didn't even mention fifth best player on the team. Go ahead, Bruce, sorry. NL MVP, obvious. And I talked about voter fatigue, but he's just going to be so unique, doing so much.

I don't think that can even factor in. I've got the Dodgers with the 3P, the first time since the Yankees at the turn of the century. Now, I would love it to be Dodgers Yankees. I think the drama, I mean, that's what it was a couple years ago. We went to some of the games. and the judge going for his first world series, the Yankees trying to stop a team from trying to match their three-peep.

The last one in the sport would be delicious. But I am going with, I think Detroit. I think Detroit is going. It's always a surprise in baseball. It's always a surprise in baseball. The pitching, you know, Scoobel is nice. They got Verlander, Valdez. They got the hot.

Young rookie shortstop. McGong, McGon, McGon, McGonagal. And so I think Detroit is going to be. I love it.

I love an AOL Central team in the World Series. Go ahead, KW. Mine is, just because yours is localized. Uh-huh. Mine is coincidentally localized.

Oh, okay. That's right. Because no one's picking the Royals out here. I'm picking Aaron Judge, my second favorite team. That's bizarre. You and I did the exact same thing.

Absolutely. You and I did the exact same thing, buddy. We both picked our hometown team who's expected to win around 85 games and not win the who are the pick to finish second in their division and when, in fact, you're finished, picked to finish third and yours and win around 85 games to upset the Mets in the World Series. And I support you, you out here rolling your eyes at me. Are you even allowed to have the Yankees as your second favorite team with your Red Sox man? That's a great question. I think that's a lot.

This proves that I am just raw analysis. Okay? You guys are like, we're not analysts. We're just out here spouting opinions. Well, here's some analysis for you. Okay, yeah. Can we show the Red Sox brand new starting lineup? Our combined ERA of 3.31 would have been number one last year.

It's just pitching. It's just pitching. Do we have enough hitting and we have a great pitching staff now? I actually think you stay healthy. We got an ace number. We're never going to lose a lot of games in a row. I feel very confident in the squad. I would like to spend a little bit more money at the deadline.

Now that we know that Fenway Sports Group is not interested in buying the Supersonics, perhaps you can funnel a little bit of that money into the Boston Red Sox, the crown jewel of your portfolio, Fenway Sports Group, not Liverpool. Listen, I agree with all that and I support you. I don't think it's a Homer pick. I think the Red Sox are alive, despite the fact. that Vegas has them winning right around 85 games. And despite the fact that Vegas doesn't think

they're gonna win the division, I like Roman Anthony, I like your team. I think it's a cogent analysis and picking them to beat the Mets, instead of beating the Dodgers, a nice little curve that I agree with. I think the Dodgers had been flirting with their health a little bit too much.

I mean, I think that they are. They keep adding that. I know, remember they did all. I think the reality is if it were a, you know, a best of 31, instead of a best of seven. The Dodgers win everything there is, but even a best of seven baseball,

even though they're favorite. The odds are clearly against them. All right, so that's baseball more on opening day as the show continues, but we're gonna head to the NBA where the Players Association is asking for the 65 game rule to be amended, releasing a statement saying Cade's potential ineligibility for postseason awards

after a career to finding season is a clear indictment of the 65 game rule and yet a Another example of why it must be abolished or reformed to create an exception for significant injuries. One caveat here, bro. Players Association agreed to the 65 game rule. That's why it was passed. Do you think the league should change this rule? Look, I'm not going to rip the PA or Adam Silver at this point because we all felt,

I think everybody felt like the 65 game rule initially was a great idea. And it has kind of curtailed low management to some degree. You don't see it like you did a few. years ago. But the negative of it is that it's punishing guys for getting a legitimate injury that might keep you out for a month and a half.

And then all of a sudden, even though you had this great season, you can't be all-MBA. Now, Kay Cunningham is obviously with the PA what sparked it. It's not about him, to me, winning MVP. He's not going to win MVP, okay? This is about

him being on all NBA teams. Like, he should definitely be able to be on the all-NBA teams, but as of the way the rules are, he probably won't. I think they, I said this is their All-Star weekend, that Adam Silver should come out and make a unilateral decision. I am abolishing, not reforming, abolishing the 65-game rule. Trust the voters.

I take games as a voter. I do take games played into account. When I'm looking at first-team all-in-bath, let's say Cade somehow gets to 65 games, Maybe plays the last. Let's just say the threshold was 60. Okay. Because that's where he said. But a guy that only played 61 games as he's at now.

I look at that versus a guy and everything is really close. If the other guy I play 74, I'm going to take that into serious consideration and probably go with the guy that played more games. Because missing 20-some-on-a-games is like a big chunk of the season. So just trust the voters to weigh that stuff in. I don't know how the voting is actually done. Is it electronic and you're just like clicking dots? Yeah.

Could you have a protest vote of like writing in Cade? Well, the rule doesn't change. I don't think he'll be on the ballot. If he doesn't play 65, if I remember correct, like he won't even be listening. No, he won't be. No, you can't write it in. It's just, it's all digital. So I'm glad you mentioned the union agreed to it.

I also, the Cade's agent said, you know, he has had a, a deserving first team all-MBA season. Not anymore. Right. Like, if this rule didn't exist, and I don't have a vote, to be clear, but I think Brew will agree with me on this. If this rule didn't exist, Cade would make your all-MBA, but this would have cost him first team.

Yeah. I mean, we're assuming all the other guys. Yeah. Joker, Wimby, Shea, Luca, Jalen Brown. So that part is would be is self-policing I think like it's fair

and that it's not you're being penalized for injury it's that that is your season is being evaluated and if your season part of it was you missed a quarter of it

because of injury that is part of the evaluation I don't want it abolished brew but I maybe this is a de facto abolishing I don't know what you think

I think one of benefits the NBA has is I think for whatever issues people have with Adam Silver in certain ways, nobody questions his integrity. Right. And I think a strong

leader whose integrity is unimpeachable as a commissioner has the license to say, hey, this rule is in effect and this player and this player I've decided are eligible anyway. The thing is something like that could come up every year. And by

And I trust Adam Silver to evaluate it on an issue by issue basis because I do think that we have had guys this year who are pushing to play because they want to be eligible that otherwise might have taken an extra week. I think Joker came back. I think you're seeing Wimby really wants, obviously, to win everything. And if Wimby turns an ankle with two weeks left in the year, he's going to try to play through it.

And I like that. But I think so I hear you. But I just think that that leaves too much wiggle room. Like every year something would come up. And I do think, especially if he abolishes the rule, in the voters' minds will be like, if I see you sitting out games and only playing 58 and you could have played 67, I'm punishing. The other piece very quickly that Simmons has brought up a bunch, which I liked was adding. a minutes component. You have to reach

X games or Y minutes. He said 2,000 minutes, which I think Cade has reached. Where it's like, okay, you only played 60, but you were playing 30, you know, so either, whether in Wimby's case... Has Wimby even? No, no, no, but he'll hit them both. You just hit one or the other. So if you were playing super

heavy minutes, but didn't hit the games, then you can get in that way. Like that, to me, there are different tweaks they could make. I think the rule in general has worked. And I think that if we could make an exception on a case-by-case basis, that would work as well. I don't think that's all silver operates, though.

He's lawyerly. Yeah. Mahomes, getting more protection in the draft. That's next on FS1 on the Fox Sports Channel on Sirius XM. Hey, if you're missing football, well, we've got great news for you. The UFL returns with a new season of pro football in the spring. Kickoff weekend starts Friday at 8. There's new rules to make the game more exciting, more scoring, less kicks,

No tush push. Dusty was devastated. He says, as an Eagles fan, I love the tush push. Was that an issue in the U.S.L? No, I don't think it was, but they correctly have identified we're in the eyeballs business and it's bad for eyeballs. Correct. Yeah.

If people wanted to watch rugby, you get a satellite dish, one of the giant ones. You got to put on the back of your house. Just be like this all day. That's Australian football. Oh, okay. Nobody could see you. It's thick. You were on camera.

I don't know if it's true. I did the motion when the Australian referee goes like that. Like that? Okay, now they got it. It counts as a point, I think. Breaking news from I think Kansas City. We get our first look at Patrick Mahomes throwing a football with a caption that says, day by day felt great being able to throw the ball around today and then a target and a

clock. Nick your reaction to see the home's throw the ball. I like that. Hey guys, what's Patrick going to be doing? couple months. What's he going to be doing in a couple of them? He's going to be at Kelsey's wedding. And what's he going to be doing there?

Well, why double wilds? That was unfair. You didn't see it. We're talking about the eyeball. Is he a dancer? Um, he's going to be, is he a big dancer? Is he a big dancer? Patrick Mohn is going to be dancing at Travis Kelsey's wedding.

And what's Patrick Mollum is going to be doing in early September? Starting week one for the Kansas league cheers. Again, I don't know that. There's no, I don't think anybody knows that. I am not, so I want to make it clear. That looks good. I am not reporting that because it's unreportable. We will see how the rehab progresses.

However, I may have had a tiny sneak preview of this video. And I think Patrick is very optimistic about how his rehab is coming along. And I think the, you couldn't brew for a guy who has three rings and a couple of MVP's and is already, I think, universally regarded as one of the five greatest quarterbacks of all time. I think that is, I think that's universally regarded as that. I think he now all of a sudden has multiple chips on his show. I think the fact that as, you know, one of, I think we're his favorite show.

And one person on his show always says, you know, I love Patrick Mahomes, but here's his numbers the last few years. No, it's, they are what they are. Patrick, go for it. I'm trying to motivate you. So I think the fact that statistically he's been in a down few years, it was fair. The fact that the team, even before his injury last year, was in the midst of potentially missing the playoffs, odds were they were going to miss the playoffs.

And there's real doubt about, you know, are they the best team in their own division, much less their own conference, much less Super Bowl favorite. All of that plus has to come back from an injury, you are going to get as laser focused of a 30-year-old minted First Ballot Hall of Famers as you possibly. Can I ask you a question? We did Travis resigning yesterday, and it was a nice video between Patrick and Travis.

Do you think that part of Travis coming back is the idea that he's very confident that Mahomes will be great? that if Mahomes wasn't on a week one timeline or if he thought he was going to, you know what, I'll probably be back week four that Travis, that would have tipped the scales to retire. I think week four, maybe Travis comes back anyway. I think if it was like, hey, you know, we'll see, halfway through, we'll see. I also think, and again, I, the, this is rank speculation.

