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- [00:00]
Colin Cowherd
This is an iHeart podcast. Just like how true champs master both offense and defense, the BMW IX masters both ultimate performance and unbeatable space. Love mine. The greatest legends in sports never compromise in any aspect of their game. So why would you settle for anything less from your suv? What I love about my BMW IX is that it redefines the electric vehicle experience seamlessly integrates powerful performance, its bold, daring design, a refined interior, details, cutting edge technology. Basically pushes the boundaries of innovation. Thousands of details went into creating the ultimate electric suv. Compromise. Not one of them if you own a home, here's an interesting fact for you today. American homeowners are sitting on a record amount of home equity. That's the part of your home you own outright. Rocket Mortgage can help you turn your home equity into cash and that can help you fund a home renovation, pay for your kids college tuition or pay off consolidated high interest debt. To learn more, call 804Rocket or visit Rocket.com today.
- [01:01]
John Middlekauff
Rocket Mortgage LLC licensed in 50 states.
- [01:03]
Colin Cowherd
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- [02:54]
John Middlekauff
You're Listening to Fox Sports Radio.
- [02:57]
Colin Cowherd
Ah, here we go. We are live. It's the herd. Wherever you may be and however you may be listening, thanks for making us part of your day. John Middelkoff is going to be filling in for the next three days. My buddy John Middelkoff got a very popular podcast at the volume three and out former NFL scout. You know you're a a self admitted football guy and I like football more than basketball. But I did grow up in the 70s in the Pacific Northwest with Bill Walton and the Blazers and the Sonics and people always lament the 70s NBA, John. There was no great dynasties and I defended because I collect basketball cards when every other kid had baseball cards. But I got to admit last night that kind of felt like a nothing burger, did it not?
- [03:44]
John Middlekauff
It was a big win for the small markets, I guess.
- [03:47]
Colin Cowherd
I guess it was. That a small story. Listen, we have entered in the last seven years a new NBA. The champions. They're good teams. Jokic, the only all star on Denver. Yeah, you can, you can see them. Thunders, Celtics, Nuggets, Warriors, Bucks, lakers, Raptors. Folks, OKC has one elite score. He had three bad games, shot 24% from three. Chet Holmgren disappeared for five games. J Dub disappeared for several and they won. That's the champion. I'm not sure they do if Halliburton remains in the game. Baseball's best teams right now are stacked and feel like it. Attendance ratings up. The NFL's best teams, Ravens, Kansas City, Philadelphia. Stacked ratings up. The new NBA. It's like you're battling the CBA as much as opponents. In fact, OKC is so young they could potentially be significantly better over the next three years than this season. They've got two first round picks. They're young players like Holgren, who's talented but wildly uneven. You have no idea what you're getting. Quarter to quarter, J Dub, what a ceiling. But what a disappearing act. Alex Caruso literally had to show OKC's young players how to open champagne bottles. America's event driven. Now it's a Tom Cruise movie, a Taylor Swift tour, a the World cup, the College Football Playoff, the Super bowl and these NBA playoffs. I know, I tried to defend them, but last night after that Halliburton injury, it felt small. I don't want every NBA champion to feel like the 2004 Chauncey Billups Pistons. I don't. Last night I'm watching that game because I'm a sportscaster. I missed MJ's bulls, Katie, Steph, Clay, Draymond warriors, the Heels. Hell, I missed the Duncan Manu, Tony Parker Spurs. This is not a knock on Oklahoma City. They won due to roster construction and depth, which is not exactly a great movie poster. The new NBA is the era of accounting where you have to draft really well and develop really well and then cross your fingers where players stay healthy and the last team standing was the healthiest and maybe has the best GM and has tremendous roster construction. But again, that doesn't get me to goosebumps. This felt like a great day for Oklahoma, maybe a neat day for Oklahoma and surrounding areas. And I know I sound like a buzzkill. I'm not telling you how to feel, I'm just telling you how I feel. I think Indiana 10 years from now will be the team you remember. Now, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe OKC goes on to win six titles. Seven. And they're one of the greatest dynasties ever because the new CBA doesn't allow for star stacking. And really the GMs will be as big as the players. But when I watched the Dodgers Padres last week, it jumped off the television. The animosity, the intensity, the stars, it was everywhere. And I felt last night there's the old saying, video killed the radio star. And the new CBA has killed basketball stars. They can't play together. So just think about this in terms of all time great teams. OKC has one elite score, three bad games, couldn't hit three pointers. The number two and three scores really struggled. I mean, Chad Holmgren was the invisible man for like four games in the series, maybe five. And they won. That's why Indiana was so captivating. Rick Carlisle, the oldest coach in the league, the most overrated player in Halliburton. If not for the injuries, maybe I feel different and I'm happy for Oklahoma City. They have probably the best young executive in the league in Sam Presti. But it felt small. And when the Celtics lost Tatum and the injuries throughout the playoffs, it just didn't feel big. And it hasn't for seven years unless your team won. And here's SGA after no matter what. Like you go into every night wanting to win and sometimes it just doesn't go your way. And tonight could have been one of those nights where we found a way. I'm so proud of this group. I