The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 08/04/2021 - HOUR 1 - Lakers, 49ers

Episode Date: August 4, 2021

The Lakers are too old to win the title next seasonThere's a reason the 49ers are complimenting Jimmy GaroppoloGuest: Nick Wright Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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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. It was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people.

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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, Clifford 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 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 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 Hurd. You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. Oh, here we go on a Wednesday. It is great to have you in live in Los Angeles, the city that used to like me until this opening rant. It's the herd wherever you may be and however you may be listening. IHeart Radio, Fox Sports Radio, FS1, legendary football coach, Hall of Famer Jimmy Johnson.

Today, Nick Wright stops by Alice Curry is joining me. Joy Taylor remains in the beautiful, uncons. What do you call it? What coast? Amalfi. She's in Positano. In Italy. Yeah, Positano is where she's at. Beautiful. It's beautiful. Alex, I'm going to have to be the bear of bad news today.

And I'm a Laker fan, so you're setting me up to just sit back and I'm ready for this. It is good to have you in today. I don't know if you know this, but I am beloved in Los Angeles. Not anymore. So Carmelo Anthony signs with the Lakers yesterday. I went out with my wife for dinner last night and Laker fans all over the place. Yeah, Colin. We're winning another title because of Carmelo Anthony.

Malik Monk? Dwight Howard, Trevor Areza? Folks, to be a great NFL team, let's start with the NFL. You got to have about five to six great players in their prime. Take the Buccaneers. Mike Evans in his prime, Chris Godwin in his prime, Shaq Barrett in his prime, Levanté David, great linebacker in his prime. Ali Marpet, their best offensive lineman, in their prime.

Forget Brady the Goat in their prime. Kansas City the year before. Mahomes entered his prime. Travis Kelsey prime. Frank Clark prime. Chris Jones prime. Tyreek Hill prime. I'd argue Honey Badger just left his prime, but he's damn good.

Now, in the NBA, you don't need five or six players to be great. You generally need three players in their prime to win a title. The Bucks. Yonis, two-time MVP in his prime. Chris Middleton is in his prime. He's nearing the end of it. He's got about two years left and he'll move out of it. He's 29 years old, but he's in his prime.

He's an all-star in the east. Drew Holliday has been an all-star. Again, he's at the edge of it, but three guys. And they weren't a great team, right? The Warriors were a great dynasty. They had four guys in their prime. Katie, Steph, Clay, and Draymond. That's a great team.

Michael Jordan's teams, the Bulls, if you go back, they had the second three-peat. Koo-Coach was the best European player at the time. He was in his prime, MJ Prime, Pippin Prime. And I would argue Rodman was almost out of it, but he was still the game's best rebounder. Okay. All these players, the Lakers, have added. Are any of them great? No.

Are any of them in their prime? No. So the entire Lakers roster has one player who is great and in his prime. Anthony Davis. Carmelo Anthony's 37, Areza 36, Howard 35, Wayne Ellington, 33. Russell Westbrook, folks, was not an all-star in the East last year. Russell Westbrook was the second best guard on his team last year, on a horrible team. Kendrick Nunn, 26. You're excited about Kendrick Nunn.

The two smartest, arguably the two smartest executives in the NBA are Bob Myers of the Warriors and Pat Riley of the Miami Heat. They both bailed on Kendrick Nunn. Malik Monk? Oh, yes, I was told last night Malik Monk by several Laker fans. He has one career start. Charlotte needs shooters. they got rid of him.

Yeah, I can just see the June headlines. Malik Monk leads the Lakers to a title. You know, it's funny what fans do in small markets. You know, small market fans, you know, like Green Bay Packer fans or college basketball or football fans. It's the only team in town. They get very defensive. But usually in your Chicago's, your Dallas, your New York, your L.A.,

it's a little more sophisticated. They got multiple teams. They have, you know, it's major media. criticizing the team, and they're more realistic about their team. They can move off a bad team. They've got a new team, new season starting. Los Angeles last night, I honestly feel everything I read this morning, Los Angeles became Green Bay, Wisconsin.

