The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Straight Fire w/ Jason McIntyre - KD is Dead Wrong about Kyrie, Harden and Westbrook & Damian Lillard's Harsh Reality

Episode Date: June 21, 2023

On today's episode, Jason gets the party started by taking Kevin Durant to task for saying that James Harden, Kyrie Irving and Russell Westbrook are three of the most influential players of their generation. If you seriously dive into all 3 of their careers, you'll realize that they're all immensely talented but none of them are actually inspiring. If anything, they inspire young players in all the wrong ways. If KD wanted to highlight influential players of this generation, he'd bring up LeBron James and Steph Curry. Later, J-Mac explains why it's looking more and more as though the Portland Trail Blazers are drawing dead heading into the NBA Draft. They want to make a deal to keep Damian Lillard happy, but there is no realistic trade that makes them a contender. Gutting the roster for guys like Bam Adebayo or Mikal Bridges (or both) won't suddenly vault them to the top of the Western Conference. Lillard has to understand that his best path to a ring is to get traded himself, perhaps to a team like the Milwaukee Bucks. Click here to subscribe, rate and review all of the latest Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre podcasts! #Volume #herdSee 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. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hard Way with your favorite therapist and host, Kear Games.

This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that it's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor? It signals to the world that you're not to be played with. And just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to. Listen to learn the hard way on the AHA radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes.

Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of Tontons and Wampas on the ice planet, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith rule of two. Listen to stuff to blow your mind on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The volume. This is Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre. What is up, Straight Fire, fam? It's the Jason McIntyre Street Fire for Wednesday, June 21st, NBA draft.

approaching. I can't wait for Thursday show. Friday, technically. We'll record it Thursday night after the draft. All the takes, the opinions won't get too much into 2024, but I love the draft. You will also note those watching on YouTube, your boy is wearing a throwback Seattle Sonics shirt,

and I got to do that because throw some shade at my guy, Kevin Durant. You know he's my guy, longtime podcast listeners. They know I've been a huge Kevin Durant fan. Folks, this dates back to when I was blogging, when Kevin Durant was entering the league. You know, I had the big lead, but I was also doing other places because I needed

to make money. And the big lead was not making any money. And Kevin Durant was coming to the league. I was doing a mock draft for AOL Fan House. Shout out to the Fanhouse OGs. And I was the only one on staff at the mock draft that had Kevin Durant won, Greg Oden 2. And I was proven right, hello, I'm still doing mock drafts. I love them. I love mock. NFL drafts, NBA. I just did my submitting my final one for Fox Sports for 2023. So I've been a Kevin Durant defender for a while. I love Durant in Seattle. Got the T-shirt, obviously. OKC.

Phenomenal. Get to the finals. Then Sam Presti trades James Harden in just a move that really does not get enough scorn. They never get back to the finals. They fall short in 2016. And this backstory's worth it.

Just be patient. 2016, I moved the family from Pennsylvania out to L.A. to do TV at FS1. And I think it was like our seventh or eighth show ever. And Kevin Durant left O'KC for Golden State. And I defended him ston. I said, this is the right move. This is a smart move. He put in a lot of time in Seattle and OKC. I defended Kevin Durant. I've been a Durant guy. And then once he was in Golden State and started dominating, I started tagging him on IG for some of my takes. And he liked him. And he responds instantly. Kevin Durant, the phone in his pocket, always on social media. Okay.

Then he decides to leave Golden State for Brooklyn. And I was critical because that's, listen, I like Kevin Durant a lot. I'm going to call him out when he, I think he makes a terrible move. He hated it. He should. threw shade at me. This is on DMs. And Durant, you know, disagreed with like everything. And I thought fine. And I was proved right again. Brooklyn was a failure. Fast forward to now,

Kevin Durant, in a good spot in Phoenix. I said earlier, the first show we had Monday this week, that Bradley Bill, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, they're the team to beat in the West. I know the Nuggets come in as the defending champs. The incumbent, you know,

there's a slight edge there, but I think Phoenix is a team to beat. And Kevin Durant, who's always responding on social media, made a mistake. He got caught up, folks, in this Carl Anthony Towns nonsense. Carl Anthony Towns, of course, did some podcast because now every former athlete has a podcast. And Carl Anthony Towns said to Pat Bev, when I'm retired, they'll remember me for changing the game and my legacy and all this nonsense. Like, bro, can you win a playoff series? Let's start there before we talk about how you change the game.

and impacted the game. So Kevin Durant, again, big fan of Kevin Durant, he decided that he would respond to some guy who tweeted on Tuesday that not only did Kyrie Irving, James Hardin, and who was the third, Russell Westbrook have amazing careers to date. But James Hardin's influence is not fully recognized and appreciated. and Kyrie responded I'm sorry, KD responded Kyrie and Russ too.

