The Herd with Colin Cowherd - The Herd-HOUR-2-NBA bubble

Episode Date: August 27, 2020

Colin talks about the success of the NBA bubble and people having a hard time with change.Guests: BJ Armstrong, Tristan Thompson Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year.

Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On the Look Back at it podcast. For 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 was big to me. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English.

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

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

So let's get to it. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeard radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network on TikTok. 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. You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. Ah, here we go. It's hour two. The NBA has elected to resume playoff action. We are told not tonight, but potentially tomorrow night. This is The Heard, wherever you may be, and however you may be listening. Right here on FS1, BJ Armstrong, Agent, three rings with the Bulls be joining us in five minutes. Joey Taylor is joining me. You know, we said this. I don't know when we said this. I said 2020 is going to be a bad year. for rigid people. Yes. Yeah. It's the only smart thing

I've said all year. And it's turned out to be true. So I was last night, I have a friend of mine who owns a restaurant. And the state of California shut it down. Can't use bars.

He had to buy parking spaces to create outdoor tables. It has been an incredibly challenging year for him. But last night we were talking and I said, you know, it was kind of nosy. I said, like, how are you doing

like financially? How are you doing? pretty good. And I'm like, how? How? You literally, people are sitting in the parking lot. How are you doing well? And he goes, Colin, I think the key to it is, we adapted immediately.

We took certain stuff off the menu. We put other stuff on the menu. We changed it. We lowered the price. We didn't think people, we thought they would come to our restaurant, but they wouldn't stay as long. We got rid of some heavy food, lighter food, quicker food. He goes, we just keep adapting and adapting and adapting.

And he goes, the people that are struggling in this, the restaurant business, have not adapted. And change, it's the year of change. And instead of yelling at people and demanding an answer for why they're changing, could you maybe ask yourself why you're so reluctant to change? 40% of Americans never leave their hometown. think about how beautiful this state is. Think about this country is. Think about the opportunities in America.

The only reason I've done well and my kids will do well is because I moved. That's it. Mobility. I wasn't that smart. Wasn't that smart. I moved. I moved. Better job, better opportunity.

Yet 40% of Americans never leave their area code. Why? Because people are afraid of change. So instead of barking and yelling at those who do change and want change, ask yourself, why are you so afraid of it? What is it that thing that scares you? Because we know we live in an imperfect union. We know we're not, we don't have all the answers. And so Adam Silver and Roger Goodell, let's be fair, have both been very good at adapting. Goddell decided I'm going to host the draft in my basement. A lot of people push back. NFL a couple years ago in a Super Bowl said, no, those non-catches, their catches. We're going to change for the Super Bowl. Remember the Philadelphia Patriot game?

Roger Goodell isn't as beloved, probably because he has so much power in the NFL, isn't as beloved as Adam Silver. But I think of both of them, I think they're good adapters, good evolvers, good changers, rules, they listen. I had Roger Gooddell in the show one time, And I said, I think you were here. And I said, yeah, I hate this rule.

It's terrible. It's bad for your sport. Makes me mad. And he's like, on the air, he's like, yeah, I don't think it's very good. We're going to have meetings on that. I agree with you. I think it's terrible. Commissioners who are rigid don't do that.

And so why are you struggling with all this change? Because there's a lot of change this year. And the people, the restaurants, the players, the businesses, the agents that are adapting and evolving are doing quite well. You're seeing all sorts. Silicon Valley has done, the stock market's actually surprisingly high right now. And the companies that are adapting,

the apples and the tech companies and the oracles that are adapting to all these changes are actually doing quite well. So, you know, maybe it's not about yelling at people who want change and demand change. Maybe it's about asking ourselves, why we are so reluctant to change. And with that, B.J. Armstrong, our friend, three NBA rings. He is, of course, a managing partner for a Wasserman Media Group,

and he is now joining us live. I said last night, when it first came out, I thought, you know what, I need to soak this in and think about it. And then I went to Twitter and I said, I don't think they should cancel the season. I think the platform's too effective. This is a big platform. I got a lot of pushback.