You've talked yourself into something that is just simply not true. The Lakers will now be the oldest roster in NBA history. You think this stuff works? It's desperate. By the way, here's another thing fan bases do. was bad mouth players they get rid of. And they say, oh, I love the new guys. Everybody in L.A. ripped Kyle Kuzma for years. And Kuzma wasn't great. But Kyle Kuzma scored 25 or more points in a Laker game 30 times. Dude could ball. Okay. He's not an all-star, but Kyle Kuzma

plays, plays hard. Last year, played defense 30 times. You know how hard it is to make the NBA? 30 times, 30. Kuzma scored 25 or more points. Now he's a bum. Outside of Westbrook, he's better than all these guys. Malik Monk, a lot of people think he's a bust. I got nothing against all these guys they're bringing in.

But Los Angeles, get a grip. You're Los Angeles. Lakers, you're like New York and the Yankees. You know better. This is an antique store. It's all old guys. or guys that aren't great. Oh, Kendrick.

Suddenly Kendrick Nunn. Kendrick Nunn, the two best executives for personnel in this league, see ya. He's like a poor man's D on waiters where he's athletic. He can score, but he's got to kind of do his own thing. He and LeBron's games don't really match at all. I mean, I defended the Westbrook move because I do think Westbrook has moments of brilliance. He drives me nuts. He can't shoot anything beyond 18 feet.

but I defended the Westbrook move. I get it. He plays hard. He's a Hall of Famer. LeBron trusts him. He does have quarters, moments, six-minute stretches where he looks like the world's best guard. I just don't trust them in big spots. But I'll defend the Westbrook move.

Mello's done. Come on. Nothing against Wayne Ellington, but you foresee Wayne Ellington leads Lakers to title. You guys are all badmouthed in Dennis Schrooter and Kyle Kuzma. Those guys can play. A lot of these guys are shot or have an incredibly low ceiling. So by the way, Anthony Davis is the only player, back to my initial rant, he's the only Laker who is great and in his prime.

And I would argue he's leaving his prime. The last three years, Anthony Davis, field goal percentage has declined. Last three years, three point percentage has declined. Why? Legs. You lose your legs. You lose your shot. He averaged 28 and 12 back in like 2017.

That was his prime. Usually in the NBA, your prime is your second contract. It's like, you know, 25 years old, 30 years old, like five, six years where you're just Superman. But because he was so great early and has had so many injuries and has not taken care of his body, he has not taken care of his body. He is going to age very, very quickly. This is his 10th year and key numbers are telling you, he's he's now moving over his best years they go they got one guy in their prime and i think anthony

davils will have a very good year this year because i think he's hearing all the criticism and i think ad will come back and be a really really good player but folks look at the last several years with injuries he can't stay healthy so you know it's this is just this is just an old desperate team and i am shocked how much many people, how many Laker fans are like, oh, this is. Listen, you go over and as much as everybody like the Brooklyn Nets, what did I keep saying about the Brooklyn Nets? Why did I pick the Milwaukee Bucks to win the championship this year?

I did. It's on record. Did I think they had the greatest roster? No, but they had a mix of youth and tough dudes, dogs. PJ Tucker, dog, Drew Hald. dog, Janice, Middleton, All-Stars. They had a system, but you can't just have old guys and average young guys. That's not a championship team.

And I said about Brooklyn this year. Why was I a doubter on Brooklyn? Katie, older with injuries. Kyrie injuries. Like this Laker roster is going to have a lot of guys go on the two-week injury report. It's just an old roster. And it just shocked. I'm shocked.

by how many people are like, yeah. It's like, what? You got to have three guys who are great in their prime. Like LeBron, Bosch, and Wade. Now, Wade was leaving his prime, but that first title, Wade was in it. Now, he was leaving it. But Bosch and LeBron were in their prime. And then you can bring in a Ray Allen and a Shane Badiere and a Mike Miller.

Adonis Haslam can be on the team. That's fine. But you got the core of the foundation of the championships with the Buccaneers, with the Chiefs. You know, the 49ers a couple of years ago came within a completion of winning it. They had like seven great young players. NBA, you got to have at least two great stars in their prime. And then maybe a third guy, like a Drew Holiday. Go look at the spurs when they were at their best, Duncan Genoblee Parker, all in their prime.

