The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Best of The Herd for Aug 27, 2020

Episode Date: August 27, 2020

-The NBA made the right decision to keep their TV platform-NBA Players have always been willing to sacrifice money for different things-LeBron's impact is always more than just basketball-2020 is not the year for rigid peopleGuests: BJ Armstrong, Agent & 3x NBA ChampionTristan Thompson, Cavs C & NBA Champion Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Another podcast from some SNL, late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter.

Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque.

Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On the Look Back at it podcast.

For 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 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 Best of Heard podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday. From 12 to 3 Eastern, 9 to noon Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and FS1, find your local station for the herd at Fox Sports Radio.com or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Heard. This is the best of the Herr. with Colin Cowher on Fox Sports Radio.

This is the herd. Wherever you may be, however you may be listening, live in Los Angeles, we thank you so much for joining us. Just in, the players have either voted or decided or elected to resume the playoffs. They will not play the playoff games today. There's three games. Those are canceled. But tomorrow there will be playoff games and the players have elected to resume.

This just down moments ago, just breaking news according to Adrian Wozhenowski. Joy Taylor is joining me. So it was a lot of meetings, a lot of heated stuff, a lot of discussions. And Joy and I were talking last night. This is what we are. This is 2020. Yeah. This is 2020.

So I have three thoughts to start with. Number one. You go to social media, everybody's got an easy answer. This isn't easy. This isn't easy. Everybody's an expert on social media. Oh, the answers are easy. You just can't play.

Social awareness can't play. Folks, this is why people argued all night. That's why LeBron is talking to Frank Vogel and Doc Rivers is talking to Kauai. These are not easy. This is why players argued all night. night. Reportedly players were up until two and three in the morning having discussions on this. Stop convincing yourself to make you feel more comfortable. This is easy. These are hard decisions. Billions and billions at stake. Social justice at stake, awareness at stake. So that's the first thing.

It's not easy. We don't argue about, you know, easy stuff. You know, pay your mortgage. That's an easy one. You better. You get in trouble. You don't in America. Pay your mortgage. Don't walk out of the house naked. clothes on. You know, that's the easy. We don't argue about that stuff. We argue about stuff like this because it's complex. The second thing is, you can have two thoughts on the same thing in America. I can support Black Lives Matter and also think simultaneously, I think they should play the games because it raises so much awareness. You think I'm wrong on that? Well, then why did the players just elect to play? You think they suddenly are racist and don't

support BLM? You can have two thoughts in America. It's okay. My wife can love me and I can drive her crazy in the same 30 seconds. It's okay. Social things. You can have two thoughts. I don't like our current president, but I don't think the guy's running against is any good. You can say that. It's okay. You can support Black Lives Matter, but also think these platforms are unbelievably powerful. And that's what the players just decided a minute ago. We see. still care, but we love the basketball and we love playing with each other and we love this whole environment to raise awareness. And my third point is, platforms matter. Right now, the NBA players are leading the discussion in America on Black Lives Matter. And the reason they are leading

the discussion, I don't know if they care more about it than the average person on the street. I don't know, but I know they have platforms. We have seven networks. I'm on one of them now talking about Black Lives Matter. We have two networks broadcasting their games all day long. Games start at 10 in the morning in the city I live in, and they go all day long. Black Lives Matter on the court, on the jerseys. Coaches talk about it before the game. They talk about it during the game. They talk about it after the game. You don't think that platform matters. You don't think If we are seeking growth in America, growth comes from awareness. Why am I so aware of the talking points of Black Lives Matter?

Because they're playing games. 36 hours ago, roughly, Doc Rivers, after a game, had an incredibly powerful moment. Here it is. It's amazing. Why we keep loving this country and this country does not love his back. And it's just, it's really so sad. Like I should just be a coach and it's so often reminded of my color. You know, it's just really sad. We've got to do better, but we got to demand better.

