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- [00:00]
Colin Cowherd
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.
- [00:27]
T-Mobile Representative
FDIC T Mobile Stats are as impressive as your favorite athlete's highlight reel because T Mobile helps keep you connected from the heart of Portland to right where you are on America's largest 5G network switch. Now keep your phone and T Mobile will pay it off at the $800 per line via prepaid card. Visit your local T Mobile location or learn more@t mobile.com keepandswitch up to 4 lines of a virtual prepaid card. Last 15 days qualified unlocked device credit service port in 90 plus days device and eligible carrier and timely redemption Required card is no cash access and expires in six months.
- [00:58]
Jeremy Hobson
We live in a divided country and our media couldn't be more polarizing. That's why we started the Middle with Jeremy Hobson. It's about bringing voices not from the extremes, but from the vast middle into the national conversation. Each week we hear from ordinary Americans from all over the country, and when you subscribe to the Middle, you also get an episode each week called One Thing Trump did that focuses on just one item from from the avalanche of news. Listen to the Middle with Jeremy Hobson on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [01:28]
Greg Rosenthal
What's up everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal and I'm teaming up with the King of Spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs, mock drafts to my top 101 free agents, we'll have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday keeping you up to date as we head to to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.
- [01:57]
Colin Cowherd
Thanks for listening to the Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports radio and noon to 3 Eastern, 9am to noon Pacific. Find your local station for the herd@foxsportsradio.com or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. Thanks for listening to the Herd podcast. Rick Bucher drops in today, Fox Sports. NBA analysts love having him in today because the warriors yesterday, the honeymoon with Jimmy Butler, it felt like it hit a ceiling. We were, we were talking about this, about if you look at the Dynasty.
- [02:34]
Rick Bucher
Yeah.
- [02:35]
Colin Cowherd
Steve Kerr's first data now, Bogut Iguodala. Veteran players have worked kd. They've just all kind of worked. Younger players. Wiseman, Jord Poole, Jonathan Kaminga. I keep waiting. And they just. Steve Kerr yesterday, in the biggest game of the year is like, yeah, we're not going to play it.
- [02:57]
Rick Bucher
Yeah.
- [02:57]
Colin Cowherd
It kind of told me that in the end. And I've compared it to Brady and the Patriots. They did great getting players that were already in the league that last seven, eight years with Tom and Belichick. They couldn't draft to save their life because the system was so sophisticated, was so set that for you to work your way in the ecosystem at 23.
- [03:16]
Rick Bucher
Yeah.
- [03:17]
Colin Cowherd
I look at Kaminga not playing and it's like a message going, they're going to move him. And this thing, probably this shows a ceiling.
- [03:25]
Rick Bucher
Yeah. No, the difficulty is that when you have the opportunity to draft lottery type players like James Wiseman, like Kaminga, you're getting players that have been stars and that have had the ball in their hands and then the ecosystem revolves around them. If you're coming to the warriors or you're coming to, say, any team with LeBron James, you're going to be part of the. Part of the ecosystem, but the ecosystem is not built around you. You're finding your place. That's why a Brandon Pajemski will work with the warriors or get playing time where a Jonathan Kaminga does not. Because Pajemski, at one point in college was not a star. He was a role player.
- [04:09]
Colin Cowherd
He was a guy.
- [04:10]
Rick Bucher
So he understands what it takes to play that role. And how can I be effective? How can I still be a player? That matters? But I'm playing off of Steph Curry, I'm playing off of Jimmy Butler. And so that's been, that's been the issue. That's why Kavon Looney got the minutes that normally maybe Jonathan Kaminga would get. Now, some of it was match up too, with the Clippers and the size, but the other part was Steve, and this is with coaches in general. If I know what I'm going to get from you, specifically on this day, consistently, I'm going to play you over the guy who might give me the electric performance, but he also might not fit the bill. And this is a game that, as we saw, went down to overtime, went down to a last possession. And actually, in this case, it wasn't an ancillary player that screwed it up. It was the star players. I mean, the reason the warriors lost that game is because Steph Curry had eight turnovers and because Draymond Green couldn't hit a layup at a crucial time. But generally, what you're going to do is you're going to build your team, you have your stars, and you need those ancillary players. And veteran players generally know how to play those roles and find their spot. And young players, particularly in today's game, are all about, well, I need the ball. Well, you're not going to get the ball when Steph Curry is on the floor.
- [05:35]
Colin Cowherd
So Boudenholzer got fired today. Malone got fired last week for the Nuggets. I think Denver's in a fascinating place. They have the world's best basketball player, then they have three other good players making great money, not a lot of draft capital, and I kind of feel like they're trapped. And Giannis became more Westernized, got more outspoken the longer he was in the league. But I think Jokic likes kind of hiding in the Rocky Mountain region. He doesn't feel like a table pounder to me. I think he likes scoring. He's got his money, he's got a ring, he's got his legacy, and the minute the season's over, he's back to Europe. So I kind of feel like, and this happens more than it doesn't, that dynasties are infrequent. Winning one with Luau Cinder, one with Giannis, one with Jokic is much more common than winning several with Duncan. And I feel like Denver is kind of trapped, and maybe they'll just become the Bucks with Giannis. One great team, several very good teams with a transformative player, but this is. They're just kind of stuck.
- [06:35]
Rick Bucher
There's a lot of similarities between the two in that they won a championship and then they paid their core players. Yes, but you win championships as much off of having a great core, but also having great complementary players. And Denver let Kentavius, Caldwell, Polk go, they let Bruce Brown go, they let Jeff Green go.
