The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Best of The Herd: 06/04/2019

Episode Date: June 4, 2019

Colin thinks that LeBron James is ready to hit the eject button on his Lakers career and explains why.  He says that Odell Beckham Jr.'s priorities and the Browns priorities are not aligned.  He believes Las Vegas is disrespecting the Raptors.  Plus, LaVar Ball comes in studio to explain why Lonzo Ball won't be traded and how he knew Magic wasn't ever really in charge of the Lakers.  Presented by Perky Jerky. 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. I'm Michelle McPhee, and I've been unraveling the strangest criminal alliance I've ever reported on, a Mormon polygamist and an Armenian businessman.

Multi-million dollar house, Ferrari's and Lamborghinis, private jets, a billion-dollar fraud. But how long can this alliance last? Tell me what you know. Is somebody coming after me? Listen to Kingdom of Fraud

on the A-Heart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Life is full of hurdles. So how do you keep going? On Hurtle with Emily Abadi, we're talking with the most inspiring women in sports and wellness from professional athletes, coaches, and Olympic champions about the challenges that shape them and the mindset that keeps them moving forward. At our level, at this scale, being able to fail in front of the entire world.

Like, I can do anything. I can do anything. Listen to Hurtle with Emily Abadi on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of I Heart Women's Sports. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened.

That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo, and every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the biggest moments in sports and giving you the real story behind the headline. And we're going straight to the source, the athletes themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions in the moment, and the stuff nobody gets to hear. Listen to Sports Slice on the IHeart Radio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. 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 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 IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for listening to The Best of Heard podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday from 12 to 3 Eastern, 9 to noon Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and FS1. Find your local station for the Heard at Fox Sports Radio.com or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Heard.

This is the best of the herd with Colin Cowher on Fox Sports Radio. Ah, here we go on a Tuesday, all sorts of drama. This is The Herd, wherever you may be and however you may be listening. We are live in Los Angeles, the place to be today on IHAR Radio, Fox Sports Radio, on FS1. Joy Taylor is joining me on a Tuesday. Well, well, well, we've got another LeBron drama story. What is it? As the Lakers turn.

As the Lakers turn. Let me ask you, you want to break up with somebody and you don't want to confront them, right? Like it's a difficult breakup. What are the two ways you do it? You either start to pick fights, you start to nitpick fights, create fights and drama so you can escape and say, this just doesn't work for me. Or you get really quiet. The other partner gets really quiet.

You're trying to separate. So the story today, Bill Plashky, very, very tied in to the Lakers. He's an award-winning columnist for the L.A. Times, been here forever. He said, on a radio show yesterday, I'm hearing that if the Lakers whiff on free agency, if they whiff on a trade, okay, they've got big trouble with LeBron. I mean, the LeBron era could be over before it starts here. I heard this for the first time yesterday. somebody very connected and said, you know what?

If they whiff, LeBron's going to say either I'm out or get me out of here. Dave McMinneman, very close through the years covering LeBron, backed him up and said, basically if it's July 10th in L.A. And they get the guy from Orlando, they have to settle for him as a free agent. And it doesn't meet the criterion of bringing a star here. You can imagine what's going to happen here and where this thing is going to go. Okay, first of all, I don't think this is possible. think it's probable and I think the ejector seat, it's all lining up.

I think this is all lining up. I've told you, I think it's a Jimmy Butler Hail Mary for the Lakers. Ask yourself this. Again, when you're breaking up with somebody, what are the two ways, all you guys are gals listening, you want out of a relationship. You either start picking fights. LeBron's not going to do that. He's not really that kind of, he's never gotten to, you know, LeBron doesn't get technicals. He doesn't get in fights.

That's not his personality. Or you go like dark 30. You separate. You stop talking. You stop being verbal with your partner. LeBron James has gone quiet for almost three to four months. You don't see him anywhere in town. You don't see him anywhere with the Lakers.

Why? Because this nonsense is bad for his brand. He doesn't know Rob Polinka. Doesn't really know Jeannie Bus. It's bad for his brand. LeBron doesn't want to be known as the guy nobody wants to play with. LeBron's like magic. He's the great communicator.

He elevates others. He plays well with others. This is terrible for his brand. And the ejector seats all lining up here. When magic bailed on the Lakers, it was the perfect out for LeBron. LeBron can say, hey, magic bailed on these guys. The heart and soul of the franchise is like I'm out. I can't leave. This story comes out today.

Again, the ejector seat. Philadelphia, 76ers, are expected to offer Jimmy Butler a max extension. Now, Jimmy Butler's an older player. Jimmy Butler wants his money. Okay, Jimmy Butler likes L.A., but L.A. can't offer him that kind of money. 31-year-old guys who haven't gotten the big contract, ask Paul George, generally take the guaranteed money. Jimmy Butler plays hard.

