The Herd with Colin Cowherd - HOUR 1 - Kyrie Irving, Lakers, John Wall

Episode Date: June 28, 2022

Doug Gottlieb is in for Colin   Things you learned yesterday is how the league views Kyrie Irving & the true state of the Lakers. John Wall is actually a great fit with Clippers.   Guest: TJ Houshmandzadeh   #douggottliebshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s.

84 was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for listening to The Heard podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday from 12 to 3 Eastern, 9 to noon Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and FS1. Find your local station for The Heard at Fox Sports Radio.com or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Heard. You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. What up? Welcome in. This is The Herd, wherever you may be, and however you may be making it as part of your day.

Thanks so much. I'm Doug Gottlie. In for Colin Cowherd. Of course, you're listening to the IHeartRadio app on Fox SportsRadio.com or any of our hundreds of affiliates nationwide. Thanks so much for listening. Mark Medina is going to join us in 20 minutes. He covers the NBA for NBA media. He's also our Fox Sports Radio NBA playoffs insider.

We'll get his thoughts on the topic of the day, which is also the topic de jure. Look, if you're just joining us and you're just cluing in, the news of yesterday relates to the news of the day. Yesterday it was the Nets telling Kyrie Irving, hey man, if you can find a sign of trade, go for it. Kyrie Irving appeared to not have options outside the Lakers, but the Lakers deal, which would send Russell Westbrook back in return, was not anything the Nets wanted to consider. So in order for Westbrook to go to the Lakers, he would have had to opt out, become an outright free agent.

And if he wanted, in fact, to be a Laker, it would have been at the $6 million mid-level exception variety. He's instead going to make $37 million to remain, with the Nets. That's the news of last night. And then, of course, today, Russell Westbrook opted in to remain with the Lakers. So there's a lot to discuss in regards to what do we think about the Nets now? I'm actually more bullish on the Nets than others are. What do we think about the Lakers now? What happens next in the league? There's a lot to discuss. John Wall getting bought out. Now he's apparently going to be a member of the Clippers at a fairly minimum deal. We got a lot

to talk about. But we study things that happened a long time ago, right? History, so it don't repeat it, especially the bad history. And we study things to learn about the overall culture or feeling of the business that we're discussing. What does this all tell us? Well, first, a lot of us are to the point with Kyrie and many of these athletes where we call bull. And by calling bull, I mean the Kyrie doesn't care about money. Look, it's a lot easier to not care about money when he got $100 million in the bank, right? To those of us kind of trying to scrape it together in order

to make ends meet, put our kids through school, you know, into college, have their college funds, gas prices obviously high, you know, like I have two daughters turn 16. It costs as much money to get a used car as does new car? Like, so you're, I don't even know what to do there. Like, to those of us who actually have jobs and have bills and we're not just stockpiling money away that we'll never see or never spend, it's a different conversation with a multi, multi, multi, multi millionaire who's made films, made commercials, had his own

shoe that's been wildly successful, played in the NBA for a decade, one NBA championship, as likely $100 million in cash somehow and investments all over. Like those kind of guys can say, it ain't about the money. What have we learned about people who say it ain't about the money? It's always about the money. Right? Not sometimes, not most times.

It's always about the money. So the first thing we've learned is anyone who's like me who's called Bull on the Kyrie Irving money doesn't matter, I give you Kyrie Irving's decision yesterday. If money didn't matter, then going from $37.1 million to $6 million doesn't matter. It's happiness.

It's a chance to play with the Bron. It's a chance to play with the Lakers. It's a chance to reinvent himself and to get the next year, get a big payday. He chose not to do that. Now, we can say, look, the devil you know better than devil you don't. Motivated with the Nets. He has KD who's in a better place in his career than the Bronn is just because of age alone. And as much as that seems like a dysfunctional mess of a franchise, let's be honest, you go back two years ago.

