The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 06/21/2021 - HOUR 3 - Chris Mannix, Three Word Game

Episode Date: June 21, 2021

In this hour of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, Sports Illustrated senior NBA writer Chris Mannix joins The Herd to discuss the most recent chapter of the 2021 NBA playoffs. Also, Colin plays his Three Word Game for the eight NBA teams who made their respective conference semifinals. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Chris Mannix for Sports Illustrated, now joining us live. So I'd make the argument that Philadelphia not only needed to lose this series, but they needed to lose it ugly. So everybody in the room knows, all right, this doesn't work. Because if they won this series, you'd talk yourself into it, because Simmons is so talented. and Embeded. So I guess the question this morning, it does feel like it's not salvageable in Philly. Is that fair? I think that's fair. And I think you're right. If there had been some kind of

extenuating circumstance as there have been the last couple of years, you go back two years ago and the Sixers could say, well, we keep this team together because we were one bouncing ball away from potentially beating Toronto, and then maybe we're the champions and not the Raptors. Last year, the bubble, the injury to Ben Simmons, and the lack of shooting that was around them, you could say, well, if we just tweak around the edges,

we can bring this group back together. This year, I just have a hard time knowing Darrell Mori, saying Darrell see this and say this is a true championship team. I mean, the numbers for Simmons, Colin, I'm sure you've talked about them. they were atrocious in this series worse. He just seems like, as one person told me, the least confident offensive player that he's ever seen,

at least on a superstar level, I just don't know how you can witness this postseason and believe that this core group is what you should keep together over the next three or four years. By the way, Simmons, you could argue, would have value, like with a Golden State that has two great shooters. And Golden State right now, Clay, another injury. stef aging, Wiggins probably moving on eventually.

Wiseman may not be a good fit. I don't know why. I just look at Golden State and I think that's a strong enough culture where they probably have the belief system. They could solve some of this matrix. The Warriors feel like the place to me, or do you not see it working? I don't, look, I believe, I get what you're saying,

that the Warriors are a good fit. I'm not sure what they could offer back that would satisfy Philadelphia in their, you know, to be a top-tier team. I mean, Embed is in the prime of his career right now. You want to keep that momentum going. The team I would look at calling us further north. That's Portland.

I mean, doesn't some kind of straight Damian Lillard for C.J. McCollum for Ben Simmons-Swap make a lot of sense. I mean, if you're, I mean, the Blazers are basically the Sixers of the West. Like, they have also taken that group as far as they can go. and what they need as much as anything is versatility and defense in their back court. That's Ben Simmons. What Philadelphia needs as much as anything is scoring in its back court. That's C.J. McCollum.

I mean, they're both, I wouldn't call them distressed assets, especially not McCollum, who is still a high-level player. But to me, that's the deal to make if you're both sides. It seems to resolve some of the issues both these teams have. All right. So Brooklyn's out. you can certainly blame injuries, but I said this when KD left.

You can move around a lot in life, but you'll often incur the same problems because you're moving. You're part of the process of moving. And KD's a spectacular player, but a little bit of a wanderer as a personality. He leaves Steph or Kyrie. I don't like that.

Hardin's had, you know, playoff success briefly. I kind of look at Brooklyn and I think, okay, I can look at it this way and go, Katie's great and super teams are better in year two. or I could look at it, Chris, and go, like every super team, once you go to a third star, you have no bench. So you're going to ask Kyrie to play more and Harden to play more and Katie to play more. And they're going to get hurt.

Like there's a riddle here that's hard to solve when you have three huge contracts, right? Yes, in a general sense, that's definitely true. One thing that the Nets, I think, have going for them is that they proved over the last few months that they are the preferred destination for some of the bigger names out there. I mean, they got Blake Griffin to turn down other opportunities to go and be a role player in Brooklyn. They got Lamarcus Aldrich turned on other opportunities, including Miami, to go and play in Brooklyn. Now, the Aldridge situation didn't work out for health reasons, but I do think over the

next few months, as free agency begins, you are going to see some of those, quote, ring chasers place a priority on going to. to Brooklyn. Their Nets also have something to figure out with Spencer Dinwiddie. Maybe they can bring him back or use him in some kind of sign and trade to bring back some value in return. So I don't know, your two scenarios there, I lean towards more of the former because I think fully healthy, this Nets team without any substantive additions is probably the favorite to win the Eastern Conference next year. And just from talking to agents, I get the sense that we will see one or two guys gone short-term deals, go to Brooklyn for a chance to play and play for