Jimmy Butler could get hurt. That's why I think Toronto still has a chance to get Kauai. It's $35 million for a guy that gets beat up. Okay. So don't kid yourself on this story. I don't think it's possible. I don't think LeBron ends his career in Los Angeles, this year or next. In fact, in my opinion, there's something going on in Los Angeles, which is not being discussed on a national level.

When the NFL came to town the Rams, they're building a new stadium. They started stealing market share from the other teams. That's why getting LeBron here was a big deal for the Lakers. The Dodgers are seven games ahead of the National League. They're the best run organization in town. All they do is win their division every year and get three, four million people. So they're stealing market share. And right now, this is the best team they've ever had.

This is the best team in baseball is arguably the Dodgers, the best team they've had. There's seven games ahead of the National League. Now you've got the Rams in town, building a new stadium, NFL moving some operations out to L.A. Super Bowls. Oh, the Chargers. Now you've got LAAFC, which is this new young, hip soccer thing that's a big hot thing in Los Angeles, downtown in the city. It's catching fire. You've also got the clippers that share a building with you are now giving the Warriors a real series. So you've got market share slowly but surely pulling away from the Lakers. And that's why I believe these Kyrie Irving to the Laker rumors, They're started by the Lakers. They're just trying to stay relevant in this city. Clay Thompson's not coming here.

KD's not coming here. Kauai's not coming here. Kyrie Irving's not coming here. And now Jimmy Butler's not coming here. And you also have a reality with Anthony Davis. We have two people who I trust who have gone public with this. Gail Benson does not want to trade Anthony Davis to the Lakers. She hates the Lakers.

She owns the Pelicans. Now, I'm not saying they couldn't just massively overpay, give every draft pick, every player to get Anthony Davis. I'm sure LeBron, you know, he didn't want to play with the young guys. He wants a star. But I do not believe LeBron retires as a basketball player, maybe as a person he retires in L.A. I do not think he retires as a basketball player with the Lakers. And the story this morning, Bill Plashky and Dave McMenaman tied in saying,

if they don't land somebody or if they land a second-tier guy from Orlando, he may just say, I'm out. Get me out of here. Remember I had the LeBronso meter? So we had the LeBronso meter. We thought LeBronzo meter. We kept bringing up the LeBronzo meter and you guys gave me flack. It eventually was right.

Now we have the LaGonzo meter. LeBron's going to be gone meter. And right now I think it's at 50%. I really do. I think it's all lining up. He's distancing himself. Magic retires the ball. perfect out. Jimmy Butler signs a max in Philadelphia. The other guys don't end up here.

And Anthony Davis, Pelican, say, we're not doing it. You think LeBron James, who's been ahead of this league for 15 years, who's one of the great businessmen in the history of the league. You don't think he's thought about this stuff. And for the record, there's all sorts of teams. This could be beneficial for the Lakers, LeBron, and somebody else. Boston's got all sorts of pieces. The Philadelphia 76ers have all sorts of talent. None of it really fits. This could be a win, win, win for everybody. It's a win for LeBron. He can go back to the East and get into the playoffs guaranteed. He can play with better players and more veteran players, and it's potentially a win for the Lakers. They could get an infusion of talent.

But I don't think this story is a possible. I think it's a probable. I really do. Let me shift gears. Now to this. Odell Beckham is reporting to the Browns today. These are mandatory minicamp workouts. He missed nine of the 10 OTAs in the voluntary. But when he missed those, you know, guys like me are like, that's not great. But remember the business OBJ is in. He's really an NBA player in the NFL. Noise is great for Odell Beckham.

It's good for his brand. It made him rich. It sells his shoes. When he doesn't show up for volunteers, it's a business decision. It got him in the news. What players were we talking about at OTAs? Oh, one, OBJ. If something made you rich and famous, would you stop doing it?

I think Beyonce is going to stop singing? The bottom line is the best business relationships. And this is why OBJ and Cleveland's fascinating. The best business relationships are when you, Your interests, you and me as employees, aligns with the business interests. Tucker Carlson used to be on MSNBC. That did not align. Conservative guy on a liberal network.

They broke up. That's why the Beatles broke up. John Lennon was the brooding star, wanted to do serious music. And Paul McCartney's like, I like the pop stuff. It's popular and sells records. Beatles broke up. Here's the reality of OBJ's business. and it's made him rich, it's made him famous,

and he's really, I would argue, the only global star in this league. Tom Brady's second, and I think way back, never forget, Instagram followers, OBJ's got over double Tom Brady, and Tom Brady second. Is that he bought a Rolls Royce the other day, OBJ. It was orange. Why? It made news. OBJ's in the noise business.

urinating in an end zone, buying an orange Rolls Royce, skipping OTAs. These have made him rich. These sell his shoes. He's seen as independent pushbacks at authority. That's good for his business. Now, we also know the conflict here. Noise is terrible for the NFL business. It unraveled the great Seattle Seahawks apparent dynasty.

