The Pat McAfee Show - PMS 2.0 1544 - Feel Good Friday with Brett Veach, Wonderful "Champ" Monds IV Makes His College Commitment, Chris Paul, & AJ Hawk

Episode Date: May 1, 2026

On today’s show, Pat, AJ Hawk and the boys recap last night’s NHL Playoff and NBA Playoff action, preview tonight’s playoff matchups, chat about Kirby Smart’s comments about the Big 10 compared to the SEC, preview the Kentucky Derby this weekend, and discuss everything else in the sports world. They are joined several incredible guests including 3x Super Bowl Champion, GM of the Kansas City Chiefs, Brett Veach, 4 star Quarterback from Vero Beach High School Wonder “Champ” Monds IV makes his college commitment; and 21 year NBA veteran, 12x All-Star, 11x All-NBA, 9x NBA All-Defense, second all time in career assists, future Hall of Famer, Chris Paul to chat about his biggest takeaway’s from the NBA playoffs thus far and looking ahead to tonight, and more. Make sure to subscribe to youtube.com/thepatmcafeeshow or watch on ESPN (12-2 EDT), ESPN’s Youtube (12-3 EDT), or ESPN+. We appreciate the hell out of all of you, enjoy the Kentucky Derby, have the greatest weekend of all time. We’ll see you on Monday. Cheers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, beautiful people, and welcome to our Humbley Bo, the Thunderdome. On this Feel Good Friday, May 1st, 2026, this sports program begins now. Sports are the absolute greatest, and we can't thank you enough for allowing us to talk about them every single day. The NBA playoffs are happening, an ass-beating occurred last night in Atlanta. Holy hell. An absolute drumming of the Atlanta Hawks right there in the front of... I believe T.I.'s face. Wow.

I believe a couple chains, two chains was maybe down in there in the building. I know they were trying to swag surf towards the end and I believe they were doing, yeah we got a way and they're kicking our end and we're down bad. And even the guys who created a banger that will stand the test of time, that song will hit forever. in Atlanta on that particular night as they were getting knocked out of the NBA playoffs finding out that their C finance guy was robbing them

finding out on that day and then they would have at one point, they'd be on the wrong end of a 39 to 4 run this is an elimination game in the NBA playoffs a 71 to 16 run occurred Wow.

Nix, blowing out the Hawks. Tough day to be a Hawks fan. Tough day to be a Hawks owner, which we happen to know one of them. Steve, we're pulling for you down there. That's certainly a tough way to end the season. I don't know how the offseason is going to have any way looking up. But for the New York Knicks fans, how about it? Your team steps on an absolute throat in another building.

Jalen Brunson does his thing, and maybe this is the year for the Knicks. Congratulations to them, and I'm sorry, Hawks. Yikes. Sorry, Hawks. Good year. I went to a Hawks game. this year. Yeah. I was in the building a couple of times. We're down in Atlanta a lot. Got a chance to really watch them do their thing. They're always bringing it. Remember, they had

a promotion that got. Yeah, they canceled the show. They were willing. Hey, I wonder what happened that. Some lemon pepper chicken wings can certainly be promoted here. Yeah. We can certainly let an adult ballet have an evening here, especially because it's Elena Hawks. That was the year they had. Trade away, Trey. Yeah. Got rid of him? Yeah. Still in the playoffs. And they lose by damn near a hundred. points. 71 to 16 run. We're watching into playoffs. Bad night for Atlanta, great night for the Knicks. Obviously, NBA playoffs still kicking off tonight. The Lakers are playing. There's a three-game schedule. And we'll have Chris Paul joining us in the next hour to talk about everything in all

things. And oh yeah, he'll be making an announcement about how often he'll be appearing on this particular program going forward. Pistons Magic Pistons obviously getting hot after going down 3-0. That man on that graphic, great there. Cade Cunningham. He has had 100 turnovers in the first three games in which they lost. He's the Pistons best player, the Stones, as the people from Detroit call him. He has a bad game. They have a bad game. He had three really bad games back to back to back. And then he turned it on. And now the Pissons are right back in it. The number one overall seed could potentially break the hearts of everybody in Orlando who thought they were going to knock the number one overall seed out of the playoffs in

the first round. Stones could get hot and continue to capitalize. That's a 7 p.m. Cavaliers, Raptors. Obviously, the addition of James Hardin to Cleveland has been spectacular to watch. him and Donovan Mitchell doing our thing. And then the Raptors, we've seen them win a championship within the last 10 years. We know all of Canada is behind them. Why not the Raptors? Well, everybody in America hopes not. Okay, that's what we hope doesn't happen.

But we love their organization. And then LeBron James was once up 3-0 over the Houston Rockets without Kevin Durant. Now it's 3-2. And this rocket scene was supposed to be young and feisty. That's why Kevin Durant was added to them before the season even started. And LeBron James didn't have Austin Reeves or Luca to start this series. Got Austin Reeves back. will he be able to close the door and be the goat?

That's a good question. But if the Rockets win, that's when it gets 3-3, and that goes to Game 7. Uh-oh. And then the Rockets win Game 7? Oh, don't even go there. In L.A. In the Crip?

Oh. That would be loud. It would be one way all the way to the other way, and I'll tell you what, I've been seeing a lot of people from Chicago on a lot of debate shows. As of late, as the Hughes of Rockets have turned this thing around. I assume they're only going to get louder shout to the NBA, having the record-breaking playoffs that they're having.

And then the NHL, hell yeah. One of the stars, Team USA had a trick-shot goal last night. Quinn Hughes, bang, Bang, a Minnesota Wild American hero. Obviously, Jackie Hughes, his brother, the Hughes's, and the boys obviously did their thing to win us a gold medal. Last night he has a trick-shot off somebody's skate seemingly on purpose. Hey?

Huh? Goal. Perfection. Stars out, wowed on. What a thing. The NHL continues to deliver. night after night. And obviously this weekend, the storylines are going to be around some horses running down there. Oh, yeah. The Kentucky Derby is obviously this weekend. The NFL will never sleep. There's always something happening,

and we can't thank you enough for allowing us to be a part of this beautiful sports world. The toxic tables here at Boss & Connor and at Ty Schmidt. Conman, big night, pal. Yeah, huge night. I mean, we got a couple of kind of do or die. You just mentioned it. The Lakers Rockets, that'll be amazing. The Magic Pistons, those basketball games cast Raptors. But then, of course, NHL. I mean, Sure. I'd lean towards the NHL tonight because Boston is taking on the Sabres back at home in the garden. And they were one of those teams that were down, you know, 3-1. That all things seem to be terrible. Canadians lightning every single game has been a one-goal game.

And the Golden Knights at the Mammouth Golden Knights also trying to close it out on the road. But this is where the first round gets a little testy. I mean, we just saw it last night. You mentioned the blowout with the Knicks, but Boston Celtics got their asses handed to him too. and they were up 3-1 looking like they were going to just walk into the second round, and now all of a sudden that thing's going seven tomorrow. Oh, and the Timberlaves didn't even have enough guys to really have a starting five with so many injuries, and they knocked Joker in the Noggetta.

And Joker's been doing a lot of chesty-chesty with people. He seemed to be a little testy-tasty afterwards. He said, if we're in Serbia, we all be fired. That's right. What are we even talking about here? Remember, they did fire Malone a week before the playoffs last year. Then they had a little bit of a run. Now they do their hire.

They have Joker on their team, and we've seen them have success, so we assume they're going to have success. They don't really get talked about all year, which I assume they don't care about. Or maybe they do. I'm not 100% sure. Then he gets in a playoffs. It's like, all right, now it's Joker's season. Now we get to see this massive Serbian man who plays like no other man that has ever played. He's a giant who has the touch of a small point guard as if he was, I don't know, Stockton or Chris Paul or something like that. But oh yeah, he can also body people. His brothers, bigger than he is somehow. He's intimidating. And he can make shots from all over the court, literally all over the other foul line. He can drop

him in there, other three-point line, his own three, anywhere. He's a special person. And then now we're seeing a little bit, it feels like a drama years. Yeah. Feels like we're in the drama years of a guy that I thought had no drama really around him. It's strictly around if your team's good or not. And that is the entire game of professional hoops.

And I like seeing Joker get a little emotional, though. Yes. You know, I know the NBA doesn't love fights. Sure. There's been some historically terrible things that have happened for the NBA that involve fist of cuffs. Some malices. There's certainly that one.

There's some others, too. I mean, because fans are very close. So that thing can kind of spill it to wherever they do not want fights. Joker shows no emotion ever. So whenever I see him starting to get a little testy, I think to myself, okay, I like that. First of all, I didn't know that he had that. But also, how long's Joker's deal? He's only there for another year.

Really? I believe Joker's only ever, it's like with the honest, with everything that's being said about honest. And then have we ever talked about Joker ever? No. Never. Never. Moving or anything like that? It's like, is Joker upset about what's going on in Denver? Obviously, there was a coach fired very late.

Was that his decision? Was he a part of that decision? Now they're obviously exiting this early into a playoff run with Joker, who's one of the best players in the world whenever he's playing basketball, which he certainly was. And then he says afterwards, if we were in Serbia, everybody would be fired. So it's an interesting time. Maybe Joker's on a move. But on that note, tonight, all eyes, for me, these two eyes, obviously everything else happening in the NBA and the NHL is special. I cannot wait to watch this slate of NHL games

because they have delivered every single game of these guys. The NHL has. If LeBron James loses this game and it gets to a game seven, it's going to be so loud. Today's Friday, obviously, so we get the weekend. So much can happen from now until he can be the greatest of all time. Yep. Or potentially, why do we even have him in the Rushmore conversation

if he's going to let that happen? He's 41 years old right now, as this is all taking place. But this is a gigantic part of daily sports coverage. And people are going to say daily sports is kind of a ruination of sports, potentially. I mean, there is a possibility. But it certainly showcased how much attention and intensity is following sports, I think, daily sports coverage. 24-7, have to get clicks, have to do this. Well, whenever you see something that is probably never going to happen again or never be able to happen again,

like a 41-year-old man who's been famous since he's 15 and been on top of the world kind of do his thing, feel obligated to talk about it. And then people feel obligated to dissect it, break it down, combat it, debate it. And then that's how we get to what everybody hates, basically. But on that note, this has been incredible out of LeBron. I hope Austin Reeves does his thing. And if they win, we will certainly be calling him to go to him. I will certainly be calling him to go to Monday.

Foxx, will you be doing the same thing? Yes, sir. Yeah, and the people from Chicago and Jordan fans are going to hate us. They're going to say we don't know ball, which I can openly admit. You know one kind of ball. I know modern era basketball. grew up in Pittsburgh, not an NBA town. It is an NHL town.

I would watch the Lake Show late night because I didn't sleep much. So I know Kobe, Shaq, and the boys whenever they're late night having a good time. But I don't know like the history of the NBA. So I do apologize. But I have watched some of the film for the old basketball and I've watched modern basketball

and I don't know if they're anywhere near similar sports. And I think Michael Jordan would be very good in the modern era because of how big of a dog he is. I think it would have been good at anything that you wanted to do. he's showcasing now, I think, in life. He's winning NASCAR races every single weekend. And also his shoes. I got him all right now.

Shut up. Got him all. He's good and everything. But I think LeBron would have been able to place early back in the day. No, no. Yeah. So that whole, he's 41 years old still playing. I think his body would have been able to withstand lamb beers chopped to the chest.

You know, I think he would have been able to do it. He's also 6 foot 8 and would have been probably 270 back then if he was doing the entire thing. So I just think it's a tough debate to do who's the greatest. But I'm just going to stand on it now because I've won. watch this guy do us. I think he's the greatest and I'm just going to go with it now. Couldn't agree more and if he loses this weekend I'll just blame his teammates. Which is classic

LeBron James fans, which is what we have done basically our entire time. So I understand why we're a hateable too for the group they don't know the history of the NBA but we're telling everybody who's the greatest of all time in the NBA that they watch like we watch Mad Dog get up there and talk you know. They don't know more about me. I've been

known as a higher years. They know more basketball than I do. Well they played in the game. I don't care. I've been watching this thing night in, night out for fucking 50 years. These guys aren't even around for that long. So I don't want to hear it. It's a tough debate. Hopefully one day I'll live, we will live long enough to be able to do that to the next generation. But we might as well just say it.

This guy's doing something. And if you lose this weekend, act like none of this happened. Yeah. Okay, I didn't say any of this. And I know Michael would have never given up a 3-0 lead. Okay. Sure. You see LeBron pass it?

Do you see him pass it to the end of the fourth quarter? Austin Reeves airballs it They take it the other way, they win the game You think Jordan would have let Austin Reeves airball that shot? Never. LeBron's not a killer. That's what they'll say. Oh, yeah.

Biggest choker of all the time. This guy defers the big moment every single time. Gakot, they'll say. Gichote. I don't want that. No. Who does? We won't talk about it. Because in the Crip tonight, the Lakers are doing their thing.

And around a Marcus Smart, what is this? What is this stat that we got here? Marcus Martin, Luke Knoard versus the Rockets games 1-3, 125 points on 54% field goals. They're doing it. Games 4-th-35, 28 points. Okay, so that's pretty telling. Well, let's get some minutes.

It's good stat. It's good stat. The King needs a way to find that. So, LeBronnees, Marks Martin, Luke Kinnard. Yeah, exactly. Austin Reed's playing in Game 5. That's a misleading stat.

He did not play as much. Exactly. That's all he needs. That's what we're in right now. We'll take Jaylor Smith out of his ass. is fucking, dude. We need him to come make some shots for the Lakers. Disgusting. Mike Miller was he at?

Put Mike Miller's ass on the court tonight. Couldn't win the series. Luke Kinar didn't make a shot. That's what we're saying. That's why if LeBron wins this, it's outrageous because of who we're talking about. If he loses it, he's 41 and his teammates suck. They're missing KD. We know how you guys

do it. Everybody's missing people, okay? The Houston Rockets are missing their best player. So let's not talk about it. We don't talk about it. They might be able to win a series without Kevin. It seems unbelievable. If anything, we need to address the real thing that's going on in sports right now. And that's the Oilers are dead.

And where's Connor McDavid going? Okay, in the NHL, obviously their series is ending and maybe storylines ending, maybe legacies ending, maybe careers being over. We have no idea what's going to happen as these serieses end. And so many great players playing right now across so many different teams in the NBA and the NHL. And then when the game seven series ends and they kind of, you know, get passed on and we look on to the second round, there's still a lot of lives getting figured out back here in this first series.

And there's a lot of commitment, a lot of life, a lot of injuries, a lot of everything taking place. Now everybody's talking about Connor McDavid up there in Edmonton. It's not just now. It's like the last three years. Yeah. They do very well. He's clearly the best player on the ice whenever he's on the ice. They actually shape the All-Star Games challenges around what this dude was doing it just for training.

Hey, Connor, can you give us some shit you do for training so we can make him? make them games so we can have an all-star thing that will showcase the talent and everybody. You got it, no problem. Let me sauce through about a hundred different Collins bang and blah, blah, blah, about him. Look at my speed, my speed. Everything about him screams like, the guy, Connor McDavid. No cups. No cups.

He's up in Edmonton, okay? Great Barn. We've seen it in the playoffs through the run. Love partner. They love hockey up there. It is an incredible environment. Tough to get into daily conversation, I think, in the sports world. Certainly.

especially in, now in Canada, I assume it's all over the place, which we respect and appreciate. We're talking about, for us, though, Edmonton very far and very way out there. Okay, it's lazy on us, for sure, but it's just a reality of business. And it's been happening for the last 30 years. If Connor was to get to a team that was, you know, big market, United States of America, much like what Wayno did whenever he went to L.A. to help grow the game. This would be an insane thing for Connor McDade, David. it would be an insane thing for hockey.

And when he's a Pittsburgh penguin next year and him and Sidney Crosby, you're wearing the same jerseys. Let's go ahead and remember what the numbers are for hockey right now and then what they're about to become. Flyers, pens, two millions, like the most watch game five, yada, yada, yada, yada. You put McDavid! He wouldn't have a C on his chair. Thank you.

Thank you. We need to go ahead and move that. That's disrespectful. Thank you. I don't know who did that. Who did it? Oh, Dubon. Guess what?

You're fired. Okay. McDavid is not wearing a seat. See, if Crosby's, no, I would like to say, if Crosby wants him to, A. McDavid, if this is the determining factor for him to come, he can wear half a C. You know, we could do the, we could, he's wearing the bottom half, say where's the top half, whatever the hell they want to do, okay? Anything to get this guy in one of these jerseys is certainly something that I would be willing to give up. Do I have any say or any connections in the Penguins building? No. So I would just like to put it publicly. They're talking about the best player on earth moving.

day. And like, I'm saying it to the penguins. Yeah. Every team in the NHL would be like, ah, yeah, for Connor McDavid. And that's a, it feels a little bit more real now because of how he reacted about their team all year. Because he's been very loyal. He took less money in his deal. Signed a short-term deal for less money than he could have

to stay there and help build a winner and they lose in the first round. Yours. So you tell me. He needs to leave, period. He needs to leave and he needs to leave. he's coming to the Eastern Conference. He's not going to let him go to the West. They're not going to let him go to the West.

With the momentum that the NHL has right now where people are like, you know, best ratings they've had in a long time, if the best player in the league in the offseason says, you know what? Yeah, I'm out of here. I want to go to Pittsburgh. I want to go to New York.

I want to go to Boston. I want to go to Vegas. Like that... He's not going to Vegas. I don't know. I'm pretty sure Bill Foley would sell the farm. Hey, anybody you want with the exception of Stoner. No Stoner, obviously.

No Jackie Aces. anyone else is up for sale. Go ahead. Come on. You're going to love Vegas, Connor. That's a crazy thing. In the Edmonton people, obviously, I've seen this before, with Wainel, who literally left to go help hockey. Like, that was kind of like the decision. Like, hey, the great one, 99.