You don't get it. And I thought, no, I think the players are going to sleep on this? So are you surprised, BJ, that the players slept on it, woke up this morning, and elected to resume. You know, Colin, I'm not surprised at all that this is the outcome because I think all of the players who are currently in the bubble, which is 16 teams or so. and the other 14 teams who are outside of the bubble, clearly they had an understanding of prior of what this means and the economic ramifications of why it was important to go down there in the first place.

So I'm not surprised. And, you know, I think, you know, when emotions are high, this is what you see. But I think in the end, the players, you know, they were able to talk. They were able to express themselves. They've currently have the support of, you know, whether it's the union, the coaches, I believe, were also involved in that meeting last night that we're

currently discussing now. And they came to the conclusion that, you know what, it's probably in their best interest to move forward and begin to play and continue the season in the bubble. You know, it's interesting. Generally, if I was going to boycott a business, BJ, I would try to hurt the business. But if you, but if an athlete boycotts a game, he, He's hurting himself because you've collectively bargained revenue splits with the owners. So it's very unique. And I hear a lot of people go, if the players boycott, it's just hurting themselves. You know, that's at the heart of social justice, like a sacrifice.

But I want to ask you, go back to your, I think a lot of times people look at owners and players. They're battling all the time. And I'm like, not really. These are business partners. Like when, and it's really, it's really obvious now. When you played, when you talked to other players around the league, was there resentment toward owners? Were there things you agreed on? What was your relationship as a player with the different owners?

Did you feel they were on your side, aligned, battling you? How did you feel? You know, well, Colin, I've been watching the same scenario for quite some time, over 30 years. As an ex-player, as an executive, I was also involved with the union. Now I'm watching it as an agent. You know, I think the obvious to me in watching this, you know, for so many years now in professional sports, is that clearly now that these players, they have the attention of the owners. I think that's very clear to me of, you know, what is really going on here. And I think the following now, Colin, we are at a place where the following has to be said, if we can just cut through all of the noise, it's just the NBA players and the owners are going to have to redefine their relationship moving.

forward. Why do I say that? It's because now, Colin, the players have made it clear that they'll play when they want to play, right? If the player said tonight that they wanted to play tomorrow, the league would accommodate them. If they said they wanted to play on Saturday or they wanted to play next week. So I think now the question has to be asked, how are we going to define the relationship between the owners and the players? And what's that going to look like moving forward? And then I would caution the players with this, or I would provide the following, before they do have that conversation with those owners, is to make sure that they understand the relationship they're going to have amongst themselves. Because whatever they conclude or whatever conclusion they come to in that discussion will have an enormous economic impact on this league moving forward. And I think that is the question at hand here, as we're talking about what is currently going on.

in regards to, you know, what we're being discussed and how we went on in determine work stoppage or what have you. You know, it's interesting. I was saying the power structure, maybe I'm wrong, but the power structure is different between an NBA player and an NFL player. The NBA, back to the 70s, was always a players league. In the NFL, it's always felt like a head coach in a GM league. You can be cut.

The economic power, the NFL player union's weak. The baseball player union's incredibly strong. There's a power structure that the NBA players have. the league now feels more political than it's ever been. But am I overstating that? The NBA players, I mean, I remember Muhammad Ali and Jim Brown. But when you played, Michael was somebody that was about basketball and business. But were there politics discussed regularly 25 years ago?

Were there outspoken players? I don't remember it as much, but you take me there. Yeah, there were. there will always be, you know, politics. That's part of life. You know, I think the one thing that has been underreported, if you were, or something that hasn't been talked about is the human, the human condition, the human element of the people behind these uniforms.

All of us feel a certain way, you know, in particular with COVID-19, and now with everything, the social unrest and the social things that are going on around us. So when you add all of these things together, of course, you're seeing things that probably, if there wasn't a pandemic, maybe these things come out. Maybe they don't. I'm not sure. But when you add all of this together, when you add this environment and the stress and all of the things that you're seeing that's just part of your everyday human experience, this is what you're seeing. And I think now it's come to the forefront and we're seeing itself play itself out in real time. particular now that you have social media.

