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Colin Cowherd
This is an iHeart podcast.
Jason McIntyre
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Alex Curry
Gambling problem. Call 1-800-GAMBLER in New York. Call 877-8-HOPENY or text hopeny 467-369 In Connecticut, help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org Please play responsibly on behalf of Boothill Casino and Resort in Kansas.
Colin Cowherd
21 plus. Age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario.
Alex Curry
Bet must bonus bets expire 168 hours after issuance. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see DKNG Co Audio.
Jason McIntyre
Thanks for listening to the Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio at 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.
Colin Cowherd
Now let's get this party started.
Alex Curry
You're listening. Listening to Fox Sports Radio.
Colin Cowherd
We're back. Our number two here on the herd, Jason McIntyre in for Colin Cowherd. I'm joined today by Alex Curry. Alex, you know NBA finals start tomorrow. I know you're really excited. We haven't talked a lot about the Stanley cup finals like here hockey is happening this week or something like that.
Alexi Lalas
Yeah, I mean, but we got some.
Jason McIntyre
Something.
Colin Cowherd
I. I'm just kidding.
Alexi Lalas
It's funny though, because obviously I used to work in hockey, so I love it and I follow it. And I was following the Kings playoff run. They got got booted once again.
Colin Cowherd
Yeah.
Alexi Lalas
By the Edmonton Oilers. But yeah, it's sim. It's kind of having a similar feel to this NBA Finals right now where everyone's like, oh yeah, the finals are this week. Opposed to like, oh my God, I can't wait for this day. Cuz the final start. So it's.
Colin Cowherd
Yeah, it's a, it's a rough one. We have a really nice guest coming up in 30 minutes. Alexi Lawless, U.S. national Soccer Team legend, also a soccer agitator. Can I call him that? I'm on a text thread with some soccer dads and they're like, oh, I can't stand that Lawless. Oh my goodness. But first we got to start here. Obviously, the Knicks fired Tom Thibodeau yesterday. Bit of a shocker. And we decided we come up with five potential names to replace Tom Thibodeau. Now we just had Mitch Lawrence on and he broke it down in an interesting way. He's like, listen, man, MSG is a pit full of vipers. You. Because it's so insular and they don't talk to the media. Really. Nobody knows who's really making this decision. Like Leon Rose had hired his guy Tibbs. Well, did Leon Rose fire his guy or did Dolan step in? Is Jim Dolan back in charge? And he's going to flex and throw his weight around. And so there's a bit of a mystery as to will Rose get his guy? Will the Players have a say. We know it's a players league. Or is the owner just going to steamroll everybody and say, this is what I want? So I came up with five guys and then we'll have like a special mystery guy at the end, which I'll go a little longer on. But the first guy I'm gonna bring up is Mark Jackson. Nobody's talking about Mark Jackson whatsoever. He's. Well, yeah, I'm on the right side. But listen, this is a guy who was in Golden State for the early Splash Brothers, and he got run off. The worst part for Mark Jackson was right after he got run off, Steve Kerr made a little tweak, right? He put Draymond Green into the death lineup. They went small ball and they made the jump to light speed. And the warriors never looked back. They became a dynasty. And depending on who you talk to, it's like, oh, Mark Jackson couldn't figure it out. We needed Steve Kerr to do that. Now Mark Jackson is a legend in New York City, okay? Born in Queens, like myself, I thought I was a point guard. He actually was a point guard. Went to St. John's legendary player at St. John's what with the Knicks, Mr. Shimmy. I mean, Mark Jackson needs no introduction. The problem is he had some off court stuff that kind of carried over. And then the warriors thing, never. He never was able to rebound from that. And he never got a second chance, which I think is kind of bs. He went to be an announcer, then he got shoved out of that. So Mark Jackson is just out there. And my gut tells me Dolan, wanting to win over the fans, is going to bring in Mark Jackson for an interview. I don't know if he'll get it, but he's on the list. I think the next guy you got to bring up is Michael Malone. Now, Michael Malone won a title in Denver a couple of years ago, and we talked with Mitch Lawrence a little while ago talking about Thibodeau getting fired. He raved about Michael Malone.
Alex Curry
It's a treacherous place if you're a coach because you're the guy who's the face of the franchise. They don't let Leon Rose talk.
Jason McIntyre
Dolan doesn't talk.
Alex Curry
So Tom Thibodeau was the guy who had a talk. Nobody's held accountable in terms of Leon.
Colin Cowherd
Rose or Jim Dolan.
Alex Curry
It's run differently than any other organization and it's been unsuccessful in a lot of ways. You know, it's the anti spurs, anti Miami Heat, whatever you want to call it. They do things their own way. And for the most part, before time came on board, they were irrelevant and a dumpster fire. And they, I think Nick fans probably fear now, that's the road they're headed back on.
Colin Cowherd
So if you listen closely, Mitchell's like, listen, they don't like dealing with the media. Thibodeau did not like dealing with the media. He just wouldn't give much, wouldn't talk a lot. You know who doesn't mind mixing it up with the media? Michael Malone. He'll go right back at you guys. And you know why? Because he won a title with Denver and he talked. He talked trash and backed it up. Now, the interesting thing is I had a Knicks fan tell me, listen, who was Jokic when he came into the league? 2nd round pick? Give me a break. Carl Anthony Towns. You don't think Michael Malone could work with him and take his defense from a a D plus to a B minus? Could he get him to a C plus? Michael Malone really did help Jokic a lot. Why couldn't he do that with Cat?
Jason McIntyre
And.