I don't, you know, I don't talk to Travis Kelsey like this. But I wonder if one of the things that tipped the scales in favor of him coming back was feeling like, man, my best friend and my guy is going to need me early. That's interesting. He's coming off, you know what I, he's coming off an injury, coming off that, and I don't want, you know, he's going to be rehabbing alone. And then in training, like, you know, to have to have his brothers back like that in a way that, like, if the chief season had just been a bad year,

Patrick had been healthy the whole time. I don't, maybe Travis still comes back. I don't know. But the fact that they didn't get a last game together that they knew was going to be, it was just a random play. Patrick gets hurt and then he's out there, you know, by himself. So I think that maybe played into it, bro. Yeah, look, I mean, that's great news for all football fans,

not just chiefs, because we all want to see him back week one. and I hope he can do it. It'll help that Kelsey's there. Right now, I mean, I'm kind of, maybe I'm wrong, but I'm kind of not including Rishi Rice. And there's, I know a good chance he could play. But I think Kelsey's is number one receiver and certainly his security blanket right now.

And I do think Nick in the draft that they should draft a receiver because I'm starting to just think, Xavier Worthy's too small, too slight to be like your number one guy. I have the same questions about Devante Smith, as great as he is. He might be able to be a one, but Worthy is very small. Rice might not be there. I think they need to bolster that receiving group. They did get Mahomes are running back, which will help him.

And so I think they should look receiver in the draft. All right. Well, speaking of the draft, the NFL draft is 29 days away. Bucky Brooks released his mock draft, Mendoza to the Raiders at 1, David Bailey from Texas Techs going to the Jets, Arvel Reese to the Cardinals, and fast forward to Miami tackle

Francis Maui Noah to Kansas City at 9. Do you like the linemen for Casey at 9? I will be absolutely gobsmacked if the Chiefs take an offensive lineman at number 9. Unless there is something that I am told, totally unaware of going on with Josh Simmons, who had a mercurial rookie year for sure.

You know, he left the team for a month. And then the very end of the year suffered an injury, but it was a broken wrist when his own teammate ran into him. So not the type of thing that you think would be lingering. They have a first round pick at left tackle who when he played was excellent. A second round pick at left guard, who when he played was serviceable. The highest paid center in the league and the best center in the league, Creed Humphrey and one of the highest paid right guards in the league.

Four fifths of their offensive line are either top of the market paid or first or second round draft picks. I think it would be given the fact that they do have multiple other needs wild to then spend what will almost assuredly, certainly hopefully be the highest pick you have in the entire Mahomes era on a right tackle, which is what you would be drafting there. And so here is, there are eight guys that if the first eight picks of the draft are these eight names, it puts the chiefs in a tricky spot. We know Mendoza is going to go, so you don't have to worry about that with respect to Orlovsky. We know and I think we know, we feel like we know Jeremiah Love is going to go.

Any of the next six I'd be great with. if all six of those guys are gone, the three edge rushers, the do-it-all linebacker, Caleb Downs, who people thought might be the best player in college football, and in my opinion,

the best receiver, Carnell Tate. That then put you up against it. And in that scenario, I think you are then looking at the second best receiver, whether it's Limin or Tyson, or the number one corner,

but that's not very chief-y to, like, you know, prioritize corner like that, but they obviously, need a corner, but I would take the tight end, Kinion Sadiq before I took an offensive lineman at nine. I just don't think that's where. I thought there's like a ton of tight ends though. You could throw it down for a tight end. Right. So that I just don't think taking an offensive lineman at nine when you have already spent that much money and that high draft capital on and

four fifths of the line set makes sense. Call me. Call me crazy, brew. The one way that I've seen Patrick Mahomes really be flustered. Yeah. Is when teams get to them. And last year was the fastest time to throw Josh of his career, but it was like middle of the, was it top 10. Rogers was number one. Mahomes was top 10. Maybe I've got like Drake May scar tissue. But when the offensive line breaks down, bad things happen.

Bow Nix is a good to very good quarterback who won 14 games because the offensive line was impenetrable. So I don't know. I would, I like offensive line for Mahomes. Yeah, I look. I don't necessarily ever get mad at taking an offensive lineman because you never know when one will go down. As you said, we've seen Mahomes struggle when he doesn't have the line. Look last year, I keep bringing them up, but the charges lost both of their tackles.

All right. And so it's just I hear what you're saying, Nick, because they do have the core of a very good line. And they spent all that money on Jalen Moore to be the left tackle, but then they drafted Josh Simmons because he fell to him so Jail and Moore can play right. Like here's the other thing I would say about Mahomes getting sacked at that percentage. Some of that is offensive line and some of that is nobody can get open. And so that's the argument to taking a wide receiver brew is another thing that helps a wide receiver is a guy who can beat man coverage and instantly get open. And so I just, I think the biggest need on the team is edge rusher. Because another thing that helps the quarterback is, oh, we're starting inside the other team's 20 because we have a strip sack.

And so, and I just, I also look at when the best ad rushers and the best receivers in the league are now $40 million a year players. Yeah. If you think you can get a, you know, a blue chipper there at those spots when you're drafting in the top 10 for the first time since you drafted Mahomes and hopefully the last time while Mahomes is on your team, I think that's what you have to prioritize. Are you super confident in the scouting of wide receivers? I was told by every expert in my old Marvin Harrison Jr. Oh, sorry, that's what I mean. That this guy was going to be a home run.

He looked great. And JSN was same draft. Yeah, and deeper. So here's what I think. I think typically the top player, the consensus top player at, any position is going to be really good. Now, Marvin Harris, sorry, Marvin Harrison, Jr. And again, I think Marvin Harrison Jr. might end up being a really good player, but it has not been this dynamic dominant player. Usually, though, if you are the consensus best of the spot,

you're a really good player. Maybe not the best in your draft, but at the very least, the bust rate of that is very low. But if Carnell Tate goes, then you're not taking the consensus best receiver. They're certainly not going to get the consensus best edge rusher at that spot because a couple are going to go ahead of them. Coming up next, a wonderful episode, a weird and wonderful, and stay tuned for tears. This is a great moment. Otani and Mike Trout. Did you see that? Yeah, it's pretty one side. I wish Mike Trout left the Angels. Sorry, Angels fans. Thunder almost three point favorites tonight in Boston, battle of two champions. Only two teams have bested Missoula's Celtics in his coaching tenure. five and two. Denver five and three. All other teams are blow up. Now the two wins were in Boston

where tonight's game is. So does tonight mean more for the thunder or the Celtics? I'm going to say okay, see. Interesting. For two specific reasons. One is I think the Celtics right now, everything is still kind of in this nebulous getting Tatum back into form period. And I don't think particularly because we have no idea who's going to be the 6, 7, 8 in the east, there is a huge difference for Boston between being the two or the three. I understand it means home court or not home court

against the Knicks, but I don't think that is as big of a difference as being the one or the two in the west. And if OKC loses this game, San Antonio catching them becomes very live. I mean, they're up three games in the lost column now. It would be two. It would be two.

Obviously they have the tie break up. If they finish with the same record, San Antonio gets it. So they would essentially, if they lose tonight, they would essentially have a one-game cushion. Because they'd be two losses up, but the two losses, San Antonio catches them. And here's why that matters. OKC has the hardest schedule left in basketball. They play the Knicks, the Pistons, the Lakers twice, the Clippers, Denver, and Phoenix, in addition to Boston. Wow.

San Antonio plays the Clippers, Denver twice. And that's it as far as teams that are any good. The Celtics up, I'm sorry, OKC's opponents have a 570 combined winning percentage. San Antonio's has a 470 combined winning percentage. The 21st toughest versus the toughest. So if OKC loses tonight, Brew, I think your hope, I don't want to say your hope, but the scenario of San Antonio catching them, which then makes voting wimby and I was going to say it, yeah.

I think it's really on the board. Yeah, that's a good, I was going to say, and we'll get to Bruce Ballet later. But that does make Wemby more alive in the MVP race if they catch them. I think you make a great point because, and I can go with OKC for that reason. I do think this is a big important game for both teams. Boston did beat them the first time this year. But I do think I don't want to. downplay the Celtics needing home court, not needing, but I think it'd be very beneficial for them

to have home court against the Knicks. Now, I get it, the Knicks beat him last year and the Celtics at home court. But I think that's big. And they're tied right now. Yes. And so if they lose, the Knicks would have the advantage and be the second seed. So I think it's very important for the Celtics and you're getting Tatum, you're trying to get him worked in, you're playing a good team. It helps that they beat O KC last time in O KC, but this is at home. I think it's important for both teams, but I will go with OKC. The Celtics lost OKC. The Celtics lost. The Celtics lost. Celtics lost. I'm sorry. Yeah, no, they lost. That's because that's my old. The Celtics lost by two points in OKC. Tatom didn't play. Can Tatum make up two points? I know everything's different,

but can we really see Tatum be a plus for the team? Since he's come back, since that Hornets game, which was a really like odd game where the Hornets went in on a back-to-back and blasted the Celtics at home. Everyone's like, that's strange. They haven't really, they don't really, they beat Cleveland. They beat Dallas. They're six and four. Lost to San Antonio. That was the game Jaylen got tossed.

Oklahoma City. That was the one they just lost by two. Washington's not trying. Phoenix, okay. Golden State doesn't have anybody. Memphis is not trying. Then they lost to Minnesota. This is a real game.

The reason you said six and two, I think is with Tatum. With Tatum. With Tatum. Oh, yeah, they're six and two. Well, Tatum's sitting some time. Right, right, right, right, right. So this is a real game. This is going to be a finals preview.

It's big for both teams. It's a big game for both teams. And this is also, this is a testament to Shea, the stat I'm about to give, courtesy of Tim Bond Tim. So I'll say his full name. Because I didn't know it, and he said it this morning, and I was stunned by it. Tonight will be the 21st game. in the last two years that OKC has had its true starting five. They have only played 21 games the last two years.

Six this year and 14 last year. And then the play. I wouldn't be surprised this year. This year. Wow. And so the fact that they have, you know, they're going to win 68 games thereabouts each of those years speaks to the depth, how many quality players they have.

Guys are basically becoming interchangeable. Outside of Shea, it has been interchangeable. Because remember last year they missed Chet for such a big portion, missed other guys, they missed Hartenstein for a big portion. And this year too, Hardinstein. So they just haven't, they've only played 20 games with what they're, in theory, starting lineups going to be, which there's a lot of ways to look at that as far as what it means for them, their championship odds, the playoffs, all of that.

but I just I feel like Boston is and I read and we were going to talk about it the whole article I think that Bon Tempts wrote about Tatum's return and it being a little clunky at times and I just feel like

that was a known tax like to sometimes mixed metaphors a bit but if there's someone that you know like a former athlete or whatever that's like hey they want to do TV, we think they'd be really good.

You put them on a show and you're like, hey, it's probably not going to be as good as if they weren't there in the beginning, you know what I mean, the first time they do it. But you want to get them comfortable and in the rhythm, all of it because you think it raises the overall upside of the show. I feel like that is what everyone knew was going to happen with Boston. And then people are, I think, overreacting a bit to it happening, especially because they're, It's not like they are two and six with him. They're winning. It's just he's not hitting threes. But this game will be interesting.

