THE HERD – HOUR 3 – Chandler Parsons:

Summary

The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 3: Guest Chandler Parsons (June 25, 2026)

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Overview

This episode of "The Herd" centers on breaking down the top NBA offseason moves and World Cup action, with former NBA forward Chandler Parsons joining Colin Cowherd to give an insider take on league shakeups, player mindset, and roster construction. The discussion flows naturally from blockbuster NBA trades (most notably the Giannis-to-Miami deal and LaMelo Ball's move), to league culture, LeBron James’s calculated media presence, and finally, to a broader look at U.S. soccer’s rising global standing. The conversation is informed, opinionated, and uniquely plugged-in.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade to Miami (03:42–06:23)

• Colin’s Take: Miami becomes dangerous with Giannis joining Bam and a strong front line. He highlights Miami’s knack for overachieving in the postseason and the appeal the city holds for NBA players (tax benefits, lifestyle, and no state income tax).
• Chandler’s Response:
  • Acknowledges Miami’s improvement and gets a “top five player” but isn’t convinced they’re over the top as finals favorites.
  • Highlights need for more guards and shooters to space the floor (“Klay Thompson, Khris Middleton as needed assets”).
  • Praises Bobby Portis as an underappreciated piece for Miami culture.
  • Quote: “You just acquired a Hall of Fame type player. … I think they need to add more shooting. … I don’t think this puts them over the edge, but it definitely makes them better.” (05:00)

2. LaMelo Ball Traded to Minnesota – Fit with Anthony Edwards (06:23–07:49, 24:25–27:13)

• Colin’s Take: Mixed feelings about LaMelo’s “flashy, silly” nature; doubts his reliability in big playoff moments but notes sheer talent.

• Chandler’s View:

  • Sees major talent, and a big positive in Minnesota’s “real, better veteran leadership.”
  • Coach Chris Finch singled out as the right influence for LaMelo.
  • Not convinced Minnesota is a contender yet—thinks it’s more of a “league pass fun team.”
  • Comments on possible lineups and the need to fill the power forward spot.
  • Quote: “Does it make them a contender? … No chance. But … I’d want to watch this backcourt play together. … It’s exciting. … Just don’t think it moves the needle to put them in the contender conversation.” (06:39)

• Panel Later Discusses: (24:25–27:13)

  • Charlotte’s rebuild after jettisoning LaMelo, showing a preference to build around less volatile young talent (Knipple, Miller, Nas Reed).
  • Compares LaMelo’s popularity and style to other “swag-first” athletes like Shedeur Sanders.

3. Jaylen Brown Trade Rumors & Player Mentality (07:49–09:48)

• Colin’s Question: How does being “trade bait” for weeks affect a star like Jaylen Brown? Is it the end in Boston for him?
• Chandler’s Insights:
  • The “business” rationale only goes so far once your own name’s on the block.
  • With the Celtics including Brown in trade offers, likely “the icing on the cake” and expects him to be moved.
  • Sees Brown as a “top five NBA player this season” and a clear asset to any franchise.
  • Quote: “I don’t see him just going back to training camp all peachy. … I do think his time in Boston is pretty much shot at this point.” (08:25)

4. Culture, Opportunity, and the #1 Draft Pick Mindset (AJ Debonsa/Atlanta) (09:48–12:26)

• Colin: Asks Chandler what advice he’d give to AJ Debonsa (top pick on a poor-culture team).
• Chandler:
  • Encourages seeing the situation as a chance to create lasting change: “You could single-handedly be the guy that changes this culture.”
  • Points out the organization clearly wanted Debonsa, making him the “franchise piece.”
  • Quote: “There’s less at the end of the tunnel now… you can be the culture changer, you can be the guy.” (11:00)

5. LeBron James's Calculated Media Leaks and Free Agency Rumors (12:26–14:27, 19:33–20:28)

• Colin: Notes a proliferation of LeBron rumors (free agency, possible Cleveland/Golden State moves), suspects it’s deliberate posturing from LeBron’s camp.