wouldn't have rather done it with any other group in the world. It feels good to be a champion. So I thought it was interesting. Earlier in the day the KD trade came down and people were so excited here's what's funny. He didn't have much of a market, but we were so excited for basketball that, you know, 36, 37 year old KD going to Houston felt bigger than Game 7, especially after the Halliburton injury. So Kevin Durant to the Rockets. I said this for the last two weeks, why isn't there a bigger market? I do think this could help or hinder his legacy because KD is starting to feel a little like old Shaq and current Aaron Rodgers. Kind of sad. Katie to Brooklyn was an absolute mess. Katie to Phoenix was underwhelming. Although it should be noted Phoenix was about a.500 team when he played 3 and 17 when he didn't. So he wasn't the problem in Phoenix. I think it's going to work. This to me is the perfect place to go. So they have things Phoenix didn't. They have an infrastructure that the Suns didn't. Houston has a great coach. They just gave him an extension. They have size, Phoenix doesn't. They've got depth. He doesn't have to play 68 games a year. They've got multiple players, a Cam Whitmore, Jabari Smith, Reed Shepherd. He doesn't have to be on the floor a lot until big games in the playoffs. So I think this is exactly what Houston needs. And strangely, it's exactly what Kevin Durant needs. A relevant team, excellent owner, one of the top five richest owners in the sport. Excellent coach, lots of depth. Sengoon will be the centerpiece of the offense. Amen. Thompson will be the defensive stopper. And then the team has all sorts of length around him. So Kevin doesn't have to be as great defensively as he was probably six, seven years ago. I mean, Houston was held under 90 points twice by the Warriors. They can't shoot, so he's absolutely necessary. I think he's a perfect fit. They've got all the structure and by the way, certain people, Shaq was often distracted. Aaron Rodgers clearly needs structure. That's where I've said Aaron and Katie are similar. They're very good when structures already present. Because what Katie doesn't want to do is end up being if this goes sideways, a yeah, but guy. Yeah, he was great, but he didn't win big without Steph. Yeah, he had to bounce around. He had eight different head coaches. I mean, yeah, he was great, but when you really compare him to like LeBron and Steph, you know, what is he kind of a wanderer? I think Kevin Durant's game, his talent, he was the number one mid range shooter in the league. Last year, only two people in the NBA also averaged 25 a game and then hit 40% on threes. Joe Kitchen. Kevin Durant, he's still an elite player. If he remains healthy for the next two years, it will feel like the Houston Rockets stole KD from Phoenix. If he crumples to the ground, cross your fingers. He doesn't. Then maybe Phoenix likes the assets they got. Here's Kevin Durant yesterday. Being a part of the Houston Rockets. I'm looking forward to it. Crazy, crazy last couple weeks, but I'm glad it's over with. You know when people could just hang your career in a balance like that and just choose what they want to do with your career as a nerve wracking feeling, but being able to kind of dictate what you want to do and then being with a team that values you. And I'm looking forward to it, Kevin. People are going to hold on to that, dictate what you want to do. Did you have a hand in this? Definitely. I mean, they asked me where I wanted to go, some of my destinations. I gave it to them and here we are. Yeah, again, everybody wants to pick a side on trades. Winner and loser. If KD remains healthy, Houston's going to feel like they won this trade because they only had to give up one first round pick if he has injury issues. And the number 10 pick. The Sun's gotten the draft hits. Jalen Green's expensive, but he'll be productive. Dylan Brooks will start for them. Bunch of second round picks they can play around with then maybe it feels like Phoenix won the deal. But I do think Kevin Durant's game is too good to be sort of lumped into a. Yeah, butt guy. One of the best NBA offensive players of my lifetime. And I started watching this sport in 1971. 72. So I'm happy for him. Well, you live in the Arizona area. He said something, John. I thought it was interesting. You know, he's just got such an interesting personality. He'll go on Twitter and talk to people. He'll. You see him on the street, you go to games, he'll talk to people. He said yesterday he goes, you know, they didn't want me, so I'm glad to go. How did people in your hometown, Phoenix, how did they view KD and the whole KD Beal experiment?
- [13:35]
John Middlekauff
Yeah, I think the Suns have just been a disaster. I mean, people are tuned out. I think the expectations when they traded for him were pretty high. I mean, you get A Kevin Durant. The same thing with Brooklyn. You're expecting we're going to compete for the championship. Last year wasn't even close. Now, not all his fault. The owner's a little crazy. I mean, you know, trading for Bradley Beal absolutely backfired. I actually think this situation. Houston feels three or four years a little too late. I mean, he's 37. Colin. He's got in the NBA when he was 19 years old. So a lot of wear and tear on this body. If he would have got there like when he moved to Brooklyn, a situation like this, who knows? I don't know. It's battled a lot of injuries lately.
- [14:11]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah, no, he's playing about 60, 65 games now. The good news is they have a lot of length in Houston and a lot of young guys. So he does have to be, you know, it's pretty clear they're going to keep him around for the playoffs. They got him. I mean, they got to the playoffs without him and they. Jaylen Green is not a defined player. He's too expensive. I think it will pay off for sure. Late. But you cross your fingers on health because with kd, you know it with the warriors, that is now a thing in his career.
