Hour 3: Give the Man his Flowers (M&M on Amber & Ian)

Summary

Summary of "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron" – Hour 3: Give the Man His Flowers (July 2, 2025)

Hosts: Myron Medcalf and Matt Jones
Release Date: July 2, 2025

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1. NBA Trade: Miles Turner Joins Milwaukee Bucks

[02:02]

The episode opens with a deep dive into the recent Miles Turner trade from the Indiana Pacers to the Milwaukee Bucks. The hosts explore the ramifications of Turner’s move, particularly focusing on Indiana’s strategic decisions amidst financial constraints and their impact on team competitiveness.

• Amber reflects on the financial aspects, stating:

  "I didn't find it surprising because it was one of those teams where how do you get paid? Like, the problem with being a role player in this climate is, you usually have a good year, and if it's a contract year, the team you're on, if it's a contender, probably can't pay you as much as everybody else."
  [02:38]

• Myron critiques the Pacers' handling of luxury taxes:

  "The Pacers have just been kneecapped here."
  [03:24]

• Amber adds:

  "Bit to go into the luxury tax."
  [03:31]

The discussion highlights the difficulties teams face in retaining key players under the new CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement), emphasizing how financial strategies can undermine team stability and future prospects.

2. Free Agency Winners: Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks

[14:20]

Moving to NBA free agency, Amber identifies the Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks as standout winners due to their strategic acquisitions and roster enhancements.

• Amber praises Houston’s approach:

  "If the goal was to get better in free agency, I think certainly the Houston Rockets have done that."
  [14:52]

• Myron discusses Atlanta’s upgrades, particularly their acquisition of Kristaps Porzingis:

  "I think Atlanta has now made themselves into a team that can win the East."
  [16:04]

The hosts underscore how these teams have fortified their rosters, positioning themselves as formidable contenders in the Eastern Conference through calculated signings and roster depth.

3. Boston Celtics’ Starting Lineup and Future Prospects

[18:37]

The conversation shifts to the Boston Celtics, comparing their current lineup to their championship-winning roster from the previous year. The hosts express concerns about the team's ability to maintain its core amidst contract negotiations and the evolving competitive landscape.

• Amber observes:

  "You just can't keep a team together. It feels like today."
  [19:17]

• Myron adds:

  "It's hard to keep those teams together, together over multiple years."
  [04:53]

This segment highlights the challenges the Celtics face in sustaining their competitiveness, especially with rising player salaries and the need for strategic roster management.

4. "Big Deal or No Deal" Segment

In this recurring segment, titled "Big Deal or No Deal," the hosts assess recent sports news to determine its significance.

a. Coco Gauff's Early Exit at Wimbledon

[23:04]

Tara introduces the news of Coco Gauff losing in the first round of Wimbledon shortly after winning the French Open. The hosts discuss whether this upset signifies a shift in the competitive landscape of women's tennis.

• Amber deems it significant:

  "I think overall it just sums up that this is the most competitive era of tennis that we've ever seen."
  [24:00]

• Myron counters:

  "It's not the most competitive we've ever seen."
  [24:07]

The debate centers around the depth of talent in current women's tennis and the unpredictability introduced by increased competition.

b. Jake Paul's WBA Boxing Ranking

[26:25]

The discussion moves to Jake Paul being ranked number 14 by the World Boxing Association (WBA) following his victory over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Amber critiques the ranking, questioning its legitimacy and the impact on boxing's credibility.

• Amber criticizes:

  "The WBA to rank him and to give him a shot at the championship is a joke."
  [28:05]

• Myron expresses frustration:

  "Boxing is close to losing me forever."
  [28:28]

This segment underscores ongoing concerns about the commercialization of boxing and the dilution of competitive integrity.

c. YouTuber Jesser Joins Kentucky Alumni Basketball

[28:49]

Tara presents the news that YouTuber Jesser, with 31 million subscribers, is joining the Kentucky alumni squad for a summer basketball tournament. The hosts debate the merits and implications of involving social media influencers in traditional sports.

• Amber voices skepticism:

  "Who is he? What is he? Who does he play?"
  [29:34]

• Myron contemplates:

  "Jesser is just kissing out for suburban white kids."
  [32:35]

The discussion highlights the tension between traditional athleticism and the rising influence of social media personalities in sports.

5. Final Thoughts

The episode wraps up with the hosts reflecting on the evolving dynamics in sports, particularly the challenges of maintaining team cohesion, the impact of financial strategies on competitiveness, and the intrusion of social media fame into traditional athletic arenas.

• Amber emphasizes the need for talent-focused decisions:

  "Being famous is just not something that makes a lot of sense."
  [45:33]

• Myron concurs, lamenting the decline in sports integrity:

  "Boxing is losing me and trust me, boxing needs me."
  [28:05]

The hosts conclude by reiterating the importance of preserving sports' core values amidst commercialization and evolving competitive landscapes.

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the podcast episode, providing a structured overview for listeners and non-listeners alike. Notable quotes have been included with timestamps to highlight significant points made by the hosts.

Transcript

[Amber]

With a Venmo debit card, you can Venmo more than just your friends. You can use your balance in so many ways. You can Venmo everything. Need gas? You can Venmo this. How about snacks? You can Venmo that. Your favorite band's merch? You can Venmo this or their next show. You can Venmo that. Visit Venmo Me Debit to learn more. The Venmo MasterCard is issued by the Bancorp bank in a pursuant to license by MasterCard International, Inc. Card may be used everywhere. MasterCard is accepted. Venmo purchase restrictions apply. This is the Amber and Ian Podcast.