I don't hear that. If the players do not elect do play in a bubble two months ago. I don't hear that. You don't hear LeBron about Breonna Taylor. You don't hear any of these. We are hearing it and seeing it. Where does growth come from? Where does learning come from? You learn, you hear, you see, you listen. The games do matter because the games give these players an incredible platform to drive an incredibly important social cause. Dramon Green said it this morning. Dramon Green, and I'm going to quote him, said, why would we stop doing the very thing that offers us the biggest platform to speak for those that look like me and a lot of us? To do that is to actually give up the platform to speak for them.

Because without us using our platforms, which is afforded by our influence of the sport, it stops us from echoing what those in the back are saying. platforms matter. It's important. And for the record, when the players decided a couple of months ago to go back in the bubble, LeBron James, and you're going to question his social concerns, LeBron James, his number one reason for going back during a pandemic was the platform. And LeBron helped negotiate through Adam Silver.

I was told I had lunch with a friend of LeBron. I was told they negotiated daily on the phone. Black Lives Matter, stuff on uniforms, the ability to speak after games, messages from the... Yes, it matters. Let's not just marginalize... It's just basketball. No, no. Basketball is an unbelievable platform where these players get to tell you and I what matters to them.

And I want to shift gears to that. Let me ask you, what do you want, not just from NBA players, what do you want your athletes to be? And that's an important question. Okay, because dating back to Bill Russell in the 60s and Elgin Baylor in 1959 who boycotted a game, NBA players have been historically more outspoken than other players. And they often lead other players. Yesterday is a great example. they postponed tennis players tennis tournament stopped MLSs major league baseball so once again

NBA players were on the forefront and led other leagues but the question becomes what do you the consumer the person watching my show right now watching Joy and I what do you want from your players here's what I want from my players I want them to care about winning right right so who are the players in America that take less money to join other star players and win. Watch NBA players. So NBA players, not just players, not average guys.

Kevin Durant, Paul George, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosch, regularly. Stars in the league take significantly or at least marginally less money because they want to win games. Do you want players to just go where the most money is? That's not what I want. I want guys to care about the game as much as I do. Second thing is, do I want my athletes to be meatheads to not have any concerns beyond their money? Or do I think it's kind of cool that my pro athletes actually care about poor people and care about social issues? Yeah, I kind of like that.

Do you just want them to not care about people beyond themselves? Folks, at the heart of social activism is sacrifice. Like, right, we all get that. I'm not, you know, breaking news here. So when people say, it's bad for their business, yes, perhaps it is. But that is at the heart of social activism. And that has always been at the heart of NBA players. We're going to take a little less money because we want to win.

we care about people beyond ourselves. We're going to voice our opinions. It may hurt us, ratings, revenue. Absolutely. What do you want your athletes to be? All about money? Meatheads who don't care about anything but their cars and cool stuff. Never talk about poor people.

Never give back to the community. Never force billionaires to give back to the community. You and I do not have relationships with billionaires. NBA players are rare. They have a line of communication with them, and they have collective bargaining with them, and they have influence over income with them. That's a rare opportunity afforded by kids who grow up around the country,

some poor, not some poor wherever NBA players grow up, burbs, wherever they grow up. They have an open relationship with billionaires. And occasionally, they make them a little uncomfortable. They ask stuff of them. but they also collectively bargain with them. So, you know what, we'll take less money because we want to win games. I guess I can just keep going back to this.

What do you want your athletes to be? I'm asking you. I know what I want my athletes to be. I want them to care about winning too. NBA guys do. I kind of like to know about what they care about. Now, I do think basketball is why I go watch them play. But Jim Brown, Muhammad Ali, Walter Payton,

They cared more, and I knew more than just about their sports and stuff. Tommy Smith, I knew more, and Jim Brown and Muhammad Ali was my favorite boxer to this day. And his legacy wasn't just fighting. It wasn't just boxing. He was on the right side of stuff. So was Jim Brown. So was Walter Payton. So it was Tommy Smith.

