The Herd with Colin Cowherd - The Herd - Hour 2 - Sweet 16

Episode Date: March 21, 2023

After advancing to yet another Sweet 16, Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo talked about their journey after a slow start Thoughts on Cam Newton trying to get back into the NFLSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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station for the herd at Fox Sports Radio.com or stream us live every day on the IHeartRadio app by searching Heard. Now let's get this party started. You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. Oh, here we go hour two. Live in Los Angeles, it's the herd. Wherever you may be, however you may be listening. Thanks for making us part of your day. Tom Izzo, coach of Michigan State.

You know he has had 25 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. It's insane. He's in like a real conference. 25 straight. Not bad, Colin. Not bad. I saw a stat. He's 18 and 6 in the Sweet 16 and he leaped.

Yeah, he's a very good. So I like them against Kansas State. And you know what that means time to prepare all week, right? After the Sunday game, they've got Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, install a game plan as those. It's very good. Yeah, so he's got extra time also against USC and Marquette. They clamp down late defensively. So it's a very good defensive team.

They've got some length. They've got some key blocks against Marquette late in that game. A lot of people who are on Marquette. Michigan State played real defense. So the free agency period in the NFL, it's a lot of hype and a lot of money. How many teams actually get better? About 33% of free agents make your team better. There are six teams, in my opinion, that are absolutely better today.

So from the minute the season ended to this morning, I'm going to count coaching moves and free agent acquisitions and trades. Who's better today? Who is a better football team today? Let's start. I think Denver will be the first. the most improved team in the league because Sean Payton and Nathaniel Hackett. They've also cleaned up their offensive line.

Mike McGlinchie is a very good right tackle. Ben Powers is arguably the best pass blocking guard in the NFL. I think Denver will look different, have a different sense of self. We'll have an actual identity, better in clock management. I think J. Mack and I both agree that Russell Wilson will rebound. is not who he was last year. I think Denver will be the most noticeably improved football team in the NFL. I think you've got to give a lot of credit to the Chicago Bears.

Historically, I don't trust their front office and ownership, but DJ Moore was a really good get for a young quarterback. Robert Tonin, the tight end from Green Bay, you take from a division rival. Those guys are nice assets. Now, Cole Comette is their top tight end, but Tonian's a very nice experience, number two tight end. They also got a bunch of draft capital to play with. They upgraded with two veteran linebackers who can play.

The Bears are absolutely, it also allows them in the draft, to go get specific players. I think the third team is the Detroit Lions. They kept Ben Johnson, the coordinator. They cleaned up their secondary that was a bit of a mess. Cameron Sutton at Corner from the Steelers, Real Player, CJ Gardner Johnson from Philly, excellent safety. So they keep their offensive coordinator. They have franchise momentum.

I think they're going to be a noticeably better team and a playoff team next year. I think Miami, between getting Vic Fangio, the defensive coordinator, he may be old school. He is a great defensive coordinator. And Jalen Ramsey, they're going to clean up that defense. Fangio is one of those guys that may not be a head coach. I hope fans understand how good of a football coach he is. He is a great defensive coach. So Miami cleans up the back end with Jalen Ramsey and Fangio, they'll be a better football team.

I think Carolina, Frank Reich, it's good staff. They went out and upgraded Adam Thielen, Haydenhurst, wide receiver tied in. Vaughn Bell is kind of a leader in the back end of the defense. He's a veteran, smart guy. They lost DJ Moore, so I don't love that. But Adam Thielen can play. Miles Sanders, experienced, big game back. Nice work here.

And finally, the Houston Texans, I don't think I've ever said this before. I like everything they've done. I think they've been tremendous. Now, I don't know how good Demico Ryan's is. So I'm guessing here, but Devon Singletary, Robert Woods, Dalton Schultz, Shaq Mason, Jimmy Ward. What are good football players. Every single unit has been better that they have addressed. And I didn't have a problem with them spending a ton on, literally Tundzel, because I think he's an unbelievable player.

So the Houston Texans, I know they get a lot of crap on this show and other shows. I think they've been terrific. And they haven't been flashy. They went and got the right guys. You know, Interior O line for Bryce Youngling. they draft him. They got a left tackle. So when they draft Bryce Young, they got another running back behind Pierce.