a winner. So Phoenix and the Clippers feels like a seven-gamer to me. I thought Devin Booker really seized the leadership role. We know he's a talent. That's indisputable. But he felt like he was running the show yesterday. This is my team. Distribute, defend. He did it all. So I think if you Phoenix this morning, we won without Chris Paul, that is a great feeling. But in the other thing, though, I know people inside the Clippers building, and they actually think they match up really well. well, they play nine guys, they can withstand. I mean, they spread the minutes out, so they almost get better as the series goes on. I guess I lean Phoenix, but boy, barely this morning.

What do you make a game one in going forward? I mean, really impressive showing by Phoenix. I know that the Clippers were also down there superstar, but to have Paul in the lineup to get another strong game from Cameron Payne, to have Booker take over in the way he did of the second. half of that game. You've got to be more than satisfied if you're the Sons. Now, I lean towards the Clippers as well, in part because some of the success, a lot of

the success that the Clippers had in the first two rounds was because they went away from traditional lineups and went small. You could do that in a matchup with Dallas. You could do that or you did that in a matchup with the Jazz. Can you do the same thing with Phoenix? I know they were able to take Gobert out of his game in that series. but Aiden a little bit more offensively skilled than Gobert, runs the floor maybe a little bit better than Gobert.

I think that's going to be the challenge for Ty Lou. How many minutes can he get out of that small line that's been so effective for him for the last month and how many minutes does he have to play more traditionally where, you know, even with Zubach playing at his best, I don't think he's a match for DeAndre Aid. You know, a lot of people have blamed the condensed schedule for the injuries. And I would push back by saying, well, Kyrie's been hurt a lot. and Embed's been hurt a lot and Mike Conley

and you know, Nurkich and a lot of these guys who are hurt, Kauai, have been heard a lot. Now, Donovan Mitchell, maybe that's a fatigue issue, but Jalen Brown was a wrist surgery, if I recall. That's not a fatigue issue.

I mean, and so I picked the Milwaukee Bucks to win, not because I loved them, but I said on the hair, I said their best players don't get hurt. And I'm watching this league. this year and everybody's falling apart. And that's one of the reasons I like them. They're a little bit of a fortress.

They're not the most elegant, but what do you make of the injury? Should we blame the condensed thing? Or the reality is Anthony Davis doesn't work terribly hard in the offseason, has to play himself in shape. And this is what James Harden similarly. This is what happens when you play yourself in shape. Yeah, no, that's definitely a big part of it. Not coming to training camp in the best of shape is as much a variable as the

condensed schedules. Members of training staffs will tell you, though, that having to return to the days of four games and five nights, which, as you know, have been largely legislated out of the league before this pandemic short in season, that has had an impact on sprained ankles, on groin injuries, some of the soft tissue stuff that's out there. But you have to look at all these case by case. I mean, Kauai Leonard played, what, 52 games in the regular season? He didn't hurt his knee because of a condensed schedule. Similarly, Anthony Davis has been plagued by similar injuries to this over the course of his career. I don't think that anything to do with a condensed schedule either. So you can point to specific examples, maybe James Hard,

maybe a couple of others, and say that happened because of the condensed schedule. But Donovan Mitchell, in the Indiana game, went down with a nasty ankle sprain because he stepped on somebody's foot. The same thing can be said with Kyrie Irving. He stepped on somebody's foot. That's just bad luck. That has nothing to do with how the season has been squeezed together. Finally, you know, it's, Atlanta is interesting. So we see this a lot in football where Russell Wilson got other guys drafted. He literally got other guys drafted.

And, you know, the idea years ago was you got to be 6'4, you got to be sit in the pocket. And then Russell Wilson runs and wins a Super Bowl. And everybody's like, oh, you can draft Kyler Murray and smaller Johnny Mansell. And I watched Trey Young. And I think to myself, he's small, he's tiny, he doesn't defend. there's a lot of turnovers, and he just blasts through it all. I mean, even yesterday was three for 20.

