The Herd with Colin Cowherd - The Herd - HOUR 3 - Embiid, Harden, Rivers

Episode Date: May 13, 2022

Joel Embiid’s comment about Harden  Now what with James Harden and Doc Rivers?    Guest: Randy Mueller   #douggottliebshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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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 Herd. You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. What up? Welcome in. This is The Herd, wherever you may be, and however you may be making this part of your day. Thanks so much. I'm Doug Gottlieb in for Colin Cowherd, and we've got a great third hour of the show for you.

Including our best for last, maybe some picks. Randy, former NFL GM of the Dolphins and the Saints, he's going to join us he's got a lot to get to last night was well it was a tale of two games right I mean both were blowouts

one was the road team closing the door on the Sixers that was the Miami Heat one was the home team led by Luca Donchik pressing their backs against the wall and dominating the Phoenix Suns both have drama

both are interesting and although I love Luca and the idea that I think Devin Booker and Chris Paul thought they were going to punk him that clearly hasn't been the case. I want to start with the Sixers because, one, you got great sound.

When you're doing radio, you need great sound. Between Doc and his defensiveness and Joel Embed and his honesty and James Hardin in his ability to completely and utterly disappear, the Sixers of the team to focus on.

And there's a lot of things to admire about LeBron James. There are. The number one thing, and I've always said this, is that's a guy who has taken care of his body, maybe as well or better than any star player ever has. Make no mistake about it, Kevin Durant loves who. That guy is, you know, Scotty Brooks told me a story once early on. Their first playoff run in Oklahoma City, they had their exit meetings.

And he called Kevin, and he's like, Kevin, here's the number of travel agent. I want you to get away. I want you not touch a basketball for a couple weeks. You need to just get away because Kevin Rand's a Hooper. You're like, no, I know he plays best. No, no, no, he's a Hooper. What's a Hooper? Like, he gets, he's there an hour before practice.

He's working on it. He's getting guys up to go get shots up. he is a hooper. Basketball is not something just that he does. It's who he is. And even though he's added some strength and obviously a ton of flexibility to his game, it doesn't feel like he's totally bought in to what you need to do to your body. There's been criticism and fairly so of Joel Embed for years.

You know, carrying too much weight, not buying in. LeBron, there's never been that question. Anthony Davis, there has been. has been and what happens when you don't the analogy is simple and this one is

I use this with athletes all the young athletes all the time when you have a really nice car a really nice car like Ryan Music who's producer of the herd since he got the promotion to the herd I thought going out

and getting a Lambo was a little much so he stuck with a Porsche right it was just a it's just a Carrera is that what you went with music? There's a certain line that can't be crossed, Doug, and you made me aware of that. So, yes, I settled on the Carrera.

When you open up the gas tank to a Carrera to put gas in, do you know what it says? Porsche. It probably does say Porsche. It also says must-take premium unleaded, right? That's that's that $92. That's when you're looking at the thing and the first one says, oh, my God, I can't believe it's $6 a gallon. And then you look down at the bottom, you're like, wait, that's $8 a gallon. Who would ever buy somebody $8 a gallon?

like that's what premium unlet it is. Now, does the Porsche Carrera run on 87 octane? You put 87 and you put the cheap stuff in, the stuff that most of us use, does it run on it? Absolutely. Of course it does. Do you get peak performance? No, you do not.

Do you know that? I mean, I own it, so of course I know that. Okay. I think most people, you don't totally know. right? Everyone said, well, there's engine knocks when you use 87. Like, you're an engine knock? Like, it still seems to press the gas it goes, press the brake, it stops.

I don't know. But what the hell is the point of spending $150 large on a Porsche if you're going to put the cheap gasoline in? Right. And the same is true for your body. Like, an NBA basketball player is not a carola. It's just not. No offense to Carolas, they're made very well. They run forever.

An MVP in the NBA is a Porsche, is a Ferrari, is a Lambo, is whatever. Pick your high dollar car that mirrors your athlete, and that's who it is. And yet here, James Hardin is going out late, showing up to the preseason. out of shape. And eventually, you don't get that peak performance. Eventually, don't you get engine gook? Isn't that what they else they tell you? They get engine gook.

