The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Warriors, Kevin Durant, Bucks, NBA, and the 49ers

Episode Date: May 1, 2019

Colin explains why the Houston Rockets will lose the series to the Golden State Warriors, why F Kevin Durant might want to leave, what most Milwaukee Bucks fans fail to understand, why he can't stand the NBA two minute report, and possible friction within the San Francisco 49ers. Guests include Nick Wright, Mark Medina, Bucky Brooks, and Gotham Chopra. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Heard. You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. Oh, we are absolutely loaded. It's a Wednesday. This in Los Angeles is the herd. Wherever you may be and however you may be listening live on IHeart Radio, Fox Sports Radio, right here on FS1. Joy Taylor is joining me. We are jammed today.

One of my favorite guests, Gotham Chopra. Depock Chopra's son is a filmmaker, a documentarian. He joins us last hour today. He has got great stuff. There's a new documentary with Steph Curry, out that is amazing. So I'm all fired up for that. Nick Wright, Bucky Brooks, who I love, NFL draft guy, Mark Medina. Joy, how are you? I'm great. Good morning. Good morning. Good morning. Good morning. I got great stuff today.

Watch the Rockets Warriors, Bucks, and the Celtics. Let me start with this. It is very easy in the world we live in today. I can speak from experience here to get distracted. We got our devices. We got this. We got options. There's never been more stores to shop at. more, my neighborhood's got 12 different grocery stores. You can go organic, you can go boutique, you can go big. It is options, options, options. It is very easy to get distracted. Stay focused. New England's focused. Alabama's focused. Focused. Warriors focused. Don't get it twisted. Don't be distracted by the flopping and the analytics and the letter by the Rockets to the NBA and Scott Foster do not be distracted.

This series between the Warriors and the Rockets, and it's over, it's about Kevin Durant is now significantly better than James Harden. Kevin Durant is the best basketball player in the world and playing his best basketball now. At the end of the year, he didn't play a lot of minutes. He scaled back. He's rested. He is more efficient and better now in May.

James Hardin, who was destroying the world in January, once again comes to the playoffs. Average 36 a game, regular season. Now it's down in the 20s, and he's not shooting the same percentage. I don't want to hear about James Hardin's eye. Steph Curry last night had a dislocated finger. It was gross. It was turned sideways. Okay, long before that injury to Hardin's eye, the rockets were a mess and were down by 10.

What I'm about to say, I'm not saying it's true, I'm asking you a question, is it fair to say this? James Hardin has become a better version, a better shooting version of Westbrook. Unbelievably relentless in the regular season, and then he kind of is a different guy, good, not spectacular in the playoffs. This is not a one-time thing. Last year, James Harden, 45% shooter in the regular season, 37% on threes, shot 41% in the playoffs, and 29% on threes in the playoffs. Hardin and Westbrook. When the awards get the glamour, get the attention, spectacular, relentless, dominate January. And here we go again.

Westbrook's out. Hardin doesn't look quite as dynamic. There are NBA players, four come to mind, that appear to be better. in the playoffs. LeBron James, he picks his spots in the regular season, not out to win awards. Kawhi Leonard rests lots in the regular season. Kevin Durant scales back, has nothing to prove in the regular season, doesn't try to play for minutes and awards in the regular seasons, and Kyrie Irving, who got heat for it, but this year missed some games. Didn't play as hard in the regular season.

It is easy to get distracted. Scott Foster, analytics, referees, everybody's picking on Houston and they're flopping. No. Kevin Durant's better than Hardin. By a lot. And Kevin Durant, here we go in May, is playing the best basketball I've ever seen him play. You can blame Scott Foster. You can blame everybody.

You can point fingers. Kevin Durant's always been great. He's the greatest version of himself. James Hardin's always been good, became great, and now it's back to being really, really, really, really good in the playoffs. Remember, game one, Hardin had a chance to hit the shot and missed it. And my argument would be that was their moment. Remember, the Warriors got pushed to six games by the Clippers had played Friday night late

and then had to fly up home and play an early Sunday. game. You had the Warriors. That was the moment. And Harden missed because he misses more now than he does in the regular season. Don't be distracted. All right, I want to shift to this. I'd like the camera squarely on me right now. Thank you. I think Kevin Durant would be out of his mind to leave the Warriors. Coach, former player, Steph Clay, Bob Myers,

new arena, Silicon Valley, California weather. I don't get it. He wouldn't make any more money in New York. I think it would feel like LeBron going to the Lakers. He'd be great and have a bunch of average young guys around him that nobody else wants. I hope he doesn't go.

I like this Kevin Durant. But let me defend Kevin Durant. DeRant leaving for a second. Kevin Durant has been arguably the best basketball player in the world for 10 years. I say LeBron, but he's a better offensive player, I think, than LeBron. But his entire life of basketball, Kevin Durant has finished second. He did not go number one in the draft. He was number two.

Kevin Durant went behind Greg Oden. Really? Then he goes to Oklahoma City. And Sam Presti puts his arms around Westbrook over Kevin Durant. He's number two. Really? And then he goes to Golden State where he's clearly the best player, but he'll never be as popular as Steph.

He's number two. Really? And then for 10 years, despite his dominance, there's LeBron. He's number two. Really. Even at Nike, his contract, second best. And I'm not saying Kevin Durant things. about what I'm going to say.

But let me ask you, when it comes to iconic stuff, 25, 30, 40, 50 years later, it usually works in groups of four. In the NBA, Magic saved the league. MJ made it global. LeBron made it mobile. And Steph revolutionized it. Kevin Durant, he's not on the Mount Rushmore.

He's just great. It even works that way with great centers. Bill Russell was the most accomplished most titles. Wilt was the most statistically dominant. Kareem was the most unstoppable, and Shaq was the most physically dominant. Akeem, often better than Shaq?

He's just great. It works that way in all sorts of fields. I've worked in radio my entire life. Marconi creates it. Paul Harvey's the first star. Rush Limbaugh saves AM radio. Howard Stearns, the ultimate bad boy.

I was an Imas fan. But does he just qualify as? Great. Generally works in that Mount Rushmore thing we talk about, fours. 25, 30 years from now at a bar. I'm not my bar, a bar. I won't be here.

Magic saved it. Michael made it global. LeBron made it mobile. Steph made it a three ball league. will we just say God damn Kevin Durant was unbelievable Akeem was unbelievable

it's even in music individual stars Sinatra Elvis Michael Jackson Elton John Whitney usually don't get to a fifth there are six it's groups of four

I look at Kevin Durant and I think he's nuts to leave but he always seems like he finishes second and not only second but he's better than the first. He was better than Greg Oden. He's better than Steph. He shouldn't have the number two current deal at Nike.

He's no longer second to LeBron. He shouldn't be number two to Westbrook. Like, I get it. I get when you are the world's best, I can understand the guy thinking, man, would somebody finally say, you the man? I don't get it, that.

But if he went to New York, unlike LeBron's foray to Los Angeles, which has been at best a mess, and he won in New York. Maybe then he makes the mountain. But I'm watching him last night, and the gap between him and even the amazing James Hardin is substantial. We had the Warriors beatwriter,

one of them, Marcus Thompson on our show about three weeks ago. And one of the questions I asked him, I said, like, he's smart, right? like he's going to give the warriors a final chance to sell him, right? Here's what Marcus said about KD. I'm not buying it at the last moment. He's sitting at a meeting with somebody and he can't be swayed. Either way, to stay or go.

I just. Because that's his personality. Yeah. He could think it's done right now, whether that's staying or going. I still think later on, like, he can be swayed. Like, he's a guy. He feels everything. He sits in the room.

He's present. He's got to weigh this stuff. we still have three or four more series if they win a championship of data to insert into this equation, right? Like, I don't know, I don't know if even if he thinks he knows the answer. I don't think he knows the answer. I'm not buying it. I think that decision, the more I think about it, is more complicated and confusing and tougher than I at first thought. All right, we got a lot of stuff to get through today.

Celtics got blown out. What does it mean? I thought the officiating. Draymond Green said, stop of the officiating. It's amazing. An incredibly funny moment last night on television. And do the Cowboys have a major decision on their hands? And there's no way to solve it. That's coming up.

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I'm officially have street credibility. We'll get into that later. Not a ton, Joy. Well, the fact that you said credibility kind of, you know, keeps it in perspective. But they are very nice shoes. So you did a good job. She did a great job.

Yes. So I feel like, and I don't want to be condescending here, but I feel like we kind of have to, as an audience, we like what Milwaukee's doing, but we have to teach them how this thing works because they haven't been relevant for 30 years in the NBA. So I don't want to be condescending, but this is sort of how it works.

A, regular season dominance does not equal playoff dominance, especially for young, eager teams. That's the way it works. So Milwaukee, you're not going to roll everybody like you did in the regular season. You're young, you're eager, the regular season, seating. It means a lot. You haven't been good forever. Secondly is, once a team comes into your building,

like a Celtic team with banners and stuff, and they roll you in game one, game two. was yours. They did all they wanted to do. They got a split. Remember, these two teams met last year in the playoffs. Road team didn't win any games. Okay. Boston's whole goal, get a game and get that, you know what, out of town. They did last night, barely needed to watch. And I watched, but that was Milwaukee's game. In the NFL and in college football, football in general, the intensity of the regular season and postseason, pretty close. Got to play hard every game, every series, every play.

NBA, the intensity, there is a Grand Canyon Gap, regular season to playoffs. So last night, Boston got rolled. Milwaukee's, the power outage is over. All sorts of Twitter talk, a lot of talk, a lot of internet yesterday. Last night was Milwaukee's game. Go ask a sports better. You bet Milwaukee.

That's their game. That's the way the league works. Boston, won into your place. And Kyrie, by the way, I'm getting this. Kyrie last night struggled. Okay. And then Chris Middleton. Colin, you said Chris Middleton's not a number two. Not in a championship team. He's a three, maybe a four. He's Clay Thompson. It is not as good defensively.

And Chris Middleton's had a really good game last night. So what? In college basketball, you can be a one-game superstar, sudden death. In the NBA, I want three more of those. I want Chris Middleton to be great and shoot 60% on threes, three more times, then we'll talk. He's not an all-star in the West. He's an all-star in the east. So was John Wall. there's a big difference. And by the way, I'm going to bet that Kyrie does not have another stinker like last night over Chris Middleton having three more games like last night. This is the way, not trying to be condescending here, but I said this, Joy was here. I've been saying this.

When you get young teams, Milwaukee, Denver, that don't have a lot of playoff experience. The regular season means a lot. Seating means a lot. Boston, by the way, this year. year seeded fourth. They don't look like a number four seed, do they? By the way, Golden State last year, last 17 games, regular season, 10 and

what was it last year at the end of the season? Were they 10 and 17, their last 27 or something? Warriors were terrible at the end of last regular season. I don't have the numbers in front of me. They were terrible. They got rings, they got titles, they got net worth, they got brands. They don't care. There's nothing really to say about last night other than

the winner in this three or four days in Milwaukee was Boston. By the way, Kyrie Irving, everybody's like, yeah, Kyrie Irving. What do you got to say now, Kyrie Irving? Here's what he's got to say now. This is the first time you're in the playoffs as a lone all-star on your team, especially after a game like this. What is the extra burden there and how do you intend to do with it?

There's no extra burden. You know, this is what I signed up for. This is what Boston traded for me for. So this is what you live for. So, you know, basketball is fun when it comes when it comes like this. when you have to respond. And, you know, this is a type of basketball you want to be playing at this time of year. Kyrie Irving will go home, and I assure you, will play really, really good basketball.

It's not to say Chris Middleton's not good. He's an all-star in the east. But I'm going to go with Kyrie Irving is going to be huge in this series and will not be marginalized and will be more dependable over time. This is not March Madness. You got to do it four times in a series to win. Joy Taylor with the news. No, no, no, no, no.

Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. So Linda Ramis's presence at Monty Williams' interview with the Lakers last week raised a few eyebrows. Her title with the Lakers is executive director of special projects, which shouldn't really have anything to do with hiring a coach. Well, Amino Hassan said on ESPN, some agents and GMs around the league have dubbed her the shadow owner of the Lakers. Yeah. That everything goes through Linda Ramble. and if you want to convince Jeannie of something,

you've got to get to Linda first. And Ramona Shelburne added some context saying it's been that way, really, for 40 years. They've been best friends. And personality-wise, if you know them, sort of makes sense. Jeannie can be kind of shy. Linda is more of a talker.

She's more of a doer. The difference is in her past, in the past, her role has been more as an advisor, whereas right now there's a lot more dealing with agents. Well, I think we all have friends we lean on. I think the optics here is, Lord, it's all about family over best possible person. Well, I mean, leaning on someone for advice or support is one thing.

Bringing them to the coach's interview is something else entirely. Right. And it's no disrespect, but at one point or another, you need to have people in the room that are qualified to make those decisions. Yeah, I mean, I think optically, I don't have a problem with any owner having an ally. They trust. They all have allies and all of us have allies and friends. and people that we go to for advice.

And like you said, lean on. But the confusion with the Lakers is who is running the organization? Is it Polinka? Is it Jeannie? Is it Linda Rambis? It's a fair question. Is it Kurt Rambis? No, I mean, it's... Magic's still saying he's giving advice? Yeah, no, listen, you're making good...

