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- [00:01]
Thrivent Announcer
For some of us, personal finances aren't just personal. They include a lot more people than ourselves, loved ones, neighbors, the communities we call home, and the causes we hold in our hearts. At Thrivent, we help plan your financial picture with the bigger picture in mind. Because even though our business is helping guide your finances, our ambition is to make it mean so much more. Thrivent, where money means more. Connect with us at
- [00:32]
Mike Wilbon
Pardon the interruption, but I'm Mike Wilbon. Tony, it's National Bike to School Day. Did you ever bike to school as a kid?
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Tony Kornheiser
I'm Tony Kornheiser. No. Hadn't been invented yet. No.
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Mike Wilbon
My school was too close, actually. 200 yards.
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Tony Kornheiser
Walking school.
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Mike Wilbon
No. Bike?
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Tony Kornheiser
No, I had a bike. I had a Schwinn. I had a Schwinn. Yeah. I mean, I was biking to school from about third grade. About third grade, yeah.
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Mike Wilbon
Impressive.
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Tony Kornheiser
It's a long time ago. Obviously. I was going to say school hadn't been invented yet. Not just Pikes. Welcome to pti, boys and girls. In today's episode was Victor Wembanyama goaltending. Should AJ Hinch have backed from Valdez? And Brian Windhorse joins us for five good minutes. But we begin today with the NBA playoffs from last night. Both home teams won. Detroit beat Cleveland and Oklahoma City beat the Lakers. As they have all season. The Pistons win was relatively close. The score was tied with five minutes to go. The Thunder win was not close. Oklahoma city won by 18. Wilbon, which team had the more impressive win?
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Mike Wilbon
Well, Tony, this isn't really even close. To me, it's Detroit. I mean, first of all, the Pistons had been struggling at home over years to just win a single playoff game at home. They got past that in the first round. Yeah, but they're playing an equal in Cleveland. They're playing a rival geographically and they're playing an equal. I mean, Cleveland's been a team that's been right there nose to nose with Detroit, even though Detroit finished with the best record in the east in the regular season. And so, you know when you got to deal with some firepower that Cleveland does have with Mitchell and Harden and you're Detroit, which values preventing the other team from doing whatever it is they do best, that's what the Pistons do. They had to actually do that. And Cleveland hung in there. They tied this thing. Detroit had to demonstrate some resolve and did Detroit, which has trouble scoring, got some nice scoring nights. You know that Tobias Harris had 20 points, so Duncan Robinson had 19. So when they get a second and third scorer and it was Predicated on getting some turnovers that Cleveland coughed up, a lot of them by James Harden. It's still impressive by Detroit, the Oklahoma City. We knew where that was going with the Lakers. We really did.
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Brian Windhorst
Yeah.
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Tony Kornheiser
I mean, this to me went exactly as I expected it. Cleveland just got done with a series with Toronto in which they won no games on the road. So I didn't think they were going to win a road game here. And Oklahoma City had beaten the Lakers four times in a row by an average of 29 points. So I don't know that anyone in the world should be surprised by what happened last night. I was more interested in the MVP candidates and what they did last night. Shai Gilgis Alexander had his worst statistical night of the season. He scored 18 points. He had scored 20 or more in about 30,000 straight games. Right. And he didn't. He did not have that. He also had a bunch of turn. He had seven turnovers, which is. That's what Harden had. That's really a lot of turnovers. And yet Oklahoma City won easily. Cade Cunningham shot 6 for 19. This is coming out of three straight games against Orlando when he went 30 plus and Detroit still won. So what I'm getting at, Mike, is that these, these games last night, the Lakers could have, maybe should have stolen that game and the Cavaliers could have maybe should have stolen that game. I don't know. Just looking ahead, I'll take 10 seconds here. Without Doncic, I don't know what they are supposed to do. Their backcourt last night, which is Austin Reaves and Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard at 27 points total 8, shot 35. They're not beating anybody like that. They don't beat anybody. Nobody does.