You know, we're here discussing it here on television. But I think this is just part of it. And this is what I've always known when I play. This is what I've known, you know, when I was an executive. These are people. And you have to deal with the problems that people have that come about. And you better be prepared to deal with them in real time. You know, many suspected that the reason the NBA players decided to play in the bubble in

the first place because LeBron wanted it. And this morning, last night, I felt. like the season was in jeopardy because LeBron didn't want to play. And this morning, reportedly LeBron did want to play and now we're playing. Is it oversimplification to say that LeBron has huge influence in this league and simply him sleeping on it and waking up and saying let's play may have been the determining factor? Well, I think our star players have always gathered or garnish the headlines of what we talk about, you know, on this platform and many others.

but the true, you know, if you will, the larger portion of the NBA has always been the middle class. You know, two players in particular have really stood out for me, which has been, you know, the kid down there, George Hill, down in Milwaukee, you know, what he said, Van Fleet and Yadonna's Hasselm. So these middle class players, to me, have always been the voice of the NBA, of kind of knowing. the fabric and what the majority is thinking because, Colleen, you have to look at the overall picture and take into account everything. One of the big issues that, you know, we have to, you know, discuss here is that free agency is going to come up, right? So there are a large portion of players that will become free agents as soon as this season ends, however it ends, whether it ends, you know, after the bubble, whether it ends the players decide not to play.

And what is that going to do looking forward? And then, we have to say, what is that going, how is that going to impact the season as the start of the season next year as we're trying to project and do all of those things? So there are so many things outside. We're here, you know, looking at one particular incident. Yes, and this is a major issue and an incident that we should be looking at. But when you look at the overall picture, there are a lot of moving parts here. And I think all of the players, in particular, that middle class, they have a voice because there are more of those players. than the star players. The star players, yes, they get the headlines and they should have a voice. But these players here who are playing every day and they have long 10 year, 11 year careers, those players too also have a voice. And, you know, George Hill, what he said really stood out to me. Udana's Hasselm what he said or reported what he said really stood out to me. Van Fleet and all those players. So that's what I've kind of understood even when I was playing is that the middle class is truly, you know, kind of the soul of you.

will of this league because there's more of them than they're all the star players. Yeah. You know, going forward, I have argued for years, the NBA travel is the worst. Baseball, you get to stay in town for four days. Football, you only travel eight games.

Basketball is you play, you jump in a flight, in the middle of the winter, you bounce around in the sky, you land at two in the morning, you get in a van, you go to a hotel, you get it. It's just an awful travel league. And if the players, now, because I do, believe they have leverage.

I believe the league should start at Christmas. There should be 68 games. No back to backs. No back to backs. And maybe I'm pampering the players, but I don't think the average person in America has any idea how awful

hockey and basketball travel is. In a perfect world, if you were a player and you had control and power and leverage and you are supporting the players, what is a perfect NBA look like? Games, back-to-backs, relationship with owners, social concerns. What does it look like to BJ Armstrong? Well, how much time do we have, Colin? You know, you're asking

so much there. I think this. And if I could just boil it down to what we're really saying is, okay, if we play 68 games, are we willing to take the pay of a 68 game schedule is completed to an 82 game schedule? That's what it all boils down to. That's what it all boils down to when you talk about the essence of this league. You know, the, you know, I'll say it and I'll try to, you know, just cut through it. Now it's a time. We are at a moment in time. We are at our moment of truth as a league where the players and the owners are going to have to figure out what's their relationship. Is that 68 games? Is that 82 games? Is that no back to backs? Whatever that may be, we are at the moment now where that question has to be answered. And only

those two parties can answer it because if it doesn't, it's going to be a catastrophic to me result if those two don't sit together and figure out how this is going to look and what this is going to look like moving forward. B.J. Armstrong, co-host of pushing through the podcast alongside

Tate Fraser, managing executive partner for double Wasserman Media Group, Three Rings, All-Star, 11 years in the NBA is a really smart voice on these things. Absolute pleasure. We're going to get basketball in the next couple of days, which I think is the right decision. And BJ, I appreciate you stopping by our show.

