The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Hour 3 - Looking at the NBA Eastern Conference

Episode Date: July 3, 2024

Chris Broussard from First Things First joins the show to disagree with Jason about MVP Joel EmbiidSee 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 IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On the Look Back at it podcast. For 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 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. A win is a win. A win is a win.

I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfilled conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to the Clifford show on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network on TikTok.

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 not to be played with. And just because you have the capability that 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 on Fox Sports Radio in noon to 3 Eastern, 9 a.m. to noon Pacific. Find your local station for the herd at Fox SportsRadio.com or stream us live every day on the IHartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. You're listening to Fox Sports Radio.

Back here on the herd, one of my favorite guys in sports media, joining the show now. Chris Broussard of First Things First, which is right after this show. He's also on Fox Sports Radio, the odd couple with Rob Parker. Chris, I see a Celtics green tie, very out of character for you. What's going on with that? I thought you were a Knicks fan.

Come on. Well, I'm not a Knicks, man, but I'm thinking that it is more as Timberwolves green. Is that accurate? Timberwolves got a lot of colors. Out of you, mine. Yeah, I think it's more T-Wool's green. Man, listen, I miss you from being out here in L.A. We used to do your podcast.

I would dominate you in debates. It was fun. So let's start with much of a debate. So Clay Thompson picks the Mavs over the Lakers. Is this a shot against LeBron? Oh, nobody wants to play with LeBron. Or is this like the Lakers brand is a little damage. They couldn't get Danny Hurley, couldn't get Clay Thompson, couldn't get any superstar.

I mean, Max Christie is the Lakers big signing so far this offseason to date. Yeah, look, I don't think he was so much turning down the Lakers as he was choosing the Mavericks. The Lakers, all just talk about them offering him a four-year, $80 million deal. They couldn't offer him that. I mean, yeah, they could do a sign and trade and get him that. And that's what they tried to do by getting, you know, D-Lo, getting him traded to the world. warriors, but the warriors have been there and done that. So once you take that's not happening and Delo's not getting traded, how were they going to even clear that cap space to get him?

They were going to try and Clay was smartly like, I'm not waiting around for weeks or who knows, even longer for you guys to get a deal done. I'll go ahead and sign with Dallas. As far as you say, not wanting to play with LeBron. You know, I don't think that's a factor. I mean, because a lot of players around the league will tell you that guys haven't always wanted to play with Luca. So that same knock on, you know, LeBron's been balled, dominant and everything revolves around him. That also is the case with Luca Donchich.

So I don't think that was part of it at all. And I think Clay, I know just being a competitor that he's going to want to stick it to the Warriors, right? What better way to stick it to them than going there and getting your fifth ring when Steph and Draymond still only have four? And I think he's got a better chance of doing that with the Mavericks than the Lakers. I'm sure everybody feels that way. Now, one more on the Lakers.

So they won 47 games last year. LeBron and AD were healthy. They went to the conference finals two years ago. But Chris, I looked at the roster this morning. I didn't even realize it. They only have two guys over 30 years old. This is a youth movement. Now, Polinka said that, and they're investing in Max Christie.

They got Brony. They got J.J. Reddick to relate to the young guys. But LeBron, he can't be thrilled with this group, can he? No, he can't be through it. I mean, it is what it is. They're essentially bringing back the same team as last year. Their improvements will have to come from, one, whatever new strategies J.J. Reddick has. Okay, he's already talked about wanting LeBron to shoot more threes.

What type of offense does he run? Can he unlock some things that this roster wasn't able to unlock in the past? That's one thing. And then the guys that weren't healthy, Jared Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, dude, how much can they contribute? If they're healthy, those are guys, Spencer Dinwiddie even. None of them played 30 games last year. So they're pretty good players. All you need are role players because you got your big two in LeBron and AD.

So if those guys can stay healthy and then be productive, more productive than they were last year in the playoffs, you know, that's where your improvement could come from. I don't think they're a top-tier contender in the Western Conference, but if those guys do improve in LeBron and AD stay healthy, they, you know, could be a legitimate playoff team, meaning they get in that top, in that six-ish area. But more likely, they're probably going to be in the play-in, maybe seven or eight in the playing. You say that, but the sons haven't gotten any better.

The paper clips have gotten worse. The Warriors lose Chris Paul and Clay Thompson. They're not going to be better. I don't know. There's a world where, like you said, JJ Reddick is worth, I don't know, let's say four or five wins that D'Arvindham botched with his rotations and late game stuff.