You go back two years ago, not this season, the previous season, before Kyrie got hurt, even with a hobbled James Hardin, they kicked the holy living hell out of the Milwaukee boxing game two. Kyrie gets hurt, and they still took him to game seven because Kevin Durand is that good. So the idea is like, look, if we're healthy, if we have all three bodies, and then we have the rest of our bench actually healthy, completely different team. So there's some of that. But the root of it is, dude, don't tell me it ain't about money when you could have been a Laker, you could have been with Anthony Davis, you could have been with LeBron, and you chose not to do so. Why? It was too big a loss of money.

Then it's about the money. I get it. I've never gone from making $37 million to $6 million. That would be a harsh reality. That would be really, really hard for anybody. I wouldn't do it. But I also would never say or let other people believe not motivated by money. All right.

Second thing. Here's how the league views, Kyrie. Here's a guy with otherworldly talent. Otherworldly talent and skill. With a basketball in his hands, Kyrie Irving is about as good as any player now, any player ever who's played basketball. Ever.

Like, that's how good he is. Unbelievable shooter shot maker. You know, I remember having a conversation with Brad Stevens one summer. And he said, Kyrie Irving could lead the league and assist every year twice over. I said, why doesn't he? That's a longer discussion. He can pass, he can handle, he can shoot.

He's not, he's, he's fairly small, so defense, he can get overwhelmed. But he's not a terrible defender. It's fine. He just makes bad decisions defensively and chooses to do his own thing. But in terms of skill set, there isn't anything missing from his game. Nothing. And yet, nobody wanted him on a sign and trade. Now, could we factor in, there's a likelihood.

Nobody wanted him on a sign and trade because he wanted a max-com. contract that was four years and then you tack on to the year he has and you're like, man, I can't do four years of Kyrie Irving, five years of Kyrie Irving guaranteed when I don't know when at what point in time he'll decide not to show up to work. I get it. But the point is there wasn't anyone outside the Lakers interested. I ended yesterday's show, Doug Gottliebun for Colin. This is the herd and Foxport Trader, the IHeart Radio app. I ended yesterday's show saying like, look, everybody thinks they know what they're worth. Your worth is very simple.

You're worth what somebody's willing to pay you. That's it. You're worth what somebody's willing to pay you. And no one was willing to pay that much. The only reason the nets are is because the nets have them under contract if he opts in. Right. So how the league views Kyrie Irving is it's not about talent. It's about everything else that happens to the franchise.

if they were to bite the apple and bring him in. And then the last part is really, I think I'll be interested to see what Mark Medina says. Well, he'll join us. Actually, you know us next hour. T.J. H. Manzada will join us up coming next. And then the next part is simple. This is the state of the Lakers.

Like, I know Colin, last week, I think, the weeks do run together. Last week offered up Anthony Davis for Kyrie Irving. No chance you'd make that move. Zero. You have a, you're not likely based upon the current construction of their roster to compete for a championship. You have zero chance to compete for a championship if you don't have Anthony Davis and you have Kyrie Riving instead. That's it. So that wasn't an option.

Six foot nine, six foot ten. Like Anthony Davis shouldn't be the, all the 75 anniversary team. that's a joke. Dwight Howard should be on that team. It's a pathetic joke that Anthony Davis is on there. He just, he hasn't played enough, been good enough. But when he's right, when he's healthy, he's an elite player that helps you at both ends.

He can stretch the floor. He can defend the rim. Like, it's not really close in terms of what actually helps you win. That's not taken away from Kyrie Irving and his skill, but you're not making that trade. But they can't get rid of Russell Westbrook. I'm sure he's super happy. Like Russell Westbrook, the guy who has rabid ears to tweet back, to clap back at Skip Bayliss,

