The Herd with Colin Cowherd - The Herd - Hour 2 - Are the Suns the team to beat?

Episode Date: April 10, 2023

Where Colin was right and wrong NBA reporter Dan Woike joins the show in studio to tell Colin if the Suns are the best team in the West right nowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

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

Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes.

Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of tauntons and wampas on the ice planet hot, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith rule. of two. Listen to Stuff to Bole Your Mind on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for listening to The Heard podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday from 12 to 3 Eastern, 9 to noon Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and FS1. Find your local station for the herd at Fox Sports Radio.com or stream us live every day on the IHeartRadio app by searching Heard.

Now let's get this party started. You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. Here we go. It's a Monday at Tower 2. That first one moved quickly. J. Mack's still upset with my Luca Carmelo comp. It's the herd, wherever you may be, and however you may be listening. Thanks for making us part of your day. I skied this weekend. You were in Hawaii. I'm on a mountain. You're on the beach. But we meet here on a Monday with all sorts of playoff possibilities going forward. Lakers in the playing game with the T-wolves. They should roll there. You got the Clippers bench fighting. You've got the T-wolves fighting in the huddle. Don't forget about the guy who fractured his hand, punching a wall and now is done for the season.

But I will not let you besmirch the name of Luca Dachic, who I thought was the best player in the NBA the last two years. I'd now have to retire that take until next season. So I'll find someone to take his spot. Be honest, maybe, Kauai. You got to give me something on the defensive end. You don't have to be, like Steph Curry's not a great defensive player, and the Warriors mostly hide him.

But he gives you an effort. Like, Luca doesn't give an effort. effort on the defense event. Carmelow, no effort, Kyrie, no effort. Then you're just a great score. I used this comp last week, and I'm not sure, I think I may have used it two weeks ago. I grew up with a player, who I loved watching. He wasn't on TV much, named World Be Free. Oh, yeah. So he averaged 30 a game for a couple years. He was about a 25 point a game guy. Nobody thought he was a great player. He was a great score. But today, if you just do not get in great shape or you do not commit on the defensive end. We lump you into great player. Kyrie's a great offensive player. He's not a great

overall player. He's not a great. What's the difference between him and world be free? No defense, hard to play with, doesn't elevate others. He's just got a great handle. He's got a great layup package. But he's not a great player. Anytime you put him in a leadership role, the team goes down. I mean, the Mavericks finished 11th. They were fourth in the West before they traded for Kyrie. And I saw sat, Colin. After the Kyrie. trade, the Mavs ranked 29th in the league permitting dunks and layups. It was just a layup line with the

Mavericks with Luca and Kyrie on defense. It was bad. All right, Colin Wright, Colin wrong on a Monday, plenty of both, and here we go. Where Colin was right. I said KD would be magic immediately for Phoenix, the best plug-and-play guy in the league. There are 8-0 with KD. They haven't lost, and they have a plus 11 net rating in those wins, which is like

historically an absurdly high number. I'm going to take the suns together. to the Western Conference finals and to mow down the clippers in five in eight games what did I say about KD everywhere he goes functional or dysfunction he gives you 27 a night what is the averaging for Phoenix 26 shooting 57% from the floor I didn't get the doubters he was exactly what they needed which was length and another shot maker they didn't need somebody with a ball he doesn't need it they didn't need a great leader Chris Paul and Monty Williams could do that he is perfect for what Phoenix and he's been everything we told you would be.

Where Colin was wrong. OBJ for 15 million guaranteed for a year, that is double what I thought he was worth. It's double what I was told he was worth. The people around the league I trust saw him as a two or a three receiver, but not a one at this point in his career. He's missed 20 games in two years. I would love to have him on my team, but 15 million guaranteed. Alan Lazard only got 22 million guaranteed, and that's for 4.

years. This is one year. But the Ravens love their old wide receivers. They're paying them like a 1 or a 1A, and I'm wrong. Where Colin was right. The NBA clearly listens to the show. They are going to enact a

65 game minimum for players to win awards. This is something we suggested a year ago. You've got to figure out a way it's the hole in the NBA right now to activate stars to play. Now there's so much money now and they're social. their shoes and their game checks.

