The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Straight Fire-No More College Football, Giannis Cracks Under Pressure & Colin Cowherd

Episode Date: August 12, 2020

On today's episode, Jason explains why he thinks the Big Ten and the Pac-12 were the first dominoes to fall that will ultimately lead to college football getting canceled altogether in 2020 (2:50), why he thinks Giannis Antetokounmpo's peculiar decision to headbutt an opponent during the Bucks win last night is proof that he's starting to crack under the pressure to win a championship this season (26:15), why he expects the Portland Trail Blazers will need a lot more than just Damian Lillard to beat LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs (31:26). Plus, FS1 and FOX Sports Radio host Colin Cowherd swings by to tell us the story behind his meteoric rise in the world of sports media (9:40), if it's fair to compare him to a guy like Andy Reid (15:52), and why he expects the SEC will decide to cancel their college football season by the end of the week (18:44).Click here to subscribe and download all of the latest Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre podcasts!! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

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

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

A win is a win. I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifers Show. This is a place for raw, unfilled conversations with athletes,

creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to the Clifford show on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok's podcast network on TikTok. On the Look Back at it podcast.

For 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84's big to me. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians,

and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you love to be remembered as the person who gives the best birthday gifts, I'm here to tell you that 1-800flowers.com is your ultimate birthday gifting destination. 1-800 flowers has thoughtful and artfully created options that are guaranteed to deliver the best birthday surprise. Shop thousands of unique gifts at 1800flowers.com for exclusive offers and great values. To order today, visit 1800flowers.com slash tune in.

That's 1,800flowers.com slash tune in. This is Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre. Fire. Up in here, it's burning hot, we all fire. So you take it off. If it get too high, up in this spot, we're going to. Welcome back, ladies and gentlemen. Episode three, Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre.

I mean, listen, this is one of the biggest days since the show started in terms of news. And also, as a bonus, we have our first guest. My main man, Colin Cowherd stopped by. I spoke to him right after the college football news broke. Really interesting stuff you'll want to stick around for that. But first, I've got to start with the biggest news of the day. It's official. Unfortunately, there will be no college football in the Big Ten or the Pact 12 this season.

Nobody wins, folks. It's disappointing. We all lose. Fans, the players, the media, the students. I mean, it's awful. I will never forget my first college football game. So I started out at Virginia Tech. I transferred out of Virginia Tech after two years, but I started there right after high school.

and I had never been to a college football game in my life. I grew up in northern Virginia, and college football was not big in the nation's capital. College basketball was big. College football just not as big. So I go down to Blacksburg. And obviously, right before the first game of the season, I'm pretty sure it was a Thursday night football game.

There was a massive block party. There's campus housing right next to the stadium. You're hundreds of people. I'm this freshman. If you guys follow me on it. You've seen, I was 18, but I looked like I was like 15. And right before kickoff, of course, everybody starts making their way to the stadium. And everybody's got a solo cup of beer, you know, the red solo cup.

And they're getting their last chugging, and I'll never forget. I'm walking with a couple buddies. And, you know, like 10 feet in front of me, I see this guy in jeans and a plaid shirt. Stop a kid who's drinking a beer and say, hey, can I see your ID? And the kid's like, huh? And the guy pulls out a badge. He was undercover, the hat, plaid shirt, and jeans. And I was like, oh, my God.

I was totally spooked because I've been drinking all afternoon. I was like, welcome to college. And college football just, it's synonymous. Saturdays drinking, fun, flip cups. I'll destroy anyone at flip cups. If you guys want to play, I'm totally down. But that's my thought about college. Like every fall, you could smell it in the air.

The crispness, right? The leaves are falling, those awesome mornings where there's dew coming up on the grass. It's all college football. And, you know, we're not going to have it. I know the SEC is holding out and the ACC and the Big 12. But, you know, the reality is I just, I don't see any of it. I mean, they're holding out and I appreciate it. I would love for it to happen.