Joyce from Pittsburgh. They have underachieve now for three straight years. The New York Giants, Oakland, Philadelphia after the Super Bowl got noisy. Then they cleaned it up and got quiet again. So here's what we know. The best business relationships are when the employee's interests align with the company's interests. Brady's aspirational and wants to win, willing to take pay cuts. New England's aspirational wants to win and asks players to take pay cuts.

Brady, Patriots, perfect. His interests align with New England's. But OBJs do not align with any NFL team. And he's gotten rich and famous off his interest, which are make some great plays. He certainly wants to win games. But you don't end up with a supermodel in a hotel room in the sheets because you make great catches.

You end up there because you're a global star. That's who he is. And in the NFL noise is bad for OBJ. Noise isn't good. Noise is great. By the way, if you look at the people that sell shoes, they don't always have the most titles. They have the most discussion in Instagram and followers and talked about and viral.

That's what Nike's looking at. They're not looking at his catches. Nike's looking at, man, he's got 14 million Instagram followers. Oh my God, he moves product. Oh my God, young kids love him. By the way, Julio Jones a better receiver. Nobody's buying his shoes. All right?

So I think what's fascinating about Cleveland and Odell Beckham is they both have different business interests. I mean, yeah, they both want to win, duh. But winning's not what has made Odell Beckham rich. The Giants didn't win. What made him rich was noise. Skipping OTAs, noise. Orange Rolls Royce, noise.

A couple of nice catches with Baker here over the next top couple of weeks. Watch them show up on viral media. Watch over the next week. You're going to see, this will make noise, Baker and Odell. He'll have a one-handed catch, and Odell's people will, won't be about a great play by the Browns. It'll be about Odell making a catch. They put it on the viral stuff.

It catches fire, Instagram followers, OMG. It's going to be fascinating. It's going to be absolutely fascinating. Can't wait to watch it. Odell Beckham at Mandatory Minicamp today. It only lasts a couple of days. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific. Jacob Kingston grew up in an isolated polygamous sect.

We were God's chosen kingdom on earth. He felt destined for greatness. So when a swaggering Armenian businessman catapults Jacob into an extraordinary world, he doesn't look back. Ferraris and Lamborghinis, private jets, meeting the president of Turkey. I'm Michelle McPhee, and this is one of the most shocking criminal conspiracies I've ever come across. When Jacob met Levant this went to a billion dollar fraud. But with two kings from entirely different worlds, just how long can their empire survive? The largest tax investigation in American history.

You need to tell me what you know. Is somebody coming after me? Jacob told Levan, you're ruining my life. Listen to Kingdom of Fraud on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Life throws hurdles big and small. The question is, how do you conquer them? On Hurtle with Emily Abadi, we sit down with the most inspiring women in sports and wellness. athletes, coaches, and Olympic champions to talk about the challenges that shaped them

and the mindset that keeps them going from the WMBA standout Kate Martin and rising hockey star Layla Edwards. If a boy can do it, I don't see why a girl can't. Like, I've never understood that. Like, it didn't make sense in my brain. It's hard to be in spaces that no one looks like you, but don't ever feel like you don't feel like you don't feel like. Don't let that be the reason you don't do it.

An Olympic champs Gabby Thomas and Katie Ladeke. The ability to show a gold medal to someone and have their face light up and smile. that means the world to me, and that's what motivates me to win more gold medals. At our level, at this scale, like being able to fail in front of the entire world. Like, I can do anything. I can do anything. Because resilience isn't just about winning. It's about showing up, even when it's hard.

Listen to Hurtle with Emily Abadi on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to history. historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. SportsSlice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to SportsClyce on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok.

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 middle 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 hard way. Open your free, our heart radio app.

Search, learn the hard way, and listen now. This story this morning, I mean, the Warriors are falling apart. Clay Thompson, MRI confirmed he has a hamstring. strain, so he will not beat 100%. I don't know how you play with a bad hamstring in the NBA. I don't know how you do it. I don't know how you guard anybody. Now, he's a catch and shoot guy. You can throw the ball to him. He can shoot.

That won't hurt him. But what is remarkable, Kavon Looney is also out. Boogie cousins and Iggy are not at 100%. In fact, boogie's not out. He's just out of shape and Kevin Durant will not play. It is remarkable to me that Las Vegas has Golden State as a six-point

favorite tomorrow night. I will take Toronto. They don't play lousy generally in back-to-back games. It's a veteran team. They can't shoot that poorly. Pascal Seyakum will play better than he played last game. Lowry was annoying at best last game. I think Toronto will actually play great and take a two-one series lead.

The Warriors' offense is going to be fine if Clay is hobbling around the court. Listen, they shot 46 and a half percent against the Raptors in four games so far this year. Offense, you know, they'll shoot 46 percent. They shot about 47 percent against the rest of the little. league, so Toronto's defense is better. But you talk about losing flexibility defensively. Iggy's a great defender. He's not healthy.

