The Herd with Colin Cowherd - HOUR 3 – Steph Curry’s Legacy Is On The Line

Episode Date: May 30, 2022

Steph Curry is great, selfless & great players like him aren’t defined by a trophy case Colin hands out grades for the NBA Conference Finals Guest: 3x NBA All-Star/NBA Champion Antoine WalkerSee 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. 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 Clifers Show. This is a place for raw, unfilled conversations with athletes,

creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. 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's podcast network on TikTok. On the Look Back at it podcast.

For 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84's 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. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for listening to The Heard podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday from 12 to 3 Eastern, 9 to noon Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and FS1. Find your local station for the herd at Fox Sports Radio.com or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Herd. Antoine Walker, 12 years in the league, eight of them with the Celtics,

a couple with a heat, so he knows both those cultures well, a champ with Miami. I'll tell you what, when you were in Miami, Pat Riley was there, so you understand that culture. I said very rarely,

do I have a higher opinion of a losing team in a playoff series than a winning team? I don't even know how it got to a game seven. I thought after Celtics, after I watched two games, I thought they were going to win. I didn't think Miami could win another game. What is it about Riley, the culture, the way they do things? I thought they were completely outmanned.

And with three minutes left, two minutes left last night, I'm like, if they had two big shots, they're going to win this game. What is it about Miami? Well, I think one, you've got to give a lot of credit to Eric Sprostrom. I think he's just one of the best coaches that doesn't get recognized. But I know we need to start putting them as one of the top three coaches in his league. The way he gets his team prepared, ready to play, the schemes that they have.

And then I have to be honest, Colin, I did not, I mean, I know Jimmy Butler was really good. I didn't know he was that good. I'm not going to lie. And I watch the player here in Chicago. I watch his career closely. Jimmy Butler is one of the elite two-way players we've ever seen this league. Him and Kauai Lennon, you know what I mean? And I think, you know, that's who we were.

reminds me, you know, where he could put a team on his back and carry him. I did not think he could put together those. That game six was amazing. The way he controlled that game and forced the game seven. And I thought he was terrific yesterday in the game seven. But I have a new found respect for Jimmy Butler. He's one of my top players in the league. Just phenomenal.

And he put the guys in their back and took the self to seven games. You got to give him a lot of credit. So I kind of think, like I don't think if Steph Curry wins another championship, I don't think more of him. I think he's, he won before KD, he won with KD, he got him to the finals after KD, but there are people, it's always been weird when he gets shade. There are people out there that think he's got to win an MVP in the finals. And my takeaway is one of the things I love about him is that doesn't matter to him. and in that but i think a lot of people antoine see that as a weakness and i'm like now i view it as a strength that that's not his he doesn't need the ego he has self-confidence he knows what he is

but there are people that view him as well iggy got one and kd got final MVP's what if the warriors win and clay gets the MVP do you think that hurts his legacy no i think he'll be fine i think individually he doesn't really seek out for that um the way he accepted kd to come on his team I thought was, you know, when a guy does that at the level that Steph was playing at and allow a guy that Katie come on your team and basically, you know, take that one B role, speaks values. And then also you look at what he's done in the last two years and the development of Jordan Poole and obviously when he was giving his speech when he was Western Conference, the first

thing he thought about was Clay Thompson and what he went through in the two years to get back. And the level that they're playing that. So you've got to give him a lot of credit. You don't get the six out of eight finals worrying about MVP trophies. Yeah. So if there's a player in this series who I think will be important, and we're not, we don't talk about him a lot, it's Andrew Wiggins. I think they'll put him on Tatum a lot, and I think he'll be disruptive.

And I think Tatum will get his points. He'll get his 27. But Lucas shot 41% against the Warriors and 48% against the Sons. And Wiggins just made it, and Dre, they just made his inefficient. dip. And I think that's the series. I think Tatum won't be as efficient and they'll need more from Jalen. They'll need more consistency from Marcus Smart. So I like the Warriors because I think they can just throw bodies at Jason and just get him off balance. That's my takeaway. Do you have any big vibe or feel going into the final on which team you like and why?

Well, I like, I think Jaylon Brown has to be just as good as he was in the Eastern Conference finals. he could have easily got the MVP in Scott Fires. He was terrific. And Marcus Smart has to be consistent on the offensive end. And he's worked really hard on his offensive game. They're going to need him to score the basketball because Jason Tatum is going to be challenged. Andrew Wiggins is a very tough defender. He'll make things tough for Jason.

