THE HERD - Hour 2 - Mark Schlereth stops by The Herd, why the Ravens backed out of the Maxx Crosby trade, LeBron's resurgence

Summary

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The Herd with Colin Cowherd (Guest Host: Jason McIntyre) — Hour 2

Date: March 19, 2026
Guests: Mark Schlereth, Rachel Nichols
Main Topics: Denver Broncos’ big trade, LeBron’s resurgence, Ravens/Maxx Crosby drama, QB moves, NBA draft philosophy, WNBA CBA breakthrough

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Episode Overview

This energetic hour, hosted by Jason McIntyre (in for Colin Cowherd) with co-host Rachel Nichols, delivers a fast-paced ride through pivotal NFL and NBA news, player moves, and big-picture themes. Highlights include Fox Sports’ Mark Schlereth offering rare insight on the Denver Broncos’ latest splashy moves, a spirited LeBron appreciation session, and Rachel’s deep dive on the WNBA’s new collective bargaining agreement. Signature segments showcase vivid, informed debate, packed with locker room wisdom, sharp analogies, and can’t-miss one-liners.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. LeBron’s Late-Career Resurgence

Timestamps: 04:15–06:30

• Jason McIntyre marvels at LeBron James’ dominance at age 41 after a near-perfect shooting night and multiple dunks:
  “He had an unbelievable game last night. 13 of 14 shots. He’s 41 years old. He had six dunks!” (05:01)
• Puts aside culture-war LeBron takes—insisting fans should “just enjoy what LeBron’s giving us. There will be a day soon… he’s gone.”
• JJ Redick (via tape): Credits LeBron’s patience, off-ball play, and ability to blend into different roles as keys to his sustained greatness:
  “Part of the evolution of him on this team has been just his patience… He’s played really patiently.” (05:59–06:30)
• McIntyre draws a parallel between doubting LeBron and previous skepticism around stars like John Elway and Nikola Jokic.
  “At some point we’ve got to get wise and be like, dude, why on earth are we doubting this guy? All he does is deliver all the friggin’ time.” (06:30)

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2. Denver Broncos: From Panic to Contender?

Timestamps: 08:08–11:45

• Mark Schlereth dives into the impact of the Broncos landing Jalen Waddle (“for nothing”), declaring him the missing piece for an already-excellent roster.
  “Jalen Waddle is a phenomenal… great kid who fits the culture of the Denver Broncos… he can play every position.” (08:23)
• Schlereth lauds Waddle’s route tree versatility, YAC skills, and cultural fit.
• Evaluates roster depth—secondary “stacked,” O- and D-lines “excellent,” but flags tight end versatility and RB depth/injury risk as weak spots:
  “The health of your running back, JK Dobbins, is phenomenal—but for about eight or nine games a season, that’s it.” (10:16)

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3. Coaching Tension: Bo Nix & Sean Payton

Timestamps: 11:45–13:18

• McIntyre probes possible tension post-playoff loss; Schlereth explains Sean Payton’s close-in style may have led to him wanting to relinquish play-calling to Davis Webb.
• Candid reflection on coaching regrets:
  “If I just had that 30,000 foot [perspective], I probably would have kicked that field goal… maybe I would have been a better decision maker had I been the CEO as opposed to the CEO/play-caller.” (12:56)

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4. Maxx Crosby-Ravens Physical Fiasco: Reality of NFL Medicals

Timestamps: 13:18–16:40

• Schlereth shares a wild personal story about failing four NFL physicals (“the doctor… told me I had the left knee of an 80-year-old woman and didn’t believe I played in the NFL”—direct quote, 3 failed team physicals, still played 6 more years), offering behind-the-scenes on the political nature of “failing” versus “passing” medicals:
  “If Trey Hendrickson isn’t available… Maxx Crosby passes that physical. That’s how it works.” (15:50)
• Blunt: The Ravens’ move was “a bad look,” as physical thresholds are often manipulated depending on circumstances.
  “You didn’t all of a sudden, Maxx Crosby come in and your doctors go: did you guys know he had surgery? … They backed out because they had an opportunity to back out.” (16:16)

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5. Quarterback Carousel — Kyler Murray in Minnesota, Malik Willis in Miami

Timestamps: 16:40–22:11

• Schlereth says Murray > McCarthy head-to-head, but questions if Murray’s “love of sizzle more than the steak” will fit Kevin O’Connell’s system:
  “To be a great quarterback in the National Football League, it’s about falling in love with the boring.” (17:41)
• On Kyler’s challenge:
  “Your default mechanism has got to be from the neck up, not the neck down.” (19:02)
• McIntyre on Malik Willis going to a rebuilding Miami with “no chance to win” given receiving corps—Schlereth emphasizes the “culture” challenge:
  “In Miami… hard, culturally, to win there. …You walk out the facility, it’s beautiful sunshine, let’s go down to the beach and get margaritas. …You’ve got to get the right type of players, who are intrinsically motivated and not out trying to be part of the Miami scene.” (21:01)

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6. Aaron Rodgers’ Future: Should Pittsburgh Move On?

Timestamps: 22:11–26:08

• Question of Rodgers’ fit with the Steelers—Schlereth says at this point, “the juice is not worth the squeeze anymore with Aaron Rodgers.”
  “There’s this sliding scale of justice… when you are so exceptional, you’ll put up with the ayahuasca … but I think at some point it’s time to move on.” (23:31)
• Multiple options floated for Steelers (Cousins, Mac Jones); mutual agreement on moving forward with lower-maintenance options.
• Schlereth’s “old man yelling at clouds” about NFL team practice standards, using Kirk Cousins and Atlanta as an example:
  “Friday is your dress rehearsal… in my day, if you didn’t practice Friday, you didn’t get to play… that is not professional football.” (25:26)

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7. NBA Draft Philosophy: Cam Boozer, Athleticism, & Intangibles

Timestamps: 31:20–36:17

• Carlos Boozer makes headlines for comparing son Cam to Tim Duncan and insisting any GM who passes “will regret it in 15 years.” (31:20)
• Rachel Nichols: The NBA is moving beyond vertical leap; basketball IQ, work ethic, and legacy matter—being a “son of” with direct access and mentorship is an advantage.
• Jason McIntyre: “You can’t quantify heart… or IQ.” But it’s still a gamble for GMs to pick high-IQ, non-explosive prospects.
• Anecdotes on “role” vs. “superstar” output and draft context—for example, Shane Battier’s value.

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8. WNBA’s New Collective Bargaining Agreement

Timestamps: 36:17–39:43

• Rachel Nichols details a transformative CBA: salary cap jumps from $1.5m to $7m; min. salary up to $300k; players now get 20% revenue share for the first time.
• Nichols: “This is the first time I can remember where the players, in my opinion, have more leverage than the owners.” (38:51)
• McIntyre: Sees the Caitlin Clark effect and surging college stars as raising the W’s leverage and trajectory.

