The Herd with Colin Cowherd - THE HERD – HOUR 2 – Best Goals In The World Cup, Analytics Have Taken Over Basketball

Episode Date: July 10, 2026

Colin unveils his six top World Cup goals as the tournament greats shine with Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi and Harry Kane. NBA writer Sam Amico joins Colin to discuss the destination for LeBron James as his free agency weighs heavy on the league, and one destination he still is confident in. Can LeBron's star power keep up with youth and speed in this NBA? Colin also talks about why the US men's soccer team languishes and why the women do well.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Going to be joining us last hour. We are smack dab in the middle of the quarter of finals of the World Cup, Spain, Belgium, on Fox after the Herd. We've been doing this on every Friday. We call it our Super 6, where we take the six great moments, the sixth great saves, the six great goals. So today on Friday, the six top World Cup goals, a lot of familiar names in our Super Six. Number six. And it's the way they've chosen to attack the job. Sheld her up. He's been busy since he's coming. Harland! Scores again. Norway, lead. The Northern Lights are shining. It was inevitable. Erling Harland.

again. Number five. Takes on Guyardo and crosses three head of one in the Aztec array and England against the run of play and a massive goal for England. Number four. Lienel Messi deflection there on the way through and can they line something up here Argentina as the greatest of the ball. Number three. Sheldor O's been brilliant since he came on. Arland he wants another one. He's just Phenomenal. He can't help it, can he? He just can't help scoring. Another massive moment for that man. Norway surely going through now. Number two.

Ariel heads it back in, Dewey, able to find him Boppe. Number one. Set quickly and trying to catch Argentina napping. McAllister can't make the play. Lopez Cabra! You know, I've said this before. Americans will tell you what's good. Americans like quality. We got air conditioning here and ice in our cocktails and public restaurants.

We know quality. The ratings for this World Cup have exploded. And there's a percentage of Americans. You know who they are. You know who they are. They don't want to admit it's the best World Cup ever. The numbers tell you it's the most connective, the most connecting World Cup ever. These ratings are unbelievable.

And between the massive stars, the quality of play, the big brands, it's one of the higher scoring World Cups, it's really been unbelievable. And I say this all the time when it comes to sports. I mostly, I am you. There are things you like more than I do. I refuse to watch the Pro Bowl. I think it's garbage. You like that, I don't.

I think the home run derby's stupid. Other than that, what you like, I like, March Madness, NFL, major college football. I have never watched this much World Cup. Well, well, there was other World Cups on Fox. I didn't watch this much. big brands, stars, I mean, Erling Holland, Messi's 39, England's legitimate, our team was more skilled. We got to the knockout stage.

This has been an unbelievable World Cup. And it's Spain and Belgium. I'm kind of rooting, kind of, even though I just got back from Spain. God, that I fall in love with Spain. If Belgium wins, it makes us look better. It's like, well, I mean, we did lose to Belgium. They're unbelievable. I think Spain's going to win, though.

And I think it's low scoring and it's physical. You know, I'm kind of a one-nothing, two-one, Spain, J-Mack. I don't know how about you feel about that. I think Spain's been the better side. They have been a little, they haven't been quite as, they just haven't worked offensively. They feel like they're just a tad out of sync. Yeah.

The top young star, you're, we're waiting for him. And it's just like, but defensively, I mean, they're elite. You can watch Spain play and you're like, that's great soccer. By far, yeah, best defense haven't conceded a goal. Nico Williams, their winger, hasn't played much. He may return today. They're not sure. But I will say this is a tricky game.

The gambling model says only a lean to Spain and the under. Because Belgium has changed up a lot of things, Colin. This is not the same Belgium group we saw in the group stage where they were struggling to tie. I believe it was Iran. They changed the lineup a lot since that Senegal game. And I'm not sure. Spain could be in trouble because like you said, Jamal. Well, Spain...

Teams are double teaming him. Yeah, Spain dominates possession. They're just not scoring as many goals. So they look the part... When you watch Spain play, they're like France, but France scores goals. France has more finishers. France looks more complete than Spain. I feel like something's missing with Spain.

But that's why I think Belgium, and again, Belgium elite players, two or three of their... I mean, some of their aging stars aren't starting and they're still great players. How's this NFL comparison? So France's offense is like the... Tom Brady, Randy, Randy Moss Patriots. They're a juggernaut. I mean, Colin, historically,

this looks like the best offense in World Cup history. Defensively, Spain is like the 85 bears. They're not giving up any point. You can't score on them. They've conceded three shots on target in the tournament. That's it.

