The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Hour 3 - Headlines

Episode Date: June 13, 2025

Thoughts on the drama happening with the Men's US Soccer Team Tomorrow's headlines today with Jason McIntyre    Guest: Stu HoldenSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. Next year, the biggest FIFA World Cup ever comes to North America, and the countdown starts with a one-year-to-go party live from Miami, with a special performance by music star Shibuzi tonight at 8-7 Central on Fox. So the World Cup starts in a year. The Gold Cup starts for Team USA, I think it's Sunday. and a big talking point has been our star, our shot creator, as skilled of players we've ever had, Christian Pulisic,

opted after a couple really rigorous years in A.C. Milan to skip this. He said, hey, I'll play into friendlies, and the coaching staff said, no, no, no, you're in or you're not. So people, some people have questioned his commitment, and here's Pulisic on that. It's a question, you know, of all things you can talk about my performance. performances, whatever you want, but to question my commitment, especially towards the national team, in my opinion, that's way out of line. But you know how it is. People forget really quickly. All right, let's go to Stu Holden live in Miami for a great weekend for Fox. So let's start with that.

I defend him, because I've told you this. During the break, I said, I think it's country and cash for our emerging soccer stars. And it wasn't that. It used to be like country, regionalism, gold cup, cross your fingers, we make money overseas. But now our top players are. So I kind of side with Pulisic, but I have a feeling you don't. What makes you think that, Colin? Look, I understand what you're saying, and I do empathize, I think, with some of these players. And what was the big thing we've been talking about for a couple of years is these guys are playing at some of the biggest clubs we've ever seen historically over in Europe on the

the biggest stage playing in the Champions League. And inevitably, they've almost been told that that ends up becoming more important than playing for your national team and that you can take games off. So I don't necessarily blame the players as much there in those moments. I actually even go back to one of Mariso Pocitino's very first camps as coach of the U.S. men's national team. And it was a two-game window, Polisic played in the first one. There was questions about how many games he had played.

Was he a little banged up that he need to rest? Butchitino said, you know, it's a game against Mexico down in Mexico. I'm going to let you go back to your team after a conversation. I just think that that sets a tone instantly, that it ends up being okay to prioritize these club games for your health, for mental health, whatever that ends up being. But then you've seen what happened from that point. Now all of a sudden, you fast forward about a year. Christian Polisic ahead of what is, I think, one of the biggest summers ahead of next year's

World Cup here in the United States, he's choosing to sit out our last competitive tournament and not be a part of that team. And you heard that clip that you were saying there, Colin, about where Christian's saying, I think it's out of line to question my commitment to the national team. I don't think for a second that he doesn't care. I don't think that he prioritizes the national team. And that's pretty clear by the choices that he has made to not be a part of this goal cup. Even if other guys are missing, I don't think I would have loved to see, Policic. You know how this is in other teams in big sports. And the dream team is a great example in basketball that goes to the Olympics. You don't just get turned up to the Olympics.

play the big event. You have to play the qualifiers. You have to play the World Cup before that. It's about building a culture, about building momentum, about building a team. And I feel, whether you want it or not, as the best player on the team, and we've seen Messi sometimes be this reluctant leader. He's not the big in-your-face scream, shout type of guy. He leads by his actions on the field. And every chance he gets to represent his national team, he's there. And I just think, what a message that would have sent for Polisic to say, look, I know I'm tired. I've played a lot of games, maybe figuring out with Pochitino, I don't have to play every minute of every game, but figuring out a solution that works and sends a message to everybody that we mean business for next year,

and that starts this summer. So Marisa Pochitino at Tottenham, his reputation was he's aggressive and he likes young players. So he sort of rolled the dice. He's got some injuries to deal with and no Pulisic. So it kind of goes with a really young team, you know, felt like a bit of a dice roll against Switzerland. and they gave up, conceived four goals in 23 minutes. Do you believe that was a wake-up call to him that, listen, our talent pool is pretty rich at the top,

but it's darn shallow, and he overstated, Pochitino overvalued our young players, that they're not, not able to compete with the likes of a turkey or a Swiss team? Yeah, no, you nailed it. And I almost, the analogy I would use is you're shopping for a new house and you walk in, everything looks good during the showing. And then once you buy the house, you get the keys, you walk in, you pull up the rugs,

you go into the closet, and you start finding things that maybe you didn't see initially. We have to talk about Pocetino as well. Look, he's coached some of the biggest players globally, Namar, Messi, Mbapé, et cetera. And yet this is his first job as an international coach. So he's figuring out, look, I'm not on the field with these guys every day. I'm not in the locker room. He's learning the personalities. He's learning the cadence of these guys are coming in for short periods.