You know, most of these guys don't care. But awards mean something. M. B.D. would like to win an MVP. It is part of your legacy. And so the NBA is doing what we suggest that it's a smart move. It's a start. It may not solve it completely. But it's, you know, they're creating a little inertia, pushing it forward,

trying to activate these stars to play more big games. Where Colin was wrong. I said when Kyrie Irving came to the Mavericks, they would not be a championship team. They would be bad defensively. I was right. there, but I was wrong on I didn't think it would unravel this quickly, and I appreciated the aggressiveness and the swing by Mark Cuban, but they're the 11th team in the West. What a mess. It unraveled quickly. Now, I will say, I don't think Kyrie helped. I don't think it's all

Kyrie. Porzingis, Jalen Brunson, Kyrie Irving, Luca has a way he plays. It's Carmelo Anthony. I'm not moving for you. This is what I do. I'm not in great shape. I don't commit. I on the defensive end, and Kyrie will get all the blame, but I didn't think it would unravel this quickly. Where Colin was right? The betting markets are on our side. Bryce Young is now almost a pick-um to be the number one pick in the NFL draft. It was a heavy C.J. Stroud lean, and we said over the last week to two weeks, you

wouldn't trade DJ more in all those picks for the second most naturally gifted quarterback. If you're making all those moves, you're moving for the no doubt about it, most refined, winningness, most dependable, most agile, and arguably most accurate quarterback. Like Bryce Young isn't big enough. Bryce Young has some issues, but in terms of like polish, ready to play today, leadership, pocket awareness, Bryce Young's the guy and the betting markets now have it almost to pick him. where Colin was wrong. Well, an AD has emerged that I never thought I would see.

Tough, resilient, playing hurt, dependable. You know, I've said with Anthony Davis, I just hope he plays well in the playoffs so they can move him. I've always questioned his toughness, not his talent. I think he's a top 7-8 player in the league, but he's played through pain. He's pretty consistent. He's always been an excellent rim protector,

almost unstoppable down low. Big advantage if they play Memphis. Stephen Adams is out, so they've won 9 of 11, mostly beating bad teams. But my knock on AD was the toughness part, the consistent part, the plan through pain part. You have to in pro sports, and now he is. Where Colin was right? I love Tiger Woods, but him playing now is pretty much ceremonial. It's over.

It's done forever. Like the last seven years outside of that Masters win a few years back, been sad. His caddy acknowledged he needed a cart if he had to finish. He barely made the cut. We've got to come to terms with Tiger is the greater golfer than Phil Mickelson. Tiger had the greater career than Phil Mickelson, but Phil Mickelson is in a much better space at the end of his career. Sort of like Michael was greater than LeBron to most and had this meteoric six, seven years, but LeBron's aging very well. You watch Phil this weekend. and you watch Tiger.

Like, it's been over for Tiger for like just sloppy, sad, and ugly. And I'm a Tiger fan. But right now, we've got to let it go. Ceremonial is what he is in these big events. Colin right, calling wrong on a Monday. Let's bring in Dan Wojke, covers the Lakers, beat writer for the LA Times, previously covered the Clippers, cover the NBA for nearly a decade. Clippers, chargers, a lot of teams in Los Angeles.

Great to see you. So, you know, we talked about the Lakers, is they are beating some bad. teams, but they're still winning. So winning is winning. And I compared it earlier to when you travel on a trip with a bunch of kids in the backseat. You know, somebody wants to turn his mic on there. So when you travel with kids, as you know, now you have kids, is that they're laughing in the back seat and they're having a good time, but you have six miles to go, six hours to go on the road trip. And you know you're one tantrum away from having to pull over and, like, from it imploding. And I'm sitting there watching the Lakers and I'm sitting there watching the Lakers and

I'm like, these are bad teams, and AD is healthy, and LeBron has not reaggregated his foot. But part of me thinks, Dan, you can't go a playing game in four series with this group. Yeah, I mean, I think that's, there is that feeling, right? Because when the biggest thing that's out there is health, that is, and LeBron is acknowledged it, Anthony Davis has acknowledged it. Like, everybody knows it, right? That they have to stay healthy. Well, it's been two years since they've been healthy.

They've been in the same position at the end of each season. And this might actually be the healthiest they've been. since they won their title at the end of a year, and they're not that healthy. I mean, I think LeBron is still working through stuff, you know, a tort and tendon in his foot. Thank God for the LeBron James of Feet, who was able to do the magic on that, on his paw down there. But I think, you know, AD has been a guy who's been pretty durable here down the stretch, but, I mean, there's always that fear. He hit the deck in Minnesota, you know, a couple weeks ago, and I remember seeing it.

and, you know, you rolled his ankle, I thought it was, okay, well, that's it. You know, like, you just, you see that happen, and you're just like, okay, well, there it is. And because their margins are thin, I will say, one of the things about this Lakers team and this version of it and what they've done since the Russell Westbrook trade is they, I mean, this group hasn't played with LeBron James a lot, right? Like, they have dealt with an injury, and they've been pretty good without him. They've won some games. They have beat some good teams, and there, you know, there are wins over the Warriors.