But also, Clay Thompson is going to be challenged too as well defensively to get back to the mode in which we saw him where he was one of the better two-way players in the league. Can he, you know, guard Jalen Brown for long stretches as well? So this is an evening match series. Obviously, Colin, I heard you talking about that you like Golden Stadium in the series. I got to put my chain on. I'm rolling with Boston. I'm rolling with Boston. I got Boston and six.

I hope you guys can see that. Whoa. I got Boston and six. I just think they're too big. I think Robert Williams and Al Horford makes a big difference. they're not going to let Looney have the series that he had against the Dallas Maver's. Well, I thought Looney was huge for them. Draymond Green is going to have to work.

Al Horford can stretch the floor at the four position. So I like the Celtics, man. I think this is their year. When you look at the two game sevens, they've been able to win on the road. So it does not matter that they don't have home court advantage. They've won huge games on the road, just like game seven last night. So I like the Celtics and six. at that. Now, do you worry about this? Do you worry about this?

Is that they let Miami hang around for seven games and they looked tight in that game seven. They look tight. And when you're a young team and you haven't won a title yet, I could see them out playing the Warriors and losing in six. Out playing them. But, you know, Golden State can be so casual and so loose. I thought Dallas outplayed the Warriors a lot of halves. It just didn't matter. And do you worry at all that all this experience, it's like the Patriots after a while. They beat Kansas City not on talent.

They just had been in so many big games and so many close games. Do you worry about that at all? I think you got to look at this. Golden State, and it's not the knock on. They don't get to pick who they play against. But let's be honest. They played the different nuggets without two of their better players. you play a Memphis team with John Morant

and misses three games in the series and then you play a Dallas team that's one star driven. They haven't really been challenged yet the way they're going to be challenged with Boston. Boston has played three of the top players in this league. Top 15, arguably when you think about KD, obviously Janus and then Jimmy Butler,

they've went through adversity. They've had to win on the road. They've had bad games where people thought they were out of the series. They were going to lose. So they went through more didn't mean in Golden State. And Golden State obviously has had the wars in the past.

But I think Boss is built and ready for this series. I think everything that they went through is built them for this point where they can be able to play a Golden State team. And I like them, Kyle. I think they can get it done. This is their year. Okay, I've got to ask you about this. So, listen, Kevin Durant leaves staff for Kyrie

and he gets bounced in the first round. And I think privately he's thinking, come on, man. It's not a good luck, Antoine. Not a good luck. What do you think? I mean, if you sat down with him, Truth, Serum,

do you think Katie has at least, I mean, he's got Simmons and Kyrie. And you don't know if they're playing. Part of me thinks Katie's sitting there thinking, oh, yo, what did I do? Oh, without question. I mean, I think he'll probably be, if he would have stayed there,

we could probably say they'll be on their fifth or sixth title, at least opportunity to have five or six titles. And it's unfortunate because, you know, a spat between him and Draymond Green, obviously trying to knock the narrative down that he went and joined the super team and wanted to try to do it by itself. That's the impatience.

I think it's all about winning. And KD is all about winning. He's one of the true competitors of the game. So, of course, he's feeling it a little bit because he could be there right now. You don't think it hurts to see these guys in the finals again, especially what those guys went through

with Clay getting hurt, Steph missing a significant amount of time over the last year, Draymond, and actually, once they got healthy, they're able to get this thing back together. So that's a tribute to Golden State being patient, believing in their stars,

and locking those guys up and staying with them. And now they're going to their six finals in eight years. Yeah. I said I would have given Jimmy Butler the MVP over Tatum. I just thought he was more valuable to his team. I would have. Who would you have given MVP to? It's tough.

I mean, it's tough to give it to a team that loses. And they've never done that. So I think you've got to stay with it. And obviously, I think Jason's well-disple- And Jalen is too. That's a 1A1B conversation. But Jimmy was outstanding for four out of seven games. He was incredible.

And what he was able to do and willing his team to the seven games speaks volumes. It speaks to his legacy. I don't think nobody will ever forget what Jimmy Butler was able to do this year. Yeah. Great seeing you. I'm not sure what to make of that green chain. I'm going to be honest with you.

I don't know. You know what? You have the guts to be. You got it like this. You got like this, man. Jelston and 6. Did you make that at home? Is that what you did?