[Ian]

It's been a fun night here on Amber and Ian, Matt Jones Meyer, Matt Catfield and we'll be here tomorrow night to get you ready for all of your July. I was saying the 4th of July, but the next day will be July 3rd, so it'll get you ready for your July 3rd plans. But we'll be here tomorrow night. Right now, the WNBA Commissioner's cup is going on the links lead the fever. Caitlin Clark is not playing. Remember Amber and Ian on ESPN is presented by Progressive Insurance. You can get renters insurance. Protect the things that make you make your place a home, including coverage for theft or damage. Visit progressive.com We've had some people write in after Myron's really good segment just a minute ago.

[Amber]

Not my best work.

[Ian]

Yeah, one person writes. Matt, don't. Not only did Myron say Alabama athletes must be from Atlanta, he also said Alabama was up there among the greatest states of Los Angeles, Chicago and New York. Even if we give him New York, it's hard to say that Los Angeles and Chicago are states. It is a little hard to say.

[Amber]

That our textbooks, the ones that we had, we got the textbooks that people were done with.

[Ian]

You got the unclaimed baggage of textbooks, right?

[Amber]

Nah, that was not my greatest segment I've had.

[Ian]

No, it was. That's all right. You know what? We're going to try to do a little bit of the actual news.

[Amber]

Yeah, let's do that.

[Ian]

Believe me, we'll get back off track in a minute. But the big Snowy won't. The big story today is that the Milwaukee Bucks signed Miles Turner. You know, we keep talking about this from the standpoint of Milwaukee, but what about Indiana? I mean, everyone just assumed that. For like eight years I've been hearing that Miles Turner was going to be traded. He would never be traded. And then this off season, everybody said, well, Miles Turner is going to stay in Indiana and that is the time he decides to sign with Milwaukee. Did you find that surprising that he left Indiana after the year they had?

[Amber]

I didn't find it surprising because it was one of those teams where how do you get paid? Like, the problem with being a role player in this climate is, you know, you usually have a good year, and if it's a. If it's a contract year, the team you're on, if it's a contender, probably can't pay you as much as everybody else. So I think he did what a lot of guys have done, got more money elsewhere, joining a team that I think can still contend in the East. I do want to know, Matt, what happens if Halliburton doesn't suffer the Achilles injury that has maybe changed how Miles Turner approached this off season?

[Ian]

Well, let's. Let's. Brian Windhorst, ESPN's NBA insider, was on First Take, and here's what he said. The pace, how the Pacer should feel about it. The Pacers have just been kneecapped here.

[Amber]

They have not been willing to pay.

[Ian]

The luxury tax for 20 years, and they were determined for the first time to pay the luxury tax a little.

[Amber]

Bit to go into the luxury tax.

[Ian]

A little bit to keep Myles Turner, who's been their franchise center for the last decade. And now, frankly, this price for Myles Turner isn't outrageous. If I'm an Indiana Pacer right now, I'm absolutely disgusted. I am sick to my stomach. If I'm Tyrese Halliburton, I am breaking things right now. If I'm Rick Carlisle, I'm furious as just what's happened because they were unwilling to spend a little bit of luxury tax money to hold this team in place for a year. When Halliburton came back to go to a team that they hate, they hate the Bucks. What strong words from Wendy. Disgusted. Furious. Do you think Tyrese Halberton and Rick Carlisle would be disgusted and furious about this?

[Amber]

I mean, probably. I don't know if he's breaking things, but, I mean, he'd be upset. Like, it'd be disappointing if you're Tyrese Halliburton, to know that the team that just took OKC to seven games in the finals, when you're healthy again, which probably won't be until the 20, 26, 27 season, your team's gonna look a lot different. I just think it's just difficult when you contend for a championship in this current climate with the new cba, because it's hard to keep those teams together, together over multiple years. So I would be frustrated if I were Halliburton because you just contended for a title and this new group you have, maybe it won't be equipped to do that.

[Ian]

Well, okay, so I'll play devil's advocate. I mean, Halliburton is likely out for the year. You know, maybe there's a world that he could come back for the playoffs, but. But probably not. Probably out for the year. If you're Indiana and you, let's say you're going to sign Miles Turner to a four year deal, you're basically punting on one year year because Halberton's not going to play, does it make sense to maybe punt? This is a rebuilding year, go into free agency next year to get the Miles Turner replacement? Is that, I mean, is that a, is that a ridiculous idea?

[Amber]

It's not ridiculous, but like, how many teams have tried that? Like, I just, I just think if you have a group that has a chance to contend and in the Eastern Conference, you think they still could have.

[Ian]

Contended even if they didn't have Halliburton.

[Amber]

I think a lot of teams are going to be able to contend next year because the Eastern Conference may only be the Knicks. And if you tell me the Knicks are being coached by Mike Brown, I feel like that opens up the possibility of who can win the Eastern Conference.

[Ian]

Brown taking a stray here in the Facers Conference.

[Amber]

He's just the, you know, he's okay. He's the, he's the dollar general of coaches. Like, he works. He gets you what you need. But it doesn't. But he doesn't.

[Ian]

That's harsh. Dollar general. I mean, he's better than in a dollar general.

[Amber]

Dollar general's good. And they.

[Ian]

Last time you've been in it. When's the last time you've been in a dollar general?

[Amber]

I've been riding, I was riding through the Midwest this week, saw a dollar general.

[Ian]

Say, when the last time you sold one. When was the last time you've been in one?

[Amber]

Probably a couple months. But I've been on, I've been in them.

[Ian]

Okay, all right, so.

[Amber]

But I mean, it doesn't elevate anything. Yeah, it doesn't elevate anything. So I mean, there's a world where you go, okay, Pascal Siakam, Miles Turner, all those role players they have, you can keep them together, they can be competitive.

