Hour 3 - Chris Broussard and the NBA

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 3: Chris Broussard and the NBA Release Date: April 2, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guest: Chris Broussard
Platform: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

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Introduction to the Episode The Herd with Colin Cowherd dives deep into the world of sports with host Colin Cowherd accompanied by guest Chris Broussard. In this episode, titled "Hour 3 - Chris Broussard and the NBA," the duo explores pressing topics in the NFL and NBA, offering insightful analyses and spirited debates.

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1. NFL Quarterback Analysis: Shador Sanders vs. His Contemporaries [02:43 – 11:56]

The conversation kicks off with an in-depth analysis of quarterback prospects, focusing primarily on Shador Sanders. Colin Cowherd scrutinizes Sanders’ abilities compared to other quarterbacks like Jackson Dart and Tua Tagovailoa.

• Colin Cowherd [02:43]:
  "If you draft, you're the New York Giants and they have Russell Wilson and Jameis Wentz, then Russell will start because Jameis makes too many mistakes that would drive Brian Dable crazy."

Colin discusses Sanders' strengths and weaknesses, emphasizing his accuracy and system dependency but questioning his mobility and arm strength.

• Chris Broussard [03:50]:
  "He’s not really a playmaker. They work within a system, especially if they have a superstar wide receiver in college."

Nate Thompson interjects with his perspective on Sanders, highlighting the quarterback's lack of athleticism compared to peers.

• Nate Thompson [04:20]:
  "He doesn't have a huge arm, does not have mobility. I think the biggest mistake in the evaluation is underestimating his pure passing ability."

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2. Implications for NFL Draft Strategy: The Third Best QB Dilemma [11:02 – 21:36]

The discussion shifts to NFL draft strategies, particularly the challenges teams face when considering drafting a quarterback who may be the third-best in their division. Colin and Chris debate the long-term viability of such decisions.

• Colin Cowherd [11:02]:
  "We're drafting at best the third best quarterback in a division. That's something you have to think about."

They explore scenarios where teams like the New York Giants or Cleveland Browns draft Sanders, analyzing how it impacts their playoff aspirations and team dynamics.

• Chris Broussard [14:57]:
  "He's not going to throw well today. Now I think Shador's probably got a little stronger arm, but he's kind of a B arm movement."

The conversation delves into comparisons with other quarterbacks like Jalen Hurts and Dak Prescott, assessing whether teams can afford to draft Sanders over potentially more dynamic players.

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3. NBA Insights: Warriors vs. Lakers and Nikola Jokic’s Legacy [18:23 – 21:36]

Transitioning to the NBA, Colin and Chris discuss a hypothetical first-round matchup between the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers. They evaluate team strengths, player performances, and championship potentials.

• Colin Cowherd [20:43]:
  "Is it time that we look at the Joker and go, guys, he's a top 12 player all time and he may be second to Kareem as an all-time center."

Nikola Jokic's unique playing style and his place among NBA greats become a focal point. Chris Broussard offers a critical view, suggesting Jokic needs more championships to cement his legacy.

• Chris Broussard [19:43]:
  "He needs more hardware. All the guys I believe are just off in the top 12, they all have more than one ring."

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4. Boston Celtics’ Playoff Prospects and Team Dynamics [21:36 – 26:14]

The conversation moves to the Boston Celtics, highlighting their consistent performance and strong team culture. Colin praises the team's ability to excel on the road, likening them to historic powerhouse teams.

• Colin Cowherd [23:17]:
  "The Celtics have been building this puppy for about seven to eight years. Everybody can pass, dribble, shoot, and almost everybody can defend."

Chris Broussard concurs, noting the Celtics as the prohibitive favorite in the Eastern Conference while acknowledging their recent struggles.

• Chris Broussard [24:34]:
  "I think they're the prohibitive favorite in the East. Cleveland looks great this season, but they've struggled lately."

The duo debates the Celtics' ability to repeat as champions and their historical significance should they secure another title.

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5. The Rise of Cooper Flag: A Top NBA Prospect [26:14 – 28:40]

A spotlight is cast on Cooper Flag, an emerging NBA talent poised to make a significant impact. Colin and Chris discuss Flag's versatility and potential as a future star.

• Colin Cowherd [26:14]:
  "He can bring the ball up court like a point guard. You can run the offense through him. He can pass, he can shoot in the mid-range, the three-post up game."

Chris praises Cooper Flag's comprehensive skill set and his potential to lead a championship-contending team.

• Chris Broussard [27:00]:
  "He is special, and I picked Duke to win the championship largely because of him."

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6. Comparative Analysis of Sports Rule Changes and Business Strategies [35:03 – 44:35]

The discussion broadens to encompass rule changes across major sports leagues and their impacts on gameplay and player safety. Colin elaborates on how the NFL has evolved to become a quarterback-driven league due to safety concerns, contrasting it with offensive adjustments in baseball and defensive strategies in the NBA.

• Colin Cowherd [35:03]:
  "The NFL has become a quarterback-driven league because of CTE concerns. They're cutting back on hitting in practice, making it easier to protect quarterbacks."

They also touch upon business strategies in sports, debating the viability of new ventures like starting a radio show versus entering saturated markets like the vodka industry.

• Colin Cowherd [40:52]:
  "If you want to get into that industry, you're like, well, we're never going to be Uber and Lyft. You just have to consider."

Chris Broussard highlights the challenges of breaking into established markets, emphasizing the dominance of existing brands.

• Chris Broussard [41:06]:
  "Right. You think college kids coming out now are like, I want to get into the radio business? Well, the Herd is the number one show."

