The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 07/02/2021 - Best of The Herd

Episode Date: July 2, 2021

Colin reacts to a report that the Mavericks and Heat are making a strong push for Kawhi Leonard in free agency and which team will be the best fit. He predicts a major trade in the NBA involving 2 superstars and championship contending teams. He also plays a new game called "Paul or Pass". Plus, Suns F Cam Johnson joins the show to talk about their run to the NBA Finals and how Chris Paul changed the culture of the organization. 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 IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hard Way with your favorite therapist and host, Kear Games. This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that it's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor? It signals to the world that you're not to be played with. And just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to.

Listen and learn the hard way on the AHA radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifers Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversation.

with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeard 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. 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 IHeartRadio

by searching herd. This is the best of the herd with Colin Cowher on Fox Sports Radio. Oh, what a Friday we suddenly have live in Los Angeles. It's the herd, wherever you may be, and however you may be listening, IHeart Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and FS1. Fireworks, a couple of days early today. Joy Taylor is joining me. Cameron Johnson of the Phoenix Sun stops by in an hour.

The team we love on this show. Wow, Joy, there's a bunch of stuff today. There's a lot going on. People are feisty this morning. Everybody's got opinions about everything. I know. It's crazy opinions. Who needs them?

All right. Let's just start with this. According to Kevin O'Connor at the Ringer, he's on our show in a couple hours. The Miami Heat, Pat Riley, he's like Nick Sabin and the NBA. He's a recruiter. And the Dallas Mavericks and Mark Cuban are going to make a hard push for Kauai Leonard. Now, Kauai is going to be a free agent. Now remember, first of all, Kauai called Jimmy Butler before he called Paul George.

That's a fact. He was interested first in playing with Jimmy Butler. He thought Jimmy was a better player than Paul George, probably is barely. All right, let's think about this for a second. And I'm going to throw this out because I think it's something. Kauai Leonard's unique. Miami and Dallas have no state tax. L.A.'s got 13%.

Now, that is something with Kauai. Here's why. Kauai makes $34 million a year. If he stayed with the Clippers the next three years, instead of Dallas or Miami, he'd lose $13.5 million. If he stayed for $4, he'd lose $18 million. why does that matter so much with Kauai? Because unlike Steph or LeBron, California doesn't matter for those guys.

They have huge shoe deals. They have big social media deals. Kauai doesn't. He's not a big personality. He doesn't make anything on social media. He's not a big personality. He didn't drive shoe sales. So a lot of pro athletes come to California.

They've already made all their money or they can drive shoe deals. They can drive social media deals. LeBron's got his uninterrupted. He's not worried about Kauai's different. That's the first thing. He needs that NBA money. Secondly, he is super frugal, legendarily frugal.

True stories. When he signed a deal with the Spurs and made $94 million, he was driving a 20-year-old SUV. When asked about it, he said, it runs and it's paid off. He then had a deal with GameStop, which is a wing stop. It's a chicken wing chain wing stop.

He got some money for it. They gave him coupons. according to an article in Sports Illustrated, he panicked when he lost his coupons for free chicken wings. That's who he is. That's his personality. I know people like that. He's frugal.

So with a lot of athletes, like a Steph in LeBron, California is where they need to be. Like that's where they need to be. It doesn't matter. You got shoe money. They're making so much money. LeBron needed to be in Los Angeles. The taxes don't matter as much to LeBron because he's not going to get these opportunities he's in these cozy deals and this television network.

It's in his backyard. Like, it makes sense for LeBron to be here. Forget, oh, Ohio's cheaper. Exactly. There's a reason, right? But in Kauai's case, he's not a TV production guy. Not going to make any money on that. He's not a social media star.

He's not driving major shoe dollars. His money is NBA money. Four years, he'd looted 18 million in California. Here's another thing to think about. Health. Kauai didn't have 10 years left. Hell, I'm not sure if he's got four years. left. So Kauai's not a guy like LeBron who was an iron man for 18 years until he had a minor injury.

