The Herd with Colin Cowherd - HOUR 3 - Cavaliers, Harden, LeBron or LeGone

Episode Date: February 21, 2022

In this hour of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, former NBA player Antoine Walker drops by to share his thoughts on the Cleveland Cavaliers and if their future involves one last stop from LeBron James, how new Sixer James Harden will mesh with his Philadelphia teammates, and the Howard-Gard skirmish. Finally, Colin closes the show with a new game, "LeBron Or LeGone." Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

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

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

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. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hardway 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 signals to the world that you're not to be played with. And just because you have the capability that doesn't. does not mean that you need to. Listen to learn the hard way on the IHard radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Thanks for listening to The HARD 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 Hurt at Fox Sports Radio.com or stream us live every day on the IHart Radio app by searching Hurd. Fox Sports Radio. It was the NBA All-Star game and LeBron got the winning shot and Steph was amazing in the first half, first three quarters actually, in the 75th anniversary team. Good to see Michael Jordan. Antoine Walker, three-time All-Star, NBA champ, 12 years,

Fox Sports NBA analyst. So, you know, it was interesting. I saw a comment last couple of days. LeBron said, you know, the doors not closed on Cleveland, and my takeaway is who said it's open? I think Cleveland's got one of the best young groups of players in the league. I think they've made a couple of really nice acquisitions.

Jared Allen's a nice player. I mean, if you ran the Cavs tomorrow and LeBron and his agent called, would you blow it up for LeBron? No, and that's tough to do. I would not blow it up for LeBron because obviously, LeBron is planning on such a high level offensively. You really believe that, you know, that you get LeBron and may get you over the hump.

but I would not do it for a number of reasons. One, because I like my core that I put in place. My young guys are playing really, really good together, you know, with 12 games over 500. We're building something that can last possibly four or five years. This wouldn't be a quick fix. So that part of it. The other part is that the Eastern Conference is a lot better than when LeBron

came back the first time. So if you really think about it, the Atlanta Hawks won the East that first year when LeBron came back to Cleese. I think they won like 60 games. That's when they had like Kyle Corvert and Jeff Teague in that group. And it's different now. When you think about Brooklyn, Philly, Milwaukee, of course, Boston, Miami. It's a lot of teams you've got to go through to get to the finals.

So I don't think just adding LeBron gets you over the hump and it's going to be a tougher, tougher task to get to the finals again. So it's easier said than done. And then also you got to factor in when you look at all those things with LeBron trying to act. LeBron's the team is different. This young group right now are building. They're trying to build towards the playoffs. They're not necessarily probably got championship on that mind.

And if you get LeBron, your whole focus and mental attitude changes completely. The team that he won with and he competed with, he had veteran guys all the time. There's no veteran guys. So to get these young guys to buy into wanting to win the championship, that's a problem. processing itself. So I don't think it'll work. I wouldn't do it. I know LeBron's playing unbelievable basketball. But if I'm Cleveland, I'm going to stay packed because you got a chance to be good for the next four or five years. So it's interesting. So I think one of the things I'm really, really interested to watch in the second half is Hardin with Philly and Simmons

with Brooklyn. Now, this is my takeaway, is that even though Hardin sometimes can disengage, he mostly is engaged and a very good player. So he's entering an organization Philly. They've got an MVP. They've got a veteran coach. There's good chemistry. They've got a number three player, Tobias Harris. They've got a, it's really one guy entering a really good room.

Brooklyn, you got Katie's hurt. I don't know where Simmons is with his mentals. Kyrie can't play certain games. It's a lot of Andre Drum. And I look at it and I think, man, I think Philadelphia is going to be good in two weeks. I don't know how long this Brooklyn thing's going to take. So I think the winner of this trade, at least initially, I think it's Philadelphia.

I think it's a slam dunk. How do you view it? I think in the long run, obviously, I think Brooklyn will win in this trade. I think Ben Simmons is a terrific talent. I think he'll fit really well with KD, those two guys, what they'll be able to do defensively, as well as offensively.