Might be watching right now. Hey, Waino. Love you, Wayne. Hey, way to go, those four Cubs, Wayno. That's the only difference. He won four, you know? Well, Waino just wins, I believe. That is kind of what he does, which is what everybody kind of says to McDavid. I think McDavid's kind of sick of hearing that. Hey, yeah, but how many are you going to win? Sid's got a bunch of cups, right?

Sid's got a bunch of gold medals. Sid has a bunch. Mario, same thing. Got cups. Canadian legend. Wayne O, got him. Moose. Got him.

McKinnon has one. Yeah, like every Canadian legend hockey player, which this guy definitely is and is a part of, has one thing that he just seemingly hasn't been able to get. Now, will they talk about him in the hockey world, the same way that people are talking about Bronbon? Whenever he went down to Miami? Nick?

Is that something that the hockey people will say about Connor McDavid? or are the hockey people behind him coming to the Pittsburgh Penguins and riding with Sidney Crosby to three, four, maybe five Stanley Cups over the next six years? I think you might get some of that initially, but I think they have enough sense to realize that he kind of gave it everything he has and has been giving everything he has for 11 seasons in Edmonton, and it has not worked out. They haven't been able to put the right pieces around him,

and he's a guy that is an all-world talent and a generational type of player, and he's had a couple shots at the cup in the finals, against very good Florida Panthers teams. And if he were to go somewhere else, I don't think anyone would hold that against them forever. I think maybe in the immediate instance of it, people get upset, but then after the fact, I think it's all water under the bridge.

He can't be taking his talents down to South Florida. I think there's a chance he does end up with the Florida Panthers, which is not take his talents down to South Florida. I know. It just feels like they spend money. They have players to trade. They actually do have picks again. Now, one team has multiple picks, including one in the top 10,

and that'd be the Boston Bruins. They've got good players to sell them. too. But I do think the bans are adjusting yourself there. I do think the bansters have, like, they have become, like Florida has become such a hub. I mean, we can talk about the lightning too, shit. But it does feel like he'll

go to one of those top teams. All right, let's pivot away from the NBA and NHL playoffs. And maybe McDavid coming home. Okay. Let's pivot away from that. Let's talk a little bit about no. Maybe. What's his name, Connor? Oh, yeah. They got a lot of Conner's up in Boston. I think

Our mayor's It's Connor and Pittsburgh. Our Pittsburgh's mayor's name is Connor. Connor Mick, David? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. I'm thinking Pittsburgh. Yeah, I'm thinking South Boston. I'm thinking they knock down a couple buildings and build them a home there. Yeah, let's, let's. There's probably. We got a couple parts of the city. You're talking about some homes.

We can give away parts of the city, brother. There's probably 10 Connor McDavid's walking around Charlestown right now. How about this? I think I have authority to say this. They'll call it Connor Wood. Wow. One month. And he'll have free access to Kenny Wood.

Oh, so that place. Before he wins a cup? Wow. That's embarrassing. This is a recruiting tool down. It's a recruiting. It's a recruiting. I mean, trying to get Connor Wood.

Connor Wood. Conner's Wood. So you win something. Connor's bringing a wood to all of Pittsburgh. Hell yeah. As soon as announced. Let's move to a little football. Kirby's smart.

Seem very comfortable and relaxed in a conversation with a couple Southern lads, I do believe. Name of their show will be on the screen here. The next round, sorry, lads. Incredible conversation here. Kirby Smart, breaking down college football as a whole. I think it's a nice piece of information for us to have in our world as we talk about ball going forward.

The college football landscape has really, really changed. The Big Ten has won three straight championships. I mean, that's just crazy. The SEC dominated it for a theory on that. Let me hear it. Why? You really want my theory? I want you to hear it because we just had more draft picks than them.

That's right. Overall, not in the first. That was a flip in the first because they had more in the first than the SEC did. Okay, so here's my theory. As a football coach, you're not going to like my theory. I'll go ahead and tell you, okay? I like all theories. I think back in the day when he is so setting you up to cut you down.

He's going to bring up the paying the players. Everybody was paying players. I'm not saying like only Alabama was or only Georgia was everybody was paying players, but I think there was almost a handshake agreement like, Alabama and Auburn, to a certain extent, we're going to let it go on because they knew each other were doing it. But by God, they weren't going to let Ohio State come down here and get a player. Or Georgia and Florida, they knew battling over South Georgia. Look, we're both cheating a little bit, but we're not going to let Michigan come get a player.

Well, now it's free game. Is there any validity to that? Is that a bad theory? I don't know. I can't figure out what it is. I just think they have a more competitive conference, like the top of their conference. There's more good teams. It used to be, eh, Ohio State was good.

Yeah. You know, Michigan was really good. had a great team. Indiana's good. Now they got Oregon. They got a draw. They have an ability to attract good players. Now, NIL has a factor too, for sure.

But so does Miami. I mean, so does Florida. People have money. More people have money. That's right. So I think the talent is spread out thin. Where before in the SEC, it was a magnet to talent. That's right.

The disparity was so great that it was like you couldn't mess it up. You'd win regardless. And now it's like, okay, it's more even. It's just been three in a row. They did. But it's crazy. Like when you were over here, here as a defensive coordinator, you would not have taken the Indiana job under any circumstances.

No, probably not. There is no way they would have brought you away from Tuscaloosa. You were waiting for a better job than that. I agree with that. And now it's a national championship program. It just shows you how quickly things can change in this place. That's true. It can change quick.

But that doesn't explain why the big – No, I agree with you. It doesn't explain why the big team has been able to do that. And that's just, you know, I have so much respect for them. I'm like, really better coaches than us. And that's what all our coaches say. I think Joel Klatt says that. Okay.

Hey, that's a lot of stuff right there. Yeah. A lot of things were said there by the host of the next round, okay, which I assume, I don't know what event. Is that the golf an event? The SEC golfing or whatever it was. The way he was describing what it used to be like,

what it is like now, and then the conference, the depth, or the coach is better. It's like it's got everybody kind of question what the hell is going on in college ball. And Kirby, I appreciate him saying in there that we have more players draft of the NFL. So does that mean we have a more talented league

in their better team? Like, why them, really being flustered is certainly something I enjoy happening. And Sanky just at a dry race board saying, I'm taking all the, whatever the answers are, let's try to figure this out. Yeah, I mean, taking off like the Big Ten Homer hat, seeing as I went to a Big Ten school and everything, it really, I mean, we've talked about it a bunch with money being, you know, kind of the, listen, these northern schools, the alumni bases, like, they, Big Ten hadn't had

success in terms of like a national championship, you know, run the way the SEC had. So a lot of these schools said, hey, let's fully commit. to this when, you know, they kind of opened up everything. It was like, hey, you can go, you can essentially go buy a national championship, but it's still, I think the, in terms of, like, how deep the Big Ten is, like, we've talked about the three teams that have won national championships, but like going into this year, people are talking about USC's recruiting class and how they might be unbelievable. Oregon is right there every single year. I mean, like, even Iowa, like, are they going to win a national championship? Probably not, but a couple of things go different ways last year.

They're in the playoff. And we really did with the SEC last. year. We're talking about the same three schools. You know, it's Georgia, it's LSU, it's Alabama, and then every once in a while Ole Miss got crazy. That's what I mean. Like every once in a while, Ole Miss will pop in there, or you know, Florida will pop in there. But

it seems like there is just such a drastic drop off. And I don't know. I mean, I haven't looked at the recruiting numbers, but it does seem like the Big Ten is going down into the South and getting a lot more of those guys to go commit to Big Ten schools. Where in the past, it's, it was a

brainer. They would go to Alabama. They would go to Georgia, and I just don't know if that's the case anymore. Well, and it's not just a big 10. Like Miami beat Texas A&M, SEC in Texas A&M, and then they were the ones that beat Ole Miss. Like the ACC also, not as a whole, but Miami now kind of taken back over South Florida, where just like that guy mentioned, like, hey, the SEC schools were competing for certain areas in the country. Like Miami is now all the way back and they're getting a bunch of good guys too. So like Big Ten absolutely being the most dominant, but Miami's also purging some of those players, and that's hurting the SEC too. Yeah, the NIL has hurt the SEC, not so much in the fact that they're not getting guys

because they are getting guys. But like back in the day, Bama would have three deep of five stars. You're never going to have that again because those five stars or whatever, they're not going to sit around. So they're going to other schools because of the NIL. Like when they get to these schools and they realize they're not going to play, then they go to these other schools. And then the talent has been spread out so much that just over the last few years,

because those, the bigger schools of the Big Ten have gotten that talent and do have more money now. That's been better for the Big Ten. But I do, like, I agree that the Big Ten, just like you saw in the draft, is better at the top. They have the better at the top right now. But as a whole, like the bottom of the SEC would blow out the bottom of the Big Ten. Certainly. Which is what Kirby actually said there late then. If we were to listen to the rest of his answer, really good conversation between,

he was very wide open with these guys. Yeah. These guys, incredible environment you boys have said here at the next round that have, made Kirby feel very comfortable and also asking for your opinions. He said, well, some coaches, not me, obviously, but some coaches in the SEC who I have respect for, Kirby said, say that like, you know, when you've got to play at these places that are really not good in the SEC, but are actually really good, mentally it can burn you, stress you. I mean, you can get worn down. He said, well, I didn't say this. This is not how I view things.

my guys get harder, whatever you know, I think is what he meant. But one of the coaches is like, hey, by the end of the SEC season, I mean, it's just going to be naturally more worn down. Now, the fact that he's saying that, I appreciate, because he probably is thinking it as well. And he said, that's this guy's idea. I like it. But I also like the fact that the Big Ten people are like, this is what they're worried about. They're getting worn down, and then they got a month off until the playoffs,

and they're not able to get back and get better. So it's a fascinating little time for college ball, and we're just lucky that we get to be a part of it. down her on a sideline, whenever we used to see back in the day, Alabama's offensive line. They played who here in 2020 for the national championship? It was Georgia, right? These guys came running out of the tunnel to your point about being deep. Yeah.

And there was 75 straight, just the biggest fastest dudes of all the time running out both sides of the tunnel. Me and AJ were watching. And obviously, AJ is the all-time leading tackler for the Green Bay Packers. He ran like a 4-4-230 or 40 pounds or something like that when he was. come out. Freak athlete, A.J. Hawk. We're looking at these dudes come out. And it just seemed like there are a hundred guys just came out that were the biggest, strongest, fastest

dudes you've ever seen in your life. Those guys all now traveling to other places. Kirby talked about, I've played more freshmen. I've got to play more young guys now than I've ever had to play before because if you don't play them, obviously they're going to be gone. And also we have to play them because other guys are already gone that we're trying to get ready for two years, three years back

in the day. We're taking advantage of it. Signetti's out there saying, hey, listen, are we all playing football or not? He's turned Indiana into a powerhouse quickly because he's been able to evaluate. His evaluation is better than everybody else. If he thinks you're a good player, he's probably right. And it may be not for everybody,

but for his system, if he likes you, it seemingly works out, and you can Google him. How about him walking into that situation? You can Google me. I win. Then he goes on to win National Championship. How about he walks in that basketball stadium? What's he said? The basketball arena, the first day that he's there,

and there's not even a dedicated football locker or football weight room. at that point at Indiana, whatever. He grabs the mic at a basketball game. What do he say to the people? Hey, Purdue sucks. And they said, oh, yeah. So is a high state in Michigan. Goosiers. And we all

thought to ourselves. This guy's insane. We knew him. We had known him from James Madison. He went to West Virginia. His dad coached, he's from Pittsburgh. He's an Italian. Like, we knew Signetti very well. His intro to Indiana with everything he was saying. I'm like, man, I've met, I've

met a few of these humans before in my life through Pittsburgh, West Virginia, football, Italian. I've met a few of these. I've never seen somebody be this open with it all. And he said he was doing it to inspire and motivate and tell the people that he was with, hey, these are our expectations. He said it was such a dreary place when it came to football that he needed to change the expectations and change the idea of what the standard is around there quickly. So he ran his mouth. He actually said that. He's turned that down since. He said, I'm done it much now. I think we kind of know where we are now. We kind of back off that entire thing. But he said he was doing it to tell the people that he was around. Like, hey, this is ass right now. This is not going to be ass. And then he

goes and wins the fucking national championship and has a perfect season. And the year before that goes to the playoff when they've sucked forever. And I wonder if that part of that, if you're in the SEC, that could be maybe a little bit more unsettling is obviously there aren't very many guys like Sig. You know, like they aren't just growing on trees. But if you find an unbelievable coach who is legit and you go to one of these schools that is kind of just, you know, been laying dormant and you could prove that you could win a little bit and you can get that alumni base that has a lot of money. Like why could, I mean, Northwestern is always going to be academics first. But like, if you get an unbelievable coach at Northwestern and then you get all

these rich people that graduated from there, like, why couldn't Northwestern out of nowhere be like, hey, Northwestern's 10 and 1 this year? That's why UCLA surprises me so much that they're not so good at every sport. Because they have so many wealthy folks seemingly associated with UCLA. Yeah. I think UCLA, I think there's a lot of wealthy people over there. And that's like all you really need right now. Until they put guardrails on it. And now in the Big 12, you can get an extra 30 mil out. Yeah, you can.

What are we giving up, though? Does anybody know? That's a great question. I sent a question. I tried to do some journalism. I got no answer. Yeah, but Sig is not all, the thing with Sig now,

he also got another top five recruiting class, or not recruiting class, transfer class this year, portal class. But he's not shopping at Marshalls anymore. Okay, he's just got that number one overall player in this upcoming class who visited the number one wide receiver overall

coming in to visit. So he's going to find his guys, but they might be better now. But the favorites, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Indiana, those are all non-SCC. Then you get to Texas, Oregon, Georgia, a couple of SEC teams in there. But right now, as right now, as the odds are concerned, will be not an SEC team. Well, and some of those schools, like the ties point about, like, Northwestern, sure, they're always going to be shitty. But how long until someone from Wisconsin or Nebraska or, like, kind of the older programs are like, okay, I'm sick of doing this bullshit and stinking?

And then all of a sudden they start to kind of rise from the ashes. And who right now is spending a lot of money and it's not going to work out and the person that's giving all the money is going to stop giving money. Yes, exactly. Like those schools are out there and we just don't know. Zig's not growing on trees though. Yeah, exactly.

And he gets a new contract, what, every year? Yeah. Right? As new contracts are signed everywhere else, his contract just automatically bumps up. Right. So he's literally getting a new contract every single year. Congrats, Sig.

He took the long way. Yeah, exactly. He found it. There's going to be so many statutes. of that man. They're going to have so many of his quotes all over the place about standards and how you lead and the way he think. They're just going to be all over the place, especially down and I.U. They are very

grateful for him, but they are a very grateful group. If you do stuff for the Hoosiers, they are thankful for. They'd be grateful with nine ones. Exactly. Oh yeah. Exactly. Speaking of somebody that has earned a little gratitude from the place in which he works, ladies and gentlemen, joining us now.

To continue our trend of talking to the NFL's decision makers. General manager of the Kansas City Chiefs, three-time Super Bowl champion. Men have played football at Delaware, let's not forget. That's a venue, man. Ladies and gentlemen, Brett Veach. Yay, Brett.

How you doing, brother? How you guys doing? Hey, I see, I believe, is that a Larson hoodie you have on? Is he doing the Indy 500 this year again or no? No, I don't think he's doing it this year, but he'll be in Texas Motor Speedway this week, and he always

runs well at a mile and a half track, so I think he's going to pull a big victory this Sunday. Hey, what the hell happened? Taladega? I was watching there. Bubba was in the lead there. And then all of a sudden we had a, what, a hunter car pile up, I think, down there, Tadalago. Was Kyle a part of that?

Did you see that? Taladaia. He was shaken up. Whenever. Oh, Bubba gets a little bump up under it and what. Everybody crashes. Wow. That's in the race, basically, except for four.

Were you watching alive when this was happening during the draft? Or did you have to miss this one and only see the clip later, Mr. Breedfeet. Oh, no. I had it on there. I don't miss my NASCAR races, and that's... Smart. That wreck is typical plate racing. You see it, Talladega, you see a Daytona, but I'll tell you what.

Hats off to Carson Hozavar, man. What a drive, and that kid's been... He's been flirting up there in the top 10 in the last few years, and I was kind of joking. Last couple weeks ago, we got the Kansas Motor Speedway, and I said it's only a matter of time before he's on one of those Gibbs or Hendrick teams because he's got a ton of talent, and cool burnout there at the end.

It was exciting for the fans, but that was certainly a lot of fun to watch. Okay, you talk about Gibbs or Hendricks teams. Obviously, that is a couple of destinations that invest a lot of money in what they have going on. We happen to live here in Indianapolis, the home of the greatest race in the history of racing, the Indy 500, which I do believe you got to experience last year, right?

I didn't, no, but I'll be there this year. Oh, yeah. You're going to love it. You're going to love it. Now, I don't know what the weather's going to be. It's seemingly hot. Now it's gotten cold. it's perfect. The weather can certainly decide

how great of a day that you have, but the Indy 500, especially with how big of a race fan you are, you're going to love it. There's a museum. I mean, it is fantastic. I love how much of a race fan you are. I also appreciate the fact that you're able to balance that alongside being a three-time Super Bowl champion general manager.

Let's talk about draft season for you. Let's talk about everything that goes into that. Whenever you're deciding what you need to do with your team, obviously there's self-eval happening throughout the entirety of last season. As you get into off season, you start shaping together what you want your team to look like? And when you do that, is that when you decide, okay, we got to move on from McDuffie? Maybe we go young in the defense.