No, no, no, no. I found this. I went to the game last week, and I saw it in the pro shop, and I had to have it. Former Celtic. You're the best. So I got it out at the pro shop.

All right, my man. Good seeing you. All right. He's got the courage to go against the grain. That's why I love Antoine Walker. One more herd? The herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week within the IHeart radio app.

Search Herd to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds.

I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions,

my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes,

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

this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford Show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, 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 tauntons and wampas on the ice planet hot, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith Rule of Two. Listen to Stuff to Blow Your Mind on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. 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 Jette. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it.

Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about cracking the A-Aid. 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. Then you're 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. Joy with the news.

No, no, no, no, turn on the news. This is the herd line news. Well, the first two spots in the USFL playoffs are taken. The Birmingham Stallions kept their undefeated season going with win over the Pittsburgh mallers to clinch their spot in the postseason. And the New Jersey Generals held on to win over the Tampa Bay Bandits and improved to a six-in-one record and punch to their ticket. Nothing better than fake punch. Love fake punts.

There's only three weeks remaining in the regular season and two openings left in the 14th playoff. It will begin Saturday, June 25th with the championship game on Sunday, July 3rd. So the week seven results for the USFL, the New Jersey Generals being the Tampa Bay Bandits, 2013, New Orleans Breakers over the Michigan Panthers, 31,27. Birmingham Stallions over the Pittsburgh Mallors, 2616, and the Philadelphia Stars beat the Houston Gamblers 3524. So the Lakers are still trying to figure out what to do with Russell Westbrook. A lot has really happened because it felt like as soon as the season ended, it was like, okay, consensus, they're going to do everything they can to get rid of him. To get rid of Russell Westbrook. Well, Rhodes reported on Friday the team was continuing to explore their options and find avenues for a trade.

A new report from Mark Stein indicates that the Lakers would rather keep him than give up additional assets to convince another team to trade for him. Stein also added that the Lakers have no intention or have to intention of releasing him if he picks up his $47 million option for next season. They have no intention of releasing him, which he's expected to do, obviously. He's going to pick up his $47 million option. Who wouldn't?

So it's, you know, you could feel better about this as a Lakers fan or someone who wants the Lakers to be competitive, which, you know, in the business, that's what we want. LeBron James and Anthony Davis and the Lakers. You want them to be viable. Yeah. it'd be cool if Russell Westbrook would hear all of this and, you know,

maybe want to adjust his game a little bit, being a little bit more of a team player, you know, self-awareness thing. But I think at this point, we all have all realized, especially the way that the season is gone, Russ is going to be Russ. Russ is not a bad guy, but he was clearly a problem this season. And we've said this. He's just a very rigid personality. That is who he is.

It's who he's always been. And so when you acquired him, you knew that. Correct. And so did you- Nobody has sympathy for the Lakers in this situation. No, no. We all knew is your game is your game. Your personality is your personality.

You inherited it without an exit strategy. So when you bring on a $40 million player at the end of a career, like if you don't have an exit strategy, that's on you, not the player. If I was Westbrook, I'd take the money too. Of course. Well, it's absolutely every right to take the money. Yeah. They gave it to him.

He earned the money. how he plays is on you. He's given you an entire career of evidence that this is the type of player he was going to be. Now, you and I both thought bringing him in was going to, at the very least, be a boost of energy. It's an older team. You know, he's going to play really hard.

But fit matters. You can't just bring in talents and try and smush them into something that you, some agenda that you have. So it's looking like Russell Westbrook is going to be back next season. How that's all going to play out and work on the court. I guess we'll see.

So with 11 minutes left in the third quarter, Drews hit a three-pointer to cut the Celtics lead to two. Several minutes of play later, the call was overturned by the replay center. And Eric Spolster said after the game that he couldn't believe it when the points were taken off the board. I was in shock. I was asking, you know, Quinty about that. The fact that it happened, you know, three to four, five minutes later in game time, that does change the context of how you're playing. You know, we were starting to gain some momentum and you feel like it's a, you know, seven, eight point game. And all of a sudden it's a 13 point game.

Look, that's not the reason we lost. You know, we still had plenty of opportunities. We just couldn't get control of the game. He also said it's going to provide a case study for the league. Again, no excuses for the heat. They didn't have enough offense. There's been a lot of screenshots circulated on the internet where it doesn't quite show his heel actually hitting the line.