Colin Cowherd
And I, you know, remember I was pushing Michael Malone during the Detroit series. You know, we could pull that video if you really want to. I know you don't care, but then I backed off when he beat the Celtics, and I don't. Malone really does feel like Thibodeau 2.0. All right, next name on the list again, kind of going off the board here. Steve Nash, Anyone? Steve Nash coached in Brooklyn. It's funny because Steve Nash was great with the warriors as like, a specialty. Coach Kevin Durant loved him. And then Kevin Durant pushed for him when he got to Brooklyn with Kyrie. But what Kevin Durant didn't know is Kyrie Irving was kind of sort of losing his mind at the time and wanted nothing to do with Steve Nash. He famously went on like an Instagram live or whatever and was like, KD and I, with our iq, we don't even need a coach. And I told the story how Steve Nash was in New York. Kyrie said, oh, yeah, come to my place to meet me. And Steve Nash in the rain, went there, and Kyrie just left him on the doorstep for like 20 minutes, ringing the doorbell. Just wouldn't answer it as like a, hey, man, I know you're the coach, but I'm the guy. I built this super team. And it was like, whoa. They got off on the wrong foot. Nash did not last long in Brooklyn, but he's now partnered with LeBron LeBron on a podcast. And we know that worked out well for LeBron's last podcast partner, JJ Redick. Let's see who else we got. We got Mike Brown. Anyone? Mike Brown's kind of been around the league. Smart guy. I don't want to say got railroaded in Sacramento, but it just didn't really pan out for him. Obviously a very good coach in Cleveland. He's been around the league, is considered a defensive guy, which is pretty good, especially when you factor in how bad the Knicks defense was against the Pacers. I believe they gave up 126 points per game in the losses in the series. And it's like that was Tibbs calling card. He couldn't deliver. Can Mike Brown get the defense up to snuff? And finally, I'm going off the board here. Sam Cassell, everybody knows him. Great celebration guy, Sam Cassell. We won't talk about the celebration. Halliburton mimicked it. But Cassell is known as a player's coach. Colin always laughs when I say this phrase, but Sam Cassell's a cool guy. He's funny. He was a great point guard and I do believe he could connect with these guys in a way. Tibbs, who's 67 and much older than Cassell, Tibbs didn't really connect with Bridges and Hart and now that came out in the media, could Cassell be the guy? So those are the five guys that I think will certainly get interviews and deep looks. Michael Malone, obviously, everybody loves that. Mike Brown. I haven't heard as much about Nash. I don't know if I was the first to float him yesterday right after a broke Sam Costello and Mark Jackson. So now I'm going to go with the other guy. And I was not convinced of this and we had a heated four minute debate in the meeting this morning about whether or not Jason Kidd is a viable candidate for the Knicks job. Jason Kidd was the point guard with Carmelo Anthony when the Knicks had a really good run, I don't know, 10 years ago. The problem of course is Jason Kidd is currently under contract with the Dallas Mavericks. But let's be real. Jason Kidd may not love it in Dallas. They, they get to the finals with Luka and then don't consult J Kid and they trade Luca to the Lakers and Jason Kidd. And we don't have video of it, but if you look at the post Luca trade press conference, Jason Kidd is staring straight ahead like he saw a ghost. Yeah, we're doing one ghost reference an hour, people. And I don't, I'm a Knicks fan. I don't know if the Knicks next season is an upgrade from the Mavs. Let me explain. Yes, the Knicks are in the east. No Tatum Celtics pull back. Knicks are going to be one of the three best in the East. Dallas gets Cooper Flag. They have Anthony Davis, Gafford for Now, Derek Lively, P.J. washington and Kyrie Irving's hurt and will be out. I'm going to generously say the all star break maybe March 1st. So there will be some struggles. Here's why I think Dallas is interesting given the number one pick of Cooper Flag. I believe they will be active in free agency and they will be making trades. I think Gafford is gone. I think you could probably trade Gafford to a team looking to off road salary and hello Drew Holiday and the Boston Celtics. So now if you're just looking at a playoff lineup in Dallas, potentially Jrue Holiday, Kyrie Irving, PJ Washington, Lively and ad that's maybe a truck in the West. And my main man, Cooper Flag, future NBA MVP Cooper Flag would be your sixth man, Super Max Christie, seventh man. I know, Super Max. Hahaha folks, that's a hell of a lineup. The Knicks have some flexibility this offseason, but when you look at the roster it's like are they too top heavy and I don't know how much movement they'll actually make. So could you convince Jason Kidd hey man, we're gonna trade for you Then the other problem is the Dicks don't have a ton of assets to trade for Jason Kidd. And oh by the way, they owe $30 million to Tom Thibodeau. So now you're giving up assets, then you gotta pay J kid and you still gotta pay Thibodeau. It just, it doesn't seem like a winning play for the Knicks. It's weird. I didn't like the Mavs trade at all. But then they get Cooper Flag in the lottery and now I've got to get back to being a Mavs fan. I love them when they had Luca just because I like Luca. But the Knicks, everybody's painting. This is, this is a great job. Is it? I don't know. The Phoenix Suns just hired a guy named Jordan. Not just kidding. Jordan Ott. I have no idea who that guy is, but Phoenix Suns are clearly hitting hitting the detonation button on the franchise. It's probably going to be Devin Booker and a bunch of dudes because Bradley Beal is going to wave his no trading clause and be gone. But like that's what the Suns were picking Jordan Ott So why are we mentioning for the next Michael Malone? Maybe he wants to go into tv. We saw him during, I think it was a West. Yeah, Western Conference finals. We saw him on TV talking about how SGA was the real mvp. Thought it was a shot of Joker. I digress. But it's like, is the Knicks job that good on the surface? Hell yeah. Just went to the conference finals. Two games from the NBA finals. So Jason Kidd's an interesting name. My guess is it doesn't happen. But we know his history with the Knicks. He's a Hall of Fame point guard. If you're making a list of all time great point guards, kid has to be top six, right? I mean, this is one of the great point guards in NBA history. So I don't know. It's going to be fascinating. Knicks head coaching watch. Can't wait. Coming up next, Adam Silver gave the guys on Breakfast Ball this morning a big update on potential change coming to the All Star game. Alex Curry will have that for us. Next in herd line that's next year on the herd. For hot water that never runs out, Go Tankless with Navient right now. Save hundreds on a new high efficiency tankless water heater with local rebates. Find the name of your navient contractor@tanklessmadesimple.com tankless made simple.com.
Alex Curry
One more herd the herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week within the iHeartRadio app search heard to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like.