They had no chance of winning the championship without Jason Taylor. That's how I feel. Now you have a shot. Yeah. They had some chance. They had no chance. Did you really think they had a shot? They had no chance.

Now winning the whole thing. They're the two seed. Last year, the two seed in the tougher conference was the Rockets, who had no chance. The Rockets had no chance. You have a finals MVP, a championship winning coach, and a deep bench. They're bombing threes.

Like, yeah, I think you have a chance. I mean, I, I, I run the defensive rating, the offensive ratings, they get really into it. I think that the, no chance is. Okay, they had a, they had a, they had a, they had a chance. Then by that metric, yes. Well, anybody's got a, yeah, but then I think they had an almost, a close to zero percent chance without Tatum. And with Tatum, I think they're, I think they have a great chance. So that's, this is the tax you pay to bring him back.

I hope he's great tonight, but I don't expect him to be great. I think this is great. I want this game to be. a real game. It is. Not a warm up. No, it's a real game. I think both teams really need it. Both teams really need. I think Tatum needs it a little bit. I think if Tatum comes up... He's not going to be

a hundred. He's not going to be at his best, but he still could play well. Confidence-wise, this would be a moment for him. He hasn't shot 50% since he's been back. Not in one game. Want to hear of your stat that I looked up? What's that? SGA hasn't lost a game since January 29th. Thunder have lost, but he hasn't lost. That schedule is scary,

though. Five from New York is a show that's excited for baseball. I might throw on the old baseball glove when I get home. A little chilly. You can put on your team USA hat? Yes, that's a good point. Get into it. Too much or no?

No, I think it's right. You got a little boys. Throw the baseball around around. The full uniform seems like a lot. Drew, that time that KW hung out with me after work because he needed to ride home and I drove the hour and a half up to the relationship, but it happened. And then he didn't.

Then, you know, I asked if my daughter could use his bathroom and his dog bit me. He has an amazing. Did not like an at all. Amazing sports setup. Really? Great. Jim in the garage, hoop in the front yard, great area in the backyard to play catch with his boys. It's a really all-American.

No, they can't beat me in anything. Hockey. I can't skate. When will they beat you in basketball? How old will you? What they beat? Oh, man. Probably.

15? Probably a height-weight thing, right? Right. Even when they're as tall as me, I'll still have dad strength and up here. Do all those tricky dad moves? Put the ball between your knees, that one? I don't know what's going on. I've ever seen that. That'll be a tough day for you, Wendez Beach. Yeah, that's probably true.

Second hour of first things first today. Can Wemby convince Brewy should be a top of Brew's ballot? I'll tell you what. His recent comments didn't hurt him. Did not hurt him at all. Meanwhile, we go through all of our storylines for opening day. Some of our biases, regional bias, which Brew doesn't participate in. None of my biases show up in my storylines.

Truly. Really? Yeah, really. None of my biases show my storylines. The royals winning it? That's not one of my storylines. Okay. That was my prediction.

I guarantee. You weren't from the Kansas City. Oh, yeah. I don't know. Friend of the show, Vinnie Pasquantino. Maybe my loyalty is to the show. Do we have a lot of first base sluggers from other teams coming on the show? Then during the playoffs being our analysts?

No. I'm loyal to the show, folks. That's a fair point. Thank you. Up to speed on what's going on. Last night while ordering Chick-fil-A for the entire office. And yes, it was a mess. an elite committee of analysts, savants, and Dan Patrick.

It was very funny today. I wanted to do the clip. Fought and twilled and burned the midnight oil to deliver the best segment in all of sports. It's an honor and a privilege. It's time for the committee's NBA tiers. Indeed. Let's get right to it because it's four minutes past the hour and the segment's just starting. So eliminated.

No new eliminations. Just the 10 sad times. And we are in a, if you look at, if you look, Look at the NBA standings to go to the bottom of the east. That old last 10 column is grizzly for some of these guys. Wizards lost like 16 in a row. The Pacers have won one of their last 15. They are.

It's really bad. It is a race. It's a race to the bottom. Godly. And then there's these teams. Limping to the finish. Heat, magic, warriors, blazers. I losing streaks or just have mediocrity over the last few weeks, all of them know they are at the very least going to be in the play.

And warriors and blazers know they're going to be in the play. And the East is a bit more of a mess. But it doesn't seem like they're exactly surging to, you know, leaning to the tape. Then there's these two teams that I did not think we're going to be at risk of the play in, but they are. The Raptors and the Sixers. Thanks to the surging Atlanta Hawks, who went through a month where they only played teams on that previous graphic,

and you know what happens today? You're on a 10-game winning streak. And KW's Hornets, who are trying to get into the real playoffs absent the play in. I loved them. Again, I'm not predicting they will, but they're attempting to at the very least.

And because of that, you could see these teams in the play. And you know I want to believe in the Sixers. but we're running out of time to see them fully healthy. What do you see is there, let's say M.B. is back to the playoffs. They're healthy by their standards. What do you think their ceiling is? Ceiling?

Sealing. Absolute best case scenario. The finals. They're sealing. No way. Second round. If M. Bid is back.

I have yet to see M.B. Hold on. If they're fully healthy. I agree. But you're telling me, if you're, telling me they're going to be fully healthy. Do I think they could beat the Knicks in the second round? I do. Wow. I don't. The, and then conference finals, who knows? I mean, they've never even made a conference finals. So what am I? Surging at the right time, question mark.

Hornet talks. Maybe avoid the play in, you know, the, see what a, you know, be a tough round one matchup. Maybe one of these teams doesn't avoid the play in, but ends up getting Detroit in round one and Cade's not back. Who knows? Right. I do know they are at least playing some of their best ball at the end of the year,

which you like to see. They hate each other. Just the Rockies. I don't know what to tell you. They're not having fun. No. The coach didn't have them fun. No.

Best players are not having fun. Shingoon's not having fun. No, Durant's. You said it a week ago. When your best players, He's ripping everybody on his burner account. It doesn't help. They don't like each other.

You know what I would do? Pizza party. Pizza in the office. That works, man. Everybody comes around. How about a slumber party? No, I go pizza party. We have a game tomorrow.

I don't, man, I don't know what it, honestly, and maybe this has happened. I don't know. What maybe it would take is Kevin Durant apologizing. Nope. No, I don't want to hear that either. Okay. I prefer. Really?

I don't think that would, I mean, I don't know if it would help. No. No. I think it would help at least a little. When he was asked about it, he didn't deny it. Exactly. That's so. Can I tell you something, guys?

Everybody knows you didn't. Show announcement. If you guys ever say some wild stuff behind my back, yeah, let's show up to work the next day, act like it never happened, okay? I don't want to. Well, that's how you like it anyway. You don't like interacting off the way. And also, if you pull me over like, hey, man, I said you were terrible.

I'm sorry about that. Yeah, but what if you hear it? You think I'm terrible. You think I can't play defensive. I don't think the show's been the same since I heard you two were talking about how I'm a little sloppy when I'm drinking. No. Bruce said I walked up to him at a party and told him how much I loved him.

I would have done that sober. I had had a few cocktails. My wife said, I heard Nick telling you how much he loved it. I love it. Hey, what do you mean? It had a few cocktails. Draft your opponent. All right, this is just a hobby horse of mine.

The reward for the one seed should be you get to pick 5, six, seven, eight, which one you want to play. Because I'm telling you this, if the Thunder wins 68 games and their reward is one of these two teams, instead of the rockets who are self-immolating, they should at least have the option. You set a second ago, Brewer, one of you two did, that the sons are going to be a hell of a top out in round.

And the Clippers too. Right, exactly. The thunder should get the choice. The reward of being, what the regic the season matter? One C gets to pick. Two C gets the next thing. But you think they, we just talked about the Rockets hating each other. But they would pick the Clippers or the sons over Durant and Shingoon and I,

what I'm saying is if the sons all, if the sons end up, you know, getting the seed and have Dylan Brooks back. Booker playing this way. It's going to be tough. It's just tough. All right. Next. That's the first Dylan Brooks compliment you've ever had. I like. I'm there. He's been good for them. He's nice. He's been good for them. He might. He might have

an all-star game in his future. He might. He should have been this year. Oh, this guy can't stop taking shots at LeBron. Next. Non-zero chance. This is, I guess, in the same bucket of where Wilde have the Celtics of Tatum didn't come back.

They have a non-zero chance of winning the title. On title pie, they're going to have at least a percent. I can't see it happening, and we've got to see Anthony Edwards come back. Obviously, he's been injured. And you guys know, I don't believe in the calves. But they're going to, you know, they're going to be a top, both of them are going to be a top five seed non-zero chance. East Coast bias.

So here's the deal. One of these teams, it's talked about what a rich basketball history they have. They play in the Mecca about how important it is for the league. This seemed to be good. This other team has been good every decade of my life. Won championships in the 90s, had an Eastern Conference Dynasty, if you will, in the a aughts where they went to six straight conference finals, won another championship.

They're good again. And don't slight Dave Bing and Bob Lanier. Oh, great take, through. Back before you were. Absolutely right. For real. And so, and yet the Pistons, And they used to play a place called the Palace.

I know it's not the mech. It's the palace at Auburn Hills. And nobody cares. Too far. They're definitely a better franchise. The ultimate, yeah, obviously. The ultimate respect. Denver's not good.

But Joker's so good, I have him there. That it's the ultimate respect I can pay to a player. It is not quite, he isn't to this, quite this level in my mind, but akin to Mahom. in 2020. That was the year of all the drops when they had, they had 11 wins and they didn't have it at the home field and they was like, well, yeah, but they have that guy. They won the title.

And so that's the, and by the way, show favorite Peyton Watson finally back. They're getting healthy. Storybook ending. This is multi-layer. A storybook ending for this NBA season would be a Celtics Lakers NBA finals. A storybook ending for LeBron's career playing the team that I think is his number one, certainly his number one rival for in the Eastern Conference. The Warriors are probably the team we think of, but.

And even the Spurs. Yeah, but so many iterations of LeBron, early LeBron in Cleveland, LeBron in Miami, late LeBron in Cleveland, all had to go through different iterations of the Celtics. And so all of that, for Luca, the greatest season he ever had ended in the finals of the hands of the Boston Celtics, the potential. And then on the other flip side, Jason Tatum, if he comes back, or he's comeback, but if his comeback ends in, the NBA finals against the team and fan bases hated rival, the two greatest franchises in league history, and it's him, you know, winning his finals MVP. Kobe's team. Yeah, the whole, so it would be a storybook ending. Roll gravity.

Guys. That's true. That's okay. Guys, oh, come on. I've been watching. I didn't know about roll gravity. I got to be, guys, I did know about it. But I love you.

