Loading summary
Transcript155 lines
- [00:00]
Colin Cowherd
With Amex Gold, you get up to $100 back annually on eligible purchases at resi restaurants.
- [00:06]
Jordan Schultz
So party of two, right this way.
- [00:08]
Colin Cowherd
Is music to your ears. That's the powerful backing of American Express enrollment Required terms apply. Learn more@American Express.com with Amex.
- [00:15]
Nick Wright
You know, buying a home used to be a huge headache. You had to go to different places for listings, pre approval financing. But now Rocket is putting everything you need in one place. Rocket.com a single seamless home ownership platform to help you find, buy, sell, finance, even refinance your home. Everything you need, all under one roof. Every home at one address. Rocket.com the new home for all things home ownership. Rocket Own the Dream the Herd is brought to you by Grainger. If you work as a maintenance manager, your facility is your home turf and your home field advantage is having a partner like Grainger. They offer trusted professional grade products for every industry from lighting and electrical to safety and everything in between. Plus fast dependable delivery. Which is why they always come through in the clutch. Just like you. Call 1-800-GRAINGER Click grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.
- [01:19]
Colin Cowherd
With Amex, there's always a new experience to explore, from curating the perfect vacation and chilling in the Centurion Lounge before you get there trying out that new trendy restaurant thanks to Priority notify with global dining access by Resy and getting straight to the action at the big game with Card member entrances at select venues with AMEX Platinum, you can experience it all. That's the powerful backing of American Express. Terms apply. Access to the Card member entrance not limited to the American Express Platinum card.
- [01:46]
Nick Wright
Learn more@americanexpress.com withamx thanks for listening to the Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio and noon to 3 Eastern, 9am to noon Pacific. Find your local station for the herd@foxsportsradio.com or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR.
- [02:09]
Joel Klatt
Now let's get this party started.
- [02:10]
Nick Wright
You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. Here we go, hour two. It's the Herd. Wherever you may be and however you may be listening, thanks for making us part of your day. Jordan schultz in for JMac. Joe Cladd an hour from now. Nick Wright in five minutes. So I was thinking about this. I got a lot to talk about with Nick Wright here. I was thinking about this. So the Suns fired their coach during our show yesterday. Mike Budenholzer never Thought it was a great fit. Got run in Milwaukee, now run in Phoenix. He and KD had issues. He and Bradley Beal had issues. Weirdly constructed, they rolled the dice. I appreciate the swing by Matt Ishpia, but in the end it just didn't. Especially the Beal part didn't work at all. But it goes to show you a lot about Kevin Durant. So the NBA and pro sports is a lot more than just talent. I see this all the time. I talk to NFL GMs about this all the time. Some kids don't love football. Some kids, it takes them a long time to fit in to the group. They don't want to work hard enough. The playbook's harder than they thought. So Katie is one of the more talented players in the game. He is Wemby before Wemby, a seven footer that can handle the ball. Unbelievable talent. But like Aaron Rodgers, he's kind of a creative and he's a wanderer. And Steph Curry and Tom Brady, in my opinion, have far less talent. But they sacrifice, they get along with others, they're totally committed, they're laser focused. And now kd, since leaving the warriors, seven coaches fired, two playoff series wins. And I, I think, I mean over the last 15 years, I'd make an argument second most talented player to LeBron James. But LeBron James always made much better decisions. Much more business savvy about, you know, very calculated, always a step ahead of the process. KD just wants the ball. And I mean look at, he can still play. He was excellent in Phoenix. 53%, 26 a game, 43% from three. But seven fired coaches. He's become now a really talented bounce around the league guy. He doesn't care. Rick Bucher talked about this. You can bring him in, but don't ask him to lead the franchise. Even in his prime. Just, that's not who he is. His committed lack of relate leadership, his committed. I just want to hoop. And you play. You take a player of that talent and bring him into your team, it just, it screws up the dynamic. And I love this dynamic of the Rockets. And yes, I do think they need to upgrade there, but I wouldn't sacrifice that for a roll of the dice on a Kevin Durant. Yeah, I would if he goes to New York, which has I think a very strong leader in Jalen Brunson, who feels like a glue guy, not as talented as a Carmelo, but feels much more like a giving, committed, focused elevator of others. So I Jalen Brunson to Me, I, I don't think you always have to be a superstar to be a great leader of a team. I, I think Jalen Brunson's a great quarterback. Now, in Kansas City, the quarterback's the best player. But there are times, I mean, I mean, you could, you could argue Gronk was more gifted than Brady. And there were, there were other players. Randy Moss was. But Tom was committed, focused, elevated others. Jalen Brunson's great for the Knicks. Katie's not a leader. He's a shot maker. And I think you're going to see very quickly in the playoffs in the East. Knicks need another shot maker. They're going to get worked on the pick and roll by the Cavs or the Celtics. If they play them and they're good enough and smart enough and constructed well enough, they'll win a playoff series. But I think KD works in New York. He's already been to the city. He liked it. But. But don't ask him to lead. That's not who he is. It's like, I've always said this about Aaron. Aaron's more talented than a lot of guys, but he's a unique personality. Jeter was the foundation of the Yankees. A Rod was more talented. That's not a knock on a rod. That's just the reality of their personalities. With that, Nick Wright. The foundation of First Things First. Absolutely.
- [06:16]
Kevin Wildes
But not the leader. Listen, I'm like Durant. I'm the most talented guy, but Kevin Wilde's the leader. I'll get you some buckets. But when it comes to planning, when it comes to direction in the show, that's kw. And when it comes to making sure we're on track, we have the conscience of the show. Brew. We'd be a great basketball team. Everyone knows their role. So I'm Team KD on this. Who says the most talented guy's got to be the leader? Maybe he wants to hang out and, you know, play video games or play poker.
- [06:44]
Nick Wright
That's right.