Kauai's been hurt third year in the league. These rumors are now being confirmed. Miami, Dallas coming after him. And I think Dallas fits way better. First of all, Luca is a lot better than Jimmy Butler. And I like Jimmy Butler. But Luca is 10 years younger and better than Jimmy Butler. Also, Because Dallas is only a three-hour flight from California, you get tax where you make your money. So he'd be in Dallas, but he could still be close enough to keep his fam on the mansion in California that he just bought. You can have the house here. You know, you know, Kauai, Toronto, he'll live in a condo. He doesn't care.

He's a loner anyway. So Lucas also, if he goes to Dallas, he no longer has to guard Luca, who's the biggest nightmare for any great defender. anytime Luca and Kauai play now, hey, Kawhi, you got to guard Luca. Wouldn't have to anymore. It's also perfect for Dallas. What does Dallas need? A two. I said, Porzingis is a great three.

He's a weak two. Now Porzingis is your three. Luca, Kauai, Porzingis Hardaway? That's a championship team. That is an NBA championship team. And by the way, Dallas has cap space. Miami doesn't. that makes a ton of sense.

Don't kid yourself on the state tax thing. California taxes for Hollywood stars and for big business people. Yeah, it's expensive, but there's so much business here that you can make an argument for LeBron. He wouldn't have these TV network opportunities if he's in Ohio. He didn't have them before. Why suddenly now he have eight of them? Because people want to work with him.

It's cool to work with LeBron in Southern California. you move here, he was told, all the billionaires line up, and they did. But Kauai's not that kind of personality. There's no advantage for him here. Dallas, three-hour flight away, family can still stay here. I think this makes a ton of sense. Also, and this needs to be considered as well, he can hide in Dallas. Dallas is a football town.

The Cowboys run the city. Now, some players may be turned off by that. They want to go to an NBA city, the Lakers, but Dallas is a football city. That's a football town. I think Kauai loves that. Also, he doesn't want to deal with some of the responsibilities of a one and the media and the glare. Luca's already got that.

Luca is going to be the star of this franchise for the next 15 years. So Kauai can hide. Kauai can let him deal with all the media stuff. And by the way, you got an owner who talks. You got Luca who talks. So Kauai can just kind of move to the back and be great. Makes a ton of sense to me. And by the way, the Clippers would be fine.

Clippers roster is good. They'd find somebody else. Hell, the Clippers gave the sons all they could handle without him. All right, here's another one. I should save it for next segment. And this is how much we have today. Damien Lillard and LeBron hung out yesterday. WNBA game.

They made a point of going public. I just want to give you something to think about. You're driving somewhere in America today. You're watching me. Anthony Davis missed as many games this year as Damien Lillard has in his career. And it's getting worse. Okay, it solves two issues. because in order for Portland to think about a trade,

they'd have to get something big back. Anthony Davis is pretty big. Anthony Davis is a great player. But the Lakers have a couple of dilemmas here. Frank Vogel loves bigs. Anthony Davis doesn't want to be a big. He had his lowest year in rebounds, his lowest career in block shots.

He's becoming increasingly a finesse player on the outside. So now Vogel and Anthony Davis, It's not ideal. And he's becoming a finesse player. And one of the great advantages with AD is his size. The other issue the Lakers have is Dennis Schrooter. They don't really want to resign him, but they kind of have to. Like if they want to beat as Golden State gets better, and the Clippers get better,

and the Mavericks can get better, and Jamal Murray comes back in Denver is better, they kind of got to have a point. And ain't Caruso, but they don't want to pay Dennis Schrooter. Well, if you bring in Dame, that issue going to be. away, you get a true superstar, and the Anthony Davis health issue goes away. Listen, you never want to move off a guy that can come back to burn you. You know, I saw a story this week by John Hollinger, a pretty reliable guy that said, Dame to the Warriors.

