Hour 3 - No more dynasties

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Episode "No More Dynasties"

Podcast Information

• Title: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
• Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
• Description: A thought-provoking, opinionated, and topic-driven journey through the top sports stories of the day.
• Episode: Hour 3 - No More Dynasties
• Release Date: June 23, 2025

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Introduction

In the "No More Dynasties" episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, released on June 23, 2025, hosts Colin Cowherd, Rick Bucher, and guest Alexi Lalas delve into the evolving landscape of sports dynasties across major leagues. The discussion spans from the challenges faced by the U.S. Soccer team in the upcoming World Cup to an analytical breakdown of recent NBA championship teams. This episode provides listeners with in-depth insights, expert opinions, and lively debates on whether dominant teams and dynasties still play a pivotal role in modern sports.

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U.S. Soccer: World Cup Prospects and Team Dynamics

The episode opens with a comprehensive analysis of the U.S. Men's Soccer team's performance and their prospects in the upcoming World Cup. Colin Cowherd and Rick Bucher engage in a detailed conversation with soccer analyst Alexi Lalas, focusing on the team's recent form, strategic decisions, and key player performances.

Key Discussions:

• Team Performance and Recent Games:

  • Rick Bucher reflects on the team's fluctuating performance: “We held England scoreless at the last World Cup, but the Netherlands remains an elite club. It’s a good testing point for us” ([04:00]).
  • Alexi Lalas emphasizes the importance of maintaining momentum: “This group stage was for the US Team to claw back some of that relevancy and caring belief” ([05:30]).

• Goalkeeping Challenges:

  • Both hosts express concerns over the team's goalkeeping stability. Colin Cowherd states, “We can't do two things at once” regarding maintaining strong defense and advancing offensively ([07:11]).
  • Rick Bucher questions the reliability of current goalkeepers: “Matt Freeze yesterday, really bad moment. He froze. I don't think they trust Turner” ([06:42]).

• Coach Mauricio Pochettino’s Strategy:

  • Bucher discusses Pochettino’s aggressive coaching style and its implications: “He is very aggressive. He is not going to play defensively” ([08:15]).
  • Colin Cowherd adds, “He will choose what he thinks on the field is going to enable him to win. If you're not on board, I don't think that he is going to have you on board” ([10:21]).

• Christian Pulisic’s Role and Future:

  • The conversation shifts to Christian Pulisic's influence and decisions. Bucher expresses frustration over Pulisic’s potential absence: “We're not the same team without Pulisic” ([21:02]).
  • Colin Cowherd hopes for Pulisic’s optimal performance: “I would expect to see the best version of Christian Pulisic because we acquiesced” ([21:04]).

Notable Quotes:

• “Why wouldn't I do anything in my power to make sure that this is as successful as possible, which includes energizing or re-energizing, igniting or reigniting the fan base out there that right now isn't showing a whole lot of excitement about what's going to happen next summer.” — Colin Cowherd ([13:49]).

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NFL Updates: Player Contracts and Team Strategies

Following the soccer discussion, the hosts transition to NFL topics, focusing on player contracts, team dynamics, and strategic acquisitions.

Key Discussions:

• Terry McLaurin’s Contract Negotiations:

  • Martin highlights McLaurin’s contract stance: “McLaurin is entering the final year of his current deal, coming off a career high 13 touchdowns” ([22:10]).
  • Bucher supports McLaurin, noting his reliability: “McLaurin is a grinder. He is a wake up, put on the gear deliver” ([23:05]).

• Jacksonville Tigers and Trevor Lawrence:

  • Bucher expresses uncertainty over Trevor Lawrence’s role: “I want to see him be a 12 target guy” ([25:30]).
  • Martin discusses Lawrence’s dual-role challenges: “He was working on offense, but he did devote at least one full practice on defense” ([26:21]).

• Baltimore Ravens’ Defensive Enhancements:

  • Martin praises the Ravens' defensive additions: “They have added a lot more firepower just talent wise on their team” ([27:39]).
  • John Midkoff shares excitement over Jair Alexander’s signing: “We got too many corners that can cover. So I think that's a great problem to have” ([27:39]).

Notable Quotes:

• “We're not the same team without Pulisic.” — Rick Bucher ([21:02]).
• “Hope he gets through that and gets to the other side.” — Colin Cowherd on Coach Pochettino ([20:35]).

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NBA Analysis: Evaluating the Modern Champions

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to analyzing the recent NBA champions, questioning the legitimacy and strength of current dynasties compared to historical teams.

