Hour 3 - Steelers and Wilson, does Luka give Lebron more life?

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd Episode: Hour 3 - Steelers and Wilson, does Luka give Lebron more life?
Release Date: February 17, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, co-hosts LaVar Arrington and Jonas Knox delve into a range of pressing sports topics. The discussion primarily focuses on the recent NBA All-Star Weekend controversies, Russell Wilson's potential future with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the T. Higgins franchise tag situation with the Cincinnati Bengals, an analysis of the AFC North division, and an intriguing conversation about the impact of Luka Doncic's addition to LeBron James's team.

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1. Critique of NBA All-Star Weekend

Arrington and Knox initiate the conversation by expressing their dissatisfaction with the NBA's recent All-Star Weekend. They highlight the superficial nature of the events compared to other major sports leagues.

• Authenticity Concerns:
  Arrington criticizes the NBA for presenting an All-Star Game that doesn't resemble a true competitive match. He states,

  "[...] it's like the NBA, the NFL, a lot of these All Star Games, they present a product that they can't do Live at an All Star event."
  [05:19]

• Comparison with MLB:
  The hosts praise the Major League Baseball All-Star Game for maintaining authenticity, stating it closely resembles actual gameplay, unlike the NBA's version. Arrington remarks,

  "There's a reason why the Major League Baseball All Star Game is the best All Star Game of the bunch, because it's the one that most closely resembles what the actual product is."
  [05:13]

• Opinions from Prominent Figures:
  Draymond Green's and Charles Barkley's criticisms are discussed, with Green finding the All-Star format unfair to serious players like Victor Wembanyama and Stephen Alexander. Barkley echoes similar sentiments, emphasizing the lack of competitive spirit in the event.

  Jonas Knox responds to Barkley by defending the newer generation's efforts to make the event exciting, despite Barkley's reservations.
  [07:56] - [10:40]

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2. Russell Wilson's Future with the Pittsburgh Steelers

The potential departure of quarterback Russell Wilson from the Pittsburgh Steelers sparks a detailed analysis of his possible landing spots and the implications for the team.

• Potential Teams:
  Arrington suggests the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders as plausible destinations for Wilson, noting the Raiders' improved relationship with Pete Carroll.

  "The Raiders do make some sense from the standpoint of there's reports that him and Pete Carroll have mended fences."
  [24:38]

• Market Considerations:
  The Giants are highlighted for their major market appeal, which might align with Wilson's preference for high-profile environments over Pittsburgh's smaller market.

  "The market he wanted to go into like a major, major market from what I could gather."
  [25:15]

• Team Performance and Risks:
  Both potential teams are scrutinized for their current performance levels, with concerns about their ability to utilize Wilson effectively. Knox points out the risks involved, questioning whether these teams can genuinely benefit from Wilson's presence.

  "Do you think somebody swoops in and gives T. Higgins...?"
  [34:04]

• Impact on Steelers:
  The discussion underscores the Steelers' precarious position without a stable quarterback, highlighting that past issues were not solely Wilson's responsibility but also stemmed from team dynamics and play-calling shortcomings.

  "Whatever quarterback you put in that starting position is going to have to deal with the same exact complications that Russ did this season."
  [28:05]

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3. T. Higgins Franchise Tag Situation with the Cincinnati Bengals

Arrington and Knox delve into the Cincinnati Bengals' strategic move regarding wide receiver T. Higgins, analyzing its implications for the team and the wider NFL landscape.

• Franchise Tag Implementation:
  The Bengals are expected to place a non-exclusive franchise tag on Higgins for a second consecutive season, aiming to secure his position amidst trade rumors and free agency speculation.

  "The Bengals plan on placing the non-exclusive franchise tag on T. Higgins for a second straight season."
  [32:19]

• Negotiation Dynamics:
  The discussion explores the Bengals' upper hand in negotiations, given Higgins' desire to remain with the team and the likelihood that other teams may not match the Bengals' offer, especially considering the cost of two first-round picks for a long-term deal.

  "Nobody's going to match offer. So with that being said, it gives Cincinnati the upper hand on negotiating a long term contract with Higgins."
  [35:41]

• Team Improvement Needs:
  The hosts emphasize the Bengals' necessity to retain key players like J.K. Hendrickson and improve their defense to complement a potent offense led by Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase.

  "When you have what you have in Joe Burrow, you look at what you have in Ja'Marr Chase... it's a tragedy that you have to play better defense."
  [36:34]

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4. Analysis of the AFC North Division

A comprehensive breakdown of the AFC North highlights the Steelers' struggles and the dominance of the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals.

• Steelers' Decline:
  Arrington laments the Steelers' inability to keep pace with division rivals, attributing their decline to quarterback instability and defensive shortcomings.

  "They have not been that dominant this year. So I don't put all of that on Russ."
  [28:07]

• Ravens and Bengals Dominance:
  The Ravens and Bengals are portrayed as formidable contenders with strong quarterbacks and dynamic offenses. Arrington notes that both teams are trending upwards and could pose significant playoff threats.

  "Cincinnati's got a ceiling that Pittsburgh can't reach."
  [32:28]

• Divisional Comparisons:
  The hosts compare the division's top teams, suggesting that Baltimore and Cincinnati are better positioned for success compared to Pittsburgh, which seems stagnant.

  "Baltimore feels like a threat... Ravens just feels flat."
  [30:43]

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5. LeBron James and Luka Doncic: A Synergistic Partnership

The episode shifts gears to discuss the NBA's star duo, LeBron James and Luka Doncic, exploring how their collaboration might influence LeBron's career longevity and team dynamics.

• LeBron's Career Outlook:
  Arrington touches on LeBron's statements about potentially retiring in the next few years, questioning whether partnering with Doncic might extend his playing days by relieving some of his leadership burdens.

  "Do you guys think that the addition of Luka, though, will sort of rejuvenate him to play longer than he really wanted to now that he knows he won't have to carry the load?"
  [46:31]

• Doncic's Impact:
  Doncic's arrival is seen as a revitalizing factor for the team, with the potential to compete more effectively in the league.

  "The excitement of being able to add a caliber player like that, a generational talent like that to our franchise, it's something that's given me energy."
  [46:31]

• Comparative Achievements:
  The hosts compare LeBron's and Michael Jordan's championship records, debating how Doncic's presence could influence LeBron's legacy and future achievements.

  "Even if he did not receive full compensation of the credit of getting those championships... it would still go down in the record book that he has seven championships."
  [50:15]

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6. Super Bowl Venue Considerations: The Vegas Proposal

Concluding the primary discussions, Arrington and Knox speculate on future Super Bowl locations, particularly focusing on the NFL's renewed interest in Las Vegas.

• Return to Las Vegas:
  According to the Sports Business Journal, the NFL is considering bringing the Super Bowl back to Las Vegas in 2029, impressed by the city's hosting capabilities from previous events.

  "The NFL is preparing a return to Vegas in 2029... they could give him another shot just five years later."
  [51:00]

• Venue Rotation Thoughts:
  The hosts debate the traditional Super Bowl rotation, expressing enthusiasm for potential venues like Miami, New Orleans, Atlanta, and the proposed return to Las Vegas.