And so I think you're absolutely nailed on and that we have a lot of top end talent, which we talked about in the World Cup in 2022. But yet there's a pretty sharp drop off from maybe 11 or 12 guys down to the next players. And we always said the last three years was about, can we really build that top, that second part of the roster that pushes and puts pressure on the top to where maybe Polisic is thinking, hmm, I got to be at the Gold Cup this summer. I have to prove something and make sure that my spot is not guaranteed next year, and I have to make sure that I'm doing everything I can.

I think these guys look at it a little bit. Well, you know, I'm fine. I'm still one of the best players on this team. I'm going to be a part of that starting lineup when the U.S. kicks off next summer at the World Cup in Sofi Stadium. So I think you're right. And I think Pochitino is getting a crash course right now on international management and realizing he can't go out and buy players. The talent pool is.

what it is. And there's nobody, I don't think, that's going to jump off the page in the next 12 months that's going to shock everybody and become this big star. So how do you get the best out of the stars you've got? And then how do you turn those role players into guys that can genuinely contribute in big moments? Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1 and the IHeart Radio app. Hey, it's us to Jonas Brothers. And guess what? We have some big news. What's the news? Huge news. we created our own podcast called Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast?

Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts throughout there. But this one's extra special. So how do we actually come up with a name Hey Jonas, guys? I honestly don't remember. I think it was on a call about what we should call it.

Well, we were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band before Jonas Brothers. This is how you guys remember it going down? Yes. I have a very different memory of this. We were talking about a thing, a bit for the podcast, where people could call in and say, hey, Jonas. And then I wrote down on my little notepad, Hey Jonas, and offered it up as a potential title for the podcast.

But thanks for remembering that, guys. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Another podcast from some SNL, late-night comedy guy, Not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and Friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, S&L's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel

help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The French Open is one of the toughest tests. in tennis. And I know firsthand because I competed there myself. I'm Renee Stubbs, and on the Renee

Stubbs tennis podcast, I'm breaking down everything happening at Roland Garris, every match, every upset, and what it really takes to win on Clay. Jenchen went. I mean, she went down in three to Rabakina, but I'm delighted. She's an outsider to win the French for me. And she likes Clay. Listen, Lina Rabakina is arguably the best player in the world right now. And I actually can win on any surface because if she's serving, well, good luck. Consider this your court side seat to the French Open. Listen to the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. 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. Human 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. Yeah, I mean, when we lost the Netherlands, you just saw bigger, stronger, more mature experienced players. Like, that was a true serum. I thought holding England scoreless was a huge win for us. we've always been in my opinion more of a defense first more like Italy very good goal tending can be physical play above our weight with maybe one really elite striker I do think we have

more skill now but I do worry that if you take Pulisic out or he was injured do we have shot creation beyond him do you have confidence beyond Pulisic that we have that kind of world world-class level shot creation. No. Look, at the international level and the international game, and I was just over in Germany working in the Nations League and got to see firsthand again, Portugal, Spain, Germany, France. These guys have just insane levels of depth to where even our very top players, I think, would struggle to get into some of those squads and be a part of that. And when you take a guy out of the match like you're talking about with Polisic against a top-level

team. International game is decided on either teams putting pressure to make the other team make mistakes or individual brilliance and a guy like Lamin, Jamal, and Boppe Messi, Rinaldo, these guys can win games for you at the highest level. Outside of Polisic, I don't see anybody in the forward part of the field that can really consistently deliver that type of moment. Look, we have top guys, Tim Wea, Weston McKinney, Flo Boligan, but nobody in the same realm of Polisic. And I think, look, maybe that's why he's also, he feels that pressure on a day-to-day basis. But that's what stars do. And stars have that ability in those moments to still produce.