Clay is a great defender. I'm sorry, but hamstring strain does not go away in four days. And Vegas must know something because they got him as a six-point favorite. And by the way, it opened at five and a half. It's gone up to six. And the only thing I can guess on this is that this series, this will be the first game at Oracle since I think like May 12th or May 15th, May 16th. So Oracle's been sitting there for a couple of weeks,

dying for NBA basketball. So it will be like game one in Toronto. It'll be a madhouse. You saw by game two in Toronto, the crowd wasn't as quiet, wasn't jacked up. But when an NBA team hasn't been home for a while, and it's a great NBA team, and they need a ton of support because they're all beat up,

this is not like they're going in fully ammo ready to go. and loaded. So Vegas, it's amazing to me. It's disrespectful that Kevin Durant's out. Clay won't be close to 100%. Kayvon Looney, who's become a reliable player for them is out. Boogie and Iggy are hurt, and Golden State is a six-point favorite. That's incredible. That is just incredible in an NBA finals. If I'm Toronto, if I'm Nick Nurse, I walk into the whiteboard in the locker room, and I just put minus six. That's what. the league thinks of you. That's what Vegas thinks of you. You're a six point dog. That's a shocking number. I'm not going to bet it because earlier this year, I saw a number in the NBA. I thought

it was the easiest bet of my life. And for two weeks after that, my family and I ate top ramen if we ate at all. So I'm not betting it. I'm just saying it's disrespectful. What's going on, everybody? John Middlecock, the three and out podcast. Brought you by Colin Coward's podcast network. You like Colin's show. You'll like mine. I'm talking football, football. and more football. Coming up on the show, 18 games in the NFL, that's inevitable. Also talk to my good friend, former NFL GM, and former AAF GM on why the AAF fell apart and more NFL topics. Phil Savage, John Middlecock, three-and-out podcast.

You and I have both moved a lot. Yes. For our careers. And when you move, I always get the yellow sheet of paper pros and cons. One of the things I always try to remember, is nothing as status quo in our business. It's constantly fluid. Yes.

So I'll give you an example, folks. When I left the other place for Fox Sports, a lot of people like, crazy, cards crazy, man, that's a new network. One of the things I strongly considered was the emergence of podcasts and the emergence of digital and the growing power of Facebook. I'll give you an example. So when I was at the old place, I got 1.2 million podcast listens a month. But podcasts were on fire. So I knew I wasn't going to disappear. I get 8.5 million a month.

So my podcast audience is seven times bigger at Fox. Digital. I had 27,000, 30,000 people listening a day at the old place. But I knew digital was exploding. I now have 160,000 minimum a day. It's six times bigger. Facebook, I knew this company would allow me to use Facebook and monetize. it. The old place didn't. I got 331 million views last year on Facebook. Nothing close in the industry.

So it wasn't about just coming over here and busting butt and working with people like Joy. The world was changing around me and it was just not, you're going to be on AM radio signals. I knew as I came over the emergence of podcasting, the power of Facebook, the emergence of digital would ensure that if I just did a quality show that was as least, as good as the other one, and I think this one's better. Studios better, guests are better, people around me are better, that it would grow. So my decision was not just based on me. It was based on the world was changing, and I wanted to, and I've always believed this in business.

The world gives you waves, write them. Make it easy on yourself. When you see a wave coming, grab the surfboard, get on the wave. I live in California here by the beach. I like to go to the pier, get a cup of coffee, and watch surfers. I enjoy that. It's therapeutic for me. Even the best surfer can't do it without a wave.

And the waves were rolling when I came over here to Fox. The podcast wave, the digital wave, the Facebook wave, the YouTube channel. They were all exploding. And I thought, well, I'll just do the same show. I'm not going to disappear. Nobody's going to disappear in this business. So the point being is, let me talk about an NFL player. So Adam Humphreys was a nice slot receiver.

And he chose the Tennessee Titans and Marcus Mariotta over Tom Brady. And he came out and he said the reason I did it is, I just didn't know how long Tom Brady would play. Well, first of all, Tom Brady's future is better than Marcus Mariotas. Because I don't think Marcus Mariotta is going to get into a contract in Tennessee. He's not very good. He's thrown for over 20 touchdowns once in a passing league. He's always hurt.

Missed nine games in four years. At least double that been banged up. He's a nonverbal guy to verbal position. I don't think Marcus Mariotta is very good. So Adam Humphrey's nice kid, good player, chose mediocrity, Tennessee, over excellence. Billicheck, Tom Brady, the ownership, the culture, the Super Bowls, the momentum. He just chose it. But what he really didn't think about, much like my career, was the world's changing.

41-year-old quarterbacks are now 36-year-old quarterbacks. Russell Wilson said yesterday, I'm going to play till 45. Drew Breeze is 41. Drew Breeze, have you noticed the last couple years? He's playing at the end of the year. So's old Philip Rivers. So's old Tom Brady. Have you noticed who's around at the end of the year?