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Mike Wilbon
No. And. And we'll talk to Wind Horse about Luca, but I don't know that he's coming to the rescue. So let's move to Minnesota's coach Chris Finch, hoping to get more favorable whistles. In tonight's Game 2 against the Spurs, Finch said that four, maybe even five of Victor Wyama's 12 blocks in Game 1 should have been whistled for goaltending. And Finch called the fact that they were not alarming. Tone, what do you think of Finch's contention?
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Tony Kornheiser
So I, I think he's planting a seed and hoping it grows very quickly. I mean, I think he wants an immediate effect in game two. He made sure that the league would hear this. He made sure the referees would hear this. Our friends Pat Riley and Phil Jackson did this all the time. You can't win the game that was just played. You can't win that one, so you try to win the next one. I would assume that Finch says to himself, we won one game already in San Antonio. If we win another one, we win two on the road, we can steal this series. So he's trying to steal game two before it even happens. Do I think that Wembanyama had four, maybe five goal tenths? Probably not. He may have had one or two. Wembanyama's seven five. He's swatting the ball to the moon. He is a daunting presence. So if you are Finch, you're saying to yourself, if we actually beat them and he had 12 blocks, think how much easier it would be if he only had four or five.
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Mike Wilbon
Yeah, well, even by Finch's count, he would have had eight legitimate ones. It is more than that. There are two possible goal tens. There's really only one. A ball that hit the glass first. But, Tony, you mentioned key names. I'm going to add one to what you mentioned about Phil Jackson and Pat Riley. Let's add Chuck Daly, because you. You and I know, and we covered. And we can go back further than those guys to Larry Brown and further back than that to Red Auerbach and what they did. Ingenious on the day after a game, sometimes a loss, in this case for Fincher, when you're setting this thing up, it was brilliant for him to get the conversation moved in that direction, because if you get a couple of whistles, you shouldn't in the next in a close game, I mean, San Antonio could have won that with that three at
- [06:35]
Tony Kornheiser
the buzzer to win again.
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Mike Wilbon
So Finch is looking at that. It's really smart. Even though I disagree with his characterization, when Banyama will have a much better game the next game, he is.
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Tony Kornheiser
Well, okay. It's very smart. And now let me ask you this. When Banyama consumes everything that is said and written and done on television about everybody's performance, he does that.
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Mike Wilbon
He does.
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Tony Kornheiser
How will this affect him? Will he attempt more blocks or will he lay back and attempt less blocks? I think that it works on two levels, referees and Wembanyama. So Finches did a very wise thing.
- [07:08]
Mike Wilbon
Good point.
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Tony Kornheiser
Let's move to baseball. Yesterday we talked about Tigers pitcher Tarek Skubal. Today we will talk about Tigers pitcher Framber Valdez. Valdez hit Boston shortstop Trevor Story in the back with a fastball last night, immediately following two Red Sox home runs off Valdez. Valdez was tossed by the umpires. Valdez's manager, A.J. hinch said, and I'm quoting here, we play a really good brand of baseball here. That didn't feel like it. It's not judging intent. I have no idea. But I know when you go out in the field and you end up in these sorts of confrontations, you usually feel in the right. It didn't feel good being out there, unquote. Wilbon, what do you think of Hinch's comments?
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Mike Wilbon
Tony, When I heard those comments last night, I was stunned. I was sort of admiring of it. I don't know how it plays in the locker room with your starting pitchers because as you and I know, for 150 years, baseball managers, whether they agreed with it or not, plunking a guy after some home runs. They said they would just automatically would say things like, well, you know, that's what happens. And they deny there was intent and they would sort of pop their jerseys and back their pitcher. That's what they did for 150 years. This wasn't that. By the way, Hinch has been suspended for a game. Valdez for six, which is essentially one start, Automatically the manager goes, but Tony Valdez, this is complicated. Valdez was 73 and 44 over a six year stretch with 25 quality starts. That was the league high in 2022. But he's also had this behavior. Remember he crossed up his catcher and hit him with a 93 mile per hour sinker last year. There was also the fact that he worked with a sports psychologist because people have been worried about his behavior. And now there's this. When your manager and I get it, Hinches, no, this is not what we do. He doesn't want this, he doesn't want to back this. He doesn't want this to be the Tiger's culture. I applaud him personally. Again, don't know how it's going to play in the clubhouse in Detroit.