But there's no mistake about it. And this is actually what I think is one of the hardest things for Pocitino right now is Christian Polisic revealed in an interview ahead of this, said, look, I asked to come in for the two friendlies and then set out the gold cup. Pochitino said, no, it's all or nothing. Which, by the way, I love. But at the same time, if Pocitino really wants to lay the hard line and said, you don't want to be a part of the the Gold Cup, I'm not calling you in for the friendlies going forward until you can prove to me that you're a part of the bigger picture here. But in doing so, he almost torpedoes his entire

team. And you have a year to the World Cup to try to make that type of statement I don't think would have been the right move. I ultimately do think Policic cares. I think he's going to play a huge role over the next year and be a big part of the World Cup next year. But I think it just feels like a miss opportunity and it's going to blow over. And my hope is that this team now can find a way in the Gold Cup with that second tier of guys to make us believe and make themselves believe, more importantly, that they can do something special next year. By the way, all these guys get paid for this. But I mean, you guys, when you're on the, when you're United States men's national team member,

women, you get paid. What if USA soccer said, listen, you're different. You're like one of the leading scores for A.C. Malon. you are the best player arguably we've ever had. Could USA Soccer just say, we're going to give a million and a half, would you plan it? Could they do it? And if they did, would Polisick play? I think they could find a way to do it, whether it's via a sponsor or an outside sponsorship

that ends up sponsoring Polisic a substantial amount of money. When it comes to team performances and bonuses, there's a CBA involved, and that has increased significantly from when I played to what these guys get for appearing in the Gold Cup. But I would have to say, look, we understand. I mean, you started our conversation by saying, these guys are paid millions of dollars in Europe to play for some of the biggest clubs. If U.S. soccer, if the Gold Cup, if Concaf increased the prize pool for the Gold Cup and said, hey, you know, for just appearing, you guys get $10 million for participating in the Gold Cup,

I would have a pretty strong feeling that just about every single player would be on a plane right now flying and playing in. that first game in the Gold Cup on Sunday in San Jose. Yeah, no, I think this is, I think it's a real thing, and I don't think we should think less of players. I mean, we just know how it works. It is, for all of us, the bottom line is if as USA soccer grows, there's, you've got to have greater cash incentives for guys that are playing in Europe.

So I appreciate the insight on that, because I, listen, we all want to get paid. and when you're one of the four or five best soccer players in the country of 345 million people, money talks. Stu, I appreciate it. Yeah, I agree. I agree. It's an interesting thing to watch for it. I mean, we have the Club World Cup, which is starting tomorrow here in Miami.

Same thing. Look, FIFA's tried to create a prize pool to incentivize these big clubs to bring their best players. The World Cup continues to grow. First time ever next year. We're going to have 48 teams. four matches across three countries. But think about what that means for the smaller nations as well that will be participating in a World Cup for the first time, the amount of money their federation and players will make,

that grows the game. And as you said, we want to romanticize playing for the national team. I did it, of course, for the pride of representing my nation. But I would be lying to you, Colin, if I said it wasn't nice to get that paycheck alongside it. Yeah. In 94, by the way, we hosted the World Cup, and it was the most attended World Cup in the history.

So it's going to be a massive event, and I'm just saying if you can find a few extra dollars for stuff like the Gold Cup, it matters. Stu Holden is always you're so good at what you do, buddy. I appreciate it. Yeah, Colin, always a pleasure, man. Thank you. Yeah, it's just a big of bet. One year, they're in Miami. One year from now is the World Cup. But this weekend, USA is favored, but listen, growth can get uncomfortable. You know, if you go to Pulisic and you just said USA soccer, we'll give me a million and a half. box can you play? Just find the money. You know, it's always there. USA soccer, it's always there. Find it. Jay Mack with the news.

No, no, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. All righty then, let's start with Aaron Rogers. He's in camp and he's excited to play with D.K. Medcalf reports indicate that while Pittsburgh is engaged in communication for Kyle Pitts John Hussmith, nothing has materialized yet. Apparently, the Steelers are lowballing other teams. I'm Sir Aaron Rogers is thrilled with that. They have 32 million remaining in CapSace, but they got to pay T.J. Watt. So now it comes full circle, Colin, back to the T.J. Watt thing.

We've been on this. He should move on from him. If he's going to soak up all the caps base, you're not getting Calpitz or Jonu Smith. Tough decision, Colin. and overpay for a defensive leader who's probably number one jersey seller on the team? Okay, so for the record, and T.J. Watts, great. One sack and four playoff games. O and four.

