The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Nicknames, Cam Newton, Where Colin Was Right & Where Colin Was Wrong

Episode Date: July 6, 2020

Colin explains why people need to get over teams changing their nicknames. Colin explains why NFL executives don't care about style. Colin says that players that make big money want reps. A new edition of Where Colin Was Right & Where Colin Was Wrong. And Colin plays a special game to celebrate Zion Williamson.Guests include: Doug Gottlieb, Marcedes Lewis, Eric Mangini and Gotham Chopra. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On the Look Back at it podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 is big to me. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down,

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Find your local station for the Hurt at Fox SportsRadio.com or stream us live every day on the IHartRadio app by searching Hurd. Good morning to Fox Sports Radio. Here we go on a Monday. It is great to have you in, fresh off a beautiful holiday weekend. This is The Herd, wherever you may be, and however you may be listening. We're on IHeart Radio, we're on Fox Sports Radio, and we're right here on FS1. One hour from now, got a good one. Colin Wright, Colin Wrong, and plenty of both.

Doug Gottlieb this hour. Last hour, Gotham Chopra has fascinating. He's got a new series out where he takes the world's best athletes from Usain Bolt, Alex Morgan, Tom, Brady, LeBron, and he takes him to these moments of greatness. And it's a fascinating series on what happens in those moments of greatness for great athletes. And Joy Taylor is joining me. Joy, how are you this morning? I'm great.

I'm looking forward to that. I like watching stuff like that. So do I. The trailer of it, LeBron. tweeted it out the other day. The trailer, it was a perfect movie trailer. It gave you just enough to wet your appetite, but it didn't tell you the answers to the questions. Right. So I cannot wait to talk to Gotham Choper's a friend of mine, and I love having them on my podcast. Let me start with this. So every year I do this, and I'll just tell you this, I'm not a big

collector of stuff. As a little kid I used to collect stuff, baseball cards, basketball cards, but I'm not a big collector. I'm a minimalist. I don't own a lot. I don't have an extra car. I'm just a guy, I like very little. I want people, memories. I'm just not a collector of stuff. I've met fascinating people who collect clocks. They collect art. There's nothing wrong with that. It's just our brains are wired differently. So every spring, I clean out the garage. And I take a big garbage bag. And, you know, I clean it out. I really love doing it. It's therapeutic for me. I feel great. The weather's finally good. I go to the garage. I clean it out. And I'm always struck by the fact My wife's much more of a hoarder than I am.

I'm always struck by the fact, I'm not even a big consumer. I'm not a collector. And I am always thinking, why do I buy such crap? Why do I hold on to stuff? And I would say the national average, I don't hold on to anything. I mean, I am not a collector. And that's called spring cleaning. And most Americans do it.

So it takes me maybe two hours. Some people, it takes two days. It's called spring cleaning. And you feel better. You always feel better when it's done. It's the right thing to do. You've got all these things. I'm not sure.

Oh, I don't want to give that picture away or that book or that third rake or that stupid ornament I bought. But in the end, you don't really need it. It doesn't make you happier. Does it make your life any better? And what we're happening in America today is we're calling it a big summer cleaning. And we're just getting rid of stuff like nicknames. They just don't feel right. and it doesn't make your life better that we call the Washington football team that

or the Cleveland baseball team that we're just having a big summer cleaning so take out a big garbage bag and just put that name in there and put that name in there and we've had him too long and if you're really angry about it see a therapist if changing a nickname really works you up there's probably some over-the-counter medications But you don't really care. We care about the quarterback and the games and the outcomes and the Super Bowl and the parties with our friends and the beers and high-fiving when our team wins. We like betting on it.

We love watching it. My wife will make soup and I got friends over watching football. The nicknames don't matter. So Washington's going to change theirs. And by the way, lots of smart people struggle with change. Life's one big curveball. and those who adapt are hitting 300. In 2020, those who are not adapting get sent to the minor leagues.

Adapting is hard. I did not grow up in a traditional family. We did not go to church. We did not have the classic Sunday dinner. We didn't have this hierarchy in our family. Mom was from Europe. Dad was not a big talker. I had very unique parents.

I feel very lucky. But for those people who grew up in traditional families, changing some of the things we're changing in 2020 is really difficult. You know, you go to the summer camp that your brother went to and your sister went to and your sister's sister went to. I've met families like that. When I moved out east, I've met people that they've sent their kids to the same camps for 30 years, and the same church for 40 years, and the same pastor for 40 years, and I had none of it.

So this stuff is really easy for me to move off of. I mean, I watch people, you know, going nuts on Twitter and social media. I'm like, I don't get it. but I don't want to be arrogant and condescending to people that struggle would change. Dan Snyder's a really smart person. He's very smart. And part of what's made him successful is his willfulness and his strength and his foresight and pushing back critics. And that's why he's successful.

That's why most owners of professional teams are successful. They did something people doubted. And they have a chip on their shoulder. Like most successful Americans. They've been told no and they said yes. And they fought. And they're resilient. And sometimes those really successful people struggle with change.

Listen, Barack Obama's a lot smarter than I'll ever be. Hillary Clinton's a lot smarter than I'll ever be. But I figured out gay marriage before both. It wasn't that long ago that Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, much smarter than me, much more successful than me, much more accomplished than me, were still struggling. The two men wanted to get married or two women were in love. That was an easy one for me because I didn't grow up with tradition.

My life's not had a great deal of tradition. I've tried to implement lots of it to my kids. Thanksgiving, Fourth of July, hang out, water ski. I'm trying to create traditions I never had. But for a lot of Americans who went to the same church and the same pastor in the same neighborhood, I've lived in nine states. I've had 30 homes. It's easy for a lot of this change stuff.

I'm not woke. I'm just not traditional. for a lot of people in America, this stuff is hard. But we're going to have a big garbage bag and we're going to throw some of these nicknames in there. And they don't make our life better. And they offend people. And they offend Native Americans. And I don't care if one survey says 70% of Native Americans are okay with it.

Well, 30% aren't. So let's take a deep breath. This is a great country. And when we're all moving collectively in one direction, you can't stop us. But when we're fighting and arguing over stuff in the garage, the lamp, the old baseball cards, it's not important. What's important is we're moving in a direction and we're able to handle the curveball and adapt and evolve and clean out some of the crap that we pretend we care deeply about. And it just doesn't matter. In fact, the only people it matters to are the people that are deeply offended.

by it. So let's not be jerks. Let's not be rigid. Let's not hold on to something that means nothing to me. But for some people, they're marginalized and limited and called names and stigmas and stereotypes. It hurts them. And it may only be 28% or 34 or 44. That's a big percent. If I said tomorrow, 48% of your revenue will disappear. Oh, it's not more than half, but it's a big chunk. 32% of the loyalty your kids have for you is disappearing tomorrow. Oh, I don't like that percentage. So 32% is a percent. No business in America this morning wants to lose 32% of their business.

And that's the number I've read for years in studies that are offended by that Washington nickname. It's enough. Let's change it. Big garbage bag. Throw it in there. We're all good. We're all fine. I'm not here to mock people who struggle with change.

I don't. I think a lot of it's just how I was raised. But if you do, this is going to be a rough year. Take a deep breath. We're changing some names. It's never why we've liked sports anyway. All right. So I see this.

Now, here comes Grumpy Collin. Instead of evolving, adapting, Colin, here comes Grumpy Collin. So there's this big gap between what the media thinks of Cam and what the NFL and the betting markets think of Cam. And I saw a story this morning where by a nice young man, Mike Reese, says Cam Newton joining the Patriots has similarities to Randy Moss in 07.

Okay, slow, slow, slow down. The media has hailed this a success. He hasn't had a practice yet. And oh, by the way, I'm reading this morning that we'd have no OTAs and now the preseason's down to two games and it may get eliminated. So Cam Newton in New England, no preseason, no OTAs, never taken a snap. go ahead and play against an improving division.

That's Randy Moss. Randy Moss was still in his prime. Randy Moss did not have a litany of injuries. Randy Moss, his talent had been buried by the incredibly poorly run Raiders. Cam Newton's not in his prime. Cam Newton's had injuries. Cam Newton wasn't buried in Carolina. It was at least a reasonably well-run organization.

Randy Moss is the greatest wide receiver talent of his lifetime. Jerry Rice had better numbers. numbers. Randy Moss is the most talented receiver in NFL history. Cam Newton wasn't the most talented quarterback in his division. That was Drew Brees. Let's slow down. But I do understand this. Is that the media

like stories, Cam's always been a good story, and the media likes style. NFL executives don't care about style. They care about production. I'll give you a prime example. The last two years, these are Kirk Cousins' numbers. Now, Kirk Cousins has no style.

He makes Pete Rose look fashionable. These are the last two years of Kirk Cousins. 56 touchdown, 16 picks, 8,000 yards, 69% completion percentage, 103 passer rating. Those are big boy pro bowl numbers. You can't find me an article on Kirk Cousins. You can't find me anybody who fights for Kirk Cousins, who's got Kirk Cousins back, who's leading the way for Kirk Cousins. Cam Newton's never had back-to-back years with those numbers.

Not even close. Not even close. But Cam's got style. And style matters to the media much more than it matters to the NFL. A prime example is the Instagram accounts. Cam Newton's got almost 5 million people on Instagram. He's very active. He's very opinionated.

He's got all these, the way he does the lettering on Instagram. It's kind of cool. Kirk Cousins has like 350,000 people that follow him on Instagram. Today, Kirk Cousins has a picture of a rainbow on it. So Kirk Cousins, it's painful. Look, there's Kirk Cousins' Instagram. It's got rainbow. Everybody, dude, this guy gave me a rainbow.

He's got no style. He's just really good. On Cam Newton's Instagram this morning, the world's talking about it. Cam is all full of Cam. We got a little, there's no rainbow on Cam. Cam's got style on his Instagram this morning. Cam's got opinions in style.

Let's go back to Kirk Cousins' Instagram today. It's a rainbow. Over of trees. Kirk Cousins has no style. But his numbers the last two years are profound. Cam Noon's beat up. There's no OTAs. Preseason got cut in half.

there's another quarterback that's taking all the snaps. I don't have New England's playbook, but I would imagine it's fairly complicated because everything Belichick does is complicated. There's a real chance Cam won't even start the season. It may not start September. There is a massive gap between media and reality on Cam. And I think a lot of it is the media-like style.

We like narratives. We like stories. We don't like rainbows. We just were not in. into rainbows. All right, good stuff coming up. So over the weekend, I'm taking up golf again, which is just egregious. And I'm really getting old in front of my eyes. So there's a new, he's not really a new golfer, but he is the new most talked about golfer. And I've seen his story a dozen times. And usually it just fades away into the tapestry of big guys,

talks a lot, hits the ball far, and does it become a legend after all? That's coming up next. Plus, Colin Wright, Colin wrong. Top of next hour. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHeard radio app. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened.

That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise. Breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters, to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them.

Listen to Sports Slice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do 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 was 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. 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, Keer Games. And in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, I'm bringing over a decade

of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, We get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing and we're still chasing it and we don't know when we've done enough because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses.

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like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker, this linebacker walks up to me, he goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What? Time out. Quarterback on office blue with 42. Hey, Wreck, my mama want you to weigh better. What?

Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. It's great to have you in. So golf has a history of being very elegant and refined, very sophisticated. Shh, quiet. No talking while players hit. Shh, quiet, refined. walk into a country club and there's the guy looks over his bifocals at you to see if you look the

part of your dressed right got to have collared shirts no cell phones which is absurd in 2020 that you can't use devices you know if your kids are in trouble or your boss needs you country clubs usually have like you know business people you'd think five hours without the phone would be a little bit of a problem golf struggles to change but there's a new guy now and he's been around for a couple of years. He's 26 years old. You know, he's never won a major, never really been close. Last year he was ranked 14th. He's the new talking point of golf. It's not the best golfer or not close, but he's the new talking point. Bryson DeShambos is his name. And, you know, he's never been, you know, last year he

finished 14th. But we have no sports. And the sports we have, we watch now, NASCAR ratings are up, and UFC numbers are up. And Tom Brady and Peyton Manning played golf and it was through the roof. Michael Jordan's documentary set records 19 times higher than the average documentary. And this guy is now interesting in a sport which is mostly quiet and refined and polished and perfect and manicured. And he's none of that stuff. He's 26. He drinks eight protein shakes a day, has 30 strips of bacon and 13 egg omelets. And we're just into it.

And yesterday he won. And I think it's the classic, interesting guy in a not very interesting time. and he is stealing the spotlight. Jordan Speath is a much better golfer, but he's quiet, not playing particularly well now in a time where we would watch golf if it was on. Jordan Speeth has won three majors and has had 10 top 10 finishes, I think it is, in majors.

He's a much better golfer. Historically, we'll go down as a much better golfer, but Jordan Speat is golf. He's quiet and he's slender and he's refined and he doesn't talk and he doesn't brag. And it would just be the kind of guy that if he married your daughter, we'd all feel comfortable with that.

Bryson's not that. He's 26. Looks like a power lifter. He's cocky. He talks about analytics. They're saying he mashes the ball 370 yards. Like he just crushes the thing. And everybody's like, wow, I've seen this happen my entire life.

I saw it with John Daly. I saw it with Jack Nicholas. I saw it with Tiger Woods. I see it with Dustin Johnson. I see it with Brooks Kepka. In a sport that is refined and polish when you get a big testosterone guy who's brash, never forget Jack Nicholas was not loved early. He was considered sort of moody.

and didn't like fans, and everybody loved Arnold Palmer. Arnold Palmer was the people. Arnold Palmer was the masses. Arnold Palmer would sign your autographs. Jack Nicholas was not, and Arnold Palmer put his arms around him and said, Jack, lighten up. People want to love you. Love him back.

And Jack Nicholas aged very well. And then there was Tiger Woods, and Tiger Woods didn't want to talk to you. And would get criticized because he wouldn't sign autographs. And he put his head down after he wanted. He'd go right into the clubhouse and he wouldn't talk to people. Then somebody put their arms around Tiger and said, Tiger, you should lighten up a little bit and everybody would like you. And Tiger's still not totally comfortable with that,

but he's kind of comfortable with it. And we like Tiger Moore. And we see him now as kind of the guy we root for. And then it was John Daly, and we liked him too, but he smoked during golf and drank a bit too much and gambled and wasn't very good. With all these Paul Bunyan characters in golf, it always comes down to the same thing.

Can they put? This weekend, Bryson was great at putting. You don't win golf tournaments because you jacket 350 yards. John Daly would be Jack Nicholas if that was the case. Jordan Spee's a much better golfer than Bryson, just not currently playing that well. But this sport, which is elegant and refined in the gentleman's game, and it's manicured and it's perfect, and you can't talk, and it's quiet.

I mean, God, the Phoenix Open would be a quiet NFL tailgate. It's the rowdy part of golf. And it just stands out because golf's not rowdy. Bryson stands out in a time. There's nothing else going on. And I think he's going to be a not. ice golfer, and everybody said he's now doing stuff that's just analytically so unique. It's money ball.

What, mashing at 370, then chipping on and putting? If that's money ball, the A's have never won a world series, the Yankees have 27. It still comes down in golf to putting. When Tiger and Jack, you can go to YouTube and you go look at the great moments in Tiger and Jack, and both were incredibly long hitters. We all know Tiger was long off the T. Jack Nicholas was a monster off the tea. He looked like a football player.

Jack was Ohio State. He was ripped. He was jack in the ball further than everybody. But if you go to Jack's championships, he was great with a wedge. He was great with his irons. And he was great on the green. That's what separates him and Tom Kite. Tom Kite missed too many good puts.

Jack hit him. And that's what separates Phil Mickelson often from Tiger. In Tiger's 10-year run, he hit a lot of 18-foot puts. Tiger was unbelievable on the greens. Yes, he jacked the ball 300 some yards. But this guy, Bryson Deschambeau, this weekend, he was number one in putting. That's why he won, because he doesn't win all that much. He's amazing, and he has 37 strips of bacon for breakfast.

And at some point, I think I would have an aneurysm after about six. His story is fascinating, but his golf so far, this weekend he putt. And he won. And that really, that's the difference between Daly and Dustin Johnson and Tiger. And Daly and Dustin Johnson and Brooks Kepka and Jack. How do you do on the Greens? But I wouldn't deny, it's fun. Golf doesn't have a lot of fun and interesting.

This guy is both. Cocky, too, brash, yeah, little testosterone. But it's interesting in a sport that often is pretty flatline. Joy with the news. No, no, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. You don't think you could take down four eggs, five pieces of bacon, toast, and two protein shakes to start your day?

I mean, seriously. I could get through the four eggs and five pieces of bacon, but the toast and the protein shakes are not happening. I mean, if you have a protein shake, like a banana protein shake. Yeah, that is breakfast. It's, I mean, that's 400, that's 800 calories. I'm a big breakfast person, though. Yeah, you are. You are not, though.

Not as big. No, you're like Anne. Ann can eat at noon or Anne can eat at six in the morning and not eat till dinner. I don't understand how you can do that. I got to have breakfast, man. That's too much, though. So the NFL preseason has already been shortened from four games to two. I think we both like that.

We're not big fans of how long the preseason is. Stupid. But the NFL player reps reportedly recommended that it be eliminated entirely this year in favor of more practice time. Devin McCordy said on his podcast, double coverage with McCordy twins, that figuring out how to safely play football this year is much more important than any preseason games. I think for us as players, like, we still want to, we still want to know, like, how's everything going to function and work? And, you know, don't get me wrong, everybody's working towards that and building, like, there's calls and everything. But I think that's more important than whether there's four preseason games, two preseason games, no preseason games.

Like, all of that stuff will work itself out. Work itself out. But, like, all that stuff matters. the first phase of us being back in training camp is going well. If that doesn't go well, then there's no anything. So I think for me, that has been more of my focus. I haven't really cared about, you know, what the preseason games look like. They also said it does hurt, obviously, for players who are trying to make the team.

Yeah, yes, I would not deny that. But let me push back on that. Again, this is a classic, we need it. And I'm, I watch football and I'm like, no, I don't think we need it as much as you say. So the argument is I need to be able to figure out who's going to make the team. Right. Okay. You go ask any player I've ever had on this show, everyone, every coach I've had on this show.

How many practices before you knew this guy stunk or this guy was good? You actually do ask that to a lot of players. All the time. And they're like, oh, like two practices. You're like, guy can't play, guy can't. So the obvious stuff jumps out to you in a day. Yeah. Okay.

Then you get to the more nuanced where can he make it, can he not? that I get. Let's put him in a game, but you can also have joint practices. And the idea, if you go to an NFL practice, some of it's very intense, a lot of it's not. But I've never bought into this. I need four, three, two games to figure out who can make it, who can not. I've gone to training camps. You can spot the rookies who can play and the unsigned guys.

Antonio Gates, not drafted. It took two charger practices reportedly. Everybody went, who's Antonio? You can tell who can play. If you have the talent, you're going to... Pop. You're going to pop. It does hurt, I think, for rookies.

Like, they're not going to be able to get out there in actual game scenario, so that's going to hurt them. But we know this year is just going to be a different kind of year. Like, I personally am not going to judge rookies as harshly as I would in other years, because this is not a traditional year. That's right. Even with practice time, it's not a traditional year. So they're not getting out there on the field.

They're not in person with their coaches as much as they would in a normal situation. and they don't have the preseason games to get the butterflies out, to get out there and working in high speed level, game speed level scenarios. Because even though it is practice and, you know, in practice scrimmage, it's not the exact same thing. It's just going to be a different year. But they're right. Finding out how to play safely is the most important thing.

And for veterans or for anyone who's already been in the system, they don't need the preseason games. They don't even play in the preseason games. So there's no value. The Rams eliminated that. The Rams said no more starters take snaps should be noted they made the Super Bowl that year. There you go. Something to it.

So the Bengals appraised Joe Burrow for his work during this year's virtual offseason, which you said it should be the minimum of what he should be doing. Well, offensive coordinator Brian Callahan has also been putting in work to make sure the team's offense is catered to Burrough's strengths. He said we kind of studied trends in numerous teams that are doing good things on offense, see what they're doing well and why. And if you can incorporate them, you do that. We studied a lot of things from LSU, obviously.

if the quarterback is comfortable, everyone is comfortable. Yeah, I like that. That part's great. It used to be in the NFL. I think they try to get players to fit their system. And I do think all coaches are kind of figuring out the game, which is let's take some college concepts and move them in. I've never understood in the NFL, in the NBA, where a system takes precedence over the talent that you have.

At the end of the day, the talent, the best talent that you have, the leader of your team, the quarterback, or the best player, in the NBA. That should be what your system is. In college, that works. That's fine, right? You're molding players. They're still learning the game. You could have a system in place. But even John Wooden changed his system for Kareem of Dolger Bar. Of course. So that like, I don't, I don't have more pushback than that. You have to cater your system to what the player that you have, you have chosen to build your team around can do. I mean, Greg Popovich is great. That system doesn't work nearly as well since Tim Duncan retired. You ever noticed that they get bounced in the first round now?

That's why I don't think that I think that Bill Belichick is still going to have success, but I am very interested to see how things go moving forward without Tom Brady. And I'm rooting for Cam Noon at the highest level. I still want to see how it goes, because I don't think the Cam Noon is the future of the franchise there anyway. This is what you should do. This is what happened with Lamar Jackson and look at the success that you had. Rigid, rigid coaches that have this system and you have to fit the, okay, then draft someone that fits into your system, but you draft someone that doesn't fit what you do, and then you can't figure out why it doesn't work.

It seems so obvious for it. I mean, it's never made any sense to me. So this is encouraging news for me. So the Lakers are first in the West and expect to be vying for the NBA title in Orlando, and Anthony Davis thinks the extra time off because of the shutdown was great for his team. Actually, I think our chances are higher just because we are all rested, and we're all ready to go. So if anything, our chances got higher, and, you know, excuse me, it's going to be about just who

wants it more. I mean, you know, everybody kind of had a decompression of this season. It's about what team wants it more and which team can stay healthy. You know what I've been blown away by in the NBA? So we all knew this virus would be good for veterans. They have gyms in their houses, right? I've been amazed, not shocked, but really encouraged. How many of the young players in the NBA, like Joel Ambide, Zion, the guy in Denver, the Joker, have changed their bodies. You could almost see young guys being like, you know, a little less mature, don't get the moment. Because we all knew the LeBron's, the Russell Wilson's, you know, they're at their garage, they're in their basement, they've got gyms.

They have their routine. Yeah. But these 19, 20, 21 year old guys have, many of them have reshaped their body out without the 6,000 calorie loss every night because of the cardio workout. So the NBA is going to be fascinating. I am, I am amazed how many of the young stars, people are saying about Joel Embed, it's like, well, this is the best shape he's ever been in his life.

It is very interesting because that was one thing that I thought would go the other way. Because if you're a veteran, you know what your off-season routine is. And essentially, this is, this went from being full season to a complete drop-off and then a build-up, like getting your body back in shape to start a season again, which veterans know how to do. They know how to shut it down and then what to do gradually to build back up to being ready for camp. And veterans usually eat better. I remember I have always told the Andre Agassi story.