Then you can add old guys. By the way, I thought to move yesterday, nobody's talking about. Patty Mills went to the net. That's a huge pickup. Patty Mills can shoot. He can play. That's what everybody should be talking about. Wayne Ellington and Kendrick Nunn.

Los Angeles, shake yourself. What are you doing? Heard brought to you by Jersey Mike subs, be a sub above. So I used to be popular in Los Angeles. So, you know, whatever. Oh, so this is funny. the um you know what you find especially in the NFL so the NBA has always been a players league but the NFL's always been a coach's GM league right you can cut players you can cut Tom Brady tomorrow if you want to do so they don't hand out compliments very often in the NFL that was bill parcels bill bellichick's theory you don't hand out a lot of compliments you make you bellichick rarely complimented brady Bill Parcells.

You don't hand out compliments when guys are playing. Yet the Niners now are just going crazy, effusive with the compliments for Jimmy G. And Trey Lance. So why are they doing that? Oh, there's absolutely a reason for it. We'll tell you that coming up. 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 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, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits,

the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes,

creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week I'll take you behind the 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,

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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 Jett.

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 IHeartRadio 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, 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, 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.

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So in the NFL, you do not compliment players very often. Unless you're Green Bay and have offended Aaron Rogers, then you say nice stuff. But by and large, you don't give out too many compliments. You want to have control and power. In the NBA, you never do as a GM. But in the NFL, you do and you do not like to relinquish it. But in San Francisco, over the last two weeks, have you heard the effusive praise? Kyle Shanahan came out and said, Jimmy Garoplo.

Oh, my God, it's the best he's ever played. He said that. This is the best Jimmy G. I've ever seen. There's practice. The best I've ever seen. And John Lynch, the general manager, talking about Trey Lance, said this yesterday in a podcast. He's looked tremendous. He really has, you know, I think what's been most impressive about Trey, everyone wants to talk about physical traits.

But the way he approaches his job, he's a pro in its truest sense. And we've got a lot of guys who love the game that are willing to do the necessary things to prepare. And I think Trey really is an embodiment of that. and he's looking good on the field too. He's 20. You want to slow down. He's yet to play a game. Why are they doing this?

Ah, it's very obvious. They are sending a message to the rest of the NFL. Don't you dare low ball us on a Jimmy Garoppolo trade? Best he's ever looked. Don't you dare think that Tray Lance isn't ready and that we're fearful that he's going to be over his skis if we put him in? John Lynch, smart. unbelievable lighting it up. They're moving Jimmy Garoppolo.

I don't know when, but they're moving him. And they're telling the league he looks great, and so does his backup. By the way, I don't know where he's going to go. The Niners have a lot of options here. They could trade him now. I mean, you know one of these NFL teams. The Colts just lost their quarterback. You don't think a couple more will.

By mid-September, you could have three or four teams. teams. I mean, Denver doesn't pay their quarterback anything now. They get off to a one in four start. They wouldn't look at him in a division with Justin Herbert, Derek Carr, and Mahomes. They wouldn't look at it. Washington's not paying Ryan Fitzpatrick anything. What if they get off to a one in three, one and four start and the cowboys start three in one or four in one? You know how this league works. Miami and Tua. That's a very aggressive front office. They got a tough early schedule. What if two is just not the guy? So there's going to be options. here. And the good news for San Francisco, because they won the Jimmy G. Trade, they gave up a second

round pick, and he's won a ton of games. Got him to a Super Bowl, right? Help get him to a Super Bowl. They don't have to win the trade. But what they're telling the rest of the league is, don't you dare low ball us. And here's my theory on it, is that they're going to move Jimmy G, bring up the Niners schedule. So they're going to start 2-0, Detroit and Philadelphia. Don't be shocked if they let Jimmy G really air it out in those games against two marginal defenses, make him look really good.

Then they get the Packers at home. You start looking at that schedule. You can see this team. Then they get Seattle at home. At Arizona, they'll be favored by then the Colts without potentially Carson Wentz. That lines up. It's a very good roster.

