The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 07/21/2021 - HOUR 3 - NBA Finals

Episode Date: July 21, 2021

What it takes to be the face of the NBAColin grades the NBA FinalsGuest: Chris Mannix 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.

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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, unfilled conversations 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 I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok's podcast network on TikTok. 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. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year,

unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for listening to The 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 app by searching Herd. You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. SimplySafe's been making people feel safe at home for 15 years. Go to simply safecollan.com today. Customize your system. Simplysafecollan.com with a free security camera show flying by today. Chris Manick, Sports Illustrated, NBA writer, cover in the league for 18 years, has his podcast to cross over with Chris Manix, and he is joining us live. So I guess the question I'll start with, and everybody's talking about it,

is Janus officially this morning, Chris, face of the league? Uh, no. His stock rose to an all-time high, obviously. I think he established himself on a different level of the all-time greats. I think to be the face of the league, though, you have to do it more than once. And this was such a unique season because of the COVID issues, because of the injuries. I think for Janus to be defa us to be different. find like I don't think LeBron the face of the league after the first championship. I think it took that Miami run to really give him a stronghold as the face of the league. I think for Janus, it's going to be important for him and the Bucks to come out next year and beat Brooklyn at full strength, beat Philadelphia, beat the top teams in the Eastern Conference, and maybe beat LeBron and the Lakers next year. It takes not. nothing away from this championship.

But if you want to, you know, say this is the guy now, I do think it has to happen more than once. It's interesting. Three straight years, Toronto, Lakers, Bucks, big, physical at times, lumbering teams, not the analytic Maven's favorite three-point shooting team. Big physical older teams have won the title. What does that tell you about the league, analytics, three balls, and a trend? Well, the last two years have been so odd that I don't want to read too much into them. And I'm just always hesitant, Colin, to make sweeping proclamations after this season. Because I fully believe that a healthy Brooklyn team, that's a pretty good chance of steamrolling everybody next year.

And I'm sure you've talked about it. It's been discussed ad nauseum. I mean, the bucks were a Kevin Durant tow from potentially going on. home in that second round. And they were one injury from potentially losing in six games of that series. So I don't want to discount the three-point bombing that Brooklyn's going to do next year and say that the game has shifted. But in the postseason, you've got to have a physical team, or at least a team that's comfortable with physical play. One of the things I saw over the course of this series was DeAndre Aidan getting a little bit uncomfortable with the

physical guy who was a linchpin of that defense. But you saw, especially in those last couple of games, and somebody you can chalk up to minutes. He played a lot of minutes in game number five. He was in foul trouble in game six. But before then, he was getting grinded out by Monty Williams. He just looked tentative. And I think as you get, if you get deeper into the playoffs,

you've got to have guys that are either big and physical or at least comfortable with a high degree of physicality. You know, it's interesting. They've called forever. They've called the NFL a copycat league. And I always go back to the Wildcat. Even the Patriots with Brady hike the ball to running backs a few times. Like the NFL copies.

Basketball doesn't. But there are people that will look at this Milwaukee team and say, listen, man, physical still matters. And, you know, teams will build rosters now. I mean, like the Lakers with AD. look like they could at least match up to Milwaukee. Phoenix needs another body. Do you think, when you look at the east,

this is why I've said this week, Chris, and I may be out of my gourd, but I watched it last night, and I said it feels a little like San Antonio. They needed Kobe and Shaq to divorce, clear the runway. They won three of five. They had a committed, quiet, reticent star, no shoe deal, didn't care, all about family.

with a Popovich coach, now a Popovich Dubai. Then they had nice ancillary pieces. Chris Middleton's second round guy, Manu's second round guy, Tony Parker late first, Drew Holiday late first. It does feel to meet LeBron's out of the east. Kauai's out of the east. Philadelphia's falling apart.

Boston will make a move. Heat need a rebuild. I know. I don't want to overreact, but it does feel like we could have a San Antonio kind of working here. I mean, Yonis is 26 and getting better. Again, maybe. I just, like, if we're sitting here, Colin, I would guess we're talking about the Brooklyn Nets. All right. I just, I mean, I just can't get over the level of talent they're going to bring back next season.

