The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Colin Cowherd Podcast - Chandler Parsons on Kyrie’s Boston Salute, KD Greatness, Warriors Culture

Episode Date: April 20, 2022

First, (3:00) Colin looks at why the NBA Playoff ratings have been higher than normal. Then, 9-year NBA veteran Chandler Parsons joins Colin to discuss the obstacles international players face (13:00),why the Warriors “Death Lineup” is so hard to stop (17:00), if Kyrie went over the line by flipping off Boston fans (25:00), what he learned playing for Billy Donovan (27:00), what makes KD an all-time player (37:00), why he’s not bitter over his career ending due to an accident with a drunk driver (39:00), when he realized he belonged in the NBA (44:00), and what makes the Warriors culture so special (46:00). Follow Colin and The Volume on Twitter for the latest content and updates and check out FanDuel for the best wagering and daily fantasy action! #herd  See 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. 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, unfilled conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it.

Listen to the Clifford show on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok's podcast network on TikTok. On the Look Back at it podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84's big to me. I'm Sam J.

And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people.

Listen to look back at it on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The Volume. The Colin Coward podcast presented by Fandul Sportsbook, no better place to make every moment more than with Fandul. Basketball, football, they have awesome new and existing user promotions. It's easy to use. It's safe and secure. You can get your winnings back in two hours. My favorite, the same game parlay's.

You can bet five or ten bucks in one, $150 or more. If you are new, just download the Fandul Sportsbook app. Get started now. Sign up promo code Colin so they know we and I sent you. The Colin Coward podcast presented by the Fandulul Sportsbook. Hi, everybody, and welcome in. to the Wednesday morning podcast, super fun guest, Chandler Parsons, long-time NBA guy, who should go into broadcasting, is going to be joining me for great storyteller,

for a lot of different discussions today about the NBA playoffs. And I want to start with there because the ratings for the first round were an 11-year ratings high. Oh, my. Oh, my, arch conservatives. alt-right conservatives, what are they to do? The narrative has been punctured. I would argue the NBA actually succeed sometimes despite itself. I want to give you an example.

In hockey, you get a lot of upsets for the playoffs because eight seeds can beat a one seed, right? Because it's all about the hot goalie. In college basketball, the number one seeds only win six. 63% of the time. Did you know that since they expanded to 68 teams? In the NFL, number one Tennessee Titans, number one Packers couldn't win a single game this year. But in the NBA, in league history, the top four seats, the one and the two in the east and the west, win 89% of the time. and yet ratings continue to be strong.

There's no upsets. There's virtually no upsets. The opposite of every other sport. Think about that. College football's ratings have been down in recent years because it's too dominated by the SEC. NBA's ratings up 11%. We know Milwaukee and Phoenix probably get there.

In fact, the lowest-seeded NBA, team to ever win the finals, this is kind of funny, was the 94-95 Houston Rockets. They were a six-seed. They had Drexler and Olajuwon, not exactly a Cinderella story, and they were champs the year before. So despite the fact the NBA, and I've been banging on this for years, they need to make first-round series three games at most five. their ratings are up incredibly dynamic and unlike every other professional and college league in America. There are no upsets. The favorites overwhelmingly dominate 89% of the time, number one and two seeds win. That tells me the NBA would be even more successful with just a couple of playoff tweaks.

tweaks, not massive changes. Sometimes we fear something that's actually our friend. For instance, when you ask people what they're most fearful of, it's public speaking and flying, but studies show that planes are 19 times safer than driving a car. How about that? Think about that. But yet, we're terrified about getting. on a plane. I couldn't even tell you the last major U.S. carrier with an air disaster.

When people are fearful of the transfer portal, I saw Dick Vital the other day railing at the transfer portal, my takeaway was what you should fear is if you couldn't transfer. I mean, can you imagine if you hired a basketball or football coach at an Oklahoma, Kansas, Carolina, Duke, and he didn't leave? If coaches made it difficult on the administration to get rid of him instead of occasionally bailing before we want him to, the transfer portal, first, very few kids are actually transferring. But think about your own kids. What if they couldn't transfer?