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9. Flag Football’s Olympic Future & Cultural Surge

Timestamps: 40:04–42:31

• Rachel is stoked for Fox’s upcoming Fanatics Flag Football Classic, noting the growth of flag as a women’s (and men’s) sport and Olympic discipline.
• Interesting discussion on NFL stars considering Olympic flag runs—Tom Brady name-checked: “You know Tom would love to add an Olympic gold medal to his collection.” (41:15)
• Rachel and Jason highlight that flag is booming among girls as a safer alternative to tackle, and boys as well given concussion concerns.

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10. Tracy McGrady, NBA Expansion, and Debating “Talent Dilution”

Timestamps: 43:04–48:43

• McIntyre reacts to T-Mac’s skepticism on league expansion and asserts more talent now due to international pipelines and mature college/ NIL route: “There is infinitely more talent in the NBA now than there was 20 and 30 and 40 years ago. It’s not even close.” (44:38)
• Explains why overall depth is strong: influx of polished international pros, NIL keeping college players longer and better developed.
• “All signs are pointing to T-Mac… the talent is definitely there. We can easily have 32 teams in the NBA.” (47:15)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Schlereth (on NFL team “physical” politics):
  “The doctor in Atlanta told me I had the left knee of an 80-year-old woman and didn’t believe that I played in the NFL.” (14:05)
• JJ Redick (on LeBron):
  “His patience. Knowing, he’s going to get the ball… And he’s played really patiently.” (06:00)
• Schlereth (on Kyler Murray):
  “He’s in love with the sizzle more than he is the steak. To be a great quarterback in the NFL, it’s about falling in love with the boring.” (17:35)
• Schlereth (on how Miami is a tough football city):
  “In Miami… your coaches are up your can… you walk out, it’s beautiful sunshine. Let’s go down to the beach and get margaritas.” (21:12)
• Jason McIntyre (on talent in the NBA):
  “It’s not the talent is there. We can easily have 32 teams in the NBA. I couldn’t disagree with T Mac more.” (47:19)
• Rachel Nichols (on WNBA CBA):
  “This is the first time I can remember where the players, in my opinion, have more leverage than the owners.” (38:51)
• Schlereth (on Kirk Cousins):
  “The juice is not worth the squeeze anymore with Aaron Rodgers. And I’m with you on Kirk Cousins.” (24:15)

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Useful Timestamps

• LeBron James appreciation & JJ Redick sound — 04:15–06:30
• Broncos’ trade analysis / Jalen Waddle impact — 08:08–11:45
• Broncos positional weaknesses & RB depth — 10:16–11:45
• Bo Nix–Sean Payton tension & play-calling — 11:45–13:18
• Maxx Crosby / NFL physicals anecdote — 13:18–16:40
• Kyler Murray fit in Minnesota / QB rehab culture — 16:40–19:59
• Malik Willis’ outlook with Miami Dolphins — 20:15–22:11
• Aaron Rodgers–Steelers/QB carousel — 22:11–26:08
• Cam Boozer, analytics & NBA draft risk — 31:20–36:17
• WNBA new CBA deep dive — 36:17–39:43
• Flag football as Olympic sport — 40:04–42:31
• Jason/T-Mac NBA expansion debate — 43:04–48:43

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Tone, Language, and Memorable Moments

• Conversational, quick-witted, a blend of sharp honesty and inside-joke energy
• Schlereth’s anecdote about failing NFL physicals is both hilarious and revealing:
  • “I could have made fart noises with my armpit and they were going to pass me.” (15:10)
• Rachel Nichols’ segments are deeply informed, bringing nuance to business/labor discussions (WNBA CBA, flag football Olympics)
• McIntyre’s style: passionate, playful poking (“Aaron Rodgers is high maintenance… the juice isn’t worth the squeeze”), generous with props, unafraid of contrarian takes
• Lively chemistry between guests; frequent callbacks to sports history, broadcast lore (“old man shouting at clouds”)

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Summary

This episode stands out for its rare, behind-the-scenes insights into both football and basketball, vivid storytelling (from injury benches to front office intrigue), and an ability to blend larger trends with player-specific analysis. The hour delivers for fans wanting both hot takes and real locker-room perspective—along with a strong sense of where the biggest sports are headed.

Transcript

[Podcast Host/Announcer]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Mark Schlereth]

Guaranteed Human security usually means extra steps and complications, but with Apple Pay, secure payments are simple. Your transactions are authenticated with face id, touch ID or passcode, so security is built in when you check out. Plus, your name isn't shared with merchants and they don't see your actual card number. Whether you're shopping in store, online or an app, protecting your money should be simple. Pay the Apple way. Terms apply.

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The Bleacher Report app is your destination for sports right now. The NBA is heating up, March Madness is here, and MLB is almost back. Every day there's a new headline, a new highlight, a new moment you've got to see for yourself. That's why I stay locked in with the Bleacher Report app. For me, it's about staying connected to my sports. I can follow the teams I care about, get real time, scores, breaking news and highlights all in one place. Download the Bleacher Report app today so you never miss a moment.

[Jason McIntyre]

It's the new me and it's the old them.

[Podcast Host/Announcer]

This Women's History Month.

[Jason McIntyre]

The podcast if youf Knew Better with

[Podcast Host/Announcer]

Amber Grimes spotlights women who turn missteps

[Jason McIntyre]

into momentum and lessons into power. My like tunnel vision of like I

[Rachel Nichols]

gotta achieve this was off the strengths of like I want to make a

[Jason McIntyre]

better life for us. If youf Knew Better brings real talk from women who've lived it, unpacking career

[Podcast Host/Announcer]

pivots, relationship lessons, and the mindset shifts that changed everything.

[Jason McIntyre]

Listen to if youf Knew Better with

[Podcast Host/Announcer]

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

[Rachel Nichols]

The human body is a beautiful machine and keeping it running means understanding how it actually works.

[Podcast Host/Announcer]

Which is why this Podcast Will Kill youl is doing a multi part series on sleep. What it's for, why our bodies don't follow neat rules, and why modern life is not helping.

[Rachel Nichols]

When you consider what we know about sleep in humans, there's one rule that comes we are predictably unpredictable sleepers.

[Podcast Host/Announcer]

We'll continue exploring how the body works with a multi part series on digestive function.

[Rachel Nichols]

So listen to our newest series which runs January 20 through February 17 with

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new episodes every Tuesday from the Exactly Right Network. Listen to this podcast will kill you on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Mark Schlereth]

The Global Gaming League is presented by Atlas Earth, the Fun Cashback app. Hey, it's Howie Mandel and I am inviting you to witness history as me and my How We Do It Gaming Team take on Gilly The King and wallow two six seven's million dollars gaming an epic global gaming league video game showdown plus a halftime performance by multi platinum artist Travy McCoy. Watch all the action and see who wins and advances to the championship match right [e-mail] that's globalgamingleague.com in partnership with Level Up Expo.