So again, ask yourself, what do you want your athletes to be? I want him to care more than just about money. I want him to care about winning about people in their communities. that don't have power, leverage, or money. I want him to tell me how they feel. I want them to emote. And by the way, I also want them to play basketball. And the players this morning, 10 minutes ago, Joy is my witness,

they also decided they want to play basketball. Let's not make this into, they don't care about, they had leverage and chose to play. But they also chose to be heard. I'm good with that. I opt in on that. I'm not uncomfortable with that. I said it last night on Twitter.

I do think they should have elected to play. I think their platform, are you going to tell me the platform hasn't worked? You're going to tell me the bubble hasn't worked? Hasn't worked. It's been shockingly effective. Basketball and messaging. I do think they needed to play. But ask yourself questions instead of always pointing fingers.

Why are you uncomfortable with change? What do you want? from your athlete. 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 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, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way,

this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music.

The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me, or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes,

follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam Jett. And I'm Alex English.

We pick it here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack all day, but just so 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 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, as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway. Open your free iHeartRadio app, search Learn the Hardway, and listen now.

So according to now, more than one source, the players have elected to play eventually. They're kind of trying to figure out when to play. You know, the other thing that I often stay off social media and I let myself for an hour to collect thoughts. Everybody learns at a different speed. When things happen, I tend to appreciate people who don't rush to give me their opinion on something. It's why we do two hours of prep every day.

I mean, I change my opinion on multiple things this morning during our prep meeting. Um, LeBron James was very hurt, was very bothered. There was a story last night at about eight or nine p.m. I'm out for the season. Then there was a different story this morning at 2 a.m. They had discussed it and he was leaning toward a season. And then Chris Haynes, our friend Chris Haynes covers the NBA. He had a tweet this morning saying, uh, there was a change in position from last night with

LeBron, among others, relaying that it was in their best interest to finish out the season. It's okay. These are hard, emotional decisions. LeBron has the right to be deeply bothered. He has the right in his life to laugh and cry on the same day, to think this at 8 p.m. and this at 11 and then this at 2 a.m. and then this in the morning. That's okay. I said this on Bill Maher a couple of weeks ago, a TV show.

We're all demanding growth and perfection, and they can't coexist. LeBron James last night, his opinion changed. It's not called waffling, it's called listening and having meetings and talking to people. I want more of this. I want people to change their minds more in America. If I ran for president, that would be my platform. Change your mind all the time. LeBron yesterday multiple times went back and forth on it.

And then he landed, I believe in my opinion, in the right spot. If this is about awareness and growth, then platforms matter. And man, NBA players have a remarkable platform. Not only that, they have aced it. The quality of play is great. The digital enhancements, the messaging. You know, it's funny. When they write the book on Michael,

Jordan, it will mostly be about basketball. That's okay. When they write the book about LeBron James, it will be about basketball and social justice and social changes. That's okay. I would argue today, the most relevant boxer in the history of the world is Muhammad Ali. His legacy is 50-50. It's half boxing and half religious and social beliefs. Jim Brown. I mean, I'll be honest with you. It used to be football. I think now it's like 60, 40 social stuff.

I think Jim Brown, I think social stuff. He's arguably the best player in the history of the league. In fact, if you look at Jim Brown, like they vote all-time best players. He's always like top five. Hasn't played almost 60 years. Boy, that's power. A Walter Payton.

His legacy is a lot of football, but he played on bad teams mostly. It's a lot of what a great guy he was and how he cared about other people. I was just writing a list this morning about some of the most popular athletes, Jim Brown, Muhammad Ali, Bill Russell, Kareem. Their legacies are not just about their sport. All are held in high academic, intellectual levels. We think of Kareem as an intellect, as an academic. And Muhammad Ali is courageous and forced people to be uncomfortable.