I'm not complaining about this. It is what it is. like he leans back, but does his foot actually touch the line? Oh, boy. Now we have all these expert photographers. Well, I mean, his heels not on the line. His heel never actually touches the line. I'm not complaining about it.

I'm not even focusing on it. I let it go as soon as it happens. I think it's an atrocious decision by the league. And if it comes down to a three, a Jimmy Butler missed three, then, you know, that's why those things matter. Like, his heel doesn't actually touch the line. I don't get crazy about this stuff. It's a waste of my time and energy.

Well, we're only seeing this side of the shoe. What about the other side of the shoe? I mean, they better hope it's conclusive. It doesn't matter. The game is over and they lost. Like, Social said, they had other opportunities. As soon as it happened, I was like, well, I kind of can't believe that they did that. And he is right.

It does change the context minutes later when the lead is completely changed and you're taking points off the board. I don't get it. But, you know, the league will have to have those kind of conversations. This kind of stuff cracks me up. I mean, I can't lose my mind over it. I just don't have the energy for it. And overall, like, the heat needed more offense than just that Max Trues three. But it's just unfortunate that it affected the game the way that it did.

But overall, the officiating that game on both ends was staggeringly awful. Yeah, it was wacky. Like, the league does need to take a look at how they're putting together these officiating crews. There were some calls that went the heat's way on the Celtics. I was like, I mean, I'll take it, but that's not a foul. But I don't know what you're looking at. But congrats to the Celtics either way. There you go. Joy with the news.

Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Herd Lye News. Rising oil prices. Supply chain issues have compounded our inflation problems. Gold provides a hedge against wacky, out-of-control inflation. Can protect your family's wealth. Call legacy precious metals at 866-674 herd.

Or visit Legacy PM-E. investments.com. 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, what's up, everybody? It's me, three-time Pro Bowl of LaVarrington, and I couldn't be more excited to announce a new podcast called Up on Game. What is Up on Game, you ask?

Along with my fellow Pro Bowler, T.J. Hushman Zada, and Super Bowl champion. Yep, that's right. Plexico Burris. You can only name a show with that type of talent on it. Up on Game. We're going to be sharing our real life experiences loaded with teachable moments. Listen to Up On Game with me, LaVar Arrington, T.J. Hushmanzada, and Plexico Burris on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast from.

Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast, 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. Yep, that's me. Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits. the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show.

This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to The Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok.

Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fans. 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 yeah, yeah. Literally. 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 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 in. So the finals is set. but I thought before we get there, let's look back at the Eastern Conference Finals, the Western Conference Finals, and what kind of school teacher am I?

What kind of grades am I handing out? Am I sympathetic for your plight? Or am I a harsh task master? Here's grades for the conference finals. Joy? All right, Professor Colin. What grade are you giving Jimmy Butler's performance? I think I'm going to give Jimmy the obvious A.

And the reason being is no other heat player average more than 15 points a game. And I think the key to it is, with a swollen knee, he played all but a handful of minutes in both games. And he's not really an offensive player. He averages 21 a game. So when players, and I don't mind that shot, he earned it. He really rose above himself. Even Antoine Walker said it. We all know he's a really good player.

He was a great player. and how often have you in your life thought of taking the best player on the losing team and saying that's the player? He got really no consistent offensive support. Tyler Hero was hurt. Bam disappeared. So he was doing a lot of this stuff on the offensive end by himself. So he would get my highest grade in the series. Well, Gray, would you give Steph Curry's performance?

I'd give him an A. He's always been a bit of a defensive liability. But it's not just that he shot 44% on threes. but he gives you about seven and a half assists. And I think one of the things I love about Steph is when inevitably you have a bad seven-minute stretch. Like everybody has them, the great teams had them. Offense dries out, ball movement slows down.

He gets other people involved. We know he's not a great defender. They're built to protect him. But his ball movement, no player in the NBA, forget stars, moves off the ball like him. And that kind of work ethic and that ability to create stuff when he doesn't have the ball is very unique among all NBA players, not just stars. So he gets an A. How about Jemann Green? A B, you know, he gets criticism.