Jason McIntyre
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 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. Everybody loves a good MVP story. And the story of Wasabi Technologies is one of the best. Wasabi is purpose built to free businesses from skyrocketing storage costs and unpredictable egress fees from old and top heavy legacy providers. You know the big guys. Wasabi is the world's hottest cloud storage company, becoming the go to provider for professional and collegiate sports teams and leagues around the world. And here's why. From Wasabi's AI enabled intelligent media storage, Wasabi Air to the industry's only cloud storage service with triple protection against cybercriminals, data deletion and ransomware, Wasabi has taken the lead in driving innovation in data storage, eliminating overhead where it matters to deliver you results you can count on and won't break the bank. In fact, Wasabi's up to 80% less than those other guys and doesn't charge a cent for businesses to access their own data. Wasabi Another championship story. Check them out for free@wasabi.com Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage proud partner of the Volume Podcast Network the NBA Finals are almost here and every play could be the one that changes everything. This is the NBA playoffs. Legacies are built, heroes rise and the action never lets up. With DraftKings Sportsbook, an official sports betting partner of the NBA, you don't just watch the madness, you live it back. Your favorite team ride with your clutch time killer. Bet on the buzzer beaters, the breakout performances, the game winning threes player props to same game parlays. This is how you take your fandom to the next level. If you're new to the game, no sweat. Just download the DraftKings sportsbook app. Takes 90 seconds. Bet just five bucks. That's it. Five bucks. If your bet wins, you'll score $300 in bonus bets. It's that easy. Download the DraftKings sportsbook app. The code is heard H E R D code Herd for new customers to get 300 bucks in bonus bets. If your $5 bet wins only on DraftKings, the crown is yours.
Alex Curry
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Colin Cowherd
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Alex Curry
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Colin Cowherd
See DKNG co Audio back here on the Herd. Alexi Lalas coming up in studio to talk. Gosh, I love song. But first let's go to Alex with the news. No turn on the news.
Alex Curry
This is the third line news.
Alexi Lalas
J Mac let's kick things off in the NFL with the number one overall pick, Cam Ward, who has been flying under the radar a bit in Tennessee, but his teammates have been impressed with him at camp. Wide receiver Calvin Ridley has played with a bunch of teams, but he says his rookie QB stands out.
Colin Cowherd
Just calm, relax.
Alex Curry
So I mean you need that at the quarterback position.
Colin Cowherd
Just be an overthinker guy.
Alex Curry
You just got to kind of, you.
Colin Cowherd
Know, be okay with, you know, you know, doing good and you know, just gotta have that.
Alexi Lalas
So yes, the right mentality, you know, you're hearing all the right things. You want to hear about your number one overall pick but again, like this is not a great roster. They had the number one overall pick for a reason. They had three wins last season. They're over under for win totals instead of five and a half this year. They don't have a great offensive line to you just hope that he can stay healthy and you, you really never know what you're going to get with the rookie quarterback anyway. I just hope he has a solid rookie season. It's just, it's not like a sexy.
Colin Cowherd
Topic team have, have they ever. Well I guess when they had Derrick Henry they were had some juice.
Alexi Lalas
Yeah. But even, even having like one of the top players in the league at the time, like he was in commercials running through brick walls like still not.
Colin Cowherd
They almost need a right the Tennessee.
Alexi Lalas
Well that's what they were hoping like Cam Warden was going to be like the whole city Was behind like, similar to Chicago with Caleb Williams. Like, you have the number one pick. This is the guy you have to take. This is going to save our franchise. So. But again, like it wasn't like a super strong quarterback draft as we talked about. He was definitely the, the top candidate, but he's also still not the most popular like I most talked about. Rookie.
Colin Cowherd
No, definitely quarterback. It's funny, I feel like two years ago he was at Washington State being as a quarterback there and then upgraded to Miami. Yeah. And now here he is, number one pick. Like, that's quite a meteoric rise. And he's largely anonymous. I mean, if you walked into the studio, would you know Cameron?
Alexi Lalas
No, he's not a. He's not a, like a face brand. Right. He's not a face brand right now. But again, if he has an incredible rookie season, which is hard when you're not on a great team where every position on your team is below average, especially the offensive line because that's who protects you. And they.
Colin Cowherd
That's a brutal.
Alexi Lalas
They have a tough schedule.
Colin Cowherd
Denver and Rams defenses are top.
Alexi Lalas
Brutal and bone. It's like put on it like that was I think a big rookie surprise last year that took everybody.
Colin Cowherd
No expectations.
Alexi Lalas
No expectations. So that's when I think rookies can kind of surprise and rise. But there's not high expectations for Cam. But there are expectations as a number.
Colin Cowherd
One overall, by the way you played sports.
Alexi Lalas
Yes.
Colin Cowherd
What is the effort mentality is. Can we put that for the layman, for the, for the folks at home in Cincinnati watching. What is the effort mentality?
Alexi Lalas
Like you just kind of do whatever it takes to get there. Like there were other reports like he's like, you know, first one there, last one to go. Like he's. He's in the coaches room, they have to kick him out. Like, so he's doing whatever it takes to get there. But there's two different ways. Like there could also be the effort mentality. Like you don't really care whatever happens. But like, yeah, but this felt like. And what we're hearing and reading is like, no, like if what everyone else is saying, I'm gonna do whatever it takes to help turn this franchise around. So that's the way I was taking it.
Colin Cowherd
Largely.
Alexi Lalas
Yeah. All right, let's switch to the NBA. Adam Silver was on Breakfast Fall this morning and he's a change that we've all wanted to see. J. Mac, I can't wait for you.
Colin Cowherd
To hear this about the concept of USA versus the world. Is that something that we will see possibly next year. As you continue to try to tinker with the weekend.
Alex Curry
I'm not exactly sure what the format will be yet. I mean, obviously paid a lot of.
Jason McIntyre
Attention to what the NHL did with the.
Colin Cowherd
Which was a huge success.
Jason McIntyre
Which was huge.
Alex Curry
Frozen. Yeah, that was awesome. But also, you know, going back, you know, last summer, our Olympic competition was a huge success.