Is it Kobe behind the scenes? I don't want to be seen as being spirited on. I'm picking on people. I think the clear question is the one you're asking me. If you and I don't know it, the players know. it. If I'm a star player, Kevin Durant, I know who my boss is. Joe Laker, Bob Meyer, Steve Kerr. I look at the Lakers and go, who's running that place? I mean, nobody's picking on anybody. I think that the decision at the end of the day should be genies. She's the owner. Right. But it should, there's no, there's no face of the organization. There's no, there's no

direction. Like, there should, there should never be a report that there's six different people involved in the, like, we know, we all know that the decision comes down to the owner, but we don't really know who the other people are in the room making the decision. And who amongst all those people have ever hired a head coach before? Fair question. And had success at it. It's very strange. So game one of the Warriors Rockheads was all about officiating.

Luckily, game two was all about basketball. And after the Warriors 115-109 win, Jarmond Green gave his thoughts on the recent focus of the refs. It's kind of embarrassing for the game with basketball. how much has been talked about about files and officiating. What about beating your man? What about stopping your man? No one talked anything about schemes the last few days.

It's all been about file crossing. He's right. You know, he's kind of right on that. Nick Wright's not going to want to hear that right. I don't want to hear it either. Look, I'm 100% with him. The talk about the rest was exhausting. It's always annoying.

Like you said yesterday, when we had conversations about catch or no catch, it's just... War us out. I mean, it's just the worst. It's the worst because there's nothing that can be done about it. We all got exhausted with the Saints conversation after like three days unless you were in New Orleans. You never want to be talking about the referees. Even if they blow it in the biggest moment, because eventually you have to get over it.

So I'm totally with him. I just feel like the Warriors and the Rockets are not the two teams. Like, that's just that's not where I want to hear it coming from. If you watch that game for the first six minutes, it felt like Golden State. was irritated and totally focused. I mean, that game got very quickly. If you were a rocket fan, you were five minutes into that game thinking, oh, crap, are we going to get blown out? I mean, it was like seven, eight, nine, and you're sitting there, Steph's taking a three.

You're thinking, if we're down 13 in the first quarter, so, I mean, to me last night, it was, Steve Kurt did a good job of convincing his team that nobody respects them. They're talking about refs, and I thought Golden State came in, totally. focused last night. I totally agree. And I don't think that the refs conversation served the Rockets whatsoever. It was a total distraction.

It didn't... Oh, I'm sorry. Years ago, I had a football coach say something to me, and I always remember this, Joy. Mike Bellotti was the coach of Oregon football. They had a very, very good team one year finished second in the nation. They had lost to Stanford.

And after the game, Mike came in, and I never forget this. He said, we're really good. I'm not going to let Stanford beat us twice. meaning if we sit and stew about this loss, we're losing next week and we're out of the national championship. Like Houston lost. You start stewing about it, it becomes a two-oh deficit.

And I never forget that line. I'm sitting in that room and I'm like, God, that's really smart. You've got to get over losses fast in sports. No, you have to have a short memory when it comes to losses. And this lingered all the way through the actual game. So also the NBA's were sending the technical foul that they gave. Saw that. To Jemann Green and NNAe last night.

So he's back to three technical fouls, which is important because he could eventually get to the point where he's suspended, which we've seen before. Finally, S&Y is reporting that Kevin Durant, Kauai Leonard, and Tobias Harris are all among players who will at least consider signing with the Nets this summer. Who are the three? Kevin Durant, Kauai Leonard, and Tobias Harris. Can I not put Tobias Harris in that sentence? Can you not? That's like saying Frank Sinatra Elvis and me will be at the TikTok in next weekend. like a step bob you know you could just stop with kevin durant and kawai could go to the nets that's the

end of the sentence demise here's is an important part of the six organization right now according to the report making the playoffs definitely help their chances the nets one source said john marks has all the tools he needs in order to recruit one or even two free agents big market culture young core winning team and a coaching staff that focuses on players development and well-being both on and off the court now they do have space for two max free agents if they're able to trade made Alan Crabs contract and renounced DeAngelo Russell and let go of six other players without a deal upcoming this summer. So I don't know if I love that. I just.

Because I do think DeAnglo Russell is kind of a part of that core now. Now if you can get Kauai Leonard and Kevin Durant, but nobody, I don't think anyone's believing that's going to happen. I'm really on the Durant thing. I'm losing sleep over this. You really don't want him to leave. I don't want him to leave. God, I don't want him to leave. I don't want him to leave.

It's like, Kevin, you finally reach the place. You're loved. I'm losing a lot of sleep. He wants us on team. I get it. All right, Joy of the News. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by.

The Hurd-Lie News. That's no shot at Tobias Harris. But if you say the movie has Ryan Gosling, Chris Pratt, and Screech from Saved by the Bell, you could just leave the last guy off. Is that fair to say? No, Tobias Harris. But that's not a slight against Tobias Harris. You just called him Screech. So, yeah.

I'm sorry. That was rude. I was a jerk. I understand what you're saying. It's like another tier of player. Let's go via the Coward Global Satellite Network, my buddy. Nick Wright's going to be in a bad mood this morning. He's not going to be in a good mood.

I floated this out there and I said, I'm not saying it's true. I just thought about it. I said, listen, is Harden a better version of Westbrook where he is relentless in January and chasing something? And then all of a sudden you get to the playoffs and he's not quite as crisp. Now, he's better than Westbrook. He's a better shooter.

I think he's a better player and a better teammate. But what are you seeing with Hardin, Nick? He doesn't look quite as dynamic today, does he? So you're doing the old, you know, I don't know if it's true. It's just what I'm hearing. Who does that remind me of it? I can't put my finger on it. Well, listen, Hardin obviously is not as efficient in the playoffs

as he is the regular season. And when you are the only true superstar on a team and the playoffs come around, and when they have to build an entire defense around stopping you and you don't have a step and you don't have a clay as a second or tertiary option, then, yeah, this is going to happen. But here's something that I think will surprise you.

In this series against the Warriors, Colin, Kevin Durant and James Hardin, exact same amount of points on the exact same amount of points, on the exact same amount of shots. So maybe the demise of James Hardin has been slightly exaggerated. Now, the Rockets lost yesterday not because of James Hardin. Hardin was bad early.

He got hurt, and when he came back, he was really extraordinary from once he came back from the eye injury. They lost yesterday because somehow the zero-time defending champion Houston Rockets came out with less focus and intensity. than the two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors. The Rockets in that first quarter, nine turnovers. You give up eight offensive rebounds. They deserved to lose that basketball game yesterday.

Golden State came out hungrier with more attention to detail, which for a Rockets team who has been obsessed with the Golden State Warriors for the last five years, to not come out ready in the biggest game you've played since game seven of last season, that was disappointing. Yeah, that was very big of you because I know that you've got some visceral connections, emotional connections. I really like now. I'm going to give you a second angle. Is that this the way it works often?

It works in fours. And, you know, you and I have, I don't know if we've agreed, but Magic saved the league. Michael made it global. LeBron made it mobile and Steph revolutionized it. Will KD just be remembered as amazing? It's like centers. Russell's the accomplished. You know, what we had,

Wilt was the statistical monster. Kareem had the unstoppable shot, and Shaq was the most popular, right? And Akeem is just amazing. Sure. Yeah. Is part of this thing with Kevin Durant, and I kind of understand it,

if he goes to New York, it's like, man, Odin got drafted over me. Steph's more popular. LeBron's more, I'm always two. I want to be one. What do you make of my angle on that? Well, listen, I think you're, finally coming around to the logical opinion, which is if Kevin Durant wants to prove to anybody

how great he actually is, it cannot happen as the Robin to Steph Curry's Batman. It just can't. Like, I understand that he's your new BFF and I respect it. I'm a little jealous, but it's fine. And this multi-month love letter you're writing him. But let's just assume the Warriors win this title, right? So we'll give him three and three years. Yeah. Let me ask you, a question. Okay. If over the last three years, you flip, you took KD, his spot on the Warriors, and you gave it to Harden, would KD with the Rockets with no Hardin have any titles or any appearances? No. But would the Warriors still have all three? If it was hardened, Steff and Clay, well, yeah, of course they would. If you flipped Katie and Kauai, would the Warriors have all three titles?

Well, yeah, yeah, they would. Katie and LeBron. Well, of course. Yes, obviously they would. So we need, if you want Kevin Durant to chisel out a, you know, a face on Mount Rushmore, he's going to have to have his Mount Rushmore moment, which is what Steph had five years ago when he did it himself, which what LeBron had four years ago, when he did it himself, what Akeem, if we're being honest, had when Jordan retired. He can't do that in Golden State. it's the reason he would leave. It's the reason there's no reason for him to stay.

He's right now, I think a lot of people think, the most skilled player currently in the playoffs. But he's going to leave these three years with zero top five in the regular season MVP's and real question about, is he even the best guy on his own team? You must, you know, figuratively, go east, my son, and do it on your own.

not with the team that was a champion before you got there. Yeah, you're kind of marginalizing him a tad, but I'll say... I'm not. I'm not. He might be the best player on the team, but we won't know it. First of all, your argument that if you put Harden, Clay, and Steph together, they'd win titles, there's one ball. They're all guards. I don't think that's an automatic, although I think they would be dynamic. I think Kevin Durant... Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Yes. What? Colin, you're telling me that if three years ago,

If when KD went there, coming off the 73 wins, if Hardin goes there instead and KD goes to Houston, you think we have different champions? I don't. You really believe it. I don't think necessarily KD wins a bunch of titles in Houston. But I think Kevin Durant's a better fit in Golden State with the best shooting back court in my life,

then Hardin would be in that back court. I think you'd have, it would be harder. Sure, he's a better fit. But of course he's a better fit. But my point is you put any top 10 player in Katie's spot and put Katie in wherever that player's spot is. The Warriors are still the team winning titles because he was a luxury to begin with. But I apologize. I want to take up time for you to spend time being more wrong about the box.

So I'll shut up so we can get to that. Okay. So I like Boston to win the series. I pick them. I don't buy into. I know. Yeah. By the way, I like winners.

Milwaukee is your classic Derek Rose Bulls. young, thoughtful, they work hard. The regular season means a lot. But can't you acknowledge that opening game loss was the series. Boston's in their head. They stole home court. It is over figuratively. How about that? Okay. How about that? I'm so glad I'm back here today because last week I had to own that you may have possibly been right about Westbrook. And now we're back to our regular homeostasis of this lunacy. Boston, you like winners. Yes, credit.

Listen, credit to the Boston Celtics, the owners of one NBA championship since before the Clinton administration. I got, I mean, listen, the one title in 30 years and they're hanging banners is what you're trying to tell me. Oh, all those big games, Jason Tatum has won. Wait, those don't exist. I people are not used to watching the Milwaukee Bucks.

So let me remind them what they did yesterday is what they've done to teams all year. Game four against the Detroit Pistons, midway through the fourth quarter, third quarter, the Pistons are up four. And then Milwaukee hits them with a 45 to 10 avalanche. Midway through the third quarter yesterday, it's a three-point game. It's a good game. And then Milwaukee hits them with a 31 to 4 avalanche. 20 made threes is not an outlier performance for the second best three-point shooting team in the league.

Choking out Boston offensively is not an outlier performance for the best defense in basketball. Weird things happen in game one. LeBron's won three titles. He's lost game one of those finals every single year, if I remember correctly. The first year against the spurs, maybe, no, he lost two of the three years. pardon me. Game one, the Raptors lost to the magic, the Sixers lost to the Nets. We can't act like game two didn't happen because it doesn't fit with what you want to happen in this series. Milwaukee has been great for 88 games. They have now 50 times this year,

5-0, beaten a team by double digits. It is one of the highest totals in NBA history. Every team at 45 plus has gone on to win the title. Now, I don't. know that they're going to win the title because Golden State is a monster. I do know they're going to beat this mediocre Celtics team, this Celtics team that has been an idea, never great, never anything special, no experience winning. Oh, you got to give them all the credit in the world. Why? Because two years ago they went to the conference finals with the little Isaiah Thomas, because last year they made it to the conference finals. That's with no Kyrie. That's the credit. This year's Celtics team has been what we've seen in this series, up and down.

The bucks have been nothing but up. You're going to see that when they wrap this thing up in five or six. Exhausting, but nonetheless, very fun. Nick Wright, you could never invite us to the same party because we would just suck the air out of the room, Joy. He'd be talking. I'd be arguing. You'd both be arguing the entire time. I love him. Nick Wright. Wow, Joy, just seems to be dripping with a little disdain. I know. I don't know. I I haven't seen you quite some time. That was mean. No, no.

You guys just like to argue. You look lovely. Thank you. We're both doing the new haircuts. Well, yeah, we got to go. Listen, I try not to, I got to go. I try not to argue with my friend Colin, but it just would help me if he was right more often. We wouldn't have to argue.

Nick Wright, first things first. I enjoy the heck out of that. Getting clobbered by Nick Wright. I got so much stuff today. I don't even know where to go. I have so much stuff today. I'm going to talk LeBron, actually, for a couple of minutes, not. next. Maybe next. Not sure if it's next. Coming up, though, why I defend NBA officials over every

other officials group. That's next. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHeart Radio app. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where sports slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise. Breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines.

We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports Slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slicelife-Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok.

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. Trip Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it.

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

And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Keir Gaines, as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, learn the hard way. Open your free iHeartRadio app.

Search Learn the hard way and listen now. Jacob Kingston grew up in an isolated polygamous sect. We were God's chosen kingdom on earth. He felt destined for greatness. So when a swaggering our meeting, businessman, catapults Jacob into an extraordinary world. He doesn't look back.