And now you're like, oh, my gosh, the Lakers stumbled into 49 or 50 wins, Chris. So maybe they are a top six team in the West. It's six-ish. They could be. I think New Orleans is going to be better. Obviously, you got Denver. Denver's a little worse.

I mean, they've lost some players, but they're still going to be, still better than the Lakers. All right, so you got Denver. Minnesota, OKC, Dallas. And then, like I said, I expect the New Orleans to be better. And then you have that group of Golden State. Now, we know they're trying to get Lowry marketing.

I don't know that they can. No. But if they do, I love it. I'm not saying top-tier contender, but if they get Lowry marketing, he would be a perfect fit. That would be nice. And they would be something to deal with the Western Conference. Well, how are they getting him?

Absolutely. That's the challenge. I mean, that would be the challenge. But if they can, he would be a great fit for them. And they need to go all in as long as stuff is there, in my view. 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. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games.

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

A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care which I'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 Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars. fan so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes. Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the

biology of taun tons and wampas on the ice planet hot, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith rule of two. Listen to stuff to blow your mind on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-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 a 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 all day, but just so you're just so you. But just so y'all know.

I mean, at this point, 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. 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 Hardway with me, your host. and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests.

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

Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth, 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 iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. Okay, let's go to the best player in the league. Luca Donchich, the Slovenian stallion. He gets Clay Thompson to go with Kyrie Irving and his back court. Listen, man, Stan Van Gundy was calling this the best back court in NBA history a month ago. I know that was a little bit much. But you had Clay in place of Derek Jones.

I mean, what are we looking at here? How do you defend this team? Clay's, you got to sit in the corner and just spot up and you got to hug him up. You didn't have to do that with Derek Jones or PJ Washington. big upgrade. I've got the Mavs tops in the West. Do you? They're going to be right up there. I mentioned the top four teams and I think, look, I think OKC has had a phenomenal offseason. You know, Josh Giddy didn't get much in the playoffs. I kind of like Giddy, but I like Caruso better. They don't need a big score in that kind of fourth slot. They've got their big three.

We know it's SGA, Chet Hongren, and Jalen Williams. And now you've got a great defender in Caruso, So adding him to an already great defensive team. And Isaiah Hardenstein, like, they needed size. They needed a little rebound. He doesn't have to go there and get 15 points a night. So that's a good addition. Their only question is youth. I still think they're one year away from really being able to win the West

and potentially win the whole thing. Dallas, I love what they've done. I mean, Clay is a perfect fit there. He's a guy that obviously, like when you have Kyrie and Luca, You need a guy that can play off, you know, two ball dominant guards, a guy that can score big time without dominating the ball or happening in his hands a lot. And obviously, that's Clay Thompson. Look, Clay average 18 points on 39% shooting from three last year.

Those are really good numbers. All right. So I'm with you on the Mavericks as far as them being right there near the top. I think Luca, what he went through in the finals, he didn't play badly. but he was good, but he wasn't awesome like he usually is. That's what he needed. I think he needed to see that, have that moment, and now look in the mirror and say,

okay, if I want to get to the next level and be a champion, I've got to be better on defense, just more engaged. And I think Clay can help him there too because we know Luca's never going to be a shutdown defender, but Clay can talk to him about a guy like Steph. Look, Steph was never a shutdown defender, Luca, but he was smart. He was always in the right spot.

He gave full effort defensively and he talked. That's all we need you to do. So I think he can help Luca in that regard. And then I expect Luca to lay off the reps a little bit too. So he'll be better. The key, I think a big key for the Mavericks is can Kyrie be as good this upcoming season as he was this slasher? And there's really no reason to think he can't unless father time just smacks him on the shoulder. But I think Kyrie will be big.

If Kyrie can play like he did last year, then they should definitely have a great chance of getting back to the final. Yeah, let's remember their offense is what killed them against Boston. I think they were under 100 like four times. They couldn't score. Now you add clay. That's huge. All right, let's go to the east where my Knicks, I have narrowly behind Boston. But the Sixers are trying to close the gap with this Paul George signing.

Chris, I like Paul George's game a lot. I don't know, man. We've seen a bunch of big threes where somebody has to take a step back. So the team can move forward. We saw Chris Bosch, Kevin Love. I mean, somebody somewhere has to take a step back in this big three. Is Paul George going to be that guy? Because we know Maxie and Embedite are homegrown talents in Philly.