  "We talk about the super bowl rotation, right? And it should... Choose between Miami and Vegas, Phoenix."
  [51:42] - [52:20]

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Conclusion

This episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd offers a deep dive into significant sports narratives, blending critical analysis with engaging banter. From dissecting the flaws of the NBA All-Star Weekend to pondering the future moves of NFL stars and examining divisional strengths, Arrington and Knox provide listeners with comprehensive insights into the current sports landscape. Additionally, the discussion on LeBron James and Luka Doncic adds a compelling angle on NBA team dynamics and player legacies.

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Notable Quotes

• LaVar Arrington on MLB All-Star Game Authenticity:

  "There's a reason why the Major League Baseball All Star Game is the best All Star Game of the bunch, because it's the one that most closely resembles what the actual product is."
  [05:13]

• Jonas Knox on Russell Wilson's Market Appeal:

  "The market he wanted to go into like a major, major market from what I could gather."
  [25:15]

• LaVar Arrington on Bengals' Defensive Needs:

  "When you have what you have in Joe Burrow, you look at what you have in Ja'Marr Chase... it's a tragedy that you have to play better defense."
  [36:34]

• Jonas Knox on Luka Doncic's Potential Impact:

  "The excitement of being able to add a caliber player like that, a generational talent like that to our franchise, it's something that's given me energy."
  [46:31]

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from Hour 3 of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, providing a clear and engaging overview for both regular listeners and newcomers alike.

Transcript

[Colin Cowherd]

You can count on T Mobile to help keep you connected from big cities to small towns on America's largest 5G network. Switch the T Mobile keep your phone and they'll pay it off up to 800 bucks per line via prepaid card. Learn more@t mobile.com heap and switch up to four lines via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualifying unlock device, credit service port in 90 plus days with device and eligible carrier and timely redemption. Acquired card has no cash access and expires in six months. Banking with Capital One helps you keep more money in your wallet with no fees or minimums on checking accounts and no overdraft fees. Just ask the Capital One bank guy. It's pretty much all he talks about in a good way. He'd also tell you that this podcast is his favorite podcast too. Oh really? Thanks Capital One Bank Guy. What's in your wallet? Terms apply. See CapitalOne.com Bank Capital One NA Member FDIC Last week was our first playoff.

[LaVar Arrington]

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[Colin Cowherd]

And then my doctor told me I.

[LaVar Arrington]

Could get clearer skin with a pill called Otla. Otezla Epremilast is a prescription medicine used to treat adult patients with plaque psoriasis for whom phototherapy or systemic therapy is appropriate. Otzla can help you get clearer skin after just four months. Okay, ready for the next game? Talking to my doctor about a pill was a total game changer.

[Jonas Knox]

Don't use Otezla if you're allergic to it.

[LaVar Arrington]

Get medical help right away if you have trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat or arms. Severe diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, depression, suicidal thoughts or weight loss can happen. Tell your doctor if any of these occur and if you have a history of depression or suicidal thoughts. Live in a moment. Ask your doctor About Otezla, call 1-844-4-OTESLA.

[Jonas Knox]

Or visit otezla.com for pres info, info.

[LaVar Arrington]

About cost and more.

[Colin Cowherd]

Virgin Voyages isn't your average cruise. It's a masterclass in luxury, all in voyage. Pricing includes over $1,000 in value, Wi fi, tips, entertainment, even specialty dining. No hidden fees, no surprises. The cabins are next level private terraces, virgin red hammocks, unbeatable sea views. Add in the adults only factor. No kids. That's right, just relaxation. It's no surprise they're award winning. And the destinations? Caribbean this winter, Iceland, North America and the Mediterranean in 2025 and 2026. Virgin Voyages is where luxury meets travel. Book it and see what you've been missing. Learn [e-mail] or contact your travel advisor. Thanks for listening to the Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio at noon to 3 eastern 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. Thanks for listening to the Herd podcast.

[LaVar Arrington]

That's weird. Yeah, I don't care. I mean, probably.

[Jonas Knox]

Oh my gosh.

[LaVar Arrington]

Yeah, just some random tweezers around the floor here in the studio. That's interesting.

[Jonas Knox]

What's going on around here, man, you know, need to talk about the shenanigans. I don't know.

[LaVar Arrington]

Tweezers, not quite sure. Tweezers for not quite sure. But it is the Herd here on Fox Sports Radio. It's lavar Harrington Unibrow and Jonas Knox in for Colin here on the iHeartRadio app and the show here on all of our Fox Sports Radio affiliates all across the country as we take you all the way up until noon Pacific Time, 3:00 Eastern Time. And of course, the big topic of conversation today around the world of sports, big topic is that giant circus tent that they put up in the Bay Area and decided to throw on some NBA events and call that an All Star Weekend, which people were not thrilled with.

[Jonas Knox]

I mean, are we call, is it shade? Are we throwing shade at All Star Weekend or is it really warranted? You know, I mean, it sucked.

[LaVar Arrington]

Like, but here's, here's how I look at because we're going to hear from, you know, Draymond Greenhead. Comments Charles Barkley pointed some fingers. This is how I look at All Star Games. There's a reason why the Major League Baseball All Star Game is the best All Star Game of the bunch, because it's the one that most closely resembles what the actual product is. It's like when somebody tells you, amen, that band's really good live. They're saying that because they sound close to what they sound like on the.

[Jonas Knox]

Album, not a doctored up version. Like, oh, heard them in person, they sounded horrible.

[LaVar Arrington]

Because they're not doing things like some musical acts will do things in studio that they can't replicate live. Thus when you go and see them live, it just doesn't look the same. And it's like the NBA, the NFL, a lot of these All Star Games, they present a product that they can't do Live at an All Star event. And that's why it looks less than where Major League Baseball. What they sound like on the album is exactly what they look like in the All Star Game. And that's why people like it and prefer that over the other All Star events, because it feels like an actual game. You can't do that in the NFL. And you could if you were Sean Taylor and you wanted to wipe out a punter in a Pro bowl. Like you played it in three different Pro Bowls.

[Jonas Knox]

I was out there playing for keeps.

[LaVar Arrington]

I mean, it did look a lot different than it does now. And it just feels like they're presenting us a product that doesn't look anything like you would normally see. And my big issue with it is just the timing of it. I accept the fact that All Star Games, by and large, are terrible, but why would you let this be your first weekend without the NFL as your first representation of the sport? That doesn't make any sense.

[Jonas Knox]

Hang doesn't. It's pretty damning, you know, and. And I was. I'll just say this because I know we want to bounce off of the. Bounce off of the sound bites. Jones, let's. Like, I want to hear what. Obviously what we had people listen to earlier with Draymond, but then what we didn't do in the first two hours that we're going to do here is listen to what Charles Barkley had to say in response to it. And then I'm a. I'm a react off of that because I'm. I'm in alignment with what you're saying. I just feel like there's a disconnect there in terms of the fan base, the fans and what it is that they. They're looking for the personalities. But, I mean, I'm not. I'm not going to throw shade out until y'all hear the shade come from Internal. This is what Draymond had to say about it. You work all year to be an All Star and you get to play up to 40 and then you're done. This is so unfair to Victor Wembayama, who just took this game really seriously. Shay Gilgames Alexander, who just took this game really seriously. When you talk about chasing after the points, Melo and Kobe and all these guys who've had great scoring nights, they don't get the opportunity to do that with this game. Also, we can watch some rising stars. We about to watch the Olympic team. Now we get the treat of watching the Olympic team play against a U19 team. Come on. What are we doing scale of 1 to 10, your thoughts of the format, 10 being the best. Yes.