- [06:45]
Kevin Wildes
Yeah. To eat their own. I just show up and get buckets, man. Good to see you.
- [06:49]
Nick Wright
Good to see you. So I, I, I, I, I said this about the Warriors. They, they've become a little bit the old, you know, the adults at the nightclub where everybody's like, who smells like Old Spice? Who doesn't fit here? The NBA.
- [07:02]
Kevin Wildes
Me again.
- [07:03]
Nick Wright
Well, the NBA's young and talented. And the Warrior. Butler's 35, Draymond's 35. And it's like if they lose to Memphis or they lose in the first round, we got to be honest here. It's over. Like, you have to make moves on Kaminga or maybe a Draymond. What if they lose tonight?
- [07:21]
Kevin Wildes
Well, if they lose tonight, their season's over. So I mean that. That's how damaging this week was. Because if they lose tonight, then all the only thing Friday will mean is, is did your season end in real disgrace with three straight losses and getting bounced in the play in for the third time in Steph's career, or did you get a reprieve to now get to face a totally rested, totally healthy Oklahoma City team that will run you off the court in round one? So tonight is their biggest game of the year because they lost their previous biggest game of the year on Sunday, which was their biggest game because they blew a game against the spurs in game 80. They had no business losing. But let me say this, Colin. There's a couple things about the Warriors I want to say, so if we could spend a little bit more on it.
- [08:12]
Joel Klatt
Sure.
- [08:12]
Kevin Wildes
One is, I owe your dear friend Draymond Green an apology. Because nine years ago, Draymond Green in the Western Conference finals, I thought, and I alleged, maybe even on your show, that he intentionally kicked Steven Adams in the groin on a layup and it led to a flagrant foul, which then led to a suspension in the finals because of flagrant foul points. And my argument was, no player in league history has ever just kicked their left leg at 90 degrees on an open layup unless they're trying to do something. Nine years later, I'm proven wrong because he did the exact same thing to blow the layup against the Clippers. That's how they lost the game and there was no one to kick. So. Draymond, My bad on that. Evidently, that's just part of your foul baiting and ended up partially costing him the game. And the other thing I want to say about the warriors, who now you're talking about, is it over? So I. I think Steph Curry is obviously one of the greatest players of all time. I also think that he's in this Goldilocks zone of when he's amazing, we talk about him. And when he scores three points against the Rockets doesn't make shows. And I think is really a nice spot to be in the discourse.
- [09:26]
Joel Klatt
Yeah.
- [09:27]
Kevin Wildes
And he has been kind of universally put in while He's a top 10 all time player. And again, it's in the margins. But I have him at 12. And the reason I'm bringing that up here is something happened at the end of Clippers, warriors. That has happened to Steph a bunch in his career and everybody just accepts it. But I think it's the barrier between him and the guys who are in the top 10. And that is he was taken off the court by his own head coach because they wanted to go offense, defense, because at the end of a game he is a true defensive liability. And when you look at, again, not that my list is gospel, but what I would say are your 12 greatest players ever, you will notice 11 and 12 have something in common. The top 10 don't. So if you go LeBron, Kareem, Michael, Magic, Russell, Wilt, Duncan, Kobe, Bird, akeem, and then 11 Shaq 12 Steph, again, that's no disrespect. You're at a Jokic, you're at a Dr. J, you're at a Moses, you're at a Jerry West. All those guys, Shaq and Steph are the only two guys in that all time top 12 whose own team in huge spots late in games would say, we actually want you to sit this possession. For Shaq, it was because of free throws. For Steph, it's because of defense. And I do think that has to be part of the story when we talk about the guys who are in the goat conversation who are in the top five, are in the top 10. And so I'll sell that. Say this, I think they might lose tonight, in which case this last week went really, really bad for him.
- [11:11]
Nick Wright
So I have pushed back. I think it was Stephen A. That started this. That international players I think can't be the face of the league. I disagree. I said this an hour ago. Conor McGregor, the UFC was never more popular than when Conor McGregor was the face. Messi is now the face of the mls and I mean literally breaking gate records. I would argue Rory McElroy who stayed with the PGA did not go to the live tour after Sunday. Is the face of golf. I would argue Ovechkin for the last 20 years is an the most discussed hockey player with a Sidney Crosby. Ohtani comes up the freeway. I5 is the face of baseball. My take is if the Lakers won A title and LeBron retired. Luca, now hear me out, is the face of the NBA if LeBron retired. Why? Because they'd be a great team. He'd be a Laker. But Luca does something that domestic players do. He trash talks fans.
- [12:10]
Kevin Wildes
That's, that's, he trash talks. That's the exact right reason.
- [12:13]
Nick Wright
He's us. He is not the international player. That's polite and Loyal. He drinks beer after games. They have to take it from. He's yelling at fans. I think he is the face of the league. If LeBron retired him, I think international players can be so.
- [12:28]
Kevin Wildes
I think. I think international players definitely can be. And I think that Wimby might eventually be so overwhelmingly great.
- [12:38]
Nick Wright
Yeah.
- [12:39]
Kevin Wildes
If he fulfills his full potential, that he will be. But I've. I agree with you that I think it. It is not really quite been that in my opinion, that these guys are international players as the hurdle. I think the hurdle for Face of the League. I. I don't think it's that complicated. I think that the biggest hurdle for everyone is that LeBron and Steph won't retire.
- [13:05]
Nick Wright
That's right.
- [13:05]
Kevin Wildes
Like, LeBron has been the face of the league for 15 years, definitively for 10, arguably, probably inarguably, since he went to Miami and maybe a little bit before that. Steph, over the last seven years has kind of become the co. Face of the league alongside LeBron. No one is going to supplant those guys. So that means Giannis entire reign of winning MVPs and going to the Finals happened when he wasn't even eligible for Face of the league. Because LeBron's there. Joker has no interest in it. It's not because he's international. It's because I think basketball is his second favorite sport to horse racing. He's just better at it. So, like, so Joker's not interested. But Luka has the attitude. Luka has the swagger. Luka is polarizing. That's another important thing.