• Chandler:

  • Agrees LeBron is “calculated”; leaks are intentional, orchestrated by LeBron’s agent, Rich Paul.
  • Sees LeBron finishing his career with the Lakers: “He’s still so unbelievable. … But you’re right, if it’s getting out on LeBron James, it’s because he wants it to get out.” (13:18)

• Colin + Panel (after Chandler exits):

  • Speculates on LeBron’s future: Lakers most likely, then retirement, then (distantly) Cleveland.
  • Unlikely LeBron retires: “He likes money. He likes the lifestyle. He’s still really good. He likes to play with his son. Yes. I’d be shocked…”

6. World Cup Energy, U.S. Soccer’s Progress, and American Mentality (21:32–27:27, 33:53–42:04)

• Key Points:
  • American and international fans are bringing new energy to U.S. stadiums (e.g., Norwegian fans at Mets games).
  • Colin says the U.S. soccer team has “closed the gap” on most of Europe. The main exception: France, who remain elite.
  • He draws a parallel between U.S. economic strength and rising prowess in global soccer (“U.S. has pulled away from Europe”).
  • The home crowd effect is emphasized—American fans are loud, prideful, intimidating.
  • Quote by Colin: “The fact that Pulisic doesn’t have a shot on goal against Paraguay and we’re dropping four goals… If Mbappe didn’t have a shot… you’d say ‘Oh, that’s a really deep team.’” (38:49)
  • John Strong (USMNT broadcaster, previously on show): praises U.S. “ambition,” calls for ending the ‘soccer inferiority complex’.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Chandler Parsons on Miami’s Next Steps:
  “I don’t think this puts them over the edge. But I definitely think it makes them better. And I don’t think they’re done. … They’ll continue to add and build around [Giannis].” (05:00)

• On Player Mindset with Trade Rumors:
  “As much as you want to say it’s a business and we understand the business, you don’t really. Then when it comes to you.” (08:25)

• On LeBron’s Calculated Media Leaks:
  “He is definitely calculated. If something gets out, … it is supposed to get out. … He’s one of the best at doing that.” (13:18)

• Colin on U.S. Soccer’s Moment:
  “We have closed the gap on a lot of Europe. We really have. I mean, France… could blow out a Norway, they’re that talented. But England’s got issues on the back end… I don’t see the big gap.” (33:53)

• John Strong on U.S. Mentality:
  “We need to get past a little bit the American soccer inferiority complex. … We’re afraid to say that out loud and be excited about it.” (38:12)

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Important Timestamps

• 03:42: Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami – deep dive starts
• 05:00: Chandler Parsons on needing more shooting to unlock Giannis
• 06:39: Discussion—LaMelo Ball’s fit with Anthony Edwards and Minnesota
• 08:25: Player emotions on trade rumors (Jaylen Brown)
• 11:00: Advice to AJ Debonsa, new #1 pick on a bad team
• 13:18: LeBron’s free agency leaks and narrative control
• 19:33–20:28: LeBron future scenarios (Lakers, retirement, Cleveland)
• 21:32–23:04: International soccer fans bring new energy to American baseball
• 24:25–27:13: Hornets offload LaMelo, build young core, shifting culture
• 33:53–42:04: U.S. economic/soccer growth, fandom, World Cup optimism

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Tone and Delivery

The tone is conversational, direct, and occasionally irreverent, with Colin Cowherd’s signature blend of insight and bluntness matched by Chandler Parsons’s player-informed perspective. The discussion balances deep basketball analysis with personality-driven media takes and some celebratory energy around America’s global sports standing.

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Summary Conclusion

This lively episode blends high-level NBA analysis with current event commentary and a look at the changing NBA and World Cup landscapes. Chandler Parsons brings authentic locker room perspective on trades and player mentality, while Cowherd steers the talk through layered topics, always returning to the throughline of adaptability, narrative control, and the quest to build true contenders—in sports and beyond.