I believe Carrie Irvin is going to be back, and I think the rules is going to change and he'll have an opportunity to play. But right now for Philly, the only concern that I have fulfilled, and I think it's a great trade, can Harden and Embed mesh together? They're not the perfect fit.

I mean, Hardin needs the basketball a lot to be successful. Embed does not need him to be successful as far as on the office event. Embed is not a guy you need to, he has to set a bunch of picking roles and do a lot of different things for him to, get his offense. He's one of the most talented

big man, if not the most talented big man we've ever seen with the ability to shoot the three, houndle of basketball, shoot fadeaways and all of other things he has in this office of Arsenal. But Hardin, you know, he's got to figure out, is he going to make spot up threes?

Is he going to stand and just watch him beat when he goes one-on-one? Those are some of the small concerns, but you wasn't getting nothing because Ben Simmons wasn't playing. Now you got a guy like Hardin, an all-star, are going to be a first time Ballard Hall of Fame. So obviously the trade looks great and they'll get a chance right now to make a run.

But I say this guy, it's got to be a two-year process even if you don't make it. You can't just bail on this thing this summer if it does not work out. You got to stay with this. We don't know how healthy, Harden is. We got to see it's only 24 games left. And the East is tough. I'm going to keep reiterating that. You've got to go through Milwaukee.

When Milwaukee is healthy, they're going to be the toughest team to be in the Easter Conference. And you still got Miami, the substance thing like that. They're getting it together. They made a great trade and Eric White. So the East is going to be tough and should be exciting going on the second half of the season. Hey, were you surprised? I'll get to the Juan Howard thing in a second because you're in Big Ten country in Chicago.

Michael Jordan got a bigger reaction. He was a villain in Cleveland for years. He got a bigger reaction than LeBron. Were you surprised by that? You know why I wasn't surprised? Michael doesn't show itself a lot, even though he's the owner of Charlotte. But he's not around the lot. He's not very visible.

So we don't get a chance to see Michael. He's kind of been under the radar. Besides, you catch a glimpse of him watching his team play. I think people were shocked. You didn't see him all weekend. And all of a sudden, he just shows up. And it's just people understand how good Michael is. Michael's the goat to me.

I think he's the best player that ever played a game when we had a conversation. And people respect that. And I think people understand what Michael mean to the game and how good he really was. And just to see him out there embracing those young guys and old guys, you know, to me was one of the most special things about All-Star Weekend was seeing the top 75. Yeah, I loved it. I love seeing Michael and Jerry West and LeBron.

I mean, I really do. It warms, not that I love the NBA now, but the old school guys, it's a different world. And when I get a rare glimpse of them, I like it. I mean, you competed against Michael. Oh, yeah, and I know Michael person, but it was crazy. You said LeBron and his press conference. was like, I haven't saw Michael in 20 years.

I mean, my 19 years a lot. He's like, I haven't seen him a lot. So when he gets a chance to see him, you get a chance to hang out with him, I think is great. So, you know, that's the one thing I think that was special about the weekend, that he did show up. You know, it would have been disappointing that he wouldn't have been able to show up. But the fact that he did made it even more special. All right.

So Juan Howard and the Wisconsin coach, and why am I forgetting his name? Greg Gard, I'm sorry. I'll just throw my take at it and then you can tear it apart. I didn't like either of them. They're adults. These are kids. These are Big Ten jobs. You make seven figures.

I didn't like Greg Gard touching him. I didn't like, I thought they looked childish. I didn't like Joanne throwing a swing. I thought that was the worst of the actions, but I didn't like Greg Gard getting in his face. And the whole thing to me, if you're a Big Ten coach, to me, you've got to be above this. I don't care what happened late in game and calling timeouts. that's basketball. It's legal. Coaches do stuff like that all the time in the NFL.