So Andre Agassi, when he was young, I lived in Vegas, and I, Andre Agassi was best friends with the people that own the TV station I worked at. So I used to see Andre Agassi all the time. One time I was going to Taco Bell and I was in the drive-thru at Taco Bell. And Andre Agassi's right in front of me. He's got like nine, you know, just Taco Bell ed. But he was like 24. Right.

And you burn that stuff. You know, Andre Agassi at 33, like had a nutritionist and his diet was all. Like young athletes tend to be a little bit bulletproof and they just eat like crap and they just, you know, they do. But they also have a lot more access to trainers and information than ever before. And a lot of veterans have taken it upon themselves to help younger players now. Whereas I don't know if that was really like the culture in past years. It's more inclusive now. Everyone's trying to help each other, you know.

So they're passing on those guys and they all work with similar trainers as well. To me, the biggest factor other than obviously, you know, the pandemic. which I think the NBA is going to do the best they can to control that as best they can, is going to be a mental health aspect for the bubble because it's going to be such a unique, weirdly high pressure situation. Like the team that really locks down and focuses and obviously hopefully stays healthy will be, I think, the one that is successful. I'm trying to be so optimistic throughout this virus.

Yeah. Because you and I have done now four months with no sports. Yep. Soccer starting like tomorrow or the next day. and I just with the virus and it's you can see what's happening in America for young people you know you again young people think they're bulletproof Texas Florida they're out at bars now they're asymptomatic but it's just I there's part of me in the back I have like the positive angel on one shoulder and then I have this negative angel that's sitting like are these leagues gonna

what happens with 38 NBA players leave the bubble like I just well that's what I'm saying it's It's going to be a lot of pressure on these guys to really lock in. For nine weeks. It's a lot. It's a lot to ask. But the team that can keep it together and make that happen is going to be successful. Good stuff. Joy Taylor with the news.

Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Heard Lye News. My buddy, Doug Gottlieb, will join us in just a couple of minutes with a variety of topics today. Bryson DeChambeau is a fun story. I don't see him as an all-time great. Cam Newton. I don't understand the media's belief system in Cam.

No OTAs. We may not have camp, and it's a wildly complex system that even Brady took years and years and years to master. Doug Gottlieb next to Hurt. Be sure to catch live editions of the HARD weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending. Opinions are flying.

And nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where sports slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise. Breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athletes themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real.

From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to SportsSlic on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking.

What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick you here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s.

To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack, so I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now, so. Thank you finishing that sentence. Yes. I don't think there's a more important year for black people.

Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the 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. 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, Keir Gaines, as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, learn the hard way. Open your free iHeartRadio app,

search learn the hard way, and listen now. What's up, guys? This is Clever Taylor the 4th. And on my podcast, The Cliverts show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff,

like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker, this linebacker walks up to me, he goes, A, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What? Time out. Quarterback on office blue with 42.

Hey, Brett. My mama want you to wave at her. What? Where's she at? Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Clifford show on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. All right, let's go to him. He filled in on radio this morning so we don't join him from his house. We join him from the radio studio in

Los Angeles. My friend Doug Gottlie, the Dugger brought to you by Mercedes-Benz, the best or nothing. Doug Gottlieb now joins us. So I thought this morning, I said, you know, Cam's got style. Kirk Cousins doesn't. So Kirk Cousins, the last two years, has unbelievably profound numbers. You can't find a media person that defends Kirk Cousins. Cam Newton, the media loves him because he's got style and he's interesting.

And he's a story and there's narratives. He's like, he's Russell Westbrook. You can't take your eyes off him. But I think the New England thing could end up being Doug kind of. of a mess. Who knows if they have preseason? Your thoughts on the expectation from the media of Cam and the reality of it. Well, I've heard people say this, you know, this could, Randy Moss, the fun is back. And this could be the best Patriots team we've had. Like, wait a second, they were 16 and 0 and 18 and no losing in the Super Bowl. This is the same Patriots team that we all

agreed Tom Brady didn't have enough weapons. So now a sudden Cam Newton makes them a favor in the AFC East. I think Bill Belichick's a great coach. I've seen him devise an offense around Jacoby Brissette during his rookie year to beat the Houston Texans. But I want you to keep in mind, he hasn't stayed healthy the past couple of years. He's had several surgeries on the two most important parts of his body, his shoulder and his ankle on his foot, right? And oh yeah, by the way, he's not going to have OTAs, two preseason games. They play a first place schedule. In the first month of the season, there are two road games in Seattle. Easy play. play and in Kansas City, even better, right?

So, look, generally the NFL hit rate for free agents is about 33%. Go back and look at it. And usually overpaid. The one thing for the Patriots is they underpaid. But why was he available? The big question is his throwing shoulder. There are people in the NFL that believe his shoulder is shot. Now, is he healthy enough to pass the physical?

Probably. Does that mean he can start the season? Probably. Does he know the offense? What does the offense look like? can they execute the offense? Are they going to make running cam? Because the Carolina Panthers who knew Cam Newton better than anybody brought in Norv Turner. And Norv Turner is a guy who likes play action, drop back, throwing the football. Why? Because they believe that was the best

way to elongate his career. If the Panthers knew him best and tried to use him in that system, why would New England then turn him back into a runner? It's very confusing if he fits. Now, I do think that Belichick knows how to use his guys. McDaniels used Tim Tebow. when he was in Denver as a running quarterback. They used Jacobi percent. And I think eventually if Can Newton's body is holding up, he'll get a shot. But if I'm him, I prefer to sit, learn the offense, and let somebody else lose those two road games in Seattle and Kansas City. But you're right, Colin. 33% is the hit rate on free agent quarterbacks. And I'd say it's probably lower on Cam Newton, not simply because of Cam Newton, but because of his shoulder,

his foot, the system, the schedule, and the lack of offseason. By the way, the NFL preseason, I don't get it. I think it's overstated. College guys go out and play. I watched Auburn, Oregon last year, play a great game, well played, very few penalties, very few turnovers with a bunch of 19-year-old kids without a preseason. I mean, I don't buy four preseason games. Your thought on the NFL cutting it in half already? Well, we all know they don't need the fourth preseason game because a lot of starters don't play in that game.

So it comes down to one preseason game where. a lot of the team's ones would only play a drive or two. I would generally agree with you, generally that you don't need for preseason games. And this is one of the things that quarantine and COVID-19 has simply sped up. We knew preseason games were going away. We knew these scrimmages were going to become much more in vogue because you can set up, you know, you can set up specific situations for each team. But what have we seen with the Patriots a perfect example, where they use September as another month of preseason because, yes, you're right. I heard you really with joy. You can tell if a guy can play right away, whether you can't play

or can't play. But what you don't get is the cohesion of offensive lines, the cohesion of teams running new offenses, of teams integrating new pieces like a Cam Newton. And when you don't have that, that's when line play breaks down. That's when quarterbacks get hit. That's when quarterbacks get hurt. That's when you have these weird outlier results early in the season. I do think it will hurt because you mentioned college. Colleges have spring football. They get spring football game. They got spring football practice. And even college games, most games are pretty ugly early in the season. That's why I don't think it's a true indication of who's the best and who's not. But I think it will hurt to cohesion if they don't have OTAs,

short and training camp, and you lose essentially one preseason game. David and Joku, very good tight-end Cleveland Browns. Can't stay healthy, super talented, wants out in a trade. And I said, I think OBJ eventually is going to want to trade. They're just too many good players. What was your takeaway on that move? He gets an agent. He wants out already.

Your thoughts? Well, shocker, Drew Rosenhaus, this is his agent. It shouldn't be shocking that he wants out. Secondly, why would Cleveland trade him now? just, you know, that he's under contract for at least two more years, if not more. If they want him, they will keep him. Remember, they signed Austin Hooper, who's a much more refined past catcher. But my biggest takeaway is this. I like that Cleveland hired Kevin Stefansky. But you also have to remember who Kevin Stefansky is and how they had success last year in Minnesota.

They ran on first down. They ran on second down. And if possible, they ran on third down. They have a tremendous, tremendous running back room. But they also have several past catching tight ends. And they have two not just elite level wide receivers, but two volume wide receivers, right? OBJ wants the ball all the time. And if he does it, Jarvis wants it all the time. And what happened last year, even though they were successful in Minnesota? Stefan Diggs was ticked, ticked.

He wanted out. They got just too many mouths to feed. And while I believe they should be more successful, the problem is that while all those guys say they want to win, they want to win as long as they get the football. And there's just only one ball. And Kevin Spansky had his most success when he finally got to call plays after like 20 years in the Vikings organization by running the football as often as humanly possible, even where it upset his two star wide receivers and they ultimately had to trade Stefan Diggs. I think this is the beginning of an unsettling time in Cleveland where they should win games because they've done a good job of solidifying the offensive line and picking a coach who should fit with what makes Baker Mayfield successful, but somebody's going to be unhappy, and I think that's most likely to be one of those two guys outside the numbers.

Just a couple minutes left. I'm not a golf expert, but Bryson DeShambo is something I've seen. It's called John Daly and Dustin Johnson and even Tiger and Jack. And in a very refined sport, he's Paul Bunyan. And there's always a little pushback on the guy that's a little more alpha, a little more testosterone, hits it a mile. I think he's fascinating. I don't see him as an all-time talent like Tiger, but be that as it may.

I was watching this weekend, and I'm fascinated by him. And he's pushed a lot of people are getting kind of tired of his story. What do you make of him? Look, you drive for show, you put for dough, right? We do know that. So in order for him to be an all-time great, you know, Tiger Woods is the greatest iron player. in the history of the game, and when eight foot and in, six feet and in, he was money. So I don't know about him being an all-time grade.

I do know that he's exactly what golf needs, right? Give me a reason outside of Tiger Woods that you want to watch. It's not because there's a lack of talent. There's more talent now on the PJ tour than there's ever been, ever, in terms of depth of quality young players. But give me a reason to watch. And a guy that out drives by percentage wise, Tiger Woods at peak Tiger Woods, when they start having to dischambeau courses, I'm in. I'm in. You may not be in. That's because neither of us

have hit the ball 350 yards on average. It's a different game. But any amateur golfer spends five times as much to fix his driver, which he might use five times, six times in a round. Why? Because it's the ultimate machismo testosterone club. And this guy can hit a long way. And when he hits it straight, it's pretty damn good. I'm in on Disham. Shambot, not being an all-time great, but by changing, or at least getting us to watch more golf. Yeah, good stuff. Gottlieb, the Dugger does a great job. We have him on regularly, and usually we get a nice view of his house.

Today's in the radio studio because he filled in for Dan Patrick. Good to see you, buddy. Good to see you, buddy. Good to see as well. Good stuff. Yeah, I mean, listen, the thing about golf is, we've seen this, the big hitter, the guy that's long off the tee. And generally, only two of them are legends, Jack and Tiger. legends. Everybody else, like Dustin Johnson to me is fascinating. I'm always fascinated by daily and all these guys. I love the big hitters. But yesterday, he was putting well. And that's

why I won. It's not, he's never been in a major of any consequence and been a force. Because in majors, you got a put. It's a world's best golfers. There's a lot of money at stake. It changes legacies. And you got a put. The best golfers in the world are one of those things in August. or the U.S. Open because they're draining 19-foot pots. And this weekend, Bryson, good on the greens. Colin right, calling wrong, hour two on Monday. Next. 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. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in.

Timbo, every episode we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports slice brings you closer to the action, with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice on the Iheart Radio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking.

What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down. and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill,

waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so 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. Yeah, for me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get a lot. It's so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing.