- [13:56]
Nick Wright
Yes.
- [13:57]
Kevin Wildes
You need people to hate you.
- [13:58]
Nick Wright
Yep.
- [13:59]
Kevin Wildes
Like nobody hates Giannis. Nobody hates Jokic. There are some people that hate Joker or, I'm sorry, that Luka, including, evidently, the guy who runs the Mavs. And so that is a mistake. And so I agree with that. And now getting to the Lakers and being in these huge playoff spots, I think, yes, he is good enough. He is. Has the right swagger. He is polarizing enough. He. There's enough holes to poke in his game to where he's interesting. Yeah. There is nothing better that could have possibly happened for the league than this player coming to this team in this moment. And it all happened because of the lunacy of one general manager who, by the way, Colin J. Mac, might include it in the news later. Nico Harrison just held an hour ago, his first press conference since the Luca trade. And you know how I know he knows that maybe that trade was a bad decision? He held a press conference with one rule, no TV Cameras or microphones? Old school. Pen and pad. I'll talk to you guys, but you're not getting it on video. So I think he knows this is not going well.
- [15:08]
Nick Wright
I want to talk about something we infrequently talk about. In fact, I'm not sure we ever have, but it goes back to international players. Is that I think both you and I. I like progress in sports. I like new stuff. And I defended the live tour. My takeaway is the PGA was a charity. They don't run the Masters. They don't run the British Open. They don't run many of the biggest events. So I was never loyal to the pga. I was loyal to the players and our governments. You know, has business in the Middle East. Why can't our golfers. I never thought the PGA treated the best golfers with the respect they deserve. So I was for the breakup, because I'm for the athlete. And outside of maybe the US Open at Pebble beach and the Masters, I don't watch for the course. I watch for the players. But I was watching Rory this week, and I was thinking to myself, am I into Rory or the Masters? And it was both. But I can't. The last time I was this invested, emotionally engulfed, was when Tiger wanted Augusta. And I got super emotional. And I was sitting there watching Rory, and I'm like, wow. Like, I. This is a. Am I going to cry here? I was so into it, and it had a little Michael Jordan feel where I watched him for years get tackled by the Pistons and the Celtics. So I was part of his journey. And I felt like I was. I felt. I was like, dude, this is his 17th masters. He's gonna. What was your. I thought it was the best five hours of television I had seen in so long. Were you as emotionally invested?
- [16:36]
Kevin Wildes
Yeah. So let me. Let me give you a little insight into me. So Sunday, as it happened, Colin was me and my lovely wife's anniversary.
- [16:44]
Nick Wright
Oh.
- [16:45]
Kevin Wildes
And I don't know how you spent your, you know, wedding anniversary this year, but I spent mine at a sports book in Philadelphia with Clippers warriors on one screen and the Masters on the other. And because she's the greatest woman I've ever known, she understood. I'm like, listen, honey, I didn't. I should have planned out the wedding date better a decade plus ago, but it's the second Sunday in April, which means occasionally it's gotta fall on the Master Sunday. And I thought that round of golf was so perfect to encapsulate his career, which was these moments of Such brilliance where you're like, is he the best driver of the golf ball ever? Including Tiger, like probably not, but maybe with self inflicted stumbles. He had two of the worst wedge shots I've ever seen a professional golfer make and they were on the back nine of Sunday at Augusta. He tried to play 13 safe, gave himself 80 to get on the green in three and put it in the creek. And then despite all of that, had a seven foot putt to win the Masters and missed that. And despite all of that, came back and won the thing with as good of an approach shot as anyone will ever have on the playoff hole at 18. And for again, there have been six people ever to complete the career grand slam. Sarazyn Hogan player Nicholas Woods, Rory, since the moon landing, 12 people have walked the moon up until Sunday, one had completed the career grand slam. Tiger woods. And all those other five, Colin, they completed the career grand slam on either their first, second or third try at it. For Rory to do it on his dozen attempt to finally break through and for it not to be smooth sailing for him to be ahead, behind, way ahead, tied, and then blow it and then win it anyway, it's one of the greatest stories in golf history. And when you then remember that the US Open this year and the PGA this year are on courses he has historically done great at.
- [19:13]
Nick Wright
Yes, yes.
- [19:13]
Kevin Wildes
And the British is in Northern Ireland. Yeah, his home. So it could be a really special year for a player who deserves it.
- [19:23]
Nick Wright
Finally I said this. I think we all know this. It doesn't matter if it's law, real estate, landscaping, you know, there's a top 5 or 6%. And I said if you in the NFL, as I'm watching the same teams draft at the top of the NFL draft, I said my circle of trust is eight NFL franchises, they're not perfect. They miss on a receiver or a quarterback draft and they'll overpay. But owner, gm, coach, quarterback, Bills, Ravens, Eagles, Lions, Chiefs, Rams, Green Bay, San Francisco, Tier 2, they check a lot of boxes, but I'm not there yet. Denver, Seattle, Chargers, Tampa, I think, I think Tampa for 10 years had a good roster. Minnesota, Houston, Washington could go to the tier one, but I need one more year. Am I missing anybody here?
- [20:12]
Kevin Wildes
Oh, so it's so I'm not. So tier one is exactly right. I think that's really well done. I I listen tier 2, I'm just curious, all right, Is there a separate professional football league where the Chargers win big games that I don't have access to? Like I don't know, like I hear, I. It seems like everyone in sports media gets beamed in different Chargers seasons than me. For my entire life, it's like, oh, this is the year. This is. They're so talented. You got them on trustworthy franchises. I don't know, man. I don't. I just watched, like, the NFL that I have. There's even a name for doing something the Chargers do. It's called Chargering. The NFL that I have, we watch them hire the wrong coach. The wrong coach. We. This time they got the right coach. But even he, you know, hey, Justin Herbert, golden arm. Justin Herbert only throws three picks all year, throws four in a playoff game, and they're going to now win the AFC West. I mean, it's just so. I agree with Tier one. I just need to figure out. I pay a lot for Sunday ticket. I need that extra tier that gets the second version of these Charger games that everyone else has because I don't have it. The rest I like.
