Hour 1 - Rigging the NBA System

Summary

Podcast Summary: "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" - Episode: Hour 1 - Rigging the NBA System

Release Date: May 14, 2025
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Description: The Herd with Colin Cowherd is a thought-provoking, opinionated, and topic-driven journey through the top sports stories of the day. In this episode, the hosts delve deep into the controversial topic of alleged rigging within the NBA draft system.

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1. Introduction

The episode kicks off with the hosts, Covino and Rich, engaging in their usual banter, setting the stage for a lively discussion. While initial segments touch on lighthearted topics like Shaq Diesel trivia and humorous theories about Barry Bonds, the conversation swiftly shifts to more serious matters concerning the NBA.

2. Main Topic: Allegations of Rigging the NBA Draft Lottery

a. Unprecedented Lottery Results

At around [06:03], Covino introduces the contentious claim that the recent NBA draft lottery results, where the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs secured the first and second picks respectively, might have been rigged. This outcome was deemed highly improbable, with Covino highlighting the "1.8% chance" of such an event occurring naturally.

• Covino [06:03]: "Everyone's saying rig today because there was a 1% chance of this happening."

Rich echoes this sentiment, comparing the odds to "getting struck by lightning" or "bitten by a shark," emphasizing the rarity of the event ([07:01]).

b. Examination of Possible Rigging Methods

The hosts explore various theories on how the NBA could manipulate the draft results:

• Sticky Balls Theory: Initially referred to as the "hot balls scandal," it was later clarified as the "sticky balls" theory ([29:22]). This involves altering the physical properties of the balls used in the lottery to favor certain outcomes.

  • Dan Beyer [29:15]: "There was also only seven teams in the lottery at one point. Now there's 14. So like, you didn't have as many teams in the league at that time."

• Weighted Balls or Magnets: Covino humorously suggests the use of magnets to influence the ball selection ([20:10]).

  • Rich [20:13]: "Personally, I think it's magnets."

The conversation references historical instances, such as the 1985 Knicks Patrick Ewing draft, where envelopes were allegedly manipulated to favor certain teams ([10:31]).

• Rich [10:00]: "Dude, it was in there with your otter pops and freezing freakies..."

c. Social Media and Public Speculation

Rich brings up the role of social media in amplifying conspiracy theories, making it easier for the public to speculate and believe in rigged systems without substantial evidence ([14:24]).

• Covino [23:40]: "Everything points into the direction of man that is fixed. And even me, I don't want to believe it."

d. Counterarguments and Skepticism

While Covino and Rich entertain the possibility of rigging, they also acknowledge the skepticism surrounding these theories. Danny G adds nuance by suggesting that while rigging is possible, it might simply be a case of the Mavericks being exceptionally lucky ([12:15]).

• Covino [12:15]: "That's what I like to believe."
• Rich [12:18]: "Bitten by a shark. It happened to people."

3. Side Discussions

a. NBA Playoff Injuries

The conversation shifts to recent injuries in the NBA playoffs, notably Jason Tatum's torn Achilles tendon and Oswaldo Cabrera's left ankle fracture ([02:07]).

• Covino [02:14]: "Just a Gruesome gruesome, night of injury."

They express sympathy for both the players and their respective fanbases, acknowledging the emotional toll such injuries take on teams vying for championships.

b. MLB News: Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson

Later in the episode, Dan Beyer provides an update on Major League Baseball, announcing that Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson are no longer on the permanently ineligible list, making them eligible for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame ([32:14]).

• Dan Beyer [32:14]: "Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said... they are now eligible to be enshrined in Cooperstown."

4. Listener Interactions and Conspiracy Theories

The hosts engage with listener calls, discussing various conspiracy theories beyond the NBA draft, including the NFL being rigged and historical events like 9/11. They draw parallels between sports conspiracies and broader societal conspiracy theories.

• Charles [38:18]: "It's gotta be. I mean, with the odds, the odds of like didn't getting both."
• Rich [38:34]: "You take a guy like Cooper Flag and you put him on a team with Kyrie and AD Both healthy..."

5. Upcoming Sports Events and News

Towards the end of the episode, the hosts briefly touch upon upcoming sports events, including NBA game schedules and the PGA Championship, ensuring listeners are informed about future happenings.

• Dan Beyer [34:28]: "They'll be playing in Ireland and then in London. Now this is the first time to do it in two international countries."

6. Conclusion and Teasers for Next Episode

The episode wraps up with teasers about future discussions, including Shaq Diesel trivia and deeper dives into Pete Rose’s legacy within MLB. The hosts maintain an engaging and conversational tone, encouraging listeners to continue tuning in for more insights and debates.

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Notable Quotes

• Covino [06:03]: "Everyone's saying rig today because there was a 1% chance of this happening."
• Rich [07:01]: "It's like getting struck by lightning. It happens."
• Danny G [12:36]: "The winning combination of ping pong balls that earned Dallas the number one pick. 10, 14, 11 and 7."
• Dan Beyer [32:14]: "If they were to go into the hall, they would need 12 out of 16 votes from that Classic Baseball Era committee."

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Key Takeaways

• Alleged Rigging: The episode centers on the controversial belief that the NBA draft lottery may have been manipulated to favor the Mavericks and Spurs, citing extremely low odds as evidence.

• Conspiracy Theories: The discussion expands beyond the NBA, exploring how social media fuels various sports-related and general conspiracy theories.

• Economic and Business Perspectives: Hosts consider the business incentives behind potential rigging, suggesting that outcomes benefiting the league could drive such actions.

• Skepticism vs. Belief: While entertaining conspiracy theories, the hosts balance their discussions with skepticism, recognizing the lack of concrete evidence.

• Engaging Format: The episode effectively intertwines serious debate with lighter segments and listener interactions, maintaining an engaging and dynamic flow.

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This episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd provides an in-depth exploration of the contentious issue of potential rigging within the NBA draft system, supplemented by broader discussions on sports conspiracies and their impact on fan perceptions. The hosts present multiple viewpoints, encourage critical thinking, and foster an interactive environment for listeners to engage with current sports debates.

Transcript

[Danny G]

You're listening to an iHeart podcast.