Alexi Lalas
Anything would be better at this point than what they were doing at the NBA All Star Game. And as he mentioned, we saw the NHL do this kind of tournament style All Star Game where it was USA versus Canada and all these other countries, and it was a huge success and guys were fired up for it. The thing with the NBA All Star Game, it sounding like it. What would be like USA versus everybody else, USA versus the world, or would it be tournament style? We don't know exactly yet, but it sounds like they're definitely going to do something also, because the All Star Game is going to be in the middle, I think you're saying, of the Winter Olympics. And it's back on NBC. So it's going to be in the middle here in la. Yeah, it's going to be in the middle of Olympic coverage. So it kind of makes sense to have it be like a country versus country. And I've covered a lot of tournaments. I've covered a lot of championship. I covered the Olympics, I covered the World Cups.
Colin Cowherd
Oh, yeah.
Alexi Lalas
There's nothing compares to playing Ford representing country. It's a different level.
Colin Cowherd
And, you know, I don't know if Alexi Law is in the studio, but given what's going on politically in the world, this is not the worst format.
Alexi Lalas
It could be a good thing.
Colin Cowherd
Yeah. I mean, you could get all those Canadian guys. Guys. And they would. They would really want to win the game against us. I am curious, though, will it. Will it just be like a regular basketball game? Because, like, I don't want to be a negative guy here, but, like, it's a regular, regular basketball game. I don't want LeBron log in 35 minutes in an all Star Game in February.
Alexi Lalas
I don't think he will. But again, like, basketball in the Olympics did well. People wanted to watch it, like, and you had superstars and other teams. Yeah, that's like representing their country.
Colin Cowherd
Country.
Alexi Lalas
And again, people are going to be in the Olympic spirit. They think it's happening during the Winter Olympics all on NBC. So it kind of makes sense to keep it in that theme. You also have to remember, like, it's funny to be like, oh, these guys need more Incentive because each player wins $125,000. When you win the NBA All Star.
Colin Cowherd
Most of these guys, that's pocket change.
Alexi Lalas
It is. But still it's like it's get. Make it a pride thing. And I think when you represent your country and something like that, it becomes more of a pride because it's not just about the money. Okay, last story here. The Ravens had a disappointing finish in the playoffs last year and it's part because of wide receivers. A Flowers missed the game with a knee injury. But Flowers now back in action and he's feeling good. Take a listen.
Jason McIntyre
My knee.
Alex Curry
Great.
Colin Cowherd
I feel 100%. I feel like I'm ready to go. Feel like I'm ready for the season. No limits. When you play 17 games just to get to the first playoff game and you can't play in it, it's always hard. So that was kind of. I think that was my first time, second time missing a game ever and it was. Missing a playoff game is different.
Alexi Lalas
Yeah, it's a big deal when he ranks first on the team and targets receptions and receiving yards. But Lamar Jackson has weapons now, right? Guess they flowers they just picked up Deandre Hopkins, a veteran this offseason. They have Derrick Henry. We need to see some playoff results from Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. He is 3 and 5 in the playoffs. He's an amazing, incredible MVP regular season quarterback. But we have not seen the results.
Colin Cowherd
In the in the playoffs.
Alexi Lalas
That's what needs to happen.
Colin Cowherd
You got to be careful, Alex. You know you say stuff about Lamar Jackson not in the playoffs are coming after you Internet mom.
Alexi Lalas
I love Lamar Jackson. He is a one of a kind dual threat quarterback who is an MVP player twice during the regular season. But we need to see that carried over into the playoffs. And he has the weapons. He should be able to do it. I mean it's three and five in the playoffs as a two time mvp.
Colin Cowherd
Yeah, we needed results in that. I totally forgot Zay Flowers was injured and missed that playoff game. Yeah, damn. I totally forgot.
Alexi Lalas
That was huge. Especially since he ranked first in all.
Colin Cowherd
The, all the team stuff seven months ago. But anyways. All right, Alex with the news.
Alex Curry
Well, that's the news and thanks for stopping by the Herd lie news.
Colin Cowherd
All right. Alexi Lalas coming up here on the Herd in a moment. Real quick. You know, obviously you guys know I'm a humongous soccer fan. I own a minority share of a soccer team. Just so happens we are playing against Lionel Messi in later this summer. Obviously I'll be There. Very excited. I've seen Messi live against here at the Galaxy out here. It was just a phenomenal experience. But USA Soccer is going through a little tumult. So that's why I was like, listen, we got to get Alexi Lawless out here. Christian Pulisic obviously was being compared to Messi Alex. By the coach, right? The head coach.
Alexi Lalas
Yeah.
Colin Cowherd
And it was just like, what are we doing here? So Alexi Lawless is ready. Come on in. Alexi Lawless, one of the great soccer players in the history of American soccer.
Alex Curry
Hello.
Jason McIntyre
Hello.
Alex Curry
Let me, let me go to the brains of the organization first. Hello, beautiful.
Jason McIntyre
How are you? All right.
Alex Curry
Hello, young man.
Jason McIntyre
How are you?
Alex Curry
My goodness, they're scraping the bottom of the barrel here. Oh, my goodness.
Colin Cowherd
So, wow. Alexei's just such a big deal. So behind the curtain. So my daughter does like a dance thing and she was in this performance at the end of the year, and I park and I roll up and who do I see? Alexi Lawless and his wife. And you should see when he walks into a building how many people are like, oh, my, that's a soccer legend.
Alex Curry
That guy owes me money.
Colin Cowherd
Yeah. And also he's going after a certain U.S. soccer star for sitting out a big upcoming tournament. I'll let you take it away because you said it great on your podcast.