There's wins over New Orleans. You know, they won at Minnesota in a tough game. That may have been one of their best wins of the year. Yeah, and then they, you know, and then they kind of took care of the business they need to take care of. They haven't played very well in this last week. And to me, that's the big question for them as they go into this playing game and as they, you know, hopefully move into the postseason for them is like, they've been in playoff mode basically since the All-Star break. You know, Steve Kerr at that time, I remember talking to him.

He called it like, we're all in a sprint. and the Lakers had the most ground to cover in their sprint. And look, they worked their way up to seventh. But, like, how much is still in the tank? Like, they've been playing highly emotional, highly invested basketball for more than a month. And so they're already sort of in the middle of their playoff. No, you're right. And I wonder how much of that they're going to carry with them as they move into this next round,

which was why it was so important from them to try to get out of the play, just to get a week to kind of reset. I've said this. If this was March Madness and it was just one game series, they'd be a handful. They're not built for four long series. So my gut is they'll beat the T-Wolves and the playing, and then they'll beat Memphis.

And then they'll kind of be out of gas. And then they'll have to face a Phoenix or a warrior with more depth, and they'll just, they just won't have the shots. I just think that, you know, look, right, Like as long as they have Anthony Davis, as long as they have LeBron James, like they feel good about like the puncher's chance, right? This has been sort of the, this has been sort of the plan in the last few years. And I will say this team is better, really than either of the last two versions, in my opinion,

even though the team coming out of the bubble was a pretty good team before injuries, kind of wreck them. They've got depth. They have shooting. They have some defense. Now they're untested. A lot of players can be playing some of their biggest games here in the next week. But they're much more balanced basketball team than they've.

been and you watch them and there's a good energy there's a good effort it's just in the postseason like some of this stuff kind of evens out yeah right like playing hard like everybody's going to play hard like you know the the big free throw imbalance that they've earned because of their physicality you know that that comes back down a little bit um you don't get as many calls and stuff like that everybody swallows the wisdom yeah and so i think that's the other kind of thing that's in play with them but look Colin i mean i've been around this team all year i remember talking to lebron pretty early in this season and kind of being like, man, it feels like we're at game 90 already. Like it was a slog.

And they've got good spirit. They've got good energy right now. The fact that they've worked themselves into a winning record after not being 500 for 70 plus games this season is like, that was incredibly hard. And I think it speaks to their resilience and the job Darvindham's done there. The Warriors are interesting. So smartly a month ago, Insiders saw it, but Gary Payton acquisitions bigger than you think. because they can go put him on Deerrin Fox.

He's a wildly disruptive defensive player. And Deeran Fox is such a vital piece of this. Sabonis and Deeran Fox are so vital to the Kings. And now you can use, because Clay is not the defender he was. And Steph's never been great. So now you just sick Gary Payton on those guys. And also now Wiggins comes back, who's a very twitchy wing defender. I guess the question, we all know, if Wiggins was healthy in playing the last month,

we'd all like the Warriors. Yeah. The question becomes, Comingas and minutes increased. Now you pull those back. You put Wiggins up. There's still the pool, Draymond, weird chemistry.

Peyton now is going to get more minutes than the regular season. A lot of weird moving parts that you're going to unveil in the playoffs. I don't know how it's going to look. Yeah, I think, Colin,

you know, if we were talking about the Lakers or the Clippers or the Kings and we put these exact same scenarios on them, I think these are all super valid. with the warriors though it's like this this is almost a decade it feels like of culture that they've built right like that this is a team to me to me one of the biggest things the opposing is just like knowing who you are knowing what it takes this is a team that absolutely knows who it is and absolutely knows what it takes to win

and yeah they're integrating a couple new pieces like jonathan caminga is playing a much bigger role you know he he was in and out a little bit in the postseason rotation last year um and has become a really you know important thing for important player for what they do but like you know they got a guy like kavan looney right who just knows the right place to be all the time. Rebound a fan. Yeah. You know, Jordan Poole is now in, you know, a big part of this team. And yeah, he'll take some crazy shots.

But he knows what his job is on this team. Dramon Green, this is what he's built for. You know, like this next month and a half of basketball is exactly who he is. They're a team I really like. I think they're really dangerous. I think, you know, I think most people I talk to around the league. them in Phoenix. Phoenix to be the most dangerous. Golden State may be right behind them. But I will say this. I was talking to a coach yesterday. There was a lot of jockeying.

And you heard people talking about like, who can be the six-seat? Who can be the team that go, you know, everybody should want to go play the Sacramento Kings. I think there's a little buyer beware there that maybe we've undervalued the Sacramento Kings. They're a team that's been totally drama-free all year. They've been rock-solid consistent in, again, who they are. they've got two players that are going to get all NBA consideration in DeBondos Sabonis and Deeran Fox. Deer & Fox, maybe the clutches player in the league this year, and they're going to have insane home court advantage.