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7. Closing Remarks and Future Outlook [44:35 – End]

As the episode nears its conclusion, Colin and Chris recap their discussions, reiterating the complexities of drafting strategies in the NFL and assessing top talents in the NBA. They underscore the importance of team dynamics, player development, and strategic decision-making in shaping successful sports franchises.

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Notable Quotes:

• Colin Cowherd [02:43]:
  "If the Giants draft Shador Sanders here would be your concern. He's not as good as Jaden Daniels. Not close. He's not as good as Jalen Hurts. Is he better than Dak Prescott?"

• Nate Thompson [04:20]:
  "He doesn’t have the arm or any fraction of the athleticism, but the people who love him love the fact that he's the best pure passer in terms of touch, timing, laying the football, and he's the fastest processor in this class."

• Chris Broussard [19:43]:
  "He needs more hardware. All the guys I believe are just off in the top 12, they all have more than one ring."

• Colin Cowherd [23:17]:
  "The Celtics have been building this puppy for about seven to eight years. Everybody can pass, dribble, shoot, and almost everybody can defend."

• Chris Broussard [27:00]:
  "He is special, and I picked Duke to win the championship largely because of him."

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Conclusion In this episode of The Herd, Colin Cowherd and Chris Broussard provide a comprehensive analysis of key figures and strategies in both the NFL and NBA. Their discussions offer valuable insights into player evaluations, team-building tactics, and the evolving landscape of professional sports. Whether you're a die-hard sports fan or a casual observer, this episode delivers a nuanced exploration of contemporary sports dynamics.

Transcript

[Colin Cowherd]

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[Jason McIntyre]

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[Jemele Hill]

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[Jeremy Hobson]

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.

[Julie Stewart-Banks]

What's up everyone? Julie Swerbinks here along with former NHL player Nate Thompson.

[Nate Thompson]

We're doing a new podcast together. Here we go.

[Julie Stewart-Banks]

The Name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.

[Nate Thompson]

Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right?

[Julie Stewart-Banks]

Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us.

[Nate Thompson]

Julie is pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe.

[Julie Stewart-Banks]

Listen to Energyline with Nate and jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Colin Cowherd]

Thanks for listening to the Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports radio and noon to three EAs, 9am to noon Pacific. Find your local station for the [e-mail] or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR.

[Chris Broussard]

Now let's get this party started.

[Colin Cowherd]

You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. We were talking about Shador Sanders and he said there is one team that likes Jackson Dart. One team more than Shador Sanders. He's a little bit bigger, he's got a little stronger arm and you know, people go well it's the Lane Kiffin offense. I watched Jackson Dart play. I, I never really he didn't pop as a first round quarterback to me. But it's the sec, it's good defenses, NFL guys everywhere. Maybe he is lower first round but a lot of people feel like Jackson's as big moves a little bit better, better arm. Now I think the accuracy of Jackson dart was hit and miss. It's very good of with Shadour Sanders, but his Shador Sanders, basically Tua is that well, I mean he's accurate and he moves okay. I mean Tua is an okay athlete. Shador is an okay athlete. They're both really early accurate. That's their thing. They're not really playmakers. They work within a system, especially if they have a superstar wide receiver in college. But then you get to the NFL and there's not a lot. Tua doesn't have a superpower. You're like yeah, it's windy, he's not going to throw well today. Now I think shedeurs probably got a little bit stronger arm but there's a little bit of Tua here where you know, he's, he's a B at a bunch of stuff. Maybe a accuracy but kind of a B arm movement. I think he moves fine. I think it's like Tua, Tua moves fine. Shador doesn't have the concussion concern or injury concern. But I you know, as McShay talked about this earlier an hour ago on Shador Sanders, I like Shador Sanders a lot.

[Nate Thompson]

Doesn't have a huge arm, does not have mobility. I think that's the biggest mistake in the evaluation. At least early in the process. His instincts in terms of the pocket and kind of extending and drifting and always looking for the home run and not taking the short change, those sorts of things he'll manage through. And if People don't like him. What they say is he has some of the bad habits that Caleb Williams had because of problems as a rookie, but he doesn't have the arm or any is a fraction of the athleticism. But the people who love him love the fact that he's the best pure passer in terms of touch, timing, layering the football and he's the fastest processor in this class.

[Colin Cowherd]