Historically, great offenses against great defenses. Defense is do very well. Great defenses shut down great offenses. As a quick reminder, Spain has beaten France in their last two meetings. I believe it was in the last two years. 24 and 25 and Mbapé played in those games. So I think if Spain gets by here,

they could shock France in the semifinals. So Kevin O'Connell was on the Dan Patrick show yesterday, and they were talking about their quarterback competition, and they keep talking about, well, competition is how you find out. It's the best quarterback in the NFL. Here's Kevin O'Connell. As a guy who's played seven or eight quarterbacks in four years, the two years we had our start.

you know, play the whole season, we won 13 and 14 games. So we want to try to get back to the standard of having the quarterback position be a driving force behind us, winning by doing their job, by hopefully getting, activating the great players they get to play with. I'm excited about where we're at, but we won't really know until we, you know, go start calcifying, forge in our team together that we're going to compete in the NFC North. Here's the thing. When people say competition, is how you find out the best quarterback. That's true in high school, college, and seven-on-seven summer camps. It's not true in pro football.

You've got to go into a camp with a guy because the margins are so thin and the coaching is so good, belief the locker room believing in the quarterback can be the difference. I mean, we know this to be true. The better the quarterback generally can help a defense late in games to get the ball back. It's a more inspired defense. So we know the coach is great. we know Brian Flores and the defense were top three.

We know Justin Jefferson is probably the best wide receiver in the NFL. And we know Sam Darnold won 14 games here. The truth is the worst place you can ever be as a pro coach in any league is when you have to lie, when you have to protect. They don't want J.J. McCarthy to be a bust, but he's a miss. Doesn't mean he can't go elsewhere, you know, and succeed. You know, Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold went elsewhere, but then, The difference is the Vikings are a well-run organization with a great coach and a great defensive

coordinator and he's not working. Sam Darnold with the Jets, it's an excuse, right? Because it's the Jets or Baker Mayfield and Cleveland doesn't work out. Well, it is Cleveland. Minnesota's always been well-run. Minnesota's always drafted pretty well. Minnesota's had stable ownership. They've had many good coaches.

They have their left tackle. They have their star receiver. They've got good weapons. They have a great defensive coordinator and Brian Flores. smart. I mean, again, Minnesota is smart. That's the problem here. People say, well, well, look at Sam Donald. The Jets. Well, Baker Mayfield. You know, I love Stefansky, but it is Cleveland. Like when you don't work here, you know, people say, well, Randy Moss was so good in New England. Randy Moss was good in Minnesota. Randy Moss was good in Minnesota. Chris Carter was good. Guys who were good

are good in Minnesota. Guys who were good, coaches that are good can't work in New York. So it's just one of those where everybody in the room, you can't fool athletes. Everybody in the room knows quarterback is the issue. That's why I've said before. Kyler Murray's going to work here. He's not going to work as much as Sam Darnold because he's not as good as Sam Darnold. But Kyler Murray is going to win the job because he's going to own the locker room because the players think he's more talented.

And J.J. McCarthy may flourish elsewhere. But when you go to a solid organization and it doesn't work after two or three years, it's not going to work. This is not the Jets. I mean, is Carolina well run? Now, I think they're better run now than three years ago, but, you know, Bryce Young's had some success. We worried a little bit for a couple years. They got a better GM now, better coach now.

But Bryce Young's got him to the playoffs, almost beat the Rams twice. So eventually, even if, you know, even if you have a rocky start, you find your way in this league pretty quickly. And I think with J.J. McCarthy, I'm not rooting against him. I think he could find another organization, maybe like an Arizona or something someday. but it's not working because Minnesota's well run. In competition at quarterback in the NFL's nonsense, nobody buys into that. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1 and the IHeart Radio app.

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Listen to everyone watches women's sports on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Hey, I'm Hoda Kotby, host of the podcast, Joy 101 with Hoda Kotby. Okay, if you know me, you know this. I'm always searching for inspiration, for support, and useful tools to help maximize joy.

So this podcast lets us uncover all of that together. We're going to have these meaningful conversations with the world's most fascinating people. Like when actress Olivia Munn shared how she overcame fierce health challenges that she never saw coming. I've gone through breast cancer and then helped my mother through breast cancer. And that was more difficult. There's a lot of people who understand postpartner depression. I was not prepared for postpartum anxiety. Olympic champ Sean Johnson revealed why she had no choice.

but to be a gymnast. There was something about gymnastics that was intoxicating to me. It's given me a belief that we all have one of those treasures inside of us. We just have to find it. Listen to Joy 101 with Hoda Kotby

on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. My first guest is Perix Houghton, Shakira, Luke and Yerrin, Samira and Gracie. I'm so excited. On the bouncy bed. You have surprises?