[Covino]

Hey, thanks for listening to the Covino Enrich podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday from 5 to 7 Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific on Fox Sports Radio.

[Rich]

Find your local station for Cavino and [e-mail] or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching FSR.

[Covino]

Little Boy Blue.

[Rich]

I love some old Dice Clay.

[Covino]

We are broadcasting live from the Fox Sports Radio studio, Covino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio. Remember, after the show the podcast goes up. So if you miss any of today's show, you're getting out of the car right now. Don't worry cause you could listen to the podcast later on. Search Covino and Rich. Wherever you get your podcast, be sure to follow, rate and review. And of course, our bonus podcast is not only there for your listening pleasures, but your viewing pleasures on fox Sports Radio's YouTube page.

[Rich]

Pretty cool.

[Covino]

Over promise.

[Rich]

Hey, coming up in a little bit, Shaq Diesel trivia.

[Covino]

That's right. I saw Shaq in the hallway. He's ready.

[Rich]

Yeah, baby.

[Covino]

And we be rocking out. Let's go.

[Rich]

Also, I have a theory as to why Barry Bond should fake his death. It's all coming up.

[Covino]

I'm assuming we're also talking Pete Rose and Joe Jackson.

[Rich]

Yes.

[Covino]

Even though I'm more of a Tito Jackson guy. Rest in peace.

[Rich]

And Rose from Golden Girls.

[Covino]

Yes.

[Rich]

Big Daddy White fan.

[Covino]

So I'm Cavino. That is Rich. Tacos Locos forever Carnalitos on a Taco Tuesday, Iowa. Sam's official Taco Tuesday name is Javier. So there he is, Javier, Sam on the ones and twos and Danny G Radio Danny Gradio is here, super producing 87799 on Fox. So hope you had a great Monday night. Nick's Timberwolves sort of Monday night tonight, some big games. Will the Pacers put it away so we get that Knicks Pacers rivalry back? Probably. Nuggets Thunder. Some exciting stuff tonight.

[Rich]

A Pete Alonzo type of night kick.

[Danny G]

That was a sacrifice fly. Get out of here.

[Covino]

That's the weakest Michael Jackson dance move I've ever seen. But I hope you had a Pete Alonzo sort of night, not a Oswaldo Cabrera, Jason Tatum sort of night because that was painful to watch. Just high stakes for the Celtics. Pretty much could count them out. Tatum with the. Well, I think he has the MRI today, right?

[Rich]

Oh, it's underwent surgery.

[Covino]

The right leg injury. Underwent surgery for Achilles and Oswaldo Cabrera left ankle fracture. So just a Gruesome gruesome, night of injury. You're like, ooh, you know what, Rich? We're going to talk about the reaction because I find it hard to watch, so I don't want to see it.

[Rich]

So we're going to get to that. But just so that we're correct here, I'm right in saying he already had the surgery.

[Covino]

Right.

[Rich]

Like it's been diagnosed and surgery has been had. So any speculation is no guys in the hospital had the surgery already, so wishing him well.

[Covino]

Feel bad for the Celtics fans. Feel bad for Jason Tatum.

[Rich]

I feel bad for Tatum. I don't. You feel bad for Celtics fans. Beat it, Celtics fans.

[Covino]

Yeah, because, I mean, look, I understand that they're a hateable franchise and defending champions, all that stuff, but you don't want to see star players. No, no.

[Rich]

So I feel bad. Danny G, I could promise you, feels bad for Jason Tatum as a human. Do you think Danny G, a lifelong Lakers fan, feels bad for the Celtics fans?

[Danny G]

Jason Tatum's a little different though, because he's a longtime Kobe supporter.

[Rich]

Yeah.

[Danny G]

So, I mean, I wish Tatum was a Laker.

[Covino]

I feel bad for any fan who watches their superstar go down an injury like that.

[Danny G]

I thought the wheelchair was a bad move, though. I would have waved it off, especially if I'm a Celtic.

[Rich]

Celtics poop their pants in wheelchairs, from what I understand, in a key situation.

[Covino]

And again, the Isuildo Cabrera injury, which I was glued to last night, was such a somber broadcast and no one's really speculating. Before we get into all the fun stuff, Rich. Right? And the Mavericks, big night rigged, as.

[Rich]

Everyone is saying, which is ridiculous.

[Covino]

But we'll get to just one quick question. Ten five, ninth inning. You tag up to get that 11th run. No one's really questioning that. Was it that important for the dude to extend themselves on a sacrifice fly when they were up 105 in the 9th?

[Rich]

Yeah, I'll tell you what, I mean.

[Covino]

Maybe that's what I'm asking because no one's speculating on that. Everyone's just really talking about how unfortunate that injury was. His ankle, full 180, but still just a fracture. He's on the 10 day DL and now Lemayhu's off the DL. So that's how that works out.

[Rich]

10 day, he might as well put him on the thousand day. You saw that angle.

[Covino]

As of now, that's what they're saying.

[Rich]

But I'll tell you why they did the tag up. You're right. They're up five runs, ninth inning. It's low risk. Like it wasn't if the Eagles are up 17 with three minutes to go and Saquon gets hurt cause he's in the game. Bonehead move. If Mahomes get sacked, the Chiefs are up or down 21 points in the fourth quarter. You know, asinine play a tag up from third. What is it? One in a million. But there's a better chance of the Mavericks winning the draft lottery.

[Covino]

He tried to avoid the catcher. He goes around the bag, his speed and his momentum locks his ankle, distorts his body in a weird way, spins his ankle, his whole leg looked like it was backwards in that moment. And a real painful, somber situation for a really well liked and fun guy to root for, Oswaldo Cabrera. So wishing him and Tatum the best moving forward. But let's get into the other fun stuff and we'll talk more about that later on. Of course, gruesome injuries and your reaction to them, I want to get to that. But last night, dude, not only a Knicks and Timberwolf sort of night, a Maverick sort of night. Maverick with the number one pick in the lottery, obviously getting Cooper. Cooper flag from Duke and the spurs got the number two pick.

[Rich]

Did you call him Goober flag because he's a little gooberish?