So he's not winning games. You think it's outrageous to do this. Folks, 31-year-old pass rusher, usually healthy, one sack and four playoff games, 0 and 4. And you lead the league in defensive spending before his new gone. new contract. So when you drop that $40 million a year, and that's what you're going to pay them, 40 to 43 million a year, you already lead the NFL in defensive spending. So you're just guaranteed for the next three. You're going to have like a six-year run where you leave the NFL in defensive spending. Do you know who has the most offensive spending? Next year, Kansas City.

Rams, Philadelphia. Do you know the eight biggest contracts for the Eagles are all offense? Six of the seven for the chiefs. Offense. Go look at the Rams. Rams pay a left tackle, a tight end, a right tackle, a quarterback. They're going to pay Puka Nakua. They pay an interior old lineman. It's just, it's not that hard. It's not out.

I'm the crazy one, and you're going to pay T.J. Watt, $42 million a year. And you already lead the NFL in defensive spending. And I'm the crazy one. You'd like to think they could figure out both adding Kyle Pitts, which would be nice. And Pitts is underwhelmed dramatically. And I remember when he was coming out of, uh, I thought he was. It was like, oh, this guy is game changer. I think he went fourth overall.

And I have not seen it. There were some ball security issues last year. Kind of disappears, not a very physical player. Like Brock Bowers can be physical and beat you down the field. Pitts disappears. He just doesn't have the physicality, like a kittle or a br- I mean, most of your great tight-in, Tony Gonzalez blocked. Brock Bowers will block.

Kyle Pitts isn't a huge fan of that. Kiddell will block. Next up, Colin, is Tampa Bay. Hey, let's talk about the bucks. They took Ohio Statewide receiver Emeka Ibuka. With the 19th picks, Somer saying it was a big steal in the first round. Obviously, he's a great possession receiver. Well, he's already impressing teammates. Here's Mike Evans praising the young fellow.

He looks like a runnerback, but he catches like Chris Goward. He's very polished, very well-routed player. I know I say it a lot, but this might be the best receiver role I've been a part of it. I say it every year, but we always get great players coming in. So, it's been very fortunate for me in my career to be around a lot of great young players. And they've added to the room tremendously. They're already very polished already. Mecca's really strong hands, super smart, test, speed, quickness.

Yeah, and an unbelievable route runner, he is going to be, Baker Mayfield is going to have. Once again, Tampa's always got backs, tight ends, and wide receivers because they have a great GM. I think Emeka Abuka will have a chance to be rookie of the year. I really do. Offensive rookie of the year. Well, we'll see what happens when Godwin comes back from the injury. What's interesting about Baker is that in Cleveland it was like, oh, he's not that good.

Now you get him into Tampa. And remember, Chris Sims has him like as a top 10 quarterback in the league now, which is, I think, a little bit rich. But Baker's been fantastic in Tampa. Now he's on another coach because his guys keep getting plucked as OCs or head coaches. I'm very curious as to what happens in Tampa. I'm picking Atlanta to win the division, but I think you're on Tampa?

Yeah, yes I am. I'm on Tampa, yeah. Okay, final story, Colin is some breaking news from the WNBA. Caitlin Clark is back. She is going to be returning to action. Maniana tomorrow. against in a big game on TV against the undefeated New York Liberty. Here's Caitlin Clark.

She just talked about her return moments ago. I'm really excited. I think it's definitely been a process. I think the hardest part is when you like begin to feel really good. And then it's just a process of like working yourself back into like actually getting up and down and getting out there with my teammates. It's certainly a learning opportunity. And I think it's going to benefit me, you know, a lot throughout my career.

Just falling back and understanding, you know, certain moments like this. But I'm super, super excited. I'm antsy to get out there and probably shake off a little bit of rust. So these two faced off, I believe in the last game, Clark played before the injury, and they lost by two. It was a tough one at the end. They could have had a shot. The fever went two and three without her, but Colin, that's not what you want to talk about, right? You want to talk about the 55% drop-in ratings league-wide without Clark. I mean, they're building Saturday games around Caitlin Clark practically every week.

And it's like, okay, well, you got the best team in the league versus Clark back from an injury. I'm expecting a massive number. I don't know what you have planned this weekend, whether you're going out to hang out with large groups of people somewhere or hanging out with Chicago Bears people. But I'm guaranteeing I'll be texting you about Caitlin Clark during the game. I'll watch it.