He's got a great podcast, by the way. But he's the only player in either conference finals that gives you 10 points, five rebounds, five assists, and shoots at least 50%. He's a highly efficient player. He often has the task of guarding your best player. And again, he's a catalyst for a lot of the things they do. Because a lot of teams, they try to get the ball out of Steph's hands, and it's a real weapon when he can lead the break and at times be a brilliant passer. Bam, Atabio. I'd give him a C. He's a great defensive player, but he was held to 10 points or fewer in four of the seven games, and he had opportunities against Al Horford where he had a size matchup and didn't take advantage of it. I have said this for years. Miami fans want me to believe

he's Joel Embed. He's a great defensive player who can be shut down offensively because he doesn't have a go-to offensive move. And when Robert Williams was on the floor, they didn't do much. I mean, his average in the series is elevated in the one game that Robert Williams wasn't available. Outside of that

and also, when I need you to be great and you're not there, that's closer to a C-minus. Andrew Wiggins. Good Strong B. Does everybody know he had the best plus minus of any player in the conference finals, meaning his value is beyond just points. Again,

go guard Luca. Luca went from 48% against the Suns to 41% against the Mavericks. Wiggins has always been a supreme athlete, never really been the dog to be a one. It's not what he's comfortable with. But I think even people who cover the NBA and cover the Warriors would have to acknowledge he has been a far greater fit than people perceived. There was a lot of people. We thought he was a trade piece. We thought they brought him in to be a trade piece. And I think they brought him in and thought he'd be a trade piece. And I think he's a much better defender than people realize. What grade are you giving Luca Donchitz? A B. Folks, he's terrible defensively. I mean, when teams are going after you, I don't want to hear about the offense.

He had the worst plus minus of any player in the conference finals. He's terrible defensively. I've said, there's some Larry Bird with him and there's some Carmelo Anthony. He plays himself into shape and you get, I mean, there are times in that second half against the Warriors, he was just tired of moving around. He looks shot. So too many people who watch NBA just forget that availability, defense, efforts, a thing. He's got some stuff to work on. What grade would you give the rest of the Mavericks not named Luca?

A D. Because Jalen Brunson gave you something. I mean, come on. I mean, do you realize no Maverick player besides Luca even got you six rebounds? So if Luca's only shooting 41 percent, a lot of those long rebounds, the Warriors out hustled you to get to them. Those are live balls. That's just effort rebounds. That's not boxing out.

The Warriors got to a lot of those rebounds. Clay Thompson. We'll always be underrated, a B. Think about this. The Warriors have made the finals in six straight seasons with a healthy clay. missed the playoffs entirely without Clay. Again, this is very Pippin' Jordan. We acknowledge Michael and Steph are better.

But the number two, the Robin never gets the love. And what Clay allows Steph to do is some freedom offensively because Clay is a plus defender. And he's also the perfect combination. He's a catch and shoot guy. If he was a guy that needed the ball in his hands, this would not be nearly as effective. He is the best. he is the only person in the argument in his prime as the best Robin to Scotty Pippen.

He is a perfect compliment to Steph. Jalen Brown. Great series A. He hit a lot of threes. And they're going to need him to do it again. And the other thing is he's been in a half dozen game sevens and he's five and one. So he's been a guy. I was a great game yesterday. He's been very clutch, always very athletic.

You know, I never knew if he'd be a great shooter. He was a great athlete at Cal. That's never been questioned, super twitchy. But he's been a really good clutch player. And they're going to need him because you know what the Warriors are going to do. They're going to throw a ton of bodies at Jason Tatum and say, Jalen, got to give us 26 a night. So I thought he was really like an Andrew Wiggins gets overshadowed.

Jalen Brown was sensational. Kyle Lowry. D, I think it's over. Great career. But he shot 29%. And, you know, a lot of turnovers. he looks like an older injured player. You see him get up off the floor a little bit.

He looks like an older injured player. Wonderful career, but not terribly effective at this point. I think they know it. Jason Tatum. Second highest graded player for me, A. Now, he's got ball handling issues. He had a lot of turnovers. He had 33 turnovers.

So he's not a great ball handler. He's not terrible, but you can force him in turnovers. He's got to get better at that. And listen, don't think Steve Kerr in the Warriors didn't watch that. So they're going to put a lot of pressure on him and just make him less efficient. So if he has these turnovers

against the Warriors, the Warriors do a good job. I don't have numbers in front of me of turning turnovers into points. So that's the knock. So Butler gets the higher overall rating, but you know, he won't MVP. We know why. Yeah, you can't give the Warriors extra opportunities. Miami Heat offense.