Key Discussions:

• Seven Consecutive NBA Champions:

  • Bucher critiques the recent champions' dominance: “Seven different NBA franchises have won titles in seven years in succession” ([33:07]).
  • He contrasts them with legendary teams, questioning their depth and consistency: “If you're great, you win multiple championships” ([33:12]).

• Historical Comparison:

  • Bucher argues that recent champions lack the cohesion and depth of past dynasties: “The Lakers at number one because I think AD is better than anybody on that Celtics team” ([37:45]).
  • Jason challenges this by highlighting the Lakers’ resilience: “The Thunder are very good defensively… but Trevor Lawrence needs to make it work” ([38:12]).

• Team Evaluations:

  • Bucher ranks the Lakers as top contenders despite recent performance concerns, emphasizing star power: “They won a championship off of that” ([38:25]).
  • Martin supports this by citing the Lakers' strategic acquisitions and veteran presence: “This is a team... they have added a lot more firepower just talent wise” ([27:39]).

Notable Quotes:

• “The Warriors at number four. They look, they miss KD but I thought from their coaching and their fortitude… it was such an intellectually smart team.” — Rick Bucher ([37:30]).
• “The Raptors were very Kawhi dependent offensively. It was a great story, but a much better story than an actual team.” — Rick Bucher ([37:50]).

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Additional Sports Discussions

Beyond the primary topics, the hosts touch upon various other sports-related issues, including player performance, team strategies, and upcoming tournaments.

Key Discussions:

• Jacksonville's Quarterback Strategy:

  • Bucher emphasizes the importance of making Trevor Lawrence an integral part of the offense: “I want him getting 10 targets” ([25:30]).

• Los Angeles Lakers’ Season Challenges:

  • Bucher debates the Lakers' resilience amid health concerns of key players: “Anthony Davis and LeBron James who can't stay healthy” ([38:12]).

• Ravens’ Defensive Strength:

  • Discussions on the Ravens’ newly signed Jair Alexander and their defensive prowess: “Their defense has been good for 25 years” — Rick Bucher ([28:00]).

Notable Quotes:

• “This team has to make it work or financially as an organization.” — Rick Bucher on Trevor Lawrence’s performance ([26:21]).
• “A container that adapts to your Life.” — Rick Bucher on the Ravens’ defense ([28:16]).

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Conclusion

The "No More Dynasties" episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd offers a critical examination of the current state of sports dynasties, questioning their sustainability and impact in today's competitive environment. Through insightful discussions on U.S. Soccer, NFL dynamics, and NBA champion evaluations, the hosts provide listeners with a nuanced perspective on whether traditional powerhouses can maintain their dominance or if a new era is dawning in the sports world. The episode underscores the importance of team depth, strategic coaching, and star player performances in shaping the future of sports leagues.

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Notable Quotes Overview

• Colin Cowherd: “Why wouldn't I do anything in my power to make sure that this is as successful as possible…” ([13:49]).
• Rick Bucher: “We're not the same team without Pulisic.” ([21:02]).
• Martin: “McLaurin is entering the final year of his current deal…” ([22:10]).
• John Midkoff: “We got too many corners that can cover…” ([27:39]).
• Jason: “You just talked about the Oklahoma City Thunder having to go through that…” ([38:12]).

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the "No More Dynasties" episode, providing a valuable overview for those who haven't listened to the full podcast.

Transcript

[Colin Cowherd]

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[Rick Bucher]

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[Alexi Lalas]

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[Rick Bucher]

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[Alexi Lalas]

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[Rick Bucher]

Now let's get this party started.

[Colin Cowherd]

You're Listening to Fox Sports Radio.

[Rick Bucher]

Oh, my mic wasn't on. Alexi Lawless, hall of Famer, Fox Sports soccer analyst, a man I lean on, often agree and disagree with. I don't view you as controversial, but the soccer people get very feisty with you.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah, I don't view me as controversial either. As a matter of fact, I, I, we were just talking about being a man of the people you claim to be one. I have been for many, many years. Can I derail this just for one second? What's your name over there? Martin. Martin. Mark.

[Rick Bucher]

Yes. Yeah, yeah. Martin.

[Colin Cowherd]

Martin. Martin. I came on air today and we were backstage and he was talking to me. It was the most, the kindest thing that's happened to me in a long time. He was explaining that doesn't know anything about soccer, has not watched soccer, to be quite honest, isn't necessarily interested in soccer. But he was saying that oftentimes when he sees me talking about soccer, he sees that I have a passion for it and I'm excited about it and it gets him excited about it. And that was just one of the nicest things that anybody said to me in a long time. So I really appreciate that. And if that's happening, great. And we, we, we say in television, as you know, if you're not excited about it, why should the viewer be excited?