Hey, thank you for having me again, Colin. I appreciate it. You bet. Tristan Thompson, current NBA player, he's been terrific on the show. We just added him to our lineup on Fox Sports. And a lot of Cleveland people. A lot of, you ever notice that here? We got a lot of Cleveland. We talk, we're either talking Baker-Mayfield or we're talking to a cab or talking about a former cab. Tristan Thompson comes up in about 30 minutes. More on this coming up. One more herd? The herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week, within the IHeart Radio app. Search heard to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like.

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, 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, 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 Jek. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick you 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 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 finishing that sentence. Yes. I don't think there's a more important year for black people.

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

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

Join me, Keir Gaines, is we have real. conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, learn the hard way. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the hard way and listen now. Tonight on Thursday night baseball, Bryce Harper and the Phillies battle Juan Soto in the Nationals or the A's battle the Rangers. The action begins at 630 Eastern on Fox and the Fox Sports app.

Chuck local listings for the game in your area. Do it yourself projects at Lowe's. Just finished my bar cart. Used it last night. Lowes. Outstanding. Thanks for supporting the show. You know, one of the reasons I said last night, I believe, I said it last night, they got to resume the season. They got to resume the season. Adam Silver and the players came to an agreement and he's given the players what they want and I think it's right

and I think it's just. But the other reason is, is because if you create something and it's really good, doesn't matter if it's art, a business, and it's really good. Don't give it up. Like, don't stop doing it. It'd be one thing if the bubble was, we were getting positive tests every 15 minutes, and the quality of play was lousy,

and guys were getting hurt because it was a bubble. And then it'd be like, wow, it really makes you think about, is this worth it physically? Is it worth it aesthetically? Is it worth it? But the NBA bubble has been so good. The quality has been so good.

my takeaway is let's keep this restaurant open. There's a lot of restaurants I'd close tomorrow and be okay with it. The aesthetics are good. The messaging is good. The awareness is good. The intensity has been incredible. The quality of young players. I mean, I am shocked at how good the bubble has worked.

I am literally shocked. And I've watched all the leagues. I'm blown away by it. I mean, I'm just, I can't even believe it. In fact, I was saying this this morning in the, the meeting. I do a meeting in the morning and most of the people are on the phone listening. And, you know, we were just talking about this. And I said, I wonder if the NBA doesn't look at the bubble and go, there's a couple of things here. We might want to take to the regular league.

And I don't know what those are. But I, you know, the NFL years ago borrowed many of the ideas from a league that folded the XFL. They took some camera angles and said, just because of business doesn't work, I mean, there's not great ideas with it. MySpace went bankrupt. Facebook is MySpace with more privacy. Facebook took a lot of MySpace and said, yeah, we've got to add some features that, you know, Lyft is Uber, but with different mechanisms. Like, a lot of this stuff in the bubble has been so good, blown me away.

I've never watched more NBA that I'm like, it'd be a shame if you, and I think the players realize this too at some level. I think it's good for the players' finances to continue. I think it's good to have relationships where you get more of what you want from the billionaires and use this leverage point. But I think it's been an unbelievable, undeniable, immeasurable success.

I don't want to hear about the ratings. How in the world do I compare ratings? They're playing in August at 10 in the morning. I just think the ratings talk is premature and silly. My ratings are down year to year. Why? Because I went four and a half months, Joy and I without a game. People get out of the habit of watching. You build the audience back up. We're dealing with some, you know, today we're dealing with a weather, massive weather disruption in America, horrible level five hurricane. We've got a very polarizing political world we live in. So, but, but the platform of the NBA, I just think the whole thing has been amazing. I think the quality of it has blown me away. And I thought last night, what a shame. I understand the anger. I understand. I understand. understand the social concerns in America. I totally get it.