F. Listen, I don't like to fail students. Wow. but I mean I will say this they had their worst they were a good three point shooting team in the regular season their three

worst three point shooting games were all against the Celtics but I mean they just didn't is bad and also you also have to come to terms with what players are like at some point we have to be honest about bam

this is what he is yeah he's not he's not well first of all you average less points in the post season than he did during the regular season which you never want especially from a big who's supposed to be your number two but he's just He's not a strong offensive player.

He can be shut down. You know what's interesting about all this? Like the narrative, this is one thing. So I'm not, I think I've told you this before. We were in local TV and radio. I've never been an award person. I've won a handful of them. They're in my garage.

Like Emmys. If you want them, congratulations. I'm not taking anything away. I don't seek them. I don't care about them. I always knew when I was in local TV and radio, who could play and who couldn't. When the red lights on, who's a gamer, who's not.

I didn't need awards. Some people really wanted to win awards. It meant a lot. And some people deserve them. I mean, if you're an investigative reporter and you're breaking stories, you deserve to win an Emmy. You know, opinion guys, you know, I'm a dime a dozen. But one of the things about the NBA is like we give, we're two into awards. Like the idea that people believe that Steph Curry has to win a finals MVP to somehow validate him,

you do get, like you do understand Brady taking pay cuts. is a plus, not a minus. Tom's like, wife does well, I want better players, I trust my coach. It's been a criticism I've had of Russell Wilson and Aaron, and you know, I love one and not so much the other. Listen, if you're really committed, at some point, there's a salary cap in this league. Now, there's not in baseball. Take every penny you can get. But if you're really committed to winning, at some point, you may want to restructure your contract.

Patrick Mahomes could take more money. Patrick Mahomes is telling me, winning is not. the most important thing. Well, do you think Carmelo Anthony in his prime could have played with Kevin Durant? Oh, hell no. So you're going to deduct points from Steph because in his prime, he could. Do you think Westbrook in his prime would have been great with Steph? No. But you gave Westbrook an MVP because of stats. Like this is where I'm totally disconnected from the media. Awards are, I mean, Phil Jackson, I think has, I could be wrong, you could look this up. One coach of the year award.

It may be two. It's embarrassing. I mean, LeBron has been, let's take out the last couple years. Let's count up to the bubble year. He's been hurt the last two years, up to the bubble year. LeBron was the most valuable entity. Forget player. He's the most valuable human, including Adam Silver, in the league for 12 years.

Yeah. So this is where, like, the idea that, oh, Steph is the best shooter ever, arguably the best ball handler. Probably as the smallest ego for any superstar ever is incredibly coachable, is really the heart and soul of the most unique dynasty. I mean, the warriors don't look like anybody else in the last 20 years in basketball. And like, you think he need, my point being is the fact that he hasn't won a finals MVP, I would brag about it years later. And I'm like, dude, dude, do your thing. He brought in KD.

I look at it as an asset. What defines him is his lack of ego, his lack of need for gouging, you know, goosing his rebound stats, like Russell Westbrook. Like, awards mean a lot. And maybe it's just because, like, I don't know how many awards Kevin Durant has. He's great. I don't need to see his award, his trophy case. I don't need to see it. It's like Michael Jordan. We all get six for six. He's earned all of them. But if he was five of six, would I think less of him? No, it maybe means coo coach or Pippin had an insane matchup in a playoff series. So I just can't buy that I'm supposed to think less of Steph. I define him by great and selfless. And selfless players do not care about trophy cases. They care about rings. Rings is the thing. I don't care. I don't care. I don't care. I mean, do you think Aaron Rogers would give up two MVPs for two Super Bowls? I'm saying, yeah.

I'm going to go with you on that. Guys, just because we're getting older, doesn't mean we have to slow down. That's why there's MDrive supplements for driven men that boost your already healthy testosterone levels. Don't slow down, get MDrive at MDrive for Men.com, Rite Aid, Walgreens, Vitamin Shop, all have it as well. Memorial Day, going to a barbecue perhaps later, Joy. I don't have any plans yet. Neither do I. I'll make it out.

Oh, everyone would you work. We'll figure it out. That's exactly right. Joy and I will figure it out. And everybody, I hope you have a great holiday. Thank you so much. A lot of choices out there. Appreciate you choosing us.

It's the herd. 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 helped make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel

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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 here, 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.

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 you're saying. Yep, that's me. Clever 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.

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