[Ian]

But now without Pascal Siakam, I'd be pretty upset because More pressure on him. Yeah, I mean, I think with Miles Turner, I don't think they necessarily would have been a contender, but they certainly could have been competitive. Now that team has a completely different outlook going into next year. I mean, I don't know that you could even put them in the tier of teams that you would think could be competitive. It's just interesting. And then Indiana, Milwaukee, I mean, Brian Whenhurst made this point, they really don't like each other at all. And so not only did you end up going, they went to not just a geographical rival, but you can speak to this. There's the teams just don't like each other. Like it's just literally a, it's like going from Kentucky to Louisville or North Carolina, Duke or something like it's in the NBA. This might be the closest to that that exists actually.

[Amber]

Yeah, I mean that's the only team that makes Giannis lose his cool. Like Giannis is usually pretty, that's true. Level headed, but that's the one team where there have been a lot of moments where he's wanted to fight people, including Tyrese Halliburton's dad, which I understood because he came into the court and approached him and you know that, that wasn't okay. But yeah, this doesn't, this doesn't help. You know, if you're a Pacers fan, you don't want to see it. But I think the bigger issue is when you have a team that goes to seven games with the NBA champ, you want to see them invest whatever it takes to try to keep that group together. And it's just difficult to have real windows to win championships in this current climate. You got one shot. I think that's what we've seen the last six, seven years. After that, nothing's the same.

[Ian]

I, I, I, I do wonder what was the difference in off, in like offer like Windhorse was suggesting that, you know, maybe they just wouldn't give as much money. I'd be interested to see how big the difference was. Are we talking 10 million, 15 million? I mean I, going into free agency, I looked at, there was some site and I'm sorry if I can't remember which one it was, I'd like to give you credit for it, but there was some site that had what they projected each of the free agents should be worth. And I think I saw for Miles Turner it was going to be four years, 102 million or something like that. Well, he got 107, so it's 5 million more. If they lost him for four or five million dollars, Martin, that would be a pretty awful thing. Now I don't know what they offered. But if it was literally that small an amount of money, that would be pretty poor form, don't you think?

[Amber]

It would. But there's also a world where. And you know this, Matt, sometimes these guys, they might take a pay cut, but they don't want to feel disrespected. There's a world where you're exactly, you know, he goes, listen, I'm the reason that you had a chance against okc, the reason that you were able to hold off Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams and SGA and all these guys attacking the rim. And now you don't make me a priority. I think sometimes that's what happens, you know, and maybe that's what happened here.

[Ian]

Does he make Milwaukee a contender next year? We were talking to Dario Melendez earlier who thought, yes, do you think so?

[Amber]

More of a contender because again, the team without him is Giannis. A bunch of dudes and no Damian Lillard. So I think this makes them. To me, they look a lot like the Pacers from last year right now.

[Ian]

Okay.

[Amber]

When you consider the pieces, they have strong words.

[Ian]

I think there's still a player away. I mean, I think they've got. I don't.

[Amber]

They might be that.

[Ian]

I don't know who that player is or even if there's a player out there, but I do think they are a player away. Now, free agency has occurred. A lot of it. Still a lot to go. Which teams have gotten the best? I think one team is the clear winner, maybe two. I actually have two teams that to me are the clear winner. We'll see what Myrons are. Plus, I'm sure he will teach us more geography from the mind of the person who got the hand me down school books. That's next on Amberly and on espn.

[Amber]

This is the Amber and Ian podcast. Get in the zone.

[Ian]

AutoZone.

[Amber]

Welcome to AutoZone.

[Ian]

What are you working on today? Hey, that's the spirit. Right now we're celebrating free with a free STP oil filter when you buy five quarts of oil.

[Amber]

And free Duralast brake pads when you.

[Ian]

Buy two rotors, like always, free battery, testing, charging and recycling at every store. Celebrate free at AutoZone now through July 28th. Get in the zone. Auto zone restrictions apply. This message is brought to you by Abercrombie and Fitch. I've been ready for summer for a while and now it's finally time for summer outfits. With a trip coming up, the A and F vacation shop has me covered. Abercrombie really knows how to Do a lightweight outfit. Their tees, sweater, polos and linen blend shorts never miss. I wear Abercrombie denim year round. Their shorts are no different and have the comfort I need for summer prep for your next trip with the A and Fication shop. Get their newest arrivals in store online and in the app. One of the youngest rosters in recent memory has just completed one of the finest seasons in NBA history. The Oklahoma City Thunder have their first championship. Breaking through this year almost gives them that confidence now of okay, now you've done it. Now that almost makes them even more dangerous with the fact that the questions of whether they can that's been answered.

[Amber]

The way that these guys are set.

[Ian]

Up with their big three. They're running to be a great team over the next five to seven years. I've not given them anything but they are best positioned probably since the Warriors 10 years ago. Sports Center 50 across 50. Alabama is today's. Where are we going tomorrow? What's tomorrow's what?

[Amber]

What is tomorrow?

[Ian]

What's tomorrow?

[Tara]

New Mexico.

[Ian]

New Mexico. We got three calls from New Mexico.

[Amber]

Tonight of New Mexico.

[Ian]

New Mexico, full of dirt and aliens. We will be there tomorrow. Ready to go. Santa Fe, beautiful city.

[Amber]

Beautiful, great food truck. Albuquerque is beautiful.

[Ian]

That's what you think of. What do you think of Santa Fe?

[Amber]

Santa Fe is known. Santa Fe is known for its food truck scene.

[Ian]

Really? That's what it's known.

[Amber]

100%.