Studies show in 2014, the more. Young people switched careers early in their lives the more money they made later because they found a better fit The reason that college football and basketball can be a dynamic springboard to the NFL and NBA is because kids can bounce around and find the perfect coach and the perfect setting and the perfect scheme for their talent. We should fear trapping players and trapping coaches and I mean, isn't college football better with Lincoln Riley at USC? Oklahoma will get Brett Venables. He'll be fine. Isn't college football better when Brian Kelly hands a momentum program like Notre Dame to a top assistant?

And he takes over at LSU. Great coach, great school. The bottom line, mobility is what drives our economy. It makes people more money. It gives players. better opportunities to succeed. Sports are best when the fit is right. Dick Vitale and others who are fearful of the transfer portal.

No, I'm fearful that players and coaches would get stuck and trapped with bad schemes and bad fits. So I see a judge has ruled in favor of ending the mask mandate on planes. Now, you could still wear a mask on planes. you could not wear it. You have the option now where before you did not. One of the things over the last two years that COVID has illustrated is that a lot of people couldn't handle change. Conservatives, Republicans struggled being forced to wear a thin mask during the pandemic. And now Democrats are overwhelmingly struggling with my ability not to wear one on a plane. you can still wear one.

There's something called the horseshoe theory where people that are at the opposite ends of the spectrum eventually meet at the bottom. And they're both extremists. It's like the atheist and the hard, extreme orthodox religious person both become extremists. They both become the same thing. with just different ideals.

When I look at all of this COVID discussion and angst, the alt-right and the zany Hollywood left have become part of the crazy party. It was okay to wear him early. It wasn't that disruptive to our lives. We didn't know what the hell sort of tsunami this was. And it's okay now for us to have a choice on planes. Reasonable people can deal with change.

It is kind of shocking to me how many people on both sides of the political spectrum can't. Rigidity exists clearly in both political parties. Look it up, the horseshoe theory. Extremists? Left or right are extremists. All right, Chandler Parsons, nine-year NBA vet. I brought him on FS1 the herd about a month or two ago. He was great.

And so we said, you know, let's go to the podcast. podcast space because then you can just swear and stuff and it's way, way better. You can be really authentic. So by the way, you're retired. Don't you live in Malibu, you told me? I do. Yeah, I'm out here full time pretty much. So what did you do today? Your life? Today I played a quick 18 at 8 a.m. this morning at Sherwood, which is the club that I belonged to. Yeah. Came back, came back to the house, took a little walk on the beach with the dogs. And you know what? The big, the big German actually, Dirk is coming over tomorrow night.

So I got a whole little pickleball, a little chef night tomorrow night with Dirk and his wife coming over. You'll live in a freaking dream. Can I throw a theory at you? What's that? I'm going to throw a theory at you. And I just, it doesn't have to be right,

but this is what podcasting's about. So when an international player has a different journey than a domestic player, I mean, you're a great high schooler, you go to Florida, you go to March, Matt. You end up in the NBA.

European players in an academy. They don't have like the college system. It's more skill-based early. And they are now MVP, MVP, MVP, MVP, MVP international players. So if you look at the history of international players who have been the best player on their team for championship teams or in that space, Embed,

joyful, verbal, yonis, playful, fun, Akeem. Many of the great international players when they come to our game domestically, the ones that really succeed are not just great players. They're great leaders. They inspire. They galvanize. Now, Yokic is different. He's moodier. He's more insular.

When I watch them, Chandler, as an international player, because I've always felt international players, it takes a special kind of guy to go to another country, to come into this space, be the best player and be totally comfortable. leading American players and being the guy. Right. And with Yokic, I'm not saying he can't be, but I watch Denver. I never feel they're cohesive, ever. And I'm thinking to myself, you know, I watch Yokic. He's moodyer. He's more insular.

He's not as verbal. He pays more attention to refs than teammates at times. And I think to myself, it's not that he's not great. But in your experience with international players, does Mike theory make any sense that it takes the ones that really succeed like tim duncan they they they embrace the system and they have the personality to make it work yeah you know i just think it takes them a lot longer to adapt you know i mean like then in their eyes they're they're visiting you know they're there it's like a constant road game almost for them until you start getting the clout now like a luca or like a you know

these guys that are more charismatic they're more outgoing uh dirk even dirk wasn't the most most outspoken star ever towards really the end, if at all, because I think it was just kind of took an adjustment period for those guys to get used to playing in the States. They almost, like I said, they almost felt like a visitor in a way where they're coming and they're playing against majority of American guys that are from those cities that were playing in. And it's almost like you somewhat feel like an outcast when you're coming here. Like I played in France when I was drafted and I was an NBA draft pick playing in Shole, France. I knew nobody. I felt alone. I felt like I didn't want to step on anybody's toes because I was on their turf. So it definitely makes sense.