[LaVar Arrington]

A zero.

[Jonas Knox]

Sucks. Wow. Here's what Charles Barkley here. Here's what Charles Barkley had to say in response to what. Well, what Draymond had to say. I'm gonna disagree with Draymond a lot. You know, I use the analogy, like, when your kids mess up the house, you make them cleaning up and they complain and they mess the game up. That's why we're trying kamikaze stuff out here right now. So his generation messed the game up. So don't act like he's mad because they trying to use rookies. And we're doing every type of trick to make this weekend exciting. Don't be trying to use rookies. Kamikaze stuff. What he's basically saying is the stars, the legends of the game, were a part of All Star Weekend. And you got to know these players. You got to know who Charles Barkley was. You got to know who. I mean, even. Even move a step forward. Like, I used older. An older generation early on to. To represent. I talked about the Pistons, talked about the. The Knicks and. And. And the Rockets. Let's bit closer to, you know, the generation that was right before Draymond and all of them with. With Kobe and with Anthony Hardaway and with Shaquille O'Neal and all those guys. You got an opportunity to get to know the players and their. Who they were and these bigger, larger than life personalities of people. I mean, we ain't hear Yao Ming say three, four words. Hi, bye. Good damn. We knew who Yao Ming was, though. We related to Yao Ming. We was cool with Yao, man. No, Kind of, sort of. Kind of, sort of. You know, if you were a Rockets fan, you. You rocked with him and Tracy McGrady.

[LaVar Arrington]

Were you in D.C. with either George Mirasan or Manute Bowl?

[Jonas Knox]

I'm younger than that, bro. Thank you very much.

[LaVar Arrington]

George Mirson.

[Jonas Knox]

Right before I got here, it was in the. The What? The late 90s. The. The mid 90s career. Yeah, I. I didn't get. I got to DC in 2000. Like, he was probably there mid 90s. I. I would. I would say mid 90s, right? Yeah, maybe he bowl like my new bowl. I was in, like, middle school, probably, like, golly, trying to make me old. I was there when Michael Jordan was there. That's when I was in D.C. i was there with Jordan. Rip Hambleton was there. Guys like that. Who else was there? The big dude from North Carolina. Why am I blanking on his name?

[LaVar Arrington]

Montross.

[Jonas Knox]

Not Montross. The opposite end of the spectrum, but he was tall. Hayward. Brendan Hayward was there. Kwame Brown had got drafted while I was there. Popeye Jones was there while I was there. Yeah, there's, you know, there's some dudes there, but I'm just saying this new generation. I'm totally on with what Charles Barkley said. When you don't have your, your big guns coming out and making the all star game a priority, making the dunk contest a priority, making the three point contest a priority. When you don't see the big gun doing it with the other guys. Can the underdog win or can, can, can LeBron James win it? Can, can he go out and win the dunk contest? He's deferred for years and years and years. Guys that were big time players. Imagine Vince Carter said, I don't want to do the dunk contest. Imagine that.

[LaVar Arrington]

By the way, Vince Carter was a great player for a long time, but he is known for dunk contest. Okay, like, great play, but like dope.

[Jonas Knox]

Like hall of Famer.

[LaVar Arrington]

Yes. Same with Dominique Wilkins. Like, if you want to know how.

[Jonas Knox]

Good Vince Carter was, I was at the, I, I went to that. You know how many, you know how hot that ticket was. When they said Vince Carter is doing the dunk contest this year, everybody went. Because curiously, it was in San Francisco. It was, it was on the west Coast.

[LaVar Arrington]

Oh, different looking, different looking time back then, you know, from what I hear.

[Jonas Knox]

Bro. Bro. And everybody was there. That's where I first met Kevin Garnett. I met so many. I met Red man and Method Man. It was such a spectacle. I don't know if it's still like that now because, well, because you could.

[LaVar Arrington]

And the point on Vince Carter and Dominique Wilkins and guys like that is those without the dunk contest, those are probably hall of Fame players. Like, those are hall of fame 100 players.

[Jonas Knox]

That's the point. Yeah, you bring your big guns.

[LaVar Arrington]

So then you throw the dunk contest on top of it and it made them superstars. Like the human highlight re.

[Jonas Knox]

You're trying to figure out who's going to win. You was actually, if people remember it, you were choosing sides. Are you team Dominique or are you team Mike? You were choosing sides. It wasn't just, oh, Michael Jordan, Michael Jordan, Mike. Nah, man. It was like, I'm human highlight film.

[LaVar Arrington]

Dominique was my favorite dunker of all time, bro.

[Jonas Knox]

He used to dunk so hard.

[LaVar Arrington]

Dunked, jumped off two feet, bro.

[Jonas Knox]

That double, that double feet window. Oh, my gosh, bro.

[LaVar Arrington]

So good.

[Jonas Knox]

It was so much so explosive pause, you know what I mean? Like, but Mike just had everybody flying with him. You got to give Mike credit for carrying like, like we say LeBron is carry. I don't care. But Mike was really like building fans and different like come fly. They had a special on VHS cassette that you could buy that said come fly with Mike. And you're watching dunk contest. You're singularly watching an event take place because of the that Michael Jordan was having on you as a person and as a family. You don't have name a player that has that impact now. And it ain't even LeBron.

[LaVar Arrington]

LeBron.

[Jonas Knox]

I, I listen LeBron is a big time guy, big time influence. I get it. He's not influencing the NBA to the fan base the way that Michael Jordan did when he was playing. I think that might play play a large part in it as well.

[LaVar Arrington]

Well, if you were not a fan of the All Star Weekend and get in line, I'm not sure many there could be some changes happening. This according to Ryan Glass, beagle of Front Office Sports who said the following next season NBC takes over from TNT for the All Star Weekend. There are three big changes that could be coming for the all star weekend. Number one, earlier start time, 5pm Eastern time from where it's at now, which is 8pm Eastern time. Next year's All Star Weekend is right in the middle of the Winter Olympics in Italy. So most of the Olympic events would be over by 5 Eastern time. There's also the thought of a one on one tournament with a potential $1 million prize and stars in the dunk contest. So this feels like the NBA has seen. Okay, we really do have a problem here. Like we've tried everything, we've tried to push this off and, and change it and manipulate it and put it at this time and you know, have these. This year felt like this was a really big whiff and a big miss by the NBA. And at least next year they're looking at it going, all right, let's make some changes. Like a one on one tournament for a million dol. Okay, that's fun.

[Jonas Knox]

I mean it creates betting opportunities, right? Betting odds. I mean that one on one stuff that was going on with the women, I liked it. It was kind of, it was pretty cool.

[LaVar Arrington]

I'll say this. And I'm not even trying to fanboy it up for Fox. I'm not like legitimately, I watched Daytona yesterday. It was fantastic. The Daytona 500 was fantastic. And, and even that in comparison like, you know, they're doing the four nations face off in hockey and you've got, you know, guys throwing down, you know, trying to, you know, trying to win it for their country and all that. It just. There were other events that were taking place that felt so much bigger than what the NBA was doing. It just, there's a lot going on. They're throwing different things at you, and it's really hard to look at that and go, oh, yeah, I want to come back for seconds. Like, there's just. No, there's, there's nothing to it that I, that I look at after this weekend and think, oh, well, that's a bright spot for the league. I just, I think they missed big time this weekend, but at least Steph Curry won one MVP of the game, for what it's worth.

