The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 05/17/2021 - Best of The Herd

Episode Date: May 17, 2021

Colin explains why the Clippers are clearly still scared of the Lakers based on how they finished the season. He proclaims Steph Curry as the greatest shooter of all time after another impressive season from the 2-time MVP. He also tells you why he was wrong about James Harden and right about Tim Tebow. Plus, Warriors insider Marcus Thompson joins the show to talk about the Warriors preparing for the playoffs and if Kevin Durant is happier now in Brooklyn.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Another podcast from some SNL, late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter.

Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque.

Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The story I've told myself can then shape my behavior, and that can lead me to sabotage the possibility of connection. This Mental Health Awareness Month, tune into the podcast Deeply Well with Debbie Brown.

If you've been searching for a soft place to land while doing the work to become whole, this podcast is for you to hear more. Listen to Deeply Well with Debbie Brown from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Hey, I'm Deanna Maria Riva, and on my new podcast, How Hard Can It Be? I call on my Gen X squad from Ohio to Hollywood as we navigate Midlife's most fantastic BS. Unfiltered conversations from night sweats to futas to scheduling sex. Wait, what sex? Is it just me? Or does every woman my age want to look at Pinterest?

instead of having sex sometimes. They say we can't polish a turn, but we're sure going to try. So let's get blunt with laughs, tears, or tears of laughter. Listen to How Hard Can It Be with Diana Maria Riva on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for listening to The Best of Heard Podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday from 12 to 3 Eastern, 9 to noon Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and FS1.

Find your local station for the herd at Fox Sports Radio.com or stream us live every day on the iHeart Radio app by searching Heard. This is the best of the herd with Colin Cowher on Fox Sports Radio. Ah, here we go on a Monday live in beautiful Los Angeles. It's the herd. Wherever you may be and however you may be listening, IHeart Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and FS1, 1 hour from now, as is customary, where Colin was right, where Colin was wrong,

and there's plenty of both. The ubiquitous, she's everywhere. Joy Taylor is now joining me this morning. She was on first things first when I drove in this morning at some ungodly hour. I don't know what time you have to get up, Joy, but thanks for being on the show. 155 a.m. Oh, terrific. You know, and weirdly, I woke up one minute before the alarm went off too.

That happens to me a lot. I think it happens to a lot of people. I can't explain it. It's weird. It's very odd, right? It's like a ghost inside of all this. I would definitely never plan to wake up at 154 in the morning. But it was fun.

NBA playoffs are finally here. They're finally here and it's interesting. There's something called inner scoreboard that if you've had success in life, maybe professionally, maybe socially. You know, you're a beautiful woman and you have confidence. It's an inner scoreboard that you have confidence in social situations. Maybe you're a very funny guy. You're very confident around people because you've had success your whole life.

Maybe it's professional success, whatever it is. The inner scoreboard. A lot of people flex their outer scoreboard. I am great. But people with an inner scoreboard don't have to tell you that. And that's the Lakers. To give you an understanding of the Lakers' clippers relationship in Los Angeles, we all know the Lakers have 17 titles and the Clippers have never made a conference championship series.

the Lakers' all-time leading scores when they were in L.A., Kobe to Jerry West, to Kareem to Elgin, to Magic, to James Worthy to Shack, the Clippers' all-time leading score is Randy Smith. It is different, and there is a confidence about the Lakers walking into any series with the Clippers, especially a playoff series. They've won so many. In Los Angeles, it's not. just the Lakers are the big brother and the Clippers are the little brother. It's not just 17 titles to zero finals. It is the way in which the Lakers see themselves in the world.

And a prime example of that was the last week. Last night, the Clippers lost to the worst team in the NBA. Oklahoma City before last night had played 24 games and they were 1 and 23. and the Clippers lost to them because the Clippers tanked. The Clippers did not want to win. And when it was close late, you knew they'd lose anyway because nobody's worse late this year than the Clippers. And by the way, they lost to Houston before that, the second worst NBA team. Why would the Clippers do that? Because the Clippers are so terrified of facing the Lakers being on their side of the bracket that they tanked to Houston

in Oklahoma City. So now the Clippers will face Dallas. Allergic to defense, the Clippers should win that series. Defense tends to matter a lot in the playoffs. After that, they would face Utah, a team. I think the Clippers actually match up very well. Paul George, Kauai Leonard, they don't have an athletic wing to stop either. But what did the Lakers do in the last week or so?