Portland can't make that deal. You can't have Steph and Dame coming back into your city and dropping 43s on you. It'd be humiliating, but you got draft picks in James Wiseman and Andrew Wiggins. That doesn't work. But if I'm the Lakers this morning, okay, I've had AD two years. I got a title. I got a title. It worked.

The NBA, this is not a five-year league anymore. It is a year-to-year league. We all know that. It's not a five-year league. There are no five-year plans. You go through two coaches and three GMs. It's not a five-year plan league. It's a year-to-year league.

You just make moves to win. This makes a ton of sense. There's three things LeBron James need. for the remainder of his career. One, a guy that can play almost every game, right? So LeBron can take the foot off the gas, take six to eight to ten games off a year, play fewer minutes. Dame never gets hurt. AD always does.

He also needs somebody that's as committed as he is. Dwayne Wade was, Bosch was. AD's not. That stuff doesn't change. Number three is LeBron needs somebody that he can leave the floor and the offense is fine. It's always fine with Dane. Dane time is a good time. It's always fine with Dane.

All the things that LeBron needs going forward. Anthony Davis doesn't run the offense when LeBron's off the floor. He's not as committed as LeBron James. You don't get 95% of the games. That's what LeBron needs going forward. Somebody that's going to be there every night. Every single night, just as committed, comes into the season in shape, can play almost every game, doesn't have a history of getting hurt. I mean, Dane plays every night.

And when LeBron wants to play 31 minutes. And by the way, that's a big deal. One of the reasons the sons are so lethal is their backup point cards. Chris Paul can only play 30 minutes. That's all he has to play. I mean, you've got Kevin Durant playing 45. You've got Paul George playing 45. Those guys are exhausted by the end of the series.

Chris Paul? I got Cameron Payne. coming in. I can play 30. LeBron could literally play 30 minutes, another nine, 10 minutes off, and Dame runs the offense. I don't know. Makes a ton of sense. And by the way, big swings are winning in this league. Chris Paul to Phoenix. Ooh, that contract. How's it working? Kauai to the Raptors for a year. Big swing. How'd that work? A.D. to the Lakers for two years. They got a title. How'd it work? Paul George of the Clippers. It's made him a better franchise. so that this is not a five-year league anymore.

I mean, come on, man. They're running out. Guys are getting fired all the time. You don't have five-year league. Coaches sign contracts and they're in trouble by the end of the first year. Dame A.D., I would do it tomorrow. I really would. I've said this before.

Indifference is something you can't overcome. Ben Simmons appears to be indifferent to competition. indifferent to improving his shot. Anthony Davis is indifferent to working out. Maybe, maybe not. You can't overcome that. I can overcome, you know, dames a little small. All right, put a defensive guard, put, you know, KCP on the floor with him.

He's a longer, better defender. But indifference, A.D. Ben Simmons, I'm not interested. It's the J. Cutler syndrome. The quarterback for the Bears. He wanted to win. Kind of. I can't feel. with that. I'll deal with your shortcomings. I'll deal with less of an arm, less of an athlete.

You've got to want to win. You've got to be committed. That's what Dame is. Every night of the year and of the offseason. 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. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotes. Some 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 I'm saying. Yep, that's me. Clever 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, personal health, personal health, personal. 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. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tapped Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with a little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast.

I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so you're just so you.

y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. So, oh. Thank you for finishing that sentence. Yes. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast. Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month,

I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking. Tripp Fantine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing, and we're still chasing it,

and we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth, or are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust.

I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, learn the hard way. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. So a name image likeness, that is the new buzz phrase in college sports. Athletes can now be officially paid and a big chunk of the country is scared. They were scared with cannabis. They were scared with sports gambling.