And, you know, the Bucks will have obvious chemistry advantages. One of the smartest things they did was trading for Drew Holiday and then locking up Drew Holiday long term. I don't know if they're going to be able to bring back Bobby Porter. financially, he'd have to take, I think, a pretty decent discount to come back and play with Milwaukee. They've got Dante Devencenzo. They've got Pat Conn. They've got some good players and they'll be competitive at the highest level against anybody. But how many times have we seen super teams just win based on their talent alone? And I'm sorry. I can't, despite what Milwaukee did and they should be incredibly proud of it, you ask me who wins

the Eastern Conference next year. I'm going to say it's Brooklyn. Because Kevin Durant is great. James Harden is great. Kyrie Irving is great. And they will find a way. Look, Colin, at the buyout deadline, everybody trying to get there. I mean, Blake Griffin got there.

Lamarcus Alders, we all thought he was going to sign with Miami. He goes and plays in Brooklyn. There are going to be a handful of guys looking to take discounts, whether it's this offseason or at the buyout deadline next year, to go play for the Brooklyn Nets. And that's going to be enough, I think, for them to flesh out their roster. All right, let's talk. Phoenix, Chris Paul could opt out.

Now, I'm LeBron James. Here's my sales pitch. Listen, you're not beaten Milwaukee without an AD. You don't have anybody on that roster that can stop him. We have experience. You and I, we got a couple years left. We're best friends. You love L.A.

You still have a home here. I can make a compelling argument if I was LeBron. Hey, Phoenix is great. Do you really think next year? A.D. Me and You, Phoenix is beating us. Do you think Chris takes that phone call or do you think he stays in Phoenix? I think he stays in Phoenix. I think financially the Lakers can't do anything. And this is Chris Paul's last chance to make a big, big deal. I mean, he is going to get a three-year deal in the neighborhood of $100 million, whether it's through Phoenix with an opt-in and an extension or a new deal. And if not Phoenix, I think New York is going to be the team that is the biggest competition to the Sons to get Chris Paul.

I mean, they can make the pitch that, look, we're obviously not there, but you add a great point guard like yourself to our mix. We've got the potential to compete with everybody in that Eastern Conference. I do think that commitment and desire to be in Phoenix is pretty strong. Remember, this wasn't a situation where he was just traded to Phoenix for assets. This was a partnership he had with Oklahoma City where he sat down with Sam Presti and he told the thunder, look, I love Devin Booker. I love Monty Williams. Phoenix is a short hop from L.A. where I live. I want to go to Phoenix. All those things are still present with the Sons right now. So unless the Sons screw this up with the money, which when I talk to executives, that's what comes up most often with Robert Sarver, the owner there and maybe a little nickel and diming that goes along, then I think. think Chris Paul stays with the sons. One thing I would say about the LeBron and Chris Paul

relationship is interesting to me because they have been friends for a long time. I know that their friendship is as strong as it used to be. I'm basing that largely on some of the public comments LeBron made in this past season. I mean, LeBron was the first guy to really tattoo the All-Star game. So this is stupid. Why are we doing? Well, that was Chris Paul's idea. LeBron came out and said, all these injures are happening. This is what I warned you about with the schedule. Well, Chris Paul is the president of the players association.

He is basically the point person with all that. So in criticizing those decisions, which are made, by the way, in lockstep with the union, one of the way he's criticizing Chris Paul. And I think Chris talked about this. He had the start of the finals where he said, look, every player's got a voice here. He kind of pushed back on LeBron on that one.

So I don't know that it's as simple as LeBron saying, I want you. And Chris Paul say, I'm coming. Good stuff. Chris Mannix, as always. Senior writer Sports Illustrated. Good talking to you, bud. You got it, Colin.

It is interesting. You know, thinking about Janus for a second. So Jordan was a six-time All-Star Joy at 26 years old. No titles. LeBron was a seven-time All-Star at 26. No titles. Janus is a five-time All-Star. a two-time MVP, a title and a finals MVP.