Transcript

[Chandler Parsons]

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[Colin Cowherd]

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[Colin Cowherd]

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 [e-mail] or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. Now let's get this party started.

[Fox Sports Radio Host (possibly Rich Eisen)]

You're listening to Fox Sports Radio.

[Colin Cowherd]

I think the honest trade makes Miami really dangerous. Listen, Detroit got the number one seed in the east and didn't have a second dependable score in the East. I mean Atlanta was giving the Knicks trouble through three games. You don't know what you're going to get in the East. Miami's gotten, I think to the Eastern Conference finals. Like is it like three of the last six years? They just figure it out. Suppose the coach, I get Bam Portis, Giannis in my front line. Andrew Wiggins can shoot a three. You know, the guys they draft will be rotational guys off the bench. I, I don't know. I think if you give me Giannis and Bam, I got outside of Wemby the two best defensive bigs in the league. I think Miami's going to be good. I also think you could argue they have the best coach. So Chandler Parsons spent nearly a decade in this league, multiple playoff appearances is joining us. I Chandler, I would say this. I feel like with all the narratives out there I'm on a complete is. I also think if I was Norman Powell and you're a former player so you'd know this. No state tax. I'm going to get all sorts of open looks because Bam and Giannis draw attention. I would take less to stay there. I, you know, I think Miami's good, great place to live. Do you buy the Yanis trade changes the franchise?

[Chandler Parsons]

I think, I think you're still on the island without me. Colin. I think they got better, right? I think they got, I think they got a top five player in the world who is 31 years old, who has been banged up a little bit, but he still put up MVP type numbers. Last year, at the end of the day, you just acquired a Hall of Fame type player. Now I don't think they're done. I think they need to add more guards, they need to add more shooting. I think you hear the names like Klay Thompson, Khris Middleton, I think guys like that to kind of space the floor a little bit more, to really let Giannis operate, to let Bam have more space, to create. I love Bobby Portis. I think he's an underrated piece in this trades. I think he's just tough and just fits that culture of the Miami Heat. But you know, as far as a contender, I don't see. Like I said, I don't think they're done. I think the east is wide open. But as we saw this year, the east isn't as bad as we thought it was going to be with the Knicks coming out. And there's obviously a lot of questions within Boston right now, but the Detroit Pistons are going to be back. The Atlanta Hawks got better. A lot of teams are making moves, but I don't think this puts them over the edge. But I definitely think it makes them better. And I don't think they're done. I think they'll continue to add and build around him and get him more shooting to make that offense a lot more potent. And you're right, they do arguably have the best coach in the NBA and they do find ways to win in the postseason. So it's a beautiful place to go. And going from Milwaukee to beyond to Miami, personally, he's going to be happy.

[Colin Cowherd]

So Lamelo Ball is. Can be, you know, he's a little silly for me. I think he's explosive and fun. I don't know if I trust him in a big playoff spot. You know, a little flashy, but he is good. They team him with ant. Does it work for you?

[Chandler Parsons]

Well, you hit it on the head. The talent is there, you know, the size, the passing, the scoring ability. Lamelo Ball is outrageously talented. It's just he's been a product of kind of a bad culture and a bad organization, and now he's going to Minnesota where he's got real, better veteran leadership. He's got Chris Finch, who I played for, who's an awesome coach, who's going to hold him accountable. And he doesn't necessarily have to be the best player on the floor. He won't be the best player on the floor because he has Anthony Edwards there. And so I think it's fun. I think it's exciting. I think it's kind of a similar situation as Miami. Does it make them a contender? Am I going to pick them out of the west now? No chance. But by no means am I going to do that. But I do think they're fun. You always talk about league pass teams, which teams are going to want to watch. I'd want to watch this backcourt play together. I think it's exciting. I love. I love Jaden McDaniels, but I also love Nas Reid and Julius Randall's now gone, so they have a huge hole in that power forward position. Rudy Gobert is really their only big on the roster. So obviously there's this another team that I don't think is done. They resigned IO to a big contract. So I think there's a chance we see them go three guards and move Jaden to the four and kind of do that small ball lineup. But it's, it's exciting and it's interesting. I just don't think it moves the needle to put them in the contender conversation just yet.