[Jonas Knox]

Well, there you go.

[LaVar Arrington]

Yeah, so there you go. Yeah.

[Jonas Knox]

If you had a one on one tournament take place for a million dollars, I just don't think that it's fair. I don't think that it's fair because how do you expect a smaller guy to be able to beat a bigger guy? Maybe you have to have brackets.

[LaVar Arrington]

You know what they should do?

[Jonas Knox]

You have to have big man versus big man. And then like guards versus guards.

[LaVar Arrington]

Just have like Victor Wembanyana Wemby versus I don't like Peter Dinklage. Do like a celebrity, like one on one contest. You could have, like, there's all sorts of stuff you could do. You could have. I wonder if LeBron would be up for a one on one like him versus Steph Curry.

[Jonas Knox]

I doubt it.

[LaVar Arrington]

Him versus Steph Curry, for a million.

[Jonas Knox]

Doll, he is scared to lose doing dunks. He gonna be. He ain't gonna want to deal with one on one.

[LaVar Arrington]

Now is that. Is that confirmed or is that just the assumption that because he never participated. Did he ever come out and say, I was scared to lose?

[Jonas Knox]

Come out and say that? Yeah. Well, you could read between, why would you not go out there and don't.

[LaVar Arrington]

Right?

[Jonas Knox]

Like, you're the, you're arguably the greatest in the game and we're talking in his prime when he was like explosive pause, LeBron James, like, why would you, why wouldn't you go out there and. And give people more reasons to say, this is why you're better than Michael Jordan? Why not? I could guarantee you he was. His athletic ability. At a certain point in time, you would have been able to look at the way he was dunking the ball and you'd have been like, man, like, I know MJ was getting up and come fly with me and all, but that dang LeBr. LeBron James is taking.

[LaVar Arrington]

Freak.

[Jonas Knox]

He's a freak, but he didn't do it.

[LaVar Arrington]

Yeah, he.

[Jonas Knox]

I don't know, man, but there you go. Multiple times.

[LaVar Arrington]

At least he did show up to let everybody know he would not be participating this year.

[Jonas Knox]

So that was showing up not to participate.

[LaVar Arrington]

Right?

[Jonas Knox]

I will not be putting a uniform on. I will not be doing anything of the physical nature. Yeah, I got some. I got some ankle and some foot injuries as just some discomfort.

[LaVar Arrington]

You know, I'll do it while I'm here. I'll let you guys all know. Know I'm here. So. So there's that. So congratulations. The NBA. I know I don't hate LeBron.

[Jonas Knox]

It's just. Don't hate LeBron. LeBron does everything for the game, man. Take away LeBron. I don't know. Like Jason Whitlock keeps saying that women's basketball is going to get more important, more popular than, than men, men's basketball. Like, give. Give LeBron some props for keeping, you know, the NBA still relevant right now.

[LaVar Arrington]

Whitlock's had some interesting commentary recently.

[Jonas Knox]

A Little bit subject LaVarrington. LaVarrington La Farrington.

[LaVar Arrington]

It is the Herd here on fox Sports Radio. LaVar Arrington, Jonas Knox in for Colin. Coming up next here, though, we've got a potential landing spot. All right, we're talking about a Super bowl champion, a future hall of Famer and a potential landing spot next year. We'll get into that for you here on fsr.

[Jonas Knox]

Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am.

[LaVar Arrington]

Pacific on Fox Sports Radio.

[Jonas Knox]

Radio FS1 and the iHeartRadio app. Hey, it's Steve Covino.

[LaVar Arrington]

And I'm Rich Davis, and together we're Covino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio. You can catch us weekdays from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific on Fox Sports Radio. And of course, the iHeartRadio app.

[Jonas Knox]

Why should you listen to Covino and Rich? We talk about everything.

[LaVar Arrington]

Life, sports, relationships, what's going on in the world. We have a lot of fun talking.

[Jonas Knox]

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.

[LaVar Arrington]

For the last 20 years and still work together, I mean, that says something, right?

[Jonas Knox]

So check us out. We like to get you involved, too. Take your phone calls, chop it up, as they say.

[LaVar Arrington]

I'd say the most interactive show on Fox Sports Radio maybe the most interactive show on planet Earth.

[Jonas Knox]

Be sure to check out Covino and.

[LaVar Arrington]

Rich Live on Fox Sports radio and.

[Jonas Knox]

The iHeartradio app from 5 to 7pm.

[LaVar Arrington]

Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific. And if you miss any of the live show, just search Covino and Rich wherever you get your podcast and of course on social media media. That's Covino and Rich.

[Colin Cowherd]

Omaha Steaks delivers the world's best steak experience and it brings people together with more than 100 years of family owned expertise as America's original butcher. They deliver the flavor from handcrafted steaks to convenient comfort meals like their fully cooked beef, pot roast, meat lovers, lasagna or beef shepherd's pie. So much more. And now during their President's Day set, you can get 50% off site [e-mail] plus our listeners get 20 bucks extra off with the promo code heard at checkout. This weekend was a great time to bust open my Omaha Steaks assortment. Pack air Chilled boneless chicken breasts, ribeye and steak burgers, Gourmet jumbo franks. They're great butcher's cut top sirloins and for dessert, caramel apple turtles. It doesn't get better than this. They offer unrivaled quality and variety and every bite's backed by their 100% guarantee. Bring home the world's best steak experience with omaha steaks. Visit omaha steaks.com for 50% off site wide during their President's Day sale and for an extra $20 off, use the promo code Herd Herd at checkout. That's great. 50% off off@omaha steaks.com and an extra $20 off with the promo code Herd at checkout. You can count on T Mobile to help keep you connected from big cities to small towns on America's largest 5G network. Switch the T Mobile. Keep your phone and they'll pay it off up to 800 bucks per line via prepaid card. Learn more@t mobile.com heap and switch up to 4 lines via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualifying unlock device, credit service port in 90 days with device and eligible carrier and timely redemption required. Card has no cash access and expires in six months.

[LaVar Arrington]

This message is brought to you by Apple Card. Choosing the right credit card can be daunting. Among the countless credit card options, Apple Card stands apart. You get up to 3% daily cash back on purchases every day. That daily cash can automatically earn interest when you open a High Yield savings account through Apple Card. Apply for Apple Card in the Wallet app on iPhone and see a credit limit offer in minutes subject to credit approval. Savings is available to Apple Card owners subject to eligibility. Savings in Apple Card by Goldman Sachs Bank USA Salt Lake City Branch Member.

[Colin Cowherd]

FDIC terms and [e-mail] Colin Coward here with pro tight end Dallas Goddard to share his journey with plaque psoriasis and how he tackles his symptoms with otla.

[Jonas Knox]

Aprimolast yeah, being a football player with plaque psoriasis can be challenging. My skin gets flaky and itchy, so my doctor told me about a pill, otla. It works from the inside out.