They got him some targets. Robert Woods is a guy. He will block as a wide receiver. Really smart moves across the board for the Texans. Speaking of smart, 28 years at Michigan State has not missed the tournament. 25 consecutive years. That's insane. That doesn't even make sense.

25 years, the carpet is appropriately Spartan green. and Tom Izzo is joining us. So by the way, a lot of people, myself included, I liked Marquette. You took the game over defensively late. Tom, one of the things that I talked to a coach, I talked to Jay Billis about this here and A. I said, if I said Tom I always think toughness and length. They've always got size and length. How would you define Tom Izzo when you think of what you've done the last 25 years, Michigan State Basketball?

A lot of good players and a lot of good assist. and coaches, Colin, it's been, I've been lucky, you know. I mean, sometimes I, you know, we've kind of limped our way in, but for the most part, I think the schedule early that we played throughout all those years helped prepare us. And I think usually we have some toughness to us. That's why I enjoyed your football prelude here. I, I'm glad you had the lions up there. I think they're going to be very good. I like the moves they had made, too. But, you know, I've always had a football background and mentality with my boy, Marucci and all the other guys that I'm so close with.

And I think that's kind of helped my basketball way of looking at things. Because I think at the end of the day, boy, Marquette, you know, if I wasn't playing them, I would have picked them too. I love what Chalk has done there. You talk about a tough, good defensive team and they've got good offense. You look, you know, Kansas State is a very good defensive team. Tennessee was in our bracket. you know, what they did to Duke, a physical game.

And I think that's what we've been in the past. We're not quite there yet, but we're getting there. You know, we were talking last hour, Jason and I were about we like the NIL because I think it helps college basketball. Because I always thought the weakness of college basketball in the last seven, eight years was the G League could go pay a kid a half a million bucks. And if a kid doesn't, I didn't grow up with a lot of money. If you don't grow up with a lot of money and somebody offers you half a million bucks, I would take. it. But now, if you guys can sprinkle a kid with a little money, he gets your coaching, he gets massive, massive exposure in the Big Ten or the SEC. If I was LeBron James, I'd send my kid to

college. How do you look at the NIL? Well, not quite like you do if I was to be honest with you. I mean, I'm all four kids making some money. But, you know, with no salary caps, the rumors you hear. And you got to remember making money at 17, 18, 19. I mean, I didn't have any money growing up and it took me until I was 35, 40 to understand what money was, but you're a little more mature and older. I just worry what money usually does to people. There's a downside to it.

So if it was enough money to go get a pizza and buy a coat and do this and do that, I'm all for it. With some of these rumors you're hearing on these football quarterbacks and that, you know, I question whether that's, sustainable, whether it'll work, and what it'll do to the kid, because remember, Colin, 1% of these football and basketball players is going to make it to the league. The rest of them, when the ball stops bouncing, you know, what do they do? There's no cameo appearances. There's

no podcast that you can do. There's nobody looking out for you. And I worry what we're doing to the players or the kids themselves. You know, the players, I think, are more skilled. They may not the game has changed. And the NBA used to be able to tackle guys and, you know, hand check. The game is more skilled. It's more international. But it's fascinating that one of the players that is tied to you forever is Draymond Green. It's, you know, and I've always said, unless you watch the Warriors, you do not understand

how valuable he is, not just defense, to the offense. He's a very clever passer. He's got an un, he's very verbal. So, but when you go back to your first. first year with him. Was it all defense? Did he have any offensive skill at all? You know, it's funny. I mean, he wasn't a great defender then either. I mean, he came in about 280 pounds. He struggled. They had an injury, a senior year. And yet, I think you're right about Draymont. What he's really cool about Draymont, it's not just his passing skills and it's not just

his defense on the ball. He's a very good defender. He's got a high, high basketball IQ. But, But he might be, and I told Steph Curry this when I went out to games, he might be. He's like an offensive lineman. You know, the running backs always give the offensive line a watch because they block for him. Cremont sets some of the great screens for Curry that free him for those shots, and people don't even look at that. We make tapes of his screening to show our bigs on how to screen. So he's a unique guy. I love him.

Yeah, there's some controversy to him. But as far as winning, man, there aren't many better winners, Colin, in any sport than Dremont. You know, it used to be you would go to high schools and recruit. Now it's AAU. It's a whole different world. And so kids used to be, in my opinion, coached harder. So you often get a kid now that has never been coached hard. And they're just giving him swag.