Yes, LeBron's, and by the way, Jim Brown, Muhammad Ali, Bill Russell, Kareem and Tommy Smith. They were all on the right side of history. They were all right, right? Like you get now when you read it, you're like, oh, yeah, that fist in the air thing kind of, it was on the right side on that thing. LeBron's on the right side of this. LeBron's not telling you he doesn't care about business. He's not telling you that. LeBron has unbelievable impact power in this league like Jordan did.

And I'm not knocking Michael Jordan. It was a different time. We live in different times. We celebrate different things based on different times. And in Michael's era, the league was not as political. We live in a more divided country, more political country. In LeBron's time, he is more political. That's okay.

The most famous, relevant boxer, the best running back. the best center. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is considered the best center, the highest score in the league. It's okay. There's so much pushback, and I think there's so much hypocrisy. Y'all telling me you don't like politics with your sports.

And then you send me conservative talk show host talking points all day. I thought you didn't like politics with your sports, because you keep sending me that conservative sports columnist, his column. It's just about politics. I thought you didn't like politics in your sports. No, no, no. You like politics in your sports when they align with your beliefs.

All I'm saying is LeBron's legacy is going to be a lot about basketball and other things. And that's okay. He continually is willing to adapt and willing to change. He changed three times last night. I'm out. Let me think about it. I'm in. Again, what do you want from your athletes?

That's what I want. I don't want rigid athlete. LeBron changed his mind three times last night. From 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. to 8.m. to 8m. I'm good with it. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific. I said 2020 is going to be a bad year for rigid people. Yes.

Yeah. It's the only smart thing I've said all year. And it's turned out to be true. So I was last night, I have a friend of mine who owns a restaurant. and the state of California shut it down, can't use bars. He had to buy parking spaces to create outdoor tables. It has been an incredibly challenging year for him. But last night we were talking and I said, you know, it was kind of nosy.

I said, like, how are you doing? Like financially, how are you doing? He's like, pretty good. And I'm like, how? How? You literally people are sitting in the parking lot. How are you doing well? And he goes, Colin, I think the key to it is, we adapted immediately.

We took certain stuff off the menu. We put other stuff on the menu. We changed it. We lowered the price. We didn't think people that we thought they would come to our restaurant, but they wouldn't stay as long. We got rid of some heavy food, lighter food, quicker food. He goes, we just keep adapting and adapting and adapting. And he goes, the people that are struggling in this, the restaurant business, have not adapted.

and change, it's the year of change. And instead of yelling at people and demanding an answer for why they're changing, could you maybe ask yourself why you're so reluctant to change? 40% of Americans never leave their hometown. Think about how beautiful this state is. Think about this country is. Think about the opportunities in America. The only reason I've done well and my kids will do well is because I moved.

That's it. Mobility. I wasn't that smart. Wasn't that smart. I moved. I moved. Better job, better opportunity. Yet 40% of Americans never leave their area code.

Why? Because people are afraid of change. So instead of barking and yelling at those who do change and want change, ask yourself, why are you so afraid of it? What is it that thing that scares you? Because we know we live in an imperfect union. We know we don't have all the answers. And so Adam Silver and Roger Goodell, let's be fair, have both been very good at adapting.

Roger Goodell decided I'm going to host a draft in my base. A lot of people push back. NFL a couple years ago when a Super Bowl said, no, those non-catches, they're catches. We're going to change for the Super Bowl. Remember the Philadelphia Patriot game. Roger Goodell isn't as beloved, probably because he has so much power in the NFL,

isn't as beloved as Adam Silver. But I think of both of them, I think, they're good adapters, good evolvers, good changers, rules, they listen. I had Roger Good Dell on the show one time, and I said, I think you were here, and I said, yeah, I hate this rule. It's terrible. It's bad for your sport.

It makes me mad. And he's like, on the air, he's like, yeah, I don't think it's very good. We're going to have meetings on that. I agree with you. I think it's terrible. Commissioners who are rigid don't do that. And so, why are you struggling with all this change? Because there's a lot of change this year.