[Covino]

No, I called you a goober. I said Cooper Flag.

[Rich]

Goober flag.

[Covino]

And you know, everyone's saying rig today because there was a 1% chance of this happening. You know, Nico Harrison feeling a sense of relief. Maverick fans are like, what? The odds of the Mavs and Spurs Landing the 1 and 2 were 1 in 1000. And the MAV Spurs Sixers combo in the top three was 1 in 10,000. So odds were way against this happening. It makes you scratch your head and say, what?

[Rich]

Well, how is this possible? I want to put in perspective, guys. I did the did the math. There was a better chance of Lloyd Christmas getting with Mary Swanson.

[Covino]

I don't think he had a 1% chance.

[Rich]

So you're saying there's a chance? I think that we all felt the same way. I went to the gym right after the show yesterday.

[Covino]

So you're telling me there's a chance?

[Rich]

One in a billion.

[Covino]

You went to the gym. Why don't you brag about it? I mean, was that your first time this month?

[Rich]

Look at these pecs, bro. So I go to the gym and without fail, the minute Danny G texts me and he's like, yo, people are gonna say it's rigged. You watch Danny. They didn't skip a beat. The dude Checking in with his little phone scanner at the desk was like, yo, you see that Mavericks first word? Rigged.

[Covino]

It was the hot envelope scandal.

[Rich]

And the guy behind the desk is like, yo, the NBA is totally rigged. And I watched it firsthand. The chit chat at the gym simultaneously. Danny G saying social media is blowing up, saying, rigged.

[Covino]

Well, hold on. How could you not think that when there's a 1% chance of that half? Excuse me.

[Rich]

1 point.

[Covino]

1.8. Fine. Thank you, Javier. Sam. And then when you think about all the ups and downs the team just went through with trading Luca out of nowhere overnight, all the controversy there surrounding the ownership.

[Danny G]

Yeah.

[Covino]

All the injuries that went down, this.

[Rich]

Was part of the deal.

[Covino]

Everybody chanting, fire Nico. And all of a sudden they're number one with a 1.8.

[Danny G]

The NBA was behind this. This was part of the deal.

[Covino]

So I'm not saying that's the case. I'm saying I understand that people are buzzing about it.

[Rich]

Wait, who the. The same people that are behind this. Are they the same people that write the script for the NFL?

[Covino]

Okay. No, that's fair.

[Rich]

Isn't here.

[Covino]

That's craziness is crazy talk to think that sort of thing. But we also like to think that there's no cheating with officiating and things like that, yet we've seen it and known it to be true.

[Rich]

One of my favorite potential scandals of all time, because I think it really is tricky and awesome.

[Covino]

Yeah, but how many times do people say that the officiating's rigged and you're like, get out of here, dude? Yeah, Donnie, he admitted it, and we have the proof. So it's not like it's impossible that these things could happen. Agreed. And there's a reason why there's a buzz and with such low probability. I do understand, Rich.

[Danny G]

You always point out about judges, ex judges and lawyers and people involved. And in our pre show meeting, we're talking about a law firm maybe presiding over the NBA draft. I looked it up, though. It says the NBA handles the legal aspects of the NBA draft through its own internal legal department.

[Rich]

So it's not like where they have the Oscars or the Grammys and they're like, well represented by independent.

[Danny G]

They have their own lawyers in house, their own counsel.

[Rich]

Well, I'll say this. One of my favorite potential scandal conspiracies is the 1985 Knicks Patrick Ewing draft. Where was was the envelope? Frozen and cold. So that whoever stuck their hand in.

[Covino]

Was like, I said it was the hotel.

[Rich]

Yeah. Like, ooh, like. And it's The Knicks.

[Covino]

That's really. That's a stretch, though. You think you could dig your hand in a bunch of envelopes and decipher which one's the cold?

[Rich]

If I told you. Yeah, if I told you there's, you know, at that time, 20 something envelopes in a. In a. You know, you're going to be able.

[Covino]

To pick the one out of 27 that feels cold. The cold doesn't transfer onto any envelope. It's just the one.

[Rich]

Dude, it was in there with your otter pops and freezing freakies. It was like, if one. If one.

[Covino]

Like Danny G. Said, Hamlin, Hamlin, and McGill are involved in this, so it has to be legit.

[Rich]

Well, all I'm saying is nowadays, though, where there's social media and people love to speculate and everyone is a little sleuth, right? Everyone wants to be their own little solving murder, you know, podcast, you don't think that someone would be investigating the whole process? What is it. Is it. Is it like lottery balls? Right? I mean, I didn't watch last night. What are we. What are we doing these days?

[Danny G]

Yeah, it's. It's lottery.

[Rich]

Lottery balls, right? I mean, there's one weighted. Was one, and then hot balls scandal.

[Covino]

One ball was actually. It was extra hot for the Mavericks. Oh, there was a warm one for the Spurs.

[Rich]

A case of the old hot ball.

[Covino]

Yeah, the old hot ball scandal. This one doesn't involve Rich.

[Rich]

You know what?

[Covino]

To me, those balls are perfect.

[Rich]

Yeah, there was. He had somebody to, like, lean into this. Remember when LeBron did that pretty open interview with Pat McAfee? He talked about the NBA being rigged. Take a listen.

[Danny G]

Listen, man, during the ball drop, you.

[Covino]

Know, during the lottery drop, Cleveland got the number one pick.

[Dan Beyer]

That's.

[Covino]

I just don't think that was.

[Rich]

Whoa. What are you. What a coincidence, don't you think? Wemby with the Spurs.

[Danny G]

Oh, my God, let's keep.

[Rich]

Let's keep LeBron home. You know what?

[Danny G]

Patrick Ewing to the Knicks, you know, Derrick Rose to the Bull.

[Covino]

I understand the assignment, guys. I'm, you know, so, you know, it's.

[Danny G]

I had to make sure that, you know, I had to do my part.