Ferraris and Lamborghinis, private jets, meeting the president of Turkey. I'm Michelle McPhee, and this is one of the most shocking criminal conspiracies I've ever come across. When Jacob met Levant this plant to a billion dollar fraud. But with two kings from entirely different worlds, just how long can their empire survive? The largest tax investigation in America. in history. You need to tell me what you know.

Is somebody coming after me? Jacob told Levan, you're ruining my life. Listen to Kingdom of Fraud on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Life throws hurdles big and small. The question is, how do you conquer them? On Hurtle with Emily Abadi, we sit down with the most inspiring women in sports and wellness, professional athletes, coaches, and Olympic champions to talk about the

challenges that shaped them and the mindset that keeps them going. From the WMBA standout Kate Martin and rising hockey star Layla Edwards. If a boy can do it, I don't see why a girl can't. Like, I've never understood that. Like, it didn't make sense in my brain. It's hard to be in spaces that no one looks like you, but don't ever feel like you don't belong. Don't let that be the reason you don't do it.

An Olympic champs, Gabby Thomas and Katie Ledecki. The ability to show a gold medal to someone and have their face light up and smile, that means the world to me. And that's what motivates me to win more gold medals. At our level, at this scale, like being able to fail in front of the entire world. Like, I can do anything. I can do anything. Because resilience isn't just about winning.

It's about showing up, even when it's hard. Listen to Hurtle with Emily Abadi on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHart Women's Sports. Every sport has a different culture. I mean, every sport has a different way to pay you. In the NFL, there's a salary cap. In Major League Baseball, there's no salary cap, 13-year contracts. In the NBA, you have shorter contracts.

In the NFL, you get guaranteed money up front. In the NBA, not as much. You also make money on shoes. Every sport is different. Some, and I'll get into this, I think the NBA officials, I think the NBA is the toughest sport to officiate. It's the best athletes. They're often seven feet tall, so a five-foot-six officials

looking up constantly. It's not an eye-to-eye view. You've got seven-foot guys jumping. It's hard to see. I think it's difficult. But here's the thing. In the NFL, in baseball, in the NHL, rules are more black and white. Offsides in hockey. Offsides in soccer. Offsides in football. Illegal motion. Illegal formation. Delay of game. Hit above the shoulders. Very black and white. What is the hardest call in the NFL? Pass interference. You could call it an every play. Pass interference is ridiculous. Well, in the NBA, virtually every call is pass interference. Every one. So I think I try to give NBA refs a break. Two things are happening now in the NBA, which I think it's the hardest league to officiate and they've added two

extra layers of doubt. The two-minute report, I hate. Basically, no other sport says, hey, let's go back and look at last night. Here's all the mistakes our officials made. Why are you doing that? Why are you doing that? Don't tell me it's transparency or everybody would do it. It's not about transparency. It's about covering your butt in case there's a call that could go either way,

but it's basketball. So, of course, every call can go virtually every way. The second thing is flopping. I was always somebody that got flopping, but I think it should be outlawed. Because I think it's adding a layer of, of doubt with a two-minute report. And here's the thing.

Flopping, there's a masculinity to hockey and football. You play hurt in hockey. You play hurt in football. You don't play hurt in football. You are weak. You are not for the team. In basketball, you don't risk an injury in January. You take a night off.

In baseball, I remember Mark Tashara once got an injury in his hand. Took a season off. And Mark's a tough guy. There's a sense because the seasons are so long. Take a night off in the NBA. Take a night off in baseball. Football, hockey, there's no flopping. Flopping is laughed at.

Flopping would not work in the locker room. Flopping is not of that culture. But in basketball, flopping is understood. Dee Wade, Kobe, great players, flopped, centers, Vlad A Divots, flop, flop, flop, flop. Soccer, you get flopping. Flopping, it's empowering in basketball. It's empowering in soccer.

The greatest players do it. it. I will note this, though, in America, the MLS, there's a lot less flopping. It doesn't work for our culture as much. But I think flopping should be outlawed and the two-minute report, they should get rid of it. This is, the NBA is the world's best athletes, seven-footers jumping up, average officials, five, ten and a half, five-eleven. It's hard enough. Now you're going to call out the officials with two minute reports, and now you've got guys flopping all over the floor, which makes it harder. I mean, let's be honest, that's just referee manipulation.

I'd get rid of it. I don't like it. I think this, I have always, I thought last night, Steve Kerr said it afterwards, I thought last night was as well officiated a playoff game as I've seen in years. I didn't even notice the officiating. I don't think anybody did, and I think that's the best compliment you can give them. They did a great job, and this game was just about basketball. I thought it was great.

And I think it is really hard with all the new technology and all the slow-mo and extra cameras. The first Super Bowl ever, I think they had four cameras. Last year, Super Bowl had 86. So the idea NBA games, now you got more cameras, more slow-mo, more replay, more technology. Now you're adding up a two-minute report to dog your officials, and now you got flopping. I think they need to step in. For the record, Joy would acknowledge this as well. Sports change all the time.

NFL just had a catch, no catch rule. They changed it. I think baseball should outlaw the defensive shifts, where you've got all these guys in right field. I think they should get rid of it. I think it hurts baseball. I think you take away hits from star players. I would rather see Bryce Harper on base with a double

than I would some second baseman playing a short right field and him getting an extra catch. Sports, basketball, football, hockey, soccer. Soccer hasn't changed as much, but football changes every year. They change. There will be a massive kickoff change in the NFL over the next decade. By the way, the XFL is coming out eventually right next year. What I'm hearing, what they're proposing for kickoffs is revolutionary.

And I think it may be the standard eventually for the NFL. But the flopping thing is it's just adding a layer of doubt and confusion for a sport that is absurdly difficult. Here's Draymond after the game, by the way, also talking about the officiating so far in this series and last night. Everyone was aware of all to talk about officiating and about foul calls. Come out and play the game. And I think both teams did a great job of that. They weren't complaining about many calls. We weren't complaining about many calls because it's kind of embarrassing for the game with basketball.

How much has been talked about files and officiating. Like, what about beating your man? What about stopping your man? No one talked to anything about something about basketball. schemes the last two days. It's all been about foul call. So I think both teams were just locked in on coming out and playing the game to the best of their ability, and you've got to

give credit to both clubs. So both teams did that. I agree with them. By the way, you want to know why we talk about officiating? Because your league comes out and says, oh, here are the mistakes all made last night. Hate it. Hate the two-minute report. Don't like it. If I was an official in the NBA, would not like.

Can you imagine how many times you can do that in baseball? Yeah, in the third inning, we missed a strike call. You could have 40 of those in baseball every night. Hour two coming up, Bucky Brooks, Mark Medina on the Warriors, The Herd. Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd, weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened.

That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise. Breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves, their locker room stories, their reaction, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered.

Sports Slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slic Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. 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, Tript 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. Jacob Kingston grew up in an isolated polygamous sect. We were God's chosen kingdom on earth. He felt destined for greatness. So when a swaggering Armenian businessman catapults Jacob into an extraordinary world, he doesn't look back.

Ferraris and Lamborghinis, private jets, meeting the president of Turkey. I'm Michelle McPhee, and this is one of the most shocking criminal conspiracies I'm ever come across. When Jacob met Levan this plant to a billion dollar fraud. But with two kings from entirely different worlds, just how long can their empire survive? The largest tax investigation in American history. You need to tell me what you know. Is somebody coming after me? Jacob told Levan, you're ruining my life. Listen to Kingdom of Fraud on the I-Heart radio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast. Life throws hurdles big and small.

The question is, how do you conquer them? On hurdle with Emily Abadi, we sit down with the most inspiring women in sports and wellness, professional athletes, coaches, and Olympic champions to talk about the challenges that shaped them and the mindset that keeps them going. From the WNBA standout, Kate Martin, and rising hockey star, Layla Edwards. If a boy can do it, I don't see why a girl can't. Like, I've never understood that. Like, it didn't make sense in my brain.

It's hard to be in spaces that no one looks like you, but don't ever feel like you don't feel on. Don't let that be the reason you don't do it. An Olympic champs Gabby Thomas and Katie Ladeki. The ability to show a gold medal to someone and have their face light up and smile, that means the world to me. And that's what motivates me to win more gold medals. At our level, at this scale, like being able to fail in front of the entire world. Like, I can do anything.

I can do anything. because resilience isn't just about winning. It's about showing up, even when it's hard. Listen to Hurtle with Emily Abadi on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHart Women's Sports. Here we go, hour two, live in beautiful Los Angeles. This is The Herd, wherever you may be and however you may be listening. We're on IHeart Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and FS1.

Joy Taylor is. joining me. First hour, that thing just flew by. I don't even, I don't even remember it. I don't even remember the first hour. It's like a bullet train right, flew right past us. Well, there's a lot going on today. I got new shoes. I got street credibility. Nick Wright tore me up. I got three or four of my favorite guests coming up in the next couple hours. Steph Curry's got a new documentary. The documentarian with that is going to be joining us last hour. This is so much. fun. So I am really obsessed about this story about Kevin Durant leaving the Warriors. I think it would be a huge mistake. I think he's the best basketball player in the world. And I say this, I'm not

comparing myself to anybody. I'm just telling you, I've moved cross-country four times. I get the move thing. I've left six-figure jobs, seven-figure jobs, great jobs. I've left. I'm good at the leaving thing and I'm good at summarizing the leaving thing. Here's what you try, not to do. Leave for less money and worse management. That's what I've tried to never do. Okay, try to get better management, more money, more years. I get it. Put aside your ego, your vanity. I want to be this, this, this. Move to better management. Maybe move for a little more security money. Move for better teammates, you know, better coworkers. That stuff I'm all in on. Move because I want to be the man. Be very careful about that because you can end up being the only man.

Sometimes you want to be the man. Kobe, Shaq, Kobe wanted to be the man. And then Shaq left, and Kobe was, oh, the only man. Then he got Powell Gasol and he won again. So there's a story out that Kevin Durant would consider the Nets, blah, blah, blah. It's interesting. I want to talk about LeBron for a second.

So LeBron has moved a bunch. So let's go look at LeBron's three moves and examine why LeBron James left each time. because Kevin Durant has watched a lot of how LeBron has done his business. That is indisputable. They used to train early in their careers. Kevin Durant, smart guy, he's watched what LeBron's done. So let's think and examine LeBron's first move from Cleveland to Miami. Why did he do that?

Because he felt trapped. He didn't like the owner. He didn't trust the franchise. They couldn't get him any good stars. So LeBron went Cleveland to Miami because he felt kind of stifled, kind of trapped. He didn't trust the owner. He thought Miami he could finally play with guys who could play near his level. So he left.

Now, why did he go back to Cleveland? Well, that was to restore his image. There was some guilt or something there, but mostly LeBron wanted to restore his image. He didn't like being the villain. He'd won his time. He wanted to go back to Cleveland. He wanted to restore his image. He also won, and that was cool.

And then why did LeBron leave for Los Angeles? Well, it was clearly not the best roster. It wasn't the hottest team. He could have gone to Houston. He could have gone to Philadelphia. He could have got business reasons. I don't think there's any question now. It certainly wasn't the best basketball roster, not even close, just a bunch of kids.

So in review, why did he leave? He left first because he was stifled. He left second to restore his image. And he left third for business. So let's look at Kevin Durant, who has one. watched LeBron's moves. Why did Kevin Durant leave Oklahoma City? Oh, he felt stifled.

Trapped. Oklahoma City has a certain brand. Sam Presti used to work for Popovich. He wanted to be a big star. Billboards around the stadium. They wouldn't let him. Westbrook, hard to play with. Wasn't getting the quality efficiency shots.

Much like LeBron's first move, different people, but he felt trapped. If he leaves now Golden State to New York, what will be the reason? Oh, there's actually two. To repair his image, I can do it myself, and for business. Isn't that interesting? LeBron left stifled, restore image, business. Kevin would be leaving stifled, repair image, business.

The difference is he could do a, accomplish two of those things with one move. New York would restore his image. Oh, you don't need other great players. And there's no question. Much as I like San Francisco, winning in New York does feel big. It's not like I don't think winning in Golden State feels small,

but there is a New York component here. I mean, listen, they're just, would we know who Phil Sims is, Eli Manning are bigger, Derek Jeter could be all that and play with the Royals. He wouldn't be Derek Jeter. So I just wanted to throw that out there, is that as crazy as the move is in my worldview for Kevin Durant. It's got a lot of similarities to LeBron.

Kendrick Perkins played with Durant. He talked about those OKC days yesterday and speak for yourself. He left OKC and he was able to be KD. He was able to be outspoken. And there's no knock on the Thunder organization. but they mimic the Spurs organization. Sam Presti grew up under Greg Popovich. So their culture is a lot different.

They run their organization the same way. And so when KD left to go to the state, now you're able to see KD speak out and say different things and go about handling things the way he needs to handle it because he's able to do that he has the freedom now. But what he doesn't have is the restoration of his image. gets ripped for joining. And business-wise, he's got his stocks. He's got all his equities and investments in Silicon Valley. He wants to go as big as you can go in New York. All right, let me shift to this. Good stuff today. There was an article out today. Are the Cowboys planning a future without Ezekiel Elliott? So the Dallas Cowboys did draft two running backs. They did. They drafted two running backs. It did not appear to be a position of need. of all the positions to draft, that doesn't seem like it would be a priority.

Tony Pollard for Memphis was good, but the second best running back for Memphis. And Mike Weber for Ohio State, good early in his career, faded, had some injuries. But the question remains, is this a plan eventually to not be beholden to Ezekiel Elliott? Here's what's interesting about the Cowboys. They have drafted so well recently, they may be trapped. So remember, they're already paying three of their offensive linemen a lot of money. And they have to pay Jalen Smith in one year. He is as athletic as any linebacker in this league, and he's a free agent in a year.