Totally support it. But man, they've aced it. They have aced this test. And it ain't easy. Away from your family, in a bubble, in Florida, in the heat, not much to do, play a lot of games. It ain't easy. No girlfriends, no wives, no companionship. We don't need to go there.

It ain't easy. But boy, they've aaced it. Joy with the news. No, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. Well, three MLB games were postponed yesterday as players decided to follow the NBA's lead and stand up for social injustice. The Brewers and the Reds were the first to decide not to play their game, followed by the Mariners and Padres and the Giants and the Dodgers.

Mets player, Dominic Smith, decided to take a knee before his team's game and was very emotional about how he was feeling afterwards. I think the most difficult part is to see, like, people still don't care. and for this it's continuously happened i mean it just shows um just to hate in people's heart i mean that just sucks you know and being a black man in americans it's not easy so i mean like i said you know i just i wasn't there today but i'll i bones back i'll be fine by the way a lot of people do care. That's why there's overwhelming support for kneeling. A study was

taken about, I think two weeks ago we talked about this. People now support players kneeling. Like that was not the case four years ago. So I do think it's important to say this a lot of the right people care. No, I do think that there is, and that's why I

continuously say that I feel hopeful that this time, you know, there's been protests going on forever, that this time around, it really does feel like the right people care. It does feel like when people were out protesting here in Los Angeles and across the country for George Floyd, you saw people from every different color and faith and backgrounds out protesting, whereas before you didn't see that. It was just black people. It was just whatever community was affected by whatever social issues going on in this country doesn't feel

that way anymore. But there is still, obviously, a lot of hate because otherwise we wouldn't still be having this conversation. And you're not going to to completely remove hate from the world, right? Like, that's, that's not, that's an idealistic way to approach things. But to get to a space where we're not still having to have these conversations, I believe is achievable. And that is going to happen through legislative and political influences. And that's part of the reason why the players decided not to play yesterday.

Because like Chris Roussard was saying, you know, I think Robert Kraft was a perfect example of that, what was going on with Meek Mill. that kind of power is what actually makes changes. And we were talking about it this morning. The influence and decisions that affect the world, those decisions are made in very small rooms with very few people. Like we like to think that, you know, everybody,

and the masses do have power, right? That's what protests are about. But at the end of the day, you got to be in the room or you got to have somebody in the room who's advocating for you. That happens at every level, whether it's getting a job, whether it's, you know, getting approval of your, you know, future wife's, father. Like there's, you gotta have advocates. And you also have to have access. Right. And the NBA

players are in very rare company in America. They have access to billionaires. Yes. Like they literally sit. They had dinner with them. They fly on planes with them. So when you have access, rare access to billionaires who have more power than you, you know, Chris Rock used to always say this. Like, like he goes, I'm rich, but I have to work. Wealthy people are wealthy and they can stop working. Right. Like there's a difference between I make money because I go to work. That's LeBron. Right. Well, although he, I think, has moved to the next level. But, you know, Michael Jordan can smoke cigars and make a million dollars a minute because of his brand. Yeah, doing nothing. That's well. Now, he did work to get that well. Yeah. Yeah. But yes,

he's on that, he's on that level. And, you know, it is a privilege to know that these things happen. But that's why, you know, you have conspiracies out there and this is going on, that's going on. It's like, I promise you, those decisions that are made and those tiny, little rooms. We don't know what they are until 10 years from now when they've already been put in play and we had no control over it. And the players know that because they are in the proximity of these kind of powerful people. And that's what this is all about. All the three postponed games will be made up as double headers today. Jason Hayward, Matt Kemp, Dexter Fowler and Jack Flaherty also decided to sit out their games yesterday. So Damian Liller was

diagnosed with a right knee sprain after suffering the injury in game four on Monday. He was already ruled out for game five, but will now leave the bubble. and return to Portland for further examination of the injury. His ability to return to Orlando in the future is yet to be determined, but the blazers are down 3-1 to the Lakers. So when play resumes, within the next couple of days, we'll find out when the play is going to resume. We're assuming that the Lakers are going to close out that series anyway.