Alex Curry
Well, listen, we are, you know, let's. For, for all intents and purposes, we're a year away from what I think is going to be the biggest soccer summer ever from a United States perspective, the World cup in 2026. This summer we have the Gold cup, which, by the way, you can see on Fox, we'll be bringing that to you. Christian Pulisic, who is not arguably, I think he is our biggest star and absolutely is a in pen starter for this US Men's national team, has decided that he needs to rest. Now, look, athletes, I get it. At times you need to rest. The problem is that, you know, way back before you guys were born, if I had thought about what the summer of 25 would look like relative to the summer of 26 when we're going to host the World Cup, I don't think that I would have envisioned the negativity and the cynicism. And this is probably the worst part, the apathy relative to this team, given their recent failures and given the worry about what's going to happen next summer. And so look, Christian Pulisic is going to be fine. He'll get his rest and I think he'll star next summer but this was an unnecessary own goal in that this was a summer where you had the opportunity through the Gold cup to come in, do well and kind of regain some of that momentum. And that belief that I think is necessary and is missing right now, not just the soccer public, but the greater public that we need to cultivate over the next year to have the best damn World cup ever on the field and off the field.
Colin Cowherd
By the way, I'm just curious, do you think internally USA Soccer, when they heard that there were like alarm bells going off, like, guys, come on, why isn't he like load management?
Alex Curry
Yeah, load management is such a load of crap.
Colin Cowherd
What is he, 26 years old?
Alex Curry
Look, and I know, I try not to grumpy old man things. I recognize that I played in a different time, but I cannot fathom or understand or relate to ever saying no to my country when they call me. And I don't think that this is a generational type of thing because I see plenty of other players that play every single game for their country and would move heaven and earth to get on that plane to go wherever it is. Not for nothing, but Messi plays a lot of games. So I think it is, it's concerning. I think it was weak, like I said. And I also think that Pochettino, who is the new coach of the US Team, in a strange way, I think he kind of played this wrong. Maybe, maybe not. Maybe this lights a fire and said, alright, Christian, you're going to get the summer off, but you better bring it for this next year and obviously next summer. Or he could have played it where, you know what, I'm going to take the heat for this. I'm going to say, Christian, you wanted to come in, but I'm going to make you go rest and I'm going to take the heat for it. But he didn't do that. So it's going to be very interesting the dynamic that exists this summer. Hey, look, I'm all in on this group that's going to be this summer because they have a great opportunity again a year before the World cup to show their wares, to prove to Mauricio Pochettino, who you're seeing on your screen right now, the new coach of the U.S. national team who's being paid $6 million a year. But this is a short term type of thing. He has to make sure that he assesses this group and make sure he has the best collection of players, not the best players, the best collection of players. So we hit the ground running next.
Colin Cowherd
Summer so is there a world where there is a positive here? Hey, you know what? We don't need him for the Gold Cup. Let's see some new young guys, some fresh blood in there, new coach. I'm sure some of these young guys who are itching to get on the field are like, hey, this is my opportunity.
Alex Curry
Yeah. I mean, there's a, there's a dumbo that you can fly without the feather. Don't worry, you're going to be good. And you can do this without Christian Pulisic and it just augments it when he comes back to the team. But to your point, I think what we're going to see here at maybe the last chance saloon for guys to step up. Guy like Diego Luna, who's playing over in Salt Lake. Young guys like Sebastian Berhalter. Yes, you might recognize that name because he's the son of previous coach Greg Burhalter, who got fired. Who. Macio Pochettino took his position, but he's playing really well up in, up in Vancouver. I think this is an opportunity for them to step up and say, you know what? I would never refuse a call with my national team. I'm going to show you what I can do. And next summer, come next summer, I'm going to put on that red, white and blue and do good things.
Colin Cowherd
Now, historically, we've dominated the Gold cup, but is it fair to say we're not a lock this year, given some of the guys who are not playing for us?
Alex Curry
Well, we have gone to Gold Cups in the past with what would not be considered our A team and still won it. So, yes, this is. If we were to win the world, the Gold cup this summer, it's. And again, the Gold cup is just relative to our region, so North America and the Caribbean. So, you know, you have your usual suspects in terms of Mexico, Canada, which is doing a really good job right now, but usually we are, you know, winning it or going to the final. And I would expect nothing, nothing less in terms of this group. Now, you get a pat on the back. Well done. A feel good type of moment, but obviously you have greater aspirations and it gets much, much more difficult to win an actual World Cup. But you know what? You play the, the, the tournament in front of you, and if we've won it so many times in the past, fine. This group, go out there and, and prove to everybody that you are worthy of our time, because that's what people want to see. People, people are forgiving, I think, especially when it comes to the soccer World. They want to see a team that they can sink their teeth into and believe in. That represents what I feel is the greatest country in the world, both on and off the field in the way that they play, play in what they give and you can, you know, it's like the Supreme Court definition of obscenity, right? I, I, I can't tell you what it is, but I know it when I see it. Well, we know it when we see it on the field for the U.S. men's National Team. And unfortunately we haven't seen it enough.
Colin Cowherd
Now, I, I, you and Stu Holden had a pretty good debate about Pulisic and I, I feel like he should be out there and I don't want to get you to say something you don't want to, but in a way he's kind of letting us down. Not playing like Fox obviously would love him to play.
Alex Curry
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I, I mean, is he letting us down only because of the, the, the moment? Again, players can take time off and I, I don't get it. To be quite honest. I don't, I, I don't get it. I don't know if he's letting us down, but I think he is putting actually more pressure on himself going forward. Maybe that's not necessarily a bad thing. And again, I just think it sends the wrong message at the wrong time. I mean, look, World Cups are great, but I am sitting here in this chair not just because of a World cup, but because of a home World Cup. It is a whole different level. And yes, guess what? Not only is it an opportunity, but it's a responsibility. And for those of us off the field, we have a responsibility to make sure that it is the most kick ass tournament, not tournament event that the world has ever seen. And on the field, Christian Pulisic and company, they have a responsibility to make sure that we don't regress. Not just in the eyes of the world, but in the eyes of America.
Colin Cowherd
So realistic. Last one on the US Realistic for 2026 quarterfinals.
Alex Curry
Sure.
Colin Cowherd
Semifinals. Reaching too much. Yeah.
Alex Curry
I mean look, in 2002 we were arguably a handball away from going to a semifinals. Things can happen. Soccer gods have to smile upon you. Also keep in mind this is the biggest World cup ever. 48 teams, which means there's actually another round. So there's, there's eight games now in order to win, win the World Cup. So absolutely getting out of the group, that shouldn't even be a question. Regardless of, of who they draw. And then you win that round of 32, I guess it would be. And then you start facing some real teams that you could look at as equal or better than us. But at some point, you got to win a big game.
