The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Hour 2 - Round 2 of the NBA Draft

Episode Date: June 27, 2024

Will Bronny James become a Laker tonight? The Rockets seem to be interested in Kevin Durant, but is that the right move?   Guest: Pharaoh Brown  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Find your local station for the herd at Fox SportsRedio.com or stream us live every day on the IHeart Radio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. Hour number two here on the herd. It's me, Jason McIntyre, in for, yes, still vacationing Colin Cowherd. He did check in with me yesterday just to see what's going on and brag about how he's riding his bike and exercising and, you know, doing all the fun things that you do on vacation, Alex. You know, you also live in vacation town. This is a new mindset I've had this year because we're not doing a lot of big trips.

When you have, like, a little bit of time, like treat it like, you. going to stay patient. We live at the beach. You can do all those things. You can also ride a bike. You can also go work out. Yes, you can. You're right. You're right. I can't and shit. The fun hour. Hey, we got a great guest coming up.

He played with the Patriots and Belichick. I can't wait to hear the stories. But I'm going to open the second hour. Obviously, USA Soccer coming up later today. Big one for Burrhalter. We got Alexie Lawless later in studio to talk about that. I'm going to just quickly start with Brony James and his draft prospects for tonight. Okay, let's just, who cares about the USC storyline and I don't really care what he average and what is vertically. None of that stuff matters to me. What is fascinating about

this is, do you guys think someone will jump ahead of the Lakers to steal Brani from LeBron as a middle finger to clutch and LeBron, we're going to take your guy and then you're going to have to pay a king's ransom for yourself? Would somebody do that? And then I'm just going through like the inner monologue of, man, that kind of would be a jerk move. because you're messing with the guy's career to mess with LeBron and the Lakers? It just seems kind of wrong. But on some level, I do wonder, does Brony kind of sort of want to be his own guy? All right?

This is a guy who everybody knew who he was in like middle school, in, you know, basketball tournaments around the country. By high school, he had like 7 million followers on Instagram, okay? I can guarantee you every player going to ignite in the second round combined will not total how many followers Brony has on IG. There's just no way. He's a big freaking deal. This is a guy who had NIL deals with beats by Dre and Nike in high school.

But then you step back and you're like, well, did he have it because of his basketball or because he's LeBron's son? And I get it. Part of it is he's LeBron's son. Does he want to be his own guy and branch out from his dad? I'll never forget. And I'm sure my parents are watching because they watch, you know, you go to college and then you come home in the summer and you don't want to play by their rules. Right? You're in college.

You're a free man. whatever you want. And one of my buddies in the neighborhood had this awesome, we had this annual summer party. You get a couple of kegs. And I remember fondly, I had to bring a trash can to put the keg in because we had like four kegs. And me and my buddy, all night party. Amazing. Well, coming home at like 5 a.m. The sun's coming up. And my dad wakes up early. And we walk in, you know, just, it had been a great night. And my dad's like, you're just coming home. What are you doing? I was like, it's summer. I'm in college. Who cares? And you could, he wasn't thrilled with me, but on some level, you want to be your own person.

And you want to branch out from your family and do your own thing. And I wonder if, I know LeBron would love his son to be out in L.A. with him. He gets his high school son. He gets to watch him. And then Bronnie's with him with the Lakers there. It would just be awesome for the league. And J.J. Reddick, I'm sure, would love it. But on some level, and we're not going to get this answer.

But does Brony kind of sort of crave, you know what? I just want to do my own thing. I would love it if Orlando drafted me and I would not be LeBron's son in L.A. DeKendrophy Jr. deal where he's playing with his dad. I would just be Bronny James, guard, Orlando Magic. And I've got to figure it out on my own. No dad to lean on.

I mean, you know, there's some rookie hazing stuff and I'm sure our next guest can talk about that in the NFL. Like, listen, I'm sure there's some NBA rookie hazing. Not like heavily hazing, but there's got to be some stuff. Are they going to do that to Brony with like his dad hazing? That just doesn't seem right. And I just wonder if something will be lost if LeBron's son goes to the Lakers and plays with them as opposed to go to like, I don't know, Milwaukee. And you've got to figure it out on your own in a different city away from your family.

Like there's some value in that doing it on your own. We'll never know because I think the Lakers probably end up getting them at 55. I do think there's a weird, wacky world where the Celtics at 54 say, we hate the Lakers. we have a rivalry with you guys. I know you always try to steal our thunder. Thanks a lot for what you do with the finals with all the reddick noise and the hurly noise. We're going to take Brony.

It would be difficult, and it's some Game of Thrones action that I'm sure the NBA would kind of sort of love but also hate at the same time. But Brony James tonight is the reason to watch. I know there's a big debate tonight featured around Brony James. I'm not talking about the presidential crap. It's all about Brony James, right, in the NBA draft? All right, let's walk.