And whereas MJ, we know this from the documentary, tough to play for. And LeBron, basically the offense has to be LeBron. You start looking at those three. Yannis, to me, would be a lot of fun to play with. He'll be the rim protector. Most guys don't want to do that. Stay back on defense. They guys want to get out in the break.

He'll be the rim protector. He'll guard the best player on the other team. he won't take the final shot. Michael was going to do it, and if he didn't, it was based on Michael's willingness to give it up. And he'll be available. He doesn't get hurt. AD does, KD does, Kari does.

So, look, the other thing when you play with the other stars in the league, Kauai is going to be out next year. AD just got hurt this year. Kyrie, KD, hurt this year. M. B'd hurt this year. A lot of these stars that are, older because most of the NBA stars are older. Janice is, I mean, like, Zion's a star, but like Janus is in like that Embed LeBron class.

Like he's big. A lot of the older stars, Joy, they've got like a lot of wear on the legs, a lot of wears on the feet. And they break down. So when you go play with Janus, you're going to play. He's going to play 78 of the 82 games. So, you know, people say, well, you'd have to, you know, live in Milwaukee. Well, the end of an NBA season, the last two months or summer, Wisconsin summers are amazing.

my wife grew up around there. Like Wisconsin, Summers are amazing. Yeah, or you could like live in New York and lose all the time. Like every other start. I don't, I just don't believe in like where you are anymore. I just don't think that it matters. As far as popularity goes and things like that, like, is there value to being in Los Angeles and New York City and Chicago and Miami?

Yes, yes. It's San Francisco. Prime example. If you told me summers in Milwaukee or summers in Philadelphia. Phoenix. I'd rather live in Milwaukee. I mean, I've been at Phoenix a thousand times. I would never be there June, July, August, September. Right, right. So it's like

at the end of an NBA season, summer, I'd take Milwaukee over Phoenix. But also, the quality of life is not just determined by if you're living in Milwaukee and what that is. Like, everybody doesn't like to go out all the time. Everybody doesn't like that kind of lifestyle. Like, sometimes you just like to chill. Also, you're traveling quite a bit.

So you're going to get to see all those places anyway. That's how the NBA works. I may be nuts here. I think Milwaukee has a chance. I would like to see them get another shooter. They needed, like, Phoenix needs another big. Milwaukee could really use a six, seven. I think Phoenix could use another shooter as well.

Yeah. I mean, listen, I think they need tweaking. Yeah. But, I mean, if I have Janice, Drew Holiday, and Middleton, and Brooke Lopez backing him up, I'm pretty good basketball team, especially in the east right now. I'm a pretty good basketball team.

Be sure to catch live editions of the herd. Weekdays and noon Eastern 9 a.m. On Fox Sports Radio, FS1 and the IHard 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, CliverTaylor 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 what 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. 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 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack all day, but just so 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. Thank you finishing that sentence. 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 IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way 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. Trip 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, Keer Gaines, as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. Joy with the news.

No, no, no, no, turn on the news. This is the herd line news. Well, speaking of all those numbers that you just read about what Michael had done at 26, and LeBron had done at 26 and now Janice, five all-star appearances, two league MVP and one NBA title with finals MVP. It's something. We've done a lot of comparisons to the Bucks and the Spurs today.

Tim Duncan, through age 26, five-time All-Star, two-time MVP, two-time NBA champ. So really the comparison is not LeBron and Michael. It's really Tim Duncan. Yes. And the team is compared to the Spurs. It's very similar, yes. And the knock on the Spurs,

was during the Spurs run, the ratings were down because Shaq and Kobe had huge ratings. They broke up, and the Spurs just didn't have that national. They weren't a headline team. They, you know, they would take, their stars would take multiple days off. Pop started kind of manipulating the schedule. And so I think Milwaukee feels like San Antonio, a cold weather version. But there's a lot of what I'm reading in the last 24 hours is this is kind of a one-off. Okay, Boston doesn't have the size to beat Milwaukee.

They're not even close. They don't have the size. We know Phoenix doesn't have the size. Kauai's not playing next year. Do you trust ID will be healthy? Dame's leaving Portland. Now, if Dame ended up in Philadelphia, then... Yeah, to me, the conversation isn't really the whole league.