[Rick Bucher]

Well, and I'm ridden with anxiety, so I said at the last World cup, we hold England scoreless. Netherlands is an elite club. We're not there. But it was a good test point for us. Here's a veteran, strong, physically aggressive team. We're not there. We need four years. We had all these on ball Midfield. Pulisic, Weston, McKinney. So hopeful. Then Burhalter, who I liked, maybe didn't love, gets booted. Mauricio Puccatido, who has a history at Tottenham Hotspur of young playing young players. And my take is, okay, I don't need to see the second unit. So we go into this friendly nose dive and Pulisic doesn't play and it feels like the wheels are coming off. And yet we have a plus seven point differential. We're the highest scoring team now. And my take is, is it just bad competition or do you feel better than you did two weeks ago when this team was in a four game skid. Friendlies, albeit friendlies, but a four game skid.

[Colin Cowherd]

So quick answer is I feel better and I think winning just does that. It's, it's not a magic elixir, but it certainly helps you make, make you Feel better. But. And we also understand that success is not linear. Right. So when back, back in the previous when we were talking about this team, but we were also talking about how young they were.

[Rick Bucher]

Yes.

[Colin Cowherd]

And so we extrapolated it out. I don't think in the summer of 2025, we would have envisioned that we would be here with this type of anger and concern and angst. And as I said before last time I was on the show, an apathy. So what this team in this moment has started to do is kind of claw back some of that relevancy, some of that caring belief, if you will. It's not all there. Rob Stone and I were joking that we, when we started this tournament, a lot of people with their arms folded right after the first round, like you said, undefeated, three wins, sitting pretty, maybe hands are out and in the pockets. Now what is hopefully going to happen at the end of the tournament is people start to embrace this team and to clap. But to use, I guess, another sports analogy, in the baseball game, right, they take batting practice, right? And they throw the ball so that you can hit and you can get a flow and you can get a feel and a rhythm and all that kind of stuff. So I think that's what this group stage was for this US Team. Not great competition. They did what they needed to do, but they got kind of a mojo back about winning. Now we get into the elimination rounds. Yeah, Costa Rica is a whole other level.

[Rick Bucher]

So in my life, it could be Tim Howard, it could be Brad Friedle, Casey Keller. We've been a hands country. We have good goalies that we've always had goalies. Sometimes it's been our best asset. Matt Freeze yesterday, really bad moment. He froze. I don't think they trust Turner. I wouldn't trust Freeze after yesterday. This is a problem. So as we've gotten more skilled now on the back end, there are major concerns, are there not?

[Colin Cowherd]

Evidently, as a soccer nation, we can't do two things at once. I mean, how did we screw up goalkeeping? I mean that for so many years, like you mentioned, all of the great it comes to goalkeeping. And now we're at a point where we don't know who our goalkeeper is. And even the goalkeepers that we have are, we're like, okay. And I, I, I think I've just accepted the fact that come next summer in the World Cup 2026, we're going to have a goalkeeper whether it's Matt Turner, whether it's Freeze, whether it's somebody else out there that we just kind of say eh, but eh isn't good enough.

[Rick Bucher]

Well, Mauricio Pochettino, the new coach, is very aggressive. He is not going to play, you know, for most of my life, certainly on the teams you played, losing once to a Brazilian team, one nothing that went on to win the World cup is. You were known for defense. You were a great defender, you were a physical team. You had to be. We have more offensive skill now. We have more midfield creativity and that allows us to be more aggressive. So my take is, can you maintain that aggressiveness? Because that's Pochettino style. If you don't trust the goalkeeping.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah. I mean, goalkeepers are a necessary evil. Right. You can't live with them, you can't throw them off a bridge, but they will save your ass. And in that moment, you accept and recognize that for all their eccentricities. And they are.

[Rick Bucher]

Kickers in the NFL.

[Colin Cowherd]

Exactly. So. Because in that moment, you need them to make this, make the save. And from a US perspective, traditionally, historically, we have had somebody back there that when it breaks down, and it will break down, they come through, and that's important. And if we don't have that going forward, yeah, I think that's a problem. But it goes back to what you said about as we've tried to evolve, as we've tried to progress as a soccer playing nation and how we play. We just got to be careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater because the traits and behaviors and characteristics and personality that have been established over the decades, there's some good stuff there. I'm not saying we can't get better and I'm not saying we can't add, but, but some of that, you know, the physical play, the set pieces, you know, the, for lack of a better word, the spirit fight, all that kind of stuff that still has to be maintained while still improving when it comes to the skill and the technique.