[Covino]

He's also being a little cheeky there, joking around, insinuating there's some truth to it, but I'm just joking and I want to know how you guys feel about it before we talk about reactions to injuries and Shaq Diesel trivia. The other big story of the night, the Mavericks with the number one pick, spurs number two. Do you believe that? It could Be rigged. Anything's possible, right? But I'm going to tell you that I ch. I choose to believe that the Mavericks just got really lucky, man. You know, it's. It's improbable, not impossible. So we saw the 1.8% chance happen, which is wild.

[Rich]

It's like.

[Covino]

That's what I like to believe.

[Rich]

It's like getting struck by lightning.

[Covino]

It happens.

[Rich]

Bitten by a shark. It happened. You know, it happens to people.

[Covino]

And that's why they were pumped about it.

[Rich]

Getting a plane crash.

[Covino]

These, they're all acting and they're all in on it.

[Danny G]

If you want some lottery numbers to play later, the winning combination of ping pong balls that earned Dallas the number one pick. 10, 14, 11 and 7.

[Covino]

Ooh.

[Danny G]

Those are the numbers right now. 10, 14, 11, 7.

[Rich]

You know, Danny G. I want, yeah, you, Sam, Dan Byer Covino, and in fact, I want the Fox Sports Radio Nation to hit us up 8 7-799-FOX for anyone that genuinely thinks maybe it is rigged. Maybe this is the Denver airport or maybe this is we landed on the moon.

[Danny G]

Maybe not.

[Rich]

Is this the who shot jfk? If you believe in, you know, all the, the wild conspiracies.

[Danny G]

The earth is flat.

[Rich]

The earth is flat. All right, Kyrie, then answer me this for real.

[Covino]

I'm.

[Rich]

I'm not mocking. I'm curious. How do you think they did it? Do you think it was a weighted ball? Do you think the. The league got in with the owners? Because no owner would agree to this. So you think it was a one on one like Nico Harrison Mavericks meeting like, hey, listen, we did you solid. Luke is a Laker. In order for that to happen.

[Covino]

Yeah. You have to have some sort of plan, right. And some sort of scheme. And like Danny G insinuated, anyone that was assumed that the law firm is involved in.

[Rich]

Anyone that would blow the whist. People can't be involved. So this has to be like a secret inside job. So if you think that, you know.

[Covino]

20, you know, this is a shady Saul Goodman sort of, you know, it.

[Danny G]

Is their own lawyers now employed by the NBA in house.

[Covino]

Like I said, Saul Goodman.

[Danny G]

They could, yeah, they could be in on it. So if you think, you would hope they're not.

[Rich]

But if you think shenanigans were a play.

[Covino]

Who was his name?

[Rich]

Jimmy mcgill.

[Covino]

Yeah, but Slipping Jimmy, Jimmy Slippin Jimmy situation, I think.

[Rich]

Wait, is Slipping Jimmy involved?

[Covino]

Yeah, that's why I said Hamlin, Hamlin, McGill. I know, but yes, Slippin Jimmy, because that's extra shady if you think everyone's involved in that way? Is that impossible? No, but I don't think that's happening.

[Rich]

You know, for every conspiracy.

[Covino]

I didn't. I never believed that frozen envelope situation.

[Rich]

The first thing I always ask myself in a conspiracy is how many people would have to completely shut their mouth, be involved, being on it without blowing, you know, whistleblowing.

[Covino]

Right. I believe that. I believe more in the Colombian alien sphere that they found this week more than I believe that this was rigged. Damn.

[Rich]

By. You're a reasonable guy. Are you. Are you just minding your own now because you feel like it's all hogwash, or do you think there's some. Some possibility that there's, you know, injustice, it's rigged, it's tomfoolery.

[Dan Beyer]

I do feel that there is an undercurrent of possible tomfoolery or rigging, if you will. I am not happy that the ma. Mavericks were the ones who were to benefit from it. And that would be the team that you could most likely connect to the rigging, not because of them being the Mavericks, but because they gave Luca to the Lakers. That's if Luca was traded to the Orlando Magic. I don't think that there's a. Hey, here's a solid. Here's a tip of the cap. But, hey, thanks so much for putting one of our premier superstars to take the torch from LeBron and our golden franchise and be able to carry that on. So I could. I could see it. I put it at 50% earlier, which, it was a bit of a stretch, but maybe around 20, 25%.

[Rich]

Big words. I. You know, Dan Buyer, It's. It's interesting because that sense of how the Luca, you know, to the Lakers thing, the Mavericks need to be rewarded for this.

[Covino]

Well, I just wonder. You hate to think that's true, but of course, it's possible. At the beginning, middle, and end of the day, it's a business. So if it's good for the league, it's good for everybody. And it could be just a business move, and they're just, well, don't. You know what People trying to make us believe that this is the truth.

[Rich]

You know, how it's all, you know, what people love to say. And I don't know if this is true. I'm just repeating something I've seen on social media, which is the problem with most conversations nowadays. So I apologize every time people talk.

[Covino]

About, well, the NFL.

[Rich]

Oh, you have the script, and it's rigged. People love to plot. The fact that the NFL is registered as a entertainment league or something to the nature that, like, they're off the hook if something ever came out like that. Have you seen people say stuff like that?

[Covino]

I don't know about the legality of. It's registered as an entertainment league. But even in the fight game, anytime you see something go down like this, the first thing they always say is, look, this is still entertainment. It really is. They're trying to get people to watch. They're trying to get people to tune in. It's all about ratings and money.

[Rich]

How many times the league.

[Covino]

It's. It's possible.

[Rich]

How many times Kavino has the fighter that they needed to win to set up another big fight lost in a close fight, but they won on the car because in a month or so.

[Covino]

People will forget because, well, fighting's rigged.

[Rich]

Right?

[Covino]

We know that there's definitely rigging going on, shadiness in the fight game, but it's also a business. And you also want to be able to sell a fight. And if you can't sell a fight because there's no personality behind it, then you're failing in that entertainment factor of the sport. Right. Which is part of it. This is just good for the league. It's just a lot of drama for the league, which could sell the league, which could be more money, more ratings. Like Dan Byron sinuated a little back scratch for the Mavericks.

[Danny G]

And we saw a lot of that deal last night. We saw a lot of that. As far as the Lakers go, like it says, Chris Paul was traded from New Orleans to LA, and then New Orleans gets the number one pick. AD was traded from New Orleans to LA. New Orleans gets the number one pick.