So I mean just think of this. If you draft, you're the New York Giants and they have Russell Wilson and Jameis Wentz, then Russell will start because Jameis makes too many mistakes that would drive Brian Dable crazy. In fact, Brian Dabel said this week when asked why he liked Russell Wilson, he said he makes good decisions. Jameis doesn't so day bowls telegraphing who he wants to start at quarterback. It's the guy, the veteran Russell Wilson that doesn't make a lot of mistakes. He told you that. So if the Giants draft should or Sanders here would be your concern. He's not as good as Jaden Daniels. Not close. He's not as good as Jalen Hurts. Is he better than Dak Prescott? So what you wonder is are we drafting at best the third best quarterback in a division? That's something you have to think about. It's okay if you have the third or fourth best, but you're not invested long term. But once you draft a guy third, you're going to give him two to three years. So that's a real turn off. Yeah, we're drafting like, like with Bo Nix you said, well, he's not going to be Mahomes, not going to be Herbert. But Sean Payton may believe I can make him better than Herbert. Well, we don't think he's Mahomes, but if I got the second best quarterback in a division, I'm a playoff team. And Peyton has the kind of confidence with Bo Nix, he's like, hey, he's Drew Brees with better mobility. But Shador is not going to be Jalen Hurts. He's not that good of an athlete. He's not that strong. He doesn't run like that. And he is not Jaden Daniels. So at best he's the third best quarterback. So if you're Brian Dable, your take is can I get to like 7, 8 wins with Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston? You know, if we get lucky and get Travis Hunter, now we got neighbors Travis Hunter. We pick up a running back in the second. I see the Giants are interesting because I think it's a great running back Draft and they need one. And I could see the Giants, if they get that tight end early from Penn State and are running back in the second round, then all of a sudden, Russell Wilson gets very interesting. Then it's like, all right, Russell doesn't make a lot of mistakes. And because Day Ball already told you he wants Russell to start, I really like his decision making. You might as well as just said, yeah, Jame is probably not the answer. So it's the same. It's the same with Shador Sanders with the Cleveland Browns. So you're like, well, if we draft him, he's not Lamar and he's not Burrow. So he's at best the third best quarterback in a division. Look around the NFL. Who won divisions last year? Oh, Josh Allen and Mahomes Herbert also made the play. Oh, C.J. stroud. You start looking at who's making the playoffs. Oh, okay. You go over to the nfc. Well, Jalen hurts. Oh, Matt Stafford looked pretty good. Oh, Jared Goff. Because Jordan Love struggled last year. And at the end, it was Goff and Darnold playing great football. So if you're Cleveland or the Giants, you're like, we're drafting at best the third best quarterback in our division. Forget the conference, forget the league. In our division, he's the third best. That's the argument against him. And that's a fair argument. Hey, there's no doubt in my mind. Cam Ward, would he be shocked in one year if you said, yeah, C.J. stroud is the best quarterback in the division, but Cam Ward's clearly the second best. Well, you're going to make the playoffs a bunch of times if you have the second best quarterback in the division. That's, that's something you're, you know, that's something you got to think about. So I don't know. I, I. And it also matters, let's be honest, the NFC South, Baker, Mayfield, last year, you're like, oh, Baker's the best quarterback in that division. Well, it does matter. Like, like when Brady went. I always said when Brady chose the NFC south, there were three reasons. One, the weapons. Chris Godwin, he was going to bring Gronk. Mike Evans, he couldn't. He didn't have a receiver in New England that could separate Brady's like, okay, secondly, Brady had an offensive coach. So Brady looked at it and he thought, okay, I finally get weapons. Offensive coach. The other thing Tom had to look at is Drew Brees is getting real old. This division's weak. This to me here, I got Josh Allen in my division now this division is weak. You got to think about that. That's why if you're Tennessee, you're like, I don't have to love Cam Ward, but we could absolutely be drafting the best quarterback in our division. At worst second best because Anthony Richardson, bro, they ain't gonna work. And Trevor Lawrence right now in getting better. So like Tennessee. That's why I said the best over under bet on the board is Tennessee five and a half they are drafting. And by the way, he may not be C.J. stroud. He'll be the best playmaker in that division at quarterback because Anthony Richardson just can't complete throws. Cam can complete stuff. So you, you have to think about all this stuff if you're drafting the third best quarterback in your division. What happens if Pittsburgh next year drafts a quarterback and hits a home run? Now we got the fourth best. So it's, it's, it's. That's what I say about Brock Purdy. The reason you could argue yourself into Brock Purdy is, well, Darnold's a short term fix in Seattle and Stafford's getting old and nobody thinks Ky Murray is the future in Arizona 10 years from now. So San Francisco is saying in two years Stafford's out of LA. We don't know who the seat quarterback is because Darnold's probably a two year expedition and Kyler Murray doesn't really, you know, he's smaller, he gets banged up, he's not a big threat. So if you're San Francisco, you're like, listen, he may not be will have at worst the second best quarterback in Shanahan in that system that'll be the second best quarterback in the division. Right now you gotta eat it because McVay and Stafford are better and they know that. And you've seen it on the field the last two years. The Rams are better than the Niners. So everything is out there. You know, when you think about it that way, J. Mac and I say Shador is at best the third best quarterback in the division. If the Giants draft him.

[Jason McIntyre]

What'S wrong with that?

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, you're not getting to the playoffs. Go look in the last year one, sure. No, I mean but like for instance, Pittsburgh. Lamar's in this league for another 10 burrow of healthy, another 12. That's. You have to go get a quarterback either a free agent star in the market and go let's go get our Stafford. But you can't have the third best quarterback. I got to play the Ravens twice. I got to play The Bengals twice.

[Jason McIntyre]

I mean, I would argue the Niners. You know, how would you rank Stafford, Kyler? Hold on, hold on. Stafford, Kyler, Purdy and Gino, when they were in the division, who's the third best quarterback in that division?

[Colin Cowherd]

Like two years ago, I would have said Purdy, Purdy.

[Jason McIntyre]

And they went to the super bowl and should have won the damn thing, so.

[Colin Cowherd]

But now you're paying him.

[Jason McIntyre]

Yes. That changes the equation a little bit.

[Colin Cowherd]

And. And San Francisco now lost two good defenders and they're getting really old at left tackle. So everything has to be considered.

[Jason McIntyre]

Don't you think there's a world where with the right OC and the parts around him, Shador could be as good as former second round pick Jaylen Herz.

[Colin Cowherd]

No, no, no, no, no. He's not close to that athlete. Not even close. Not even close. I think his comp is Kirk Cousins.

[Jason McIntyre]

I mean, he's more mobile than Kirk.

[Colin Cowherd]

No, no, he is, but he accurate.

[Jason McIntyre]

Well, Cousins went, I think fourth round to Washington the same as I think he is.

[Colin Cowherd]

Kurt Cousins is his comp where he moves better than Kirk Cousins. But I mean, Kirk's not great at anything other than accuracy.