[Rick Bucher]

So if you look how we've pivoted from anxiety and arms crossed to now hands in our pockets over the course of 10 days, it leads me to believe that when a Tyler Adams or a McKinney or a Christian Pulisic come back, will have plenty of time to write the ship. So I want you to take us because this is the last major tournament.

[Colin Cowherd]

Before, last tournament period, the last competitive situation.

[Rick Bucher]

So, so take me. I'm, you know, me, I, I don't consider myself a casual. I watch. Every time they're on television, I watch. But a lot of our audience is. So my, my take is you can play friendlies. Puccino could go to USA Soccer and say, I, I want more travel. I want. What do you expect if we thrive or struggle going forward in this tournament? I need Pulisic, Weston, McKinney. I need our top six players to play together consistently. Does the schedule permit it with their European access?

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah, there's specific windows, but the reality is that we're only going to have eight to 10 more games before the World cup kicks off. Okay. And so, yeah, that's not a lot. I think best case scenario for Pochettino. And I think Pochettino has been biting his tongue. I think some of the things that he has seen, whether it's Christian Pulisic or others out there, and I guess the old guard, which we know is still kind of still young, but it's still the old guard, has made him think about some things. And you know this, and your viewers know this, when it comes to sports, any sport, it's not about the best players. It's about the best collection of players. And as he starts to think about it, I think some, some of his decisions are going to be made. I think this person, while not necessarily as talented as this person, this person's going to run through a wall for me and this person isn't going to cause me problems. And this person doesn't think that their, you know, what doesn't stink. And I think there will be some messages sent and I think there will be, that will elicit some consternation out there because there undoubtedly is incredible quality that is not with this team right now, but ultimately for, for Pochettino. He's being paid rumored $6 million a year to do well in the World cup. And whatever he feels is appropriate to do well in the World cup, whatever that group is, that's what he is being paid to pick.

[Rick Bucher]

Is it possible that our young players understand the Pulisic decision better than the staff does? And I've defended Pulisic because I have said for the first time in my life, we have multiple players flourishing abroad. And whereas I've seen this in basketball, if you look at Jokic, he plays in the Olympics and he plays in the NBA. Cash and country. LeBron, cash and country. The FIBA basketball tournament. They called Cam Johnson, right? They, they, they'll call it Derrick White. Is that our basketball stars have said, listen, man, we'll play for the country. It's cash first. Well, A.C. milan for Pulisics, the cash. And he'll be at the World Cup. And I'm saying this is a new frontier is that our best players look at this tournament and think, I got to make choices. This will no longer make the cut. Does that irritate you?

[Colin Cowherd]

That irritates me. It irritates me because it lacks self awareness or just general awareness of where we are right now. You know, I mentioned the angst and the apathy that has crept into this team now. We are less than a year from the 2026 World Cup. I'm sitting in this chair because of the 1994 World Cup. We remember the 1999 Women's World Cup. These were seminal moments that didn't just change the way we think about soccer. It ultimately changed soccer in our country. And 2026 can have that again. And so a part of me says you're abdicating that responsibility, Christian Pulisic or anybody else, because as people are kind of, eh, I don't really think about this team or I feel like they're not that good a year before the World Cup. That's ridiculous. So anything that you could do or I put myself, and I know I'm an old guy, so it's a different game, but I put myself in those shoes. Why wouldn't I do anything in my power to do everything I could to make sure that this is as successful as possible, which includes energizing or re. Energizing, igniting or reigniting the fan base out there that right now isn't showing a whole lot of excitement about what's going to happen next summer.

[Rick Bucher]

Give me a player or two and. But this is mostly our second. This is our. Well, not mostly, it's our second tier group. But are there. Give me two players watching them when they play Costa Rica that you think could make the World cup team?

[Colin Cowherd]

Oh, there's definitely some players that will make it. I even think a guy like Chris Richards, who is a young player who's a center back, I think he's actually right now a starter and I'll be the first to raise my hand. This probably happens in a lot of other sports when, when players are young, you look at them and you're like, yeah, I don't, I don't get it. I don't see. It doesn't quite move me. And yet after a few years, because you know, he was. There was an aloofness to the way that he played and a lack of, for lack of a better word, seriousness to the way that he played. But he realized this is his job and yet he'd never lost this incredible smile and joy. So I think he's going to be really, really important and he has matured into a man on the field. Diego Luna is a kind of a wild card, just bringing an incredible grit young player and I think you just, you see him on the field and you say that's my guy because he'll run through the wall for you. So those are a couple of players that I think you look at when this Costa Rica game comes up next.