It's Brooklyn? Is Milwaukee going to come out of the east again next year? And Brooklyn is the primary. Brooklyn is the challenge. And if Philadelphia could get Dame. Yeah, but... Well, I don't think that's crazy. No, if they get Dame, yes, obviously.

You have to consider Philadelphia in that space, especially considering the health and the pieces that Philadelphia already has. Yeah. And they have the coach. If you gave me Dame Tobias Harris M.B. But right now, with this moment, it's Brooklyn and Milwaukee. That's right. And Milwaukee should be considered the favorite because Milwaukee is healthy.

Yes. So to me, like, whatever happens in the West, that's going to be what it is. Like, who knows? There's a ton of different things that can happen. Here's another thing. Here's what Fandall should put up. Here's a bet I would make. Will Kareen make it through the playoffs with full health?

I would bet anything no today. So when everybody goes, like Chris Mannix says, I'll take the nets. Okay, you're only going to get two of them because there's no way all three of them. 82 games in the regular season. We get to the conference finals. They're all healthy. I'm not willing to write off Katie and Hardin completely yet. Yes, the health is obviously a huge factor.

and all of that. And I'm not saying that Milwaukee won't come out of the East next year. They should be the favorites to come out of the East next year. Even with Brooklyn, the way it is, because of the health factor. And now they have the health factor and the experience and the confidence. And Janus is now on another level. Like, for all to talk about Janus being the face of the league, what is the face of the league? Like, to me, a face of a league is you can ask any random person, whether they're an NBA fan or not,

who's the first person they think of when they think of the NBA? Well, Rodman had that for about a year. I think... I mean, he never was never above Michael Jordan. No, but Rodman was for that wedding years and all that goofy stuff. He was like on... But like, you ask a random person who's the best player in the NBA right now. Well, best player.

Yeah, I mean, dismorning to me, Janus feels like he is leading the league. Yeah. Yes. But he is in that conversation with LeBron and Steph and Katie. But he is the best player in the league right now. He is the champ and the MVP, not this year, obviously, but two-time MVP. Like, he is the face by that criteria to me. Now, how long would that last for? Who knows?

We'll see, that's on them. So Tom Brady caused quite a stir recently when he talked about a team that passed on him during free agency to keep their current quarterback. He said he thought, you're sticking with that. Blip, bleep, bleep. Well, he's keeping the identity of the team to himself, but he told Jim Gray. he does still use it as motivation. He said there's private things for me that are going to remain motivational.

They know who they are. Everyone has a choice. I think what you realize is there's not as many smart people as you think. I think it'd be a no-brainer if you said, hey, you've got a chance to get Wayne Gretzky on your team or Michael Jordan on your team. Oh, we don't need him. No thanks. We're good. I love this version of Tom Brady. I mean, look, he has nothing to apologize for.

He's the king. Just like Janice is the king right now, Tom Brady is the king right now. Until you knock them off, that's the way that it is. The Niners, the Titans, Chargers, Bears, and Raiders were all rumored to be interested in Tom Brady during free agency. You, through your deductive reasoning, landed on the Bears.

So I had an early dinner last night with an NFL general manager. And I can tell you that the final two teams were Tampa Bay and the team I had dinner with last. night. I can't give up all my sources. By the way, I got so much information. I have like 30 Rolodexes in this gigantic brain of mine. I'm going to unveil over the next two weeks. You always do this. I'm just telling you, there were two teams in the end, and I had dinner with one of the teams. Doesn't mean it's who you think it is. Well, I agree with you, Tom. There are not as many smart people out there as you think. There aren't.

There are definitely not. I've had some. We're lucky now. I've had some meathead bosses. We got the good. You got to have smart people. Oh, I've had some. I've had some bosses. Woo! So the college football playoff could be expanding from the current four-team format to a 12-team format in the future.