[Covino]

Right.

[Danny G]

Luca traded to from Dallas to LA. Of course Dallas gets the number one pick. LeBron left Cleveland for Miami. Cleveland gets three of the four next four number one picks, including the one when LeBron came home to for the trade for Kevin Love.

[Covino]

Yeah. So it just.

[Danny G]

It just looks bad.

[Covino]

It kind of feels like it looks really bad when you list all that out. Danny G. But it kind of feels like how the WWE gave up the ruse of it being real at one point. Right. Because they always stayed into character. And then all of a sudden they stopped the NBA and fighting and sports. They still put up that illusion, that ruse that it's legit when maybe it's all planned out or maybe it is.

[Rich]

Legit, but the games are legit.

[Covino]

I don't know. It's. It's not impossible. I do believe that it's improbable. I do believe that they just got lucky, but it's not impossible. Dude, I know you say back from Donahue, from a business story, from the standpoint. Yeah. When there's that much money involved and if it's good for the league and favors are being done.

[Rich]

Well, yesterday we went over.

[Covino]

Businessmen try to pull one over on anybody and they think the viewing audience is dumb.

[Rich]

We went over the possible landing spots for Cooper Flag yesterday with Dan Beyer, and of the top three highest odds, we said maybe Utah because they got good coaching and they're revamping that, that, that basketball program. And maybe the Utah Jazz was a good landing spot, but the other option seems sort of like, like where you go to die, you know, no offense.

[Dan Beyer]

Like Charlotte Hornets, Washington.

[Rich]

Yeah, no, thanks. So, you know, you take a guy like Cooper Flag and you put him on a team with Kyrie and AD Both healthy, You don't not. You don't have a team that, like, might compete. You have a team that could very well be a top five team in the West.

[Covino]

Oh, they're back in it. Yeah, for sure.

[Rich]

They're in the mix again.

[Covino]

Without a doubt. He went from possibly playing for a 20 win team to a contending team. Yeah, that would be the difference there. That would be the assumption anyway, for.

[Rich]

A Cooper Flag hot balls.

[Covino]

It's the hot ball theory. You heard it here first. The hot ball scandal with the Mavericks.

[Rich]

Not the, not the frozen envelope. The hot balls.

[Covino]

The hot ball.

[Rich]

Personally, I think it's magnets.

[Danny G]

How do they work?

[Covino]

How do those. Magnets. No, I'm kidding. Okay, but what if it's magnets?

[Rich]

Well, and how do they work? Well, think about, you know, when you're, when those balls are popping around like you're Yolanda Vega with the, you know, the lottery numbers. They're all ping pong balls, right? I mean, what. You're right. What if there's magnets, Sam?

[Dan Beyer]

The knicks theory in 1985 for Patrick Ewing was the, as you guys were saying, frozen envelope, bent corner. Yeah, but you visually could see the tumbler. You could visually see the envelope.

[Covino]

Right.

[Dan Beyer]

What makes this so secretive is no one sees it. All we see is them unveiling the cards from the predetermined lotto drawing coming out of the hopper. That was one person saw, maybe two people saw. Like that adds actually more to the theory of what is going on behind closed doors as opposed to maybe sleight of hand that happened right in front of you 40 years ago.

[Rich]

DB you know, Richie, you're just not.

[Covino]

In the room where it Happens.

[Rich]

DB that's such an amazing point. Because, you know, I'll be honest. I gotta be honest with you guys. Perhaps because I was at the gym and I didn't see it. Every time I've seen the draft lottery, you know, winners, you're right. It's. They. They're all sitting there and they hold up the logo of the team. I thought maybe someone did see this. And if you're confirming that no one really sees the balls being picked, then.

[Dan Beyer]

There'S someone from a law firm, maybe two people in the room, couple people, the ones that conduct it, because they don't want any leaks, they don't want any drama.

[Rich]

But envelopes of money.

[Dan Beyer]

What's this?

[Rich]

Hey, Charlotte Hornets. You like being in the league, right? Yeah, she.

[Covino]

It does seem. Look, it's fair. All we're doing is speculating, guys. Nobody really knows. As I mentioned, we're not in the room where it happens. But when there's that much money to be made and that much money to be had and spent and bought, anybody could be bought to shut up and let it happen because it's good for the league.

[Danny G]

They used to show the actual drawing of the ping pong balls, by the way.

[Covino]

It was like, yeah, like a lot. Like an actual lottery.

[Rich]

Like I said.

[Covino]

Yolanda Vegas.

[Rich]

Let me bring up one more point, and this is by no means to be insensitive, but, you know, we were living in New York during 9 11, and you know, there are people that have all crazy conspiracies about terrible days like that. And I will say, you saw planes hit towers. Awful. You saw things happen. The fact that they never released footage of a plane hitting the Pentagon is why people are like, what really hit the Pentagon? You could put that to rest if there were video of that. Not to compare one of the worst days in U.S. history to an NBA lottery, but when you don't have the visual proof of something, it leaves your mind open to wander.

[Covino]

But plus, he never saw the plain parts, really. It was just. Yeah, so it's like you never saw real evidence. People just want the evidence, that's all.

[Rich]

In this day and age, though, people.

[Covino]

Will get the evidence and the Internet will just be like, well, no, we can explain this way.

[Rich]

We can that away.

[Covino]

You know what? That's what Danny G. Was insinuating. We were having our little pre show meeting in the lobby when Shaq Diesel was walking in. We said, hey, what's up, Shaq? He's like, what are you guys talking about? We're saying how you can have the proof right there in your face and you're still gonna believe what you want. Everything points into the direction of man that is fixed. And even me, I don't want to believe it. Really? My God. Come on.

[Rich]

I can't believe. I want to feel like even though we're.

[Covino]

All the evidence is there for you to believe that there's no way, dude.

[Rich]

I want to feel like even though we're the lightest, most fun on sports radio, I'd like to think that, you know, we don't take anything too serious. We're having a lot of fun. I still think we're above saying conspiracy, but I still said there is a part of me that's like, yeah, maybe.