[Rick Bucher]

Sunday, when's the next time Pulisic will join the lads in a friendly.

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, if he is called in by Pochettino, because again, Pochettino might say, well, you didn't want to come in this summer, maybe I'm going to go in a different direction. Not leaving him off, but again, who knows, maybe he sends messages, I don't know. September, there is a window and the US will be playing games in September. Those will be friendly games.

[Rick Bucher]

They're not, you know, when is the AC Milan season start?

[Colin Cowherd]

So that starts in the end of August. So you know, the European season starts. But those windows, they're not playing in Italy at that time. So all the Italian players that he or the, the players that he plays on it with AC Milan will then go to their respective clubs in that window to prepare for the World Cup. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1 and the iHeartRadio app.

[Jay]

Hi, this is Jay. I'm the producer of the Paulie and Tony Fusco show. Usually in these promos they ask you to listen to the show. I'm here to ask you, please don't listen to the show. The hosts are two absolute morons who who have the dumbest takes on sports imaginable. Don't listen to this show so it can get canceled.

[Martin]

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

[Colin Cowherd]

What the hell are you doing in our studio?

[Rick Bucher]

Get him, Paulie. Ignore that fool.

[Colin Cowherd]

Listen to the Paulie and Tony Fusco.

[Martin]

Show on the iHeartRadio app or wherever.

[Rick Bucher]

You get your podcasts. He's still moving.

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[Alexi Lalas]

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[Rick Bucher]

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[Alexi Lalas]

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[Rick Bucher]

How about a box of fine wines?

[Alexi Lalas]

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[Rick Bucher]

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[Alexi Lalas]

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[Rick Bucher]

You know it po. We always blame the coach, we always blame the manager here in the States. We always do. Is there something that you either like or are concerned about with our new guy? Is there, is there something that if I said, you know, Lexley, I got a minute here, I'm a jump on a train. Where are you on the new guy?

[Colin Cowherd]

So what I'm concerned about is this is a coach who's never coached internationally and coaching club is day in and day out. Coaching, coaching internationally is. You got three days here, three days here and it's just, it's a very different type of proposition. So my concern would be that he didn't do his due diligence in what he has to work with and therefore what the realistic expectations are. And now the reality is, is coming into, into focus for him and he might have had the best laid plans and now he has to, has to pivot. That's a concern. But, but, but I'm okay in that I hope he gets through that and gets to the other side. If he is going through that, maybe he's got it all planned out and he's. This has all been part of the master plan and he sees, you know, all the way around the corner, which is next summer. What I like about him is that I don't think he suffers fools and I don't think he cares how much money you make, how famous you are, what you, what has been said about you. He will choose what he thinks on the field is going to enable him to win. And if you're not on board, I don't think that he is going to have you on board.

[John Midkoff]

Yeah.

[Rick Bucher]

We're not the same team without Pulisic.

[Colin Cowherd]

No, no. And the Pulisic, it's okay that we had this moment and this controversy. He's going to be there. Nobody's ever questioned his ability and his talent when he gets on the field. And so if he needed a rest, fine, I can disagree and it can rub me the wrong way. But ultimately take this rest. But now the onus is on Christian Pulisic when he comes back because there's no more excuses and. And I would expect to see the best version of Christian Pulisic because we acquiesced. He did. He got what he wanted. Fine. It's not a power play, but he got what he wanted.

[Rick Bucher]

Sure.

[Colin Cowherd]

All right, now bring it back and give us the best version. Arrested Christian Pulisic, who has a good. Another good season with AC Milan and then comes all guns blazing next summer for the greatest country in the world.

[Rick Bucher]

It's great to see you.

[Colin Cowherd]

It's great to see you. It's great to see you. I mean, I told you, I walked in here, I got one of the greatest compliments I've ever gotten, so.

[Rick Bucher]

And Martin doesn't hand him out much. He can be irascible and difficult. I mean, the fact that he was just so easygoing. John Midkoff. Thanks, buddy, with the news. No, no, no.

[Colin Cowherd]

Turn on the news. This is the Herdline news.

[Martin]

Okay, Colin. Terry McLaren skipped mandatory minicamp as he looks for a new contract from the commanders. McLaurin is entering the final year of his current deal, coming off a career high 13 touchdowns. According to Albert Brer. McLaren is looking for something in the $30 million per year range.

