First Things First - Warriors pursuing LeBron and AD, World Cup Knockout Stage Predictions, A.J. Brown-Maye duo

Episode Date: June 29, 2026

(0:00) Warriors pursuing Anthony Davis and LeBron James (26:09) Brazil on upset alert vs. Japan? (43:50) Will A.J. Brown and Drake Maye be the next great duo?  (50:51) World Cup Knockout Stage predictions (01:06:42) Draymond Green declines Player Option (01:16:10) How far can the USMNT go? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The excitement of the FIFA World Cup is now streaming live on Fox One, the official English streaming platform to catch every unforgettable moment. Fox One brings the action straight to your screen so you never miss a goal. Download Fox One and experience the FIFA World Cup live. Here's Dembele. Opportunity here. The Ballon door winner, and he scored. Crows ahead early on. There's France still having with Dembele.

He's going to try his luck again. He's going to score again. And Dem Bel-I-O trying to get on that left foot again. You know it, you know it. Rogers is waiting in the middle. Kane's waiting in the middle. Kane, get it again. Whissa.

Whistle! So what can Messi do this time? Hits him! He'll play to have. This group stage made me falling asleep. But the positive thing is, the group stage is over. It's time to wake up America. The real World Cup starts tomorrow with the knockout round.

Now this will be a lovely time to score a goal with the Canadian. Shafelberg. Played by Okon and this shot to be a second. York, shout out to Canada. They just got their first World Cup win ever. Yeah. Last week, all of a sudden, they're in the round of 16. And as an added bonus for soccer fans across the world,

Nick kind of has a new toy. Hey, but hey, I don't know what it is. But he's like, wait till you see this. Here we go. Did Nick Wright get all of his losses back and then some over this weekend? Oh, wow. It is decidedly so. I did.

World Cup eight ball. Can you buy that? Don't worry about where I got it. That is an eight ball? It is a World Cup eight ball. Is Brazil still underrated? Can you show it to me? Okay.

Look. Oh, that said don't count on it. That one I don't like. But I don't know. I don't know. What I do know is this. That Algeria, Austria draw was one of the biggest financial moments of my entire life. I dropped my knees in the sports book in Miami watching it.

So good. So good. I trusted the process, KW. Everybody else out here betting goals, props. I'm like, I have a World Cup system. It's going to come through. It came through. What is your?

See, it's pretty good. Denied. I love this. We do it all week. All right. First hour on first things first. Today, Warriors want LeBron, AD, and Steph. Can they pull this off and work?

What did they get Steph? Steff? Meanwhile, what are the chances that A.J. Brown and Drake may end up as the league's most dynamic duo. Shaking, shaking, shaking the magic eight ball. No count on it. Very high. And finally, does Japan have Brazil an upset a lot? today at 1 o'clock on Fox.

The upset alert lights are already flashing. And you know the answer to that. Do you? Yeah. Upset alert? Yeah. They're snoozing. Yeah.

What does Bruce say? No, I'm not saying on this. I'm not saying it on this game. That's if you're sleeping on the tea. Good point, but you still also, you know when you're not alert, when you're comatose? Fair. Thank you.

Chris was right. Kevin Wilde, Nick Wright, who is in a great mood. In a great mood because he's equal. I'm just out of the hole. You know what that means? Gifts coming. Yes, baby. You know what?

Gucci something. You might be right. We start in San Francisco where Team USA will play Bosnia, Hertzcovenia in the round of 32 on Wednesday. USA striker flow balligan on the knockout round. I can feel the difference in just the atmosphere. It's knockout football. So you lose, you go home.

So for me, there's a change in my mindset and mentality as well. You can just go into another gear because you want it more. I don't want the journey to end. Expectations are high for Team USA after a strong group stage. What are your expectations for USA on Wednesday and moving forward, bro? I'm expecting them to look better than ever. And I don't think they've looked bad at all in this tournament.

I mean, when you consider Australia, you know, that was a great win. They had a clean sheet against Australia 2.0. and that was a team that had beaten Turkey A, you know, upset them. And then the loss, I'm not down on the loss, you know, because we played our second unit and took that game until the last minute, a Turkey A team that's pretty good. And when we had our full complement of players, obviously meaning Christian Polisic,

we scored three goals in a half against Parish. That's right. And we have it as good as we've looked, it's been for the most part without our best player. So him coming back, looking like he can go a full 90 minutes if necessary. I expect them to really play well and, you know, go on from here and be impressive in this next round. So I echo that entirely. While I, you know, I was maybe more muted in some of my feelings after the Turkey A game,

and I obviously was more frustrated with Pulisic's injury than I think most were. it is undeniable that this team, when it's been, you know, when the games have mattered, with or without Polisic, have looked excellent. Right. It's also undeniable that Bosnia is the, and I'm not trying to, I was listening to one of the broadcast this weekend, and one of the announcers said they thought England lost a World Cup match to Croatia two tournaments ago because the, not strictly, but in part because the English commentators and announcers had so short-sold Croatia that after the game,

the Croatian players were like, we heard what they were saying about us. And we, you know, like bulletin board material. So I don't want to do that for Bosnia. I don't, I mean, go ahead. I mean, I like our show too. I don't know if we're affecting World Cup. I'm just, I'm not saying that either. I'm simply saying I'm not trying to add any bulletin board material for the team, as they

mentioned, it happened in previous world. Folks or why. It's fine. I guess so. And, but Bosnia is the worst team that we will have played in the time. Oh! Oh, you hear that. Worst?

I mean, they're the worst ranked of any of the third. They're lower FIFA ranking than Paraguay, Australia or Turkey, A. As far as the, in the last year, here are the teams Bosnia has beaten on the international level. Katar is the 59th ranked team in the world. Italy and Wales are the only top 40 teams they've beaten. Yeah, and those were both in penalties. They have two wins against San Marino, which I consider myself a bit of a worldly man. I didn't know that was a country.

And then I looked into it. I was like, that's a country within a country. It's fully enclosed in Italy. You think you're in Italy? It's like, nope, you're in San Marino. It also, you see that 211th ranking. There's 211 teams. So they have two of their five wins or seven wins have come against the worst team in the world.

world. And as far as the teams that advance to the round of 32, here's where Bosnia ranks in some offensive categories. And so it, I expect the U.S. to be, look great and, and I don't want to put a damper on this at all, but it is fair to say, and it, I think almost goes without saying, if they were to lose on Wednesday, it's an utter catastrophe. No question. And it undercuts. There is no like, yeah, but they had an awesome first.

It makes this entire event for the U.S. A massive failure. I don't think Pucatino would let that happen. And I think they're good enough soccer. Random stuff can happen. Right. Because there's so few scoring opportunities. I think that for the first time in my adult life,

the U.S. has a team that even if the variance and randomness goes against them a bit, they can overcome it against an opponent of this level. I totally agree. like, hey, have you been impressed with the USA team? It's like, it's the best team USA has ever had. I was like, good, because that's what I feel. But I also am aware that I'm being swept up and a little bit of the World Cup friendly, frenzy. I think everybody feels that way. We've scored the most goals in the group stage than we have in the entire World Cup ever. So it's our best offensive team. And Chris and Polisic hasn't even been 100% of the time.

He's played 77 minutes. He's created a shot or assisting on a shot every 19 minutes. So we score early. We score often. With Tim Ream and Chris Richards back there, I feel great about our defense. We should win. And like you said, Nick, it's actually a compliment to where USA soccer is as a whole. that if we lost, it would be devastating.

So it's like we've leveled up as the kids like. And if we, yeah. Well, I can I go ahead. Well, I'm just, I was going to add to what Wiles was saying about this being the best team ever. If we win beat Bosnia, which of course we expect to, that's the most wins we've ever had in the World Cup. The, period. Since 19. No, including.

Including. We were one of the best. Yeah, we're a power out. The only thing you said, KW is I, I. disagree with that the, it's a compliment that losing here would be a disaster. Because posy

is so hard. And because they've expanded the tournament, it's a round of 32. Like the the, if the U.S. team, a worse version of the U.S. team, say the U.S. team from four years ago or from 12 years ago. Because eight years ago we missed

would be expected to win this game. And so like now in the next round is where, you I mean, this is not the equivalent of getting out of the group, but the final 16 used to be when you get out of the group. Right. And so this is a literal must win and an emotional must win in all ways, shape, and. Okay, that's July 1st, 8 o'clock Wednesday from San Francisco. We're going to stay in the bay where the Warriors are attempting to create a senior league super team. Kevin O'Connor outlining, create Jimmy for AD, then signed. And LeBron, as a free agent, you got Steph, LeBron, A.D., coached by Steve Kerr, a little bit of an Olympics reunion, through your reaction to this idea.