Should be a good one. I'm not going to bet it. But, by the way, how about this? The game's in Indiana. So you get game four tonight. By the way, the Pacers are undefeated when Caleb Clark is in the building, 8-0. And then Saturday, you get the fever against the Liberty. So a nice little basketball back-to-back before the soccer kicks in.

Well, it's one of our great basketball states. J-Mack with the News. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Herd-Lie News. Well, we end every week. One of my favorite segments where the former newspaper man, He used to wear a hat with a press sticker out of it.

He's an old school journalist, J. Mack, and he's predicting the headlines. Tomorrow's headlines today next. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. Hey, we're Kavino and Rich. Fox Sports Radio every day, 5 to 7 p.m. Eastern. But here's the thing. We never have enough time to get to everything we want to get to. And that's why we have a brand new podcast called Overpromised.

You see, we're having so much fun in our two-hour show. We never get to everything. Honestly, because this guy is over-promising things we never have time for. Yeah, you blubberlips. Blameen me. Well, you know what? It's called over-promise. You should be good at it because you've been over-promising women for years.

Well, it's a Kavino and Rich after show, and we want you to be a part of it. We're going to be talking sports, of course. But we're also going to talk life and relationships. And if Rich and I are arguing about something or we didn't have enough time, it will continue on our after show called Over-Promised. Well, if you don't get enough, Kavino and Rich, make sure you check out OverPromise. And also, uncensored, by the way. So maybe we'll go at it even a little harder.

It's going to be the best after show podcast of all time. There you go. Overpromising. And remember, you could see it on YouTube, but definitely join us. Listen to Overpromised with Kavino and Rich on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, it's us to Jonas Brothers. And guess what? We have some big news.

What's the news, huge news? We created our own podcast called, Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts throughout there. But this one's extra special.

So how do we actually come up with a name, Hey Jonas, guys? I honestly don't remember. I think it was on a call about what we should call it. Oh, we were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band. Before Jonas Brothers. This is how you guys remember it going down? Yes. I have a very different memory of this.

We were talking about a thing, a bit for the podcast, where people could call in and say, hey, Jonas. And then I wrote down on my little notepad, Hey Jonas, and offered it up as a potential title for the podcast. But thanks for remembering that, guys. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it.

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. The French Open is one of the toughest tests in tennis, and I know firsthand, because I, competed there myself. I'm Renee Stubbs, and on the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast, I'm breaking down

everything happening at Roland Garris, every match, every upset, and what it really takes to win on Clay. Jenschen win. I mean, she went down in three to Rabakina, but I'm delighted. She's an outsider to win the French for me. And she likes Clay. Listen, Lina Rabakina is arguably the best player in in the world right now, and I actually can win on any surface, because if she's serving, well, good luck. Consider this your court side seat to the French Open. Listen to the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. 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-Hart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. All right, welcome back. Our final segment of the week. You know, listen, J-Mack puts a lot of pressure on himself. Indiana, either Indianapolis or Oklahoma City. I've never been to Oklahoma City.

is going to have a parade. For what? Well, I mean, can you imagine? Usually, I mean, I'm trying to think of like surprising Super Bowl or NBA championship teams or World Series teams. There was a, I mean, I remember years ago, Colorado Rockies got to the series, didn't there? It was at a big surprise. But, I mean, nobody in the NBA, I mean, people liked Indiana, but it was understood. It was like Boston, New York, you know, Bill White, and.

Milwaukee, Cleveland, even late in the NBA season. We weren't talking Indiana. I mean, they hammered Milwaukee. They handled Cleveland. They significantly, in big spots, dominate New York. They win tonight. It's over. Colin, is this like an outlier?

Or do you think this is a sign of things to come teams? They're going to say, we've got to press more. We've got to play nine guys. No, I think, I think Tyrese Halliburton, is the future. But he's not making $70 million. They don't have anybody making $50 million a year. That's over.

You can argue that's over. Well, that's what I'm getting at. Interesting. I don't think that that's not the future. That's not what Adam Silver wants. That's not the new CBA. You can't forget getting three stars. You can get two.

I mean, the Lakers have Luke and LeBron. Okay, good luck with a rim protection. Could you afford a Miles Turner? I'm not sure you could. So it's, I don't know, it's a new NBA, and I think Halliburton's going to be at the center of it. So it's tomorrow's headlines today. What's it going to be the headline for the NBA finals? Well, you know, listen, one of us here picked the Pacers in six, and the other one was traveling, gallivanting, as they say in Europe.