I'm sure Russell Westbrook is completely unaware that he was offered in a trade for Kyrie Irving, right? Nothing to do with, of course. The not so well kept secret is no matter what they say the Lakers would do anything, anything, to get rid of Russell Westbrook, anything. But no one wants him. so they feel like they're going to have to suck it up and figure out how to play him with a $47.1 million contract

that he opted into earlier today. The Lakers are a dumpster fire. Kyrie Irving would not take the $6 million deal. They could not make a trade to acquire them. They don't have any assets. Yeah, I mean, they have two assets that people would like, LeBron and Anthony Davis, but they aren't giving those up

because you give those up, you have no chance. You go from limited chance to no chance at all. The Lakers have no assets that anybody wants. Kyrie Irving is at one of two places, and he can say or he make you feel that he's not about financial gains, but that was a financial decision. And the league views him as more trouble than he's worth. Despite the league, absolutely, there's not a single soul you would talk to them and say like

That guy's an incredible talent. That's what we learned. That's where we are. That's where we are. All right. More on the Nets and on what's next. What I really, really like that happened yesterday in the NBA. But coming up next, Baker Mayfield told reporters today that he's moving on from the Browns.

What does that mean is the Browns are likely left without Deshawn Watson for the foreseeable? future. Well, as T.J. Hushmanzada. He joins us next in The Hurt. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific. 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 which I'll say it. Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions,

my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand-new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated.

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

unpack what went down and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack all day, but just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, 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. 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 things, We get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing and we're still chasing it and we don't know when we've done enough because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross,

because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth? Are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Keer Gang.

is 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. Doug Alleyman for Colin, this is The Herd, wherever you may be, however you're making this part of your day. Thanks so much.

Live from sunny southern California, IHeartRadio app and Fox Sports Radio and Fox Sports Radio.com. Mark Medina next hour, he covers the NBA. He'll give us a sense of what's next. and if my view, my read on things is correct. Frank Is Solo will join us third hour of the show. He hosts the show for NBA Radio. He's covered the league for years.

We've got a lot to get to. T.J. H. Manzada in a second. I'll get his thoughts on this. So Baker Mayfield's back in Oklahoma where he played college football after transferring from Texas Tech. Obviously, it was the number one overall pick, Heisman Trophy winner. And he's having a youth football camp,

and he set aside time to talk with reporters. and one asked him if there's any chance of reconciliation with the Browns. But I think a lot of people think if they didn't have a quarterback for the next year, would there be any chance of reconciliation there? No, I think for that to happen, there would have to be some reaching out. But we're ready to move on, I think, on both sides. So he said there would have to be some reaching out. What that tells you is, yeah, he can say he's ready to move on.

He wants them to come crawling back. to him, right? And to this point, they're done. They're done. Now, there's a lot to it. You know, you have a general manager now and an Andrew Barry who did not draft him, right? You have a head coach who did not draft him, has not picked him. Half of the team has always turned over in a year-to-year basis. And Baker's, the argument for Baker is, was, and has always been what I told Colin when he was coming out. You don't have to like the antics. You don't like the swag, the way he carries himself.

But up until this past year, guys in the locker room did. And that's all that it's about. That's all that actually matters. It doesn't matter. Fans or the media or other organizations like you. None of that matters. It's the guys in that locker room. Can you get those 52 other dudes,

there was 45 other guys on a game day, and you get them to play for you. And whatever happened, and we can say it's that he's playing hurt, we can say it's the offense, we could say it was Odell, we could say, whatever happened, he lost that.

He lost that. So he can play the victim and say, they, you know, they ain't reached out. They don't really want me. They went and got, and look, it, there's a parallel here between everything that's happening. Everything.

I mean, yesterday, who we talked to? Charles Robinson joined us from Yahoo Sports. And what happened with Matt Ryan in Atlanta, right? What happened with Matt Ryan in Atlanta? Matt Ryan was going to play out his contract in Atlanta. Then they reached out and were in on the Sean Watson. He was like, dude, what? I'm out.