Well, first, look, I don't think this is going to happen. AD, Washington can offer A.D. in mid-A.A.A.A. 4-year, $275 million contract extension. Now, I wouldn't do that if I'm Washington. Do you think they're going to? I'm not sure. you know, they're kind of, it's hard to read them. They just gave trade four for $212. Right.

And I wouldn't lock up AD. He's only 32, but it feels like he's 42, you know, with his health injury, injury history. So if they do, though, AD's not leaving out. He couldn't get that extension until six months down the line with Golden State. And I'm not sure a Golden State would do it. And then if Washington is willing to trade AD, I feel like they should be able to get much more or more than a 37-year-old Jimmy Butler who's not even going to be able to play

until January or February or something like that. So just because I know you want to say, all Washington gave up to get Anthony Davis was A.J. Johnson, who was a late first round pick a couple years ago, the 30th pick and a top 20 protected future first five years down the road and expiring contracts.

Like Anthony Davis was just traded for very, very little. So I would have agreed with you, Brew, like, you can't, for what the Warriors would have to give up to get AD. Oh, you can't get AD for that. But Washington got him for next to nothing. Two expiring contracts. Again, the 30th pick, a top 20 protected first,

and A.J. Johnson, that's all they gave up to get him. I still, if I was Washington, I'd be trying to get much more than Jimmy. Like I said, Jimmy Butler is just an expiring month. Right. that's what it would be. Look, if it happened, though, I would love to see this. And what I think, you're talking about a starting lineup, let's say, LeBron running the point, Steph, Draymond, Anthony Davis, and Porzingis.

Or pods. Yeah, I mean, but if you go big, you can go big with Porzinger. If they want to start a rookie, an old rookie. We'll see if he's ready. Yeah, yeah. But. Like, I'm old too. No, what I'm saying, like, more ready.

It would be incredibly fun. I would love to see it. And I think it is about trying to maximize Steph's last few years. I do think the injury concerns would be through the roof. I mean, LeBron's 42, and he's the least of your injury concerns. Obviously, AD. A.D. He's played like 71 games in the last few years.

Steph played 43. Yeah. So how much they would be on the court would be a question. if they were all healthy and together, I think they could be a top four team in the West. I still don't think they could beat OKC or San Antonio in the playoffs. You don't think they could? I mean, but I don't think it's at all likely.

I think they'd be heavy underdogs and would get beaten soundly. Because I don't think they'd have the athletic. That team I just mentioned, throwing pies, throwing any of those young guys, They don't have the athleticism to compete with what OKC is going to throw out there or an improved and matured San Antonio team. So I want to go in reverse from the start where you ended and then get to where you started. A thousand percent agree would be the most injury risk team, you know, and we've ever seen in the NBA just because the age and the youngest guy of your core,

AD, is the most injury, biggest injury concern. But if you were to tell me they were. fully healthy for a playoff run, I do think they could compete for a championship. And I do think that that is the exact type of team that could really give San Antonio trouble because Anthony Davis is a great kind of help side defender if you want him. And Draymond is going to compete his ass off, you know, his strength and everything. And so I do think that if you were to tell me we turned the injuries off, and this is their roster, I think they would be eye level with those teams you mentioned.

As far as the likelihood of it happening, a little breaking news maybe. Yeah, we might have it. Okay. Did we get it built or no? If we don't have the Schaum's tweet. Shams tweeting, Draymond is declining his $27.7 million player option to become a free agent. Sources tell ESPN. This move gives the Warriors flexibility to pursue LeBron and free agency and AD via trade.

to form a big four. So that, I mean, I love this. It would be great to see. So this is, again, where I was, I don't, and it also, it has to be mentioned, I guess. LeBron James, I don't know if people know this, Clutch Clutch Client. I think he might even have a small piece of the agency. Norton Green Clutch Clutch Client, Anthony Davis Clutch Clutch Client. So as far as D.D., if they wanted this to happen,

Draymond and LeBron coming together to figure out, you know, hey, how much are you getting, how much am I getting? And AD trying to force his way there, you know, there's one. Oh, and they're all great. Right. And so there's like. I love this with all my heart. So I really like it too. So how good would they?

Well, you usually they win a championship. Yeah. Well, can I pitch you this? I wonder if Steve Kerr, who's from the Bulls to the Bulls to the tournament. spurs, to the front office, to broadcasting, to the Warriors. I wonder if Steve Kerr, all of the experience, Steph, all of his experience, LeBrono experience, like, you know what, why don't we do it a little bit differently? Why don't we try to win the wolves were in the six seed with 49 games, the Hawks were

the six seed with 46 games? Let's just, our goal is to avoid the play in. and we just gun for the sixth seed and health. Health is number one. The sixth seed is number two. If we follow the play in, so be it. And then get in and then be 100 percent, sort of like the Knicks were,

be it peak playoff game one rather than caring. So what does that mean all, like, low managing everybody throughout the season? Yes. It's hard to predict. It's hard to set that up. I mean, you could try to do that, but then the West.

Does the worst? Does load manage mean miss games or very low minutes? I think you mean. Yeah, everything's on the board. Miss games, miss road trips. Like really just be like, no, our season starts on day one of the playoffs. We just need to be there. And really, it's almost like it would kind of mess up the whole idea of the regular season.

A little bit. That used to be incredibly frowned on because remember Jordan. toyed with the idea at one point of playing like, oh, I could play 50 games and be ready for the playoffs. And everybody was like, what would that do to the regular season? It just seemed almost like cheating. Like you're just trying to play in the playoffs. I don't think they would take that.

They would be very cautious and careful, and that would be smart. Kind of like when you have a Kawhi Leonard. But that's just hard because you do have to win a certain number of games in a tough Western Conference. It's two things quickly. One is, it's very weird to say, but the only guy that I would say definitely should do that is AD. Like, LeBron's going to want to play. Like the – I think Steph is going to want to play as well.

And Steph's – right, 100%. And Draymond, to his credit, has been very durable. Like, Draymond is older but has been super durable. As far as – their ability to compete is to me totally contingent on – AD. And that I think there is, I still think he is one of the things that has been, that he doesn't have on his resume that he should is a defensive player of the year. I think there was a period of time where for about three years where he was pretty clearly to me, the most impactful overall defender in basketball. And it, that just so much would be taken off LeBron's plate.

It's like, okay, so there's, Laura's going to be spaced. because of Steph. We have AD at the rim and Draymond doing everything. And I really can be in, you know, the Magic Johnson role of, I mean, he would play the role he played with Team USA. Correct.

Yeah. It's exactly right. I don't know how much the floor would be spread, but Steph would be running, because you got Draymond and AD, but Steph is going to be running off picks and things like that. And if pot, when pods, you know what I mean? One other shooter out there would be spread enough.

Steph by himself, create some spacing. I hope it happens. My power ranking of where I want LeBron to go now falls like this. Golden State, if AD is there as well. Followed by Miami, followed by Cleveland, followed by Golden State without AD, and then in the last place, the Lakers. The Lakers are probably the smart money bet, but that to me is the least fun spot. Yeah, I don't hate that.

The other contract news, I don't know if it matters at all. Harden also opted out but is expected to extend probably at a lower number. Again, I'm not sure how that impacts this. Okay. Talking to about the new chapters in the Jalen Brown saga, even though an analytics guy told Bobby Marks, he's the seventh best player on a team, Jalen, not Bobby Marks, Denver might make him the second best player. Oh, my God.

That's insane. Friend of the show, Bill Simmons, outlining a potential trade that sends Jalen Brown and Sam Houser. Is it to Denver for Jamal Murray and Cam Johnson? Where do you like this idea? I like it for Denver. I love it for Denver. As great as Jamal Murray has been for them,

Jalen Brown is a better player. He can give you the offense of Murray, although, you know, Murray is a fantastic, yeah, shooter in the mid-range and three. But Brown can give you the point production and we'll do it more consistently than Joe. Jamal Murray did. And then he's such an upgrade defensively.

And that's where Denver needs the most improvement. So if I'm Denver, I'm doing it. If I'm Boston, I am not. Because Jamal Murray, like I said, his defensive struggles, I think when you look at that roster, yeah, you have a Derek White, a Jason Tatum, who are good defenders. You got some little size that can protect the rim. but I think that team takes a significant downgrade defensively.