Obviously, COVID might have played a small role in that, having to make up some money. But one person who is very unhappy with that potential change is Clemson Head Coach Davoswini. Our team plays it for it. They don't want to play more games. And to be honest with you, I don't think there's 12 teams good enough. So you've got to play more games just to play more games

just to play more games. And I think the more you expand it, the less important the season becomes. I mean, I don't want to hear it. I just don't. I don't want to hear it. Of all the complaining about NBA super teams and superstars and pompous and arrogant and the sport with the least amount of parity in the world is college football. And first of all, I agree there are not 12 teams good enough to win the national title,

but they're also not six. 16 teams good enough to win the NBA title, but you still have them in. You create these because you want it. When you create a playoff system, the reason basketball has 68 college basketball, because they have 370 programs. College football has got 130, so 12 is enough. But you don't create this just for the final day of the year. When you create any playoff or any sport, you want to keep the drama as long as you can in the regular...

most amount of fan bases and markets engaged and interested. That's why I like the play in tournament. Yes. So what Dabo is saying is, if you can't win, why be in it? But holistically for the sport, I would have no problem with a 2014 playoff knowing the top four seeds get buys. You're creating a playoff to engender yourself to like the Pack 12, which no longer feels they can mostly compete.

We already know who's going to be in the championship game or close to the championship. game every single year before the college season even starts. That's not good for the sport. Now, do people still watch college football? Of course. Are you still going to love your college team? Of course. But this isn't, people have been pushing for this forever because it doesn't feel fair.

And when things don't feel fair, people don't respond well to it. I would argue college football has hit a total ceiling with ratings. The championship game now gets about a 16, and that's one game. USC Texas got a 22. The sports stopped growing. because Denver West, the ratings are down because PAC 12 teams don't compete. So you want PAC 12 teams one or two in the playoffs

so you get these Seattle, LA, Yes, and college football has gotten incredibly southern. I don't have a problem with the South, but it can't be a one region sport. It's basically Ohio State and the SEC. Listen, some things are just about money and for the health of the sport. And maybe it doesn't necessarily benefit you right now because you have to play a couple extra games.

and you're better. Well, maybe you just have to be a little bit more competitive. Hard work, right? Right. Work harder. Nobody cares. Joy with the news. Well, that's the news.

And thanks for stopping back. The Heard Live News. All right, I hand out my report cards for the finals. We'll talk about that. Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. Hey, I'm Doug Gottlie. The podcast is called All Ball. We usually talk all basketball all the time, but it's more about the story.

stories about what made these people love their sport and all the interesting interactions along the way. We talk to coaches. We talk to players. We tell you stories. You download it. You listen to it. I think you like it.

Listen to All Ball with Doug Alib on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. 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 I'm saying. Yep, that's me. Clever Taylor the 4th.

You might have seen the skis. hits, 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 what 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-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 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 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 is big to me, not just because of crack.

I'm down to talk about crack on day, but yeah, yeah. No, we don't have plenty. But just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed correct. 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 IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast, learn the hard way 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 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, is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose. On my new podcast, Learn the Hardway. Open your free, Our Heart Radio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. You're driven to be the best. try M Drive boost and burn.

Free shipping, 60-day money-back guarantee, M-Drive from N.com, M-Drive from N.com. So last night, Janus carried him to the finish line. Joey, we're going to hand out report cards. Okay. Mike Boodenholzer. I've been very critical of him throughout the playoffs. I'm going to give him an A-minus.

First of all, he overcame deficits in all but one series. So there's something. He didn't overreact. he was a believer and this is what we do and we do it well. I also thought in game two when he just put Drew Holiday and Chris Paul for the next three games, it literally changed the momentum of the series and it wore down Chris Paul. So I would have given him a C minus early, but he never panicked.

The Drew Holiday to Chris Paul move was everything. And he tried at least once. It may have been two times in the finals. He put a lineup on the floor that had done. not been used all regular season or the playoffs. A lot of pressure on him going into these playoffs. Chris Paul. I think in the end, C to a C plus, here's the reality.

He led all players in turnovers. He had 21 in the finals. And they were outscored. The sons were by 11 when he was on the court in the finals. The only son starter with a negative plus minus. So I thought he played very well last night and very well early in the series. But in the crucial games, games two, three, and four and five, There were times he was a liability on the floor and was kind of disengaged in a couple of first half.