[Jason McIntyre]

Thanks for listening to the Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports radio and noon

[Mark Schlereth]

to 3 Eastern, 9am to noon Pacific.

[Jason McIntyre]

Find your local station for the [e-mail] or stream us live every day on

[Mark Schlereth]

the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. Now let's get this party started. You're listening to Fox Sports Radio.

[Jason McIntyre]

Here we go, our number two on the herd, Jason McIntyre in for Colin Cowherd, joined by Rachel Nichols. Just talk some NFL draft. We got Mark Schlar coming up here breaking down that big Broncos trade. Broncos best team in the afc. Sure feels like it. I don't know, Rachel. You think Denver maybe? Kind of, sort of.

[Rachel Nichols]

They've loaded up from a team that made the championship game. Right. So I don't see.

[Jason McIntyre]

What about your commanders? We haven't talked about them at all. It's been a minute. What's going on?

[Rachel Nichols]

I mean, they're going to get there. Look, I, I said it at the time, right? It was amazing. To the NFC championship. Like, you know, when I say championship game, that's what I mean. Yeah, but it was a little fluky. Right? They lost. They won a bunch of like one possession games. The other teams didn't. Yeah, and they didn't. There was a huge question going into that game against the Eagles that, oh, who's going to win? That's hard to replicate right away. You got to build to it. So I have faith.

[Jason McIntyre]

I like that. You gotta have faith. I have faith in the jets for 20.

[Mark Schlereth]

27.

[Jason McIntyre]

27.

[Rachel Nichols]

Just to be clear, I was gonna say my faith may be different than your faith.

[Jason McIntyre]

For sure. All right, so we'll do NFL in a minute. Real quick. I just gotta talk about Lebron. I know people are. Oh, he's so annoying. He complains. He. He gets hit in the face. It's fake. He's not really hit. Like, let's just put that all aside. He had an unbelievable game last night. 13 of 14 shots. He's 41 years old. He had six dunks. I mean, look who. By the way, it's small stuff like this. Tari eason is number 17 on the rockets. You see LeBron just take him off the dribble easily. And Easton shaking his head. All these Laker bloggers out there, they're trying to break down, who are we going to get next year? Tari Eason is like one of the top four targets. LeBron just abusing him. I mean, look at LeBron dunk backs. He caught a one handed alley oop that was a totally turned back the clock. I mean, he's just. The guy is unbelievable. Even if you don't like his politics or his social media or his king, all that stuff, or you're defensive about Michael Jordan, which I don't know why you'd be. Michael Jordan doesn't care about you. It just feels strange to not like and enjoy what LeBron's giving us. There will be a day soon, look at that alley oop where he's gone. And he's no longer in the league. And you're like, oh, you know, I can't get as excited about, I don't know, Cooper flag as I could. LeBron James, and I love Cooper Flag. And just to see what LeBron's doing in this new role, he's essentially been told, hey man, you're a free agent. We don't know if it's going to work for you in L A next year. And JJ Redick, who used to do a pod with LeBron, clearly talked to him and LeBron has responded. Here's Redick talking about LeBron's big night.

[Mark Schlereth]

He was awesome tonight. And I think too, you know, part of the evolution of him on this team has been and particularly in this stretch has just been his patience. His patience. Knowing, you know, he's going to get the ball and he's going to have transition opportunities and he's going to have plays called for him and he's going to, you know, play off ball and get a corner. Three, first play of the game, like he's going to have those opportunities. And he's played really patiently.

[Jason McIntyre]

You got to respect it. As an old guy myself, I really love to see this. And I'll just put a bow on it with this. So early in his career, LeBron was surrounded by pretty much nothing. Took the Cavs to the Finals. Really impressive stuff. Then he goes to Miami. Oh, I don't know if he can work with Dwyane Wade. They're too similar. Four strips to the finals. Two. Two titles. Then he goes back to Cleveland. Now can he play with Kyrie Irving, a bold, dominant point guard? Yeah, they took down the 73 win warriors in the finals. Then he goes to the Lakers. Anthony Davis, can they work together? I mean two ball stoppers, two non shooters yet win a title in the bubble. At some point we've got to get wise and be like, dude, why on earth are we doubting this guy? Why? All he does is deliver all the friggin time. It's like with Nikola Jokic in Denver. Well, he's kind of doughy, he's not athletic. He's just a great freaking basketball player. And we do we see this in sports all the time. I mean our next guest is in Denver and like John Elway could not win the super bowl for the longest time. Then he couldn't get back to the Super Bowl. Then it's like, is he that good? And then he went to the Super Bowl a couple times late and delivered like stop doubting superstars, they got where they are because they're special players, special athletes, a different makeup, they're just built different. All right, let's get to our guest, Fox Sports NFL analyst Mark Schlerith. I've worked with him many, many years. The guy has to be super excited right now about his Denver Broncos. Where are you right now, Mark? That is a nice setup.

[Mark Schlereth]

You know what, I'm Jason, right now I'm at the studio, just in a conference room at the studios that I work at in Denver radio.

[Jason McIntyre]

Yeah, looks sweet. So Denver's very excited right now, huh? I mean, goodness gracious, Jalen Waddle for nothing.

[Mark Schlereth]

Like it went from, it went from this, this panic stricken. Like the only, the only players that we had signed were our own players in free agency and the Denver, I mean Broncos country was just beside themselves. Like we're not going to participate in free agency and like we need a weapon and we haven't addressed anything and we don't think our players are all that good, although this roster is exceptional. But, but I will agree with, with the panic of Broncos country that we needed a weapon. We needed somebody in the offensive passing game to take some pressure off of Bo Nicks that Bo Nicks can really play with and get excited about. And the thing about Jalen Waddle is he's a guy that can lift the top of coverage. He'll run every route on the route tree, he'll run the in cutting routes, catch the ball. He can catch it, you know, at 8 yards and take it 80. He's that type of player and that's what he does. He's a phenomenal, a great kid who fits the Culture of the Denver Broncos, hard worker, all those things. And I tell you, I tell you, he's also a guy that's smart, that can play every position so he can play, hey, if Cortland Sutton's out, he can play the X. If they want to put him at the Z receiver, you know, the strong side receiver, he can play that receiver. He can motion down and play in the slot. So he can do everything. He's an exceptional athlete. And I really think this is the one void that Broncos were really missing that really helps them out in their passing game.

[Jason McIntyre]

Interesting. So I don't want to get too excited about your Broncos, but I'm going through the depth chart. Secondary, stacked, linebackers are very good. Defensive line, offensive line, excellent. You know offensive lines as well as anybody. I don't see a discernible weakness on this team. If you had to identify a position group, where is the weakness, Mark?