Many surprises. Welcome to Sweet 305 where the group chat comes to life. What a . It's like a way of saying like, Oh, my friend, hello, my brother. What up? Look, I never have ever I've evered with anybody. Except with my kids.

My kids, I know. I'm my amante. Oof. Oonch, that's incredible. Yeah, the telenovela. You're the only person I know that loves a Yellow Starburst. It's so amazing. No, man.

No. Like you say, I'd like to collaborate with this person. This is Sweet 305. Listen to Sweet 305 with Lele Pons as part of my

Culture Podcast Network on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. There is no disputing. The day he arrived in Boston, they win more when he's off the court.

That is not disputable. The championship year, they were 12 and 0 when Jalen Brown didn't plan the regular season. That's insane. last they were 15 and 4, two years ago, nine and two last year. Like the more Tatum you get playing and the more Tatum has the ball,

the Celtics win almost 90% of their games when Tatum has the ball 33% of the time. But when Brown plays, he can't get to that number. So everybody's freaking out. It's like, what's going to happen when you share the ball with him and Edgecombe and M. B and Tyrese Maxie? That's why I think LeBron could be vital in Philly because he would be the great distributor. LeBron has a great feel for the game. He's like, okay, I'm moving in here.

I'm moving it there. LeBron always gets the ball to the right person. Jalen Brown doesn't. But when you preach something over and over and over and over, it would be like having an athletic trainer who was severely overweight. It's like, bro, you're telling me what to eat and what to do. You may want to listen to your own advice. right like the analytic mavens are like analytics are for the smart people okay then why are you freaking out on the jalen brown trade paul george is a much better analytic player cheaper can get out of his contract sooner and plays great off the ball

so if you're if you're preaching something to me you know be like a financial planner that's broke that's what you do for a living you financial planner's like yeah i uh i uh be behind my uh I couldn't pay rent. You're an expert. So if you're going to preach analytics, then listen to yourself. Jalen Brown's bad analytically. All the Celtic numbers for nine years tell you that. It doesn't mean he's a bad player,

but in a formulaic, analytic-driven franchise, he doesn't work. That's why the story was leaked inside the Celtics that Derek White had a better year. They didn't say Derek White was a better player. They said Derek White had a better year. That's why I think LeBron, and Brown going to the 76ers as a tandem eventually works because LeBron doesn't need the points,

doesn't need the score to be effective. Right? And LeBron's not a very good defensive player. Brown is a very, you know, he'd give you every bit. He's a worker on defense. Now, now the truth is LeBron's probably going to Cleveland. Sam Amico, NBA reporter, is going to come on in a few minutes. Back in March, when there was talk.

about like LeBron not resigning long term of the Lakers. He was talking about Cleveland. I've heard if it's like 99% or 95% if he is willing to take what the caps could offer him, which wouldn't be much more than the mid-level

exception next season, even with some moves, because they're still over the second apron. Yeah, so I, you know, you're seeing a bunch of pictures on the internet, Bill Simmons said it yesterday. Yeah, the Cleveland thing, you know, I would guess. But it's the idea that it's so sentimental and romantic, he's dumped them twice already.

Let's not kidding. The first time it was like, oh, my go, he's going home again. You know, you put music to it, the letter, it's, oh, my God, this is emotional. This isn't emotional. This is comfortable. It's not emotional to me. Golden State would be about camaraderie. Cleveland would be about comfort.

Philadelphia would be about contention. that's a really interesting athletic roster that could hide some of LeBron's issues. Right? Like Jalen Brown defends and beads a rim protector, VJ Edgecombe is a baller. He'll give you everything he's got on the defensive end. All right, Jay Mack with the news. Is the herd line news. Let's go to that England-Norway matchup Saturday on Fox.

It'll be Harry Kane against Erling Holland. and Erling Hollingd is, he's become like a sensation here in America during this World Cup. And he's talking about how all the pressure is on England as Norway, the upset is potential. To win against Brazil and then go and play England in the quarterfinal in the World Cup is in the USA. It's quite special. Really low still. So, yeah, I think there's some clear favorites out there. England's one of them.