Then you got to put something in to clean out, but you don't actually know. And it's something we've all felt. But, man, when your teammate who's played against you and now plays with you, articulates it in this way, it really can become a lawyer. Here's Joel Embed talking about James Harden. Since we got him, everybody expected, the Houston James Harden, but that's not who he's anymore. He's more of a playmaker.

I thought, yeah, at times, you know, could have been, as all of us, could have been more aggressive, all of us, whether Starry's or Tobias or, you know, guys coming off the bench. When your star player says that everyone, that usually includes him. Expected Houston, James Hardin, that guy doesn't exist anymore. It's like a wow.

And not a good wow, by the way. Just a wow. Right? That's an alarming statement. But it's one that we know is true. We know is true. And of course, we have this now with the Sixers, where you have Daryl Morey,

and he loves James Hart. Find somebody who loves you as much as Darryl Morey loves James Harden. And if you watch yesterday, he took two shots in the second half. And it would be fair if you watch the game, PJ Tucker was denying him the basketball. Like the ball would go in and PJ Tucker would pick up full court and denying the basketball. And the Sixers would acquiesce and go elsewhere.

And it killed his will and killed his spirit. But I'm not sure his will and his spirit were there anyway. You can't really stop somebody in the NBA from getting the ball and going and making a play. He just can't. And yet the heat did. You know, the heat did. I think of all of the issues that the Sixers have. And you can say, hey, we didn't have James Harden until the last couple months of the season.

And, you know, because of these moves, it's depleted our bench. We had to get rid of Seth Curry, who brought us energy and life is a three-point. shooter and fit kind of our need. We could have one kind of smaller guy out there. Also, like, if we're honest, like Ben Simmons, reputation-wise has been really tarnished, and how he played in the playoffs offensively last year wasn't good. Ben Simmons is a hell of basketball player now, right?

Six foot 10 can handle pass and can really, really defend. So he doesn't play defense, and last night it was especially bad on the boards. Then he's kind of checked out on offense. What a man. you're under this, we just traded for him. We just moved mountains for him. Do we offer him a mass extension?

Which leads, of course, to Doc Rivers, who did he sign off on a James Hardin deal? Probably. Did he want James Hardin? As opposed to Ben Simmons? Well, Ben Simmons and some playing, then I'd like James Hardin, but are there any other options? Here's Doc Rivers when he's asked about his job security yesterday. I don't worry about my job, Howard. I think I do a terrific job.

and if you don't, then you should write it because I worked my butt off to get this team here. When I first got here, no one picked us to be anywhere. And again, this year, the same thing. So if that's how anyone feels, write it, and I'm going to feel secure about it. If the results face business, it is. But you don't do it every year.

Every time you're wrong, should you lose your job? No. So it's the same thing, all right? But listen, if you believe that, then go with it. I know what I did this year. year and I feel very good about that but again if you believe that Howard then you just run with it you know what's interesting and it does feel like um does feel like doc and the defensiveness you know and darrell morey kind of running the show who he didn't originally come to work for

you may have signed off on it but originally didn't come to work for it does feel like the the tension can be relieved if he does in fact get that that that that lekers job but you know what's interesting, and I don't know if anybody else has said this, I see a correlation, honestly, between James Harden and Shaq. And you're like, what? So, when you think of Shaquille O'Neal, you think of utter and sheer physical dominance, right? Okay, Shaq, 7-1, 3 bills. When he first got to league, he was always 7-1, he probably wasn't 3 bills.

he was so big, but also freakishly athletic, unbelievable movement and agility. You know, it's like, I think that people think of Shaq and think of Will Chamberlain and just, he's so physically dominant, he just dunked on everybody every time. But no, that wasn't it. It was a big guy that size,

changing ends, running the floor, catching, spinning, finishing. He was amazing. But Shaq, by the time he got to Miami, was a show. of himself, right? He was 32 years old and, you know, he averaged about 22 a game. He had one big game in that NBA

finals, one. Outside of that, he was just a nice player, just a good big guy. And why was that? Well, it's because Shaq hadn't developed not just his free throws, but any sort of face-up game, everything sort of shooting game, and Shaq would, on a yearly basis, come into training camp out of shape and would play his way into shape.