And it's very ironic. The two companies that have benefited most are two companies that just crazy happens. stands, Yoke, which is a company I almost invested in, had lunch with them a couple of times a year ago, great young guys run by a guy who's a walk-on football player at Notre Dame, neat guys, great company. I'm a dummy I didn't invest. And Cameo, who I've been talking to for years, the guy that runs that's just a weird happenstance. Those companies are crushing it. Yoke signed a bunch of athletes to get paid and cameo, which we talked about yesterday is a great spot for these kids to get paid. But Oklahoma Spencer Rattler already has a logo.

and a brand. Bo Nix, the quarterback of Auburns, already got Milo's Sweet Tea, promotional money. The Cavender Sisters, Fresno State basketball players. They're doing the two women. Hannah and Haley are already crushing it. Olivia Dunn, LSU gymnast is crushing it. I think it can be very good for women.

Men and women in Olympic sports that don't get a lot of publicity by guys like me, shows like us. You know, here's what's going to happen with this. It's going to be like every other gold rush. in my life. And we've had a couple of them. In the last two, three years, we've had two of them. Cannabis, a lot of people went in, a lot of Ivy League guys that don't smoke pot got into that business. And then sports gambling. A lot of Ivy League guys who never really bet sports got into that business. And what happened with both? Four or five people dominated. That's what's going to happen here.

Good looking, attractive, pretty successful on the field, personable young athletes are going to make good money. Most of them aren't. But if you're attractive and personable and you're pretty good, you have some success in your man or woman, you're going to make money. That's the way it works. That's the way it works on TikTok and Instagram. Are you kind of attractive? Are you personable? Do you enjoy it? Kauai Leonard was never built to make a lot of money in N-I-L, name, image like this. LeBron would have been great. Zion would have been great. Tebow would have been great. Reggie Bush would have been great. Johnny Mansell would have been great. Personalable. Good on the field like the game.

Play the game like the game. So cannabis, prime example. We all knew Pop was going to be legalized. It got legalized. One company in Canada dominates. Here it's a cure leaf is the biggest one I think in America. There's about four companies that have all the money. Sports gambling.

Wow. Fan duel jumped to the top. What a shock. We didn't see that coming? I mean, it's even in tech, think how big tech is. The smartest people in America, many of them work in tech. literally four or five companies run it, run our stock market. Microsoft, Apple, Google, Facebook.

There's even a term for it. I forget what it is off the top of my head. There's like a term that they essentially run the country. In fact, those four companies right now, Facebook, Microsoft, Apple, and Google are bigger than Canada's economy. All these geniuses, the gold rush of tech, five companies run it. they can literally gobble up all the other companies. Four or five cannabis companies run it.

Fanul jumps to the top with sports game. That's the way the game works. Very few people. I mean, I swear to God, you could go to porn when it went to the internet. It's like three companies run it. It's just the way it works. The smart people sees it. And in this, the smart agents and the smart brands and the big brands and the kids that go to the big schools,

college football is going to have the most money made because that's that's where we watch a lot of college football. The ratings are great. So the kids in college football, the quarterbacks, the star receiver, you know, the funny kid, the Jadavian Clowny, the big pass rush guy, or whatever, those guys will make money. It's not going to change who's good in college football. It's not like Alabama in 10 years is going to be below Kentucky football in the SEC. USC is going to benefit. Why? Because of the biggest brand of the Pact 12. and Oregon's going to benefit. Why? Because they're really good, and Phil Knight, Nike,

kind of is the pioneer of the program. So Oregon and USC will benefit in the West. 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 LaVar Arrington, 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. Hushmanzada 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 Arrington, TJ Hushman Zada, and Plexico Burris on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, 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'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, 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 a TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs?

Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam Jek. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about.

crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 was big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack all day, but just so you all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you for finishing that sentence. Yes.

I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the Irish. Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Keer Games.

And in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tript Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it. And we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch.

Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth? Are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person.