So I think all of you should put every single pressure on the English. Three in the last four years, he's led the English Premier League in scoring. So it's England certainly familiar with Erling Holland. He's a pretty awesome individual, if you read some of the quotes and his backstory. And he's got a bromance with Jude Bellingham from England. They played club together in Germany, and they were like tight. You know, they got all these stories. Colin, this is a fascinating game.

It's five Eastern Saturday on Fox. I know you've blocked off Saturday. I will not be going to the beach with the family. I told them, guys, enjoy the sun. I must watch this game. Who you got in this one? England is a slight favorite. Yeah, I think England.

I think Spain beats Belgium. Yep. I think France wins the whole thing. I think the second best team to me is England. It's France, England, probably Spain. I'm fascinated to watch Belgium against Spain. I really want to see that because Belgium was so dominant in possession. They were just so dominant against us.

I want to see him against Spain. So we barely talked Argentina, Switzerland. England, if it defeats Norway, which I think it will, would then face Argentina. Now, the one thing to watch, Colin, if Jude Bellingham gets a yellow card against Norway, he is out for the semifinal. And I don't love that rule. So, you know, Jude's going to be on his best behavior with, they're not winning without him against Argentina and Messi. But Saturday is going to be a phenomenal day for soccer.

All right. Let's go back to the NFL. We haven't done much on your Denver Broncos. I know Sean Payton's your guy and the Broncos made it very far last year. Going all the way to the AFC championship. The Denver defense led the way they had 68 sacks during the regular season, 11 more than the second place Falcons. So Zach Allen, their formidable defensive line. and says their goal this year is to have 72 sacks,

which is what the Bears did in 1984. 72 sacks, Colin. I think it's a little bit ambitious, but this is a formidable defense. Well, also as Bo Nix grows, they've added Jalen Waddle. They should be more productive offensively, meaning more leads late in games.

So a lot about getting sacks is you lead games late, and they should, I do think Jalen Waddle, now Cortland Sutton, can move to like a two, where he'll be one of the best twos in the league, and Franklin Mims can fill the slots at three and four. Okay, all of a sudden now it's like, oh, it's a high potent opet. Part of why Miles Garrett's going to have a great year, the Rams are going to lead late in most of their games. Miles Garrett has compiled great stats and Cleveland trails late, which limits opportunities to get sacked. So I tend to think Denver has a shot at it based solely on that.

interesting though the schedule is unforgiving they're in a division with Patrick Mahomes who's got a revenge season loading first six weeks is tough of schedule in years so that's Mahomes a playoff team the Super Bowl favorite a playoff team a playoff team

the Super Bowl champs I mean if they can win three of those that's a huge dump I don't think they'll win three going into Arizona and then you get Kansas City at home I'd feel great about it but that that is a that is rough. Yeah. I'm not optimistic on your Broncos.

Final story, Con, let's go to the Golden State Warrior. So we talked about that golf tournament that's happening, and Steph Curry made a brief pitch about LeBron. Well, after his round at a press conference, Steph Curry said a little bit more about LeBron. Now, this is as close to a full-throated pitch as you'll get from Steph Curry. I have a presage. It's kind of got to them.

I feel like any place he called and said, I want to play there. And he moved balance if I could happen. And I know we're in that boat as well. So the dishes want to play good basketball, being around people that know how to play the game. Hopefully, the raise off there and our competitiveness this year. I just don't see it, Colin.

Well, there's things that, you know, I don't know. Is it a line spot of mine? So they've been running an incredible offense for a decade now, okay? They're just going to scrap that because LeBron doesn't fit in what they're going to, what they do. Like they already have Draymond Green in that rule. So I don't, again, I don't know what I'm missing. Well, you can't play Butler, LeBron, and Draymond. Three non-shooters?

No. Remember the last time we had buddies playing together was Westbrook and James Hardin and Houston? Remember they put that together like, oh, they get along. Wouldn't that the Hardin West, or no, Chris Paul. Was it Chris Paul and Hardin? What was the Houston? Chris Paul and Hardin did join forces. Yeah, and they beat the great warrior team.

And then people talked about, yeah, it was Hardin and. And Paul and everybody said, although get along, they like each other a lot. In the end, it was like it just didn't necessarily work. Like, I think the big part of the Golden State thing is the respect LeBron has for Draymond and Steph and Kerr. It's a respect alignment. I don't necessarily think it's a great team. Not to go off topic.

Are you sure you think there's enough basketballs for Jalen Brown, LeBron, and Maxie? Because all the trios you mentioned earlier that it didn't work, that's exactly what he'd be getting in Philly. Well, I think just Maxie Edgecombe, Brown, Embedd could be problematic. I really do. It is going to be problematic.

