The Herd with Colin Cowherd - The Herd-HOUR-3-LeBron, NBA Finals

Episode Date: October 1, 2020

Update on the Heat's injuries for game 2Colin ranks LeBron's best teammatesGuest: Tristan Thompson Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

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

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

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 year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s.

84 was a wild year. It was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th.

You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifers Show. This is a place for raw, unfilled conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Thanks for listening to The Heard podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday from 12 to 3 Eastern, 9 to noon Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and FS1.

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RecTech withacu.com. Smart grill technology. Cook it from your phone. Not kidding. It's great. Tristan Thompson, decade in the NBA, finals in four straight years. He's a big guy.

He's a big fella. And when I watched that game last night, the Laker size was such a problem for Miami. it felt like the series was over and he is joining us now live via the Coward Global Satellite Network. Were you surprised by how dominant the Lakers were, Tristan?

Yeah, most definitely. I know going to this series, I knew that AB had to be a big factor, but I didn't realize, you know, with Dwight Howard and AD on the court against Bam and Jay Crowd, I was like, man, this is like men of versus boys. Like, you know, Dwight Howard's dumping it off,

getting assists, which I've never seen Dwight Howard really do to 80 just playing big for big. It was just like varsity versus JV. It was just like, look, just getting and ones, offensive rebounds, like, Lord Jesus. Yeah. Now, now you've been in enough finals. Did you ever play at a game one, maybe get beat badly or win big? And like, what do you think the heater is saying today?

I think it's very similar to in 2018 when we got swept by Golden State. We had a lot of fresh faces, guys that have never been to the finals. And that game when LeBron's charge turned to a block, which I've never seen happen before in NBA history, you know, that game we lost. I think for some guys on our team that haven't been to the final, I think mentally it kind of, you know, set our team back. And I feel like for Miami, like this was their game that they needed to win

because I think confidence-wise, these guys that are young and experience, they need a game like this to, like, feel like, okay, we belong here. You know what I'm saying? Like we beat Milwaukee, we beat Boston. But like, you know, when you're warming up and you see LeBron and AD dunking and layup lines, you're like, you know, you're intimidated. It's just the natural reaction. So last night definitely showed like, you know, it was like, you know, the A team versus the B team, you know.

What do you think LeBron says? I think apathy can be a real thing when you have a dominant team. LeBron smarty watches that game and he thinks Bamabai out of Bayou is not going to stop AD. And he knows nobody's going to stop him. What do you think LeBron is saying last night and this morning? Definitely keep the foot on the gas. I think one thing about this Miami ball club and the organization that's rambling with Pat Raleigh and Spolstra is that, you know, they're not going to give up.

You know, even though they might not have as much talent, guys might fall because of injury, they're going to keep playing hard for 48 minutes. And LeBron knows that because he's been there. He knows he knows Spolstra. He knows what Spolstra saying to those guys. So for LeBron, it's like, you know, we're not taking our foot off the gas. You know, we got to continue attacking these guys. They're small in us.

Attack the rebound. AD, continue to be 25 and 15. Dwight, when you're out there, get offensive rebound, do things that don't show up in the stash sheet, but you're still impacting the game. So this is just a veteran ball club that understands, but especially with LeBron, and he knows what's on the line.

He's locked in, and he's keeping that car on a supercharge. You know, LeBron said this was the most challenging playoffs of his life in the bubble. I'm sure you've talked to some of your, friends in the league and some of the Lakers. Kind of tell my audience what you're going through as an older player for the last three months in Florida in this bubble. Yeah, no, it's the bubble is definitely, especially for veteran players, it's much more difficult,

especially for a guy LeBron, you know, he's a guy that, you know, he's got a big family, he's got wife, kids, he has his routine, you know, he's, he's making movie. He's, he's a big routine guy. So for him being in L.A. and be able to get his treatment and being with his family and and chef, like all that stuff, even for like other players, like that stuff is kind of like what helps you get ready for the game. So for him not being able to to have that in a daily basis, it's definitely frustrating and tough. But if you ask a guy like, you know, Tyler here or some other young guys that are 1920, you know, they're just used to this. You know,

this is like AAU where it's like hotel, eat food in the lounge, go back to your room, play video games, you know, for them they really don't have much else going on. So for a younger guy, it's like, hey, man, I was just doing this like, you know, eight months ago in college at Kentucky. But for Guy LeBron, you know, this is definitely difficult, especially, you know, the hotel room, no matter how big your suite is, but every, every day you're there longer, the room just gets smaller and smaller. It just drives you crazy. It certainly does. I have said, I'm shocked, not shocked, I'm surprised that LeBron and AD, the first two weeks, it just clicked. Are you surprised? No, not at all. I think what makes this duo different than the other teams