[Covino]

It is kind of wild. And I think social media has sort of conditioned our minds to amplify it. A lot of crazy thoughts. Yeah, yeah. To be like, ah, get out of here. I'm not believing that. Because you see so much hogwash and BS on social media, your automatic default now is like, nah, that can't be true. I'll believe it when I see it. And we're seeing this right before our eyes, but our default is, nah, they wouldn't do that.

[Rich]

Come on.

[Covino]

I mean, they think we're that stupid?

[Rich]

Then again, did we really see it or do we just see names being called?

[Covino]

And again, let me read that one stat. I thought it was really interesting. I screenshot it. That's my method here. The odds of the Mavs and Spurs landing one and two are one in 1,000. Mav, Spurs, Sixers combo, top three, one in 10,000 chance.

[Rich]

Not good odds.

[Covino]

Not good odds. So 1.8%. It happened yesterday. Congrats to the Mavs.

[Rich]

Well, coming up, we're going to talk about why Barry Bond should think about faking his death. I'll explain Shaq Diesel trivia a lot coming up right here on Cavino and Rich. Now, from searching online to asking your friends and family. There's lots of ways to look for jobs. But what if you had one team that could help you find the right role?

[Covino]

That's where Express Employment Professionals comes in. Your local Express Employment Professionals office is your one connection to endless job opportunities. With just one application, it can help you find a job at a company that fits your needs. So visit expresspros.com and as always, Express.

[Rich]

Never charges job seekers a fee. Express knows when companies are hiring, offering benefits, competitive pay, and just one interview, they are prepared to present you multiple companies that fit your needs.

[Covino]

Go to expresspros.com get started. Find your nearest location. Discover for yourself what it's like to have the support in your job search. You could also start your job search through Express Jobs app. The Express Jobs app, you got to download it today. Search jobs. Apply and contact your local express team.

[Rich]

That's ExpressPros.com to start your job search today. Yeah.

[Covino]

Oh, yeah. What a crazy day. Conspiracies, injuries, NBA playoffs. I saw Shaq Diesel in the hallway. We're gonna do some trivia, giving away prizes and of course the big Pete Rose announcement. We will get to that at the top of the hour. 3pm on the west.

[Rich]

I was called it the big shoeless Joe Jackson news.

[Covino]

You could call it that too. We'll talk about that a half hour from now.

[Rich]

I'm excited.

[Covino]

It does a lot some thoughts about that as well.

[Rich]

There's a lot of fun to get to be known.

[Covino]

Rich on Fox Sports Radio. Danny G. Javier, Sam, Dan Byer. The best in the biz spots on the videos at Covino and Rich and your phone calls. 87799 on Fox. But right now we're live from the Fox Sports Radio studio on. For over 40 years tire rack has been helping customers find the right tires for how, what and where they drive. Ship fast and free. Backed by free road hazard protection. Convenient installation options like mobile tire installation. Tirerack.com the way tire buying should be.

[Rich]

And as we get to your phone calls about conspiracies. Rigged the NBA draft lottery last night. You said something off the air. I just had to point out. It's so true. I was Sam telling us that his confirmation name is Javier last week might be one of my favorite moments of our show.

[Covino]

It might. It sounds like like, like Jerry finding out that Kramer's middle name was Javier.

[Rich]

Yeah, it really.

[Covino]

Or his real name. And he's like what his first name being Cosmo. Right.

[Rich]

Cosmo. Javier.

[Covino]

It just sounds really something you see on a sitcom. It really impacted you that much. Rich. Really the whitest guy we know. Cotton headed ninny Muggins. And your confirmation name was Javier.

[Rich]

For what really is. Honestly, you are like you're a zany sitcom neighbor. I was Sam, everybody.

[Covino]

Thank you.

[Dan Beyer]

Thank you.

[Rich]

All right. Now to your phone calls. We'll wrap up the draft lottery and like you said, lots of great stuff. We'll get to Pete Rose and news out of baseball. Shaq Diesel trivia. Let's go to Big Bird in Georgia. Big Bert, you're on with cnr.

[Charles]

Hey guys.

[Covino]

Hey.

[Charles]

I just want to make sure it's big Burt.

[Covino]

Not Big, but what's up?

[Rich]

Not like big, but.

[Covino]

No, no big Burt.

[Danny G]

Not Mr. Butt.

[Covino]

Yeah, not Mr. Butt.

[Charles]

Speak on it. Hey, you know the. The whole conspiracy theory is not always rainbows and sunshine. Speaking as a New York Knick fan, we got Patrick Ewing in the shadiest form, but did we ever get a championship?

[Covino]

No.

[Charles]

What we really need to look at is the Vegas connections with Dallas and the bookies and see what Nico betted on.

[Rich]

You know our buddy Wes. Speaking of Vegas, our buddy Wes in Vegas, one of our good pals, listener of the show, he did point out something interesting. He goes, so, quote, conspiracy theories. Over the years, things that we thought were conspiracies end up being not so. Conspiracy. Conspiracy. After all, he said some of the things people thought were facts about COVID 9, 11. There are things throughout life where as more and more comes out, like maybe it's not totally untrue, but parts of it are cover ups.

[Danny G]

AFK, the tuck rule is still 100% rigged.

[Covino]

Tuck rule.

[Rich]

But have you been told your entire life he said that something or sounds or looks too good to be true probably is bs?

[Covino]

Are you seeing it? There's smoke, there's fire.

[Danny G]

Rich, what were we looking at on Reddit? During the commercial break, Danny G. Showed.

[Rich]

Me the feed of when they actually little ping pong balls are popping up. And there was some lawyers and media on standby, but again, with their pockets lined. Yeah, never know.

[Covino]

They don't really publicize that broadcast, which is odd when you think about how everything's a spectacle nowadays. Everything's a big event.

[Danny G]

Cove.

[Covino]

What I read the actual lottery of this. And by the way, there's an update. It's the old sticky balls conspiracy. It's not hot balls, sticky balls.

[Danny G]

They have time constraints. Covino is what I read is why they've switched it up a little bit. Because, yeah, they used to show the long process and people fell asleep.