And I haven't even gotten to the big four. Got to pay Zeke, got to pay Dak, got to pay Amari Cooper, and you just paid to Marcus Lawrence. There simply isn't enough money for Dallas. There isn't. I'm not saying they're moving off Zeke, but Demarkas Lawrence got his money, and my gut feeling is, DAC is getting his. And also, DAC was a better quarterback with Amari Cooper. Are the Cowboys sending a little message?

I don't know if they are, but I do think you should think about this for a second. Did the Dallas Cowboys watch the Los Angeles Rams, who, by the way, Stan Cronkey and Jerry Jones are best buds? and did Jerry watch the Rams give Todd Gurley that massive contract, see his injury, and Gurley and Zeke, in my opinion, are the two best backs in the league, and they're very similar. They can block, they can run, they can catch the ball. They're just workhorses. But do you feel as good about that Todd Gurley contract today if you're a Rams fan?

I don't. I don't. And ask yourself this question. What would Belichick do? He wouldn't give the running back of fortune. What would Philadelphia do? They would not give their running back a fortune. What would the Steelers do?

Historically well run. Let Lavian Bell walk. What would the Saints do? Let Mark Ingram go. I'm just saying, the cowboys are a little bit of a victim of their own excellence. They have drafted so well in the last three, four years. They have stars. You got to pay all these guys.

You got Dach, DeMarcus Lawrence. You're paying the offensive line three guys. You're not going to pay Jalen Smith. You watched Jalen Smith last year? Van Der Wesch and Jalen Smith are the best linebacking duo, the best young linebacking duo by a notch in the league. Jalen Smith is off the hook.

I mean, he is unbelievable. He is a sideline to sideline. I mean, he's like there's an Erlack. except faster look to him. A Hall of Fame talent. So I do think, I don't know if it was a message, but I do think the Cowboys looked at the Rams and thought, man, when you got to pay a bunch of dudes and you're paying your Aaron Donald

and you've got to have to pay golf, you know, you start looking around. And that big running back contract, when Gurley got hurt last year, you're like, you're not blaming Gurley. You're like blaming the position. Like, that's the reality of that position. So I do think it's something to keep your eye on. Bucky Brooks NFL Network, former NFL Scout, NFL.com joins us.

Reported friction. Uh-oh, with one of the teams I love in this league, there is a report this morning. There is friction with the boss and the coach. And it's freaking me out. Plus, I got new shoes. Let's talk about it. Want more herd?

The herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week, within the IHeart Radio app. Search Herd to listen. live or on demand whenever you'd like. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in.

I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never. never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down,

give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. SportsSlice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to SportsSlice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. 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, is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, learn the hard way. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now.

Jacob Kingston grew up in an isolated polygamous sect. We were God's chosen kingdom on earth. He felt destined for greatness. So when a swaggering Armenian businessman catapults Jacob into an extraordinary world, he doesn't look back. Ferraris and Lamborghinis, private jets, meeting the president of Turkey. I'm Michelle McPhee, and this is one of the most shocking criminal conspiracies I've ever come across. When Jacob met Levant this plant to a billion dollar fraud. But with two kings from Indiana,

entirely different worlds, just how long can their empire survive? The largest tax investigation in American history. You need to tell me what you know. Is somebody coming after me? Jacob told Levan, you're ruining my life. Listen to Kingdom of Fraud on the Aihart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Life throws hurdles big and small. The question is, how do you conquer them?

On hurdle with Emily Abadi, we sit down with the most inspiring women in sports and wellness, professional athletes, coaches, and Olympic champions to talk about the challenges that shaped them and the mindset that keeps them going. From the WNBA standout Kate Martin and rising hockey star Layla Edwards. If a boy can do it, I don't see why a girl can't. Like, I've never understood that. Like, it didn't make sense in my brain. It's hard to be in spaces that no one looks like you, but don't ever feel like you don't

feel like. Don't let that be the reason you don't do it. An Olympic champs Gabby Thomas and Katie Ladecki. The ability to show a gold medal to someone and have their face light up and smile, that means the world to me. And that's what motivates me to win more gold medals. At our level at this scale, like being able to fail in front of the entire world. Like, I can do anything. I can do anything.

Because resilience isn't just about winning. It's about showing up, even when it's hard. Listen to Hurtle with Emily Abadi on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast. podcasts for wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of I Heart Women's Sports. Discover Alerts, if they find your social security number on any one of the thousand risky websites, free for card members. Sign up online, Discovery.com. Discover.com. Free alerts, limitations apply. One of my guys, he played in the NFL.

He was a second round picking the NFL. As a defensive back knows virtually everybody. Now at the NFL Network, NFL.com. He's a former NFL scout for the Seahawks. Panthers built up those rosters. He's my buddy, Bucky Brooks, great seeing you again. Hey, thanks for having. me back. Okay, so I said about the Cowboys taking two running backs. They're not star running backs. And they don't have a ton of holes to fill, so I get depth. But there is a part of me that thinks they watch the Rams sign Gurley. Jerry and Stan Cronky are tight. And they said to themselves, we got a lot of mouse defeat here. We got to have, we got to have a little ammo when we go

into a negotiation with Zeke. They're going to have to pay Jalen Smith. They already pay three-o linemen. They got to pay Dak, got to pay Marry, got to just pay DeMarcus. I'm not saying it's everything, but drafting two running backs is something, isn't it? A little bit, but you can tell how much they value the position based on where they drafted them. They drafted them on day three, fourth round and seventh round. Tony Pollard and Mike Weber. So if they really were worried about Ezekiel Elliott, then what you do is you take a guy early that can really, really play. These guys that they drafted, the fourth round, Tony Pollitt is more of a situational player,

a guy that can give you something value in the kick return game. In fact, he played at the same school that the kid for the Rams, Darrell Henderson played. He's a much better player. Weber, they took him in the seventh round. Really in the seventh round, you're trying to get guys that you were going to sign as undrafted free agents. You just wanted to make sure that they're there.

So these are more depth picks, guys that can spell him for a bit. But make no mistake, the Cowboys are committed to Zechia Elliott. Zechia Elliott is the guy that makes that offense go. and even though they're going to have to pay DAC, they also will have to pay the running back because he is the one that kind of makes that offense flow. And without him, that offense is different. Let's go to the Cardinals.

I said before, I got why they went with Kyler. And selfishly at Fox and NFC Team Arizona, they'll be way more fun to watch. I would have kept Rosen taking Bosa and then first pick of the second round. I would have drafted the Mississippi State Center. I'd have an anchor on the D line and anchor on the O line going forward. would you, if you ran the team, would you have done the quarterback thing all over again?

I mean, it's tough because when you go kind of off the grid and you hire Cliff Kingsbury, that wasn't a traditional hire. He had a losing record of Texas Tech. So you're hiring him to bring this innovative offense. So you want to make sure you give him everything that he wants. I get that. He's been chasing Cala Murray since he was recruiting him out of high school. Calamary is kind of the perfect fit for this offense.

Calumary knows this offense. And what they did in the draft, they basically built a basketball team around Calais Murray, meaning if you can envision what the Golden State Warriors are, that's what they put around Cala Murray. They got guys that can run the wings, Andy Isabella, you have Christian Kirk hanging there. You got post-up players in Hakeem Butler. Then you also get a guy like you have Larry Fitzgerald who's there, and then you've got to tie it in and Caleb Wilson.

So they want to play up-tempo offense. They build an offense for Cala Murray. However, I will say this about Josh Rosen. I think the Miami Dolphins might have stumbled into their version of Brett Far. Meaning that years ago when the Green Bay Packers were getting off the ground as Ron Wolf is Mike Holgren. Ron Wolf made a trade with the Atlanta Falcons to get Brett Farron. Who was lost in Atlanta. For whatever reason, it wasn't working.

One year in, he picks a guy based on his talent. The Miami Dolphins got a value pick. Guy that was 10th overall, they got him for nothing. A second round pick. A second round pick, you're talking about chances. of making in the league maybe 40% in terms of doing it. Anything.

Are paying him anything. Look, I would say the guy has talent. I thought last year he was the top quarterback in terms of the way that he played the game. In Miami, which is going to be a smart offensive system, I can see Josh Rosen playing well. And if they hit on Josh Rosen, it frees them up to do so many other things

when it comes to building up their roster. For the Miami Dolphins, it was a no-lose proposition. It was a win-win. Because if he hits, then you're going to draft other people with those picks, commit other resources, while you have him on a bargain basement deal. I ask everybody this.

I respect your opinion, number one. Secondly, I think the Raiders overpaid for their free agents and overdrafted most of their players, but they're now in-house and they're all talented. So when I look at the Raiders, I can say overpaid, New England

doesn't. I can say overdrafted the Colts don't. But they got nine dudes in. They didn't have before that can play. I kind of think it all works. Yeah, I think it works. And look, I'm going to give my former colleague Mike Mayock a lot of credit. What he is attempting to do is something that is hard. To go from the TV booth to being the general manager, the decision maker is something that is difficult. It's easy on this side to lob opinions and critiques based on what you think of a player. It is harder to make

the decision. What Mike and John Gruden did, they decided that they wanted to kind of change the culture in the locker room, meaning that they got foundational pieces. They wanted good football players who had great football character. It's not a coincidence that a lot of those players came from Clemson and Alabama. When you want to win, you go to winning programs. And more importantly, you go to guys who are captains of those teams. That's really interesting. Because they're the leaders of the winning program.

So now, when John Gruden is standing at the room and delivering the message, those guys can carry out the message and hold the teammates accountable. This is a very big thing. Years ago, I got a lot of flack because I went on the air and I said, Connor Cook played at Michigan State. And I said, how in the heck can a senior quarterback, a third year senior quarterback, not be the captain of his team? Oh, it matters.

It matters a lot. And then stories came out, you're like, okay, that's a really good point. Chris Ballard talks about that. I want guys who led their college teams. Absolutely. It's something that we always look for. When I was scouting with Carolina, John Fox was a big believer in the captain, multi-sport guys. But the captain of the team means something because he's comfortable standing in front of the team. Typically, if he's been annoyed at the captain and voted on by his teammates, he is the hardest worker.

He is a guy that is respected for how he performs on the field. And so when you're doing the makeover and you're turning over the roster, when you're the Raiders, you want those kind of guys. winners know how to win and it makes it a lot easier when you're trying to flip the switch to go. I want great guys that are outstanding workers who know how to win because they're willing to make, they're willing to make the sacrifices necessary to win games. Okay, I'm going to throw this out there. Bucky Brooks, former NFL defensive back scout built the Panthers up, built the Seahawks up. So I have been labeled a hater.

It's very hurtful. It's very hurtful. There's a saying in the NFL, don't collect talent, build teams. Cleveland went and got greedy Williams. Okay, really good GMs that needed corners passed on him, like the Colts. Guys I respect in the league. So I look at Cleveland and I got Odell and I got Jarvis and I got greedy and I got Baker. You know, say what you want.

I still don't love my quarterback with police videos. So all I'm saying is this, is Cleveland building a winner or are they just collecting talent? Because Greedy Williams pick, I know he can play. Yeah, they're building a winner. Okay, I want to hear this. And this is what I'm going to say. Like, those guys were in Green Bay when I was there. Lonzo Highsmith, John Dorsey, Elliot Wolf is the son of Ron Wolf.

And if you looked at the war room on draft night, you know he was there? Ron Wolf. Ron Wolf was sitting in there in the back tucked away. So what they're doing is what Ron Wolf has always done, and he learned it from Al Davis. You can't go wrong, taking a lot of talent. You have to have good players to win in this league. And when you take good players, it enhances your opportunities to win. Now, the pieces of the puzzle have to fit together, meaning they have to be good workers, good teammates.

They have to kind of be pulling the boat in the right direction. But you have to have talent. And what the Cleveland Browns have, they have tremendous talent. When you look at their roster, I don't know if you can point to a glaring weakness on their roster. A lineback in core is okay. It's okay, but it's not a glaring hole. Joe Sherbert can play. They've had other guys, Kristen Kirksey can play.

They have solid guys that can play. I think it's a risk in terms of you have a first-time head coach in Frady Kitchens. And if you hit some adversity, how will they handle it? But, man, you can't go wrong when you try it out. O'Dell Beckham Jr. Jarvis Landry. you have Nick Chubb in the backfield. And look, it's going to be unpopular.

But when Kareem Hunt comes back, he is going to make that offense dynamic. Say what you want to about the pre-draft evaluation on Baker Mayfield. It works for them because Freddie Kitchens put them in the offense. There works. Offensive line is solid. Then on defense, they benefited from Steve Wilkes being fired in Arizona and coming in. He's a better defensive coordinator than Greg Williams. They're going to be a better defense.

And so this is a team that could be a bully in the AFC North. I know you don't like that. I don't like that. You don't want to see Baker go, but Baker and those guys, they're going. They're going. Time out. Baker Mayfield is welcome any day on this set. And I have said before.

You know this. I said he's too good of a passer to be a bust. Oh, he's a solid player. Yeah, no, no, no. I would say this about greedy because people wondered why greedy felt. He felt. Why, like, good GMs like that. Toughness, and tackle.

He doesn't tackle. He didn't exhibit toughness. And there were some questions about whether he packed it in at the end of the deal. So now he'll get a chance to go to a bright environment with LSU dudes, Jarvis Landry, Odell Beckham Jr. By the way, peer pressure. LSU didn't win a lot of big games. All right, finally. I'm going to throw a player at you.