Well, I think this big three, unlike some other ones, they all fit. You've got the big man in Embed, you've got the point guard in Maxie, and you've got the swing man in Paul George. So I think they'll be, and, you know, Maxie, none of these, Maxi is not a ball-dominant guy where, like you mentioned big threes with LeBron. LeBron, especially in his prime at that time, was ball-dominant. So that third guy definitely does kind of become a glorified role player. That's not necessarily the case in all big threes.

It's just do the big threes fit. And these big three, this big three in Philly really fits together nicely. My main concern with them is not, oh, it's a big three, can it work? It's will they be healthy? And with me, Philadelphia, particularly with Joel Embed and even Paul George, they are now firmly in the I'll believe it when I see it mode for me. That's how I feel about it. Like, I love Joel Embed.

I do wish he'd play a little more down low. He's got a great one of the best mid-range shooters in the league, period. So I don't want to take that away from his game. But there are times where he should use his size, kind of like Nicola Yolkich does at times. and I hope M.B. takes that next step and does that. But my question with him is, will you be healthy? We know how his production has gone down in the playoffs, and it's because he's either really banged up and misses most of the postseason

or a few games in a series, or even if he plays kind of like last year, he's like 70, 75%. So he can't play as well as he did in the regular season. I think, look, Joel M.B., the clock is ticking. I know he's only 30, but it feels like he's got the body of a 35-year-old. And I think there is more pressure on him than any other player in the NBA this year. He's got to get it done. All of the other elite players in this era have done it.

Yolkich has gotten his ring. Yonis has gotten his ring. Now Tatum and Brown in Boston have their ring. When are you getting your ring, Joelle? You got your MVP. This is all this left for you to do. And with Paul George and Tyrese as your wingman, there's no excuse. I know they might lack a little depth, but Nick Nurse is a very good coach.

And I like Kelly Ubre as a fourth guy. They've got a little enough depth, I think, if those three are healthy, to really make some noise in the East. But I'm not convinced until I see him being healthy. I mean, I think they're starting barbecue chicken at shooting guard, Eric Gordon. I mean, he would struggle to defend you at your advanced stage. I just say this about him beat. Is it fair, Chris?

Is it fair to say, hey, man, Joel and Beads are really good basketball player. He's also a choke artist when it comes to the playoffs. He's either hurt or he doesn't show up. And we continue to defend. He's bulletproof for some reason in Philly. Against the Hawks, he had eight turnovers at home in game seven. Eight. Go look at the Celtics two years ago.

I mean, they're up three, too. Oh, you got to do. Joel, show up. Give me 40. They get destroyed. I mean, I don't know. Show me when Joe has ever come through in the playoffs. First of all, I think really good players is ridiculous.

He's a great player. I mean, last year, he entered last season definitely behind the eight ball, if you will, when it came to the MVP race, right? Because a lot of people felt like he didn't deserve it the year he won it. They thought he should have went to Yolkits. M.B. was so good before he got injured that he was a leading NB candidate. I was one that was like, there's no way NB is getting it this year. But he was playing so well and he cooks Yokic every time they play.

play. He is a great player, but you are right. He has not gotten it done in the playoffs. It's fair to be critical of him there. I tend to think most of it, most of it is because he's always banged up.

Even when he's healthy, he misses a game or two. I mean, so he's not fully healthy. I'm saying even when he plays, he'll typically miss a game in a series or two games in a series. So that's on him, though. He's got to find a way to stay healthy. and I'm not sure there isn't some mental thing there too.

I'm not saying that the moment might not get too big for him. There's no excuse for him losing to Trey Young and Jalen Brunson in the playoffs and not be able to advance to the conference finals. So that's why I said. It is more pressure on Embed than any player in the league. Okay, I'll ask you this. Nick's faces Sixers in the conference semifinals. That's what it's two, two, verse three, whatever.

Who's the best player in the series? And don't tell me Joel Embed, Chris. Don't do it. Oh, M.B. Oh, stop it. M.B. Dylan Brunson beat him like a drum in the playoffs last year. Go look at Brunson's stats.

Come on. You can't say that. First of all, it's called a team sport number one. Oh, it's a team sport. Secondly, M.B was, we know his lower extremities were not 100%. He had migraine headaches. He had Bell palsy. Soft.