Okay? This is all because Carl Anthony Town's open his big fat mouth and says something dumb and now everybody's reacting and Kevin Durant's like oh it's been a couple days let me try to stir some stuff up

so Kevin Durant who and this is one of the problems I have with KD and the social media I know it's in his head because he's responding to everybody somebody has people say stuff about Durant all the time not even dozens

hundreds of people a day are tweeting at Kevin Duran and trying to go to him into a conversation because they're looking to chase clout, get their name out there. LeBron doesn't fall into this trap. Why? LeBron's married.

LeBron has, what, how many kids? Two basketball players and a young daughter. He's got a lot going on. He's got his company with Maverick Carter and all these guys. Like currently he's vacationing and he's hanging out with Dremont Green in Paris. He's got a lot going on.

He don't have time to be in the weeds with these random internet people. Kevin Durant does Steph Curry Another guy He didn't care Seth Curry cares about What's going on

On social media You think he's replying to randoms About legacies and changing the game No He's got some He's got kids He's got the wife Got a lot going on

I'm a Steph Curry guy Seth Curry follows me on Twitter For whatever that's worth But the reality is These guys have families They've got lied They don't have time To be going back and forth

With Joe Anonymous Loser Twitter troll And Durant does this maybe seeking attention. I'm not going to play armchair psychologist here, but for whatever reason, he's doing it. And he is way, way wrong when it comes to

influence, fully recognized and appreciated for James Harden, Kyrie Irving, and Russell Westbrook. So I said, bent the better part of the afternoon digging into this. I'll start with this. To inspire, right? I looked up the dictionary definition

just for you guys. To influence, move, or guide by divine or spirit. supernatural inspiration. Okay. So inspire, check. Right. Kyrie Irving.

We'll start with Kyrie Irving, who I've been very critical of obviously for obvious reasons. Kyrie Irving has inspired a lot of people. Okay. Kyrie Irving started off in Cleveland not doing anything, winning 20, 30 games. The fact of the matter is, and this is keeping it 100. Kyrie Irving was nothing as a basketball player until LeBron James went back to Cleveland and saved him. That's a fact.

Kyrie Irving is immensely talented basketball player. He's going to the Hall of Fame, I get that. But he was on the track to Nowhereville until LeBron showed up and bailed him out. And then LeBron brought Kevin Love and they won the championship. Kyrie had a great shot. But the fact is, as a young player in the league,

he did absolutely nothing. Kyrie Irving, do you know what he was best known for? As a young guy in the league? His commercials, his viral commercials. Yeah, I remember this because I was, a blogger and YouTube, Kyrie Irving had these super popular commercials, whether it was Pepsi, Foot Locker,

whatever they were. Do you guys remember, you know, Michael Jackson is famous for that lean where it just looks like it's not scientifically possible that someone could lean like that? Well, Kyrie Irving had one of those commercials and it was like, whoa, is this real or not? It goes viral.

So then, inspiring, Kyrie Irving, decides to do the Uncle Drew viral video that was massive. This is over a decade ago. Massive. It was super cool. it doesn't matter that he was winning 25 games a year it was awesome and so kairi irving becomes a hero

to this young generation of people who are all over the internet all the time and I went back and watched the uncle drew commercial it's pretty awesome i loved it at the time carrie irving was to use an analogy that cool underground rock band that played like locally and they hadn't pop but man you knew they were going to eventually pop okay

and kairi was doing these commercials and he built up just a ground swell of people loved loved him. He wasn't winning Jack squat, but he was getting people into his brand, his world. And Kyrie Irving had his own little beehive, you know, like Beyonce has hers. And then LeBron comes, saves his ass. Then they win a championship. The epic comeback from down 3-1. LeBron is the MVP. Kyrie was outstanding in that series. Can't take anything away from him. And then instantly, Kyrie Irving starts hearing like, oh, well, LeBron saved you. And then Kyrie's like, wait a minute, no, I don't need this.

can do it on my own. And he's like, I'm out. I'm leaving LeBron. I'm ditching you. I don't need you. Get me the hell out of here, beefing with Tyrone Lou. What's inspiring about that?