And we're still chasing it. And we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth. Are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely.

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

Open your free iHeartRadio app, search Learn the Hardway, and listen now. What's up, guys? This is Clever Taylor the 4th. And on my podcast, The Cliverts show, I'm bringing you conversations

about all kinds of stuff, like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker, this linebacker walks up to me, he goes, A, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What?

Time out. Quarterback on office blue with 42. Hey, Rhett, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Where's she at? Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Cliverts show on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Ah, here we are.

It is a Monday. We just got through. what I hope was a great holiday weekend for you. It was for me and Joy. Joy was in Miami. I was in the Park City, Utah. This is The Herd, wherever you may be, and however you may be listening on IHeart Radio, Fox Forge Radio, and FS1. You went back now. It's very humid in the summer in Miami.

Yes. I'm not used to the, because when we were down there for Super Bowl, it really wasn't that humid yet. It was actually perfect weather. It was supposed to rain the whole week that we were there. Great. But, yeah, it's Florida in the summer is a different. kind of heat. And I used to love it because I was used to it, but when you aren't used to the humidity,

it just like smacks you in the face. When you get off your plane in Miami in the summer, as you walk out of the plane down that little tunnel to the airport, you can feel it. Yeah, you're sweating by the time you get to the airport. It's just unbelievable. So we hope you had a great weekend.

And this week, the MLS comes back. So it's, we're starting to get a little bit of sports. And every Monday we do this throughout the, I used to only do this during the football season. But people liked it, and so we thought we'd extend it. And I'm wrong all throughout the year, not just the football season. So it's Colin right, Colin wrong.

Here we go. Where Colin was right? Well, Zion Williamson, the pictures are out, spent the quarantine getting in unbelievable shape. The 19-year-old was responsible, and I'm right on this because I never thought the weight criticisms were warranted. Number one, kids now eat better and have better nutritionists and trainers than they've ever had. Secondly, Charles Barkley in a different era, never got too heavy for basketball. And Zion is very much Charles Barkley. He's smart.

He's a get-it guy. He gets the big picture. Secondly, you know, there's the old saying about baby fat. When you're 18, 19, you just don't eat as well as you do when you get into the NBA. And also in college, you play 30 games. And the NBA, you play 82. So you just burn off all that weight. But more than anything, this is Zion showing you he is what we have predicted.

Smart gets it, will take care of his body, and will be a top 20 player in the NBA the second he joins it, and he has been all of that. Where Colin was wrong. I don't get the Antonio Brown fascination in the NFL, and now my two favorite guy is Tom Brady and Russell Wilson love him. Russell Wilson's working out with him. I just don't get it. Listen, he's toxic. And college football now is furnishing the NFL with about 20 to 25 draftable wide receivers a year. the rules now being implemented. It's hard to double wide receivers. I mean, I'm not denying there's talent,

but Lord, the Raider situation was a mess. New England lasted briefly. Pittsburgh the last year. And these are good organizations by and large. I mean, let's be honest about this. Pittsburgh's well run. New England's well run. I don't get it.

But not only are people giving him another chance, it's like Russell Wilson and Tom Brady love it. him. I don't think he's worth the risk, just my opinion. Where Colin was right? I also don't think we need an NFL preseason. It's down to two games, and the NFLPA, the Players Association, says, let's get rid of the preseason. This has been something I've been advocating for since I've been doing radio. There are certain things in sports we cling to, and you can't give me a reason why. The idea that pro athletes need a preseason, the L.A. Rams two years ago

decided to not play any of their starters in the preseason. Not only did they go to the Super Bowl, not only were they the fourth healthiest team that year, they started the year 8-0. Meaning it wasn't like they needed to ramp up because they were behind everybody. They started on fire. None of the good teams play their starters

except for a series or two in week three. Bad optics, bad football, more injuries, Get rid of it. It's about time. Where Colin was wrong. LeBron James has once again embraced J.R. Smith. Didn't we see him have a breakup on national TV? There's some sort of strange attraction between LeBron and J.R. Smith.

Now, I will say this. He's been in a lot of big games. He's hit some big shots. And he's a big guard. He's like, you know, people forget he's not that much smaller than he's six-secks. He's a huge guard. but he's kind of nuts and he's not really very detailed and he's just not what LeBron historically likes to play with.

LeBron loves cagey veterans that he can rely on situationally and J.R. Smith is big but good hell. He doesn't know the score of games. But there's some sort of attraction here. He's one of LeBron's guys. I just is not my answer for the Lakers. I liked Avery Bradley, but he left. where Colin was right?

Well, the 4th of July is, of course, the anniversary when KD went to the Golden State Warriors, and I've said KD is the most sensitive player of my generation in the NBA. Now, being sensitive doesn't mean you're a bad person, but I think the sensitivity led to him leaving Golden State, which I think is a horrible decision, and how did he spend the anniversary 4th of July this weekend, firing back on Twitter to his critics,

anonymous people who would never show their face, and their opinions are mostly useless. This is who KD is. He's a very sensitive guy. Now, again, it doesn't make you a bad guy. In fact, you can make an argument that sensitive people have more empathy. They're better people.

But I do think that sensitivity led him to leave a gold standard organization to Brooklyn, which has already fired their coach, and it's really unraveled over the last three to four months. Where Colin was wrong. Well, the Patriot signed Cam Newton. I was wrong on that, and I said it last week. But what it really signaled,

is. They're not going to go six and ten, and they're not rebooting this season, which I thought made so much sense. But if Cam Newton's on the team, I think they feel much more like an eight and eight, nine and seven football team than a six and ten football team. And that would, of course, drop them out of the top ten NFL picks. And I really, as smart as this organization is, it's a perfect time you've built up so much equity to just play young guys. You know, you don't have to go to the playoffs to build a culture. Miami Dolphins did a great job building a culture last year and were lousy in September and October.

But by going after Cam Newton, it's going to make them more viable offensively. And it doesn't feel like it's a 5 and 11 reboot season. And I have my issues with Cam, but he feels much more 9 and 7 than he does 6 and 10. Where Colin was right? Well, when everybody was saying Sean McVeigh was the next great, offensive coach in football. I said, he's not even the best offensive coach in his own division. That's Kyle Shanahan. Shanahan's the best young offensive coach in the last 20 years of the NFL. And I like Sean McVey. I'm a fan of Sean McVey. He's not Kyle Shanahan. Well, Ronnie Lott,

perhaps the greatest player at his position, all-time former Niners, says Kyle Shanahan is Bill Walsh. To me, they're there, and they're there on the offense. And the reason I think they're there on the offense is that I think, and I've said this, I think Kyle is our version of Bill Walsh. I think he's one of the most innovative guys in pro football when it comes to offense. Yeah. No, Kyle Shanahan's the real deal. Where Colin was raw. Even my wife is making fun of me.

I'm back into golf. I was so into Tiger. He changed my viewing habits. He was like the sopranos in golf shoes. Like I was on a TV. And then Tiger left, and so did I. And the sport just hasn't had many compelling people. But Bryce and the Shambo pulled me back in this weekend.

He's a big hitter. He's Paul Bunyan. He eats 37 strips of bacon for breakfast. There's something about him that's fascinating. I don't see him as an all-time great. But I'm even taking golf lessons now. I'm back into the sport. Yeah, no.

My wife's just joking. She's like, when I met you, you used to roll your eyes at golfers. You're taking lessons? Yeah, I'm back into golf. And part of it is when you give me these compelling people in golf, It pulls me back in every time, and I never thought I'd be back into golf. I mean, I watch the U.S. Open and Masters. I'm a sportscaster.

I watch the big events, and I follow it. I can read, but I don't really watch it outside of the... And here this weekend, I'm watching golf. So as my wife would attest, I'm just a walking hypocrite. Where Colin was right? Well, the Cam Newton situation. I was wrong. He's a patriot. I just never saw it.

But the betting market is proving me right. from nine wins to nine and a half with Cam. This is a team that Brady won 12 with last year. I like Cam, but I've always thought his greatness and his talent and his value was massively overstated by the American media. I get Carolina fans loving him. He was the face of the franchise. He's fun. He's stylish.

I've always said he's Westbrook. Hard to take your eyes off. I get that part of it. But I never thought he was a great quarterback. I've always thought he's a great athlete who can make great plays and has great moments, but the consistency is what separates Russell Wilson from average quarterbacks in the NFL or Tom Brady or Breeze. And the betting market, Cam Newton is half a win more than Jared Stidham. And that, even to me, feels a little low, but more realistic.

Where Colin was wrong. I've been very critical of Joel M.B. to the Sixers, who I think is semi-committed except on Instagram. But got to give him credit, got to admit he's been totally focused during the quarantine. Even his head coach Brett Brown has been a little shocked. There is nobody on our team that has put in more time than Joe L&B. And forget, you know, what he's actually done in the gym just for a minute. Just go to man hours and consecutive days and the amount of days. that he has put in over the past few months.

I'm proud of him. I respect him. He needed to do it. You know, we understand the impact that he can have on our team. Surprise me. It's very hard to change a goofball into intense guy. It's easy for intense guy to occasionally have a marguerite to chill out in the beach. But for him, this was a great opportunity to be unfocused.

COVID's hard to be focused. There's a lot of stuff. and anxiety and stuff happening. But Embed has given every ounce of his time to the right stuff. Good for him. Where Colin was right? Finally, when Donald Trump won the election, I said, be very careful conservatives, be very careful laughing at your rivals.

This now means celebrities with no history in government, driven by narcissism and things that shouldn't be running our country, can become the leading candidates. Kanye West this weekend says I'm running for president. Now he's not going to win. But the point being is, when Donald Trump was elected, all the conservatives said, yeah. And I said, I said on the air, Kanye West will now become a presidential candidate. Because people who are driven by popularity, that's Trump's game.

It's always been Trump's game. It's about the brand. Kanye's brilliant, but it's about the brand. This is now the future of American politics. about the brand, not the country. I'm not a big fan of our current White House. Nothing against Kanye, love his music, and shoes. But is this the future of America?

Celebrities. Building brands. Not caring about, you know, like the people and stuff. That's what people in government should be about. Us, not me. You know. By the way, I actually said on the air, laugh all you want, but this has opened the door for Kanye West and other people who are brand builders.

And that's what Trump is. Trump's a brand builder. I mean, all his decisions are based on the brand, his base. I mean, maybe I should run for president. I'm not capable of it. I don't want to be president. Oh, what a bad. When I was young, I wanted to be president.

I wrote like my inauguration speech and everything. Really? Yeah. It's just an awful job. It's not a job I want. No, not at all. It's one of those jobs that even if your heart's in the right place, half the country hates you. Well, yeah. I mean, I think that's what happened with Obama.

Like he wanted to do great things, but... But you're blocked by this guy and that guy. That's also why people like, you know, Mark Cuban, who continuously is mentioned as somebody who should run for president probably doesn't want to. Why would your family want to deal with that? I like Mark Cuban. I really do. But he's also a brand builder.

He's a great brand builder. Like to me, politicians should be about solving. I think politicians should be about solving problems for the less fortunate. I don't need a ton of protection. I mean, you know, I've got to. Well, I think you're probably unique in that space, Colin. Well, no, I mean, I think there's a percentage of people. I don't wake up in the morning, but there's lots of people in America that do.

Right. Right? So that's what government should be for. It's not built for me mostly. I talk for a living and I make enough to have peanut brittle for lunch. I mean, you pay taxes and you live in this country and have to buy by its laws. So, yeah, you should have an opinion about it as well. But, you know, here we are.

We got it here. 2020. Coming up next, Mercedes-Lewis, a longtime NFL veteran, a Gotham Chopra last hour, is stopping by as well on a Monday. Good to have you. And it's the herd.

Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific. On Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHeard Radio app. Last night, a blown call changed the game. This morning, lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where SportsSlice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines.

We go straight to the source, the athletes themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. SportsSlice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to SportsSlic on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs?

Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it.

Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so you all know. I mean, at this point, 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.

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

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests.

I'm talking. Tripp Fontaine, Ryan 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? 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 Hardway. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the hard way and listen now. What's up guys? This is Clivert Taylor the 4th. And on my podcast, The Clivert Show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff, like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle game. This linebacker walks up to me, he goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What? Time out. Quarterback on office blue 42. Hey, rec, my mama want you to wave at her.

What? Hey, Ms. Parker. Listen to the Clippers show on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. The 2020 baseball season will begin on Friday, July, July, 24th. 24th with MLB on Fox, returning on July 25th, with Fox Saturday baseball, and we could not be more excited. Baseball is back, and of course, America's home for baseball this summer, as always, will be Fox and FS1. I'm trying to be so positive with this.

I'm just, I've seen so many starts and restarts. It should be noted in Europe. I mean, Germany's done a great job. Their soccer league is off and running, and they're moving. And so, I mean, if you, they had the outbreak to a greater degree earlier than America did, how they've handled it. Europe's different. You got, you know, Germany's run differently than Greece and Italy. And you would think they would struggle to get it kind of streamlined, but they have largely

done a very good job. And we, the United States of America, are not united on how to handle COVID. So we're still got regions that are popping and non. And it's hard for me to lecture anybody, though, on COVID. A, I don't know anything about it. B, I try to socially space. I think it's very, very hard in the summer to ask people to stay indoors and not go out. especially in beachy communities and warm weather states.

I think it's very difficult. So I'm not going to sit here and lecture people on don't do this and don't do that. It's hard. You're asking 19-year-old kids who the data says are not going to suffer from this and say, stay in your house and don't go out. They're kids. Kids are rebellious. They're reckless.

Kids are reckless. That's who they are. I don't have the answers. Just wear a mask when you're inside and when you're around other people. You know, I'm barely a sportscaster. I'm not an epidemiologist. I do not have the answers. Mercedes-Lewis is one of my favorite guys.

The Green Bay Packer is coming back for another year. He's joining us via the Coward Global Satellite Network. Mercedes-Lewis, former UCLA Bruin, Packer tied-end. So let me start with this. So you got your money. You're not a crazy guy. You've probably got a big bank account. You got a nice house.

You could retire. You don't have to play. But you have decided to come back. Why? I know, I've still got business. You know, I've just I was in Jacksonville for 12 years. back to the playoffs a couple times. It's all about getting to that big game and then win the big game.

So, you know, I'm still in a really good shape. If I'm still playing at a high level, mentally I still love it. I tell you one thing, my body will have to go before my mind goes, you know? And I'm just telling it. All right, we're going to try to get back to him here. that was real choppy, obviously. He said his body generally would go before his mind does. He's sharp.

So we'll wait and see if Mercedes-Louis, we can get him back. But he's been around forever and he's decided. By the way, speaking of tight ends, I do want to address this. So David and Joku's a very talented tight end for the Browns. Now he struggles to stay healthy. So now he's unhappy in Cleveland and not entirely healthy. That's kind of been his reputation, that he just can't stay healthy. and in the NFL, if you're not healthy early in your career,

you're generally not going to be healthy in the prime or late of your career. It's a little bit the OBJ thing. OBJ gets hurt. He's not a stocky wide receiver. He's not Calvin Johnson or Larry Fitzgerald. OBJC gets hurt. David Injoku, though, it's interesting because Injoku is basically saying, and I agree with him, I'm not going to get any touches here.

I totally agree with David and Joku. This is why I worry about Cleveland when they started stacking All-Star on top of All-Star offensively. Here's the problem. Jarvis Landry, big money, OBJ, big money, Austin Hooper, big money. What does that mean? Players that make big money in the NFL offensively, they want production because if they don't get it, they'll get ripped for being a bust or you overpaid for him. So when you pay, it's different for a draft pick. You draft a kid, six round, he becomes part of your franchise. He's been, he's entered it as a nobody. now he's a somebody free agents come in and they want the ball be very careful about building an

offense through free agency and they brought in a big free agent right tackle jarvis landry an obj and austin hooper and they want mouse to feed and remember kevin stefansky first of all cleveland's going to be a lot better this year they're not going to trail in 12 games like last year they lost to the bingles last year they're probably going to trail in six or seven games translation. They're going to run the football more. They're not going to be trailing. Baker Mayfield average 33 and a half throws last year per game. That's going to come way down.

Part of it is they're going to be leading. They don't need to throw. Stefansky is a run-first guy who now has an offense, if you look at the O line, that is going to lead. They're not going to trail in as many games. And I would say Baker Mayfield's throws will go down to 27 a game, not 33. Now, that may only seem like five or six throws.

But when you added a tied end, when you have a new coach and a new system, he doesn't want Baker to dominate this organization. We've seen what happens when you put it on Baker's back. He's not good enough physically. He's not mature enough mentally. So to me, Injoku was saying, and this is the danger of creating an all-star team on offense through free agency. David and Joku's like, hey, where am I?

catches. If there's going to be 27 pass attempts, let's say we complete 19. Well, Jarvis and OBJ are getting a bunch of those. We're going to throw Austin Hoopers a volume tied end. He's going to get six of those. So I don't blame David and Joku. He's just looking at it. He's going, listen, I can't stay healthy. I got about four years. I got to make money. I want pass attempts. So now is Mercedes-Ruiz ready to go? He is. Mercedes-Louis joining us by the phone, and we appreciate that. So let's start with the first question I asked you. You don't need to come back, obviously. You have decided to come back. Why?

Sorry about that connection, man. No problem. Yeah, man, like I was saying before, you know, I played 12 years in Jacksonville, saw the playoffs a couple times. But it's all about getting to that big game. The ultimate will have it. The shape that I've ever been in continuing to just sharpen

the ads. And I'm still learning, man. A great opportunity. Some great things to happen. I just want to be a part of it. By the way, you're a pro. I would imagine you're in good shape. What kind of shape are you in headed into Camp Mercedes in the context of, compare it to last year, the year before, the year before? I'm on a pretty strict sense where I want to be and where I need to go by the time.

It's time to report for camp. So I would say now I'm more, like my endurance is a lot better than it was last year. I've had more time to actually get the miles on my body as far as running so you can try to prevent soft tissue injuries or keep those down to a minimum. So, you know, obviously, you know, I'm in the weight room working, but I'm plenty strong. I'm as strong as I'm going to be at this point in my career. It's all about keeping my flexibility, Pilates, and still being able to run. So I would say my endurance is... By the way, I've never been a big fan of preseason football.

I just don't think teams need it. It's now down to two games from four. the Players Association is saying we want no games. What is your reaction to that? It shows up to us. No vets will be out there in the preseason. You're taking the same amount of risk for barely getting paid for it. You got guys out there trying to bust each other's head to win jobs.

Right? So obviously, I'm not trying to be insensitive to the younger guys and the rookies and the first and second year guys that need the preseason to make a roster or the bubble guys. But when you've been in the league, you're positioning or on a certain team, I just feel like preseason should be optional, to be honest. I totally agree, by the way. The Rams don't play their starters during the preseason. They made a Super Bowl not doing it, so I don't get it.

So it's interesting. So David and Joku, a very talented kid tied in, says, I don't want to play for the Browns. And I just said before you came on, I said, this is the danger of creating all-star teams on offense and free agents because guys all want their touches. And you guys' careers, you're rare. You're playing for 15 years.

average guy plays six. I don't blame David and Joe Cooper saying, I'm not going to catch the football in this offense. Some people will say he's selfish. I don't see it that way. How do you view it? Yeah, no, I definitely don't think he's selfish, but, you know, as you know, the window, and, you know, he's a young guy, he's putting it all in perspective. You go and get Hooper. You know, he's a value guy. They're going to get him the ball. And then you got OBJ, you got Jarvis there. They're going to get their catches. And then Joku was still a young guy trying to make his mark in his league. And I just, you know, he's being smart about it.

So it's a business decision just like if it was on the other side. Yeah. It's a business decision. Things like that happen. So I think he's just, you know, assessing, you know, what his positioning. By the way, you're one of only three players that is still playing in the NFL from your draft class. 255 guys got drafted. You are still playing.

you have been around this league for a long time and you know how cultures are very important. So Cam Newton's talented. Nobody disputes that. But the New England culture feels like the opposite of Cam Newton. You know, I mean, listen, I mean, Jacksonville does not feel like Green Bay. So since you did a transition from a little looser organization to, you know, Green Bay is, you know, very much Aaron's team and Aaron's system. what will be the difficulty in your opinion of Cam going to what I imagine is a highly complex system not getting all the snaps at camp anymore because Jared Stidham's going to get half the snaps.

How do you think it works for him? I just saw, first of all, I think, you know, Cam still has a lot of the tank. I think that, you know, he's going to have to go on there. Like you saw that interview, it's not about the money. It's more about respect, right? You got something to prove. And so when you got somebody like that and it's highly motivated, and not externally motivated, but really regret it.

I don't think it's going to be an issue with him. I really don't. Well, it's interesting. I mean, the bottom line is he didn't do it for money. I mean, he didn't do it for a paycheck. That we know. So you are doing something. I just had lunch the other day with one of my favorite people in the world,

Maverick Carter, who's LeBron's best friend, one of the most fascinating guys, interesting, great life story. So you are now going into business with LeBron and Maverick Carter. Carter, what are you guys doing? A couple years. And it's called a show about the culture, what moves the needle, hot of big cities,

African-American guy, and it jumps off the screen because it's really genuine. We've got some dope guests that are going to be coming on the show. Obviously, when we shot the pilot and shot it around about a year and a half ago, after Carter,

they put the first office sheet out there. Ultimately, that's what we wanted to be, and we're just glad that it worked. We're one of the good guys in the best, business. I love having you on and good luck in Matt LaFleur's second year with Aaron Rogers. By the way, I will say this. I watch the draft of the Packers and forget the quarterback thing. It did look like Green Bay wants to be a little more run first football team. They drafted a running back, three interior linemen, a blocking tight end, by the way. Are you okay in a new England,

in a Green Bay offense now, Mercedes? They're going to ask you to block more. Are you okay with that? 15 gear. That's something that I take pride in. It's been an all-around tight-ins. Yeah. A lot of tight-ins don't like to block. Tony Gonzalez told me he loved blocking and Mercedes is all in on blocking. Good talking to you, bud. I appreciate you. Thank you.

You bet. Joy Taylor with the news. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. I'm very curious to see what you think about this. So the Nets are consulting their top players as they look for their next head coach. Brooklyn GM, Sean Marks, said it would not be smart to not involve Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in the decision.

He said they're going to pick Katie and Kyrie's brains on what they need and what they're looking for in a leader. And Mark says the two have been brutally honest so far. Well, I do think I would want the input of my two-star players. Yes. My issue is, I think Kyrie is often, depending on the weather, has a different opinion on. a lot of things. So Kyrie could be really hot on something today and not hot on it tomorrow. But I don't have a problem in basketball if two veterans come up and say, listen, we are your salary.

I mean, we are the salary cap. This is kind of what we're looking for. We want a former player. Somebody in their 40s, not their 60s. Like that doesn't bother me. Now, the question is, once you include them in the conversation, then if you don't hire who they want, the GM eventually gets replaced. Right. So I'm for it because I also think that this particular team has a small but very strong window for a championship.