Colin Cowherd
So we talked a lot about Pulisic. A certain guy named Messi is playing way more than anybody thought he would, playing, like full games at this stage in his career. Are you surprised? Because a lot of people thought it was, oh, he's just going to come to the mls, do a victory tour, collect some checks and be done. He's playing a lot. I'm personally shocked.
Alex Curry
I mean, what he's doing for soccer, obviously for Major League Soccer and for Inter Miami and that brand down there is exactly what he is being paid a lot of money for. But that he is doing it at that level, that's, you know, that's. It's a pretty cool thing to see. Now, you know, we're about to do the Nations League, by the way, coming up on FS1 today, Cristiano Ronaldo and company playing with Portugal against Germany. So, you know Cristiano ronaldo, but Cristiano's 40. But it was always been kind of about his physique and his physical abilities as opposed to Messi, who. You see him walking down the street. If you don't know anything about soccer, you're like, I don't know. There does not go the greatest, potentially greatest player ever to play the. Ever to play the game. But it's wonderful what he's doing for club and country. Excuse me, but it's going to be really interesting to see a year from now not just Messi with Argentina, but Messi defending his World Cup. Oh, by the way, in his new homeland and backyard of the United States.
Colin Cowherd
That's pretty incredible. You mentioned Ronaldo. It sounds like he's done. He had his little trip to Saudi Arabia. That's over. Maybe.
Alex Curry
I mean, he got paid, that's for sure.
Colin Cowherd
Was it. Is there a world where he lands in the mls?
Alex Curry
Yeah, there absolutely is a world where he lands in the U.S. i mean, kind of the final frontier for him. And when I say him, we're also talking about his brand. I'm here for it. Bring it. You know, I love it. I know that, you know, the whole retirement type of thing gets thrown around, but these are arguably two of the best players ever to play the game, and that we have them. And you just mentioned what Messi is doing is great, but they've also, their. Their brands are relative to what they have done with each other and against each Other over the years and to kind of re. Rejuvenate. That would be kind of cool.
Colin Cowherd
I gotta ask about. You know, everybody wants to know who's got next, right? So we thought Messi would probably have retired. He sounds like he's Gonna play in 2020.
Alex Curry
Oh, yeah.
Colin Cowherd
Oh, yeah. Ronaldo. I'm gonna go ahead and get. He's gonna be there, but we're waiting on Mbappe. And then this young kid comes up at Euros last year. I happen to be in Europe during. And it was like, Jamal, this guy's. Does he have next. Is he on that stage? He's only 17. Turns 18 next month.
Alex Curry
It's. It's incredible. And I think we were actually just talking about this in the. In the green room, because we're going to be talking about it on our nation's league coverage today. I think that he is. He is hurt by the fact that he's a teenager, and it's. It's unfair because not only do I believe he's the best player in the. In the world today.
Colin Cowherd
Ooh.
Alex Curry
But he's the best player in the world today who just happens to be a teenager. And that's how quickly this has happened. The other thing is we were just talking about Messi at their height. Messi and Ronaldo, we talked about how, well, we're never going to see this again. Nobody's ever going to perform at these types of levels. And yet. And this is a great thing for the sport, whether you're La Liga, whether you're Barcelona, whether you're FIFA, or whether you're just into the sport, that the. That it can happen, that another player can burst on the scene, young player, grab our hearts and minds and do things that we thought never would be done again. I think that says a lot for the player, but it also says a lot for the sport. The sport evolves.
Colin Cowherd
Now, listen, I know you're a hot take guy, but Yamal, over Mbappe right now.
Alex Curry
Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.
Colin Cowherd
Like, no question.
Jason McIntyre
Oh, yeah, yeah.
Alex Curry
Mbappe is great. And I'm talking about it relative to the Bond or. Or if we were just doing a pickup game here.
Colin Cowherd
Who.
Alex Curry
You.
Colin Cowherd
Who.
Alex Curry
Who are you picking?
Colin Cowherd
Right, well, I'm going. I like speed, so I'm going. Mbappe, that's fine.
Alex Curry
But, you know, pickup games are usually a much smaller space.
Colin Cowherd
Yeah. All right. Alexi Lawless, you'll see them on our UEFA Nations League coverage. Yeah.
Alex Curry
Today we have Portugal against Germany, and tomorrow Spain against France. So you're in Bape, by the way. Yamal, so that's going to be, that's gonna be fun to see.
Colin Cowherd
We get Ronaldo and then we get Yamal. I mean, it doesn't get much better than that.
Alex Curry
And then Gold cup kicking off here in a couple of weeks. So we got a lot of stuff going on. You're still gonna hang out with them or what? What's, what's school on?
Colin Cowherd
She's got bigger things going on. Really?
Alex Curry
I mean, yeah, you got much bigger things.
Colin Cowherd
Much bigger things going on.
Alex Curry
Oh, my goodness.
Alexi Lalas
I'm around for another.
Alex Curry
I mean, you're gracing, gracing him and us with our, with your presence here.
Colin Cowherd
All right, Alexi Lawless, great stuff. Coming up next here on the Herd, One NBA star currently in the Finals thinks super teams are done for good. His answer doesn't make sense.
Alex Curry
Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1 and the iHeartRadio app.
Jason McIntyre
Hey, it's 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 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.
Alex Curry
Stories that, well, other shows don't seem.
Jason McIntyre
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.
Alex Curry
We like to get you involved, too.
