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- [00:02]
Narrator
In case you didn't know, these young men are driven. Quite remarkable, magnificent and unmistakable. These are the prodigies, the savants, the ones we've been waiting for. And they are not asking for you to pass the baton. They are methodically planning the perfect moment to take it. A new generation of Toyota drivers are here, and they want you to know one thing. You can't stop my drive.
- [00:33]
Mike Wilbon
Pardon the interruption, but I'm Mike Wilbach. Tony. Emergency responders in Colorado pulled a frightened horse out of a septic tank.
- [00:42]
Tony Kornheiser
Tony Kornheiser, A live horse. How many flushes did that take?
- [00:48]
Mike Wilbon
How did it get in a septic tank?
- [00:51]
Tony Kornheiser
What?
- [00:51]
Mike Wilbon
They're all these incredulous headlines day after day, year after year. I don't believe 75% of these things a Florida, and I don't believe any of this.
- [01:04]
Tony Kornheiser
Do you believe this? That there was a horse in a septic tank?
- [01:07]
Mike Wilbon
The Colorado responders? No.
- [01:10]
Tony Kornheiser
Really? So you say nay on that one, huh? Welcome to pti, boys and girls. In today's episode, Dallas is in distress. The warriors win again. And Jeff Saturday joins us for a closer look at the Chiefs offensive line. But we begin today with Luka Doncic's Laker debut last night, which was equal parts pomp and circumstance. LeBron not only put on a Luka uniform shirt in warmups, but just this once, he allowed Luka to be introduced last. And LeBron's parting advice to Luka in the pregame huddle was, and I'm quoting here, be your effing self. Don't fit in, fit the F out quote to make the moment more Hollywood. Of course, the Lakers won. Wilbon. Was one night enough to convince you of anything?
- [01:54]
Mike Wilbon
Only that it'll be the fun that we think it's going to be, Tony, to watch. You have called for the network to stop broadcasting all other games and only like.
- [02:07]
Tony Kornheiser
Yeah, that's right.
- [02:08]
Mike Wilbon
And so it's. It's fun to watch. It's appointment television. I'm going to watch every. I can see them. I don't need any network to cancel stuff. I can see all the games as is many of us can. And I will watch. Tony. It doesn't convince me of anything except what I was already convinced of. The two of those guys, they know how to play with anybody. LeBron's played with a variety of people, from Dwayne Wade in the hall of Fame to Kyrie Irving, who are very, very different people, to Anthony Davis to. I mean, he knows how to play with anybody. He can make whatever adjustments there Are. So I'm convinced of that. Am I convinced the Lakers are going to somehow get to the conference semis? Maybe, but I got to see more defensively, and I'm not going to be convinced of that with one game against Utah, which is probably the worst team in the Western Conference. So, no, I'm going to have to see more. I don't know where they're going to get that defense from. They're going to scramble. I mean, J.J. redick has done a terrific job with two different teams, it seems, and he's going to have to continue that as coach, a first year head coach. It's fun to watch. It's intriguing to watch. I don't know what I'm convinced of yet, other than it's fun.
- [03:15]
Tony Kornheiser
Yeah, I'm convinced of one thing from one game, that Luka Doncic is a real star. This isn't Bradley Beal getting an enormous contract and being promoted as a star. And LeBron is convinced of that too, because LeBron went out of his way to make sure that Luka felt comfortable, to make sure that Luka was part of this team. That tells me something on that one night, how important this is to LeBron. The game was never in question. It's Utah. The Lakers were going to win that game. But to me, this was a coronation of sorts. And when LeBron James, who calls himself King James, is part of that coronation, you see the direction of this team. Lucas statistics were Nothing special. Obviously 1 for 7 from 3 is bad. 14 points, a couple of nice passes. That's not what this whole thing is about. It's the symbolism of what's going on. You've got to take a wider lens. I'll be brief here. The Lakers won last night and everybody is enamored of Luka, including LeBron. The Mavericks lost last night, lost another big man. Fans were screaming. You know, you step back and you see these are different directions that people are going in.