But the reality is I don't think it's going to. And it's sad that it's become, you know, a political issue. But welcome to 2020. where decisions everywhere are being influenced, you know, along political lines. But I know that there are three things you do not want to talk about on a first date, right? It's exes, religion, and politics. And I consider myself still on a first date with the audience. So I'm going to have to move on from politics.

Listen, it's tough in 2020. But I guess I just got to go for one final time beat up the lack of leadership in college football. And I think I read this in a book somewhere, but a leader has to see the battlefield, right? The leader cannot be down there in the trenches, slugging it out, shooting and firing because you can't see the entire field. The leader has to see the whole field. And the only thing I can think of is during this four-month quarantine, during the pandemic, the college football commissioners, You know, they're down there in the trenches on Zoom. They're not zooming out.

They're not seeing the battlefield. They have no idea what's going on. It's as if they showed up here in August to the meetings. They're like, all right, let's go. What do we got? And the doctors show up and they're like, yo, we got some problems. Now, remember, these college football commissioners, they kind of have a worldview that's not based in reality.

These are guys making $2, $3, $4 million a year. They're in a totally different. ecosystem than these athletes that they govern over. I mean, think about it. The commissioners make so much money, I don't believe. And listen, I could be wrong. I don't think COVID hit them in their tax bracket the same way COVID hit everybody in the lower socioeconomic tax bracket. We're seeing it play out nationwide.

And these guys in these insulated communities, they look around and they're like, oh, everything's fine. I'm still playing golf and I'm living the dream and I'm counting my money. And they're not seeing it as a big deal. And it just is annoying that they had to wake up this late. It's like they were watching family movies at home for four months during the quarantine. Maybe they joined TikTok because their kids are on there. And then they show up in August on campus. They're like, oh, wait, what?

We can't play college. You know, totally tone deaf and it's disappointing. And, you know, I was joking with a buddy over text that, um, Damn, Saturdays, I'm not going to be able to use the excuse with my wife like, hey, I can't do this with you and the kids. I got to watch Ohio State Michigan. You know, listen, it's USC, UCLA, big game. I can't. As a guy in sports, I could use that stuff as an out.

And I needed to for TV, radio, web, podcasts. I can't do that anymore. That's disappointing. It's extremely disappointing. I know you guys probably feel the same way. Listen, Saturdays are no longer yours in the fall. Now, it depends where you're listening to. Maybe, maybe the SEC holds out and is some way able to have college football.

I would love it. I just, I kind of want to wrap on this. In some way, there is some irony here. Okay? The league that college football fans love to bash, NFL loves to bash on social media. The league that the politicians hate, there I am again, diving in. For whatever reason, the NBA. has done an amazing job with the bubble,

and it has to do with respected leadership. Adam Silver's been phenomenal. Owners, imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all,

embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying.

Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast,

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

this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-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. Thank you for finishing that sentence. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah.

For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking. Trip Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it.

And we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you 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, Keer Gaines, as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, learn the hard way. Open your free, our heart radio app. Search, learn the hard way, and listen now.

Understanding the players. The players have some power. They have some say in the matter. And the players union had to get on board with all of this. That's how the NBA bubbles happening. And look at college football. They got none of that.

None of it. Next up, I think you guys are going to love this interview with my old buddy, current buddy. Neighbor, not direct neighbor, but he's closer. He lives closer to me than Danny Green of the Lakers, who also lives close to me. Name drop there. Colin Cowherd stops by next. Get right to the romance and find the way to wow this Valentine's with 1-800flowers.com. From classic roses and bouquets to decadent chocolate-covered berries,

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Jason likes to think he knows everything when it comes to sports. I know what sports fans want. But for everything he doesn't, he knows a guy who does. Let's just say, I know a guy who knows a guy. who knows another guy. All right, our first guest in Straightfire history, a guy I've known well, a guy who's been kind of a mentor to me in the industry. I met him many moons ago when he was living in Bristol, Connecticut.