Like when Sacramento basketball is good or important, it doesn't happen that often. Yeah. It hasn't happened that often. It is going to be wild there, and that is going to be, I think, a wildly entertaining series with a team that's played well this year, and if they are able to beat Golden State,

we'll look back at it and say, of course they were. They've done it since October. I can see an East Coast fan watching our show today and say, what about the Eastern Conference playoffs? But we know who's good. We know Milwaukee's going to end up in the conference finals. I think Boston

will. Philly will be wildly entertaining, but we have reservations. Cleveland will beat the Knicks because they have more firepower. And right now, I think Randall's not all the way in physically. So you kind of know, I feel like the East is top-heavy, weaker at the bottom. The most dangerous

team in the West could be the six seed. So it's a really interesting West. Now, a team that won't make it, and I'm going to get to the Sons in a second. But I said earlier, I was talking to a friend last night, Jason Timp, and I said, I'm seeing the emergence of a Carmelo Luca thing. Great offensive player, refined well beyond their age early, immediate worship, help team, but not really in shape, don't commit to the defensive end, kind of stubborn with what they are, not willing to move off. Mello wouldn't just take a step back and shoot a three. Luca will not give up the ball. And you spend GMs and coaches spend their career trying to find a two for them.

And it's hard. And I look at Luca and we can blame Kyrie. But man, Jalen Brunson popped when he went to New York. It's like, bro, whoa. Like outside of a Janus M. B, you could argue there's some most valuable player arguments. He changed the Knicks. Yeah. Some of this is on Luca, is it not? It is. I mean, but look, Jalen Brunson,

important piece in the playoffs last year for a Dallas team that, you know, went to a conference final. Like, it's, the pathway to success with them, but this is why them tanking was ultimately so disappointing for me as someone who covers this league, but some of the people I talked to, like, yeah, it made sense. They had the pick protection at 10, and it was a decision between having a first round pick and not, right? And that's why they veered that direction.

But you talk to people about, facing Luca Dachich or Kyrie Irving in a playing game, and it's terrifying. Like, that's how talented those guys both are, right? Kyrie Irving beat the Lakers in Los Angeles, played an amazing game. Luca Dantzich has one series for the Dallas Mavericks, just by his sort of gravity. I think there is going to be a reckoning here soon, whether it is with Lucas' relationship with Dallas. Right now he says it's fine, but he's too talented to be middling and sort of like not

really in contention. I think he's got to learn how to do that. I think he is, though, he has all of the skills that you would offensively that you would want out of a teammate. No question. Can shoot it, can pass. How about this, though?

The warriors acknowledge very quickly, here's what Steph is and isn't. So we're going to protect them on the defensive end. Instead of trying to make Carmelo and Luke a great defenders, that's never going to happen. Sure. So to me, build a team that's tough and physical and just let Luca dominate the ball.

And that's the problem is that was Jalen Brunson. They let him leave. And Dorian Finney Smith. And that was Dorian Finney Smith, who's a terrific wing defender, and they let him leave. Or they traded him for Kyrie. I applaud the swing, like what you said. I think going for it is good.

I wish more teams. I think the league would be better of more teams looked at the present instead of looking four or five, six months down the road or even some cases multiple years down the road. I think the product would improve. but, you know, they took a big swing and they missed and, you know, I think Kyrie's situation there is very tenuous, right? Like, I mean, I talk about betting odds. What would the odds be that he'll return? Who can know?

You know, that's, he's the ultimate wild guard. And if that, if he's gone, then where do you move from there? You're on the clock with Luca Donchich, really. And you've, like you said, you've tried a floor spacing center and Christopps Forzing is that did not work. You've tried now the guy who's really the ultimate. on court pairing in Kyrie Irving, who is a terrific complimentary superstar because he shoots the ball, he passes. That didn't work. And it didn't work. Can you find the right defenders around those guys?

And if Kyrie wants to recommit, do you run it back? I would. I think that that talent would. But finding the right rim protector, finding the right wing defenders when you're already pot committed on two max level players, that's hard, Colin. Everybody wants those guys. he's been more brittle than LeBron, but I think the thing that always jumps out to me

with, and I've said this about like LeBron James and Michael Jordan, they were great decision makers from their agents to their shoe company deals. Michael's devotion to his mom, Phil Jackson, David Stern, David Falk, he chose Michael Smart. The teammates that he didn't get along with a lot of him.

Totally embraced Scotty Pippen. Phil Jackson totally embraced him. Michael made good business decisions. LeBron mostly has done the same. Even the Lakers, he moved here for business. He's doubled his net worth and he got a title. And then there are guys who are great, but I question their decisions. I love KD.