- [04:32]
Mike Wilbon
Yeah, yeah, there's no doubt, Tony. But the Lakers, before there's a further coronation, they're gonna have to beat some teams that are a whole lot better than Utah. There's Memphis, which I'm going to see tonight here in Phoenix. There's Houston, there's obviously Oklahoma City. There's Denver, which is resurgent and scoring 140 points a game as if Paul Westhead was the coach. There's a long way to go. Long way. And while there was a whole lot of love in la, as Tony mentioned, there was again, dissent in Dallas. Boos and fan ejections. Marked the night with some spectators calling for the team to fire Nico Harrison, the GM who traded Luka to la. Of course, on the court, the Mavericks lost the game. And another big man, Daniel Gafford, he left in the first half after his right knee buckled. And after the game, Jason Kidd, who's great with the media, in my history with Jason Kidd, he didn't talk to the media. Tone, what does all this say to you about the state of the Mavericks?
- [05:32]
Tony Kornheiser
So I alluded to this obviously in the last story. I'll try and get more detailed right now. If the Mavericks were a stock, you would be selling every share you had as soon as you could before it dropped to a penny. Today the Mavericks are a disaster. That is curable. Anthony Davis comes back. That is curable. But today it's a disaster. They traded their best player. They now have no big men. Davis is out. Lively is out. Gavin is now out. You did I mention that they traded their best player, Luka Johncic? Cuz I think that's sort of important. They have fans screaming, they have an open fan revolt. They are throwing fans out of the arena like this is some sort of guerrilla theater. I told you when we first talked about this trade that it was an insane trade. And no matter what they did this year, it would cost the GM his job. I think it could cost the coach his job as well. I think it's possible. Jason Kidd looks around and says, you know what? I don't want to be here. I don't want to be here anymore.
- [06:36]
Mike Wilbon
Yeah. Before we get to that, I know there's not much time left. 30 games. They've played 50 plus games. Every team has played more north of 50. There's time left and Jason Kidd was a hell of a coach last year. They got to the finals that eight months ago. So I'm not, I'm not going to go to that level of panic just yet. Tony, there's no question. The state of the Mavericks right now, it's dire. I mean, I've got friends and sources I talk to in North Texas and they are in despair about what's going on. They are somewhere between angry at Nico Harrison to despair about the season tickets they hold or held. I'm not going there. The Jason Kidd thing. I just talked to Jason Kidd a week ago, just before, 10 days ago, before this trade. And the Mavericks knew they were in a tough position with their bigs getting hurt because Lively had just gotten hurt. And they need Anthony Davis back. And a month may not give them enough Time again dire. But Tony, Jason Kidd's been a terrific coach. I'd hire. If Jason Kidd leaves Dallas, I'd hire him in a heartbeat to coach whoever I got. And I might throw out whoever I have.
- [07:47]
Tony Kornheiser
I didn't.
- [07:47]
Mike Wilbon
So I'm just saying before everybody, I.
- [07:49]
Tony Kornheiser
Didn'T say to fire him. I didn't say to fire him. I said he may not want to be there. There's an open fan revolt. This is not. Nobody wants to play for them now.
- [08:00]
Mike Wilbon
This could change.
- [08:02]
Tony Kornheiser
Today is a bad day. Today's a bad day. We will stay with the NBA and go to Golden State where Jimmy Butler is now 2.0and has not demanded to be traded. Though the night is young, they beat Milwaukee last night, but without Giannis Antetokounmpo. Steph Curry had 38 points. Butler had 20 points, nine rebounds, six assists and four steals. And that is an impressive line. Wilbon, how high have you raised your ceiling for the Warriors, Tony?
- [08:28]
Mike Wilbon
I've raised it some just cause I have that much respect for Jimmy Butler, who, you know, has been one of my favorite players at times. My favorite player in the league for years. Um, I had that much respect for him and particularly in concert with Draymond Green and Steph Curry and Steve Kerr pulling the levers. I, I do. And Steve Kerr even talked about getting to sixth and that would be a good place to, to get. I mean, you don't want to be in the play in, you know, 7, 8, 9, 10, even though they may have to go through the play in because the Western Conference is that strong, particularly at the top. But I look at the warriors and I see some of the same problems I see with the Lakers. They'd be great in a six, six and under league, but it's not that. And so when Dallas gets his people back, Dallas is huge. OKC has a couple of big monsters in there. When healthy Houston, big Memphis, big Denver, Jokic. Playing six, six and under is going to be difficult. I know they can scramble. I know their basketball IQs are high. I loved watching them. I watched the warriors last night. I want to watch every game they play. I'm just. I don't know what's practical. Is it higher than 6? And do you want to play them in a playoff series? No, you don't. Especially if you're a young team. Even okc, Houston, you don't want them necessarily. Sixth might be a real decent target for the rest of the regular season.