Colin Cowherd joining Straightfire, Colin, how you doing, man? I mean, it's a tough time in sports right now, tough time in life. Where do I find you right now at this moment? I'm fine, actually. We're not running from it. You know, we wear our masks out. My wife and I, you know, we've traveled. The kids have traveled.

We wear masks. We're smart about it. We socially distance. Distance. But we, you know, I'm not, unlike college football, I'm not canceling my life. You know, there's dangers every day. I mean, 730 people a day pass away in California. And for a variety of reasons.

I mean, listen, we live in a country of 331 million people. Five million have gotten it. We live in Manhattan Beach. very few cases. You know, I try to be smart, but I haven't changed my light dramatically. I play tennis. I work out. I go for jogs. I travel. You know, I just wear masks out. It's, I mean, this is a new culture and trying to embrace it. Yeah, Colin actually, when I was coming to FS1, Colin said, oh, you've got to move to this town. It's amazing. And Colin, his wife took me and my wife out for dinner. And it was one of those where, Colin, I think I've told you this before. My wife

afterward was like, boy, he's exactly like he is on the show. I mean, that's the authenticity, Colin, that you kind of bring to the table. And I want to go back. We met like, I guess what was it like 15 years ago in Bristol. You had moved up from, I guess, AAA right, in Seattle to the big leagues. You replaced Tony Kornheiser. And I get this question a lot. Like, Jason, how did you rise up in the industry. And I tell everybody my story, but I don't know that your story's been chronicled as well, going from Seattle to the big leagues. Can you, can you just go back to that real quick and tell everybody how you made that leap? Because that was like a colossal leap at the time. Well, yeah, it was Portland, actually, which is much smaller than Seattle. I was just doing,

I was a local TV anchor, 6, 11 o'clock news, sports. And I was doing morning drive time sports Stock Radio and I just got a call one day from a consultant. He said, I can't tell you the job, but there's the best opening in Sports Talk Radio history. It's big money. It's big, uh, big audience is available. And I didn't have any idea what it was. I thought it was KNBR in San Francisco, who I heard was moving off their morning show.

And then I, for six months, uh, I had this station. I didn't know it was ESPN. were calling my radio station during the show and being put on hold so they could just listen. And I was told they were doing it, but I didn't know who it was. And so they listened for six months. And then finally, I got a call. And they said, listen, they've gone from 400 candidates to 100 to 12, and they're down to about six. Wow.

And they need you to interview. And they called me for a couple interviews, but I didn't know who I was talking to. And then finally they said you're down to a final four. They like your work, blah, blah, blah. Would you come interview at the Super Bowl in Houston? and I said, yeah, but who is it? I'm not going to go there. If you don't tell me who it is, I'm not going to waste my life.

And they said, you have to keep it top secret because it hasn't been announced that Tony Kornhizer is leaving, but you would replace Tony Kornhizer. So I interviewed in Houston, thought it went well. And then they called me again, and they said, you're down to the final two. And I said, okay, and I flew out to Bristol, and I interviewed. And I thought I had a really good interview. And, yeah. And then I got a call one day.

They offered me, you know, they didn't low ball me. They made me a good offer because I'd done really well in Portland. And I liked working in Portland. But I was kind of tired of doing, you know, nighttime anchoring and morning radio. And it all worked out. You know, and I knew when I replaced Tony that a lot of Northeast people wouldn't like me, didn't know who I was. But I figured the West Coast would gravitate to me in the South because I taught college football.

And that's how it worked out. Yeah. And it's funny because I guess right on your second day, maybe it was when you were on TV. I think ESPNU, right? And then you said the thing about the website I was running, and we didn't know each other. And then I guess like six months later, I go up to interview you,

and I'll never forget one of the first things you said to me when we met. Because we hadn't talked on the phone or anything. You were like, oh, you're pretty normal guy. And it was funny because at the time, the blogosphere had this negative connotation, these guys in their basement and their underwear. And it was just kind of negative.