First four draft picks will be defense. Like, when in the process do you kind of decide what you're going to do, if that makes sense to you, Brett Feach? Yeah, I mean, I think we're always thinking a year to two years out. And, you know, our mindset is to just stay fluid. And obviously, Pat, that kind of directed our decision to go with Mansour Delane with that first pick. We were trying to keep that one quiet, but heading into the offseason, we had to obviously make a tough decision. Trade in Trent McDuffie. But in addition to losing Trent, we also lost our cornerback number two, Jalen Watson, ironically both to the Rams. So, you know, there are a lot of needs we had entering the draft, but it's very difficult when you lose cornerback.

cornerback number one and quarterback, cornerback number two. So certainly had our eyes on Mansour. And if there's one way to Steve Spagnola's hard, it's pressed corners that like to tackle. So I'm really excited to add him. And again, it's always difficult to replace players like Watson, players like McDuffie. But we certainly think Montser has the skill set that will fit nicely in this scheme. And we're certainly excited to have them. Okay, I was your people fantastic at what they do, by the way.

They sent me over some quotes of Andy Reid talking about drafting on the defensive side of the ball. He basically said something along the lines of defense matters too. You know, Coach Spagnola is going to be happy. That side of the ball is also important. As much as I love the offense, that's an important side of the ball. We had some vacancies there that we need to take care of. So when you look back at last season and you won a couple years back, it was Spagnola's defense kind of leading the way.

and then the offense was also, you had Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelsey, so the offense is going to be able to execute in the massive moments. Did you think you got away from good defense? Did you think, like, that's what we need to get back? Like, at this stage of the chiefs, every dynasty has a bunch of different stages and chapters.

At this stage of the chief, you think we need dominant defense? You think that is something that every team needs, but in your eyes, we need to get very strong on the defensive side, and then on offense, what is the thoughts going in the next year to maybe get another Lombardi over there? Yeah, it's a great question. I think certainly,

the defensive side of things, just the ability to get off the field on third downs. I mean, I think we did some really good things defensively, but the one area we struggled at was, you know, that third down. And, you know, that's why, again, adding a player like Monsor Delane, then we add at Peter Woods, you know, we want to create a little bit more pressure up front. We got to get, we got to get offenses off the field on third down. And then offensively, you know, we certainly have to grow and get better there. And I think, you know, we certainly made, you know, an effort to improve the running game.

You know, we added Super Bowl MVP, Kenneth Walker, feel real good about our offensive line. We've invested a lot in the offensive line in the last few years. You know, we have Creed Humphrey and Trey and then, you know, the first round pick last year. But I think the emphasis on the running game this year and, you know, bringing EB back is certainly going to play a factor in that. You guys know how talented he is and how much he demands. of, you know, the demands he puts on the linemen up front. And, you know, obviously Eric's probably one of the best running back coaches of all time. So we're excited to add Kenneth Walker.

We added a fifth round pick in Emmett Johnson. But I think, you know, getting back to, you know, the old school play defense and, you know, establish that run game. I think we'll take a lot of pressure off Pat. And as he's working back from that injury, allow him to kind of do what he does. And hopefully by mid-season, late season, Pat's in that groove. And we have this thing cooking. Did you expect Kenneth Walker to be available like that?

Well, you know, I did November, December, and then he went on that playoff heater, and I got a little worried. I think I actually texted Pat during the Super Bowl after he busted that long run and got called back, and I said, you know, he's going to run right to another team because, you know, there wasn't a lot of running backs available. But look, I think Kenneth saw the fit here and saw the vision here. Once that window opened, I think it was pretty clear how much we coveted him. And again, we're super excited to have him here and help get this run game going. Yeah, he's an incredible player. I cannot wait to see what Andy Reid does with him.

And also, E.B., being back in the building. It seems like everybody that's been in the building with him, especially over there in Kansas City, is happy that he is back in the building. You know, we got Drake May, okay? We got Bo Nix. He's great. Joey Burrow. Lamar Jackson. Daniel Jones

What? Josh Allen Mendoza in the division now Yeah Fernando Mendoza Justin Herbert Okay You see what we're doing here We're saying all the quarterbacks

that everybody is saying like could be Hey it could be Could be Nobody really talking about Patrick Mahomes greatness at all Over like the last probably year If I had to say Your thoughts on where Patrick Mahomes

Is at this stage of his career as the general manager of the team in which he leads. And my thoughts to you quickly, I can't wait to see a pissed off, overlooked Patrick Mahomes back on a football field. I assume you feel the same way. Yeah, no, I mean, it's going to be super exciting. You know, Pat has accomplished everything there is to accomplish already.

Now it's about how great is the legacy going to be. It's already at a super high level, but, you know, just how far can he take this thing, but, you know, I don't want to speak for Rick Berkholder, our trainer, and, you know, I'm not a doctor, but it has been just an awesome experience to see exactly how Pat Mahombe, Pat Mahomes has attacked this rehab process. I mean, in my mind, I mean, you know, he gets hurt, and you kind of figured he would attack this thing, but, Pat, I mean, he is in this building, I mean, seven to three to four o'clock, every single. single day. If he goes back to Texas for a few days, he takes one of our assistant trainers

with him and flies her to Texas with him. Now, obviously, because of that hard work, I think he's pretty far ahead of schedule. Again, I don't want to get too far ahead of myself, but just such a motivating presence and such an example to the building on how to approach every day like a true professional. And, you know, I'm excited for him to get back out there. And I think our biggest challenge is, you know, we have to do a good job of protecting him against himself because, and I think he wants to, we have 110 rookies out here getting ready to try out this weekend. And, you know, if we told Patty can go out there and throw him, he would. So excited for him, as you could imagine, he's crushing this rehab. So it should be a lot of fun.

And like I said, hopefully we have a little running game to go with this. And now some defensive help. And hopefully we get right back to where we need to be. Yeah, and he'll stop taking hits, too, right? Yeah, he'll stop running people. over. He'll stop writing people over. When he was the guest picker down there at Texas Tech, before he gets up on stage, obviously has conversations with Coach Saban everybody

and he gets to me. And I don't know how often I'm going to get to talk to Patrick Mahomes. And I don't know if he hears anything we say or how locked in he is. So I take that time immediately as somebody outside of his world to say, you got to stop fucking running people over, dude. Okay, we need you in football.

We need you in football. You know, we need you to stop. No, I said, we need stop taking these hits and then he responded with i'm giving the hits and i said see that's what i'm talking about that that that is what but he views himself that way which is why i think we need to respect and appreciate that this guy is in the middle of this great run and i can't wait to see him just being completely forgotten about yeah he's been completely forgotten about now somebody that has not been forgotten about and i think might be married for next season none of us know the date but i think might be a married man go ahead con man yeah brett it uh past time about

Travis Kelsey, of course, as we know. And looking forward to all the festivities this summer. But with Travis, it was kind of up in the air for a month or so there. Was he coming back? Was he not? He obviously signs a one-year deal that turns into a three-year deal. But when you get, you know, kind of in the room with him, does it feel kind of like a last dance type, like almost as if, you know, him and Patrick are motivated to show everybody,

hey, me and you, we are still that connection. I don't want you announcing his damn retirement. right now. But is that one of those types of things that you've kind of got in a sense of that they want to prove to everybody that this is still the same old chiefs? Well, yeah, I mean, certainly I can't comment on

the future after this year, but I will say there was a lot of speculation mid-November, early December about Travis retiring, but we played our last game of the season in Vegas last year. And when we got back,

you know, we have player meetings and exit interviews, and it was a cool deal where Trav came in, and he basically said, like, I'm going to take a few weeks off here, but I'm not going out like this, and let's stay in touch, and let's figure something out. And then, like, 10 minutes later, Andy called me. He's like, hey, did you talk to Travis? And I said, yeah, and Andy's like, yeah, he's coming back. So we certainly knew ahead of time, and while, you know, Frequency was going on and there was still some questions in the air on whether or not he returned. We knew basically the day after our last game that, I mean, he made it known to Coach Reed and to me that there was no way he was going out like this. And I think there's an element, too, of how close him and Pat are that I think Travis wants to be there with Pat for this rehab deal.

I mean, you know, you go to training camp, those are long days and we're still one of the few teams that leaves and we go away for about a month. I think there's that certain element that, you know, Travis wants to make sure Pat sees this rehab all the way through and they're ready to go week one. But, you know, certainly those two players have, you know, the utmost fire and intensity and, you know, winning and culture is so important to them. You know, you knew right away that last season left a bad taste in their mouth. And they were certainly excited to get back on the field. And if it is the last stance, hopefully we make it. it special, but, you know, you knew Travis Kelsey wasn't going to go out with the season we had last year.

I love it. Just such a football fuck, Travis. He really is. He is such just an Ohio football, dude. That is what he is. But he's also incredibly talented, and he's representing our sport to the globe. Yeah. It's at Ohio and Pennsylvania think, Pat.

I always, when we're, the first, one of the first questions I asked my scouts when we're watching players, where are they from? You know, what hometown? Where they from? And so I certainly gravitate to Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, those schools. But, yeah, certainly that Ohio DNA is very similar to the Pennsylvania DNA. Yeah, the Rust Belt, brother, certainly. Rust Belt, absolutely.

You should also, you see South Florida, you should think about it. Yeah. Yeah, you see South Florida. You should certainly think about it. Just something from my understanding of what happens there. But I do appreciate the football appreciation from multiple places in the north. feels like the entire state. And obviously Pennsylvania.

Have you seen the football town? Have you heard about this football town movie that was made? Yeah, I have. And we're at the owner's meetings, and that's when I first kind of saw the sneak preview and goosebumps. I mean, you were amazing. The work that you did, the work that the crew did there, just awesome story.

And it kind of just gives people an inside look of just how important football is to Pennsylvania and those steel towns. I'm from central Pennsylvania, so I'm from the coal region, Pat. So that's in our blood, that's in our DNA, but what a cool story and what a cool production that was. That was awesome.

Yeah, I think that line right there was like, it's a tough job which produces tough people, which is why most tough people like the sport of football. It is like kind of a thing that is... So they actually tied together, hey, I think they spoke to a lot of people from the area, too, like, hey, let

us explain to you why you love ball so much. That's what it felt like when I was watching it. It was like, hey, let us clarify to you your feelings of why you love ball and why it really was never a decision for you. And it was a cool thing to be a part of it. Thank you for that. But yeah, I know Pennsylvania, Ohio people, I think if they're going to watch this, they can put themselves into this as well very much.

Absolutely. Yeah, it's good thing, baby. Football is the greatest of all time. Now, let's talk about the team that you have. Go ahead, Tone. Yeah, right. You talked about trying to keep your interest for Mansour Delane kind of hidden. obviously there was a couple teams in front of you in the Saints and Commanders that also needed defensive help.

How hard is that to do? And at one point did you know that you had to jump those teams to get him? And it's the interest thing, because we talked to Les Neat about it with Ty Simpson. Is it a first round thing? Is it more for first rounders? It is throughout the whole draft as far as like top 30 visits and stuff where you kind of keep your interest hidden. Yeah, I did see the interview with Les. And I was kind of thinking in my mind, that's how we have.

approach that where we kind of looked at the draft pick a nine. We have a lot of needs on our team, but we also were picking nine. We typically don't pick this high. We want to take advantage of this opportunity. And I think the way we approached it was we kind of had two things that we knew. One being Mendoza, Love, Bailey, and Reese would be gone by six. And the other thing we knew is that more than likely Cleveland wouldn't be picking at six. Andrew Barry did, you know, he did a great job all weekend moving around the draft board, but it was known really at the owner's meeting right around that time that they had a lot of interest in moving down.

So again, we kind of knew those four guys would be gone, and we knew that Cleveland wouldn't be picking at six. And so to your point, I think the commanders at seven, we thought they'll be the first team in line for one of those guys, and it happened to be Stiles. that snuck through. But we also thought they could go wide out. I think where we got pressed a little while was when we were looking at the same. So they came into this draft with maybe similar needs, right?

They lost two years ago. They lost Paulson-Adebo in Freedancy. This past off-season, they lost Alante Taylor. So they were kind of down two corners. We just lost two corners in this off-season. But we basically had our analytics people just really, you know, the commanders at 7 and the Saints at 9. And I think the data came up slightly lean to Whiteout or BPA if one of those top players get through. But we got a little nervous where our analytics came back and they thought that the Saints probably would have a slight tendency to go corner now.

I mean, they drafted a great player in Jordan Tyson. and our analytics people said, you know, you're going to be looking at pick nine, Jordan Tyson, Caleb Downs, and Montser, Delane. We looked at the Saints, and we're like, gosh, man, they're down a bunch of corners. We're down a bunch of corners. Washington's not trading, so if you want this guy, you got to go to six because the Saints aren't going to trade. And, you know, I know Mickey really well, and I've been in that position before where Mickey's, if there's one guy that's more aggressive than me, it's Mickey.

Mickey's not trading back. So, but that was the guy we wanted it. We had him as a top five play. and certainly Spaggs, you know, kind of fell in love with him during the process, but also, too, going back to your original question and kind of the gamesmanship, and to Les's point, we actually cancel his 30 visits because the Internet and teams, they do such a great job of monitoring all the players that come into the building, so we were like, let's just not even bring him in for a visit.

In addition, we didn't zoom him until maybe the day or two before the draft. I mean, we waited until the last minute on everything, and we just wanted to not show our hand. And I think we took some people by surprise, but I think if you really looked at our roster, you know, it probably didn't take our rocket scientist to figure out that when a team loses, you know, their number one and number two corner, a corner might be need. He's the best corner in the draft. So that's kind of the thought process and why, you know, we went up there and just got the guy we wanted it. Okay. Do you tell him when you cancel his visit or his agent? Like, hey, this does it.

This is no hard feelings. Like, do you have to just say, no? You just tell him no. See you later. Yeah, we've done that before. With this one, we didn't even get there. It was on the schedule. And so our personnel staff was,

he was on the list of guys to contact during the day. I met with Steve. And then I actually pulled his name before we even reached out to the agent. I even think the agent was surprised, too, because, you know, that- God, this is so crazy. His kids can't know anything. Going through the draft process, you can have no idea.

Hey, this team purposely was not interested in you, like, just so that nobody else knew because they wanted you that bad. It's crazy what you guys have to do. Well, that's because you guys do a great job of covering it. Well, I'll tell you what, I think the Chiefs are going to need a corner. Yeah. And you look at Spag's defense, feels like LSU kids the one. It feels like that.

Yeah, I'm sure it's us that are deciding that, but it is, everything's known now. Everything's known about everything. If you were to get a beer with somebody, we would know it. Like immediately, somebody's posting a picture of it. Hey, they're taking pictures everywhere, by the way. Okay, you know that. Okay, everywhere, everywhere, everywhere. Okay, so we know everything at all times about everything is what the world is now.

And I like that you're using that as a way to kind of hold leverage and still gamesmanship. I respect it. When less needs said I liked it, when you said it, I liked it. It feels like this is a younger version and poker players in this style. Okay, last question here for you, Brett. And this is about what's about to happen, I do believe. Go ahead, Ty. Yeah, Brett, because of Patrick, everyone's always going to mention, you know,

needing to get more weapons. And then when you look at who's currently available, free agent-wise, especially with the receivers, there are a lot of good vets available. How likely is it that you will make a move, whether it's, you know, receiver or another position of need, before training camp or over the next several weeks here? Yeah, there's certainly a possibility of that. In fact, some of those players that you have listed there, I think I've spoken to some of those agents already.

And I think where we are now from a process standpoint, as I mentioned, we have our rookies in this week. We're going to, you know, I think we had eight or nine draft picks, maybe eight, I think we signed 16 undrafted free agents, but we have 110 guys here trying out. So we'll see. We might flip some of those guys. Some of those guys may end up on our roster. and then after that we'll officially have our 90 and then we're going to go through probably phase two but I mean we'll start picking up the phone reaching out to agents may have some visits here in the late spring early summer before training camp but I think we're always looking to get you know 1% better

and if something makes sense for us and something makes sense for the player and the agent you know we're all for it and and who knows we'll see but we'll certainly be making a lot of calls Kyle Van Nuysrae is striking shit. Yep. Yeah, he certainly is. Calvain, he's also a free agent. Somebody let people know. We certainly will.

Veach, thank you so much for everything. Thank you for the process. Thank you for the detail. And we'll talk to you next time. Good luck. Always. Appreciate you guys. Thank you.

Who's one in the Indy 500? I haven't, listen, I am knee-deep right here. I'm knee-deep in my derby work right here. Once I get past the derby. Who do you like? Who do you like? What do you like? Walaby?

I mean, listen. So, I mean, you got obviously Renegade. I hate Benton favorites. I hate horses that get stuck on the rail. But, I mean, if there's two people I trust in the horse racing game, it's Duke Tobin and Mickey Loomis, they both gave me renegade. I like Chief Wallaby, you know. But there's something about this further ado.

That's the one. I mean, you know, I think he lost by a nose to Chief Wallaby. But, I mean, that was a race off a. layoff. I think, you know, he came back and when his derby prep by, like, 10 lanes. I think he's sitting on a big one. So I'm going to go with further ado, I think, but what the hell do I know? Yeah. It sounds like

you know more to me. I appreciate you doing that, ladies gentlemen. That's Brett V. General Manager. What do you do? Ask me if you can come back in an hour. Further ado, it is. Hey, Mickey Loomis and Duke Tovin. Love Renegate. Is that Rapoli working the strings

there? That would make sense. I thought he was going to say there's nobody I trust more than Rapoli in the game. I always want like, the stats. We're back on the other side. Be a friend, tell the other friend something nice. My change your life. See on the other side. This episode is brought to you by FedEx. These days, the power move isn't having a big

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We got massive games tonight. The NHL playoffs are happening. We got massive games tonight. We got series that are already over. We got second rounds that are already decided. We got a couple trophies up for grabs. The NFL is always cooking. MLB's hitting dongs.