Jason McIntyre
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. 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 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 the BMW ix. Everything you love about the ultimate driving machine. Electrified. Everybody loves a good MVP story. And the story of Wasabi Technologies is one of the best. Wasabi is purpose built to free businesses from skyrocketing storage costs and unpredictable egress fees from old and top heavy legacy providers. You know the big guys. Wasabi is the world's hottest cloud storage company, becoming the go to provider for professional and collegiate sports teams and leagues around the world. And here's why. From Wasabi's AI enabled intelligent media storage, Wasabi Air, to the industry's only cloud storage service with triple protection against cybercriminals, data deletion and ransomware. Wasabi has taken the lead in driving innovation in data storage, eliminating overhead where it matters to deliver you results you can count on and won't break the bank. In fact, Wasabi is up to 80% less than those other guys and doesn't charge a cent for businesses to access their own data. Wasabi Another championship story. Check them out for free@wasabi.com Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage proud partner of the Volume Podcast Network if you're an inventory specialist in a warehouse, Grainger knows you've probably faced A situation like this, before your forklift, your facility's workhorse is leaking hydraulic fluid. And with a full schedule of shipments on the docket, this has the potential to cause a major delay of game. But you're not worried. You're prepared for this type of situation, and you have an ace in the hole. Granger Grainger offers professional grade products for every industry, from hydraulic oils and hoses. So much more, plus next day delivery. So you can be confident that you'll have the product you need on hand to fix that forklift and get it back in the game. Call 1-800-granger. Click granger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.
Alexi Lalas
Horse racing's greatest test returns as sovereignty and journalism face off in the 157th Belmont Stakes. Two of the season's biggest names, one race to settle it all coverage begins Saturday at 4pm Eastern, live on Fox.
Colin Cowherd
All right. I, I don't know. I got two kids at home who are young and they like to speak in Internet lingo like, ngl, not gonna lie. Yeah, I'm sure everybody knows that, obviously, so I'm not gonna lie. But the take I had yesterday on give me super teams or give me death, it's kind of been a big deal on the Internet. It's approaching 2 million views, and people are angry with me, obviously. Oh, my God, Jason, you are a leadist. You only want to see the best. Yeah, of course. You think I'm going to the Mission Impossible series when they replace Tom Cruise. Good luck. But Miles Turner, the center of the Indiana Pacers, was asked about super teams, and I don't think he understands super teams because here's what he had to say.
Alex Curry
I think the years of the super teams and, you know, stacking is just not. It's not as effective as it once was. You know what I mean? This NBA, since I've been a league, you know, this NBA is very trendy. You know, it just shifts. But the new trend now is just kind of what we're doing. OKC does the same thing. You know, young guys get out and run, defend and, you know, use the power of friendship is how they, how they call it.
Colin Cowherd
The power of friendship. Yeah. Okay. That may be the trend in the NBA. Is it a winning trend? I don't know. Baseball seems to be inching closer back to, hey, give us the super teams, NBA, you don't want them. We'll gladly take Yankees and Dodgers in the World Series every freaking year. I'm sure you guys saw the Numbers from the Yankees Dodgers series over the weekend. Kind of massive. Yeah. Can I have the best two players in the sport, Ohtani and Judge, going at it? Yeah, I love that. I mean, again, I've said this for a couple years now. If you ask Adam Silver. Adam, who do you want to see in the NBA Finals? Undeniably. Well, I want LeBron versus Curry in the conference finals and in the East. Give me Boston or New York. That's what. That's what Adam Silver would want. Now, super team seems to have gotten lost in the sauce. A lot of people just don't seem to understand, or they're being willfully ignorant and they're trying to act like this is not a super team. I don't care if OKC wins this championship and the next one and the next one. They're not a super team. Not as they are currently constituted. An NBA super team is when, as Miles Turner said, friends get together and join forces. They leave their old team either by demanding a trade or through free agency and they go to join other dudes. LeBron created a super team in Miami. The Celtics created a super team with KG and Ray Allen to join Paul Pierce. Those teams, because you've got stars suddenly joining forces, become instantly hated. Nobody hated the warriors, except maybe Charles Barkley. Kept calling them a jump shooting, fraudulent team. Kind of wrong about that, Chuck. Nobody hated those warriors until they got Kevin Durant who left okc. Are we understanding now? Like, teams didn't don't like when stars join forces and owners hate that. And fans, they get upset. But that's a winning formula. It's polarizing. Hence the interest. Okay, when Kevin Durant, Kyrie and James Harden joined forces in Brooklyn, it was like, oh, what? What do we have here? I gotta watch them on TV on Christmas, on opening night, on every relevant night. I got to see that. That's must see TV. OKC is never going to be must see TV. They will be. The Spurs 2.0, a boring group that was homegrown and wins a lot. But they're not polarizing. No. I mean, maybe just because I don't love sga. I think he's a really, really good player. But if you ask me, J. Mac, who you got you building around? Everybody's healthy. Jason Tatum or sga. It's Tatum in a heartbeat. It's not even close for me. Like, I like sga. He's just in a great, great spot. He's on the best college basketball team in the NBA. They got a bunch of young guys. Alex Caruso is their old dude. There is nothing super or polarizing about okc. So Miles Turner, I. I just don't really think he gets it. And he is right about one thing, that the super team era is over. So we had our staff put together. Sadly, the super team graveyard where all the great teams lie. And there are the Heatles. You got the Celtics. Remember those rockets? Oh, I forgot about those. Ah, Charles Barkley. Where you at? Buddy Barkley and Clyde Drexler. Get me to a winning team. I can't win in Portland. I can't win in Phoenix. Get me to a winner. Ah, Charles Barkley forgets he was on a super team in the 90s. I forgot. Thank you to our staff for putting that out there. And again, I have nothing against what OKC is doing. It's great. I just don't think it's that interesting. And I told you guys, I play in men's leagues. And I got one guy who he played at Chaminade. He's a really good player. He just is obsessed with SGA now. And he said to me, look at these stats for sga. Oh, my gosh, he's so good at this. Is it okay to not like, how's this? How's this? Derrick Rose, to me, was infinitely more fascinating than sga. Do you remember when he hit the league like a comet? Oh, my gosh. D. Rose was incredible with the Bulls that first series against the Celtics. I still remember it. He was unstoppable. I don't remember any series of SGA at all.
Alex Curry
What?