The Lakers have been hobbled all year. AD can't stay healthy. Dennis Schrooter was out COVID protocol. LeBron James nagging high ankle spring. And what did the Lakers do? They finally got healthy about 10 days ago. They won five straight games. And when asked about the playoffs,

LeBron said, I don't care we play. I don't care where we're seated. I'm not even going to be 100%. Ready to go, baby. Bring them on. And that is the difference. between the clippers and the Lakers. LeBron James in his 18th year and his running mate,

A.D., who's brittle, have been hobbled all year in this condensed season. And they're like, yeah, we're healthy, we won five straight. Bring on the nets. Bring on the box. Bring on the Sixers. Bring on the Sixers. Bring on the whole league.

We're ready to go. The clippers, who have been healthier and better all year, are terrified. so we'll tank to Oklahoma City and we'll tank to Houston. Now, I know what you're saying. Colin, Colin, Colin, cut. That's because they're resting.

Really? You think the clippers can rest. After melting down last year, Joy and I as witnesses in the bubble, having no chemistry. And oh, by the way, this year being the worst good team in the NBA in clutch points. They should take time off? LeBron and A.D. won the title last year. They wanted to get games in late.

And the Clippers are like, nah, we got it all figured out. No, you don't. You're terrified of the Lakers. You see this all the time in UFC. You see like two female combatants, two guys walking in, both look confident.

It's got to be a war. And after about two men's first round, one of them's going forward and one of them's going backward, right? Everybody looks the part. Everybody talks the part. everybody markets the part everybody promotes the part the clippers are terrified of the lakers and the old hobbling lakers are come on bra let's go if they met in an octagon the lakers would be moving forward and the clippers would be backpedaling got to respect that got to respect the lakers falling apart we don't care where we're seated

let's go all right so i want to talk about a stepf curry for a second maybe you've heard of him Steph Curry, certainly there's an argument to be made. He is the MVP. There's certainly an argument to be made. I would give it to Chris Paul, but just because I do think the regular season matters and the sons have had a glorious regular season. And the son's history has been in 11 years before this a mess. But every little boy and little girl, and I count myself on this at one point when I was

about six, seven years old. I had a little hoop down the driveway. Every little boy and girl who picks up a basketball, the first thing they want to do is put the ball in the hoop. They don't work on their ball handling. They don't get into a defensive position. It's not about passing the ball to your neighbor. You grab the ball and you shoot it. That's what you want to do, right?

You want to hear the swish. All the best basketball players in the world, the top 50, they're all scores. Steph Curry is the greatest shooter of a basketball in the history of the world. That act of grabbing and shooting a ball, he's the best ever in the history of the world. If he played Michael Jordan and horse, he would have H-O-R-S-E, and Michael would be putting on a second sock. The greatest player couldn't compete with him. He's the best shooter of all time. We can argue who's better.

Federer, Nadal, Djokovic. We can argue MJ LeBron. We can argue Renaldo Messey, Martina Serena, whatever you will argue. You cannot argue the greatest shooter in the history of basketball. And it's the thing every little boy and girl want to do when they grab it to shoot. Put it in the net. He's the best ever. But it's not just that.

And I think this stuff is important. I've said for years and years, the thing that's underrated about the NBA is intelligence. Go look at how successful the bad boy pistons players were after basketball, like GMs, and coaches. And they were just, these guys were just fighters. No, there was several of them that became coaches and general managers or broadcasters.

The Miami Heat, in my opinion, that championship team with LeBron, Wade, Bosch, Badi, was the smartest basketball team I've ever seen. But if you look at Shaq and Kobe's careers post-basketball, I mean, Kobe's winning an Oscar. Shack is Mr. Business. that being smart and self-awareness and the ability to adapt and play with others is really not a nuance. It's really, really important.

And the NBA, now we don't even want players going to college. Go to the G League for an hour ago play. That means players are younger. We're inserting 19-year-old kids from all over the world in the league. They cannot drink at the hotels they stay at. They can't go to the bar in the Rich Carlton. They stay at. They're kids.

In the NFL, you play three years minimum. You often red shirt. God, you watch the draft. Some of these guys went to college for five years. They're 23 years old. They're married. By the time they get to the NFL. They've gone to college.

They've dealt with classes. Other kids, genders, races, religions. It's a whole different world. But basketball, you're good. You're in the league. Go. So there's a lot of dysfunction. A lot of kids are emotionally overwhelmed.

And here is Steph Curry, two, two, and two, two MVPs, two titles, two scoring championships. Only Wilt and Kareem and MJ can say that. But I think what makes Steph Curry, beyond being the best shooter in the history basketball, and I would argue, certainly arguable the best ball handler, is that with all the stuff this year that's gone on, The franchise is sort of an injury, transient, underwhelming, uneven mess. And he got him into the playoffs.