[LaVar Arrington]

OTESLA is a prescription medicine used to treat adult patients with plaque psoriasis for whom phototherapy or systemic therapy is appropriate. OTLA can help you get clearer skin after just four months. Dallas is an OTLA patient that has been compensated for his time. Don't use OTLA if you're allergic to it. Get medical help right away if you have trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat or arms, severe diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, depression, suicidal thoughts or weight loss can happen. Tell your doctor if any of these occur and if you have a history of depression or suicidal thoughts.

[Jonas Knox]

Talking to my doctor about a pill was a total game changer.

[Colin Cowherd]

If you're struggling with plaque psoriasis, talk to your doctor about Otesla. Visit Otesla.com for more information or call 1-844-4-OTEZLA for prescribing info, info about cost.

[LaVar Arrington]

And more so Lavar Arrington hi, your guy okay, Russell Wilson?

[Jonas Knox]

It's my guy.

[LaVar Arrington]

Apparently he's going to have some options should the Pittsburgh Steelers move on from Russ.

[Jonas Knox]

Should they?

[LaVar Arrington]

According to Jeremy Fowler of espn, the Raiders do make some sense from the standpoint of there's reports that him and Pete Carroll have mended fences. Okay, but that team to watch is also the Giants. Okay, potentially the New York Giants could be one of the landing spots for Russell Wilson, which would make sense from the standpoint of when he went to Pittsburgh last year. The other team that he met with for sure was the Giants because I think he did go into he likes.

[Jonas Knox]

The market he wanted to go into like a major, major market from what I could gather.

[LaVar Arrington]

But any settled for Are you saying he settled for Pittsburgh?

[Jonas Knox]

Well, I mean Pittsburgh ain't no New York, that's for certain.

[LaVar Arrington]

Who does a better steak, Pittsburgh or New York?

[Jonas Knox]

Based on I'm sure, I'm sure Pittsburgh would win, but New York would certainly have some great eateries that that would have great steak. So I mean, I don't think you could go wrong, but if. If we're going pound for pound, I bet you Pittsburgh has a place there where it's better. But I'm biased.

[LaVar Arrington]

The Giants make sense. I still think the Raiders make the most sense. I just don't think he's going to be. I don't think he's going to be back in Pittsburgh. I don't.

[Jonas Knox]

I don't think he's back in Pittsburgh. Even though he makes the most sense for Pittsburgh. I think that Pittsburgh is now finding themselves and what would be considered to be a volatile state in terms of what they're going to do for next year. If Justin Fields is your. Your lone starter and you're. You better, you better be looking at another free agent to bring in there. Otherwise, you know, know, I think this puts. Puts Mike. Mike Tomlin in a very compromising situation now as far as Russ, and I have to say, definitely, definitely Russ is in a compromising situation because I don't think either one of those teams. I mean, I would say New York would be maybe the closest to being in position to possibly be competitive and win, but I think both of them are. I mean, they're tremendous risk and obviously he's not going to go to a team where he's probably going to be a backup or not have the opportunity to start and have success, but I just don't look at any of these teams. I think that's a tremendous risk. You're taking a tremendous risk on going to one of those teams which, I mean, you may not have any other choice, but I just think that going to one of those teams which, I mean, does Russell Wilson make any one of those teams definitively better and what their circumstances are going into the season. It's a no.

[LaVar Arrington]

Yeah.

[Jonas Knox]

I mean, it's definitely a no.

[LaVar Arrington]

It's. It. It felt like it ended weirdly in Pittsburgh, like there was a point there to where it was, oh, they've got their quarterback. Like, they finally got their guy. And that was early.

[Jonas Knox]

That was when he first came back.

[LaVar Arrington]

And we were having the discussion, oh, now that's why. Now we know why they waited to give him an opportunity and didn't just make Justin Fields a starter when they were 4 and 2 because there was a dynamic to his role in the offense, to where he could throw the ball downfield. He was better at that than Justin Fields. And then the final five games of the season happened.

[Jonas Knox]

They fell off a cliff.

[LaVar Arrington]

Yeah.

[Jonas Knox]

And I don't know why is it that again, The. I, I don't put this all on Russ. I do not. I don't experiment on. Because the defense has not been what it has usually been. The staple that it represents for the Steelers, they have not been that. They were not that dominant this year. And. And so I don't put all of that on Russ. But with that being said, it's still going to fall at the feet of Russ and Tom. Like, that's who you're going to look at. He wasn't good enough. That's what you're going to blame it on. The play calling was better, but it wasn't good enough. You're going to blame it on Pickens being a malcontent. It wasn't good enough. There was just a lot of things that you have questions about in terms of where does this team go looking forward, and a lot of it is not based off of Russia because whatever quarterback you put in that, that starting position is going to have to deal with the same exact complications that Russ did this season. The same exact complications Justin Fields had to deal with during the course of this season, you're going to have to deal with.

[LaVar Arrington]

That's why the Rock like Rogers to Pittsburgh. Everyone's saying, oh, that makes the most sense.

[Jonas Knox]

No, really? I don't think so. I don't think so.

[LaVar Arrington]

I don't either.

[Jonas Knox]

I don't think that makes any sense other than, like, talent wise. Sure, he can make a difference. I think he can make them a better team, talent wise. But the way some of these guys go about their business, like, what does Pittsburgh really have the offer to Aaron Rodgers at this point in his career, Is that worth the risk? You got a Moody. You got a Moody number one receiver. You got. You got a running back. I mean, I don't even know if they're bringing Najee back, but, I mean, he's. He gives you what he's got, but he just hasn't panned out to be one of the. The most elite backs. So you're not, you know, he's. He's solid. He's solid, but, you know, he's not. He's not a game changer.

[LaVar Arrington]

I. When you just look at that division, they're in trouble. Well, if I were to tell you you're in trouble, like, are they. Could you see them competing for a Super bowl if you just went team by team in the division? Obviously Cleveland know, because they've got an albatross locked up in a weirdo at quarterback. And, and that's, that's just. That's where they're going to be at, you know, for the next foreseeable future. Baltimore always feels like a threat. And Cincinnati.

[Jonas Knox]

Baltimore is going to make it hard for you and then they just going to come up short. Yeah, but they're going to make it hard for you. Like it's, they're still going to determine like you're going to. You might miss as a wild card because they're either going to win the division or, or, or they're going to be that wild card team out of that division.

[LaVar Arrington]

But there's a threat there at least. Like when, but when you see Baltimore, it's like, okay, you got to deal with the most dynamic player in the league and Derek Henry's there. Like there's, there's the threat that Baltimore could make.

[Jonas Knox]

They're the best, they're the better. They're the best team in the AFC North. Cincinnati is a wild card because it could go either way. If Hendrickson gets away or if, you know, you're not the same team when you, you let. Who's the other. The receiver.

[LaVar Arrington]

We've got an update on that, by the way.

[Jonas Knox]

Okay. If he's at. Which I would assume they're not going to sign him back.

[LaVar Arrington]

Well, we will see. Yeah, we got a little.

[Jonas Knox]

If they sign him back and they, if they bring back this same team, then you got a discussion for who's the best team in the AFC North.

[LaVar Arrington]

But both of those teams, Baltimore and Cincinnati, feel like it would not surprise me if they made a Super Bowl.

[Jonas Knox]

They're trending up.

[LaVar Arrington]

Pittsburgh just feels flat.