And while it doesn't affect you in those years in the NBA finals when you win in championships with Kobe Bryant, it does take years off your career and years off your productivity. Carmelo Anthony, same way. Like I remember, I think Men's Health Magazine, men's health magazine, men's health magazine had an article about Carmelo Anthony's like pregame meal. And he was just like, yikes. Yikes. You know, it was like

pancakes and sausage and bacon. This is one who was in New York. And Mello was similar. Mello was as good as score, especially in the way basketball used to be played. Right, where you could post up and mid-range, like, dude was a savant scoring. And like James,

and like James Hardin, didn't play much defense. You know, wasn't a great passer, didn't create shots for other people. But let's not take away from the fact that he was an incredible scoring machine. But he was never, he wasn't in peak shape until, remember Skinny Mellow? But the time you get to Skinny Mello and you're in your early to mid-30s, like, it's kind of too late.

You've taken years off your legs. You've taken years off your career. And you're not going to be the same guy. That's the magic to LeBron is while LeBron, you know, he never really developed. He didn't really develop. He has that one kind of weird stepback move. where he dribbles to the right and steps back to the left. He didn't really develop a post game outside of that kind of fade away that he occasionally goes to.

But what LeBron has been able to do is take care of his body better than anybody else so that he's maintained his athletic dominance. And then, of course, the basketball IQ is through the roof. And so he's able to maintain a level of success for a longer period of time because that bite. You don't have it with James Hart. James Hart has been putting 87 octane in his tank the whole time. I'm going to save some money here.

And you're not the same guy at 32. Your teammates, no, you're not the same guy at 32. And while he may have shut it down last night out of frustration, or maybe he wants Doc gone, or maybe he knows that Doc didn't really want him, or whatever. That was yet another embarrassing final game. Remember the game? He did the same thing in Houston.

Like, what happened to James Hart? This is not the first time that he quit. This is not the first time that somebody took his will. It happened in Houston. It happened in Brooklyn. It happened in Philly. And it happening last night against the Jimmy Butler, who doesn't have the overall skill of James Hardin,

but does have all those other things, makes it even more pronounced. Randy Mueller will join us upcoming next. I'll get his thoughts on a couple of the schedule Quarks like the Broncos super soft schedule out of the gate. Does that help them overall in the season when the back end appears to be really difficult? Plus, the Miami Dolphins tweeting out to a underthrowing Tyreek Hill with a wobbler. Does that matter?

We'll find out next in the herd. Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the hard 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 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, 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,

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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 Jett. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a here, unpack what went down,

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Doug Gowleyman for Colin, this is the herd. Fox Sports Radio, IHeart Radio app. Yesterday was a schedule release day in the NFL. So do I have to go through these schedules? That's a win. That's a loss, dog. That's a win. That's a loss.

That's a win. That's a win. Everybody does that. But I do think it's interesting how some of these schedules look like they're going to play out. Sorry, I love Denver, Seattle game one of the year. And you get people going like, well, does the league know

that Baker Mayfield's going to be like, no. No. I'm sure the schedule maker's sitting there going like, man. Pete, are you guys going to make an acquisition of Baker between now? Like, no. You have a quarterback who went to two, won a Super Bowl, was the face of the Seahawks,

who basically forced his way out, got a trade to the Denver Broncos, who all they needed, we felt like, was a quarterback. And let's not screw around with it. It's great drama. Let's play it first, you know, first Monday night football the season. Plus, like Seattle Monday night football just kind of works.

But I looked at Denver schedule and you're like, you know, it's a pretty soft schedule to start. Rainy Mueller joins us. Of course, he was GM with the Dolphins and the Saints. Decades, decades. Essentially, his entire professional career has been spent in NFL front offices. He's kind of to join us here in the herd.