Join me, Kear Gaines, as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose. On my new podcast, learn the heart. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. Yonis didn't play in the buck still hammered Atlanta. That's what I thought they should do. Listen, it looks like Phoenix is already in the finals,

and I think they should be favored over anybody in the east. In Milwaukee, I think is a better team. With or without Yonis, they're better than Atlanta. And so I think Milwaukee, Yonis, they won last night. And by the way, with Yonis out, they had better ball movement. They're fine without Janus short term, not long term. But I would like Phoenix. Listen, with the Bucks, I like the team with more answers than questions.

With the Bucks, every game I get questions. Is Chris Middleton going to show up or be awful? Is Bood and a holder going to make any adjustments? Is Janus going to hit his free throws? I never have any of those questions. Chris Paul's the best free throw shooter in the league. They make tons of adjustments. Booker shows up every game.

So with Phoenix, you don't get any questions. You get the same team every night. When you watch the playoffs this year, what's become incredibly clear, and anybody who's reasonable, anybody who is not a fanboy would admit, the West has been better than the East for 25 years. Since Michael Jordan retired, the West has been way better than the East. And the East is getting worse. The gap is bigger. I mean, Boston and Toronto were good two years ago.

They're both a mess. Philadelphia has been good for years. Now with Ben Simmons, they're a mess. Miami's out of the championship window. They know it. They're going after Kauai Leonard. And now LeBron has left the east. Kauai has left the east.

It's bad. So this, I don't think it'd be a very quick series. I think, listen, here's all you need to know. If Phoenix played Milwaukee, who's got the better coach? I'm taking Monty Williams. Who has home court? Suns. Who has the healthier star?

Suns. Whose star late in the game is better at the free throw line? Suns have the best free throw shooter in the league. Janus is the second worst free-throw shooting star in the league. What team is more consistent offensively? Sons. What team is like overall healthier? Sons.

Which team plays, and this is a big thing, which team plays with urgency every game, Phoenix? I mean, Phoenix has had one, I wouldn't even call it a stinker. I thought the game against, at home against the Clippers, they were tight. I don't think they played poorly. I think they were tight. They got into a hole. They came rushing back with, I think, a 16 to 5 run. And they just always felt like they were chasing the Clippers.

And let's be honest, the Clippers late in that game, hit every three seemingly they threw up. So it was one of those things that the Suns did not play poorly in that game, but they got themselves into a hole, dug themselves out, and the Clippers just kept them at bay. They just, it's a football team that gets a lead, and they just kind of control the clock and keep you at bay. One more herd? The herd streams 24 hours a day.

seven days a week within the IHeart radio app. Search Her to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like. So our pleasure, Cameron Johnson is one of the new guys from the Phoenix Suns. And we said what makes the sons to me comparable to the Seattle Seahawks the year they won the Super Bowl. Phoenix reminds me a lot of that is that the year before the Seahawks won the Super Bowl, they were good. And then they showed up the next year and they looked so much better than the rest of the league. and you're like, oh, that's lightning in a bottle. No, it wasn't. All their star players, they're Richard Sherman's, their Russell Wilson's, all their star players, young players, popped at the same time.

And that's Phoenix. We knew Devin Booker was good and DeAndre Aiton, McHale Bridges, and now they got Cam Johnson, but they've all popped. They've all really flourished at the same time. So I think Phoenix's going to be good for a long time. I don't think this is one of these Miami heat in the bubble. They get to the finals. That was a lot of weirdness. I mean, Tyler Hero, Duncan Robinson, kind of limited players.

I look at Phoenix and I think they're the Seahawks. Like all their young players, they got them under contract, they got the right coach, they got the right quarterback, and they're good and they're deep and they play nine guys. And Cameron Johnson, second year with this team is now joining us live. So, you know, Cam, it's funny. You're a young guy. You come to Phoenix. And here comes Chris Paul.

And Chris Paul's kind of a legend, right? And Chris Paul's tough on guys. He'll bark. He'll direct traffic. Is Chris Paul different playing with him than you thought he was? His reputation to what he really is. Is there a difference? Is he what you thought he'd be?