- [06:55]
Colin Cowherd
Really valuable guys.
- [06:57]
Rick Bucher
And sometimes you get lucky and you can replace as the. As the warriors kind of did when they came back and won the championship in 2022. Wiggins, Wiggins, Jordan. Pool gave them something like they found some young guys who could play well enough and fill those roles. Well, the Bucks haven't been able to do that in finding any young players. They're still searching. That's why you go trade for a Kyle Kuzma and the Denver Nuggets with Christian Brown and Peyton Watson. Just haven't evolved. And then you had the whole Michael Malone situation where everybody was flatlining as a result of the toxicity around around that franchise and it was largely hidden by. They still were winning enough. Largely off of Nikola Jokic being what he's been. But as soon as they started losing they went 8 and 11. It was like everybody's miserable. Our GM and our head coach don't get along and have created to this toxic situation before. If we're going to have any chance of doing anything like we still believe our core and the west is wide open like we have a shot. Let's go ahead and rip the band aid off and see if it will change because David Adelman is a completely different dynamic.
- [08:16]
Colin Cowherd
Everybody's going to take the Lakers over the T Wolves and you have three play initiators in Luka, LeBron and Austin buckets will. It's easier to run that offense because three guys can can kind of take it over. Two are generally always on the floor. Sometimes three. Yeah. Whereas Julius Randall, Rudy Gobert. The ball can get stuck in their offense at times. I would take the Lakers to win it. What do you think the matchup looks like for the T Wolves in Los Angeles?
- [08:40]
Rick Bucher
It's the thing that the Timberwolves have where I think that they can make it a series, a competitive series is that with Jade McDaniels and with Julius Randle and with Naz Reed they can match up with the Lakers small ball lineup. That's where the Lakers are an X factor because you have three playmakers in LeBron and Luka and Austin. How do you defend them? Do you have quality defenders to put on each one of them? And I believe that the Timberwolves. Timberwolves do. The big question is going to be to your point offensively can they maintain a flow? Can they keep. You know, does. Does ant decide I'm going to try to take over and forces the issue. I don't think he's quite there yet. Right. Is Mike Conley still vital enough because he's sort of their organized. He's the guy who gets everybody involved.
- [09:41]
Colin Cowherd
He gets the offense. He gets him into the offense.
- [09:43]
Rick Bucher
Yes. Can. Can he still give you enough at this point? At this age?
- [09:49]
Colin Cowherd
There's more qu I when I look at this series I have more answers with the Lakers. Offensively I have questions and maybe one answer with the T wolves. Offensively.
- [09:57]
Rick Bucher
Oh, 100%. The one thing that Minnesota has, though is defensively they can be really good. And, and, and the other part that's kind of raises the question is, you know, everybody looks at the Lakers and goes, well, they're not the same team they were six weeks ago. Like, they're a different team. So are the Minnesota Timberwolves. Like, they went on a, I think 15 to four run to put themselves in this position. They've been playing much, much better. The whole question is going to be, for me, really comes down to the maturity of Anthony Edwards.
- [10:29]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah.
- [10:30]
Rick Bucher
We saw how Luka took him down last year. Will that happen again?
- [10:35]
Colin Cowherd
The Knicks over the last three years have become a very patient franchise. They were very impulsive for years with James Dolan seeking stars and relevance. I do not feel they are that franchise. I think they're patient, the Villanova corps, but I do think they have hit. When you watch them against Cleveland or Boston, it's very clear this won't be the answer. Yeah. So you can be patient at some point. You gotta pay the bills here. We all know they need another shot maker, not necessarily creator. A shot maker. KD could be a fit.
- [11:11]
Rick Bucher
Yeah.
- [11:12]
Colin Cowherd
What, what do the Knicks have to. Because I. My thing is they'll win a playoff series.
- [11:17]
Rick Bucher
Yeah.
- [11:18]
Colin Cowherd
Do they have to win a second for Tibbs to keep his job?
- [11:21]
Rick Bucher
They have to be competitive in the second round. I think everybody looks at.
- [11:25]
Colin Cowherd
Take Cleveland 7. He keeps the job. Yeah.
- [11:29]
Rick Bucher
Yeah, I think. And, and, and the team doesn't completely break down like it did against Indiana last year. But to your point, you're right. I mean, this is their ceiling. And part of it is whether it's creator or playmaker, the problem is that you're asking Jalen Brunson to be both.
- [11:44]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah.
- [11:45]
Rick Bucher
And at his size and physicality, it just doesn't work. You're asking that. He is a wonder and he's making the most out of what he has. And I love him as a player.
- [11:59]
Colin Cowherd
Great face of the franchise guy.
- [12:00]
Rick Bucher
Yes. But is he a. Is he the best player on a championship caliber team? The answer for me, for all that I love about him, is no. And so you either need a tremendous dynamic number two, or you need a playmaker who now allows Jalen to play more off the ball and be a scorer. But asking him to do both on this team with a coach who is as least offensively creative as Tibbs is, is just a dynamic that's not going to get you farther Than the second round.
- [12:41]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah. I've made this argument. Rick Bucher for our radio audience joining us is that generally we've never given the spurs dynasty the love we gave the Bulls, the Warriors or the Lakers. Because this is a league where aesthetics matter. What do you look like when you're winning? And the spurs have largely been, you know, pushed off to the side as if we've forgotten well run organization. Yeah. But we don't talk about man who's maybe the best six man ever. Duncan's one of the five, ten great bigs ever. Tony Parker was an MVP and Pops was a basketball genius before a lot of people. I mean, he was ahead of the game.