I think obviously the more success you have and the earlier you have it, I think you're able to kind of get over that. And obviously it has a lot to do with your personality. But I definitely can see your point on that. Yeah, it's just Denver just gets unraveled. It is, I said this today in the herd, is that the younger a crowd is, the louder it is. Because young people, they'll stay out later, they'll drink more, they'll be more obnoxious. Let's be honest, at 28, I stood the whole game. At 58, get the hell, sit down. I'm tired, right?

Yeah. Golden State, because they have so much wealth in Silicon Valley, many of the best seats are owned by 27-year-old kids. It's true. It's all like their young, rich tech kids that are there getting hammered and screaming. It's, so when I watch them play, Chandler, I'm like, this place is the loudest place I've ever seen in the NBA. I'm not kidding.

doesn't it look now you tell me your experience there no i mean it's it's true like you have a good point there as well like it's it's it's expensive too so you would think a lot of most cities like the young kids can't afford that uh but yeah there's a lot of there's a lot of money there's a lot of youth a lot of those kids are going out after the games they're almost using the game as a pre they're getting using the game as a pre game they're having drinks and it's a tough place to play and that was especially with that team too like they fuel off their crowd too so it's not like one of these cities where like, you know, Oklahoma City can get loud back and they were there good, but there's there's not really anything to do after the game. San Francisco, it's like a pregame spot is the game

and they're rowdy. Yeah. I want to ask you about the Warriors for a second. So Jordan Poole has really emerged as a great player. And I mean, he was 28th pick. I mean, Chandler, a lot of people earlier were like, he's not great. Like there were a lot of people that just didn't buy it. Apparently just works his ass off. He's your classic warrior, draft develop. And now you've got Steph, Clay, pool, Drayman is there big, he small, Andrew Wiggins. So the last few years when you face this small ball, I watched them the other night and I'm like, Denver looked like they had tall buildings against like condo complexes. I mean, Golden State's so small. But, you know, they call it the death lineup. What was,

like to face it? Tell me the challenges. Yeah. Well, defensively, it makes it easier for them, too, because they're switching one through five, right? They're getting out in transition. They're all shooting the three, except for Dreybond pretty much. And they're all interchangeable. So that offense is tough. They all can drive the basketball. They all get out. They all can shoot. They all can handle. There's not really a true big on the floor. And Jordan Poole, you've got to give a lot of credit to me. He's the most improved player in the league. The guy was in the G league last year, And now he's putting up 30 in the playoff games. And he's, he's having fun, man.

Like he's, he's, he's fueling off the young crowd you're talking about. He's talking shit. He's getting he's, he's doing things well beyond his years. And I mean, look, obviously Steph, it's still his team. I think right now you look at that team. I think he's the second best player on their team. He brings a dynamic to them that's nuts. I know how valuable Dremont is.

I know what a legend play is. Andrew Wiggins is an all-star. But right now, that kid is. ball in, man. And he's literally allowing them to bring Steph off the bench because they're comfortable starting him without getting hurt. It's crazy. It's obviously the minute restriction. They want Steph in at the end of the game, but that his game is giving them the freedom to be able to even do that by bringing one of the best point guard of all time off the bench. How do you think they match up with Phoenix with Pools emergence? I mean, I think that's going to be

the Western Conference finals. I think that's, that's, you know, and it's going to be a doozy. I I think Phoenix still has an edge. I think Phoenix, you know, especially the way C.P. is playing. I mean, he had an incredible game one, too. You know, D. Book. Aiton's playing well. Phoenix is deep. They play the right way. Monty Williams has them.

They're soldiers out there. They play so hard. They're tough. I love McHale Bridges. I think they match up really well. I think it'll go to six or seven games, but I still will give Phoenix a little bit of the edge. But, man, it's going to be fun. By the way, Bridges is another classic Villanova guy.