compared to, you know, the Russell Westbrook and James Hardin or Ben and Embed. I think with this one is that, first of all, LeBron shoots a better now in his career, which opens up a lot for AD to work around on the left block and work in the paint, which AD wants to do. And for LeBron, you know, he's basically the point guard. So he knows exactly, you know, where AD wants it, how to get AD going. If you watch the games, you know, LeBron should get AD going early. You let you feed the beast early, you get him going, and LeBron can get his numbers.

He knows he can get his numbers. He knows how he can get himself going. I think that's why it's worked so well compared to, like, you know, with Embed and Ben, you know, they both play in the pains. With Russell Westbrook and James Hardin, they're both ball dominant. So it's tough because guys kind of have to give up a little bit, you know. And even with LeBron and D. Wade, they went through some growing pains because they both are like, you know, point guards on the floor. And they both have the ball on their hand. But with AD and LeBron, it's just like Shaq and Kobe here.

Feed the big fella, you go to work. And the double team, you kick it out to me. I trust my three point shot or come in a pick and roll. Let me attack the rim and get a two on one. one action. You know, it's interesting, an interesting player last night. He was very good early as Tyler Hero. So with Gorin Dragage, Hurt, we'll find out more with Joy Taylor and Hurdline News. But with him hurt, you don't have many options now. You can't, you got to pick, you know, Tyler Hero's a problem defensively, but you need his scoring, because outside of Jimmy Butler

now, you just, you just need his scoring. And Bam's got to play such good defense in this series. That's going to sap some energy from him on the offensive end. But if you were the Lakers and you knew the heat had to play Tyler Hero 30 minutes because they need his offense so desperately. What would you do if you were Frank Vogel? If I'm Frank Vogel, first play the game. If I'm not giving it to AD, I'm running a pick and roll. Whoever Tyler Hero is guarding, come set of pick and roll. So he's probably going to be guarding Danny Green. So if I'm LeBron, come up top Danny Green, set this green, let me get an ISO against Tyler Hero. You know, at the end of the day, Spolstra knows that he needs scoring, but he's so he's not to sacrifice some defense. But with Tyler

Hero in the game, you know, you're going to have to give up the defense. So if I'm Frank Vogel, we're going to tag Tyler Hero every time. We're going to put him in every pick and roll. And with him having to guard on the offensive end, maybe his legs might be tired. He might, you know, some of his shots might be short. So, you know, Tadahiro, get them puppies ready because, you know, you have to play both ends. And, you know, you want to be a good playness league. You don't have to do on both ends.

So we've got to be ready. You know, it's interesting, Tristan Thompson joining us, is that the bubble COVID actually gave LeBron's legs about four months off. I think he's the fresh as he's been in years. I mean, what does it look like to you? No, he looks fresh. You saw at the end of the half time when Kuzma threw up that floater, he did a reverse dunk. I said, Lord, I can't even do that if I warm up for 30 minutes. So I think this COVID thing was the best for LeBron's legs to keep him fresh.

And you see it out there. He's shooting threes. He's playing 40 minutes. He's dunking. He's playing on both ends. He might sprain an ankle and dunk the next play, which is crazy and unheard of. But I think this was like a blessing in the sky for him. Finally, Kyrie Irving had a recent quote on KD.

He said, I felt like I was the best option on every team I played for down the stretch. This is the first time with KD in my career where I can say that guy can make that shot too. What do you make of that? I'm hoping that it was a way to get, you know, to bring him and KD closer. compliment for ego because that's what I'm hoping because, you know, you play with LeBron, Caleb. And in terms of making shots, I mean, J.R. Smith's probably the best guys to take a shot from him around the court and he can make it.

So he's played with some other killers on the court. So I'm hoping that this is just part of Sean Marks and Kyrie's plan to get KD all together and making a great kumbaya because in Cleveland, we had some bad boys. Like, I mean, like the guy is playing the finals last night, LeBron James. He's a pretty good player. I gave him the ball. I'm pretty sure he'll make shots too. I had the Lakers in five. I think it may be a sweep. I really do feel there's, I think Bam, Otabayu matched up great with the Celtics because they were a small team and he could concentrate on offense.