- [14:36]
John Middlekauff
Are you confident that he's going to be there for more than a year and a half at this point? Kind of a traveling circus. A little bit.
- [14:41]
Colin Cowherd
I do think I've heard for years NBA players like Houston. Yeah, they like living there. No state tax, middle of the country. I my take is this is where he ends it. And I think it's a pretty good spot because I do think they have a defensive culture. He's not the defender he used to be, but they have a defensive culture and they have the length and quickness. Amen Thompson. So they won't need. They really need him to grab it and shoot it. Yeah, that they. They shot fewer three pointers than anybody in the playoffs. They had two games with the warriors under 90 points. Like he is exactly what they need. And they don't need him to be multiple in roles row. Catch it, shoot it, score, hit threes. That's all we need. And I think that's what he provides totally. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am.
- [15:27]
John Middlekauff
Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1 and the iHeartRadio app.
- [15:32]
Colin Cowherd
Hi, this is Jay. I'm the producer of the Pauline Tony Fusco show. Usually in these promos they ask you to listen to the show. I'm here to ask you, please don't listen to this show. The hosts are two absolute morons who have the dumbest takes on sports imaginable. Don't listen to this show so it can get canceled. What the hell are you doing in our studio? Get him Paulie. Ignore that fool.
- [15:54]
John Middlekauff
Listen to the Paul and Tony Fusco.
- [15:55]
Colin Cowherd
Show on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcast.
- [15:58]
Unknown
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- [17:01]
Colin Cowherd
Summer is here and you can now get almost anything you need for your sunny days delivered with Uber Eats. Now what do we mean by almost? Well, you can't get a well groomed lawn delivered, but you can get chicken parm delivered. A day at the lake? That's a no. A Philly cheesesteak? That's a yes. A nice tan? Sorry. A box fan? Happily, yes. What about a day of sunshine? Not happening. How about a box of fine wines? Yeah, that's happening. Delivery's on its way. Okay, how about some clear skies? Nope. Well, how about some french fries? Yeah. So how about a freshly cut lawn? Can't help you there. But a barbecued prawn or it and it's on its way. Even throw in some paper towels. Clean up after the feast. So while you can't get fun in the sun delivered, don't worry because you can get pork buns delivered. Uber Eats can definitely get you that. Get almost almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. Alcohol in select markets. Product availability may vary by region. See app for details at the End of the season, there's only one team that can call themselves NBA champs. Only one player that can call themselves the number one pick in the NFL draft. Well, there's only one electric SUV worthy of the title. The ultimate. The all electric BMW ix. What I love about the IX is that it delivers legendary BMW performance. While its sleek design exudes innovative style from the inside out. Not to mention how much space and utility it provides. Over 75 cubic feet of cargo space. The IX is completely changing the game with an all electric suv. The greatest legends of sports never compromise any part of the game. So why would you settle for anything less from your suv? After all, there's only one ultimate the BMW ix. Everything you love about the ultimate driving machine electrified. The new Dell AI PC with Intel Core Ultra helps you fast forward through busy work like editing images, summarizing meeting notes and responding to Jim's long emails. Leaving more time for you. Time. Get A new Dell AI PC starting at 749.99@dell.com AI PC great to be back. John Middelkoff joining me today. Don't forget in 40 minutes from now where Colin was right, where Colin was wrong. Rick Bucher. Alexi Lawless stops by. He's all fired up. So listen, I'm, I'm like you. I've sat around all day. I thought, okay, you don't get many game sevens. I thought the Indiana Pacers were an amazing story. It's one of the craziest playoff runs. They were underdogs to Milwaukee. They were supposed to get rolled by Cleveland. They weren't going to beat the Knicks. They even sold game one of the finals in okc. It's just, you don't get stuff like this. And then Tyrese Halliburton, this incredibly likable guy and his kind of crazy dad. Sometimes you're, he was along for the ride and then he gets hurt and you're like, oh, you can't beat OKC with one ball handler and just TJ McConnell. But last night was a real gut punch. It was hard to stomach. And this was the eighth Achilles tear this year in the NBA. Most ever and the third in the playoffs. Most ever. The NBA is on notice. Shorten the playoffs. They started two weeks before the draft. The NFL draft. The NBA is faster. There's more spacing. There's way more movement. Players are just moving more. It's twitchier when you can see his Achilles flop. It's gutting. An Achilles tear used to be what old guys did at 58 playing handball it was an old guy injury. It wasn't for 20 year olds. That tells you everything. And baseball, for the record, has made multiple tweaks in the last three years. The sport has greatly benefited the NFL. Tweaks in season. We love the NFL. The NBA has never been a stubborn league. Move off seven game playoff series until you get to the finals. MJ the most popular of the league ever was five games in the first round. Maybe you can do conference finals