And they have plenty of shooting. I'm not saying you don't want shooting. You do. But a guy like Jalen Brown who can shoot but is more of a slasher, I think that's good for them. Jamal would be just one more shooter, a great one better than anybody on that team except Tatum. I just don't think that makes them better.

In fact, I think that makes Boston take a step back. I think Denver takes a step forward, Boston a step back in this deal. Yeah, I would not like this for Boston. I would rather, if I'm trading Jalen Brown, and I think they're trading Jalen Brown, I think we are now at the portion of they feel like they may have to take the best, just best offer, like that they are approaching where they're not sure it's tenable to bring him back. Really? Seems like that.

And the fact that they are shopping, shopping, so openly shopping him, I it just that's again the reading the tea leaves up that's what it seems like to me I would rather get multiple role players than Jamal Murray for Boston that and that sounds cutting to Jamal Murray I'm saying I mean I don't know so I you know there have been a bunch of

the other team Simmons brought up is when I brought up a bunch Danny brought up when you were out Portland and it wasn't so much you know you scoffed at the scoop piece of it but it was you know Drew Holiday, potentially clinging, you know, guys that can be starting caliber NBA players but are not top 30 players like Jamal Murray. I think for Boston, that might be better. For Denver, KW, I filed this news in the same bucket as, oh, wait, so remember last

offseason when Joker didn't sign his extension and everybody said, oh, of course not, because he can get more money by signing it this offseason. And now all of a sudden, Mark Stein's like, he might not sign it this off season, which, by the way, if he doesn't sign an extension this off season, he is a free agent, not in two years, in one year. And for the first time in almost a decade, we haven't had an all-MBA player hit free agency since 2019.

So I think the last all-MBA player to hit free agent, no, LeBron was 2018. But the, so since the summer after LeBron went to the Lakers. So that would be, to me, that would signal if Denver does this, that they are, they feel like they need to do something to not appease Joker, but to make things better to where Joker feels confident. But for Boston, I don't, I agree that in the Brue said. If Jamal Murray gives you something, you already have a surplus of, which is shooting and, you know, perimeter scoring. We are counting down to Brazil, Japan, 1 o'clock on Fox from Houston. Brazil is the only country to play in every World Cup.

Earliest exit was around 16 loss. 36 years ago, Vinnie Jr. Trying to prevent that from happening of 1 o'clock today against Japan. Sneaking up, settle later. Be careful. I will not be careful. We're going to have a great show tomorrow. I'll say that much.

Welcome back to first things first, counting down to Germany. Paraguay from Boston, just under six hours today at 430 on Fox. Germany had 11 wins in a row before they lost to Ecuador. It's largely a meaningless game, but it did snap their win streak. So we'll see if they can get back on track against Paraguay at 430. Joining us now, Dax McCarty, Dax, welcome Brazil, Japan today at one. Dax has been a skeptic. Nick has been a believer.

Fox broadcaster Darren Fletcher, a realist when he said this was not the strongest of historically strong Brazil teams. We discussed that on the show, and Darren addressed it on the broadcast of Argentina Jordan. Take a listen. Just be careful tonight what you say, because Nick Wright is watching. I made a comment last week about Brazil, which was blown out of all kinds of, what's the word I'm looking for, proportion. but Nick and the team are not you know and if you step out of line tonight he's going to pick you up on

it wasn't me it was you you said Brazil can win I think they can't definitely well I didn't say they can't win I just said it was the worst Brazil team I'd seen in the World Cup Finals and I meant not the worst team here the worst Brazilian team I'm thinking about 82 with Zico and soccer teams and all that kind of thing

yeah I mean you're right I think but I do think any team that's got Carlo at the helm and they've got Gabriel Allison Markinos Vini Jr. Don't you start. He put me a lady the day. Those guys are the best. Also commenting on our walk-in video as Nick and Jen was expounding on.

Really? This is breaking news. I should be there. Love it. Open invite anytime. But we would love to have, Darren, we would love to have you on tomorrow morning discussing the inevitable Brazil victim. Or the other way. We'll find out.

And in case he didn't see. the thing, the full thing from before. I do, and you guys can back me up on this. Prior to any of this, I had talked unrelated about how Fletch and Hargreaves are my favorite duo. Watch them in Champions League. I think they are so great together. And I appreciated Owen being like, not letting them off the hook.

Like, no, buddy, you did say they were the worst Brazil team in years and are underrated. And couldn't win. Yeah, couldn't win. So with all that being said, Nick, we'll go to you. Wow. Is Brazil an upset alert today against Japan? What did you say when we were going into break KW? They haven't been eliminated before the final eight in eight straight World Cups.

It's a long time ago. In 30s. No, it's eight consecutive that they have not lost before the final eight. I mean, it's just a historical factoid. Oh, right. So I think it's necessarily germane to this team, which I've heard is one of the weaker Brazilian teams of all time. Okay, well, it would have to be the weakest of all time is my point.

I do think it's germane, that everyone who is on this, Brazil team that has World Cup experience has made it always to the quarterfinals or further. I think that Fletch's point or that Owens point is exactly mine. Everyone is focused on

their attacking players when they should be focused on the fact that despite an injury to one of their defenders, they still have one of the best goalkeepers in the world in Allison. Gabriel and Marquinos as two of the best defenders and maybe the best manager in the whole tournament.

And that speaks to the fact that through three games, here is the one goal Brazil has allowed this tournament. It was not like, oh, okay, a set piece where they got eaten up. It was not a bunch of defenders. Listen, it's a great play by Morocco. That's a great goal. It's a great play by Morocco more than it is, a failure by Brazil. And it also speaks the fact that in 270 minutes of World Cup play,

when their defense has been set, they have allowed zero goals. goals. And so and how is their scoring going? If you looked at Josh told me that you know what the big stat in soccer is, it's not just goals, expected goals. Okay, well, this is their overall stats. So they are, you know, one of the best teams. They're not number one in anything, but expected goals this tournament. So they have a great defense. Expected goals amongst the five favorites. Brazil, seven and a half. England and France at six, Argentina, just under six, Spain, just over five. So if you want to say Brazil's going to come up against Argentina and the semis and get beat by a better team, or even if you want to say they're not going to get there because England's going to beat them in the quarters.

I'll disagree with that, but that's, to me, of course, valid. It's incomprehensible that Brazil loses this early in this tournament. They literally never have, and they're not going to today against a good, but a Japan team whose players experience the exact opposite. They've never won a knockout round game in their country's history or for any of these guys. Dax, can I just make a counterargument? I would love for you to be the judge. Japan has beaten Brazil in a friendly last year.

And Brazil had seven guys who experienced, who is it friendly, don't get me wrong, but it's not nothing. Japan had 14 guys experience beating Brazil that are now on that roster. Brazil had seven. So you could say like, hey, Brazil didn't have their full team, but those guys have. have gone on the field and be in Brazil. Here's how these teams lined up in the group stage. Brazil has a lot of great stats, but here's Japan. They both scored seven goals.

Japan has allowed three. Brazil's allowed one. Possession. Very similar. The interesting part here is Brazil has scored six goals in the first half. We can argue whether they took their foot off the gas in some of the games in the second half or else they just had such a good lead. They didn't need to press.

Japan is okay. I don't know how many games they were behind, but they have five goals in the second half, so they will come on strong late. Both teams are undefeated. Brazil beat Haiti, 3-0 and beat Scotland 3-0. So neither of them have lost. Japan has beaten them in a friendly,

and their stats are very similar. I'm not saying it's cool. No, you might as well say. Yeah, say it. Say it. Japan will beat Brazil today with our first major upset of the knockout.

out round. Fletch, you're okay. I think you had a strong take. You didn't need to apologize. You know I love when you let the tiger out. That wasn't really a whole tiger, but I just think it's, I mean, you went I think this could, I can see this happening. We are, we are in a reality where tomorrow, potentially Mr. Wright walks in here,

distraught, distraught at the use of the word incomprehensible that Brazil would lose this game today. I fully disagree and push back on that because I think upset alert is absolutely appropriate for this fixture. And if I had any spine and backbone, I would back you fully. Thank you. Unfortunately, because my pest. We want you above the fray. We don't want you in the muck. I'm trying to be above the fray. And I think that all of the historical context that you guys laid out with regard to Brazil and how they have been in the last World Cups in Japan and the friendly that they won, which, by the way, was without Cuneo starting the game

and without Gabriel and without Marquino. Not a ton to take away from that. They're friendly. They are. I understand. I late said there's only seven guys there. But it's, in that friendly, 10 of Japan starters are starting for them today. And in that friendly, you said seven of Brazil's

players are on the roster. I think two are starting for them today. So it was very similar to Turkey A beating, the U.S. is beating. I don't. I don't, I don't think it's, I don't think it's, I think it's I think it is germane to the fact that we were on the team, I've been on the pitch and we have beaten a team in yellow jerseys to save Brazil.