They can figure this out, obviously not this year, but next year. They're going to be a championship contender if they can get all the pieces in place. So it is vitally important that Katie and Kyrie completely buy into whoever the next head coach is. But yeah, once you ask for Katie and Kyrie's opinion, you better hire who they tell you to hire. Yes. No, and so, I mean, you just have to know that going in. Right. I'm going to sit down and ask them, but you better take, if they've mentioned three names, one of them better get the gig. Right. Or if they're very hot on one particular name, that's what it is. You've got to know that going into the app.

Right. Exactly. That's my point. I'm totally okay with it. And they should do that because I do think they have to buy in. I really, I'm very excited to see what this team looks like when everyone is healthy. I think they're going to be a lot better than people think. When Kyrie does buy into something, he is great. He is great. So, it's just. It's all the pieces have to come together, but they are going to be a contender if they can make that happen. But yes, they're going to end up hiring whoever Katie and Kyrie, say, once that door's been opened.

So Zion looks like he's in fantastic shape as he tries to lead New Orleans into the playoffs and the restart. Pelicans posted a picture of him back in the gym with the team this weekend, and it got social media buzzing. He looks like Bain from Batman. He looks great. Now, this isn't surprising to me. He's also getting older. we know, we always overreact

to the bodies of rookie NBA players. We overreact to everything. We do. But particularly with, remember Alonzo Ball? It was like, he's so skinny. He's never going to last in this league. He's never able to take the hits. And then the second year came back, it looked like a completely different person. Of course. Because they a year older, your body changes.

Think of how different your body is from 19 to 23. Just as a normal non-athlet. Everything changes. The food you eat sticks to you a little more. The training you do is more effective. You get your man body. Not that Zion didn't already have that, but he's clearly been in the gym. What Zion really is showing me is what Lamar Jackson has shown me.

Yes. He listens. Yep. He's not arrogant. He's not defiant. This is my knock on Baker Mayfield. He was very defiant. I know the answers. Lamar Jackson and Zion have said, those are legitimate criticisms. I'm going to improve on that. Zion's like, my body could be a problem. I could become Oliver Miller, who was a good player, but ate himself out of the league. And so when I, my problem with Baker was with the talent, Baker had all the answers. Zion's telling you, I'm hearing your criticism and I'm adapting to it. That's the kind of guy that lasts 20 years in the league, the adapters and the guys that listen. Well, also, sometimes it's not how much you eat, but what you're eating, how much of what you're eating matters.

So, but he looks like he's in incredible shape. So your point earlier, a lot of the young guys have been really impressive with the shape and the work that they put in throughout this, this quarantine and stoppage of play. And I think that's to be commended because we're all dealing with this in our own way. And we all kind of go through waves of positivity. And then it's like get really down. And as an athlete, I mean, this is a normal person who doesn't have to stay in shape for anything. That's right. It's hard to do.

It's hard to continuously be motivated, especially when you didn't know when anything was going to come back. When you don't have a schedule, you sit around eating all day. That's what you do. That's what I do. I sit around eating all day. And what is your routine? Like, is your routine you're staying in shape just to stay in shape? Or should you be ratcheting it up to restart?

Like, they haven't had any of these answers. So on top of the fact that they've not had the facilities and the ability to go, you know, run, go down to a run and play. So I'm very impressed with them. So Lamar Jackson, speaking of Lamar Jackson, shined in 2019 and won the MVP in only his second NFL season. His private quarterback's coach, Joshua Harris, said that when he talks to Lamar about being a bigger target

because of that stellar year, Lamar wasn't worried. Harris said he explicitly said to me, They're preparing for me, but I'm preparing more for them. I'm going to keep a chip on my shoulder. He remembers being in that room before becoming the 32nd overall pick. That fuels all of his preparation and where his mindset is. He doesn't see himself as the MVP. He sees himself as the fifth quarterback taken in his draft last.

That's why he's going to succeed. That's it. That's the answer to Lamar Jackson. That quote is everything. Yep. He sees himself as the fifth quarterback taken. Well, you have to keep that chip on your shoulder because, look, getting to a level of success is hard to do, right?

But harder than getting to that level of success is staying at that level and then leveling up. Because you lose motivation. It's like, you know, that we were talking about that with Connor McGregor, how many times you get punched in the face, you know, you get paid and then you're in silk sheets. Like, you know, you make a couple hundred million dollars. It's hard to go into that UFC Octagon

and keep getting punched in the face like that. I don't even think you keep the chip in your shoulder. It keeps you. It's embedded in you. You are usually wired that way, but sometimes things can happen to you, because he had a very successful college career. Sometimes things can happen to make you feel like you were slighted, and that's just the fuel you need to continue being successful in the next level. Good stuff, Joy with the News. Well, that's the news.

And thanks for stopping by. The Herd Live News. I'm going to argue with a former NFL coach Eric Mangini next. He loves the preseason. I hate it. We're going to argue next to Herd. Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd, weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Last night, a blown call changed a game.

This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear.

The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context and ask the questions everybody wants answered. SportsLice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to SportsSlic on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black. people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do 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 on day, but just so you all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we discussed crack. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. Now 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. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests.

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

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

Join me, Kear Gaines, is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose. On my new podcast, Learn the Hardway. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. What's up, guys? This is Clever Taylor the Fourth. And on my podcast, The Cliverts Show, I'm bringing you. conversations about all kinds of stuff.

Like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker, this linebacker walks up to me, he goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What? Time out. Quarterback on office blue 42. Hey, rep, my mama want you to wave at her.

What? Where's she at? Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Clippers show on the I-Hart Radio app. podcast or wherever you get your podcast. Eric Mangini, 19 years as an NFL coach, five as a head coach. We're going to argue here because I hate the preseason. College football's got

19-year-olds. They don't use it. And I watched Oregon and Auburn play the opener last year. Seven penalties per team. Freshman quarterback, Auburn. I thought they were very good, very well coached. They have limited on practice schedules in college. They have a bunch of 19-year-old kids. Why don't 28-year-olds need it? Eric Mangeney.

is joining me from Massachusetts, Cape Codder, one of those Ritsey Islands, via the Coward Global Satellite Network. So let's start with this. College football doesn't need it. Why does the NFL need four preseason games? Well, first of all, college football typically is a much simpler approach to it. They don't run multiple coverages. They usually don't run multiple schemes.

And that's one of the issues that you have with the young players coming in is them having to get used to the volume. of information and the volume of things that you're trying to do in pro football. So if you want a really, really simple game, you can cut it down. If you want a sloppy product early, you can cut it down. Each one of those games serves a function. I think especially with the option we've had, if you put a new head coach and new coordinators into a situation where they're expected to make good decisions or be as effective as possible with shortened experiences and limited exposure, it's hard.

They're already behind the eight ball, and now you do that, and they're even further back. The Rams said we're not going to make our starters take any snaps. They started that year 8-0, went to the Super Bowl. Is there an element to this that is just, we've always done it this way, let's keep it this way? No, everybody tries different approaches each year, and sometimes you get lucky, and the approach you take works out for you and I think that's a situation that you're talking about there but in that first game you're just going through the mechanics of how you're going to operate in it during half time during pregame with the coach the quarterback with the booth to the sideline the

side line the sideline mechanics there's so many things that you work out in the first game and then you have that same element when you do your first away travel game and and the third game you tend to play your guys a lot more. And the fourth game ends up being an evaluation game where you get to understand your roster. And you get to see how much those young players from game one who played a lot, how much they've grown into play for. And it helps establish the back end of the roster.

It helps you establish the practice squad. If you don't think those things are important, then of course you can cut it down. Yeah. Let me throw something out. You're the coach of the Browns today, and David and Joku wants to be traded. talented struggles to stay healthy but super talented would you trade him he just wants

catches he looks at the roster now and says with stefansky i'm not going to get any catches he he doesn't know that and this is a little bit like the jamal adams question for a young administration coming in there what precedent do they want to set so a guy gets a little bit unhappy and demands a trade and you trade well that that's the precedent that you said so the next time somebody's unhappy and they demand a trade they they know that you'll accommodate it And I think that's a slippery slope that you can get into. Last year he has five catches, about $500,000 a catch. The year before he has $56, why not go and see what this system's about?

Why not go and play with another really good tight end? That could end up helping him significantly. If the coverage gets pushed to the other tight ends or the outside, you have a chance to be exceptional. Yeah. By the way, I saw a column this morning. Cam Newton's going to be Randy Moss in New England. And I think people are forgetting, Randy is maybe the most talented wide receiver.

I think he is. He's the most talented wide receiver I've ever seen. Just in terms of raw talent, I'd never seen anybody like him. You know firsthand the impact Randy Moss had. I don't see Cam as Randy Moss. Go back to Randy Moss. How great was he early? Look, I blew that one big time.

So he's playing in Oakland. He doesn't have a very good year. Get straight to New England. Doesn't play in the preseason. We open with him. and he's nine for nine, nine throws, nine catches for 183 yards, and a touchdown. So there is a boom or bust element to a guy like Randy Moss when he comes into that situation, and obviously that was a boom, and it's the same thing with Cam.

Now, I'll say there's a significant difference. Randy Moss had Tom Brady in the room, and he saw the way that Tom Brady was being coached. And when you see arguably the greatest quarterback of all time being coached, it's easier to accept a culture. Now with Tom not there and the quarterback being Cam, he's got to get used to that culture and it is not for everybody. And if you're not used to hard coaching and you're not used to to that environment, it is a shock to the system. Yeah. Yeah, is there a lot of yelling? Is that what it is? I mean, like when you say it's hard coaching, what does that mean?

look you'll hear guys say like why am i getting called out bill is bill is going to point out all the mistakes and some guys aren't used to uh the way that those mistakes are pointed out it's not necessarily you know hey we we'd really love for you to run this route at 12 yards and then if you'd come slightly downhill that would be fantastic you know if you want to it's a lot harder edge and it's in front of everybody and it's not just just players it's players, it's coaches. It's universal. But it's, it's, it's not wrong. You should, you should point out those things. But oftentimes in the NFL, especially with bigger money guys or guys with, with bigger reputations or however you want to phrase it, it's almost like

you're asking them. People will ask them to do what's expected. And, and you're not getting asked there. Yeah. You're getting told there. Yeah. You're getting coach. And you're getting it. And it's for your own benefit, but guys will bow up and it's hard. And it's every day. It's not going away. It's not like once a week. It's every day you're going to be pushed as hard as they can push you. Eric Manjini, Fox Sports NFL analyst.

Enjoy your summer. Thanks again, coach, for stopping by on late notice. Appreciate it. All right. We'll see you, Colin. All right. Good stuff. Yeah, I mean, it's just different.

It's just the reality of the way New England does it. It's not for everybody. Greg Popovich, by the way, was a guy that would ride you a lot in practice. Some guys do. Don't Doc Rivers is legendary for having light practices. One of the reasons veterans like to play with Doc Rivers. Paul George, I'll play there. Kauai Leonard, Ray Allen.

There's a reason veterans like to play for Doc Rivers. Doc takes it easy on practice. Now, he'll be demanding and bark in games. Doc is a veteran player's favorite coach. Pat Riley, just grind your arse. Doc Rivers doesn't. So every coach has a different style. You can do a lot of different ways to win.

Hour three. Next. One more herd? The herd streams 24 hours. a day, seven days a week within the IHeart Radio app. Search heard to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like. Well, Gotham Chopra is somebody I bring on my Saturday podcast two or three times a year. He's an award-winning Emmy Award-winning documentary creator, documentarian. I don't know why I always struggled to say that.