They're telling him how great he is. And you're an intense guy. Do you find? And so you have to create this tough. kid. You have to mold this kid that can go beat a Marquette and play in the Big Ten. Is that a challenge? Or do you enjoy it? How do you deal with that? Because I've read that from multiple people in basketball that you're getting a softer kid. He's more skilled, but he never been coached hard. Well, I think you're right on the money. And I really think it's a problem because, you know,

you can win a lot of games with skill. But championships are usually one with the toughest guys that do the dirty work and persevere through the ups and downs. You know, I just saw a great story on Kevin Garnett, you know, and how hardy work, how tough he was. I think it gets underlooked, you know, I think we always, the analytics are always about size, jumping ability, skill level, whether he can shoot it, throw it in a hundredth of a second, whether his hands are big enough to be a quarterback, all those things. They never measure the ticker.

You know, they never measure the heart of a lion. measure the things, you know, great players, you know, are great, but it's the competitive great player that I think wins championships. And I think it's in all sports. I mean, you look at Tom Brady, even though he's a Michigan guy and I'm at Michigan State, you got to love, you know, how he's persevered through his career, you know, you look at some of those great linebackers. And then you look at for us, the Magic Johnson's, you know, that have been here, meet myself, Mateen Cleves and what those guys meant. And they won championships because they were skilled, but they were tough.

And you're right, it's harder now. Because if you demand something of a guy, he can just up and leave. That's right. Hey, come on and run some sprints or come on and shoot extra free throws. I'll go over here. I don't have to do that. People laugh about that. It's the truth.

And that's what worries me about the transfer rule and all that. you know, I think so many kids, I had so many kids that wanted to leave after a year. I mean, we all do because freshmen, that's a tough year for a freshman. Even if you're a non-athlet, it's tough. But those that stick with it usually persevere and they learn how to handle adversity, and that makes the winning all the better. So you're at Madison Square Garden, which is just a great site for college basketball against Kansas State. I know it wasn't healthy.

the couch all weekend and opened up beer and ate chicken parm and nachos. It's all I did all weekend. I told my wife, it's the least healthy weekend. March is killing me. So you're going to Madison Square Garden. Was there a point with your team this year? Because college basketball, I don't watch it until after December because the teams are so transitional.

You watch Kansas in November. They don't even look like Kansas in March. Not even the same team. Was there a point that, you know, you have a very good big. You play defense. but was there a point this year where you were like, I don't know. I don't know if I'm going to get into the 25th tournament,

or did you know early, this team's tough. We're going to cause some mayhem in this tournament. Well, what I knew early is we had two major injuries early, had two starters out, and we still survived. We beat Kentucky. We survived with Gonzaga, got beat at the buzzer. We beat a Villanova team. So I knew we were, you know, could be good enough.

And then yet the ebbs and flows of the season, And, you know, we had some, you know, some issues like everybody has. And there were some question marks I had, but I did. And I'm a guy that's usually the glasses half empty. My glass was half full because I had guys that have been here two, three, and four years. I knew what I had. I knew that I could motivate them in different ways. I knew that we weren't soft.

And those things made a difference, you know, knowing your personnel. And I give Jerome a lot of credit. You know, he's got all those different kids from. different schools because he was a new coach going in and he's done a remarkable job. So I guess he can do it both ways. I like the way we do it and I'm going to hang with it as long as I can. Yeah. You know, Coach K. Left and Roy Williams and Jay Wright and you're just still plugging along.

You look fantastic. It must be that Michigan, all that great Lake lifestyle in Michigan, but you look great and you don't feel like you're close to retiring, are you? I really don't. I guess I'm on the back nine, but I'm not on the 18th pool. But what happens in Michigan is your body freezes. So it doesn't age. It's like we put us in a freezer so we don't age as much maybe.

But now, you know what? I love what I do. I am worried about where our profession is going. You know, I think college athletics right now has got some big hurdles to climb. But as far as where I'm at, you know, I'm looking over at our football field. I love football. I have some ownership in this university. You know, I talk to Mike.

I talked to Jim Beheim. I did talk to Jay Wright a lot. You know, some of us have been at these institutions for 25, 30, 40 years. And that's pretty cool, a lot of ways. It's harder in a lot of ways, but you definitely have ownership. When I come to work every day, I don't go there as it's my workplace. I go there. It's like my university, you know, and that's pretty cool.