My reasons for being pessimistic about Brazil coming into this tournament were I think a lack of creativity and dynamism in that midfield with Himorais, Casamiro, and Paketa. Himirize and Paketae have been excellent as the tournament has gone on. They have shown a little bit more, let's say creativity, ingenuity to create chances for Brazil. And Vinny Jr., he's never really performed at the level that I would expect of a world-class

superstar the way that he has for Real Madrid when he has worn that yellow shirt of Brazil. He has been unequivocally one of the top three players in this tournament. Carlo Ancelotti, one of the top three managers in this tournament. My big thing with Brazil was their performance against Morocco, which Morocco, I think, is a very good team. I think Morocco should have won that game, which is why my pessimism with Brazil has kind of stayed there. And I'll posit you guys this. Brazil has gotten stronger as the tournament has gone on. They've gotten better. Now, Haiti, Scotland, I don't think the strongest of competition. If Brazil, let's flip-flop the results, if Brazil played Morocco on the last match day of the

group stage in that third game, I think Brazil wins that game because they are getting stronger. Vinny is getting stronger. And Brazil, I think Ancelotti is figuring out what makes this team tick. is bringing in Kunya, like we've said before, as a false nine, to be able to dictate things in attack and open things up for Vinny Jr. This Japanese team, they do not have, I think, the athletic ability of Brazil. They're not going to physically be able to dominate the game. I think Brazil has the edge in coaching and set pieces, but this Japan team is going to play a very similar game to how the Morocco game went. Now, I think Brazil has more quality in the final third, but Nick is like, incomprehensive.

I would be utterly shocked. I would not be shocked, and I love the upset alert. I think this game is extremely close. I think it's a one-goal difference. But more, I think more realistically, this game is a draw coming out of regular time, going into extra time, potentially going to penalties. I can't in good faith. I can't in good faith pick against Brazil in this scenario because I do think Brazil wins the game. But I would not be shocked. And I would even be like, eh, that makes sense if Japan comes out. Yeah, Nick, I'm thinking Brazil will win. I expect them to win, but I do think it is a real legitimate upset alert. Like, I don't think it's going to be a route like you see. As legitimate as Curacao against Germany? That was, you know, some are just prayers. Yeah, okay. I would not be shocked if Japan wins this.

They've already played a top team in the Netherlands. I mean, not Brazil, but have a draw with them. So they've shown that they can play with the top level competition. So this is going to be a tough one for you. Okay, I want to give one last prediction. When Brazil wins 2-1 or maybe 3-1 with an extra late goal, KW tomorrow will come in and somehow be unimpressed. That's my prediction.

My prediction is that they will win close because all soccer games are close, and you're going to explain why that actually wasn't that good. I was only unimpressed when they didn't score in the second half against Haiti. That's the only time I was like thoroughly unimpressed. Because they were supposed to score and they didn't score. Okay. Against the, I will. I mean, I could be wrong.

You can prove me wrong tomorrow. You can prove me wrong two ways. You actually have two bets on the board. Yeah, exactly. One, Japan wins, two. On the breath. Yeah, exactly. I win.

It's a free win for you. Exactly. Argentina was already through and Messi didn't start, but he did come on the 60th minute and, of course, scored in the 80th. First player to score in seven straight World Cup games. It's his 19th career World Cup goal. Brew, what was your reaction to Messi's goal? I loved him going into that game and playing. I much rather that attitude.

And I'm not, I like this guy, so I'm not trying to knock him down. But I just did what Holland did, Erling Holland, you know, in the game against France. Like sitting out. This might be, I know he's saying it won't be, but this might be Messi's last World Cup. Maximize it. Get out. maximize it, not only give the fans what they want, but he should, I mean, he's trying to raise that goal total as high as you can

to keep him bopping, all these guys from ever catching it. Like, I loved it. Obviously, he looked great, but I just liked the mentality of him not resting, even at his age and not saying, you know, what, we're, I don't need to play this game, going out there and playing and being effective. So, yeah, I was good with it. Yeah, I was shocked when it came out before the game that he wasn't going to start. But I think it was absolutely unequivocally the right decision.

And similar to the U.S. men's national team fully rotating when they had the group completely locked up, I think for Argentina, it was an absolute no-brainer. Because Argentina is, for all intents and purposes, you could quibble here and there about a couple different teams. They have the most depth in the entire World Cup. And you want to get those players, I think a little bit more game time to get a little bit sharper. And again, they were playing against one of the most overmatched teams in the entire competition in Jordan. And I still think if Argentina is going to repeat, if they're going to become one of the first teams to repeat in whatever it is, 40 or 50 years, winning the World Cup back to back, they are going to have to rely on other players not named Lionel Messi. We know what Leonel Messi is capable of.

He is proving that game in, game out. They are going to need Julian Alvarez or Lataro Martinez to step up at some point if Messi and his. otherworldly capabilities are not going to be able to produce in a moment. Or a team just says, Lino Messi is not going to beat us. Every time he gets the ball, we're going to throw one or two defenders at him, and we are going to make another player beat us. And so I think it was absolutely the right decision. As far as the goal, I believe now this is seven consecutive games

where he has scored a World Cup goal. I think he would be number five all-time on the all-time World Cup golden boot list. After the age of 35, the guy is playing at an absolutely incredible. incredible level. As far as this goal, unimpressed. What are we doing Jordanian goalkeeper? Why don't you're standing in the middle of the goal? And if you have watched Messi at all the last couple of years, he actually favors on free kicks and set pieces going to the goalkeeper's side because they know how dangerous he is going over the wall. He prefers power to the goalkeeper's side. I think it's an absolutely ridiculous display of goalkeeping. Oh, wow. Alas, I do not want to

take anything away. That was a common refrain online from some people that aren't super into soccer. Well, it's completely... I thought there was something more. I'm like, no, I'm sure it. It's terrible goalkeeping. And the Jordanian goalkeeper conceded a goal exactly like that to Los Salo in the first half, which, you know, I digress.

I think Argentina did the right thing. I think Scaloni did the right thing. Lino Messi is going to be rested, motivated for the knockout rounds. So I saw this from when I said the sports book. I was at the Hard Rock Casino in Miami this weekend. haven't just gone to the game. Right. Right after.

So I didn't see the first half of this game. Yeah. And then, so shortly after I started watching this game, he scores this goal. And so when he scored, I was thinking about what I just watched from Christiana Ronaldo. And the two performances and their two players and the two World Cup seemed inextricably linked. In that 12 groups, you know, groups, 11 favorites won their group, the one that didn't, Portugal. Right. The messy leading the Golden Boot competition and, you know, not playing the first 60 minutes and then coming on and adding something.

Ronald, on the other hand, the only player on Portugal who has not been subbed out. And again, I am not trying to act like I can X's and O's diagram what's happening. But watching that Portugal-Colombia game, Christiana Ronaldo seemed to me to be one of the least effective players. Our guy who is a soccer expert of them, Dax, Josh says, Foot mob does. It's like their version of football reference, rates every player every game. Rinaldo was the lowest rated player on Portugal that game.

And I do think this graphic here is not sustainable. Because when I saw Messi, I thought of Ronaldo, which is oldest guys in the World Cup, how many minutes they've played. All of them have gotten some level of rest. And the one who's played the second most, Luca Madritch, his team, like,

they don't have their, the depth that Portugal has, obviously. And so my reaction, thinking of it was just these two all-time legends World Cups keep going in totally different directions. Argentina takes on Cape Verde Friday at 6 on Fox. We're counting down to Brazil, Japan. That one's going to be at 1 o'clock. The winner of that game might be Japan.

Might be Brazil. We'll take on the winner of Ivory Coast, Norway. Ivory Coast. Whoever wins Ivory Coast Norway, if you guys want to come on Dan and say it's Uffsett alert, I'll buy it. Whoever wins that team. Well, that will be a good. We've got Norway on upset alert. Yeah.