I think Bam defensively now has to guard LeBron and AD. I don't think you get much offense from him. I think it's a problem they can't solve. I think we could be looking at a sweep. Your thought, what do you think? Going into this, I was saying, because I respect the Heath's organization and I respect Spolster and Par Riley, I was saying, you know, Lakers in 6. But of course, if guys are not playing, if Drogh's out, it's a big loss for them. So then I move it down to Lakers in five. But I think I have Lakers win the first two games. I think game three, if the Heat want to win a game and probably the only game that I have them winning would be game three. They'll treat like they're game seven.

Yeah. And I think that's their one win, an opportunity to get a win instead of getting a four-o sweep. So I just haven't getting one win. And just last night was just, I was really surprised and shocked how much size was a factor in game one. Of course, Lakers aren't going to shoot it as great every first half like that again. I know we've been talking about it. You know, we try to figure out, you know, who's going to make shots for them. So they were definitely clicking all in a sudden in their first half.

But I think, you know, the heat can get game through. I think that's their one win they'll get in the series. Tristan, absolute pleasure talking to you, 10 years in the NBA four straight finals. We'll talk soon, a man. Thanks. Appreciate it. Thank you. You bet when it comes to reaching your health goals, you've got to change some habits. Change your mind as well. That's where Noom comes in. Free trial today. Check it out. Noom.com slash heard. N-O-O-M dot com slash heard.

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

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

And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do a little kill? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English.

Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed. That's correct. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now.

Thank you for finishing that sentence. Yes. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way with me, your host, and your favorite

therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking. Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing,

we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it, and we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross. you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth?

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Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. Joy Taylor with the news. No. No. No, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. Going winless in September was certainly not how the Jets planned on starting their 2020 season.

True. Sam Darnold has gotten some criticism for how poorly he is played. Fair. But Joe Flacko is still backing up his teammate despite the disappointing start. He's really talented. He really is. I mean, he can make all the throws. He's got good feet, good head on his shoulders.

You often forget that, you know, football is the biggest. team sport, you know, in the world. And it takes 22 guys plus a couple more. You know, there's a reason we have 40-some guys up every week. It takes all of them. And we got to do better as a team. Well, Sam Darnold was, he was pretty bad last week. Yeah.

It really got away from him. 17 to 29, 168 yards, one touchdown in three interceptions. Now, how is there? I haven't, you know, Joy, I wish I had my phone with me. I have not looked at the injury report. How is there, hey, John, how's their O-line injury? If the O-line returns tonight, if everybody's healthy across the board, including Connor McGovern in the center, I think they beat Denver.

If it's not, if we're talking about major injuries. They could be getting Jameson Crowder back as well tonight. That's big. So he is his favorite target. So if the O-line's healthy and Jameson Crowder plays, I like the Jets. That's a big one. Jameson's a very reliable slot receiver. Well, also, I think I like the Jets as well,

because they're really, I mean, not, I mean, it's past the point playing for your life. Obviously, we don't think this is a playoff team, but despite the fact that the Jets disputed what you said about the agents calling, or from calling agents, we all know what's on the line for Adam Gase tonight. No question. And the Broncos are on their third quarterback. By the way, it is. It's their official third. Don't you feel kind of like this is a game actually, Joy, where Darnold will win the game? Like he'll make a play against the third string. Like tonight, tomorrow, my prediction is we're all going to go,

okay, let's settle down. It's not a Sam Darnold issue. But what really should we do that? Because the Broncos are struggling this year with injuries as well. But it's a standalone game, and we always kind of react to those. So John, what do we know? So Joy says Jamison Crowder is back. And I think that is substantial.

He should be back tonight, yes. And is kind of, what do we know on the offensive line? Bechton is questionable. If he plays, Beckton's their freshman, their rookie left tackle, who's a monster, but it's like the last two years.

The whole O-Lines banged up. Their last in points per game, 12.3, and last in yards per game, 263.7. All right, the right tackle is back and the left tackle should be back. And James and Crowder,

it'll at least be a competent offense. The Jets should win tonight. Well, Levy and Bell's out. He's out for a while. right? He's still on, he's on our the hamstring injury. So, the heat, speaking of injuries, announced that both Bam

Atabio and Goran Dragich are doubtful for game two of the finals on Friday. Dragage left the game yesterday with a torn plantar fascia in his left foot and Bam also exited the game early and was being diagnosed with the neck strain after an MRI.