Baseball, you steal a base when you lead by seven runs and everybody's mad at you. That stuff happens in sports. It's happened for 100 years. So my takeaway is I'd probably suspend Joanne more than Greg just because of the punch. I thought they both looked juvenile. What was your takeaway? Well, let me start with saying this guy. Joanne is from Chicago, a south side guy. I'm from Chicago. I know Juwant really well.

but I am disappointing in his actions. I never thought he would, you know, that's not his personality. I know he's a competitor. He's feisty. I thought he should have took his anger to the podium. He should express it through the media, how upset he was that Wisconsin called the timeout.

He also should have did what he said in his press conference. I'm going to get you back. If you feel like that, I'll get an opportunity to play you again and you try to beat him on the court and you keep it in the essence of competition. I do think some punishment should be dished out. I don't think neither guy should get fired.

But I do think suspensions should be for both of them. I think Jouan should be a little longer, obviously, because he threw the punch. But it's just not good for basketball. It's not good for the kids to see because the kids seem like they've controlled itself pretty much into that punch was thrown. So it's unfortunate. Like I said, I know Jouin personally. I know he's not that type of guy.

I wish he would have apologized at the podium right there on the spot. I know sometimes right afterwards your emotions get the best of you, but I thought that was a golden opportunity for him to apologize to the coach and obviously apologize to Wisconsin and his team right there on the spot. But he didn't do it. He chose to defend himself at the press conference, but it's definitely got to be some type of punchment. You can't let this go. Did you ever have a coach in all your years? Because I was just reading a book by Ian O'Connor, the coach K book. And man, you hear stuff Bob Knight did, and it is just so over the top. And it wasn't about other. coaches. It was his own players.

And there's video proof of a lot of it. So did you ever have a coach AAU, high school, college pro, go over the top with you? Oh, without question. I play for some of the toughest coaches in the league and ever in the world. You play for Pat Rowley. You play for Rick Petino.

Don Nelson, those guys are guys that's going to get out to you. And you have to respect it as coaching. It's never personal. It's always usually to make yourself a better player. But yeah, I've had verbal last out, private meetings where those guys have went in on me

and it didn't get ugly and I've seen that happen before. So as a player you learn to respect that. I've always respected my coach, you respect him. And it's just, I think of Jouin, he just reacted. You know, you could have just saved it for the press conference. I wish he wouldn't. I understood

why he was mad and you know, he's a competitor and you're losing and you think a guy's calling the timeout when he doesn't need to because he's up 15 with 15 seconds ago. But I don't think he needed to react like that. He could have saved that, you know, for the media session and got it all out there. Yeah. Oh, one more question. You know, listen, it is, players have more power, more leverage. They make more. I get it. You know, Ben Simmons sort of holds out on a team because of criticism. I don't like it at all. But, you know, I've defended Zion from day one. I loved him. I loved everything about him.

But when C.J. McCullough over the weekend said, yeah, I'm now a member of the Pelican. I've never even heard from Zion. I was like, come on, man. Zion, you're the franchise. You got to reach out. Like, that's disappointing. Are you shocked by that? I'm very shocked.

Usually that should happen within minutes of the trade being done, at least an hour or hour to where your main core guys usually pick up the phone and call, especially Zion being the fact that he's off in Portland training, trying to get itself together. I think that would be a great courtesy call. Hey, I'm looking forward to coming back and joining you. We're going to get this thing together, get it right.

So it is a little disturbing on where Zion's head is at. This guy's been injured prone since his career started, so I do feel for him. Injuries are a part of the game. I'm sure he's working, you know, entirely to get back and get on the court. But to be a good teammate and to be a leader, you have to do everything that's on and off the court. and picking up the phone or shooting the text of some sort to let a guy who's going to be a big part of your team for the next three years, let them know that,

hey, you know, I'm looking forward to playing with you. It is a little disturbing. It's something that, you know, I think they need to figure out that's why he hasn't called. You know, Willie Green, especially the coach, this is his first year. You got to get on the phone with Zion. Hey, man, pick up the phone and get CJ and welcome to New Orleans

and let them know you're looking forward to coming back and playing with him. So it is a little alarming and surprising, but usually players reach out to each other just to see if you make sure you're comfortable. So I am surprised about that. Yeah. Antoine Walker in Chicago, he doesn't love snow, and he's getting snow today. So I know it's not your favorite day. I love having you on the show.