I'm watching Bruns in the other day, and I'm like, I said on the air, I said, give me three Villanova guys on every roster. And you'll be just fine. They're all coachable. None of them were five star. None were one and done. Did you ever play with a Nova guy? I played with Kyle Lowry, my rookie year.

He was on the Rockets with me. Yeah, he was the same kind of way. He was a little different, I guess, but he's still like he's such a floor. He's like another coach on the on the, on the, on the, on the, on the, floor. Right. That's what Jay Wright recruits. He goes to the Maryland, the D.C. Maryland area, and he goes to that sort of Jesuit league, good schools, good coaches, the kids have to play defense. There's no BS. They go to Villanova for three years. He demands defense. I mean, they had a player this year whose dad was a cop, got no scholarship offers, ended up being co-Big East player

of the year. Like, only Villanova does that. Yeah. Yeah, it's impressive. I mean, a lot of that has to do with Jay Wright and that system and that culture he's created is the guy's a genius. And, you He's well loved and well respected. But yeah, their players are just like, you want them on your team for sure. Hey Hoops fans, don't just watch all NBA playoff action. Be part of it with FanDoole, an official partner of the NBA. Right now, all new customers, all of them, get a risk-free first bet up to $1,000. Risk-free.

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

A win is a win. I don't care which 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. Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast.

Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes. Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far far away, such as the biology of Ton Ton Ton, and wampas on the ice planet hot, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith rule of two.

Listen to stuff to blow your mind on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tapped Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with 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 y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now.

Thank you for 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. Okay, so you have to give me insight. I'm not bothered that Kyrie flip fans off.

I mean, I wouldn't do it. I wouldn't give. I get people that give me some crap. But I just, I don't give them fuel. I smile. Is, and there is racist stuff. I've heard bad stuff about Utah, Boston, where it really crosses the line. But in your years of getting it, was there ever a moment, Chandler, where it's just like,

I've just not in the mood. I'm not having an off night. I mean, yeah. And it is, it's funny. You say Utah and Boston, those are two like of the legendary shit talking inappropriate fans where they take it a little bit too far. The Portland's Oklahoma City the same way like those guys. But you know what?

I love it. I think the banter between the fans and the players is really fun. And obviously every player has a line. And then if you're struggling in this situation, Kyrie obviously played there. It didn't work out. But in that, you know, it's, I understand where he's coming from. Like, would that stuff is for social media almost to talk like that. Like you would never talk to, you would never tell Marcus Marty sucks like at a bar, right?

Because he'll beat you up. Like, he'll beat you up. So it's the fact that they think they can buy a ticket and they just have a free for all to say whatever they want to players isn't exactly fair. But at the same time, Kyrie, you got to rise up. You've got to not react to that because big picture, there was no solution. You lost 50 grand and it's only going to get worse next game. Yeah.

I think he's the best finisher under 6-4 I've ever seen in my life. And I've been watching the NBA since 72. I remember watching, sadly, Jerry West, Gail Goodrich and an old Wilk Chamberlain. That was my first game. And Wilt had the headband. He wasn't very fast. didn't jump as much. And the first great point guard I saw was Tiny Archibald.

People won't remember him, but he played for the Celtics. I think he was number seven. Calvin Murphy wasn't long after that. I've never seen a player like Kyrie. Like, I don't know if it's quickness. I mean, he's obviously got a really pure shot. If I'd never seen Kyrie play, you're a scout. I'm the GM.

Describe him to me. I mean, the guy is just. He's poetry emotion. The guy can shoot. He's slippery. He's smooth with the ball. What makes him his layup package, like you said, it's unbelievable. He can go right. He can go left. He can reverse. He has the spin off the glass. He's got a float game to him. He's got a step back. He'll post you up. There's nothing really he can't do with the ball. I think he's, you know, I think he's an unbelievable player and finisher and ISO player. And that series also, everyone's really talking about Minnesota, Memphis.

I think that series is the series to watch. That feels like it should be like the finals. Like it is, it's physical. They're getting chippy with the whole shit with Kyrie and the fans. And it's destined for a seven game series. And that's the series that I think is the one to, you know, it's going to be awesome. I mean, you had Billy Donovan at Florida. So you've had a great coach.