And again, you've lived it. I've just watched it. But it does feel like, like I remember Sean McVeigh's first year in L.A. with the Rams, right? Their first game was against the Colts. And I think that was the only game that Jim Sorgi got to start, right? Like Jim Sorgi was he got to start, right? And then they had, they had like a soft,

start to their schedule, and it created some momentum. It created some confidence in the new coaching staff, and they end up making the playoffs. Is that a reality, or is that just something we talk about on radio and TV that an early beginning against the softer part of the schedule can trigger you for later on the year? Well, I think always success be guessed what's going to happen later. That's for sure. I don't think it hurts you by any means. But I think those in NFL buildings, Doug, probably see it a little bit.

different. We don't see it as a softer beginning or a softer opponent. There are no, you know, FCS opponents, right? You've got to play everybody on any given Sunday can beat. You ask the Colts how the soft schedule ended their season last year. So it happens. I think on the inside, we look forward to the schedule without a doubt, but you first glance at, where's my buy going to be? The next thing is, do we have any primetime games that are going to alter our scheduling or our routines, you know, then you kind of want to see how you finish, to be honest with you. If you can finish with three out of four at home, I think that's, you're going to assume you're going to be in the hunt and you'd like to be at home more often than not towards the end

of the year. I never did mind that traveling early in the season, Doug, because I think you can focus a little better coming out of the gate if you are away from home that first week or two. I don't think it's a big deal. I don't think it's, I understand why the media makes a big deal of it because, you know, it's an unveiling of billions of dollars that they spend for rights fees. So it should be big. And it's big to the combatants as well, but probably not as big as you'd think on the inside. Yeah, that's fascinating, fascinating stuff. If you're the Browns, how do you prepare with the Deshawn Watson thing kind of looming?

Yeah, that's a hard one. I mean, I'll be honest with you. Have you thought about football at all when you've talked about the Cleveland Browns, the last? six weeks. I really haven't. I find it almost, you know, sacrilegious to go that far. I'm still trying to get over what they did, what happened, all the above. I mean, I think the city is still in a little bit of shock and disarray. I don't know that anybody's ready to start talking breakdowns of X's and O's of the Cleveland Browns yet. So I think there's been a lot made of the Baker-Maidfield story. Eventually, that'll end, and we'll move on from that. But I just think it's probably a lot more

than the Browns front office who are really smart guys. I think it's more chaotic and there's more pushback than they ever would have thought they would have gotten. I'm interested in the Steelers. Mitchell Chubisky, look, for his flaws, there are some things about him. He's played in the playoffs. You know, he can run when he's in trouble. He is a veteran. He is seen as a good locker room dude.

and then you have Kenny Pickett who it feels like a reach and the guy who drafted him is leaving which which I understand he'll have champions in the building but that one's an odd one what do you think of what Pittsburgh's chosen to do to replace Ben Rathesberger

I'm actually okay with it Doug I thought the Steelers had a really good offseason I thought they killed it in pre-agency and they had to they were lacking core players and I thought they did good in the draft. Here's the deal. What team would know more about Kenny Pickett than any other in the NFL? They share a building.

They watch out the window every day. So they've seen him and evaluated him for the last five years every day. So I'm good with it. I do think you bring up a great point on Trubisky. And I was thinking about this earlier. I probably had these two guys rated similarly coming out of college. I thought Trubisky would be a first round pick. I didn't think you'd be a top five pick.

And I think Pickett's a good player, and he was the only one for me worthy of picking in the first round. But I think that it comes down to, in Trubisky's case, what you're getting. Are you getting a scarred Trubisky from all the garbage in Chicago? Or are you getting a hardened one because of that? Is he further along now that he's seen more things, experienced more things? I don't know. I'm a little up in the air at which Trubisky you're going to get. I think he can function and be good in the Steelers' sense.

system, but I think Pickett can be really good in the system. I think he's probably further along as a passer and as a processor and an anticipator in his pocket throws than Trubisky even is to this day. So I think it's going to be a cool combination of the two. I don't know if we'll have an outright winner. I actually think it behooves the Steelers to have Trubisky win the job and allow, you know, Pickett to sit as long as he can. Everybody always wants to say, well, should he sit one year, he'll sit as long as he's not better than Trebisky. Because everybody will see it every day, players included. And when the players and the coaches realize that Pickett gives them a better chance,

that's when the switch will be made. The Green Bay Packers have an, again, it's on paper. We don't know who's healthy. A ridiculously difficult schedule. They get Aaron Rogers back. They have, they got, the backfield is outstanding with Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon, a really nice kind of thunder and lightning sort of combination. It feels like they worked and improved,

continue to improve on the offensive line, and that should be better when they get David Bactiari, you know, fully back. But what are your thoughts on this wide receiving core, right? Christian Watson's a guy who I think everybody likes, but as a rookie, I don't know the impact. Sammy Watkins is, you know, at this, at that money, seems like a decent buy, but will he be healthy and how effective he be?