[Jason McIntyre]

This is where it's weird. So Bryce Harper went one, Bryce Young went one, Stroud went two. Now you would say it's obviously Stroud is better, but Bryce Young had a better year last year. He's improving. I mean, there's a world where Shador in like 4 years is better than Cam Ward. We don't know how these things are.

[Colin Cowherd]

Going to play out. The best thing for Shador, if he went to Cleveland or New York, is the coach.

[Jason McIntyre]

Yes, 100%. That matters a ton. I mean, Josh Allen went to Buffalo, couldn't hit the broadside of a bar in his.

[Colin Cowherd]

Thank God for d in the O.C.

[Jason McIntyre]

Yeah. And now he's the best quarterback in the league. Sorry, Patrick Mahomes. But like, nobody saw Josh Allen coming at that rate, did they? I think you said Kuiper maybe liked him.

[Colin Cowherd]

No, I mean, people. I mean, literally, Seattle had a Super bowl with Russell. Wilson had been to two Super Bowls. They went and visited him. And that got them in trouble because John Snider and Pete Carroll said, let's go look at this kid from Wyoming. Russell got word of it, but they were like, this is a better player. So, I mean, no Russell, I mean, there were everybody like Josh Allen, he was wild. But I mean, I remember a year before he got drafted, a year before. Greg Cosell does this every year. A year before he Gives me the file on the best quarterbacks. And he had like, Josh Allen third. And I'm like, I've never seen him play. And he goes, go watch him play. Oregon, Iowa. He did. He was awful.

[Jason McIntyre]

Yeah, he was terrible.

[Colin Cowherd]

But he was like, Greg's like that kid. Remember the first year, Josh Allen, second year he was in the league. I was all into Trevor Lawrence or was Trevor Lawrence's rookie year. And I remember, you know, co sells like, he may look like Josh Allen, may look like Trevor Size. And they both move. It's like it ain't even close. Yeah, the film's not close. So Josh Allen was. He was enamored. The league was enamored.

[Jason McIntyre]

Now the best quarterback in the league, Colin. Yeah, I. I don't think anybody saw that ceiling for him coming out of college. Come on.

[Colin Cowherd]

Kuiper did. McShane may have. They both loved him. I remember. But Kuiper said, holmes, nobody had Mahomes.

[Jason McIntyre]

When he went 10th overall.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah, but he's gonna be the best. Gruden loved him. Andy Reid loved him.

[Jason McIntyre]

You could love him.

[Colin Cowherd]

Sean Payton loved him. People were making trips to watch Mahomes in private jets and they wouldn't stay the night in town, and he still went 10th. Yeah, but I mean, it was secretive. Like, the people that went and watched Mahomes work out literally flew in, watched them, and flew out of town. They didn't want to be seen in the town. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific.

[Jeremy Hobson]

We live in a divided country.

[Colin Cowherd]

I am a lifelong Republican with all.

[Jeremy Hobson]

Kinds of different people.

[Colin Cowherd]

You know, I'm a mother, I'm a grandmother.

[Jeremy Hobson]

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.

[Colin Cowherd]

Anna, I'm calling from Las Vegas.

[Jeremy Hobson]

Each week we bring together an all star panel. Mark Cuban. So great to have you on the Middle.

[Nate Thompson]

Thanks for having me.

[Jeremy Hobson]

Jeremy, Neil, Degrasse Tyson, welcome to the Middle.

[Nate Thompson]

Thanks for having me.

[Jeremy Hobson]

And hear from ordinary Americans from all over the country on the most important issues.

[Jason McIntyre]

Hi, my name is Venkat.

[Colin Cowherd]

I'm calling you from Atlanta, Georgia.

[Jeremy Hobson]

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.

[Jemele Hill]

We should be examining what our government spends its money on and are these.

[Colin Cowherd]

Jobs necessary and what are we doing here? But that doesn't seem to be what we're doing in this situation.

[Jeremy Hobson]

Listen, to the middle with Jeremy Hobson on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Julie Stewart-Banks]

Are your ears bored?

[Jason McIntyre]

Yeah.

[Colin Cowherd]

Are you looking for a new podcast that will make you laugh, learn and say que? Yeah.

[Julie Stewart-Banks]

Then tune in to locatora radio season 10 today.

[Colin Cowherd]

Okay. I'm Diosa. I'm Mala, the host of Locatora Radio, a radiophonic novella, which is just a.

[Julie Stewart-Banks]

Very extra way of saying a podcast. We're launching this season with a miniseries, totally nostalgic, a four part series about the Latinos who shaped pop culture in the early 2000s.

[Colin Cowherd]

It's Lala checking in with all things Y2K 2000s. My favorite memory, honestly, was us having our own media platforms like Mundos and MTV Tres. You could turn on the TV, you see Thalia, you see JLo, Nina Sky, Evie Queen. All the girlies doing their things, all.

[Julie Stewart-Banks]

Of the beauty reflected right back at us.

[Colin Cowherd]

It was everything. Tune in to locatora radio season 10.

[Julie Stewart-Banks]

Now that's what I call a podcast. Listen to Locatora Radio Season 10 on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. It's Julie Stewart Banks. I'm doing a new podcast from iHeart Podcasts and the National Hockey League. And then I paired up with one of my favorite players, the always quotable Nate Thompson.

[Nate Thompson]

I wore nine NHL sweaters and I have story after story to share. And believe it or not, I have plenty to say, and not just about hockey.

[Julie Stewart-Banks]

Believe me, he does. Energy Line with Nate. And JSB is the name of the podcast and it's going to be, well, it's going to be quite the ride. We're officially line mates, Nate. We're the Energy line.

[Nate Thompson]

We'll have plenty of folks join us. Current players, some of my former teammates, hall of Famers. And wait till you see some of the connections that Julie has. She has quite the Rolodex.