[Rick Bucher]

Yeah.

[Martin]

Adding that he thinks eventually the two sides will agree to a deal.

[Rick Bucher]

Well, you can do it for about three years with Jaden. And I also think McLaurin has, I think, fairly been probably underpaid for a bit of his career. There's a, you know, sometime you know this as a scout there, it's a position that creates personality and it can be inflamed position. McLaurin is a grinder. He is a wake up, put on the gear deliver. That's one of those guys I don't love. I think there's a bit of a wide receiver bubble economically in the league, but I really like him.

[Martin]

I, I think there are some parallels, you know, production wise in this offense. He's never going to be 120 catch a year guy like Jamar Chase, but the going rate for these guys is 31, 32, 33 million dollars. We saw Brandon Ayuk last year, 75 catch a year guy. They regretted that immediately. Now I feel like McLaren's one of the heartbeats of this team.

[Rick Bucher]

Oh, I do too.

[Martin]

Hasn't missed a game in years. Total tough guy. Adam Peters, long time. John lynch, you know, right hand man, has seen these holdouts up close and personal. Debo years ago, Trent Williams, Nick Bosa, he has an understanding like they got a lot of good vibes coming into this year.

[Rick Bucher]

That's right.

[Martin]

Why is Laramie Tunzel on their team? He wants a lot of money too, you know, Debo Samuel, contract year. So this is. There's a lot going on here, but they got a veteran coach, they got a gm. That's while he's a younger guy, he's been around the block. A lot of pressure on this team to note. It's easy when you get to sneak up on everybody. They're not sneaking up on a soul.

[Rick Bucher]

This year going, yeah, and I, and I do think I like the Debo acquisition. I think, listen, when you're. Sometimes you draft a quarterback like J.J. mcCarthy and it's bad luck, they get hurt or it's panics and they're not quite ready or how it's viewed when you get a guy as good as Jaden and like over delivers and I don't know if I remember a rookie quarterback being that good, including Andrew Law. You almost owe it to him to go big on offense. Draft your defense, keep it cheap and twitchy. Do kind of what the Chiefs are in, the Rams are doing now, keep your defense cheap. But they know Matt Stafford's got a couple years left. We're loading up the offense. I think this kid for two years, when he's this good, you almost owe him a run. Because Philadelphia is the only team I look at and think they're not beating Philly consistently. Outside of that, I think they match up with a lot of teams.

[Martin]

Well, I mean they beat Detroit last year. Now Detroit was injured, but I would say that they have added a lot more firepower just talent wise on their team coming into year two of this regime. Okay, Colin the Jack. They have officially signed Travis Hunter to a rookie deal over the weekend, landing a $30.57 million signing bonus paid up front. Good to Florida. Hunter is the first non quarterback not drafted first overall to get the signing bonus entirely up front. Hunter has spent the majority of OTAs in minicamp working on offense, but he did devote at least one full practice on defense so far. I don't know.

[Rick Bucher]

I. I contend that you got to make Trevor Lawrence work. I want him getting 10 targets. I think you know how sometimes when you're trying to discover with Caleb Williams, is it going to work? You load up the offense. I mean, Chicago's paying a lot of money for a lot of people because they have to figure out in the next 17 games is Caleb worth it. Jacksonville's already signed the deal. So my take, it's almost like, Dak, go get George Pickens. You're paying all this money for Dak. It has to work. I think Trevor Lawrence at this point, I know Travis can play defense, but we have to make this thing work or financially as an organization. If Trevor Lawrence doesn't work, if you decide it just, it doesn't hit. Where are you then? So to me, I want to see him be a 12 target guy.

[Martin]

Yeah, I don't think it's possible to go both ways. Starting out like he did at Colorado, I mean, the Big 12 is not exactly the NFL, but I also think, you know, what would a team do if you put him out at corner? They would pull a tackle, be like, okay, he weighs 185 pounds. So I think easing them in an offense is clearly. I think that was the mindset when they picked them. But playing every down on defense, have you seen the wide receivers in this league, Colin? The guys you have to cover. And even John Harbaugh earlier this offseason said they're not enough hours in the day to do this. And he liked the player, but he's like, this is. This is crazy.

[Rick Bucher]

Yeah. And I also think even if you're a great corner, there's ways to manipulate it so you're less effective. I mean, nobody's throwing to Patrick Surtan. Sauce Gardner was amazing and then he suddenly wasn' Jalen Ramsey aged fast. A receiver with a top quarterback feels like they can last a long time if they get along.