All right. There are players that I can see working in New England at a much higher level than they work other places. I just got one guy, Chase Winnevich, Michigan. Oh, he's an ideal fit. No, I watched them, and I thought to myself, he's going to be. he's so great for New England. I think if you threw him on some teams, he'd get lost. Yeah.

What do you, can you tell? He's a Michigan kid. What? Like I watched that and I thought, that's a classic New England dude. It's a classic dude a few different reasons. Great motor, great intelligence, very productive. You could argue that he was more productive than the guy that was taken in the first round of Sean Gary. Secondly, people didn't pay attention to his numbers that came out of the combat.

One of the top testers when it came to athleticism. So beneath the exterior is a talented athlete. The long hair kind of makes you distracted. Secondly, he fits the mold of the players that have been successful there. Think about Rob Ninkovich, who played the role. Hard player off the edge. The thing that I will give credit to the New England Patriots, they understand exactly who they are and who they want on their football team,

and they don't deviate. And he is a guy that fits. And overall, this year was different for me because I felt like they drafted name brands. I kind of call it the Warren Buffett theory. Look at the players that they took in the early rounds. Good players, big schools, solid production. Those guys typically work. Good to seeing you, Bucky.

Thanks for having. You bet. George Heddle of the News. No, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. So, Boston lost last night, 123, 102 in game two to Milwaukee. Big deal.

Karee had a pretty forgettable night. His nine points was just the second time. in his playoff career that he scored in single digits. Wow. But Kyrie remained positive and appeared to embrace his leadership role. There's no extra burden. You know, this is what I signed up for. This is what Boston traded for me for.

So being able to go back, get back in the trenches, get ready for, you know, another battle on Friday. You know, this is what you live for. So, you know, basketball is fun when it comes when it comes like this, when you have to respond. And, you know, this is. is a type of basketball you won't be playing at this time of year. Sounds confident to me.

I think he's going to go back to Boston and drop 34. I love him. Well, he had 26 points in game one, so he had a significant drop-off in game two. He was 4 of 18, 22.2 percent shooting 9.0.4 assists. That's quite a drop-off from game one to game two. It was. But.

Larry Bird had back-to-back eight-point playoff games. Even Michael Jordan had a stinker against Utah. Great players have bad games. He did not. I have no panic in this situation. I did think that this series was going to go seven. And Milwaukee is still a really good team. So if you take your foot off the pedal for a second,

they're going to do exactly what Nick Wright said they were going to do. They have the ability to go off like that. That's why they had the best record in the league. I cannot wait to have Nick Wright come back on the show. And for the second time in two weeks, be like, you're wrong, I'm right, in your face. Milwaukee did not look good in game one at all. But I still think if this series goes long, I know.

Yes. They're very even teams. Right, right. And this is what we really should hope for anyway. The playoffs have been incredible for that reason. So the Sons appear to be very serious in their pursuit of Manny Williams for their head coaching vacancy. And they plan to show that in their second meeting with him by having Robert Sarver in the room for the interview. Shams reports Phoenix will interview Monty Williams for his second time this week.

And it's expected to include Sons owner, Robert Sarver. this is an important development because it means the sons are taking the next step in their pursuit of Williams, who's also been targeted by the Lakers and potentially other teams. Fascinating. Only team in the league, Phoenix, that if they won the ping pong ball lottery, you can make a very strong argument, you take somebody other than Zion Williams. Right, yes. John Moran. And I think he's going to be, he's as good a, he is just a spectacular town. I'm sad we didn't see more of John Moran.

in the tournament. I totally agree because they do need a point guard. Overall, as far as the coaching situation goes, this is not an ideal situation for Monty Williams. You have the same situation that you've had since Sarver bought the team, which is Sarver, so nothing has really changed. The amount of talent that you have there,

it's almost impossible to manage because he's that meddling of an owner. So if it's, I mean, Monty Williams and what he's going to do and what the Lakers are going to do, I think, is more of the determining factor than what the Sons are going to do. Because really what happens with the Sixers series, I believe, is what's going to determine the Lakers head coaching vacancy and the Sixers. Because if the Sixers don't end up winning this series, I believe Monty Williams is going to get that job. And then Ty Lou, I think Tyloo should take the Lakers should have the Lakers job anyway, because he's a more accomplished head coach. And you can argue that he had more talent, but so does everyone who wins in the NBA has more talent.

That's how it works. just not a lot of underdog stories in the NBA finals. So it's kind of a weird circle that's going on here with all those names, but we have to keep an eye on it. And finally, San Francisco 49ers made an easy decision last week when they took Joey Bosa, the second overall pick, but that may have been a rare example of the team's front office being on the same page. Because according to Matt Miller of Bleacher Report, I hate this.

Kyle Sheenhanhan and John Lynch are at odds. The two aren't in lockstep as far as the vision of the offseason and the future of the franchise with four years left, and a team that's been stuck in neutral ever since. A power struggle could be coming with Lynch and Chief Deputy Adam Peters on the outs and Shanahan looking for his own personnel man to run the draft and free agency. I hate this. First of all, Shanahan's great,

and he's intense. His dad's intense. So I can see that Shanahan would be... This is Adam Gase. Adam Gase and Kyle Shanahan remind me so much of each other is that they're super smart and super intense and they can wear you out in a room. And Lynch doesn't have a background in personnel. He was a great player and a broadcaster.

And my sources in a league like John, they're not sure yet. He's a great GM. So I think there's some validity potentially to this. Shanahan, for the record, did say it's all BS, but everybody always says every story's BS. I mean, what's he going to come out and say? Totally, we do not get along. Right.

I don't know what to make of this. I know that you feel like the 49ers are going to make a big jump this year. Huge. I still don't know what we're going to get with Jimmy Garoppolo. We don't have a huge sample size with Jimmy G. No, we have a big contract, and we all know him. Been hurt twice. But he's only really played 10 full games.

Yeah, and he's been hurt twice. And last time got hurt without getting hit. There's a lot of unknowns with the team. No, there are. There are. I do think Lynch has done a good job. I actually, outside of Solomon Thomas, who was a defensive lineman from Stanford in the Bay Area, I think their drafts have been fine.

I don't know if they've been exceptional, but they've been fine. They've hit on a bunch of guys, or some guys. so we'll see. It bums me out because I really like where they're going. I think it's an important year for them. Yeah. Joy with the news. Well, that's the news.

And thanks for stopping back. The Herd Lie News. Mark Medina covers the Warriors. That's what he used to do. He covered the Lakers. Now he covers the Warriors. That's what he does now. And he'll be joining us.

He is locked in on the Warriors, KD, and they have a 2-0 lead on the Rockets, and I cannot wait. That's coming up. 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. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where sports slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the plays, the controversies,

and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves. Their locker rooms, stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context and ask the questions everybody wants answered. SportsSlice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to SportsSlic on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slic Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Welcome to my new podcast,

Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Keer 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 Hardway. And listen now. Jacob Kingston grew up in an isolated polygamous sect. We were God's chosen kingdom on earth.

He felt destined for greatness. So when a swaggering Armenian businessman catapults Jacob into an extraordinary world, he doesn't look back. Ferraris and Lamborghinis, private jets, meeting the president of Turkey. I'm Michelle McPhee, and this is one of the most shocking criminal conspiracies I've ever come across. When Jacob met Levan this went to a billion dollar fraud. But with two kings from entirely different worlds, just how long can their empire survive? The largest tax investigation in American history.

You need to tell me what you know. Is somebody coming after me? Jacob told Levan, you're ruining my life. Listen to Kingdom of Fraud on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Life throws hurdles big and small. The question is, how do you conquer them? On hurdle with Emily Abadi, we sit down with the most inspiring women in sports and wellness, professional athletes, coaches, and Olympic champions to talk about the challenges that shaped them

and the mindset that keeps them going. From the WNBA standout Kate Martin and rising hockey star Layla Edwards. If a boy can do it, I don't see why a girl can't. Like, I've never understood that. Like, it didn't make sense in my brain. It's hard to be in spaces that no one looks like you, but don't ever feel like you don't belong. Don't let that be the reason you don't do it. An Olympic champs Gabby Thomas

and Katie Ladeki. The ability to show a gold medal to someone and have their face light up and smile that means the world to me. And that's what motivates me to win more gold medals. At our level at this scale, like being able to fail in front of the entire world.

Like, I can do anything. I can do anything. Because resilience isn't just about winning. It's about showing up, even when it's hard. Listen to Hurtle with Emily Abadi on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. The 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup kicks off June 7th, and all eyes will be on Alex Morgan,

Carly Lloyd, and the U.S. women's national team as the defending champions head of France looking to win a historic Fourth World Cup. All the matches will be live here on Fox and FS1. 800 hours of coverage, 27 matches on FS1. 52 overall. Iful Tower is going to be a backdrop. Can't wait for this. I get bumped off the first week of it because there's so many matches on FS1. I get kicked off the network. Yeah, so I'm going to be sitting in Utah with my son on a lake watching the entire Women's World Cup in France.

It's going to be unbelievable. I can't wait. By the way, great TV last night. Charles Barkley admits he doesn't watch much regular season NBA. Television's about chemistry to people get along. A very funny moment last night with Shaq and Ken. and Ernie and Barclay. I'm not sure if it was real or not.

Shack got upset watch. I would put Alex Lynn on Joker a little bit more. Alex Len doesn't play for the... I mean, Myers, Myers, Myers, Myers, Myers, my bad. Go back over there. He won't take up the sentence. No, you got 30 seconds. I'm not saying nothing.

No, I'm not. Portland has lost six. Portland has lost six in a row in Denver Shack. How do they do that all the time? It's supposed to be one, two, three. No, but look, we've got time. We've got time. Go back over there to know it all.

Oh, geez. This crew I'm dealing with here. Jack, I understand what you do. I understand. I'd put Alex. Why would you not let the guy have a minute? I would put it. You have to make a point.

Disrespect me again like that. You had to make a point and then you say the wrong game. Yeah, we should have put nine minutes. You're going to take up eight minutes repeat your damn self. Mr. Sensitive. No, he don't know Mrs. Do it again. I'm telling you right now.

Don't do it. Don't do it. Don't do it. Don't do it. You know, though. I'm telling him. I said it. No, I ain't sense.

I'm gonna knock your ass out of I'm talking to you right now. You play them if you want to. Supposed to be one, two, three, not one, two, back to one. It's a dumb ass. Do it again, Chuck. You figure in front of him, throw this metal damn care at your ass.

Oh, man. He's been getting on Shaq all night. That's what it is. I ain't playing right now. I ain't playing right now. You already took him a minute, 20 seconds. Took him a minute, In 20 seconds, I'm asking.

I promise I am. Matt, tell them about me, Matt. God, that was funny. We were watching this live last night. Now, it's so late. I think by the end of the show, they get loopy. Via the Coward Global Satellite Network, let's go to the Warriors Rockets.

Mark Medina used to cover the Lakers, now the Warriors, the Mercury News. Very funny moment last night. I want to throw us up, Matt. him. Harden last couple years isn't quite as dynamic in the postseason as the regular season. Is he a better version of Westbrook, a better shooting version? Have you noticed this about Hardin? Because I think Katie's playing the best he's ever played. Hardin's good, not quite as special. What do you make of that?

Now, without a doubt, if you look at these past three playoff runs, the farther the Houston Rockets went into the postseason, the more that James Hardin showed signs of fatigue. That's part of the reason why they got Chris Paul. But as Chris Paul has experience in his own career, he's someone that wears down and can't stay healthy during the postseason. And so I think when you are comparing and contrasting, you know, James Hardin and everyone on the Warriors, the Warriors All-Stars all play conservative minutes throughout the regular season. They're all in the low 30s with the idea that once these games matter in the playoffs, they can reach up another level in the high 30s, low 40s, where you always wonder to what extent with James playing. so many minutes of the regular season. When will that catch up to him? He's already having an eye injury from game two that he said has blurred his vision. So the rockets are already showing some signs of wearing down. But I think compared to previous years, it's not as severe

simply because they're playing the Warriors in the Western Conference semifinals as opposed to the Western Conference Finals. Mark Medina joining us. You know, it's always been said that Katie's the best player, but it's Steph's team. But I got to tell you, in this last year, it feels feels like KD's team. All I talk about is KD. I don't talk about stuff on my show. You're in the Bay Area. Does there feel like there's been a little bit of a shift that it does feel like it's now equal footing? Well, a little bit from a production standpoint. And look, before last night's game, Kevin Durant was going on a five-game tear where he was, you know, posting at least 30 points in consecutive games and gaining to the 40-point mark. But as far as the heart and soul of the team,

it still has felt like it's belonged to Steph. And Kevin is totally fine with that. They feel like Steph is the guy that can rally everyone together. And when you talk to Kevin Duran and I've talked to him a lot, he really just focuses on his own game and he's not trying to rally everyone together. But as far as his on-court play, Steve Kerr, the Warriors head coach has said repeatedly in the past two weeks that he's the most skill basketball player on earth. And when you're looking at the history of the league,

you can even argue that he's a better score than someone like Kobe Bryant, someone like LeBron James, even Michael Jordan. Maybe they don't have the same characteristics as far as their mentality goes, but as far as the skills that make Kevin such a unique score, he has a long wingspan, he's tall, he can shoot from the mid-range. He has a three. He has a post-up game. When you add all those things up, there's very little you can do to stop Kevin Durand. Behind the scenes, what did the Warriors say about all this yapping by he? Houston about the officials, stuff that wasn't said to me, but maybe behind the scenes. What were they saying about Houston's complaining? Behind the scenes, they're rolling their eyes.