And you met me, and you were like, oh, this is kind of a normal guy. And we kind of hit it off. and it springboarded from there. But I guess when I think about the current state of radio and TV, Colin, it's changing significantly in the last 15 years. We've seen an upheaval. And now you're the linchpin of Fox Sports Radio, IHeart Radio.

I'm curious, from where it's been in the last 15 years to where it's going, any thoughts on the radio as an industry and as a medium? Oh, radio is fine. I think it's 93% of Americans listen to radio or audio. There's just a lot more platforms. When I started in this business, there wasn't Facebook, YouTube, or podcasting. Digital was very limited. But I think radio slash audio will be vibrant until I die.

The spoken word, the written word's different. Written words very hard to monetize. The spoken word is very easy to monetize. Digital, you know, radio networks. I mean, IHeart makes, you know, premier radio sells billions of dollars annually. So I don't worry about my audio business, be it podcasting or radio. I don't worry about that. And I just, I've never been loyal to a platform.

If a platform dies, I move on. You know, podcasting I got really into about 10 years ago. Bill Simmons got into it 15 years ago. He was really smart. So I just tell people all the time, don't be loyal to a platform. whatever's hot, get on, embrace it, promote it, and go for it. Yeah, and TV as well with the streaming game. We talk all the time at night, like, you know, you see ratings up and down for sports.

They're really popping coming out of the bubble in the quarantine. I just wonder, where do you think TV is 10 years from now? I mean, everybody, I keep getting asked to sign up for a streaming service seemingly every month. There's now Peacock, and you've got to sign up for that if you want to watch the new Save by the Bell. you know, you're a very forward-thinking guy. When you look at TV 15 years from now, where do you see it, especially for sports? I think everything will be streaming. I think everything will be streaming.

Every single thing, Super Bowls in 15 years. So I just think everything's going to move over there. And, you know, I do think what is happening is the empowerment of the individual. Oprah was the first to have her own network. Podcasting, for instance, is not very expensive. It's very, it's, it really isn't. It's very low cost. You can do it.

I mean, you're doing this show right now from your house. Yes. Used to be you needed massive real estate and massive studios. I can do a podcast, audio and visual from my basement. Very low cost. Just give me an editor and let me talk. Buy some headsets. So I think just kind of the world's changed on that.

I think it's kind of empowering to the individual. I do think TV networks have, they're viable. they still matter. But I think for the individual, you know, we see the Bill Simmons and the Oprah and the Glenn Beck and the, you know, Stern left terrestrial radio and went to a new company XM Serious, and these people have been enriched financially by doing it.

So the individual, if you've got an audience, I mean, Barstool, they tried television, it didn't work. They're not on a radio network. They do some XM Serious, but they're basically a digital business. They sell some merchandise, but their websites don't make any money. It's a merchandise and digital business.

They don't need TV or they don't need to be on a massive terrestrial radio network. And they do, and they're making, you know, that's a multi-hundred million dollar enterprise. Somebody recently said to me that, you know, Jason, a bunch of guys from the big lead when you, you know, brought them in and worked with them on the website, they've gone on to pretty good jobs. And someone kind of likened it to a coaching tree of sorts. And I thought about you and kind of all the guys you've nurtured. and are getting out there. You've got your own podcast network. You know, with me, I consider myself, you know, a guy who's studied under Colin

and now I'm running a bunch of things. And Nick Wright as well, he does that. Do you think of yourself in that same vein that Andy Reid is a coach and he's had a bunch of assistants who go on to bigger and brighter things? Do you think of yourself as a, you know, a coaching tree guy? Well, I like to help people. So, I mean, people help me. So I don't want to be one of these bitter, old guys.

that, you know, is about me only and lives on an island. And I want to be somebody who can help other people. You know, I love to see what's happened to Gottlieb, you, Nick Wright's career. I love that stuff. John Middlecalf's a guy that he got let go in the Bay Area. And I watched his listen to his podcast. And I'm like, I like him a lot. I think he's smart.