It's very possible. They are 5'0. it's not a quarterback-centric offense, but Garoppolo's looking good and people will forget. Remember, Jimmy Garoppolo is 24 and 8 as a starter with a Super Bowl. He starts 6 and 0. He's 30 and 8, and people forget about injuries. Think I'm wrong? The Colts went and got Carson Wentz.

Sam Bradford got a huge contract after getting hurt in college and in the pros. Teams get desperate very quickly in this league. but what the Niners are doing, you listen to this show, I'm supposed to tell you what isn't obvious. When you're handing out effusive praise for Garoppolo, you're building up the market. And when you're talking about how great Tray Lance is, you're also saying, don't doubt us,

don't think we're concerned about it. He's way ahead of schedule. Oh, my God, he's so smart, is running around. It's practice. They're moving Garapolo. They're just elevating everybody here. So nobody low balls and the desperate teams. My takeaway on it is Traylance isn't as great as they're saying,

and Garoppolo's Garoppolo. And I probably would just keep playing Garoppolo as long as I could. That's what I would do. Would put in Tray Lance packages. That's what I would do. I just play Garoppolo. Just keep winning games. And if he's winning with that locker room, why trade him?

Just keep it. There's nothing wrong. Hey, Patrick Mahomes sat for a year. trail and set for a year. And Mahomes had far more college starts in a better conference and a better brand of football. So I just keep going with Garoppolo as long as I could. If he gets through the season and you start 6 and 0, you're not going to replace a quarterback who's got you to a Super Bowl, good-looking guy, the players like the vibe, you know, George Kittles happy, Brandon Ayuk's happy, Kyle Shanahan's happy. I'm not moving

him. So they got a lot of options and they're just making sure everybody knows. quarterbacks are amazing. And there will be a steep price if you're interested in one of them. Alex for the news. No, no, no, no, turn on the news. This is the herd line news. So Kenba Walker has reportedly agreed to a buyout with the thunder after clearing waivers and plans to sign with the Knicks.

Now, this is the latest move in a busy free agency for New York that included resigning Derek Rose to a three-year deal. Walker spent last season with the Celtics managing a knee injury. He averaged 19.3 points and 4.9 assists in 43 games in Boston. Colin, does this make the Knicks better? Yeah, I mean, between Kimball Walker and Derek Rose knees, there's limitations on the defensive side. These knees are old knees.

Evan Fornier's okay, but they paid him a fortune. So I think the Knicks will be a better version of the Knicks who got run out first round in the east. weren't really that competitive. So they're better. But I think Miami's absolutely better today. We haven't talked about the Bulls. They revamped their total roster. Chicago is significantly better today.

Miami's better. Depending on what the Sixers do with Ben Simmons, they could be better. Milwaukee's still very strong. So I think the Knicks will be a better version of the Knicks, but they still won't have enough offensive juice. By the way, Brooklyn added Patty Mills. You could argue they're better, and I doubt Katie will get hurt again and hardened this year will come into shape.

You know, I mean, so I think Brooklyn's going to be a better version of Brooklyn. Doesn't mean they'll win a title. So I just, I don't think, I don't think they're, they're a better version of what they were. They just don't have enough juice to win multiple playoffs series. All right, moving to the NFL. Philip Rivers retired this year after 17 seasons, but he's staying in shape and has not closed the door on a return if a team comes calling. He told the LA Times, I'm not quite there, but I am getting back into the lifting and running, and I occasionally throw a ball around out here.