What happened yesterday? Kyrie Irving, the only team that was interested in trading for him was the L.A. Lakers, and they wanted to include Russell Westbrook and Russell Westbrook opts in today. Anyone would get mad if on one hand the team tells you, we love you, we're part of our, and the other hand, they're talking about trading you. Anybody would. But the team didn't, the organization didn't give up on Baker. until the players said, we're just done with Baker.

T. Joe Manzata joins us, of course, former Pro Bowl wide receiver. You can hear them on Up on game. It's a podcast and a show. It's on weekends here on Fox Sports Radio. Every Saturday on Fox Sports Radio, along with Ovar Arington, Plexico Burr's. Great show.

Just three dudes who are all great athletes, great football players, talking ball, talking all sports on Fox Sports Radio on Saturdays. TJ, why do you think Baker, and am I wrong to say he lost the locker room last year? No, no, no. You're dead on with that. And I don't know why.

And I don't know what it is, but it's something about his personality. And it's not something that we don't know because when all of this came out about Baker, the one thing to me that surprised me, not one guy, not one guy went on Instagram, Twitter. Nobody put out a statement and said, all this about Baker isn't true. Baker's a great teammate. Nobody came to his defense.

It's something about his personality that rubs people the wrong way. I don't think you can change that. That's who he is. So unless he's just going to go in there and just be quiet, some people try to force being a leader. You can't force that.

You're only a leader when others are willing to follow you. If they're not willing to follow you, you are not a leader. And that's where Baker is. Okay, so in your mind, it feels like the Browns are waiting on a on a Sam Bradford type of situation, right? Where if we remember Bradford was with the Eagles, he actually got an extension with the Eagles, and then they drafted Carson Wentz, but then they waited.

And, you know, fortunately for them, Teddy Bridgewater got hurt. They got a first round pick for him. Is that the sense of what you're getting is, hey, we're just going to wait and see who's desperate for a quarterback once we get closer to the season? In the league that really needs a quarterback, they probably are hoping fingers crossed. Somebody gets hurt in training camp. Somebody gets hurt in the preseason. At this point, even if that happens, is Baker better than the quarterbacks you have on your roster considering He's going to have to come learn the system.

And that's not an easy task because that's like speaking a different language and trying to learn it on the flight. Everybody knows. You think it's easy. It's not easy. So he's not going to figure it out and really understand it until week eight, week nine. How many games have you won within that time frame? And so the Browns, they need to just cover a salary.

If you cover a salary, he's gone. So they're trying to, you guys pay. half, we'll pay half, you guys pay this, we'll pay that. If they want Baker gone, they'll cover the salary. The longer they wait, the harder it's going to get to trade him unless someone has a season and an injury. T.J. Hussman Zad is our guest here in the herd on Fox Sports Radio. I'm Doug Gottlie filling in for Colin. Okay, let's get to Jimmy Garoppolo. Did you hear the Julian Edelman story about Jimmy Garoppolo? Yeah, I actually got

I listened to it last night Okay Guys if we have that we can cue that up For people who didn't hear Julian Edelman Okay we don't want to have it Okay so Julian Edelman Said basically when

Tom Brady was out because of deflakeate suspended for the first four games They felt like he He was hurt but not injured Right And meanwhile Jacoby Brissette goes in there and plays without a ligament in his thumb. And it felt like, again, a lose-the-lockroom sort of moment.

That makes you feel differently about Jimmy G. A guy who's oft injured, right? What's the truth here? When you hear that as a guy who was in this league, and I've always said players know way more, and you can just tell by players, what does the Julian Edelman story about Jimmy Garoppolo tell you? You know what, Doug?