[Ian]

Okay. I don't know that that's what most historians would say, but Albuquerque, also a wonderful city. We. So we will teach you more about New Mexico tomorrow. By the way, the club, FIFA, club World cup has been going on. You've been following this at all, Myron? The big soccer tournament that's in America right now.

[Amber]

No, I haven't been following.

[Ian]

Did you know it was happening? No.

[Amber]

Well, I didn't. I didn't know.

[Ian]

So these are all.

[Amber]

I didn't. I knew about it. I knew it.

[Ian]

These are all the teams that have won their soccer leagues around the world. They're playing and we're in the round of 16 right now. Dortmund, which is in Germany, is playing Monterey, which is in Mexico. And Dortmund leads one nothing. Real Madrid won earlier today over Juventus. Do you know what country Juventus is in, Mark?

[Amber]

Spain, right?

[Ian]

No, it's in Italy, but that's close enough. So. All right. The NBA free agency getting going. I have two winners in my mind of who I think has done the best move so far in free agency. But I'll tell you what, I don't want to Take both of them. So do you have a winner that sticks out in your mind so far?

[Amber]

Yeah. And free agency, to me, I think it starts with Houston. I mean, I think obviously you get Kevin Durant, that's a trade. But then you add Clint Capella, he returns from Atlanta. You signed Dorian Finney Smith and then they made a lot of other moves that weren't free agent moves, but Fred Van Valeet, team friendly contract, and he's making like $25 million a year. You resigned Jabari Smith. I feel like if the goal was to get better in free agency, I think certainly the Houston Rockets have done that.

[Ian]

Yeah, I think the Dorian Finney Smith, I don't think one that people saw, you know, I mean, this team has been so loaded. Then you get rid of Jalen Green and I don't think I look at Dorian Finney Smith as a great pickup. But Myron, I don't think they need him. You know what I mean? They could have not had him and been okay. They're going to be another insanely deep team. So they were one of my two winners as well. But you like what they did?

[Amber]

I like that, yeah. I mean, you're trying to surround Kevin Durant with as much depth as possible. I mean, at 37 years old, you got to be concerned with injuries. You got to be concerned with how he handles an 82 game season at this stage of his career. So I think that Dorian Finney Smith may not seem like a big move right now, but I think once you get into the heart of the season, guys like him will be really important.

[Ian]

Yeah, for me, the other one, Houston's one winner and the other one is Atlanta. I mean, I think Atlanta has now made themselves into a team that can win the East. You know, you, I look at three moves. The, the Porzingis, it's a lot like with a lot of people, Porzingis is a. If he's healthy and he may not be.

[Amber]

Yeah.

[Ian]

But to me, I think it's a low risk roll of the dice. And if you can get a healthy Porzingis, he will help you. But what I. And then of course there's the trade on draft night, which probably one of the best trades that a team has pulled off in the modern draft era. Now that teams, you don't have people that are just terrible GMs, you rarely see someone get an unprotected first round pick. I mean, they could end up, they legitimately could end up with like the number one pick next year. I mean, they could with Milwaukee, they get the best of the Milwaukee or New Orleans picks. I think Milwaukee's going to probably end up good. So they're probably going to end up with the Pelicans pick. And there's an argument, Myron, the Pelicans could be the worst team in the league next year, especially if Zion gets hurt. If Zion gets hurt, they might be awful. So I think that was a great trade. And then ultimately, if you have Trey Young, the way you should build your roster is a lot of big dudes who can defend and rebound around him. And I think they've done that. Obviously, they drafted Reese's Shay last year, Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, and then they add Alexander Walker from Minnesota. I think Atlanta. I don't. I don't even know if they're sneaky, but I do think they're a contender. They were 33 to 1 to win the east two weeks ago, and now they're 10 to 1 just a week later.

[Amber]

Well, and I think a lot of that change has to do with the change in the east as well. Right. I mean, the injuries have kind of made this thing wide open. Boston is off the table as a contender. You got to deal with Indiana, as great as they've been without Tyrese Halliburton. That changes everything. Cleveland was actually the number one seed in Eastern Conference, but nobody believes in Cleveland. Right. So I think teams in the Eastern are making moves because they feel like it's wide open, and I don't know how you would disagree with them.

[Ian]

Yeah, I don't either. All right, so let me. Since we're talking about teams that are contenders who are helped have hurt themselves, I want you to think about the Boston Celtics who won the title last year. All right, the starting lineup or two years ago. Starting lineup for the. For the Celtics that year. Jason Tatum, Jalen Brown, Derek White, Drew Holiday, Holiday Porzingis. Okay. Five great players. Can I read you what Bobby Marks of our ESPN NBA Insider. Can I read you what he has as Boston starting lineup right now going into next year? Are you ready?

[Amber]

Yep.

[Ian]

Derek White, Anthony Simons, Jalen Brown, George Niang, and Nemos Quaita. Not exactly the same team. They ended up with two years and with the bench being Peyton Pritchard, Baylor Scheireman, Sam Houser, and a person I've never heard of, J.D. davison. How's that for. How's that for your Boston Celtics?

[Amber]

That's a good team if you're trying to win the Big 12 title in 2018.

[Ian]

That's true. They Just signed Luke Garza as the backup center, too. If you want him, you're going to.

[Amber]

The Final Four with that group. But I don't know beyond that. But again, as much as people kind of laugh at the Celtics who were about to hit the second apron, who had to hit the. Hit the second apron, and we're just going to have to pay millions and millions of dollars to keep that team together. You just can't keep a team together. It feels like today. No, if you are good, your role players are going to cost so much more money.

[Ian]

You can, but you have to build it through the draft or you have to get superstars who are willing to be flexible with you. That's what you have to do.