Do you guys see about roll gravity? I'm like, I was trying to spend family time. Did you see it? It's legit. It is legit. I got to peel the curtain back. I had no idea. Yelling at us.

I hope you got a clip. Dinner time. I don't have a clip. But I will give credit. Jason Temp, who does a really good basketball podcast, was like, hey, Wimby was talking about his offensive impact. That doesn't show up in scoring. Well, I've cracked the code. Here's his roll gravity.

And Wimby's rolling to the basket, which is creating open threes, which is why the spurs have the most corner threes. In history. And I'm like, listen. Because the defenders all go to Wendby. That makes sense. So Harrison Dons is wide open. Right now is the highest scoring. team in history, all that stuff is the most in the history.

Here's the deal. I am not doubting Wimby is maybe already the best player in the league. I don't think he is, but you certainly make an argument. He's an unbelievable player. But we're now to the point in the story where we are Bruisman covering the league 50 years. Never heard the term.

Gotta be honest, never heard. But now we're inventing terms to be like, wow. We invented VORP and all these other things. I mean, And then a top of the tier suddenly disrespect it. Screen of this? Ashtox?

Yeah. All that. I mean. Suddenly disrespect. You might be like, by who? Well, by Mr. Roll gravity himself. No. Victor,

we're honest. We dominated them. I'm the MVP. What's Shay ever won? I'm the greatest skills competition player. He didn't say that. He didn't say. I got robbed.

He will have to answer for that. He's going to go ahead. the defendant or answer. Nobody said anything. There's no question. That should be another topic. But he put it out there. Like he really put it out there.

Surprise no one has offered a rebuttal. I met you. They've talked about it in their locker room. Let's see Shay tonight. All right. Drew, go ahead. All right, I'm Nick and moving the Knicks and the Pistons up one notch to be equal with the nuggets.

All right? Yep. You got a problem with that? Yeah, Dusty's saying I can't go. You can go. He said I can't. I said I was going to take my money off. I'll hurry up so you go.

All right, the Knicks, obviously on a seven game win streak, a lot of the teams they've beaten are these tankers. But they're two and one each against San Antonio. They're two and one. Against Boston, they're two and one. Against Cleveland, they're two and one. They swept Denver this year, and they're one-in-one against the Lakers. They're one of three teams in the top five offensive rating and defensive rating.

The other two, San Antonio and Boston. Right now you're talking about the Knicks. The Knicks. Okay, got you. Pretty good. So the Knicks are live. They got a shot. And then for some reason, the Knicks, I mean, everybody dis is Carl Anthony Towns.

He's playing great lately. And he has played great lately, but also they play well against these big teams. I mean, like they're two and one that's said against San Antonio. Denver, they've swept. Like, they play well against the teams with the bigger. And he was part of a team that upset Joker in the playoffs defending his title. Yes. So they're live.

And in Detroit, this, I think, could be a blessing in disguise for them. They're 8 and 2 without Kate. I'm not suggesting they can do anything significant without him. I'm just saying it is giving their other guys confidence. Defense travels. Defense and toughness travels. They're not only great defensively, but they are tough. They are nasty.

They're ornery. All of that travels. And they're 13 and 5, Nick, against the top four seeds. both conferences. Listen, I like all that. I really, I personally believe that 95% of these seasons end with one of those top four teams winning the title. And I, so Denver, I have there just because if you're going to give anyone a puncher's chance, I'll give it to Joker. But from a team perspective, I agree with you. The Pistons and Knicks have better resumes than the Nuggets. Yeah. So go ahead. Because our executive is here, doesn't want me talking about

Buzz City. said Buzz City doesn't move the meter. Well, get used to it. Catch the buzz. I'm talking Hornets yet again. You talk Hornets every week. Yeah, and guess what? I get a note every week.

Stop talking about the Hornets. Talk about the Celtics and the big squads. Well, guess what? Oh, there with the 10th seed. Why are we talking about 10 seed? No longer. Look after the nine. Well, we're coming for the six.

We are coming for the sixth seed. Just two games behind. The Hawks. We've got a four-game road stretch, and then it's a game in Brooklyn that we're going to. Yeah. Want to see a graphic? Dusty's going to play me off. Let me hear it.

Best point differential this year. Wow. Thunder can win the championship. Detroit's really good. The Spurs are great. The Celtics are great. You said the Knicks are excellent. And then it's Buzz City, who were bad in the beginning of the year.

So they're blasting. He blasted the Kings last night. Wow. Blasted the Celtics. Blasted the Celtics. You didn't even let me finish. A good squad. Want to hear a hot take?

Yeah. I'm not saying, but I'm saying. Okay. Okay. Del Curry had his jersey retired the other day. Lamello just passed Del Curry's three point record franchise. So now it's Kemba, Lamello, and Del Mello. Was going to get his jersey retired?

Like maybe active. He just broke the record. I mean, Del Curry is a great all-time shooter. And thus ends for the- the week, your Charlotte Hornets covered. Stay tuned for Title Pye tomorrow. We're not doing Title Pye tomorrow. Oh, geez, anything to get the Hornets out of the show.

Tomorrow's Bud List day. I'll tell you if you're on the Bud List. The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola kicked off in L.A. yesterday. Brings the excitement and spirit of the tournament to communities across North America. Find out more at coke.com slash Twitter. I have a controversy to take. Go. My favorite trophy in sports.

Really? Yeah, because I think it's the perfect size for the champion player to be able to lift it in celebration. It's a great take. Like Stanley Cup, people love. Stanley Cup, but it's unwieldy. Too heavy. It's pretty big. And it feels like it's, you know, been around.

Too small. It has been around the block. Right. And so World Series Trophy seems too delicate. It seems dangerous, obviously. Those flags. Yeah. And so it's my favorite trophy in sports.

It's a great trophy. The college football trophy don't get me started on that. I used to love the crystal football. Am I supposed to play with that? The Heism is pretty great. Heism is pretty great. Yeah, Heisman's great. The Heisman's actually good.

Yeah, but they might take it back from you. Okay. Special season opener segment, baseball today, UFL Friday. We're going to start on the diamond. Giants host the Yankees tonight to kick off. Baseball season, Dodgers looking for their third straight World Series. Who has the most to gain this year?

We'll go around the horn. The who's first, Dust, tell us. Is it me? Me? That's what I thought. Steve Cohen and the Mets. Interesting. Why?

We need an evil empire east coast, and the Yanks aren't up to it. Huh. Wow. I like that. The Yankees are running it back. Yanks all year long is like, yeah, bullpen's probably not good enough.

It's, you know, we're not as good as the Dodgers if we were to play them. They have disappointing divisional round loss, and they're like, let's just run it back. Same team. We have the best offense. Judge is awesome. you know, spent the money on Bellinger, he was good, it's fine. The Mets on the other hand, they're like, hey, add four new guys to our lineup,

add a new starting pitcher, spin money, and so I think the, obviously the Mets will never be the Yankees as far as brand recognition, all of that. But there needs to be an East Coast counterbalance to the juggernaut the Dodgers are building, and Hal Steinbrenner ain't up to it in my opinion. They're not the Yankees, but. The Warriors defined California basketball for a decade by spending more money. Yeah, because of their success, you know, over the Lakers. Yeah, you have to me that success.

And so, yeah, I think the Mets, they tried it last year and it obviously was a disastrous year, even though Soto was great. I think the Mets could assert themselves. I like that. I think this to me should be unanimous, Aaron Judge. Oh. And this is, and Nick rightly said earlier, this is the one major sport where we don't really judge you by rings because it's such a team sport, it's such a fickle sport. You can hit 500 and not win the World Series because you didn't have the pitching or whatever.

But the one place that's different is the Yankees because of their history. All of their all-time greats won at least one World Series. And so Don Maddenly still doesn't really get the love he, a lot of people feel he should because he never delivered a World Series. Judge is historically great. I mean, he's already, he's equaled every Yankee in MVP's with three. Like, if he wins it this year, which obviously is on the table, he'll have the most MVP's of any Yankee.

He is one of the all-time great home run hitters, even though he may not be at 500 right now. But if he doesn't win a ring in New York, I think it's just going to be a stain. and we all have talked about his struggles in the playoffs. I know he was good last year in the playoffs, but he struggled at the key moments in the world baseball classic. His career-wise, he struggled in the postseason.

So I think if he wins this year, I mean, that dude is going down as one of the all-time, all-time, all-time great. Mine is the counterbalance to Aaron Judge. It's Roman Anthony. Roman Anthony is the Red Sox Aaron Judge, has been deemed as the face of the Red Sox, the future of the Red Sox. He's 21 years old.

He's played 71 baseball games period for the Red Soxie. He played seven games at World Baseball Classic. So around 10% of his games that have been on TV, we're at the World Baseball Classic. He's still startlingly young, but everyone from local Boston media fans to Arod volunteer, like, oh, Roman Anthony's the guy. I think he can establish himself as a superstar this year.

Not regional. Not regionally biased. For people that we're watching an hour ago, KW assumed my takes were going to be biased to my hometown. KW's from Connecticut. In New England area. Not from Boston. Just random.

Not necessarily most to lose, but what's the number one question mark this year? Mariners team vibes. Last year was all good Yeah Funny nickname Big Dumper Getting 60 bombs

Making the ALCS Mm-hmm Now all of a sudden Won't high-five your teammate Boxers before boxing matches About to beat the hell out of each other They touch gloves And then they go beat the hell out of each other

And then they hug Cal Raleigh Mr. Tough guy He's like no We're going to war What? That's your teammate That's Randy a Roserana You can't touch it

You can't give no man I'm just who locked in. Okay. Well, now you've got to play together. It's a great take. Of course it's great. It's great taking.

To me, that's question mark. Because everybody loved the Mariners last year. We were all team Mina Kimes. We were. And now I wonder if all the Mariners love the Mariners. So that's my big of question. I tend to think that a Rosarina was joking. He was mad after.

He was the interview he gave in multiple languages he told us he was pissed. I would be, would you, I, that's a legitimate question because you're right, it is a question, but I'd be shocked if he carries this into the street. That's why it's a question mark. Yeah, it's a big question mark.

This one is, you know, but I'm just going to throw it out there. Is Mike Trout going to be healthy? Yeah, that's a lot. And is he still Mike Trout? No, Bobby Wood Jr. Is Bobby Wood Jr.'s? Bobby Wood Jr. is Mike Trout?

Yeah. But is he still a great player? Sure. Last year he hit 230. I get it that bad an average isn't viewed like it used to be, but still he hit 230 and did play 130 games, but it's only played 100 plus

two of the last five years. It's always a question with Trout. But I think that I want to see is he still, hopefully it'll be healthy, number one, but is he still one of the best players in the league? That's good question. Mine is a question around the unintended consequences of ABS.