Some guys just, they can't tolerate. pain. They can't play when something's bothering them. Like, I vividly, I would have crack ribs and I would get a shot every Sunday. Man, that needle was so long. You feel it going through your body

hitting other ribs. Like, no lot. Games over. You can't walk. You can't cough. You can't sneeze. You can't do anything. I got kids. I come home. You can't play with your kids because they're going to hurt you even more. Some guys, they just can't.

cope with playing through pain. And when you're in the locker room with a bunch of guys that are getting shots and playing through pain, taking pain killers and playing through pain. And Brady hurting, you can't play through this. Oh, they don't talk about you. But they never forget it. And so, yeah, he's off and into Jimmy G. But when, and this is what happens, Doug, a lot of times you're cool with the training

staff. You're really cool with them. So they'll straight up tell you, hey, can Jimmy G play? Yeah, he can play. He did. Like, they'll tell you. And so you automatically know, like, buddy can really play and he don't want to play.

How you know? So-and-so just told me, and so-and-so is in the training room. They work in a training room. And so that type of stuff happens. Martellus Bennett really went in on him. Edelman didn't want to go in on him. He just confirmed the story that, yeah, that's true.

but does. Some guys just can't play through things that other guys can. And if you're a guy that plays through it, it kind of pisses you off that. You're playing through this. And you're not going to play through that. No, I mean, I agree with you. I think, and we all know guys like that. We all know the guy that's always something.

It's always something. And, again, it's the perception of locker room that's way more important than anything else because those guys have to, you have to at least have the appearance of being tougher. Or as tough as any of those guys. A bunch of guys, man, they soft like melted ice cream. You know that. Yep. You know that.

Yeah. Okay. What's your sense of how this affects Jimmy G. in terms of San Francisco's ability to move in? It's obvious which Jimmy G. It's hurt often. But when he's able to play, say what you want to say. He gets a job done.

You can say, oh, it's this. Oh, what's that? Oh, Shanahan didn't believe in them completely. When Jimmy G. played for the Niners, they did well. When Jimmy G. didn't play for the Niners, they didn't do so well. And so you got to give him his credit.

He's just not available as much as you would like. I would assume there will be a market for him, but it's very similar to what we talked about Baker. What system are you coming in to learn? I don't think people take that into account. Like, yeah, football is universal. what we may say is strike. You may say is lightning.

We may have a call that's Randy. When I was planned, we would check, check, check, check, Randy, Randy. That was a quick screen to the right for us. Larry, Larry, Larry was a quick screen to the left. That may mean some completely different for another team. And you have to get Randy Larry out of your mind from your old team and figure out what Randy Larry is for your new team. team. And a lot of times you have two or three seconds to kind of figure it out.

It's not as easy as people think. I believe there'll be a market for them, but the longer they wait, you're just better off going with what you have because what you have cannot be that bad if they were. They wouldn't be on the team. T.J. Hishmanzada, our guest, the former Pro Bowl wide receiver, part of Up on Game, a show. You can download as a podcast or here on Fox Sports Radio on Saturdays of our Arrington, Plexco, the co-host. Um, does the Russell, Wilson thing work in Denver? I believe it does, Doug. Russell's just a leader, man. Just like the way he goes about himself. And I know people say this or that about Russell, about it. I would love to play with Russell Wilson.

I like the way he goes about his business. I mean, Russell Wilson on vacation, and he got a helmet and his shorter paths. What he's throwing the ball? Like, guys ain't doing that, Doug? They're not doing that. Russell, he just had, you talk about, I talked about leadership with Baker.

Russell Wilson, if anything, came out, guarantee he would have guys defending him. Guaranteed guys would defend him. Because of the way he goes about it, the way he treats people, the way he shows empathy towards others in that locker room, they'll come out and defend him. I believe Russell Wilson in Denver works. It's not going to be easy.

You know, let's go to Justin Herbert twice in the charges. Chargers has got a great defense, at least on paper. The Chiefs in Mahomes. the Raiders in a car. It's not going to be easy. But this is why we love sports, because if you ask four people, you probably get a different division

or winner out of that division by each person. But I like less than... Go ahead. Go ahead. I'll just say, we mentioned the Chiefs, and look, McCull Hardman obviously has great speed.

They've added some speed, but you'll lose a Tyreek Hill. I mean, the entire, like the entire thing was, because you got to, you know, play too deep, take away Tyreek Hill beating you, right? That was like the entire game plan. You know, worry about Kelsey and worry about Tyreek Hill. And that was make somebody else beat you, keep everything underneath.