I thought the move from Golden State to Brooklyn was disastrous. I said it's like Mahomes saying, I want to play for the Jets because a buddy's a slot receiver and I really like him. You're not leaving Andy Reid. Like, don't do that. But in the NBA, he's a star. He's a little bit of a wander emotionally. And we are like, all right. But I think what's forgotten in the Brooklyn move is how often with total nonsense around him, he won.

I mean, Kyrie the Vax thing. Simmons won't play. Harden out of shape. Steve Nash rookie coach. They blew up the chemistry. Right? When he got there, the chemistry was the play, they blew it up. I couldn't tell you the last time he lost a game.

That's what I was just going to say. So, you know, I'm standing over listening to you and Jason talk, and Jason's, you know, caping for Luca Donchich and saying that he's, you know, maybe one of the best players in the league. And I'm sitting and thinking, like, you know, he said Janus would be a guy I'd consider. What about Kevin Durant? And I know that availability matters, but, Colin, you're right. The reason you don't know the last time he lost a game is because he doesn't lose games anymore.

He's lost two games, I believe, since November 25th this year when he's played. It's insane. It is a crazy stat. And he is, he plays a call. He plays defense. Oh, he's always been a willing defender. You know, he makes every shot.

He is a foot on the three point line against Milwaukee. Like if his foot, I mean, if you start looking at his career, if you look at the nonsense that he dealt with in Brooklyn, the fact that they were a playoff team and a viable one, it's unbelievable. Yeah, he's chosen. the wrong super friends along the way, right?

Like the Hall of Justice hasn't always been totally filled the way you'd want it to be. But I think you know, look, he is in a fantastic situation in Phoenix. A really good complete basketball team. I have some depth concerns. Like, little

things that kind of have happened over the last week that make you worry. Like, I was at a game against the Lakers. They had sat all of their players, second out of the back to back. And, you know, Bismack, Beyondbo, knocks knees with Anthony Davis and like has to be helped off the court. Seemingly minimal thing.

But in the playoffs, like losing your backup center, a guy that you trust to protect the rim if DeAndre Aten is out or you don't know what'll happen. Those things start to catch up. And they traded a really, really good player in McEl Bridges to get Kevin Durant. Again,

when we talk about perfect fits for what teams do, everybody should want McHale Bridges. But you don't. not get Kevin Durant because of McElner. Yeah, you can't get Kevin Durant. Here's the other thing is the reason the Phoenix thing... They tried. I mean, they tried to not get him without McCall Bridges.

And obviously, that was the common. And I think the reason the KD thing works with Phoenix is, number one, he's great. And he's a classic plug-in-play. And he works everywhere. Everywhere. Mm-hmm. But the second reason is, I think Phoenix, between Moni and Chris Paul, knew what they needed. And I think everybody in the room went, DeAndre is not really mature enough in big

big spots. They don't trust him. and if Devin Booker has an off night, Chris Paul's like, who scores for us? So it's the classic, we're bringing a guy that's going to take a bunch of shots and be the star. But like this thing, this Phoenix story had plateaued and was like going over the cliff and literally one guy. So I think trades work when everybody in the room knows, God, we need blank and blank arise. His length, his defect, because Aiton's not a great rim defense. So they get length.

They get a shot maker. He doesn't need the ball. I mean, it's just, he is exactly, and you could say everybody needs Kevin Durant, and that would be true as well. I would just go to say, Colin, this sounds like what everybody would, every team in the league would have made that move, right, because he's that good. I do think, though, you know, you did touch on it. And there was a sense that maybe their window was starting to close a little bit, you know,

that as Chris Paul had gotten older, there was the drama in the office. with DeAndre Aiton and his restricted free agency, which was messy and his sort of output on the court was up and down. They obviously had ownership drama throughout the year. It was the times I was around Phoenix early in the season, it wasn't always a very pleasant situation. No, it started getting ugly. You know, like we, I remember we talked to Monty Williams in the preseason at one point. Like, it was bleak. And they had depth concerns and stuff like that.

And they just lost to Adelaide, I believe, an Australian. a professional Australian basketball team they lost her in the preseason. It looked like maybe this window is not as wide as you think it is. And instead, you know, they swing this deal. You know, they've had some weird luck, obviously, Kevin Durant getting hurt and pre-game warm-ups is not ideal.

But look, I think he's going to be fine in the playoffs. I think I saw a report he's going to play 40 plus minutes. And you get 40 plus minutes of that guy on the court. Ultimate mismatch, you can't guard him. I think clippers are in big trouble. That's going to be a fast. I think the one thing that the clippers have, there's two things that clippers have.