Tom Izzo, love having them on annually. Another tournament, they go to Madison Square Garden to face three-seed Kansas State glued to Marquette this weekend. They won it with defense late. As always, Coach, absolute pleasure to have you on. Well, thanks, Colin. I look forward to watching you, and if we advance, maybe we'll get on again. All right, thank you.

Tom Izzo, that really is an unbelievable sports stat. In a real conference, 25 consecutive tournament appearances, longest streak, all time for head coach. That is forever, man. You know, I've said that. Like Mike Shishowski, they had one losing season, and that was the back surgery season. Like that's,

you know, somebody years ago said this, I think I was in Vegas. I was starting out. And somebody gave me great advice. They said, it's not about getting a great job. It's about keeping it.

A lot of people get great jobs. Not many last. And, I mean, Shoshowski and Roy Williams did it at Kansas. and Carolina, home run at both. But what he's done at Michigan State, that is impressive, impressive stuff. I'm going to take Michigan State.

Kansas State's got real players, got some NBA-Eyes. K-State opened as a favorite, small. Michigan State's now favorite. Market has swung toward the Spartans and Izzo. And now the games are not in the day as much. They're night games. So it's late afternoon night games. So the crowds are going to be electric and all this stuff.

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, Clivert Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered. conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and

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brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes. Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of tontons and wampas on the ice planet hot or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith rule of two. Listen to stuff to blow your mind on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Consumercellular.com slash the herd limited time offer. Switch, save up the 250 bucks per year on your wireless plan. Keep your phone.

Keep your number. J-Mac with the news. No, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. So in New England, Mac Jones and your guy, Bailey, Zappy. I'll never forget, by the way, the campaign PIN, Happy for Zappy. One of the top five moments since I've joined the show.

If Mac is crappy, you play Zappy. How do you remember that? It's iconic, basically, Bailey Zappy. So they had like a mid-season QB controversy last year. After reaching the Pro Bowl as a rookie, Mac Jones kind of regressed, didn't have an offensive coordinator. Neither QB was able to establish anything good through the air. Here's Devin McCordy discussing what that quarterback situation did to the locker room.

I think player-wise, I think there was enough trust that like, hey, we're going to put the best guy out there. But I think the struggles on offense always turned into. I think there were some guys that are in the locker room like, all right, let's go with Zappy. All right, no, Mac looked good today. It was just a back and forth, which to me spoke more about what we had on offense than the quarterback. Like we just were never, we never were solidified as an offensive group that guys had full confidence in anything we were doing. There was never like true hope. It is amazing how tone deaf they are offensively.

I saw something, somebody posted this, I forget who it is, the last 11 Patriot wide receiver draft picks. Like one guy can kind of play. They're like one in ten. Like ten can't play one kind of can. They put a DC as OC. Like they are completely as a franchise. It's a classic business example of the culture changed, and they're still holding on to nine years ago in the NFL.

Listen, you could say they all you want. This is Bill Belichick. It's Belichick. And it feels, listen, it's too premature to say maybe this is his final year. But Colin, Colin, this is a downward trend since Brady left. It has not gone good. How about going? and signing juju to a three-year deal.

Who doesn't separate, who can be distracted. I mean, this idea, is he better than Jacoby Myers as a talent? Yeah, he was a better high school than college player. He's probably a more functional NFL player. But they're guaranteeing money to a distracted guy that can't separate. They can't draft wide receiver. Their O-lines aren't quite as good without Dante Scarnacchio. And I think last year they really, I mean, they really,

deteriorated the growth of Mac Jones. That's on Belichick. Spin it forward. How does this end for Belichick? Do they come to an agreement where they, Belichick steps down? I can't see them firing Bill Belich. That won't happen. There's not a team in the league. You could go to the Houston Texans and look at their skill people. New England has the worst tight end wide receiver running back group in the league. I don't think it's particularly close. They just don't have any perimeter speed at all. They have They have to play perfect football. They get no freebies.

You could say what you want about Julian Edelman. I was watching highlights the other day of Brady's greatest hits. Julian Edelman could break a tackle and run. So could Wes Welker. So could Randy Moss. Tom didn't have the greatest receiving core, but he had Gronk and Aaron Hernandez. James White was a great receiving back. There is no juice at all to this offense.