And he's part of the Bulls resurgence. My question about Steve Nash is, I don't like their end of game possessions with Brooklyn. It's just like, it looks like a bad YMCA set. Like, I, somebody said this to me the other day that Steve Kerr sort of demands that you kind of fit into the system. They like, you know, they like you to move the ball. And that Kevin Durant maybe doesn't love it. And he kind of likes to, he likes that left angle shot. When, I mean, was Donovan ever willing to just freestyle into possessions?

No, he was more of a structured, offensive guy. but he also, I mean, we didn't have a KD or a Karee to be able to go straight. Rico Heinz pick up basketball and go get a bucket. We had to like run the flex and run the motion and set screens and slip. Like he's more of a, you know, old school offensive mind, but he's a brilliant offensive mind. Like he's he's such a good player development guy. He's such a cool, relatable coach. And now, you know, playing with him at Florida, it's different.

In college, the coach is the guy, right? They're almost like a father figure. They're on, they're on you. They're pushing you. They're motivating you. They're holding you accountable, you know, for everything. Study hall, class, whatever. So he was more of like a, and he's a school of Patino, right?

He was a, he was a, he was tough. NBA, you can't really do that as much. It's a players league. So I think his personality can kind of over, overshadow that. He can relate with the guys, but also put his infrastructure of offense in. And I love what they did in the offseason with those guys. and he's done a really good job there.

But no, he never really had, you know, guys like that to go and get a bucket. Who is your favorite? Who is your favorite NBA coach, even if it was as an assistant? J.B. Bickerstaff by far. You know, it's interesting you say that. Why? Just the, you know, a lot of coaches preach, you know, is his family. This is where he is, he believes it, he breathes it. not only is he special with his ex and o's and his add a you know timeout play calling and substitutions he kind of he knows the game very well but he just has a way of relating with players to bring the best ad you and in the NBA these guys are these guys are they're egotistical they're sensitive they get pissed and if you don't mess with the coach like you're not going to play as hard for him so when you see jb like Cleveland this year he was my coach the year until they absolutely shit the bed the end of the season but those guys put they they ride for him they play so hard for him they play so hard for him so hard for him so hard

or those guys, and I know why. They love him. That is his guy. He just gets it across to them that, you know, their family and it's their, there's no personal feelings when you get taken out or if he jumps you because you have that mutual respect. You know, I think I was shocked that Cleveland didn't get in. I think, I mean, they had some injuries during the year.

Jared Allen injury is a killer for them. But, I mean, I saw Mobley make a move in that first playoff game. Dude, he is, he's going to be 27 a night. Like, dude, he is good. He's the real deal. He's, he's so bouncy. He's got, he's like, yeah, he's got game. Yeah.

So I was talking about, you know, these NBA playoffs historically, number one or two seeds win the title 89% of the time. So I've always had this sort of belief that owners became owners and billionaires because there's a level of greed. But now that the money, you get your money now overwhelmingly from TV networks, not from people in the seats. So I would go three games first round,

five games until the finals, and then I would go seven. And a lot of people push back, and the takeaway is, oh my God, what if the favorites lose? And my takeaway is, college gives you one game. I mean, you played on a Florida team

that went back-to-backs. You guys know who to switch it on, switch it off. It is, and I, The other thing is we're seeing a ton channeler of injuries the last three years. Now, some of these guys, they have more power and money, they take games off. But I do think something's happening in the league where it's more of a cardio league. It's not as physical. And I'm seeing so many calf injuries.

And I'm thinking to myself, I mean, you talk to these guys. Not all these days off are serious injuries, but it does feel like there's a lot more tweaks. What the hell's going on? Yeah, it's an interesting point. Like, like if the Dallas series was a five-game series, would Luca play tonight? You know what I mean? Like, is it, is it, I mean, the season is long and the preseason when I was playing, it was way too long.

It was a two-week training camp, seven pre-season games. You'd have to go to China and play, you know, two international preseason games. And then you play eight two games. And then you hit the playoffs. So, like, it was a lot. And I think with the amount of injuries, I think that's obviously, you know, a big issue doing a big deal. But yeah, I mean, I could see shortening it like, you know, NFL, these guys, they get one chance and you lose and, you know, the chiefs lose. They're done. Yeah.

