PTI - Which NBA Team has Made the MOST Impactful Moves?

Episode Date: July 1, 2026

Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser discuss the World Cup, the NBA, and Nats/Red Sox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Find your rhythm across a seamless 33-inch display and an immersive 19-speaker AKG surround audio system. This city demands agility, and Optic delivers with precision to make every drive extraordinary. Let's take the Cadillac. Find out more at Cadillac Canada.ca. Luxury sales claim based on S&P Global Mobility Canadian New Vehicle Total Registrations for calendar year 2025 for the Cadillac definition of luxury. Pardon the interruption, but I'm Michael O'Ntony. Did you see that Rory McElroy wore his green jacket to Wimbledon today?

I'm Tony Kornheiser. People who do things like that, they're just begging for attention. Hmm. Yeah. Where'd you get, when you dust that off? Oh, I found it in a closet upstairs. 25 years old. It's at least 25 years old.

Could be 40 years old. Early 2000s, right? Yeah. Well, so are we. Where's mine? I had a red one. No, you got a fancy jacket on today. You got Searsucker made out of wool, which I didn't think was cross.

Sears, very nice. Welcome to PTI, Boers and Girls in today's episode, a flurry of movement in the NBA. Kate Cavali yells at Wilson Contreras and Taylor Twelman joins us for five good minutes. But we begin today with the World Cup. The headline here is the United States playing Bosnia, Herzegovina, in the knockout round of 32 tonight in the 49ers Stadium in Santa Clara. And there is other World Cup news. Yesterday, France beat Sweden 3-0-0 as your boy, Mboppe scored twice.

Unreal. Mexico beat Ecuador, and just an hour or two ago, Harry Kane delivered twice in a comeback win of the Democratic Republic of Congo two to one. Wilbon, which match is most on your mind? Well, at first it was Mbapu, because he scored these two goals and the first one. It's insane. It's not physically possible. It was wizardry.

And then you watched Mexico last night in that stadium, in that cauldron, and it's so emotionally. They never lose. They just don't lose. They don't lose. Twice like in 60 years. And it's like, okay, that's it. And no, no. I left you a message because I lost my mind watching England be down one-nothing,

thinking they can't come back. They've never come back. They're going to lose again. It's going to be like the Knicks and the Cubs. They're going to go back home 60 years in county and they can't win. And Harry Kane scores two goals that, to me, are the most. thrilling things I have seen amongst the most thrilling things I've ever seen in any sport. I know.

The header followed by the rocket on the right leg. Come on, I left you a message. I watched it. I watched it. I'm going to, I'm seething all of this to you. Harry Kane. Because you have become our soccer specialist. I am not, Mr. Soccer, as you know.

But I'm going to answer the question about the United States team. The United States team, I believe, is ranked 15th in the world. And Bosnia, Herzegovina is ranked 61st. So you do the math. That is a large spring. if you believe the rankings. Well, Bosnia just had to win a playoff to even qualify for the main draw of 48, right? Now, they've done quite well.

They tied Canada. They beat Qatar. They're in the last 32, so they've got to be pretty good. And the United States, in the last five years, is 0 and 10 against European teams. But I am informed by two things that I think are related. One is that Paraguay beat Germany the other day. They tied him in regulation. Real upset.

People looked at that and said that is a big deal. Paraguay was in the group with the United States. The United States beat them four to one. Let me repeat that, four to one. They bombed them, and that's why I think that the United States should win tonight, should win in regulation. And by the way, the last European team, the last European team that the United States beat was Bosnia.

You think they don't know that? No, I'm sure they do. You think they feel great about the United States? Again, going to get two in a row off them? Who do you think? A big, strong, tough team. I have no idea. I'm not about to project on something like that.

I am stuck on England and Harry King. You realize the pressure? Look, I've been in England. I've been in London when the England team has lost in World Cup. And it feels like there's a national morning. I've also been at a game. I watched Croatia beat England in Moscow. It was definitely in Russia.

I guess it was Moscow. In 2018. Oh, my God. The feel of it, Tony, the pressure on England to win these games and to finally win a cup. And their reward is to play Mexico at Alton 2? Really? That's their reward. You tune it into that?