[Amber]

I don't think that's going to happen. Yeah, I think that's not. Guys in their prime.

[Ian]

Kevin Durant did. I mean, like, there are guys who will do it, but you're right. In their prime. It's hard to do.

[Amber]

You got to strike when you have it. I mean, I think that this league more than ever before, if you have a group where you feel like maybe you're a player away, you know, maybe you're one good draft away, you got to go for it because there's no. There's no next year anymore.

[Ian]

Let me also give you my free agency. Loser. Can I give you what I think might be the worst starting lineup that I've seen for next year from Bobby Marks, Chicago Bulls, Trey Jones, Kobe White, Kevin Herder, Matas Bou, Zelas Vusovich. With Javen Javon Carter and Isaac Okoro coming off the bench. How many games does that team win?

[Amber]

Not. Not many. I like Trey Jones, though, but he's a Minnesota dude, but that's going to be tough.

[Ian]

You like Trey Jones as your second best player?

[Amber]

I like Trey Jones. I know Trey Jones.

[Ian]

Good dude.

[Amber]

But yeah, that's.

[Ian]

I mean, you can know him, but that doesn't mean that.

[Amber]

Uphill battle. I'll say uphill battle.

[Ian]

I mean, I don't. I did not understand the Lonzo Ball Isaac Okoro deal. Like, why do you want Isaac score? I have no idea what that's going to do for you. There was a big day for upsets today at Wimbledon. And then there's some other news, including there was a story that happened today that made Byron mad. And I don't even. He hasn't even told me. I just know him well enough to know that he's going to be mad. That's next on Amber.

[Amber]

This is the amber in the end podcast. Have you ever spotted McDonald's hot crispy fries right as they're being scooped into the carton? And time just stands still.

[Tara]

In 1979, the first words spoken on ESPN weren't just an announcement. If you're a fan, they were a sports prophecy.

[Amber]

What you'll see in the next minutes, hours, and days to follow.

[Ian]

Glad you're with us tonight.

[Amber]

May convince you you've gone to sports heaven. And right now, you're standing on the edge of tomorrow.

[Tara]

This fall, the next era of ESPN begins. Sports forever.

[Ian]

Yeah, this is according to Meyer Metcalf, the devil went down to Alabama. It's Amber and Ian here, Matt and Meyer and filling in. Today has been Alabama Day on ESPN. Tomorrow will be New Mexico Day. 50 Sports Center. 50 for 50. But there's a lot of other news besides NBA free agency and what state it is. There's things we got to talk about, which means it's time to play Big deal or no big deal.

[Amber]

It's making headlines.

[Ian]

Extra, extra. Read all about it.

[Amber]

But is it a big deal or not a big deal with Amber and Ian?

[Ian]

So this is the game where we decide, is a story important or is it not important? And we have. We got Tara here ready to go. Give me the first one.

[Tara]

Coco Gauff became just the third woman in the Open era to lose in the first round at Wimbledon, right after winning the championship at the French Open. Golf joined another highly seated American, number three seed, Jessica Pugula, in bowing out on day two of the tournament. It marked the first women's major in the Open era in which two of the top three seeds lost their opening matches. In all, eight top 10 seeds between the men and women have been knocked out in the first round of Wimbledon. That's the most in the opening round at any major in the Open era. Big deal. Not a big deal, Myron.

[Amber]

It's a big deal. I mean, you know, you get Coco Golf and wins the French Open, and it has a moment like this. I think her ceiling is obviously very high, but she. She has some tough moments as well. But I think overall, it just sums up that this is the most competitive era of tennis that we've ever seen. And I think that's kind of why you're seeing some of these results.

[Ian]

It's not the most competitive we've ever seen. I mean, sure, it isn't enough. It's not. I mean, there are no.

[Amber]

I mean, this isn't the best class of tennis players ever.

[Ian]

No, no. I mean, on the women's Side it might be the most balanced class like this may be the most balanced in terms of the difference between the best player in the world and the 20th best player is the smallest. But no, I mean there have been from, from Serena to Steffi Graf and I mean there have been a lot of better errors. But I will say this. The amount of people we went through about 20 years of tennis where starting with Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, the Serena era that like the best players were so much better than everyone else that you just didn't see a ton of crazy upsets. That has changed. But a one seed going down in the first round, Myron is, is rare and it's especially rare right after the French Open. I'll tell you the big loser though, and that's our good friends here at ESPN because a lot of top seeds are already going down. I think it's going to be hard getting Americans really interested in this with that happening.

[Amber]

Yeah, now that, I mean those household names, I think Naomi Osaka plays tomorrow. She's still in it. But Coco, winning the French Open and then losing the first round takes away some of the momentum. I mean even Carlos Alcaraz had a tough opening match. But, but it's. You said not the greatest era. Every other sport, you say every sport gets better.

[Ian]

Yeah, but I think, I think tennis, I think the last. I just think that the. With Serena, Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, you could make a strong argument that they're the four greatest players to ever play and they all just came at the same time. And we're just in a transition era right now. Plus they've slowed the ball and stuff so it is a little bit of a, of a different sport. What's next?

[Tara]

The World Boxing association has ranked Jake. Has ranked Jake Paul at number 14 following his win Saturday over former middleweight champion Julio Caesar Chavez Jr. The social media influencer turned professional boxer is now eligible to challenge WBA cruiserweight champion. You guys are gonna have to help me with this name. Is it Hilberto or Zilberto?

[Ian]

I mean you gotta ask Myron. I don't know who these people are. I know the last boxer I remembered was, you know, Mike Tyson. So you're gonna have to. I'm gonna have to get some help. But, but whoever. Who is the name?

[Amber]

Give me the name.