None. Kind of feels like this might be Belichick's last year. He's into a 70s there? Well, if Aaron goes to the Jets. We know Miami if two is upright is highly functional, and now they have big Fangio, and we know Buffalo's got far greater players, and Belich can't get Josh Allen off the field. So there's a six-win team in New England? Well, I mean, if Aaron Rogers goes to the Jets here in the next month or two,

that's the fourth most talented team easily in the division. And that may not be the guy. I know you like him, but it's ending quickly. I think there's talent there. I don't think he's great, but I think you could argue he could become the 14th, 15th best quarterback in the league. I think he's in that Kirk Cousins mold. I think he's very Kirk Cousins. There's not a huge ceiling.

He's not going to do stuff off script. You can get to the playoffs with Mac Jones. He's already been to the playoffs once. Once. They got smoked by 30. Next story, Colin, this has just popped in the last 10 or 15 minutes. Lamar Jackson, we know he's able to negotiate with other teams under the non-exclusive franchise tag, but nothing's really happened.

However, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, a representative who is not certified by the NFLPA. We don't know who this person is. Has been contacting teams on behalf of Lamar Jackson. This is the interesting part. They are claiming Lamar does not want a fully guaranteed contract. Now, that flies in the face of everything we've been hearing for months. It also alludes to him being over the Baltimore Ravens, like ready to move on.

Somebody come get me. I don't want all the money in the world. I'm done here. That's what the illusion is by Floria. So I told you Michael Jordan, I watched the air movie last night. He made great decisions on people to support his vision. Lamar Jackson makes bad decisions. You have a non-registered semi-quasi agent friend.

He's got trust issues and bad decision issues. So the NFLPA and the Ravens obviously are like, whoa, this guy's not able to negotiate. What are we doing here? And it almost feels like they're going to try to snuff out anything that happens. But Colin, yeah, I keep. mention the Indianapolis Colts. And I keep mentioning the Atlanta Falcons. Okay. I mean, I just, I know the irrational

owner of the Colts might wake up today and be like, whoa, we can get Lamar Jackson unfully guaranteed. Let's get him. Let's bring him in. Maybe this gives the Jets some negotiating leverage against Aaron Rogers. Wait, Lamar doesn't want fully guaranteed? Why don't we make a play? I hope somebody comes and gets him and you wonder

if this gets ugly with the Ravens trying to be like, hey, hey, this is illegal. But this story is... Listen, this is on Lamar. He's making bad decisions. Like these are bad You can't have your mom representing you That's a bad decision And you can't have somebody that's not registered

With a league represent I just talked about this an hour ago The great strength of Michael Jordan Is he really had an eye For who could match and elevate His vision of himself He had a great sense of self This is bad

This is come on You got to get a grown up Can you imagine me Just bring it in my friend And negotiate my contract With the guys upstairs here They're like There's things you have to know

about an industry. There's a reason the league forces you to have a they approve of the people. They don't want to see players taken for a ride. They don't need guys off the street. They want to protect you from you. Not good, but I'm optimistic that Lamar could move on. That's fun. That's great content for the show. Maybe a bidding war erupts

this week. He doesn't want fully guaranteed. Why the hell wouldn't you bring him in? You got to give him a lot. Give him a lot of money. He's 26 years old, Colin. Come on. He's definitely a top 10, 12 quarterback in the league. I've seen some of the stats where he was a better, more accurate quarterback passing from the pocket than Tom Brady last year than Aaron Rogers. He's always throwing a better ball than people give him credit for. Just need to stay healthy.

And he's just not surrounding himself with the right people. Final story is in the NBA last night. Julius Randall, who we've talked about a lot on this show. We like him. I really like him a lot. He's been a great ambassador for the Knicks. 57 last night for the Knicks. 57.

He was on track for over 60. then petered out at the end. I should add they lost to the Timberwolves. You know, we used to celebrate guys like Julius Randall. Not as offensively skilled, tough, great team players, defended, rebounded. Does everybody get that Julius Randall was a great high schooler, a great college? It's a very, very good NBA player. Yeah.

And by the way, you used to celebrate all these New York Knick guys like Charles Oakley who couldn't shoot. Julius Randall has got game. John Stark. Yeah, you can't score 57 in the NBA. I don't care how soft. the NBA is Julius Randall's a baller. And he's a unique player. He's more physical.