Certain series feel over before they're over, like just for various reasons. This one's over. Yeah, this one feels safe to say the Lakers will win this game and close it out in five. So Dame needs to get his knee examined because the first MRI was inconclusive. So finally, the Chargers won't need Justin Herbert to start week one of his rookie season, but he's been getting positive reviews from his coaches and teammates so far. His transition to the NFL has not been normal due to this obviously very unusual offseason.

But he thinks it's going well and he's trying to learn everything he can. He said, I'm just trying to do my best to absorb as much as I can, go out there and have fun. Being a good quarterback does not come down to every single little play. It's much bigger than that. It's always about putting your team in the position to win. You might throw an incompletion or an interception, but it's about coming back on the next one and putting your team back in position and making up for it. I'd like to see some of Justin Herbert because we had a lot of questions about him,

although I loved what I saw from him in the bowl game. Oh, by the way, he's got the best teammates of all these new quarterbacks. Can we acknowledge that? This is a playoff roster. He is in the best position of all the new quarterbacks, yes. So who has succeeded? of all these quarterbacks. Lamar Jackson, because he had the best pieces around him.

Justin Herbert's getting no press. This team has two good pass rushers, two good receivers, three good corners, maybe the most talented safety. Like the Chargers roster. A great coach. And they just upgraded their offensive line. So it's like, and two good running backs. So we're not talking about this, but this may be by far and away the best situation.

And this division outside of Kansas City, Denver doesn't have their tackles. Raiders are still kind of rebuilding. You can win a lot of games in this division. You may not beat the Chiefs, but there's a playoff. There's a playoff spot in this division that is wide open. It's called the wild card position in the AFC West. And I think they have the most talent. I picked Denver this year, but I think they have the most talent outside of Kansas City.

Right. And Tyrod is a playoff level quarterback. So that's kind of why we're not talking about just. and Herbert, although coming into the draft, we weren't really sure where he was going to land because everyone wasn't really sure about Tua. I think in the next couple years, that he's, he may be the, if he ends up excelling, but I do have the question of when he can get on the field. Because if Tiret's successful this year, then they keep him another year. This is only 30 minutes from my house. Can I go to their practice?

I don't think so. It's COVID still. I mean, you know we're in a pandemic. You know people. So maybe. No, but I'm saying, there's got to be. media allowed in. Yeah, but isn't it very limited media?

Well, I am very limited. You are America's media icon. I'm the very limited person. So I could be part of the limited group. No, I'm sitting there. I want to go watch them in practice. I would like to see some of Justin Herbert. So would I.

I would like to see that. Hard knocks. A goulay. After you give me some hockey scores, can you can you call the chargers? I want to put my name on a list to see if I can go. Because I think, yeah, you're right. I have the GM's number. Yeah, I feel like that's a call you need to make.

Of the two of us, one of us knows Tom Telesco. And it's not me. Okay. Yeah. Yeah, I probably should get on that. My producer in my ears like, hey, moron. Yeah, that's a personal phone call. Yeah, because I watched that video.

I'm like, that's 20 minutes from my house. I want to go watch that. Yeah, I do think it'd be interesting to see him and cam. There's two of us 20 minutes from my house. All right, Joy with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Hurd-Ly News.

Tristan Thompson has been such a great addition. People have stopped me and said, I love Tristan Thompson on your show. I've had multiple people do that. He's going to be joining me next. 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. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games.

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

A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger. than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement

to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment,

and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever

you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the look back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so y'all know. I mean, at this point,

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. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, care games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversational. with so many incredible guests. I'm talking. Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing.

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

Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. Manscape.com, lawnmore 3.0. 25% off. Free shipping. Go to Manscape.com. Code Herd, Skin Safe Technology. Trimmer reduces cuts. Tristan Thompson's played almost a decade. in the NBA. An NBA champ made four straight finals with the Cavs and LeBron James. He is now joining us via the Coward Global Satellite Network. So let's start with this, Tristan.