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Tony Kornheiser
Yeah, So I had our friend Buster only on my podcast this morning and Buster said that he felt that was totally intentional on the part of Valdez. Valdez was having a terrible outing. Ultimately he had 10 runs, seven earned in officially three innings. This happened in the top of the fourth. He went out in the top of the fourth and served up two home runs and then hit this guy in the back, hit him with a four seam fastball that Buster said was the first four seam fastball he threw all season. Okay. And so if you're in that position, you're the manager and you know this guy, cuz you managed him for two years in Houston, that was backing away from that. And yet he's, he look in Hinch's position right now. He's got Scubal awaiting surgery. He's got five other pitchers, including three other starters on the injured list. And now he loses this guy for at least one game, maybe two. So in that context, he's not going to come out and say, I love what happened out there. But I agree with you. For 150 years, managers either backed it or shut up. They didn't do this. Let's take a break. By the way, I admire it. Me too. And he makes more money than anybody on that team. Valdez free agent coming up. Joel Embiid is out tonight against the Knicks. How does that change things for the Sixers? We're going to ask Bryan Windhorst and
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Mike Wilbon
we'll also ask him whether the Celtics could actually trade Jaylen Brown for Giannis. Ah, hot stove, Tony. Hot stove. Boston and Milwaukee denied they got nothing.
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Tony Kornheiser
Any intent? Valdez denied intent. The Boston manager thought it was intentional. That's what the boss was intentional said
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Mike Wilbon
that's what I'm gonna say.
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Tony Kornheiser
115 million over three years for Valdez
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Mike Wilbon
because he's a ace. That six year stretch is really impressive
- [11:07]
Thrivent Announcer
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- [11:38]
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Tony Kornheiser
We've got NBA questions for our great friend, ESPN senior NBA writer Brian Windhorse. Let's start with this. He's out. Joel Embiid has been declared out for tonight's game, too. How does that change what happens with the Sixers and the Knicks?
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Brian Windhorst
Of all the things that have happened in Mead's career, this is a new one. He goes from probable to out on A playoff game day. It's just another line in the long saga that has been his injury history. Okay, so obviously this offensively dramatically changes the way Philly is going to approach this game. But I will point something out. The Knicks are on a heater. There's nothing slowing him down offensive right now, but they absolutely attacked and beat in the pick and roll in game one. They went at him. I think Runson went at him like 25, 27 times. So at least in this game, Philly can play a defensive style that can give them a better chance against Brunson and Anunobi. But I'm not saying that like I think it's going to be a different outcome. So what you need here is you need Maxey to go crazy. But this is going to be a golden opportunity for New York to go up 2 0. Like things are breaking their way. They're playing their best basketball at the right time. They've been healthy at the right time, knock on wood, et cetera. They've caught a rhythm and this is the way it goes in the playoffs. They've got a great opportunity here.
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Mike Wilbon
Yes, they do. We'll move to a team which may not have a good opportunity. The lakers lost Game 1 of the Thunder last night, as you know. Brian, what are you hearing about Luka's health and any potential return?
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Brian Windhorst
Yeah, so Luca spoke today for the first time really in weeks and he revealed that when he got his mri, the doctor said it would be eight weeks. And so that's a moderate to severe hamstring injury. He's been out about four or five weeks. So the reality is under that timeline, you're not expecting to see him anytime soon. Now he didn't say what his personal timeline is. He did say he started running, but, but he's not done any contact. So the reality is this, unless the Lakers can push this into late next week, I don't know, 5, 6, 7 ish. I don't think you're seeing them in this series and I think everybody knows it in the NBA. We never know what will happen. We always leave open doors. But I do not think you should expect to see Luka Doncic.
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Mike Wilbon
That's going to leave probably a one sided series in the West. Let's move to the Celtics for a second who are of course done.
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Tony Kornheiser
Brian.
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Mike Wilbon
The NBA.
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Brian Windhorst
Fine.