He just blast through it all. And maybe he got drafted because of Steph. Or, you know, I look at Simmons who does everything right but can't shoot. Trey does a lot wrong but can. And I think to myself, boy, Trey Young is going to get shooters drafted. Like that kid is so dynamic. Or am I overstating his impact beyond that? No, I think you're right.

I think that if you are looking at college players or eventually the next couple of years, high school players, if they have that shooting ability, they are going to rocket up draft boards past guys that don't or a little bit more of a work in progress. You have to remember, too, Travis Schlank, the GM of Atlanta who drafted Tray Young, he came from the Golden State system. He worked under Bob Myers with the Warriors. He understands, you know, players like this and their value. So I think guys that like Trey that are, I don't call him one dimensional, but are far more offensive oriented than defense, they're going to be the preferred guys to draft. Now, one thing about Simmons that is going to plague him throughout, you know, Simmons has bad form. Like he needs to adjust his jump shot. There are people that would argue he needs to change hands and shoot with a different hand.

It's been done, Colin, where guys adjust their form and become high-level shooters. Kauai Leonard is a great example. came out of San Diego State, not a shooter, worked with Chip England, reached, revised his shot, and is now one of the better shooters in the NBA. If I'm Ben Simmons moving forward, my path to becoming the superstar,

I believe I am, is changing my shot, embracing it, and then working, working, working to get better there. This current path that Ben Simmons is on, it might lead him to multiple more all-star appearances, but it's not going to lead him to ending more than playoff failure. Chris Mannix, NBA writer, Senior Writer Sports Illustrated,

Great stuff. Chris is always. Thanks, man. You got it, Colin. Yeah, you do get to a point where rules legislate a lot of what teams do. And, you know, a great example now, it is much harder to run your way to a Super Bowl. So the value of wide receivers in pro football has grown. Remember when the Atlanta Falcons traded everybody to get Julio Jones. Well, he was highly productive. Why? Because the rules have changed.

You used to be able to grab a wide receiver off the line. You can't. You can't hit receivers over the middle. So the value, I used to call wide receivers thin icing on a cake. Didn't matter that much. But in the end now, they're becoming more of the cake. They're becoming more of the left tackle. The great corner, the quarterback, the Mike linebacker who calls signals.

So in the NBA, similarly, is that it is such an offensive league because, you know, what you want is more offense and more scoring is that Trey Young can. have all sorts of flaws. But if you can shoot a three like that, and you have that level of confidence, it kind of washes over your inefficiencies. I mean, you look at the L.A. Rams draft. They just, receiver, receiver.

We're going to hit on one of these. You got the quarterback right. Give them a little protection on the O line, and you'll just keep drafting receivers until you hit the guy. So you can do so much right in the NFL. But if you don't have perimeter speed, it totally, they're just limitation.

Kansas City doesn't have to do everything right. But when they got the burners on the outside, I mean, look at New England, the best coach in the league, Tom Brady. In the end, they're so slow offensively on the perimeter. You can have the greatest coach and the greatest quarterback ever. And Tom's last year in New England, you can't beat Tennessee. And so I think in the NBA, you look at Tray Young, it's like, he's not the answer for everything.

But when you do that thing in this league, now, well, you should go look at Trey Young's draft prospectus. That weakness thing was long. Turnovers, wild, small body won't defend, casual, indifferent to... Can shoot. And it solves a lot of problems. One more herd? 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. Imagine an Olympics where do you'd like. Hoping 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. I don't care which I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver 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 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 TikTok. Hey, it's Edwin Castro, also known as Castro 1021. And I'm Kunky, his best friend, and business manager. And we've got a new show called The 1021 podcast. I'm taking you behind the scenes on how I became one of Twitch's most popular streamers. We also love sports.

And with the World Cup right around the corner, we'll be breaking down the biggest storylines ahead of the big tournament here in the USA. Listen to the 1021 podcast on the I. Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, I'm Jared Adano. You might know me as that loud guy who yells out, help on the internet. Help! Somebody!

Please! But there's so much more to me than that. I'm an actor. I'm a comedian. And recently, I've become quite the helper myself. And on my new podcast, Hope from a Hippocrite, I'll be changing lives, helping people in need with my sage advice and thoughtful solutions. Sike. I'm not qualified to give good advice.