They're saying, look, there's a lot of calls that they're upset with. And, you know, I think in fairness, there are a few closeouts that Clay Thompson had on James Hardin that they would even admit, hey, Clay should have been called for a foul. But the reality is the majority of the time, James Hardin has exploited that rule. ever since the Zaza-Pat-Chulia close out on Kauai Leonard two years ago, the NBA said that you need to give more space to shooters. But what James Hardin has done, he's flailed his legs out. He's basically decreased the amount of space he has to land.

And so I think the Warriors thought that it was pretty Bush League to make this such a public thing. And they thought it also detracted from the reality that the Warriors are simply the better team in game one. And in game two, they proved that again that they were not going to engage with the officials and they were going to prove that they could just beat them on the floor. But I think in a weird twisted way, this was good for the Warriors because they have had issues with officials. They got 61 technicals this season. There's a lot of times that they're arguing way too much with the refs.

So I think maybe this episode illustrated that they need to also take some ownership and not get so upset over every single foul call. By the way, when I talked to you a couple months ago or a month ago, there was a sense KD is leaving. I'm obsessed with this story. Marcus Thompson came on the show and said, I think the Warriors may have a good last sales pitch. Where do you stand on that today?

Yeah, I mean, that's the thing. The Warriors have always been bracing for the possibility that he's going to leave. But I think that they're convinced beyond the obvious reasons of, look, they can win another championship. They're moving to Chase Center next year. They can offer him the most money. They're mindful that there's so many things that can change his mood and sediments. I mean, you just look around how this is.

season has played out. There's so many times where Kevin has been in a bad mood and then he's changed his mood and it hasn't just been by circumstance of how well he's been playing for agency. It's very unpredictable, very unpredictable to know what makes him tick. And when you add in the playoff aspirations, the fact that, you know, teams, including the Warriors, are presumably going to be in the room with Kevin to make their pitches. I think they're of the mind that he could certainly change his mind. But they're also prepared that, you know, this is a very possible reality

that this will be Kevin's last season with them. 40 seconds left. Steph Curry's hand. How is it today? Do we know? Yeah, Steph Curry says it hurts right now, but the good thing about the Warriors, they don't play until Saturday at game three.

They have off today. So it wasn't serious enough for him to not play in game two, but it was serious enough that it affected his shot and he's going to have to get more treatment to these next few days. is. Mark Medina. Lakers, by the way, what do you make of the Rambus story that Kurt Rambus's wife, Linda Rambus, is in the room on these big decisions? You covered the Lakers last year. What do you make of that? Yeah, it's very interesting. I mean, Jeannie's boss is the owner and she makes the decisions,

but over the years, Linda Rambus has had a very close relationship with Jeannie and has been a confident. So it's not surprising that she has had a circle of influence that goes beyond her title. They have a very close relationship and they talk pretty much daily about personal and professional things. So not surprising at all that she would be involved with these kind of decisions. If I told you, Blank runs the Lakers today, who is it? Who runs the Lakers this morning? I still say it's Jeannie Buss that's making the decision, but the umbrella underneath, I think that Linda Rambis has a very strong circle of influence, as well as Rob Polenko, Any bus has a small circle of people around her that she really listens to closely.

And for better and for worse, a lot of those people are friends, people who have been part of the Lakers family. But at the end of the day, the decisions that are made are not made. It's based on those convictions. But it all kind of shapes her worldview about things. Good stuff. Mark Medina. L.A. Daily News formerly, Mercury News now in the Bay Area. Good seeing you, buddy. Good seeing as always, Colin.

Always enjoy it. You bet. Do you see those books behind him? that guy reads stuff. I can tell you right there, that guy's smart. Leather-bound books. All sorts of smart stuff there.

Man, that is just interesting for the Lakers. Just a small circle of friends running the biggest brand in the NBA. I mean, you should keep a small circle of friends, but you should also hire someone to make those kind of decisions. Outside of your small circle of friends. Don't skip meals. Go to Soylent. Complete meal in a bottle.

Plant protein, essential nutrients, keeps you satisfied, limited time. 20% off your first case of Soylent. If you go to Soylent.com and you use the code, Herd 20, Heard 2.0, Hour 3, Gotham Choper next. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific On Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHeart Radio app. Last night, a blown call changed a game.

This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise. Breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves.

Their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports slice brings you closer to the action. with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to SportsSlice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slic Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok.

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. suit 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. Kier Gains is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. Jacob Kingston grew up in an isolated polygamous sect. We were God's chosen kingdom on earth. He felt destined for greatness. So when a swaggering Armenian businessman catapults Jacob into an extraordinary world, he doesn't look back. Ferraris and Lamborghinis, private jets, meeting the president of Turkey.

I'm Michelle McPhee, and this is one of the most shocking criminal conspiracies I've ever come across. When Jacob met Levant this plant to a billion dollar fraud. But with two kings from entirely different worlds, just how long can their empire survive? The largest tax investigation in American history. You need to tell me what you know. Is somebody coming after me? Jacob told Levan, you're ruining my life. Listen to Kingdom of Fraud on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Life throws hurdles big and small.

The question is, how do you conquer them? On Hurtle with Emily Abadi, we sit down with the most inspiring women in sports and wellness, professional athletes, coaches, and Olympic champions to talk about the challenges that shaped them and the mindset that keeps them going. from the WMBA standout Kate Martin and rising hockey star Layla Edwards. If a boy can do it, I don't see why a girl can't. Like, I've never understood that.

Like, it didn't make sense in my brain. It's hard to be in spaces that no one looks like you, but don't ever feel like you don't belong. Don't let that be the reason you don't do it. An Olympic champs Gabby Thomas and Katie Ladeki. The ability to show a gold medal to someone and have their face light up and smile, that means the world to me.

And that's what motivates me to win more gold medals. at our level at this scale, like being able to fail in front of the entire world. Like, I can do anything. I can do anything. Because resilience isn't just about winning. It's about showing up, even when it's hard. Listen to Hurtle with Emily Abadi on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports.

Hour three, here we go, live in Los Angeles. This is The Hur. wherever you may be and however you may be listening. IHeart Radio, Fox Sports Radio, FS1. Also on Sirius XM Channel 83, Joy Taylor, joining us. I have not told you this. I have been keeping the biggest secret for nine months. It's going to drop in like two weeks.

Amazing. Huge. Good. Yeah? Yeah. I told a friend last night, he freaked out. I told a friend last night. He's like, well, you're hiding that stuff?

So for nine months, you have a big secret. Huge. Been working on something for nine months. You'll all benefit, by the way. Not that nine months. You didn't not follow me at all. Wrong gender on that, guys. So you'll all benefit.

Okay, that's exciting. I had to tell a boss yesterday and a co-worker. It's a long story. So when do the rest of us find out? I can tell you, I don't trust Goulet. Oh, okay. Sorry, Gula. Greg's like, well?

So I'll get into that. 15 minutes. Author, Filmm. Steph Curry documentary. Remember the guy that did Tom versus Time, the Tom Brady documentary. How much I loved that. That was world changing. It was world changing. Gotham Chopra has done the same with Steph Curry. It's called Steph versus the game. It is out tomorrow. So we have our documentarian also in Best for Last. This was fun yesterday. Yesterday we did the NFC. Today we're doing the AFC. The coaches are hired. The free agents are in. The draft is done. The three word game.

We summed up every NFC team yesterday in three words. We'll sum up every AFC team today. It's kind of funny in three words. Well, great game. Rockets Warriors, game two last night, told us this series boils down to one single fact. Don't be distracted by the flopping and the analytics and the letter by the Rockets to the NBA. And Scott Foster do not be. distracted. This series between the Warriors and the Rockets, and it's over,

it's about Kevin Durant is now significantly better than James Harden. Kevin Durant is the best basketball player in the world and playing his best basketball now. At the end of the year, he didn't play a lot of minutes, he scaled back, he's rested, he is more efficient and better now in May. James Hardin, who was destroying the world in January, once again comes to the playoffs, average 36 a game, regular season. Now it's down in the 20s, and he's not shooting the same percentage. I don't want to hear about James Hardin's eye.

Steph Curry last night had a dislocated finger. It was gross. It was turned sideways. Okay. long before that injury to Hardin's eye, the rockets were a mess and were down by 10. What I'm about to say, I'm not saying it's true, I'm asking you a question. Is it fair to say this? James Hardin has become a better version, a better shooting version of Westbrook.

unbelievably relentless in the regular season. And then he kind of is a different guy, good, not spectacular in the playoffs. This is not a one-time thing. Last year, James Harden, 45% shooter in the regular season, 37% on threes, shot 41% in the playoffs and 29% on threes in the playoffs. Hardin and Westbrook, win the awards, get the glamour, get the attention, spectacular, relentless, dominate January. And here we go again. Westbrook's out.

Hardin doesn't look quite as dynamic. There are NBA players, four come to mind, that appear to be. better in the playoffs. LeBron James, he picks his spots in the regular season, not out to win awards. Kauai Leonard rests lots in the regular season. Kevin Durant scales back, has nothing to prove in the regular season, doesn't try to play for minutes and awards in the regular seasons, and Kyrie Irving, who got heat for it, but this year missed some games. Didn't play as hard in the regular season. It is easy to get distracted.

Scott Foster, analytics, referees, everybody's picking on Houston and they're flopping. No. Kevin Durant's better than Hardin. By a lot. And Kevin Durant, here we go in May, is playing the best basketball I've ever seen him play. You can blame Scott Foster. You can blame everybody. You can point fingers.

Kevin Durant's always been great. He's the greatest version of himself. James Hardin's always been good, became great, and now it's back to being really, really, really, really good in the playoffs. Remember, game one, Hardin had a chance to hit the shot and missed it. And my argument would be that was their moment. Remember, the Warriors got pushed to six games by the Clippers had played Friday night late and then had to fly up home and play an early Sunday.

game. You had the Warriors. That was the moment. And Harden missed because he misses more now than he does in the regular season. Don't be distracted. All right, I want to shift to this. I'd like the camera squarely on me right now. Thank you. I think Kevin Durant would be out of his mind to leave the Warriors. Coach, former player, Steph Clay, Bob Myers, New Arena, Silicon Valley,

California weather. I don't get it. He wouldn't make any more money in New York. I think it would feel like LeBron going to the Lakers. He'd be great and have a bunch of average young guys around him that nobody else wants. I hope he doesn't go. I like this Kevin Durant. But let me defend Kevin Durant.

DeRant leaving for a second. Kevin Durant has been arguably the best basketball player in the world for 10 years. I say LeBron, but he's a better offensive player, I think, than LeBron. But his entire life of basketball, Kevin Durant has finished second. He did not go number one in the draft. He was number two. Kevin Durant went behind Greg Oden. Really?

Then he goes to Oklahoma City. And Sam Presti puts his arms around Westbrook over Kevin Durant. He's number two. Really? And then he goes to Golden State where he's clearly the best player, but he'll never be as popular as Steph. He's number two. Really?

And then for 10 years, despite his dominance, there's LeBron. He's number two. Really. Even at Nike, his contract, second best. And I'm not saying Kevin Durant things. about what I'm going to say. But let me ask you, when it comes to iconic stuff, 25, 30, 40, 50 years later,

it usually works in groups of four. In the NBA, Magic saved the league. MJ made it global. LeBron made it mobile. And Steph revolutionized it. Kevin Durant, he's not on the Mount Rushmore. He's just great. It even works that way with great centers.

Bill Russell was the most accomplished most titles. Wilt was the most statistically dominant. Kareem was the most unstoppable, and Shaq was the most physically dominant. Akeem, often better than Shaq? He's just great. It works that way in all sorts of fields.

I've worked in radio my entire life. Marconi creates it. Paul Harvey's the first star. Rush Limbaugh saves AM radio. Howard Stearns, the ultimate bad boy. I was an Imas fan. But does he just qualify as?

Great. Generally works in that Mount Rushmore thing we talk about, fours. 25, 30 years from now at a bar. I'm not my bar, a bar. I won't be here. Magic saved it. Michael made it global.

LeBron made it mobile. Steph made it a three ball league. will we just say God damn Kevin Durant was unbelievable Akeem was unbelievable it's even in music individual stars

Sinatra Elvis Michael Jackson Elton John Whitney usually don't get to a fifth there are six that's groups of four I look at Kevin Durant and I think he's nuts to leave but

he always seems like he finishes second and not only second but he's better than the first. He was better than Greg Oden. He's better than Steph. He shouldn't have the number two current deal at Nike. He's no longer second to LeBron.

He shouldn't be number two to Westbrook. Like, I get it. I get when you are the world's best, I can understand the guy thinking, man, would somebody finally say, you're the man. I don't get it, that. But if he went to New York,

unlike LeBron's foray to Los Angeles, which has been at best a mess, and he won in New York. Maybe then he makes the mountain. But I'm watching him last night, and the gap between him and even the amazing James Hardin is substantial. We had the Warriors beatwriter, one of them, Marcus Thompson, on our show about three weeks ago.

And one of the questions I asked him, I said, like, he's smart, right? like he's going to give the warriors a final chance to sell him, right? Here's what Marcus said about KD. I'm not buying it at the last moment. He's sitting at a meeting with somebody and he can't be swayed. Either way, to stay or go. I just...