Your reaction to the players electing to go back and resume play. Do you think it's the right decision? Yeah, I think it's the right decision to go back and play because, Colin, this is the thing. The NBA and then the players are so powerful and have such a big say in our community that this platform that we're given right now just in sports is something that we should take full advantage of. And the last thing we want to do is have those that aren't standing up or speaking about what's really going on in America,

talking about other junk that has nothing to do and not going to help our country. So I think it's grateful for what the players are doing. And I stand by my brothers that want to go back out there and play, but also use this platform, whether it's doing media circuits or whatever it is, whenever they have a microphone in front of them, to talk about we need to be better as a country,

and what's going on right now isn't right. You know, it's interesting. You talk to players currently in the bubble, and LeBron James himself changed his mind three times yesterday. He said, I'm done. He said, let me think about it, and then he said, I want to play. And I think part of that is it's an incredibly emotional situation,

especially for veteran players. They're away from their kids. They're away from their families. They're like in LeBron's case, he's 3,000 miles from home. You talk to these players. The emotions beyond Black Lives Matter, just the emotions of dealing with the bubble, has it been difficult for players? Yeah, it's definitely been tough just because, like you said, guys have been away from their families and especially what's going on right now. It's, first of all, players are in a bubble.

So they're away from their family, their loved ones for extended period of time, which they're not ever. used to or ever planned on doing ever in their career. And then second, what's going on in Wisconsin and just going on in general in our country, guys are, guys are furious and upset because myself and other African American players in NBA, we understand because it hits close to home. We have family members that have dealt with situations very similar just because of color their skin. So it's a lot of emotions and I'm glad that, you know, the NBA has been and full support of the players and letting the players have a voice. And I think, you know, it's great for the guys to come together and share their stories

and get back to, you know, playing on the court. And I feel like basketball is another form of motivation and giving hope to the younger youth that, you know, during tough times, you band together with your brothers. And together we're going to make change. And we're going to just keep motivating the youth and the younger generation. It's interesting. What if the players now have the, billionaires, the owner's ears, they're listening now.

What should they do? What should they ask for? What matters to you as a player? What matters to me as a player right now is, first of all, I think our owners in NBA are the best owners in professional sports, and they've done a great job supporting us. And, you know, right now we just want to continue to be on the front line with us, you know, almost like we all band together, lock arms, because at the end of the day, in all reality, minus, you know, Michael Jordan, you know, the,

guys that are, you know, that are pressing us and they are, you know, Caucasian, white males that are going on. So they look very similar to our owners. So with our owners stepping up to the forefront with us and being by our side to say, hey, listen, this is not right. And we support these men because we don't think that's right. And I think the owners are doing a great job with that. And I think LeBron and the rest of the players are not, I wouldn't say challenging owners, just saying, hey, come with us. And I think our owners are doing a great job doing that and continue to do that because that's how that's how it starts you know uh it's it's one step at a time but you know we take care of our part others see and they follow you know it's funny you were

drafted you were a top five pick out of texas and that was 2011 so nine years ago yes sir so when you joined lebron james for the first time you became teammates um is he more political now or did you see very early that social stuff mattered to this new friendship. LeBron James. Did you know immediately he's going to be more than just a basketball guy? One thousand percent. I actually known LeBron said I've been 17. So since the first day meeting him, we all know how great of a player he is and the numbers show and all that. But I think for him, what's more important is what's going on off the court and what's going on in society because, you know, LeBron and like myself and a lot of other players in our

from the inner city that have dealt with this, you know, have got pulled over, have, have got, you know, not have a resume looked at. I mean, me personally speaking, my father, who's Jamaican, my family's Jamaican, has dreadlocks, and in Toronto, people wouldn't even look at his resume because of the hair that he had because he had dreadlocks. And I remember him coming home one day, you know, frustrated, angry. And my mom's like, what's wrong? He's like, they're not even giving me a chance just because I have dreadlocks.