- [21:31]
Nick Wright
All right. I just. I knew that was going to be the soft spot that you attacked. I had a feeling.
- [21:36]
Kevin Wildes
Yeah, well, exactly. You left your flank unguarded, my friend. I apologize. Good to see you.
- [21:41]
Nick Wright
First things first, my buddy, Nick Wright. Great stuff, as always. Yeah, it's. Well, I like the coach and the quarterback a lot, so there you go. The. No, that. That Rory stuff, was it just. I don't. You know, it's. It's. There's been these go. So I'm. I'm. I got Jack Nicklaus, but I got. I feel like I didn't know golf. I grew up in a small town. We didn't have a golf course, so I really wasn't a golfer. I knew Jack's Story. I've watched documentaries. I knew Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Tom Kite. You know, I. I knew the guys, but I. I do feel like, to a large degree, like Tiger. Not that he introduced me to golf, but I became a big golf fan. I had finally had a little money. I could go golfing on nice courses, blah, blah, blah. So it was Tiger. And then it's. All of a sudden it's Brooks and it's this. And for years and years, I was told, oh, this guy's going to be Tiger. This guy's going to be Tiger, this guy's going to be Tiger. And I always laughed. There is no other Tiger. He's a Comet. He's one of one. But Rory's always kind of felt like Europe's Tiger. The difference is Tiger's better, but Tiger was almost robotic. If he had a lead, he never lost it. Like, he thought he was just known for years. Tiger leads by four strokes, he'll win it by six or more. And I think there's part of what makes Rory so attractive as a television watch is that like Phil Mickelson, he can shoot his way out of a lead. I mean, this guy had a four stroke lead Sunday and it just disappeared instantly. And I'm like, oh, no, no. And part of what makes sports on TV great is you don't know the outcome. Even when they went to the playoff hole, I'm like, no, Justin Rose going, it. There's just, there's just no way. 18. There's just no way. It's not going to work. I was almost hoping, because I was watching it as a. I was on a plane. I watched every stroke on a plane. Literally, the plane took off, first shot, plane landed, last shot of the playoff. And I was thinking, maybe it's better if my streaming device just goes out. And I don't see it. I'm going to be so nothing against Justin Rose. I was going to be so bitter. But it just, I thought it was as good as sports gets. I mean, I've had a few Super Bowls. I felt that way where I was watching. I've had World cup matches, the World cup final. I felt like I was watching some of the greatest television in the history of my life. I've seen a couple of fights live where I felt that. But that was as good as sports gets. It was just so dramatic and so gripping and so tense. And to watch Rory McIlroy go to his knees and just a waterfall of emotion, just crying in front of everybody. And, you know, athletes often say, you know, if he would have lost, he would have said, hey, listen, it hurts. But an athlete doesn't want to just say out there, yeah, like, I got to be honest with you, I don't sleep for weeks after this. But his reaction tells you he wouldn't have slept for weeks after that. And for him to be that vulnerable and just, I mean, just go to his knees and cry, it was like, wow, this is. That is one of the iconic moments. If you have 10 pictures of sports. Yeah. If you had landed on a spaceship down here and you say the Martians come in and go, what is sports? And we got. We're going to give you 10 pictures of what sports is. And one of them is maybe Tom Brady's first one when he's looking around in wonderment after his first super bowl. Like, what in the Hell just happened. One of it's Michael Jordan maybe switching hands in midair.
- [25:03]
Joel Klatt
Another's Ali beating Liston.
- [25:06]
Nick Wright
Sonny Liston. The 10 pictures him hitting that putt and dropping to his knees is like, wow, that is an all time gripping emotional moment. And we were all there to see it. Yeah.
- [25:18]
Joel Klatt
You said something earlier too, that hit me that you can't wait for the British. I wonder, would you have felt that way?
- [25:24]
Nick Wright
Okay, no, I, I love the British. I mean, so no, but I mean.
- [25:26]
Joel Klatt
Because McElroy wins now the British.
- [25:29]
Nick Wright
No, I've thought about it for two days. My three favorite golf tournaments, two are annual. One is the Masters, the other is the British. Regardless of where it's played, I love the U.S. open, but I really love it at Pebble. It's like a painting. I mean, nothing against Pinehurst or anywhere else, but when it's at pebble, it just feels. It's such a unique part of our global golf landscape. Right on the coast, the rocks, the water, so much great history there. But to get that at Augusta, it took so long. I was texting somebody yesterday in the NFL and I said this, I said when I watched the Michael Jordan documentary and I've told my kids this, I said Michael was the best looking player, the best player. He had David Stern and Nike behind him and it was just a struggle. He could never win a playoff series without Scottie Pippen. He had the best coach. He had Scotty Pippen. And it was still hard. And goodwill hunting. Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are these two kids from Boston. They, they, they tried to make that. They tried to get that over a decade of movie studios not good enough passing. Everybody looks at Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Oh, they just walked out to Hollywood. They were stars. 15 years of grinding in Hollywood to get goodwill hunting mate. And Rory McElroy in his. He is a, he is the Tiger of Europe. His 17th Augusta and it almost didn't happen. And I, and I tell my kids this all the time. I don't care what you went to college. I don't care about your resume. The number one quality of success in the world. Are you relentless? Are you literally, you're going to step in it, you're going to be denied, you're going to be mocked. People will be mean. It will be hard. Are you relentless? Can you. How do you react to failure? Because MJ failed and Ronaldo's failed and Messi failed a lot and Matt Damon and Ben Affleck got turned down. I, you know, remember American Idol? You know, the popular show, you know, American Idol was passed on by every American network. Fox eventually came back. Really, it was a 15 year hit or whatever it was. Initially people weren't willing to take a risk. Now it's not going to work here in the States. It was huge in Britain. It's not going to work here. Success is hard and success at the highest levels, even if you're a prodigy, is so incredibly difficult. The thing that burrows through isn't when you went to college or your agent or your connections. Are you relentless? You just never give up. Nothing more important than protecting your home, your loved ones from harm. For millions of Americans, that reassurance starts with SimpliSafe. Go to simplisafecollen.com home security 50% off a new system. No safe like SimpliSafe. One more herd. The herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week within the iHeartRadio app search herd to listen live or on demand, whenever you'd like.