Schwarbo yesterday. Double header in Philadelphia. sizes to go back to back Jackson, back to back games in two different jerseys in the same damn day. Had a monster day for the Phillies. Phillies are in an interesting spot because they got a lot of stars. They spent a lot of money. Started out as an ass baseball team. Fired their guy. Now we'll see if they're able to move on. Schwabo says, why don't we put the team on my stick? Because he hits bombs yesterday. MLB does that every single day. Today we're also going to be a part of something very, very special, which is obviously an honor every time we get to do it. We get a chance to be a part

somebody saying where they're going to go play football at next out of high school. These sensations have massive decisions to be made, especially with financial implications that we've never seen before. And we get asked if we want to be a part of their magical day. We say, yes, we're thankful that we'll have one of those in about eight minutes from now. Hey, through this process, we've learned about the next generation of ballers. Oh, yeah. This guy today is a guy.

Might be the best one. Yeah, his name is wonderful, champ. Mons the fourth. And he can spin it. 16 years old. He reclassified. He was the number one prospect in the world for the 2028 class reclassifies. I don't know how you just test out.

I guess I'm smarter. Everybody, let me go ahead and just eliminate a year. I know people used to do that to become doctors and shit. Correct. They had like 14-year-olds with like test out of things and then they go to college. You have to do your house. Football guys are doing it. So he has to be super smart too, by the way, to test out of a grade,

move up a grade, graduate high school. He's in now the class of 2027. and he's making his decision today on where he's going to school. And there's a good chance that this 16-year-old we're going to see is going to be 20 when he gets drafted to the NFL. Yeah. And we're going to watch him just go crazy. And we're going to be lucky enough to say that we were a part of wonderful,

actual first name, champ, I think middle name, nickname, Mon's last one, the fourth. Love it. Yep. It will be a fifth. Uh-huh. There has been three others before. We can't wait to celebrate with all of them.

It's a huge day. We'll do that in about five minutes or so. So sports are great. obviously. Toxic tables here at Boston Connor at Ty Schmidt. Won't have of the hammer. Don't! Cowboys AP Tone.

The Kentucky Derby is tomorrow. Obviously, massive day in the gambling world. Renegade's still the favorite, but I heard morning lines is when things start to move. I heard it's going to be a chilly day in the track. What's that mean? Yeah, so tomorrow obviously is the Derby. The Oaks are today, which is a huge event as well. Yes, Renegade is still your favorite.

58 is the height for the Derby tomorrow. No rain, though. so it should be a fast track still. I checked the conditions this morning. It's a fast track. We're not going to have mutters out there. No mutters will be muttering. But no, Renegate is out there.

You heard Brett Feach talk about further. Adoo, he is one of the favorites. Chief Wallaby, Commandment. Incredible. Ooh, I like that one. Yeah. I like that one. Who is it today that scratched Mr. Party?

Something wanted to have a party scratched today. But no, it's going to be a great day yesterday. The Derby is the 12th race of the day. Correct me if I'm wrong. Bruce. I believe there's two races after that. A lot of races to gamble on today and tomorrow down it. Yeah, it's not the last race of it.

Yeah, it's a whole festival of horse racing. And remember, these aren't necessarily the fastest horses in the world. That's the Breeder's Cup. That's the adult horses. These are the young horses. These are the babies still getting after. You three. Yeah, until your three or whatever.

Now, $3 million obviously payout for the winner. What's that to? How much does a horse get in? Hey. How much horse, hey, is allotted out of that $3.1 million for whoever wins this. Bruce Brown is a minimum. man I used to own one of these horses. I want to know how many apples?

I think all of it. $3.1 million apples? Yeah, I think at least three and then the connections get $100,000. Don't lie to us. We know what happens. I bet the horse union's pretty good. 51% of it.

Oh, yeah. The glue factory union is pretty good. They haven't been able to negotiate that out just yet. Yeah, I think we know what happens after the race. Not if you win. You're getting a bushel apples. Yeah, if you're coming last.

Sure, they're going to shoot you in the head. No. That's what Joker said. That's what Joker said last night. You lose? Boom. Let's not talk about the hills. Let's talk about the dubs.

Sure. Okay, the dubs, they're living a life of luxury. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Stutna. Yeah, exactly. You're getting so many delicious right out. Oh, my God. The Washington apples.

Honeycrisp. Just so loud. Were you born in the barn? Yeah. Actually. Leave a door open. Right around. There, must be fun.

Beautiful creatures. For those top five. Let's just remember that. Joining us now, ladies and gentlemen, he's a Kentucky Derby enthusiast, a man who's been to plenty of races in his day and is actually a part of the horse culture. Ladies and gentlemen, his face is just as long as a horse, and that's because it was a weapon.

Ladies and gentlemen, he's the all-time leading tackler for the Green Bay Packers. He's a college football national champion, Super Bowl, United Cup winner, ladies a gentleman, AJ Hawke. Yeah, baby Hogg-old! There he is, just like I said. Just like you said it would. Yeah, I'm not really part of the horse culture. I have been to the Derby many times, but, yeah,

still don't know anything about the whole situation. So how many derbies have you been to if you had to just prox? I'd say 10 plus. Okay, so you're part of the horse community. Yeah. Yeah. You're doing the red carpet thing. You're drinking the juleps?

Yeah, mint juleps. I've had one, yeah. I don't love them, but I've had them, yeah. Yeah, smoking stugs with kid rock. So much. Yep. Having so much fun. Highlight.

Talking to the owners of the horses, right? Hey, we rubbing any of that bomb on the ass cheeks that got that one guy expended or expelled forever? Do you remember that was a situation? What was that two years ago? Yeah, Bob. He's back. horse community is wild. You've been a part of it. So tell us about what we should expect from

watching the Kentucky Derby tomorrow at home. What are the participants inside of that horse race and jungle experiencing? I don't know if I'm exactly the guy to give you the type of insight that you're looking for here. But yeah, the Derby, you are right though. I think the derby race is like the 12th race of the day. That was news to me the first time I went. I thought it it was just one race. There's like 11 leading up to it. And then there's a couple races afterwards. That's kind of a fun time to hang around because the majority of the place clears out. sit there and, you know, make all your weird random bets you want to make, and there's two or three

races afterwards. Kentucky Derby's a lot of good fun, just, you know, kind of gambling on things you know nothing about. Best name, that'll get a bet for me. Sometimes people just bet strictly off odds, right, don't they, Bruce? Bruce Brown, actually in the horse community, has owned a horse before, is very

informed on the horse racing biz, I would say. Yeah, I try to be. I haven't been keeping up to the day-to-day as much, so it was a lot of cramming. I was up until about one- am last night. Self-handicap. Yeah, don't see it.

Right at Florida. I give you a full intro about, hey, we have an expert. That's what I just said. Yeah. That's what I just said. Well, actually not this year because I haven't been watching it, but... Like, in the past, you got to say, that's a factual statement. If he stayed up to 1 a.m.

Notes, I was up until 1 in the fucking morning going through... Oh, okay. Go through all the same. Who's your pick, Bruce? Commandment in the 6-slot is the most sort of prototypical. Triple Crown contender when you look at how they run, the size of the horse. The Puma and the nine slot outside of him. There's a Puma race in this year?

I'll take the Jungle Cat. Okay, yeah. So happy is the great story. It is the trainer's first time in the derby. His wife, unfortunately, passed away this year. It's a bit of a guardian angel coming in. So happy. Who is that?

So happy. We'll talk to Marty Smith in about 30 minutes. I think he did a piece about Unso Happy, right? Exactly. Beat Baffert so happy did in the Santa Anita Derby. And then on the outside, 13. You got Potente. That's Baffert's horse this year. 14 emerging market is interesting.

And then you can go way out to further ado in the 17 hole. The 17 slot is 0 for 46 in the Kentucky Derby. No one has ever won coming out of the 17 pole. Until Friday you do. So Brett Veach is hoping for history. Okay, well, good luck to Fred, Brett Veech and Freddie. And Freddie, you do. Obviously, it seems like those are long shots because they got the longest yardage or meters.

What are they judging it in? Meeters, mileage? What is it? Furlong? Yeah, furlongs, but it is a mile and a quarter, I believe. Furlongs? That's not a thing. Makes no sense.

Six furlongs is a sprint. When they first said it, everybody was like, that's not furlong. And now it's just kind of stuck around in the horse committee. like four lengths or some shit. How many hands are these horses are we talking? That's a good question. How many hands are we talking whenever it comes to the horses? Do you know, Bruce?

There are a lot of hands. Horses are pretty big. So how many hands are? How many hands are? Maybe they're so good. Let's get hands in there. I know that's a thing that horses have, right? Their hands is how tall they are.

Is that accurate? Yeah. Yeah. I mean, hey. He doesn't. Oh, 16 hands tall he stood. Wake up, Bruce. All right.

We act like we understand horses. We don't. Bruce used to, I guess. Now we're in a different stage of life. Shout out to the breakdown, though. That was very good stats. Don't put on the 17 horse, it does seem like. And we talked about it earlier how there are moments that happen on our show that are so cool

because we understand that they're going to probably last forever. And who knows where this story all goes. Ladies and gentlemen, every once in a while, we get to be a part of somebody's history. Run it, Foxy. It's a big day for some big day for some big name Locking in the play and some big games Since a big day for some big games Locking in the play and some big game

Where you going next? Recruiting is like chess Got a 4D if you want to be the best Announce it on the show Where you gonna go? Oh, want to know big names. Locking in the play. Some big games.

Oh, some big name. Some big names. Some big games. Um, um. Yes, it is. Who's going where next? We find out now. Ladies and gentlemen, 6 foot 3,

230 pound. 16-year-old, who is once from the 2028 class, reclassified with his big-ass brain to be a part of the 2027 class. Now to announce where he will be playing his football. after this upcoming senior year at Vero Beach High School. Ladies and gentlemen, wonderful, Champ Mons, the fourth. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Thank you.

Wonderful, how you doing, buddy? Thank you so much for joining us. And shout out to the family. I don't know everybody's names around there, but great to see everybody. Is Wonderful the third up there? Yes, sir. Wonderful, the third is right here, actually.

Great to see you, man. Wonderful, the third. Could you imagine what your father's fodder would think about the fourth version? of the wonderful Mons family. No, I couldn't. Special family, man. We've been learning about you over the last couple of days

and watching your highlights, learning about you reclassifying. Obviously, you're only 16, and this is all happening. But can you take me back through a little bit of your football life and recruiting life when this all started and the decision to reclassify, how massive is all of that in this entire process? I mean, I've been getting recruited ever since coming in

as a ninth grader. You know, I'm blessed to be in this position, and we decided to reclass. We felt like it would be the best for my development to get on the college level next year. So, you know, my grades were good enough, so we made the decision. Miss Sherry, I believe his mom in the back right there. Hi, Miss Sherry. How are you? Hey, I'm good.

That's incredible. I could barely graduate high school right now. The fact that he's doing it a year or less, obviously, great work by the entire family. And I believe that's sister Naya in the back there. Hi, Naya. Hi. Hi, thank you for joining us. And then the jacked guy on the right side of the screen, who's that wonderful?

I'll take it back. That's my agent. Hey. Sean, oh dear. Hey, what's up? You're from Rosenhaus's crew, yeah? Yes, sir. Appreciate you having us, Pat.

Hey, no problem. And then on the other side over there to the left with the white hat. Looks like he just got off a golf course. What's going on, brother? That's the head man, Coach Jay, the head coach. Hey, what up, Coach. All right, what up, team. Okay, wonderful.

We are so thankful that you have a lot of you have, All the people closest to you around you in this moment. And if you'd like to let the world know where you're headed next, we'd be honored to be a part of it, sir. The floor is yours. Yes, sir. First of all, I wanna thank God, you know,

without him, this could be possible. I gotta thank all these people behind me, my parents for pushing me to be who I am today. Coach Jay for pushing me every day in practice, Sean, for getting this set up. And then all my teammates, you can't see him, but these guys, guys. Boys, boys, boys, boys.

Boys, boys. Boys, boys. Yes, sir. But, hey, for the next three to four years, I'll be attending University of Notre Dame. Whoa! Huge for Marcus Freeman. Congratulations to you and your family.

The Fighting Irish, obviously, incredible football school, but school in general and also alumni and future life. What a wonderful decision. As you tell the boys, hey, boys, boys, we've got to finish this conversation before we go crazy here on this Feel Good Friday. We don't want to eat into your good times, but why Notre Dame for you? Wonderful. And congrats to you on this decision. You know, I feel like Notre Dame has everything you could think of when it comes to academics,

people and the coaching staff. Just overall, I feel like it's the best fit for me. And my parents, we all sat down. Probably one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make, but we felt like this would be best for me. Congratulations to you. AJ has a question for you, wonderful. Yeah, wonderful. Marcus Freeman, I was lucky enough to play football.

football in college with your head coach, Marcus Freeman. I guess what was it about him, you know, starting out when he was recruiting you that that kind of, you know, made Notre Dame a place, you know, that you might want to go? I mean, first of all, he's super down the earth. Like, when you're talking to him, you're not, you don't feel like he's on any other higher level than you. He's just such a humble guy. And he was just telling me different things of how I'd be in the program, how I would

fit. And that's the reason why they wanted me to join their program. So Coach Freeman, I feel like he's a great guy and a great coach, and I can't see what they do. Mr. Wonderful Mons the third. Notre Dame, obviously, whenever you talk about the history of ball, it'll be a part of it. I mean, tradition, everything. Some people only know college ball through Notre Dame football.

When you guys get to this decision, what is your immediate first sense for your son about to be a member of the Fighting Irish? I would just say, I'm just happy and proud that he's going to a school that has great academics and great culture. and I'm just happy that he's a part of it. Ms. Sherry, this is obviously a crazy time in recruiting. How have you guys been able to stay so tight and seemingly keep the entire family, including the boys in the locker room, so humble through it all?

Congratulations on managing this crazy chaos through it all. Thank you. It goes back to what Champ said that it's God first. We put God first in every decision that we've made, and he hasn't let us wrong yet. So we're going to keep the faith and keep going. Hey, that is wonderful. Congratulations to the entire parents family.

And good luck the rest of the way. We can't wait to follow your career. You're going to be the best. Yes, sir. Thank you. Hey, work your ass off, wonderful. Yeah. All right, all right, champ.

See you, buddy. Congratulations. Yeah, sir. Man, 16. He's coming to a great state. He is. 632. 630.

6.2.30 is a 16-year-old. able to just test out of a grade. Okay, that's crazy. Got a hose. Notre Dame. It's like what this is. Marcus Freeman did it here. Now, I will say, I did not know Rosenhaus was going to have a representative on camera.

Thought that guy did look good. Yeah, I thought he was crater. He was angling pretty good, I think. I think he potentially knew what was happening. I think he's seen Instagram before, you know, especially fresh out of Coachella and stage coach. There's a lot of good posing going on. I think he had good lighting too on the entirety. But Rosenhaus hit us up and was like, I got a guy, you know, he's a big fan of the show with love if you.

And I'm like, we're like, sure, man. Rosehouse, you've been good to us in the past, bro. That's all good. And he goes, you should see this guy, though. Like, hey, this might be the guy. Hey. One of the most impressive tapes we've seen out of anybody who has committed on the show. So then we search it.

And it's like, well, he can really spin it. Oh, he can really move. What is he looks big? Is he big? Oh, he's how old? Wait, he was just an eighth grade? So what the hell's going on here? And we can't wait to see what he does in Notre Dame.

Congratulations to Marcus Freeman. That has to feel damn good to get one of those. AJ, college football is crazy. I don't know if you saw what Kirby Smart said earlier today. Talking about the Big Ten, I mean, Notre Dame, obviously not in the Big Ten, but it's certainly not in the SEC. It's not in any conference, which people certainly were pissed off about which. Wonderful. Great decision.

You guys do well. You're going to be in the playoffs. And once you get into dance, you can do what you've got to do. Kirby Smart mentioned, he said, hey, we're going to. had more people get drafted in the NFL. Still, this is like 100 years straight. We've had more people get drafted in the NFL. So in theory, we have a more talented roster, but the Big Ten's kind of beating our ass.

It's kind of the topic of the conversation. He said he's, I'm looking for all theories. Are they better coaches than us? I mean, is that happening? Is it a better league than us? Is our league too good? He's like kind of grasping for answers as well. It feels like everybody's in the same world right now, understanding the climate of college football, AJ.

Yeah, I think tone actually had an interesting take saying, you know, the, the, depth that you used to be able to build at these big time schools. It's just, you can't really do it anywhere. And you definitely can't, you know, stash guys, third team in the SEC, that are receivers, but they got two first team All-Americans in front of them. Like, you, you don't really get that development, I think, that you used to, but it's the same for everybody. So I don't know, other than maybe, Kirby mentioned it. Yeah. People, I mean, Brett Beach actually, great, great publicity for Ohio and PA, if you hear him talking about Ohio and Pennsylvania players. He likes to look at and know where guys are from. I thought that was a great publicity.

great endorsement for both states. But I'm with Kirby too. Like you're always trying to figure it out. Like what, what is it? Why? And he was right. Like the bottom half of the SEC is definitely better than the bottom half of the Big Ten.

The question is those top two, three, four teams in both conferences like, who's better? Yeah, it doesn't matter. I don't know. That the bottom half is better or worse. Well, Kirby said some SEC coach was like, yeah, yeah, matters. When we're sweating out of week nine, yeah, the stress. That's dark, Phil. The anxiety, the man, yeah, that wears you down.

Kirby said, now, I didn't say some other coach. You know, you've got to actually at least take it in consideration a little bit. I mean, he's thinking a lot deeper than I, but long season, hard game, every game. I mean, that'll drain you a little bit. But then it's like, well, there's a month until the playoffs. Yes, sir. Well, we're just talking about, you know, to get in to the dance, you know, as you got to do it. It is, and Nick Saban said it.