Great seeing you again, my man. Thanks, man. Thanks for having me on the show. I appreciate it. Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FM. One and the IHeart Radio app. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged.

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

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you. get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. 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. 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 where 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. Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode, with Mark Lamont Hill waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me

not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so you 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, 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 IHeartRadio 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, Keer Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we, are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it. And we don't know when we've done enough.

Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth? Or are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely.

And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure and purpose on my new podcast, learn the hard way. Open your free iHeartRadio app.

Search Learn the hard way and listen now. Listen, I say it. I was a Zion fan, but you got to call. That's not good. It's not good. It's not good. You got to get on the phone and say, hey man, it's great to have you here.

Two minutes. Yeah. Two minutes out of your day. It's almost like though, because I watched it on TV, it's almost like when they asked him, you know, the Barclay and Kenny Smith, when they asked him,

they knew the answer a little bit. Like, they probably, you know, because sometimes we talk to people before we go on the air. Oh, yeah. Like I talked to all my guests usually before they go on the air, not all, maybe half. And you just, how you do and how's life? Hey, I may ask you this one question. I kind of feel like those guys, they wanted to make sure that C.J. McCullough had an opportunity to say Zion didn't call me and then reach out because you got to do that.

That's part of being this. I've said this before about Anthony Davis. He's a great player. But he's the greatest. two of all time. If you want to be a one, a true one, like Steph Curry is a true one. Chris Paul averages 15 a game. He's a true one because of his leadership, his basketball intelligence, his understanding the cohesiveness. Like too often in the NBA,

if a guy averages 30, you're like he's a one. Yeah, but is it winning basketball? That was my knock on Westbrook. Westbrook's personality in game, he's a two. Even when he's an MVP, he's a two. Anthony Davis, is a great two. Kauai Leonard is an unbelievable player. He's nonverbal. LeBron's one of the great ones. Bird.

I mean, obviously, magic. There are players, but it shouldn't just be stats because Chris Paul is not a stat monster. He absolutely is a one. He could be the fourth most talented guy on the team. It is when he's on the floor, he's barking at refs, he's barking at teammates, he's getting stuff done.

So Zion's got the talent, but what it shows me is we drafted a non-leader. We just drafted a talent. And for a franchise, you'd love both. Ideally, you want to get a great player and a great leader. And I feel like with Zion, it's like, I thought you were the leader and the player. And I feel like I just got the great player.

Alex for the news. No, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. Well, let's talk about a couple great ones because Team LeBron pulled off the victory in last night's All-Star game against Team Durant. Team LeBron was led by the amazing play of Steph Curry and LeBron James.

Now, LeBron made the game-winning shot for his team, and he said it could not. He couldn't have dreamed of a better ending for the game in Cleveland. And Steph scored 50 points and made 16-3-pointers, and he ended up being the MVP of the game and said that he felt it was the perfect ending to a game. LeBron is now 5-0 as team captain in the All-Star game, and he was calling himself the Money Mayweather of the All-Star Games last night, it was fun. I'm a little biased. These are my two favorite

players, especially my Cous Curry. But yeah, it was fun. It was great to watch. Yeah. No, I mean, listen, we know what the NBA All-Star game is. It's a way better version of the Pro Bowl, probably not quite as competitive as Major League Baseball's

All-Star game. But really, to me, it's a weekend. Like, it's a celebration of pro basketball in America, and I like when they bring back the X-guise to hang out with the new guys. I thought the contest was a big dud. But I also will tell you

what's amazing is on these three point contests and the shooting contest, it's amazing how good the bigs shoot now. Like big dudes, you would have benched a big 10 years ago if they shot a three. I watched them beat in Janice last week play, and they

were like five for eight on threes. Carl Anthony Town, Anthony Davis. Those bigs have moved outside. Yonis blamed Steph, I think, for changing the game and why we're seeing all the three and not as many dunks. Well, it's not, it's not bad for the game. It's just that a lot of teams think they have to shoot them

when they don't have an arsenal of good three-point shooters. What happened is you watch, like, you watch the Warriors for years and you're like, we've got to shoot threes. No, they have the three-best three-shooters, arguably in the history of the world. That's not your game. So.