Join me and my comedian friends as we riff, rant, recommend some of the most legally dubious advice known to man. If I'm calling you, even if you're on your phone, let it ring twice. One ring is too scary. Cream of chicken suit. Hey, cream. Cream a chicken suit.

This is Help from a Hypocrite, the worst advice from the dumbest people you know. Listen to Help from Hypocrite as part of the Mike Coutura podcast network available on the I-Fart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Alex with a news. No, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news.

So John Rom won U.S. Open this weekend, marking his first ever major win. He made back-to-back birdies on the 17th and 18th hole to secure a one-stroke lead, and no other golfer was able to catch him at six under par. Now, the win comes just two weeks after he was forced to withdrawal from the Memorial tournament with a six-shot lead because of a positive COVID test. And his big win also fell on Father's Day just 10 weeks after he welcomed his son. Now, I love a good story, and this is the ultimate feel-good story for John. Well, the U.S. Open has a history of being tough on golfers and sometimes big hitters,

and Bryson DeShambo went into the tank. And Brooks Kepka, who I think is a better golfer, a more nuanced, well-rounded golfer than Deshambo. He even struggled. So it was one of those where you know you're a hot golfer when everybody around you is struggling and you're hitting those kind of putt. And he was a great story. It was a great easy guy to root for. Yeah. Yeah.

Look at that. I love that. Just warmed your heart. Okay. Moving on. The Rams went all in on Matthew Stafford and have high expectations for what he can bring to L.A. next season. Sean McVeigh is clearly very excited about his new quarterback.

He said, whatever people say about him. as good as it can be, he's even better than advertise. It makes sense to him, the guy's ability to see the game, his ability to draw on his experiences, the feel that he has. It's pretty special and unique. And, man, his feel for people, his authentic way of connecting with his teammates, his coaches, this guy, it's great being around him. You know, it's very interesting how public McVeigh has been with his admiration.

Yeah. And, you know, it was funny that Jared Goff's situation, It wasn't that they moved off him. It was, they were very critical of him publicly. And I always thought golf came across as a nice guy and a good kid. But it is interesting. And part of me, I had lunch with a real smart NFL guy the other day. McVeigh is in this division.

And Matt LaFleur, McVeigh and Kyle Shanahan, they're all boys, right? They were on that Washington staff. Well, McVe now ends up in conference championships. Shanahan is beating McVeigh in division. and there's pressure on Sean. And he doesn't like losing. You know, Lefleur's up there on top of the world. Shanahan's beating him in division head to head.

And Sean has gotten more aggressive in the last year, pointing some fingers. And, you know, the Goff thing, I mean, it's one thing to get Stafford, but he has made multiple positive comments publicly on Stafford, which is simultaneously dogging Goff. I mean, he's saying all the right things. what you want to hear about a player. And this is Stafford's chance. You know, he's got the weapons.

He's got a good coach. I feel like this will be a make or break season for him. But if everything that McVe is saying is true, it could be a special season for the Rams. Yeah, should be. Should be. You hope so. Well, let's move to the 49ers,

because they have a clear plan for rookie Trey Lance as he prepares for his first NFL season. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the team focused on Lance's mechanics during OTAs and mini-camp so they can unleash his full Arsenal when they get to training camp. They reportedly want to show them off as both a runner and a passer and love the dimensions he can bring to Kyle Shanahan's offense.

Now, they've made it clear. Jimmy G. is their guy this season. But it's not far-fetched with Jimmy's injury history that we might see Trey start a game this year. Yeah, no, I think he'll, you know, listen, if it all comes down to, the preseason isn't important for all plays. players. Yeah. But for Justin Fields or a Trey Lance or a Mac Jones that didn't, like, I mean, Mac Jones did not have a lot of college starts. Tray Lance did not have a lot of college starts.

Like these preseason games, the live bullets flying, that's like they matter. Justin Fields had a lot college games. But for Justin Fields, can I embrace very quickly a pretty sophisticated NFL offense? It's a big ass for these guys. So, yeah, this will be a really good preseason. Yeah. Like there's three or four really interesting. interesting quarterback storylines, and they're all going to unfold in late August. Because Jimmy's had some big injuries. 2018, he missed 13 games with ACL. Last season, 10 games with ankle injury.