[Julie Stewart-Banks]

Okay, we'll lean into Nate's playing experience and tap into our interests away from hockey and try to do what energy lines are supposed to do, provide an emotional boost. How do you feel about all that, Nate?

[Nate Thompson]

I'm vibing Julie. I'm ready to roll.

[Julie Stewart-Banks]

Listen to Energy Line with Nate and jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jemele Hill]

You have to be very careful with tradition because sometimes tradition is just dead people's baggage.

[Colin Cowherd]

I'm Jemele Hill, host of the sports and politics podcast Spolitics. On this week's episode, I talk with Comedian and CNN host Roy Wood Jr. About the lack of African American star power in Major League Baseball.

[Jemele Hill]

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, that's important. But you also need chaos Negro. You need.

[Colin Cowherd]

So you think Anthony Edwards is a chaos agent?

[Jemele Hill]

He told. He talked. You saw the clip of him talking to Obama. He was talking to Obama like that was his little brother. Oh, yeah, you. Oh, what you did? You killed Bin Laden. That's what's up.

[Colin Cowherd]

Listen to Politics on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Chris Broussard calls. First things first. Check him out after our show. So, you know, it's interesting right now. And they play tomorrow night in la. The Warriors Lakers would play in the first round. I mean, it'd be a great series. Warriors are deeper. Lakers, I think, more explosive, more shot makers in their starting five. The NBA would probably prefer they don't meet in the first round. They'd like to keep those guys around. If the warriors win tomorrow night, they're like a game out of, let's see, 44. You're like a game out of fourth place. If the Lakers warriors played today in a series, who would you like and why? Because I think it would be one of the great first round series of all time.

[Chris Broussard]

Well, I'm with you in that. I'd love to see it be later in the playoffs, but I would go with the Lakers college. And I like Golden State. I really like them a lot. Obviously they've been playing well since Jimmy Butler. They're 18 and two with Butler and Steph playing together. But the Lakers with Luka and LeBron. Now, I am assuming LeBron will be playing great basketball. He hasn't since he's been back from the injury and that could be a concern. Right? He looked good against Memphis, very good. But the other games he hasn't played well. If that's the LeBron we're getting, then give me Golden State. But if LeBron's going to get back to where the way he was playing before he went down a few weeks ago. I like the Lakers. I just don't think a team is going to be able to stop Luca and LeBron and all the attention that they'll draw from the defense with their shooters, they should be able to give some teams a lot of trouble. I've got the Lakers winning the West, Colin, so I certainly have them over Golden State.

[Colin Cowherd]

Listen, it's, it's. You have to start considering now, when you look at Joker, I said, he's the only guy in my lifetime in the league that could go 36, 13 and 11 and it wouldn't be a headline. It would just be a game. Like, I mean, that's how good he is. Like, even Magic or LeBron, you're like, man, they, they had a triple double last night. That's just what Joker does. And I, I said, he's a little Walton and a little Arvida Sabonis. But most great big men have a thing, a skyhook, Akeem's feet, Shaq's power. They don't have six things they're great at. Is it time that we look at the Joker and go, guys, he's a top 12 player all time and he may be second to Kareem as an all time center. That doesn't feel like a ridiculous argument today to me.

[Chris Broussard]

Well, I think he needs more hardware. And by that I don't mean MVP trophies. He's obviously got plenty of those. He needs more championships. All the guys I believe just off in the top 12, they all have more than one ring. And I get it. Shaq had Kobe and then D. Wade. Kareem won five championships with Magic. Russell obviously had a host of hall of Famers around him. Will, you know, wanted with Hal Greer in Philadelphia and then Jerry west and those guys in L. A. So Jokic hasn't had the supporting cast that these guys have had. But right now, Colin, I've got him as the sixth best center. You got the big four, Russell, Kareem, Shaq, Will, however you want to rank them, and then Olajuwon and then Jokic. For me, I got him six, but I'm open to him moving up. Certainly he could pass Olajuwon and maybe he could start rivaling Shaq and those guys. But I need to see more championships. He's only been to the conference finals, I believe twice, and so I just think he has to start winning more. But one of his legacies is this. Colin, he is the first point center. Scottie Pippen kind of popularized the point forward. Paul Pressy, a few guys before Pippen, but Jokic is the first point center where he really is their point guard, but he's also their center. The dude is phenomenal. He's an all time great. And yes, I hope he can get in that top 12 discussion by winning more championships because he certainly deserves it.

[Colin Cowherd]

You know, I said this, is that the Boston Celtics I like the Boston Celtics to repeat, but I think we've gotten to a point now we don't quite get what they are. So between Danny Ainge and Brad Stevens, there's an argument those are two of the best GMs in the league, and they have been building this puppy for about seven to eight years. Everybody can pass, dribble and shoot, and almost everybody can defend. And I don't, I don't think because Tatum sort of, he doesn't, he's not a, you know, I'm an emotional player. He doesn't have this one classic move that we kind of undervalue him. Jaylen Brown is a great two, but again, it's such a culture, it's such a team of talent. Did I, I think sometimes I look at the Celtics and I go, folks, they are the best road team maybe since Shaq and co. I remember Shaq and Kobe going on the road home court. Didn't matter with Shaq and Kobe. It didn't matter with Jordan. Like those Bulls teams. I, I look at Boston, I, I, I like okc. I like Cleveland. I think Boston's a prohibitive favorite. Home court doesn't even matter to them.