- [13:18]
Rick Bucher
Sure.
- [13:19]
Colin Cowherd
So I look at the Celtics and I think similarly, despite the big brand is. Tatum's a little reluctant, though. He says he would love to be the face of the league. He's not a big personality. He's more of a grinder. Jalen Brown's a two. Their strength is three point shooting. A young coach who's grown up quick. Unbelievable depth. But they've got a lot of B plus and one A in Tatum.
- [13:41]
Rick Bucher
Yeah.
- [13:42]
Colin Cowherd
And I don't quite think we understand how good they are in that. The way the league, the way the CBA works now, it would be almost impossible to create a lineup like this going forward. And they've kind of been grand. You can say I'm wrong on this. I probably am. But they're kind of grandfathered in the way they, you know, as the league is currently constructed. They don't want you to be this deep.
- [14:07]
Rick Bucher
Yeah.
- [14:07]
Colin Cowherd
They don't want Derek White to be your fifth best player.
- [14:09]
Rick Bucher
No.
- [14:10]
Colin Cowherd
And I think we look at them and I look at them and how dominant they can be on the road. And I'm like, that's what the all time teams did. Went on the road and could win seven of eight against playoff teams. I think Boston is really special, but aesthetically they're much more even the old Celtic teams. Bird was a fighter. Walton was crazy. Danny Ainge was rolling on the floor. There was a lot of sex appeal to it.
- [14:38]
Rick Bucher
Well, who's their most dynamic personality?
- [14:41]
Colin Cowherd
They don't have one.
- [14:42]
Rick Bucher
It's probably Jaylen Brown. Probably right. And he's. But the rest of them, they're defined like Derek White's a good guy. Jason Tatum's a nice guy. Al Horford, nice guy. Drew Holiday. But they're all sort of quiet and they just go about their business and you know, Jalen is. Jalen is the loudest in terms of give me the ball and get out of the way.
- [15:04]
Colin Cowherd
But he's also a great team player and he is.
- [15:07]
Rick Bucher
And he's fully willing to take the toughest defensive assignments. So yes, I think that they are a little underappreciated. That's what it might take in terms of what they are. And they are extremely unique in that they've got so many quality players. That would be quality players on any team. Derrick White, Drew Holliday.
- [15:30]
Colin Cowherd
I mean, when you're Peyton Pritchard, they have seven guys.
- [15:33]
Rick Bucher
Even Al Horford, Sam Houser gives you good minutes.
- [15:36]
Colin Cowherd
If I told you in a playoff game Horford had 22 points and got hot from the corner, you'd be like, yeah, I expect one of those. Yeah, I think they're so much deeper. And so, I mean, basically they've had two basketball gurus, Danny Ainge and Brad Stevens, and basically they've built a similar roster. Can you shoot, pass and handle the ball? Yeah, they go nine deep on that, ten deep on that.
- [16:00]
Rick Bucher
This is the one Achilles heel to that which is, and we see it all the time, like what makes them so difficult is everybody on the floor can, can score. Everybody, everybody can shoot a three.
- [16:14]
Colin Cowherd
Everybody.
- [16:14]
Rick Bucher
Right? I mean, everybody, right? And then when they go to the bench, we bring in more guys who can shoot threes. Right? They, they, they are never without that. The days that for whatever reason they're not creating the open looks or they're not taking quality threes and now you get into a tight game and you have to rely on Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown going ISO one on one. That's when they struggle because those guys are good all around players. They're not a Luka Doncic type. Give me the ball and I'm going to get to a place that's just going to contort the defense. And so, but, and that's what we love, right? We love it when we see Luka getting to a place and he's either scoring and it seems like it's impossible to stop that guy, or he's throwing a behind the back pass to somebody for a wide open 3. You don't get that element with the Boston Celtics. They have everything else. And what makes them, what makes them great is what makes them a little vulnerable in that they, they, they're an equal opportunity team. Yeah, right. And that makes them difficult to stop.
- [17:20]
Colin Cowherd
But if that, in these tight moments, they're vulnerable.
- [17:24]
Rick Bucher
If you can make it a close game, that change and, and take away the three now they're not quite as dynamic.
- [17:33]
Colin Cowherd
Rick Bucher. Good stuff. Fox NBA analyst Tomorrow it's warriors in Memphis. We would take Golden State in that game experience. I mean it's almost an ideal matchup for them for a play in game. Is it not?
- [17:45]
Rick Bucher
Pretty close. Pretty close. I don't want to think about the Bay Area, living in the Bay Area, what the Bay Area would be like.
- [17:52]
Colin Cowherd
If they.
- [17:55]
Rick Bucher
Going out once again in the play in. Yeah, not a good thought.
- [17:59]
Colin Cowherd
Good. Senior Zoas live in la it's the Herd. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1 and the iHeartRadio app.
- [18:09]
Rick Bucher
Hey, it's Steve Covino and I'm Rich.
- [18:11]
Colin Cowherd
Davis and together we're Covino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio. You can catch us weekdays from 5.
- [18:17]
Rick Bucher
To 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific.
- [18:19]
Colin Cowherd
On Fox Sports Radio and of course the iHeartRadio app. Why should you listen to Covino and Rich?
- [18:24]
Rick Bucher
We talk about everything. Life, sports, relationships, what's going on in the world.
- [18:28]
Colin Cowherd
We have a lot of fun talking.
- [18:29]
Rick Bucher
About the stories behind the stories in.
- [18:31]
Colin Cowherd
The world of sports and pop culture.
- [18:33]
Rick Bucher
Stories that, well, other shows don't seem.