No, he's exactly what you'd think he'd be. I remember playing him last year in the bubble. And he was just talking, talking to everybody, talking to the rest, talking to our coaches, talking to our players, talking to his players. I was like, man, this guy really talks a lot. He got a lot to say. So that's exactly what I expected to be like. And he's just like that as a teammate.

And it's very helpful. You know, you played at a great college program. And when you come from, like, you know, the big programs, the Kansas, the Carolinas, the Dukes, there's an expectation. Phoenix, we've had really no expectations because for 11 years until this year, there wasn't much there. So last year, the bubble, we're all kind of like looking at Phoenix going, all right, they're kind of kind of interesting. Did you have a feeling this year when Chris got signed before you played a game? Did you have a feeling you were at practice every day thinking this team has got a lot of talent? Yeah. I mean, I thought we were special from the jump. And I really think the bubble was

big for us last year just to build that momentum, get us rolling into this season. But I think we're on record saying that, that we have something special in our building. Obviously, there's a lot of us that haven't been deep in the playoffs, but from the practice perspective, it looked like we had a really good chance to be pretty good this year. So the guys just worked hard all season. I think we have a great staff. I think we have a great front office, and it's really starting to come together. Cameron, you played a Clippers team, which I believe is the second best in the NBA. I think Phoenix is the best. I thought the Clippers were the second best, and this happens a lot of times where the two best teams play on the same conference. It's nothing against Milwaukee or Atlanta,

but I think the Clippers were a real test for you guys. They're older, they're physical. They got Patrick Beverly. They got tough dudes. Take me back to the Clippers series and how difficult it was. I mean, they have a lot of guys that played in this league 9, 10, 11, 12 years. You guys don't. It's Crowder.

It's Chris Paul. Go back to the Clippers series and just the difficulty of getting through it. It's a veteran team. It's a scrappy team. And we knew we had a fight on our hands. You watched out, they finished out the Jazz series, and they played really well. And they came back from 25 plus down, and they fought, and they showed a lot of that. So one thing we knew going into this series was they were going to fight no matter what the circumstance was.

And we saw that in game five. We saw that in game three, I think it was. And they fought, and they were good. And they gave us a lot to handle. But one thing that we talk about all the time is poised and how we handle that and how we, you know, throw our punches back. I think we did a good job of closing that one out. You know, you guys are going to have an incredibly long break, which you don't get in the regular season.

And this was a condensed season, so the games were tighter together. Are you a little concerned? I mean, games can't be practiced. It's not the same thing. What are the practices going to be like? Do you think Moni's going to ratchet up the practices, the intensity? We had this last series, right? So when we swept Denver, we were right back into that week of waiting for our opponent and into the next series.

And what I think we did a good job of was balancing that, ratcheting it up and also taking that rest because we haven't really had much all season. Like you said, the games have basically been every other day for the past six, seven months. So that time for us was good to decompress a little bit, but there's also times in practice where we turn it up, compete a little bit, and just try to keep sure. sharpening the iron. So we'll probably do that same thing in this upcoming week and get ready for the finals here. What did you make of the Patrick Beverly shove of Chris Paul? Your immediate reaction to that? I was confused because it didn't look like Chris said anything. And talking to Chris, he didn't say anything. So it's just, you know, emotions run high at that point in the game. Series is over. See, I don't even think he said anything. And it's just, it's an emotional time.

and that's just how he decided to react in that instance. I give our guys credit for not letting that spark anything bigger and letting it die out with that. And that will be handled accordingly, I assume. You know, Jay Crowder doesn't get a lot of love on this team because Chris Paul is on every commercial. Devin Booker's the go-to score. And so Jay Crowder's a guy that's been around forever,

always on winning teams, and he's a forward, you're a forward. Has he ever put his arm around you and said, said, listen, young man, I'm going to tell you the ways of the NBA world, because he knows it. He's played with stars. He's been everywhere. Does he have an influence with you just as a guy that you know seen this path you're going to be on for the next decade? He does. And he has a big impact among us in our locker room. He's a big voice before every game puts his arm around my shoulder and says, don't think, just react. So that's just really helpful stuff. And to have a guy that's been through so much that played in the finals last year,