So we had a funny clip of Red Sox, Willier-A-R-A-U, demanded ABS. He's like, you know what, that's a ball. I'm actually going to walk to first base, even though the umpire punched me out. How does this affect umpire confidence the next time Abraeu gets up? What happens?

Are we calling it at the right time? Is it going to be like a timeout, clock management system that we see in football? where some managers are really good at it. Others are not. Are pitchers calling for it? Or is there going to be a basketball issue with like, review it? Like, no, I mean, we already have two.

I'm not going to review it. Well, that's the thing. So that last point you made is one of my biggest questions because, you know, take the year for 2025, probably to be honest, one of the reasons we were nominated for the Emmy was that this should be binding. Here's the thing. This is binding. Yeah.

So it is, what I'm curious about is. are certain players going to be told by their manager, you're not allowed. Yes, definitely. I don't care how confident you are. Depending on your position or in your word or whatever. You don't have the gravitas, like that piece of it. Here's the other thing that I wanted to ask Arod about when we had them on,

we didn't have time. Brew, we talked a lot about when there was the controversy of the bad strike call in the semifinal WBC game about extending the strike zone when there's two. strikes and about how that being an important part of baseball, like foul it off, like just stay alive. Has this fundamentally changed that? Is now actually, like, that's a skill recognizing, if it's close, I got to just foul it off and stay alive. Has this now fundamentally changed that and change, you know, what a good bad is? And that, I think, is really interesting. Good news. UFL kicks off Friday.

8 Eastern, also Saturday for Eastern on Fox. Got the defenders at the Battle Hawks on Saturday, Saturday, and then aviators, the Orlando Storm on Sunday. A great weekend of UFL action. And I need to correct myself. I had my, I said, I was talking about Greg McElroy, I meant to say AJ McCarron, back-to-back Alabama quarterbacks. My apologies on that.

All good. Sometimes I throw Mac Jones into a conversation. Yeah, there. Don't say anything bad about Mac Jones. No, I won't. Thank you. Welcome back to first things first, headed to the hardwood. Denver pulled out the win in Phoenix last night.

Joker had 23, 17 and 17, bro. And some say he doesn't deserve the MVP. You're one of them. I think that's, I think. Nick don't even think you should be on the battle. That's not true. That's just not true. I bet I have him the same place you do.

Well, here's this coach. Hold on. Let's see what he says. Take a listen. I've seen him get 60 and a triple devil so tonight was pretty light. No, he was he was incredible, efficient, just makes the right play for his teammates. He's the ultimate, ultimate player that makes everyone feel like they're part of the game if you're on his team. And that leads to 17 assists, quality passes, huge shots

at the end and really fun to watch him and Jamal play together. But yeah, Nicola is a, you know, in my opinion, he's the best player in the world. I thought he was going to say MVP. He knows they don't have won enough games. Oh, there you go. Let's see who is the MVP. All right, here we go. We've been talking a lot about this this week. So this is, I'm excited to see what the ballot is.

All right? And I made it. This is the change. Number five, let's go to the Boston. Oh, good. And this is what I'm talking about with Adam Silver. I am weighing in, even if Kade can come back and play the last four games and reach 65, Jalen will likely play 74-ish game, 75, something around there,

and I will weigh that in. Everything else is very close for them. And also, look, Derek White is a very good player. Pritchard, you know, six-man-in-year, and he's had a great year. I'm talking about obviously before Tatum got here. You can argue those guys aren't as good as Jalen Duren. Jalen Duren, now they do different things. White is a great defender.

But Jalen Duren is 19 and 10 or 11 this year. Shoots well over 60%. Don't have to run a ton of plays for him. Great defender. Like, he's become a very good player. So I have moved Jalen ahead of Cade in part because of the missed games from Cade because of his injury. All right. At number four, here's where the controversy begins.

Lucas is still there. Lucas still at number four. So then he can't move up. No. To win it, no, he's not going to win. No, I'm saying he can't move up at all. Oh, he could. But I think he's got to play smarter basketball.

When you have two guys on your team capable of getting you 25 points and you're cold, you shouldn't be taking 30 shots. And he does that regularly if he's off, he's just going to keep shooting it. And I want you to stay confident and shoot it sometimes, but I got other guys, you got other guys that can score.

And LeBron James clearly, clearly isn't being maximized. And at times, Austin Reeves either. So I just, look, he's a phenomenal one-on-one player. I just think it's not the smartest basketball. All right, at number three, a guy that does play smart, touches it on every possession, just like Luca, but it's not dribble, dribble, dribble, dribble, dribble,

he's moving that ball. Yokish, we all know the history going to be the first to lead the league and rebounds and assists per game. Nick going to be the first center ever to lead the league in assists per game. Still the all-time number one P.E.R. Right now, we'll see if he holds on to that. But the best P.R. of all time. And his team is only a game and a half behind the Lakers.

Now, that four through six could shift. Right now, they're fourth, but just a game behind the Lakers. Here we go. At number two. What we want. Whimby. No, Wimby's number two. right now. I'm keeping it fair. But I will say this. Nick has talked about 24 points a game

as if it's pedestrian. No, I think you have. As if it's 24 points a game. Here's the, there are 22 times an MVP has averaged fewer points per game. MVP winner has averaged fewer points per game than Wimby is doing now. Really? Yes, 22 times. Here's some of the names. Magic Johnson, Wilk Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabar, Moses Malone, Dr. Jay, Bill Russell, every time he won it. Steph. Steph Curry, first MVP, average 23 points a game. I could go on and on.

Steve Nash, Bill Walton, Carl Malone, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan. And none of them were any, how many of them were as good defensively as women? What you always say, whatever these guys have these huge scoring nights, how it's not fair to compare it to other records. I don't say that all the time. Hold on about how much easier it is to score today. You do say that. I don't say that all the time, no.

It is easier to score today, but I don't say that all the time. You got caught in all the time. Okay. All right. And I mean, look, but we still have standard numbers. In the 80s, they were scoring a bunch of points, too. I agree. I, okay.

But still, guys were averaging fewer than 24 points, and especially in the 60s and 70s. They were scoring lights out. And still, guys won it with less than 24 points in game. At number one, that leaves SGA. Large part, number one seed without his second best player. But if, you're talking about Nick, their schedule is so tough the following rest of the season. If Wimby catches them as far as record, Wimby could move up.

More on this in first things first overtime. I saw a quick preview of cool stats. Remember, you know what we do the same? He wears the sunglasses? Yeah. More on this coming up. First thing's first overtime. Today, opening day starts Giants Yankees.

We discuss who's playing in October and can anyone stop the mighty Dodgers? And we'll get a little Pete Crowe Armstrong talk, I hope. I got you. I'm your guy. Excellent. Meanwhile, we're talking about the UFO kicks off Friday at 8. Our UFO coverage continues. And, of course, one of the most popular segments in the whole country.

Packed stats. Stats are cool. Guys, I have really good news. I got some cool. I mean, they're always cool, first of all. Yeah, no, these are among the coolest. Really? Yeah, worthy of your all's Emmy nomination.

Congratulations. On the edge of my seat. Thank you. Yeah. That's all right. I'm excited for the stats. I'd have stepped my game up today. be on your level.

I'm very excited for the stats. I love the step. You know them? No, I mean, well, kind of. I don't know the stats. I know the topics. They're good. I think we're about to get some more manicured under these parameters.

Victor 1 Miniamas that go coming. I hope you talk about roll gravity. I mean, roll gravity. Oh, my God. And did you know, he averaged four points than Wilt in 68? Like, oh, wow. When did it will average 24 points? No, one of his first championship average in 24.

And was an MVP. I can't believe that. I wouldn't have voted for him, 24 points. Will Chamberlain. He did other things. Offense is more than points. Yeah. His role gravity was crazy.

He wasn't even a three point line. Baseball season starts tonight. Yankees are in San Francisco, 805 first pitch. Dodgers, of course, going for a three-peat. The odds. Dodgers at one. Then the Yankees trying to end a 16-year drought at two. The Mariners, the Mets with all Steve Cohen's cash, Toronto Blue Jays,

the mighty Red Sox. I'd probably be accused of making this graphic, bro. Phillies, Cubs, Braves, and then the Tigers. Danny, who do you think has the best chance to stop the Dodgers three-peat? You'll probably accuse me of some bias here. You're going to say Cubs? Absolutely. Man, is that a problem?

Well, I said Red Sox. I'm not going to say the, my answer is not the Royals for the record. But go ahead. It's not the room. The Cubs are a sleeping giant of a team. They spent money this offseason with Alex Breggman. Massive issue for them in their lineup and at third base. Third base has been a huge problem for them.

You mentioned Pete Crow Armstrong. He had a 100-game stretch last year where he would have been. in that Bobby Witt Jr. Aaron Judge conversation for best player in baseball. He was on Team USA. He won the Gold Glove in Center Field. He was a 30-30 guy, 31 homers, 35 stolen bases. They just signed him to a long-term contract extension. One of the fastest players in the sport. They're one of the best defensive teams in the sport. Gold Glove caliber, shortstop, second baseman, center fielder, left fielder. Justin Steele, their ace from two years ago, got hurt beginning of last year.

He'll be back in a month or two. They're going to slow play it so he's ready for the rest of the year. But Kate Horton emerged as one of the great pitchers in baseball. They're a huge favorite in their division. That part matters to me more than almost into the rest of it. The Dodgers are the deepest team in the sport by far. But the Cubs depth in terms of the quality of their organization, the big league team, the defense, the pitching staff.

And while they haven't gotten past the Brewers the last. couple of years, the Brewers should have taken a step back and the Cubs with the Bregman edition and the health of their staff should take a step forward. I will be floored if they don't win the Central, which means you're hosting playoff games at Wrigley Field. I like the Cubs chances. Well, look, the Dodgers are clearly the best team, but we know anything can happen in baseball. I'm going to say the Phillies, and I'll throw in the Padres for similar reason. I think both of these teams are like talented and it's like are you going to deliver on your promise, right? We've been kind of waiting for the Padres to do that. They were my pick

like each of the last two years. Yeah, I mean, right, they're right there. And the Phillies, it was disappointing last year. You got Swarby, these guys. Like both of those teams are not building. You know, they are like, okay, we're ready now. And so my pick was the Dodgers to win the NL, but I think those are the two teams that I would say could give them or should give them some problems. So I think pretty clearly the second best team in the National League, and we're all, at least three of us seem to be picking National League teams, is the Mets. And they spend almost equivalent to the Dodgers.

I think Soto, in a non-Shohe Otani world, Soto had an argument to be MVP of the NL last year, even though the first month of the year, everyone was mad at him. And while the Mets season last year seems like it was a disaster, it wasn't the whole year. I know that said, you know, they had kind of proof of concept to a degree. Then they lost 14 of 17 and the whole house collapsed around them. And I, one of the reasons that I think, and if someone's going to do it, it is more likely in an L team is because it feels like maybe if you're going to get them, it's going to be in a five-game series. And the possibility of that where it really does, the variance gets really kicked up a bit.