All right, well, moving on the last off-season, Seahawks wide receiver, D.K. Metcalfe ran against some elite track stars in the USA track and field meet. And Metcalf said that, One run was just the beginning and that he wants to make the U.S. Olympic team in 2024. Take a listen. I'm not just running just around. Yeah.

I can do that on a track somewhere. Yeah. I'm trying to go to the Olympics. I'm in a boot right now. I can't do too much. But next year, I'm going to start back training for it every offseason, training for the 100 meter or 60 meter, whichever one I decide to do. Yeah. And then in 2024, you'll see me again.

Now he ran a respectable 10.36 second 100 meter dash in last year's race, but that was still a last place finish. You have to remember he's competing against athletes. That's all they do. Who have trained their entire life for this dash, however long it is. And yes, he's fast. Yeah, he is also bigger. I mean, Usain Bolt was an enormous athlete, but it's, it's, listen, the dude is fast. but to be the top five, six sprinter in the world.

It's hard to do it part time. Yeah. I mean, it's like how he's trained his whole life for football and running has been a part of it. This is all these athletes have ever done their whole life. All right. The Daytona 500 once again proved to be the great American race. It came down to a photo finish for the win in front of a sellout crowd.

And rookie Austin Sindrick finished a half a car length. ahead of Bubba Wallace to take home the trophy. Now, I love that this is Cindrick's first full season in the Cup series. Love a good rookie story. And he took home the win. Did you watch this? Did you see this end? I was watching hoops.

Oh, man. It was great. He drifted high to block out his teammate and then came back down to cut in front of Wallace to make sure he was not passed for the win. It was exciting. There was crashes right around the corner too. It was a lot of fun. It's what you want to see, a photo finish.

Yep. Alex for the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Heard Lye News. Hey, the fine folks over at my favorite store, Fyertie, I wore it this weekend. I was in Vegas. I wore some Fyarty stuff.

Have some good news. They're best-selling. Legend sweater shirt is back in stock, all new colors. If you don't have one by now, you're missing out. They're warm. They're comfortable. And design with stretch in mind, they feel a lot. as good watching a game on the couch or on a hike.

Never slouchy, though. Look great. Speaking of comfort, also back in stock, Stretch Terry, five pocket pant. Just as tailored and fresh looking as your best chinos and jeans in your closet. Made with super soft stretch Terry, so their comforts on a whole other level. If you're going, traveling on a plane for flights, no-brainer.

Ferity is a family business. Designs top quality, really good-looking clothes. For my listeners, 20% off. Load up on your spring gear, 20% off for the code herd 20. Go to ferdybrand.com slash herd. Fairdybrand.com slash H-E-R-D for 20% off. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays at noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. I'm George Reister, host of the Reister or Wrong podcast.

This is the intersection where sports, business, society, and pop culture meet the truth. absolute fire on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays facts only. Make sure you check your feelings at the door because no BS is allowed. We keep it 100. This is where real conversations happen.

Listen to the Rights or Wrong podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcast. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. 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. Clipper Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media.

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

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

Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-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 a little camp? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so you all right.

Just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed, correct. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now.

Thank you finishing that sentence. Yes. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeartRadio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast, learn the hard way with me, your host. and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations

with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it, and we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch.

Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth, or are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast,

learn the hard way. Open your free, our heart radio app. Search, learn the hard way, and listen now. You know, trading deadline has passed. You know, we kind of know who the best teams are. We're going to keep our eye on Brooklyn and, you know, Miami and Philadelphia. But Milwaukee is the deepest team of the best chemistry. And in the West, with or without Chris Paul, Phoenix is the best team, six and a half ahead of Golden State number two.

Everybody else has tread and water. They've lost key people. Utah's good. No Joe Ingalls. Denver's always hurt. So I think we have a good sense down the stretch of who's good and who's not. I do think there are teams like Chicago and Cleveland that can't win the title yet, but they're good stories and they'll win a playoff series potentially.