So I'd say C. Chris Middleton. I've been very critical. Chris, I almost flunked you out. But you were the teacher's pet in this finals. You get an A-minus. In the end, he led all players in the finals with three-pointers and minutes played. And here's where Chris Middleton doesn't get a lot of respect.

He plays his butt off defensively. Chris Middleton plays real defense. And that's, so yeah, the best defensive player in the league. And Middleton and Drew Holliday and PJ Tucker are plus defenders. But nobody talks about Middleton as a defender because Drew and Janice are so out. They could be the best defenders at the positions in the league. Middleton, defense takes him from a B plus to an A-minus player. DeAndre Ait.

It's his first fight. It's a big spot for him. He couldn't stop Yannis. So a B-minus, he couldn't stop Janus, didn't have a lot of help. And he shot his lowest field goal percentage in any round of the playoffs. He did average 14 and 12. This was a lot to ask of him. You know, when Sarich got hurt, they needed Kaminsky, Frank Kamenski.

So he was in a rough spot. He was also on the losing end of a couple of those iconic plays, which didn't help him. Most people can't stop Yonis, so. Yeah. Drew Holley. Good solid B-plus. Now, he could not shoot last night. Now, Drew's shooting is at times regrettable,

but he had the highest, highest plus-minus of any player in the finals, including Janus. When he was on the floor, Phoenix's offense struggled. He had the most assists, not Chris Paul. He had the most assists by any player in the finals. Now, why isn't he an A? He had a couple of stinkers from the floor. He did not shoot the ball effectively in multiple games.

Monty Williams. Good B, good solid B. He lost four straight games, and there were some questions about making some moves throughout the series, staying with Chris Paul maybe too long. I thought his hands were tied a little bit when one of his bigs got hurt. You know, they were up 2-0 and lost the next four, so that's a B. Devin Booker.

I'll surprisingly give him a B-plus. When you get to the finals or conference finals, the last three minutes of games matter. He played way too much hero ball to close out games. The 31 field goal attempts and just two attempts, two assists. Think about this. 31 shots, two assists in the fourth quarter of the finals. Now, he was great. It didn't play great last night.

But he had back-to-back 40-point games in games four and five. but where he can really refine as a player, and Kauai did this. It used to be you gave the ball to Kauai, you never got it back. I mean, he averaged like one assist for the first five years in the league. Devin has got to be able. It took Michael and Kobe a while. He's got to be a little better vision. And some of this will be if he trust teammates more.

But I thought at the end of games, little too much hero ball. Finally, Janice Anteco, I thought about this a lot. I'm going to give him an A. No A plus? Well, he came in hurt. So what really happened is he dominated middle to the end of the series. He was unstoppable.

But he came off a knee injury. He had the Alleyoop, the iconic block, a 50-point closeout game. Listen, I am a hard grader. I do not give A-pluses because I want Yonis. Because, you know, I don't want him to get soft. Oh, yeah. Clearly, if he doesn't get an A-plus, he's going to- I don't want his work as an A-plus.

to go down the tank. Silk sheets guy moving forward. Yeah. So I want him to work hard in the offseason. So as a teacher, I feel a responsibility. I almost give you a plus. I will say this. The free throw shooting is an issue. Now, last night he was Larry Byrd. Right. Yeah, that was stupid. I mean, I literally sat there. I'm thinking, you've got to give me a break. And not only was he making them, they were going swish. I loved it. I love when players do that. I love them when we all say they have a hole in their game or something that they can't do and they just go out in the biggest moment and crush. But he came in with an injury, missed a lot of free throws, but it's a good solid A for him. Enjoy spa-like comfort, say big in your water bill, tankless made simple.com,

Navient and the herd brought to you by Jersey Mike. Subs, of course, it's Wednesday, BSA above. I've already devoured mine. So now tomorrow, we're back to NFL. Now we get the NBA draft coming up. It's a very good draft. It's a really good draft. Warriors have two lottery picks. We got NBA free agency. Aaron Rogers may have another issue. And we'll probably talk more about this. This was fun today. It was a great, great show. Amazing finals. I want to thank all of our sponsors as Milwaukee's Best Radio Show the last four weeks. The Earth. Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smigel and Friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make

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