[Mark Schlereth]

Well, I would say versatility, tight end position. They have a guy by name of Troutman who, you know, if he's in, in base formation and when I talk about base in the NFL, like bases 1st and 10 for me or 2nd down and 5 minus. If Troutman is in there, it's probably, I did an 8 down break breakdown of him and just his targets over the season and an A game breakdown. There's probably, and this off the top of my head, just watching all the film, about an 80% chance that they're going to run the BU when he's in. And for Ingram, it's exactly the opposite. If he's in on first and 10 or second down and five minus, there's probably about 80% chance they're throwing the ball. So to have that guy that's got duality, the guy that's got the versatility to line up and you have to decide as a defense, hey, man, are they going to throw the ball? Are they going to pass? They're going to throw the ball, they're going to run the ball. Should we play them in nickel or should we play them in base? Like that's a big thing and that's a weakness for me with the Broncos right now at that tight end position. And then the health of Your running back J.K. dobbins is phenomenal, but he's phenomenal for about eight or nine games a season. That's it. And so and I did not think that RJ Harvey, as good as he was in his rookie year, I did not think that he was in every down like a first and second down back. He Excelled in third down situations in my mind. So do you have enough in your backfield to, to feel confident about your team?

[Jason McIntyre]

Okay, I just was thinking. Listen to you talk. So you didn't mention Bo Nix as a potential weakness? I don't think he's a weakness, but I do recall at the, when he got injured, I think there was something where Sean Payton was like, yeah, you know, he, he was bound to get hurt given the injury. And then Bo Nix like called a press conference or maybe called into your show. I don't remember what it was, but Bo Nix essentially was like, no, he's wrong. Is, was there any brief off season squabble between those two or am I making stuff up?

[Mark Schlereth]

No, I think there's. I mean, I think the way Sean coaches, there's always a little bit of tension. I think it's one of the reasons they went to Davis Webb as the new offensive play call because that was the quarterbacks coach. There's a combination and a reflection there. And I think sometimes Sean looks at it and says, maybe I'm a little bit too close and I need to step back a little bit. And I think there's part of it also that I think Sean looking back on, on. And I don't know, I haven't talked to him about this, but Sean looking back on that AFC Championship game, I bet you he sits there and goes, if I wasn't such a complete competitive play caller and I wasn't calling the plays on that fourth down and one, if I was just, if I just had that 30,000 foot, I probably would have kicked that field goal. And I think if we kick that field goal, we go up 10, nothing. Remember at the time New England had 12 plays and 12 total yards in that game and a snowstorm was coming. And I think you look back on that and say, maybe I would have been a better decision maker had I been the CEO as opposed to the CEO slash play caller.

[Jason McIntyre]

This is why we have you on. That's a great take. I hadn't heard that anywhere. I like that. All right, let's look at some macro stuff the league. Let, let's start with. Well, let's see the Max Crosby stuff. When you first heard that the Ravens backed out a. Had you ever experienced anything like that or heard of a move where you sign somebody big trade. Fanfare. Ah, no, we don't want them. That, that seemed kind of shocking. And it was a bad look for the Ravens or is that over?

[Mark Schlereth]

It wasn't. No, it was a bad look. And, and Listen, man, I. I did an extensive breakdown on my podcast, the signature podcast, about. I failed three physicals in a row in 1990, after the 94 season, 95 going into 1995. And I failed in Chicago, I failed in Indianapolis. I felt in Atlanta, where the doctor in Atlanta told me I had the left knee of an 80 year old woman and didn't believe that I played the National Football League. That's exact quote. That's a quote. And, and then I went to Denver and I literally could have made fart noises with my armpit and they were going to pass me. And I find out later that Mike Shanahan just said, hey man, I want. This guy's a great player. And he passes the physical regardless. So now, now think about this. That same knee at that point, that same knee that failed three physicals when I went in for in the line of duty disability after I retired in 2001, that knee at that point, I think it had six surgeries on it after that point, another six years in the league, another six years of wear and tear. I had another nine surgeries on that knee in particular. Right? So 15 total surgeries on that knee. And I went into a physical with the NFL doctors and the first one I took, they did not pass me as being disabled enough to collect in the line of duty disability. So, meaning. Meaning from another six years and another nine surgeries, the knee that failed three physicals, and it failed the physical in San Diego in, in 1997 as well. The. The knee that failed four physicals wasn't disabled enough to get the benefit from the NFL. So the reason I tell you all that is because if Trey Hendrickson isn't available, if Trey Hendrickson signs in Indianapolis or He signs for $40 million and he's not available, Max Crosby passes that physical. That's what I believe. That's how it works. And so you've given yourself an out and you took the out. And I get it, you can do it. It's a bad, It's a bad look. But you didn't all of a sudden, like, you didn't all of a sudden Max Crosby come in there and all of a sudden your doctors go, did you guys know he had surgery? We didn't know. He just got off crutches. We had no idea. There is always going to be degenerative changes in any joint. If you play in the NFL, you can have the most pristine career and never been hurt, and you will have arthritic degenerative changes in every joint in your Body because you play in the National Football League. That's just the way it is. They backed out of a deal because they had an opportunity to back out of a deal. And look at, man, that's their prerogative. That's how the rules work. But like you said, it's a really bad look.

[Jason McIntyre]

Yeah. Wow. Let's go to Kyler Murray. I was kind of sort of stunned that the Minnesota Vikings make it sound like some of these reports that he's going to be the guy in Minnesota. But, Mark, my question is, once the Cardinals tried to trade Kyler, no takers. Fine. Okay, they cut him. No takers. But Minnesota thinks he's a starter over J.J. mcCarthy. What are your thoughts on. On Kyler Murray going to Minnesota?

[Mark Schlereth]

Yeah, I think he. I think he is a starter over McCarthy. And what we've seen here in recent years, you can go to, you know, Baker Mayfield. Baker Mayfield was playing scout team defensive end for the Carolina Panthers. Gets cut, goes to the Rams for a couple of weeks, has a game against the Broncos where they hangs 50 on them, has this quarterback rehabilitation process, goes to Tampa and has been great. Right. I mean, he does that. So you got that aspect. Then you're talking about a guy like Sam Darnold who. Who turns down other teams to go to San Francisco to have that opportunity to go to quarterback rehab, goes to Minnesota, plays exceptionally well, then wins a Super bowl last year. Right? Now, all of a sudden, you've had this, hey, Mac Jones going to San Francisco and playing exceptionally well under Kyle Shanahan. Last year, that was. So you look at Kyler and say, hey, man, if we can get Kyler to play within the system, the problem with Kyler Murray, and I've done a lot of Arizona games that he. He's in love with the sizzle more than he is the stake to be a great quarterback in the National Football League. It's not about putting up highlights for Fox or for ESPN or whatever. It's about falling in love with the boring. And until he learns to fall in love with the boring, he's always going to be one of those guys that puts up unbelievable highlights and loses games. That's who he is until he learns to do that.