So we were thinking about the Lakers and LeBron's been talking a lot recently about, you know, doors open in Cleveland and stories are leaked that he's not happy with the Lakers' front office or clutch sports isn't. So we thought we'd play LeBron or Ligon. If I ran the Lakers, what would I do? If I own the Lakers, what would I do? What would I tell my GM to do with the current roster? LeBron James, LeBron or Legon?

LeBron, I would try to keep LeBron. You're getting 37 minutes a night, which is a remarkable number. Now, you're not going to get 80 games with him. If you can get 65 a year, I'm going to pay for him. I do think as he ages, he's a remarkable passer. When he comes back off injury or rest, he can dominate games. He's one of two players in the league, giving you 29, 7, and 6. So absolutely, he would be the core star I build around.

happy with business in L.A. I would prefer, again, he makes other players better. LeBron's just going to have to come to terms with, dude, you're at the point in your career. You're going to have to deal with some younger players. I know you don't like him earlier in your career. Now the old guys are old, beat up, falling apart, and you can't give me 82 minutes at 45 minutes a night. And we're seeing it's not working. Russell Westbrook, LeBron or Lagoon? After the end of the year, I try to move him. They owe him a bunch of money next year, but next year it'll be an expiring contract. He doesn't play off the ball and LeBron needs the ball.

I could deal with him for another year. You knew what you were getting when you made the move for him. He plays hard. He gives you 30 minutes. He just doesn't play off the ball. So I would say I'd probably try to move him. But he's owed 45 mil next year, so it won't be easy. That's a lot.

Trevor Areza, LeBron or Legan? Legon. Listen, 36. Old. This team's got a ton of old free agents. He's old and a free agent. Legonne Ellington LeBron or Legan. Legon. He's 34.

He's a free agent. He can shoot a little bit. I mean, he doesn't cost a lot. And he can hit shot. So I'd go either way on it. But I'd probably go, he's old. We've got to get younger. Lagan. Malik Monk. I would keep him. I think Malik Springy is a good player.

I like him. I think he's your best young building block. He averaged 13 points a game this year. He's getting better every year. So he's an ascending young player. He's only 24 years old. And on an old roster, he's springy. He's twitchy. He's athletic.

He can hit a three. He's ascending. I like him a lot. Dwight Howard. Legone. Old, been there, done that. 36, not playing much. Again, the real, the key to this roster is, let's get rid of LeBron's friends.

And let's have a sit down with LeBron. You've got to play with some younger guys. And you've got to deal with their mistakes. But this team is way too old. So if I can get rid of it. of an aging, no longer ascending old guy that's a free agent, I will. Carmelo Anthony.

Ligon, same thing. You know, again, if you want to bring him off the bench, I don't think he's making much. You know, he's getting about 13 points a game. If I had to keep the old guys, he may be the old guy I

would keep. He has committed a little bit more to shooting threes. So if I had to keep one old guy, he can fill it up, good off the bench. and I know he and LeBron are tight. Ken Beesmore. You know, Legon, you know, he's 32. He's older.

I would just have, my mission now is to get younger and more athletic. I'm going to keep LeBron, maybe mellow off the bench, but it's over. Avery Bradley. I would keep him, LeBron. I've always liked him. He starts. He plays hard. He's not very expensive.

And I still think he has stuff in the tank. He started 42 or 49 games this year. So listen, you do need some veteran leadership. Avery's been in playoff games. I think he's a pro. I think he commits. He tries to play on the defensive end most nights. So I'd keep him.

Taylin Horton Tucker. I think he's kind of positionless. I don't know what to do with him. I think I'd move off him, Ligon. You know, he's a different kind of player. He can't shoot threes. And listen, if you're going to be a limited player, I can absolutely live with a limited player that can shoot threes. He can't.

I don't feel like he's ascending. I feel like he sort of is what he is, so I'd probably move off him. Austin Reeves. I think I'd probably keep him. LeBron and they play pretty well together on the floor. He's young. He's cheap. You know, there's some value there.