at seven, but the NBA just got a $76 billion TV TV deal. The billionaires are going to be okay without another home game. Everybody's going to eat. Adam's going to eat, the owners are going to eat, the players, the coaches, seven and eight figures everywhere. These early round seven games. This, when you look at these injuries, the Achilles injury, it's a wear and tear injury. You're just fatigued, you're tired, you're pushing it. Like they always say, you know, you tear the Achilles on the last ski run of the day. Or as you get older, you're an old guy and you're pushing it. That's where this usually happens. So next year, think about this. Two of the most captivating players that we argue about, Jayson Tatum of the Celtics won't play next year. And now Tyrese Halliburton because the lateness of this injury probably will not play next year. Are you going to tell me the Eastern Conference? I don't get Tatum and I don't get Halliburton. You think that's good for the league? I was thinking watching this injury, I'm thinking, you know who really benefited in the east this year? Orlando and the Knicks. By getting knocked out earlier, they'll have a healthy roster. So I just look at this. College basketball in March gets bigger ratings than the NBA often gets in the playoffs. Why? Urgency. Make the games matter. I'm not asking for one and done. But when you're seeing eight injuries and three tears over a course of a season, these are the world's, arguably the world's best athletes. They're in incredible shape. Very few of these guys play themselves into shape. They come in finely tuned. And the NBA should not be a war of attrition. Once again, think about this. The NBA playoffs. The plan tournament started April 15th. Okay. 4th of July is around the corner. These things are too long. It doesn't take 10 weeks to realize. Yeah, that team that dominated the regular season also ended up winning the NBA championship. If a team can win in five, they're good enough. If you're losing in five. You're not good enough. And, and so I think Rick Carlisle highly emotional after I think on a more personal level. But on, but on a level for all of us, you kind of felt like, oh, you felt a little cheated yesterday. The oligarchs and the billionaires have a $76 billion contract coming. They can give a couple of games back. Here's Rick Carlisle.
- [23:42]
John Middlekauff
After what happened with Tyrese is.
- [23:48]
Colin Cowherd
Just all of our hearts dropped. But he will be back.
- [23:54]
John Middlekauff
He authored one of the great individual.
- [23:59]
Colin Cowherd
Playoff runs in the history of the.
- [24:01]
John Middlekauff
NBA with dramatic play after dramatic play.
- [24:06]
Colin Cowherd
It was just something that no one's ever seen and, and nobody wants to see again how it ended again. The NBA and most of these leagues, you know, we always thought baseball was the stuffy sport unwilling to change. And Rob Manfred has stepped up and made change after change and they've all worked. Baseball is much easier to watch 2 hour, 35 minute games. The game flies by. It's really made baseball, it's given it a bit of a renaissance. And I say that as a guy that for about 15 years stopped talking baseball. It was too slow. None of the kids in my house wanted to watch baseball. It was soccer. That's not the case anymore. The games are faster. The NBA needs to act quickly, succinctly shave playoff games. We don't need 10 weeks. Here's John Middlekopf with the news.
- [24:58]
John Middlekauff
No, no, no, no.
- [24:59]
Colin Cowherd
Heard on the news.
- [25:01]
John Middlekauff
This is the herd line news. Well, Colin, Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson head into their flag first season together with obviously Ben coming over from the Lions this offseason. Speaking at the fanatics fest yesterday, Caleb was up there with Peyton and Eli. He discussed how that his relationship with his new head coach has grown this off season.
- [25:22]
Colin Cowherd
It's been awesome.
- [25:23]
John Middlekauff
Ben Johnson, he uses some choice words.
- [25:26]
Colin Cowherd
Every day towards me. He's tough and I, I love him. He's awesome.
- [25:31]
John Middlekauff
It's been great being around him.
- [25:32]
Colin Cowherd
We hang out in his office and.
- [25:34]
John Middlekauff
We just, you know, we have lunch.
- [25:36]
Colin Cowherd
Sometimes, things like that. We just, you know, build this bond and relations to, to be able to, you know, last a while. I, I, I think it's interesting because I, I, you and I have talked about this privately and, and on our podcast is that offensive coaches in this league are better with O lines. If you look at the highest rated O lines the last 10, 7, 8 years, most are offensive coaches. If you look at some of the worst O lines, it's often New York Giants excluded defensive coaches. McVeigh, Andy Reid, they Can fix offensive lines quickly. The Steelers have been trying to rework theirs for years. The first thing Ben Johnson did is fix the interior O line. And I thought, regardless of what happens this year and regardless of Caleb Williams is good enough, Ben came from Detroit and went. Joe Tunney, Drew Dahlman, the Rams guard, he's like, I got to protect this guy's feet. And so, you know, as somebody, you were a scout in this league. I don't know if Caleb Williams will be a star, but that, that initial move in free agency by Ben Johnson told me he's got. Because that's what McVay did in LA with Goff, left tackle, fix the interior O line. So I actually have a lot of confidence in a team that I shouldn't.