And the people, the restaurants, the players, the businesses, the agents that are adapting and evolving are doing quite well. You're seeing all sorts. Silicon Valley. has done, the stock market's actually surprisingly high right now. And the companies that are adapting, the apples and the tech companies and the oracles that are adapting to all these changes are actually doing quite well. So, you know, maybe it's not about yelling at people who want change and demand change. Maybe it's about asking ourselves why we are so reluctant to change.

And with that, BJ Armstrong, our friend three NBA ring. He is, of course, a managing partner for a Wasserman Media Group, and he is now joining us live. I said last night, when it first came out, I thought, you know what? I need to soak this in and think about it. And then I went to Twitter and I said, I don't think they should cancel the season. I think the platform's too effective. This is a big platform. I got a lot of pushback.

You don't get it. And I thought, no, I think the player is going to sleep. on this. So are you surprised, BJ, that the players slept on it, woke up this morning, and elected to resume? You know, Colin, I'm not surprised at all that this is the outcome, because I think all of the players who are currently in the bubble, which is, you know, 16 teams or so, and the other 14 teams who are outside of the bubble, clearly they had an understanding a prior of what this means and the economic ramifications of why it was important to go down there in the first place. So I'm not surprised. And, you know, I think, you know, when emotions are high,

this is what you see. But I think in the end, the players, you know, they were able to talk. They were able to express themselves. They've, they currently have the support of, you know, whether it's the union, the coaches, I believe, were also involved in that meeting last night that we're currently discussing now. And they came to the conclusion that, you know what, it's probably in their best interest to move forward and begin to play and continue the season in the bubble. You know, it's interesting. Generally, if I was going to boycott a business, BJ, I would try to hurt the business. But if you, but if an athlete boycotts a game, he's hurting himself, because you've collectively bargained revenue splits with the owners.

So it's very unique. And I hear a lot of people go, if the players boycott, it's just hurting themselves. You know, that's at the heart of social justice, like a sacrifice. But I want to ask you, go back to your, I think a lot of times people look at owners and players. They're battling all the time. And I'm like, not really. These are business partners. And it's really obvious now.

When you played, when you talked to other players around the league, was there resentment toward owners? Were there things you agreed on? What was your relationship as a player with the different owners? Did you feel they were on your side aligned, battling you? How did you feel? You know, well, Colin, I've been watching the same scenario for quite some time, over 30 years. As an ex-player, as an executive, I was also involved with the union. Now I'm watching it as an agent.

You know, I think the obvious to me in watching this, you know, for so many years now in professional sports, is that clearly now that these players, they have the attention of the owners. I think that's very clear to me of, you know, what is really going on here. And I think the following now, Colin, we are at a place where the following has to be said, if we can just cut through all of the noise, it's just the NBA players and the owners are going to have to redefine their relationship moving. forward. Why do I say that is because now, Colin, the players have made it clear that they'll play when they want to play. If the player said tonight that they wanted to play tomorrow, the league would accommodate them. If they said they wanted to play on Saturday or they wanted to play next week. So I think now the question has to be asked, how are we going to define the relationship between the owners and the players? And what's that going to look like moving forward?

And then I would caution the players with this or I would provide the following before they do have that conversation with those owners is to make sure that they understand the relationship they're going to have amongst themselves. Because whatever they conclude or whatever conclusion they come to in that discussion will have an enormous economic impact on this league moving forward. And I think that is the question at hand here as we're talking about what is currently going on. In regards to, you know, what we're being discussed and how we went on a determine work stoppage or what have you. You know, it's interesting. I was saying the power structure, maybe I'm wrong, but the power structure is different between an NBA player and an NFL player. The NBA back to the 70s was always a players league. In the NFL, it's always felt like a head coach in a GM league.