Yeah, I agree. I mean, I don't, I mean. And now you add LeBron? I have somebody that knows the Philadelphia GM. And they know, they're like, they see the same analytics. But it was like Brown could get him out of the Paul George. They had Paul George and Embed, injury prone guys on contracts that didn't love. At least Brown doesn't have an injury issue they have to deal with or a durability issue.

but it could be, I'm just saying if you're looking at a starting five, talent wins you a lot of games. Brown sees himself as a one, Embedde sees himself as a one, Maxi sees himself as a one. Edgecombe probably doesn't, but will by the end of next year. I think LeBron sort of smooth sandpapers all the shot. I just think he's a really smart guy in terms of running an offense. And LeBron's also.

Hold on. When it's his team, Colin? right? And that's the problem with this golden state. It ain't going to be his team. It's Curry's team. You go to Philly. That's Embedd's team. Maxi's taking it from him. And then now Jalen Brown's like, what's my role? And then you've got LeBron? That's just a lot of, what are we doing?

Remember, LeBron's going to be playing 60 games, not 82. M. Bede's going to be playing 45 games. Like, this is not a roster. 45 games? I mean, Maxie, Edgecom, and Brown are going to give you 70 games, but two of those stars aren't. So it works because two of your guys aren't going to be playing every night. And by the way, when they are, LeBron, it's going to be limited minutes.

Are we going to bash LeBronin for load management then? No. All these Gibronies do on TV and radio? I don't. I don't either. Just make it sure. I'm a big believer in choose the easiest route as you age. When you're at the end of the runway, I mean, by the way, Billy Joel, he just wants to play the garden.

At this point, he's earned it. But honestly, it's like when you see the actor says, I'm only going to do stuff if it's in Europe, Jeremy Irons. at this point he's earned it if lebron wants to play 45 games in philadelphia so he can have go back to cleveland and see his family i got no problem with him i have no problems that's an incredible pull i wouldn't know him if he walked into the studio right now oh jeremy irons yeah me's a good actor but he's jeremy irons wow unbelievable stuff that's kind of stuff i can produce j smack with the news well that's the news and thanks for stopping by the herd line news well sam amico's been covering the NBA for a long time over a couple of decades. He's an NBA writer for hoopswire.com,

formerly Fox Sports, Sports Illustrated, CBS, Amicohoops.net. Okay, Sam, and we just played a bite of yours in March. You were like, it looks like Cleveland. I have the internet. I'm looking at all the pictures. Kobe Altman. Like, it's, I mean, it does feel like it's a given, Sam, right? I mean, you cover this league. You've been hearing it since March. Do you still believe it's like 95%? Yeah, I do. You know, I'd be just a surprise now if he didn't return as I was in 2010, my first year covering the NBA or first year covering LeBron. In 2010, I thought he was coming back to Cleveland then and was shocked when he said Miami. So I think the level of elements or element of surprise would be the same today. And really, Colin, I felt that way back in January when I was at the Cavs, Lakers game, you know, saw LeBron get emotional.

We all saw the video of him, you know, wiping away the tears. And I kind of thought he's either going to retire or he's coming back here. Now, that doesn't mean it's inside information, just my gut feeling at the time. But I just thought, I don't think he's going back to L.A. under any circumstance back in January. So at that time, I started to think and get vibes and hear from others that Cleveland is definitely in the mix of his next destination. Yeah, in Cleveland, by the way, the first time was angry when he left. The second time appreciated it because he got him a crown. You know, I said camaraderie is Golden State.

Comfort is Cleveland. I think contention is Philadelphia. Here's my issue with Cleveland. LeBron would clean up one possession losses. Cleveland was bad at that last year. They didn't make good decisions late in game. LeBron's one of the smartest players I've ever seen in my life. He'd clean up the end of games.

But, Sam, you know this. James Hardin was the slowest player in the league last year. They tracked that. LeBron was second. So it's like what is winning in the NBA now is youth. What is winning now is speed, San Antonio. It would be a slower team. They weren't great defensively last year.

and by the way, Mitchell, Hardin, and LeBron are play initiators. Well, that was the Lakers issue. Like, you had three guys that initiate plays. I don't, I think LeBron would make them better in close games. But Sam, they got blown out in three of the four playoff games by the Knicks. Like, they just couldn't defend. Would LeBron make them a championship team, in your opinion? I think they saw have work to do.