[Chris Broussard]

Look, I think they're the prohibitive favorite in the East. Cleveland look great season, but they've struggled lately. I mean, they've lost 15 of their or lost 5 of their last nine, I believe. And Donovan Mitchell had a big game recently, but he's only shooting 37% in March, 21% from 3. So they got to get him back at the top of his game. But yeah, I like Boston in the east. And look, I probably would take Boston over the Lakers, at least right now. Don't hold me to that. But okc and I get it, it's just a regular season, but they swept Boston this year. 2 0, beat Boston in Boston without Jalen Williams, their second best player. So I think OKC is a tough matchup for Boston. OKC defends the three really well. Obviously they got Shay. They've got size. So I don't think they're a definite to win the championship, but I definitely think they come out of the East. And you raise a good point, Colin. We, I don't. If they win this championship, that'll be too straight. First time in like seven years that a team is repeated. You have to start talking about them. How good are they historically? And I'll be honest, at this moment, I don't think any of us think of them as some great historic team, not even among the Celtics right with Bird and, and even before that Russell. So we probably do undervalue them. And if they win the championship again, they'll have to, we'll have to start re looking at how we categorize them.

[Colin Cowherd]

By the way, let's end it with this Cooper Flag. So I don't remember. I mean Zion was a physical specimen but he wasn't nearly as well rounded as Cooper. He didn't shoot like him. He, I mean he didn't defend like him. He was just, he was a hurricane of a player. Like he was just a torque and force. Cooper is. I'm trying to think of a domestic college player that came out that had this many skills this early and it is a short, short list. This kid should be in high school, I believe like a Caitlin Clark. I believe we're looking at a. Oh wow, this is an all star really fast. Do you think he's viewed that way by NBA execs?

[Chris Broussard]

Oh yeah, they love him. I mean he's obviously going to be the definitive number one pick. And remember last summer when he played against Team usa? It's just an exhibition game but the young kids lost by a point to Team USA and Cooper Flag was having his way with some of the best players in the league. Like you said, there's really no weakness when you look at his game. He can bring the ball up court like a point guard. You can run the offense through him. He can pass, he can shoot in the mid range, the three post up game. He can drive and finish. He can lead the break and he defends like he's six, nine. He's got an NBA body already. He is special and I picked Duke to win the championship largely because of him. But they also have a few other lottery picks it looks like. But yeah, he could be a star I hope and I don't want to, you know, belittle these franchises but I don't really want to see him in Washington or Charlotte. I hate to say it but that's just the truth. Yeah, right. Chicago. When you look at what Kobe White is doing, Josh Giddey and Busilas, the young kid that's the rookie and then you put cup in there or Flag, I'm sorry Cooper Flag or of course San Antonio. It'd be an immediate big three with De'Aaron Fox and win Benyama and Flag. So you hope he goes to the right place. Utah of course is hoping to get him so. But I, I, Colin, I think the kid is a star and I can't wait to see what he does at the next level. Can't wait.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah, he can either land in a perfect spot or a disastrous spot like you got to root for San Antonio. Chicago would be a great spot. I think Utah would be okay because Danny Ainge is a great, you know, manipulator of draft picks and talent accumulator Chris Brouchard. First things first, stopping by late notice today. Appreciate it, bud. Thanks, Chris.

[Chris Broussard]

Yeah, anytime.

[Colin Cowherd]

All right, Herdline news around the corner. To wrap it up live in la, 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, 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 I Heart radio 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, 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 KO Vino and Rich wherever you get your podcast. And of course, on social media, that's Covino and Rich.

[Jeremy Hobson]

We live in a divided country.

[Colin Cowherd]

I am a lifelong Republican with all.

[Jeremy Hobson]

Kinds of different people.

[Colin Cowherd]

You know, I'm a mother, I'm a grandmother.

[Jeremy Hobson]

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.

[Colin Cowherd]

Anna, I'm calling from Las Vegas.

[Jeremy Hobson]

Each week we bring together an all star panel. Mark Cuban, so great to have you on the Middle.

[Nate Thompson]

Thanks for having me.

[Jeremy Hobson]

Jeremy, Neil Degrasse Tyson, welcome to the Middle.

[Nate Thompson]

Thanks for having me.

[Jeremy Hobson]

And hear from ordinary Americans from all over the country on the most important issues.

[Colin Cowherd]

Hi, my name is Venkat. I'm calling you from Atlanta Georgia.

[Jeremy Hobson]

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.

[Colin Cowherd]

We should be examining what our government.

[Jemele Hill]

Spends its money on and are these.

[Colin Cowherd]

Jobs necessary and what are we doing here? But that doesn't seem to be what we're doing in this situation.

[Jeremy Hobson]

Listen to the Middle with Jeremy Hobson on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Julie Stewart-Banks]

It's Julie Stewart Banks. I'm doing a new podcast from iHeart Podcasts and the National Hockey League, and I'm paired up with one of my favorite players, the always quotable Nate Thompson.

[Nate Thompson]

I wore nine NHL sweaters and I have story after story to share. And believe it or not, I have plenty to say, and not just about hockey.

[Julie Stewart-Banks]

Believe me, he does. Energy Line with Nate and JSB is the name of the podcast and it's gonna be, well, it's gonna be quite the ride. We're officially linemates, Nate. We're the Energy Line.

[Nate Thompson]

We'll have plenty of folks join us, current players, some of my former teammates, hall of Famers, and wait to see some of the connections that Julie has. She has quite the Rolodex.

[Julie Stewart-Banks]

Okay. We'll lean into Nate's playing experience and tap into our interests away from hockey and try to do what energy lines are supposed to do, provide an emotional boost. How do you feel about all that, Nate?

[Nate Thompson]

I'm vibing Julie. I'm ready to roll.

[Julie Stewart-Banks]

Listen to Energyline with Nate and jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Are your ears bored?