That's a lot of games you're missing on injuries. That's why they drafted Trey Lance. Alex with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Hurd Live News. A three-word game with the eight NBA teams left. Be sure to catch live editions of the Hurd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m.

Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHeart Radio app. 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 IHard 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, Clivert 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 scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Cliverts 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 TikTok.

Hey, I'm Jared Adano. You might know me as that loud guy who yells out, help on the internet. Help! Somebody! Please! But there's so much more to me than me. I'm an actor. I'm a comedian. And recently, I've become quite the helper myself. And on my new podcast, hope from a hypocrite, I'll be changing lives, helping people in need with my sage advice and thoughtful solutions. Sike, I'm a comedian. I'm not qualified to give good advice. Join me and my comedian friends as we riff, rant, recommend some of the most legally dubious advice known to man. If I'm calling you, even if you're on your phone, let it ring twice.

One ring is too scary. Oh, cream of chicken suit. Hey, cream. Cream a chicken suit. This is help from a hair. Hippocrat, the worst advice from the dumbest people you know. Listen to Help from Hypocrite as part of the Mike Cultura Podcast Network available on the IHart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Hey, it's Edwin Castro, also known as Castro 1021. And I'm Conky, his best friend and business manager. And we've got a new show called The 1021 Podcast. I'm taking you behind the scenes on how I became one of Twitch's most popular streamers. We also love sports. And with the World Cup right around the corner, we'll be breaking down the biggest storylines ahead of the big tournament here in the USA.

Listen to the 1021 podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Chris Mannix, Al Harrington, Chris Broussard, stopped by today. Great to see Al Harrington, who was in the league with the Pacers for a long time. So we've got four teams left. Clipper's sons got underway yesterday, Phoenix Swan. Hawks Buck starts Wednesday and best for last.

We're going to play Alex, the three-word game for the eight teams that made the second round. Here we go. Phoenix Suns. Hotter than Sun. Eight straight wins, longest win streak in franchise history, playoff win streak. They've outscored opponents by 15 points per game during the streak. And Devin Booker, and this is what should be the truth, 29 a game during the streak. 52% field goal percentage.

So the Sons have also relied on the mid-range game. Chris Paul will shoot it. Devin Booker will shoot it. He doesn't have to, I mean, the bottom line, when you're shooting 5% and you're a shooting guard like Devin Booker and that dynamic, that's why they've not only won eight straight, they're winning them by 15 per game. Los Angeles Clippers.

Paul wasn't appalling. Paul George's last five games again. 32 points a game, eight rebounds, shooting 45% on threes. Earlier Al Harrington told us he's a gym rat. Jim rats usually work through their issues. And it's funny, when Kauai Leonard got hurt, my first instinct was they're doomed. But Kauai and Paul George are both great wings that defend. And so it's not like they went from being great in the wing to not having one.

They still had Paul George a seven-time All-Star. And to this point, they are good enough without Kauai to at least get through Utah. Utah Jazz. Face the music. Best record in the West over the last five regular seasons, but haven't advanced past the conference semis in the last 15 years. they don't blame Quinn Snyder they have a huge issue they've got to get solved and that is they do not have elite wing defenders or frankly dependable athletic wing scores Bogdanovich can hit threes but they they are very guard dependent they are also if you keep Rudy gobert on the floor you have a non-offensive threat and that is increasingly difficult when you're facing these clippers and you're facing the

Sons and Denver, and a lot of these teams when healthy can score. So there are some limitations to their personnel. Gobert is a great defensive player. He's a little like Ben Simmons, an offensive liability. And when Donovan Mitchell got banged up, who's their second guaranteed athletic score? Denver Nuggets. Sons in four.

Simple as that. Yokish was great, but no other Nugget averaged more than 16 points or average more than six rebounds in a series. Now, the good news is, Jamal Murray comes back. Michael Porter, really good. Can you depend on him? But Jamal Murray's injury pretty much sealed their fate. Milwaukee Bucks.

Greek, Freak, Peak. After going down 0-2, Janus was a monster. 34 a game, 14 rebounds, 56% from the floor. And this is important. he was super aggressive at the end of games. You could see he lost confidence. Remember that moment against James Hardin late in the game when he avoided contact.