So then he goes to Brooklyn, drags Kevin Durant with him. Then he becomes a real basket case. Kyrie Irving, a disaster in Brooklyn. They never win anything. The super team is, and now Kyrie Irving's bouncing around the league. Now he's in Dallas.

They were, I think, fourth or fifth in the playoff standings. Kyrie shows up. They fall out. Like, guys, we can love Kyrie Irving the basketball talent, but let's be real. If you think he's inspiring anybody out there to be a winning basketball player, you are 1,000% wrong. And that's the common thread with Kyrie Irving, James Hardin, and Russell Westport.

Immensely talented individual basketball players, that's undeniable. They are all going into the Hall of Fame with ease. They're coasting into the Hall of Fame. As well, they should. They put up a lot of points. They scored a lot of points. They scored a lot of points. They also lost a ton of basketball games.

Why? Because they're not winning players. 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. with grace. 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 you're saying. Yep, that's me, Clipper Taylor the 4th.

You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast, it's a space for honest conversations,

stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me, or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. 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. 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. Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes.

Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of ton-tons and wampas on the ice planet hot, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith rule of two. Listen to stuff to blow your mind on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Russell Westbrook is out there for Russell Westbrook. He's got to get his. He's got to pad stats and get the rebounds and average a triple double.

And get dusted in the first round. James Hardin, the king of I got to get up in the nightclubs, and then I'll come back and drop 50 the next day. It's all good. And then I'm going to choke in the playoffs. And Kyrie Irving, who's all about Kyrie Irving? All the time. What do these guys have in common?

They are inspiring young basketball players the wrong way. They're not making their teammates better. I know Hardin led the league and assists. I get that. Tell me the player other than, I mean, do we want to say Clint Capella? I don't know. He can rim run with Tray Young, James Hard. He can rim run with any point card.

Tell me the players that Harden, Russ, and Kyrie have elevated, have made better. And that's the problem I have with these young players. Again, I don't want to make this about international players coming to the league, and they elevate the play of everyone around them. Yokic, obviously. Luca, obviously. And the American players are a little more selfish and all about themselves. And I get that.

It works for them. These guys have made hundreds of millions of dollars as well they should. people buy their merchandise. Why? Because they got great commercials. Because they got a great handle. Because they got sick highlights. They got a sick sizzle reel.

How about Kyrie with his elite layup package? That sells a lot of tickets. It sells a lot of jerseys. It sells a lot of merch. Doesn't win a lot of titles. And I know I sound like old guy here. Jay, what do you know? Always forcing your men's league down our throats.

I get it. You guys know I'm the GM of our basketball team. The one I put together. I want winning players. we have never once recruited a guy who is a me first ball hog who is I got to get mine I got to pad my stats I got to look good in the realm of Kyrie Kevin Durant James Hart that's just not our style that's not what I was it's not a winning player and that's why I think Kevin Durant is way way off here and I will probably tag him when I post this maybe the volume will tag him I'm sure he's going to hate it but let's be real Kevin Durant cannot keep pushing this and that these three guys are inspiring players. To do what? To do what?

You want to follow Kyrie Irving? You see where it's gotten him? What has it gotten, Kyrie? Tell me, he's one title with LeBron. What's it got James Hardin? He's got a lot of money, great life. Listen, James Hardin's living it up. He's friends with the baby, baby.

He's hanging out with the rappers. Listen, that's a good life to a lot of people in their 30s. But inspiring? I think this is the wrong attitude, the wrong tact. You want to inspire plays. You want to inspire them to make others better. Elevate the team win championships. You want inspiration.

Be real. Steph Curry. Inspiring others to take a step back and go recruit Kevin Durant, the superstar. People knocked Curry and the Warriors for doing that. Like, why are they? Why do you need Kevin Duran? Oh, Curry, he's, remember this narrative? Oh, Curry, you know, he's not an all-time great.

He doesn't have like a, he doesn't have a finals MVP. He can't be. You think Steph Curry cares about that? That's the wrong attitude. He doesn't have a finals MVP. That's the non-winning attitude. That's not the one I want. Steph Curry is the inspiration.

You know what? I understand my weaknesses. We just lost to LeBron and Kyrie. LeBron was unbelievable. We got to go get Kevin Duran. They get Kevin Duran. They become the greatest dynasty ever. ever better than anything Jordan put together.