[Martin]

And if he's good with Brian Thomas with the quarter, I mean the quarterback, a lot of pressure on him to succeed this year, like you said. Okay, last but not least, the Ravens. They make a made a big addition to their secondary last week, signing former Packer corner Jair Alexander after his release from the Packers. Lamar Jackson played a role in recruiting the Pro Bowler and Marlon Humphrey spoke to adding Alexander to the defense.

[John Midkoff]

A quote that's never been said and probably will never be said in NFL history is we got too many corners that can cover. So I think that's a great. That's a great problem to have and really excited to for that addition. Obviously he just got off the plane, but I'm super excited to add him. I think it'll add mesh really well with the team and it'll be a good secondary.

[Rick Bucher]

This to me after Philadelphia is in the running for second best roster in the league. Baltimore's pretty good.

[Martin]

They have been for a while. I mean, defense is never going to be their issue. They have lost in these playoff games. You know Lamar, the two turnovers last year.

[Rick Bucher]

Mark Andrews drops.

[Martin]

He did not play well two years ago against the Chiefs. If the Lamar Jackson that we have seen become a superstar these last couple years can put those games against Josh and Mahomes, they can win a Super bowl because their defense has been. Because they've been good for 25 years. The Baltimore Ravens defense is actually the one. I think the way we talk about the Steelers Steelers defense hasn't been as good as they were way back in.

[Rick Bucher]

The day and it's very, very T.J. watt reliant.

[Martin]

This team's got players, young players, older players, veteran players, Roquan Smith, you know, Wiggins coming out of the draft. Like him. Marlon Humphrey resurrected his career moving into nickel last year. So not worried about the Ravens on defense. It's all about Lamar Jackson playing one in in these playoff games. That's that's really where they're at now.

[Rick Bucher]

Yeah. John Middlekop with the news.

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, that's the news and thanks for stopping by.

[Rick Bucher]

The Herd Lie news has flown by today. Rick Bucher and Alexi Lawless. You know it's the NBA's moved into a sort of a new Adam Silver era. I'm not sure what to make of it. I felt last night it felt like a little bit of a downer and didn't feel like it had a lot of gravitas. But I'm happy for OKC and I'll wrap it up with some thoughts on that coming up. The Herd.

[Colin Cowherd]

Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekday at noon.

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[Alexi Lalas]

Summer is here and you can now get almost anything you need for your sunny days delivered with Uber Eats.

[Rick Bucher]

Now what do we mean by almost?

[Alexi Lalas]

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.

[Rick Bucher]

How about a box of fine wines?

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[Rick Bucher]

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[Rick Bucher]

With an all electric suv.

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[Rick Bucher]

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[Rick Bucher]

So as of last night, seven different NBA franchises have won titles in seven years in succession. So I got fooled a little bit. I thought Boston had a chance to, you know, be a dominant repeat team. They were a very good regular season road team this year. Kind of quirky at and I thought Denver could not keep really important pieces like Brown and kcp. And you know, Joe Jokic feels like he just doesn't have enough support. He doesn't have another all star. So I was saying if I, if I take the last seven champions in terms of, you know, how good are they? None of them I believe are great. I think, you know, listen, if you're great, you win multiple championships. Shaq and Kobe, Michael Jordan, Katie, Steph, Duncan, I mean just San Antonio gets overlooked. Duncan's arguably a starter on the all time starting five man, who's the best six man ever. And Tony Parker was an mvp. And they had Bruce Bowens. You know, fighters, tough guys, legendary coach, well funded, great international scouting. And that team's overlooked. I think all those teams would take OKC to the woodshed. OKC doesn't have a consistent number two score. Depth has never been that important. We don't talk about depth with Michael Jordan's Bulls or Katie's Warriors. Depth wins. Now roster construction, the new aprons and cba, you have to build with depth. So. But I mean SGA is their only dependable score. And he's great, but he could not shoot from three point land in this series 24%. So I would say of the seven last champions, the weakest team was Toronto. Kawhi was absolutely a rental. They were very Kawhi dependent offensively. In three rounds they went six plus games and got a very fortuitous bounce against I think Philadelphia. So it was a team. It was a great story, but a much better story than an actual team. I would put the Thunder at, you know, number six. Listen, they don't have a number two score of note consistently. Chet Holmgren will be much better over the next three years than this year. I do think the coaching is good. It's not sensational. And they were 500 on the road. I think the Bucks in 2021, because Giannis is better than SGA was a much more dominant player on both ends of the floor. Giannis was a basket if he got the ball within five feet and he was the best defensive player in the league at that time. Chris Middleton drew Holiday. Now they were a team, they were not a great team and they, and they got old very fast. Chris Middleton especially. And they fell behind.02 in series. So Milwaukee again, we thought maybe all time stuff and they got old. Two years later, I think number four is the Warriors. It was their fourth title in an eight year run. They, you know, they, they look, they miss kd but I thought from their coaching and their fortitude between Steph Clay Wiggins had a nice final against Boston and Steve Curran Draymond, I think it was such an intellectually I think it's one of the smartest teams ever, along with LeBron, Wade, Spoelstra, Batty A, Ray Allen, those Hegel teams. I would put the warriors at number four. I would put the Nuggets at number three because Jokic at that time had certified himself as the best basketball player in the world. Dominant run in the conference finals and the finals. They only lost one game. I was fooled by this team. They were so dominant, so long, so confident. I love Malone, the coach, but again, they lost some peripheral pieces and became very Jokic centric in following years. I think number two is the Celtics, who had the best roster by far of the last seven champions. But it was still Jaylen Brown who was winning MVP of the conference finals and the finals. So you were never quite sure who was going to take that final shot. But they did not lose more than one game in any series. Most would put them number one. I would put the Lakers number one because I think AD is better than anybody on that Celtic team. And LeBron at that point was better than anybody on that Celtic team. And if you give me the two best players in a series, I think I'll beat you. I trust LeBron more than Tatum and AD more than Jaylen Brown. They were not as good, as deep as the Celtics, but don't forget, Alex Caruso was on that team before we all knew who he was or realized how great he was. And KCP was on that team. So now they also had the best record. People forget this. They had the best record in the west before the league shut down with COVID So you're dinging them because of COVID And my takeaway is I'm giving them credit. That was the quirky, weirdest year of sports in my life. Now, Rick Bucher was apoplectic when I told him and showed him my list.