And look, I'm not an MBEat apologist. You sure sound like it. But you are not about to sit here. You are not about to sit here. sit here on national TV and say Jalen Brunson, God bless him, he's a great player, but that he is better than Joel Embed? He was last year. He was last year. Stop it. You should apologize right now to the viewers. Go look at the numbers what Brunson did to the Sixers in that series. Brunson was a revelation. He was great in that series. Don't get me wrong. But to say he's better

than Joel Embed, no way. And how about this, Chris? How about this? The Knicks could have had Paul George. They looked at him and they were like, oh, we could trade Randall and a bunch of picks. They said, no, no, no, we don't want Paul George. We want no time All-Star Mikael Bridges to fit with our chemistry. So are you saying Paul George isn't good? No, I mean, he's good. The Knicks are choosing, and I'm not blank, I think the Knicks, I like what they've done. So I'm not going to crush what they've done, but I think the Knicks are clearly choosing chemistry over Star Power. They're saying, look, we got the three guys from Villanova. Now we've got the four guys from Villanova.

We know they all work well together. The challenge, and it's not a challenge, but what the Knicks are going to have to do because you keep rhapsodizing about Jalen Brunson's numbers in the playoffs, they're not going to be able to play that way this year. The way they played in the playoffs where it was all Brunson all the time, that's not the best way for them to play now. They've got four guys that could arguably average 20 points a game. Right?

You got Jalen, you've got Julius Randall coming back, Ogey Anobie and now Mikhail Bridges. So I think it's going to have to be a little, and this is good, but it should be a little more equal opportunity offense. And they can do it. A lot of people wonder if Randall can fit into that, that offence and now that Brunson's kind of taking command. But remember, when Ogenyanoby got there last year and they were fully healthy, Randall included, they went 12 and 2. And then Randall got hurt. So I do think he can fit if he can't. And if he's messing things up, then you've got a trade opportunity with him because he is a good player.

So I like the Knicks. They obviously have depth. If they're healthy, the other thing about them, like if they face Boston, and Boston is more talented, I think Brown and Tatum are better than the players that the Knicks have. All right. However, the Knicks have, they are tough air gritty. They are hard nose, and they're the type of team you just don't want to play. Because they're going to make it rough on you even if you beat them. My guy, Chris Broussard, he's got to walk down the streets of New York City today to first things first.

And people are going to be saying there's no way Embed's better than Brunson. I know they saw it. I cannot wait to hear what the New Yorkers tell you. Maybe enjoy first things first there, Chris. Good stuff, buddy. All right, man. All right, coming up next. In Heard Line News, Alex Curry gives us the most underrated move.

of the NBA offseason. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. Hey, it's Ben, host of The Fifth Hour with Ben Mallor, and would mean a lot to have you join us on our weekly auditory journey. You're asking what in God's name is the fifth hour? I'll tell you, it's a spinoff of the Ben Mallor show, a cult hit overnights on FSR. Why should you listen?

Picture, if you will, a world where we chat with captains of industry, in media, sports and more every week, explore some amazing facts about human nature, and more. Listen to the fifth hour with Ben Mather 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.

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

A win is a win. I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, 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 Clivered Show isn't just a podcast, it's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me, or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need. to be. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes. Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of ton-tons and wampas on the ice planet hot, or the practicality and corporate business

sense of the Sith rule of two. Listen to stuff to bowl your mind on the IHeart radio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 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 a little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm a. 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 eighties. 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. 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. 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 Hardway. Open your free Our Heart Radio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. Otani and the Dodgers or Trey Turner and the Phillies take on the Braves in a huge battle at the top of the NL East. It all begins Saturday at 7 Eastern on Fox. All right, let's go to Alex with the news. No, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news.

Well, Jemak, let's start in the NFL because the Lions were one of the surprised teams in 2023, reaching the NFC championship after not winning a playoff game in 32 years. Now, this season, the expectations are extremely high, and Aidan Hutchinson fully believes that Detroit can live up to the hype. I feel like it's the year. With every fiber of my body, I feel like it's the mere. And, you know, I mean, honestly, I believe every, I mean, from this year on, every year is the year, you know, with the guys that we have. And, you know, I hope that we're going to sustain this success for a lot of 10.

And we knew they were going to be good last year. But they were great. And now they're going to come into this season with a target on their back. I mean, it was a close game in the NFC championship losing to the 49ers, 31, 31. They paid all their guys this offseason. High expectations favored in 13 other 17 games, not as high as the 49ers who were favored in, I think, every game. Every game, yeah.