Colin Cowherd
Wiping the floor with the Grizzlies. Okay. Struggling to get by Jokic and his merry band of middling players. Like, I mean, Aaron Gordon had one leg in. In game seven. Michael Porter Jr. Had one shoulder like, come on, Timberwolves. I don't know. Anthony Edwards and company, like, the Thunder are a really good team. They're probably going to destroy Indiana in the finals. I will make a case for the Pacers tomorrow. That's what I do. Make a case for the underdog. But no super team is just. It just leaves me wanting a little bit more. Now, if the Knicks could somehow get Giannis. That's a super team, my friends. I don't know how you pull that off. I don't think it's possible. But coming up next year on the show, let's go to New York. What happened to Tom Thibodeau? Who's behind the firing? The players, the gm, the owner. That's next.
Jason McIntyre
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Colin Cowherd
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The Herd with Colin Cowherd: Episode Summary – "Some Think Super Teams Are Done"
Release Date: June 4, 2025
In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, hosts Colin Cowherd, Jason McIntyre, and Alex Curry delve into a variety of pressing sports topics, centering around the evolving landscape of team dynamics and coaching changes in major leagues. The discussion is robust, opinionated, and insightful, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of current sports narratives.
The episode kicks off with anticipation for the NBA Finals, set to begin the following day. Colin acknowledges Alex Curry's excitement, noting their recent conversations about the Stanley Cup Finals, highlighting the concurrent action in hockey.
Colin Cowherd [03:47]:
"We'll gladly take Yankees and Dodgers in the World Series every freaking year."
A significant portion of the discussion centers on the New York Knicks' surprising decision to fire Tom Thibodeau. The hosts brainstorm five potential candidates to replace him, debating their qualifications and compatibility with the team's culture.
Mark Jackson: Recognized for his time with the Golden State Warriors, Jackson is praised for his legacy in New York City and potential to revitalize the Knicks. Colin emphasizes Jackson's resilience, stating, "Mark Jackson needs no introduction."
Michael Malone: Celebrated for winning a title with Denver, Malone is seen as a dynamic coach who can engage with the media effectively. Colin remarks, "Malone really does feel like Thibodeau 2.0."
Steve Nash: Despite a rocky tenure with Brooklyn due to conflicts with star players like Kyrie Irving, Nash is considered for his strategic insights and recent partnership on LeBron James' podcast.
Mike Brown: Known for his defensive coaching, Brown is evaluated based on his ability to improve team defense, a critical need for the Knicks.
Sam Cassell: Highlighted as a "player's coach," Cassell is noted for his ability to connect with players and bring a positive energy to the team.
Colin Cowherd [07:44]:
"Mark Jackson is just out there. And my gut tells me Dolan, wanting to win over the fans, is going to bring in Mark Jackson for an interview."
The discussion also touches on the possibility of Jason Kidd taking the helm, though logistical challenges make this scenario unlikely.
Shifting focus to the NFL, the conversation explores Tennessee's excitement around their first overall pick, quarterback Cameron Ward. The hosts discuss Ward's potential impact on the team amidst a challenging roster and high expectations.
Alexi Lalas [21:15]:
"This is the guy you have to take. This is going to save our franchise."
The segment underscores the uncertainties surrounding rookie quarterbacks and the necessity for Ward to perform despite the team's weaknesses, particularly in the offensive line.
The hosts examine NBA Commissioner Adam Silver's recent announcement about revamping the All-Star Game format. Inspired by successful international formats in other sports, the proposed change aims to heighten competitiveness and global engagement.
Alexi Lalas [24:55]:
"Anyone would better than what they were doing at the NBA All Star Game."
The potential shift to a USA versus the World or a tournament-style competition is anticipated to inject new excitement into the event, aligning it with Olympic-style competitions and fostering national pride.
A highlight of the episode is the interview with Alexi Lalas, a renowned figure in American soccer. The discussion delves into the US Men's National Team's preparations for the 2026 World Cup, focusing on the controversial decision of star player Christian Pulisic to rest during the Gold Cup.
Alex Curry [30:07]:
"This was an unnecessary own goal in that this was a summer where you had the opportunity through the Gold Cup to come in, do well and kind of regain some of that momentum."
Lalas critiques the mindset behind load management, emphasizing the importance of commitment to national duties. He expresses concern over the team's current apathy and stresses the need for renewed passion and effort to ensure a memorable World Cup hosted on home soil.
Alexi Lalas [37:44]:
"It sends the wrong message at the wrong time."
The conversation also touches on emerging talents like Jamal Musiala, highlighting the evolving dynamics of international soccer and the emergence of new stars.
Central to the episode is a spirited debate on the concept of super teams in the NBA. Colin challenges the belief that the era of super teams is over, arguing that stacking teams with star players remains a viable and popular strategy.
Colin Cowherd [48:48]:
"An NBA super team is when, as Miles Turner said, friends get together and join forces. They leave their old team either by demanding a trade or through free agency and they go to join other dudes."
He cites historical and current examples, including the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, and Brooklyn Nets, to illustrate the enduring appeal and success of super teams. Colin contends that super teams generate significant interest and viewership, contrasting them with less dynamic team formations like Oklahoma City.
Alexi Lalas [49:09]:
"Or what do we have here? I gotta watch them on TV on Christmas, on opening night, on every relevant night."
The hosts acknowledge counterarguments, such as the NBA's adaptability and the unique challenges posed by the NBA's modern structures. However, Colin maintains that super teams continue to shape the league's competitive landscape and fan engagement.
Wrapping up, Colin previews upcoming segments, including an in-depth analysis of the Knicks' coaching search and further discussions on the NBA Finals. The episode concludes with a tease of future interviews and debates, ensuring listeners are primed for continued engagement with the show's dynamic conversations.
Notable Quotes:
Colin Cowherd [03:47]:
"We'll gladly take Yankees and Dodgers in the World Series every freaking year."
Alexi Lalas [21:15]:
"This is the guy you have to take. This is going to save our franchise."
Colin Cowherd [48:48]:
"An NBA super team is when, as Miles Turner said, friends get together and join forces."
This episode offers a thorough exploration of significant sports developments, blending expert opinions with lively debate, making it an essential listen for sports enthusiasts seeking in-depth analysis and diverse perspectives.