[Jason McIntyre]

Jason, you're in those meetings with Kevin o' Connell when you call games. I thought he was more of a I need my guy on script. I don't want you running around like a chicken with your head cut off, just trying to make plays. So that's the only reason I'm still like, McCarthy's a pocket guy. He can scramble, but I feel like he wants to go pocket first. Do you think Kyler can be a pocket first guy?

[Mark Schlereth]

I think Kyler has to have a moment of humility and self reflection where he says, man, I make a lot of really big plays and it looks really cool, but ultimately it doesn't win. That doesn't win the NFL. Hey, listen, when you're playing off script, I always say the NFL is a 70, 30 rule league. 70% of the time you got to be on script. 30% of the time when things break down, you got to make a play. But your default mechanism, Jason, has got to be from the neck up, not the neck down. Because what ends up happening is you'll make two or three big plays and they're remarkable, they're spectacular. But you'll take four sacks, you'll fumble the ball and you'll throw an interception. And at the end of the day, you've got a highlight reel that's exceptional that nobody can match. But you lost 27, 23.

[Jason McIntyre]

Right?

[Mark Schlereth]

That's the way these things go down. And that's what he has to learn. Can Kevin o' Connell and the Minnesota Vikings convince him that that's the way he's got to play? I've seen him do it. I know he's capable. Will he? That's my question.

[Jason McIntyre]

Can you teach an old dog new tricks? I'm going to go ahead and say no. I forgot when I talked about the Dolphins trade for Waddle. Malik Willis goes to Miami. Within a week, they trade Jaylen Waddle. Mark, I'm going to read to you Malik Willis's first chance to be a starter. Right? These are the receivers the Dolphins gave him. Malik Washington, Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell, Theo wise, Theo Wiese Jr. Taj Washington. He's going to have no chance to win there or have any success. I mean.

[Mark Schlereth]

Yeah.

[Jason McIntyre]

Do you think he's got buyer's remorse? I know he got paid, so he probably doesn't care, but.

[Mark Schlereth]

No, I think there's a rebuilding process that's going on here in Miami. Listen, man, Miami is one of the toughest places in the National Football League to win because just the culture of Miami, you know, when Mike McDaniel went there to. When he went there to coach, like he goes as football nerd. He comes out as, you know, Crockett and Tubs, you know, with the, you know, obviously he's got the culotte pants, the pedal pusher pants. You know, he's got the big glasses the whole nine yard. Like, there's a cultural thing there. It's just hard to win. And I always say this, man. You get late in the season, and it's like your coaches are up your can, right? They're on you. You just lost a game. It's miserable. You're grinding through the tape. Everybody's just angry and pissed off. You go home, right? It's raining out, and it's nasty. And you come back, and you just got to do anything you can to get that victory in Miami. All those things are true. And then you walk out of the facility, and it's beautiful sunshine. You go, let's go down to the beach and get margaritas. You know, life is great. It's just hard, culturally, to win there. You got to get the right type of players. You got to get guys who love the game, who are intrinsically motivated and not out, you know, trying to be part of the Miami scene.

[Jason McIntyre]

Yeah. All right, we'll wrap up Mark real quick. Because you work at Fox, we're contractually obligated to ask you about Aaron Rodgers, who is either on a darkness retreat or doing ayahuasca somewhere in Bali right now. We don't know. First of all, what's your interest level in Aaron Rodgers? And B, should the Steelers even want him back, or do they say, let's reboot on the cheap guy, Will Howard, see what we've got? And if we don't have anything, we draft a quarterback next year, start over.

[Mark Schlereth]

Yeah, listen, man, he played pretty well last year, all things considered. He's still pretty. He's still. Yeah, but I mean, I think you look at it like, would you rather have Kirk Cousins or Aaron Rodgers? Like, if it comes down to those two guys and you. Is there still a trade available? Is Mac Jones. Is Matt Jones. Like, would that be a part of a trade? Listen, I personally feel like at this particular point, you know, there's this sliding scale of justice. And, you know, when you are so exceptional, I mean, he had 27 TDs versus, I think, seven interceptions, something of that nature. There's, like, when you're so exceptional, you'll put up with the ayahuasca. You know, I've got a wife, but nobody's ever met her. You know, you put up with. With all the stuff.

[Jason McIntyre]

Yes.

[Mark Schlereth]

And I'm a. I'm an Aaron Rodgers lover, but I think at some point, it's time to move on. And I think about Pittsburgh, I am ready to say, hey, man, see you around sometimes. Now, the One thing is McCarthy there is interesting to me because they have worked and they've won a Super bowl together. That's that, that's the interesting dynamic. Can you get Aaron to play, you know, Aaron Rodgers football and can you run the ball and take some pressure off of him for some of the things he doesn't do as well as he used to?

[Jason McIntyre]

I don't know. I'm kind of with you. I would move on. It's just a headache. Kirk Cousins is low maintenance. I don't know when you were a single guy, you like low maintenance women, right? It's like, I don't, I don't need the high maintenance maintenance. Aaron Rodgers is high maintenance.

[Mark Schlereth]

Kirk Cousins, right. It feels to me like the, the, you know, the juice is not worth the squeeze anymore with Aaron Rodgers. And I'm with you on Kirk Cousins. I think Kirk Cousins now two years removed from the Achilles and, and I thought last year doing an Atlanta game and seeing what was going on on Friday practices, that just baffled me. And they, Nobody, nobody practiced off Kirk Cousins on a Friday going into a game was running his offense with nothing but backup wide receivers and backup players. I think, I think three or four of the offensive linemen weren't practicing. None of the receivers were practice. Like, I understand that on Wednesday if everybody's beat up, but Friday is your dress rehearsal and we are practicing on Friday with nobody who's actually going to play in the game. I was standing. What are we doing? What are we doing? Yeah. Oh, yeah. They get, they get the day off. You know, your hamstrings are a little sore.

[Jason McIntyre]

I don't know, fire the staff. I mean, you know, it was, for

[Mark Schlereth]

me, it was one of those things where I'm like, dude, that, that, that, that does. Friday's your dress rehearsal. Friday I gotta have you going. Like, in my day, if you didn't practice Friday, you didn't get to play. That's like, that's how it worked, you know? And, you know, I know I'm old man shouting on clouds like Colin always says, but dude, there's, there's something to being ready to play this game at an elite level. There is something to do being a professional. I was a professional freaking football player because that's what I did. And that's what I expect. And that to me is not professional football. That is, that is patty cake Pop Warner. You know, everybody gets a, everybody gets a certificate of participation stuff.

[Jason McIntyre]

Participation trophy. Love it. All right, Mark Slayer. Great stuff. Enjoy the off season, buddy. We'll see you soon.

[Mark Schlereth]

All Right. Sounds good. Take care, buddy.

[Jason McIntyre]

Good guy, Mark. And he had a couple funny one liners in there. That guy's. That guy's funny. Coming up next year. So I. You guys thought I was overboard comparing Cam Boozer to a young Nikola Jokic?