And then Alan Lazard, like, is that enough? Yeah, I think you've got a bunch of hopefuls, that's for sure. I don't know if any of those guys are going to stand out of the mix. I think they're banking on the play caller and the quarterback being able to overcome it. I think in the case of Christian Watson, if you compare him to Beldez Scanling, who left for $10 million a year to go to the Chiefs, their decision was, is this guy make us better at minimum salary than Scanling would at $10 million a year? And I think that's easy to say yes.

The one thing about Christian Watson that he will do, I think, better than what they've had in the past. And I agree with you, Doug. I don't think he's ready for prime time at all. But he can really run. And even if they never throw him the ball, Doug, people are going to have to know where he's at and they're going to defend them. They're going to defend them differently. And they'll see that in the run game as well. You won't see a single safety back there against that kind of speed because he can go.

I don't care where he played. He can run fast. That is fast even in the neighborhood, much less that. division, you know, one double A level. So I think that element adds to the mix. I think he will stretch some things out for those other receivers that you mentioned, who I would consider more possession type guys. But I do think Watson still holds the key to them advancing as an offense, that's for sure.

Okay. Speaking of speed, Tyreek Hill, Jalen Waddle, like that's some pretty good speed. But one of the things that was magical in Kansas City was, I mean, you had to play that too deep because you had to worry about, do not let Tyree Kill beat you deep. Do not let Tyree Kill beat you deep. But does he have a quarterback that can throw it to him? Well, I know a lot's been made of two,

and I'm not a big two guy either, but I do know that speed makes a difference. Having those two guys out there, just like I said with Watson, even if they don't throw them the ball as much as people think, they have to defend them differently. So the running game will benefit from that. seen they signed two or three running backs that are really front-line guys. And I think that's what,

you know, the new coach and the new scheme will present. It'll present a heightened running game, one that will, you know, be on the third and fourth level of what they've had there in the past. So I guess it is up to Tua in the end. He's going to have to throw it early and often to take advantage of that speed. Time will tell. I'm with you. I understand the questions. But I'm never against speed. They've committed lots of capital. resources to acquire Tyreek Hill. I can't imagine they won't have a way to get him the ball. If it's not on deep throws, it's on underneath stuff that people are giving him a big cushion for. So there's still purpose and reason to, I think, be somewhat optimistic about the

Dolphins' offense and being better than it's been. What about Trey Lance, what your level of optimism, hearing and knowing that there are some disappointed in how raw he may be and maybe questions of what that ceiling actually is? Yeah, I'm not surprised at all by it, Doug. I said it before. I couldn't have done what they did to put that much capital to move up to get him a year ago. He's just so raw. He hadn't seen.

I could see the learning curve taking a while. I actually think Jimmy G. did him a favor, Doug, by having surgery on his shoulder because it actually wilted the market, and guess what? They'll find a way to keep him now, and I think it makes them better. I think their locker room knows that. I think everybody that watches practice knows that. it's just not ready to be handed over the keys to the car to Tray Lance. So maybe in time it will be.

I think we saw last year that, you know, they talked bravely about giving him packages to run on offense. It never worked out. He wasn't even ready for that. So I always say he's a year away from being a year away. Hopefully he's closer, but I just, I think they're better off with Jimmy, to be honest with you right now. Buffalo was 13 seconds away from the, from the AFC championship game, right? and Josh Allen pitched a perfect game and just what felt like a coaching decision debacle or three really caused them to lose the Kansas Chiefs. But they get Josh Allen back.

What do you think of what they've done to tinker with that roster? I think it's good. I think they're the team to beat. I'll be honest with you. I like Kansas City a lot, but you're right. It took three, in my opinion, and I agree with you kind of bad decisions from the sidelines to lose that game and they did it. I don't think it was because they lost the flip in overtime. Obviously, that got all the run and attention, but they just played horrible on defense, made some bad calls,

let Kansas City run down the field wide open without any press at the line of scrimmage, and they lost the game. So I don't think they've had to do a lot to keep – I think they're going to be hungrier than ever before, and I think Buffalo is going to be the team to beat. It's funny, though, we think that the window has been open for a couple years for them. They haven't jumped through it. It's not going to be open forever. and who knows how fortune shines.