The headline for the series will be, I can see your thunderwear. O. Casey pants by Pacers. Listen, I know a lot of people are gravitating toward OKC. You know the zigzag theory, right? Whoever wins one game, the next to game, the other team comes out and wins it because they're more motivated. I don't know that OKC is going to have an answer for the Pacers. And remember, Colin, Indiana just had their worst three-point shooting game of the postseason and still won. So I think there's something to wearing down SGA.

I personally think Chet Holmgren's been pretty bad in this series outside of the first quarter of game three. J-dub, missing free throws, turning the ball over. I don't know if OKC is the better team. Obviously, the stats all season have been great. But Colin, if you match them up, I mean, Rick Buecker was on here, they played nine guys with confidence. Yeah. They got like their seventh, eighth, ninth guy,

or guarding SGA for 10 minutes. Like, there's confidence in this depth, and I do. That's why I asked you. Is just the new model, hey, man, we don't need two stars. Let's get two B-plus guys. The Occam's a B-plus. Halliburton probably due to the clutchness as an A. But maybe that's the new model going forward.

Yeah, we thought the deeper, more talented team was OKC. And what I've seen, it's actually Indiana. And they have these ascending players. Tomorrow's headlines today. What about the finals MVP? Well, you know, Seacom stole the Eastern Conference finals crown in the win over the next. But for the finals, the MVP will be Tyrese de Resistance. from most overrated to most decorated.

Look at that. It's like the Mona Lisa, the clutch, the choke that he did against the Knicks. Listen, Halliburton needed a bounce back after a bad game two. Remember everybody was like, oh, he had three points heading into the fourth. Well, he had, I think it was 22, 11, and 9 in a must-have game three. Now, this one will be the big one, because he has struggled against Lou Dort, and in one of the crazier stats that I've seen, he hasn't attempted a free throw in the series, Colin. He's changed his game, which kind of says a lot for him.

With the New England Patriots, we would always talk about how they were a run team. They won with defense. Then the two tight ends. Then they went slot receiver. Then they went Randy Moss. They could win so many ways. That's why the dynasty lasted. Tyrese Halliburton is becoming one of those guys.

I don't need to drive and get into the lane. I can kick. I can shoot threes. I can do pretty much anything. And Tyrese Halliburton showed me a lot in game three. I think he's headed toward an MVP award. All right, let's shift gears here. Tomorrow's headlines today.

What's the headline for the Gold Cup and the Enigmatic Team USA? You know, you haven't talked about your weekend plan, so I'm guessing you're heading on a private jet down to Miami to watch some soccer. Maybe that's in the cards. I know it's a big one. The headline for the Gold Cup will be. Uncle Sam's Club, America keeps sampling goals. I am bullish on the USA.

Now, we looked at the lines. I mean, Colin, the USA is so heavy. heavily favored in these first three games. It's like, come on. So I think they smashed their way to a Gold Cup win here all weekend. First three games, they're going to roll. I will look at over for bets. Remember, this is a team that didn't play their best guys against Switzerland.

A lot of newbies. I would say seven of those guys are not going to see the action in the first couple games of the Gold Cup. So I know there's no Pulisic, but there's still reason to be excited. There's a good team. The head coach needs a win. I'll go three nothing in the overall. and from there it's just going to be a cakewalk for the USA.

Okay. This lineup without McKinney and Tyler Adams and Pulisic is not a daunting offensive juggernaut. Not yet. Not yet. By the way, Diego Luna, they seem to love Mr. Luna. It's a name to watch. Tomorrow's headlines today. A lot of back and forth on this, a lot of innuendos and rumors.

What is the headline for Janus next season? Well, I'm sure you've seen Kevin Durant's agent trying to get him traded first, but that I don't think it's going to happen. I think it's a little overblown. To me, Janice is the first domino. Milwaukee wants to keep him, but the headline will be. And I would have won two if it were for you Mediterranean kids. That's shout out to my Scooby-Doo fans.