Yes, I would love to see Kobe and Shaq against the Curry KD Warriors, but, you know, remember. Kobe and Shaq also had like Rick Fox and Derek Fisher in the starting lineup. Curry and KD had like Clay Thompson, Draymond Green. That's a squad. Listen, again, I like Kevin Durant. Obviously, I wear Damian Lillard sneakers.

I had previously tried the Kyrie sneakers. I didn't love them. I like James Harden. I bought a Kyrie Irving jersey. Remember the burnt orange one I sent to a fan? Because we did like a giveaway on iTunes. I just, I can't get with this inspiration in Russ and Kyrie and James Hart. I just don't see it.

I see selfish players who are out for themselves. And that's great. I get that you're going to make a lot of money. I have a long career. You're going to make generational wealth wonderful. But inspiring young players, I mean, I don't want to take it too. far, but with this international versus American players,

these American players, a lot of them are falling behind. I've talked about this, and now I noticed Kendrick Perkins is aping some of our takes, just stealing them, just totally bogarting. Oh, who wants an American player now? You all need international.

That's a little, that's a bridge too far. I mean, Steph Curry is an American player. Kevin Durant is an American player. Devin Booker, like Perkins obviously always going too far, but I'm talking about the young and upcoming generation. these young players now, they're built different,

and maybe, maybe. It's because some of them are inspired by the wrong guys, like James Harden. If you're out there like, I got to be like James Harden. The guy who leads the league in dribbles, I think for two years in a row,

and I think Russ was second. The guy who leads the league in time of possession, meaning the ball's just on their hand the whole time. That's not winning. It's not. And I just, it gets me a little bummed out that that's what Durant sees.

He's got the tunnel. vision that those are the inspirations. I just, I totally disagree. 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 I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Clivert Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes,

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

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 a podcast. I'm Sam Jett. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill waxing all about crack in the 80s.

To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack all day, but just so 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... Then you're finishing that sentence. Yes, I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really?

Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years. for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun,

thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes. Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of Tontons and Wampas on the Ice Planet Hot, or the practicality and corporate business, this sense of the Sith rule of two. Listen to stuff to blow your mind on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

So the other topic that I want to quickly touch on, draft related, totally separate, is this Dame Lillard situation. So Dame Lillard had put it out there. He wants guys to come to him. He wants to build in Portland. He don't want to go nowhere. We've been over this on this pod for, I guess the better part of three weeks, maybe four, that there really is not a player who can go to Portland

and instantly be that guy, that agent of change who takes them, and all of a sudden, they are contending. That does not exist. So the latest floated by Jake Fisher, who's been a guest on this podcast at Bleacher Report, is that Portland is preparing a massive package in exchange for Bamatabio of Miami.

And you're like, Bamatabio has been to the finals, in Miami twice. He's in his pride. He's making a lot of money. He's living on South Beach or in South Beach. He's leaving for Portland. And better yet, I know he doesn't have a no trade, so he doesn't have a say in the matter. Why on earth are the Miami Heat trading Bam out of bio? Even if you were to offer me. Infraini Simons, the number three pick, which is probably Brandon Miller, maybe Scoot Henderson. And who's the other kid? Shaden Sharp. Well, first of all, what's left in

Portland to win with. Jeremy Grant, Damian Lillard, Bam, out of bio, that's not winning anything. So, I don't totally know what Damian Lillard is doing. I get it. You want to really try hard to get someone. I'm sorry, but Bam out of bio, Damian Lillard and Jeremy Grant, assuming you keep Grant, maybe you get Nurk as your big three, although I don't know how NERC and Bam both play together.

That's not getting you anywhere. You're not a top four team in the West with Dame. Bam, and I'll just say Jeremy Graham for sake of argument. And even if they were to say, oh, we'll give you Nurkich, the number three pick, Simon's, like, why am I doing that? Just take a guess. More all-NBA teams, the rest of their career. Combined, Nurkich, he ain't making one. Shaden Sharp, jury's still out.

He could be very, very good. He looks like a player. He's like a teenager. And the number three pick, Brandon Miller, we'll see. Okay. Who could tell? Or bam at a bio. And it's like, bam, obviously.