You're going to find a way to get off the Nats Sunday night? Not the Nats are playing. Let's move to the NBA Hot Stove League. This is the second day of free agency and there is movement. Your Bulls will bring in Norman Powell who averaged 21.7 points from Miami last season. The Pistons will bring in John Collins who played this past season. with the clippers, but before that in Atlanta and Utah, average as much as 21.6 points per game.

The Celtics are adding 38-year-old Mike Conley, Jr., from Minnesota, and Mitchell Robinson, who was instrumental off the bench in the Knicks' success. The Lakers are trading for Utah Center, Walker Kessler, and there are reports the Wizards are not listening to offers for Anthony Davis. Where do you want to start? Wow, with the Lakers.

All these other things are fine. The Pist is getting John Collins as interesting. Seems like they maybe preferred him, I don't know, over Norman Powell, which are my bulls. I'm thrilled about that move. Mitchell Robinson, Celtic stealing him from the Knicks. Hurt your enemy, help yourself.

All that's good. Tobias Harris, they need vets in the Spurs. He's going to the Spurs. Love all that. But the Lakers, Tony, after losing Marcus Smart and Luke Kinnard, they lose them, they go and they give two first round picks for Walker Kessler, who I like. 24 years old, 7-2, you know, he seems like a late bloomer. Like he could really be something playing with Luca Donchich.

And they also get Quentin Grimes, who apparently are about to, and Colin Sexton. So the Lakers went out and since losing LeBron 30 hours ago have retooled their team. Some people don't seem happy about it. You and I are involved in group techs where people close to L.A. and the Lakers are going, what have they done? This is, wow. If they have a first class center, which they haven't had since Anthony Davis was traded away, because D'Andre Aden has not measured up. No. If this guy is a first-class center, that helps them a lot.

They remain buoyant. I like Kessler. Right? Okay. And prove it much yet, but you're betting on the come. I'm not going to go to the things that you talk to. Okay. I mean, I do agree with you. I think the Celtics made a couple of good moves here.

I know Mike Conley Jr. is old, but he gives a calming veteran presence to a really loaded backcourt. And if they trade Jalen Brown, he's got to go in and play. And Mitchell Robinson is a great defensive. Yes, he is. But I got to talk about, we do the show in Washington, DC. I live in Washington, D.C. Got to talk about Anthony Davis. It's laudable that the Wizards don't

want to have any offers for him. I understand that. He was a very, very good player. But he doesn't actually play anymore. He doesn't play. To me, I think that the Wizards don't want to trade him because they actually want to see him play one game

in a wizard's uniform. They acquired him in February. He has not played a minute. Tony, I told you. You scoffed him. when I first said this, they think they can make a run at a playoff spot with Anthony Davis. If he plays. I know.

Well, yes, because he's got to play. It's like when you go to the National Zoo and you wait for the panda to come out, and sometimes the panda doesn't come out. And you've been the whole day and the panda didn't come out. I know you think that they're going to make the playoffs. If he played. If it was me, I would, well, I'll tell you why I would entertain trade. Because if he decides he doesn't want to play here, he's out.

The NBA allows that to happen. Guys get out and you don't get value. It does. I was trying to think of some places he could play and what you want to give up for. I thought you wanted to play in Golden State. No, no, no, no, no. I want LeBron to play.

But I thought you wanted him with him. No, I don't believe in that whole tag team thing for him. But Anthony Davis, don't you just hope he's got some more left in him? We can play 70 games a couple of times. It would take him four years on the current schedule to do that, right? I hope he can't. It's Chicago boy. I love Anthony Davis. I like my jacket.

And now, that's so obnoxious to the tensions between the socks and your nets. Yes. Boston catcher, Wilson Contreras, made a memorable bat flip Monday before later getting ejected for mimicking an appeal call. That's right. Then on Tuesday, he cut right in front inches of pitcher Cade Cavali while trotting off the field and appear to apologize. He did. Cut to Cavali later Striking out Contreras

and yelling, sit down, boy. Contreras took issue, got ejective for throwing his helmet, said it wasn't what Cavali said as much as how he said it to bother him. Tone, do you see this dust up as a big deal, little deal, or no deal at all? All right, full disclosure.