You can be cut. The economic power, the NFL player union's weak. The baseball player union's incredibly strong. There's a power structure that the NBA players have. the league now feels more political than it's ever been but am I overstating that the NBA players I mean I remember Muhammad Ali and Jim Brown but but when you played Michael was somebody that was about basketball and business but were there politics discussed regularly 25 years ago were there outspoken players I don't remember it as much but you take me there yeah there were there always be you know politics. That's part of life. You know, I think the one thing that has been underreported, if you will, or something that hasn't been talked about is the human, the human condition, the human element of the people behind these uniforms. All of us feel a certain way. You know,

in particular with COVID-19 and now with the, with everything, the social unrest and the social things that are going on around us. So when you add all of these things together, of course, you're seeing things that probably if there wasn't a pandemic, maybe these things come out. Maybe they don't. I'm not sure. But when you add all of this together, when you add this environment and the stress and all of the things that you're seeing, that's just part of your everyday human experience, this is what you're seeing. And I think now it's come to the forefront and we're seeing itself play itself out in real time, in particular now that you have social media, you know, we're here discussing it here on television. But I think this is just part of it. And this is what I've always

known when I play. This is what I've known, you know, when I was in executive. These are people and you have to deal with the problems that people have that come about. And you better be prepared to deal with them in real time. You know, many suspected that the reason the NBA players decided to play in the bubble in the first place because LeBron wanted it. And this morning, last night I felt like the season was in jeopardy because LeBron didn't. want to play. And this morning, reportedly LeBron did want to play and now we're playing. Is it oversimplification to say that LeBron has huge influence in this league and simply him sleeping on it and waking up and saying let's play may have been the determining factor?

Well, I think our star players have always gathered or garnish the headlines of what we talk about, you know, on this platform and many others. But the true, you know, if you will, the the larger portion of the NBA has always been the middle class. You know, two players in particular have really stood out for me, which has been, you know, the kid down there, George Hill down in Milwaukee, you know, what he said, Van Fleet, and Yudanis Hasselm. So these middle class players, to me, have always been the voice of the NBA,

of kind of knowing the fabric and what the majority is thinking. because, Colleen, you have to look at the overall picture and take into account everything. One of the big issues that we have to discuss here is that free agency is going to come up, right? So there are a large portion of players that will become free agents as soon as this season ends, however it ends, whether it ends after the bubble, whether it ends the players decide not to play. And what is that going to do looking forward? it. And then we have to say, what is that going, how is that going to impact the season as the start of the season next year as we're trying to project and do all of those things? So there are so many things outside. We're here, you know, looking at one particular incident. Yes, and this is a

major issue and an incident that we should be looking at. But when you look at the overall picture, there are a lot of moving parts here. And I think all of the players, in particular, that middle class, they have a voice because there are more of, those players, then the star players, the star players, yes, they get the headlines and they should have a voice. But these players here who are playing every day and they have long 10 year, 11 year careers, those players too also have a voice. And, you know, George Hill, what he said really stood out to me. Udana's Haslam, what he said, or reported what he said really stood out to me. Van Fleet and all those players. So that's what I've kind of understood even when I was playing is that the middle class is truly, you know,

kind of the soul, as you will, of this league, because there's more of them than they're all the star players. Yeah. You know, going forward, I have argued for years, the NBA travel is the worst. Baseball, you've got to stay in town for four days. Football, you only travel eight games. Basketball is you play, you jump in a flight,

in the middle of the winter, you bounce around in the sky, you land at two in the morning, you get in a van, you go to a hotel, it's just an awful travel league. And if the players now, because I do believe they have leverage, is I believe the league should start at Christmas, there should be 68 games, no back-to-backs, no back-to-backs. And maybe I'm pampering the players, but I don't think the average person in America has any idea how awful hockey

and basketball travel is in a perfect world. If you are a player and you had control and power and leverage, and you were supporting the players. What does a perfect NBA look like? Games, back-to-backs, relationship with owners, social concerns. What does it look like to BJ Armstrong? Well, how much time do we have, Colin? You know, you're asking what's there?