And with that said, we had an epic seven-game world series last year that they could have lost. So anyone can lose in baseball. The only reason, listen, yes, I'm a fan, I admit it, I admit my biases for the Cubs, sure. But the Mets do have to deal with the Phillies. And then everyone else in the West obviously has to go through the Dodgers. I do think, and again, Brewers fans. I was going to say, the Cubs have to deal with the Brewers and have not dealt well with the Brewers. They have not dealt well with the Brewers, but I do think that the Cubs finally spent real money.

Like they are throwing their financial weight around. They outspend the Cardinals and the Brewers by 10. Tens and tens and tens of millions of dollars. Whereas, yes, the Mets can spend with the Dodgers, but the Phillies can spend a ton of money also and have another team. I don't think there is a team on paper in the Central that is close to as good as the girls. I'm going to be rooting for the Cubs, Danny. Good.

Just because I root against the Bears so hard. Yeah. I feel like it's hurt our relationship. Oh. Are you going to wave your pom-poms for your hometown team? Look, the Red Sox are going to have the best starting five in the entire league. So I think that pitching in the entire league. Do you by that, oh, I'm not being pedantia.

Just by, just by. Do you mean in the AL or do you mean in Major League Baseball? If you take the combined ERA of our now starters where they were last year, granted, like everybody wasn't on the Red Sox, it would be, I think, 3-3-1, which would be the best. And I think we can do enough hitting, but. Dodgers had a lot of injuries last year. They're crazy deep. I mean, they added, are you, are you, are you as a fan of sport?

Are you rooting for the Dodgers? I know we listed this as... You don't think it would be good for the league. I don't care. Oh, I do. It would be great for the league. Yeah, I do think the Dodgers making the World Series in perpetuity is good. And then I don't think...

Why not? Because dynasties generally are good for the league. Of course. And it's good for ratings and it's good for a villain and all of that. But the... And it's not the Dodgers' fault. They should spend the money that they have. They have great ownership.

and they signed that local TV deal right before the regional sports network bubble burst. And so they get more money from their local TV deal than any other team in sports by hundreds of millions of dollars. So, like, they have an advantage and they use it. But the wealth and equality between the Dodgers. Baseball's always been like that. And I don't want to hear that from a Cubs fan.

I don't want to hear that from a Cubs fan. Y'all are printing money in Wrigleyville for years. And you're saying your big reason as to why they're being the broad and spend them. I agree with you, and I don't think that is an inherently good thing for the sport. But it's just been that way forever. I know. I think Yankees Dodgers in the World Series every year would be great for baseball. It's not what I'm a Royals fan.

I just, I don't think it's, I actually, I think we say it's bad for the sport, and then all the data says people love it. The day, I know, but I don't think it is, the best thing about the NFL is that every fan base going into the year believes their team. can win. That is not a thing that exists in baseball. I agree with that, but that you're talking about the whole collective bargaining and all of that, a salary cap and stuff. But I'm just saying if the Yankees did this and everybody was fine with it, I just don't think every sport has to, like, the fact that that's the best thing about the NFL doesn't mean it'd be the best thing for baseball is, I guess, the point that I'm making. Like, I think that the NFL and the fact that single elimination and it does seem to have that quick turnover is really cool about it. The

NBA is, in my opinion, definitively at its best with dynasties. I think that one of the reasons right now, the NBA, I think people have way oversold like the downfall of the NBA, but I don't think the NBA is at its peak of the last 30 years right now. And one of the reasons is there is not a defining team. There is not a defining team and there is not a defining player of this era yet that has emerged. Yep.

It's coming. Well, I mean, pretty soon. Clearly. It's coming. All right, head over to the NBA. Check in on the latest Janus drama with the Bucks. Now the Players Association is involved, releasing a statement about the Bucs wanting to shut Janus down.

Player participation policy was designed by the league to hold teams accountable and assure that when an All Star like Janus is healthy and ready to play, he is on the court. Unfortunately, anti-tanking policies are only as effective as they're in enforcement, fans, broadcast partners, and the integrity of the game itself will continue to suffer as long as ownership goes unchecked. Your reaction to this. It's a really strong statement to have the Players Association call out integrity of the game. Like, that's the, that's like the bedrock principle of why sports matters. Wow.

It is. I know. Go ahead. Sorry. But I'm just like, if you actually are questioning the integrity of the game and it's like pro wrestling, or that you're not trying to win. Like that is like the fundamental principle of why all of this exists,

is that we want to believe that the games matter and teams are trying to win. So if the NBAPA is doing that because Janice asked his agents to ask them to do it or his player rep to do it, it's a serious sign that he is ready to let this be like the straw that breaks the camel's back and for him to ask out.

Yeah, and for him, to ask out. And I know you think that's inevitable, and I know you think it should happen, and I know I've been a lone guy on an island liking the idea of him being Dirk and being with one team for forever. But this statement is so strong that it does make me feel like irreconcilable differences. Look, I think he definitely needs to get out of there. Hopefully this is last year in Milwaukee. But I think part of this, too, from the players, is that players always were the ones blamed for low management stuff, right? that everybody blamed the players.

And I threw some of that shade at the players too. But they're pointing out their other people, other people are responsible for this as well. First of all, the teams, all right? These teams tanking, that's not on the players. That is the team saying this is better for us to get this draft pick or whatever. So they're calling out the team. Stop blaming all the players for load management.

The second thing are the teams and the trainers. Like, I know players who have had knock down, drag out arguments with trainers, because trainers insist that you've got to take this. Three weeks from now, you're taking this day off. Or if the schedules laid out at the beginning of the season, they say, well, you're going to sit out this game, you're going to sit out there. Because the trainers don't think you can play 82 games at this pace. All right.

But the players are the one of the players sits out the third week in December, because the trainer made him, but he's perfectly healthy. the player gets blamed. So I think the players are calling out the whole system of load management, tanking, however you want to call it. And I'm glad they're doing it because it's not just the players. I have something to say, but you seemed you were. I think this is largely a toothless statement.

I don't know what the consequence is. Are they like looking for a fine? They want them to change the rule, I think, or amend it for this year. And I think going forward. Well, I mean, that's a, you're talking. They want Cade to be able. No, this is a participatory. This is like the tank.

But I mean, that's what Starr. They started it. And so, listen, I think, I don't think, I don't know that I agree that it's toothless. To me, this is shining a spotlight. And I, whether it's an intentional or unintentional consequence, shining a spotlight on what I find to be objectionable from teams, which is the idea that, yeah, Janus could be healthy.

Janus could want to play. And the team still be selling tickets. And say, no, it's not in our interest. Can I ask you a question? Yeah. If I'm Janus, if you call a, put out a tweet or just call your own press conference that I'm ready to go. We've got a game against whoever. The clippers on Sunday, I'll be there.

The clippers on Sunday. And I will be suited up and I will be playing. So what's the, what? hard can the Milwaukee box play. No, you're right that they could do that, but what is definitively true about pro sports is no matter how powerful the player gets or how highly paid the player gets, there is still an intense and inherent respect for head coach position. Can I, can I?

And I know that you, I know you did, you had a, I have a story about that. Yeah, where a guy checked himself into a game. Yeah, they were like, it was an argument. It was a thing where like the coach sat him down and the player that I was talking to was like, you know what that happened to me? You know what I did? I stood up and walked in. And I understand that.

I'm not saying it's across the board 100%. But I think that is, that is a line a lot of great players are not willing to cross. Well, it's time. Which is, well, I think that that again, just, I know, give me 30 seconds, Christina. I don't want to delay cool stats. That is to me again, putting the. onus. All of this onus has been unfairly put on. Yonis should not have to

demand a trade because the buck should say it's smart for us to trade him. Yonis should not have to demand hold a press conference and go you know, go against management on what's going to be done. If they know he wants to play and he's healthy, they should just play him.

I don't think Yonis should have to break protocol to be able to play basketball. I just don't think that's... Especially when they're selling tickets. You're not giving the fans any refunds. I'm not saying I'm going to play. I'm the most powerful person in the organization. I'm going to play.

And then I want to see what your reaction is. I'm just not like, you're not going to play. Like, all right, I guess I'm not. Guess what? I'm coming out like Willis Reed out of the back. Full uniform on with no limp. I'm checking myself into the game. You're going to sit me down?

I mean, the coach can bench you? Yeah, I just literally you can't. Does he want to play 40 minutes? No, I'm not coming out. That would just be. Yes, that's where we're at. Let's get into it. Let's do it.

Let's get messy. We're here. I'm here for it. Get divorced. You're not here for it. You think he's staying in the box. A statement. Get out of the end of the statements.

I'm here. Let's go. Get divorced. For God's sakes. Oh, it's 16 tickets to not see Yannis. It's ridiculous. I've got great news for you. After a long week of a bunch of uncool stuff,

I know you're sitting back thinking, man, is this whole world just uncool? Oh, well, I'll tell you something that is cool. Danny Parkins and Troy have been working all day on this segment called PackStats. Danny's got his gloves on. The gloves have chains on them. Got your sunglasses.

Danny, you look cooler than ever. I know. You guys know what else is cool? What? Raw, natural power. That's true. Aaron Judge could be added to this list. Most 50 home run seasons in baseball history.

Ruth did it four times. McGuire. She marks her judge. Yeah, I get part away. That's good. Thanks, buddy. No problem. Thanks, buddy.

But I'm just saying, those guys, you know, Babe Ruth before integration, can't exactly say it was natural with McGuire and Sosa. Aaron Judge, he's got four of them. This year, you can roll it ahead, please. Thank you. Okay. If he hits 50 or more, that's what I'm saying. So if Aaron Judge, I messed that up. If Aaron Judge has another 50 home run season, he's the first ever to do it.

it and he did it raw and naturally. Yeah, I mean, I do think, so obviously everyone puts the mental asterisk on Sosa McGuire. I, you know, I think we try to do a pretty good job on this show of reminding people as great as Babe Ruth was. He wasn't all of the best players, baseball players were not eligible to, we're not playing and say we're in eligible. They were not all playing in.

Segregated. Right. Baseball. So this, that is wild. I didn't know he, I thought he was going to be able to join that list. No, he's already joined it. And it was just, Bonds has the most, but there's the aster of Scott Haml. Like, we'd be able to start making the purest, greatest slugging hitter ever.

Wow. For Aaron Judge. What, do you know his total? He's not at 400 yet on. No, I don't know his total off the top of my head. They can give that. So what? So that's the thing.