Yeah. You got Norway on upset alert. Against ivory. The African nations have been great. Yep. Yeah. Nine out of ten. Yeah.

The African nations have been awesome. I've got Norway. Norway soured. First thing's first soured on Norway. NFL.com round table on best QB pass catcher combo. Matt Okada writing that the New England duo will be the best. May was a couple of votes from winning MVP last year. People forget that.

Despite lacking in weaponry, now he's got a true number one receiver in A.J. Brown, locked consecutive 14-100 yards seasons before tensions and discontent rows in Philly. It's a great fit for May's arm and McDaniel's offense. McDaniel's genius. Going in Canton. I expect the combo to thrive after this win-win union in New England. Brew, do you want to go first?

You're positive. Go brew you, me. I'll be more positive. You think AJ and Drake will be the best? I think they will thrive, as the article said. I think they're going to be a great connection. And when I look at some of the other top quarterback receiver groups, you got Burrow and Jamar, but you also got T. Higgins.

You got Dak and C.D. Lamb, but you also have George Pickens. You got Stafford and Pooka, but you also have Devonte Adams. So if you just talk about one, two, now you got Darnold and JSN, Jackson Smith and Jigba, there's a lot of thought to say, you know what, I am going to say Drake and AJ. However, I will not. While I think there'll be one of the best, I hesitate to say the best because of this graphic. Wow. Last year gets winning teams. Oh, no.

And that includes the playoffs. Oh, no. Look at the drop that Drake may have. Completion percentage is darn near Calebesque, not quite there. But the yards per game dropped significantly pass a rating from, I mean, 118 to 86. Yeah, but you play winning teams. Last year they only played obviously seven games against winning teams, and that included the playoff game.

Yeah. Yeah, so only three in the regular season. this year, 11 games against teams with winning records. Now, you can say he didn't have an A.J. Brown net last year, true. So I think those two will be great together. But I am not going to say they'll be the number one duo because he has to show. I mean, Drake literally has to show, as great as he was last year,

he has to show us he can do it against top-flight competition. Yeah, just quickly on that before I get to my day. It is Drake May's fault that, like, the Ravens. weren't a winning team. So part of that is Drake and A's fault. They beat the team. They have become a not a winning team. And then the graph is used to guess.

Or historically easy schedule. It was historically easy. And they did end up in the Super Bowl. Both things are true. Okay. I firmly believe that they will be the best duo. And here's what I found interesting. And you give me your reaction to this.

Yeah. Usually, I just did yards just because of what am I going to pick. And top five yard, quarterbacks, total yards. Stafford, Gough, Dac, Drake, Darnold. So it usually goes hand in hand with your best receiving yards. So Stafford was one in quarterback yards. Puka was two receiving yards. Gough was two received yards.

Amon Ross St. Brown was five. Dak was three. Pickens was three. Donald was five, JSN was one. Drake was four, Stefan was 16. Right. So I just feel like all he has to do is move top. I don't know, he should be the way that the stats are supposed to work.

He should be top five. And if he's already fourth best in yards, I think it's such an upgrade from Stefan, who I do like, to AJ. I feel like this will push him to number one. So listen, Brew made this about more focused. on Drake. I'm I have more questions about AJ Brown than I do Drake May. I like I I think the four best receivers in football are you on the order Justin Jefferson Jassin Jamar Chase and Pooka Nakua I think there are then five guys who can argue that they are the fifth you know

fifth you mentioned some CD pickens probably make an argument Amon Rae um Davante Smith right right now might feel like it. A.J. Brown certainly is you know, in that argument. But I am, I am less convinced. I'm not saying I'm predicting this. I'm less convinced than you guys are that A.J. Brown is still an elite receiver. I think he's still definitely a good receiver

is he still an elite receiver. Because this is a stunning blind reveal. Oh, wow. So one, so it's stunning in part because those are identical numbers, right? Yeah. Like, you couldn't, Even big plays, touchdowns, yards within.

The person on the right, I venture to say, in the history of this show, we've never said his name. Is he a current player? It's from last year. Last, yeah, 2025. We could spend the rest of the show saying guest receivers. Yeah, I wouldn't. Just reveal it. I don't want it.

I'm not, I don't want it revealed. I close my eyes. Is it up? Is it up? Yes. What team is it, bro? It's the Arizona Cardinals. And if I, I don't want to embarrass you.

Is it Trey McRide? No, if I gave you his last name, I don't want you know his first name. It's Michael Wilson. It's my point. Wilson. So my point is that last year, AJ Brown, and you can't be like, well, you know, AJ Brown didn't, you know, I had bad quarterback play. This was Kyler who got benched and Jacoby.

Right. And the, so. I'll be honest. Right now I'm being exposed. I'm not. Yeah, you can. He's like A.J. Brown in the West. So.

Shout to Michael Wilson. Why weren't we targeted him? That's my point. So my only point is if the Patriots had signed Michael Wilson. Yeah, Rock was this guy. Drake May Michael Wilson are going to be the best duo in the NFL this year. We'd probably be like, no. So.

I like Wilson. I've been talking about it. You don't listen to my podcast. I do. I do Cardinals watch. Okay. So that. That's my only concern.

People call me out like, what's going on the nest? I'm like, we're talking, listen. Okay. Patriots open up against the Seattle. September 9th. There's the USA going on a deep World Cup run, and we are counting down to Brazil, Japan. A lot of people are saying this is an upset alert.

Tomorrow, if it happens, I will break out my copywritten phrase. Houston, we have a problem. Brazil was upset by Japan. That's in one hour, 56 minutes. It's in 22 seconds. Shout to Wilson. In Toronto, every arrival is a statement, and nothing says it better than this. Cadillac Optic was the number one selling luxury EV in Canada for 2025.

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Not locked in. So locked in on what we're about to do, I didn't realize a segmented. Exactly. Looking forward. That's exactly what I'm saying. Looking forward right here. Looking forward to like, hey, what's next? All of a sudden, Japan, boom, one up and right at the gate.

Oh, what's going on? Upset alert. Definitely alert. Thank you for your support. And Dax, tentative support. Second hour, first things first. Today's Brazil on upset alert. today against Japan.

Already beat him in a friendly. Could it happen again? Meanwhile, with LeBron, Steph, AD, Dremont, and Steve Kerr work. Since the show has started, this has gained more momentum. From like years ago or like just today's episode.

No, since today's episode. With Draymond's decision. Since Draymond's decision is a real data point. I love this with all my heart and soul. But right now, We're going back to the World Cup. The knockout round of the World Cup underway. Canada already advancing to the round of 16 with a win yesterday over South Africa.

Here's how the full bracket looks. Looks all amazing. Canada's already there. Also, as much as I loved the group stage and the action, following it, a little more complicated than said. This is where, this is my wheelhouse right here. The addition of third place teams making the, this has made. in my opinion, the knockout round is going to be even greater,

but it made projecting how the bracket was going to fall almost impossible. I tried to do all last week. KW told me to keep stopping. He was right. In March Madness, we say Elite 8. Today we'll say, who do you have in your quarterfinals? Forward. Forward.

Yep. All right. So just go ahead and reveal my quarterfinals, and then we will go through it, how I got there and why. So France gets there by beating Germany in one of the best round of 16 games ever, potentially. Morocco, I think, is going to beat Netherlands today and then have an easier round two matchup against Canada and advance.

Spain, I think Spain actually is not going to have to go through Portugal to get there. I think they're going to have to go through Croatia. Because I think Croatia is going to upset Portugal, and I think the U.S. is going to advance, beating probably Senegal, maybe Belgium. Brazil, no shocker, guys. And by the way, when this game is played, they'll have Rafina back, and nobody's talking about that. Probably the biggest upset on my page there.

Mexico, in Mexico City, gets to the quarterfinals by beating England. And in one of the most raucous environments in World Cup history, I anticipate. Argentina coasts there, and Colombia, again, a little, maybe Dak said it to me off the air. Maybe a little biased because I watched them in person, and even though they didn't score, I thought they were amazing. They were. I think they look really good. So there's my final eight.

To get to the semifinal, the first team, in a rematch of the 2022 semifinals, Morocco going for revenge, they don't get it. France wins. France too good. France advances to the semis. Spain, USA.