It's more twos than threes. Really defends, rebounds. I find this Nick team, he and Jalen Brunson, really likable. He had 52 after three quarters. Carmelo has the franchise record at 62. The thing that hurts here is they lost the game

and there was no Anthony Edwards, who's in a walking boot, no Carl Anthony Towns. If you look at the Timberwolf starters, you're like, how did they lose this game? bad loss for the Knicks. Doesn't totally matter. Their fifth, it appears as if they're going to face the calves in the first round. Which is interesting.

I think Cleveland's got more firepower, so they'll be favored to win that series. That is a great first round playoff series. Yeah. I would take Cleveland in about six. What would you? I think I would probably agree with you. I'll be rooting Knicks, obviously. I just, you know, Cleveland has more better players.

They got more guys that can get a basketball. It's going to be Randall and Brunson, and then you need Rundson. and then you need RJ Barrett to have a big series. Quickly, he's going to have to show up. Tough draw for the Knicks, but I think they'll put up a good fight. Good first round series. Jay Mack with the news. Well, that's the news.

And thanks for stopping by. The Hurd-Line News. Carmelo, Julius Randall, who would you take on your team? I think we've been over this. Randall. I would take Randall. I know Carmelo won a title with Syracuse. I don't care about that.

I don't think he ever elevated players and made them better. Won't defend was late moving to the three-point shot, never in great shape. The only time with the Knicks he had a run was with Jason Kidd as the point guard, Tyson Chandler inside defending, and then Jason Kidd left and it went to the Mavericks and ended up going to the finals. It just, it didn't work out great for Melo. Mello had a lot of forgettable twos, just a lot of baskets. He was about Mellow, you know? He's a great score. Awesome. Like really one of the great scores of his generation. Yeah.

But I didn't think he made anyone better. Totally agree. 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. Two NBA insiders podcasting twice a week to plug you right into the NBA great buy. All happening in only one place. This league uncut. The new NBA podcast with me, Chris Haines.

And me, Mark St. Join us as we team up to expound on everything we're covering, hearing, and chasing. Listen to this league uncut with Chris Haynes and Mark Stein on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. 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 for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care which I'll say.

Yep, that's me. Clipper Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became. bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take

you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing some 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. Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun,

thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes. Join us as we tackle science and culture topics. from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of tontons and wampas on the ice planet hot, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith rule of two. Listen to stuff to blow your mind on the iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Tonight, an incredible world baseball classic tournament comes to a close as Team USA takes on Japan in the winner-take-all final tonight at 630 Eastern on FS1 and the Fox Sports So I saw this. Cam Newton's now 34.

Self-awareness is an important thing. Cam Newton was dogging all the quarterbacks in the NFL and talking about guys getting jobs. Apparently, 34-year-old Cam Newton out of the league is going to throw at Auburn's Pro Day. Here's Cam. Tell me how these randoms keep getting jobs. Don't worry about it. I'm a say, I can't wait to say you. I'm seeing a lot of people telling the idea and it's efficient.

I will be throwing at Auburn's Pro Day Tuesday. Ain't 32 more better than me. There actually are 32 quarterbacks who are more accurate than you. Cam talks a great game. Cam plays an average game. And once Bryce Young comes into the league, he's better than Cam as an NFL player. He'll be more agile. He'll be healthier.

He'll be more accurate. He's got great pocket awareness, self-awareness. He'll be better than Cam Newton today at 34 years old, broken down player. But the other thing is, and this was always one of my knocks on Cam and one of my knocks on Johnny Mansell and one of my knocks on James Winston and one of my knocks on Baker Mayfield. Childish. It's a grown-up job. He looks silly. He's not taking the job seriously. Mahalms, all business. Herbert, all business. Burrow, all business. Jalen Hertz. All business. Trevor Lawrence, all business. When I get too much of you, Kyler Murray, worries me. Baker Mayfield worries me.

Mansell, James Winston, when you're into you. Cam's into Cam. You know what I'm into? Leadership. Get the ball to other people. And I feel bad that Cam just kind of lacks the self-awareness here. He's dogging other players. I got news for you. There are two superstar quarterbacks coming out of college next year.

And my guess is one or two of these quarterbacks this year hit. And so Cam right now, he's got a much better hype video than he does actually a playing video at 34 years old. but this idea that there's not 32 players better. Quarterback is about Gino Smith is a great example. Gino Smith grew up. And then Pete Carroll said, now you're ready to be a franchise guy. It's not Brock Purdy's talent. He's grown up.