that's a big, you know, guiding light for guys like myself, Mikhail, even Tori. Tori's been in the situation last year and a couple times with Denver. So there's just a lot of guys with this experience that's good to lean on, good to hear and you're here. Yeah. By the way, DeAndre Aiton is spectacular. It's really interesting about the NBA. His first year in the league, there were people saying it doesn't work. He's a bust. He's just talented. I mean, there were a lot of people I knew scouts that were like, it doesn't work. And then all of a sudden he gets the right coach, he gets Chris Paul. And it's like in the last 40 games of his career, you're like, the hell's going on?

This guy is dominant. Did your first impression of DeAndre Aiton, did you think he would be this dominant? Yes. You look at his physical profile, and it just screams of a guy that can be dominant. He's so agile, so good, you know, with the ball on his hand. hands, great touch. And he's just, the big thing, Colin, that he's done in this playoffs, that has really taken to another level is just the small things. Defense positioning, offensive positioning, offensive rebounding. And one big thing we talk about is, you know,

how he sets his screen. So all these little things that we talk about, he's just been executing them to a T and is, you know, showing up in the box score for him. But it's just having really a devastating effect on anybody we've played. I feel like he's been very dominant. And, um, he, this guy's really the limit for him. This guy's the limit for him. By the way, Phoenix crowds are crazy. Now, most of you, North Carolina, that's one of the loudest places in the world, right, for basketball.

And then you go to the NBA, and some NBA teams draw, some don't, some fans are, and then you go to Phoenix, and they're crazy town. It's just crazy town. It is not to compare Carolina and Phoenix, but what has it been like to play for the first time in two years in front of fans there? Well, any noise in the arena after playing in front of none is pretty crazy now. But my little brother, who's currently playing at North Carolina, he called me after the game, and he was like, he went to one of the games in Phoenix, and he was like, man, that was the craziest crowd I've heard since one of your Duke games.

So he puts it right up there with the Duke games, which is quite defeats. And our fans have been absolutely incredible this whole postseason, this whole season. and really since I got there, they've been incredible, and they're a big part of our home court advantage. And, you know, we have a nice arena renovation, and they're packing it up. I'll say they're doing a great job. Cameron Johnson, Phoenix Sun, second year. What a pleasure. You have an amazing, amazing career in front of you.

I appreciate you taking time. You're a busy dude, and thanks, and good luck, and we'll talk again. We'd love to have you on again. Thanks, Colin. Appreciate it. Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd Weekdays at noon Eastern 9 a.m. on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHard Radio app. All right, I want to play a game, Joy.

Let's do it. It is called, you know, Chris Paul is one of my favorite players ever, at least in the last several years because he's been crapped on by everybody. So he's heading to his first NBA finals. We're going to play a game called Paul, Chris Paul, Paul or pass. Are you ready to go? Yep. Would you pick Chris Paul to take a game-winning shot or pass for another player?

I would pass for another player. As much as I like him, Chris Paul shoots 30% game-winning shots, last 20 seconds of fourth, or overtime in his career. He's not a shot maker. He often creates great shots for others. Would you pick Chris Paul to guard the opponent's best player or pass for another player? I would pass. Chris Paul's six feet tall 175 pounds. He's not going to man up on a Luca. He's not going to man up on a Paul George. or a Kauai, that's not his strength. Now, he is, for about the first seven, eight years of his career, he was an excellent defensive player. But like LeBron, you get to that year 10, 12, that's not where you spend your energy.

Would you pick Chris Paul to draw a foul or pass for another player? That's actually a great question. I would take Chris Paul. He draws 6.5 fouls drawn per game in his playoff career. that is the highest among all active players. Chris Paul draws fouls and then hits free throws better than any single NBA player, including LeBron, including Kauai, including Luca. He is the best draw a foul, hit a free throw player in the league.