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Mike Wilbon
Jaylen Brown for his comments on the zebras. And as you know, Jay will propose a Brown for Giannis trade yesterday on this here network. You and I discussed this this morning, but let's let Everybody else in on this. How do you see even the possibility of Jaylen Brown going to Milwaukee and Giannis going to Boston?
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Brian Windhorst
If Milwaukee is ready to trade Giannis, which we seem to have a neutral zone on that. If that's true, they absolutely should call Boston. A trade with Giannis, where the Bucs get a bunch of draft picks doesn't help them because they don't control their own pick for the next few years. So going into a tank situation with the new tanking rules doesn't make sense. So if they're going to trade Giannis, I'll re underline. If you want players who can help you immediately, that would be obviously Jaylen Brown. If you're Boston. Jaylen Brown does have a contract extension option this summer, and if he wants to sign that extension, I don't see why you wouldn't sign him to it now. He doesn't have to extend. He's got multiple years left on his contract. But extension talks force a check in. And if the Celtics are looking at it, Jaylen Brown is younger, Jaylen Brown is healthier. Jaylen Brown has demonstrated he is a championship player alongside Jayson Tatum. In a vacuum, you would not do that deal. But I can also see after the way this year went and the way last year went, you may be able to get maximum value right now. I do not think Brad Stevens would do it, but it would not surprise me if the extension discussion forces everybody to evaluate their options.
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Tony Kornheiser
So interesting. That really is. We'll get you out of here on this. It's sort of a vague question and I probably will have a follow up or two about tanking, but the draft lottery is Sunday. How are you sizing the draft lottery up?
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Brian Windhorst
Okay. Every year I'm fascinated by the draft lottery. Let me just tell you one thing about it, okay? The LA Clippers are probably either going to have the number five or six pick or nothing. And that illustrates, you know, the stakes in this draft lottery. If the Indiana Pacers, who are a top four projected team, they have 52% to get in the top four, they keep the pick. If the pick goes five or six, which is late as it can go, it goes to the Clippers. So you have a situation where the Indiana Pacers are either going to get to add a top four piece to the team that has Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Halliburton and there are other pieces to help them, you know, Neesmith and those guys and Nemhardt and those guys, or they're going to get no pick at all. And the Clippers may get the fifth pick. And maybe if they get the fifth pick, they think about trading Kawhi. I don't know. So that's just one aspect of the lottery. Every lottery is interesting. This one has potential to be one of the more interesting ones of the next decade because there's quality players in this draft and there's a bunch of teams that can have instantaneous changes in their situation. Golden State could get in there. Dallas could get in there. You think Utah is nothing? Well, they have a bunch of players all of a sudden going to play. How about your Washington Wizards, Tony? In case you forgot, they have Trae Young and Anthony Davis. I know they've never played for the Wizards, but they will play for the Wizards. What if the Wizards get a top three pick in this draft? There's so many fascinating things. Sunday afternoon, I am going to be in the room for the first time ever because I can't wait to see how this plays out.
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Tony Kornheiser
I just hope the Tankers don't win. You know how I hope about that? Thank you, Brian, as always. Thank you.
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Brian Windhorst
Have a great day. Guys.
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Tony Kornheiser
Let's take one last break. Still to come, the derby winner pulls out of the Preakness. That stinks.
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Mike Wilbon
No, that's breaking news. Load management from the Horsies. Unbelievable. Tony
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Tony Kornheiser
stinks. No, it's just. It's second year in a row. If you have a Triple Crown, you gotta go for the second leg of it. That's what America, the American public understands. The Triple Crown. How do you win the derby and not go in the sitting out?
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- [19:21]
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Tony Kornheiser
Happy time people. Happy 36th birthday. Jose Altuve the Astros diminutive star is back at second base after a one year experiment in left field. Altuve is the one important position player who stayed with the Astros throughout the aftermath of a signed stealing scandal in 2007 2018. Carlos Correa, who just got hurt, is back in Houston, but he spent three plus seasons in Minnesota. At 5 6, Altuve presents a small strike zone led used it in walks last year with 55. Altuve began his career with the Astros in 2011. He has led the American League in hitting three times. He has made nine All Star teams. His career batting average of.302 is second only to Luis Arise among active players and he has surprising power to 258 home runs. Hall of Famer Tony I think so,
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Mike Wilbon
particularly when you add in two World Series championships. I think Altuve is a Hall of Famer also. By the way, Carlos Correa is having season ending surgery for torn tendon in his left ankle. Long recovery time. Hate hearing that about Correa.