He did a fallaway jumper on Hardin because he didn't want to end up at the free throw line. He was aggressive. He's just good enough at the free throw line. Atlanta Hawks. Birds of Trey, first team since the 94 Pacers, to make the conference final

with no all-stall. stars. And, you know, they've got a lot of solid guys. Six different players averaged 10 plus points during the series against the Sixers. Now, Trey Young averaged 29. So I do feel like to become a championship team, they've got to have one more nightly 18 to 20 point a game guy. You know, like a Paul George guy. They're not going to get Paul George. But I don't think it's a championship team. I think they faced an offensively deficient New York Knicks team. and a chemistry deficient Sixers team. I do think they've met their match.

I think Milwaukee is much bigger and more physical and more seasoned. And I think Milwaukee disposes of Atlanta in pretty quick order. Philadelphia 76ers. Bust the process. They haven't got past the conference semis in 19, 20 years. Ben Simmons attempted seriously. Three total shots. the fourth quarter in this series against the Hawks.

By the way, none in the last four games. So, you know, you've got, you're going to have to break it up. I think Portland and Golden State, there's value with Ben Simmons. If you surround him with guys who can shoot, he's long, he can defend, he can handle the ball, he's got nice vision, there's a lot going on that works. But he is clearly not a number one. He cannot be a number one. He's not dependable.

Can he be a two? That's yet to be seen. He could possibly be a great three if you give him two shooters. What you can't have is what Philadelphia does, a dominating big that clogs the lane because where he has to score is at the rim. Brooklyn Nets. Eight games together. I mean, Big Three played 14 games together all year. Six and two in the regular season with the fellas, five and one in the playoffs.

The other issue, which is, I think we all know this, this is not some revelation. they have $122 million against the cap next year between Hardin Durant and Kyrie. So 78% of their money is spent. So what you're going to need is when you go to a third great player, Golden State or Miami, you've got to take guys willing to take a pay cut. That's not going to be young players. You've got to find a Shee Baddey or a Mike Miller or a Ray Allen that just they want rings. They want to be on television in June.

You know, Golden State. Can you get an Andre Aguadol or somebody that will stay around for a couple years because he wants to win games? So, you know, I think Brooklyn, it's pretty obvious. They're never going to have a great bench. And the problem with that is twofold. One, a good bench matters. Like Phoenix's bench yesterday shot over 50% and gave you 60 minutes. The bench for Brooklyn did not make a basket, you know, in game seven.

There's a difference. The problem when you have three stars is not. Not only do you have virtually no bench, but you force your three stars, often veteran players with lots of wear on their tires, to play massive minutes. What happened? K.D. Steph broke down. What happened? D. Wade broke down. What happens?

Kyrie and Hardin break down. So when you go big with three stars, bad bench, you force your stars to play more minutes. And unless you have like a LeBron James, who until recently never got hurt, it's a dilemma. All right, good stuff today. NBA playoffs for fun. The U.S. Open was fun to watch. Some soccer this weekend as well. And, you know, here we are.

A couple of things. I don't think it's everything, but I do think it is something. Let's not downplay how valuable this is. Aaron Rogers. I know this sounds pithy. insignificant, has joined the Green Bay Country Club for this year. Now, he didn't join it forever, and it's not a lot of money, and he's a very wealthy young man. But it tells me, unless Aaron is trolling people, he is returning to camp.

Why? Because the best golf months are Fourth of July to Labor Day in Wisconsin. and it's a beautiful place to golf. Crisp, cool nights. Well, he wouldn't join this if he was holding out of camp and going to arrive in September, where now the season's underway and he's catching up. You would join this if you're going to move back there,

you're going to golf, they don't do two days anymore. Aaron's got time to go hit the links. I know it sounds pithy. I know it doesn't sound like anything. This tells me he's going to return to camp. Seriously. Tom Brady put his house up for sale. It was the ultimate tell. I'm eventually moving on. So Green Bay, there you go. And for the record, that is a stunning golf club. Who knew? Alex, thank you so much.

Thanks for having me. It's the herd. See you tomorrow. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays at noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. Hey, it's Ben, host of the fifth hour with Ben Maller along with my trusty side. David Descon would mean a lot to have you join us on our weekly auditory journey. You're asking what in God's name is the fifth hour? I'll tell you, it's a spinoff of the Ben Mather show, a cult hit overnights on FSR. Why should you listen?

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