I know, because I, very early in this NIL process, because I've been very, very fortunate over the last few years to have a seat in college football show, you know, like literally in college football show. I've almost become a pseudo representative of the Big Ten on that. I went to West Virginia. It's in the Big 12. Okay. So I just, I speak of it as the North. That is what I always say. The North is coming. The North is coming. Because that is kind of what's happening. And what we have learned is the North is very invested. A lot of schools much more invested than they knew were even possible in the past. And then once the North starts winning, Boy, that makes it a lot easier for me.

But I think Sabin, at the beginning of that, I mean, we've all seen the videos. Who knows how he felt about me at the very beginning of that whole thing? I think he liked me. That one video is pretty damning, though. I mean, he is giving me a pretty nasty look at something. You know, but nonetheless, we've gotten to a great spot now in the entirety. But I think at the beginning, he was just kind of shooing me away.

This dupist doesn't know. But I think I was trying to read the tea leaves a little bit early. Like, hey, I think a lot of the players that would go elsewhere are now thinking about heading to cold weather. and they're going to have to get paid to go cold. That's the only way. It's like, yep, and they are doing that. Does that change, AJ? Is this just what college ball is now? Is that just what it is now?

It'll go back and forth. I think, I mean, you guys are talking earlier. Like, it will be funny to see, can a team like Northwestern all of a sudden? They get a bunch of boosters behind them. They build a roster in a year or two. Can they make a run? Like, are we going to see teams like that, like what Indiana did? Can we see that happen again?

I don't know. I think it's pretty damn difficult to do that. Yeah, Signetti, though, is seemingly reloading. I forgot to send a Zoom to somebody. buddy. That's on me. I'm sure I wouldn't get brought up by this guy immediately either. Yeah, I'm sure. I'm sure would not.

I'm going to let it be known. The dude that's about to join our show and about to join our show, basically, this guy's electric. Awesome. This guy is absolutely, I don't know if he's going to, I don't know how long it's going to take for him to get that to the thing, to do the whole thing, 100% on me. here definitely my fault huge day today this is a huge day this is a huge day day before the derby obviously um n hl playoffs NBA playoffs day before your birthday mhm 39 okay yeah it is right in between this is your birthday thank you hey happy early birthday man i was gonna do it somehow yeah happy you happy

birthday thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you everybody let's not feel obligated to say what goes around yeah you're right yeah yeah Yeah, you're right. Oh, classic. It could be worse. Happy early birthday. I'm going to turn off all my shit tomorrow. Turn off all no mentions.

Yep. Can't even mention my name. What if I erased my account? That'd be pretty fun. That'd be awesome. You shouldn't do that. People are doing that lately, though. Yeah, I've seen some people just pretty quickly from multiple different platforms.

I guess it's possible. This is your guy. You know, my back, my back, my back, my back, my back on. This is your guy. All right. You're standing off. Ladies and gentlemen. man.

You're good. Thank you, by the way, for the kindness. Thank you. I am very lucky and thankful that I have survived another trip around the sun, and that's good. People get real creative and tell them you have a birthday while telling me to eat shit

at the same time. It's just like, all right. So I might just turn it all off. It's fun. It's a really fun time. Ladies and gentlemen, joining us now. Is a man who's late to his first ever appears. Okay, 22 years in the NBA,

12-time, All-Star, 11-time All-MBA. Two-time Olympic gold. Second all-time and assists in the NBA history. Seven-time all-defense, he's bopping wood. Love that. This guy bops wood. All day. Bop, bop, bop, bop, bop, bop, bop.

Pop-bop. This guy bops would, AJ. Seven-time all defense. That's a jit. Now, there was 15 seasons, though, where he wasn't. So now you've got to really start wondering what's going on. Fourth pick from Wake Forest, ladies, gentleman Chris Paul.

Yeah, Chris. How you doing, man? What up? What up? Tell the people while I was late, first of all, Pat. They know, they know. I already admitted it. I didn't send a Zoom link to Chris Paul. That's 100% on me.

Great day, great conversations. Love the TST hoodie because obviously we got a chance to meet you in person down there in beautiful Kerry, North Carolina, as you're one of the owners of TST, the soccer tournament, which is right around the corner. Can I wait to see how that all goes. Chris, thank you for joining us. Thank you for becoming a friend of the Thunderdome in the morning over the last couple days. You have been electrifying

to talk to. We'd like to let you know that. I do have some questions, though. Last time I talked to you, I did not know you were seven-time all defense. I'm just learning that here now. Nine time. Nine time. Get that right. Yeah, I think I put on their seven first time. First team all these. Oh, you're right.

Two times. Second team. Yeah, we don't really count second here, Chris, but I guess you do. Yeah, hey, listen. Top 10 defense, you got to do what you got to do there. Okay, so 9, 22, minus 9. would be, what, 13 then? Is that the number?

So, 13. 21, 21, minus 9. 12. Callan's tough. A. 12. Okay, so there's 12 seasons you weren't on all defense. Lazy, or is that towards the end?

How do we end up not on the all defensive team? That's a good question, man. You know, a couple of those years, I think I might have played like 60 games, 61 games or something like that. Not eligible. That was even before the rule that been put in. No, it was just. they didn't.

I broke my hand one of those years and whatnot. I mean, I had five hand surgeries, so. Golly. You're the best. And we appreciate you joining us. Let's dive into some NBA playoff talk, shall we? Jokers out, Timberwolves win without basically three, four of their best players. Joker seemingly more frustrated than usual.

How should we view Joker as somebody from outside looking in? Very rarely the headlines, not really the topic of discussion all season long. playoffs are kind of the time we learn about him. He loves horses. He's incredible at basketball. Seems upset. Is he ever going to be on the move? How does we view Joker in the nugs?

And then what are the thoughts on the Timberwolves? He's amazing. Amazing basketball player. Amazing player. I got a chance to know him during one of the all-star games during one of the all-star weekends. So a great guy and knows every little detail of the game. He actually leads the league usually in kicked basketballs.

Right? But that means when people try to throw like pocket passes, he's so smart and he's such a great passer that he kicks the ball, which makes you have to take it out of bounds. So I got the utmost respect for him. It's a tough loss they just had, but it was dope to see Jay McDaniels do what he did. On that note, AJ, I don't know if you know this, but we got a segment.

What? Yeah, we got a new segment. Chris Ball is going to be joining us through the rest of the playoffs, and hopefully more down the road, okay? He obviously, a man, 21 years in the NBA, seven-time first-team all-defense. Obviously, the accolades stack on top.

12-time All-Star, 11-time all-MBA, two-time Olympic gold medals. We'll help us out not be in dufaces the rest of the way. Now, where the hell have you been in the last couple weeks? Certainly a question, but excited that we're getting started now for the rest of the way. We wanted to put together some ideas so you can kind of guide the conversation on what we need to dive in on.

So we started a new segment. Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for C.P. top three. You see that because he's CP3. These are his top three storylines. I see what you did there. Yeah, thank you.

Jaden McDaniels, though, one of them, especially because how he's kind of handled himself in this entire series. What are your thoughts on why we need to be paying attention to McDaniels a little bit more? Because, man, this league,

you sort of get categorized as a particular player, right? So it's a lot of guys, they call him three and D, or they just be like defenders. And so me, watching him play in this series. Of course, everybody wanted to talk about how he called guys out and was doing all that. But I got the respect for him because he is a defender. He guarded me

just about every time we played against each other. But to see what he did in this series offensively, that's tough because he's showing he's a two-way player, kind of like Dylan Brooks. Everybody always knew Dylan Brooks as a defender. But when you come out and you make the big shots that he made to close his series out, that's big time. Goes for 30 as a defensive specialist potentially. Also fought Joker a couple of different times. I think that's how a lot of us learned of him. What you're saying is around the league, everybody respected.

How many of these defensive guys are there in the league? How many of these types of guys are there? And then obviously evolving into an offensive threat is a big piece of your sustainability in the league for these types of guys? Yes, a lot of guys in the league who, you know, they know their assignment going into every game is to guard the best player. right so that's j made danis that's probably been his role but that's what a lot of kids don't understand is i'm sure when he was in college high school all that stuff he got buckets right so people have the ability to do that that's just not what their team calls on them to do but when you see aunt go down and you see de vincenzo go down everybody just has to step up so um to see

him do that in this series like those shots those middies he hit right there on jama murray down the stretch, that's tough and that's big shot after big shot. And so I respect it. Okay, let's move to another series in which you are pumped up. The Philadelphia 76ers. Absolutely going home. Maxie goes crazy, but it's not just Maxie in Philadelphia. You're saying there's somebody else that you would like to spotlight a little bit. Yeah, man, Vij. Vijay. Vijay Escham. I've known him for a while. He actually, his high school coach was a college teammate of mine. And so everybody always talks

about the playoffs and how it's for the vets and all this stuff like that. Man, VJ, a rookie. A rookie. But I just love his mindset of not waiting. Right? I'm not going to wait to see what the league is in five or six years. He go out there

and he just, he gets to it right away. And Tyrese, everybody knows what type of time he on at all times, but this is going to be a dangerous backcourt for a real long time. Okay. Are the Celtics worried? Read right now, CP. Is this a, oh, no, for the Boston Celtics with a 76ers team that people have been trying to trust the process

for about 10 years with. Is this the time for them to maybe upset the Celtics? I don't know about all that, but if you're the Celtics, you're not worried because you've been there, done that. Obviously, you get to go home for game seven, and you got Jalen Brown, you got Jason Tatum, you got DJ White.

Like, they have a great foundation. They got a great coach, a great system. I mean, they're a really good team that's not going to beat themselves. And what they say, the best two words in sports is game seven. So it's going to be a big time game. That is the best two words in sports is game set. For your guys' sport. Okay.

Are you any good Sunday, huh? Super Bowl. That's two words, right? Yeah, it is. Super Bowl. I think that is, it's good. That's first time. Yeah.

Touch. Don. Okay, these are all good two words. But I understand, and your guy in the off season, Game 7 is electrifying. Are you guys going to be able to handle it, Conman? Is Boston going to be able to handle? Tyrese Maxie and Vijay and the Vee stands for vets somehow,

and he's only just a rookie, says Chris Paul. Yeah, I don't know. Who is the most points in the history of game sevens? Oh, Jason Tenor. Oh, so I think we'll be okay. Yeah. Is that right? Yeah, I think we'll be.

Now, him hurting his other calf last night definitely doesn't make me feel great, especially after what happened last year. And Max, he's fast. So maybe we get a little bit of bench help. Yeah, we'll see. I mean, maybe you guys put the exciting five out there. Yeah, exactly. Let's get Peyton Pritchard.

Yeah, let's get Luca Garza. Payton Pritchin, nice, too. Oh, you know that. Yeah. Best contract in sports. You and him, you and him, if you were to, you think similar playing style as Peyton Pritchard, you and describe yourself? I don't know about that.

Peyton shoots the ball real deep, you know, but I actually send my son videos of Peyton at times, you know, just because of his ball handling. And a lot of people see these players and see what they're doing, don't realize the work that they put in. So I got, he's another guy that is a really good player. Yeah, he grew up playing.

He's told his story before. Steve Blake used to pick him up when he was in high school every single day during the summer. And him and Steve Blake, would just play one-on-one for hours every single day, Payton Pritchard. And then he took a massive jump and became like catered player of the year. Okay, so that's what you need to do to your kids. All right, I got it.

Call Steve Boy. All right, let's go to the third of C.P.'s top three storylines. JJ Reddick is a great coach. Okay, I like that we're at this stage because he was getting a lot of shit when he got hired. I like that you want to give him a little publicity about being, hey, this guy, everybody's talking about LeBron right now. Let's talk about what J.J. Reddick has done as a coach, CP. I mean, it's no secret. JJ was a teammate of mine, right? And so it was actually surprising when I saw

it was going to be a coach. And honestly, people like, man, what you think? What you think? JJ is, I don't care what it is. If JJ say he was going to become a chef tomorrow, JJ's going to be a great chef. Jay J.J. is one of the most dedicated and competitive people that I've probably ever been around in my life. So I just, I know he's going to put into work or whatever to make sure his team's prepared and I know he may he make it on the same. Okay so tell me about this Lakers team then let's talk about it. I think you know LeBron a little bit I think I'm not

100 sure we're not bringing it up the boat right in there a boat oh but in the boat yeah we're not bringing it up I'm not doing it everybody else has done it but it just did but it's all good no but I get in the way of saying I'm not doing it so like I would like that to be on the record of I'm not

doing it because everybody else has done it it it's old we're past it I'm not doing it right No, no point. We had a big conversation about this. We even FaceTimeed AJ. AJ, we said we ain't doing a banana boat bullshit. We're way past that, didn't we?

Almost like that as long as you say, with all due respect. Yeah, exactly. That's what we say. You can say whatever you want to. You can say whatever you want to. As long as you say, with all due respect. Well, that was at the beginning of the conversations that we were having earlier. We were like, with all due respect here to the banana boat.

Yeah. Because that thing is legendary. Big time. With all due respect to the banana boat, we're going to, put that thing to bed. Yes. Bye, banana boat.

We don't need you anymore. That was the decision we made. So I'd like to go on the record saying, I'm proud of us. Yeah, good job, guys. Good for us. Chris.

Thank you. Thank you, Chris. All right. Oh, man. It looked like fun, honestly. Dude, so much fun. I think very rarely do you get that as an adult.

You get to feel that way. We're not doing it. Not doing it. Are we talking about the gay? Are we talking about the late? What are we talking about? We were just talking about. the banana boat that we're not talking about. We are done talking about the banana boat. Let's talk

about the game in the Lakers. Okay, let's talk about LeBron James here. 41 years old. Obviously, you were an old ass while you were playing in the NBA as well. The amount of things you have to do to your body to get up for one game, let alone 82, let alone a playoff series, all that stuff. Can you put into kind of perspective what he probably has to do to get ready for games and why we're seeing what we're seeing? And what do you think the odds are of him being able to close this out because if he doesn't they're going to kill him for it chris you know that it's a lot and it's crazy um to see him still doing it at this high level but i do expect it because i know what it looks like i know what the training looks like i know what the diet looks like i know

the rest and all that hyperbarre it's it's very time consuming but if anybody's going to do it he's going to do it and what the series is a series each game takes a personality of his own um He's somebody I'm not worried about. I'm sure Houston is feeling really good going back home. But it's been a great series to watch. How do you, okay. So whenever you try to piece together, like for me, how should I view these games?

Because you said each game takes on a life of its own. And we don't have to talk about just the Lakers Rocket Series. Let's talk about me trying to find a crown, okay, at one point picking a game. Okay, I'm just trying to find one crown on draftings. I got L after L after L after L. LeBron, Austin Reeves is back. he's certainly going to get a double double. No questions asked.

Lakers are going to win. Yeah, right, it's seven assists or something like that. What the hell happened, LeBron? Well, I thought we're feeding. Like, that's what I have not head up. I don't even understand all this stuff, Pat. Well, good. Just tell me this.

What do I need to look at? How the star players are feeling? Do I need to look at matchups? Do I look at how coaches go against each other? What do you think is the best way to decipher which team will probably end up being the ones that move on after a seven-game series? because it can't just be a one-night thing, obviously. It has to be a seven game in total.

You have to show up, show up. What should I be looking at as I tried to figure out who's going to win these series? Man, you're always trying to look at where they're playing at, right, to see, obviously, home court matters, depending on what the team is. I don't know, it's funny. Even in this Lakers series,

it was interesting to see Austin Reeves come back, right, to see who's playing. Obviously, the Rock is, I'm not sure of KD's, plan or not. But everyone gets used to playing a certain way. And then you find out somebody's coming back into the lineup or whatnot. All that stuff is tricky. So you got to almost wait and see who plan and where they plan out. Okay. All right. That's what we do. We'll just wait and see. That's going to help me, Chris. Okay. You say you don't understand it all. I know you don't understand it. So I'm going to give you a pass. Just know you didn't help me at all right there.

Okay. Tell me this, Pat. What would you, what would you do? Tell me what would you do? And I'll tell you best in... LeBron James. LeBron James won the first three games. I thought game four early looked like they were probably not going to win that game. Missed shots. Didn't look like Abron was deciding to go ahead and do it.

I feel like it was, hey, let's get to game five. If the boys steal it, let's go ahead and steal it. Get back home. Yeah, let's get to game five. From LeBron early. That's what I saw. So I saw Austin Reeves coming back. I'm like, hold on now.

Austin Reeves can definitely play Robin here. Okay? This ain't a Batman Robin issue, which they've said LeBron has had in the past, you know, with other people, he can't play with, can't do this, too bald ornament. It's like, Austin Reeves would be able to do that. So my mind immediately went, Lakers by 30, okay? LeBron's definitely dealing the Reeves.

Reeves definitely going crazy as well. And you know what? Bronny over six and a half points, too. Why not? Why not? Might not? Might get a little loose. That's what I'm thinking.

Listen, this is how we used to sort of look at the whole series as a whole, right? You used to say it's a seven game series, you got to win four games, right? Used to say your stars, if you got two big stars, your stars are both win you a game, right? So say you got a Batman and a Robin. One of the stars are both win you a game in the playoffs. Then your bench, right, just because your bench, the energy of your bench, your bench should be able to come in and get you one win. And then hopefully your coach can get you one win, right? And your coach gets you a win by substitutions or what you're laughing at, man?

No, that's just incredible. That's interesting. Now I'm going to start looking at these series and say, all right, both the stars got to win. Okay, look like that with the bench. What's coach going on? Fascinating. I'm like this coach a little bit more. Because a coach can actually, like, make a substitution, switch something in the starting lineup.

You know, call a big player something like that. That can sometimes affect the outcome of the game. Okay, you just gave me an answer. That one you didn't give me an answer. That one you gave me an answer. Now, I need to know how the hell something like last night happens. Go ahead, Connor. Yeah, Chris.

I think last night was the biggest playoff loss in the history of the NBA. It was 51 points. It was ridiculous between the Knicks. Yeah, 51. That's the biggest ever? Yeah, I believe that was the biggest ever. Have you ever seen anything like that when you're watching it or kind of... Absolutely not.