Now, think of how good Bradley Beale and Westbrook are. They'll both make the Hall of Fame. In the East, we're not sure. They have playing games. They may not make the playoffs. In the East, Steph has a chance to get these warriors in in the West, and it has been, they are the smallest team. Their top draft pick got hurt.

Clay Thompson got hurt. Kevin Durant left a couple years ago. It's his ability to function without drama in a league that is a fire hose nonstop of dysfunction and drama and kids asking to play a man's game. And here's Steph Curry. This warrior season, think about this. When Steph Curry played this year, the Warriors were a top 10 offense. When Steph Curry was not on the floor this year, it was the worst NBA offense in five years. What?

Maturity, self-awareness, intelligence. Maybe we should credit his father. He grew up around NBA games. But Golden State has been a noisy, noisy operation. Some of it their fault, some not for the last two years. and here they are, you know, with a chance to do something in the postseason in the Western conference, and it comes down to this guy. He can't win without KD.

Already has. Can't win without Clay. Boom. He won't win the MVP. Certainly you could vote him in. It wouldn't be embarrassing. LeBron said yesterday, that's the guy. Look what he's dealt with.

But I marvel at his story, his maturity, his self-awareness. for all the doubters and for some weird reason, there's been a lot of them. This year is as great a year as Steph Curry has ever had. They're simply not functional enough and not talented enough to do anything in the postseason, but the fact they have a puncher's chance speaks volumes of Steph Curry. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHeart Radio app. an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged.

It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts,

or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media.

Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated.

One week, I'll take you behind the same, scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment. And the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be.

Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on on TikTok. American soccer is about to explode. The World Cup is coming. Ramers sending on to Ernie Stewart the chip. I'm Tad Ramos.

I'm Tom Boe. On our podcast, inside American soccer, you'll get the real storylines. I'm not worried about Policic. I'm not worried about Balagan. I'm not worried about McKinney. My only concern is what happens in the back. The biggest decisions. You're going to look at stats and numbers.

He has no shot at making this World Cup team. and the truth about the U.S. national team. It wouldn't be a huge surprise if our team ends up in the quarterfinals or potentially a great run into the semifinals. The World Cup is almost here. Experience it all with us. Listen, Inside American Soccer with Tom Bogart and Tab Ramos on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcast.

Hey, I'm Deanna Maria Riva, actress, mother, and a Gen. She next woman walking through life one hot flash and hormonal crying jag at a time. You ladies know what I mean. you a perimenopausal chin here you do. So let's talk about it. Join me on my new podcast. How hard can it be with the Adamani Arriba, where I call on my Gen X squads from Ohio to Hollywood

as we navigate midlife's most fantastic BS. All of a sudden, I'd had hanginess happening on my own. I was like, what the hell is that? I was married when I had her, so I didn't even consider how empty that nest was going to be. Mood swings, night sweats, fupas, sex drive. Wait, what sex? Dating at 45. How hard can it be getting naked at 50 with the new guy?

That one's kind of hard. Well, that's lighting. They say we can't polish a turd, but we're sure going to try. So let's get blunt with laughs, tears, or tears of laughter, and dive into it, unfiltered and unbothered and ask, how hard can it be? I cannot believe I'm about to say this out loud in public. Listen to How Hard Can It Be with Diana Maria Riva as part of my Cultura Podcast Network available on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. a month ago, I decided to use Cameo.

And Cameo is this company where, like, a public figure, a mayor, Michael Strayhand, Martha Stewart, me, anybody. You could pay a small fee or a big fee depends on what the person sets. And you could get messages on Father's Day or Mother's Day or Valentine's from a Michael Strayhand or, you know, whoever, right, a public figure. It could be the mayor of your city. It could be, you know, Jimmy Kimmel. It could be anybody, a comedian, whatever.

And that technology was available 10 years ago. Nobody thought of it. It's not that complicated. Public figures and regular people, what if public figures for like $25, $30, you could talk to them? They can send you a message. There's greatness everywhere. Not just good. There's great everywhere.

Get off Twitter and find it. Be smarter. I'm reading the story this morning that Bruce Ariens talks about Tom Brady and about how long it took them to get going. And he's like, it took a while for our playbooks. to work. Here's what's amazing about the whole Brady thing. 14 months ago, he was available to the whole league. The whole damn league. Two teams aggressively pursued him.