Welcome in our guest, former NFL tight end. He's played with the Patriots. I mean, goodness Seattle Seahawks, Pharaoh Brown, dressed very, very nicely. He's currently with, yes, Seattle Seahawks and Gino Smith. How are you, my man? I'm doing good. Thanks for having me. Yeah, good to have you in.

Now, listen, you obviously played with Belichick in his final season in New England. I mean, goodness gracious, that was an absolutely bonkers season. Probably didn't go the way you envisioned. Tell us what that was like. Also, I just want to say I'm grateful to be on here. Thanks for having me, especially after the 60-yard touchdown against your beloved jets. Oh, geez. Leading with jet stuff.

Oh, my God. I'm surprised you didn't cancel my spot, so I'm grateful. But, I mean, I learned a lot from Coach Bill Belichick. I mean, he's one of the greatest coaches of all time. And, you know, the preparation that he brings in that you see, I mean, I remember my first time there and I'm in the room. And he takes you back all the way to how the team was bought, the owner. the first coaches. And you start to see and realize that, you know,

I look at it like businesses and companies, right? These guys aren't re-eventing the wheel. So stuff that, you know, the teams and coaches staff did back in the day is some of the same things they're kind of doing now. And, I mean, Coach Belichick's like a wizard, man. Like, he'll tell you some stuff that happens on Tuesday, that's going to happen on Sunday on Tuesday. And I'm just like, okay.

And then it happens. You're like, oh my gosh. Did you get a sense that maybe it was going to be his final season? Like there was a lot happening there, obviously. No, I didn't. Honestly, I just got there. So I wasn't there with training camp. I was in Indianapolis.

So I got there week one. And I was tasked to be ready for week one. So you can imagine I'm just like in the playbook and I'm just focusing on what I can control. So everything was going like a normal season for us. and he didn't lose focus or anything if he may have known or anything like that. What was it like playing with Mack Jones? I mean, listen, that guy, he was supposed to be the man, and now he's, I think, the backup in Jacksonville.

I mean, it's a tough business. It's a tough business. And the NFL's a tough business. Look, I almost had my leg imputed, and I've been cut four or five times, and I'm still here. I mean, I'm on the hurt right now. Like, these are wins. But, I mean, Max is starting quarterback.

A lot of coaches, he won. through some coaches changes, roster, some injuries around. But, I mean, he's getting his second stint. I mean, look at Baker Mayfield, Gino Smith, Jared Gough, all these guys got their second stent, and they're doing great, playing very well. So I think Mack's going to get up, dust itself off and be a starter again. So your career is not over just because, you know, you changed one spot. I think, you know, being there is going to be great, new environment, a good reset for him.

Do you want to talk about the leg amputation near situation? I mean, I know it's not a great topic, but I mean, would you want to talk about that or no? I mean, I feel like everybody knows. It's just some adversity that I went through. I mean, it was back in 2014. My leg almost had to get amputated from a freak injury, and I was the first one kind of to have this injury. And I've never rewatched a video. So for me, I can't speak on what happened.

I just know the aftermath. It took about 19 months. You know, I went undrafted due to this, and now I'm on an eight-year career. So it's just something that was a part of my journey and a testament to the resiliency and the great doctors at Oregon, the great doctors in Utah that helped me, you know, recover from this because there was no playbook. There was no, I rewrote it. So every day I woke up, it wasn't like, oh, you know, ACL, you'd be back six to eight months. Like, Miles was like, every day we didn't know what I would be able to do. so it was just day by day.

Yeah, what was that rehab process like? That sounds just, whoo, grueling. You got to figure out how to do everything again. It's like you go from, you know, a big macho tight end to a little baby, like, trying to figure out how to walk up the stairs again, trying to figure out how to step in the shower again. Like, you go back to all those little things that, you know, we may take granted of, but, I mean, I wouldn't change nothing. It helped me, it helped propel me to being in the same thing.

able to make it through this tough business of the NFL and generate a career. That's awesome. So you're going to Seattle. Gino Smith, your thoughts on, I mean, they got a new head coach. Seems like a lot of newness in Seattle. Your thoughts? As far as Gino Smyth and up there, I mean, it's great. Mike McDaniel, he's a great addition.

I mean, at Ravens' defense, I expect us to play a lot of great defense this year. Gino Smith is amazing, just a pro's pro. the way he approaches the game. I mean, he ran like 22 miles an hour like over 30 or something. That kind of went viral this summer. And he just sees the game. He's approachable and he's a leader.

Now, you get a defensive coach at McDonald's. I think he said that Metcalf is going to be like the fulcrum of the offense. But it's like they got, I mean, they got a lot of dudes to throw, sling the ball around. And you're obviously another weapon. Do you see that offense kind of taken a leap? Because they were a little sluggish at times last year. Have you seen VK. McCabe in person?