Goran Dragage is the second highest score for the Miami Heat this postseason with 19.9 points per game. Butler is first with 20.8 points per game, but Jimmy rolled his ankle twice in the game yesterday. He came back, but he was limping.

He wasn't the same after the second ankle rolled. Bam had eight points and four rebounds before leaving. The size thing is obviously a major issue, but look, the Lakers are supposed to win this series. They are a huge favor. Right?

I don't know what you can expect from the heat of Goran Jogach and Bam out of bio or out. You just, you don't have enough point. What you do is you play Duncan Robinson 40, Hero 40, you suck up their bad defense and just say, we need 26 from both you. Shoot three. Yeah, they have to, they have to shoot. Well, the heat early took a, took a little bit of a lead, but then they started making

all of these ridiculous mistakes, turning the ball over constantly, and you can't do that with the Lakers. Now, eventually, obviously, the injuries took over the game, but you have to play perfect against the Lakers, if you're the heat, if you want to stay in the series. So, they have to eliminate the mistakes. That's just not an option for them. And they're going to have to shoot better than they did last night. Now as Tristan said, the Lakers probably aren't going to shoot as amazing as they were yesterday. They were firing on all cylinders. But that doesn't eliminate

the issue that you have with Dwight Howard. And Anthony Davis is a problem. We already know what LeBron's going to do, right? So that's just kind of, there's nothing you have for LeBron. You have to solve the Anthony Davis problem and Dwight Howard, and you're just going to have to shoot more. I think that it's very bleak for the heat. I'm not going to freak out after one game, but the injuries are what they are. And that doesn't take anything away from if the Lakers win this series, like, oh, you didn't have BAM, you didn't have GORON.

Injuries happen. Nobody says that the Raptors series didn't count as a championship. Injuries happened to everyone. The whole league could look different if the Warriors were healthy and Brooklyn was healthy right now. So just, that is what it is. It's unfortunate, obviously, for the heat, but that's how it goes.

So the Lakers have been great in the bubble and are back in the finals for the first time in a decade. So it's no surprise their stars are leading jersey sales. LeBron has the most popular jersey in the NBA since the league restarted in July, and Anthony Davis is third on the list. Luca is second. Jason Tatum and Janus are four and five. Steph Curry, surprisingly still at six. Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, Kauai Leonard, and Jimmy Butler at 10. Lakers were also the top selling team in merchandise since the restarted as well. I mean, it's the Lakers, like massive brand to begin with.

I'm actually, I mean, Kauai is, Kauai is probably the second best player in the league or third, and he's like ninth in a major market at Los Angeles. It goes to show you the personality matters. Like Damien Lillard's up in the Northwest, but Damien's got a personality, he's got a brand. The NBA is a personality league. It is.

It's really not surprising that Luca is number two either. No, I mean, he's fascinating. International players generally don't sell quite as well, But Luca, you know, when you're a guard, he's not like seven foot, so kids look at him and they can see themselves a little bit with guys. And he also, he controls the ball so much. He's such a part of their offense. Like, he touches it every possession. And he's got, you know, he's got a little edge to him.

He's fun. He's young. He's tough. All the stars are going after him. The old guys are going after him. And he was incredible in the bubble. I tell you, Denver and Dallas are young and really good. And they're going to come back next season.

with just a little chip on their shoulder because they both kind of feel like they had more to accomplish. Yeah, good stuff. Joy of the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Hurd-Lie News. So Jameson Crowder and George Fant are going to play for the Jets tonight.

I think the Jets will win. Yeah, the Jets front office ownership, denied my report, which is the Jets owners have reached out to an agent or two. listen, I was saying, name the last coach who was circling the drain, wasn't winning, not getting along with stars, and miraculously he was there five years later. Dan Quinn held off the wolves for like six weeks. But right now, Dan Quinn is done. Everybody likes Dan Quinn. Adam Gase is in trouble, and it doesn't seem like Greg Williams or the players. It doesn't work.

And I'll go back to this. I think the really troubling thing for Adam Gase is, Ryan Tannehill has gotten significantly more efficient and dependable since he left the quarterback guru. So when you combine things, you combine that with Darnold not growing. Now I've got these two examples. I'm like, well, Tannale's better and Darnold's not getting any better. You know, it's one thing to make a mistake. But when I can go back and go, oh, you did it there and you did it there, then that's a trend

and I'm going to get rid of you. Like Kyle Shanahan, he's made every quarterback better. But if he had, let's say he, you know, Matt Ryan struggled with him. He could still point to Garoppolo and he could shop and he made RG3 rookie of the year. But in this league, you do something once and I can't see it, shame on, you know, you. You do it twice and I can't pick it up, shame on me. So Tannahill's emergence and Darnold struggling, it's like this is now what Adam Gase is tied to. You can't go back.