He's done a variety of things. He did Tom versus Time, which I think gripped us, certainly on this show. He's got a new series, Friday, seven episodes come out. TV. And that's one of the TV channels that didn't exist 10 years ago does today. And it's going to be high end. It's fascinating. He takes many of the greatest athletes of all time. And he gets Kelly Slater, the swimmer, Katie Ladeke, the surfer, Kelly Slater, the surfer. He gets Katie Ladeke, the 15 time world champion swimmer. He does get LeBron James. He gets Usain Bolt. He gets Sean White. He gets these athletes. And he wants to

find a pivotal moment in their career. And it's often, it's not the Super Bowl. It's not the Olympics. These moments in their career that they have, from what I'm guessing, just ultimate clarity. And so I want to bring him in via the Coward Global Satellite Network, Gotham Choper, author of filmmaker, award winning. Okay, so let's start with this. A surfer.

So Kelly Slater, and I know who Kelly Slater is. He's a surfer. but he's dealing with nature and waves. And then you have Tom Brady who's in this. And he's dealing with defenses and football and everything's scripted. Are there similarities in these stories? Or is it like when you talk to Kelly Slater and Tom Brady, their moments of clarity are completely different?

It's a good question. Thanks for having me. Look, I think the circumstances are sometimes different, but the experience of peak performance, of flow state, of all these expressions we hear, being in the zone, they're the same. Like when you start to hear them talk about what's happening physically, mentally, emotionally, it's very, very similar. It's interesting to me. Like Kelly Slater, for instance, is a world-class surfer. There's a death element in that.

Big waves, slam to the ground, injuries, surfers die. when you talk to these great athletes, Usain Bolt probably doesn't have that sensibility. But when you talk to the great athletes, is fear a motivator ever? We think they're strong and they're courageous. But is it fear? Are they great because of childhood situations?

Again, do you find common threads on that? Yeah, I think that the catalyst is often very similar in terms of like what gets them, like propels them. and fear is a big one. So it's just like, you know, you're talking about the greatest. And a lot of the stories that these athletes tell are the ones that, you know, they come expectation. Like LeBron talks about, like, just everything going on around him.

So I think what's leading up to the series often, I mean, to the experience is often very similar. But I think the experience, like, is the absence of everything, the absence of expectations, the absence of fear, the absence of even sort of ambition. It's really sort of being grounded. in the present moment. And that's consistently what you hear when these athletes enter into that zone. And it's fascinating. I sort of was always just sort of intrigued by this idea of what's

the anatomy of greatness. Like what are the elements that come together to create these moments? And to have these athletes tell you those stories, it's super fun. And I like what you said in the intro. You know, what's really fascinating is that most often it's not the ones that you would predict. It's not the Super Bowl comeback for Tom Brady. It's not necessarily. like, you know, the first championship for LeBron James after all the doubters, et cetera. It's something that's unique and very personal and intimate to them. Okay, I'm a guy. I got to, my wife always jokes.

She always says, Colin, you have balance in your life. You have a chip on both shoulders. And so often the story of great athletes is a chip on their shoulder, is that you were told you weren't as strong or as willful. But now let's talk women, because I have no idea what drives Alex Morgan or Katie Ledecki. I doubt it's the machismo and the chip on the shoulder. Or is it? Do the great female athletes often come from the same space psychologically as the great male athletes for their moments of clarity?

Yeah, I think they do. I mean, look, the two women we have as part of the series, they both identified moments that were very, very early in their careers. I mean, Katie Ladecki was 15 years old. So there weren't the expectations. Alex Morgan, you know, I think it was her first start that she, identified. And so I do think like elite athletes always find an edge, but I think in these instances, the women that, you know, that are part of the series, they sort of identified something that came without expectations, that they were free of all of these, you know, burdens that

come later in life. And so I think that's a really interesting point. I hadn't really thought of that until just now, because all of the male athletes, they sort of, they talk a lot about the expectations and the pressure that comes with greatness. But these women talked about something very early on where they were sort of liberated of all of that. It's interesting. LeBron and Tom Brady are fascinating. So Tom comes from kind of your white picket fence, you know, background, family, close-knit, you know. And then LeBron's childhood is much different where there wasn't the domineering father figure.

There was a little bit more chaos. He needed a coach to step in for him to get some clarity and some vision in his life. and some, you know, here's the surrogate coach that comes into LeBron's life and probably changes it. So I would think, boy, LeBron and Brady are very dissimilar. Are there similarities? One grows up in the classic kind of white American neighborhood. The other one, more urban. Do you find any similarities with Brady and LeBron?

Yeah, I mean, first of all, just like devotion to greatness. Like these guys are relentless in terms of their pursuit of being the best. something you pointed out again earlier, like the edge, the edge, like they always find a way to grab onto their own narrative and twist it. Like even the things you were just mentioning, like nobody, you know, Tom has had it easy, he's had a comfortable life, he has a stable family. So all these things, he finds a way to sort of turn that into his source, like, oh, I've got doubters now. Of course now, for the last five years, it's all been about his age in terms of like he's tired. You know, LeBron in Greatness Code, he identifies like that, that

that game for him is early. And you're saying, you know, you're talking to a Celtics fan here. So I remember this game. In fact, when he told it to me, I kind of wanted to cry because it's in 2012 prior to all of his championships when people doubted like, oh, LeBron, here he goes. You know, he's going to choke again. And for him, that sort of became the narrative. So I think in term, like, that gave him that edge.

So I think that's always something that elite athletes find is that edge. In Tom Brady's mind, he's still the sixth round pick that was, you know, passed over. by every single team, including the Patriots, six times. You know, he uses that to drive himself. And then you have Sean White. Generationally, you know, he's not me. And he has a sport in itself that didn't get respect forever. So you have Sean White, non-team about the individual,

becomes a rock star individually. There could be a generational difference with some of your athletes. Sean White. What motivates Sean White? Well, Sean's might be, I mean, I've got to be. careful here, but Sean's might be my favorite episode. Sean came so prepared to tell this story, and it was for an Olympic qualifier, so it wasn't necessarily game, like, even when we were putting this together, we had to search far and wide to find the footage for this stuff because it wasn't

necessarily like the highest profile event. But I think for Sean, again, it was that expectation. It was that Sean talks about it. He's like, you know, I was at a place where I would just show up and everyone would think it's over. Sean's here. You know, he's going to win. He's going to win. He's like, but, you know, I have to actually go out and perform. So all of that weight of expectations. And then he talks about a qualifier. And, you know, you kind of have to understand the way these, you know, snowboarding works. But like, he failed on the first two runs. So, like, all the weight in the world was on that third run for him. And if he didn't, you know, perform, then Sean White becomes the greatest failure of all times. So, you know, it's just again,

it's like how these athletes find those things to sort of motivate and sort of put pressure on themselves in some ways and then come through. And that's where the greatness is. Now Usain Bolt, who's the biggest sports star in his country, so now it's an international story. So, I mean, Usain Bolt's basically carrying the pride of a nation on his shoulders. When I look down at all these athletes, my first takeaway is the pressure is on Usain Bolt. Tom Brady doesn't win. Boston's pissed. The rest of the country's okay with it. Was Usain Bolt an interesting story to you? I mean, well, when I got to go, you know, it's pre-pendemic.

So I was like, I was down in Jamaica. And, you know, Usain just like sort of embodies everything about that country. And, you know, running, sprinting is all of our sports in this country combined. You know, it's the NBA, it's the NFL, it's MLB, it's everything sort of all in this one tiny little country. And Usain just sort of he has this vibe. He has this swagger. you go to his house. He's got like Jamaican music playing on it and he's just like he carries that. I mean, just the images you're showing right now like, you know, he just has so much sort of

energy and fun doing what he does. And again, like, you know, he carries that with him. And it was it was super cool to be down there and just, you know, hear him telling these stories. And, you know, it's fun because like the more these guys, you know, start to talk about their stories, the deeper they get in. And you can almost always see like their eyes drift into because they're they're recalling not just like the moments, but the experience, the feeling of greatness. And so that's what, you know, the series, by the way, isn't just us like doing interviews and slapping, you know, archival footage on the stuff. It's like we really kind of created a visual experience. So it's animation, it's visual effects, that's some great partners,

just really help capture because so much of it's like the psychological and emotional experience of greatness. The timings, you know, Tom Brady talks about throwing into triple coverage. Like that's physical, you can see it, but it's really emotionally what's going on in their heads, what's going on inside of them that I think is the funest part of the series. It's on Apple TV. Friday, they drop seven episodes. It's called The Greatness Code, men, women, international. People we know, people you may not be as familiar with. It's fascinating to me, and Gotham Chopra is our guest, when Tom Brady specifically, so you do a documentary on Brady. And there were little moments during the documentary. He, he,

dropped little subtle hints on the documentary. And, you know, when his wife, he allowed, you know, you guys put the thing in with the wife as like, you know, he just like to go to work and be respected. And it's like, oh, okay, here we go. Were you ultimately surprised? Because I was surprised, Gotham. He's a creature of habit and he's a family guy. And so here's what I reasoned.

He's not going to like new stuff. And he also believes in family. And the Patriots are his family. Instead, Tom, it's like a midlife football crisis. It's like, I'm going to Ebor City. I'm going to Florida. Were you shocked? I was.

I was shocked. I mean, because also I'm a Patriots fan. I mean, you can see the jersey up, you know, like behind me. Like I grew up around, you know, before Tom. I was there during the Drew Bledso and the Hugh Millen and the Steve Grogan and Scott Zolak here. So like Tom had sort of become, maybe you've resurrected that entire franchise with Bill and Mr. Kraft and all of that. So I was really surprised.

But, you know, like the more I talked to him, and I'm pretty close to Tom, and I think, you know, he, he now in hindsight, I'm like, oh, yeah, all the clues were there. And I mean, I kind of lived it. And I just think it was time for him to move on. But when it happened, and I was talking to him a lot through, you know, that whole free agency period, you know, as brief as it was, you know, he kept, he, like now if I look back at it, all the clues were there. I mean, there weren't even clues. Like, he was, he was, he was, he was leaving. But, you know, it's still surprising. I mean, just, you know, it's just, and it's still hard to fathom. I mean, I think until I see him, you know, throwing to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and, you know, down in Tampa, like, I'm still not going to believe it. So I can't wait to watch it. Friday at 7, Gotham Choper, they're dropping Apple TV. It's called The Greatness Code, a landmark short form unscripted series. Brady, Alex Morgan, Usain Bolt, Katie Ledecki, Kelly Slater, LeBron James, Sean White, he said was one of his favorites.

You know I love having you. I want to thank you so much. And, you know, I see that Brady jersey, and you're just going to have to get used to it. Tampa Bay is going to be in the Super Bowl, and New England's not. Gotham, and you're just going to have to come to terms with it. I'm not hanging up. He's going to have to earn, you know, Tampa Bay has to earn its way up onto that wall. All right.

Good seeing you, my friend. Thank you. All right, Gotham, Choper. Check it out Friday, Apple TV, good stuff. Joy Taylor with the news. No, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news.

Could you imagine if the Bucks make the Super Bowl this year? Patriots fans are going to be distraught. You know, we do get lucky, though. A couple years ago, Jacksonville almost got to the Super Bowl. And I think we weren't together, but I remember thinking, and I think instead that year, didn't we get Atlanta, New England? And it was incredible. And then we got Peyton Manning twice and the Legion of Doom twice.

Like last year, we got Mahomes and the Niners. Yes, fantastic. The season is long enough. It was so close to being the Titans. Oh, my God. We have avoided the most boring Super Bowls. We've ended up getting a lot of, you know, a lot of legends. And so I look at the NFL and I think to myself, if it's Tampa Bay and Lamar Jackson, the NFL, sometimes you don't get lucky.