In the biggest game in American soccer history, Christian Policitt, Laminia Mall, a chance to shock the world. We do not. Spain and Laminia all fully healthy are too much. Brazil, Mexico, Mexico for the first time in the tournament, not playing in Mexico. Brazil, as I mentioned, getting healthier. Brazil advances. And again, I think Columbia is really good,

but I don't think they're good enough to beat Argentina, and we have Argentina over Colombia. My World Cup final is France versus Brazil. and Brazil denies France their opportunity to win two and three years and Brazil wins the World Cup and I can give you some other graphics later in the show. Much. Yeah, just a deep sigh with the Brazil take.

You know, they are making me more of a believer as the tournament wears on. I still do not think that they have enough to go and beat the absolute best teams in the world, which France are. But I don't have a ton of problems with the bracket. I really don't. I do believe in this World Cup, once you get past the group stage, kind of to your point earlier, when you have the knockout rounds come up,

now you're going to see, I think, the best out of every big team. And when you see that, I do not believe Brazil is going to make the final. I don't even think Brazil is going to make the semifinal. In fact, why don't we pull up? up exactly the same situation with my bracket. And I will walk you through what I see. I believe, other than Mexico and England, me and Nick have the exact same.

No, because I have Morocco beating Netherlands. You have Morocco beating the Netherlands. I have Netherlands beating Morocco in what I agree with Nick will be one of the best round of 32 games. Do you think France is in any risk against Germany in the round of 16? No, I don't. Okay.

No, I don't. I think France is the best team in the competition. And I do think France beats the Netherlands, although I don't think it's going to be straightforward. I actually think that this will be one of the most difficult games France plays en route to what I do believe will be them going on in this competition very far. But the Netherlands has impressed me. The Netherlands has a fantastic midfield. And my big question mark with them was who is going to score their goals. Brian Broby has come in and been a really excellent focal point for what I think.

has been a very dynamic team in the final third. And I do believe that Netherlands is going to give France a much more difficult game than I think Germany will. Spain, USA. Come on. Will the US come up with a historic upset? By the way, this game, I hope this game happens, because if it does, to Nick's point,

not only will it be the biggest game in US soccer history, it will be the most watched soccer game in the history of television. In the US, in the US. In the US. Absolutely. Not going to be bigger than the World Cup final. But you will have your grandfather who absolutely despises soccer tuning into that game because of what it means my grandson. It's not yours.

I wasn't looking at you. I was looking at the wall. Your grandfather doesn't. Sorry. Hold on. Your grandfather better not despise soccer. His son plays for 19 years. Yeah.

Sorry. Go ahead. They love soccer. You are really revealing a lot. Both grandparents. I was just kidding. I'm kidding. Go ahead.

As you were. They love other sports. Yeah. They love soccer. And so. I think that the U.S. ends up losing that game. Spain is going to win, so we see France and Spain in the semifinal. Brazil, your run comes to an end to England. Haven't even been that impressed with England. This is one of those that you just kind of have a feeling that the English are going

to get better in the knockout rounds. I don't believe that they were impressive for one half. So five out of six halves. Is that a part of, is that a managerial issue? Is that a like? I think it's a little bit of both. Like, oh, this is what we do. We draw. Like, what the heck? No, I think, I think Thomas Tuckel backed himself into a corner with some of his selections.

They haven't looked that impressive in terms of their creativity against a low block. That's where players like Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, you can absolutely ask questions about why they are not on this roster. But I do believe in England, they have two bona fide match winners in Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, who has started to play a lot better. And Jude Bellingham, I think, is starting to hit form. at the right time for this English national team. And there's just something about England in terms of their winger depth.

I think Rashford and Saka are going to play a lot better in the knockout phases. I just think England is going to beat Brazil and what will be a very competitive game. And honestly, that one for me is a 50-50 toss-up. But I'm going England to beat Brazil. England to beat Mexico. I actually don't even think Mexico beats Ecuador. So Mexico has not been challenged in this World Cup. I think Ecuador beats Mexico.

And so then if we get to the bottom of the graphic where Argentina, Colombia, this is going to be an absolute blockbuster game in the quarterfinals. And while I think Argentina has looked like one of the best teams in the tournament along with France, Colombia against Portugal. I thought the Columbia performance against what would be another bona fide contender in Portugal. And a desperate team, a team that needed to win. A desperate team against Portugal playing their strongest team. Colombia was excellent. And if it wasn't for Davinson Sanchez not clipping his toenail and VAR, correctly chocking off that goal, then Colombia not only beats Portugal, but they do it in dominating fashion.

Columbia is a team that I, I think, grossly underrated coming into this tournament. And if you go through their history with Argentina in the last two years, especially World Cup qualifying, Argentina had a historic World Cup qualifying campaign, and Colombia took four points off them. They drew with them in Argentina, beat them in Colombia. think Colombia wins that game. Nice. A very close game. I do not think Argentina repeats.

Dax's opinions are so, like, so influential that it made our graphics team think Nick also has to think. Yeah, exactly right. Exactly right. So, like, he's got to agree. Now you're covered either way. So your final, so your, your, your final four is France, Spain, England, Colombia. Exactly right.

And if it wasn't for Columbia not having a bona fide striker that I trust, I think Hamas Rodriguez has been good in this tournament, not great. Luis Diaz has been excellent. I think he's a match winner for them. I just think Colombia's a really balanced team, but because they don't have a striker that they can rely on, Luis Suarez, John Cordoba, they're good players. I think that England takes them down. And I think France, Spain, I think France with Olise, Dembele, and Mbapap is just too strong. By the way, Spain hasn't conceded a goal in this tournament. We talk about defending all time. Spain's got one of the best backlines in the tournament. I think France wins that game. And I think France takes down England.

Back to back. We're just locked in a World Cup final. France is, for me, easily the best team in the tournament, the most balanced team in the tournament top to bottom. And they don't just have one or two ways to beat you. They can beat you in a myriad of different ways. And I think Mbapé ends up overtaking Leonel Messi for the Golden Boot in this, in this World Cup. In this World Cup, not overall.

It's going to take Mbpe. Oh, not overall. It's going to take him. Or three back now? I think he's three back. back now, but it's going to take him another World Cup to, I think, overtake Messi in the overall lead. France takes it. Do you think this would be considered if England got to the final and came up short?

Just another heartbreak. That's what they do. It would be nice because they have been the last four World Cups. They haven't performed well. So it would be nice that they didn't have a horrible early defeat. But it would. Getting so close. I think actually if like power ranking England, this is how I feel about the U.S. as well, actually.

Sure. Power ranking how you would want the World Cup to end. In first place is winning it. Sure. Second place for the U.S. and England, in my opinion. Losing the semis. Third place is losing the final. Like losing the semis as opposed to like get that close.

If we got to them, if U.S., you think that about U.S. I'm saying if the U.S. got to the semis played France in law. It's an A triple plus tournament. Sure. If we get all the way to the final and we're like, oh my God, we're going to win the World Cup and lose, it almost, it's like an A plus as opposed to a triple plus. I'd rather get to the final. Yeah, I mean, that's probably right. But as far as just hard for.

That's generally your, how you. So what can just get my final. Well, they'll show your full graphic and then we can discuss it. The graphic. It's a mix of what you guys had. I got Morocco getting there, yeah, like Nick. but Spain and you see I got Spain unfortunately taken down to USA France of course

I've got England beating you a Brazil Oh my goodness Nick and Argentina So I got Spain and Argentina in the final So I do have look you talked about how tough Spain's defense is Yamal back to full strength which we're expecting I think that'll be enough to take down France and enough to take down Argentina that there's a passing of the torch

from Messi to Yamal in the champion. I like that a lot. That is like the second, according to Vegas, most likely final, Spain, Argentina. The most likely is France Argentina. But that would be we... Third most likely? France, England.

Yeah, that's correct. Listen, it was maybe the greatest soccer game ever played, the France-Argentina World Cup final last year. But it would be nice. I think it would be cool to see. If Argentina is going to make it, then play someone new and play Spain. Dust, do we have mine? Because me and Dax are mind meld with one tiny exception that.

You know what? Dax is going to see mine and be like Wilds. I wish I had the spine. Oh, yeah. Ivory. I like yours better. U.S. France, Netherlands, France.

I got France going all the way. Spain, USA. We need a little bit of magic. But have we seen enough magic so far? Have we scored the most goal? Is it on our home soil? We beat Spain and then run into France. I like your bracket better than mine.