He does not have the longevity of it. So here's the other thing, because Brew, you were alluding. to this in the most to gain thing for Judge? 368. He'd pass 400 this year. If they were to win the World Series, okay? And he's great. He already is, you said he is, you know, if he wins MVP this year, it'd be his fourth.

Yes. The only people with Otani. Right. Otani's got four, bonds has seven. That's the list ahead of him already. Yeah. When we talk about greatest Yankees ever, Ruth is number one

Mickey Mantle I think for most people is number two I mean Lou Gehrig I understand Is the Are we And it was Where would judge I mean obviously those were on stack teams

The team players weren't moving around Peter obviously won four rings Yeah the Yankees were so good Look I'm not I'm only a part-time Yankees fan I think the average Yankees fan Has Aaron Judge far below I agree. I agree.

But so that's what I was saying, though. You have Ruth, you have mantle, you have Garrig, and you have Jeter, as kind of the Yankee Mount Rushmore, I think, for most people. Could Aaron, is Aaron Judge potentially? Joe DiMaggio. I understand. I think he would, I don't think all that happens. I think the monkey's off is back.

Everybody loves him, but I don't think he would crack any of that. He gets a fourth MVP in a ring. Doesn't matter. Doesn't matter. No, I said and a ring. And a ring would be nice. Yeah, that's why I said if you win the ring this year. You guys know what else is cool?

What else is cool? Thanks for asking. Getting it done at both ends. Oh, I agree. Brew, this one's for you on Wembe. We all agree he's going to win defensive player of the year this year, right? Yes. Okay.

Three times in NBA history, a player has won defensive player of the year and MVP in their same year. Jordan in 88, Dream in 94, and Janus, Buck for Life. in 2020. Ron robbed in 13. Ron robbed in 13. Okay. Well, Wembe if he's MVP, gets to join the list.

But let's do the points per game. Jordan average 35 points per game. Thank you. Pretty good. Hakeem 27. In the dead ball era of the 90s. No one could score. And Janus 29.

Yeah. But if you do the minutes, Nick, if you do... Per 36. No, if you say, if you do the minutes, Jordan led the league in minutes. Yeah. Yannis only played 30 minutes a game, so right in line with Wemby.

Hakeem played 40 minutes. You don't get MVP credit for things you not doing. That's the point I'm making. I am not saying that you should not incorporate that brew into evaluating what's Wimby's offensive peak. Then the per minute stuff should matter. You know what? Is he the thing you've been saying about as skilled as anybody,

then the per minute stuff matters. matters. What I am not comfortable with is when we are evaluating whether or not he should be MVP this year to be like, and he's doing it in less minutes. Part of like that doesn't, playing less minutes should not help your MVP case. That's the point I'm making. But I think I think it's a factor though. I don't think it's like the major factor. But when you, when you sit up here and kind of poo poo him giving you 24 points a game, that's why people bring up the minutes. Like, well, he's only playing 29. And some of that is because they're winning by a healthy margin too.

And so, like, I have no, you seem to think he's not capable of being a much bigger score. I think he is completely capable of scoring close to 30 points, if not 30 points a game. I just think the way that team plays, his minutes are. He's fourth on his own team in minutes. His minutes are lower. That's where when you hold it against him, then people are going to push back and say, wait, it's not because he's not capable.

He's clearly capable of scoring 29 points again. I'm simply saying I don't think we should give an MVP for a hypothetical. That's all. We've got to get to the third. We've got to get to the last stat because you guys know what else is cool. I'm glad you asked. Calenders. I love March.

March is the greatest. Marchman is sometimes getting a bad rap. Darius Aikov, most points by a freshman through his first two NCAA tournament games. He has the most ever. Wow. He has the most ever for a freshman through two games. I love this. So the company that he is keeping, let's look at the guys.

It's Cam Thomas in 2021. Dominating in the league right now. Zion in 19 and Durant in 07. Zion and Aikov, the only freshman on that list to even make it to the Sweet 16. So if Aikov actually takes them on a run, remember I showed you guys yesterday, or in the top 10 Tuesday, that he's averaging 30 per game for March

in postseason play, what can he catapult himself to off this tournament? What, as far as pick of the draft? And just how we talk about him. We talk about Mello is like an all-time college player. It's going to depend on his NBA career. Like, if he were to go, he could have a fantastic run,

go to the NBA and not be great, And it'll be like, oh, that was a nice, great run, great in college. But so I just think, yeah, I mean, the, like if Mello had. I just think a lot of times our NBA attachment to guys is born from how they do in March. Yeah. And this guy is going a literally historic run of scoring the basketball when the college basketball games mean the most. Yes, I agree with that. I think that it will be absolutely not remembered at all if they don't keep advancing.

Like if they don't keep advancing, then he has to become a memorable NBA player. If they keep advancing, then his NBA and college careers will be divorced from each other. Because it will be a special. I don't think there are a lot of special runs to the Sweet 16 unless you're a mid-major. And there are a lot of good guys who've had great tournament runs who didn't pan out in the NBA. And we kind of, you know, I mean, I remember some names. But yeah. Darius Aikos, 60 points in two games.

That part's all. I like it. I think he might end up going to be really good in NBA. I think he's going to be a top five pick. Yeah. Coming up next, UFL preview, what do we think about the Orlando Storm? That's next. Welcome back to first things first.

The 2026 UFL season kicks off this Friday, 8 Eastern on Fox. Joining us now to talk about it. Orlando Storm head coach, Anthony Beck, you could catch the storm as they make their UFL debut in their season opener against the aviators on Sunday at 8 Eastern. Anthony, man, thank you so much for the time. Danny Parkins and Willie Colon here. Now, the storm are one of three new teams in the NFL this year, so it's an inaugural season for your squad.

How do you set expectations for year one? They're always high, right? I mean, you know, my first three years in St. Louis, we had a great run. We won a lot of football games, but, you know, understanding this league, what we're trying accomplish. I got to build a brand new roster from scratch. You know, Mike Rapoli, our new owner, asked me if I take on this challenge and start a new team in a new market. And I love it, man. Like, we're pushing, man. We got a great team. We got a lot of good players, a lot of names that not only the state of Florida will know, but just NFL players that we had that we brought in.

We got really good quarterback. So listen, you know, I don't want to say championship or bus, but I've been the back-to-back conference championships that have come up short twice. I got to get over the hump. But I feel like this is. is my best roster I've ever had. Anthony, I want to put some respect in your name. D.P. is not, he's a Bears fan. He's not a Jets fan. So he doesn't know that you was a hell of a New York jet and a damn good tied in. So I want to pay homage to that.

I'm aware. Yeah, times were different when I was there for sure. There's no doubt. But they're on their way back for sure. We hope. Listen, 22 and 8, man, you've had a lot of success in St. Louis. How do you plan to, you know, have another successful season this year? Yeah, you know, we got a great formula for building a culture in 30 days.

You're like, you know, I don't have a year to do this, right, Willie? Like, I got to get guys to buy in. There's a standard and there's, you know, an accountability and really a kind of a mindset that I try to place on my players. And I earn their respect first. I think that's important so I get them to trust me. Very transparent to my players, but man, we work hard. We're diligent. I got an outstanding staff.

I mean, every one of my guys on my staff, and I'm losing coaches at a high rate to the NFL. I lost my offensive coordinator two days before this. season to the Vikings. Bruce Gritkowski left a couple years ago. He's my coordinator to the lion. So we got a new coordinator this year and I'll probably lose him too. But next man up mentality on the staff. But yeah, man, we just, we set the standard high. We work hard. It's very NFL based. But man, I just, I take some of the good that I've learned from other coaches I've been around as a player and I sprinkle it and do it my way. And players love it. I have an appreciation for how they play and what they do. But I also hold them to a high standard man. And

And we want to put a great product on the field for Orlando. This is kind of a historic year having a brand new team. And we want to hit the ground run in this season. Well, it's a fun league, and it's a league that tries things, which I really like. And so there are rules in the UFL that if you only watch the NFL or college you haven't seen before. You kick a field goal from over 60. It's for four points. It's not rugby.

So you've made the smart decision to ban the tush push. If you cross midfield, you can't punt the ball. Kickoffs are moved back to the 30. one, two, three in point after attempts for conversions. What's the best rule? What's the best UFL rule that you think, you know, the league has really figured out? I think, too, that you don't have is one foot down.

I mean, how many catches have we seen in the NFL that were just close enough? Yeah, college style. I love that. I just think it just brings more excitement to the game. And you got to go for it, guys, on fourth down if you cross the 50 yard line. So think about that. If you're fourth and 10 at the, you know, the plus 48, have to go for it. So what's the strategy there? How will you go about that? So all those other ones

are cool. Four point 60 yard field goals. Like, hey, we got a guy that can do it. Michael Lance, but you know, that's more strategic, more end of the game, need it kind of thing. But it's nice to have. If you're down 13 points, think about this. You're down 13 points, guys. You can kick a four point field goal, score, touchdown, and go for three. And you can tie that football game up. So I think from the fan-based standpoint, you're always in the game. And you can also, there's no on sides kick. You go for it on fourth and 12 from the minus 28. If you're down in the fourth quarter, you can get the ball back if you get that first down.

So a lot of cool wrinkles. I really love them. We got to shake it up a little bit, but the core of the game is still NFL the way we do. We're just trying to be more exciting in what we do in some aspects. Let's talk Jets. You're a former jet. I'm a former jet.

The Jets are, they have four picks in the top 50 in the NFL draft. So let's put on our doctor's hat. And how can we fix the New York Jets this season? You need some dudes, man. Like, you know, you just said four in the top 50. Heck, my year we have four in the first round. Like, you got to hit on these guys. I think the one positive is Darren Moosie last year.

And I would think you would agree. He hit on all his draft picks. I really think those guys really got a lot of playing experience in a down season. I think they're going to come back and play at a better level, a higher level. They know the system. And now they're starting to put new pieces together. So the draft is going to be key for this football team. You got a lot of equity to the draft guys.

And like, you know, you can also use that equity to train. it off and get some better players. So you got to get the quarterback right. You get tremendous value with Gino Smith. I know he's coming off probably his worst season from a standpoint of where he's been, but he's only two seasons removed from a year where the Seahawks actually wanted him back last season. So again, you get great value, keep building, add players, and you need stability at the coaching position, right? So hopefully these guys can stick and AG found the right pieces around them so they can move forward and get better. So you're a former NFL player, You're a current head coach, and you're a sports dad, man.

You've got to be able to brag here. Your son Rocco transfers from Iowa State. He's going to, you know, it's not a lot of attention. I'm the quarterback of Penn State. Anthony, first of all, congratulations on that. Will you be nervous? Your expectations for him? You know, it's only 110,000 people, no big deal.

Right. Yeah, well, I'm excited for him. You know, Iowa State was unbelievable. The fan base, everything you did there. Would have loved to finish it out. But, you know, you picked the school for the coach, and Matt Campbell's the reason why he went there. He gets one chance at Penn State, man, to let it go, let it rip.