Never. Never seen anything like it. 51 has to be the... What's next, fellas? What are we going to talk about next? 51. How do you lose by 50 in the playoffs? In an elimination game?

In front of everybody. Yeah, I got that. They were trying to do that, down 30. We're getting bad. I'm trying to do that. What's next, Pat? What are we talking about next? Okay, let's, I would like to correct some things that are wrong

because obviously we're doing journalism. Turns out 51 point differential is not the largest in the history of playoffs. Really? Oh. Yeah, it turns out it is not. No way. No way. There's 51's a lot of points.

I know. You think 52 maybe? Yeah, 55 at most. Yeah. If it's not 51, it has to be 52. All right, fellas, that's enough. That's enough. All right, so.

56? No, it's not 56? 57. What? Hey, Pat. Is my mic not working? 58. I said I got this.

58 points? Who lost my 58 points? That's a tough night. Yeah, it's a tough everything. So, let's talk about it. Let's do it. Last night, last night here in my house, Like I'm watching the game with my family, my wife, everybody.

And a bunch of my closest friends and my homies, they know. Every time a game gets out of hand like that, I'd be like, get them. Yeah. Yeah. 2009, New Orleans. 2009 New Orleans, I was playing for the Hornets, New Orleans Hornets. And we lost to the Denver Nuggets by 58 points. Worst place, my boss.

Yeah. 58. Last night you had a chance. It felt like at one point it was up to 60, I think. There was a 71 to 16 run in the middle of that game. A 39 to 4 run at the end of the first quarter into the second quarter. You potentially were getting moved out of the record books. That 2009-58 point loss was going to be nothing to maybe 60-70 point loss as the bucket was super small.

So does the bucket get smaller whenever you're getting your ass? But like on those terrible nights, what is it? Actually, what is it for teams? They just can't shoot. 10. They're going to bring up this. Oh, 21 to 63. Oh, my God.

63 points? This looks like one of those high school games, you know, you turn on. And it's like one team has five guys going, and then the other team. I got to go find the footage for me. Because B. Scott, shout to Brian Scott, who was my coach.

I remember I used to play the whole first quarter, the whole third quarter. And I remember we was down, obviously, going into the fourth. And I was like, man, coach, let me start the fourth and see if we can do something. And what is there? We lost the fourth quarter by what?

20, I think. I don't think I played the fourth, the whole fourth, but it didn't matter. We was already getting the assbook. Would have been smart for you. Okay, tell me a little bit about how long seasons are and how you have to show up 21 years

in the NBA is insane, especially with how long the seasons are. When a night's going bad, obviously if you play for 21 years, you don't have many bad nights. Do you know in warmups? Do you know like the night before? Is there droughts that people?

people have? Like, what is kind of the NBA experience? Derek White's going through it right now with the Boston Celtics where he just can't be he can't make a shot basically. Yeah. So does that happen during a seat? How do you get out of it? What is kind of the world? A lot of times people think just go to the gym, just get more shots up. It's always nice if you got good teammates or whatnot that can just stay in your ear. I think one of the things that I try to do throughout my career too was especially during the playoff start. Stay off. media. Stay off social media. And you almost got to tell your family too, like, because

you don't want to get too high, you don't want to get too low. So when you're struggling like that, you just got to, you got to try to find it. And sometimes it's playing defense a little bit better, or maybe getting you an easy bucket or I need to check and see if, like, when I don't play with certain guys that maybe were straight scores and say there was a tech or a defense of three seconds called or something, like when I play with Devin Booker, if he, if he wasn't scoring her, but go shoot a free throw. Right. Even though I'm a great

prethroat shooter and I shot most of the techs my whole career, I'd be like, yo, go get you a free throw. Just see the ball go through the hole, right? Just see the ball

go through the net. And so sometimes I can help you and it just take one game. Like, I tell you two, Mikhail Bridges has been sort of struggling a little bit in this Atlanta Halk series.

And even though the score was what it was, I pay attention to every detail. Kale went on like a 70 run in like a third quarter. Yeah, the game was out of hand already, but it's still, like, we all work off confidence. So to see McHale make a few shots, maybe that'll help him going into the next series. McHale had 24 points.

I think that would be a great night to kind of get back on track if you had to. We saw that with Tyrese last year. Tyrese was shooting at a massive bucket there for a while. Then he got cold. Yeah. Then he got cold, and Spicy P. Kind of picked up for him. That's when you need your teammates to kind of do their thing.

Obviously, the Knicks have that happening right now. and I'll tell you the Hawks team Jeez Louise It's a good season Go run What did you do the day after I guess this would be If you're messaging to the Hawks

After losing the second Worst in the history of the NBA playoffs Was Brown a long time Flint Tropics right were happening Yeah they never lost by that much Yeah never Ask the question Ask the question man

What'd you say How should the Hawks be moving on here That's pretty demoralizing end of the season? That is a tough way to end the season. They're very publicly. It is tough, but they had a great season, looking where they came from. And a huge shout out to C.J. McCollum,

Nick, McKeill, all of them guys. Like, the thing is that they had trades during the season and them guys still believed, and they kept hooping. One of the things I tell you, I learned earlier in my career, that 2007-2008 playoff series where we beat Dallas in the first round and we lost game seven to the San Antonio Spurs. That was one of the best teams I'd ever been on. 07-08 New Orleans.

And that was my very first playoff series I'd ever played in. One of the biggest things I learned looking at that bench, obviously young, game one, we might have won by 30 against San Antonio. Game two, I don't know what we won by. But looking at the bench at TD,

Tony Parker and Genoblee and all them guys, they weren't phased. And that's what I learned throughout my career. So whether you lose by one or whether you lose by 30, it don't matter. 58. Yeah, yeah. Hey, hey.

And that wasn't even the close-out game. Okay. I don't think that was a close-out game. We lost like, so for Atlanta losing that, either way, you're season over. You lose about one. Agreed. I view that for golf, you know. That's kind of how I hit the golf course and just kind of hit the ball.

It's either going to be on the green or it's not, you know, so you might as well swing as hard as you possibly can. You're either going to get a bogey or a quadruple. Yeah. You know, it's all the same. Yeah, it's all the same. Yeah. 10 points, 51 points, 58 points.

It's all the same. All the same. It's an L. Let's move on to the next night. They do have a lot of that. You've obviously, you mentioned the San Antonio Spurs and learning from there. You've got a chance to be a part of their organization, obviously. Go ahead, Tone. Yeah, Chris, obviously Vassel and Castle and Darren Fox and Wemby, you know all the boys from being in there. Avi, you were the veteran in there, but like, how do you think the locker room is now with Wemby? Do you think it is Wemby and his voice in there with all these younger guys? And they were four and one against OKC this year. Do you think they have a chance to win the West?

Man, they definitely got a chance. They definitely got a chance. I love the youth that they brought in there and Dylan Harper and all them guys. Stefan Castle was my route last year, but he is like a grown man already. But I got to say something about KJ, Keldon Johnson, winning six man out of the year.

I mean, me coming to the team last year and, you know, him actually, you know, let me wear number three and getting a chance to be in the locker, room with them and Vic and Harris. Shout out to Harrison too, Harrison Barnes, who one of my favorite teammates only played with him for one year. But that, that team is special.

Mitch is going a hell of a job again. Tell me about Wembe, please, because it feels like MVP, certainly possibility this year. Definitely all of them are available in the future for him. Defense aside, he's crazy. He's meeting with Kevin Garnett in the offseason, becoming a dog, he's with monks, he's doing that. He's playing chess against randoms in Paris, I believe.

Can you tell me about Wembe and how do you feel about his makeup to be the face of the league if he continues to do what he's doing, especially at 7 foot, whatever, 10, or whatever it is? 1-1. I mean that when I say it, 1-1. Vic is not only a competitor. He, one of the smartest, kindest people. He loved the hoop. You know, he loves to play basketball. Like in a locker room that changed, obviously, over my career where everybody's, for the most part, on their phones, doing all these different things. And Vic,

they're coming to the training room with a book. But he's the ultimate, he's the ultimate competitor. He always trying to learn something new, whether it's us playing ping pong. Him, we played against the Knicks last year on Christmas Day. That next morning, I woke up and I had seen it, it went viral. He woke up the next morning and was at the park playing people in chess.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, he just, he's different. in the best way possible. Yeah, and he's also, what, scary as hell? They put a photo out of you guys from Media Day, obviously, and we know with AI these days and everything that is possible, we can't trust anything. But from my understanding, with how tall he is not only in this photo,

which he looks so tall in this photo. Yeah, that's crazy. So I've been told that you had to change the way you play offense with him because you have no idea where he is because his arms could literally be anywhere within the... the paint at any moment. How much has he changed the game? You said he's one of one. How much is that

differentiator of basketball as a whole, maybe playing against him going forward? Yeah, he obviously I like to steal the basketball, right? Somebody drives to the lane. I try to steal it. Vic tapped me on the shoulder and said, leave him alone.

He told me to leave him alone. Let him go. Let him go. Because he's going to block it. I had to get used to that. Because I have a knack for stealing the ball. Anytime somebody drive, let me get... Vick would be like, no, stop. Stop fouling, doing whatever.

I'm gonna block the shot. And even getting a chance to play against him, too. And it's fun to talk to other guards about it because you usually get a big man switched on the perimeter. You're trying to figure out what kind of side step you're going to do. He's going to block it anyway. So he changed the trajectory, everything in the way you shoot. But being in that locker room was one of the funnest things in my career.

just to get it to be around him, right? But even one teammate said that I messed up his playing time, but that's neither here nor anything. Oh, I didn't know that. I love to hear that. It sounds like your name does get tossed into a lot of those conversations. And we'll certainly die over the next couple weeks. We'll certainly.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. It's nice to sort of be done playing, and let's talk about it. Okay, let's talk about the meme you put up where you went to somebody's funeral, just make sure that motherfucker was dead. Can we talk about that then? you would like to talk about whatever.

Let's do that. This is from... I was playing cards with my family, man. We just playing. Oh. And all that. And I won the card again. That was a timing thing.

It was a Ben Stiller. We got it. Yeah. We played OMS. We play OMS every night with my family. You know what I mean? So got them. So it was over for it.

Okay. So what was the game you played? What was the game you played with the family? Oh, Oms. We play every night. 11 cards. you know what I mean you got six rounds I'll teach you it's a fun game

okay so you won all six rounds and you just felt obligated to go to your Instagram story and just be like hey look at my shit that's what you're that was from a card game elite competitor yeah that's the difference right there the clippers were playing in a play in or play out

of that season game maybe that night that exact time yeah he was distracting himself with his family that playing a card game called umps Mons. O-N-Z. iTunes. There you go.

There you go. Okay. Okay. So, man, because we all... Got a lot of time to be at home with my family. Yeah, interesting time to play. And have an immediate reaction to that. Because we immediately saw it and were like, wow.

Whole internet. Kind of dancing on grave, actually. Yeah. Love what just happened, especially because you played there. You live in L.A., do the whole thing, you know? Yeah, I live here. Are you the best oz player you think that you've ever been around or is the family? Absolutely.

My mom liked to think differently. Oh, so that was for your mom mostly, that meme? Yeah, my mom be talking crazy when we play Oms. So you said, let me go to my IG story. My mom's going to look at this. I know that. You know what, Pat? You know who my parents play Oks with just about every night?

It's Coach Caldwell and his wife. How's Coach Caldwell? I assume pretty good. Yeah, I mean, I ain't played with Coach. I ain't played Coach Caldwell in a while, but our house back home in North Carolina is literally, my parents live here, Coach Caldwell, them live literally across the street.

And my parents, they play just about every night. Okay, if you were to beat Jim Caldwell, what would you put, what meme would you put on your IG story? And do you do that for every game or just some nights that the... Some night, depends on what it is. What it's going on? Okay. All right, just making sure.

I probably just text it to me. Okay. All right, well, I would like to let you know. I appreciate the way you handled this. I genuinely appreciate the way you handle this. You live in Los Angeles. Obviously, a lot of stories about you in the Los Angeles teams. AJ actually has a question for you about the coach that you said is a great coach going into a must.

Feels like a must win, but not there just yet. Yeah, Chris, you think JJ and the boys are going to close this thing out tonight. And how do they, how do you adjust to, like you say, Austin Reeves coming back in different kind of responsibilities for certain players. Yeah, they're going into Houston, and Houston got to be feeling good about themselves, right? They're going back home because the hardest one to win is the one in L.A. I'm sure they're going to look at film, see what they can do better.

For Houston, I think watching the end of that game, they were most focusing on not giving the game away again, right? That's the hardest thing to do in a playoff series, too. Obviously, they felt like they gave one away, right? So now you're sitting there like, man, this series should be, we should have three wins already or whatnot. So I think it's going to be interesting to see their adjustments to see what they do and how they combat Houston. I like that you didn't completely crack under pressure there whenever you saw the countdown clock. I thought you handled that well.

Your point guard, obviously, 21 years in the NBA. A great coach, obviously, to the AAU world. So you can handle pressure, especially whenever the clock's down. Seven, six. Have a great weekend. you win all your bets. We'll see you on Monday. Swish. Cash.

See, I got it off there. All right, we're still live, CP. We are still live digitally, YouTube, ESPN Plus, Disney Plus, TikTok Live and X. And what I want to say is thank you so much for joining us, man. We'll see you next week. I appreciate y'all having me, man. Seriously. We're probably going to call you often.

Got a lot of questions. I'm dead serious. Call me. We can talk about some stuff. All right. And maybe we get you into the Thunderdum at some point, too. So maybe. That might be in just a little bit too far, just a little too far.

No. You send you a meeting what you looked like just now. I don't need any videos. I'm a field shooter. I'm a field shooter. Okay. I'm a streaky shooter too. And I know you're seven times first team all defense.

I think that is funny, by the way. That's seven and two. Got it. So we don't count the two. Got it. Sometimes. I'm worried about the other 11. Mostly.

Yeah, I'm worried about the other 11 if you just were mailing it in on the defense. Yeah. I don't like to get a guard. And because I, let me tell you straight up, this is how me and Kauai and my favorite, like, basketball players that I gravitate towards. And probably because I'm older, when I was, like, taught the game of basketball, it was offense and defense, right? It was, it was offense and defense. So I, for the way that guy wanted to talk, jump, whatever, I could go score 30 points on you and I could guard you. Not me.

So all that, all that three and D stuff like that, I feel like that's where I always try to separate myself and be like, I'll guard you on this end, and then you come guard me on that end. But for most of my career, they would always put other guys on me to guard me. At this stage, can you still do it, or you think you were coming here?

I potentially put up 35, 60, maybe, you know. You wouldn't have a chance. Don't get it twisted now. Don't, don't, don't, don't. I got new shoes on. They're Jordans. these are that ain't going to do nothing but see that's that's how it is like with Peyton Pritchard right so a lot of people who like hoop and probably playing like men's

leads and love basketball they probably see like a Peyton Pritcher and they'd be like man I'll fry is that no you won't you will not do that and even though I am quote unquote retired from the NBA not get it twisted pat you're the man we'll see you're the man we'll see I can't walk on to the field and kick, kick nothing. Yeah, but have you ever really done that in the past? I bet you could. I bet he could.

Yeah, that's she going to be like, it's going to be like, what's the movie? Why, right, Finkel and Ironhorn. Finkling Ironhorn. Yeah, Pat the Tech. Yeah, Ace Ventura. Ace Ventura.

Laces were out. Yeah. That's on the Longsnapper now. Actually, that movie changed a lot. Yeah. That movie changed the NFL. Now the Longsnapper's job is to get the laces out. So Damarino's not putting that situation ever again.

That's right. Yeah, actually. What do you mean? I don't know that. What is you saying? Long snapper's job is to get the laces out. Like, hey, snap the ball. So whenever the holder catches it, the laces are somewhere that way.

That's how they're being judged. So they don't snap. When they snap the ball, the ball doesn't spin? Spins the exact same amount of times every time. So, like, their job is to spin at the exact same. So, like, it's eight yards normally is the spot from where the ball is. And then it's like eight yards in, like, like six inches for where their ball spin is to where the laces are forward.

Like you're kind of just judging where their laces are, basically. And their job is... I appreciate the detail. Yeah, it sucks for them, though, because, I mean, that is... That's so... That's how they're getting judged. They're getting cut because they don't do it. Like, that is their job.

Like, hey, fucking... Every time. Every time. I'll tell you, most people wouldn't even think about this, but every time I shoot a basketball... Because the basketball has made a certain way for the laces. So I'm that particular, even when I pass it. So when JJ Reddick would come off to shoot,

I would pass it to guys so that the ball is right for the laces to shoot. Anytime I shoot the ball, no matter how I'm dribbling the ball, I would let the ball sort of just slide or fade in my hands to where the laces are right every single time. That's what I do, too. Yeah, every single time. Every time I just find these laces. Find these laces.

That's right. All right. Where are we going? Chris. You don't know that. You don't know that. I believe in you. Let's see it.

Oh. Exactly what I said. I'm straight on. Whoa. Straight on. That's higher than 10 feet, too. Yeah, so 12 foot. This is like MTV jock joc jams.

All right. 10 was too short for us. This is what an actual NBA ball looks like in my hands, too, prick. That's what this is right here. Okay. This is the actual side. That was a balloon-sized ball. All right, Chris, thanks, dude.

It's Chris Paul. See you next week. Yes. RBC Training Ground has discovered potential in over 20,000 Canadian athletes and counting. Your story could be next. If you've got the drive, they'll help you find your path to the Olympics.

Let's see what you've got. Sign up for free at rbc trainingground.ca. This episode is brought to you by Defender. With its 626 horsepower twin turbo V8 engine, the defender, Octa, is taking on the Dakar rally. The ultimate off-road challenge. Learn more at land rover.ca. It looked good, too, coming out.