But NFL over the left because it would be amazing. The NFL has given us a lot of amazing in Super Bowls, a lot of Steelers, a lot of Far, a lot of Aaron, a lot of Peyton, a lot of a lot of Russell Wilson. It has not given us a clunker in forever. Well, the Rams. It was a bad game. It was a bad game. Bad game.

But it was very interesting leading up until the actual game. No, no, it was the genius and the next genius McVeigh. The matchup and the stories were fun. The game was a stinker. So the NBA is reportedly in deep discussions to create a second bubble for the eight teams that were not invited to Orlando. They would hold many training camps and play games against each other with a target. start in September. Details are still being hammered out, and some teams would prefer to hold many camps in their

local markets and look into regional sites for skirmages. Instead, they also wanted to lay a vote on the second bubble to see how things play out in Orlando. So that would be for the hawks, hornets, bulls, calves, pistons, warriors, timber wolves, and the Knicks. So basically they want to make sure the young players get work. It's unfair. Well, yeah, because it's a long, and it would be about nine months off from any sort of high-level

basketball competition. Yeah. Not even just for the young players. Like for those eight teams, that's a long time to be off of basketball. Sure. So it is understandable and some teams want it and some teams don't. I personally, if it was my team, I would not want to go to a bubble. I mean, we don't know how things are going to play out in Orlando.

It could go perfectly, as perfect as is designed to go. But for what? Like, it's a mini-camp. You can scrimmage to a team that's close to you and everyone can get tested and that can be your, workouts. I don't see the point in risking a second bubble for many camps. To me, the way to beat COVID, not beat it, manage COVID is simple. Just fewer games, fewer practices. Make this the year. I saw a plan by the NFL the other day, Joy, maybe it been Friday I was reading it. I thought it was smart. Like no more than 20 players at a time in the bubble at the NFL is like 20 people at camp.

And then the next day, 20 more. This is going to be the year where if you have a really good infrastructure, like Buffalo's building one or New England. You're just going to have to deal with fewer practices, fewer meetings, fewer games, and that's because the more activity, the more COVID. We see the numbers. The more people out.

So I do think it's a big advantage for really well-run organizations who've got this system in place and they're just going to take 38% of practice, games, footage, film, and can you win? Well, it definitely is going to hurt young teams and team, both in the NBA and in the NFL,

and teams that have new coaches or new systems to implement. Like, we know that. That's just, they're going to be up against it because you do want those extra practices. You do want that extra time. You do want more experience on the field or on the court. But your point is right. Like limiting the interaction is the win here. So I don't anticipate this happening.

They are talking about it, but I think it just makes more sense to stay regional. It's a local, obviously, for your camps, hold them in your facility that you can manage and then do regional. scrimmages. I just heard a source that I trust told me over the weekend, college football is going to become regional this year. So the USC Bamas of the world, highly unlikely. Big 10 versus Big 10, Big 12 versus Big 12, that college administrators are coming to terms. If we don't have to fly out of our region, we're not going to do it. Yeah. So Jarvers Landry had surgery in February after playing through hip injury last season. He posted an update to his Instagram about his recovery, saying he is excited about where he is at with his rehab and is looking forward to being stronger and better

than ever. And then he took a jab at some of the Brown's critics at the end by writing everyone that was talking bleep last year. I'm going to see you when I see you and I got bleep to say. Got a nice pool. Yeah. Yeah. Landry underwent surgery in February after playing through the entire 2019 campaign with a hip injury. It's kind of interesting. Landry and Odell played the entire season last year injured. What is that going to look like this year? Well, they're going to, Landry is a 90-catch guy. It's not. He had 83 receptions and a career high, 1,174 yards and six touchdowns. That's with the battle line and a quarterback that struggled. Jarvis Landry to me has always been

the volume guy here. He's the, he's a hundred catch. If you gave Jarvis Landry a Pro Bowl quarterback, he's a hundred catch player. He's a humongous volume player in the NFL. They're not 10 guys in the NFL. I mean, he's a hundred catch. I mean, he's a hundred catch. I mean, He's really guaranteed 80 catches a year. That is a real number. I do think it's going to be interesting that Landry and O'Dell are going to come into the season healthy, which they weren't last year. But my question remains with the Browns. Where are all the catches going to go?

And Joku is asking for a trade. There's a lot of amounts to feed here. If they're winning, though, that you can push that off. If you're winning, David and Joku will deal with two catches. If you're losing, that's winning. solves a lot of stuff because you don't want to be the player that complains. It makes it easier to get two catches. Doesn't make you happy.

Yeah. That long term, I don't know how that works. So this is your official spot if you want Mike Tyson comeback news. We always have updates on Mike Tyson. Mike Tyson has been training for boxing comeback. And, you know, we're all doing unconventional workouts right now. So he's continuing to show his strength at the age of 54. This is here in Los Angeles on a beach.

and he is he's flipping a steel cage across the sand. Is it, what are they? They're filming him, yes. So he's, he's obviously training for a boxing comeback. He wants to do a charity boxing match. He doesn't want to keep any of the money. He said he'll probably pay his wife

because she's going to help set it up and then all the rest of the money is going to go to charity. But, yeah. Why would you fight if you don't, I wouldn't do charity box? I would never fight Mike Tyson for a charity. If I'm going to take a beating, I'm going to get a check.

Hey, let's just hang out with my. If you don't feel like you're going to take a charity. beating. You know, if you're going to step in a ring with Mike Tyson, you don't think you're going to go in there to get a ticket beating. You're going to get hit. Well, yeah, that's generally

in boxing. You do get hit, generally. There's no way I'm fighting Mike Tyson for free. No way in the world. Well, maybe he's, maybe his opponent won't fight for free, but a portion of the

If one of those punches I'm watching lands, I want a million dollars. One million per punch that hits me in the forehand. He's saying he's not going to keep any of the money. He's going to He's going to donate. So Mike's going to go, Mike'll be the drawing card.

He's not going to take anything. And some guy's going to make $5 million. And Tyson's going to make nothing. No way. I don't know. That's what he's saying. I mean, he looks, he's 54. He looks great.

It looks frightening. He, like, a bunch of other guys that's taking advantage of this quarantine time to get in an amazing shape. All right. Joy with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by.

The Heard Lye News. Zion Williamson, my favorite young NBA player, 20th birthday today. And we celebrate with a game of Zion versus. That's coming up. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays and noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific.

Okay, best for last. So the game we're going to play here, I'm the general manager. And for the next five years, Joy is going to set me up with players. And I'm going to consider everything. I'm going to consider age, injuries, personality, will domestic players want to play with you?

Everything. Do you change the temperature in the room for my franchise. It's not just about your points per game. It's about a lot of things. Ready to go? Let's do it. All right. Zion or John Moran. Zion Williamson is my choice here.

He averaged six points more per game. Where I think the NBA's got a lot of really captivating point guards. I don't think there's another Zion. I don't think there's a body type like him. I don't think there's quite a ferocity. Is that a word? Ferociousness. I think Zion is so.

so unique. I think John Morant. John Morant is just super talented. This one's close for me, but I would also go Zion. Zion or Luca Donchich? This is a Zion one. Now, Luca's going to score more points. He is just one of those guys that's going to average 29 a game forever. Almost like Dirk Novitsky. It's an interesting segue. International player who's going to be a profound score.

I think Zion is a better athlete. I think he's stronger. I think he's more forceful. And I think in the end, he's going to have the ability lots of guys are going to like to play with Zion. I think Luke is just going to be a 29-point-of-game guy and finishes the top 10 score of all time. Zion or Ben Simmons? I would have never guessed it would be this easy,

but I would take Zion. Ben Simmons has been heartbreakingly bad. He's never improved from his rookie year. He appears reluctant to improve his shooting. I thought he was going to be, I've never been more wrong. I thought he was going to be a transformational all-time talent, six, ten and a half point. unbelievable ball handler incredible unique vision

Ben Simmons has not gotten better and if you can't shoot in today's NBA everybody banged on Zion shooting Zion can shoot Ben Simmons can't Zion or Jason Tatum close but Jason Tatum I think he's built for the NBA

40% shooter on threes I've already seen him take a team to the finals conference finals I've already seen him take over playoff games Jason Tatum to me is the most underrated player in the NBA. I have him right now as the six or seventh best player in the NBA. I thought he was exploding this year.

I think his confidence he popped this year. I thought he was on his way to being a top five player. I think Tatum is a phenomenal potential all-time talent. He's really come into his own. Zion or Nikola Yokic? Both good, I take Zion. Again,

I think he's a little more I think there's a more joyful approach to it. He is a general manager. Yokic is great. I think Zion changes the temperature of your franchise more. Players don't want to play with Zion more. Both good players, though.

Zion or Kyrie Irving? Real easy for me. I'm out on Kyrie. This is Zion. Again, humble. I kind of feel like driving to the arena as a GM every day. I know what I get from Zion. I don't know what I get from Kyrie. Also, Kyrie's had injuries. Kari struggled with LeBron.

He struggled with Brad Stevens. He struggled with injuries. I got a lot of question marks. going forward with Kyrie. I don't really with Zion. I feel like I drive the arena and I'm going to get 26 and 7 and 58% shooting. And I just get a lot of answers with Zion and too many questions with Kyrie. Zion or Kevin Durant? Tough one. This is a tough one. I'll go Zion. I don't think Kevin Durant's going to be happy long term in Brooklyn. Kevin Durant's coming off one of the most brutal injuries that it's hard to come back from. And it was not Kevin Durant's first injury. Everybody

looked at Zion and go, oh, the injuries. Zion just lost 25 pounds. I don't worry about Zion's body. I worry about Kevin's. Oh, I got to go Kevin there. Zion or James Hardin? And again, I'm a general manager. I'm building a team. I'll take Zion. I don't think players eventually want to play

with James Harden. I don't think he's committed to the defensive end. It's not stylistically because I think James a great score. I'm building a roster. Who are agents and players? Who's going to funnel them to me? You're not going to get a bunch of shots. with James Harden. He's ball-centered. He controls the ball. It controls the franchise, by the way.

They practice when James wants to. I'm Zion. Zion or Steph Curry? Steph Curry is going to come back, healthy and rested. He's the greatest shooter in the history of the NBA. He has always been underrated and underappreciated. I got news for you. He'll still be the NBA's best shooter in five years, and he is easy to play with. He makes everybody better. I like Steph. Zion or Anthony Davis. Zion, Anthony Davis. I've seen Anthony Davis and Zion play for the Pelicans. Which one changed the franchise? Zion.

Zion's done more. Again, Anthony's a great talent. I got injury concerns. I also don't think. Zion's got a toughness that I like. Anthony Davis is talented. Zion's talented and tough. Zion or LeBron James?

LeBron James. He's still the best player in the NBA on most nights easily. And again, you're talking about this is a big one for me as a GM. Who's changing everything? the way we're viewed, the way we play, the way we practice, the way we intellectually think, the way I can build, LeBron's still the king of the league. And it's the next five years.

Ten years probably be different. Zion or Kawhi Leonard? Zion. Kauai is too quirky for me. He's nonverbal. He doesn't talk. There's the take every other game off. I struggle with it.

Also, he doesn't pass. So he's a very good player. The guys love playing with him. I don't like driving to the arena and not knowing what I get. I don't know what I get from him. Is he want to play tonight? You know, again, I'm not doubting. Get a bucket, get a stop.

He's better. But I'm talking five years of building a franchise. GM, I go Zion. I got to go Kauai. Zine or Janus? Janus. Humble, hardworking, dependable, elite on both ends. Going to win it back to back, second straight.

Yeah, Janice. See, I don't hate Milwaukee. I don't hate Milwaukee. One more herd? The herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week, within the iHeart radio app. Search heard to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like.

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