[Tara]

Is it Hilberto Ramirez or Silberto?

[Amber]

I thought it was Gilberto Ramirez.

[Ian]

Oh, it's.

[Tara]

Oh wow. I was really. Okay. Gilberto Ramirez. Jake Paul can now challenge him for a world championship. Big deal. Not a big Deal, Matt?

[Ian]

Well, I'm going to do something I rarely do which is defer to my good friend Myron because I think this makes him mad. I think it is not a big deal because I think boxing is sort of a, you know, sham of a sport anyway in terms of its rankings and how they do it. But Myron, I would think that it probably upsets you that the official rankings are now ranking a person who really hasn't had a real fight yet in, in, in Jake Paul.

[Amber]

Yeah, it's a huge deal. Boxing is losing me and trust me, boxing needs me. Like I'm the dude willing to pay 100 bucks to watch a pay per view every weekend. Like I'm the dude watching all the fights on all these channels. I got every streaming service so I can see boxing but, but they're losing me and they're losing the die hard fans because of moves like this. Jake Paul beat Julio Caesar Chavez over the weekend. Junior, a guy who hasn't fought a serious fight in a decade, was out of shape. No one takes that seriously. So the WBA to rank him and to give him a shot at the championship is a joke. First off, Jake Paul's never going to fight anybody who's a real fighter. He's never going to put himself at risk. That's not what he does. But it's a joke for the sport to rank him when there are so many actual fighters who are competing. So boxing is close to losing me forever, I'll say that. Like it wouldn't shock one real fighter.

[Ian]

He fought one real fighter and he lost. So I mean he, well not, not.

[Amber]

Even real fighter he fought. It was, he was like a YouTube model boxer dude, it wasn't even like he was an actual fighter. So I think boxing is already losing the casual fans because there's no Floyd Mayweather, De La Hoya, Mike Tyson kind of dude. Really getting everybody excited. But if you lose me, the sport dies.

[Ian]

You're the only person I know personally that cares about boxing and if they lose you, then we're really down to the die hards of die hards. I mean Myron is so into it, even knows what Dazn is, which almost no one else in the United States I haven't would be able to do it. Tara, go ahead, what's next?

[Tara]

Well, he, he knows what Dazone is in boxing but does he know who Jesser is? YouTuber Jesser, who has 31 million subscribers, is joining La Familia, the Kentucky alumni squad for the basketball tournament this summer. Jesser Is known for making videos based around basketball. Big deal. Not a big deal, Myron.

[Ian]

Yeah, so this guy, first of all, the tbt, which has become a big thing in the summer where all the former players, the Kentucky team, which otherwise has names that if you're a college basketball fan, you know, added Jesser, the YouTube star to their roster. Do you like that move to kind of get some attention for the tournament? I didn't even know Jesser was a thing.

[Amber]

I hate the move. Who is he? What is he? Who does he play? How did he get famous?

[Ian]

I mean he got famous like everybody.

[Tara]

Google tells me he's also now represented by caa.

[Ian]

Yeah, Jesser got. First of all, you have a question that to a whole generation of people is a dumb question which is what does he do? The answer is on social media you don't have to do anything, you just have to be, you just have to exist. And Jesser, as I understand it, I'd never heard of this person till today. But Jesser is a basketball YouTuber. People watch him play basketball, just like play for fun. And he has 31 million followers.

[Amber]

How much, how much time does this generation have during the day to make a dude named Jesse famous? And why would Kentucky, former Kentucky players who actually are very good and play in the NBA are picking up?

[Tara]

Because with all due respect, Matt, with all due respect, we would not be talking about this team on national ESPN radio tonight.

[Ian]

No, of course not.

[Tara]

Jessica was not on it.

[Ian]

This is why.

[Tara]

That's why.

[Ian]

Yeah, she's exactly right. I mean she's actually exactly right. Like this is part of the thing. The other names on this team are people you might have heard of, the Harrison twins, Willie Collie Stein, James Young, like guys who played in the NBA. And then they add Jesser and Tara's exactly right. If I told you Willie Collie Stein was going to play on this team, you wouldn't care. But Jesser makes it national radio, so is that a reason to have him on?

[Amber]

No, I mean, no, I don't know who he is, I think in the.

[Ian]

Basketball world but if the, seriously, if you ask your 12 year old nephew, he might know who he is, but.

[Amber]

I don't care what he thinks. He's 12. I don't value the opinion of somebody who watches Jesser.

[Ian]

I don't care what he thinks. It's the same principle though of like the Savannah Bananas. Like the average kid does not want to watch a baseball game, but they'll watch the Savannah Bananas. So do you, I mean like we.

[Amber]

Gotta Stop letting young people make decisions about what we should care about. Like, we gotta stop that. We do too much.

[Ian]

Wait a minute, you're saying young people should get no voice whatsoever in anything?

[Amber]

Not when Jesser's playing in like a real basketball game. That's the line for me.

[Ian]

All right, what about that one dude? You know who, that one guy's like Kai Sanat. What if he was playing Kai Sanat?

[Amber]

Big deal. He's a huge deal.

[Ian]

Well, this is, this is just Jesser.

[Tara]

By the way, Myron, you've never actually watched Jesser play. Maybe Jesser is actually a lot better than we're giving him.

[Amber]

I doubt it.

[Ian]

Jesser is just kissing out. But for suburban white kids.

[Amber]

I don't, but I don't even know what Kaiser does.

[Ian]

I mean like, exactly. But you said he was okay to play in the game.

[Amber]

Yeah, all of it, all of it is like people without real talent. Being famous is just not something that.

[Ian]

Makes, that makes you mad. You don't like when people like, do you. Are you okay with Alex Earl being famous?