Shoot a small ball afterwards. Good luck. Small ball. Let's shoot that small ball second. Oh, I'm sorry. You shoot the balloon ball first and then the regulation size second. Thank you. I shot the NBA ball second there.

Everybody can see it with their eyes. We got a commemorative NBA ball right here. Whoa, whoa, that's a trophy. What do you think it's just one ball that's NBA? No, you think I'd have a bunch of gimmick-sized balls? True. Put it next to your head. You've got a huge head then, too.

Boom. That's NBA-sized ball? Thank you. Wow. Good for you. I mean, I maybe miss my calling. Yeah, you're going to shoot that, you're going to make it? Got them up.

This? Yeah, shoot it. No. You're up in the air and right on it. Oh, hey, jumpstop, pump fake. That was my high school basketball career. and then elbow sternum. Yeah, I've seen you play before.

Even though I haven't seen you play, I've seen you play before. Style. Yeah, you and AQ. Wrestlers. I wish you and AQ Shipley would have ran into each other in high school basketball. People from uptown. I would like to be a teammate. If I was on an AQ's team as a basketball player, that would have been a lot of fun.

Yeah, but you playing against him would have been for me as somebody watching more fun. I think that would have been great. Hard tongue off the bench. We were with Kuhn, you know, for that entire draft night. And it was hard. to just the entire time, look at the size of his skull and then just realize that you two just battering rammed each other for years and years because neither of you would say to the other, hey, we don't have to do this on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. We could kind of just shoulder

each other and then kill our opponent because neither of you want to look weak to each other. One from Pennsylvania, one from Ohio, massive heads on both of them. There was never going to be even though they're best friends. That's fucking crazy to me that that is how stubborn you two are in your entire thing. But I feel like it's a similar situation. Plus, wasn't Coon, like Shippinsberg? Yeah. So he's always got the chip.

Had to have a chip. Yeah. Coon's a dog. Not that you're not, AJ. And I almost said this earlier, but I didn't want to start any wars online. Ohio and Pennsylvania more. Sympatica?

More what? Than they've been in the past? They've always been very, very similar, which makes them hate each other. But I'm saying, similar, but now, Is there maybe a... I hope not. It does feel like outside of PA and Ohio, though,

it has gone to the opposite of PA in Ohio, so much to the point where they're like, hey, it's kind of us too versus the world all of a sudden. Yeah, I think there is. I think it's more of a positive, just from my... There was an AJ Hawk chant in Pittsburgh. Well, I mean, that's duty. That's the show.

You have cultivated that over the years, no question. But I think there is definitely a healthy respect between like the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Ohio. Ohio State fans in Pittsburgh. Yeah, and I don't think there always has been a healthy respect, though, is what I'm saying. I don't think it was always like a respect thing back in the day. I think it was just hatred. Between like Pittsburgh and Cleveland, no, but between the two states, I think there was.

Maybe I was misread it then because every guy I met from Ohio, I just told them they were the worst. Like Big 33 was respecting. Yeah. I wasn't invited. Thanks. Tyler Pauco. Fucking love Tyler Paucco. So good. Legend.

He had a long NFL career. He did. And also a long, beautiful. here. Did we see him recently? He coached in football? He coached him somewhere? Penn State, West Day, somewhere?

No, he was in... His dad was in Virginia, right? No. His dad's at Penn State. Pit Notre Dame, I saw him at. He's at Pinnauderdame. That's what it was. He talked to the team before.

A lot of Pittsburgh stuff here. A lot of Pittsburgh stuff here. There's been a lot of Pittsburgh stuff. Do you hear about Connor McDavid joining the Pittsburgh Penguins? I did see some mockups. I wasn't sure if he already was, you know, wearing the full gear or what, but yeah, I saw he looks pretty good. There's going to be so many people mad that this is just

what I'm doing, but I'm just going to do it until I'm told that it's not happening. Is it very possible? Huh? Is it a possibility though? Like it could happen? Anything possible? No, actually, they did say the only team he wanted to go to is the Columbus Blue Jackets. Okay, so there we go. Anything's possible. He said

he said maybe whenever he said what he said, how he said it, you know, that's sports daily media in a nutshell. People in Edmonton saying, this fucking clown. It's like, hey, I'm sorry about it. Fuck this guy, buddy.

Get him out. I think we're going to have a conversation with somebody that is potentially boots on the ground at a place in which we will certainly want to hear from. We kind of powered through the conversation at the end of the hour. 100% on us. Chris Paul just kind of in his bag there kind of. McDavid and Pittsburgh would actually make sense. And it would be sweet.

Yeah, McDavid would be incredible as a Pittsburgh penguin. Now, do we know if it's possible or if anybody's thinking about it outside of this Thunderdome? Absolutely not. And that is certainly, you know, the good thing about having a microphone that reaches as many people as it does on day basis, you just say what the student stuff. Just make calls. Just kind of make moves.

Hey, why don't you go ahead and fucking just pick up your whole family from Edmonton, move right over there, Pittsburgh. You're going to love it. I think even people in Edmonton would be like, you know what? Honestly, we want McDavid to win. He's never going to do it here. Now, flyers are saying, why not us? Yeah.

You're not playing for the flyers. few historic teams that McDavid would go to. You know, there's five teams you'd probably go to. Golden Knights. Not Vegas. Pittsburgh. Boston. Boston. I would say actually Detroit would be in the convoy legitimately because they're

a storied franchise. Probably throw Florida in there. He's not going to Florida. He could see Tampa Bay. They just dropped them right in the middle of New York. That would make the rangers. Mick Jesus would not play in New York. Zero chance.

Okay. Why? What about L.A.? Like Waino did. He hates L.A., big rivalry there with Hammondon. They wouldn't trade them there. Bhran, Jose.

Did no sharks. Bruins are actually poised to make a run out of him. Because we have the Maple Leafs pick. So that's like a six or seventh overall pick this year. We have our own pick. And then we have the next couple of years. Then we have a bunch of good young players. As we try to connect with legendary Southern Man,

who is currently live from the Kentucky. Derby. I think we got to do some weekly recap things that are good and things that are not so great. Let's start with, ladies and gentlemen, it is time for five things that

aren't as. That's right, five things that aren't ass. This is a big one here, AJ. Welcome to a new Friday tradition. Now, you ask yourself, how was that graphic made? Well, then you say, well, in your phone, there lies something that is smarter than everybody that exists in AI. Then you team that with a human in Da Bone, I guess is what we're calling

it, and all of a sudden you get a brand new segment called Five Things That Aren't Asked, that is actually sustainable. This will be a celebration of five things that we've seen from the last week that we think are definitely not asked. We'll scan the entire globe, AJ. It won't just be from America. If it's happening anywhere, we will hit the top five that we love. Let's start with number five, shall we? What a headline here. You're going to really enjoy this one. A Diploma? driver's license, even lower. A driver's license and a Bundesliga record. Did you hear about this?

Do you know about Mathis Albert? 16-year-old American makes his debut in the Bundesliga for Dortmund. Now, he's 16 years, 11 months from South Carolina, came up through the L.A. Galaxy Academy. He debuted this past week for Dortmund, who is the most American Bundesliga team, maybe the most American European. They've had seven Americans on their team in Dortmund. They are at every single event that happens in the United States of America,

telling people about the Bundesliga and about Dortmund. They very much want America to like their team. I would like to let them know, I do. I appreciate them. They got 16-year-olds playing for him over there. He is the youngest in the history of the Bundesliga, youngest American. He breaks Gio Raina's record who broke Christian Polisick's record. All of them happening at Dortmund.

So 16-year-old debuts, I think that's incredible news, AJ, and that's definitely not ass over there. or as they would say, gutt and ass. Oh, yeah. Would this be like a 16-year-old playing in the NFL? Would it be a similar situation? I think this would be like a 19-year-old. Yeah.

Or 16-year-old in the NBA. Yeah, 16-year-old in the NBA. Yeah, that's possible. Okay. I guess would be what it would be. And we just talked to a 16-year-old who's 6-3-2-30. You're probably good point. Who might be able to get a pass-off or maybe a first down if he needed it. I just need this guy, Mathis, Albert is his name,

to be on Team USA going in a World Cup. I was going to say it certainly is an ass that he's playing in the Bundesliga, but we have the World Cup coming up in a couple months, and I've never heard of this guy before. So why the hell is that happening? Yeah, and there's another young buck named Kavan. He's playing for the Philadelphia Union, I believe. He's 16 years old as well.

There might be a next generation of Americans that are ready to take the world by storm, because what we saw in a couple of the scrimmages leading up to the World Cup here, USA might be ass here. Yeah, big time. We might be big time ass cheeks. We might not be on the orange ass list. I thought they were good. Yeah.

I thought there was good last time we watched. Bringing everyone in closer. Ponch's poop is laid in the league. I would love to put Ponce's team on the aren't ass list. Last time we've seen him, very ass. Let's go to the number four thing that happened this week that is certainly not ass. Oh, yeah, the block is hot. The block is 10 majors hot.

What? Yeah. Yeah. Blocko has qualified for the PGA championship as he finished in the top 10 of this particular tournament. I guess he was sitting at 50th coming out of Saturday, makes a run for it, including this absurd touch of class from the fairway by Blocky, a man who's hit a hole in one in a PGA tournament before. Is it PGA professional just a pro at a local course?

I'm running that thing down to rush high. No way. Wow. No way. Yeah, that's the Blockie difference. And the Block is certainly hot as he qualifies for the PGA championship. He's listening to Enter Sandman with a guy who's super jacked up. Maybe that's his boy.

I'm not 100% sure as they're driving around. Just qualified for your 10th major. He's vibrating. There it. There it is. We're happy for old Blocky, aren't we? Yeah. He mentioned Ty.

Tiger and a caddy? What's that? He's talking to caddy for him, possibly. Maybe Tiger. Well, that's what I was thinking. Maybe he becomes the next Tiger. Maybe they're calling him, Mikey, Tiger, Block, and maybe he puts on his son,

Day Red at the PGA Championship. Mark Schlaubach, a golf expert for ESPN, told us yesterday, ain't going to qualify. This is certainly a fun story. Ty, he sent a message to you whenever you said, that a haters, whatever, keep hating. and he was talking to you, sir. Yeah, he might have been, but I can't, oh yeah, that's right, I was the one who sent in that video of Blocky playing that absolutely beautiful shot there.

And, you know, as I've been kind of thinking about it, listen, I put my beef with Blocky down a couple weeks ago. Maybe I'm just late to the party. You know, everyone else has been invited to the Block Party. They love this guy. And I don't know if my invite got lost in the mail, what's going on. I will be picking Blockie in our golf league here to win the PGA championship. and you can officially call me a big blocky guy. Oh!

You can do it. A blockhead? I'm a blockhead. I'm a big-time blockhead. Wow. Now. That rocks. Now.

You like block. I would say. Rock the block. Oh, rock the block with Taz Schmidt. Exactly. Rock the block. If he doesn't make the cut, though, I'm going to have to give him hell. I'm going to have to.

I'm hoping he wins the whole thing. Boy, oh boy, if he shoots an 87 on Thursday. See, it doesn't feel like you're genuinely rock. No, I am. I am. I am. You know, you can't actually see it. I'm in the backseat with him doing the

inner Sandman thing. I was, yeah, Bucky! Woo! I'm right over his shoulder, you can't see. But I was there. So yeah, I'm a blockhead. Simple as that. Aren't we all? I will remain as such because he's living a dream down here at 10 major. Let's go to the number three thing that isn't

us that happened this week. A cheeky talk off the blade. Quinn Hughes, U.S. Olympic gold medalist. Brother Jack Hughes, Legend, sensation. off a star skate on purpose to score a goal. They go on to win 5-2 and knock the stars out, and Quinn Hughes is doing stuff that is an ass, A.J. Hawk.

Yeah, how often does this happen, actually? We guys are really aiming at dude skates and it's going in. I don't know. I know it's happening right here in front of our eyes right now, and I will certainly say the precision here. No, they will dump it into piles, I do believe. Like, and obviously people are trying to work out this perfectly. This is rare for it to work out this well, I feel.

Yeah, what a lane, too, directly to the skate. And then to be able to read the geometry of how his skate is kind of sitting there for it to go up over the pad. Certainly a thing of beauty, this guy deserves an assist and a goal. What a beautiful thing from Quinn Hughes, American sensation. Yeah, much different situation when in Canadians lightning, Brennan Hagel was standing in front of the net.

And Kuzeroff basically just sent it right off his chest for the game-winning goal. And Hegel, you know, you get that goal because it goes off his body. It wasn't even a specific skate. I like Morris. I like missing the second free throw or the third free throw. I like little gamesmanship. I like what Quinn Hughes is doing. Thank you for doing that for the United States of America.

Let's go to the number two thing that is definitely not ass of the week. Football time. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 805,000. Crazy. Cleveland now 160,000, one of the first big crowds. It was much different than it was different. It was.

Oh, people didn't exist? Well, come on. talking about people. We're talking about how it's celebrated, knowing what to do, where to go. The NFL providing enough space for enough people to kind of come through there. Cleveland might be getting it back. Minnesota

might be getting the draft. They're saying odds on favored for that around the U.S. Bank Stadium, but Pittsburgh had $805,000. A lot of dreams came true. Loved every moment of it, AJ Hawk. What a celebration of ball that was. Yeah, it was absolutely perfect. And I think nobody was really sure how it was going to go

before. The Wednesday we went in there and you hear there are signs that people telling you do not come down to this is going to be too crowded they can't figure it out but I tell you what logistics were not an issue I feel like the people came

and weather was perfect and it went off without a hitch. I appreciate the fact that there was Penn Dot signs okay, that's the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the way into the city is through the parkway.

PennDOT obviously are the keepers of the parkway and the Turnpike and everything else. Signs on the side of the road as if it was Armageddon. Hey, don't be an asshole. No. Do not come downtown.

Okay? And if you are, leave your cars at home. Mm-hmm. You walk downtown if you're going to come. But also, don't come. Then you've got local news stations, obviously, reading the vibes of the people and just reporting what people are saying, I ain't going down here. 800 bucks for a fucking hotel room in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania? Okay, yeah.

I'm not going down. How am I getting out of there? Is there enough bathrooms? Where am I pissing at? What am I doing? There was enough bath. I'm staying in there? Like, what is this?

Why the fuck would I ever take any time out of my life to go stand in a parking lot to watch Roger Goddell read a cart? Actual reports. Yeah. That could potentially create a narrative amongst many insures who go, yes, actually, speaking for me.

Yes, speaking for me. And if there was rain on the first night, I think all those would have won. But instead, the best weather may be in the history of Pittsburgh for that particular part of the year. And the weather was perfect. It was a festival.

They viewed it like in Zerjella is how people did. Now there's a lot of restaurants that are saying, we were gearing up for a lot of out-of-towners to come in and everything like that. I think a lot of out-of-towners did come, but they just went right into the NFL draft compound, which is 4 million square feet. There was obviously food in there, drinks in there, everything was in there.

It was like, it was a hell of a festival of football, I think. And the NFL knows what they have. And the fact that it's able to be now the cold weather, Super Bowls for people is special. The NFL continues to crush it, AJ, and Pittsburgh was perfect for it. Yeah, Pittsburgh was perfect. I remember I was walking out, leaving on Friday. There was like a, just a

random big park right there, and it was set up like a whole, like a circus. There was so many people and food trucks. That's point park. Yeah, whatever it was, the whole town was ready. Yeah, we had fun down there. Have fun. Hopefully Pittsburgh will get it again. Everybody's saying will, right? It should. Should. Yeah,

they will. So just like Super Bowls, do you think they'll get draft cities that become like regular hosts of it because you kind of know what it is and then sprinkle in some new ones whenever you get it? I mean, you would think because they've already done all the legwork for a couple of these cities and they've seen, okay, this is a success. Like we can go back here. We can do the exact same thing. You would think, yeah, they would want to do like a six or seven year rotating basis because that's pretty much what the Super Bowl is. It's like it's not like the Super Bowl is really going to a new city every single year. It's the same, you know, handful or so.

A lot of things said about Minnesota. Timberwolves just knocked out the nuggets. Wow. knocked out the stars and they are potentially going to be the home of the draft. So a lot of good news coming out of Minnesota from the sports world. I believe it's the first time ever the Minnesota Wild and the Minnesota Timberwolves are in the second round of the playoffs at the same time. I saw Aaron celebrating pretty good. The number one thing that isn't asked that happened this week that we love, Coach Nick Saban, getting in the pocket.

Hell yeah. You know, there was a post that said, who has the best swing out here? And Coach Saban was first because he's obviously the legend. And that ball looks like he goes directly right. Okay, people saw this one swing. They didn't know that he was playing a massive draw. Look at the dog leg left. He's trying to run that thing right down in a fair way.

And then he had said, you know, he shot an 83 at Augusta, and he shot his age twice, which would be 73. I think he said that a couple weeks ago. There were some people that are questioning if Nick Saban really did any of that. Let's take you to 18. Okay. Here's Nick Saban from what? 200 feet?

Don't worry about it. Looks like it. The whole world's watching. What's Coach Sabin do? Drainu! Coach Saban's got to touch. Coach Saban's got the iron game. Let's not just be judging him on my offer one drive off a T,

which he was trying to take that thing up over an oak around the bend to get to the hole. So Coach Saban shoots whatever the hell Coach Saban says he shoots, and I'm done with the slander, and I love the fact that he got a chance to prove he's great at golf, A.J. Hawk. Yeah, he did his swing. Does look beautiful. I felt like Coach Golden's swing looks pretty powerful as well. I know we went through that the other day with Schlaubach.

I believe you guys got to watch that video, I think Saban swing is great. Pete Golding, though. I mean, Kirby's got some power as well. DeBoar, add a little stiff on the turn. There's just one that sticks out. Right here. Boom.