- [28:33]
Colin Cowherd
Count your way into a perfect night with Amex Gold. One restaurant, two friends, three amazing dishes and four times membership rewards points on purchases at restaurants and US Supermarkets. That's the powerful backing of American Express. Terms apply. Capitalize. Learn more@american express.com with amex.t mobile stats.
- [28:49]
Unknown
Are as impressive as your favorite athlete's highlight reel because T Mobile helps keep you connected from the heart of Portland to right where you are on America's largest 5G network switch. Now keep your phone and T Mobile will pay it off up to $800 per line via prepaid card. Visit your local T Mobile location or learn more@t mobile.com KeepAndSwitch up to four lines via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualified unlock device credit service report in 90 plus days device knowledgeable carrier and timely redemption required card is no cash access and expires in six months.
- [29:19]
Jordan Schultz
We live in a divided country.
- [29:21]
Nick Wright
I am a lifelong Republican with all.
- [29:24]
Jordan Schultz
Kinds of different people.
- [29:25]
Kevin Wildes
You know, I'm a mother, I'm a grandmother.
- [29:28]
Jordan Schultz
That's why we started the Middle with Jeremy Hobson. It's about bringing voices not from the extremes but from the vast middle into the national conversation.
- [29:36]
Nick Wright
Anna, I'm calling from Las Vegas.
- [29:38]
Jordan Schultz
Each week we bring together an all star panel. Mark Cuban, so great to have you on the Middle.
- [29:43]
Nick Wright
Thanks for having me. Jeremy.
- [29:44]
Jordan Schultz
Neil Degrasse Tyson, welcome to the Middle.
- [29:46]
Nick Wright
Thanks for having me.
- [29:47]
Jordan Schultz
And hear from ordinary Americans from all over the country on the most important issues.
- [29:51]
Nick Wright
Hi, my name is Venkat. I'm calling you from Atlanta, Georgia.
- [29:55]
Jordan Schultz
And when you subscribe to the Middle, you also get an episode each week called One Thing Trump did that focuses on just one item from the avalanche of news.
- [30:04]
Joel Klatt
We should be examining what our government spends its money on and are these jobs necessary and what are we doing here? But that doesn't seem to be what we're doing in this situation.
- [30:12]
Jordan Schultz
Listen to the Middle with Jeremy Hobson on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [30:18]
Unknown
What's up, everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal and I'm teaming up with the King of spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season season. From DJs mock drafts to my top 101, free agents will have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.
- [30:47]
Nick Wright
Lively show. Nick Wright was great today. Joel Clatt, next hour playing. Game starts tonight. All fired up. Here's Jordan with the news.
- [30:56]
Joel Klatt
No, no, no, no.
- [30:57]
Nick Wright
Turn on the news. This is the Herdline news.
- [31:01]
Joel Klatt
Okay, Colin, the NFL draft next week. Can't believe it. Fired up. We've heard a lot about Cam Ward being the likely number one overall pick to Tennessee. There's been some rumors and some speculation, however, that Louisville's Tyler Schuck. Your guy, Colin, I know you love him.
- [31:18]
Nick Wright
No.
- [31:19]
Joel Klatt
Could be a first round pick and potentially better than Cam Ward. Now, I'm going to tell you this about, about Cam Ward. I, I think he's incredibly talented, but I think the jury remains out on him. And I say that because last year at Washington State, he leaves. He's probably a fourth or fifth rounder two years ago. He's an incarnate word in FCF school. He has one very good year at Miami, but I'm not ready to say definitively he's this super special prospect like we had last year.
- [31:51]
Nick Wright
Oh, yeah. I think he's a B prospect. I think he's the best in this class, but I don't think he's an A prospect. He's a lot of hero ball and backyard football. He's got a really good arm and moves well. He's a playmaker, but I don't think he's a great prospect.
- [32:03]
Joel Klatt
I would argue that if we had last year's crop, I'm not only talking about you Know Caleb May, I'm talking about Daniels, Knicks, Penix, all those guys I think would have been number one overall last year.
- [32:18]
Nick Wright
I agree. Bo Nix, maybe not. I liked him. Sean Payton liked him. I agree. I think last year and the Joe Burrow class where you had like four or five legitimate franchises, guys, this is just, this is closer to the Kenny Pickett class, although better. And I do think there's. I do think the Louisville player and I think Kyle McCord could start in this league. I think Kyle's going to end up being really good. I think he's my sleeper. Maybe he's not. But I think we've beaten this class up so much, don't make it. The Kenny Pickett class where there. There was not a first round quarterback. These guys are draftable. They're all first. All these guys that are getting talked. Even Jaylen Milroe, who's very mechanical. At worst is deep second round pay the late second round pick. @ worst.
- [33:02]
Joel Klatt
Yeah, I think with Cam Ward too, going to a system like Tennessee with not only Brian Callahan, but his dad, you, you get a really good offensive line and you build around him. But, but the expectation I don't think should be. Cam Ward's the savior. I think they really. This is not the type of guy like a Caleb where it was a definitive.