You know, he played up, banged up last year, fought through injuries and did what he could. But, man, he's ready to bounce back in a big way. Matt's done a great job of retaining the good players at Penn State and bringing a lot of the good players from Iowa State over. So listen, I'm excited. I'm not nervous, man. He's going to have 50 starts, guys, going into this after he finishes this season. So he's been through the gamut, man. Now he gets the chance to go out there.

He's almost like a coach on the field. for this organization and for the guys that are there. So I can't wait to see them. And this is why I got the best job in the world. I get to coach in the spring. I get to see my kid. I get to call NFL games. Like, who's got it better than me?

I know Jard ball says it all the time, right? But who's got it better than my schedule, man, for sure? That's not bad. And I got to say, this is a pretty good team bonding move here, Anthony. I was told, and then I've seen the video to confirm, you got a pretty good beer pour. And I respect that. And so, Willie, I don't know if you've seen this.

I have it. Them, the team, it's a team building thing. Who does the best beer pour? And so did anyone get you? Do you have the best pour on the team? Is that how you're going to celebrate? You got to give us the tips here. This was for aesthetics only.

That's not what I did. I did pour that glass, but I was trying to give the camera effect. But, you know, they told me you need about, you know, I don't know, an inch and a half of foam at the top. I always felt like, hey, man, the higher you fill it, the better. I just want, I'm all about maximum fill. So I can get that bad boy right up to the top without a lot of

home. I'm a happy customer. So they kind of critique me a little bit, but there's no way those guys. My players were more drinking the beer versus actually serving the beer that day. Well, it's a good, poor, and we're wishing you the best of luck. The aviators at the storm debut Sunday at 8, the inaugural season for the storm. So good luck with that. And of course, the UFL season kicks off Friday night on Fox. Thanks, Anthony. Good luck, brother. Got it. Thanks, Danny. Appreciate it, Willie. Tonight, the 2026 baseball season kicks off. Yankees Giants, 8 o'clock.

A head opening day, Willie. I want to take you through what I see as my top four storylines. Okay. For the upcoming season. I'm here for it. All right. And our two squads, the Cubs and the Yankees, are represented here on the desk. I love baseball.

I do. I really, really do. And so, you know, at times it's been a love-hate relationship. It's tough to get cared about a bullpen decision in May. But here's storyline number one. My Chicago Cubs finally. need to win something. I'm not saying they have to win the World Series,

though they are my pick, but they outspend everyone in their division. They're the heavy favorite in the Central. They stole Craig Counsel from the Brewers, and then they haven't beaten the Brewers in the division yet. It's been very upsetting. And if you look at what they've accomplished since the 2016 World Series,

it's been nine years, made the playoffs four times, only two division titles and two playoff series wins, and then not only did you lose, to the Brewers in the Division. You then lost to the Brewers in the Division series. You have more talented them. You spend more money than them. You have their manager.

You should be able to get past them. This season, the floor for the Chicago Cubs is an NL Central division title. Oh, there you go. That's the floor. Second biggest storyline for the year. Listen, if the greatest of all time is playing and he's in his prime, Shoah O'Tani continuing to do things that haven't been done in the modern era, it's so fun.

Like, no players. since Babe Ruth has struck out this many guys and hit this many homes. Like every, when every stack goes back to like pre-integration or we don't have film for it or it's black. It's like, oh, I should probably care about that because they've been playing baseball for a while. And this one is fun. 50 homers or more and a world series in back-to-back years, Ruth and Otani. He does it again. He stands alone. He just gets to continue to build on his case for being the greatest.

talent in the history of the sport. Third biggest story to me. I'm actually, I'm kind of doing this like that's on third base, but to me, this is the second biggest story. You'll understand the Dodgers are the biggest team story in baseball. They are the dynasty. They have more money than everybody. They spent more money than everybody.

They had two issues. They're like, well, we could probably use one extra outfielder. Okay, let's go sign Kyle Talk. He's the best outfield guy available. You know what, our bullpen. We could close it. Our bullpen was a little iffy. Well, let's go sign the best closer in baseball.

baseball. They've won the division 11 of the last 12 years, I believe, and they are the back-to-back champs. They seem to coast through the regular season, and then it doesn't even matter because they end there. They obviously have the best player. They are the deepest. I know dynasties are good for sports. I do think the wealth and equality gap in baseball is too big, which is why a huge story of this year is what is going to happen next baseball season or if we will have a season. We got to have a season. After what the WBC just did, we got it. You got a ride. momentum. It will be a tragedy. I agree. After what we saw to WBC that we don't have us. It would be. I agree. I agree. And this should be an incredible season. The talent is amazing, but the Dodgers are the

beneficiary of the. This is a hot spot. Can we acknowledge that for baseball? Like the WBC was a win for baseball. Yes, they've got to get it. And the talent in the sport right now is unbelievable. No, no, you're good. They've got to ride this momentum. The talent is incredible. They have a villain or a Goliath and the Dodgers. It's a great time for baseball. Got to capitalize. And then to me, the biggest story of the season for this season, we're done with the blown strike call. Automatic balls and strikes. I'm not against this.

The ability to challenge calls and the strategy that goes with it. Are you going to let your pitcher challenge the call? Are you going to save your challenges? Is it only going to be the catcher that does it? This has been working in the minors. Yeah. It has been met with rave reviews in the minors. Average time for a challenge before the next week, 13 seconds.

It's flying. This could be the best use of replay in any sport since tennis. Right. So we have the ability here. And he was like, we want to debate things. I want to debate Otani best of all time. I want to debate can anybody beat the Dodgers. I want to debate whether or not you should have done the hit and run.

I want to debate whether or not you should have gone to the lefty. I do not want to debate whether or not that was a ball or a stretch. Now with today's technology, I'm all for it. Especially, listen, if a catcher wants to call it, I'm down. Let's just get it right. It's been too long of a conversation for us to still be talking. about if we if a strike or not. And baseball has nailed the rules changes.

The pitch clock has been great. The three batter minimum has been great. The defense, no defensive shifts. You can't put an infielder in short right field against lefty sluggers. Right. Has been great. Like, I think this is going to be the latest rule change that they nail.

You have any that you want to add or amplify on you? I, for me it's so tiny. What he did against the Angels 11Ks, he's on the fact that they've unleashed them this early. I don't think we've seen it. The fact that. That's ridiculous. Listen, he, yesterday he gets to Angels, and I know he looked like he was pretty much hitless through four.

But the way he looked, he looked in mid-season form. I don't think we can acknowledge, like, he looked healthy. He looked ready. And if you're the Dodgers and you're Hotani, can I say, can I jump out there? I'm going to jump out there for you. I think this is the year he wins Siam. Man. Like, if you watch, yeah, sure.

Sure. His fastball, his sinker, his curveball, everything was hit. And by the way, he got up and had a hit. Like, he's must watch TV. MVP and Cy Young in the same year, but not because you're the best pitcher because you're the best hitter and the best pitcher. It'd be pretty cool. But if you're a casual baseball fan, you watch him. You're like, forget about it.

No, I saw those highlights. And I was like, why didn't he pitch in the WBC? Now, I am worried about his health, though. I want to see how he responds after he pitches, when he pitches, how he responds at the plate, all that matters. But nevertheless, what he looked like is to Angels. Val, it's the Angels. Oh, but no, listen. 11 strikeouts.

It's great. Filthy. All right, listen, you're a huge baseball fan. I'm a huge baseball fan. It's going to be fun doing this together with you over the course of the year. Who you got? MVP of both leagues and World Series. I got Bobby Witt Jr. for the A.O.,

Bobby Witt, Jr., Royal. I love everything about them. Probably the more of the most complete players in baseball. You know, for me, I feel like a Judas, right? Because I call myself a die of our Yankees fan. And I want to see Judge get his fourth MVP. But I just feel like he's due, right? I watched him in the WBC.

He looked great. I think this is the year that he shows up and gets it done. I talked about he's the most complete player. I also acknowledge right now the Royals, I think, are in prime position, too. So with all that said, I would love to see Bobby Witt Jr. get it. And at the NL, how can you not cheer on Juan Soda? Like, this is 40-40, right? Can we see it happen?

Now, I'm worried about... You know, Tani's done 50-50, but sure. All right, here you go. I'm just saying. I'm just saying it. Yeah, go ahead. I'm worried about him in left field. He said he's been working on it.

He's been working it out in the off season. We see what happens, but that's moving out to MVP prediction. And your World Series pick? Yankees. If Judge cannot be the MVP, the Yankees could be the World Series, right? You talk about the dishes. I love Cody Bellinger. I love what we did there.

I love the top of our rotation. We get to see Cole this year. That's going to be big. I like Friedman. I like, we also have a Rondone, so I like what we got there. DJ Lemayhew, just get on base, dog. You're no longer that guy. Just get on base.

We got Judge. He needs to be better. And obviously, I think the Dodgers, once again, they're going to repeat, which hasn't been done since the Yankees, 98, 2000 season. So I got the Dodgers going back to the World Series. All right. So I will be totally biased with my MVP pick in the National League. But we'll certainly be mine. I apologize to you, Judge.

I'm sorry. He's going to have another 50 bombs. He's the best power hitter in the sport. He has the New York amplification of it. It'll be the first guy to have 550 homer seasons. Aaron and Judge in the American League. My guy, Pete Crowe Armstrong, you talk 40-40 for Soto. He was 31 homers, 35 steals PCA last year.

He definitely will win the gold glove again in center field. Should be like a seven or eight win player. Tigers. Tigers collapsed down the stretch last year. They're the heavy favorites in the AL Central. They've got Scoobel. I love the depth there. They just called up their top prospect.

But the Cubs, I'm not picking against them. I'm not picking against you. I thought you would go, go Orioles Cubs. Orioles bit me last year. Cost me some money. I'm not picking against the Cubs. They got a wons up. Go, Cubs, go.

Hey, Chicago. Oh, you got a song. Oh, we got a song. Of course we have a song. Of course we have a song. Here's some video Chiefs fans will enjoy. Exactly 100 days from his ACL surgery. My home's like, you know what?

I should let people know that I still know how to throw a full. football, Willie. 100 days out, he's on IG throwing a football. Does nothing for me. Does nothing for you? No. Come on. He's on pace to play.

He's on air throwing a football. Who questioned that Patrick Mahomes could throw football? I would see him in pads in practice, moving around. Well, that's a little soon for that. Well, I'm just saying, if you want, you're asking me, does this move the needle for me? It doesn't move the needle for me. You want to do another steak dinner, but I say he plays week one? I say he does it.

That's what I'm saying? Steak dinner double or nothing. They hold them all. I won the first one, Chiefs fans. I'll see you out there week one, Patrick. Rib eye on Willie.