A lot of starts in college. Distribute the ball. No ego. Gino Smith's the greatest example in this league. It was done. Was done. And Gino grew up. And now Gino, it's a fun guy to pay.

You're root for Gino Smith. So, you know, you start looking at Josh Allen, Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Herbert, Jalen Hertz. They all have different games, different sizes. They're all grownups. They may not take themselves always seriously, but they take the job seriously. Something else that came down, I saw that Kevin Durant, the rumors are, this is good for the sons. The sons are optimistic that Kevin Durant. will play by the end of the regular season.

So I don't have really strong definitive opinions about the Western Conference playoffs. I do about the Eastern Conference playoffs, because in the Eastern Conference playoffs, the questions are, are we playing Jason Tatum for the Celtics too much? Should they rest him? He got worn out last year. Should you rest Yanna? Should you rest Hardin, who was bad last night? Should you rest M.B. who has a health history?

It's all about everybody's playing their starters when they can. The question is, are we playing them too much? The West is the opposite. Kyrie's not playing. Luke is not playing. AD sometimes doesn't play pain free. LeBron's not playing. Kauai's hit and miss.

Zion's not playing. Andrew Wiggins isn't playing. John Morant's not playing. K.D.'s not playing. I have no idea. I have no idea is going to win the West. I have no definitive opinions because I'm not sure who's going to play. If KD came back today, I would pick the Sons.

to win the West. If Wiggins showed up, Andrew Wiggins showed up an hour later, then I would pick the Warriors to beat the Sons in the Western Conference final. But this year, you know, Adam Silver said,

it's funny, Adam Silver thinks his big concern for the NBA is mobility. I don't think it hurts the NBA that much. I think, you know, it's nice that Bradley Beale stays and Dame stays. Are they the attendance leaders? I mean, the bottom line is,

Katie makes the sons more interesting. Kyrie makes the Mavs more interesting. I like player movement. It doesn't bother me at all. What I think is a problem is you just never know who's playing. And in the Western Conference, it's a complete epidemic. Anthony Davis of the Lakers will skip nights when he's pain free. So I just, I've watched a lot of Eastern Conference basketball this year,

more than I have Western Conference basketball outside of the Warriors. I just never know who's playing. So I don't, if KD comes back, the sons are optimistic, he got hurt in a layup line, he'll return from injury by the end of March, meaning he's going to get a couple of regular season games in, half a dozen. And I think, like I said before he got there, he's very much a plug and play player. You can drop him in anytime, anywhere. I think KD is fine.

I think the sons will be very good. But I don't know. I don't know who you're supposed to pick in the West. I have absolutely no idea about who I'm supposed to like because I have no idea who's going to play. I do think KD's got leadership skills, is a willing defender, is a great player. He and LeBron, both willing defenders, leadership skills, make your team better. I think the enigma in the West is going to be the Los Angeles Clippers.

I don't know what Steve Ballmer's going to do. I like the executives. I like the team. I like the roster. I like the coach. I don't think you can have Kauai Leonard as your franchise leader. He's nonverbal. He can be hard.

He can show up at 4 o'clock and say, I don't want to play. I think he's a mystery. I think he's hard to form, he's hard to form your front office and your roster and your team and your franchise and your marketing around. Again, doesn't really communicate with anybody outside of a tiny, tiny circle. And a lot of Clipper players are not in that circle. So the West is going to be a wild mystery. I absolutely believe the East is Milwaukee, number one. And then clearly behind them, Philadelphia and Boston.

and the most captivating young team is Cleveland. I think the East is easy to figure out because they're playing people. I know exactly what everybody is. Knicks, Miami, Cleveland, Sixers, Bucks, I know exactly what those teams are and what to expect. Very few upsets in the East. We may have nothing but upsets in the West. So the only problem with your Phoenix Sun's take is if you could draw up the perfect defender to slow down Kevin Durant,

of anyone in the NBA, who would it be? The best wing defender in the NBA? Paul George and Kauai. Paul George and Kauai Leonard. That's who the Sons are going to face in the first round. So Kevin Duran, who's played three games in about three months, is going to come back and instantly has to face arguably two of the best wing defenders the league has in Paul George and Kauai Leonard.