I watch all the Nats games. At one one yesterday, I took the dog out for a walk. I missed this. The whole thing. My text game was an important thing. My tension was blowing up. Everybody was in a lather, and I had to wait until this morning to watch him. You know Wilson Contreras, you know.

No one like him. He is an agitator. Yes, he is. He is an absolute agitator. He is a chippy guy and wants to do that. All right. I think he brushed into Cavali when they both got off the field. I think he brushed into him, right?

And Cavali had that in his pocket. So when he struck him out, he started barking at him. Great, tight, breaking fish. And then both benches, both benches empty. Yeah. I'm a Nats fan. Cavali had the game of his life. He won seven innings, one hit, no earned, 13 strikeouts, no walks.

At one point, retired 19 a row. The best start of his life. But if I was the umpire last night, I think I'd have tossed him. On the brush. No, on the screaming and the yelling. And I'll tell you what, because it takes two to tango. Contreras can't do it all by himself. I believe Contreras should have been tossed, and you can convince me that Cavali should have been tossed.

Wow. I look, I think this is no deal at all. It's what baseball players want to do. Because they don't play each other again. I know, but it's not even. This is what Contraultz does as you pointed out. Chippy, this is what he does. That's right.

By the way, that's right. I would have done exactly what Cavali did when he struck his butt out. I would have gone out of it. I'd have justiculated. What do we call it? We call it baseball. That's what it is. That's what we do.

Let's take a break. Coming up, where am I pointing to? Let's take a break. How significant is tonight's game to the state of American soccer? I'm going to get rid of this coat for them. No, don't. We also ask you whether it's okay for a player to abstain from taking a penalty kick. So we got people behind the cameras.

They're both pointing to different cameras that I should talk. Trying to confuse you. Because you got that jacket on. It's coming off. We're done with. When you're a mid-sized business, you need every competitive advantage you can get. Like an AI solution that works for you, not against you. SAP Grow is built with AI embedded at its core, working across.

every system. And it's ready to go from day one so you can hit the ground running. Bring it with SAP Grow. AI Cloud ERP for any size business. The United States is less than three hours from taking the pitch. You see how I said that will be on the pitch in the round of 32, which makes it a perfect time for a visit from our great friend, the lead MLS analyst on Apple TV, Taylor Twelman. Let us start with the stakes tonight. How significant is tonight's game in your mind to the state of American soccer? I'm going to steal Maricio Pochitino's words. Tonight's the World Cup final.

Tonight is the World Cup final. The reason why I say that is if you were going to maximize what you did against Paraguay in the opening game and then double down of what you did against Australia, you cannot lose in the round of 32 against the team that's playing in their first knockout round game in the World Cup history in Bosnia-Herzegovina. You just can't. And for the United States, there has to be a little bit of warning. They beat Paraguay 4-1, Paraguay beats Germany. Congo takes England to the 85th minute. There have been so many borderline upsets and upsets.

The United States have to treat tonight as a World Cup final, and I think they will. Let's dig in a little bit more to Bosnia and Herzegovina. I want to get to their success on corners. But just what kind of team, Taylor, if you can characterize that for folks listening, watching. What kind of team are they? It's a good question, Michael. I'll say it two different ways. First and foremost, I think we all need to understand the history of this country. They knocked out Italy in World Cup qualifying. That meant Italy missed their third straight World Cup. This is no easy out. So they've been in

pressure cooker moments. Now, as a team, they're better tactically than Paraguay. Technically, with the ball, they're better than Australia. Why do I use those two examples? Because the United States men play those two teams and beat those two teams in the group stage. But they're going to be a little bit more refined. Now, you reference their corners. I'll even double down on what that means.

They are going to play very direct. The United States is going to want to use the crowd and the energy to get behind them. They're going to high press. They're going to get after Paraguay. The only way Bosnia can bypass that is playing direct, and they've got a big, tall, center forward that has been world-class throughout his entire career.