[Colin Cowherd]

So I think Jaylen Brown can get you to the finals, but he has to be with the right roster. I mean, they were a two seed in the east without Tatum most of the year, and they don't score any points in the paint. They're like bottom five or six in the league. I guess I'll ask this as somebody. You're a pro athlete. When your name is bandied about for multiple weeks as trade bait and then it doesn't come to fruition, people are suggesting it's over. He's bitter. Is it your name banning the bat? Do you think Jalen's like, I'm done. I'm out of here?

[Chandler Parsons]

Well, as much as you want to say it's a business and we understand the business, you don't really. Then when it comes to you. Right. Like, it's all fun to say that, you know, politically correct. Especially a player of Jalen Brown's caliber where he just had a career gear. He's all NBA. He was in talks with mvp. Like the Boston Celtics succeeded all expectations when Tatum went down. They lose holiday, they lose Prezing. It's like so much turnover. And Jaylen Brown was the best player on this, on this team all season long and the top five NBA player in the season now. So, yes, I could see him being a little disgruntled. Yes, he's had issues there. There's Always been talks about his relationship with his teammates, you know, with the entire city of Boston. So this to me is just the icing on the cake where. Okay, now it's official. You put me in these trades. You actually offered me up for another player. Like, I don't see him just going back to training camp all peachy, you know, come October. So I do think there's going to be some issues there. I do expect him to kind of get moved here at some point this summer. It's just what team's going to take it on. I understand why Milwaukee didn't want to take on his huge salary because it doesn't really meet their timeline right now. Instead, they went the other route, getting a bunch of young assets, getting a bunch of, you know, starter level players and a bunch of picks. But Jaylen Brown's all world man, and whatever team gets him is going to be a better basketball team. And I do think his time in Boston is pretty much shot at this point.

[Colin Cowherd]

This happens in the NFL a lot where the second or third quarterback drafted ends up with a better coach and a better culture and has a better career. So I look at Darren Peterson going to Utah and I'm like, I love the owner, I love the gm, I like the coach. I mean, it's a bunch of ascending young guys. They don't have a bad contract. I'm like, that. He could have, he could be a hell of a player right off the bat. AJ DeBonta. Trey Young, you know, is not always easy to play with. Atlanta couldn't get him out of town. Anthony Davis is marginally motivated, will wait on injuries. Their culture's not great. Nothing against Michael Winger, but it's not. I mean, it's like they just don't get to the playoffs. They. John Wall was a great player, didn't really do much in the playoffs. My take is you've been mostly with good cultures, but you bounced around the league enough to know there are places that are dysfunctional. Is AJ DebonSA, if you could give him. You were his agent and you said, listen, I'm going to give you one piece of advice because it's not a great culture. What when you left the NBA, what. Or maybe you learned this quickly in the NBA. Chandler, what do you do when you go to a place where there's turbulence more than there should be?

[Chandler Parsons]

You know what I think for the number one pick? And if you're AJ Debasa and you just got selected number one overall to that type of organization that has been in Shambles. And it has struggled and it hasn't had a lot of success. I'd tell him to look at this like a great opportunity. You could single handedly be the guy that changes this culture. You could be the first, the first piece to making this team relevant and competitive. Obviously Trae Young is going to have to be Trae Young and Anthony Davis is going to have to be healthy. And you know, Saar took a big jump last year and they got some young pieces that I like. But this, this is AJ's team moving forward. He is the franchise piece. He is kind of that guy for the foreseeable future. So he can completely change that culture. So I look at it like a positive. I look at like, this is a team that obviously wanted me. They want to invest in me. They took me number one overall in a draft where three or four different guys could have possibly went number one. They wanted me. So I look at it like that. You got a nice young coach, you got pieces now and again, there's excitement now in dc, at least now there's, there's going to be fans in the building. Like they're going to, they're going to win games, like they're going to try to win games, which is, which is rare these days in the NBA, but at least they're going to be playing for something this year. And they have the infrastructure of a talented team that can possibly get into the playoffs looking like a play in team. But there's just, there's less the end of the tunnel now. And so that's what I would tell aj. Like, look, you can be the culture changer, you can be the guy, you got good vets around you now, like, keep your head down, work hard and change this culture.