- [09:51]
Tony Kornheiser
Let's cut to the chase here. If you're talking about a Higher ceiling. You're not talking about six. You're really asking, do you think they can win the NBA title this year? My short answer is no. There are many teams that are actually better than them. But. And there's always a but. Jimmy Butler is a great playoff player. He is one and a half times as good in the playoffs as. As he is in the regular season. This is not Paul George. This is the real deal. He just went through two playoff runs with Miami where he averaged 27 points a game. 39 games. He averages 27 points. This is a guy who averages 18 in a regular season. And where did they go? They went to the NBA finals in one and the conference finals in another. Again, not Paul George. So you like to believe that with Jimmy Butler almost anything is possible. You're 100% right. They're not big. They don't have any of that stuff. But if you get in the playoffs with a couple of magical players. Steph Curry is now crediting Jimmy Butler's presence for making him better. I think he's got either 72 or 74 points in these last two games. That's a lot. He's shooting over 50%. He's got 14 threes. Okay. And he's correlating Butler's arrival with this renaissance. Gotta take it seriously. Let's take a break. Coming up, is the Chiefs offensive line getting too much blame for the team's super bowl loss?
- [11:22]
Mike Wilbon
No. Kellen Moore takes the Saints job. Where's that gonna leave the Eagles? The warriors will be tough, Tony. They got three tough guys out there. I don't know if the size, lack of it is gonna hurt them.
- [11:33]
Tony Kornheiser
See the. The Lakers have no size.
- [11:38]
Narrator
In case you didn't know, these young men are driven. Quite remarkable, magnificent and unmistakable. These are the prodigies, the savants, the ones we've been waiting for. And they are not asking for you to pass the baton. They are methodically planning the perfect moment to take it. A new generation of Toyota drivers are here. And they want you to know one thing. You can't stop my drive.
- [12:07]
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- [12:59]
Tony Kornheiser
The Chiefs offensive line is taking a lot of heat after the Chiefs lost to the Eagles in the Super Bowl. So we have questions for our great friend and former center offensive line guy, ESPN NFL analyst Jeff Saturday. Let's start with this. Some people have blamed this loss on the on a poor Chiefs offensive line and I would have to say that if you made me go to one category that would be my category. Some have credited the talent and the scheme of the Eagles defense surely and some say that the Chiefs should have run the ball more. Where are you on all these things Jeff?
- [13:33]
Jeff Saturday
That's a great question. I'm going to go 33 and a third to all of them. That is a there is reason in every one of those statements and, and the the Chiefs off his line did not play well that you know they were getting compressed at the edges, they're getting pushed in the pocket. They made Mahomes very uncomfortable early the run game, the run pass ratio by the Chiefs was atrocious and and didn't give them any help. And listen from a guy who, when you, when you go face the defensive line when their ears are pinned back and they know exactly where Mahomes are going to line up, that is a painful way to go play and get exposed. And then the talent of, of the Eagles offensive line is legit and they can absolutely get after the quarterback and when they only have one mission and that's to go seek and destroy the quarterback, it makes it all that much more difficult. So I, I, I give each of those equal credit and share for how that game turned out.
- [14:24]
Mike Wilbon
Well Jeff, given that clearly the Chiefs are going to have to do something to augment that offensive line. They've done it before.
- [14:30]
Jeff Saturday
Yeah.
- [14:31]
Mike Wilbon
This time around they have limited cap space, limited money to go out and chase free agents. With that in mind, what do you do next?