- [18:35]
Colin Cowherd
To have the time to discuss. And the fact that we've been friends for the last 20 years and still work together, I mean, that says something, right?
- [18:41]
Rick Bucher
So check us out.
- [18:42]
Colin Cowherd
We like to get you involved too. Take your phone calls, chop it up, as they say. I'd say the most interactive show on Fox Sports Radio, maybe the most interactive show on planet Earth. Be sure to check out Covino and.
- [18:53]
Rick Bucher
Rich live on Fox Sports radio and the iHeartradio app from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific.
- [18:58]
Colin Cowherd
And if you miss any of the live show, just search Covino and Rich.
- [19:01]
Rick Bucher
Wherever you get your podcast and of.
- [19:02]
Colin Cowherd
Course on social media, that's Covino and Rich.
- [19:07]
T-Mobile Representative
T Mobile's stats are as impressive as your favorite athlete's highlight reel because T Mobile helps keep you connected from the heart of Portland to right where you are on America's largest 5G network switch. Now keep your phone and T Mobile will pay it off at the $800 per line via prepaid card. Visit your local T Mobile location or learn more@t mobile.com keepandswitch up to 4 lines via virtual prepaid card will have 15 days qualifying unlock device, credit service port in 90 days device and eligible carrier and timely redemption required Card is no cash access and expires in six months.
- [19:38]
Jeremy Hobson
We live in a divided country.
- [19:40]
Colin Cowherd
I am a lifelong Republican with all.
- [19:42]
Jeremy Hobson
Kinds of different people.
- [19:44]
Colin Cowherd
You know, I'm a mother, I'm a grandmother.
- [19:46]
Jeremy Hobson
That's why we started the Middle with Jeremy Hobson. It's about bringing voices not from the extremes, but from the vast middle into the national conversation.
- [19:54]
Frank Reich
Anna, I'm calling from Las Vegas.
- [19:57]
Jeremy Hobson
Each week we bring together an all star panel. Mark Cuban, so great to have you on the Middle.
- [20:02]
Frank Reich
Thanks for having me.
- [20:02]
Jeremy Hobson
Jeremy, Neil Degrasse Tyson, welcome to the Middle.
- [20:04]
Frank Reich
Thanks for having me.
- [20:05]
Jeremy Hobson
And hear from ordinary Americans from all over the country on the most important issues.
- [20:10]
Colin Cowherd
Hi, my name is Venkat. I'm calling you from Atlanta, Georgia.
- [20:14]
Jeremy Hobson
And when you subscribe to the Middle, you also get an episode each week called One Thing Trump did that focuses on just one item from the avalanche of news.
- [20:22]
Jordan Schultz
We should be examining what our government spends its money on and are these jobs necessary and what are we doing here? But that doesn't seem to be what we're doing this situation.
- [20:30]
Jeremy Hobson
Listen to the Middle with Jeremy Hobson on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [20:36]
Greg Rosenthal
What's up everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal and I'm teaming up with the king of spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs, mock drafts to my top 101 free agents will have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday. Keeping you up to date as we head to to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.
- [21:06]
Frank Reich
In 1978, Roger Caron's first book was.
- [21:09]
Jordan Schultz
Published and he was unlike any first.
- [21:12]
Frank Reich
Time author Canada had ever seen.
- [21:14]
Colin Cowherd
Roger Caron was 16 when first convicted, has spent 24 of those years in jail, 12 years in solitary.
- [21:21]
Jordan Schultz
He went from an ex con to a literary darling almost overnight.
- [21:26]
Colin Cowherd
He was instantly a celebrity, he was.
- [21:29]
Frank Reich
An adrenaline junkie and he was the.
- [21:32]
Jordan Schultz
Star of the show.
- [21:34]
Frank Reich
Goboy is the gritty true story of.
- [21:36]
Jordan Schultz
How one man fought his way out.
- [21:38]
Frank Reich
Of some of the darkest places imaginable.
- [21:40]
Rick Bucher
I had a knife go in my stomach, puncture my spleen, break my rib.
- [21:44]
Frank Reich
I had my guts all in my hands only to find himself back where he started.
- [21:49]
Greg Rosenthal
Roger saying is, I've never hurt anybody but myself.
- [21:52]
Colin Cowherd
And I said, oh, you're so wrong.
- [21:54]
Greg Rosenthal
You're so wrong on that one.
- [21:55]
Frank Reich
Rob from Campside Media and iHeart Podcasts, listen to GoBoy on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [22:09]
Colin Cowherd
Good Monday show flying by. Here's Jordan with the news.
- [22:13]
Jordan Schultz
No, no, no.
- [22:15]
Colin Cowherd
Heard on the news.
- [22:16]
Jordan Schultz
This is the Herdline news. Colin, I know you love this guy as a potential sleeper in the draft. Kyle McCourt. As I reported earlier this morning, visiting the Steelers today and scheduled to meet with the New York Giants tomorrow. Several teams I've spoken with Colin say he's one of the more undervalued players in the entire draft. I highlight his prototypical size, winning pedigree, capacity to read coverage, and just to give you an idea of how prolific he was last year, not only leading the country in passing, first in every single major statistical category in Syracuse history, which is significant because it bests Donovan McNabb.