And for all the points you just mentioned, um, defensively, you're going to definitely have some issues with, with Hardin and, and LeBron. You know, you've got two great rim protectors and Alan and Mowgli, but, you know, depth is going to be a little bit of a question depending on what else they would do. You know, I mean, you have guys like Jalen Tyson and Max Struz and Sam Merrill, who are very up and down, but you've got to make some other moves, even if LeBron does return to Cleveland. And, you know, to your point, they don't blow a 22-point lead, New York. in game one in the fourth quarter if they have LeBron.

And I think they do win a lot of these other closer games. Yeah. But does he put them over the top? Probably not on paper. I mean, you see what Philly is done. The Knicks are defending champs. Miami went out, got Janice. Detroit's still in the picture.

Yes. So I think that they're in the running and in contention and better than they were last season. But still, even if he were to return to Cleveland, the cabs still have have work to do. And I think they, you know, they will explore those things. But clearly, they're in a holding pattern in the calves, as are several other teams waiting to hear what he's going to do next before they move on. I don't know if you're a baseball fan, but when I was a kid growing up, the strikeout was bad. And then analytics showed up and people said striking out's fine, don't hit ground balls.

And that analytics in baseball marginalize managers. That's why they haven't had the growth in their salaries, like a college football or an NBA guy or an NFL coach, is that analytics changed how we viewed baseball. Well, analytics in basketball, my take, has marginalized the 25-point-a-game ball-centric score, like a Hardin, like a Luca, like a Carmelow, like a Jalen Brown, like a Trey Young. You and I were conditioned.

If a guy averages 28, he's great. And now it's like, you look at the analytics with Jalen Brown, Sam. It's shocking. In the year they won the title, they were 12 and 0 when Jalen didn't play in the regular season. Last year, there were 9 and 2 when he didn't play, 15 and 4 the year before. They are literally better when he's off the floor. So I'm told the analytics are the key to the NBA, but the reaction is, oh, the Celtics gave him away. Well, you know this.

Paul George has always been a great analytics player. He's older. He's not as durable. were you shocked by, again, analytics run this league. Every story you do, you're looking at numbers and data. Are you surprised at sort of the, oh, the Celtics will be terrible when the data tells us, when Tatum plays in Brown doesn't, they're better. Yeah.

I'll tell you what, Colin, they've thrown away the eye test a little bit, you know, and I think you look at Jalen Brown on the season he had. I mean, like you said, you see how many points he's averaging. You know, I know as a fan of an opposing team, you would hate it when he would get the ball because it meant something bad was going to happen. Something good would happen with the Celtics to me, you know, and I think that we all kind of rode off Boston last year after they lost Al Forford, Drew Holiday, Jason Tatum was out.

Jalen Brown, to me, looked like a guy who should have been in the MVP. conversation with the way that he kind of led them to a fantastic, I agree, wasn't surprise of a regular season. So, you know, I found it interesting last year. Caps coach Kenny Atkinson said Derek White was a top 10 player in the NBA, analytically. So I, they obviously, the league now has obviously in sports overall have put so much weight in this that, yeah, you trade a guy like,

Jaylen Brown, who's still in his prime, who helped you win a championship two years ago for a guy like Paul George, fine player. But like you said, kind of breaking down, older. But you know what? He screams positive analytics. So, yeah, I mean, this is a new world from even when I first started covering the league 20 years ago, you know, analytics has just really taken over really since the release. some money ball. I mean, that's kind of what everybody hopped on it. So NBA is right there, and I don't know that it makes sense, but it sure makes sense

that the people running things. Finally, Sam and Miko covering Hoopswire.com, NBA writer, senior writer for over 20 years. Finally, if LeBron makes a decision, I've been told there's a frenzy, it's no hurry, what would be your timeline? In terms of when he makes, when he should make it? when he makes the call? I thought it would be today, frankly, because this has always been around the time July 10th, July 11th,

when he's decided, and it allows teams to kind of move forward with their offseason business. I mean, he's going to want the team he joins, I would think, unless it's the Sixers who are pretty much set. Yeah. If it's the Cavaliers or the Warriors or the Heat, they still have other things they need to take care. So, you know, I would hope that it would be, if not this weekend, then certainly early next week, only because, you know, he's going to hurt himself if he waits too long because then the team he goes to is going to be pretty much out of moves or, you know, they're going to be, they're going to be hard pressed to make moves around him. So I would think it's going to be over the next two or three days for his own benefit. Sam, Amico, thank you.