- [14:39]
Jeff Saturday
Well, I mean you know they drafted in the second, third round, some left tackle help and so obviously they have to continue develop. It didn't work out this season but that doesn't mean Andy heck in that offense even, even Andy Reid been around this game a long time and loves offensive line. They hopefully they can potentially work with guys there on the team but we've seen Veach go out and get guys and fix it through the draft and so if that's the direction they head I would trust that as well. That was what they did With Creed Humphreys and, and. And Trey Smith and. And so in my opinion, I think you bumped Tuni back inside. Now you have three of the strongest inside. You signed Trey Smith to extension and you can work this thing out. But it was one of those things that happened, Mike, this year. They just kind of spun out of control and every answer they thought they had. And let's not forget their receivers were banged up a lot, too. So it all kind of, you know, coincided with each other. They'll. They'll be back. Don't underestimate it. Because of a bad game, they. They'll figure this problem out.
- [15:36]
Mike Wilbon
Speaking of being back, Patrick Mahomes says his loss is going to motivate him, which sounds great. In the moments after a loss, you're as great a player as Mahomes. But Jeff, is that reasonable that he's going to sort of come back with a vengeance and somehow be better than he's already been in his career?
- [15:53]
Jeff Saturday
I actually believe it, and I believe it for this reason because some of, some of the errors that were made, and I understand that the offensive line contributed to it. But some of the errors made by Mahomes was on Mahomes. Right. The roll out. The first interception for a touchdown. He really should have thrown one earlier. He kind of pitched one up early in the game in the double coverage on the sideline. That could have gone the other way. He did not play his best game. Right. And then backed up in your own end zone down 17. You can't make that mistake. I know you're getting pushed in, but listen, we all got issues and he, and he knows as a quarterback, that is not a turnover that you can afford. He'll come back and play better. And again, his job is to get everybody else to stay as laser focused as he is. If there's anybody I would believe is going to use this as motivation, it's Patrick Mahomes.
- [16:43]
Tony Kornheiser
We've talked a lot about the Chiefs. We'll get you out of here on a question about the Eagles. The Eagles had great coordinators this year, offense and defense. They've just lost Kellen Moore to be the head coach of the Saints. Does that create any unpredictability with the Eagles or is this somehow a fairly easy fix?
- [17:03]
Jeff Saturday
Well, you would like to say it would create a lot of unpredictability and Kellen Moore did a great job and it will take time to adjust to a new one, but if anybody can do it, Hertz can do it. I mean, I think the guy's had a new offensive coordinator almost every year of his career. So if there's anybody who can figure it out and get everybody back. And here's the other part. Jeff Stoutland, the offensive line coach and Sirianni, these guys are offensive minded guys. Those two understand what the nucleus of this offense is and what they want it to be. There's not a better one than Stout of the offensive line. As long as you keep that part together and you bring in the other passing portion of it, I think it's still smooth sailing. Hertz can adjust and that offensive line and then you got Saquon Barkley, two of the best receivers on the outside and a great tight end. Pretty much all offenses are going to look pretty good in my opinion.
- [17:53]
Tony Kornheiser
Yeah, all I would say to anybody out there is that in the NFC Championship Game in the super bowl, they scored a total of 95 points. How do you like that? 95. Thank you.
- [18:02]
Jeff Saturday
Let him know.
- [18:03]
Tony Kornheiser
Thank you, Jason.
- [18:03]
Jeff Saturday
Appreciate it.
- [18:04]
Mike Wilbon
Appreciate it.
- [18:06]
Tony Kornheiser
Let's take one last break. Still to come, Mikayla Shifrin cites fear as a reason for withdrawing from Thursday's World Championship race.
- [18:15]
Mike Wilbon
And will Alex Rodriguez and his partner get the votes necessary to buy the T Wolves Minnesota I wonder if Jeff's.
- [18:26]
Tony Kornheiser
Ever seen a team that scored that many points in those two important games. That's so many. But I know some of them are on defense. That's so many.
- [18:34]
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- [20:16]
Tony Kornheiser
Happy time, people. Happy 26th birthday. Darren Baker, the son of Dusty Baker. Darren Baker is a utility player for the Washington Nationals. Baker played in nine games last season. In his major league debut, he had seven hits and 14 at bats, including two doubles. It's possible Baker won't start the season with the big club, but wherever he goes, he'll be carrying a major league batting average of.500. We all have a soft spot for Darren Baker because of what you're about to see. 23 years ago, Dusty was managing the Giants in game five of the World Series. And Darren was kind of sort of a bat boy. He got in the way of a real play at home. And J.T. snow picked him up and carried him out of harm's way. And everybody exhaled gratefully.