So I think I think it will eliminate a lot of the resting. And I think it will eliminate a lot of the stuff. But, you know, I'm old school. I love like now that I'm out of it, I'm glad there's something like I want to watch Minnesota of Memphis play for seven games. I want to watch the Celtics Nets play for seven games. I'd hate for it to be shortened. But it does it. You do have a good point. You know, we got into this Patrick Beverly thing the other day is that, you know, everybody in the media overreacts. And my takeaway is I saw Bill Lambert tackle guys. Okay. So Pat Bev's just annoying.

I mean, we don't even have a hand check now. So when what's the line? Like, like Tony Allen was really physical. Like really, but I never felt he was cheap. I thought Lambeer was cheap. What is the line? Like, how is Beverly viewed among players? Yeah.

And I played with TA. I played with Patrick Beverly in Houston. So I played with both those guys. And they're very similar. They're both from Chicago. They're both, they both talk a lot and they both back it up. They're both very physical. And both those guys, I think they realize that's their craft, right?

Their stats don't really show, you know, their impact. But the guy like Pat Bev, it's refreshing to see a guy. guy like that still care as much and it's contagious. And he gets the guys jacked up almost to a fault where when you're watching it from the outside, it's kind of obnoxious. And you like it's, oh, God, it is. It's a little much. But that's, that's, that's, that's his talent. Like, and that is a talent that he has this mindset every day that he's just going to go in and he's going to annoy and he's going to pest her and he's going to play physical and try and make it miserable for John Morant for seven games and it goes that far. Because he knows he's not going to have 30. He's no, he's not going to

have the ball at the game on the line to win the game. So that's how he can impact winning for his team. And it's a talent. And it is, I mean, the jumping on the table, doing all this stuff, it's a lot. But it is at the same time, it's kind of refreshing that someone like that cares that much about, you know, making the playoffs. That's usually not the standard, right? Usually like, it's like we're competing for a championship. That guy with everything that happened in Minnesota and him with the clippers, he really, he really cared and he really wanted it. And you can see the guys, like, he's a goon from Chicago and he was crying that made the playoffs. It's pretty impressive.

When was the first guy? Because nobody stopped you in high school. You dominate college. Who was the first guy in the NBA that guarded you? And you were like, oh, shit, I can't beat him off the dribble. It's interesting. So my fifth game, the rocket started off like one and four of my rookie year. and Coach McHale. Kevin McHale is my head coach, and J.B. Bickersethe was my assistant.

And I was getting garbage spot minutes. I didn't really play. And we go to Oklahoma City. And you know, we go to three hours before when you're a rookie, you're shooting at four o'clock for a 7.30 game. And McHale goes in there and he writes the lineups on the board. And, you know, it's like Lowry, Westbrook. And then it goes back and forth. And it says Parsons Durant. So I'm starting my first game ever, my fifth game of my career against Kevin Durant. But what I didn't realize is that I wasn't good enough or respect enough for him to guard me. So I had Cephalotia guarding me. And that dude was a glove. I couldn't get by him. He was faster than me. He was way disciplined on my shop fake. He like knew all our plays in advance.

Like he was a very, very, very good defensive player that I always struggled against. So that night you go home. Are you just thinking, shit, man, this league, I don't know. Because even in college, you know, you get away with, you know, being more physical or better or taller and you can still go out and have 30 against Chattanooga. There's no, there's no, there's no star recruit on the other end. No matter how bad or well he's playing, he's elite. And so, yeah, you learn real fast that this is, you know, it's a tough league. And no matter how good you play or no matter how bad you play, there's 82.

game so you got to move on regardless. Mark, Mark Fuett Gonzaga was on that USA basketball team and he, I asked him once about Kevin Durant and he said, okay, he goes, just think of how great the talent is on USA basketball. And then offensively, Durant is significantly better than every other player offensively. Yeah, he's the guy on the team with all the guys. Yeah.

Yeah, it's nuts. It's pretty crazy. Yeah, Mark said, he said, you really couldn't defend him. If he wanted a shot, you know, Chandler, I always said that in the NBA, we all think everybody can get their shot. But there's probably 20 guys in the league that can really truly get their shot. It's not as many as you think. No, no, there's, I mean, there's the elite shot creators, but it's funny because, like,

my boys back home, they'll make fun of a player, right? They'll be like, oh, Brian Scalabrini, he's trash. Or like, oh, I would have been. And I'm like, do you know what this man would do to you if you tried to guard him? Like, you know how bad? You know how good you have to be to be the worst player on an NBA team? So it's funny like when like my normal friends, like they'll, they'll swatch an NBA game. And it looks like they're horrible because guys like Seth Flouche or Tony Allen or Patrick Beverly are guarding you.