[Jason]

I agree with you at the bottom of the list. But the fifth team should be the Los Angeles Lakers. Winning in an antiseptic environment.

[Rick Bucher]

No home court, no road.

[Jason]

You just talked about the Oklahoma City Thunder having to go through that. You have an Anthony Davis and LeBron James who can't stay healthy through an entire season. And we're going to take three months off in the beginning. We're going to basically play two half seasons and they win a championship off of that. And you're going to put them at the top of the list.

[Rick Bucher]

Yes, I am. Now, again, it comes down to LeBron, AD in their prime, or really close to it. I think that's the best tandem of Any team in this seven year run. I mean we, we have to be honest. The Thunder are very good defensively. Who do you trust after Sje to hit a shot? Like, I think Jalen Williams is talented. I think J Dub is talented. He has a big ceiling. He's not there yet. He's still an ascending player. So if you had to do this, what would be your big push on this?

[Martin]

I put the Lakers last, Colin. But, but, but I've disliked the Lakers for 30 years. I, I, I do think if you look at the top teams over the last 20, 25 years, I don't think the Thunder would be a betting they'd be an underdog against the ball. KD Warrior, some of the great LeBron teams, some of the spurs teams, obviously the Kobe Shack, I mean this is not their record and their end results.

[Rick Bucher]

But I don't, I saw a rating over the weekend. It's called the, I think it's called the srr Jason. You may look that up. You know, it's points for points against. It's a fairly simplistic rating system. They said if Indy won the title, they would be the weakest champion since the 1978 Washington Bullets, which was Elvin Hayes, Wes Hunsel, Phil Shinier, Bobby Dandridge, Kevin Greeby. I know I'm aging myself, but I love that team. I didn't think that team was weak at all, but they would be viewed as one of the weaker teams. So it took a Halliburton injury to ensure the championship. So hey, listen, congratulations. Nobody in Oklahoma cares. Good for you. It's a great day in Oklahoma. All right, we'll see you tomorrow.

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[Rick Bucher]

Now, what do we mean by almost?

[Alexi Lalas]

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[Rick Bucher]

Hi, it's Colin. I've been around long enough to know quality when I see it. Or in this case, when I taste it.

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[Rick Bucher]

Good stuff.

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[Rick Bucher]

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[Alexi Lalas]

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[Rick Bucher]

I like to keep it simple. Tito's soda, one lime, lot of ice.

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[Rick Bucher]

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[Alexi Lalas]

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[Rick Bucher]

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[Alexi Lalas]

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[Rick Bucher]

You should, too.

[Alexi Lalas]

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[Rick Bucher]

Savor responsibly.

[Colin Cowherd]

This is an I Heart podcast.