It's unfair and it forced him to cut his dread loss because in order, you know, he had to put food on the table. So all that stuff hits close to home and it definitely hits for LeBron. So I know for him, it's like, you know, we're trying to, you know, break the wheel and we're trying to change the change the narrative because it's not right. So last night did you think the season would be canceled? Was there a point that you did think, Tristan, when you were talking to everybody, that it would be canceled? I think emotions were high, so I definitely think initial reaction for some players was, you know, this is ridiculous. You know, we're in the bubble. We can't see our family. How, like, it's just so much emotions weighing on them, especially when you start thinking about your childhood.

It brings it all back to that. Sure. But I think once guys sat down and talked to him went back and forth is that, listen, guys, we have this platform that that is unmatched right now. I mean, Conlon, you remember when the COVID hit and the NBA shut down, everything else shut down in the world. Everything shut down. So, like, that just shows you how strong we as players are, and just the business of basketball is to a country and to the world. So for us having this stage, we need to continue to be out there,

continue to voice, voice our feelings, our frustration, and keep challenging a rest of America to say, you know, let's be better. Let's move forward and let's let's end all this, this oppression. And it's just not right. It's just like, you know, it makes it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, makes me emotional too because I just remember like being a kid and just and going through it personally it's it's tough yeah did your parents talk about it a lot with you yeah my mom used to always talk about she said you know son you could be the nicest person but you always got to do

more if you think if you think is a B is great you got to get an A you got to always never just be average because at the end of the day unfortunately in this world you know the color of your skin, you know, sometimes people don't want to give you the same opportunity. So you just got to be 10 times better than the standard. So they cannot deny you, you know, and wherever you go, always say please and thank you. Never let someone say, oh, that kid right or that Tristan Thompson, kid, he has no manners. It's regardless of who it is, whether anyone I meet walking down the street, I say good morning, say hi. I might not even know them, but I never want someone to be like, oh, because he is who he is, never prejudge me. That's the one thing my mom always told me growing up as a kid.

It's great having you on the team, buddy. I love having you on the team. Thanks, ma'am. No, thank you for having me. Thank you. Thank you so much. All right. Tristan Thompson, nine years in the NBA. It's been a great addition for us. I love having a guy that's currently in the NBA, relationships with all these players, LeBron James. So, you know, I said this earlier that, you know, if you look at the players historically, Muhammad Ali is the most relevant boxer in the history of the sport.

He talked politics and social causes. Jim Brown is considered a top five player of all time. His brand now is more, I would say, social reform than football. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Tommy Smith. If you look at the players that have historically been willing to put it out there and get a lot of hate, you can hide, you can not talk about this stuff, but the players that have been willing to really go for it. And LeBron James is certainly in the last 10 years, the player,

A, they end up being on the right side of history. And B, it's okay. It's more than okay. It is, you make a difference, a bigger difference, and history reward you. And Muhammad Ali, his brand has never been diminished. A Kareem never been diminished. And LeBron's won't. The book on LeBron will be simply different than the book on of Dr. J.

Robert or Michael Jordan. He's been willing to put himself out there. on political and social issues, and good for him. I'm not saying every athlete has to do that, but don't criticize those who do. Check out MDrive for Men.com, MDrive for Men.com, ride aid, Walgreens. Walgreens has it.

Get lean, more muscle, more energy, MDrive. 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 funny. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and headwriter, 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 I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win.

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

unfilled of conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to The Clifford show on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network

on TikTok. On the Look Back at a podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 was big to me. I'm Sam Jay And I'm Alex English Each episode We pick a year

unpack what went down And try to make sense of how we survived it With our friends fellow comedians And favorite authors Like Mark Lamont Hill On the 80s

84 was a wild year I don't think There's a more important year for black people Listen to look back at it On the IHeart radio app Apple Podcasts Or wherever you get your podcasts

This is an IHeart podcast Guaranteed human