It's just not to take for granted, but I do think they are as talented now on paper as they've ever been. You know, I saw this report where the Carolina Panthers are eyeing Sean Payton for a year from now, for a year from now. Yep. You know, but a year ago they wanted to Sean Watson. You know, I guess there's a bunch of the, I don't know how that gets out. That's just terrible.

You know, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy with Matt Rule. In addition to the fact that, look, if Sean Payton has a choice between the Cowboys and the Panthers, he's going to choose the Cowboys. Everybody would. So what does it say about an organization, I think? And you've run a couple of them that these stories come out of. Yeah, it's hard. It's hard to be on the up and up with everybody and look them in the eye.

Whether it's true or not, it seems like there's been, you know, shark circles. in Carolina for the last year and a half now. And they brought some of it on themselves. You know, they've swung and missed at two or three different quarterback options. It hasn't happened yet. They were hit with injuries last year. Didn't happen for them. I think it's no secret. They're on the hot seat this year and I've got to show progress.

And what that is, I don't know if it's winning 10 games or at least making the playoffs. I think that's everybody's, you know, it's a result-oriented business. It's not fair, but that's the way it is. So they've got to solve it. Whether they do or not, I don't know. Obviously, Sean Payton's going to have some options and can come back any time he wants, where he chooses. I don't know, but I don't think that's the last team that we will hear speculation about

where Sean Payton will go. There'll probably be three or four of those by Thanksgiving this year. Do you ever play pickup basketball? I like basketball, yeah. You ever play pickup basketball? All the time. Okay. So everybody that plays pickup basketball knows this.

Like say it's a Saturday morning game with a bunch of your buddies at a high school gym, right? Yep. And you play and it's good and you have a good game. everybody's like, man, I got to go. I got my kids thing. I got to go pick up this deal. And you start to unlace your shoes. And there's like nine guys out there, right?

There's like nine guys out there. And they look at you and they're like, hey man, we need 10. You want to run it back. And you're like, you know, okay, I'll run it back. Tom Brady's been unbelievable for 20 years. He's going to be the number one broadcaster. But the idea. of running it back when you've untied those shoes, you've even thought about going to the Miami Dolphins.

There's been a coaching change. Are we, I mean, like, look, Brett Farve, they pulled him again out of retirement, and the dome in Minnesota actually collapsed that year. I mean, a guy who never got hurt, never missed a game. That was the year he missed game. Have we reached the point where, because you know what happens when you run that extra game and pickup, somebody always gets hurt? we reached the point where Tom Brady at some point goes, I shouldn't have come back this year. Well, probably. I think Father Time's undefeated, right?

It's going to get him at some point. I know nobody wants to accept that, but this wasn't, they tried the runback deal last year, and it didn't work out great. So this is a different change of dynamics all the way around. I agree with you. I don't think he'll be less committed. I don't think that's the case at all. I just don't know if the galaxy will line up enough where we can connect. all the dots to where it was two years ago.

That's the hard part to get that back. And I think coming back and winning nine or ten games is great, but as we know, that's not what Tom's playing for. So I don't have them as one of my, you know, top dogs this year. They've had enough change now to where they're going to have to show me some things. So I don't know. I don't think it's going to be paradise like it was two years ago, that's for sure. And so time will tell with Tom.

Age is going to get it. Trust me. It's going to happen at some point. It does. It gets all of us. Although he keeps looking younger, so by the time he's broadcasting, he may look like a 15-year-old. Randy, great stuff. Thanks so much for joining us. Have a wonderful weekend. You too, does.

All right, that's Randy Mueller, former NFL GM of the Dolphins and the Saints, longtime front office executive in the National Football League. Let's get to Ryan Music with the news. No, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. All right, Doug. Not necessarily breaking, breaking news, but a very interesting,

development, something that we've spent a lot of time on today. Darry doing some news conferences was asked about Doc Rivers' status heading forward. And as of right now, he says Doc Rivers will be back as head coach next season. Yeah, he said the plan is to have them back. That's been the plan since the trade. Obviously, we have work to do with his representation. That'll be between us to figure out how that works. This is why people get so upset with the media.

but I just love when they slip in the word the plan. Well, that's the plan. Well, is it the plan or is it what's going to happen? Because that's your decision. So if you plan on changing, that's a different discussion. Instead of just emphatically saying he's back next season, end of discussion, we're going to improve. Yeah, I mean, look, I think obviously there's some variables. And the idea that he has to talk to his representation, that doesn't, that means that, yeah, that's the plan.