[Mark Schlereth]

Young?

[Jason McIntyre]

I didn't say he was mvp. Nikola Jokic, skill set wise. Well, a former NBA player has compared Kam Boozer to a Hall of Fame superstar. That's next. Around the Herd.

[Mark Schlereth]

Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9:00am Pacific.

[Jason McIntyre]

Hey, this is Jason McIntyre. Join me every weekday morning on my podcast, Straight fire with Jason McIntyre. This isn't your typical sports pod. Pushing the same tired narratives down your throat every day, Straight Fire gives you honest opinions on all the biggest sports headlines, accurate stats to help you win big at the sportsbook and all the best guests. Do yourself a favor and listen to Straight fire with Jason McIntyre on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Bleacher Report Announcer]

The Bleacher Report app is your destination for sports right now. The NBA is heating up, March Madness is here, and MLB is almost back. Every day there's a new headline, a new highlight, a new moment you've got to see for yourself. That's why I stay locked in with the Bleacher Report app. For me, it's about staying connected to my sports. I can follow the teams I care about, get real time, scores, breaking news and highlights all in one place. Download the Bleacher Report app today so you never miss a moment.

[Mark Schlereth]

I'm Daniel Jeremiah.

[Jason McIntyre]

And I'm Greg Rosenthal.

[Bleacher Report Announcer]

And this is 40s and free agents.

[Jason McIntyre]

The games may be over, but the NFL never stops. This is my favorite part of the calendar.

[Mark Schlereth]

Yeah, mine too, Greg. Free agency, the combine, the NFL draft, pro days, trades.

[Bleacher Report Announcer]

This is where teams reshape their future.

[Jason McIntyre]

This is where Daniel Jeremiah makes his money. On 40s and free agents. We break down every move that actually

[Mark Schlereth]

matters from my draft evaluations, mock drafts

[Jason McIntyre]

and team fits to my top 101 free agents and how real rosters are built, cap space, contracts and all the tough decisions included.

[Mark Schlereth]

You got quarterbacks on the move.

[Jason McIntyre]

We got teams rebuilding. It's hope season.

[Mark Schlereth]

Yeah, absolutely. It's hope season. We'll tell you what's real, what's noise, and what it means for your favorite team.

[Jason McIntyre]

Smart analysis, Real conversations every week.

[Mark Schlereth]

I don't know about the smart, but definitely analysis. Listen to 40s and free agents on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever

[Bleacher Report Announcer]

you get your podcasts

[Podcast Host/Announcer]

on The Adventures of Curiosity Cove Podcast what if the right fit isn't what everyone expects? In the case of the Right Fit, Ella explores movement, confidence, and belonging and learns that not all strength looks the same. Tennis is powerful, powerful, fast, focused, and kind of fun. Strong swing, Ella this Women's History Month story introduces kids to women who change sports by trusting themselves and moving differently. A thoughtful episode about identity, courage, and helping kids discover where they truly belong. So it's okay if I'm not quite sure what my thing is yet? It's absolutely okay when and if you do find a sport you love, you may be the next Gertrude, Tony, or Venus at Curiosity Cove. Listen to Adventures of Curiosity Cove every Monday from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Bleacher Report Announcer]

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[Mark Schlereth]

waiting at the car wash?

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[Mark Schlereth]

let's Chumba sponsored by Chumba Casino.

[Jason McIntyre]

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[Bleacher Report Announcer]

The Bleacher Report app is your destination for sports right now. The NBA is heating up, March Madness is here, and MLB is almost back. Every day there's a new headline, a new highlight, a new moment you've got to see for yourself. That's why I stay locked in with the Bleacher Report app. For me, it's about staying connected to my sports. I can follow the teams I care about, get real time scores, breaking news and highlights all in one place. Download the Bleacher Report app today so you never miss a moment

[Jason McIntyre]

back here on the Herd. Great stuff from Mark Slerith. I love it. If Trey Hendrickson had gone somewhere else, Max Crosby's physical would have been no, no big deal. And plus, anytime you can mention fart noises and armpits, it's worth a good laugh. Mark a great dude. Let's go to Rachel Nichols with the news.

[Mark Schlereth]

No, no, no. Heard on the news. This is the Herdline news.

[Rachel Nichols]

Loved working with Mark. He was great fun. Never am. Looks like a little Carlos Boozer, though, because shockingly, he has some he has some confidence in his son. He thinks he's gonna be good. Cam and Duke just getting ready to start their tournament run, but his dad is already Looking ahead to the NBA, Carlos said that any GM that passes on Cam will quote, regret it in 15 years. He says that while his son might not have a 40 inch vertical, he is an elite worker and leader. His skill set, IQ and will the wind set him apart. And, and he also brought up, as you mentioned, Tim Duncan. He said that. Look, I'm not comparing him to Tim Duncan, you know, winning five championships, but he said there have been guys who succeed in the NBA without being. He brought up Shaq and Kobe and Vince and Tracy McGrady. You know, he didn't have that athleticism when he played against those guys in the league. But because he had a lot of the qualities that Cam has now that if you're a GM thinking athleticism, he doesn't have it, he won't succeed. Look, here's the guy who did it and you've brought up Jokic and just, you know, the idea that you don't need to jump out of the gym to necessarily be a top prospect. Do you agree with that?

[Jason McIntyre]

Yeah, it's tough because nobody, nobody would have projected Jokic based on his analytics to become what he is when he was like 20 years old, zero people.

[Rachel Nichols]

He was drafted, by the way. Jokic was drafted during a commercial.

[Jason McIntyre]

Taco Bell, I think. Right? Yeah, yeah. You just. Right now, everything is quantifiable. What are his analytics inside 8ft? What is his vertical cone, shuttle drill or whatever somebody was talking about earlier on the show? Everything's quantifiable. So you can use that to project ahead. But with guys like Tim Duncan, we're looking in the rearview mirror. Well, look at what he did. He was an athletic, like. Well, I mean, he had a stack team. I mean, amazing shop blocker. It's just, it's really tough and it's why this is so fun. I. Tim Dunk is tough because he was like a seven footer, blocked a lot of shots. Boozer, I think has one block in the last five games. He's not some shot blocking machine. But you can't quantify heart. You guys enter your laugh now.

[Rachel Nichols]

No, I, I agree with you.

[Jason McIntyre]

Iq, like is tough to measure. Even in the NFL. Yeah, when they're doing those tests for the quarterback. What is it? Wunderlick. And there's another one that's newer, like processing. You can't quantify like Brock Purdy's gonna be a player.

[Rachel Nichols]

I think you can scout for that, especially in the NBA. And Cam Boozer has it. I mean, there is no doubt that he is a high basketball iq. Being the son of an NBA player, if it's important to the dad to teach his son what it's like to be a pro, these guys come out ahead. I really believe that. I believe that the guys who come into the league who are sons of, if there has been an effort to really bring that knowledge down, they have an advantage also, by the way, from birth, they have the best access to the best trainers and the best protein shakes and food. And, you know, there's a chef at their house and all of the things that go into making you more NBA ready. And the thing about athleticism, I will say, is it's the first thing to go. So, you know, ask Allen Iverson. I think that when he says, in 15 years, that could be true, that aspect could be true. But it's a gamble. It is a gamble for NBA teams.