Old quarterbacks. The world's changing with all the nutrition. Have you ever noticed when you meet somebody's kids? The kids are bigger than the dad. Why? Because they ate better. My son has lived with better nutrition than I have. And I had parents that, you know, we had a nice life.

We ate seafood. It was fine, right? But my son's eaten far more quality food. He's got nutrition that I didn't have an understanding of. and so basically Adam Humphreys, good player, nice player, chose Marcus Marioo and the Titans over Tom Brady because his quote was, you know, obviously he's the goat, but there's so many things to factor in, how many years does he have left?

I don't know, you watched Brady win the Super Bowl last year. Was he better than Jared Goff in the Super Bowl? I mean, he's been in three straight Super Bowls. Isn't he the best quarterback every time you watch the Super Bowl? And you're going to choose Marcus Marietta, who's always hurt, who in the last two years has 24 touchdown? down's 23 picks. I mean, come on. It's funny. There are so few guarantees in professional football.

Like in the NBA, we knew the Warriors would be good. I mean, you knew Philadelphia, Boston. You can tell the playoff teams, Toronto, Milwaukee was getting better. You can tell. You knew Houston was going to be a playoff team. You know, you know Paul, George, and Russell Restbook are going to make the playoffs. In the NFL, Adam Humphreys had a chance to be part of a guarantee. and he chose Marcus Marriota and the Titans. In fact, to prove my point, these, I'm going to give you what I believe to be absolute guarantees in the NFL. And here's how few there are.

Let's do number one. Patriots win the AFC East. I think that's a guarantee. They're going against Sam Darnold's second year, Josh Rosen's second year, Josh Allen's second year. He's going up against babies. I don't even think I'm being a Patriot home.

I think they're going to win the division. If you look at their schedule, if you look at the hard, the better teams they play, a lot of them at Foxborough. He's going up against baby quarterbacks and all new systems and all new coordinators. That's number one. Number two, the Redskins will not be great. Okay. The quarterback situation, they're going to play a kid who potentially could be good,

Dwayne Haskins, not quite ready. The coaching staffs on their last legs. They don't really have, in the NFC, in their division, they don't line up personnel-wise with Philadelphia or the Dallas Cowboys. Washington will not be great. Number three, the Saints, they'll be good at home, you know, because they always are. I don't know if the Saints will be great. I don't know if they'll make the playoffs.

But they'll be a better home team than they will be a road team. And how do I know that? Because they're always special at home. Number four, Patrick Mahomes will throw up for a lot of touchdowns. Between Andy Reid's play design, Travis Kelsey, good offensive line. Patrick Mahomes is special. They've got good personnel. They drafted another very good wide receiver out of college.

Andy Reid knows offense. Andy Reid's made every quarterback in his career. I mean, Donovan McNabb thinks he's a Hall of Famer. You put Donovan McNabb with 90% of the coaches in the NFL. Donovan McNabb doesn't think. that. So number four, guarantee Patrick Holmes will pass for a lot of touchdown. Number five, Andrew Luck will blame himself anytime the Colts lose. That is a guarantee. He's so humble, it's annoying. He's to the point I'm tired of him blaming himself for every loss. But he will do

that and it's a guarantee. Number six, the Browns don't be noisy. I don't know if they'll be bad. I don't know if they'll be good. I think that'd be pretty good, but they'll be noisy. his brand, Instagram, Twitter fights, controversy. Odell Beckham has gotten rich and famous on making noise.

Not on touchdowns and wins. He hasn't. He's a global superstar because of the noise, the hair, the fun, the volume. The Browns will be noisy. And my seventh guarantee, the Raiders will also be noisy. I mean, I consider this for number one,

but since I had two noisy teams, I put the down the list. Listen, Gruden is a television personality as a coach. Their GM's a former TV personality. Antonio Brown, again, like OBJ, kind of an NBA player in the NFL, they're moving lame duck. And they also have kind of a dysfunctional outlaw rebel brand, which even in bad seasons makes news. And by the way, that's seven NFL guarantees. I don't have an eighth. I do not have an ape. And Adam Humphreys, good kid. chose Tennessee over that. When you make a career move, don't just consider yourself.

Is the world changing? Because if there's a wave, and I watch these on Saturday mornings with a cup of coffee, grab your board and write it. The wave of New England is not done yet. The wave for Tennessee doesn't even exist yet. Want more herd? The herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week within the IHeart radio app. Search herd to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like. Jacob Kingston grew up in an isolated polygamous sect.

We were God's chosen kingdom on earth. He felt destined for greatness. So when a swaggering Armenian businessman catapults Jacob into an extraordinary world, he doesn't look back. Ferraris and Lamborghinis, private jets, meeting the president, of Turkey. I'm Michelle McPhee, and this is one of the most shocking criminal conspiracies I've ever come across. When Jacob met Levin this plant to a billion dollar fraud. But with two kings from entirely different worlds, just how long can their empire survive? The largest tax investigation in American history. You need to tell me what you know. Is somebody coming after me?