Okay, so then I think I know the answer to this one. Would you pick Chris Paul to take a free throw or pass another player? I would take Chris Paul shooting 94% from the free throw line in the fourth quarter in the playoffs highest among all players. Would you pick Chris Paul to take a contested shot or pass from another player? Well, this is interesting because I like Chris. I mean, Chris can shoot great mid-range game, but he's not great in contested shots. Why? He's a smaller player. He shoots 49% on contested shots, and that's 169th in the NBA among all players.

players. Would you pick Chris Paul to mentor a rookie or pass for another player? This is the easiest one besides the free throw question. You would take Chris Paul. It's like DeAndre Aiton said. He was the one guy that got after me that demanded more. It was like a brother. There is no question. Chris Paul is the best player in the league. If you've got a talented rookie who needs guidance or a push, Chris Paul is the answer. Would you pick Chris Paul to lead your franchise or pass for another player? Well, there are others we could argue. But I would take Chris Paul, and here's a really interesting stat.

So you know with Chris Paul what you get. You get leadership. Great ball handler. Almost never turns it over. Lots of assists. But this is interesting. Somebody, this is why I've always struggled with Kauai, who I think is a great player. He doesn't make others necessarily better.

He's just get a stop, get a basket. Chris is the only player with 100 plus assists to three different teammates this season. Booker, DeAndre, Aiton, and Mikhail Bridges. He also rarely misses games in the last two years. So this is why Magic, Isaiah, Chris Paul, are so much more valuable than a highly skilled Westbrook. Westbrook gets assists, but they're not really, a lot of it is a little bit of a fool's gold assist. Marbury used to do this. Chris Paul literally gets great shots for all his teammates.

He's the best lob point guard in the league. He gets guys on the perimeter, young and old. So Chris Paul, this is why he takes young guys, and they go from lousy tanking to the playoffs. Everybody gets better with Chris Paul. Would you pick Chris Paul to become a coach after his playing career ends or pass for another player? I think he will be the best coach because he.

He's had to work so hard for his success. Some guys are just naturally gifted. Like magic, 6-8 point guard, not that magic didn't work hard, but Chris Paul's doggedness and his ability to confront things. He's not passive-aggressive. He's aggressive. The great coaches, that's what hurts Mike Danton. He's passive-aggressive.

He doesn't want to confront players. Jason Kidd, say what you want. We'll get after a player. Right. And so Chris Paul, when he leaves teams, each of the teams he's left, their winning percentage has decreased. Each team he's entered, the winning percentage is increased. So that tells you the influence he has beyond just stats and himself. All right. I think this is probably easy one. But would you pick to see Chris Paul win an NBA title or pass for another player?

Chris Paul. Chris Paul's the last guy in the league that I think really deserves one. I mean, Luke is going to get one. Well, yeah. I mean, I think you have to put this question in perspective with guys like Mello and like guys have been playing a long time that don't have. But I don't think Mello ever put the timer commitment in then Chris Paul did. Chris Paul and also Mello had a lot of things go his way. I mean, there were a lot of things in his career that went his way. It's like Chris Paul every single step. He gets sent to it. I mean, we forget how bad Phoenix was before he got there. He had gone from tanking Oklahoma City to the losing his franchise in the league the previous nine years Phoenix. Like now we look at Phoenix and go, it's great. It was a

mess. They were not good for a long time. A decade. They were terrible for a decade. Worst winning percentage in the NBA for nine years before Chris got there. So for the average player, it would have gone into tanking Oklahoma City to terrible Phoenix. He made both a playoff team.

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Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hard Way with your favorite therapist and host Kear Games. This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations, that it's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit are armored? It signals to the world that you not to be played with.

And just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to. Listen to learn the hard way on the AHA radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. On the Look Back at it podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84's big to me. I'm Sam J.

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