[Jason McIntyre]

I mean, what if I said the name to you? Shane Battier, like a consummate pro.

[Rachel Nichols]

Absolutely.

[Jason McIntyre]

There's been articles written about how valuable he is because of his brain. He could do so many things. But then you think, like, well, I'm not drafting Shane Battier. Fifth overall. He went sixth. Actually, 2001.

[Rachel Nichols]

I was gonna say Shane Battier was. I covered those two titles that he was part of. They would not have won without him. Now, obviously, you can say that about any key role player. You know, people will say the X factor is actually the role player, not the star, but there's a reason for that. You need those guys to be able to do what they do. I think. I think it is a very interesting choice. We've been talking about all the pot potential number ones. Cam Boozer in there is an interesting choice. I mean, we've talked about it for the last three or four days. He blows the doors off in a lot of stats.

[Jason McIntyre]

So the problem is, if he goes to, like, the Sacramento Kings, well, it's. No, they need an alpha superstar. Yeah, he is a different kind of superstar. Now, if he goes to, I don't know, Cam Boozer to your Wizards, so you've got Anthony Davis, you've got Trae Young, you've got veterans, you've got Alex Sar. Come on, you're not asking Boozer to do a billion things because they've got guys he can go. If he can fall a little bit, it could be ideal. He goes to Utah Jazz. I know people could stop at the tanking Jazz. Markkanen Kessler. Let's see if he moves on Jaren Jackson. Boozer slides in. Doesn't have to be a savior.

[Rachel Nichols]

Yeah, yeah. So it's going to be a tough choice at the top of the draft, and obviously how this tournament goes, I think is going to have more influence on the draft than it has in years.

[Jason McIntyre]

Yeah.

[Rachel Nichols]

So I'm very curious to see what happens there. All right, Jason. It's finally happened. The WNBA and its players association have a agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement. Some big wins for the players in here. Salary cap has increased from 1.5 million to 7 million. Minimum salaries increased. They were at 66,000. I mean, it's kind of crazy to think that that was the minimum in the W. Now it's 300,000, and players are now expected, and this is huge. To receive about 20% of the revenue share from the league. Before this, there was no tie to revenue for the players. Unlike the NBA, where it's a 50, 50 revenue share, there was no tie to revenue. And the old song from the WNBA owners was like, hey, league's not making any money. And the WNBA players in this negotiation were like, great. I mean, you've heard this before in labor negotiations. Show us your books. And, you know, the fact that they got this 20%, it's not 50 50, but it is something, something. This was a long labor negotiation. Now that you look back on it and you see the deal, which side do you think had the upper hand?

[Jason McIntyre]

Yeah, it's so new. I don't know that I can fully weigh in. I'm happy that this happened. And my guess is that this is all a projection that the likes of Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese and.

[Mark Schlereth]

And.

[Jason McIntyre]

And the two girls in la, everybody is going to be elevated by this. And listen, there's some good players in college right now that are going to come into the league, and ultimately the league's on the uptick. Are they making money now? I don't know. But like you said, the books aren't open. What about in three years? Are things going to be different as these players continue to elevate? And I know people don't want me to make it about Caitlin Clark, but I don't know. If Caitlin Clark's not there, do they have as much negotiating power?

[Rachel Nichols]

I mean, but she is there for these labor, you know, things. Look, I always say that in labor negotiations, it's the owners who have the power because of a few things. First of all, they're richer. Billionaires are richer than millionaires, and so they can outlast things longer. They can declare losses for the team as a tax break. So it's not even hurting them as much financially. And the thing that they have that players don't is they're not losing anything over time the way players are losing a year of their career. You have a year long lockout, you lose a year of your prime. And that is something that you can't get back even if you get more money in the end. So to me, owners always have more leverage. But this case is fascinating to me because I think the players actually have more leverage. To your point, they need the league to keep growing for all these valuations that have come in. Oh, the Valkyries are worth $400 million. Well, they need the league to keep going. They couldn't really have a lockout this summer.

[Jason McIntyre]

No.

[Rachel Nichols]

And I think the players knew that. And there's unrivaled out there. There's other basketball leagues. If the WNBA shut down, there was a danger of other leagues coming in there and saying, hey, we're the women's basketball league. Why not? Doesn't have to be tied to the NBA. So this is the first time I can remember where the players, in my opinion, have more leverage than the owners. I think that's, that's amazing.

[Jason McIntyre]

I didn't, I haven't spent much time on social media this week, but I, I will say, the little toe that I dipped in, it felt like people were upset that they got such a race. Did you get any sense of that or not?

[Rachel Nichols]

I didn't. I mean, my algorithm versus your algorithm.

[Jason McIntyre]

Yeah, a bunch of angry.

[Rachel Nichols]

I got a lot of women's sports fans on my algorithm and my only

[Jason McIntyre]

thought was, why do you care that they're getting a big raise? They play professional basketball.

[Rachel Nichols]

Yeah, I, I can't see it. I mean, look, if someone's upset about that, they are upset actually about something else.

[Mark Schlereth]

About.

[Jason McIntyre]

Yeah, yeah.

[Rachel Nichols]

I mean, there's just no way you can't be upset about this.

[Jason McIntyre]

I'm happy for him. Hey, and I'll say this. I think I've been on the show for three years. The first probably two years. I don't think we did any women's basketball series. Caitlin Clark starts popping at Iowa and she did the show like every other week and it start. It's only been elevated. So I, I'm, I'm all in. We went to a game. Have you taken your kids to a game?

[Rachel Nichols]

Yeah, yeah, absolutely. Now he's taking them to a couple games. They've been like the Sparks a lot. All right. I'm so excited for this. Jason. On Saturday, the Fanatics flag football classic. It's going to air here on Fox 4pm I'm going the game. I don't know about you, I can't wait to see this unfold. And now, especially because the rosters are set, this is a format change too. They were originally going to have three teams of like pros and celebs.

[Jason McIntyre]

Okay.

[Rachel Nichols]

And you can look at the rosters here. They've changed it. Now it's two teams of pros and celebs. But then they also are going to have the Team USA men's flag football squad. And you might not know that we had one of those, the Team USA flag football squad. But remember, flag football will be in the next Olympics. So these are the guys right now on the team. Now obviously they will make some changes before the Olympics. I'm sitting here thinking, like, is this an audition for some of these NFL pros or even like just retired guys? You know, Tom Brady would love to add an Olympic gold medal to his collection of rings, don't you think? Would we let him, you know, in Fox here? I don't think we, we have to worry about that. I don't think it overlaps with football season.