He's been in the studio. He is a horse. I mean, that guy is massive. He's a focal point of any offense. This guy is massive. As far as me, I'm just like an Army Swiss knife. I can do it all. I can leader in the locker room, leader in the position group.

I can block. I can catch. I can make plays with the ball in my hands. So for me, it's just I want to be, I want to help excel to win a culture, right? I want to help build a sustainable winning culture there because I haven't been in a place to win. So that's my goal, is to win and help the team by any means to win. I hate to add.

Do you guys think Seattle's a playoff team this year? They were two years ago. Obviously, you're optimistic. NFC is loaded, though. The NFC is loaded, but, I mean, every year when you look at it, it's like one team that, you know, nobody's talking about that makes that playoff run, right? Preseason, nobody talks about them. It was the Bengals a couple years ago.

You know, like, I think that we can be that team, man. it's like we're just under the radar right now, but we've got some great guys up there. The coaching staff is great. The management front office is awesome. So I think we're going to surprise a lot of people. Best quarterback you've ever caught a pass from? Best quarterback I ever caught a pass from.

That's a great question. I mean, you play for several really good ones. I'll probably say, probably Gino. Hmm. Yeah. Wow. Gino Smith? Gino Smith.

That's a mild surprise. Now, I'm the idiot. We is in that. I mean, you got to even, I'm looking back at everything, even at college at West Virginia. I mean, he had a, they was like pioneers in the spread office. That's right. You know, I'm not just looking at NFL when you ask that question. That's right.

I'm looking at, they whole, you know, college in NFL. And, yeah, I mean, I remember watching him with Tavon Austin. That's right. All them guys. I mean, they were amazing. They was kind of like the Oregon, before the Oregon. So, yeah. And he ran all that.

I'll say Gino. So I'm the moron who two years ago, you know, we were talking about Seattle. I was like, ah, there's no way they could top their win total. I'll shave the Seahawks logo in the side of my head if they finish over 500. I think their win total was like six and a half. And of course, they went nine and eight made the playoffs, so I had to shave it in my head. So give me a prediction for the Seahawks this year. I'm sure you've looked at the schedule.

You've seen them. You guys are pretty stacked. You got a good offense. But the division, Niners, I don't know if Arizona's coming up. What are reasonable expectation for your guys this year? I think a reason about it's, I don't think I look at the season in that aspect as far as like, oh, how many wins? I think that the way we are building it and the culture that we are building it is more about

sustainability, right? Some people get lucky. Like, look at, for example, the Giants, they got lucky that first year, right? And now they kind of like in the thing to where they're trying to rebuild, right? So I think it's about building the culture, right? And the wins will come. When you put the work in, when you got that strong foundation, the wins will come. And that's even a testament to, you know, with New England and all those people did.

Like the foundation was so strong and the wins will come. So winning and all that is consequences of, you know, daily habits and the work ethic that you put in. So we've been putting in a lot of work. And, you know, when you're working hard and you laser focus like we've been, the wins will come. Yeah, it's funny. The media looks at it like, oh, can they finish 10 and 6? But you guys are just looking week to week. You can't think like big picture.

You're just looking, hey, this week we open with this team, and we got a game plan to beat that. Definitely. I mean, it's week to week in this business. People get injured. We talk about, you know, everything just, and that's the excitement in the game. You never know what's happening in that week. You know, a star that might be down on the left tackle.

These are all big kids, but you got other people coming in and filling in. So you can't really look out all the way out. Like, you know what I mean? And like some business, like you can forecast like, oh, yeah, it is. This year in revenues, we forecast it is. But in this business, you know, everything is a week-to-week basis. Everything is changing. Anybody making predictions is like a weatherman about the weather.

Is it going to rain? Is it going to be hot? You know, weathermen are always off. Anyways, Farrow Brown, Seattle Seahogs, great stuff. Thanks for coming to the show, man. Thanks for having. Appreciate it, Jason. Congratulations on recovering and successful NFL career, man.

That's awesome. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Coming up next, his owner said otherwise, but does KD. One out of Phoenix? Follow the breadcrumbs. One more herd?

The herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week, within the IHeart radio app. Search Herd to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast'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. 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 Jette. 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, so. They're finishing that sentence. And yes, I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking. Trip Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it. And we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch.

Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you here on earth. Are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person.

Join me, Kear Gaines, as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. 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 tauntons 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. Saturday, it's baseball night in America on Fox. Shoh Hey, O'Tani leads the Dodgers as they take on the rival giants or the Rangers battle the Orioles. It all begins Saturday at 7 Eastern. on Fox. Good stuff from Farrow Brown, Seattle Seahawks, tight end.