[Jonas Knox]

I don't know. You're not, you're. There's only. There is no middle ground. You're either getting better or you're getting worse. I mean, I mean, that's the bottom line. You're either getting better or you're getting worse. And you can't say that Pittsburgh's getting better. They just can't say they've gotten better. So that means they're getting worse.

[LaVar Arrington]

It just feels like there's something that's not the same between them and Cincinnati. And yet one team made the playoffs and the other didn't like it. Just Cincinnati has got ceiling, I think.

[Jonas Knox]

That goes towards Cincinnati. Tomlin is able to do as a coach.

[LaVar Arrington]

Cincinnati's got a ceiling that Pittsburgh can't reach, except currently.

[Jonas Knox]

Yeah, I agree.

[LaVar Arrington]

And so it just feels like that's kind of.

[Jonas Knox]

And the biggest thing is they're two. Two things. Their quarterback situation and, and their defense. Their defense has to be better.

[LaVar Arrington]

So this is the update on the T. Higgins situation. This according to James Rapine, by the way, James Rapine, former intern here at Fox Sports Radio in Cincinnati with Andy Fur and Artrell Hawkins. But James, who covers the Bengals For Sports Illustrated Nessa.com said that the Bengals plan on placing the non exclusive franchise tag on T. Higgins for a second straight season. League sources have confirmed the tag window officially opens on Tuesday, February 18th, so tomorrow at 1:00pm Eastern Time. It lasts until Tuesday, March 4th at 4:00pm Eastern Time. Sources say that Higgins camp expects to get tagged at this point. He would be the top free agent if he were to make it to free agenc. That isn't expected to happen. The Bengals will tag Higgins by the March 4 deadline. And so if you were wondering whether or not T. Higgins would get a get a bigger deal in the market, at least at this point, it looks like they're going to tag them and try and figure out if they can do something long term.

[Jonas Knox]

Do you think somebody swoops in and gives T. Hagan There are teams out there that need a one receiver and I'm thinking just right off the top of my head, Green Bay is one. Green Bay is one of those teams. I mean there are teams out there that need receivers. So does he get swooped up and they get the opportunity to match?

[LaVar Arrington]

So Rapine points out in the article that while last year there was no intention for them to sign him long term, it does feel like there's momentum and that the team is interested in signing him to a long term deal, that there's more of a possibility of that happening this year than last year. He changed agents. He parted ways with your guy David Mulagueda in December. So he's no longer with him and so he's changed agents and so now.

[Jonas Knox]

Taking selfies with Suge Knight, huh?

[LaVar Arrington]

I mean, you know, now at least the Bengals have let everybody know, no, don't go flirting. Like we would like to work out a long term deal, make a trade.

[Jonas Knox]

But you put on then if you say don't go flirting, all you're really trying to do right now is hope that nobody takes the price tag up that you're planning on offering to him by basically saying we're going to give you this franchise tag. If nobody matches it, then you see that you're most valuable with us. Right? Like you're most valuable as a Cincinnati Bengal. So let's get a deal done and let's be reasonable about the deal versus if you put on or you, you're you are able to do an exclusive franchise tag, right?

[LaVar Arrington]

Yeah.

[Jonas Knox]

So if you do that exclusive franchise tag, you're locked into the fact that this guy's going to get that average and you're, you're still able to do the same exact thing, which is work on doing a deal with that player. Right.

[LaVar Arrington]

So a team could negotiate a long term deal with him. But it would cost them two first round picks if the Bengals didn't match the.

[Jonas Knox]

That's what I'm saying.

[LaVar Arrington]

So they're not going to.

[Jonas Knox]

The point, I'm saying is nobody's going to match offer. So with that being said, it gives Cincinnati the upper hand on negotiating a long term contract with Higgins.

[LaVar Arrington]

And by the way, if some team did want to fork up two first round picks, Cincinnati would gladly do that deal. Two first for T. Higgins, sign us up. It's not happening. So he's going to be in Cincinnati. Whether he, you know, sticks with the tag or he, you know, he moves on or they get a long term deal done, he's going to be there. Which, which is, look, Joe Burrow has come out and said publicly over and over again and called out the organization, we need to do this. We've got the talent that's here. You don't want to make it a habit of letting top name free agents walk away. And so now with this T. Higgins news, they've got to keep Hendrickson. It feels like that's the one.

[Jonas Knox]

Got to keep him.

[LaVar Arrington]

Like that's a no brainer.

[Jonas Knox]

And they have to improve on defense. They not only have to keep Hendrickson, they have to improve on the defensive side of the ball. Just like I said that the Pittsburgh Steelers. Steelers have to do. They have to be better because you're putting up gaudy numbers. Joe Burrow, all intents and purposes, should have been the MVP of the league this year. We're just looking at achievement through stats. That man threw for over 5,000 yards. That's crazy. So when you look at what you have in Joe Burrow, you look at what you have in and Jamar Chase and what you have when you have a healthy T. Higgins, you're looking at an offense that is virtually unstoppable. So all you got to do is play better defense. And hendrickson Outside of T.J. watt, I mean, I like the fact that they, they kind of got a little diverse and gave it to a corner. But let's be clear.

[LaVar Arrington]

Thought you're going somewhere else with that.

[Jonas Knox]

Let's just be clear. I think, I think that Hendrickson should have what diverse. And like, what going to a white guy as one of the. I mean, we did diversity. There's. There's starting to be a little bit more diversity in athleticism.

[LaVar Arrington]

And tell you some professional sport, white men can jump.

[Jonas Knox]

They can.

[LaVar Arrington]

Three straight years.

[Jonas Knox]

I want it. That one can jump right there out the gym. Sheesh. Anyway. And Hendrickson can play some God dang football. I know that as well. He gets after the quarterback, and I think he did it better than anybody else out there, in fact. Um, so I just think that you have two teams to get back to the original point. You have two teams. One will come up short on you, one made it to the super bowl, but that's two teams that can make it very, very difficult for you to. To be in a situation to make the playoffs. How do you keep pace with a Ravens and Bengals team? All things given the teams are the teams going into next season. If you are the Pittsburgh Steelers, how do you keep pace in the AFC North? And you don't know who your quarterback is going to be. And to that point, I don't think that you keep pace, honestly, with the.

[LaVar Arrington]

Two quarterbacks that you had this season on anybody's list. Top three, potentially, you know, but for sure, top five in the AFC North. Two of those top three or five quarterbacks are in that division, and neither one of them plays for Pittsburgh. That's a problem. Like, that's a real problem. And it just. They've been scrambling for years now, and even. Look, the last couple years for Roethlisberger weren't all that hot. Like, you know, but it was still. It felt like there was the potential there. And it just feels like they've hit their ceiling and this is where they are until they can find somebody that. That's close to what Cincinnati and Baltimore have, according to.

[Jonas Knox]

Yeah, I think the craziest thing is, is that you probably have a worse situation than Cleveland. So their only saving grace is, is that I don't have to really worry about Cleveland. They gonna cushion the bottom. They'll cushion the seller. So right here we're starting willingly, like, literally, like we paid all this to be in this situation. Their ROI is to stink and be trash. And you lose Myles Garrett, you're going to be even more stinking trash. I just, I. I think that you. You're. You find yourself in a situation in a scenario where you're going to assume that Baltimore is going to be the lead horse in that division. And can you keep pace with them? What team will you get from the Cincinnati Bengals because even though we know they have a ton of talent, they didn't start playing football until later in the season this year. I mean, they were trash early on, too. Yeah. So I think if you get the Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde situation with Cincinnati, I think it's the, at least the consistency that you see that comes from Pittsburgh that may play a part in them being a second rated team, second ranked team that is a, a, a possible wild card team for the playoffs once again. Once again, I think that that's kind of right now, that's, that's par for the course.