- [22:57]
Colin Cowherd
So he's proven to you in big games at Ohio State with a ton of pressure he can succeed. He then goes to more of a basketball school where they have good talent, not great talent and blows away and wins 10 games. So he's shown he can guide and manage a hyper talented roster, pressurized environment. And then he's shown that he can carry a franchise to new heights. I think he's the sleeper in the draft. I again, in a strong quarterback draft, maybe he's a third rounder. To me he's a top of the second round. If I was a team like a Cleveland, go get a Travis Hunter. I think, I think, I think Kyle McCordon, Shador Sanders, I think it's a coin flip. What I don't get is the people that are taking Jackson dart over Kyle McCord that I don't get. I get Cam Ward over him. I get. But I think this kid has a chance to be the second best quarterback in the draft.
- [23:57]
Jordan Schultz
6, 3, 2, 20, can move really good in the pocket.
- [24:01]
Colin Cowherd
Anticipatory thrower.
- [24:03]
Jordan Schultz
Yeah, and not only that, I mean, I just go back to the winning. He's 12 and one at Ohio State. He lose to Michigan, kind of becomes a scapegoat. Wins 10 games in Syracuse. He's 9 and 4 as a starter in games in which his team was trailing. And really he passed every test other than Michigan, which again is probably not that fair. That Michigan team won the national championship. I'm in on him. I'm really in on him. And I think a lot of teams are too. And I would argue that most teams are probably higher on him than the public and the draft.
- [24:32]
Colin Cowherd
It's funny. Buckeye fans are higher on Will Howard, who, who I don't see as An NFL starting quarterback. I think he's a backup because this kid left, you know, there's the natural. Oh, we love the new guy. Kyle McCourt is a significantly more talented quarterback than Will Howard.
- [24:51]
Jordan Schultz
Another quarterback, Jaden Daniels, took the lead by storm this season. Rams coach Sean McVay commented on how impressed he was by Daniels, saying that he loved his ability to be, quote, totally immersed in the moment. That's one of the things I loved about watching him. I don't see that changing. He's going to be really scary for a long time. Colin. I think there's a really important point, too, to be made about Jaden Daniels, which is to say he's never too high, he's never too low. Now, that can go one of two ways. If you're not winning, fans would say, well, why doesn't he show more emotion? But when you are winning and you're that mature, it makes perfect sense. And I go back to what Cliff Kingsbury told me, something he did before the season started. He went to his quarterback, Jaden Daniels, and he said, what are the 3, 4, 5 best plays and concepts that you ran at LSU? Now show me that on the board and we will design the offense predicated on that foundation. And so if you think about why that's important, not only to build the camaraderie and rapport, but for Jaden to have to be able to fall back when maybe things aren't going so well, and know that at the very least he has a few plays and concepts, schemes that he's really comfortable with. He also has the full trust of Dan Quinn, of Adam Peters. They are building that franchise on his shoulders. And I couldn't be more impressed.
- [26:13]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah, I mean, I think if you're in that division, you have to. Now, Bill, I mean, I think that's why Dallas doesn't want to get rid of Micah, is because they have to have an elite pass rusher in a division with Jaden Daniels. Yeah, and I, and I can see Dallas saying, if it was a strong draft where we could duplicate Micah for much less money, but I think Dallas looks at it and thinks the only way to beat Washington and Philly going forward is put pressure on those quarterbacks. So again, this draft is, is so weak by draft standards, I think it can. It makes it very difficult to make moves for, like, teams like Dallas or maybe a Pittsburgh that would move off, sure, an expensive player, but there's nobody in this draft to replace them or, or, or necessarily even close.
- [26:56]
Jordan Schultz
So to you, is this a three player draft. In terms of the top Hunter, Carter, Ward or just Hunter and Carter.
- [27:02]
Colin Cowherd
Well, I think there's one quarterback who will start and, and help his team win games immediately. That's Cam Ward. Then I think there's three or four really, really unique talents. Gentee Travis Hunter, Abdul Carter, I think Kelvin Banks, the left tackle for Texas, you know he gets a lot of crap, but I watched him in every big game. He was good.
- [27:22]
Jordan Schultz
You were telling me about him a couple of years ago.
- [27:23]
Colin Cowherd
Will Johnson at Michigan I think great. Mason Graham, who's an interior lineman from Survite, California who plays hard every play, may not have the athletic ability as other D linemen, but it's a running back, defensive tackle, draft, so. And tight ends and tight end Tyler.
- [27:39]
Jordan Schultz
Warren out of Penn State, I mean that he has a legit chance to go top 10, top 15. That's actually the guy I want to see a lot of these teams take just because I think he's that special, but he's a tight end so. The Thunder finish out an impressive 68 win regular season with the largest point differential in NBA history. 12.9 points per game margin broke the previous record which had been in place calling for over five decades. The Thunder won the west in a landslide with a 16 game gap between OKC and Houston. The last five teams to have the best point differential per game all won that season's NBA title. That includes Kareem's 1971 Bucks, MJ's 96 Bulls and obviously the 2017 Warriors.
- [28:26]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah, I mean I think deep these teams that don't have a title yet, that want home court advantage and are young. So for Oklahoma City I think home court advantage is a big deal. My only question with them is can they go to LA and win a big road game? Can they go, you know, if they get into a situation with some of these teams in the west that are dangerous, it could be a Golden State, it could be a Clippers. So I think young teams that don't have a title and have a lot of depth, they want that record, they want that number one seed, they want to play at home and have that last game in any series. So I, and I listen, they're not going to get bounced. My only question for them is when they get to the Western Conference finals, I the more I think about it, the more I like Lakers. OKC.
- [29:08]
Jordan Schultz
Yeah, I think the Lakers, man with Luka and LeBron, like why are they're like minus 1 4, 40 to win that first round series. That, that feels so light to me. OKC 69. How many wins? 68. Why are we talking about the Thunder? Is it just because they haven't done it yet?