[Covino]

People's gender reveals and birth announcements are more elaborate than this. And we're talking the NBA. And again, the winning numbers were 10, 14, 11, and 7. The Mavs getting the number one pick.

[Rich]

The sticky balls.

[Covino]

With the sticky balls.

[Dan Beyer]

DB There was also only seven teams in the lottery at one point. Now there's 14. So like, you didn't have as many teams in the league at that time. Seven or eight teams.

[Covino]

Another great point.

[Danny G]

Really fall asleep now.

[Rich]

It's the opposite of the. Remember In Home Alone 2, the Sticky Bandits, like, you just stick your hand in, the sticky balls will stick to you. There we go. Pops up all right, so congrats to.

[Covino]

The Mavs and the spurs, and we're gonna wrap it up with this phone call.

[Rich]

Yeah, that's Charles in Florida. Hey, Charles.

[Covino]

What's up, buddy?

[Charles]

What's good? I'm calling you from Cape Code Florida. How you guys doing today?

[Rich]

We're good, man. What's up?

[Charles]

All right, so it's all rigged, brother. It's all rigged. I mean, I have friends that score, they were going to stop watching the NFL when they went to Vegas.

[Rich]

Okay, so. So you are. You are one of these guys.

[Covino]

Wanted to hear his explanation.

[Rich]

I was gonna say, Charles, you're one of these guys that truly believes sports are rigged.

[Danny G]

Did he drop, Charles?

[Rich]

Oh, my God. The NBA dropped.

[Covino]

They got to him. They got to him.

[Rich]

Oh, no, Charles.

[Danny G]

He got sniped.

[Rich]

Oh, man. Sorry, Charles. You knew too much. He knew too much. All right, so, hey, NBA draft lottery. Hey, it was fun yesterday, I think. You know what? Rigged or not, pretty cool to think that Cooper Flag is going to go to a team that matters. And instead of watching a young guy struggle on a bad team, we're going to watch a young stud player jump right in with AD and Kyrie right into the mix and a squad. So it should be interesting. And, you know, the spurs are going to get better.

[Covino]

Wemby, like, you're.

[Rich]

You're setting the NBA up, which is fantastic.

[Danny G]

You know, it would be great. Nico trades this pick.

[Covino]

Yeah. So I saw those memes yesterday. Hilarious. By the way, there is a side question that doesn't necessarily save his job, does it? Just because they got lucky.

[Danny G]

No, there's no guarantee that Flag is going to be a wonderful NBA player.

[Covino]

Right? Because, you know, like, oh, man, he's all happy now. It's like, yeah. Is he safe?

[Rich]

I don't know.

[Covino]

I heard.

[Rich]

I told you about. You heard people at the gym talking about this. I go, yo, does that save Nico Harrison's job? And the guy screamed back at me, no, that B is going to get fired anyway. I'm like, okay, so some people think his days are numbered regardless. So we shall see. But let's go to Dan Beyer for an update. Db what's going on, guys?

[Dan Beyer]

Breaking news from Major League Baseball. As they have ended the lifetime, bands of 17 deceased individuals, that includes Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson, taking the players off of the permanently ineligible list. In a letter to the attorney for Pete Rose, baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said, quote, a person no longer with us cannot represent a threat to the integrity of the game. Manfred calling the move a policy issue stating the permanent ineligibility ends upon the passing of the disciplined individual. Now this does not mean that Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson will automatically be enshrined in Cooperstown. Completely separate deal. However, they are now eligible to be enshrined in Cooperstown as the Baseball hall of Fame says the Historic Overview Committee will develop the ballot of eight names for the Classic Baseball Era Committee, which evaluates candidates who made the greatest impact on the game prior to 1980 to vote on when it meets next in December of 2027. So if they were to go into the hall, they would need 12 out of 16 votes from that Classic Baseball Era committee and the that vote does not take place for another two plus years. Celtics forward Jason Tatum underwent successful surgery today to repair his torn right Achilles tendon after suffering the injury in last night's Game 4 loss to the Knicks. The estate of Paul Allen announced they have begun the process of selling the Portland Trailblazers. Damian Excuse me. Donovan Mitchell remains a game time decision for the Cavs as they host the Pacers in tonight's game five, seven o' clock Eastern Time Nuggets and Thunder 9:30 Eastern Time. That series tied up at two apiece. Some schedule relics Schedule leaks from the NFL as it will be released tomorrow Vikings and Steelers in Dublin, Ireland Week 4 September 28th then the next week Vikings stay overseas but they'll play in London against the Cleveland Browns. Falcons and Colts will be playing in Germany. Commanders and Dolphins Week 11 November 16 playing in Madrid, Spain Eagles and Packers on a Monday night in lambeau in Week 10 on Nov. 10. Finally, Rory McElroy, Scotty Scheffler and Xander Schoffley will tee off at 8:22 Eastern Time Thursday morning in the first round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow as that group will be paired together for the first two rounds of the second major of the year. Guys, back to you now.

[Rich]

DB Was it the Vikings you said had back to back Euro games?

[Dan Beyer]

Yes, they'll be playing in Ireland and then in London. Now this is the first time to do it in two international countries. We've seen the Jaguars be over there for consecutive weeks, but the Vikings will be the first to go from Ireland to England.

[Rich]

Yeah, if you're a guy with a couple extra ducats in the bank account. If you invested in Tesla a month ago when it went up 25%, sure that's a pretty cool like if you have the time to take off for work, like I'm going to go for a week and Back end the Vikings games. What a cool international trip that would be for a Vikings fan.

[Dan Beyer]

100%. And I actually think it's a benefit. I'd rather play the Steelers in Dublin than I would in Pittsburgh or the Browns in week 17 in Cleveland. Or how about in week five in London? I actually think it could be a benefit for them.

[Covino]

No, you just gave our boss an idea.

[Rich]

You know, I thought of that because our boss. Our boss loves to do those fun trips. I would not be shocked if he's like, yeah, boys, I'm going to London and Ireland. Sounds like a fun time.

[Covino]

He's like, skull. He's painting his face purple as we speak.

[Rich]

Yeah, I think so.

[Danny G]

Yeah.