Ivory Coast takes down Japan. I was going to say they don't even take down Brazil. We have Brazil losing today. So Ivory Coast beats Norway, we're just totally out on because we were excited for France, Norway, and they don't want it. The little tin man mode from Norway. Then Ivory Coast said, oh my goodness, we don't have to play.

to play Brazil. Japan's riding high. It's their first knockout win. They have a little bit of a letdown. Ivory Coast goes and they finally, they meet England. England ends up. We all have Argentina, Colombia. England and Harry Kane take down Argentina,

who's just a little, you know, it's hard to repeat. England and France and I have Viva France as the love that. We all have Spain, US and Argentina, Colombia. Those we all, and I'm the only person that has Brazil making the semis. let alone winning.

If we were going power rankings based on this bracket, I'd go Wild's first. Let's go. Me and Brew tied for second. And me less. Yeah, that's fine. That's no problem. You did have a chance to do this.

It's right. It's playing conservative football. Reverse psychology. We're going to motivate the Americans. All right, we're counting. We've got three knockout games today. We've got more on LeBron and Steph possibly going to the Warriors. But right now here's James Gordon.

Well, right now, here's Germany, Paraguay from Boston. That's coming up in five hours. And then here's James Ford. Time for the next challenge. Finding the World Cup Trophy. Hidden within this ballpond somewhere is a replica of the World Cup trophy. The first to find it wins the points. Three, two, one, go.

Welcome back to first things first, nine hours. In 3 3 3.31 minutes. Netherlands, Morocco, Hakimi. Getting fired up for this game. Nick, who do you have in this one? Morocco. This is the one. I have the two favorites in the early games.

I have Brazil comfortably. And keep in mind, in soccer, comfortable to be one goal. Germany. What a, yeah. It's more of a feel. Yeah, feel. Like, you know what I mean? Like the, uh, but I think Morocco wins.

I think Morocco beats in the Netherlands. beats in the Netherlands. We're headed to the NBA. Imagine this is next year's warrior squad. Steph's 39. LeBron's 41. He'd come over his free agent. Dremont is 36.

AD is 33. He'd be traded for Jimmy Butler. And Dremond already making a move that would help facilitate this idea come to life. He's declining his about $28 million player option to help facilitate LeBron and AD acquisitions.

So you can react to that news and then talk about would this actually work if it happened? My reaction is I, so credit where it's due prior to all of this starting like six weeks ago, Bill Simmons kept saying

that he thought this was not only a very real possibility, but that this is where he was leaning was the most likely outcome. LeBron going to Golden State. I think I said on the show when we talked about LeBron going to Golden State a month ago, that it would be fun, it could be cool, but they can't compete.

And I threw in, as an aside, unless they go get someone like Anthony Davis. Because AD, I do think, is available. Like the reason the Wizards were able to trade for him for so little was because the MAVs didn't want to give them the contract extension, and they probably just wanted to clean their hands of anything Luca trade-related. But I think there will be real squeamishness for any team to give him a max contract extension, even though when he plays, he is, in my opinion, still a max player. But the age and the injuries have been so overwhelming.

He rarely plays. He played 29 games since he was traded for Luca. Right, which is in a season and a third or season and a half. Would it work? Again, this is the ultimate, if healthy. but if healthy, I think absolutely. Now, work doesn't mean... Working is the championship.

I think working is legitimate. We all watch them play and we say, oh, that team can win the title. Like, that is, to me, when I say absolutely, a top-tier contender. I'm not saying they absolutely would win the title. I wouldn't say that really about any team. But I think that if you're competing

with San Antonio, first and foremost. And Anthony Davis-Dremont front line to deal with Wembe, I think is very interesting. And if you're competing with Oklahoma City, I think that is a clunkier fit as far as how this team would compete with them. But just the overwhelming kind of experience and savvy of LeBron and Steph, I think would give them more than a, more than a puncher's chance. I wouldn't put it like I think they would be able to go toe to toe. and right now it seems like there's a lot of dominoes falling in place where this is a legitimate real possibility.

Yeah, I think you mentioned earlier the clutch connection with LeBron, Draymond, and AD. Yep. And obviously they're great friends as well. To me, there's clearly some machinations going on behind the scenes because most likely, and I would agree with Washington on this, they're not going to give AD a four-year, $275 million.

As good as he is when he plays because of his health questions, I would not do that if I'm Washington. You just got the number one pick. You just gave Tray Young all that money. I don't think you want to lock yourself up financially, you know, for basically the next several years. So I don't think that will happen. And with that being the case, there may be some pressure being put on Washington to get this done and move AD to Golden State. If I'm Washington, though, I would certainly test the market on AD. I would think I could get more.

You're right. He obviously didn't get much when he was traded from Dallas. But I would see if I could get more. Because another contender. But could he force his way to? Well, I don't know if it depends. Like if no other team really is like, oh, we're definitely going to give him the four-year extension. He really doesn't have the leverage.

So now, and Golden State, that, this situation there, I doubt they'll commit to giving him that. But it may be like, all right, go there, AD, have a proven year. If he's great and they go to the conference finals or maybe further, then maybe they would lock him up if he's healthy and all that. So, but as far as them being good, they would be a very good team, obviously assuming health, which is a big assumption, a huge assumption. but with AD and

Dre Ma'i you do have two still very good defenders Steph obviously the shooter LeBron I see LeBron playing a role like he did for Team USA when he was fantastic as the point guard it would be and look I still think San Antonio

assuming there are big improvements this move if I'm the Spurs and they're already looking at power forwards it would I would be like we've got to get another like big to to help out. Like a Rui move?

Yeah, Rui, John Collins is somebody they look like, who I think would fit well there. But I think it would necessitate that type of move from them. But it would be incredibly fun to watch. And I do think they'd be a top four team in the West.

I think your point about AD's contract is one of the reasons why he doesn't have as much, you're not going to get as much in return in the AD trade. Because you're saying most teams. You don't know if it's right. Most teams don't want to extend him, so you're trading for a player with a year left. You know what I mean? So you're not going to give away a ton for a player who it's like, well, we don't know if you're leaving,

but we also are nervous about locking you up. Right. So maybe they do. And that's where Jimmy Butler would give them financial relief in the future. Let me pitch you an idea. Because my radar is up. My antennas are up with how teams are going to start building based on the, the Knicks success.

Sure. And we talked about it earlier about like, oh, this is what hit my radar. When you're like, they're great friends. I'm like, oh yeah, that was the Nick's story. Are we going to see chemistry rise to the forefront of what we need when it used to just be measurables? I want a guy who's six, nine, and can shoot threes and guard all positions. Like, okay, I'll put chemistry up.

Experience. Where you're going to the finals? Like, oh, man, Spurs are just losing games because they're not experienced and the NICs have more experience. team has got a lot of friendship and a lot of playoff experience, championship experience. And then we talk about the injury concern. Can they organize their year so that they're peaking at the right time like the Knicks when the Knicks weren't that good. The championship Knicks weren't as good as they were in the, you know, the December Knicks. The December Nicks couldn't win. The June Nicks could. So could you, I don't know how you could do that though. Like,

could you do the whole year like, hey, man, we need to peak right in the play. I know LeBron can. Yeah, I mean, LeBron, it did feel like the – was peaking. He was peaking at the – like, he, I think, knew how – And he sat out the first – Yeah, he sat out the beginning of the year with the sciatica and then also missed, you know, two weeks when the Lakers – when Luca went on that scoring run, which is one of the reasons when he came back, he kind of changed his style.

So I think LeBron, you know, one of the benefits of 24 years. in the league is knowing how your body needs feel at the end of the year, as long as you don't get dinged up. Steph, you know, I think, Kerr has always been careful with Steps' minutes. Yeah. I think that they would need to be more careful with his games because his injury was a weird one. It was a runner's knee and then it just kind of derailed him. Steph and AD are the biggest.

Yeah. And A.D., but the thing is AD, I just feel like it's just hope. I mean, you saw the last time he got hurt. I believe it was his first game back. Yes. And he just... It was three quarters into it. You're talking about the game in Dallas?

Yeah. Yeah. And he just kind of... Oh, I think you're talking about the eye. Well, there's... It's weird stuff too. He got hitting the eye and the hand. All right.

How far can Team USA go we discuss after the break? And we're counting down in Germany, Paraguay. From Boston, four hours and 52 minutes. And a major guest announcement. Oh, wow. A major guest announcement coming up. These games in New York. It's going to be fireworks.