[Jason McIntyre]

Yeah, it's. I mean, it's big names for sure. Flag football is becoming massive. It's huge. Where we are, like, it's an emerging girls sport.

[Rachel Nichols]

Yep.

[Jason McIntyre]

And you know, a couple dads. My daughter is athletic and you should come out to flag football. I was like, is that a thing?

[Mark Schlereth]

Is it?

[Jason McIntyre]

And they're like, yes, it's becoming huge. And some of these girls actually.

[Rachel Nichols]

Yeah.

[Jason McIntyre]

High school is becoming a sport and then maybe college and now, I mean, like some of these athletes out there, like, I see some of the names on here. These are, these are. No, like Saquon Barkley.

[Rachel Nichols]

Yeah.

[Jason McIntyre]

Like, that's an elite.

[Rachel Nichols]

He's Jaden Daniels. Like, I mean, and by the way, it's not, it's not just girls in flag football. I know parents who don't want to put their boys in football with the rise in concussions or identifying concussions.

[Jason McIntyre]

Yeah.

[Rachel Nichols]

And it's a great sport. It's just so much fun. My kids. My daughter actually played it in elementary school. She loved it. And this is just going to be such a fun event. You can tell the players are really into it. I don't know if you saw any of this draft. It was crazy. Like they talking trash and they were like high fiving each other when they got to be on the team together. It's just really fun, Fun thing. Tom's super into it. I love it. I Think it's gonna be really, really great. I can give you a report after I'm there on Saturday.

[Jason McIntyre]

I see Joe Burrow there.

[Rachel Nichols]

Yeah, they got big, big names in this one.

[Jason McIntyre]

Yeah, no Jets. Interesting, huh?

[Rachel Nichols]

As I said, they've got big, big names in this one.

[Jason McIntyre]

Oh, all right. Rachel with the news. Well, that's the news and thanks for stopping by. The herd lie news so early 2000 thousands NBA. One of my favorite players was Tracy McGrady. Oh, love that guy. Well, he had some comments this week about a situation in the NBA and I, I think I disagree with TMac. He's been on the show as a guest before. Honestly, I love that guy. You played video games in the early 2000s. TMAC was unstoppable. We're gonna talk about his comments next here on the Herd.

[Mark Schlereth]

Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1 and the iHeartRadio app Star Stud 3 Team

[Rachel Nichols]

Round Robin Tournament featuring the best in the game. I'm so excited about this. I'm going to work on a Saturday. I am going to be there, but if you're not into the LA area, get on your couch. Be there Saturday at 4pm Eastern only on Fox.

[Jason McIntyre]

Sounds like an exciting time to be alive. You know, I, I got to just talk about this Tracy McGrady thing. So obviously the NBA announced they're expanding this week. Not they announced this week their expansion. It'll happen in like 28, 29 in that ballpark. They're going to go Vegas and one other city. But all that's immaterial right now because Tracy McGrady, T Mac, as he's known, the legend from the Orlando Magic, I think he was a star with Houston, scored like unbelievable amount of points in 10 seconds or whatever. He was in with the Raptors. Just a great career. T. Mac, I totally disagree with what he said about expansion. Here's T. Mac on if the league has enough talent to expand.

[Mark Schlereth]

We don't have the talent to be

[Jason McIntyre]

trying to start two more teams, bro.

[Mark Schlereth]

I just don't think we have the talent to start two more teams now, do we? Can we take two teams away and

[Bleacher Report Announcer]

add two teams to still be at

[Mark Schlereth]

30, to still be at. Eliminate two teams to still stay at 30. I'm saying keep it at 30.

[Jason McIntyre]

I don't really know what he means by we don't have the talent. My guess is that everybody's looking at all the teams tanking and saying, oh my gosh, the bottom four teams have lost 35 games in a row there. There's no talent in the league. And like, guys, that. That's just not reality. The NBA is swimming with talent. I know the guys from the 2000s and the 90s and the 80s don't want to hear it, but there is infinitely more talent in the NBA now than there was 20 and 30 and 40 years ago. It's not even close. And you know why? Because the game is international. Yes, we can thank the Dream Team for it, but they largely put basketball on the global map. We're now pulling guys into the NBA from Asia, all over Europe. It's ridiculous. There are more international players in the league now than ever before. And it's not close. I mean, I don't even need to tell T. Mac. I think the last six MVPs have been international guys. And yeah, we're going to count Canada. Sga. Even though he went to Kentucky. Like, come on, it's not even close. The game is a global sport. And then you want to bring in college basketball. So, yes, in the last five years, a lot of guys coming from college were not ready or even close. I brought up the Scoot Henderson. Do you remember? For like eight minutes there was a Wemby or Scoot Henderson who. Who's the number one pick?

[Mark Schlereth]

It's close.

[Jason McIntyre]

It's like, what the hell are you guys talking about? And listen, I liked Scoot Henderson's game for the, you know, 14 plays. I saw him before he came into the draft. But, like, he's not close to Wemby. These international guys come in polished. They've been playing pro since they were like 14. Like Scoot Henderson. And a lot of these G League guys, they were not ready. Ah, but the nil game has changed things in college. So now you've got a lot of good players who, instead of going to G League, ignite and being selfish and looking to show out with street ball moves and dunks and flashiness. They're going to college, getting paid and playing in systems and structure that gets them ready for the league. And oh, by the way, they're staying longer because I don't want to go in the middle of the second round when I can make $2 million playing for Michigan or Illinois. I mean, Yoxelle Lendaborg of Michigan, 23 years old, he could have gone into the draft last year would have probably been early, second, late first stays at Michigan, makes $5 million, rejects 7 million from Kentucky, according to him. And he's a Big Ten player of the year and now it's like, oh, this guy should be a lottery pick. He's talented even and he's 23, so he's going to come in ready to help. So like all signs are pointing to tmac. The talent is definitely there. And the international guys, we talked about this. I think it was with Miles Simon, maybe Kasich, Jacobson. But go look at the Arizona roster. International guys, they're not anymore playing in Bayern Munich. They're playing in college basketball, high level NCAA tournaments. I'm telling you, there's a guy Karchenkov on Arizona, best blue guy in the country and his numbers are down. But if he went to and played at George Washington or, I don't know, some middling team in the Big Ten or what have you, he would be putting up 20 a game. His numbers are mediocre. NBA loves him. He's ready to come in and do everything. Players are smarter, you've got better nutrition. It's not the talent is there. We can easily have 32 teams in the NBA. I couldn't disagree with T Mac more. I think people are overreacting to the tanking this season, which, you know, might be bad, but I'll tell you right now, nobody's going to care in three years if you tanked. You got Caleb Wilson and he's putting up Cade Cunningham numbers in three years for New Orleans or whatever. So the talent is there. Basketball's on the on the rise. College and pro final hour coming up next here on the Herd.

[Podcast Host/Announcer]

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