- [26:56]
John Middlekauff
Yeah, I mean, this was a head coach. How often do we see now guys that get at these opportunities, not jump immediately? We just saw Liam Cohen. Ben Johnson was kind of the opposite of that. He waited. He. I mean, remember, he kind of hung up the phone as Washington was flying to him. Turns out that was a pretty good job. I think the key for a lot of these young offensive coaches, remember when McVay got to the Rams, Kyle got to the Niners. Run the ball. Even lafleur, when he got to the packers, they started. Aaron, you don't. You're not just going to carry us on your back. Caleb's been used to that. That's how he played it with usc. It's not going to work in the NFL that way. So I, I think they got to get him under control. The roster is pretty good. The problem, though, Colin Division, the schedule, it's not easy. So good luck to these two.
- [27:38]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah, I mean, we. I said this last year, Minnesota ended up having a great year, but I said if Minnesota finished in fourth place, it would be the most dynamic fourth place team you'll ever see. I kind of feel like Chicago doesn't have Detroit's roster. They don't. They don't have the continuity and the momentum of Green Bay and do they have the coach of Minnesota? So I don't know. You know, I. I feel like if I said to you today, 10 and 7, would you take that? Yes, you would take it.
- [28:09]
John Middlekauff
If you're a Bears fan or Ben Johnson or Caitlin, this is the hard part about this job. You know, Dallas, we understand why it's a tough job, but they have won a lot since winning the Super Bowls. They just haven't won that often in the playoffs. But they've been in the playoffs a lot this Bears team beside the Erlacher Run now for about 15 has been not very good. And obviously, you know, Aaron Rodgers, Minnesota has had a lot of good teams over that time. Now, Detroit, I would say Detroit healthy, second best roster in the NFC behind Philadelphia. So it's just. It's difficult and the pressure. You're there a lot now that, that market. It's. It's a football town. The expectations and the results don't exactly match up. So it's a tough job for these two.
- [28:47]
Colin Cowherd
No, listen, since May, there's two topics in Chicago now, the Cubs and the Bears. Yeah, like that is the topic. Everybody's interested, so. But you know those. Caleb said this when he went there. Chicago cares about sports. It's fun to be in those markets.
- [29:02]
John Middlekauff
For sure. This is a cool story. Sean McVay and the Rams, they made an unusual decision this offseason, holding their mandatory minicamp in Maui. Players were encouraged to bring their families with them, and McVay talked about what it meant for the teams. Bonding.
- [29:19]
Colin Cowherd
It's about connection and being able to get some time. It's cool to be able to, you know, really, for me, meet a lot of these guys, families that maybe I haven't met quite yet, or see their wives or girlfriends or their kids. And so that's been a really cool thing so far. This is about being able to get some good quality time with each other and then being able to use the platform that we're blessed with, to be able to give back to a community that went through some similar things that we can all understand and kind of empathize with. It's really remarkable. This feels a little different than a previous coach we dealt with.
- [29:52]
John Middlekauff
Yeah. Do you think that Lombardi Parcels or Belichick would have taken his team to Honolulu and played a little golf? I don't. I don't know. This, to me, screams, though. 2025, it's got it all. NFL, a business deal with Maui Tourism. You know, very player family centric. McVeigh Young kind of has a collegiate feel to him. I mean, I saw pictures of, you know, Whitworth's along for the trip, Devonte Adams, they're playing golf. Everyone's wife went, you know, the NFL is a little different than, you know, definitely the one I grew up in, the 90s and even the 2000s. It's. It's very player centric. It's not the NBA, but it's. It's a different version of, you know, management. They control everything. You got to give in, and they have a Young team, Colin, and the expectations are pretty high. So a lot of good vibes right now around McDonald.
- [30:38]
Colin Cowherd
Well, and I also think you've asked the players to play another game. You're probably going to ask them to play an 18th game. And you're now asking teams to regularly play overseas. And the league's never had more revenue. So to me, you know, we've all had bosses. When the bosses are making a lot of money, I'm always okay with it. Spread the wealth a little bit. And so I think. And you know, John, the other thing, with all the new CBAs, there's just less hitting at practice. And I think there were certain cliches. We've always grown up with that. But the more and more you read about studies, they're like, if kids don't start hitting till they're 13 or 14 for football, they're going to be just fine. And you don't need. You don't need a ton of hitting in these OTA and minicamps.
- [31:24]
John Middlekauff
Do you remember when the CBA changed? I think in 2011, Harbaugh and Pete Carroll got in a little trouble in the offseason because they were being a little too aggressive on defense. Those days are done. The off season is really about hanging out, being with your crew, going to hockey and basketball games, and, you know, getting to know your new team. Because we have so much turnover now in the NFL.
- [31:44]
Colin Cowherd
Yep, Agree.
- [31:46]
John Middlekauff
Okay, this one, this one's interesting because your guy, Sam Darnold.
- [31:50]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah.
- [31:51]
John Middlekauff
Is now in Seattle after an incredible season with the Minnesota Vikings. It did not end very well. Remember, The Vikings went 142 and looking to win the division, but ended up losing their final game. And they got completely outplayed by the Rams in that wild card game in Arizona. Darnold has been open about how he played too close, how he played to close out the season, saying, we laid an egg as an offense.
- [32:15]
Colin Cowherd
You know, here's the thing, though. Let me defend them. So they lost in Detroit. Right. That was one of the games.