Major announcement, Darren Fletcher, announced on Instagram. Looking forward to first things first tomorrow. So 10.30, right before he calls France, Sweden, here in New York, has tweeted he's coming on the show. Nice. Awesome. You better hope Brazil wins. Well, you know what? That is, I have even more on the game now, all.

son. He is going to roast me if they lose. KW is going to roast me in the A block. I'm not going to roast you. I've just laid out. No, if you several solid reasons why Japan is going to upset Brazil. You would get, you get, you get, you made the actual thing. You rarely go out like that. Yeah, you get bragging rights if they win. You didn't edge a little. Yeah. This was great. I mean, that's what I'm talking about. Yeah, we respect that. Nine hours and 17 minutes till, uh, Netherlands, Morocco tonight. Who do you have in this one, Dax?

Netherlands. Sorry, Zach. Zach, one of our bosses is Morocco. I got a Iraq. I'm with Zach. I think Africa has been the continent of Africa, their teams have been overperforming in this world. Agreed. They've some upsets and.

I've been a little underwhelmed by Morocco. Just a little bit. No, that's fair. That's the long tail of Brazil. I like that's like Brazil is not that good. Brazil's not that good and Morocco couldn't even beat them. USA, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Wednesday at 8 on Fox. Now, a lot of things have to break a lot of different ways, but we're using the athletics

brackets forecast. Here is one possible path. Around a 32 game, that one's locked in stone. Round 16 would definitely be those two. Round of 16 is Belgium, Senegal, the winner of Belgium, Senegal. Quarter of Spain or Portugal. Semis, we could see France, Netherlands or Germany, and the finals, you could see a lot of different teams. But according to the athletic, the most likely team, Argentina, England, or Brazil, or if you have Brazil losing right away, it really.

Yeah, well, the Japan just takes them on. Yeah, yeah. The Ivory Coast goes on a run. What is success for the USA moving forward, Dax? You have to win. You have to beat Bosnia. That is mandatory. Unequivocally, first and foremost, necessary.

I saw what you said about it earlier. It would be, you'd never want to look past an opponent. And I don't like when analysts or media members come on here and say, well, they have no chance. Bosnia has no chance, we're better, but it's going to be a white wall. No, any team has a chance. I think we've seen that in this World Cup with the number of overwhelming favorites struggling to get a positive result. And by the way, if that is in the knockout rounds and the lesser team can get it to extra time and penalties, it's a total. It's a total coin flip.

Can I ask you an odd question on teams mismatched games that we're about to watch theoretically? Is there a situation where you would almost rather play a stronger team that is trying to beat you? And there's going to be opportunities and it's going to be a free-flowing game. Versus this game or I think you said Brazil, Japan could even be this way. Sure. We're like, you know what? Play them to a draw. and let's see what happens.

Park the Boston. Absolutely. Especially with the U.S. men's national team, what I have seen from them right now, I would love to see them in a relatively open game where maybe they would be the underdog. And so we will most likely get there. I see the U.S. men's national team beating Bosnia,

and I think it's going to be a very tough game. I think it will be akin to if you combine the Paraguay and Australia game right into one, and you see a team that is organized, a team that's going to sit deep, a team that's going to be chippy and try to break the game up. I think it will be a very difficult game for the U.S. men's national team, but they have the quality to go and win the game.

I have Senegal beating Belgium and their round of 32 opponent, and I think that that rematch after the U.S. had beaten them and the friendly leading up to it, with Senegal, I think having really good momentum and vibes on their side after coming through a really tough group, there was no real group of death, but the most difficult group in the competition. And I think that would be a very challenging game

for the U.S. men's national team. I still think they would be the favorite to advance. And then what would success look like? Yeah, get to that quarterfinal against Spain or Portugal, if Portugal can even get past Croatia and get it together. And then to your point about being in an open game, to being an underdog, to having transitional moments on either side, to playing with no fear.

I do not think the U.S. men's national team would win that game against Spain or Portugal if Portugal were to get there. But I do think that there is absolutely something to say about being the first U.S. men's national team in history to win two knockout round games, which has never been done before in our history, and do it on home soil, where after your group stage performances,

I'm going to give them a pass on the Turkey A game because of the rotation. You will say that is unequivocally the best tournament that the U.S. men's national team has ever played in their history, and while it's not lifting a trophy at the end, it is changing the perception of what people view United States men's soccer as. And that, more so than,

Potentially, winning the trophy would be a euphoric moment that no one can even see, predict how that would go. But changing the perception of what people view soccer in this country as, men's soccer specifically, because the women have been fantastic and have won, that would go further than any other result you could have. And so get to the quarterfinals, put in a great performance against Spain, make us believe again, play with no fear. And that, for me, is absolutely what this U.S. men's national team is capable of. agree that getting to the quarter finals, the final eight, is success. I feel like anything less is

really not. I mean, we'll have they will have had a very good tournament because they beat Bosnia. That's the most wins we've ever had in the World Cup. They've already broken the goals record for Team USA in the World Cup. You get to the round

of 16. That's a solid showing. But because of how well they've played, I would feel disappointed. Yeah. I would feel disappointed. If they beat Bosby and lose. It's disappointing.

It's not a failure, but it's disappointing. Right. And so I think success is the final eight. Now, they've been so good and the path is so open that I really want to see them. And I'm not saying, obviously, we all love to see them win,

but I'm not even talking about that. I would love to see them go further. than we ever had outside of 1930. Sure. You know, like, so that would mean beating Spain and getting to the final four. That would mean playing one of the greatest games that you've ever played in being a team that would be the favorite. Right, because that's good.

We will say this was our best team, but in 2002 we got to the quarterfinals. Yep. And so I wouldn't be able to say we went further than any U.S. team. And that's really, we've played so well. I think we've improved so much as far as this talent. on this team that I really want to be able to say we went further than we've ever gone before. Go ahead.

Starting to get nervous a little bit. About about being the hunt about being a little bit about being the hunted rather than the hunter. We've never been in this position. No, it's always like I believe we will win and like the marketing of the U.S. is all like have faith and why not us? And like, nah, we're here. And all of a sudden, we're expected to do it. We're expected. So I just wonder.

And we've also scored first in all of these games. And early. It was the first time we were down was at the second goal from Turkey A. But Chris Richards never been down in this World Cup. Our real squad hasn't been down. So if they get a goal, I forgot the name of the 18-year-old superstar on Bosnia Herzegovina who had that. If they get a goal early, do they get nervous?

Does the U.S. get nervous? I think that. I will be super, not even nervous. like in tight. Yeah. So I think that's, I think that's a fair concern. Uh,

I, can I quickly just give potential grades? Sure. Of course. Lose in a round of 32. F triple minus. Yeah. Lose in the round of 16.

B minus. Yeah. It's, you know, the, you bring that all me. I might say C. The,

yeah, the group stage is so, It's the, you know, we're going to be playing, you know. We can beat Senegal. We can beat Senegal. We can beat Belgium. But again, so that's fine. C plus B minus something like that.

Make it past that round, lose in the round of eight, the quarterfinals, which has been what I have been targeting this whole time, A minus. Exactly. Yeah. Okay. Win that game, lose in the semis, A plus. Correct. That is an A plus tournament.

That would be a, that's a france. Lose to frame. Yeah, that's a plus. win that game, losing the final, down to an A. Yeah, down to an A. And win the whole tournament, A triple plus. I'm just telling, like, there is, it will, we will go into that France game. If we beat Spain, we'll go into that France game being like, oh, my God, look at what we did.

Like, it's still a long ways away, it's far away. We kind of won our title. Lose France, we feel amazing. If you beat Spain, then France, and then get clipped by this Brazil. No one believes in... Easy schedule. The easy route. Very, very great.

Look at their completion percentage against winning teams. Bonus. Hold on, just very quick. Bonus take. Bonus take. The other reason they can't lose in the round of 32 is, I don't know if you guys saw the story. Whoever runs U.S. soccer, I don't know, is the faceless entity.

It's like, hey, Bochitino, we'll give you a contract extension. Oh, yeah. We want him to want to coach this team. Yeah, we didn't discuss that. I think he does. And so I do, too. But I'm saying... I don't know.

But I'm saying if we go on a run, he's more likely to stay. If we go on a run, I think he's more likely. If he lost this game. Oh, okay. I look like get out while the getting's good a little bit. Well, okay, maybe. But I think if they, the, we go on a super deep run, like, I'm good here. Does Caleb need a new nickname?

His trademark denied. Wait to you to see who's got it. And we're counting down to Brazil, Japan on five. from Houston, one hour and seven minutes. Brazilian fans excited. Japan fans ready for the upset. This one starts at one o'clock on Fox.