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Tony Kornheiser
Happy Anniversary Sir Roger Bannister. This is posthumous. But on this day 72 years ago, the British physician in training broke the mythical four minute barrier in the mile running on the track at Oxford University, which was later named for Bannister. Another mythic barrier, the two hour marathon was recently broken by Kenya's Sebastian Saweh and also the second place finisher, Ethiopia's Yamif Khadilcha, who was making his marathon debut. The current record for the mile is 3.43.13 set by Morocco's Hisham El Garou 27 years ago. Back in the late 40s, early 50s, nobody thought anybody would pole vault 16ft or high jump 7ft or run 100 under 10 seconds. They're all way in the dust now, Tony.
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Mike Wilbon
If Usain Bolt hadn't run through the tape, palms up, looking around and just sort of being too cool for school, he could have set the hundred so far out there that it would not be broken in our lifetimes or those of our children. But he, you know, he didn't do
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Tony Kornheiser
that, he could have agreed and a melancholy trails to Ted Turner. The media mogul has passed away at the age of 87. Turner was most famous for upending the news cycle through the creation of cnn, but his roots Were also firmly in sports as a decorated sailor who won the America's cup as skipper of Courageous. Back when that was a huge deal in the 70s, I believe. As the owner of the Atlanta Braves and Hawks and as the creator of the Goodwill Games, which he hoped would rival the Olympics. Turner was a pioneer in the cable sports television. First by putting the Braves on his superstation network tbs, later by putting the NBA on tnt. He was a philanthropist and an environmentalist, environmental conservationist. But could also be brash and crass and was called the mouth of the South. His ex wife Jane Fonda once called him a 3D stereophonic Shakespearean level sound and light show.
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Mike Wilbon
What a quote. He was also progressive. Tony personally and professionally promoted Bill Lucas, who was in his farm system, an African American man to GM in the early 70s when that just hadn't been done in baseball. And look what he did with Turner. With Turner, the network, he and the Cubs with gn. They put the Braves and Cubs so far out ahead of the competition with those cable ventures at that time. Way, way, way ahead of his time.
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Tony Kornheiser
Quick to the big finish. Speaking of Cubs, your cubs have won 13 straight at Wrigley. Will they make it three in a row over the Reds tonight?
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Mike Wilbon
Maybe, maybe not. But 17 out of 20 overall is what I'm most impressed with. 3rd best record of baseball. Here we come. Golden Temple will not run in the Preakness. Defend your horsey.
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Tony Kornheiser
Tony stinks two years in a row. Not derby winner out stinks. Maple Leafs won the NHL lottery in draft lottery. You're happy for them, right?
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Mike Wilbon
No, the Blackhawks dropped. No, I'm not happy for them. Not happy for anybody. The Avalanche beat the Wild 52 to go, up two nothing in that series. That's significant, isn't it?
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Tony Kornheiser
14 goals in two games. Come on. Last one, game one of Canadiens Sabres tonight. Who you got?
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Brian Windhorst
I got the Canadiens.
- [24:05]
Mike Wilbon
A little soft spot usually for both those cities. Love Montreal, love Buffalo. But I'm going with the Canadian.
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Tony Kornheiser
We are out of time. We'll try to do better the next time. And Brandon Martin in Oklahoma. Shout out.
- [24:18]
Mike Wilbon
I'm Mike Louvon. Same time tomorrow, knuckleheads.
- [24:22]
Thrivent Announcer
For some of us, personal finances aren't just personal. They include a lot more people than ourselves. Loved ones, neighbors, the communities we call home. And the causes we hold in our hearts. At thrivent, we help plan your financial picture with the bigger picture in mind. Because even though our is helping guide your finances, our ambition is to make it mean so much more. Thrivent where money means more connect with us at thrivent. Com.