[Rich]

All right. Hey, we got more coveen on Rich and we are going to dive way more into that Pete Rose shoeless Joe Jackson.

[Covino]

Big diving head, first helmet flying off like Pete Rose into it.

[Rich]

Hair flopping.

[Covino]

Yeah.

[Rich]

Can't wait. First, more CNR next.

[Covino]

Welcome back to CNR on fsr Covino and Rich. Word on the streets, by the way, is that we're filling in for DP on Friday.

[Rich]

If word on the street means we are, then yes.

[Covino]

There you go. I'm just trying to hype it up, trying to make people speculate.

[Rich]

People are talking.

[Covino]

Yeah, we're gonna be Friday morning. Join us on the Dan Patrick show early, like Mr. Furley. Gonna be up early watering the lawn. Might pull an all nighter at the Regal Beagle and just head there to fill in for dp.

[Rich]

Who's down there? Larry Dallas. With women named Lalana. Their 70s, 80s names.

[Covino]

You know, I was watching. I now pronounce you Chuck and Larry. It's on Netflix, I believe, which, by the way, it's so inappropriate from today's standard, even though it's a happy ending.

[Rich]

Yeah.

[Covino]

Did you know Larry is in that movie?

[Rich]

Larry Dallas?

[Covino]

Yeah. Larry Dallas from Treece Company. I'm like, there he is. Anyway, we're live from the Fox Sports radio studio and it's time for our tire rack play of the day. Are the Knicks really just one win away from the Eastern Conference finals?

[Rich]

Yes. Rebound Robinson hands to Bridges, who's had the ball in his hands now for all three Knick wins over the defending champion Boston Celtics. The New York Knicks have done it again. 121, 113. And they've got the champs back on the ropes. A 31 series lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Madison Square Garden was popping. I'm telling you, New York basketball, it hasn't been like this since the Ewing Stark Stage. Speaking of that frozen envelope.

[Covino]

And the stars were out.

[Rich]

Yeah. Sad to see Jason Tatum's injury a little bittersweet as the Knicks go up three games to one. That's courtesy of Knicks radio network. And that's the tire rack play of the day. And for over 40 years, Tirex been helping customers find the right tires for how, what and where they drive ship fast and free.

[Covino]

Backed by free roadhouse protection with convenient installation options like mobile tire installation. Tirerack.com where tire buying should be now. Coming up next hour. Just so you know, Shaq Diesel trivia. And we're diving headfirst like Pete Rose into this band that was lifted in the mlb. We're going to talk Pete Rose, Joe Jackson and more. Okay, but real quick, right quick. 87799 on Fox. Let's wrap up some of the other stuff we were talking about.

[Rich]

Yeah, I mean, Charles is back. Remember we thought he got sniped.

[Covino]

Yeah.

[Rich]

Charles in Florida. Your thoughts on. You're the guy. You're the type of guy that thinks a lot of sports are rigged, correct?

[Charles]

I don't want to believe that. I grew up in Chicago in the 90s and Mike was my jam. Yeah, I wanted to be like Mike. You know, I was faking the. I couldn't dunk because I had no up. But you know, you're not talking about.

[Rich]

Of course, man. But you. But you think like, you look at that NFL draft lottery, the NBA draft lottery, and you think to yourself, it's got to be fixed. That's your mindset.

[Charles]

It's gotta be. I mean, with the odds, the odds of like didn't getting both. And then here's the thing. What about all the other sports too? Like, what about. What about the Taylor Swift, Travis Kelsey thing?

[Covino]

Yeah. And it makes a lot of sense as to why. Maybe they got rid of Luca. Maybe they had prior knowledge of that information. They knew that was gonna happen. Maybe that's why it all. It does make it make more sense. Right? Because in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of the night, they make that trade. For what?

[Rich]

I'll say this. I know what I love to watch.

[Covino]

Trash tv.

[Rich]

I heard Spot say smut. No, that's that. Okay. Yeah, sure.

[Covino]

It's Smut Island. That's what he's watching.

[Rich]

No, I love to watch dumb stuff like ancient aliens and conspiracy documentaries. But at the of end, end of the day, in fact, the beginning, middle and end of the day, I don't really believe all of it, but damn, it's fun. And I Think when we have these conversations, man, it really is fun to talk about guys in a secret room being like, oh, yeah, the Mavericks are going to get the first pick because they gave up Luca to the Lakers and did the league of solid. It's so much fun to talk about, but really, it didn't happen that way.

[Covino]

I like to believe that.

[Rich]

Come on, the league has.

[Danny G]

But some of these sports conspiracies got to be true, right? I mean, not all of them. Yeah. Not everything is what it appears.

[Covino]

I choose to not believe that just for my own sanity. Like, there's no way.

[Rich]

I know we're not going to get into a whole conspiracy debate because we're going to get to Pete Rose next, but do you believe the Cal Ripkin Jr. Kevin Costner story?

[Covino]

Yes, that one is fun. I also believe. I also believe in Bigfoot, but I just believe that Bigfoot is blurry. That's all.

[Rich]

Oh, that's why we.

[Covino]

Like Mitch Hedberg said. Anyone ever think that Bigfoot's just blurry?

[Rich]

Yeah, that's. You can't get a good picture of him. No, you can. He's just blurry.

[Covino]

Do you know they try to clear it up with today's technology, and they're saying, like, the muscle definition would be hard to replicate back then in that way. He's that ripped. That. Yeah. Because you actually see muscles moving when he's walking. That it has to be real.

[Rich]

So you're saying Bigfoot did CrossFit.

[Covino]

Yeah.

[Danny G]

Do you guys know that in Cincinnati, they were already set for it to be Pete Rose night tomorrow?

[Rich]

Our buddy Mouser, who's a big Reds fan, hit us up and he goes, coincidence, coincidentally. Look at that. Tomorrow, Pete Rose night at the stadium. Look at that. All right, so we are going to talk about Pete Rose. There's a big story revolving around Pete and Shoeless Joe Jackson and other band players. We'll get to that. Next, Kavino and Rich having some fun here on Fox Sports Radio. Hang tight.

[Danny G]

You're listening to an iHeart podcast.