This season. But they're also, you know, it's, they're in a tough division, NFC Norths. Obviously, Packers with Jordan Love having the success, we talked about that earlier towards the last 11 games of his season. Bears, Caleb Williams, they're going to have a lot of hype around him with the number one overall pick. And then Vikings just signed. Justin Jefferson. They have JJ McCarthy and Sam Darnold battling it out for

for quarterback. But the Lions, like people are going into this year knowing what they got. Yeah. Can they get back there? Shout out to Jared Goff. I think he got married this summer. Oh, congrats. South Bay, Jared Goff. I'm sure you see him around town. I have. Super friendly guy. Has a nice dog almost identical to mine. That's neither here nor there. Yeah, I like the Lions. I got a Lions buddy who watches a show religiously. anytime we talk about them, Lions are going to the Super Bowl. And listen, they had the Niners in that game.

They did. I thought they were beating them, and I had money on San Fran. Do you see them getting back to the NFC championship game? Yeah, I don't. Who's the second best team in the NFC? It's got to be 49ers.

No, 49ers first. 49ers are favorite. Oh, yeah. But who would be second ahead of the Lions? Like, I don't think it's a Cowboys. I don't think it's the Eagles. Yeah, yeah. There's a lot of change.

I don't see the Rams. I know Cowher loves the Lions. Rams. Yeah, it's got to be the Lions. It has to be. Yeah, yeah. They're definitely top. Top two. NFC. All right. Head to Miami because wide receiver contracts skyrocketed this offseason with three guys getting extensions worth at least 30 million a year. And Tyree Kill signed his two years ago, also averaging about 30 million. But he's already looking forward to how he will fit into this new market when his time comes around again. I'm very excited to like, you know, just be a part of, you know, kind of the old wave, which was, what, $30 million and Justin Jefferson came and took past that, man.

So very, you know, proud of those guys, you know, happy for, obviously, my teammate Waddle, you know, getting his new deal. So for guys like me, that's great. You know, I'm 30 years old, you know, I'm also looking for a new deal. So, like, very, very excited to see where, you know, I fit in. to write that category. Yeah, so Tyree Kill's still under contract for another three seasons. Yeah, what is that about?

We're still seeing, obviously, he said Justin Jefferson reset the market, as you see here, with 35 mil. But Tyree Kill, even two years ago, he's still top four, making 30 mil a year, and his teammate, Jalen Waddle, just below him at 28.3.

Yeah, you know where you fit in? A million a year? On the field, playing football. Not trying to get a new deal. Come on. Yeah. I mean, he's in a good spot. Again, he's still, he's still got time.

Did you say two or three years left? He's got another three seasons. Yeah. Okay. So, I mean, but as we're seeing it, wide receivers are getting valued a lot higher than they were in the past. He's up for a new deal. Yeah. He's not.

Yeah. What is he talking about? He's just keeping his name in the mix. Got to give him a shout out. He looked jacked. Yeah. Did you see the shoulders in that? I mean, that guy's shredded.

You don't, let me said the old school wide receivers like Steve Largent Art Month. Those guys weren't cut up. Tyree kills jacked. Oh, yeah. No. It's fast. He'll be interesting. And he's sitting pretty for what in three years when the market's even higher.

Now, he didn't go as far as Clay Thompson, who was unhappy last year making $43 million with the worst. Now Tyree Kills, like, oh, I see where I fit in. You're making 30 mil. Settle down. Doing pretty good. All right, let's finish with your Knicks because Center, Isaiah Hartnstein, is no longer with the Knicks. He reportedly agreed to a three-year, $87 million deal to join. The Thunder. Now, Hartensheim became a critical piece for the New York's run after Mitchell Robinson went down with an ankle injury. He averaged 7.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and shot 64.4% from the field. He was also just one of three players with at least 85 blocks and 85 steals.

Now, Jemak, I know you're high on your Knicks. Moves they've made so far this offseason. How do you see this loss affecting the Knicks? It's a big one. It's a big one. Did you see it coming? Yeah, you know, well, they got bridges. It was clear. I think I saw the numbers. The most they could give him was $72 million, I think.

Yeah. And I was like, okay, could OKC come blow that out of the water? Well, they got caps space galore. Probably. And, I mean, I don't think many people had Hartenstein as like a $27 million guy or whatever the 87. $87 million. Yeah, over three years.