How much does playing against the Kansas City Chiefs change with the massive personnel change losing the Cheetah to Miami? It for sure changes. And everybody knows it. And this will make Patrick Mahomes a better quarterback. Everybody knows the way the Buffalo bills pay the Chiefs, though they won't play them like that this year. You get the overtime or you get to 12 seconds. You think they're going to get played that way again?

No, they won't. They will be played different and they know it. Mahomes is going to have to show more. Mahomes is going to have to be more. Andy Reid's show he can win any kind of way. They weren't playing like this with McNabb. He went to Dick. They weren't Kevin Cobb.

they weren't doing this. And so Andy Reed can get it done. It's up to Ken Patrick Mahomes changed the way he plays somewhat. Juju will help him. Sky Moore, the rookie will help him. But it's going to come down to Patrick Mahomes. It's going to be different.

They know it's going to be different. But if Mahomes is who we think he is, he'll be fine. But it's not going to be easy because that division. You've got Max Criles. Cosby and Charlie Jones with the Raiders. You got Khalil Mack and Bosa with the charges. Man, they're coming after Patrick Mahomes here.

T.G. You're the best. By the way, Kyrie didn't want to take the pay cut and go to the Lakers. Man, that's aw, Doug. I was so aw, Doug. You have no idea. When I saw that, I was like, please, come on, Kyrie Lakers. Just promise him this Mac extension, like, promise it. Oh, man, I was wishful thinking, man. I was excited about that for about a day. And then reality struck.

That's what happened. Yeah, we got to figure out a way to make a way if that makes any sense, man. Yeah, man. I was somewhat excited about that. I was like, okay, we back, baby. Hopefully Westbrook can play the way he's always played. Mine's last year. We'll be good.

Might want to research how he's played a couple years before that, but that's okay. You're the best. Can't wait to hear you Saturday. Thanks for joining us. You guys take care. Let's get to Ryan Music with the news. No, no, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. Good morning, Doug. How are we doing today?

Good morning, Ryan. It's a great morning. Depending on who you may ask, maybe Laker fans feeling a little different than that, according to your good buddy, T.J. Hushman's out of there. And that's what we'll start off with our first story. Russell Westbrook is expected to be back after opting into the final year of his deal with the Lakers at just over $47 million. From the Lakers perspective, NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski added this morning, the Lakers are, quote, counting on Westbrook having a comeback season and Westbrook has expressed enthusiasm about working with new head coach Darwin Ham.

it was obviously a very down with very little up season in Westbrook's short first year with the Los Angeles. It was awful. It was a complete nightmare. He was a nightmare. They were bad because of it. Don't let anybody tell you anything different. Like, look, Frank Vogel is not a confrontational guy, but it wasn't that he wasn't trying to make it work. Russell Westbrook, I mean, this is part of it is how LeBron is, right?

Russell Lachshirk was on an island last year. He didn't hang with the guys. They were just, he was, and part of that was, at some point, LeBron realized he ain't it, right? That they made a bad decision. But it was bad, and I don't know how you fix that. I just don't. He's never been a, the analytics have always told you, he's never been a good finisher at the rim. He's a high volume, low-make three-point shooter.

It's just not a lot of space. And he's always been, he's a widely overrated defensive player in terms of of dying on screens, not following defensive rotations, but there was just some quitted him last year. And he's not young. He's had four knee surgery. So I don't, they only have him because they have to, not because they want to. Don't let anybody else tell you. So amidst that disastrous first season, Russell Westbrook, obviously taking a bunch, a bunch of heat for his lack of production. After opting into that, or reportedly opting into this player, option before it becomes officially official.