[LaVar Arrington]

At least they got Permani.

[Jonas Knox]

So, you know, line, that big fish is crazy. I know everybody likes to get the Reuben and the Classic and all that stuff, but that big fish, if you go to Permani's and you get a sandwich, that big fish is fire, man.

[LaVar Arrington]

Hell yeah.

[Jonas Knox]

Throw you some, some hot sauce on that joint, add some tartar sauce, wash.

[LaVar Arrington]

It down with an icy light or.

[Jonas Knox]

A little come on, man, I'm going Lavar island all day with that. But you could go with icy light. A beer would go just fine with that.

[LaVar Arrington]

Oh yeah.

[Jonas Knox]

Shouts out to PhD. Weight loss too, by the way. I have not had a big fish in quite some time time. And I've been staying loyal to my diet.

[LaVar Arrington]

He has.

[Jonas Knox]

So there you go.

[LaVar Arrington]

It is the Herd here on fox Sports Radio. LaVar Arrington, Jonas Knox in for Colin coming up next here though, we've got a hint. Somebody giving a little sneak peek into the future of the end for a Hall of Fame career. And that'll be yours in the Herdline news right here on fsr.

[Jonas Knox]

Be sure to catch live editions of.

[LaVar Arrington]

The Herd weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific.

[Colin Cowherd]

You can count on T Mobile to help keep you connected from big cities to small towns on America's largest 5G network. Switch the T Mobile, keep your phone and they'll pay it off up to 800 bucks per line via prepaid card. Learn more@t mobile.com heap and switch up to four lines via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualifying unlock device credit service port in 90 plus days with device and eligible carrier and timely redemption required. Card has no cash access and exposure. Expires in six months. Colin Coward here with pro tight end Dallas Goddard to share his journey with plaque psoriasis and how he tackles his symptoms with otesla Aprimolast.

[Jonas Knox]

Yeah, being a football player with plaque psoriasis can be challenging. My skin gets flaky and itchy so my doctor told me about a Pill otesla. It works from the inside out.

[LaVar Arrington]

OTESLA is a prescription medicine used to treat adult patients with plaque psoriasis for whom phototherapy or systemic therapy is appropriate. OTESLA can help you get clearer skin after just four months. Dallas is an OTESLA patient that has been compensated for his time. Don't use OTESLA if you're allerg to it. Get medical help right away if you have trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat or arms, severe diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, depression, suicidal thoughts or weight loss can happen. Tell your doctor if any of these occur and if you have a history of depression or suicidal thoughts.

[Jonas Knox]

Talking to my doctor about a pill was a total game changer.

[Colin Cowherd]

If you're struggling with plaque psoriasis, talk to your doctor about Otesla. Visit otla.com for more information or call 1-844-4-OTEZLA for prescribing info, info about cost and more hey everybody. This message brought to you by the Official Whiskey of the Herd with Colin Coward that's Green River Whiskey. Sipping it now. We've been learning all about Green River Whiskey and let me tell you something. These folks know what they're doing. Basics. They focus on them like crafting. Top notch bourbon and rye whiskey. 35 bucks a bottle. That's it. High quality without breaking the bank. And here's something fun. Every Green river bottle comes with a built in game. Seriously. You can shoot the shoe by flicking a coin into the horseshoe design on the bottom of the bottle like shuffleboard. How? How cool is that? In a world that's getting way too complicated, Green river reminds us to kick back, enjoy the simple things, have a little fun. Check them [e-mail] here's to Green River Whiskey. Raise youe Spirits, a product of Green River Distilling Company, Owensboro, Kentucky. Alcohol by volume varies by product. Greenriverwhiskey.com Please drink responsibly. I'm not a weatherman, but I'll give you my forecast. Snow and ice are coming and they're gonna make driving a challenge. Thankfully, the experts at Tire Rack know a thing or two about conquering winter's worst rain, sleet, slush, whatever winter means to you. Tire Rack has tires that elevate traction and braking and keep you and your family safe all season tires, all weather tires. And if you live where it snows a lot, dedicated winter tires. Just go to tirerack.com easy to use shopping tools will guide you to a personalized recommendation the right tires for how, what and where you drive. Choose from a full line of Firestone tires shipped fast and free and backed by two years of free road hazard protection. Go to TireRack.com Colin to see their Firestone test results and special offers. Tire Rack has thousands of recommended installers and offers the convenience of mobile tire installation. I love that. Great tires, great deals and great people. What more could you ask for? That's tirerack.com Colin the way tire buying.

[LaVar Arrington]

Should be A reminder if you've missed any of this show, you can't check out the podcast. You just search. Dan Excuse me, It's not not actually.

[Jonas Knox]

What you want to search.

[LaVar Arrington]

You want to search the Herd or two Pros wherever you get your podcast and be sure to also follow, rate and review it again. Just search two Pros wherever you get your podcast. You'll see this show posted right after we get off the air.

[Jonas Knox]

No, no, no, no. Turn on the news.

[LaVar Arrington]

This is the Herdline news. Greg Tuohy hey guys, hit the home stretch here, all right? As we mentioned earlier, LeBron missed the All Star Game for the first time in his career. He'd been selected as a starter for 21 straight years.

[Jonas Knox]

Crazy golly.

[LaVar Arrington]

Yesterday he was asked about a bunch of topics. One of them was the addition of Luka Doncic, and he was asked if now teaming up with Luka has affected how much longer he wants to keep playing.

[Jonas Knox]

Just the excitement of being able to add a caliber player like that, a generational talent like that to our franchise, it's something that's given me energy. I'm looking forward to seeing what we could do. I think it's been. We only had what, two games? Two games so far. And I believe, I think he's been on minutes restrictions since he came back from the Cav. He hadn't played since Christmas. I believe so. You know, as we continue to, you know, get into form, as he continues to get in form, I think we could be really good going down the stretch, but we see what happens.

[LaVar Arrington]

He sounds pretty excited. We know LeBron came out in December and said that, you know, he could play another five to seven years if he wanted to, but he doesn't want to. Do you guys think that the addition of Luka, though, will sort of rejuvenate him to play longer than he really wanted to now that he knows he won't have to carry the load? I. I think the last accomplishment that he had to get in his career was playing with his son. Like, I think he Already knows whether or not he's going to walk away and Luka's arrival is going to do anything to either extend it or not. I think that was the last thing he wanted to do, was get his son drafted into the NBA. He did play with his son in an NBA game. He did. I think everything from here on out is gravy. That was the last box.

[Jonas Knox]

I don't know. One, two, three, four. He's got four championships.

[LaVar Arrington]

Three and a half. Three.

[Jonas Knox]

Yeah, I got that bubble. The bubble, Covid. Yeah.

[LaVar Arrington]

I mean, come on.

[Jonas Knox]

All right. MJ has six.

[LaVar Arrington]

Yep.