I'm just going to stay ready. I want to make sure I'm clear. I'm not predicting I will play in December or January, for that matter. One, you've got to have somebody who wants you. And two, it's got to be right, but I have not completely ruled it out. So how much does Carson Wentz's foot injury influence this conversation and this decision? Let's not forget that Philip Rivers last year was. very solid. They went to the playoffs. They went to Buffalo and they gave the bills a real

fight. That was a real game. They moved the ball up and down the field on the Colts. Colts got a pretty good defense. So now, Philip, you could say, well, he's out of shape. Philip's never been a great athlete. I would say it's pretty remarkable the career he had. And considering the last four or five years in the league, he was one of the worst athletes at the position. But this is not a, this offense, Rivers knows it, and it's becoming more run dominant. So it's not the craziest idea. It makes sense. And I don't think, as we've been talking about all week, it would mess with Carson Wentz mentally. He knows the system. He knows the team. He's already been there. I talked to a buddy of mine John Middlakov NFL scout. I put him on my

podcast all the time. Super, super smart guy really connected. He said, you call up, Phil. say we'll give you a million bucks a game. Makes sense. Yeah. We'll just give you a million a game. Come and play. And by the way, if you have to make that decision now in the next, I would say, week.

At least it's the first week of training camp. He's not that far behind. He can catch up quickly. I don't think it's a crazy idea. It's not a crazy idea. I'm with you on that. Well, move in to Tom Brady. He didn't miss a beat on the field when he left the Patriots for the bucks last season,

but he has been showing a different side. of himself off the field and he acknowledged that he's more loose and carefree and it's related to his career move. It's nice. I've found, you know, my voice more, you know, I really enjoy being around my teammates, my coaches. It's been a different environment and just really enjoying the experience of playing football, playing with these group of guys. We're finally seeing Tom's personality and he's funny. And he's adding hair. I don't get it. I really don't understand it. He has more hair now than he did it at 26. I don't get it. Well, he's Benjamin Button.

He ages backwards. We all know that. It's Tom Brady. It's crazy. Oh, he's great. Just adds to his greatness that we're finally getting to see his personality on social media, in interviews. He's funny. He's great. Alex for the news. Well, that's the news.

And thanks for stopping by. I'm just going to tell you, Nick Wright sort of likes LeBron, and he's got this Laker team. I mean, he's got a Wayne Ellington banner. already hung at Staples Center. So I know I'm in for it this morning.

Brought to you by Mercedes-Benz the best or nothing, Nick Reich. First things first. Okay. Oh, boy. Kent Baysmore. Okay. All right. So let's just start with this.

Let's just ease our way into the pool here. I'm going to go slowly. Sure. I defended Russell Westbrook. At least he's occasionally... I know I did. I said, listen, he's not my cup of tea, but he is going to be a first bout hall of famer.

and there are moments, four or five minute moments he takes over games. He has moments of brilliance. Drives me nuts. I don't think he's built for the playoffs. But let's just talk about that first. I'll wade into the pool. LeBron Russell Westbrook. You like it?

Well, listen, I understand it is a questionable fit because both guys always have the ball in their hands. And historically, LeBron teams are the best. The more shooting you surround him with, and the thing Russell does worst is shoot the basketball. With that said, the Lakers would have rolled to the NBA finals last year if LeBron were healthy in the playoffs, let alone if LeBron and AD were healthy in the playoffs. This move helps ensure LeBron gets to the playoffs healthy because Russ will win you regular season games.

Russ, as you mentioned, will win you segments of games when LeBron plays and when you games when he doesn't. I think that's valuable. I also think LeBron is one of the only guys in the league, if there is anybody in the league, that Russ will defer to. So I understand the questionable fit from a shooting standpoint, which is why Wayne Ellington is actually somewhat important. Carmelo Anthony is somewhat important. We can get to them because you've got to surround him with shooting. But I like the idea of it. And emotionally speaking, I love Russ. So I'm excited to see if LeBron can do for Russ and Mello, what he did for Kyrie and Kevin Love and Chris Bosch and Anthony Davis and Dwight Howard, which is great players who had never been a part of

winning. LeBron brings him in and all of a sudden they're champions. So I want to see if that can happen. Okay. Now let's pivot to the NBA's antique store known as the Lakers, Carmelo Anthony, Wayne Ellington. It should be, listen, no cheap shots. I just don't buy Malik Monk leads the Lakers to a title,

which is what everybody in L.A. is trying to convince me of this morning. Kent Baysmore dominates Kevin Durant. Okay. So this is the oldest roster in league history, and you're okay with it. Yeah. Well, so here's the thing. So listen, America, I would tell you to go back and rewatch Collins opening 11 minutes. But if you don't have DVR, you can't do that.