Chargers, Buccaneers. One, the Chargers are known as the franchise that always has the talent but can't win the big game. And Tampa Bay had the worst winning percentage in American professional sports history. Those were the two Tom considered. It's not like he would not have considered your crappy NFL franchise. He went to Tampa. The Chargers are the second most popular team in L.A. They were second. That's who we considered. Do you realize Peyton Manning, his first choice was the Houston Texans? No, that's been verified. Look it up. It's called Google. He chose Denver. He wanted to go to

to Houston. Houston chose Matt Schaub. I know some people. Childhood wasn't perfect. I get it. There's burn victims. They're orphans. I get it. But I'm not really interested in most of your issues and problems. Be smarter. There's available greatness everywhere. Peyton Manning available to the league. John Elway's like, let's get aggressive. Go get him. Tom Brady, available to the league. Tampa Bay's like, whatever it takes, go get him. By the way, Aaron Rogers, Aaron Rogers is really not available now because Green Bay is not taking calls.

But in a year, when his cap hit goes from, what, 38 million to 17, and Green Bay is tired of dealing with Aaron, he will be available. But he will also be 38 years old, and he's had a couple of collarbone surgeries, watch 90% of the league talk themselves out of it. For a year, I kept saying,

Jimmy Garoppel is available. There were like 10 teams in the NFL with crappy quarterbacks. I'm like, Jimmy Garoppelow's available. He's good enough that he threatens Tom Brady. San Francisco got in the phone and went, hello, we'll take him. And they were like, all right, second round pick. What? Two years later, Super Bowl.

Two years later. By the way, when the Aaron Rogers story came out on draft night, that he may be available. Do you know who called? The Niners, the same team that called on Jimmy Garoppolo. They got on what they called a phone and said, is there a chat? No, no, no, no, no.

Okay, we just wanted to call. Apparently, 29 teams didn't. Excuse me? Aaron Rogers, available on the market. 29 teams are like, nah, we're going to go with Andy Dalton. What? What are you doing?

So I guess my whole point is, Peyton Manning wanted to be a Texan. Aaron Rogers will be available next year. Matt Stafford just was. Tom Brady was. Two teams wanted him. Like, you can tell me. about your problems, but there is greatness available. American Idol was passed on by every network,

everyone, and then dominated television. It was a hit show already in England. No, not interested. Really, really. Too many good shows on ABC, apparently. All your days were filled. You couldn't roll the dice on American Idol. All right. Okay, fine. It just cracks me up. Aaron Rogers is going to be available in one year, and he's not going to cost that much. 80% of the league will talk themselves out of it. Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd, weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific. Hey, what's up, everybody? It's me, three-time Pro Bowl of LaVarrington, and I couldn't be more excited to announce a new podcast called Up on Game.

What is Up on Game, you ask? Along with my fellow Pro Bowler, T.J. Hushman Zada, and Super Bowl champion. Yep, that's right. Plexico Burris. You can only name a show with that type of talent on it. Up on game. We're going to be sharing our real-life experiences loaded with teachable moments. Listen to Up on Game with me, LaVar Arington, T.J. Hushmanzada, and Plexico Burris on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast from. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged.

It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast, Superhuman, documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win.

A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball, of college football or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes,

creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be.

Listen to The Clifford Show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Hey, I'm Deanna Maria Riva, actress, mother, lover, and a Gen X woman walking through life one hot flash and hormonal crying jag at a time. ladies know what I mean. I'll bet you a perimenopausal chin here you do. So let's talk about it. Join me on my new podcast. How hard can it be with the Adamia Riva, where I call on my Gen X squads from Ohio to Hollywood as we navigate midlife's most fantastic BS. All of a sudden I'd had hanginess

happening on my own. I was like, what the hell is that? I was married when I had her, so I didn't even consider how empty that nest was going to be. Mood swings, night sweats, fupas, sex drive, Wait, what sex? Dating at 45. How high can it be getting naked at 50 with the new guy? That one's kind of hard. Well, that's lighting. They say we can't polish a turd, but we're sure going to try.

So let's get blunt with laughs, tears or tears of laughter, and dive into it unfiltered and unbothered and ask, how hard can it be? I cannot believe I'm about to say this out loud in public. Listen to How Hard Can It Be with Diana Maria Riva as part of My Cultura Podcast Network available on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. American soccer is about to explode.

The World Cup is coming. I'm Tad Ramos. I'm Tom Bowe. On our podcast, inside American soccer, you'll get the real storylines. I'm not worried about Policic. I'm not worried about Balagan. I'm not worried about McKinney. My only concern is what happens in the back.