And I think the company that let him go is making a huge mistake. So I brought John Middlecough on my podcast, The Herr Network, and he's been great. He's really grown an audience. So I think sometimes radio networks make mistakes. And if I can scoop up people I think are really, really smart, I'm going to do it. And I don't know if it's a broadcasting tree. I don't want to pat myself in the back. But I do like listening to young talent.

And if I can help it grow, I like that. And if, by the way, I can put it on a podcast network for me and I can elevate them and, you know, I get a small cut of it. That's just smart business. Definitely. And then maybe at some time, they move off and they don't need me. But I mean, everybody needs help. And if you're a 27-year-old podcaster and I listen to you and I think that's really funny, who's going to help you? You know, a network may not want to, they don't have room for you. Sports are getting canceled. They don't have employee. You know, they just can't include payroll. And I'm like, well, I can put you on to a revenue split, elevate you. So anytime I can find you.

young people that are, I think, like you were one of them where I thought, this guy, you know, I always said you could do digital, print, television. And I thought, this guys just need somebody to support him. And when I was at FS1, I told the bosses, I said, he's not an A player yet. I said, he'll be our utility infielder. But give him three years, give him a bunch of reps. I said, you're going to find this guy can do all platforms. I said, you just can't hire a bunch of Derek Jeter's. You got to have a DH. You got to have a middle reliever on a team. You need somebody that just needs reps and help. So I like that.

It's fun for me. That's a cool thing. All right. On to the news of the day, real quick, Colin. The Big Ten postponement of the season hit, just as your show was ending. You got to talk about it a little bit. I haven't heard many people go with this angle, but the SEC as of now is staying. I think a big factor in that, and I don't think they'd admit it.

The last 14 years, Colin, they have led the NFL in most players sent to the league from their conference. There's no way the SEC would push to the spring. I just don't see them doing it. They would lose so many players from their conference. I think they're going to do anything in their power to stay, even if Pact 12 follows in Bales. Big 12, ACC.

Yeah, I think the FCC will probably announce Friday. They're canceling the season two. I think this heart issue is terrifying to school presidents. that they could get sued if one player died or a kid later had real heart issues. I think the hard issue is going to cancel college football. I just don't think we're going to have a season. I think it's decimating the ESPN because they have the college football series and half of the Big Ten and the Pac-12.

But I think it's all done. I think the SEC is trapped. I don't think there's anything they can do. I think this heart issue scares everybody to death. And I think we're just going to have to, I think college football, it's, I feel bad, but there's going to be a lot of athletic departments. You know, college sports has always been kind of a house of cards anyway. Yeah.

You mean, you got 30 athletic programs, 28 hemorrhage money. I mean, you got 20 athletic programs that nobody goes except relatives and boyfriends or girlfriends. So this thing's about a house of cards forever. It's time to reshape it, shrink the athletic budgets. And I think this is going to, COVID's going to be the industry changer. It almost feels like, you know, Title IX and college sports date back like 40 years, Colin. It's now what football is a billion dollar industry at the college football level. And they've changed nothing.

They've really tried to stick to status quo. And you're right. I don't think that's going to work at all. I guess my question to you regarding the NFL, now the players are paid, obviously. They know the risks. But without the bubble in place, like we've seen in the NBA. the NHL and MLS really working. Baseball's had its hiccups.

Do you see many hiccups at the NFL level? Some, but remember NFL football is much easier. Football is much easier, NFL football. Eight road games. Yeah. The players have already agreed to play. They sign waivers. They'll play, right?

They only get paid if they play in most instances. not that many guys get guaranteed money. They go home to big houses, not dorm rooms. You know, many are married, so they stay in their family bubble. I think, you know, if you go look in baseball, the really good, well-run teams haven't had issues. The Cubs haven't, the Yankees haven't, the Dodgers haven't. Minnesota's really good this year, the A's. It's been the crappy Marlins and a little bit of the Cardinals.