Tyloo, terrific playoff coach. And I think that they also have the right kind of, they have as much length and size on the wing as anybody. But are those wings now old? They're older. You know, certainly like Robert Covington isn't the player he was three or four years ago, but this is a team that can credibly kind of create certain matches.

you can put Kawhi Leonard on Kevin Durant and you can say when they need him like go challenge him. Like there were a couple possessions when they played the Lakers the other day where like Kauai locked up LeBron and both and LeBron tried to lock up Kauai and like they can do that like as a break breaking case of an emergency thing. They've got, you know, Nicholas Batum is a terrific defender and has size and has length. They've got guys at the rim. They're sort of built for this in the playoffs. Obviously not having Paul George is.

a huge blow. If they had had Paul George's series would be epic. I think though, you know, I mean, if you're going to catch Phoenix, like, catch them early, like, as they're still trying to figure everything out a little bit in the postseason, you're going to have to beat a really good team eventually. And the Clippers aren't about winning a series. Like, this is a team that has title aspirations. So you're going to have to beat some good teams along the way.

You might as well get out of the way. Dan Wojke, L.A. Times. By the way, you know, beyond you and the excellent coverage, the L.A. Times drought map is fantastic. Do you watch the drought map every Thursday morning it comes out? I mean, I feel like I haven't had to see it much lately in Southern California. Now it's all like light yellow and white. We're home free. My wife's like, well, it's stop raining. These guys make fun of me on the staff. I come in every Thursday morning.

You're a big precipitation guy now? I am like a weather nerd. And every Thursday morning I come into the meeting. I'm like, have you seen the L.A. Times drought map? We're home free. Blood red to pale. Look at J-Mack has no idea. You can start taking longer showers now.

Colin, Colin can monitor your shower time. Awesome. The West was in a drought for 25 years. Yeah. 25 years. Well, I mean, you know, you mentioned skiing. I was in Utah this week. Last week, yeah.

And they had like something like 800, their skewers out to 800 inches of snow. It's incredible. Dan Wojke. It's great seeing you, man. Good scene you too. One more herd? The herd streams 24 hours a day,

seven days a week, within the IHeart radio app. Search Her to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say

it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days I'd put on 10 pounds, I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth.

Listen to Superhuman on the 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, CliverTaylor 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, Untiefer. filtered 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 a here, unpack what we? went down and tried 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 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.

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. You know what? I want to go to a Clippers' son's game in Phoenix. Because my wife, she said the other day, my wife doesn't like sports. Anne says, I want to go to a playoff game in the NBA. And I'm like, well, you know, where the Lakers have a playing game.

This was before the news started breaking that Minnesota's falling apart. And I said, I don't know which game. It's hard to get playoff tickets. Phoenix, just like Chris Paul, know that I never bailed on Chris Paul. Kevin Durant, I've sometimes now love your decisions. Always had your back, KD. Well, you're going to have a couple rounds to see the Suns. You don't need to get to a Clippers game.

We know they're going to dust the paper clips easily. So maybe you want to see them versus the Warriors. Oh my God. Is that who they play next round? I'll call my guy Draymond. I don't even know who they'd face. How good of a series would that be? Golden State Phoenix? That's probably the Western Conference finals if they can match up. I don't have the bracket in front of me, but we got huge breaking news covered.

When the Cavaliers beat the Knicks and they will, nothing against the Nicks, but they just have limitations. Who would the Cavs play next? Would it be Philadelphia by Chil? So they'd play the one, the Bucks. Cleveland is wildly athletic and young. Milwaukee's good, but old and slow. That is a great series. I'm going to tell you some.

These playoffs at the top end of these playoffs is going to be for a first round. Can you imagine if the NBA had three or five game first round series, which I've been advocating for years? Can you imagine the Warriors Kings being a three game series, which it should be, by the way? I think the Kings will win game one in that series. And people are going to be stunned, but then the Warriors will win the series. I agree. Jay Mack with a news. No, no, no, no.

Turn on the news. This is the Heard Line News. So, Calhurt, we're going to start with the NFL, but just so you know, there is some big breaking news in the NBA happening in the last three minutes. We'll get to it in a second. But we're going to start with the Raven signing Odell Beckham to a one-year deal. Still trying to work out an extension with Lamar Jackson. But everybody's assuming that by picking up Odell, the Raven said, hey, we're going to get it done with Lamar. Sure.

And, oh, by the way, Lamar posted a picture on his IG of a FaceTime call with Odell Beckham. I'm going to point this out. I said it to you during a break. The Ravens broke the bank for a linebacker in Roquant Smith. Yes. A lot of people thought they overpaid for a linebacker, not a premium position. 60 mil guarantee. The Ravens have now overpaid, we would agree, for Odell Beckham.

15 mil for one year, a little excessive. What does that say to Lamar Jackson that we're willing to overpay for a linebacker and we're willing to overpay for a wide receiver who's coming off a major injury might be washed, but we're not going to give you all that you want. What does that say to Lamar Jackson? I think you said that during the break. I think it's a really good point. And I thought, I've said this before.