- [33:21]
Nick Wright
Super.
- [33:21]
Joel Klatt
Super.
- [33:21]
Nick Wright
That's right. It's not. That's. You're totally right.
- [33:24]
Joel Klatt
Okay. Sticking with the draft, the Panthers currently hold the eighth overall pick, but reports indicate they're open to trading down and it sets up the potential for a team to come in and snag Shador Sanders ahead of the Saints. Now, in terms of teams mentioned who could trade up, I wonder if a. Pittsburgh is potentially the, the, the, the target. There are 21 right now. If Pittsburgh doesn't get Aaron Rodgers, or even if they do get Aaron Rodgers, if you're Mike Tomlin, if you're Omar Khan, do you look at it and say, you know what? Maybe 21 isn't where we need to be. Maybe we need to get up into the teens. Maybe we need to get up to eight ahead of New Orleans.
- [34:07]
Nick Wright
Pittsburgh's got a really good roster. They have two star receivers. Yeah. They have o linemen they like. Although they could use a left tackle, they could use a running back. But it's a rich draft. They've got their tight end, two receivers, their rush end, interior lineman. Pittsburgh's got a star safety. Pittsburgh is what Seattle was a couple years ago. Remember a couple years ago I said Seahawks, I love you John Snyder, go get a quarterback. Your roster set? I think Pittsburgh's roster today is better than the Seahawks two years ago. To me, Pittsburgh, I mean, if they don't have a quarterback and it's mid April and Aaron's not going to go there, so. And Russ is gone solely, you know, to me, if your scouting department, I mean, Shador Sanders is a much, much better prospect than Kenny Pickett. Yeah, much better. Yeah. I think Kenny Pickett is more in the. Kenny Pickett is much closer to Kyle McCord and I think Kyle McCord is much better than Kenny Pickett. As I've had a GM tell me that Kyle McCord is a very solid mid to late second round pick.
- [35:18]
Joel Klatt
Yeah. I had someone who I trust tell me that if you bring in Shador Sanders to Pittsburgh, he actually is exactly what an Arthur Smith would like because he's going to do exactly what you're supposed to do. He's going to play in the pocket, he's going to run your offense. And I, and I've said this, I think Shador is probably further along than people realize in the sense that he's played a lot of football. Jackson, Colorado won a lot of games, has not had great offensive line play.
- [35:43]
Nick Wright
If you look at the history of the NFL franchise, quarterbacks, Peyton Manning is rare. Number one high schooler, number one college, number one pick, star. There's usually a very bumpy process. It is not linear. Oh yeah, you fall in the draft, you go to a junior college. Mahomes loses in college. And if Shedeur no run game battle line losing record, running for his life. But he did play well against the better teams. So when he had the second best roster in college against much better teams, he was very productive. Jackson Dart beat up on Furman, but when he played Georgia in Alabama and Miss Ole Miss has, you know, 15 NFL bodies minimum on that roster, he didn't play very well. So I am. I think Shedeur is. Is. I think Cam is appropriately slotted. I think Shedeur is better than advertised. And then I think a lot of these guys aren't as good as people think.
- [36:39]
Joel Klatt
Yeah. We discussed Tennessee's decision to move on from. Yeah, Nico. Yeah. Malayala to move on from him yesterday after his nil holdout. So he's reportedly entering the transfer portal and many believe that Belichick's. Bill Belichick's Tar Heels could be a potential landing spot.
- [36:58]
Nick Wright
Yeah.
- [36:59]
Joel Klatt
You know, there is a report now saying that he's. That Carolina is out on him. The. The two schools that have been Linked to him the most. UCLA and Tulane. Who? Quarterback went to Duke.
- [37:10]
Nick Wright
Yeah. UCLA can't afford him.
- [37:12]
Joel Klatt
So that's the key. They have to go to the well and really pony up the money, which they really haven't done. Football?
- [37:17]
Nick Wright
No, I mean they, they spend about $4 million in basketball, but UCLA doesn't have that kind of money. He could play if Oregon wanted him, although I don't think they do. He is in the price range of about seven schools. One of them usc, one of them Oregon, Ohio State, Georgia, Texas.
- [37:35]
Joel Klatt
See, I see USC and that's the one that makes sense to me. It makes sense from where he's from. They've done really well with, with quarterbacks.
- [37:44]
Nick Wright
No, listen, people are banging on this kid that he didn't have any talent. No, he's really talented. I watched him play five times. He's not quite refined enough. And Tennessee was more of a defensive program. Size, arm movement and he absolutely sees the field. But he's young. There are times that he looked overwhelmed. Well, guess what? Tennessee's program was overwhelmed when it played Ohio State. It wasn't just him. Yeah. So I think he's really talented. I think he's going to get, I think on the market he'll get three to three and a half. I don't think he's going to get four. But I would be surprised if USC is not making a run.
- [38:20]
Kevin Wildes
I am.
- [38:20]
Joel Klatt
Olieva, I believe, could be the guy that saves the job of the USC head coach who I know you love.
- [38:30]
Nick Wright
Well, I like Lincoln Riley. His contract is too dynamic.
- [38:35]
Joel Klatt
But he has to win this year. Lincoln. If Lincoln Riley doesn't win this year, even with his buyout, there's been a lot of speculation that USC would move on. So why not bring in a quarterback who we both believe with the right type of season, could be a first round pick?
- [38:49]
Nick Wright
Well, I. What's funny is the last several years I liked USC's quarterbacks, but didn't love the roster. Currently I like USC's roster a lot and I don't love the quarterback. So it's very interesting. Now they probably already paid. I mean, I guarantee you USC has sniffed around this, this idea the kid's not talented. Yes, he is. Size, mobility, arm strength, all there. He's just a kid again. Look at Cam Ward's growth in the last two years. The guys, these guys are 20 years old. They're not 34 year old guys.