- [32:22]
John Middlekauff
Biggest game in Detroit probably in 30 years.
- [32:24]
Colin Cowherd
That was my argument, John. I said, guys, this is the biggest game in Detroit. You are not winning that game now. It was uglier than you want. You were not winning that game. It's also a division rival. Those are hard games. And the Rams game, again, because it's back to back, is easy to pick on. But by the end of last year, Jared Verse was becoming a top five defensive player in the league. That Ram defense, because of its youth from week three to week 15 was a different defense. This team had Philadelphia beat in Philadelphia. So Darnold goes to Detroit and he didn't play well. And then that Rams team in the snow is the only team in the playoffs where you felt, oh, Philadelphia is in trouble. We have to give some credit to the Lions and the Rams. They are. Those were tough spots for that offensive line in Minnesota.
- [33:16]
John Middlekauff
And I think if Kevin o' Connell could get a redo. You know, I think there are two different versions. You and I talk a lot about this, about the young crew, the LaFleurs, obviously, Kyle, they like to run the ball. Arthur Smith up in Pittsburgh. Kevin. And rightfully so, because it worked most of the year. Throw that ball, baby. Well, when it's not working well, who's the offensive coordinator in Seattle? Kubiak. Where does Kubiak come from? Shanahan. He's basically a Shanahan family member. They're gonna try to run the ball, slow down the game, because when you get in positions, when you're down a couple scores. How many quarterbacks? Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Matt Stafford. Still, there's only a couple guys who can really carry you in that environment.
- [33:51]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah, I agree. I think Darnold's gonna play well.
- [33:54]
John Middlekauff
I think their team's pretty good on paper. You know, I mean, they got a lot of good young talent. People act like Seattle because they haven't been in the playoffs last couple years. They're not winning four or five games. They won 10 games last year. Colin, we just said the Bears would sign up for 10 7. Seattle went 10 7. So it shows you. The NFC was a little top heavy, but it was actually pretty deep last year. Yeah, they don't have the quarterbacks, but they have a lot of good teams, a lot of good coaches. I'm pretty high on Seattle coming into this season.
- [34:19]
Colin Cowherd
Well, if J.J. mcCarthy hits. So you have a Caleb, you have a Jaden, you have a J.J. mcCarthy Penix. The reason the AFC separated from the NFC, they hit on quarterbacks. Yeah. Like three years in a row, they hit on all their quarterbacks. If this quarterback class is as good as that, like Herbert Joe Burrow 201, we're going to look up at the end of this year and go the gap between the AFC and the nfc, especially with the rebirth of Darnold and Baker, it's pretty close.
- [34:45]
John Middlekauff
A lot of good coaches in the nfc. A lot of young offensive hot shots. I. I think Mike McDonald, if he was an offensive guy, we would talk about him like McVeigh or Kyle. So the the Dan Campbell's turned into, you know, version of the hardball brother.
- [34:58]
Colin Cowherd
Deny it.
- [34:58]
John Middlekauff
He's like the third hardball brother. So really, really good coaching. I think in the NFC they might not have the quarterback star power, but the high end coaching is is pretty impressive.
- [35:07]
Colin Cowherd
John Middlekoff with the news.
- [35:10]
John Middlekauff
Well, that's the news and thanks for stopping by the Herd Lie News.
- [35:14]
Colin Cowherd
Be sure Editions of the Herd weekdays.
- [35:17]
John Middlekauff
At noon Eastern, 9am Pacific this July.
- [35:20]
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- [36:19]
Colin Cowherd
Summer is here and you can now get almost anything you need for your sunny days delivered with Uber Eats. Now what do we mean by almost? Well, you can't get a well groomed lawn delivered, but you can get chicken parm delivered. A day at the lake? That's a no. A Philly cheesesteak? That's a yes. A nice tan? Sorry. A box fan? Happily yes. What about a day of sunshine? Not happening. How about a box of fine wines? Yeah, that's happening. Delivery's on its way. Okay, how about some clear skies? Nope. Well, how about some French fries? Yeah. So how about a freshly cut lawn? Can't help you there. But a barbecued prawn? Order it and it's on its way. Even throw in some paper towels. Clean up after the feast. So while you can't get fun in the sun delivered. Don't worry because you can get pork buns delivered. Uber Eats can definitely get you that. Get almost almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. Alcohol in select markets. Product availability may Vary by region. See app for details. At the end of the season, there's only one team that can call themselves NBA champs. Only one player that can call themselves the number one pick in the NFL draft. Well, there's only one electric SUV worthy of the tit. The ultimate. The all electric BMW ix. What I love about the IX is that it delivers legendary BMW performance. While its sleek design exudes innovative style from the inside out. Not to mention how much space and utility it provides. Over 75 cubic feet of cargo space. The IX is completely changing the game with an all electric suv. The greatest legends of sports never compromise any part of the game. So why would you settle for anything less from your suv? After all, there's only one ultimate the BMW ix. Everything you love about the ultimate driving machine. Electrified Introducing the new Dell AI PC. Powered by the Intel Core Ultra processor, it helps do your busy work for you. So you can fast forward through editing images, designing presentations, generating code, debugging code, summarizing meeting notes, finding files, managing your schedule, responding to Jim's long emails, leaving all the time in the world for the things you actually want to do. No offense, Jim. Get a new Dell AI PC starting at 749.99@dell.com AI PC how those ahead? Stay ahead.