Yeah, no, that's not how this works. That's not how this works. So very clearly, a lot of wiggle room there and anything but a certainty that that's the case. So passing that along. As of now, Doc River is expected to return as 76ers head coach, and we'll wrap it up with this last little bit of NBA news. Adrian Wajnarowski and Ramona Shelburne are reporting

the relationship between Kyrie Irving and Nike He is likely coming to an end. Kyrie was vocal about his displeasure regarding the Kyrie 8th back in July of 2021. Something I thought was interesting about this article specifically was the number of references that they sort of questioned his NBA future. One of them was, quote, here, uncertainties surrounding his NBA future have left the company unlikely to extend him. Or this one here, quote, the turbulence surrounding Irving, which includes the Nets non-committal stance on a negotiating a long-term contract. You know, Woe just plugged in.

Ramona does a great job as well. I don't feel like those are small editorial comments put in there for absolutely no reason. No. No. They know what's up. I mean, like, look, the problem with Kyrie is, if you trade him to somewhere he doesn't want to play, he might just not play. Yeah, 100%. I mean, that's a guy who legitimately, and it's like a contradiction.

I actually think he loves basketball. but I you know he's just loves it so much he's willing to give it up yeah I mean he just that's just one of those he's that guy he's that guy and it's a really hard you know it it reminds me again I understand different levels of talent but you remember when josh rosen came out yeah and and there were all these questions about josh rosen and it wasn't just that he'd love it but but like you know josh rosen is a family of doctors he's super smart like if he gets hit in the head is he going to really want to do this. Like he's just got other things.

This isn't his main thing. And I think Kyrie, who's incredibly talented. And you don't have those kind of gifts, by the way, if you don't work at it. So it's not like he doesn't work at it. But it's just a, he beats to his own drum, and this is a team sport. And when you have

a guy who, in Sean Marks, who built a great culture when he first got there, and all he talks about is trying to get back to that culture. And what is the variable? The variable is Kyrie Irving. And I think the same thing is with Nike.

Look, I think Nike's ticked it last summer. I've never heard an athlete dude. You call it your own shoe? Huh? You call out your own shoe? I mean, the only thing worse than that is saying you're misquoting your own biography, which plenty of people have done.

But I also think that is that a brand they want to be associated with when no one has any idea what he's going to do next if he's going to play next? And that's right. Music with the News. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Herd Lye News.

Ah, the best for last. It's as American as Ample Pie. There's your hint next in The Herd. Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. Hey, this is Jason McIntyre. Join me every weekday morning on my podcast, Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre. This isn't your typical sports pod. watching the same tired narratives down your throat every day.

Straight Fire gives you honest opinions on all the biggest sports headlines, accurate stats to help you win big at the sports book, and all the best guests. Do yourself a favor and listen to Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre 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 you're saying. Yep, that's me, Clipper Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations

with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me

or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to The Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap little Kim's boobs at the VMAs?

Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a here, unpack what 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's big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day but just so y'all know I mean at this point Mark this is the second episode where we've discussed crack

so I'm starting to see that there's a through line We also have AIDS on the table right now so Thank you 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 podcast Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway 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, Kear Gaines, as we have real conversations about healing,

growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, learn the hard way. Open your free, our heart radio app, Search learn the hard way and listen now. Doug Gottlieb in for Colin. This is the herd. Colin will be back on Monday, and I'm sure everything will be Italy and food reference

as he spent time on the other side of the pond with his lovely wife and safe travels to the seamance. Doug Gottlieb in, and of course you can listen to the Doug Gottlieb show daily, 3 to 6 Eastern. By the way, you can check out the All Ball podcast as well, which I think is pretty good. We tell great stories about people in their lives in and out of basketball.