don't worry, because it will be replayed on the internet over and over and over again right around the time the Lakers are winning the Western Conference to advance to the finals. But if you were to replay it, there's two words you would not hear once. LeBron James. You'd hear Kendrick Nunn mentioned three times. You'd hear, oh, Malik Munk's going to lead him. No, LeBron's going to lead him. You know, the guy who was the league MVP last year

until the duffist from Atlanta, Solomon Hill, throttled into his ankle and threw the year off. So, Carmel, yes, is Carmelo old? Yes, he's old. But here's the thing, Colin. Aside from the bucks, like, who's the contender that's not old? The Warriors are old. The Heat's big off-season additions were Kyle Lowry and P.J. Tucker,

who are combined 72 years old. That's old. You were saying the prime is 25 to 30. Well, then the Nets have three guys out of their prime or in Kyrie's case exiting their prime, yet somehow you love Patty Mills, who's going to be 33 in a couple months. So maybe you're going to say the finals is going to be Nuggets Bucks,

because the Nuggets are young, and the Bucks, we both love the Bucs, maybe it'll be them. I think in the NBA you win with old guys. Now the Warriors tried to get younger. They just drafted an 18 and a 19-year-old. Those guys will play zero minutes. But America, let me tell you something

before I give it back to Colin on his show. What's happening right here is Colin is trying to speak something into existence. Because here's what Colin Cowher does not need. Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony to be NBA champions. Colin Gower doesn't need that in his life. not after 15 years of slander of the Syracuse great Carmelo and the relentless effort Russell. So he's just trying to speak this bad juju into existence.

Dwight Howard, two-time champion. Colin doesn't need that either. Yeah. So he's just talking bad about the Lakers. That's what's happening here. By the way, okay, okay, let's just segue to the next story. So I think we may agree on this. Yeah, no problem.

So as much as I love you, I wouldn't pay you $36 million not to work for me next year. with the right to sign you to a four-year deal, which, by the way, sometimes you disappear, you're not very verbal, you would just, I don't even, I can't even figure Nick out. The Clippers are going to pay Kauai, $36 million. He won't play next year because there's no reason to come back and risk it, and he's always heard.

For the right, by the way, to sign him to a four-year deal, and when he doesn't play next year, he'll have played 48% of their games, hurt team chemistry. I think I'm the, I think I'm the only, person on the planet. I don't understand. I would move. I know that sounds crazy. I'm not doing it. I'd move off him. I can't do that. Well, so there's the Kauai Leonard story is so fascinating for a bunch of reasons. Here's one of them. Why hasn't he resigned yet? Like, whenever people are

like best remaining free agents, Kauai's name is still at the top. Like, and there isn't any real reporting on this because Kauai doesn't talk to anybody. Right. But if I'm the Clippers, I'm, you know, less than thrilled about a number of things. What the first of which is, before any of the free agency stuff started, it sure seems to me like, you know, our colleague Skit Bayliss knew about Kauai's surgery before the Clippers did. That would bother me. It'd bother me like, I got to find out why watch an undisputed. You can't give me a phone call. So that already something that's irritating. But the other part is what you're talking about,

which is this is a really odd spot where Kauai, I think he's going to resign. I think he's going to resign a one plus one, which is what you're talking about, a two-year contract that's really a one-year contract, and then be able to opt out of it and be a free agent again. And it's like, so you're going to be able to hold us hostage again. You're not going to play, I would imagine,

all of this year. Now, do I still do it? Yeah, because what other option do you have? Like, now, here's, let me, let me put it like this. If he signs the one plus one, I would sign him to that. But then if he opts out and wants a four-year deal, next year, theoretically, Colin, James Hardin's a free agent, Durant, Kyrie are free agents, Jimmy Butler's a free agent, Bradley Beale's a free agent. I take them all. If let's say the next thing, yeah, let's say the next thing doesn't work out. And Hardin says I want to leave. Or Bradley Beal finally says, I've had enough.