- [39:22]
Joel Klatt
Yeah. And also for someone like Nico, if he goes to a system like usc, which has produced a ton of NFL quarterbacks. And he goes to Lincoln Riley, who's coached to Caleb Williams. Why wouldn't it succeed? I feel like that's the perfect fit. There's been a lot of talk about ucla. They had never spent money on their football. It's only a basketball school.
- [39:42]
Nick Wright
No. Yeah, they don't. UCLA to this point has not. Is not in the same class as Oregon, Georgia, Texas, Ohio State, USC for money. USC has really stepped it up in the last six months. Months.
- [39:54]
Joel Klatt
Yeah.
- [39:54]
Nick Wright
Nil wise.
- [39:56]
Joel Klatt
Okay, Colin, this is.
- [39:59]
Nick Wright
That's it.
- [39:59]
Joel Klatt
Actually we. I have four slips of paper. Oh, here we go. To the NBA. Kawaii and the Clippers have been impressive. Winning 13 of their last 15 games, locking up the fifth seed in the West. The Clippers rise. There's potential for a class in la. Clash in la. Down the line in the Western Conference finals with the Lakers. With that said, former NBA point guard Jeff Teague talked about the potential matchup of superstar duos.
- [40:23]
Nick Wright
All right now because Brown 50.
- [40:26]
Joel Klatt
Yeah.
- [40:26]
Nick Wright
I ain't saying Kawak and guard Luca James and Luca kind of cancel each other out. Obviously Luca better because he younger. He can do more but like they both gonna get you. They can get you similar stats on any given night. He gonna. I'll do brown right now. Verse 40. 40 year old Braun. I'm rolling. I'm rolling with Kawhi. No. Yeah. I still don't necessarily trust Kawhi's knee, but when Kawhi goes. When Kawhi is healthy and remember in the playoffs everybody gets equal rest. I also think the Clippers got played really well down the stretch in the regular season. Harden has Noah's delivered in the postseason. Kawhi's health is a question. So I think. Not that it's fool's gold, but I think a little bit of the Clippers late surgeon. I'll believe it when I see it. Let's get to a seven game series and see if everybody is there.
- [41:20]
Joel Klatt
Physically trusting the Clippers is a ridiculous idea. I mean not only has Harden never delivered, but we have been waiting for Kawhi to show up. He shows up 13 2. He's averaging 27 points a game shooting 55. He's been the best player in the league the last six weeks. But for to trust the Clippers against Jokic, who we trust more than anyone and we know we'll show up.
- [41:47]
Nick Wright
Yeah.
- [41:47]
Joel Klatt
Come on. That's blasphemy. I don't see it. Clippers fans have been. They know the rug's gonna be pulled out.
- [41:53]
Nick Wright
It's a Remember late season, regular season, NBA. We all know this. Half the teams are tanking and another half are often resting their players for the playoffs. So when you get into a last 15 games of the regular season and you're trying to play for seeding and every other night you're playing a tanking team or a team that doesn't have much to play for. Now the win Sunday was impressive, but it's like slow down. You see a lot of these late season NBA playoff streaks or winning streaks. Every other night you're playing a tanking team or a team resting stars. Jordan with the news. Well, that's the news and thanks for stopping by the Herd lie news. Back in a second. Joel Clat around the corner it's the Herd. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1 and the iHeartRadio app. Hey, Steve Covino. And I'm Rich Davis and together we're Covino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio. You can catch us weekdays from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific on Fox Sports Radio. And of course, the iHeartRadio app. Why should you listen to Covino and Rich? We talk about every everything. Life, sports, relationships, what's going on in the world. We have a lot of fun talking about the stories behind the stories in the world of sports and pop culture. Stories that, well, other shows don't seem to have the time to discuss. And the fact that we've been friends for the last 20 years and still work together, I mean, that says something, right? So check us out. We like to get you involved too. Take your phone calls, chop it up, as they say. I'd say the most interactive show on Fox Sports Radio, maybe the most interactive show on planet Earth. Be sure to check out Covino and Rich live on Fox Sports radio and the iHeartradio app from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific. And if you miss any of the live show, just search Covino and Rich wherever you get your podcast. And of course on social media, that's Covino and Rich.
- [43:41]
Colin Cowherd
With amex, there's always a new experience to explore, from curating the perfect vacation and chilling in the Centurion Lounge before you get there trying out that new trendy restaurant thanks to Priority notified with global dining access by Resy and getting straight to the action at the big game with card member entrances at select venues with AMEX Platinum, you can experience it all. That's the powerful backing of American Express. Terms apply access to the card member entrance not limited to the American Express Platinum card. Learn more@american express.com with amex.t mobile stats.
- [44:12]
Unknown
Are as impressive as your favorite athlete's highlight reel because T Mobile helps keep you connected from the heart of Portland to right where you are on America's largest 5G network switch. Now keep your phone and T Mobile will pay it off up to $800 per line via prepaid cart. Visit your local T Mobile location or learn more@t mobile.com KeepAndSwitch up to 4 lines via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualifying unlock device, credit service report in 90 days device and eligible carrier and timely redemption. Required card is no cash access and expires in six months.
- [44:43]
Jordan Schultz
We live in a divided country.
- [44:44]
Nick Wright
I am a lifelong Republican with all.
- [44:47]
Jordan Schultz
Kinds of different people.
- [44:48]
Kevin Wildes
You know, I'm a mother, I'm a grandmother.
- [44:51]
Jordan Schultz
That's why we started the Middle with Jeremy Hobson. It's about bringing voices not from the extremes, but from the vast middle into the national conversation.
- [44:59]
Nick Wright
Anna, I'm calling from Las Vegas.