[Amber]

Well, I don't like when people are like, this person's amazing. You're like, okay, what's their talent? Usually there was an era where there was a talent attached to somebody being famous. Oh, they're very good at this. There are, great. Now it's like, oh, what does this person do? Oh, they just do stuff like that. Stop, stop talking to 17.

[Ian]

It kind of started with the Kardashians though. Like it became. You could be famous for just being famous. So. Well, I wish Jesser the best, but I'm glad you see.

[Amber]

What does that even mean, what you just said? Like, what does that even mean? Do you, you wish him the best for. What are you talking about?

[Ian]

I want him to have health and happiness. That's what I want. That's what I want Jesser to have.

[Amber]

We will do more like, what are you talking about?

[Ian]

Our final segment tonight on the world of sports here on Amber and Ian on ESPN Radio.

[Amber]

Amber and Ian, the podcast.

[Ian]

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Of 45 dollars for 3 month plan equivalent to 15 dollars per month required new customer offer for first 3 months only. Speed slow after 35 gigabytes of networks busy taxes and fees extra c mint mobile.com this episode is brought to you by Polestar.

[Ian]

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[Ian]

3 [e-mail] yeah, this is according to Meyer Metcalf. The devil went down to Alabama. It's Amber and Ian here, Matt and Meyer and filling in. Today has been Alabama Day on ESPN. Tomorrow will be New Mexico Day. 50 Sports Center. 50 for 50. But there's a lot of other news besides NBA free agency and what state it is. There's things we got to talk about, which means it's time to play big deal or no big deal.

[Amber]

It's making headlines.

[Ian]

Extra, extra. Read all about it.

[Amber]

But is it a big deal or not a big deal with Amber and Ian?

[Ian]

So this is the game where we decide, is a story important or is it not important? And we have. We got Tara here ready to go. Give me the first one.

[Tara]

Coco Gauff became just the third woman in the Open era to lose in the first round at Wimbledon right after winning the championship at the French Open. Goff joined another highly seated American, number three seed, Jessica Pula, in bowing out on day two of the tournament. It marked the first women's major in the Open era in which two, two of the top three seeds lost their opening matches. In all, eight top ten seeds between the men and women have been knocked out in the first round of Wimbledon. That's the most in the opening round at any major in the Open era. Big deal. Not a big deal, Myron.

[Amber]

It's a big deal. I mean, you know, you get Coco golf and wins the French Open and it has a moment like this. I think her ceiling is obviously very high, but she, she has some tough moments as well. But I think overall it just sums up that this is the most competitive era of tennis that we've ever seen. And I think that's kind of why you're seeing some of these results.

[Ian]

It's not the most competitive we've ever seen. I Mean, sure it is.

[Amber]

Why is it.

[Ian]

I mean there. No, I mean this isn't the best.

[Amber]

Class of tennis players ever.

[Ian]

No, no. I mean on the women's side it might be the most balanced class. Like this may be the most balanced in terms of the difference between the best player in the world and the 20th best player is the smallest. But no, I mean there have been from, from Serena to Steffi Graf and I mean there have been a lot of better errors. But I will say this. The amount of people we went through about 20 years of tennis where starting with Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, the Serena era that like the best players were so much better than everyone else that you just didn't see a ton of crazy upsets. That has changed. But a one seed going down in the first round, Myron is, is rare and it's especially rare right after the French Open. I'll tell you the big loser though, and that's our good friends here at ESPN because a lot of top seeds are already going down. I think it's going to be hard getting Americans really interested in this with that happening.

[Amber]

Yeah, no, that. I mean those household names. I think Naomi Osaka plays tomorrow. She's still in it. But Coco, winning the French Open and then losing the first round takes away some of the momentum. I mean even Carlos Alcarez had a tough opening match but, but it's. You said not the greatest there. Every other sport, you say every sport gets better.

[Ian]

Yeah, but I think, I think tennis, I think the last. I just think that the. With Serena, Federer, Nadal and Djokovic you could make a strong argument that they're the four greatest players to ever play and they all just came at the same time and we're just in a transition era right now. Plus they've slowed the ball down and stuff so it is a little bit of a, of a different sport. What's next?

[Tara]

The World Boxing association has ranked Jake. Has ranked Jake Paul at number 14. Following his win Saturday over former middleweight champion Julio Caesar Chavez Jr. The social media influencer turned professional boxer is now eligible to challenge WBA cruiserweight champion. You guys are gonna have to help me with this name. Is it Hilberto or Zilberto?

[Ian]

I mean you gotta ask Myron. I don't know who these people are. I know the last boxer I remembered was, you know, Mike Tyson. So you're gonna have to. I'm have to get some help. But whoever. Who was the name?

[Amber]

Give me the name.

[Tara]

Is it Hilberto Ramirez or Zilberto?

[Amber]

I thought it Was Gilberto Ramirez.

[Tara]

Oh, it's. Oh wow. I was really. Okay. Gilberto Ramirez. Jake Paul can now challenge him for a world championship. Big deal. Not a big deal, Matt.

[Ian]

Well, I'm going to do something I rarely do, which is defer to my good friend Myron because I think this makes him mad. I think it is not a big deal because I think boxing is sort of a, you know, sham of a sport anyway in terms of its rankings and how they do it. But Myron, I would think that it probably upsets you that the official rankings are now ranking a person who really hasn't had a real fight yet in, in, in Jake Paul.