There is. Guys, legs have never seen sun. Golding's got a pretty good little swing, though. Yeah. Tommy Tempo Town, Tuberville. So Nick Saban hit a perfect one. Kirby Smart hit a massive slice. I think we know that.

Kaelin DeBore just took this thing down to left side. Pretty good, probably into the trees. Steve Pearl, no, he is doing great. Nato hasn't seen. the sun has never golfed. Pete Golding, former baseball player, obviously bombing it. And then Tommy Tuberville, he's a politician. He knows his way around a team. Playing a lot of guys.

And that was five things that weren't ass. You know Steve's dad. We had an honorable mention of something that is not ass, and certainly needs to be chatted about. I don't know if you've seen this. This man's name is Angel Alvarado. He's a Colombian lad who's 19 years old. He's juggling three Rubik's cubes.

I don't want to question anybody's or insult anybody's intelligence. but yes, that is what he is doing. He is juggling three Rubik's cubes, and he is solving the Rubik's cubes while juggling. And you think to yourself, well, how's that possible? It's hard to figure out early because it's so many different colors. He quarter spins one at a time while he's juggling.

Didn't miss step, no bibles, no flubs, four minutes, and 29 or seven seconds. I forget what it is. Sorry, 32 seconds, 0.9. He gets them all done. and juggles them the entire time for a new world record. I think that is not ass. I think that is the opposite of that.

I had no idea humans could do this. Had anybody done this before? How do you figure out you can do this? And even when they slow it down, I don't think I fully understand his finger dexterity power to be able to quarter spin while catching it and finishing the spin, just an absurd feat by a human, and I'm nothing short of impressed.

Shout out the Angel Alvarado from Columbia, breaking a new world record. And look at the catch of them at the end. So casual. Been here, done that. No problem. AJ, your thoughts on what's happening here right in front of your eyes, maybe for the first time? Yeah, it is the first time.

This is kind of mind-blown. I mean, my kids are at the phase where they, like, young kids like to get Rubet's cubes and try to figure them out really fast. I've never really messed around with them. But the fact you could juggle them, I'm a decent juggler as well. So this might be something I try to do. I can certainly juggle three. Can you do the four as well or just three?

Nah, just three. You know, four is actually just two, I guess, on one hand, potentially. is what I've learned from some people. But then you can obviously cross them if you like. I had a little bit of a juggling phase, too, just because it was a hilarious thing to do whenever we didn't have the internet on our phones and we were pretty bored back in the day.

You youngs would never fucking understand us trying to pass time. Okay? I'm looking at you. Me? I'm looking at you, Bruce. No, no, no, we're not that old. Definitely the bone. Good to be certain.

Yeah, the bone. We're not that young. But think about Angel Alvarado finding out that a human can do this and then being like, oh, I'm actually the one that's supposed to be doing this. Incredible work. Congrats him. New World

record. And I would like to let people know, this what I'm talking about. Yeah, bingo. Exactly. He'd be perfect. This is what I'm talking. Is the shit we want. We would like to watch that live. We would like to be in real time with that. Right here. He just didn't see the tweet. So if you could do that when somebody needs to get them. Maybe he does

four of them. Oh, yeah. Columbia. Columbia. Well, he's on here. South Carolina. He's Worldwide. That's Mattis, Albert. He's the 16-year-old from the Bundesliga Dortmund, which is our team, I think. Yeah, Borussia Dortmund. Certainly my Bundesliga team of choice.

Dortmund? Yeah. Yeah. I mean, we go on the back to Marco Roy's... Pierre Mereqabongyang. Abouya, yep, boom. Messeth Erzel. Really?

I don't know if he ever played for them. I don't think he did not. Yeah, I didn't think so, but I know he played in the Bundeschliga. The league of the league? Yeah, it's the German, top German league. Sorry. Oh, Lord. Is that a league?

Jay Jays are saying names of players. I'm a big messet Essel fan. Yeah. What about Dorman though? What about Dorman though? No, I'm a big Dorman guy too. Seamus, obviously.

Seamus, anytime you see Seamus, he's got a Dortman jersey. Shamis wore the tarp at TSD last year. He was with the Dorman last. And he's drinking their ice cold lager. We like the Dorman people. Yeah, big time. They take care of us. They brought us several ice cold beers at TST last year.

Who they have? Frickin hummels in the Robbie Hummell. Robby Hummills. Before he played college basketball at Purdue, he played for Burrish and great broadcaster too. Yeah. His name is Robbie Hummels, but his last name's definitely

Hummills. It's Hummills. There it is. Oh, okay. Go on, Dortmund. Go on, on, not. Robert Lewandowski was there for a while. They play all the Americans over there.

I like them. I like them. And good colors. Wasn't Dortmund where they said, or someone, I don't know if it was shame. Someone said, hey, there's my guys are going to hook you up with beers. Yeah. They did. He said, yeah, that'll be 85.

Yeah, and then AJ got stiffed with a $100 dollar beer tap. It was hilarious. It was awesome. Classic perusia runner. He said, what a good rib. Love these guys. What a good rib? I do remember that being talked about later. I was part of the later situation when it was being described.

I think to me, and then immediately to the Dortmund people. Yeah, it was great. You made this guy go get beers for you from you guys, 110 bucks or whatever. Yep. No, no, let us get you. Oh, yeah, gone. They brought Schnitzels last year on the... All right.

up the week with, obviously, we have the things that aren't ass. Let's go to things that are ass. Yeah. Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to get to the railroad. Okay. It's time to hop aboard. The, oh no! Train.

Let's head the darkest shocker, shall we? This is Balox's support. Amet Aden. Amet Aidan. Long shot from the other side. Big bounce, skip bounce, off the back, idiot. Go! Oh, no!

What an idiot that goalie is! What an absolute idiot. That's from the Turkish Soccer League. I mean, obviously soccer has been providing us awesome things, including misjudging a absolute bomb from Amet Aden. I mean, he hit that thing 70, 80 yards in the air. The goalie was so flustered. You know what?

I'm about 90 yards out. Point. Oh, fuck me. Goal, let's stay in soccer, shall we? Let's head to La Liga, too, which is Spain. We've seen this a few times, but this is certainly worthy of an... Oh, no! Goal, he's sick of it.

He's 35 years old. He said, I don't want to be doing this anymore. What's the deal? Ref said, yeah, you already did something today. That's a yellow. And that's all right. Get out of here. Well, if that's the case, let me go ahead and earn it.

I'm ready. Let me earn my red, shall we, says, 35-year-old. Argentinian man playing in La Liga 2. Esteban. A lot of pushing going on after that. He was banned

for 13 games after this. There's five games left. He was on loan from La Liga, Mexico. He's probably getting sent back to MX. Like it promoted on her. Hey Gumpy, will they be punishing him in La Liga MX for what he did

in La Liga 2? Yeah, there's rumblings that that team does not want to take him back while he's suspended. What? Yeah, I mean, it's a hard thing to justify going back to the league. So, they'll figure it out. I'm sure a 35-year-old goalkeeper. I'm sure they'll figure it out. Let's travel away from soccer and let's head to Gimmick Football League. Nice. Let's head to the arena football league. The Sue Bandits kicker. Dylan Carnes hits the worst documented professional

field goal. Where or two? Straight left into the stands and point out right off the guy's forehead. Right off his forehead. Superman. Oh, no, he's not a good cuss. Obviously, he's just embarrassed in front of the lady. I try. I know cameras on me. Your lights got the best of me. The Sue Bandit said, hey, don't you worry about it, bud. Our kicker sucks, but your life just got a little bit better. Here's the ball, and immediately upon taking it, what's up, Dad

Joke? Oh! That was her first date, actually. Love that. Sue Bandits, bringing people together, also putting balls to face, AJ. I mean, this is the first time. You can tell from here, I guess, no, no chance. Put your hands together, bud. Just protect your face. All right, let's go from the Arena Football

League with, hey, hey, listen, Dylan Carnes keep going man but also maybe not Aim right That is It was clear We don't know

Could have been a bad hold It wasn't His steps He was aiming it felt like I think he just needs To aim better Because those are really tight steps

I don't know how he kicks That thing through the uprights At all We don't know Maybe the rules for that Or that's what you're supposed to do You're right We don't know if there's a new

Arena Football League Rule where if you Bonk a guy in the head It's maybe worth four points That's Vanhamannis Maybe your fan of it. can kind of become a part of the thing. Dylan Carnes, I can't wait to see you finish the season with a bunch of makes.

Until then, this will be the biggest kick that we've ever heard. Let's go to another league that is still happening, the UFL. They got a big one last night, the Louisville Super Dupers started off the weekend for Ropoli. Columbus Aviators, we're supposed to have a Jim Tressel Bobblehead night. Okay, obviously Ohio State legend over there of Columbus Aviators. Turns out they won't be here. Oh, no. They're not going to make it.

If they're on one of Ripoli's horses, maybe they're not going to. they'd have an opportunity. Instead, there's some port somewhere, and they ain't making it. Jim Tressel. 5,000 of them is in a box on a ship somewhere on Jim Tressel Bumblehead night, and I don't like it, died. Oh, no. That's about as big of an, because I know, if I know, you know, AJ talks glowingly about Jim Tressel all the time, you know how many aviators fans are going to show up and they're going to realize no fucking Jim Tressel Bumbleheads tonight, boom, other way, immediately. No.

Fuck this place. They're going to lose fans? Fuck the aviators. I'm out of here. No. This is why we took it back. Tough year for the aviators. We didn't take it back.

We have no take-back. We have no take-back. He's with the U.S.O. Not everybody. And this is the exact reason, because stuff like this is what makes or breaks your freaking league. Okay? You got Jim, Trussell, bobbleheads that are being promised.

And they don't even make it through customs. That cannot happen, Rapoli. It can't happen. Good messaging here from Adam King in a sentence that wouldn't, would haven't made sense a year ago. Yeah. That's a typo.

kind of an oh no in itself right there. Yeah, but on that note, Adam King's spitting that gospel because we could have never expected Jim Tressel Aviator Bobblehead night, 5,000 of them a year ago. No, couldn't have. And now that they're here, AJ, you're going to have to tell a little hawker

and animal and all of them over there that they got no bubbleheads. And that's a big, oh, no! It's at the baseball, always a giving, oh, no train. Kansas City Royals gets hit in the dick hits a guy in a dick here Boom! EMT

Here to serve Where that ball got? It disappeared. Let's see if we can tell who it hit. That guy. Right there. Oh, fuck. Right in the dong. Sits down, a lot of boys laughing at him.

EMT certainly has the answers. I don't know if there is any answer. You wonder yourself what happened. There he is. On look, boom. Oh, right in the dong. Field the grounder line. Carter Jensen is.

one that hit the foul ball. EMT man is the one that got hit in the balls. Carter's been on the oh no before he slept in, didn't make the game. And since that, he's been absolutely fucking raking baseball. Yeah. Yeah, he can see the ball. Just can he wake up? A ball to ball is here for Carter. Now, can he alarm clock?

We shall see. Yeah, and I know we're all laughing about this. This is hilarious. But that ain't EMT's penis swelled up like a fucking, like a birthday party animal, you know, where they do the balloon animals. This guy's going to be in so much pain for the next three months. I feel

really bad for them. They look like a somersault is sitting in the sun, 90 degrees sun. Oh, a little blistering at the top there as it's exploding. Yeah, there's a chance because those baseballs do not budge. They do not budge at all. Yeah, and ball to balls are certainly problematic. Thank you for your service to the community, that EMT guy, but all

we got to say about is Oh, no! Let's stay in baseball. Let's go over to Philadelphia. Game 6 for Flyers Penn. Phillies are in time. They get better in Philadelphia. They're getting booed in Philly. Don't Fee, AJ?

That's one. Huge. Oh! A lot of Phillies saying, hey, Johns, this is what winning looks like. Well, don't you guys fucking try it everywhere. And then after getting booed, they had a double header? They won't crazy.

It feels like they responded well over there, AJ. Yeah, Swarbo. How many homers that Swarbo have? Like six of them in two games? Two home runs. He had one in each game. He had five hits, I believe. I heard it was more.

I heard it was more. Let's take the, oh, no train over to NASCAR. we're in race season. We showed this a little bit earlier. Bubba Austin Elite got a little tail, a little bit of license plate racing. If you ain't rubbing, you ain't racing, why everybody's fucked! This is what happens in racing, especially in Talladega, AJ.

One of these cars get sideways. They're all liable to be out. That's why racing in Talladega is more of a race of attrition, a race of survival. Because you have no idea how the jet stream and the wind and everything's going to kind of go, especially when you're up in the front there and somebody gives you a little whoopty-woo and you go into the hoopty-hoo,

and then everybody gets the doop-to-do out of there. And that's a huge crash at Talladega. The only thing you can really say is, Oh, no! AJ, your thoughts on the hoo-ha down there, Talladega? So either I need to be, well, actually, no, because he's in the very front. He either can be up front or in the very back

to try to avoid this mess, but he was up front. He got bumped and it caused everything. Well, what you need is your spotter going, low, low, low, low, low, low. Exactly. Because they got a lot of smoke up here. The thing is everybody goes up and smoke here,

You know, and it's Taladaaga, look how steep them turns. I mean, you ain't got a lot of time to slow down because if you slow down, he might roll over. Okay, you can't do that. You've got to go hammer down on this particular thing. And yeah, the boys just kind of lost their way, strictly because a little bit of a jet stream getting up underneath the cuss.

And Talada deaga, oh, no. And the last one here, let's go to a restaurant, Jowley. Roller Blading has certainly been making a big comeback. We do not know where this is, but we do know this was going to get there efficiently. like the old school drive-thru type stuff. Sonic, I believe, used to do this. This guy's taking it to a new level.

Scorching hot noodles coming right. Oh! No! Smoke coming out of these noodles. Third degree burns on his neck. Fuck me. Is he the only one in Roller Blade? Somebody walks over in shoes and says,

oh, Roller Blade guy, thanks for what you just did there. Take those off. Try to put a little pizzazz on the arrival, and the only thing that happens is a little, third degree burn on his neck. AJ, I don't think I've ever seen a bigger public. Oh, no! Your thoughts, age. I'm a fan of this

one. I think whatever the hot, steaming liquid is went down his shirt, is probably going to his neck all the way down his body right here. So who knows what the aftermath looks like after it. Yeah, and it felt like old buddy next to him with basic ass shoes on was going to judge him pretty good. Told you, dickhead. Yeah, he has no idea.

What's he doing? Why did he got blades on? He passed that guy. It's a blade restaurant. I think he's the only blader in town, okay? And he was Benny Blade. Yeah. This is what they, people came to this restaurant for Benjamin Blades here. Okay? And so what, he makes one mistake.

Think about the countless others that he has full on whoopty-woo using the law of centrifugal force to keep that thing balanced. He's actually mixing the food. He puts salt in there. He mixes it. Shaken, not stirred. as he's coming around drops that fucker right on to a thing and then he enjoy skates his way out how come we're not talking about that how come the only time i see this guy is when he comes in with a fucking super amount of pizzazz and has no idea seemingly of the outcome

which is catastrophic god give a little whoopty well don't you guys check out my ass real quick oh he grabbed who's hungry so many who's hungry is that who's that Soup soup. Yeah, there's a reason these people have their cameras out because he has done this a thousand times. I'll tell you what, wet, ceramic floor for those blades. Yeah. The rest of the day.

Who fucking waxed here! You don't see inline very often at these restaurants. Normally the four stars or whatever. Quads? Yeah, the quads. Skates. No, they're lucky to dump them on all the people eating there. They would get sued their ass off.

He would never. Like, that's the thing. Yeah. He would, yeah. He fell on his sword before he would fall. No. They're not boiling. poop in the kitchen and serving it to people.

It looks like, wake up. This isn't Ohio. It does look like poop soup. Jesus. Whatever it was, the fucking customers are never going to try it. Because Roller Blade Man had one of the best. Oh no! Of all time.

It's kind of what the show is. Just one big oh no. Oh, no soup. Welcome to Oh, no soup here at the Thunder Doe. Oh, no. Yeah, we're going to have an incredible weekend. I hope you guys do too. Remember, it's the best weekend of all time

because it's the next weekend. Kentucky Derby, the Oaks are happening. Today, I do believe, NBA playoffs, NHL playoffs, so many things happening in the sports world. Golf, obviously, always happening. We cannot wait to talk about it all on Monday. Talks at the table. Great work this week.

That you too, man. All right. Birthday, dude. Nope. Be your friend, tell your friend, something nice. I was going to give everybody, just not I was going to give everybody. Great job.

And you knew what was coming. We're not doing the whole thing. Happy birthday. Happy birthday. Happy birthday. Happy birthday, man. My birthday is not today. Birthday weekend though.

People do this. For real, man. Thank you. For real. And I'm thankful to live another year. I appreciate the hell out of all of you. Legitimately. And now let's stop talking about that.

And let's look ahead to the greatest overreaction Monday of all time. Oh, yeah. That's what's on the horizon. We fucking love you guys. We love. You Not all of you To be honest

Because I read some of the stuff That you guys say about me On a regular basis And if you watch a show on a regular basis I don't think you'd be able to say A lot of the things you guys say about me But I don't think that's a majority of the people But to those people

I don't But to the people that allow us to do this for a living We love You We appreciate You We'll see you On Monday

Good work AJ Way to buy you there. That was awesome of you to do. Happy birthday to me. AJ bought in. Nice job. And that's so kind of him to do that for you. Be a friend, tell friends something nice. It might change your life. We're in this thing together. Team on me, team on three. Have the greatest weekend of all time. One, two, three, team. Goodbye. Hey, sports fans, the ESPN app has all of ESPN all in one place. The ESPN app is your home to thousands of live events, ESPN shows and originals across every ESPN network in service.

And now you can check if you already have ESPN. and unlimited as part of your TV package for no additional calls visit activate.espn.com to learn how to access your account or sign up then start streaming in the ESPN app it's all the BSPN all in one place sign up or activate now