Jacob told Levan, you're ruining my life. Listen to Kingdom of Fraud on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Life throws hurdles big and small. The question is, how do you conquer them? On hurdle with Emily Abadi, we sit down with the most inspiring women in sports and wellness, professional athletes, coaches, and Olympic champions to talk about the challenges that shaped them and the mindset that keeps them going. From the WNBA standout, Kate Martin, and rising hockey star Layla Edwards.

If a boy can do it, I don't see why a girl can't. Like, I've never understood that. Like, it didn't make sense in my brain. It's hard to be in spaces that no one looks like you, but don't ever feel like you don't feel long. Don't let that be the reason you don't do it. An Olympic champs Gabby Thomas and Katie Ledecki. The ability to show a gold medal to someone

and have their face light up and smile, that means the world to me. And that's what motivates me to win more gold medals. At our level, at this scale, like being able to fail in front of the entire world, Like, I can do anything. I can do anything. Because resilience isn't just about winning. It's about showing up, even when it's hard.

Listen to Hurtle with Emily Abadi on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHart Women's Sports. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear.

The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports Slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to SportsLice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slic Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. 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. 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 here 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 hard way. Open your free, our heart radio app.

Search, learn the hard way and listen now. All right, we have a breaking story. David Griffin, who essentially is the big honcho running the Pelican, smart guy. And the Pelicans have begun listening to teams on potential Anthony, Davis trades. What does that mean? That Anthony Davis and his agent, remember I said last week, why are they continuing dialogue? Just tell the Pelicans, nothing has changed. Well, Anthony Davis and his agent, Rich Paul, have made it clear.

We're not staying here. So this is big news now. So Anthony Davis, according to Sham Sharanya, who's been on this show before, they are now in the process of listening to teams. Shams is reporting that four teams that will be able to compile the best packages, Knicks, Celtics, Lakers, Nets, that's per rival executives. Now, the Lakers have better players than the NICs do. The NICs have better draft picks than the Lakers do,

including the number three pick, which is very attractive because that could be R.J. Barrett. So that's the story. Anthony Davis and Rich Paul have clearly now told the Pelicans, appreciate the dialogue, we want out. So Zion Williamson, who I think is going to be terrific, is now going to probably have a very young group of players around him. And that's where we stand. And with that, I want to bring in LeVar Ball, founder, CEO, the big baller brand. Of course, Dad of Lonzo, Lamello and LeAngelo Ball is joining us.

That's interesting news, LeVar, for you. How are you, first of all? I'm doing good. I'm doing great. I always appreciate it, even though sometimes we push back at you. you always come on and answer every question. Oh, yes. Every single time with us.

Now, so I thought it's very interesting. There is speculation in order for the Lakers to get Anthony Davis. They don't have the draft picks of the NICs. They don't have, I would say the Celtics have more veteran players, whereas the Lakers have some very talented young players. They have two forwards who both averaged 18, Brandon Kyle. They have your son, who most execs still like in this league. A lot of always had the lower the bruise to his ankle,

of deep bruise. He will be ready for camp. Are you concerned at all when you hear this story that potentially Lanzo could be part of a trade package? Well, that's part of L.A. He's one of the biggest things in L.A., so you've got to make him part of the trade process on the fact that people are going to listen to that. Lanzo ain't going nowhere.

Let me just tell this out. If I told you, Lanzo for the next nine years plays with Zion Williamson, is that worse than the current situation? with the Lakers? I'm not going to say no situation is worse because like I said, Lonzo adapts to everything. He was ever his

teammate, he's going to make them good. So I'm not going to be like that wouldn't work with him in Zion. Lonzo works with everybody. Just got to give him a chance to let him do his thing. Lonzo was the only Laker player that LeBron put on one of his shows, one of his productions, the shop. I

took that as a sign that LeBron was telling people, this is the one teammate I connect with. I like this kid. What did you make of him putting Lonzo on the shop? Well, you got to put him on the shop. You put anybody else on there, they're not going going to watch that. They're going to watch

the shop just because Lonzo is who he is. He's the only guy in the NBA with his own brand. No, that's not true. LeBron doesn't have his own brand. LeBron don't have his own brand. What brand is LeBron? Nike is not his brand? LeBron is a Nike. That's Nike.

That's Nike. It's not his own brand. Lonzo has his own brand. Triple B. is his. That's what I mean by own brand. That triple B has gone through some well-publicized difficulty. So right now that... That don't mean nothing. I mean difficulties as in what? As in you,

somebody that you perceived as a friend. Okay. Stole some money, so what? That happens in every business. Same thing as Steve Jobs. They took more money than that in his business. Well, but Apple, I think was... Apple, I'm just saying it happens on a large scale on any business. This is something that always

happens. It's not a big deal. Okay. You came on, I think it was undisputed. We have a tape. Many of your claims, which people say, Colin, LeVar is just a blowing smoke. And I always say with you, A, you've done a good job with your kids. I mean, they all got offers to UCLA. And B, you're often very accurate. You remind me of Jose Konseco, who nobody wanted to listen to. And years later, we went, oh, Jose was writing all the steroid stuff. So you said this on undisputed. I want to play this. Magic, I think, is, from my point of view, listen to him talking and stuff like that. He's just the face.