The biggest decisions. If you're going to look at stats and numbers, he has no shot at making this World Cup team. and the truth about the U.S. national team. It wouldn't be a huge surprise if our team ends up in the quarterfinals or potentially a great run into the semifinals. The World Cup is almost here. Experience it all with us.

Listen to Inside American Soccer with Tom Bogart and Tab Ramos on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcast. Where Colin was right. Steph Curry could win the MVP. For years and years, I've said he's a lot tougher than you think. he's one of the most selfless stars in league history. He just led the NBA in scoring in his illustrious 12-year career. He's got two titles, two MVPs, two scoring titles.

Not even LeBron could do that. He's the greatest shooter in the history of basketball. I think he's the greatest ball handler in the history of basketball. There's just not much I don't like. And for some reason, there's just a lot of basketball fans who have always doubted him. And boy, you can't this year, because this may have been the best he's ever been and he had no help. Where Colin was wrong. Well, the Nets, Brooklyn clinched the number two seed. And do you know why they're a number two seed? And I was wrong about this because James Hardin

missed a bunch of time. I always knew Hardin was a great score. I didn't take that away from him, but I always said valuable. Do you understand this basketball team without KD once Hardin arrived was 23 and 10? Without Hardin and KD, they were 500 in the east. And I mean, they lost just some bad teams, is that I've never really quite understood the whole Durant thing or a whole Hardin thing. I mean, I know Durant's thin skinned and great, and Kyrie's a flake, but amazing. Harden, I was always like, ah, that game doesn't translate to the playoffs. But he held this team up all year.

And they'd be a, they would have been a five seed if he was out as long as KD was early. So hats off to James Harden. Where Colin was right? My initial reaction, the second the story broke on our show, Tebow to the Jags, I said, I don't like it. It's not going to play well in the locker room. It feels collegiate. It feels hokey. A day later, you were getting all sorts of leaks inside the locker room of Jacksonville.

People thought it was hokey. Listen, Tebow's great at marketing. He's a nice guy. He's a marketing machine. Books. and $100,000 a speech. He has made a fortune on this, and he's a nice kid. But it is time to move on and get a job.

You couldn't hit a curve ball. You can't throw a spiral down the sideline like the greats, and you're not going to play tight in. Maybe it's an H-back thing. But I just thought, you know, Urban Meyer's most difficult challenge will be understanding the sensibility of the NFL, not coaching. Urban can coach. That's not the question.

He's a smart guy. He can win a bunch of games. He's very clever. but this didn't land well for a lot of people inside the room, coaches and players, according to leaks inside the organization. Where Colin was wrong. I give anybody props that can reinvent themselves. And Derek Rose should get the sixth man of the year.

Good for Derek Rose. He averaged 15 points a game this year. He shot three points, three point shot better than anybody, any time in his career this year. When he first broke into the league, I saw him as Westbrook. Hyperathletic can't shoot, not really a leader, doesn't make anybody better. He is now the second most valuable player for the Knicks.

He has been unbelievable off the bench. He now shoots almost 40% from threes. He's not nearly as vertical. He had to reinvent himself. It's Oral Hirshizer after the surgery. This guy, the wheels came off. And he said, you know what? I'm going to reinvent myself.

Westbrook still can't shoot. But Derek Rose, who always had a little weird spin off his jumper, it's just on a natural shooter. You got to give him a ton of credit. He's just fun to watch now. He knows what he can do, and he knows what he can't, and he's worked on what he can't. And I have no problem giving him props and the sixth man of the year award. He's a wonderful piece for the Knicks.

Where Colin was right. I've been a huge dame fan forever, Damien Lillard. And because he went to Weber State and because, you know, he's kind of his own dude in the Pacific Northwest, a zillion miles from everybody. They're going to make the playoffs. and they're going to make it as a sixth seat. Their best big, Nerkich missed 35 games. C.J. McCullough missed 25 games. They can't really figure out the wing.

They've never been able to figure out the wing. He basically rejuvenated Mello's career. A bunch of guys tried, he did it. Think about this, Bradley Beal and Westbrook may not make the playoffs. And those are Hall of Fame players. Dame, with his two best teammates hurt all year, they can't figure out a wing. It's in the Western Conference.

they're a six seed. He, listen, if Steph Curry's the best shooter in the history of basketball, you don't got to go far down the roll call to find Dame. He is one of the great shot makers under 6'5 in the history of the sport. Where Colin was wrong. Listen, I am a fan of Brad Stevens. But there is a narrative starting here, and I think it's reasonably fair. He couldn't play with Kyrie.