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah. Are you looking for a new podcast that will make you laugh, learn and say que? Yeah.

[Julie Stewart-Banks]

Then tune in to locatora radio season 10 today. Okay.

[Colin Cowherd]

I'm Diosa. I'm Mala, the host of Locatora Radio, a radiophonic novella, which is just a.

[Julie Stewart-Banks]

Very extra way of saying a podcast. We're launching this season with a miniseries, totally nostalgic, a four part series about the Latinos who shaped pop culture in the early 2000s.

[Colin Cowherd]

It's Lala checking in with all things Y2K. 2000s. My favorite memory, honestly, was us having our own media platforms like Mundos and MTV. Tres. You could turn on the TV. You see Thalia, you see JLo, Nina Sky, Evie Queen, all the girlies doing their thing.

[Julie Stewart-Banks]

All of the beauty reflected right back at us.

[Colin Cowherd]

It was everything. Tune in to locatora radio season 10.

[Julie Stewart-Banks]

Now that's what I call a Podcast. Listen to Locatora Radio Season 10 on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jemele Hill]

You have to be very careful with tradition because sometimes tradition is just dead people's baggage.

[Colin Cowherd]

I'm Jemele Hill, host of the sports and politics podcast Spolitics. On this week's episode, I talk with comedian and CNN host Roy Wood Jr. About the lack of African American star power in Major League Baseball.

[Jemele Hill]

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, that's important. But you also need chaos, Negro. You need.

[Colin Cowherd]

So you think Anthony Edwards is a chaos.

[Jemele Hill]

He told. He talked that. You saw the clip of him talking to Obama. He was talking to Obama like that was his little brother. Oh, yeah. You what you did. You killed Bin Laden. That's what's up.

[Colin Cowherd]

Listen to Politics on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. I really like that discussion we had today on the whole Shador Sanders thing about. We already did her line news with you, didn't we? No, we didn't. We haven't done it yet. All right. I, I, I. The more you think about Chador, because I always think I'm sitting in a meeting and I'm Cleveland, and I'm like, okay, I like him. He's a pocket guy and he's accurate. But I'm like, I got Burrow twice a year, minimum. I got Lamar twice a year, minimum. I got the third best quarterback. I mean, he's the third best athlete. He can't be any more accurate than Burrow in the NFL. Certainly not going to be. Lamar's explosive. Like, you have to think of that. What are you.

[Jason McIntyre]

And then if you get Arch Manning next year, you don't know that he's going to be better than the third best quarterback.

[Colin Cowherd]

No, but Arch is more, more athletic than Shador. And I also think he's got a higher ceiling, so that's something.

[Jason McIntyre]

What, like two starts? Come on, man. I think we're pushing the Arch Manning stuff a little, and maybe I'm wrong. And he's dominant. Texas wins the Natty and he wins the heights in and everything, but can I. Can we wait to see it? Just like the OKC Thunder. Everybody loves them. They're going to win the championship. Can I see them win an important playoff series? Like, am I allowed to wait for that? I haven't seen it. They might win 70 games. Have you seen the schedule? They might win 71 games. OkC. I don't still, I don't think they're the favorites. So like I just need to see it before I believe it.

[Colin Cowherd]

You know, it's, yeah, you know, it's. I think when you, you start looking around this league, everything's changing. For instance, in baseball they've had like four to five changes and they've all kind of helped offense. The torpedo bat, that's helping offense. Later innings they put baserunners on second base. Oh, that helps offense. Bigger bases. The shift, that helps the shift. So baseball said, you know what, we need more runs and more action. All their moves are to offense. The NBA is the opposite. They're like, we have too many threes. It's impossible to defend all of them. Nobody plays defense in the all star game. It's wrecked it. We'd like to have more layering in situational basketball so you can win more ways than just like the Celtics. The NFL obviously over the last 10 years because of CTE concerns they, they wanted to cut back on the hitting in practice, cut back on the hitting, no head shots. And it became a very quarterback driven league. That's why it's like last year. It's very easy to pick the AFS. I went 4 for 4 last year. It's very easy to pick. If you have a good quarterback, an elite quarterback and a capable offensive system, you're, you're going to make the playoffs. It's almost an outlier if you don't. Now you can get surprised by how good Bo Nicks is early or Jaden Daniels. But next year they'll be better than they were this year they'll probably be playoff teams. So it's just funny about the NFL. You really like an NBA, you just draft the best player available, right? Like, like the only two rounds in. Historically in the NBA the second round gives you nothing. Usually, I mean after, after like pick 12 to 14, you're out of players, players that have any impact. In baseball you have 40 rounds, compensatory picks. You know, you, you just, it's a numbers game minor league system. But in the NFL you really have to change the way you think because the sport is so over all the rule and it's just a safety issue. Baseball didn't want to become so pitching dominant. It always wanted offense, but it was just like guys are throwing harder and so in the end it's just like, well, everybody's throwing 98 miles an hour. It's really hard to hit that. So baseball said, let's get offensive for the quality of the entertainment value. The NFL did it out of safety. We just don't want you hitting the players as hard. So in the process of it, it's an unsolvable issue. This is going to be a quarterback league going forward. And, and so it's going to help. Left tackles are going to make. Offensive guards now make big money. Wide receivers are going to make more money. Tight ends and running backs are going to make more money. Offensive coaches are going to get more jobs. But I just, I look at Shador and I'm like, you cannot. You have to have the discussion that, guys, we got Burrow and Lamar Jackson in our division. He is now in his athletic prime, the third best quarterback. That has to be a discussion. Jalen Hurts and Jaden Daniels in the NFC are like, Giants are like, well, he's not going to be as strong as that one guy. And you're not as good as that guy. So it's. I just think these NFL GMs, these are much more layered, nuanced discussions on Shadour than like eight to ten years ago.