Late notice joining our show today. Sam, thank you. All right. Thanks so much for having me. We will talk to you soon. Yeah. You know, it's interesting on the Jalen Brown thing. Two things can be true.

Jalen Brown should have gotten some MVP boats, but that was built on the Celtics without Tatum. When the superior player comes back, Brown's still good, but the Celtics are better with Tatum. So you can, when Tatum's not around, Brown's good enough to carry you to a good record. Right? Or he's a really good, productive player. MVP voting is not all on data and analytics. A lot of it is scoring storyline. You know, Tatum's hurt. Brown comes in. He's been there nine. Yes, give him MVP. MVP, it doesn't mean much. Analytics is bigger than the NBA than awards by far. But you give him some votes. You're like, man, we thought they were going to capsize and go over. And oh, they've won a lot of games. But then you start digging deeper on it. And here comes Tatum back. And it's like, okay, now you've got a step to a number two. And Brown's like, I don't want to do that. This has been the most fun I've ever. ever had. So a lot of this stuff is, that's why you can't get too caught up on awards.

Analytics drive the leak. Awards don't. When guys win the Heisman, I had this argument years ago, nobody gives a rip about the Heisman Trophy Award in the NFL. Nobody cares. They want to know arm straight, when do you get rid of the ball? That's just an award. Awards mean nothing in my business, mostly. You know, those people that have never won an Emmy, they're great, people that have won several or average awards. Do you move the numbers? Do you move the revenue? Do you move the ratings? That's what I care about.

It's the same in sports. Is your team better when you're on the floor? And with Jalen Brown, the analytics tell you awards or not, it's like, actually their formula works a little better when he's not playing. And it goes against everything you and I were conditioned to believe, which is Trey Young gives you 27 a game. They're great. And then Quinn Snyder's like, anybody want Trey Young?

Right? I mean, that's just the way it goes. Our eyes fool us all the time. And baseball as a kid growing up, it's like, oh, strikeout. Dave Kingman's terrible. All he does is strikeout or hit home runs. If Dave Kingman was playing today, you'd be like, that's exactly what you want. Power hit her.

At least he doesn't hit ground balls. So you get conditioned to believe something is true. And everybody's telling me analytics are the key. Well, the analytics for Jalen Brown aren't any good. And then he had some, you know, deteriorating relationships, and he was getting more vocal. and he was saying things that kind of ticked off the Tatum crew. It's like, yeah, that's why I got traded.

Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific. Listen. And you're there for heart-wrenching knockouts. The world's biggest stage. And breathtaking triumph. In 2026, FIFA World Cup. The knockout stage. Every match, every moment.

Listen on TSN radio. Going the globe. On the road to the July 19th final. 2026, FIFA World Cup. Stream it all live on TSN Radio. Available on IHeart Radio. What's up, fam? I'm sports journalist Ari Chambers.

Hey, what's up, y'all? It's your girl, Sam J. And we're the host of everyone watches women's sports, a new podcast from Together and IHeart Women's Sports. Because let's be real. Women's sports is giving us way too much to talk about these days. The highlights, the rivalries, the breakout stars, the moments that take over your entire timeline.

In the conversations that start during the game and somehow keep going all week. Every week we're breaking down the biggest stories across women's sports. We'll give you our tapes, our debates, and probably a few disagreements. We'll talk to athletes, celebrate big moments, and get into what's happening on and off the field, court, track, and beyond. Because we're not just interested in what happened. We're interested in why everyone's talking about it. Because everyone watches women's sports. So if you're already a fan, you're just getting into the game, there's a seat for you.

you right here. Listen to everyone watches women's sports on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Hey, I'm Hoda Kotby, host of the podcast, Joy 101 with Hoda Kotb. Okay, if you know me, you know this. I'm always searching for inspiration, for support, and useful tools to help maximize joy. So this podcast lets us uncover all of that together. We're going to have these meaningful conversations with the world's most fascinating people. people. Like when actress Olivia Munn shared how she overcame fierce health challenges that she never saw coming. I've gone through breast cancer and then helped my mother through breast cancer and that was more difficult. There's a lot of people who understand postpartner depression.

I was not prepared for postpartum anxiety. Olympic champ Sean Johnson revealed why she had no choice but to be a gymnast. There was something about gymnastics that was intoxicating to me. It's given me a belief that we all have one of those treasures inside of us. We just have to have to find it. Listen to Joy 101 with Hoda Kotby on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. My first guest is Paris Houghton, Shakira, Luke and Yerrin, Samira, and Gracie. I'm so excited on the bouncy bed.