By the way, Scooby-Doo was one of the greatest cartoons when I was a young fellow. Good stuff. Anyways, I think Janus is going to end up in Houston. me, that makes the most sense, as you've been saying for all last couple of weeks, Shen Goon is the best piece that the Bucks can get back. I don't think they can get Jalen Brown now that Jason Tatum is hurt. So Shengoon would be the guy. And if I'm Milwaukee, Shengoon probably is enough to keep you in the hunt for a play-in as opposed to bottoming out having to pay the luxury tax due to Dane and then having nothing to show for it. So you get

Shengoon, I know you're lukewarm on Jalen Green, but man, you give me $20,000. You give me $20, three points, I'm going to take it. He's a 23 point of game guy. And some draft picks. I think it makes sense. And then Janus joins forces with Amen Thompson, and they got some young fellas to watch Reed Shepard coming off the bench. I like Taray Easton a lot. I think Houston becomes a contender next year with Janus. Finally, tomorrow's headlines today. The headline for one Aaron Rogers next season. Yeah. Well, you seem kind of mid as the kids like to say on the Steelers outlook i'm a little less optimistic the headline in pittsburgh will be it's his prerogative errands cheddar no better in pittsburgh uh i

prerogogative i just couldn't spit that one out it's a great headline though um i'm calling for six and eleven Colin i don't know is that too negative let me just i'm gonna remind people other than that start from justin feels last year like teams quickly figured out pittsburgh and they couldn't do jack squire squat down the stretch. It was ugly. And it's not like Rogers is that much of an upgrade from Wilson at this stage. Is he? He is, but not a huge upgrade. And he got a lot of newness. Najee Harris gone. Your number one receiver in Pickens is gone. They got a new left tackle, an offensive coordinator who may or may not get along with Rogers. I just think it's too much

newness and things don't go well for Tomlin. But he's not in jeopardy. Rogers heads off into the sunset. Yeah, the finals game tonight, game four is interesting because, you know, I've said when Adam Silver inherited the league from David Stern, it was very much a dynasty-driven league, but that's what David Stern needed to create because he took over the league from Larry O'Brien, and it was just in the 70s, there were no dynasties and no interest. So, you know, David Stern didn't have a problem with New York and Chicago and L.A. and Boston and Philadelphia having star-studded teams. It paid off.

And it made the league incredibly global and relevant. But then Adam Silver inherits a league where, you know, he's looking at it thinking, 70% of these teams can't compete and the small market owners are complaining. So they have, with the new CBA, created massive money, but massive

parity. And I I mean, this is crazy. Indiana is, I mean, Denver didn't shock us. Boston certainly didn't shock us. Is this the new league? Where next year Janus and Houston are picked for like third in the west and they fly through it.

So I think it's fascinating. I find Indiana incredibly consumable. I love the way they play. You know what's not? It is nice. I love dynasties. But it is nice having an underdog go all the way through the playoffs. I mean, don't get me wrong.

It's like in March Madness. You know, you get that 12 seed that'll win a couple games but then they hit a ceiling. They can't get the elite eight. In the NBA playoffs, it's almost unprecedented. You just don't go all the way through as a dog. I mean, Cleveland was for most of the season, the second best team in the league to OKC. I mean, and now they had injuries, but so what? Flew through them. So I just, it's like nothing I've ever seen. I think it's really, I know the ratings aren't great. I don't care. I'm enjoying it. Yeah, the ratings haven't been great, but like you said, who cares? I just,

I'm a little concerned if this is the future of the league where every year there's a new champion. Historically, fans love dynasties. There's no way around it. I know Adam Sover and the small market guys, I get it. How about this? Fans want dynasties. Fans, do they love dynasties or great teams? And great teams often become dynasties.

So, I mean, you can say they love dynasties, but the truth is, Shaq and Kobe were great television. And KD, Stefan Clay, were great television. And the Bulls were great television. So you can say people love dynasties. What they love is stars, and dynasties usually have multiple stars. Yeah. So I think now we're going to be in a time where you can get Halliburton Seyakum. It's going to be, you can't get a third.

You need a Benedict Mathrimand. Give up four guys. You can give up four of your guys for one. Yeah, I mean, like Denver's going to have to, they'll probably move off Michael Porter or Jamal Murray. You just, the new CBA and the aprons, you just can't stack them anymore. It's over. All right.

Good stuff. First things first. around the corner. Going to be a great weekend. World Cup is a year away. Gold Cup starts this weekend. Fingers crossed. Stars not showing up.

I don't know. Old Mr. Glass half empty, JMAX feeling pretty positive going into the weekend. We'll see you Monday. Hey guys, it's us. The Jonas Brothers. I'm Joe.

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