Like, he's getting a lot of money to basically rebound the basketball. Remember, they got killed against the maps because Lively kept eating them alive on the offensive glass. and Dallas kept getting second chances and kickouts, so they needed a big guy. And I was pushing for them to go for the big guy on Cleveland, and they end up with Hartenstein, which is a major loss for the Knicks.

Huge. Mitchell Robinson's always hurt, Alex, the starting center. So now after him, there's just not a whole lot. This is a big loss. So they could play some small ball where Randall goes to the five. Are you still feeling as confident after this? Listen, I don't think Hartenstein totally moves things for them. he's not like a four win

he's not going to swing your win total by three or four wins is he I don't think so you're this is your team you tell us no it's a big loss yeah you know and they're gonna be okay but like against joel and bid in the playoffs there you go again there's gonna be a missing piece yeah they're gonna need to go find a center

I don't think it's gonna be easy I like everything else about the nix except backup center the nova nix the nova nix yeah are you feeling the niz next now are you a fan? I'm a big fan of chemistry and if it worked before, why not if you have the opportunity to see if it works at the next level, obviously when they're at Villanova all winning championships together, give it a shot. You can't buy, you can't try to buy chemistry, but it takes like going through something together with someone that they previously did obviously in college seeing if it works now in the NBA. So the buy chemistry thing is interesting because

Yeah. You know, this is a Knicks team last year. Hartenstein had to play heavy minutes against the Pacers because Robinson was out. Yep. He's not a 35, 40 minute a game guy. He's like a 20, 25 minute a game guy, which is what he played against Sixers and he was more effective. I think the Knicks are going to be fine. I'm extremely well.

I'm so disappointed. Broussard took and beat over Brunson. And Alex, tomorrow could be volcanic here. I've got some ideas. I know. You've been writing them down during commercial breaks. Yes, yes. This is what I do.

I'm a take guy. I like takes. All right, Alex Curry with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Hurd Lie News. All right, folks. Three hours pretty much in the books.

July 4th, tomorrow. Do you have big plans? Alex for July 4th? Well, we're here, remember? I know, but in the afternoon. Barbecues. That's like the classic Fourth of July, Happy Birthday America.

Have some barbecue. Are you going to put like a beverage, adult beverage limit since we have to work on Friday as well? I don't drink nice before. I'm on camera. Oh. Oh, not at all? Wow. Okay.

Yeah, fun fact. What about afternoons? Boozies alive for it. Hanging out with the fan. Yeah, I'm still waiting on some NBA stuff to come through. We'll see what happens with DeMar DeRosen, Los Angeles guy. I know LeBron signed his Max deal or announced it earlier today. The Lakers can still swing a trade for DeRosen if the Bulls want like us.

It's going to be difficult, but I think the Lakers could still pull it off. Do you see that happening? I would say it's more likely to happen than Russell Westbrook returning to the Lakers. Because did you see the Russell Westbrook Nuggets rumor? Which is just insane. There's no chance of that. No, I think their big thing is they finally got the LeBron contract extension done. That came out today.

They got Bronnie. Yeah, it got Brony. Got LeBron. He got J.J. Got J.J. Redick. And it's, yeah, locking down LeBron first step in this next step. Now let's see. Polinka can go out and get some.

someone else for him. Because they do need, they do need someone else. Yeah. Now, with basketball free agency wrapping up here in pretty short order, we're going to have to turn our attention to baseball. And Alex, listen, I don't we didn't do it today, maybe tomorrow, but Aaron Judge, I mean, goodness. I know you're a baseball gal. But this was like, he kind of expected this to happen. He broke the home run record two years ago, then got injured, had that toe injury, didn't really, never really felt like himself last season. And then. And kind of that bled into the beginning of this year. And then the moment he was healthy, he has just been going off.

And he had like a month behind everybody else. So it's great for baseball. It's great for both Shohei Otani and Aaron Judge on the two-storied franchises, the Yankees and the Dodgers. Like, this is great. It's a World Series matchup. I pick them to be, I picked them to meet in the World Series. And Judge, I think, is leading the, is like leading all the triple count categories right now.

I'm pretty sure he's close. But awesome. from Aaron Judge. All right. Awesome stuff from you, Alex, and our guests today. Awesome stuff. We are back manana. Everybody have a safe July 4th. 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

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