I thought we had a good one with this best for last. It's almost the end of the show, but that doesn't mean we're phoning it in. Nope, we grind to the very last segment. It's time for best for last. Today is National Apple Pie Day. National Apple Pie. Nothing is an American as, that's right, Apple Pie.

So I thought we would give you like a top five list. We want to do the top five list of best pies? The problem with it is very, very subjective. And I thought that I just compiled a list that I was thinking. And then Ryan Music, you came together with your list. And I thought that was pretty good. Jason Stewart, I don't know where you were with your list. Oh, I know where I'm at.

Yeah. Well, the first thing is, like, are you a pie guy? That's the first thing. Oh, yeah. You love pie. Yeah, I mean, what exactly? Who out there looks at a piece of pie and is straight up like, no thanks? Or are we talking like, do you go cake?

Do you go brownie? Right, right. Do you go to a cheesecake factory? Do you go like, you know, I'd really like some pie here? Or do you want some cheesecake? Or do you want ice cream? I'd probably go cheesecake in that situation. Pie is probably...

Well, then you like clown people for not wanting pie, but then you're like, okay, you gotta provide context. Like McConnell's ice cream or pie, McConnell's ice cream. Grater's ice cream, same thing. Or pie. Greater's ice cream. But if you go pie, like... And usually you don't have a choice, right?

You go over somebody's house, like, hmm. The first thing is, I think the most underrated part of the pie is what? The crust. Right? Like I have to have a crust ratio The other part is that there are different kinds of pies But almost all of them Are brought to a higher level

When you throw a little scoop of vanilla on it A little Alamoamode, right? Do we agree on that? But a great pie should be able to stand on it. I think here's the biggest question We had the pre-show meeting. Where are we on chicken pot pie? Does that count as a pie?

It's absolutely a pie. Yeah, I'm not sure about that. How can you not be sure about that? something when the name of it is in the title of the dish. Well, because... Now, there are savory pies and dessert pies, but pies nonetheless. Okay. I mean, look, I like a good chicken pod pie.

I would not put it above, you know, a coconut cream pie. I would not put it above a pecan pie or a sweet potato pie. Right. Whether or not it makes your list of top five is certainly acceptable. But I do believe in the definition of what it is, it is a pie. It has crust and filling. Okay. What about a pizza pie?

That one is more up for debate. Why? It has a pie in the name. But it doesn't necessarily have, I guess, what is it, an open-faced pie? It is. Okay. It can have crust and a filling. I mean, there's all kinds of different stuff crust pizza.

There's lots of different ways of doing it. That's fair. Your favorite pie is what? Music. I'll probably go Apple. Okay. Jay Stu? Banana cream, but I will do this.

I'll couch it. For one month out of the year, pumpkin pie is amazing. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I eat a lot of pumpkin pie. But banana cream, if I had to choose, if you're forcing me to, is my number one. Okay, so I think we would all agree that in any top five list, you have to have apple. I think you have to have cherry. I love banana cream. I love coconut cream.

and then I would put the question for pumpkin pie is can you like a sweet potato pie I think is better but it's much more southern and a pecan pie could we just put all of them together and yeah is that okay because some people like sweet potato

slightly better than pumpkin or pecan slightly better than the others but there's kind of a similar sort of flavor to it feeling to it can I do that that's part of my top five list but cherry and apple are very similar as well. Yeah. I don't know.

I suppose it's acceptable. This one time. Just this one time. All right. And that's our pie discussion. That's the best for last. I did see this story that I thought you guys would find interesting. So Rich Strike, the Kentucky Derby winner, is not going to run in the Preakness.

And part of it is, like, they, you know, we talk about plans. They had a plan five weeks off. It's a horse. It's a distance horse. To further the distance, the better it runs. They obviously want it to be right for the Belmont stakes. Good for the horse, bad for the sport. But also, like, even if it doesn't run at the Belmont,

all-time fluke of flukes, or is it the all-time upset? That one is, I don't know, I don't do enough horse racing to really go dig deep. But I thought in terms of, what is it, management that they have in the NBA, the load management, right? We have load management in horse racing. Wow, it should be a great night of hoops. I think the Warriors close out the deal. We'll see what happens this weekend.

Calling back Monday, this is The Hurt. 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 Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On the Look Back at it podcast. From 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 hear, 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 I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver 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 Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered 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 Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network on TikTok. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.