I like to personalize stuff before I criticize an athlete. If I worked here and the company started giving major dollar contracts to people that I thought were less pivotal roles. Linebacker, outside of the Bears, who wants to pay a linebacker? So if you're paying a linebacker and Rokane Smith is a tackle machine and you're paying a brittle 30-year-old receiver, and I'm Odell Beckham, and I'm like, I saw the Sean Watson's contract, I see Roquan Smith, I see Odell Beckham, and I was the MVP of the league. Like, I get Odell Beckham saying, or Lamar saying, guys, we had money. You spent it on the wrong dudes.

Like, I get that. All right, I'm happy you're finally saying positive things about the great Lamar Jackson. No, no, no, I like him. But I think your take is, that if you worked at a company any of us did, and you're paying less vital positions. And I don't want to hear about this availability stuff. Odell hasn't played in a year.

He's coming off an ACL. So now you've overpaid for a linebacker and overpaid for a receiver who's never available. And you're like, and you're banging on me for lack of availability. Yeah. That's how it's going to land for a young quarterback. I'd also argue, you know, if you're looking at it from Lamar Jackson's perspective, the Ravens will go to him this week and say,

hey, this is the best wide receiver room you've ever had in Baltimore. That's not saying much because last year their leading receiver, wide receiver, was Demarcus Robinson. He's not even like a top four guy they've got this year. And, oh, by the way, D'Andre Hopkins is out there. It's looking like crazily. Nobody's going to trade for him. Nobody even thinks he's worth the third or fourth.

So he might just be cut by the Cardinals. And now if you're the Ravens, you go grab DeAndre Hopkins. It's like D. Hop, O'Dell Beckham, Bateman coming off the injury. Nelson Aguilar, like a... Nelson Aguilar's fourth and fifth. Duvernay is still there. Like, that's a solid receiver room.

It is. Maybe Lamar ends up coming back. We'll see. Next up. Arizona Cardinals. I know you're into this story. I'm going to read it slowly. The Cardinals have the third pick in the draft.

They don't need a quarterback now. Maybe next year if they're awful. According to Adam Schaefter, six teams have reached out to the Cardinals to inquire about moving up. Six teams have moved up. Arizona is still considering their option. We know stuff gets out for reasons. Why, on a Monday morning, would this suddenly leak out that six teams want to move up to number three?

Because Arizona smartly wants to move down, accumulate picks, and they want to now create some inertia, momentum right before the draft. By the way, as we've said on this show before, unless you need a quarterback and there's a really good one you can get, you should always move down if you're a top five team because the reason you're a top five drafting team is you stink and your roster's bad. So Chicago did exactly what they should have done. The Cardinals are a slightly better version because they have Kyler in house. They're basically Chicago. In a division with capable teams, they need about seven starters. I got a problem for you, Colin.

Who's trading up for anything other than a quarterback? And if Stroud and Young are widely considered the top two, is anybody trading up? For Will Levis, the muscle-bound guy, or Anthony Richardson, who I still believe those goes one. But, like, what are you trading up for? Will Anderson, a defensive end? Who's doing that? I don't think the Cardinals have any leverage here at all. That, to your point, that's why they're creating this, is they don't have leverage.

Because I think Seattle is sitting back there at five, and they love the idea of people jumping them for a quarterback, because Seattle's going to get Jalen Carter or Will Anderson, arguably the two best players in the draft, and they're not going to have to move up to get it. And then they'll have a second one in two-toos. So the winner in all this, beyond the team I think it gets Bryce Young, is Seattle's sitting there at five and all these teams jumping them to take quarterbacks. They're going to get Seattle needs an edge rusher, probably another receiver, and a center.

They could literally fill their three biggest needs, it looks like now, with their first three picks. And then they'll have another second, a third, two, fourth, a fifth, a sixth, a seven. So you said earlier, Bryce Young, the betting markets are on him. So we had a CJ Stroud moment. Remember where he was the betting favorite? Now it's Bryce Young's turn. Yeah.

I will personally guarantee you. Anthony Richardson will have his turn here in the next two weeks leading up to the draft. It will happen. Someone will put that story out there. Anthony Richardson going first. Just wait for it. All right. Final story, this is just breaking now.

In the last few minutes, the Lakers catching a huge break. The Timberwolves announced Rudy Gobert will not travel for the play in games. against the Lakers. She's not coming to L.A. So now it's unclear if he's going to maybe play after they lose. He'll probably play in the next game, right? You're not suspending him for two games. I can't imagine that.