This year, as Jason Tatum becomes a son. Star, Celtics are kind of a mess. Now, I don't blame all of it on him. Kimball Walker was a nice addition, but he's got bad knees and he's small. Do the Celtics need a complete overhaul? Well, I do think Danny Aange needs to get out of this sort of draft pick tunnel and go get guys. But the narrative, which I always dismissed, Chris Broussard talked about it earlier. Joy has been talking about this.

I always kind of dismissed. I can't coach stars. something went wrong this year because it was a lot of the same guys and they're kind of a hot mess. They're not good at the end of games. They didn't play hard all the time. And it's coincided with Jalen Brown and Jason Tatum becoming really, really good players. I mean, say what you want about Jalen Browning.

Average is now 24, 25 a night. That's a star in the NBA. Where Colin was right. The Cleveland Cavaliers are awful again. What a shock. Dan Gilbert, bad owner. Worst NBA record last three years since LeBron left. Every time LeBron lead, people should be embarrassed they burnt jerseys.

LeBron had to leave. Every time he leaves, they are a complete grease fire. Dan Gilbert probably knows mortgages. He's good at that thing. He's great at the mortgages. He's probably great family man and all that stuff. But as an owner of an NBA team, the minute LeBron leaves, they're horrible again. where Colin was wrong.

Russell Westbrook does have self-control. Yesterday. Big game, big game for the Wizards. Russell Westbrook hits a three. Oh, he's going to go crazy. Nope. Westbrook didn't shoot after a made three in the last eight minute to the game. Total self-control.

Let Bradley Beale carry it. They took higher percentage shots. how about that? How about that? Mr. My Best Friends, the basketball. He backed off last eight minutes, didn't take a shot. Offa made three. You know, sometimes Russell hit a three.

He'll go low craye. He'll go, okay, it's my game. He just backed off. I like it. Where Colin was right. Utah Jazz finished with the best record. Listen, I don't know how they're going to do in the playoffs. They do feel a little bit like a regular season team.

I don't think they match up with the Lakers or Clippers at all in the West. But I will say this. This is the best sports franchise in America with no championships. They are very well run. They've always been a team that plays hard every night. They almost feel collegiate. Like, insult like that's the team you go watch. And this year, once again, Quinn Snyder,

kind of the Brad Stevens of the West, but he does play well with stars. I think there's a really well-run organization. I think they draft well, they develop well, they're patient, and I don't think there's a franchise in North America that's as well-run as a franchise in a market that can be hard to get free agents that is as consistently good as the Utah Jazz. They are the least discussed great team year in and year out in professional sports.

More Hurd? The Herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week, within the IHeart Radio app. Search Herd to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like. Well, he used to come on before the pandemic. We'd put him on the couch, and he was just one of my favorite NBA guests. Lead columnists for the Athletic in the Bay Area, and his NBA stuff is great. He's actually written two books. Both are excellent. One's called A Golden, The Miraculous Rise of Steph Curry. It's a fascinating story. And he forget. He played at Davidson. The hell?

What? And then he wrote the KD book, KD. Kevin Durant's relentless pursuit to be the greatest. I'm looking forward to this interview. Let's bring him in live, Marcus Thompson. So before I get the stuff, I do want to talk about KD. So years ago, I was talking to, oh, darn it, I forget his name. Lee Jenkins, Lee Jenkins. And KD.

Oh, yeah, my guy. Yeah, so smart guy. So KD was at the Warriors. And he said, listen, I asked him a question. He said, just don't say it on the air. And so sometimes, you know, we got to take care of our peeps, our sources. So he said, listen, I said, what do you make of Kevin Durant? And he looked at me and he said, he's a wander.

He's not going to stay in Golden State. And this was when they were like crushing people. And now Kevin Durant, you know him well, is in Brooklyn. They're actually, when he didn't play, they were fine as long as James Harden played. It's when Hardin was out that they couldn't win. Do you think this morning, this morning, Marcus, KD is happier as a net than he was a warrior? Yeah, he's with his homies. He's with his guys.

You know, Kyrie is his dude. You know, you know they got to be close. He left the Bay. He left Steph Curry, you know, like that's a tough thing to go to. But Kyrie is his dog. So I think so. He's got a new challenge. He's got a new experience.

He's got a new thing before him. I think this type of stuff motivates Kevin, especially after the Achilles, right? This is his first postseason, like, back. This is his happy place right here. Some doubt, a little bit of haters, right? A little bit of people not expecting maybe the most out of him. I feel like this is Katie's happy place. He's ready to give you some buckets and he's with his friends.