He has the second best plus minus on the team. And again, I think LeBron likes playing with him. So I think I'd probably keep him. DeAndre Jordan. Yeah, I mean, I think it's near the end of his career. He's made a lot of money. Lagoon. Again, I need more three-point shooters, not fewer.

So I think I'd move off him. Kendrick Nunn. He hadn't played. A lot of people, Laker fans are funny. If I had to hear again, just wait, wait until Kendrick Nunn is back. I don't necessarily think his game works with LeBron. He hasn't played.

There's injuries. I think Laker fans have much higher hopes for Kendrick Nunn. Pat Riley doesn't move off players if he really loves them. So I think I'd move on. Anthony Davis. I've been saying this since last year. I would trade him. Now he's owed four years at 35 million each.

He's the 12th highest paid players. in the league. But I think this is the classic, the longer you wait, the worse it gets. So I just don't feel like for the money, I don't get the commitment, I don't get the leadership, I don't get the durability, you've got to give me one

of those. I think he's better off playing closer to the basket. Frank Vogel, I think, would prefer that. He's drifted further and further away from the basket. But my question is this has always been the rule in the NBA. If you have a big that's not healthy, they don't get healthier, I'd move off him.

Frank Vogel. Well, he won a title. He's not flashy. I always feel like he's kind of stuck. The team he wants isn't the team. Like, LeBron doesn't want to go down at this point near the box. He wants to be on the outlet. He wants to get the ball, move up court, and have the options to shoot a three or drive.

Anthony Davis doesn't want to play down low. But he's won a title. I actually like that he's been pretty forceful with Westbrook. He hasn't kowtowed. you know, like he, this is not a roster he chose. The roster he liked was the bubble roster, where they were a physical team, a very good defensive team, and when he could play the basketball he liked, they won a title. So I think I'd probably stick with him for another year.

Rob Polinka. I'd probably move on. I would go get a Sam Presti. There's nothing against Rob, but if you look at what the Lakers need, it's, they really need internationally. They don't have a ton of draft pick. They're going to have to hit on some lower draft picks. And I think this organization needs a surgeon. Rob can be a little star-obsessed.

If you give me, LeBron, Monk, Avery Bradley, Reeves, I feel like I'm younger. The team needs to get younger and one other star, and I think there's GMs around the league that see this as an opportunity. A little too star-obsessed for me. this roster's a mess. I don't think the chemistry works. So, Prilagon.

And I, again, if I have, the one thing LeBron has going for him, not the one thing. The one thing, LeBron's good. Like a lot of aging stars, they have their game,

and they're not going to move off their game. You know, LeBron is a player that has always played winning basketball. So LeBron plays winning basketball. And so I think, think LeBron will age pretty well. He uses both hands well. He's a good distributor. He's a good coach on the floor. I kind of feel like LeBron's going to age well. So if I got Malik Monk, Reeves, Avery Bradley, a veteran, I'd go get a couple of, maybe mellow off the bench. These are all guys

that can hit a shot. But I think the roster's got too many bigs that can't shoot. I mean, it's just got too many guys that can't shoot. And you don't have to be, I mean, the Phoenix Suns are a great team. They're not a great three-point shooting team. Chris Paul is a classic old-school mid-range shooter. DeAndre Aiton's not hitting threes. McHale Bridges is okay. Booker's a better two than a three-point shooting team. You don't have to be a great three-point shooting team, but you can't be the combination of what the Lakers are. Old, kind of expensive, not durable, can't shoot threes, don't defend it. Well, you've got to give me something. So that's what I would do. What do I know? All right. A lot. Well, we'll see. All right.

We're back tomorrow. We've got to speak for yourself today. Speak for yourself is around the corner on a Monday. President's Day. Thanks for watching. We'll see you tomorrow. What's the herd? Another podcast from some SNL, late night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygle and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving. for banter.

Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year.

Within probably 10 days, I put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle. So great. Listen to Superhuman on the I Heart 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. at people.

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