But like they'd like to compare it to their, you know, LA Fitness rec league game. Well, the first time I met Steve Nash. So for years, I watched Steve Nash, and he had, remember the Amari team? And Nash always looks so tiny on the floor. And then he now works out at my athletic club in L.A. And I'm 6-2190, and he freaking, he's like significantly taller than me. And by the way, that dude can get on a treadmill for four hours. Yeah.

And I was a marathon runner. And I remember watching him work out. And I was like, the hell. Yeah, it's, it's, it's, you'll even see that in college too. Like throughout my four years of Florida, there were so many really, really good college players, like Jamont Gordon from Mississippi State or Sundiata Gaines from Georgia. They just never made the NBA. And they were so good, even in the high major Division I basketball team and didn't sniff the NBA.

It's, it's tough. You know, you, you had an accident hit by a drunk driver that really ended. your career early. You're not bitter. And I think about this. And I, you know, I didn't know if I was going to ask you about it, but I think if somebody ended my broadcasting career early, like, I'd probably be bitter. Not like get a fired. Like, what if somebody slashed my throat? Right. I mean, or something. But like, but there had to be times, Chandler, where, Jesus, this is your love. It's your passion. You gave your world to it. You're not bitter, though. No, I mean, I mean, I'm not, I wouldn't say I'm bitter.

I think, listen, my whole dream as a kid from Orlando was to make the NBA and play in the NBA. I never had any aspirations after that, never even thought it was possible, right? I was the kid watching Orlando Magic in my parents' house. And then every time out, I would run outside of my backyard and act like Penny and do what he did. Like, I thought these guys were freaks. I thought there were aliens. I thought there was no way I'd ever beat him. And then I had success.

in the NBA. And, you know, I obviously my career was riddled by knee injuries towards the end there. Right. Yeah, it sucks to me. You know, this is the love of my life and it was taken away from me out of nowhere. But I think timing is everything. Everything that happened in the world last two years was just was shitty. You know, I got married. I had a child. It's like you kind of put things in perspective where things that are bigger than basketball and that kind of helps me, helps me, you know, you know, not be that bitter old head that's like watching these guys. guys now play and get paid and think, oh, I'm better than them, I should still be playing. You know, I did a great job connecting with people and having a career after basketball.

So, yeah, it sucks. I wish I could still be playing, but now I get to hang out and talk to cool guys like you. Make sure to check out the Dremont Green show. I brought Dramon Green into the volume because one of the more entertaining voices in sports, unique perspective, understands behind the rope, also chops up with guests like Gary Payton, Zach Levine, Tracy McGrady, make sure download the Draymond Green Show wherever you get your podcast

only on the volume podcast network. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes

for a full year. Within probably 10 days I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what I'm saying.

Yep, that's me, 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 the

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. Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan,

so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes. Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of taun tons and wampas on the ice planet hot, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith rule of two. Listen to stuff to blow your mind on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tapped Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people.

I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the look back. Added Podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode

with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but yeah, yeah. But just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack, so I'm starting to see that there's a through line.

We also have AIDS on the table right now. So, Thank you for 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.

Do you remember the first moment? Take me to the first moment. And this had to be crazy that you said, I can play in this league. I think I can be a pro. Yeah, like I said, after that, that first start is really like, because I love Kevin McHale growing up. I love Larry Bird. I love the Celtics. I love, I watched every basketball game.

I was obsessed. And to have Kevin McHale as my head coach put me in the starting lineup of an NBA team was my first kind of like eye opening. Like, holy shit. Like, this is real. And then we went on like a winning streak when I was starting. And I was starting to score points. And I was having 20. And then I was like in the rookie all-star game.

And like that's really when it set in because my draft, that was a 38th pick. And it was like, Kyrie, Kyrie, Clay Thompson, Kauai Linner. Like it was a really good draft.

And I made the rookie game playing against those guys. And I was like, that's where I kind of officially was like, all right. Like I'm here to stay. Like this isn't just, you know, a fluke.