That is not ideal for Kevin Durant and the Sons. The good news is Kevin Durant's a very unique play. player. As great as LeBron is, it took him 17, 18 games for he and Wade and Bosch to figure it out. Because LeBron has the ball in his hands. Kevin Durant is like dropping Travis Kelsey of the chiefs into any offense in the NFL. First game, he'll have 12 catches. You don't have to build your offense around Travis Kelsey. Nobody can guard him. He's too fast for a linebacker. He's too big for secondary people. Now, if you had a star receiver, DeVante Adams, it could take your quarterback and Devante, timing routes, sideline receiver, back shoulder stuff. You could say Devonte is more brilliant than Travis Kelsey.

You could drop Travis Kelsey into every single NFL offense tomorrow. He is open 15 times. Nobody can guard him. You could put a great corner on Devante Smith, push him out of bounds, double him. You need the right quarterback that can make those throws, right? He was complaining about Derek Carr not making back shoulder throws. So it's not just talent. KD is the Travis Kelsey.

You could literally put him on any team, give them two practices, and he'll give it 29 points. I don't think. Michael Jordan could take shots away from people. Kobe Bryant, great players. You have to build, even Janus, because he has the ball in his hands. Yokic has the ball in his hands. Most great players in basketball, Luca, most great players in basketball, you have to sort of, it takes a while to figure out they have the ball.

That means, you know, Jalen Brunson, as good as he is. It didn't really work with Luca. He wasn't getting the ball. By the way, hardening his buddy Westbrook, harden in Chris Paul. It didn't work, right? Not ideally. KD. works everywhere. He worked with Westbrook.

He worked with Kyrie. He worked with Ben Simmons. He works with Chris Paul. There are very few NFL guys that you could throw in an offense. Game one. Adrian Peterson, the running back was like that. Hand him the ball and just watch him run. hit the hole.

He would have worked with everybody. So in a matchup of Sons Clippers, who do you think would be favored in that series? Sons. Interesting. I have the two better scores. You have the two better defenders. Right. Yeah, I mean, Booker drops 40 points regularly.

So I would get- He ain't dropping 40 against the Clippers. Well, they're going to spend their effort on the wing. They'll probably put- Paul George on Booker and Kauai on Kevin Dore. Well, Kevin Booker will score on Paul George. He's quicker. Paul's long.

That is going to be a hell of a series. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I would pick the Clippers in that series. I got two capable coaches. Clippers have a better bench. Definitely a better bench. They have younger, better players outside of the top two. Terrence Mann is very good.

Norman Powell's very good. You know, if you looked at the 10 best players in that series and hopefully you do that. Okay, let's do okay. So Durant's the best player. I'll give you that. Kauai Leonard has to be second. You would go Devin Booker over Kauai? I get Devin Booker every night.

Well, you're going to get Kauai every night in the playoffs. Okay, so let's say Kauai second. I would, you know, I think Paul and Devin are both great. Paul's a better defender. Devin Booker, third. Close. I love Paul George. So those are your top four players.

And then DeAndre Aitin and Chris Paul. Oh, Chris Paul? What are you going to get in there? He fell apart last year. I think he turns 37, 38 during these playoffs. Yeah, in May I think it's his birthday. Okay, who's the fifth best player in the series? DeAndre Aiton.

I can't say Norman Powell because you laugh. but Norman Powell is an awesome player. Yeah, Norman Powell's excellent player. I would take him over Chris Paul in the series 100%. So that's why it's a great series, because then you go DeAndre 8 and then you go Chris Paul. Then you'd... I mean, Russell Westbrook might be 10.

I don't know. I'm not... I don't want him in the game situationally late. I think I would take the Clippers in that series. Listen, the 4-5 Cavs Nix, 4-5 Clippers. Great first round series. Those are really good. Those are as good as...

Like stay at home and watch this game. You've got... There's going to be fireworks, yeah. Intelligence runs in the family, so does innovation. Extraordinary runs in the family. The 2023 Mercedes-Benz range of SUVs, eight new models, go to a dealer for a test drive, or go to their website. It's beautiful. M-B, that's Mercedes-Bens, M-BUSA.com, M-BUSA.com.

Nick writes around the corner, Tom isle stopped by today. We're just flying. Thursday, Friday night, big tournament games. It's still raining in L.A. It's never going to end. Hour three next. 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 I-Hard Radio app. or wherever you get your podcasts.

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

Listen to stuff to blow your mind on the IHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.