Because that's his personality. Yeah. He could think it's done right now, whether that's staying or going. I still think later on, like, he can be swayed. Like, he's a guy. He feels everything. He sits in the room. He's present.

He's got away this stuff. we still have three or four more series if they win a championship of data to insert into this equation, right? Like, I don't know, I don't know if even if he thinks he knows the answer. I don't think he knows the answer. I'm not buying it. Stay tuned. A lot of the story remains. Coming up next, Gotham Chopra, did the Tom versus Time documentary.

Now he's doing Steph versus the game. I cannot wait to watch this. I love these documentaries. He's behind the scenes, go home, follow them. Does an amazing job. Fascinating stuff, and he joins us around the corner. One more herd? The herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week,

within the IHeart Radio app. Search Herd to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like. I've been waiting for this interview all day. Gotham Chopra is an author and a filmmaker, award-winning filmmaker. He did Tom versus Time, obviously. He's got a company with Michael Strayhan and Tom Brady, the Religion of Sports, Sports Media Company.

and he dives deep. He goes to the house. He goes inside the head of these stars. And the latest is Steph Curry. Stephen versus the game. It's called her Stefan versus the game out tomorrow on Facebook. Here's a clip from it. This is Steph talking about Tiger Woods and what he's impressed by.

Here it is. I've never seen a killer instinct like that where you know you're the best, but still like searching for. perfection. Like, he changed the swing, even though he won, like, six straight tournaments and three majors out of four years, it does, like, the tiger slam,

and then changes the swing again because he feels like he can get better and more efficient like that. It's like an inspiration in terms of never really being satisfied. And we welcome in Gotham Chopra. What are the challenges? The NFL's culture is system over player.

There's almost like, hey, Tom, if you do a documentary, you're giving up secrets that Belichick will yell at you about. In the NBA, it's more star-driven. This stuff is understood. Was it easier to do the Steph Curry than the Tom Brady documentary? I mean, in that way, yes, just because barrier to entry in some ways is tougher in the NFL. But I would say, you know, one of the main challenges with Steph is he's so present in social media.

He's 25 million people on Instagram, and he's regularly communicating. his wife, who's pretty prolific on Instagram. So there's a different sort of creative challenges. Like the audience kind of knows. Like they feel like they already know you. Tom, what was really an advantage to us was the scarcity. Like nobody had ever been inside. And I drove so much fascination with him.

People only knew one version of him, you know, the elite quarterback, but they'd never been on the inside. So in that way, I'd say this was tougher because it's like, how do I tell this in a way or something fresh? is the similarity with, say, a Brady and a Steph, people, despite Brady's greatness, have doubted him. Steph Curry went to Davidson. Did you sense the chip on the shoulder?

Is that what drives him? I mean, I think, yes, absolutely. So there's always been this sort of David versus Goliath type of thing, you know, this ruining the game now. It's like his new thing. Like people have always sort of doubted him at every stage. When he was a little kid, he was too small. Then he couldn't get into like the big time programs.

Then he kind of dropped in the draft two other guys. guys, you know, got drafted. Two other point guards got drafted ahead of him. Johnny Flynn and Ricky Rubio. I mean, just think about that. Yeah. And so that's always. And so that chip is still on his shoulder. You know, people sort of say, hey, like, who's the guy on this team? And, you know, even on this current Warriors team. So I think, and that's in, by and large, with elite athletes like Tom, like Steph, they always need to find that edge, especially when they've been so successful. Like, how do you keep it going? You know, you mentioned Michael Strayan. Like,

Michael Strayan always told me at the end I retired because not physically I couldn't do it, because mentally I couldn't find that thing to help motivate me. Tom, 42 years old, still somehow finding that thing to motivate him and Steph as well. I think I was one of the things that was fascinating with Brady is how, and I don't like this word, I don't think it really means much, but I'll use the word normal. Tom had a fairly pedestrian American life despite his wealth supermodeling claim. Smoothies, watching film, into his job and kids. You know, he's not a jet setter as much, although they have their Costa Rica stuff.

But there was a certain, there was a certain Middle American ethos or suburban ethos to it. With Steph, I've always felt he's as normal as a superstar can be. Am I wrong there? No, you know, Steph's the real deal. It's like almost like as a storyteller, as a journalist, you come in with a natural skepticism. Right. You're looking for vulnerability. You're looking for conflict.

you're looking for something that doesn't seem right so you can get under that and expose it in some ways. Steph is like it's the real deal and like his family is such a big part and they're always there. Like his parents are such a part of his life still. You know, at every game has, you know, yeah, just like everything, you know, is authentic. It feels really like real and and that's refreshing and inspiring in a way. Like, you know, this greatness has a foundation that is, you know, very real. Gotham, Chopra. Tiger's dad wasn't famous before we knew Tiger.

Joe Montana's dad wasn't. You know, you can go back to Kofax, Mickey Mantle, Tom Brady. Your dad was and Steph's dad was. So when you have strong fathers, did you ever during this Steph documentary thing? I kind of know where he's going on this family thing because you had a very strong point of view father. raising you. Yeah, there's definitely that connection and that similarity. And Steph and I've kind of talked about that also. But they're also

like, you know, again, looking for that edge in a way. Like, Steph grew up with a very different type of pressure than say LeBron. There's so many archetypes and like there's the single parent version, like lift yourself for your bootstraps. LeBron is that archetype. Yes. Steph is the other archetype is like growing up again a relative privilege, you know. BMW, you know. But now that comes with an expectation. Oh, you must be

soft. Your dad, you know, and his parents sort of talk about that. Like, like, that's what people chanted when he was in high school. Daddy can't help you, sort of thing. So now there was like, that was his thing. Oh, now I've got to prove myself because everybody has a certain expectation of me. And so you find that

to be, and I mean, I relate to that for sure. Yeah. Did you learn something? Was there something there a surprising tidbit? And I'll, and I'll, like for instance, Tom Brady, there were a couple of things that I was like kind of wow moments

maybe you had one with Tom was there a wow steff moment I think the wow steff moment in general is like you would think for this type of excellence on the basketball court in my opinion greatest shooter of all time that there's like there's a anatomy to that underneath

there's like such a consistency you go to step's house after the game it's like chaos I mean three little kids a wife who's you know having her career-defining moment right now. It's like a train station. Like there's so much. He's not worried about like shoot around the next day.

He's worrying about getting the kids to sleep, getting them to school in the morning. Early in the season when we were working on this, Aisha, his wife, was, she's doing her own. She's got a new show coming out on ABC. So she was here in L.A., like taping for like three weeks. He was like Mr. Mom at the same time that he was trying to get the season started. And then he had dealt with an injury.

Then there was like team stuff. like so much going on that like it was interesting to sort of see like there's no moment to kind of evaluate this thing. There's just react to it. Every sport has a different culture. I talked about this already. There's a masculinity to hockey and football. You don't flop and you play hurt. In basketball, in soccer, the soccer star, the NBA star, you flop, there's a finesse, there's an art to it. You would never play hurt. Don't risk the injury unless it's the finals, right? And, you know, I wonder with Steph being a star, he did something that was very rare.

Hey, KD, you could be better than me. Join us. Yeah. That is unheard of in the NBA. I mean, it's just fascinating to me. And I think it separates him from even LeBron, even Michael, the willingness to go there. Does dad get credit? Are there nights where he gets tired of hearing, you know, KD is better than you, actually?

I think it's again, it's another source of motivation for him. You know, like, whose team is this? You know, who defines the culture of this team? He and KD are no question. They're close. Now, let's go there. They are close. Yeah, for sure.

I mean, they're teammates. And they've had this level of success. You can't have that without having a chemistry. It doesn't mean they agree on everything. It doesn't mean like there aren't flare-ups across an 82 game. Although I would say with Steph, like he's so balanced. I'm not sure. He's sort of the peacemaker that comes in.

It feels like that. Yeah, like that helps. resolved and I think the team, the leadership on the team, the coaching staff, management leans on him for that. Like, they can only do so much, you know, from a management perspective. They need who's the insider, who's the embedded guy, like on the bench or in the locker room. So they depend on him. But yeah, I think Steph is still very competitive and he made sacrifices for sure to bring in KD because he's a bigger picture guy. He's lived in the league almost like his entire life. And he knows how are guys defined at the end? It's about.

how much they win, not how much, you know, what was their statistics. And so, you know, I think they also all have some perspective right now is like, no matter what happens, this is probably the end of this team, free agency, cap stuff, all of that sort of thing. Like, you just can't do it forever. And so take advantage of this moment. And again, I think that's where he's able to put his ego, which is probably relatively smaller than everyone else is in the league aside, but also for a bigger quest.

An award-winning filmmaker, Gotham Chopra, author filmmaker, grants us a couple of interviews a year, and I absolutely love it. Tom Brady and Steph Curry do not need Gotham Choper to chronicle their life. How do you convince them to get inside the walls of privacy? I mean, it's a function of time, first and foremost. With, you know, Tom, I had the luxury of many years. I'd known him for many years beforehand. You know, what's cool now is, like, there's a credibility. It's like, I've worked with Kobe, then, you know, worked with Tom, even LeBron on different

project. And so, like, that, there's an implicit trust. Like, well, if those guys could do it, I can do it. But then it's just, like, spending time. It's getting to know the family. It's not just like, you show up one day and everybody's, like, you know, like, just kind of opens the doors to you. It's a function of time. And it's also like, it's a very different approach. I'm not like a reporter coming in to do something on Steph. Like, hey, Steph, what is the part of your life you want to share? You're willing to share. You know, like, what's a story you want to tell right now that's going on in your life? And so, It's a partnership, I would say, more than like I'm doing something on one of these guys.

You know, it's so interesting. You mentioned Kobe and LeBron. I'm going to throw a theory at you. This could be totally wrong. But I believe this my entire life, and sometimes it gets me in trouble, that dads matter. Even strong, frustrating dads are valuable. LeBron did not grow up with the classic father figure. I felt this year with LeBron, and I felt this.

in, you did shut up and dribble. I don't want my athletes to shut up and dribble. But I did feel there was, LeBron was seeking external validation this year, more than most. By the way, MJ, strong father, never really sought it. Kobe, again, eddingmatic relationship, stronger father. And I looked at LeBron and I thought, LeBron needs me to believe, hey, I drink wine. I get politics. I get business.

My takeaway is, yeah, I know you're smart. I've seen your whole career. I know you're. Is that a crazy theory? LeBron, to me, is fascinating. Number one, he didn't grow up in an edinematic, chaotic life. And we've never had any problems with him. It's almost unbelievable.

Statistically, he's a complete anomaly. Secondly, this year, this external validation thing, am I overreaching? Am I giving it too much thought? Well, I mean, I can't say I certainly don't know LeBron the way I know Steph now or Tom or those guys, but LeBron is unique in terms of, like, I have spent time obviously with him. He was a big part of Shut Up and Dribble. I interviewed with him, and he's so on it. He's so sharp, like when you're sitting down with him, he knows, he figures out within

the first 60 seconds or what are you, oh, let me give it to you. What are you interested in? And so, yeah, there's that. But I think, you know, he needed a new challenge. I think he's, I think he's looking for something, you know, out there. He's still so committed and loves basketball. there's all these other things. I mean, you can't be doing what he's been doing

since the age of 14. So much is coming at you. Everyone wants you. He's curious. You know, we forget. Like, sometimes you're with LeBron. You're like, yeah, he's 34, but he feels like he's 54. Yeah.

But he's 34. I mean, and he's been so focused on this one thing. And yeah, he's curious about the world. And I think, you know, L.A. is a place that services that curiosity, for sure. By the way, I just throw that out there. I'm not saying I'm right. but I find the psychology of LeBron fascinating. And by the way, I would tell his friend Maverick Carter, who I know.

I would tell him the same thing. I'd say, I'm going to throw something at you, tell me if I'm a goofball. You know, David Falk was a legendary attorney and then kind of ran the NBA for years. He tells a story about Michael Jordan, and I always feel this is where LeBron and Michael Jordan are very similar. At one point, when Michael came into the league, Magic was seen as the team guy and Michael is the individual star. and David Falk and Nike proposed to Michael Jordan. This was a lot of money back then. They said, we're going to give you a million dollars.

You play magic one-on-one. And David Falk and Nike thought it was brilliant. And Michael, within a minute, said, this is an awful idea. He goes, if I lose, I'm no longer the team guy or better than Michael, it kills my brand. And Falk and Nike in the moment said, oh, God, we're idiots. Michael knows his brand better than anybody. LeBron really, really knows. They said that us about Howard Stern.

Nobody knows Howard's audience like Howard. He knows what they like and don't like. I feel like LeBron really knows his fans, which I am won. I just thought there was a detour this year and it was off-putting. I thought he got so into business. Now, by the way, do Kobe and LeBron have similarities to you? Yeah, I mean, drive to be the best. And not just in basketball, you know?

Really? I mean, look at what Kobe's doing now. I mean, it's amazing. He's won an Oscar. Incredible. New York Times bestseller. You know, I'd say LeBron, you know, what's unique about LeBron is he's kind of up until this year anyway, like doing both at the same time, you know, excelling in business and, you know,

continuing to be excellent on the court, you know, the Cavs. I mean, look, there's a lot of things that happened this year in L.A. And, you know, I was at that Christmas Day game. Like, you know, they were in good shape and then he got hurt. Yeah. You know, he was a 34-year-old athlete. Like, it's tough. and then now the guys got hurt.