- [29:25]
Colin Cowherd
No, I think it's a. I. We don't talk a lot about the regular season. NBA. I mean, I just don't think. I think there's three teams that feel different. Celtics, Cavs, okc. But the Lakers, because they have three playmakers are probably one of the harder teams to defend.
- [29:43]
Frank Reich
Yeah.
- [29:43]
Jordan Schultz
I'll tell you really quickly. I was at Cavs Nicks the other night. Knicks blew a 24 point halftime lead. Now Donovan Mitchell didn't play, but Karl Anthony Towns didn't play. The reason I want to bring this up, there is such a great vibe on that Cavs team. They have incredible camaraderie and it feels to me a little bit like there are a college atmosphere. Like these guys really are rooting for one another. And I know it sounds cheesy, but in the NBA playoffs when you are that connected and you have the talent that they have. Garland Mitchell. Fantastic. The two centers, Allen and obviously Mobley. I. Cleveland's the team in the eastern.
- [30:24]
Colin Cowherd
Well, I mean if you look at for instance Denver's an older team. Golden State's an older team.
- [30:32]
Jordan Schultz
Lakers are hit or miss.
- [30:34]
Colin Cowherd
Lakers, Lakers are an older team. Cleveland feels like they're one year ahead of okc. Like we've watched this Cleveland thing, Bill, for about four. Like last year we thought was the year the NBA is a baby steps lead.
- [30:48]
Jordan Schultz
Yeah.
- [30:49]
Colin Cowherd
So the idea that Oklahoma City is going to have this year and then win the championship. I think Oklahoma City is the Cavs last year where they're going to win a series. They're a very good basketball team, but in the end their fans will be left disappointed.
- [31:01]
Jordan Schultz
Detroit's another year behind them and I would say that Cleveland this year feels to me a lot like Denver did when they won it. When it just feels like this might be time.
- [31:10]
Colin Cowherd
Yep. Jordan with the news. Well, that's the news and thanks for.
- [31:14]
Jordan Schultz
Stopping by the herd line news.
- [31:17]
Colin Cowherd
Well, Frank Wright years ago was part of a group in Carolina that took Bryce Young, who really emerged last year as a number one quarterback. He's now the coach at Stanford. He is next joining us live in L. A. It's the Herd.
- [31:27]
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- [31:59]
Jeremy Hobson
We live in a divided country.
- [32:00]
Colin Cowherd
I am a lifelong Republican with all.
- [32:03]
Jeremy Hobson
Kinds of different people.
- [32:04]
Colin Cowherd
You know, I'm a mother, I'm a grandmother.
- [32:07]
Jeremy Hobson
That's why we started the Middle with Jeremy Hobson. It's about bringing voices not from the extremes, but from the vast middle into the national conversation.
- [32:15]
Frank Reich
Anna, I'm calling from Las Vegas.
- [32:18]
Jeremy Hobson
Each week we bring together an all star panel. Mark Cuban, so great to have you on the Middle. Thanks for having me, Jeremy, Neil Degrasse Tyson, welcome to the Middle.
- [32:25]
Frank Reich
Thanks for having me.
- [32:26]
Jeremy Hobson
And hear from ordinary Americans from all over the country on the most important issues.
- [32:31]
Colin Cowherd
Hi, my name is Venkat. I'm calling you from Atlanta, Georgia.
- [32:35]
Jeremy Hobson
And when you subscribe to the Middle, you also get an episode each week called One Thing Trump did that focuses on just one item from the avalanche of news.
- [32:43]
Jordan Schultz
We should be examining what our government spends its money on and are these jobs necessary and what are we doing here? But that doesn't seem to what we're doing in this situation.
- [32:51]
Jeremy Hobson
Listen to the Middle with Jeremy Hobson on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [32:57]
Greg Rosenthal
What's up, everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal and I'm teaming up with the King of Spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs mock drafts to my top 101 free agents, we'll have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. We ready to fight? I'm ready to fight.
- [33:30]
Colin Cowherd
Is that. I thought it was.
- [33:31]
Greg Rosenthal
Oh, this is Fighting Words. Okay, I put the hammer back.
- [33:36]
Colin Cowherd
Hi, I'm George M. Johnson, a best selling author with the second most banned book in America. Now more than ever, we need to use our voices to fight back. And that's what we are doing on Fighting Words. We're not going to let anyone silence us. That's the reason why they're banning books like yours, George. That's the reason why they're trying to.
- [33:57]
Frank Reich
Stop the teaching of black history or.
- [33:59]
Colin Cowherd
Queer history, any history that challenges the whitewash norm or put us in a box. Black people have never ever depended on the so called mainstream to support us. That's why we are great. We are the greatest culture makers in world history. Listen to Fighting words on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Jim Ursay are interesting owners. They've got strong opinions, can be a bit temperamental. And Frank Reich has found himself as now at college at Stanford with Andrew Locke. And it's a whole different, different world. So I would have said 10 years ago, Frank, stay out of college, go coach in the NFL. But now with the Portal, you are going to recruit a lot of kids that already have experience. They're not 16, they're 21 or 22. I mean just take me through how you viewed college six years ago and how you view it today and how that's changed because of the Portal in the Nil.