Next hour, Alexie Lollas coming by. Marquez Valdez, scandling on the bills. Ooh, it's going to be fun. Fun final hour ahead. I need a deep breath. You know, I'm trying to teach my kids to do breathing exercises. You know, when you're playing sports at a high level, youth sports, whatever.

Sometimes you get a little rattled, a little nervous to do some breathing exercises. So I need to do some breathing before I go in here on my guy, Kevin Durant. He is my guy, KD, but he's also the drama king of the NBA. It's a sad state of affairs for Kevin Durant right now. Extremely sad. Nothing has been good for him since he left the Golden State Warriors. I know he popped the Achilles in the finals. It felt like a seminal moment, looking back now, a seminal moment in recent NBA history. So much has changed for Durant since that injury. So much has gone wrong. Okay. He's bouncing around. He goes to Brooklyn following Kyrie Irving, that was a disaster of epic proportions.

Couldn't get out of the second round. Then, as the ship be sinking, he said, get me out of here. Lands in Phoenix with D. Book. Year and a half later, here come the rumors. Stephen A. Smith was one of the first to start them, saying, oh, well, Kevin Durant, keep an eye on Houston. Huh? Durant leave, what?

So then the son's owner came out, Matt Isbia, and he quickly shot that down. Everyone loves talking about drama. Some are right, some are wrong. Phoenix loves Kevin Durant. Kevin Durant loves Phoenix. We are competing for a championship because we have the team to do it. Now, HBO is talking all kinds of nonsense this offseason. I think he's had something to the effect of like 26 teams would love to be in the position we're in.

Yeah, sure. Okay, rich guy. Swepped by the Timberwolves in the first round. And that was a series where Anthony Edwards became a star. Anthony Edwards jawjacking Kevin Durant down the court, hitting jumpers in his face left and right and his son's got swept. Yeah, I'm the idiot who picked the sons in that series because I'm a believer in KD. Folks, Kevin Durant was hurtling toward being a top 10 player all time in the NBA

when he got those two rings and finals MVP's with the Warriors. And I, like the goofy guy I am, oh, Kevin Durant, best player in the league, he's going to be top 10 all time. I went and hyped that around the world. Some people tailed me and I was out front. I was bragging. I was thumping the chest. you know, five years later, I look like a buffoon.

Staking my claim to Kevin Durant as the best player in the league, maybe back then he was, but it's been all downhill. Folks, if Durant ends up asking out, and I'm not saying he is, but if he tries to force his way out, what are we doing? He's becoming the ultimate drama king of the NBA. It was Kyrie Irving for a minute, his boy. And now it seems like it's Kevin Durant. Now, I hope he's not asking out of Phoenix.

Durant, I got to check his age here, but Kevin Durant, yeah, he's 36 years old. He's not, no, sorry, 35, 36 in September. Is Kevin Durant getting better? Are we going to see him in the finals again? Quickly, let me ask you, has anybody had a more stacked deck in their career than Kevin Durant? Go through the list. He started out with Russ and Hardin. He started out with two All-Famers in him.

They go to the finals lose. Then it's just him and Russ. Okay? Then he goes to Brooklyn with Kyrie and they had James Hardin. And now he's in Phoenix with Devin Booker and they had Bradley Bill. And don't scoff at Beal. Okay? Bill was really good. He's an all NBA player.

He was. Everywhere he's gone, Kevin Duran has had a super team. Three superstars. And he hasn't done anything outside of the Warriors. And I'm starting to feel a little bad for him. And I know he's probably going to see this and get upset. Say, I don't want out of Phoenix, you idiots are engagement. Maybe he's going to borrow JJ Reddick's phrase.

I don't know, KD. I'm getting worried, man. Get it together, bro. You got to stay in Phoenix and fix this. You guys have the roster to do it. But then you look at the West and you're like, oh my gosh. Top four. No shot. Top eight?

Crickets. Is this a play-in team? In the West. I'm being real, guys. Are they a playing team? You go up and down the West. I'll tell you right now, Lakers have a better team than the Sons.

I don't even think it's a debate. Lakers have a better team. Lakers have a better coach. Sorry, Boone-Nhulzer. I know Reddick's never coached a game, but give me Reddick over Boodin-Hulzer. Come on. I just, I don't know where Kevin Durant goes from here.

And I genuinely feel bad for him because, man, when Durant is cooking, oh, there are a few better to watch than KD just coming down, pulling up, shooting that feathery, buttery jumper, and it's automatic. And now it feels like he's in his head. head. He's wandering, kind of lost aimlessly. I don't know where he goes from here. KD.

figure it out in Phoenix, buddy. You can do this. Let's go to Alex Curry with the news. No, no, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. Now, we're going to stay in Arizona to talk about the other team, because Kyler Murray missed all of last season and the first half of the regular season as he recovered from a torn ACL. Now, healthy and a full participant in camp, Kyler is getting his first full offseason working with his new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing. Now, Tideen, Trey McBride believes Kyler had been putting in necessary work and has put himself in a position to have his biggest season.