I think this. And if I could just boil it down to what we're really saying is, okay, if we play 68 games, are we willing to take the pay of a 68 game schedule is completed to an 82 game schedule. That's what it all boils down to when you talk about the essence of this league. You know, I'll say it and I'll try to, you know, just cut through it. Now it's a time. We are at a moment in time.

We are at our moment of truth as a league where the players and the owners are going to have to figure out what's their relationship. Is that 68 games? Is that 82 games? Is that no back to backs? Whatever that may be, we are at the most. moment now where that question has to be answered. And only those two parties can answer it, because if it doesn't, it's going to be a catastrophic, to me, result if those two don't sit together and figure out how this is going to look and what this is going to look like moving

forward. B.J. Armstrong, co-host of pushing through the podcast alongside Tate Frazier, managing executive partner for double Wasserman media group, three rings, All-Star, 11 years in the NBA. is a really smart voice on these things. Absolute pleasure. We're going to get basketball in the next couple of days, which I think is the right decision. And BJ, I appreciate you stopping by our show. Hey, thank you for having me again, Colin.

One more herd? The herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week within the IHeart radio app. Search Herd to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like. Imagine an Olympics where 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, Superhuman, documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey, from basketball to college football or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show.

This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger.

So if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to The Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross

double-tap little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with a little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down,

and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so you're just so you. But just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, this is the second episode

where we've discussed, correct. So I'm starting to see there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you finishing that sentence. I don't think there's a more important year

for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, 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, or are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person.

Join me, Kear Gaines, as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, learn the hard way. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. Tristan Thompson's played almost a decade in the NBA. An NBA champ made four straight finals with the Cavs and LeBron James. He is now joining us via the Coward Global Satellite Network. So let's start with this, Tristan.

Your reaction to the players electing to go back and resume play. Do you think it's the right decision? Yeah, I think it's the right decision to go back and play because, Colin, this is the thing. The NBA and then the players are so powerful and have such a. big say in our community that this platform that we're given right now just in sports is something that we should take full advantage of. And the last thing we want to do is have those that aren't standing up or speaking about what's really going on in America, talking about other junk that has nothing to do

and not going to help our country. So I think it's great for what the players are doing. And I stand by my brothers that want to go back out there and play, but also use this platform, whether it's doing media circuits or whatever it's, whenever they have a microphone in front of them, to talk about we need to be better as a country. And what's going on right now isn't right. You know, it's interesting. You talk to players currently in the bubble. And LeBron James himself changed his mind three times yesterday. He said, I'm done. He said, let me think about it. And then he said, I want to play. And I think part of that is it's an incredibly emotional situation,

especially for veteran players. They're away from their kids. They're away from their families. families. Like in LeBron's case, he's 3,000 miles from home. You talk to these players. The emotions beyond Black Lives Matter, just the emotions of dealing with the bubble, has it been difficult for players? Yeah, it's definitely been tough just because, like you said, guys have been away from their families and especially what's going on right now. It's, first of all, players are in a bubble. So they're away from their family, their loved ones for extended period of time, which they're not ever used to or ever planned on doing ever in their career. And then second, what's going on in Wisconsin and just going on in general in our country,

guys are furious and upset because myself and other African American players in NBA, we understand because it hits close to home. We have family members that have dealt with situations very similar just because of color their skin. So it's a lot of emotions, and I'm glad that, you know, The NBA has been in full support of the players and letting the players have a voice. And I think, you know, it's great for the guys to come together and share their stories and get back to, you know, playing on the court.

And I feel like basketball is another form of motivation and giving hope to the younger youth that, you know, during tough times, you band together with your brothers. And together we're going to make change. And we're going to just keep motivating the youth and the younger generation. It's interesting. What if the players now have the billionaires, the owner's ears, they're listening now, what should they do? What should they ask for?