- [38:41]
John Middlekauff
Bryson, Koepka, Rom, Phil and DJ some of the biggest names in golf are headed for the Texas Shootout at Live Golf Dallas. Catch coverage around one Friday at 2pm Eastern and round two Saturday at 3:30, all on Fox.
- [38:58]
Colin Cowherd
By the way, Chicago's getting a tournament. People are already talking about it up there. So they got, they got big stars. So, you know, as I started the show today, I was thinking, I don't want to be Mr. Negative OkC because I'm really impressed with Sam Presti, the fans there. It's their first title since they've moved. They thought they were going to get one with KD and Harden and Russell Westbrook and they didn't. And it's heartbreaking. So I was happy for him last night, but I just thought once Halliburton got hurt, I'm like, okay, this is a really forgettable final. This is the worst. And, and it's not their fault. They deserve it. But I, I was saying is we're, we have entered a new NBA. This is the seventh different champion in seven years and a lot of it's because it's Adam Silver's NBA. So David Stern took the league over from Larry o' Brien and they, they needed big markets to flourish. The league wasn't doing well financially. The finals were on tape delay. I mean seriously, playoff series were on a tape delay. The league was a mess. And so David Stern leaned into stars and big markets and had no problem with dynasties. But Adam Silver inherited a league where the ratings were down post Jordan, but the league was making a lot of money. It was culturally relevant and there were a bunch of dynasty after dynasty after dynasty and a lot of the market owners were complaining that it's very pro Laker pro, Celtic pro, Miami pro, big market. So Adam Silver, it takes a commissioner five or six years to create their own league. And I think this is the league he wants. I'm not sure it's going to be popular, but it's a league that's collaborative. You can't stack stars. And we're seeing it in real time. The last seven years, Oklahoma City, excellent defensively, but basically one elite score and he didn't even shoot particularly well, especially from three. And they still won. So I said I took the last seven champions. Rank them in order of how, where they rank in this seven year stretch. I think of the seven champions, I would put the Raptors as number seven. It was very Kawhi Leonard dependent. It was Fred Van Vliet and Kyle Lowry and Danny Green and Serge Ibatka. It wasn't a great team. I mean they went six plus games in each of the three rounds. They got very fortunate on a bounce against Philadelphia. Again, happy for them. A one and done that is the weakest champion in the last seven years. I don't mean to beat upon the Thunder, but I think they're the sixth rated team. Listen, they have one offensive player. It's mostly depth and roster construction. Their second and third best scorers like Chet Holmgren and J Dub disappeared in games and they still won. And also, are we sure they would have won if Halliburton played great team defense? But I thought they had the second best coach in the finals. Their best shooter shot 24% from three. They're going to be noticeably better the next three years than this year. Number five, I put the Milwaukee Bucks again, a team that had to come back from multiple O2 deficits to win. Now it was Khris Middleton in his prime. Jrue Holiday in his prime. Giannis emerging as a superstar a previous year too. So again they felt like defensively the best team in the league. But they fell behind in multiple playoff series and were in trouble and had to go multiple games. I would put them at number five. Number four, the Warriors. It was the end of the run. End of the dynasty. Now they got a really good final from Andrew Wiggins. Jordan Poole was a good role player, but Steph, Clay and Draymond passed their prime. It was the last legs of a dynasty. I thought they were done. Remember when they flew cross country back to Boston? I think they trailed in the series like 2 to 1. I thought they were done. I thought they were toast. And then they went to Boston and Tatum and Brown, they just weren't quite ready yet to seize it. I would put the warriors of the last seven champions at number four. I would put the Nuggets at number three. They're a little like okc. You got one great star. The difference is Jokic is the best player in the world. They. They also were dominant in the conference finals and the finals. They lost only one game. I got fooled by this team. I thought they had a long run, but then they started losing really valuable pieces like Brown and kcp. I put Denver at number three. The best overall roster of the last seven is Boston. The question is, what was Tatum? Brown won the conference MVP and the finals MVP. Dominant season 64 and 18. Did not lose more than one game in any series. And I think one through 10 in the last seven years, this is actually the best roster. You could say all you want about okc, but Jaylen Brown is better than any number two player for, okay, Oklahoma City and Derrick White, I mean, everybody, he was our number four or five starter. You knew you were getting great defense in threes from Derrick White in every game. So this is the best collection of talent in the last seven years. But I think the best team was the Lakers. AD in his prime. LeBron playing like he was in his prime. Alex Caruso. You just didn't know who Alex Caruso was yet. He was a great defensive player. Kcp, who's always been a big shot maker in the playoffs, they had the best record in the west before the league shut down with COVID So they don't get a lot of credit. But as the other old veteran teams crumpled, they had LeBron, AD and really, really, really good role players. Again, you just didn't know. I didn't know much about Alex Caruso. We find out now he's a pretty solid player. So that's where I would rank the teams again. If Jason Tatum was a more decisive big game star, I'd have no problem putting the Celtics above the Lakers because I thought 1 through 9, the roster is better. I mean, I mean, when you can go, you know, the 20, 24 Celtics. Just, just look at how good Derrick White is at an NBA player. He was often option number four. But I don't think even that the Lakers are an all time great Laker team. I would say the Showtime Lakers are much better. The Shaq and Kobe Lakers are better. The Kobe Gasol Lakers to me are better than this Laker championship team in.