This is my third year with him now, and he seems more motivated than ever. He's a guy who's bringing everyone together. We're throwing every weekend. We're getting everyone together. He's in the building, first one in, last one out. You know, he's one of those guys who's doing everything the right way. This is the most confident I've seen him. This is this first year that I've been fully healthy with him.

He's fully healthy. I think everything's trending in the right way. He has a ton of weapons out there. And I have full confidence that he's capable of an MVP season. Now, we've seen flashes of greatness from Kyler Murray, but we haven't seen like a full, healthy season coming off, a healthy off season. Now, there have been talks that he could be a dark course in the MVP conversation. Stop it.

And he's currently tied for 18th with Christian McCaffrey at plus 5,000. But again, is this going to come down to? Can he stay healthy? What kind of a season is going to have? Do you see him as a in the MVP conversation? Dang it, Alex. You had to do this. So as soon as you say Kyler Marie MVP, I'm like internally cracking up.

And I'm like, okay, if Kyler wins the MVP, I'll da-da-da. And I just I vow not to do that anymore. So I'm not. He's not winning. But if you do, it'll probably help him. We know you're on. zero chance. Not only that, I think the spicier angle, as opposed

to MVP, is let's say the season goes sideways. They open with Buffalo and then they got the Rams, lions, like easily 0 and 3 star. Let's say the season just spirals that. Look at this. First three opponents have made the playoffs last year. 49ers in week five,

Green Bay in week six, all playoff teams, Harbaugh in week seven, dolphins in week eight, bears are on the come up. What if Arizona's one in eight? So, Alex, how's this scenario? And I had to look this up, and this where it gets scary. Is there a world where the Cardinals decide, hey man, we've had the new coach Gannon, I've had

two years to look at Kyler. Not for me. Like wants his own guy? Yeah. Miami, do you want Kyler? Raiders, do you want Kyler? Just peddle him around the league. Interesting. The problem is his dead cap hit is massive for another this year, and then the following year,

it's 63. Okay. So there's probably not a world where he's going anywhere? Uh-uh. I don't know, Alex. I'm not feeling optimistic for the cards. Like I said, we've seen flashes of greatness, but we haven't seen consistent greatness from Kyler Murray. And then didn't he also have, he had to put like the video game thing in his contract too. Very into gaming. And again, as you mentioned, if it's not your guy as a head coach, that's a big factor too.

You always want your guy. If you're going to like fall on the sword, it's got to be for your guy. We just saw this with Sean Payton and Russell Wilson. They're paying $39 million to play for another team because it's not Sean Payton's guy. You're asking me to make the meal and win the Super Bowl? Yeah. I'm not going to like you pick the ingredients. I got to pick it out.

Yeah. So ultimately he may come back and say, I need to get my own guy in here. And I don't, I, listen, I don't want to bash Kyla Moreno. Colin is friendly with him. Yeah. I just haven't seen it in the last two years from Kyle.

I mean, the hope is, like, exceed everybody's expectations. Stay healthy. Prove everybody wrong. Like, go into the season with that chip on the sure. Who do you feel better about Kyler or Tua this coming season? Uh, Tua. Like in terms of the season that they had?

I mean, too is coming off one of his best career seasons. Midway through the year, he was like an MVP candidate. He was. He was in the conversation. I mean, now, what's the contract situation going to be? Because that's always going to have some sort of mental effect on you going into the season. Like, is he going to feel undervalued? Are they going to reach a deal before the start of the season?

Because we're hearing might not be on the same page at the moment. So, yeah, but definitely. like just from track record at this point right now. If you want to put MVP money on Carla Marie, just light the money on fire because it's gone. The second you bet. Harsh way back. Come on.

All right. On to wide receivers. And we've seen a ton of wide receivers get paid this off season in what has been a booming market for the position. Now on the flip side, we've seen guys like Brennan Ayyuk and now Amari Cooper holding out for long-term deals. Now Cooper is on the final year of his deal and in a recent interview said that he's

trying to get paid this. here confirming his holdout is contract related. The Browns are in a tough spot because they have a lot of money, guaranteed money, tied up with Deshawn Watson, right? But it's also important to make Watson happy and have his top receiver, Amari Cooper, to be able to have the same kind of outcome that they had this year. And Cooper set career highs last year, in receiving yards, yards, catch and he was doing this with multiple different quarterbacks.