You know, that's so interesting, though, because we know Kevin's a pretty bright guy, right? Steph is so reliable. Kyrie is not as reliable. Why are they so close? I mean, it makes a lot of sense. Like, if you take out the NBA perspective, right? Steph's got three

kids, you know? Like, Steph's got a wife. Right. He's locked up. I think he just, they just couldn't they didn't have the time. Like they kind of linked at the wrong time in their lives. A lot of there's some similarity. There's some energy between them. They're still good friends. But Katie's,

Katie was a guy who had a lot of, you know, interests. Like, you know, he had time. Like, he wanted to kick, he wanted to, he wanted to be with friends. He wanted that companionship. And Steph is a married family dude. He just couldn't give it. I think they were on the same wavelength. They just met at the wrong time. Kyrie, they could have that. And, you know, they don't have the same obligations. I think it was just regular adult stuff, right? Well, we could go kick it with being Kyrie and D'Aidre Giorne and Steph is like, hey, you know, it's time for me to go hang out with

Riley and Ryan and Cannon. It's supposed to time with my wife, right? I got the same problems, so I already know what it is. My friend's always like, yo, can you come out? And I'm like, yeah, my daughter's got Violin and my wife is movie night. And, you know, that's my life. So I get it. Let's shift to Steph Curry. I love him. And there's been this weird thing in the NBA where people don't give him the love they give Westbrook and it drives me nuts. It's interesting. Not now though, right? Everybody loves Steph now. Well, now. Everybody's way late, about seven years late.

But what he's done this year, I always thought he was much more, he was mentally a very tough guy, maybe not physically, although it does look like he's put on some weight. He's put on some muscle this year. Are you, explain this year, Steph, where does it fit in the Steph all-time narrative this year? this is uh this is actually pre championship stuff we've seen right this is the step we saw that we in the bay knew before he was step right where he was kind of the hub and everything ran off of it uh and then clay became an all star then dray mom became an all star right but this is this is how it used to be and i think this is step answering critics saying he didn't have it anymore

this was the this was the year step was like oh y'all thought i was done you thought you you to have anything left. He didn't even like thinking about the end of, you know, of his career. He's talking about him in the middle of my prime. I got years left. I think that was big for him. And a lot of people were saying he was only good because of what was around him. But people who've watched the Warriors since he's been there, they know Steph has always been the straw that stirs the drink. He's been the epicenter and it goes as he goes. And now without, you know, four all-stars around him, he goes and win a scoring title. Like this is Steph flexing. with his new muscles, like new money.

This is what Steph was like, y'all thought I was done. What? Y'all must be crazy. I'm a baby-faced assassin. With the Warriors, just the way the NBA works, dynasties are short. They're always quicker than we think, right? And by the way, they're pretty quick in the NFL for different reasons. A lot of that is injury.

In the NBA, it's free agency. And I look at the Warriors down. I'm like, what the hell am I supposed to make of them? Clay's going to come back, but he hadn't played hoop in two years. Curry's still great. Draymond's past his prime. Wiseman's a baby, years from flourishing. Are the Warriors pretty much done?

Is Steph going to stay there for six, seven years? Are they just done being great? We got to let go of that dynasty team for sure, right? This is post-dynast. This is Kobe after the Shaq Kobe years, right? And it's like you got to recreate yourself. I think that's what Steph is doing. You got to reinvent it.

I think a lot of people are clamoring to, you know, hey, they won three championships. They had all these all-stars. They've got to reinvent themselves. Because keep in mind, these dudes are 30 now. These are 25-year-olds running around here. So I do think Steph will be around a while. I do think he's going to ride it out. And I think the bar is definitely win one more championship, right?

If they just get one, and then it becomes Kobe in 08, right? Like, you'll win a championship. Like, prove to people you can do it without that. I think that's kind of the mission. But it is Steph, Clay, Draymond. If they do it one more time, they get rid of the whole, oh, it was just because of KD. And I do think that's important to them.

They still got some meat on them bones, they'd like to say. Yeah. So what do you make? Let's come down south. What are you? I kind of, I love, you know, The Lakers have 17 titles. The Clippers have never played in a conference championship.

It's very much Yankees' Mets, where you have Big Brother Little Brother. Facts, facts. It looks like the Clippers essentially tanked the weekend so they don't have to potentially play the Lakers. And I think to myself, kind of message is that. What are you, I mean, it's, they're also, the Clippers are also a bad, late game clutch team. Their stats are terrible. what do you make of this Kauai to the Clipper thing from afar? Odd, strange, underachieving.

What do you make of it? Definitely underachieving. Definitely strange. I'm a big PG guy. I think Paul George is great. But you know what? Here's where I credit the Clippers. You know a key to life is self-awareness is knowing yourself.