- [45:01]
Jordan Schultz
Each week we bring together an all star panel. Mark Cuban, so great to have you on the Middle.
- [45:06]
Nick Wright
Thanks for having me.
- [45:07]
Jordan Schultz
Jeremy Neil DeGrasse Tyson, welcome to the Middle.
- [45:09]
Nick Wright
Thanks for having me.
- [45:10]
Jordan Schultz
And hear from ordinary Americans from all over the country on the most important, important issues.
- [45:15]
Nick Wright
Hi, my name is Venkat. I'm calling you from Atlanta, Georgia.
- [45:18]
Jordan Schultz
And when you subscribe to the Middle, you also get an episode each week called One Thing Trump did that focuses on just one item from the avalanche of news.
- [45:27]
Joel Klatt
We should be examining what our government spends its money on and are these jobs necessary and what are we doing here? But that doesn't seem to be what we're doing in this situation.
- [45:35]
Jordan Schultz
Listen to the Middle with Jeremy Hobson on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [45:41]
Unknown
What's up everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal and I'm teaming up with the King of Spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs, mock drafts to my top 101 free agents, we'll have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.
- [46:11]
Nick Wright
The stage is set with authority. Looking for the house call. Looking for the end zone.
- [46:29]
Joel Klatt
Touchdown Birmingham.
- [46:32]
Nick Wright
Oh man, chess game's gonna blow.
- [46:38]
Joel Klatt
Looking some magic.
- [46:39]
Nick Wright
He's going to run for it.
- [46:41]
Joel Klatt
End zone.
- [46:46]
Nick Wright
Oh, he pressed the X button to the end zone off the deflection. My. Oh my God. For a touchdown.
- [46:56]
Joel Klatt
This Easter, the UFL takes over spring's biggest weekend with the Fox football extravaganza. First Friday at 8 Eastern, Memphis takes on Michigan. Then Saturday at 7, Birmingham battles Houston. And Sunday at 5, it's San Antonio versus D.C. it's all this weekend on Fox.
- [47:13]
Nick Wright
You know I was thinking about football this morning is that football is so gripping and there's a scarcity of it, right? You get a game every Sunday or a game every Saturday. Mostly is that you never have to look backwards when an NFL player retires unless they're very active like Brady comes to Fox. Troy Aikman is a broadcaster, Chris Collinsworth is a broadcaster, or Peyton Manning's got Omaha production Saturday Night Live. Unless a player's front and center, even a, a wildly popular player like Brett Favre retires, goes to Mississippi, they kind of, you don't hear from him much. We don't look backwards in the NFL baseball very much about history and basketball, like international soccer, it's about iconic players branding, iconic moments, the shoes they wear. And I saw today the 10 top 10 most viewed players this year by a mile, it's LeBron and Steph Curry, Lucas third by a mile. I mean Jason Tatum is going to play probably back to back championships and he has basically one fifth of LeBron's views and one quarter of Steph's views. And then if you go to the jersey sales, Luca, first time ever international player leads it. But Steph's two and LeBron's three. And again, football is not about history or records or style. Basketball is. You say Michael Jordan, you think the tongue out, the diamond earrings, the six for six, the style, the switching hands, the shrug against the Blazers when he hits another three. You think Tom Brady, you think winner. How many Super Bowls is it? Six? Is it seven? We got one in Tampa. How many? It's not about records. Football's about Sunday, who is winning and who is playing Sunday. If the Chiefs and Bills meet in week nine, it will get a bigger rating than the World Series or NBA final game. That's just the reality of it. So I don't think this is a criticism of the NBA. Oh, it's still LeBron and Steph. Michael Jordan still sells more shoes. Michigan football wears the Jumpman logo. Jordan is still the brand, but in athletics, I think in the world he's been gone for a long, long time. All right, Joel Klatz around the corner as we pivot to our number three. Nick Wright was really funny. Put him on the podcast. Today. It's the Herd.
- [49:42]
Jordan Schultz
We live in a divided country, and our media couldn't be more polarizing. That's why we started the Middle with Jeremy Hobson. It's about bringing voices not from the extremes, but from the vast middle into the national conversation. Each week we hear from ordinary Americans from all over the country. And when you subscribe to the Middle, you also get an episode each week called One Thing Trump did that focuses on just one item from the avalanche of news. Listen to the Middle with Jeremy Hobson on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [50:13]
Unknown
What's up, everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal, and I'm teaming up with the King of Spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs, mock drafts to my top 101 free agents, we'll have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday, keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.
- [50:42]
Nick Wright
What's up everyone?
- [50:43]
Colin Cowherd
Julie Swearbanks here, along with former NHL player Nate Thompson.
- [50:46]
Nick Wright
We're doing a new podcast together.
- [50:48]
Joel Klatt
Here we go.
- [50:49]
Nick Wright
The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.
- [50:52]
Joel Klatt
Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right?
- [50:58]
Nick Wright
Exactly.
- [50:59]
Colin Cowherd
And you'll never know who will drop.
- [51:00]
Nick Wright
By to join us.
- [51:01]
Joel Klatt
Julie is pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe.
- [51:06]
Colin Cowherd
Listen to Energy Line with Nate and jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts.
- [51:11]
Joel Klatt
Or wherever you get your podcast.
- [51:13]
Nick Wright
You have to be very careful with tradition because sometimes tradition is just dead people's baggage.
- [51:18]
Colin Cowherd
I'm Jemele Hill, host of the sports and politics podcast Spolitics. On this week's episode, I talked with comedian Roy Wood Jr. About the lack of African American star power in Major League Baseball.
- [51:30]
Nick Wright
Baseball needs an Anthony Edwards, and I don't know who that could be. Mookie Betts is Steph Curry. He's exceptional and likable. Million Dollar Smile. But you also need Chaos Negro.
- [51:44]
Colin Cowherd
Listen to spoletics on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.