Well, Peyton Manning loves. Peyton Manning was great regardless of who coached him. You don't get credit if you were a coordinator for Peyton Manning. You're not, nothing against Josh McDaniels, but it's a Brady Belichick story. Let's not kid ourselves. Coming up, LeBron's had all these teams and all these players. We rank his 10 best teammates in order next. Who are they?

Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific. 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, 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 I'm saying. Yep, that's me. Cliver Taylor the fourth. 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-tapped Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a here, unpack what went down,

and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because. of crack. I'm down to talk about crack 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. Thank you for finishing that sentence. Yes. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your

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, or 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.

Carsheel.com. It's the warranty when yours runs out. Carsheel.com. Code is heard. H-E-R-D to save 10% a deductible may apply. So the Lakers vanquished the heat last night, as Joy just reported. Bam is out and Draggich is out for Game 2 Friday.

That's going to be chucking up a lot of threes by Jimmy Butler and Tyler Hero. And I do think there are times that we don't want to overreact to stuff, but there are times you watch things and you're like, oh, that's a thing. Like Baltimore's defense just can't stop Mahomes in crucial situations. Like they're really struggling. They don't have the pass rush to do it. And, you know, I said earlier, Holdy Field was a bad matchup for Mike Tyson, and this is a bad matchup for the Miami Heat.

They look small and we know they're really young. And Tyler Hero is their best shooter. but when he's on the floor, the Lakers are going to pick and roll him to death because as Joy said, two years out of high school. He was guarding some pimply face good two years ago. Now, he's doing a pick and roll against LeBron. It doesn't work. But it did make me think last night.

LeBron's had a lot of different teammates. And who are the people that he's really relied on or who have been with him briefly but delivered the eight best teammates in LeBron's career, which is now 17 years? I would say number eight would be Ray Allen. Now they only played together for two years, but he averaged 10 points off the bench and he made the most three pointers by any heat player

in those two years. He, of course, hit the legendary basket to save the second championship for Miami. So that shot is a big part of LeBron's legacy. Now, it should be noted. He didn't always play a lot of minutes. He was at the very end of his career and he was only two years with LeBron, not four in Miami.

But he makes the list. And LeBron's played with a lot of guys. The list this morning was 20, 25 guys. I put him on the list because of that shot and because he was a very good, reliable bench player as the league was really becoming a three-point league. Number seven. He was the muscle.

He was the muscle in Cleveland, Tristan Thompson. He may only average eight points and eight rebounds, but Kevin Love became more of a perimeter player, and he was the muscle on those teams. Remember, LeBron chose to keep him. They had the same agent. LeBron got him paid. They were always very close.

And as Kevin Love came on, had some injuries, and often moved out, Tristan was the reliable guy in the middle, four straight final appearances with LeBron. Number six. Zergrunis Ilgoskis for the Cavs, a very underrated player. Mr. Energy, he could match LeBron's energy up and down the floor, eight combined seasons, one NBA final trip. Most games ever played with LeBron as a teammate. Did you know that?

Zedrunas. 124 double-doubles. Cleveland had a lot of unique players. He was a big. He ran the floor. He was a bronze guy, and he was a pretty damn dependable guy for eight years with LeBron. Number five. Kevin Love.

Now we get into a Hall of Fame level player. Kevin was only with him for four years, but they were four final appearances, and he made two all-stars. Kevin had to sack. Kevin had to sacrifice a lot of his game. Remember, he was a 25-10 guy in Minnesota, and then he became more of a perimeter guy. It was one of the league's best rebounders when he came in the league, but LeBron didn't need him for that. He wanted him to clear space at the rim. But Kevin Love is also a bright, high-functioning guy. LeBron chose him, remember? They could have had the number one pick in Wiggins. Remember? And they didn't want him. LeBron went out and wanted Kevin

Love. He wanted somebody who could hit threes. LeBron saw the emerging importance of bigs who could score because LeBron was with Chris Bosch in Miami, who was a big who could shoot. So we went and got Kevin Love. Number four. Chris Bosch, who I think is a little better version of a Kevin Love. And they're both great players who were stars in Toronto and in Minnesota. I think Bosch's career was cut short because of an injury. Chris was a four-time all-star with LeBron, average 15 plus. every year with LeBron. And it should be noted could have easily, if he was a selfish player, average 25 with LeBron. LeBron and Bosch are the only players to average seven plus rebounds during their four-year run together,

which is saying something because Chris often had to guard the others big. He was often away from the basket. He's number four. Number three. Kyrie Irving is such a great finisher. He drives me nuts, but LeBron's got his Cleveland championship because of Kyrie and that jumper. He is a tremendous dual-handed finisher. I think for his size, he and Steph Curry are the best finishers in the league.