You know what the Clippers know what they can't handle? They cannot handle a first round exit. That's what they can't handle. So I think they did the right thing. Can you imagine the basketball world if they lost to the Lakers in the first round? Oh, God. That's the end of this team, right? Steve Vommer will have no choice but to blow it up.

Kauai might be like, yo, I'm out. Keep in mind, they got two big free agents coming up possibly. So that's a smart move by them, right? That's pretty clever. And look, they end up in a decent matchup, right? They get Portland, which is, you know, dangerous, but definitely beatable. And then after that, they're looking at, you know, Phoenix or, you know, could be the Lakers or it could be the Warriors. Who knows, depending on how this thing shake out.

I feel like it was smart move by them. You know, you got to know who you are. You got to know what your weaknesses are. And you got to know what you can't stand. And losing the first round to LeBron, that's a death nail. How about when you look at LeBron's ankle, it's funny. So he's been pissed the whole year. First of all, he didn't want to start December.

And they want the All-Star weekend. He didn't want the play in game because he usually gets 120 days off. And this year he got 70 and he's just in a bad mood. And then I watch him come back. They win five straight and LeBron's like, yeah, I don't care about the seating. Let's go. Bring it on. I don't care.

And I think to myself, all right, if he's healthy, they're going to win the West. Is that too optimistic? Nah, this dude, this is LeBron James we're talking about, right? That ankle does worry me, though. Like LeBron is, he's going to have to carry this team. That's the thing we saw, right? It's going to be a lot of like, I got this. AD still doesn't feel like he's tip top yet, right?

And you got Dennis who, you know, has missed a lot of time. LeBron's going to have to carry a load. And now he's got to do it from the back of the pack, right? I mean, think about it. He's playing an extra game against Steph Curry, right? So you got to start thinking about that ankle now. And that's a concern. But as long as he's healthy, it's LeBron, it's AD.

It's a championship team that's full of veterans that play defense. This is going to be a tough out. They're going to be tough out. They just got to stay healthy, and that makes me worry. High ankle sprains are no joke. This is not like a hangnail. Like, this is serious business. And LeBron's got to play this right, which means they need to win this game.

Can you imagine they lose to the Warriors and now they got to play San Antonio? That's two games that don't actually count. And then they got to go play Utah. right like that's they've got a long road they need lebron to carry them and i'm a little nervous about that but as long as he's healthy i don't worry about the lakers who's your MVP you got a vote i don't have i haven't had a vote in a long time why does the NBA hate on me how come i don't get a vote yeah you know what i'm saying like i'm not feeling that first off get me my vote adam silver i know what i'm talking about but uh i'm gonna go i'm a girl in the cola yokees just because

I wrote a book on Steph, and any other answer would be a homer answer. So here's how I put it. Steph is the best player in basketball this year. Nicole I know that doesn't make any sense, but that's the MVP, right? Like, you kind of pick your own criteria. Maybe next year I'll pick who makes the best gumbo, and they'll be the MVP. I don't know. But there's nobody who's had a better year or Steph, but I do think it's just tough to give an MVP to the 8th.

It's the greatest stuff has been. that's just kind of too low to sit well with me for the for the 8c but but lebron said he's MVP so you know what i'm saying lebron said it it must be it must be worthy great seeing you again we don't we don't talk enough great seeing you i love having you on anytime you want me on i will happily come on and talk to joy because you are just in my way you're just in my way i'm marcus with me and joe can have a real conversation about life and you just want to talk about LeBron. No, no.

Fair criticism. I also want to talk about LeBron, to be fair. Good to seeing you, buddy. Yeah, I appreciate y'all. Thank you very much. Another podcast from some SNL, late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier.

This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth.

Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The story I've told myself can then shape my behavior, and that can lead me to sabotage the possibility of connection. This Mental Health Awareness Month, tune into the podcast deeply well with DeVey, If you've been searching for a soft place to land while doing the work to become whole, this podcast is for you to hear more. Listen to deeply well with Debbie Brown from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Hey, I'm Deanna Maria Riva, and on my new podcast, How Hard Can It Be? I call on my Gen X squad from Ohio to Hollywood as we navigate Midlife's most fantastic BS.

Unfiltered conversations from night sweats to food. to scheduling sex. Wait, what sex? Is it just me or does every woman my age want to look at Pinterest instead of having sex sometimes? They say we can't polish a turn, but we're sure going to try. So let's get blunt with laughs, tears, or tears of laughter. Listen to How Hard Can It Be with Diana Maria Riva on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.