You know, it's just like, but they were, and you're talking to a Celtics fan. I was not exactly rooting for that, but like I was impressed, and then the wheels came off. Finally a question again on Steph Curry, author, filmmaker, Gotham Chopra, coming out, Stefan versus the game,

premieres this Thursday on Facebook watch, Steph's Curry, the journey on and off the court. If today, Kevin Durant text Steph Curry, I'm leaving, how would it land on him? How do you think his 24 to 36 hour emotional window I mean, Steph is the most Zen guy I've ever met, first of all. What do you mean?

I mean, so I was a joke with him. You know, he wears his faith on his sleeve. He's very Christian. It's very devoted. But I was telling him, I'm like, no, man, you're Buddhist. Like, you are so Zen. Nothing seems to affect you. Like, win, a loss.

Like, he's just so chill. Like, he doesn't overreact to any situation. I think Steph's not, you know, everybody knows what's coming in terms of free agency. So he's prepared for that. But I also think, you know, he's got a unique connection. When in the time. comes and I don't know anything for sure, but just by being around KD, I don't think, I literally don't think he's decided. I think he's one of those guys who's able to compartmentalize

and focus on this challenge. When the time comes, Steph is somebody who understands historical context and was the reason, I think, largely KD is there. He'll have an argument to make to why he should stay. They know Jordan's got six and they're hopefully after this year, you know, pretty within striking distance. So I think Steph will make a compelling argument, but, you know, he'll also be prepared and fine and supportive of a friend if the friend decides he needs to go somewhere else.

I mean, it's a business, and these guys get it. I know it's a hackneyed kind of term, the Mount Rushmore, but I always thought there's four guys that have the biggest difference makers in my life in the NBA. Magic saved the league. Michael made it global. LeBron made it mobile, and Steph revolutionized it.

KD's just great. KD's just great. I mean, there's no question my mind in 10 years from now. We'll be like, LeBron, Michael, KD, we'll be having that debate. Because he's, I mean, I get to go to a lot of games right now. And I was at that game, he scored 50 or whatever against the Clippers a couple nights ago. It's like, I've never seen anything because he'll see 610. Did you hear after the game, Lou Williams, and who were the two players that guarded him?

They're like, Patrick Pregnant. You know, we tried to stop him. Do you media guys get that we're trying to stop him here? We just can't. Steph says it. I think it's in the second episode. He calls him a basketball savant. And he's like, you're just around this guy in practice and you see him trying things.

And you're like, wait, he can get better like this. And that's Steph Curry, one of the greatest fall times saying, this guy's on another level, you know? Okay, so Facebook, it drops tomorrow. Yes. Okay, give it the title again. Stefan versus the game. Premier's Facebook. How many parts?

It'll be six episodes. Honor to have you on the show. Thank you. I love it here. All right. Joy with the news. No, no, no, no. Turn on the news.

This is the herd line news. So, Linda Ramis's presence at Monty Williams' interview with the Lakers last week raised a few eyebrows. Her title with the Lakers is executive director of special projects. Yeah. Which doesn't necessarily have anything to do with picking a coach. But Amino Hassan said on ESPN, some agents and GMs around the league have dubbed her the shadow owner of the Lakers, that everything goes through Linda Rambus. And if you want to convince Jeannie of something, you've got to get to Linda first. And Ramona Shelburne added some

context. She said it's been that way for really for 40 years. They've been best friends and personality-wise. If you know them, it sort of makes sense. Jeannie can be shy. Linda's more of a talker. She's more of a doer. The differences in her past, her role has been more as an advisor, whereas right now there's a lot more dealing with agents. I don't really know what to make of this other than we still have no idea who's running the Lakers. Maybe Lanzo Ball's running them. Maybe. Maybe it's Calcuma. Who knows? I don't know what's going on with the Lakers and I don't think anybody does.

Let's give it a month and then I think I'll know. I think in a month there'll be a bunch of stuff. Well, I think actually I believe these next two weeks are going to be monumental for the future of the Lakers because whatever happens in this Sixers series I think we'll determine what happens with

Monty Williams and that may be the first, you know, chip to fall in the building of the structure of what the Lakers are. I think that Rob Polinka right now is the face of the Lakers. You know, he's kind of running things. He's just a good face. He looks like Rob Lowe. But I don't know who's making all the decisions, though. So, you know, having people around you that you trust is important.

I think when you're running a multi-billion dollar business, having people who know how to make those decisions is slightly more important. So, again, one of the Warriors Rockets was all about officiating. Thankfully, game two is about basketball, the Warriors 115-109 win, and Draymond Green gave reporters his thoughts on the recent focus on the reps. It's kind of embarrassing for the game with basketball, how much has been talked about about fouls and officiating. What about beating your man?

What about stopping your man? No one talks anything about schemes the last two days. It's all been about foul costing. Now he got a technical foul. which would have been his fourth, but the NBA is rescinding it. So he's back to three. You know, you're automatically suspended once you reach seven technicals in the playoffs. But last night I felt like was all about basketball.

And I don't think that talking about the refs did anything to help the Houston Rockets at all. It was like a complete diversion of focus. You're going against the champs. Like you need to be focused only on basketball. There's nothing you can do about the referee. You can be unfocused against Portland or Utah. You're not going to oral. and beating this team in the playoffs being unfocused.

I just don't know what benefit there was to doing that, especially during the middle of a series. Now, I'm not saying that's the reason why they lost. I think they just got beat. But it just, I'm glad we're done talking about it. And hopefully we're done talking about it for the rest of the series in the playoffs. And finally, S&Y is reporting that Durant's,

Kauai Leonard, and Tobias Harris are among players who will at least consider signing with the Nets this summer, according to the report, making the playoffs definitely help their chances. One source said, Sean Marks has all the tools he needs in order to recruit one or even two big free agents, a big markets, culture, young core, winning team, and a coaching staff that focuses on players' development and well-being both on and off the court.

It was a good example of that in DeAngelo Russell. And, you know, obviously, Sean Marks went into, he had his own issues with the refs. Yes. But, you know, it is in dear with the players as well. I like the Nets. I think they've completely rebranded themselves. You know, they were struggling there for a couple of years.

And DeAngelo Rostles become a real player. so they don't need three guys, they could use two. Two. Now, if they want to get two, they'd have to move off DeAngelo Russell and make some trades and clear out some space, which I don't love. But, you know, watching those Nets games, it's such a fun team. Yes. I love the Jersey. I love the environment there. A little bit like Sacramento East.

Fast, fun. Right. And there's just a great culture there. You can feel it. You can feel the energy. I like the Nets next year. I hope they can get, you know, at least one big free. Yeah.

No, I agree. Joy with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Herd Lye News. Yesterday, the NFC, today the AFC. Coaching, hires done, free agency, done, draft done. Three-word game, entire AFC.

Be sure to catch live editions of the herd. Weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific. On Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHeard Radio app. Mother's Day is back. 1-800 Flowers.com. Enter the code, Heard. 30 assorted tulips, 30 bucks. Mother's Day is May 12th.

All right. Let's not waste any time our best for last. We did it yesterday with the NFC. We do it today with the AFC. The coaching staffs have been hired. The free agents have been signed. The draft is officially over. The unrestricted free agents are now in the camp.

Let's play the three-word game with the AFC. Patriots. Tom beating time. 42 years old in August. All the other quarterbacks in his division, Sam Donald, Josh Allen, Josh Rose. are puppies, kids in their second year. They've added Michael Bennett.

They address their wide receiver vacancies with a first-round pick. I still think they get to the AFC championship. Jets double their wins. Lavian Bell's a star solves their running back dilemma. C.J. Mosley, a star, solves their front seven linebacking dilemma. And Quentin Williams, William's defensive tackle Bama, I'm told by three different scouts and executives, best player in the draft. Adam Gase, an offensive guy for Sam Darnold.

Young quarterbacks tend to flourish with offensive guys. Four and 12 last year. I think they're an eight and eight or a nine and seven team this year. Dolphins tanking until Rosen. Listen, they haven't won a playoff game in 19 years. And I thought they were tanking. And then they went out and they got essentially a free quarterback from Arizona and Josh frozen. So they're not paying the quarterback, their starter, and he'll be their starter much money.

And let's be honest, they were seven and nine last year. They've beaten the Patriots twice in the last couple of years. They've got a new head coach. They've gone from tanking to, I think, they've got their quarterback for the next 10 years. Interesting. Bills, still miles away. Listen, they had seven ugly double-digit losses. The division's now better. Cole Beasley's not going to solve that either as draft pick Ed Oliver. I do like the coaching staff, but I don't see him as a threat in this division, even to be a wildcard team. How about AFC South? Colts, the next Patriots. GM A plus, quarterback A plus.

Head coach, A could be an A plus. Resourceful, smart, great culture, and a very winnable division like the Patriots. Never forget. They ended the year 9 and 1, and that was in a rebuilding mode. Texans, please protect Deshawn. Deshawn Watson got sacked 62 times last year. That's the most in the NFL in 13 seasons, and I'm not convinced they solved their O-line issues in free agency or the draft.

Titans. I like Vrable. but I don't trust this team. I mean, last year, classic example. Week 17. They can get in. They just have to beat the Colts. He couldn't do it.

They always feel like just can't quite win that big game. I like Mike Vrable. He adds a toughness. I think they've got the right coach. But that's about it. Jaguars. Jacksonville ain't Philly.

Nick Foles is going to find out. The GM's better in Philly, the O-line's better in Philly, the running backs are better in Philly, the tight ends better in Philly. Nick Folls is going to be 6 and 10. Okay, I like Nick Foles, but Jacksonville, structurally, is not close to the Philadelphia Eagles. AFC West, Chiefs, the new Steelers, fun, flashy, stars, quarterback, deep balls, good coach. Can they finish? Can they finish?

Big personalities. trouble. I feel like we're looking at the Steelers for the next 10 years. For the record, Steelers got the two Super Bowls, one. Not saying they won't, but where the Colts feel like the Patriots, the Chiefs to me, feel like the Steelers. Can they keep buttoned up and can they finish in January? Chargers. NFL's best roster. That's seven pro bowlers. I mean, when they draft, they're basically drafting specific spots, nose tackle because they have two great rush ends. They added Jerry Tillery from Notre Dame, one of the first. few needs they had. I mean, in the last six years, Philip Rivers is thrown for over 4,000 yards.

I think they'd like to draft a backup and be the next guy, but you kind of watch Philip Rivers and you're like, he's still slinging it. I think this is a loaded roster. I said this last year. I think the roster is deeper with fewer holes than the nearby Rams who get more love. Broncos, Elway catching flack go. Well, I kind of liked it. Listen, he landed Peyton Manning. He's a great recruiter since then. Brock Osweiler, Trevor Simeon, Paxton, Lynch, Case Keenham. Elway's coming off the first. Broncos haven't had back-to-back losing season since 1971 and 1972.

This is a great organization and he's here in heat. Raiders! Hard knocks, please. Antonio Brown, Vontes Burfek, John Gruden. Overpaid, over-drafted. Mike Mayock. This is like a television series with a hell. moment. I'm serious. They could be a better TV show than a football team. They were, but they did

hard knocks. This is why they built it for teams like the Raiders. How about AFC North? Steelers. Back to playoffs. Folks, never finish sub 500 under Mike Tomlin. Yes, they lose Antonio Brown, but they have Juju Smith Schuster. They got a receiver, Moncrief and Free Agency. They drafted a couple receivers. They're going to be fine. Owner great. GM great. Coach smart. quarterback. Offensive line, I think is the best in football. Chill out. They'll be fine. Ravens! Bears of the AFC. Both finish with the number one defense in their respective conference. Both got to the playoffs, both exposed in the playoffs. And Lamar Jackson and Mitch Trubisky, great athletes. I question how good they are if they have to throw on somebody

else's terms. Browns, don't quite believe land. I think they got a lot of talent, but are they just putting talent together as their real team? Freddie Kitchens never been a head coach, high school, college, or pro. I just don't know if they can be the glue that pulls it together. I'm not doubting the offense. The offensive will score points. We shall see. Bingles!

Does anyone care? Last three years, six wins, seven wins, eight wins. In a division with a bunch of awesome stories, Baker and Ben and Tomlin and Lamar and. By the way, my staff pushed back on this. I was going to give Cincinnati another name, but the staff said it was too cheesy. How about this? Does Andy one care? Andy Dalton?

Heilarious. Come on, Benlock. Not terrible. I have been terrible. I know terrible. That's not terrible. For everybody here, Joy, thank you. See you tomorrow.

Speak for yourself. Coming up next. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. And nobody's telling you. exactly what happened. That's where SportsSlice comes in. I'm Timbo, and every episode we're cutting through the noise,

breaking down the biggest moments in sports and giving you the real story behind the headline. And we're going straight to the source, the athletes themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions in the moment, and the stuff nobody gets to hear. Listen to SportsSlice on the IHeart Radio app,

Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. 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 podcast. Life is full of hurdles. So how do you keep going? On Hurtle with Emily Abadi,

we're talking with the most inspiring women in sports and wellness from professional athletes, coaches, and Olympic champions about the challenges that shape them and the mindset that keeps them moving forward. At our level, at this scale, being able to fail in front of the entire world. Like, I can do anything. I can do anything. Listen to Hurtle with Emily Abadi on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHart Women's Sports. I'm Michelle McPhee, and I've been unraveling the strangest criminal alliance I've ever reported on. A Mormon polygamist and an Armenian businessman. Multi-million dollar house, Ferraris and Lamborghinis, private jets, a billion dollar fraud. But how long can this alliance last? Tell me what you know. Is somebody coming after me? Listen to Kingdom of Fraud on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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