What matters to you as a player? What matters to me as a player right now is, first of all, I think our owners in NBA are the best owners in professional sports, and they've done a great job supporting us. And, you know, right now we just want them to continue to be on the front line with us. You know, almost like we all band together, lock arms, because at the end of the day, in all reality, minus Michael Jordan, you know, the guys that are, you know, that are pressing us and they are, you know, Caucasian white males that are going on. So they look very similar to our owners. So with our owners stepping up to the forefront with us and being by our side to say, hey, listen, this is not right.

And we support these men because we don't think that's right. And I think the owners are doing a great job with that. And I think LeBron and the rest of the players are not, I wouldn't say challenging owners, just saying, hey, come with us. and I think our owners are doing a great job doing that and continue to do that because that's how it's how it starts. It's one step at a time, but we take care of our part. Others see and they follow. You know, it's funny, you were drafted. You were a top five pick out of Texas, and that was 2011, so nine years ago.

Yes, sir. So when you joined LeBron James for the first time, you became teammates. Is he more political now, or did you see? very early that social stuff mattered to this new friendship. LeBron James, did you know immediately he's going to be more than just a basketball guy? One thousand percent. I actually know LeBron says I've been 17. So since the first day meeting him, we all know how great of a player he is and the numbers show and all that. But I think for him, what's more important is what's going on off the court and what's going on in society because, you know, LeBron and like myself and a lot

other players in our league from the inner city that have have dealt with this, you know, have got pulled over, have, have got, you know, not have a resume looked at. I mean, me personally speaking, my father, who's Jamaican, my family's Jamaican, has dreadlocks. And in Toronto, people wouldn't even look at his resume because of the, because of the hair that he had, because he had dreadlocks. And I remember him coming home one day, you know, frustrated, angry. And my mom's like, what's wrong? He's like, they're not even giving me a chance. just because I have dreadlocks. Like it's unfair and it forced him to cut his dreadlocks

because in order, you know, he had to put food on the table. So all that stuff hits close to home and it definitely hits for LeBron. So I know for him it's like, you know, we're trying to, you know, break the wheel and we're trying to change the change the narrative because it's not right. So last night did you think the season would be canceled? Was there a point that you did think, Tristan, when you were talking to everybody, that it would be canceled? I think emotions were high, so I definitely think initial reaction for some players was, you know, this is ridiculous.

You know, we're in the bubble. We can't see our family. How, like, it's just so much emotions weighing on them, especially when you start thinking about your childhood. It brings it all back to that. Sure. But I think once guys sat down and talked to him went back and forth is that, listen, guys, we have this platform that is unmatched right now. I mean, Colin, if you remember, when the COVID hit and the NBA shut down, everything else shut down in the world. Everything shut down. So like that just shows you how strong we as players or and just the business of basketball

is to to a country but into the world. So for us having this stage, we need to continue to be out there, continue to voice, voice our feelings, our frustration and keep challenging a rest of America to say, you know, let's be better. Let's let's move forward and let's let's, let's end all this, this, this oppression. And it's just not right. It's just like, you know, it makes it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it makes, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, makes me emotional too because I just remember like being a kid and just and going through it personally

it's it's tough yeah did your parents talk about it a lot with you yeah my mom used to always talk about she said you know son you could be the nicest person but you always got to do more if you think if you think as a B is great you got to get an A you got to always never just just be average because at the end of the day unfortunately in this world you know the color of your skin it's you know sometimes people don't want to give you the same opportunity. So you just got to be 10 times better than the standard. So they cannot deny you. And wherever you go, always say please and thank you.

Never let someone say, oh, that kid right or that Tristan Thompson, he has no manners. Regardless of who it is, whether anyone I meet walking down the street, I say good morning, say hi. I might not even know them, but I never want someone to be like, oh, because he is who he is, never prejudge me. That's the one thing my mom always told me growing up as a kid. It's great having you on the team, buddy.

I love having you on the team. Thanks, man. No, thank you for having me. Thank you. Thank you so much. 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's. Smigel and Friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged.

It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 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 podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media.

Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifers Show. This is a place for raw, 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 Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok's podcast network on TikTok.

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