And when you look at the top, like the other top receivers right now and the market, what Amari Cooper is getting compared to everybody else, Amari Cooper is around 20 million a year. That's not even top five. A majority, if you look at the list right here, majority of the top guys are close to 30. Jefferson obviously resetting the market with 35, A.J. Brown 32, Tyree Killa 30

Waddle 30 Yeah, Cooper's better than Waddle and Smith Yeah Probably better than Cooper Cup right now Who took a little bit of a step back Browns need him Listen they got weapons on that team

And Joku Cooper, Judy Yeah Watson like I think Pay your guys Pay your weapons If you were successful with them Do it

It's tough because they have so much guaranteed money to To shot a dog Diva receiver I'm not done You want to get paid It's true Like when you look at the market

This one, this is fair. He, I think he could, he could rank above a hit, like, a couple of those guys. He's at 20 mil and, like, they're closer to 30. Just bump him up to 25. These owners are billionaires. What's five mil to a guy who helped get you to the playoffs? Didn't he have a 200-yard game late in the season? He was torching somewhere.

He was great. Again, set a career high in receiving yards and yards for catch. You got to bring him back. He was their guy. And that was after the Chub injury when he was lost for this. So they didn't have a run a game. knows it's all about Cooper and he's still cooked. So, I mean, yeah, I would pay him.

I should take back the diva comment. That's not, that's not diva. He's underpaid. No, that's, this is reasonable. Yeah, Brandon and I, you less reasonable. Also, their top receiver. I don't know if that's, I can't put, like, equate diva to wanting to get paid and what you're worth.

And if you're the number one guy for your team, again, like, you got to get paid, especially like, guys in football get injured. all the time. So you need that security as well going into a season. Yeah, the counter, what people are saying, listening or watching. Alex, he's getting paid $20 million. What do you mean, get paid?

He's getting $20 million. He is. But when you look at the market, it's not market value. They're getting them under value right now. Yeah. All right, let's move to the NBA, where Paul George is expected to be the hottest commodity when free agency begins. Now, George has been looking for a four-year

deal, but the Clippers have held him firm to three years at a little less than the max. Now, according to Brian Winhorse, there are a number of teams willing to give George the max he desires, including the warriors who have been big fish hunting. Now, an additional report indicates that there is a growing feeling that George will opt into his $48.8 million player option and force the Clippers to trade him. Now, this is interesting. Obviously, like, Paul George is going to be the top free agent at the moment.

The Clippers just gave Kauai a three-year max deal, so I don't know if they want to pay Paul George more than Kauai. I don't know if that's an ego thing of like who's the leader on this team, if that would kind of adjust the relationship in that sense. But the question is, is where does Paul George want to play and is the max contract and the max money the most important thing? Or do you want to try to find a middle ground and go to a place where you think you can win? And is that with Steph Curry and the Warriors? Or is it staying with the Clippers and Kauai? I mean, if he ended up with the Warriors, there's already questions about what's going to happen with Clay Thompson.

He scrubbed his social media of all warriors, photos, tags, anything. And Paul George would fix that problem. He also, he's an elite defender. So it's going to be interesting. My guess is he's trying to get leverage for a max deal. So he went to the Sixers, and the Sixers are like, we're not giving you the Max, bro. So now he's off the Sixers. Hey, Golden State, Golden State will give me the Max.

Yeah. Golden State, I think this will come out. There's pretty much no chance of that. I can't imagine. They'd have to get off Dremond, right? I don't know that getting off Clay and then trading Wiggins and like, what, Cominga. They're going to give that up for Paul George. So I think he's just hunting for a max deal.

It would have to be a player option and sign and trade. So they're going to have to give. Yeah, and nobody believes. that he would go to Orlando. He's like an LA guy. He's probably going to have to stay with the paper clips on a bit of a hometown discount. And oh, I'm sorry.

Paul George, you're only going to have to be able to make $45 million a year, whatever the number is. Listen, he's really good. I thought the Knicks would have made sense. They're now off the table. So enter the Warriors. So my guess is probably no. I think it would be interesting if they could pull that off.

But some of these like mid-30s NBA guys I've been workshopping this take. So you look around at these like mid-30s guys who are popping around teams, KD, Pardon, Paul George, like end of the career. And it's like, you know, they're trying to get that last big payday. They're trying to get that last big payday. Yeah.

Because they know it's kind of sort of over. I don't know. Or do you want to win? Like go to a place and take a little less and try to go for the shift. I don't want to embarrass Paul George. But like if you go to basketball reference, you could see Paul George has probably made like $300 million. in his NBA career.

And at that point, it's like, okay, you want another big payday? Or do you want to win? Like, on some level, in sports. That's the ultimate question to every athlete. Do you want to just take a little less and play for a title win? I mean, they think, and the Clippers thought they had the team together. It just hasn't paned out yet. And everyone hasn't been healthy at the same time.