- [35:07]
Frank Reich
It feels to me like Colin, like is going to the more of an NFL model, so structured that way. You know, even here with Andrew being Andrew Luck being named gm, you know, my situation is unique because it's an interim deal that both he and I agree were best, you know, at this time of year. It was good for me personally. So, you know, my focus is to come in here and develop the talent that is here since I won't be here long term, you know, and I'm excited to do that. Like even in just two weeks here of spring ball, I can feel the progress that we've made. I can feel the energy and excitement around what we're doing, you know, bringing some things that some of the experience that I've had in the professional level, some of the concepts, some of the thoughts, philosophy that can go up and help and help this team. So I'm excited.
- [36:03]
Colin Cowherd
You know, Frank, it's interesting. You've had Philip Rivers, Andrew Luck, Carson Wentz. Bryce Young is there as we talk about, you know, Cam Ward and Shadour Sanders. The kid I like is Kyle McCord at Syracuse, who I think is a really underrated player, really anticipatory thrower. I like him. Ohio State, Syracuse. I think he's going to be a little bit of a sleeper. Is there something because Bryce Young really emerged last year, his first year. It was a lot. This game is fast. It's just a different world. What is the one thing that attracted you about Bryce Young or a Carson Wentz the one thing you would tell a college quarterback, okay, you're going to pros. This is where it's going to be really different. What is that thing?
- [36:50]
Frank Reich
I think it starts with mental toughness. You know, a resiliency to and a mindset that you're always going to get better. You know, I always define toughness as a relentless pursuit to get better every day an obsession to finish. And so when I'm looking for quarterbacks or what I would tell a quarterback, that's the number one factor, you know, was quarter Peyton Manning's quarterback coach. Mentally as tough as they come. You know, Andrew Luck, Bryce Young, Carson, you know, all those guys, that's a trait that they have because you're going to take. There's going to be bumps and bruises along the road. You have to find ways to keep getting better. You have to find ways to keep believing in yourself and in the team and where you're going. And, and then if you have the juice, you're going to win and you're going to be successful.
- [37:39]
Colin Cowherd
You know, Frank, I've said this. I think coaching in the NBA or the NFL has gotten harder. It used to be that an owner had, let's say a 600 million dollar net worth and he would give you an extra year. Well, they're all billionaires. Okay, so $40 million to run a coach out of the room is a rounding error. And I do feel like Bill Belichick had voiced this ownership now is richer. They're more impulsive, they're less patient. The media is more relentless. Their social media, the owners on that, watching what people are saying. Is it possible in here, your golden years of coaching that college. Actually it's easier to deal with an athletic director than a billionaire. That this may be what we see some NFL coaches transitioning to.
- [38:29]
Frank Reich
Yeah, that's an interesting thought. It's an interesting thought. I just think it comes down to, you know, personal preference for me. You know, in my years coaching in the NFL, I think the appeal was, you know, you're at the, you're playing with the best, you're coaching the best of the best and it's all football 24 7. What makes this position so appealing to me to come in here at this stage at 63, at the end of 30 plus years playing and coaching, you know, I'm looking at this as an opportunity to impact the student athlete, you know, coach football and give them all the experience and the stuff from the NFL, but also impact, you know, people on a personal level. Bring a team Together. So I think you can make a case either way. For. For me, at this stage in my life, this is exactly what I'm looking for.
- [39:20]
Colin Cowherd
So you coached Andrew Luck back with the Colts. How many practices did it take with Andrew Luck to realize, wow, this guy's smart. This guy's really good? Like, is it instant? I mean, like, they talk about the great players, the Kobe Bryant's, where you watch it, when you watch him work out, and you're like, yeah, that doesn't look like anybody else. Could you tell instantly with Andrew Luck what you could give him, what he could retain? Did you know instantly this is different.
- [39:49]
Frank Reich
Yes. In every way. You know, mentally, his approach to the game, how the questions he asked, what the comments he would make watching the tape, the strange things. Was Colin that physically, you know, obviously from watching him in his earlier years, before I got there, I knew he was physically dominant at the position, but he was coming off a shoulder injury. So that year in 2018, and we had a pretty stinking good team at the end of the year, no one wanted to play us. And we're two weeks before our week one starter, our week one game, and I still have yet to see him throw a ball over 40 yards because of the injury that he was coming off of. And he was on a pitch count, and it was a really strange year. And we, of course, started 1 and 5 and then 19 of 10, and he was the hottest thing there was. And you could just. But you could see his leadership even in the one and five start, as he physically was kind of gaining his confidence back in his shoulder and his throwing. But, no, it was just. It felt different right from the start with him.
- [40:59]
Colin Cowherd
So there was a young player at Tennessee, really talented kid, Nico Iamaliava. And I like him a lot. He moves, he's mobile, he's got an arm. He's just young. He's raw. He can be hit and miss. Not quite there yet, but most, you know, young quarterbacks aren't. And so it's really funny. So everybody's crushing the kid. Oh, his dad. But I could see the kid saying, timeout. Our football program makes 149 million. Coach makes 12. Duke just gave a guy from Tulane 4 million. I'm making 2. I led us to the playoff. Maybe have a. Have a problem with the ncaa. I'm getting mine. I mean, it's funny. Everybody's crushing the kid, but I kind of get it. What do you make of that situation?
- [41:45]
Frank Reich
Yeah, I haven't really followed it very much. You Know, I mean, it's right now in the trends you remember. I mean, this last season I was, I was retired, right. And I was good being retired and hadn't been following, hadn't been following the college game that much. But this just presented such a unique scenario to me before I kind of completely shut it down. It was like I told my wife, I said I would only get back in this for, you know, a really unique and special situation. So that's why I'm here. So the situation you're talking about, I'm not familiar with all the dynamics of it, to be quite honest with you.