[Amber]

Yeah, it's a huge deal. Boxing is losing me and trust me, boxing needs me. Like I'm the dude willing to pay a hundred bucks to watch a pay per view every weekend. Like I'm the dude watching all the fights on all these channels. I got every streaming service so I can see boxing, but, but they're losing me and they're losing the die hard fans because of moves like this. Jake Paul beat Julio Caesar Chavez over the weekend. Junior, a guy who hasn't fought a serious fight in a decade, was out of shape. No one takes that seriously. So the WBA to rank him and to give him a shot at the championship is a joke. First off, Jake Paul's never going to fight anybody who's a real fighter. He's never going to put himself at risk. That's not what he does. But it's a joke for the sport to rank him when there are so many actual fighters who are competing. So boxing is close to losing me forever. I'll say that like it wouldn't shock him.

[Ian]

He fought one real fighter and he lost. So I mean he, well not, not.

[Amber]

Even real fighter he fought. It was, he was like a YouTube model boxer, dude, it wasn't even like he was an actual fighter. So I think boxing is already losing the casual fans because there's no Floyd Mayweather, De La Hoya, Mike Tyson kind of dude. Really getting everybody excited. But if you lose me, the sport dies.

[Ian]

You're the only person I know personally that cares about boxing. And if they lose you, then we're really down to the die hard of die hards. I mean, Myron is so into it, he even knows what Dazn is, which almost no one else in the United States would be able to do that. Tara, go ahead, what's next?

[Tara]

Well, he, he knows what Dazna is in boxing, but does he know who Jesser is? YouTuber Jesser, who has 31 million subscribers, is joining La Familia, the Kentucky alumni squad for the basketball tournament this summer. Jesser is known for making videos based around basketball. Big deal. Not a big deal. Myron.

[Ian]

Yeah. So this guy, first of all, the tbt, which has become a big thing in the summer, where all the former players, the Kentucky team, which otherwise has names that if you're a college basketball fan, you know, added Jesser, the YouTube star to their roster. Do you like that move to kind of get some attention for the tournament? I didn't even know Jesser was a thing.

[Amber]

I hate the move. Who is he? What is he? Who does he play? How did he get famous?

[Ian]

I mean, he got famous like everybody.

[Tara]

Google tells me he's also now represented by caa.

[Ian]

Yeah, Jesser got. First of all, you have a question that to a whole generation of people is a dumb question, which is what does he do? The answer is on social media you don't have to do anything, you just have to be, you just have to exist. And Jesser, as I understand it, I'd never heard of this person till today. But Jesser is a basketball YouTuber. People watch him play basketball, just like play for fun. And he has 31 million followers.

[Amber]

How much time does this generation have during the day to make a dude named Jesser famous? And why would Kentucky, former Kentucky players who actually are very good and played in the NBA are picking up?

[Tara]

Because with all due respect, Matt, with all due respect, we would not be talking about this team on national ESPN Radio tonight.

[Ian]

No, of course not.

[Tara]

Jester was not on it. This is why, that's why.

[Ian]

Yeah, she's exactly right. I mean she's actually exactly right. Like this is part of the thing. The other names on this team are people you might have heard of, the Harrison twins, Willie Cauley, Stein, James Young, like guys who played in the NBA. And then they add Jesser and Tara's exactly right. If I told you Willie Collie Stein was going to play on this team, you wouldn't care. But Jesser makes it national radio, so is that a reason to have him on?

[Amber]

No, no, I don't know who he is. I think in the basketball world but if the.

[Ian]

Seriously, if you ask your 12 year old nephew, he might know who he is.

[Amber]

But I don't care what he thinks. He's 12. I don't value the opinion of somebody who watches Jesser.

[Ian]

I don't care what he thinks. Same principle though of like the Savannah bananas. Like the average kid does not Want to watch a baseball game, but they'll watch the Savannah Bananas. So do you.

[Amber]

I mean, like, we gotta stop letting young people make decisions about what we should care about. Like, we gotta stop that. We do too much.

[Ian]

Wait a minute. You're saying young people should get no voice whatsoever in anything?

[Amber]

Not when Jesser's playing in, like, a real basketball game. That's the line for me.

[Ian]

All right, what about that one dude? You know who. That one guy's like, Kai Sanat. What if he was playing Kai Sanat?

[Amber]

Big deal. He's a huge deal.

[Ian]

Well, this is just Jesser, by the way.

[Tara]

Myron, you've never actually watched Jesser play. Maybe Jesser is actually a lot better than we're giving him credit.

[Amber]

I doubt it.

[Ian]

Jesser is just Kai Sonat but for suburban white kids. I don't.

[Amber]

But I don't even know what Kai Sanat does.

[Ian]

I mean, like, exactly. But you said he was okay to play in the game.

[Amber]

Yeah, all of it. All of it is like people without real talent. Being famous is just not something that makes a lot of sense.

[Ian]

That makes you mad. You don't like when people, like, do you. Are you okay with Alex Earl being famous?

[Amber]

Well, I don't like when people are like, this person's amazing. You're like, okay, what's their talent? Usually there was an era where there was a talent attached to somebody being famous. Oh, they're very good at this. There are great. Now it's like, oh, what does this person do? Oh, they just do stuff. Stop talking to 17.

[Ian]

It kind of started with the Kardashians, though. Like, it became. You could be famous for just being famous, so. Well, I wish Jesser the best, but I'm glad to see.

[Amber]

What does that even mean, what you just said? Like, what does that even mean? You wish him the best for. What are you talking about?

[Ian]

I want him to have health and happiness. That's what I want. That's what I want Jesser to have. We will do more. Our final segment tonight on the World of Sports here on Amberly and on ESPN Radio.

[Amber]

Thanks for listening to Amber and Ian the podcast. You can listen to Amber and Ian live weeknights from 7 to 10 Eastern on ESPN radio, the ESPN app, and on Sirius XM channel 80, Amber and Ian, the podcast.