I think you make a strong argument. Yep. You'd be better off with one of those guys paired up with Paul George than Kauai. As great as he is, Colin, I don't trust his health. And I feel like he's not going to communicate with me and let me know what's going on. Yeah, listen, I've been critical of James Harden, but his ability last year to elevate teammates and distribute he became a 30-10 guy.

I would take him overnight and say what you want about Hardin. He communicates. He talks. Everybody that's played with him likes him. I mean, he's an engaging fellow. 100%. Yeah. All right.

So let's segue to the NFL. I think the Niners will eventually get something for Garoppolo, despite his injuries, because Sam Bradford, Carson, Wentz, teams get desperate. You'll take the, I mean, they just get desperate in this league. There's about eight great quarterbacks and 10 others that are. are okay. So the culture in a situation where you could argue, well, the division's lousy. Let's just go with Jacob Eason. But their first five games are five losses. I think Philip Rivers is kind of viable. What would you do if you ran the team at quarterback right now?

Well, so that's, I think the Philip Rivers thing is super viable, Colin, because it's not just the first five games. Their first eight games. aside from week six against Houston it's brutal it's I mean you could easily be too I mean look at that

they're underdogs at home against Seattle they're underdogs at home against the Rams according to the current lines they will be underdogs in Tennessee they'll be underdogs in Miami they'll be underdogs in Baltimore give them the one against Houston then they're underdogs at San Francisco

and then call it a pick them against the Titans at home that's brutal and Colin, this is a great roster. I don't think you can say Jacob Easton take the keys to the car. And the idea that, well, we can't bring in Philip Rivers because Carson Wince it could mess with his psyche. Like, listen, you can't be fragile physically and emotionally. Good point.

And be the quarterback of my team. That's a good point. You got to deal. Like, you can't. And he hasn't earned anything in Indy as of yet. So I think if you're frank, right, you call up Carson. and say it's your team, but you're hurt already. And Philip Rivers is, he knows the offense, he knows the playbook, he knows the locker

room, we're going to bring him in because I think the Colts could be really good, Colin, and that division, you know the Texans will be terrible, you know the Jags, I think Jags actually could be kind of good, but not 10 win good. And then there's the Titans who could be excellent, but it's just you and the Titans. You can't start 2 and 6 and have the Titans start 6 and 2 things over then. So yeah, I would absolutely think long and hard about Philip Rivers if my next options are either Nick Foles, which would probably really ruin Carson mentally, or Jacob Eason, or as you were alluding to in the beginning,

I don't think they can trade for Garoppolo because they already made the big move trading for wince, like they're already out too many picks and cap-wise. but I absolutely would consider bringing Philip Rivers back. No question about it. By the way, that's a great, I'm going to use that. That's a great line by you, Nick. You can't be fragile emotionally and physically. For instance, you're fragile emotionally, but you never get sick.

So we can always depend on you to do you. Correct. I'm always, I show up. I've been a wreck ever since I lost the 50K to Helmuth, but I show up. I'm crying myself to sleep every night. You're not returning my Venmo request, but I show up. So yeah, that's right. Good seeing you, buddy.

Nick Wright. Yeah, he played poker against one of the great players in the history of the world, Phil Hillam youth, six hours gave him everything he could handle. It was, I don't watch a lot of poker. It was fascinating. I watched 45 minutes of poker, which for me might as well be watching Gettysburg the movie for four hours. I don't watch poker, but he can really play. All right.

So don't listen to the words. Just watch the player. I'll explain next. to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. Hey, this is Jason McIntyre. Join me every weekday morning on my podcast, Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre. This isn't your typical sports pod pushing the same tired narratives down your throat every day. Straightfire gives you honest opinions on all the biggest sports headlines, accurate stats to help you win big at the sports book and all the best

guests. Do yourself a favor and listen to Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre. 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. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, Clipper 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, Untax. filtered 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 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 a little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast.

I'm Sam Jette. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a here, unpack what you? went down and tried to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the AIDS. 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 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. 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, Keir Gaines, is we have really. 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. It is great to have you in on a Wednesday. Jimmy Johnson, the Hall of Famer, will be joining us. I don't think Philip Rivers to the Colts a bad idea at all, by the way. So I talked earlier about the Niners. Talking about how great both their quarterbacks look, they're doing that to make sure the market will not lowball them when they move Garapolo whenever they choose to.