So I think baseball was always going to be problematic with so much travel. I don't think the NFL will. Eight road games. And you fly in, by the way, Saturday morning, you leave Sunday afternoon. You're not in towns for four days where guys can get into trouble. You literally land, go to the hotel, have lunch,

take a nap, do a meeting, go home, watch film, get up in the morning, play, and get in a jet. I just, I think the NFL is going to be fine. I would agree with you. All right, I want to wrap up on the NBA, Colin, real quick here. you've been very negative about the Lakers the last couple days saying Portland's going to take them down. Colin, how many times have we been over this when LeBron was in the east?

Well, calves don't look good. The Hawks won 60 games. Look out for these Raptors. I mean, we've done this so many times doubting LeBron. I'm a little shocked you're doubting him here. I don't think the Lakers. The Lakers are last in every offensive category. That is with LeBron, and A.D.

So what does that tell you about the supporting cast? It's junk. Can you imagine? I mean, that would be like saying, you know, I made the joke today on the radio. I said, if you had two kids that were supermodels in your family, but your family was voted ugliest on the block, how homely do the rest of your kids have to be? So the reality is that the Lakers after LeBron and AD do not have a reliable third offensive player.

Danny Green had a game in the bubble where he was scoreless. I mean, I just, I don't think, I think we look at it. It's a very, very weak, very... Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all,

embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care which I'm saying.

Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show.

This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment. And the next, we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music.

The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok.

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's 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. Thank you for finishing that sentence. I don't think there's a more important year for black people.

Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking. Trip Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize

that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it. And we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you 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, Keer Gaines, is we have real

conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway. Open your free, our Heart Radio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. Very weak roster after your top two players. So, okay, you said the Lakers are last in everything

in the bubble. But the sons and the spurs are first. Doesn't that tell you that maybe some of these eight games are a little overplayed in terms of value? Well, no, because if you look at the Western Conference this year, I thought the Lakers were a little bit of a fool's gold number one. Paul George missed a ton of games for the Clippers, and he and Kauai were brand new.

The Rockets had a new star and a new coaching staff in Westbrook and Dan Tony's new staff. Portland Nurkish was hurt all year. Denver had everybody but Yokic was banged up, Utah, lost Mike Conley, so they had to experiment at point, and Oklahoma City was in total rebuild. So when I looked at the West, winning the West is not nearly as impressive as it would be in most years. Everybody was kind of rebooting and dealing with injuries. So the Lakers had AD and LeBron mostly healthy, and I do think they wanted to create really, they had a new coach, they wanted to make, they didn't really have, many injuries and they wanted to make it work and kind of get the chemistry and the confidence

right. And they played really hard and they played a lot of games. LeBron played a lot of games. So I don't think this number one, I think they feel like a three seed to me. I think right now Houston's better, Milwaukee's better, Boston's more even, Toronto's better. I think Denver's playing pretty well. Last night when the Lakers beat the nuggets, Lakers had their starters in. Denver had bench guys and they were still getting countless. easy buckets against the Lakers starting defense. Troubling. All right, Colin Cowherd, you watch him on FS1, hear him on the herd.

He's got his herd podcast network. You know I'm going to be playing him in tennis soon, and I will gladly report hopefully a victory, although Collins will be getting more reps in than I have. Colin Cowher, a great radio host. Good talking to you, buddy. All right, bud. Get right to the romance and find the way to wow this Valentine's

with 1-800flowers.com. From classic roses and bouquets to decadent chocolate-covered berries, gourmet treats, and more. Surprise your Valentine with 1-800flowers.com. Right now, get the 18-stem enchanted rose medley for $39.99, or upgrade to 24 red roses for $10 more. Go to 1-800flowers.com slash tune-in. That's 1-800flowers.com slash tune-in. What grows in the forest?