And that's where I started kind of focusing and, you know, dieting and weight room and stuff like that. But that was kind of the first initial like, wow, like I really did. You know, I made it and I'm here. Well, I'm watching these playoffs. Final question.

I'm watching these playoffs like you. And I do think Boston, Brooklyn's the best series for me. Like nothing against Memphis, Minnesota, but they're so damn young. I just don't, I don't see those teams getting past the suns. Because I always think the NBA, and I think you probably do too. It's just steps. Like you just can't walk in and fly through the playoffs. The lowest C that's ever won is Houston.

in the mid-90s, and they had Drexler and Olajewan, and they won the year before. Yeah, they beat Orlando. Yeah, so like six, seven seeds. Like, it's not going to happen. It's seven-game series. But the one team that's interesting is Golden State, because even though it's been sporadic, guys have been hurt, there's just Cumminga and Pool. And give me a little of their. magic. Give me a moment playing them that I can't see on the floor. I can't tell because there's

nobody that quite, I mean, Chandler, when they started this thing about 10 years ago, they were shooting 33s and people were shooting like eight. Right. Like when was the first moment you faced this group of guys and it was like no basketball you'd ever been on the floor against? Yeah, it was, you know, they did really good in the draft. You know, they drafted so well. They went from like Steph to Clay to Harrison Barnes and Dreemann to like they really did well in the draft. And then they added pieces around that. Obviously, you know, they hit quite possibly the two best shooters of all time. And then you get a guy like Draybond who isn't the most talented, isn't the most skilled player, but plays his role so well.

He defends. He's the perfect fit for those two guys. And then you add pieces like Igwadala. And then you get again a guy like George. and pull now. And they just, you know, obviously it stems from Steph and Clay, those guys being able to shoot the ball in the elite level. I think Steve Kerr's offense is fantastic, you know, him in Phoenix, like he had a fantastic offensive system, pick and roll threes. And it's just impossible to guard. They never stop moving. They're an unbelievable condition. You know, they're interchangeable.

They switch. They don't have. And for the two of the best shooters of all time, they have no egos. Those guys are like, I feel like I didn't play there, but they're like the most unselfish, you know, selfless stars ever. Like those guys, they're not like egotistical. They're not feeling themselves. And they should be. I mean, they're a little flashy when they play, but like they're very grounded, humble dudes. I know both of them very well. They're awesome.

And they love to play and they have fun and they have fun playing with each other. And I still don't think they'll get past Phoenix this year, but them healthy with Jordan Poole playing the way he's playing. It's going to be a great series. and yeah, those guys, they changed the game forever, man. Steph almost ruined the game because now these kids, I went to a game the other day. These kids are just taking the most horrific shots. And now everybody wants to be Steph Curry.

But it's the guys that trend, he's a video game, man. He changed everything. He took a shot the other night. He didn't even set. It was a foot in bounds. And I'm like, I mean, you'd have been a yelled. Your coach would pull you off the floor 12 years ago. He doesn't really, he gets ball from floor to hand faster than anybody I've ever seen.

Floor to shooting. It's not half a second. His release is quick. It's whether if it's off the dribble or coming off the screen, he just needs a second, man. It's going up from whatever distance. The thing the other night was funny when, you know, the technical freeze, though, where it was either heaven pool and then he missed two of them. Did you think you think pool shoots the next one?

Well, I think there's a reverence to Steph. Like, I just think Steph's earned the right. No, no doubt. But I think, honestly, he's, that's what I'm saying. He's the kind of star that you'd be like, you know what? You're number one in the, you know, free throw percentage. You take this one. So you miss.

Pools 91%. I think he is the best shooter in the league. He is. I think he's the number one free throw shooter. But, I mean, obviously, Steph can veto that. but I think Steph is the kind of star where that's just a small example where next time there's a tech watch

I guarantee you Jordan Polshoots that they're both on my court. Great seeing you, buddy. I'm glad you had a good day, gave us 25 minutes, it was great. Awesome, thanks, bro. Talk to you later. 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, S&L'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 is. 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. For 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84's big to me. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick you here,

unpack what went down, and try to make sense of we survived it with our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. It 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. 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 Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfilled 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 podcast network on TikTok. This is an IHeart podcast, guaranteed human.