I don't think his say-so is like his say-so. Really? I know it's not because he told me some things that I thought that should have been done. That's nothing. Okay. Who is in charge? No, I'm trying to figure out who's in charge. That's why the system is crumbling down for, I don't know what's going on over there.

Okay. By the way, when you said that, you got a little pushback. That's probably the most accurate prediction of what has happened. it has crumbled down. A, were you shocked that Magic quit? No. I'm not shocked at what anybody does. Like I said, like I told to other people, the only thing I'm shocked about is if my wife leaves me. That's the only thing that can shock me in this world. Other than that, I'm not shocked by anything. Did you understand why Magic left?

I don't even understand why he left. Like I said, you can tell people when the earthquake is going to come, when the weather's going to change, but you don't know what's going on in somebody's mind. They could flip on you in a minute. You'd be like, wow, I know. never thought that would happen. So I never put it past anybody's mindset to do anything that's different. Who today is running the Lakers, LeVar? Who today is right now, nobody's really running the Lakers. They have no clue what's going on. Because when you've got a lot of people in the building, everybody has a voice, there's no certainty in it where somebody has the bottom line. Because let's say, let's say Jeannie Buss is at the top. She makes the final decision.

Yes. But how's she going to make the final decision if she's sitting next to her best friend? that's been friends with her for they're not thinking business-wise. Linda Rambos. Yes. So basically you're going to listen to her just because she's your friend. And it might not be the right decision. That's why they say usually the bad guy in the room is usually a bad guy. Ain't no bad woman.

It's a bad guy because he don't have no feelings. That's how this business is supposed to be ran. You can't do it on feelings. Doesn't Lonzo there, so you're acknowledging uncertainty with the Lakers. Why would Lonson want to be part of that? Lawson would be part of like I said The only thing that I saw that was crutching Lonzo was Luke

Walton You know even Magic had the right thing to say to say my boy is the face of the Lakers Well no LeBron's the face Listen what I'm telling you Magic had said that before LeBron even got there Yeah before LeBron got there You could say LeBron's the face

But LeBron is getting old That face is gone Believe it or not He's on his way out So the best thing to do is hook up with this youngster that can play this game and has the same IQ. Lawson is a talent and a player that LeBron has never had as a teammate, which is a guy who's invested in winning and don't have all these other things on the outside looking in.

What I mean by that, the fancy cars, the women, the nightlife. Lawzo was just about winning, quiet, rapping, running, and doing his thing playing basketball. You can see that Lonzo's not faking by like, oh, he doesn't really like basketball. He's just in it for the money. Okay. So if the Lakers do not land Anthony Davis because they don't have enough assets, they get outbid. Jimmy Butler appears he's going to be offered a max deal by the Sixers, hard for a player to not take 40 million guaranteed. Right. I don't think Clay's coming here. I don't think KD's coming here. I don't think Kauai's coming here. I don't think Kyrie's coming. I think the Lakers planted that to remain relevant. If they don't land anybody, LeVar, and it's just the same guys. There's a story.

today that LeBron may say, I'm out of here. Do you believe that? LeBron's not going nowhere. How do you know that? I know that because it's L.A. They love the way this weather is. They love the next step in his life. Space, jam, movies, all this plays into effect when you come to L.A.

You can't go anywhere else. It's not about him playing for the money now. It's about him, even his son. They like California. The buzz they're getting around here now is he loves this. So he's not going nowhere. Who do you think they land? They don't have to land anybody.

Well, they're not going to win a championship. Well, here's the thing. You can win a championship with this team, but you have to start off by making all these youngsters that you try to throw under the table believe that you can win with this group. They got the skills to win. Could I make the argument last year that, and I did credit. I love LeBron.

But I said last year, I didn't think he had a great leadership year. I didn't think he put his arms around young players. And young players need love. You come into this league. You're 19. You get a lot thrown at you. You need a little love. But here's the thing, too.

This is what LeBron was supposed to play a lot of minutes and be winning. Luke didn't play him the right way. It was on this savior thing. Talking about, oh, I want to save him for the playoffs. Why are you trying to save somebody if you're not there yet? How about we play leaving me in for three straight quarters? Him and Lonzo won't let them just win and do what they do. And then take them out the last quarters if they're winning by a lot.

By the way, it should be noted. the plus minus of the Lakers was that it's very highest when LeBron and Lonzo did play. Yes, and that's why I was thinking, why would you get LeBron and don't play him with Lonzo the whole game until you win? I'm paying the guy all this money.