You have surprises, many surprises. Welcome to Sweet 305, where the group chat comes to life. What a bit. It's like a way of saying, like, hello, amiga, hello, Oh my grandma, what are! Look, never I've ever I've evered to have I've ever. Except with my kids, my

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I've always believed there are certain things are true. Democracies elevate women's sports. Countries that have wars and conflict have better food. Music, art, food. You know who didn't have great food? Switzerland and Canada. You know who has great food? Italy.

Mussolini. France Croatia's generally speaking because wars are conflict and pain and it creates great music and great art

and great food Switzerland makes chocolate I mean I could probably go home in an hour and make chocolate I mean what are we talking about I can make it down the hall I mean come on

but I mean that's my theory on certain things equal certain things So great democracies really, to me, elevate women's opportunities in sports. Authoritarian regimes perhaps don't. And so that explains why the women's pay for play. It's not pay for play. Everybody has pay per play almost every country.

Ours is just way more expensive. And so I think it limits us. I think our pay to play, the democracy in America, you serve. or trumps the pay to play expense in America. Our democracy trumps it, triumphs over it, because it is a roadblock. But a lot of countries do pay to play in soccer. It's just ours is really super expensive. And I don't like a parent's income dictating a child's opportunities athletically.

I think that hurts. You know, so I want, you know, I just, rich people, Billionaires can spend their money on whatever they want. They earned it. But if you listed 20 things where we should spend money, and I'm not saying it's number one, maybe it's not number seven. But it's somewhere on the top 20

that billionaires should spend their money on giving poor kids opportunities to flourish, not only academically, but athletically. And so it does bother me when, you know, just parents have, you know, they work hard. There could be divorces. There could be financial constraints. But when I, I guess this all started because I'm reading stories about this.

Well, how come the women in America, they can be elite, and the United States men can't in the whole pay-to-play reality? Because our democracy for women, for me historically, that really trumps the pay-to-play dilemma. by the way, here's the World Cup bracket. Here it is. I'm taking Spain narrowly, maybe one nothing over Belgium. Argentine. I'm going to tell you something. Switzerland's got a shot to beat Argentina.

Because Argentina is a one-man team largely. Switzerland is very respected. They make World Cups. I think they've made five or six straight. They've made three different quarterfinals. Switzerland's always solid. And I think England beats Norway. I just, the more I watch, I think it's France and England.

That's what it feels like are the two best teams. One more time, France and England, you said? Man, between Kane, their depth, Kane and Bellingham. I'll just say right now, the contrarian play in the semifinals will be Spain against France because everybody in their mom is betting France. Well, Spain is second in the entire tournament in time of possession. So Spain will keep the ball away. what Spain's problem is they haven't been great finishers.

Finisters, yeah. But they keep the ball away from France potentially. Listen, you may have better finishers, but if your possession is 38% to 42%, you're going to have fewer opportunities. What's up, fam, it's sports journalist Ari Chambers. Hey, what's up, y'all? It's your girl, Sam J.

And we're the hosts of everyone watches women's sports, a new podcast from Together. We're breaking down the biggest headlines, the viral moments, and the stories everyone's talking about across women's sports. From game-changing performances to culture-shifting conversations, we'll give you our takes, our debates, and a few laughs along the way. Because everyone watches women's sports.

Listen to everyone watches women's sports. On the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Joy is essential, and it's also elusive. But now, there's a new and exciting way to start your journey toward a more joyful existence. Joy 101. It's a new podcast hosted by me, How to Coppe. If you're craving inspiration to maximize your joy,

tune into these candid, uplifting, and moving on-air chats. Open your free IHeart Radio app. Search Joy 101 and listen now. Joy 101 with Hoda Kotfi is presented by CBS. I'm Jake Brennan, and on the Disgraceland podcast, I explore the wild lives of rock stars and unbelievable true crime stories from music history. These are the stories you haven't heard, the kind you'll end up telling someone else. Like the time Paul McCartney spent in a notorious prison

or the bizarre crime Lady Gaga is accused of where that time Blondie's Debbie Harry escaped Ted Bundy. Listen to Disgraceland on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. My first guest is Paris Hilton, Shakira, Luke and Yerrin. You have surprises? Many surprises. Welcome to the Sweet 305 podcast.

where the group check comes to life. What on! You're the only person I know that loves a yellow starburst. It's lemonade. This is Sweet 305. Here, oversharing is encouraged. Listen to Sweet 305

with Lele Pons on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.