- [42:28]
Colin Cowherd
Colin, would you. The NIL and transfer portal, will it benefit Stanford, which is an academic power, or is it more, Is that something more Ohio State's going to go after, or do you kind of know, listen, this is what we are, this is what we want. How does Stanford approach that as an academic power?
- [42:48]
Frank Reich
I think it does come. You know, listen, I've heard you say, you know, I mean, one of the things that I've heard you say over the years and I don't get a chance to watch that much, but obviously I have watched and listened to you over the years and you always say, and I always strongly agree and like when you say this about good teams have an identity. They know who they are.
- [43:09]
Colin Cowherd
Yes.
- [43:10]
Frank Reich
And you always say that. And that's what this place has. This place has an identity and it not only has an identity as a academic institution, but it also has an identity as a football program. You know, we're going to run the football. You know, we're going to have good O line play. Our tight end room is going to be strong. There's, you know, they're going to be used in a powerful way to create extra gaps, create this power run game and then to be able to throw play action off of this run game and, and play good, smart, tough football. And so that's what the, you know, with Andrew kind of at the helm and him really leading that identity when it was in its heyday here at Stanford. That's, that's the identity that he's going to lead this, this university back to as a football program. And so, and I understand what he's looking for. I understand that vision. And so that's, that's what we're recruiting towards. That's what you will use the nil. That's what we use the portal for. That's what we'll sch for. We'll stick to that identity. And that's where we're going to make our money.
- [44:14]
Colin Cowherd
Finally. You know, you coach at one of the only places in the country where half the time your players are as smarter, smarter than the coach. Are you okay with that?
- [44:23]
Frank Reich
I am okay with that. You know, over the years I've learned a lot of football and a lot of life from a lot of good players. So yeah, that's one of the reasons I'm here. You know, even though these, they're, they're much younger, but it is a unique, it is a unique atmosphere and for the players, well, I can tell that already. I can just feel the energy being here for two weeks and looking forward to getting to know everyone, you know, Right. On the deeper level over the next football season.
- [44:52]
Colin Cowherd
Frank, love to have you on again. Good luck to you. And Stanford and Andrew Luck, one of my all time favorite quarterbacks. Andrew Luck, his retirement was heartbreaking probably for him and many others in Indianapolis and me certainly as a fan. Great seeing you, coach.
- [45:05]
Frank Reich
Hey, thanks, Colin.
- [45:06]
Colin Cowherd
You bet. Yeah. Stanford's in a totally different model. I always feel it's got kind of a Notre Dame feel. Well, there's a way to win at Notre Dame and Stanford. You don't want to get into track meets. O line, tight end, quarterback coaching. If you go look at the Jim Harbaugh or Marcus Freeman teams at Notre Dame, that's the way to build them. You can have good backs, you can have, but it's a physical presence, it is a lean into physicality and, and that's what you can do at Notre Dame and Stanford. And that's what Andrew Luck's teams were. I mean, they were tough and physical teams. That's what Notre Dame was this year as well. So good stuff. Albert Brer, Rick Bucher, Frank Wright, Colin right, Colin wrong. Jordan Schultz is in this week for Jason McIntyre. I don't know where Jason goes. Somewhere with a beach. I can take the cold. You know, it's funny, Jason, I know he's somewhere warm. I, I discovered over the course of my brief, brief respite, my brief vacation after about four days staring at water on the beach, that's it. That's about it for me. Couple books.
- [46:09]
Jordan Schultz
Good couple books. Yeah.
- [46:10]
Colin Cowherd
And then I'm ready to go back to work. You know, I had more fun this weekend.
- [46:14]
Jordan Schultz
You wanted to watch baseball too.
- [46:16]
Colin Cowherd
Saturday I wanted to. Saturday and Sunday I had more fun watching the Masters. Every shot. I mean, yesterday was one of my favorite TV days since Tiger Woods Prime.
- [46:26]
Greg Rosenthal
Wow.
- [46:27]
Colin Cowherd
Four and a half, five hours of great golf.
- [46:29]
T-Mobile Representative
T mobile's stats are as impressive as your favorite athlete's highlight reel because T Mobile helps keep you connected from the heart of Portland to right where you are on America's largest 5G network. Switch now keep your phone and T Mobile will pay it off at the $800 per line via prepaid card. Visit your local T Mobile location or learn more@t mobile.com keepandswitch up to four lines via virtual prepaid card last 15 days qualified unlock device credit service port in 90 plus days device and eligible carrier and timely redemption required Card is no cash access and expires in six.
- [46:55]
Colin Cowherd
Months.
- [46:59]
Jeremy Hobson
We live in a divided country and our media couldn't be more polarizing. That's why we started the Middle with Jeremy Hobson. It's about bringing voices not from the extremes, but from the vast middle into the national conversation. Each week we hear from ordinary Americans from all over the country. And when you subscribe to the Middle, you also get an episode each week called One Thing Trump did that focuses on just one item from the avalanche of news. Listen to the Middle with Jeremy Hobson on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [47:29]
Greg Rosenthal
What's up everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal and I'm teaming up with the King of Spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs mock drafts to my top 101, free agents will have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast or wherever you get your podcast.
- [47:59]
Colin Cowherd
The championship is back in the bay for the first time in 40 years. On the new limited podcast series Dub Dynasty, we hear from head coach Steve Kerr on how Steph Curry almost never.
- [48:12]
Frank Reich
Even joined the Warriors.
- [48:14]
Colin Cowherd
In fact, I thought we had a draft day deal to end up getting him to Phoenix for the entire behind the scenes story of Golden State's incredible 10 year run. Listen to Dove Dynasty on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.