[Jonas Knox]

If you could get a run and still two to three more championships in the next three to four years, that. That would be a major box to check off. Even if he did not receive full compensation of the credit of getting those championships, even if it went to Luca as the reason why, why they won those championships, it would still go down in the record book that he has seven championships.

[LaVar Arrington]

I don't. I think there's no shot the Lakers won a title in the.

[Jonas Knox]

I don't know, man.

[LaVar Arrington]

I don't think this year. But it, it depends on the offseason next year. They. They could be. I think they could be right there in the mix the next year or two if they can. If they can really fix this roster with some big men.

[Jonas Knox]

I mean, and Luka is a. Is a major piece to. To that puzzle. I'll tell you that. They weren't going to get it done with AD and LeBron. So now you add Luka. That's a different type of. That's of animal there. He can carry the team on his own by himself right now.

[LaVar Arrington]

I think the Luca sc. The Luca move was about the future, not the present. I, I think this was about the. What are we going to do after LeBron walks away? And I've said it before, I think. I think people had grown fatigued with LeBron and AD in this town. There was no buzz. The Dodgers were dwarfing the Lakers in this town. And I think that now they look at it and go, all right, well, at least we have somebody that we can hand it off to.

[Jonas Knox]

I don't think they. I don't think they hire his son in the draft. If that was totally the thought process of LeBron, I, I just don't.

[LaVar Arrington]

Now if he, if LeBron retires at the end of this year over under 15 minutes before they wave Ronnie James under.

[Jonas Knox]

But that's what I'm saying. You're not going to waste that draft pick. If that was what Your plan was he's going to stay long enough for his son to be solidified, I would assume. And you, you have an opportunity now to possibly make a push for more. More championships. He wants to be the goat of all time. There's a couple things he won't get. He won't get him on defensive player of the years. He won't get him on that. But he does have the chance, with Luka coming to the team, to get to at least tying him. I mean, at least tie it.

[LaVar Arrington]

You know how cool that would be, though, and teasing and busting balls. But how cool that must be to say, I played in an NBA game with my style. That's awesome. Like, let me tell you this. I'm about to go give my son that work on air hockey right now. When I get home, I'm gonna whoop his ass. I'm gonna be unforgiving. I'll. I'll run up the score, too.

[Jonas Knox]

Is it a real air. Air hockey table, or is it, like one of the little young boy air hockey tables?

[LaVar Arrington]

It's a young boy, but here's to.

[Jonas Knox]

Look like I Fisher priced it.

[LaVar Arrington]

I put clear Scotch tape over his goal so he can't score. Oh, Jonas, that's great on. It's great. Dad, are you.

[Jonas Knox]

You are Horrible for you.

[LaVar Arrington]

You're supposed to let them win at everything. Jonas, I'm trying.

[Jonas Knox]

Listen, I need to put clear Scotch tape on your mouth when you go to bed. Damn.

[LaVar Arrington]

All right, we'll wrap it up with this. We'll wrap it up with this. These super bowl guys could be coming back to Vegas. According to the Sports Business Journal, the NFL is preparing a return to Vegas in 2029. Many thought Nashville could be in the mix for 2029, as their new dome stadium is opening up in 2017. 7. But according to the SBJ, the NFL was so impressed with Vegas as host last year, they could give him another shot just five years later.

[Jonas Knox]

That'd be the only super bowl day.

[LaVar Arrington]

But here's the thing.

[Jonas Knox]

We always say the super bowl game.

[LaVar Arrington]

We talk about the super bowl rotation, right? And it should. And most people think it's la, Phoenix, Miami, Vegas, maybe New Orleans mixed in. We could skip la. Really?

[Jonas Knox]

Yeah.

[LaVar Arrington]

Okay. Miami and Vegas. Miami versus Vegas, Phoenix. I think about it from the weather perspective. The weather in New Orleans was fantastic. It was like 75, 77 every day.

[Jonas Knox]

But it was good. I like New Orleans. Oh, you ain't in. Well, after that Thursday, I'm. I'mma go with New Orleans with the weather and and it was an easy walk. It was an easy walk to the press row.

[LaVar Arrington]

I, I thought Atlanta was the most organized, organized Super Bowl I'd been. And they're gonna be there in a couple years, I think. I think it goes Santa Clara, Louisiana, and then Atlanta's after that.

[Jonas Knox]

I'm always with Atlanta.

[LaVar Arrington]

Yeah.

[Jonas Knox]

It's gonna be cold though, probably.

[LaVar Arrington]

See, that's the problem with Atlanta. You don't. In San Diego, Orleans, you never really know what the weather's gonna be like.

[Jonas Knox]

Yeah, but you know, that's where my, you know, that's college football hall of Fame in Atlanta. So I always call Atlanta, you know, always take a little bit of time, go hang out there, you know, where else?

[LaVar Arrington]

Well, you know, go, go with Rob Parker to Magic City.

[Jonas Knox]

And you know, I don't do those types of things.

[LaVar Arrington]

I don't either.

[Jonas Knox]

I'm lying.

[Colin Cowherd]

I'm lying.

[Jonas Knox]

No lemon.

[LaVar Arrington]

No lemon pepper lose.

[Jonas Knox]

I mean, lemon pepper wings is good. Damn. Garlic. Garlic parm is good too.

[LaVar Arrington]

Calling all Yellowstone fans, let's go to work. Join Bobby Bones on the official Yellowstone podcast for exclusive cast interviews, behind the scenes insights, and a deep dive into the themes that have made Yellowstone a cultural phenomenon. Our family legacy is this ranch. My protector of my life. Listen to the official Yellowstone podcast Now on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jonas Knox]

Black History Month is here and we're excited to kick off season four of I didn't know. Maybe you didn't neither. This season we're shining a spotlight on revolutionary women who redefined excellence. Give grace wisher her flowers next time you see the American flag, you just remember a 16 year old black woman helped to make it happen. Listen to I didn't know. Maybe you didn't either. From the Black Effect Podcast Network, on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or simply wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, it's Alec Baldwin. This past season on my podcast, here's the thing.

[LaVar Arrington]

I spoke with more actors, musicians, policymakers.

[Jonas Knox]

And so many other fascinating people like writer and actor Dan Aykroyd. I love writing more than anything. You're left alone. You know, you do three hours in the morning, you write three hours in the afternoon.

[Colin Cowherd]

Go pick up a kid from school.

[Jonas Knox]

And write at night. And after nine hours you come out.

[LaVar Arrington]

With seven pages and then you're moving on.

[Jonas Knox]

And actor and comedian Jack McBride.

[LaVar Arrington]

The most important aspect is the collaboration with people that I like, I trust are talented. That has been the most amazing gift to me about this crazy business that we've chosen. Meeting these people who have such diverse talents and you're able to create something together.

[Jonas Knox]

Listen to here's the thing on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Hey, you guys, I'm Katherine Legge. I'm a racing driver who's literally driven everything with four wheels across the planet. And I've got a new podcast.

[LaVar Arrington]

It's called Throttle Therapy.

[Jonas Knox]

This season, I'm competing in some of the world's most notorious racing events. Tune into my new podcast, Throttle Therapy, with Katherine Legg, an iHeart women's sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment.

[Colin Cowherd]

You can find us on the iHeartRadio.

[Jonas Knox]

App, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[LaVar Arrington]

Presented by Capital One, founding partner of iHeart Women's SP.