Trees? Sure. Know what else grows in the forest? our imagination, our sense of wonder, and our family bonds grow too, because when we disconnect from this and connect with this, we reconnect with each other. The forest is closer than you think.

Find a forest near you and start exploring at Discovertheforest.org. Brought to you by the United States Forest Service and the Ad Council. Look through your children's eyes to see the true magic of a forest. It's a storybook world for them. You look.

and see a tree. They see the wrinkled face of a wizard with arms outstretched to the sky. They see treasure and pebbles. They see a windy path that could lead to adventure. And they see you. Their fearless guide is this fascinating world. Find a forest near you and start exploring at Discovertheforest.org. Brought to you by the United States Forest Service and the ad council. Thanks again to my main man, Colin Cowherd. Just a sharp guy. He's a leader. He knows how to see the battlefield. He's got a great meteoric rise happening right now. Really impressive last 15 years for that guy. He's earned it. Colin Cowherd, good guy. All right, onto the NBA. I was all set to talk about the Blazers Mavs game, which was absolutely bananas. Porzingis, Luca, Dame Lillard at 61, but then Janus goes out

in the game after it. And Janus headbutted Mo Wagner. Now, folks, if you haven't seen this video yet, it's a little bit troubling. I mean, first off, it's Mo Wagner. What are you doing, Janus? And second of all, I got legitimate questions about, you know, Janus's state of mind in the bubble. I don't think I can sugarcoat this at all. I don't know if Janus has built for this.

Okay? He just missed the last game, some dental issue. He sat out the second half of the Nets game, the one they lost. The bucks are sputtering in the bubble. There's no doubt. And they had a great season, and maybe Janus has ticked off. Listen, this is going to be a battle of mind as much as it is a battle of body.

Being in this bubble away from your family, it's not going to be easy. And I almost saw a crack in Janus. Dude, Mo Wagner, who's that? I mean, I know him because he played at Michigan, you know, and he was on the Lakers for like eight seconds. But Janus, you can't lose your mind. When you get into it with Mo Wagner, I mean, I'm sure some people are saying, dude, he wanted the night off. He just had the last game off.

I mean, I think we really, listen, I don't want us brag and say we're ahead of things on this podcast. But we opened with college football the first day, and two days later, it's canceled. On, I think it was the second day, producer Rob nailed it with the, oh, no, it was the first day. Luca and James Hardin. And then Bill Simmons chimes in the next day on that. And now we're coming off Janus yesterday. I'm saying, listen, there's some concerns about the Bucks. And boom, Janice is dropping headbutts.

I mean, he's out there going Zinidine Zadon on Mo Wagner. And I just keep saying Mo Wagner, because I like how it sounds. But we're talking about an MVP and a defensive player of the year, headbutting a dude. I think he's looking at a minimum of two games. I think they'll give him three. Remember, the NBA needs to come down kind of firm here. They can't give him one because the Bucks have a number.

another game and he's probably not going to play in that one anyway. You can't just give him a one game suspension, a slap on the wrist like that. Because listen, the bubble's going to be heated in the playoffs. We know that. And the precedent right now is Janus. I don't know. I saw a lot of concern with the bucks these last few days. And I don't even know if anybody in the East is scared of them right now.

Okay? No home court advantage. They don't look like the jugger not. Now, listen, maybe they trounce the magic. Listen, even if Yonis has to miss the first game or two, they're still going to beat up on the magic pretty good. Okay, Orlando, they just don't have the bodies, no Isaac, no Gordon, and they'll win that series. But I touched on it yesterday and I'm going to double down right now. The Miami Heat are a team to watch.

Duncan Robinson. I know you're laughing. I know you're laughing. Duncan Robinson, Tyler, Tyler, Tyler, Kelly Olenick. this is a team that's going to jack up a ton of threes that can run and jump with the best of them. They've got the bodies in Bam Out of Bio to throw at Yonis. By the way, my parents do listen to this podcast.