He decided to post this little message on Instagram this morning. So Russell Westbrook singing along to Beyonce's new single, You Won't Break My Soul. I guess you could say that's a message to all the haters out there, Doug. Look, I will say this. Like Russell Westbrook off the basketball floor, great dude, right? Foundation is real. Obviously, it feels like he's a good parent, good dude, good. husband like it's not this is just how he works within a basketball organization yeah i don't think

anyone thinks he's a bad guy like the type of person that he is i just he's developed a reputation of not being the best teammate in terms of basketball right yeah bad teammate bad teammate and as long as people understand the difference so i don't know you know i guess i guess he's just not going to let the negativity eat him up that's fine like he you know 47 million dollars, 47 million dollars. Who are we to question Russell Westbrook, who has, you know, an MVP season. He's been in an NBA finals. He's been a perennial All-Star, and he's going to make close to 50.

It'll make over $50 million next year because he's got his Jordan brand deal. Like, who are we to question that? But I just, I don't see how the Lakers win with him. Don't see it happening. Another big-time free agent or perhaps not free agent. is James Harden, since the expectation is that he will return to the 76ers, but reports are suggesting that he will decline his player option but sign an extension for more total money. However, this was interesting from NBA insider Mark Stein,

who's saying that Hardin could seek a multi-year extension for less money per year in order to create cap space to sign a player like PJ Tucker. So maybe PJ Tucker ending up in Philadelphia alongside James Hardin and Joel Embed. I mean, look, that would make a ton of sense. Obviously, he'd be good for their culture. He gives them the ability to, when Embed's out, Small Ball 5. But at some point, we had to point out that this version of PJ Tucker is not prime PJ Tucker, right? Now we're getting to the just holding on collecting checks, living on past legacy, PJ Tucker.

That's the reality of it. Yeah, I mean, it would be interesting. Where were you at? Because Colin was a big, big fan of the James Harden move. Initially, obviously with Ben Simmons not even playing, it was an upgrade in that regard, but then the way that he fizzled out in the postseason didn't bode well for Hardin's reputation of coming up short in the postseason, especially the past couple years. Do you like where Philadelphia is headed with that James Hardin-M-Bed combo?

That's not a good sign. I mean, do I like it? Look, I don't think James Hart, I think he's a, he's not prime James Hardin. He's a lesser version. And, you know, you're now, you have a guy who believes in him to a level that I don't think his talent is, is, he's not, you know, look, if you don't take care of yourself for that long in the off season, eventually your body kind of breaks down and it shortens your career. It shortens the lifespan of your greatness. I thought that's what happened to Carmelo. And then, you know, he'd get in shape in the office scene, but wouldn't stay in shape.

and that's what's happened to James Hardin on some level. Now, you do have Ambide and you can surround him with other guys. I just mentality-wise, I don't know. You know, it was like once every four games he was elite James Hardin. And with every year, that becomes once every five games, once every six games. He was thrown in on the fly. I do think Doc thinks he can make it work. Because had Doc really wanted to get out and get to the Lakers,

he probably could have gotten that done. So I don't love it. But considering they had Ben Simmons who was a hard one to move, look, if you combine the two, Ben Simmons' defense and passing with James Hardin's offense, it would be great. But, I mean, I think it's a, I don't know, I've never been a huge James Hardin guy in terms of watching him play or won him on my team. On the other hand, I marvel at his skill and his talent when he's at his peak.

I don't know if that answers your question. Do I think they're a favorite to win the East? like, no. Like, just, no. He's not a great playoff player. He doesn't play defense. And he's trending the wrong way in terms of how his body looks and what his game feels like. He feels like he's maybe not completely over the hill, but on the downside of his career.

And that's right music with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The herd lie news. Well, it was a good day to be to be John Wall yesterday. right? Colin would have made fun of him on some level, but he opted, he took a buyout. So he's a free man. Where's he going to land? And why I think it's a home run? I'll tell you next in the herd. 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. Hey, this is Jason McIntyre. Join me every weekday morning on my podcast, Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre. This isn't your typical sports pod pushing the same tired narratives down your throat every day. Straight Fire gives you honest opinions on all the biggest sports headlines, accurate stats to help you win big at the sports book,

and all the best guests. Do yourself a favor and listen to Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games.