And it's just, it has not worked. Why are you going in Paul George's pockets? Yeah. 300 mil, well, half of that goes to taxes, you know, and then agent. And so he's really only made $1.12. 25 mil. Stop. Listen to yourself.

$125 million. That's generational wealth for like four generations in your family. Maybe more. What do you want to do? Do you want Matt's deal and just take the money and run

or do you want to be in a place that you believe can win or do you find a place that can kind of be both? So obviously because my men's league is a great correlation. I'll gladly sacrifice playing time and shots so we can win titles.

I have no problem with that. Oh, man. It's been a moment since you got me with your, Men's league. All right. Alex Curry with the news. Well, that's the news.

And thanks for stopping by. The Herd Lye News. Big, huge, seismic matchup tonight. USA soccer against Panama. Panama, not a pushover. This is must win for the U.S. We'll talk about that next. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m.

Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the I-Hard Radio app. Hey, what's up everybody. It's me. Three-time Pro Bowl of LaVar Arrington, and I couldn't be more excited to announce a podcast called Up on Game. What is Up on Game, you ask? Along with my fellow Pro Bowler, T.J. Hushmanzada and Super Bowl champion. Yep, that's right.

Plexico Burris. You can only name a show with that type of talent on it. Up on Game. We're going to be sharing our real-life experiences loaded with teachable moments. Listen to Up on Game with me, LaVar Arrington, TJ Hushmanzada and Plexico Burrits on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast from. 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 it. 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 brain. a new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes,

creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me, or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be.

Listen to The Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim?

Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. 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's 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, so. Thank you for finishing that sentence. Yes. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history.

Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan, Ryan, Korn, Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it. And we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch.

Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth. Are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines,

as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. 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 tontons 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. It's the summer of stars and stripes as Christian Polisic and Timiosi continue their quest for Copa America glory when they take on Panama tonight at 6 p.m. Eastern on Fox. Very exciting matchup for the USA against Panama.

Now listen, some people were disappointed in my take on Monday about USA and their somewhat unimpressive win over Bolivia. Okay? Now the matchup against Panama. Anybody who's a soccer fan, a casual, is going to say, oh, we're going to smoke Panama. They stink. Folks, this is a tricky game for the U.S.

I will remind people last summer in July at the Gold Cup in the semifinals, the U.S. lost to Panama and PKs. Now, to be fair, the U.S. did not have their full squad. They did not have the full-on COPA roster. Pulisic didn't play. So, you know, if you want, it was the B team that we lost to Panama. But historically, Panama's given us a little bit of problems. I know the record going back, you know, 30 years or whatever is fine.

I don't care about that. I'm just talking about recent history because there's been a bit of a shift in the U.S. soccer philosophy. we've gone from like scrappy, plucky, feisty, all those adjectives, underdog to, hmm, this team's kind of soft. We got all these guys playing in Europe and I don't know. You just don't see that physical nature that they used to have where they were like the underdog. And now they're kind of in the role of everybody knows. Like this team's kind of sort of legit.

They can battle with the big boys. But what happens is sometimes they get caught playing down to the level of their opponents, and I'm a little worried about Panama. I called this a must win earlier in the show. Well, Alexei Lollah, so come on and tell you guys later. If they lose this game, Burrhalter's head will be on the chopping block against Uruguay in the next matchup. If they don't get out of the group stage, it's over.

Burrhalter will not be coaching this team at the 26th World Cup. They will get rid of them, and they'll have a good 20 months with the new guy to figure out what they're going to do to get this team competitive on our home turf in 26 at the World Cup. This is a must-win game tonight for Burrhalter. Okay? Panama, they're a little tricky. It's not going to be easy. Now, on paper, yes, the U.S. should win. They're favored. I'm just saying, you've got to be careful with some of these games. The game's indoor, which is great because of this damn heat wave that's gripping the country.

So that shouldn't be an issue, but I do think the USA wins tonight. Am I a little nervous? I'm always nervous when these guys take the field. They never make it easy. And soccer is one of these. It's not like the NBA, there's a hundred possessions and a billion different things that can happen. Soccer? I mean, the margins are slim, folks. We just saw Brazil get a tie in Copa America this week, and their fans are paranoid.

They are freaking out because of a tie at Copa America. The U.S., a tie, it wouldn't be great tonight, but you cannot lose this game. That's the bottom line. The U.S. cannot lose to Panama. The game's on Fox. It's must watch. I can guarantee you.

It's my TV one. TV two will be the NBA draft. And TV3, the one in the corner that I, you know, is grainy with the antenna, the bunny ears. That maybe we'll have on that debate thing with the two, what, septuagenarians, octogen. I don't know. The old guy's yelling. Maybe that'll be on the far corner. But overall, soccer, top priority tonight.