He doesn't have the legs anymore in JECO, but JECO is very dominant in the air. They're going to play long, they're going to play for set pieces, and they may be the only team against the United States that may have an upper hand on corners and set pieces. That may be where the game is won tonight. Wow, wow. All right, let's spread this out a little bit. So far, your biggest takeaways from the round of 32 results are what? The minnows can swim with the big fish a little bit.

You know, I didn't see a 48-team World Cup going into the first round of 32 we've ever had. I didn't see any upsets happening. I really didn't. I was in the building for Paraguay, Germany. They completely frustrated them. The Germans were extremely arrogant in their approach. and obviously with the news and the fallout afterwards, they weren't well prepared for that game.

And Paraguay got under their skin. And then obviously a goalkeeper that is 8 foot 5 inches tall was brilliant. He's only 6'6, but there's a little fun there. But the other part to that is this, is the stars need to show up. The stars have to deliver. And even though that the minnows are swimming among the big fish, Mbapes delivered, Erling Holland's delivered. Harry Kane was massive today against Congo.

and then Messi's coming right around the corner. I think tonight has got to be in Christian Polisic's big star moments. He's got to announce himself on the world stage. We will get you out of here on this. We've seen two games already go to penalty kicks. There's a report that several German players passed on the opportunity to take a penalty kick. What is the protocol there, Taylor? If you're not confident, is it best to step away?

I've never been one. You guys know me well enough. I'd rather take something and miss it versus. is not, and I've actually lived this in one of my MLS Cups, 2006, we had some big name star players not want to take a penalty. And all I remember after the game is saying to them and realizing you're going to have to live with it for the rest of your life. I will always respect players that step up and take it. Now, the German, Jonathan Ta, that's one of the worst penalties I've ever seen. But he raised his hand because four better players, more technical players,

players said they didn't want to take it. They weren't up for it. Tony, to answer your question, sure, if you're unsure, don't take it. But then why play the game? Why sit on the fence? Because now, for the rest of your life, you are going to have to put your head on the pillow and think about, I looked at my 10 other teammates and I said, I didn't want to take one. I didn't want to partake in getting our country a chance to get to the round of 16. That would be a difficult pill for me to swallow. I'd rather swallow missing the penalty than not taking it.

This is why we have you because you're a fabulous guest. Thank you. Thank you, Taylor. Appreciate it. Let's go USA, boys. Let's take one last break still to come. Junior Camerro does it again. And Sergei Boebrowski has a new team.

These guys, these stars who don't take kicks, I'm sorry. That's like cowardice. They're called kicks. They're not called penalty kicks, just kicks. Penalties, PKs, whatever they call. Because you were talking about. about corners. You lost me in the middle of us. You and Taylor went down I-95 without me. I was at a rest stop. I don't know what you're talking. Did you watch Harry Kane today? Could AI help you do more

of what you love? Workday is the AI platform for HR and finance that actually knows your business. We help you handle the have-to-dos so you can focus on the can't-wait-to-dos. It's a new workday. This spring, Denham gets a softer, lighter update. Introducing old Navy's drapey denim wide leg, a new fit that moves with you. It's everything you want denim to feel like for summer. Easy, breathable, and effortlessly cool. With a fit that creates natural movement and a wide leg that feels modern, not overwhelming. Plus, that signature, wait, for this price, moment. Old Navy's drapey denim wide leg. Happy time, people. Happy 65th birthday, Carl Lewis. Yes, he did a terrible national anthem once. It was in

1993 before a Bulls Nets game in New Jersey, it was awful. But that should not be his legacy. If the essence of athletics is running and jumping, Carl Lewis is one of the greatest athletes of all time. He won two Olympic gold medals in the 100, including the one he was awarded when it was determined that Ben Johnson used performance-enhancing drugs to beat Lewis in Seoul in the greatest event I have ever watched.

He won gold in the 200, and he won four gold medals in the long jump from Los Angeles to Atlanta. There is simply no greater track star in American history and Carl Lewis, who is now coaching track and his alma mater, Houston. I'm going to go further in a second here. First of all, he would have performed in Moscow, but for the United States boycott.