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

A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care which I'll say. Yep, that's me. Cliver Taylor the fourth. 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-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 Jett. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a 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. 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 Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, 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.

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Search learn the hard way and listen now. Doug Gottlieb, in for Colin. This is the herd. Mark Medina next hour. You know, these two points can both be true. Like, I can be down on Kyrie Irving in terms of his value in the league and tell you, I think the Nets got a chance to win the whole thing next year. I can say the same thing with John Wall.

Like, look, Houston paid John Wall a crazy amount of money. to not play basketball. That's, I mean, just insane. Absolutely insane. John Wall's contract, which he's now been bought out of, right, was he was supposed to be paid $47.36 million for the final year of his contract. He's agreed to take $6.5 million. So essentially, you know, 40 million in change to not play basketball for the Rockets next season.

That was after making $44 million to not play basketball with the Rockets last season, you know. And the year before, he barely played basketball and made $38 million. dollars. John Wall in his career, in his career in the last 12 years. And remember, he gets paid the 41 million already. Like he's going to make $85 million in the last 12 months now that he gets bought out. And then whatever else he can negotiate now, he's a complete free agent. So in his time, in the NBA, he has made in the neighborhood.

okay of 270 million dollars 270 million dollars let me do that 270 million dollars wow that is a

that's a lot and look I'm somewhere in between I'm not with Colin with the doing the duggie somehow makes him you know a clown is about basketball player. He's 20 years old in the NBA. You know, whatever. But, like, look, there's a reason.

Remember, he had the left heel surgery and then the Achilles and an infection. All of this has changed who he is as a basketball player. And prior to that, he was a guy who always struggled shooting the basketball. His next to last year in Washington was probably probably his best year shooting threes. But, you know, he's somewhere in the 19 to 20 a game at his peak. He was a guy who had averaged close to 10 assists. But the problem with the assist numbers, and it's really interesting, you know, like Russell Westbrook's not a great passer.

And like, whoa, he led the league an assist. Like, okay, that doesn't, it, a lot of it's about the volume of possessions, which you have the ball and just shot creation becomes. passing the ball to a guy who shoots a three. That's not really a great passer makes. And John Wall averaged 20 a game, his last two years he played, including the 40 games he played a year and a half ago when he played for the Houston Rockets. So now as a buyout guy, it looks like he's going to go to the Clippers.

And I love it. And you may say to yourself, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. He's a, what's the difference between him and Russell Westbrook is the exception of the fact that Russell Westbrook averaged more points? and more assists and more rebounds. And has a better reputation. Granted, he's not nearly as good a defender as his reputation, but a better, well, first thing is,

he's 31, 32 years old. And yeah, he had a devastating injury. My guess is, he's not going to sign him to Clippers unless he passed the physical. And if you assume they use him as a sixth man, that restarts your career. What people forget about the sixth man is you don't, it's just not the same position.

Even if you bring the ball up the court and you're technically the backup point card, it's a different position because all you got to do is come in and change the pace of a game. You can do that. You don't have to worry about running a team and getting everybody involved. Just go get yours. You can do that. And while his shooting has never been great, my guess is all this time off, there's been a ton of work.

The only thing you can do when you're rehabbing your legs is work on your shooting. But even with that, like, all of these things are made easier because you're playing against other team's backups. I love it for the Clippers. Granted, you're betting on Kauai off injury, Paul George often injured, and John Wall off an injury. But I love it on paper. Love it. I find the nets to be fascinating. And while I'm not ready to go all in, I'll throw some chips in.

I'll tell you why next. I'm Doug Gottlie. This is The Hurt. 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'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 eye heart. 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, 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. to the Clifford show on the IHard 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. On the Look Back at it podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84's big to me. I'm Sam Jay 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. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.