So the Lakers catch a huge break. Minnesota also, remember, Nas Reid, the backup center, wrist surgery, Jaden McDaniel's best wing defender, fractured hand out, and now Rudy Gaubert out. So defensively, you could argue their two best defensive players will not be available in Los Angeles. Huge break from the Lakers. I don't see how they compete now.

maybe Carl Anthony Towns has an out-of-body experience, like 45 points or something crazy. But Colin, this is just bleak for your guy, Chris Finch. I mean, I feel bad for him. This is devastating. They're not beating the Lakers, that's clear. So now, you know, without looking ahead, LeBron is trying to make sure his team doesn't overlook the opponent. A quick quote from LeBron. Here it is.

Obviously, it's different because, you know, usually in postseason you have multiple days of prep for a team. You know, but you've got literally have one day to prep and a half a day on game. day, but you kind of locked in on everything it needs to be done. But for us, it's just good that we don't have to travel. We've traveled a lot lately, so it's good that we're good to stay here, but that doesn't make us, we shouldn't be comfortable. We've got to stay on edge and get ready for the game. Lakers role.

It's a layup, it's a gimmick. Anthony Edwards is a guy we know can go off. He can get super hot and drop 50. Lakers don't have any great defenders. They do have the Hillbilly Kobe, Austin Reeves. You know, that's his nickname. Hillbilly calls. I love that nickname.

So maybe he matches up with Ant, but everything here favors the Lakers. And you don't want to look too far ahead, but the Lakers would then draw a Memphis team. That's without Stephen Adams and the backup, Brandon Clark. He's also injured. I know Jaron Jackson's a defensive player of the year candidate, but he's a great help defender. I think Anthony Davis can probably have his way with Jaron Jackson inside. And all of a sudden, the Lakers go from maybe missing the playoffs to taking down Jaws and the Grizzlies. Can't wait.

Can't wait for the NBA playoffs. J. Mack with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Herd Lye News. If you plan in to do some spring cleaning, here's my advice. Clean your house, then protect every inch of it. SimplySafeColin.com.

No safe life, simply safe.com. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific. On Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHeard Radio app. What do you get when you combine a three-time manager of the year at a three-time national sports writer of the year. It's the Book of Joe podcast. Hey, this is Tom Verducci from Fox Sports,

MLB Network and Sports Illustrated. And I'm Joe Madden, and we're going to be around to talk a little bit about managerial decisions, playoff games, and what may have occurred in the dugout, maybe in the 1980s. I can't wait for this, Joe.

We're going to dive into what goes on in the dugout and behind the scenes in Major League Baseball. Cars, whine, whatever else we want to talk about. Listen to the Book of Joe podcast on the IHeart Radio app, on 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. 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, 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 Clivert Show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, 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 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 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 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. Saturday on FS1, 2 NL Powers hit the diamond as Christian Yellich and the Brewers. Face Manning Machado and the Padres. Catch the first pitch at 4 Eastern on FS1 and the Fox Sports app. By the way, J. Mack coming back after a week's siesta, he was in Hawaii. He does not like my Luca take, which is I do believe he's becoming Carmel O'Anne. Anthony, which is immediate team success, worshipped a very high-end offensive game, very early, 19, 20,

21 years old, way above their years offensively. And then over time, it becomes hard to find a fit because they're not in great shape. They're not committed at all on the defensive end. They get very defensive and moody and prickly if you acknowledge some of their weaknesses or evolving and neither will evolve. Luca is ball-centric. He's not changing. Carmelo wouldn't take a couple steps back and shoot threes as the game evolved and pivoted to a three-point league.

They don't play defense. It doesn't look like they're in the greatest shape. They get very prickly and GMs and coaches get fired trying to find the right compliment to their game. And you end up, they start hot, playoff success, plateau, and then eventually their lack of willingness to grow and evolve and play well with others is why they won't end up being Janus or LeBron. There was a very short time early, LeBron Mello. Mello had a couple of big wins over LeBron. Mello was the more refined offensive player. He'd been at Syracuse.

He won a Nattie. The longer they played, the wider the gap got. And because basically, LeBron would commit to being great shape, being a great defender, getting well, along with others, and evolving. Mello never did. Luke is not doing it. And I think you're stuck with a player who's going to be really hard to find a perfect fit for.

All right. I'll be brief. Luca Donchitz for the last four years has averaged eight or better assists per game. Carmelo's never top four. Luca raises the level of talent of everyone else around him. Carmelo has never done that. Okay. Yeah. Luca gets you

eight assists. Considering the ball usage rate, he should get you 14. He's got the ball in his hands the entire game. Like Stefan Marbury used to get eight assists. Nobody thought he was a good passer. It's fair. Can we do this more third hour? Gosh, fun. 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 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, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes. Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of tauntons and wampas on the ice planet hot,

or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith Rule of Two. Listen to Stuff to Blow Your Mind on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get. It's your podcast.