- [21:00]
Mike Wilbon
Tony it's one of the great moments to me, I don't know in sports, yes, I'm gonna say it. History, the video of that. And if you're a dad, you don't have to be a dad, but if you are and you think of your son getting in harm's way like that, doing something he loves, and JT Stones just snatches him out of the way to the rescue. I mean, it's heartwarming. I can see that video a million times. I never get tired of it. Never.
- [21:27]
Tony Kornheiser
Happy anniversary, Buster Douglas. On this day, 35 years ago, the 421 underdog knocked out previously unbeaten and undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, Mike Tyson in Tokyo. Everybody remembers Tyson on all fours, crawling around the ring looking for his mouthpiece. This is probably the most stunning boxing upset since a young Cassius Clay beat the supposedly invincible sonny Liston in 1964 in Douglas very next fight. He came in at 246 pounds, about 15 pounds heavier than he was against. Tyson was promptly knocked out in the third round by Evander Holyfield, who weighed 208 and was in great shape.
- [22:05]
Mike Wilbon
Buster Douglas may have flamed out after the big upset. Obviously, Muhammad Ali, the original goat, greatest of all time, did not. Tony, I'm with you. Those are the two greatest. Those define the word upset. Ali, Cassius Clay beating Sonny Liston and Mike Tyson going down like that. We all remember where we were if we're old enough to have been there. Amazing. Can't get over that video either.
- [22:32]
Tony Kornheiser
Happy trails to Mikayla Shifrin, defending her world title in giant slalom later this week. Shifrin has withdrawn from Thursday's race, saying she is still dealing with PTSD after suffering a puncture wound to her oblique muscles during a crash in Vermont last November. Shifrin explained, and I quote, he coming to terms with how much fear I have doing an event I love so dearly only two months ago has been soul crushing, unquote. That said, Shifrin felt confident enough to ski the slower slalom portion of the team combined today with Breezy Thompson skiing the downhill leg and the duo won gold. It's a record tying 15th world championship medal for Shiffrin. She also has three Olympic medals, two of them gold.
- [23:14]
Mike Wilbon
Tony Knott is Nothing is made of the toughness that skiers have to demonstrate. Shifford and Lindsay Vaugh, who suffered more injuries, who's tougher than the two of them, nominate them for toughness anytime.
- [23:27]
Tony Kornheiser
I had it wrong. Breezy Johnson, I said it wrong. I apologize for that. Big finish quickly. Alex Bregman reportedly choosing among the Red Sox, Tigers and Cubs. Make your pitch, Mr. Chicago.
- [23:37]
Mike Wilbon
The Cubs are going to be the best team among those three this year, even though the Tigers were in the playoffs last year. Chicago Wrigley Field the NHL is on break for the four Nations Face Off. Break it down.
- [23:47]
Tony Kornheiser
I don't even know what four nations they are. The NHL is off for the next two weeks. Basketball is going off on Thursday. We're going to have to talk about bowling, an arbitration rule for a rod and Mark Laurie in their bid to buy the Timberwolves. Is that significant?
- [24:00]
Mike Wilbon
Yes. Although 23 or 30 NBA owners have to vote for that now. I want a rod to get the team. I want that closer. Kenley Jansen is joining the Angels for one year. 10 million. Good signing.
- [24:11]
Tony Kornheiser
He's an all timer. What does he have left? He was good in Boston Last year. Last one. Fifth ranked Tennessee at number 15. Kentucky tonight. Who you got in this game?
- [24:19]
Mike Wilbon
Kentucky's lost four of its last six, but I'll go with the Wildcats at.
- [24:22]
Tony Kornheiser
Home, either bowling or archery. I guess next week. We're out of time. Try and do better the next time. And I'm Tony Kornheiser.
- [24:30]
Mike Wilbon
I'm Mike Wilbond. Same time tomorrow, Knucklehead. You can get the podcast on the app or Apple podcast.
- [24:38]
Tony Kornheiser
And no pickleball, no pickleball not covering it.
- [24:42]
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