With apologies to Michael Phelps and Kenyon the Decky, Carl Lewis, to me, the greatest Olympian. Period. Now, whoever let him sing that anthem should have been fired the next day. We love Carl. We do. Happy anniversary, Poki Reese on this day

22 years ago, the Red Sox shortstop made a wonderful over-the-shoulder catch of Kenny Laughton's foul ball before tumbling over the padded wall of the photographer as well at Yankee Stadium. It's a great catch, but was overshadowed by a play made in the same general area by Yankee's shortstop Derek Jeter. Jeter dove into the stands after catching Trot Nixon's foul ball in the 12th inning to end the Red Sox threat in a game that the Yankees won in 13. In terms of short stops, meaning no disrespect to poking, but I'd rather have number two, the captain, Derek Jita.

There's no other vote. By the way, you know who was sitting in the opposing? and dugout watching but not playing? No ma. Oh, is that right? Speaking of great shorts. Great shots up, right? And it amazing that Jeter, that that happened against the Red Sox?

It is. It just, you know, it didn't happen against the White Sox. Happen against Boston. Happy trails to another ball off the bat of Junior Camerero. The raised slugger homered in his fifth straight game last night, his eighth homer in his last seven games. Camerero has 23 homers this season following the 45 he had last year. He made it to the final of last year's home run derby,

and has committed to this year. But no home run that he has hit measures up in our minds to the one he hit that first brought him to our attention in January of last year, the one that ultimately

won game seven of the Dominican Winter League Championship. Yep, yep. It took Caminero 57 seconds to get around the bases and 30 just to get the first base. The bat flips alone in that series were fabulous.

Yes. He is. Let's hope he stays hot for a while. It's fun. Appears to be a great hitter at the moment. And a bonus happy. trails to Sergei Bobrovsky. The goalie is leaving the Panthers for the Maple Leafs and a three-year deal worth

$21 million. Bobrovsky won two cups with Florida, won two Vesna Trophes with the Blue Jackets, but he will be 38 years old in September and had a career-worst save percentage of 877 last season. Meanwhile, Connor Hellebuck's future where the Jets is uncertain after the team today signed Stuart Skinner. There are rumors that he's on the trading block. Hellebuck has won three Vesna Trophies and the gold medal with the Jetsonzo.

Team USA at the Olympics earlier this year. You hope something can help Toronto get back to the big action. I don't know that getting a goaltender who's about to turn 38 does that, but he's got all the hardware and the seat and tradition. But it's a gold tender who's walking into the Hall of Fame. Yes, no doubt. No doubt. You know, if a gold tender is age as important with a goaltender as it is with a forward or center, no.

And we have seen gold tenders have short stints where they can dominate right through the playoffs. I mean, him and Hellebuk both have done it. I mean, this is a big deal. Let's see if we can go to the Big Finns. Let's do it. The Yankees lost their seventh straight today when they fell in extras to the Tigers as it caused for concern. The 12 and 15 without Aaron Judge,

that's concerning, right? Serena skipped her mandatory post-match media session, and her agent says she was cleared and she had injured her knee during the match, your thoughts. I didn't really expect her to say anything. We all watched her. That's enough. But I hope she's able to play doubles with her sister.

I would like to see that. The NFL PA and quarterback Brendan Sorsby will not sue the NFL, and he will instead focus on the 2027 draft. Is that the right call? Only call? How many choices does he have? None. Available to him.

It doesn't seem like many. Dave Roberts is the fastest manager in history to 1,000 wins. Are you impressed? I think he's underrated. I know they have great talent. They do. But everybody seems to like playing for him. I actually think he's underrated.

Last one, Shohei Start. until tomorrow. New schedule appears to rule him out of pitching the All-Star game. He's disappointed. Listen, if he pitches in the All-Star game, it'll just be controversial because people will wonder who's using him how, although he could be his own manager. And just hit. Just do that. Really? We're out of time. Try to do better the next time. I'm Tony Kornado. I'm Mike Wilbar. Same time tomorrow, knuckleheads.