[Jason McIntyre]

Yeah, well, remember when the Lions got golf in the trade? Everybody was like, wow, they don't have one of the elite quarterbacks in the division. I think Kirk Cousins was thriving. Rogers was still with the Packers. Like, oh, you got golf, but then golf worked with Ben Johnson and they became a juggernaut. So, like, I don't know. I. I think you're being a little hard on Chador. And it's weird because I didn't love him in college football. I thought it was really good, but now I feel like you've got to take him in the top five. I think you just have to take a quarterback if you. I'm take a quarterback every year.

[Colin Cowherd]

Okay, so what do you do if you're the Raiders? Okay, we got Mahomes and Herbert, both with elite coaches.

[Jason McIntyre]

You're not finding a better quarterback than that in the draft.

[Colin Cowherd]

And then Bo Nicks may be a B prospect, but he's got an A offensive coach. So I'm the Raiders. And I'm like, I mean, I got Gino, but I don't. I'm not tied. If you look at the contract with Gino, they'll give him a lot of guaranteed money and they'll get out of the contract in a year or two. But if you draft should do or you're all in. So, I mean, if I'm the Raiders and he falls to me, I'm like, yeah, he's not Herbert. You.

[Jason McIntyre]

You would take Ashton Genti over Shador Sanders?

[Colin Cowherd]

Yes, I think I would.

[Jason McIntyre]

You just said it's a quarterback league. What are you talking.

[Colin Cowherd]

I'm not denying that, but my take is Geno with an elite run game in Brock Bowers. I would take that for two years over. Over Shador with no running back of note.

[Jason McIntyre]

You don't think you can get Cam Scatter Boo from Arizona State in the third round? I love him, by the way, his metrics. I got to show you some of the numbers. I'll text him to you. They measure up broad jump, vertical, all that stuff with, like, really good running backs.

[Colin Cowherd]

I don't know. It's. It's. I'm trying to give you a comp. In any other industry where you just, you know, it'd be like if you're in the tech industry or you want to get into the phone business like Apple and unless, I mean, you're just going to enter the business knowing you'll never create the best phone.

[Jason McIntyre]

Yeah. Like Lyft and Uber dominate that industry.

[Colin Cowherd]

So if you want to get into that industry, you're like, well, we're never going to be Uber and Lyft. And you just have to consider. Investors have to go, well, we're not going to be 1, 2. I don't want to get into a business if it's three.

[Chris Broussard]

Right.

[Colin Cowherd]

I mean, it's. You know, when, when Grey Goose became a really popular vodka. You forget that. What is it, 20 years ago, Grey Goose got big. But there were some vodkas that were known, but there really wasn't. In my. Maybe in Russia there was, but there wasn't like a high end vodka. And then Grey Goose and then, then all of a sudden Tito's came out and like, like right now, if I was going to start a vodka, well, Tito's is one.

[Jason McIntyre]

You go, tito's over.

[Colin Cowherd]

Oh, yeah, Tito's is one, and then two is maybe Goose. I don't even know third. But my point is, I wouldn't get into that business. Tito's owns it. I mean, that's just the brand. Everybody I know is a Tito's guy. Every single guy I know.

[Jason McIntyre]

So you think college kids coming out now are like, I want to get into the radio business? Well, the herd is the number one show.

[Colin Cowherd]

That's not a viable business. Alcohol is sports radio. If somebody came up to me and pitched a vodka, I'd be like, well, bro, you ain't beating Tito's.

[Jason McIntyre]

Well, no, talk to Kendall Jenner one of the Jenner sisters. She started out one of these vodkas and it's like rising up the charts.

[Colin Cowherd]

Who among influencers. So they sip their one vodka a week.

[Jason McIntyre]

I think they're going on sales. The general basically anything.

[Colin Cowherd]

Influencers don't drink. They want to be pretty.

[Jason McIntyre]

That's a good point. Young people don't really drink anymore. They're more into gummies.

[Colin Cowherd]

T dollars is what golfers drink.

[Jeremy Hobson]

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.

[Julie Stewart-Banks]

What's up everyone? Julius Rippinks here along with former NHL player Nate Thompson.

[Nate Thompson]

We're doing a new podcast together. Here we go.

[Julie Stewart-Banks]

The Name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.

[Nate Thompson]

Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right?

[Julie Stewart-Banks]

Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us.

[Nate Thompson]

Julie is pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe.

[Julie Stewart-Banks]

Listen to EnergyLine with Nate and JSB on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jason McIntyre]

Ever wonder what it would be like.

[Colin Cowherd]

To be mentored by today's top business leaders? My podcast this Is Working can help with that. Here's advice from Google CMO Lorraine Twohill.

[Jeremy Hobson]

On how to treat AI like a partner.

[Jason McIntyre]

I see AI as an incredible co pilot. You may use different tools or toys.

[Colin Cowherd]

To get the work done, but AI is just the latest flavor of that. You're still the judge of what good looks like.

[Jason McIntyre]

I'm Dan Roth, LinkedIn's editor in chief. On my podcast this is Working Leaders Share Strategies for Success.

[Colin Cowherd]

Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jemele Hill]

You have to be very careful with tradition because sometimes tradition is just dead people's baggage.

[Jason McIntyre]

I'm Jemele Hill, host of the sports.

[Colin Cowherd]

And politics podcast Spolitics. On this week's episode, I talk with comedian Roy Wood Jr. About the lack of African American star power in Major League Baseball.

[Jemele Hill]

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.

[Colin Cowherd]

Listen to spoletix on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.