He's playing the whole game. If Lonzo is the player that you believe he is. Yes. Why would I not demand Lonzo Ball if you want Anthony Davis? You don't have to put that out there and demand it on the fact that some people may get a little bit in their feelings.

Like he only likes him. He favors him. And that's when you start kind of putting different mixes in your group. If I'm David Griffin, you give me a number four picker, Lonzo, I'm choosing Lonzo.

Right. What if the Lakers have no choice? But to land Anthony Davis, you have to give Lonzo up. He's simply the best arguable asset. But you've got to look at that and say, even if you get the best player,

who's going to lead you. LeBron ain't going to play point. Who's going to be willing to give that ball up? It's just like people was telling me the other day. They said, well, you know, Alonzo is not going to be the primary ball handler. I said, well, you've got to look at my son differently on the fact that he don't handle the ball. He'd get rid of it. So quick, get down the court.

Give him the ball. Let him take his strides. He either make a layup or kick that ball ahead where you can make an easy layup or easy jump shot. What do you make of Frank Vogel as the new coach of your son in the Lakers? Frank Vogel, I like what he says. but everybody can be good on the first date. Like they say everything you want to hear. Oh, I love you.

You're so good. You're my soulmate. Same thing. I like what Frank is saying right now. It's like I like Lonzo. He's putting a point out there where he's not saying most people talk about their veteran guards. Like, oh, I got to, well, at least I have Rondo to kind of mentor Lonzo.

And he didn't say nothing like that. He was just like, hey, I like Lonzo. I'm letting you guys know right now. So there ain't no friction. Be like, well, get him out of here. Because what the media wants to do is say, why you want to deal with Lonzo? and you got to deal with his daddy.

By the way, you were quieter this year. No. Did Magic tell you not to talk? Can't nobody tell. Jesus can't tell me not to talk. Well, I think he could. No, he can't. I'm still talking.

I think the guy upstairs. And when I get up there, I'm going to holl at him again. I think he's gone. So I'm just trying to tell you, ain't nobody tell me. If I'm a businessman, I have to do business. I've got two other sons I got to deal with. Lonzo was in the NBA. My goal is to get all three of my boys in the NBA.

So I still got work to do. But I'm knocking on the door. I'm right there. Do you have any relationship with LeBron? I don't have a relationship with LeBron. See, here's the thing. Somebody asked me a question back in the day. And they said, do you think LeBron's son is going to be good?

And I was like, well, most superstar sons are not good. That's true. And then people turn that around like, oh, he's talking about your family, LeVar. So no, you got to ask me a question. I gave you an opinion. So now LeBron comes at me defensively saying, keep my family out of your mouth. And I'm like, wait a minute. Can't nobody tell me what to say?

So then I get defensive towards him. But I have nothing against LeBron. he's been my son's favorite player. I like the guy on the fact that he big and strong, young, and played the game the right way doing everything. He does. Yeah, so I never had no beef against him, and the media tries to make it sound like I told him,

my son's going to be the first ones that billionaires playing ball. And they was like, oh, LeBron, he's talking about he's going to beat you to making billions. I hope we have a race to see which one of us as black men make it to billion dollars. All right, season four of Ball and the Family, available now on Facebook Watch. the questions. You have been remarkably accurate with some of your predictions.

You said Luke wouldn't last. You said magic wasn't really running it. I think your opinion now on what's happening. I don't think they've synthesized magic. I agree. The organization, I think there's issues. I'm interested on this Pelican story, though, LeVar, about they are now

shopping Anthony Davis. So I wish you and your family the best. You're always welcome here. Thank you. You know, you were behaved very well today. Joy, do you have anything you'd like to press him on? Hey, Lamar. I'm good to see you. It's good to see you. It's good to see you guys. Definitely good to see you. I'll see you once in the blue moon. Season four,

Ball and the Family, available now on Facebook. Watch. Thank you for coming by the show. All right. Thanks a lot. Appreciate it. I'm Michelle McPhee, and I've been unraveling the strangest criminal alliance I've ever reported on. A Mormon polygamist and an Armenian businessman. Multi-million dollar house, Ferraris and Lamborghinis, private jets, a billion dollar fraud.

But how long can this alliance last? Tell me what you know. Is somebody coming after me? Listen to Kingdom of Fraud on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Life is full of hurdles. So how do you keep going? On Hurtle with Emily Abadi, we're talking with the most inspiring women in sports and wellness from professional athletes, coaches, and Olympic champions about the challenges that shape them

and the mindset that keeps them moving forward. At our level, at this scale, being able to fail in front of the entire world. Like, I can do anything. I can do anything. Listen to Hurtle with Emily Abadi on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHart Women's Sports. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind.

And nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. And every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the big. biggest moments in sports and giving you the real story behind the headline. And we're going straight to the source, the athletes themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions in the moment, and the stuff nobody gets to hear. Listen to SportsSlic.

On the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slicel Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. 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 headwriter, 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. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.