My dad actually called me and said, Oh, your parents don't like sports, huh? And kind of made a joke out of it. They don't love sports, but I'm happy they're listening. Anyways, I have a great analogy for Bam at a bio. in a way he's Jason McIntyre. So Bam Out of Bio goes to Kentucky. And obviously he was pegged from all the recruiting guys.

Oh, he's a great rebound guy, shot block, rim runner. That's what you want Bam Out of Bio to do. And I read a story where Bam Out of Bio got to Kentucky. And he said, oh, coach, yeah, why can't I take the ball at the three point line and make a move and take somebody off the bounce? I can do that. And, you know, Calapari's like, eh, let's not do that. Let's, let's have you, let's put you in a position to succeed,

shot blocking and dunking. And Bam said, okay, I'll do that because he's a good soldier. Bam, out of bio, gets to the Miami Heat. One of the steals of the draft, by the way. And he starts at practice can show more than being a shot blocker, rim runner, alley-you, pick-and-roll dunk guy. And the Miami Heat, one of the,

best and smartest organizations in the NBA for player development. They are at or near the top. They've been phenomenal. And they say, wait a sec. Bam can do more than that. We can have him doing way more than just blocking shots and dunking. Like everybody's told him to do for the last couple years. And the Miami Heat aren't focused on what he can't do.

They are focused on what he can do. And Bam out of bio is going to be a factor. I'm telling you now, I'm calling it. I've gone off on a Bam at a Bio tangent. just watch. He's the guy. I'm not going to say he's going to shut down Janus, but he will be able to hang with him. That Heat Buck second round series could be phenomenal. All right, now on to Portland, which sadly is going to advance to play the Lakers in the first round of the playoffs. Portland beating Dallas on a Damian Lillard 61.9. 18 for 18 from the line. He scored or

assisted on his team's final 32 points. I mean, listen, Damian Lillard, I mean, I started to drop another name, but he does work out of my gym in the offseason. He's a phenomenal talent, all around good guy. It's hard not to be happy for him. I just don't want him taking down the Lakers in the first round. I'm sorry. I don't mind playing the homework card. We need the Lakers making a playoff run.

Not just for this podcast and everything in general. We need LeBron in the playoffs. Playoffs were a little flat last year. In the East, you had the Raptors and Bucks. A good series, but you're missing the juice of one of the great stars in this generation in sports. sports. And so LeBron getting by the Blazers

is mandatory. If he gets bounced by the clippers, so be it. But Damian Lillard is going to give LeBron and Coosma and AD problems. Now, I don't think Portland could stop a nosebleed defensively. If KCP or Caruso or Carusho,

however you want to call him, if one of them can slow down Liller just a little bit, I think the Lakers will be fine and they win in five or six. So NBA bubble, wraps up on, I believe, Thursday. And let's just say we have a special guest slated for next week to prepare everyone for the NBA playoffs, which are going to be hot fire.

And we will cover them extensively on straight fire. Quick shout out. We are obviously going to do NFL heavily on the podcast. We haven't done any. I watched Hard Knocks last night. It was eh. But we'll do all obviously heavy NBA, heavy NFL. whatever's left of college football,

I can't wait. Thank you for sticking around on straight fire. Remember, subscribe, rate, and review. Catch you tomorrow. Get right to the romance and find the way to wow this valentines with 1,800flowers.com. From classic roses and bouquets to decadent chocolate-covered berries, gourmet treats, and more.

Surprise your Valentine with 1,800flowers.com. Right now, get the 18-stem enchanted rose medley for $3999 or upgrade to 24 red roses for $10 more. Go to 1800flowers.com slash tune in. That's 1,800flowers.com slash tune in. Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier.

This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth.

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

and try to make sense of how we survived it. with our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild year. It was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me. Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show.

This is a place for raw, unfills of conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to The Clifford Show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network on TikTok. This is an IHeart podcast, guaranteed human.