He's remarkably gifted. Now, he's not consistent physically. He gets hurt. He can be a little flaky and drive you nuts. But you have to say this. Three straight finals with LeBron, and he hit the shot. After LeBron had the block, Kyrie hit the shot to win over the Warriors. Number two.

Dwayne Wade was really the... emotional and physical rock. Now, at the end of his run with LeBron, he struggled in back-to-back games. But remember they went on, they set a new NBA record for longest winning streak in year two. The energy was just insane. They won like 20. I forget what the number was. This was his best friend. He's the one that helped recruit him to Miami. And it really was the maturity of De Wade to understand, I'm a little out of my prime. I'm going to step back. I'm going to let LeBron kind of run the show. I don't think a lot of players would do that. That was Wade County. I don't think a lot of guys have the self-awareness, the maturity, and the smarts to do that. But I'll tell you,

the first three years. The last year, they felt a little old. Years two and three, they were so athletic and so dynamic and so won. And Wade's also one of my favorite people in league history. Number one. I think it's Anthony Davis. Now, D. Wade was great, but he was not in his prime. Remember, D. Wade was toward the tail end of it. Anthony Davis is in his prime. He has been remarkable in the bubble. He has been a monster. Now, like Kyrie, he's had some injury issues,

but in their first finals together and bubble together, Anthony, I think, is the perfect fit. Whereas Kyrie is a finisher like AD. Kyrie and LeBron weren't perfect fits because Kyrie resented the fact LeBron took the ball out of his hands. AD loves the fact. He doesn't have to worry about that. second highest scoring average,

29 points in NBA history behind Michael Jordan, minimum 10 games. So that's a pretty good 10 spot. I would swap Wade in 80, but... You'd probably swap Kyrie and Chris Bosch too. You like Boss more than Kyrie? I think he could do more. Kyrie's an incredible player,

but I think Chris Bosch could do more. I don't have a problem with that. And Wade's a Hall of Famer. had a championship before LeBron got there. People forget Zadruna Selgoscis. That was LeBron's guy. That was his guy. Big guy ran the floor,

gives you double doubles. This seems like a life time ago. Well, it was. It's crazy. It's like when Brady won his first Super Bowls, it was all defense in Bruske, and Brady was this young-looking guy, and you're like, it was a lifetime ago.

It was 20. Yeah. Like LeBron looks different. With the beard. I mean, but just like he just, it's crazy how long ago that was. That's how long have been playing. It does make me think.

So, like, I don't think it's a coincidence than Brady and LeBron have done like 20 years. So we obviously know now that's going to be kind of a thing for the guys that I think Russell Wilson, because he spends seven figures annually and has for a couple years on his body, Russell Wilson has the same, A, the kind of aspirational dreams. He also takes such good care of his body. Now, he does run around a lot, and you wonder if that ages well, but he's had no injuries, college or pro. it's a little bit of luck as well, but you can't deny. I mean, Brady and LeBron spent so much time

and energy. It's past time and energy. It's like how they live their lives. It's a lifestyle how they take care of their bodies. Russell's like that. Yeah. That's Russell's like that's basically a lifestyle. Some of it's luck. Andrew Luck could have lasted 20 years, but I'd never thought he loved football like Brady that was like live for football. And he also inherited an horrible offensive line. Yeah. So like to your point, like some of it's just bad luck. What do you inherit? Joe Burrell, again, loves the game, but you can't get sex 70 times in a season. It does not work that way. All right, good stuff.

We will see you tomorrow. The fellas are coming up next for Joy and for John in Los Angeles. On a Friday blazing five tomorrow, it's the herd. Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smigel 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, Street or Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter.

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

Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all. embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care which I'm saying.

Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement. to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfilled of conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to The Clifford Show on the IHeard 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.

On the Look Back at it podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84's big to me. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s.

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. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.