- [45:19]
John Middlekauff
The bubble, I would agree. And the warriors team, remember Jordan Poole played a pretty big role. Steph missed some time. Remember Steph missed some games. I think Jordan Poole was starting. So yeah, I mean it's. We have some great individual players over the last seven years, but the teams. But this is kind of the nature of Adam Silver, right? All these players move non stop. This is in the 90s where guys are on the same team. Reggie Miller played for the pacers for what, 18 years. Those days are done.
- [45:42]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah. Yeah. Okay, so I started reading on, on the flight to LA yesterday afternoon, I started reading Caitlin Clark book by Christine Brennan. And I just wanted to know like the rest of you, 90% of us, me and you, we started watching her her junior year, her last couple years at, at Iowa, right? We, oh man, she shoots three. She looks like Steph Curry. But when you read this book, Christine Brennan really holds the WA accountable and she says the league was simply cared for and didn't do their homework. So the NBA has, I think through the years in the NFL they kind of know when a star is coming and they often soften up the schedule. The WNBA did not do that for Connecticut, having them play New York and Connecticut early. But this book talks about a specific moment. Caitlin's sophomore year. Sophomore. She goes on the road to face Michigan, a 20 and 2 team. She dropped 46 points, 10 assists, played every minute. It was her third 40 point game of her sophomore year. And in the book it details how people that were at the game realized, oh, she's doing things we have never seen a woman's basketball player do. 46 points, 10 assists, played every minute. There's also stories, and I don't expect the NWNBA to have information when she was in seventh and eighth grade. But one of the fascinating stories is she was down when she was like in the seventh or eighth grade. She was down 11 points with a minute seven left. Caitlin Clark went on a 13 nothing run to win in like the seventh or eighth grade. But one of the criticisms I've had with the WNBA is it is your job to know and identify stars before they're at your doorstep. You gotta see them coming up. The Driveway. And when you read this book, I think Christine really holds them accountable. And the WNBA has pushed back, but her shooting distance, multiple 40 point games. You don't get a lot of 40 point games, 45 point games from college men's basketball players like, you just don't see that. So she's dropping 46 as a sophomore. People that are at the game are talking about her passing's actually better than her shooting. She's a revolutionary player. So I think the book really dissects some of the lack of preparation or awareness. And, you know, you can just like. Also, Christine Brennan holds women's basketball accountable for not putting her on the Olympic team where they didn't have a lot of great perimeter shooters and she was emerging as a noteworthy player when they were, when they were making those tryouts. So Christine Brennan last week on the Herd on Caitlin's impact to the wnba. This athlete, Caitlin Clark, is so important to the financial future of the WNBA at the time. By the way, as you know that the cba, the collective bargaining agreement is open and will be being negotiated. All of these things that we would see arenas having to be, games being moved to bigger arenas and that we would be talking about a female athlete. Never in my lifetime did I think I would see that. And I think that's what makes this so remarkable and so different from another, you know, phenom coming into a sport. The book is called On Her Game. It really breaks down how all the signs were there. Not as a junior, not as a senior. They were in the Big Ten on display late sophomore season. She was doing things, making passes and taking shots from areas women did not shoot from. And the people that were in attendance at these games, especially the one in Ann Arbor, were awestruck by what they saw. And word was traveling really fast. JOHN we're going to our number two. Colin Right. Colin Wrong. Rick Bucher stops by. It's the hurt. Balancing work, family and education isn't easy. But American Public University makes it possible with online courses, monthly start dates, and flexible schedules. APU is designed for busy professionals who need education that fits their lives. And Affordability matters, too. 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Well, you can't get a well groomed lawn delivered, but you can get chicken parm delivered. A nice tan? Sorry, A box fan? Happily, yes. A day of sunshine? No? A box of fine wines? Yes. Uber Eats can definitely get you that. Get almost almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. Alcohol in select markets. Product availability may vary by region. See app for details. Hi, it's Colin. I've been around long enough to know quality when I see it. Or in this case, when I taste it. Tito's handmade vodka. Good stuff. No flash, no gimmick. Smooth, clean tasting. Made the right way. Tito's made in Austin, Texas. Real attention to detail. I like to keep it simple. Tito's Soda. One lime. Lot of ice. Refreshing, easy. Summer, winter, spring. Totally versatile. Always works. Listen, baseball season's here. The perfect time to kick back with some Tito's. It's what I pour. You should too. Distilled and bottled by 5th Generation Inc. Austin, Texas 40% alcohol by volume. Savor responsibly. This is an I Heart podcast.