We know with Tua in Miami, they are selling him hard. Not sure to who, there won't be much of a market for him if they ever decided to move him. But did you hear the latest? Oh, this is a, let me read this. Tua looks like a different player in week two of the dolphins training. camp, swagger, arm strength increase, reading the defense, firing to the sidelines, uncanny accuracy, Tua is fire. Oh, wait, that was last year in August.

So color me cynical when I read the highlights today, Dolphin teammates see a more improved Tua. Folks, watch Tua. Don't listen to the headlines. He's small, average athlete. so-so arm. Now, he did go six and three last year. He's got an excellent young coach. Tremendous defense. Special teams top five in the league. They've added to a decent receiving core. Now it's superb. GM sharp. Scott Greer. So 10 and 7, 11 and 6 isn't a complete fantasy.

But Vegas is telling you what they think of this team. I mean, or over under is nine and a half wins. That's the Patriots. I think an over bet on Miami's probably a better than average bet, but they're 14th in Super Bowl odds. And that's why every GM in this league and every coach in this league, that's what they're gunning for. I mean, it's not the Tua can't win games. Mark Sanchez, back-to-back AFC championship games.

Tebow, for God's sake, had a winning streak. Alex Smith's career record. 99 wins, 66 losses and a tie. He won two or three games he started. It's not about the ability to win games when you take a first round quarterback. That's not it. Kirk Cousins can win your games. Baker Mayfield can win you games.

But the best way to put it's this. You can win games with Tua, but Tua can't win you games. in the end in this league, you won't always have a great defense. Josh Allen didn't last year. Josh Allen had no running game last year and an average defense. And they got to the AFC championship. That's what everybody's looking for. When you're talking about quarterbacks, you've either got a guy that can carry you

when your best receiver gets hurt, when your defense isn't great, when you don't have the experience. That's Brady, that's Rogers, that's Josh Allen, that's Russell Wilson. There may be six on the planet. Every other team is taking phone calls or considering another quarterback. So I think Miami is so good everywhere except quarterback. Minnesota. Go go back and look at Case Keenum one year. Remember that about five years ago when he took over the Vikings and they had a stacked roster.

They weren't paying Case Keenum. paying the quarterback anything so they could go out and spend money everywhere. I think he won 11 games. I think he was like 11 and 6 or so. I forget what it was, 11 and 5 or something. He had a really good season. Case Keenham. So when I hear all these stories, NFL teams do this.

Remember a couple years ago, Eli Manning was leaving and Daniel Jones gets drafted. And the Giants got a lot of heat for taking Daniel Jones at 6th. A lot of heat. Suddenly in camp, videos started to emerge. When the media wasn't there, yet. The videos were emerging. Oh, Daniel Jones looks unbelievable because they were trying to sell you on. We know you're mad. Eli's gone. We got this new guy. We drafted him high. I'm just seeing a lot of this to his stuff. It's just what they were saying last year. I went back and looked at a year

ago's comments. There's the same thing. Just watch the games. And he's going to win some games. But you're now competing in the AFC, in the AFC with Lamar. Jackson, the fastest quarterback in league history, six-foot-six power arm Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, six, five and a half, record-setting Justin Herbert. That's what you're going to go up against. Forget old Big Ben, forget Baker. The top of the AFC, these quarterbacks are so good. We've got our next Brady, Manning, and Big Ben.

They're called Lamar, Josh Allen, and Patrick Mahomes, and Justin Herbert. Those kids are big and strong and athletic and rifle arms. So I'm just going to be a little cynical on the Tua is lit. He's fire. He's hot. He's confident. I'm not going to read it. Just watch the games.

You tell me what you see. Thomas Dimitroff, former Atlanta Falcon GM, former Patriot Director of Scouting around the corner, it's the herd. 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 podcast. guests on the Look Back at it podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 was 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. It 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 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, Clivert 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, unfills of conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to The Clivert Show on the IHeard 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. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.