It's going to be on more all NBA teams and those three guys combined. Now, yes, there are worlds where three guys matter more than one. You know, I would take three guys for DeAndre Aten in a heartbeat. And Aitin's going to have way more All-Star games than probably the three guys you're getting. But that's a totally different scenario. I just don't see how Dame Jeremy Grant. And bam out of bio makes sense. Now, if there is some crazy scenario where Dame thinks,

hey, not only do we get Bam for, let's just say, Nerkich 3 and Simons, but what if we went after Mikhail Bridges as well? And we offered Shaden Sharp and two future first or something of that. I don't think you could trade back-to-back picks, so they'd have to spread out the number one picks. But like, is Mikhail? Bridges, Dame and

Bam? Is that something? Because Bam, those are the two guys Bam likes a lot. Sure, that's something, but Dame's 33, guys. He's played fewer games in the last two years than Bradley Beale has. And I know Portland fans are yelling, but they shut him down. You don't think

Bradley Beale was like, we know, we ain't winning, we're not going to the playoffs. What am I doing? Like, Dame has played fewer games than the last two years than Bradley Beale, who's now had an injury history. Okay. Now, Dame, Michael Bridges, and Bam is spicy. But what else do you have around them?

I'm looking at this Portland roster. And I'm seeing, so you're trading Simons, you're trading Sharp, you're trading Nurk, Nasir Little is still there, Matisse Thibel, Cam Reddish, Kevin Knox, Jabari Walker. I don't know.

That's not even a poo-poo platter, guys. That's just a bunch of, a bunch of dudes who might be better than the supporting cast that the big four in Phoenix have. Maybe. But yeah, I don't even know that they're better than the Lakers

with Bam, Dame, and McHale Bridges. And I don't even know if there's a path to get Bridges, but I'm just rolling with it because obviously they've got to do more than Bam and Dame. It's certainly not better than Nuggets. It's not better than the Suns. I'm trying to think who else is in the wet.

Like Memphis will get jaw back. They'll be good. Minnesota. They'll be good. I like Sacramento a lot. Let's see what they do. But this idea that Damian Lillard can orchestrate a bunch of guys to get to Portland. To me, I feel like it's just not happening. Now, what I do believe, and gosh, it would be awesome if I hit this,

I am of the belief that all these Dame rumors, who could come to Portland, is out there for a reason so that behind the scenes, Dame and Portland can work together to get him out of Portland. Because I think inside Dame has to understand. understand, yo, we tried, it ain't getting done here. It's just not happening. So I think quietly dame the front office, they're looking to get Portland a good deal where he has a nice landing spot.

The team I'm going to say to keep an eye on, because, you know, anytime there's a lot of chatter about a player in a team, it usually doesn't happen. For some reason, I think the Milwaukee Bucks are cooking up something. Remember, Janus can sign his extension. leave in September. If they have a off season and coming off a first round loss and they fire the coach,

I know Janice loves Milwaukee. Who doesn't? I'm told Milwaukee's beautiful in the summer. Do you think, maybe, maybe that there's a world where Dame, Janice, and I don't know who the third best player is in Portland.

Can they keep Drew Holiday? I don't see Portland wanting Chris Middleton. they think they can thread the needle with the young guys in Middleton and maybe push for a play in spot. And again, I like Anthony Simons than most people. I like him a lot better than most people do. We'll see. I think he's kind of a Jordan pool with maybe a better three-point shooter, a little more under control. And I like Shaden Sharp. I don't think he pops yet. You keep Brandon Miller. You get, you know, Brandon Miller learns under Chris Middleton, who has been an All-Star, has been a pro.

Milton kind of was an under-the-radar guy and really popped. Like, I don't know. I think Milwaukee makes some sense, but there's always a team kind of sneaky where something could get done. The other hypothetical would be the New Orleans Pelicans have had it with Zion Williamson. They say, Portland, what do you want?

Zion and whatever, just give us stuff and they kind of reboot with maybe Scoot Henderson or what have you. But by the way, and a couple of people sent me this late on Tuesday. Zion's lady friend who is threatening to

release videos and a bunch of stuff. Her Twitter account was suspended. I don't know if that was Zion's doing, his agent, but always fun to dive into the world of Zion Williamson as the Zion turns. That's kind of mean because he is the size of planet Earth. He looks like he's in orbit. All right, I'll stop there. Fun podcast.

Kevin Durand, I love you, babe. Talk to you guys tomorrow. Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends, me and hilarious guests from Bob Oden, 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 I-Heart 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 I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hard Way with your favorite therapist and host, Kear Games. This space is about black men's, experiences, having honest conversations that's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor. It signals to the world that you're not to be played with. And just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to, listen to learn the hard way on the AHA radio

app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, and so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes. Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of taun tons and wampas on the ice planet hot, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith rule of two. Listen to stuff to blow your mind on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast.

Guaranteed human.