If you like soccer, if you like the USA, it's a must watch game. All right. I'm going to quickly pivot here to wrap up the second hour with something that caught me at the draft last night. we didn't totally get into, you know, the machinations of the draft and how all the teenagers went in the top 12, but something weird happened with the San Antonio Spurs. You guys know I am hugely pro Victor Wambayama. They guys are a unicorn. He's super special.

He's going to take over the league. He was almost one defensive player of the year. He's close to being an all-NBA performer, okay? So the Spurs had two picks in the top 10. It's like, let's go. we can trade those picks for I'm just tossing out of any Paul George, Carl Anthony Towns,

we can cobble together two top ten picks for something or we trade one of the picks and get a role player something in return or we just draft two young guys who were studs so they get Castle out of Yukon at four I love him he's probably my favorite player in the draft maybe my second favorite player I love him his game's going to be great

I think he's got humongous upside I think his floor would be like a Derrick white, that's his floor. I think his ceiling is much higher than that. I don't want to go overboard and get Spurs fans all excited about how good castle is going to be. But then at eight,

they did something weird and strange and it caught me off guard. Usually you can see what's happening and pretty quickly understand what the team was attempting to accomplish. The Spurs, knowing Wembenyama wants to win now. He's made that clear through interviews.

You don't usually see that with that. young of a guy, but he's made a clear. I want to win now. I don't want to wait five years. I want to win now. So out of the blue, the San Antonio's draft Rob Dillingham, who has an awesome young talent out of Kentucky, and they trade him to Minnesota. What? Now, listen to the hole. They didn't get a player they can use. Jane McDaniels? No, no, no, didn't get him. Anthony Edwards, ha, ha, ha, funny. They got a 2030 draft pick and a 2031 draft pick. Basically, they got current guys who were in middle school will be drafted in 2030 and

2031. That's what you got for the eighth pick. If I'm Victor Wenbanyama, I am irate. Unless they brought him in and said, here's the game play. We're going to do this and our next move will be this. Because otherwise, Wembe Nama has to be sitting there. We got a guy that can help in Castle. And now you just traded the eighth pick for somebody who's coming in six or seven years?

What the hell are you doing? Greg Popovich is not going to be in this league in six or seven years. What are we doing? What's going on? I mean, look at these Wembe Nama highlights. The guy is a freak. He's instantly going to put them in contention. They won 22 games. And short of getting a star here out of the blue,

they're not going to win much more, adding Stefan Castle? Folks, Wembenyama is, he's a little different. If you really watch his interviews, he wants to win now. This trade does nothing for that. Now, the positive folks, a couple smart people in our morning meeting. Well, Jay, they're stacking chips in future draft picks. So whenever the next disgruntled star makes it clear, I want out. Hey, come on down.

We're the spurs. We've got a war chest of draft picks. What would you like? Who could we bring in? Now, here's the weird thing. I don't know. And I'm workshopping this take, folks. these these like mid-30s guys

KD Hardin I don't know that they have the value they did two and three years ago like what are you doing bringing in Paul George to help Wembe Nama are you winning anything with that tandem like yeah you get an instant bump

but Paul George has hurt all the freaking time I don't want him I mean don't tell me that this is all for Dejanta Murray from Atlanta and I like Murray we're gonna bring him we're going to bring them back. They're not doing that. Now, if it's for Trey Young, it gets a little spicier,

but I'm not as high on Trey Young as I used to be. It's weird. Two guys I used to really like that I'm lower on now. Kyler Marie and Trey Young. Both I've heard stuff. Some of it I've said on the show. Other stuff I just don't want to say. But you just hear stuff about the players off the court.

It's just like I'm not that in on the guy anymore. So I don't know what the Spurs are doing, but I'll tell you who else is pretty pissed at this. Adam Silver in the NBA. just like we've been championing, that Caleb Clark needs to get in the playoffs. The WNBA needs her in the playoffs. We need Wembaima in the postseason,

and it ain't going to be easy in the West. The West is stacked. I just told you the Sons, okay? The Sons might be a playing team. They're not top four. Spurs are going to need major help to get in the play-in. And I just don't know if it's possible.

I hope the front office knows what they're doing and they're setting up another move, but I'd be pissed if I were Wembeniama based on last night's draft hole. Final hour coming up. New look Nix? Can they battle the Celtics? 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. On the Look Back at it podcast.

From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 was big to me. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild year.

It was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 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. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hard Way with your favorite therapist and host Kear Games. This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that it's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor it. It signals to the world that you're not to be played with.

And just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to. Listen and learn the hard way on the AHA radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. 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 tauntons and wampas on the ice planet, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith rule of two. Listen to Stuff to Bo Your Mind on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.