[Colin Cowherd]

So I said last hour and I've heard this criticism of LeBron that he's calculated, he's measured, he never says anything without it meaning something. And I think that's a fair criticism. He's been pretty calculated. He left Miami, didn't even give D. Wade a call. Reportedly it was his guy. I've defended him. I defend mobility. You're pro athletes. I can be a broadcaster forever. Athletes have nine to 12 great years. You guys do what you gotta do. But this week there's been like six LeBron stories that have leaked. And I suggested last hour, I'm like, those are getting out because somebody wants them out. And my argument, and my argument is LeBron's party is trying to say to the Lakers, we got options too. I'm, I'm just guessing, but everything is getting out with LeBron, Cleveland, Golden State, they all get out. What is that signal to you? Who's leaking it?

[Chandler Parsons]

Well, I think he's got the power, he's got the juice. Rich Paul, his agent, obviously he's, he's in a situation right now where he can, he can make things happen. And I think LeBron James at the production that he's giving, so at his age he is still valuable and he's probably not going to take a pay cut. So we'll see what happens. In LA, they obviously just signed AR to a huge deal that was much deserved. But LeBron James is definitely calculated. He if something gets out, I'm with you, it is supposed to get out and if something doesn't, it doesn't for a reason. So I'm with you on that. I think everything he does before, you know, media or Instagram post or Rich Paul doing the podcast, I think everything kind of has, you know, motives which is smartest to invest the name of the game now with every social media outlet, everything you can do to control the narrative. He's one of the best at doing that. So I think he stays in L. A, I think his time, you know, the Cleveland I heard, you know, rumblings. It's a nice fairytale ending to where it all started. But to me I think he comes back to L A. He finished his career there and he's still so unbelievable. Like some of the stuff he was doing last year just blew my mind. But you're right, if it's getting out on LeBron James, it's because he wants it to get out.

[Colin Cowherd]

Chandler Parsons, former NBA player, nine years in the league. Great seeing you as always, man.

[Chandler Parsons]

Hey, thanks for having me, dude.

[Colin Cowherd]

You bet. Chandler Parsons, smart dude. Every goal starts with insist. As Official partners of U.S. soccer, this team is ready to deliver. Sensodyne dentist recommended Defense of your sensitive teeth Centrum Fueling your day with science backed nutrients. Advil, of course. Powerful inflammation fighting pain relief. Voltaren Arthritis gel helps penetrate deep, keeps the joints moving and tums ready to counterattack with fast heartburn relief. Learn how halion can assist your game day goals at.

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[Colin Cowherd]

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[Chandler Parsons]

being

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[Fox Sports Radio Host (possibly Rich Eisen)]

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

[Colin Cowherd]

Hey, it's Cabino and Rich Fox Sports Radio. Now, in addition to hearing us live weekdays from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, we're excited to announce a brand new YouTube channel for the show. Yup, that's right. You can now watch Covino and rich live on YouTube every day. All you got to do, search COVINO and RICH FSR on YouTube. Again. Go to YouTube. Search COVINO and RICH FSR. Check us out on YouTube. Subscribe, hit that thumbs up icon and comment away. I see in my business, I see leaks all the time to blogs and media people. It's leaked. You know, salaries get out. Somebody wants that out, either an agent or the personality. Like, I got nothing against leaks. That's what reporters do, and that's what people do. Corporations do it. They leak. Employees leak. I get it. But all this stuff with LeBron, you know, listen, my guess is in the next, they want to sign a contract fast. Free agency opens. J. Mac, is it absurd to say in the next two days there'll be news on LeBron signing?

[Fox Sports Radio Host (possibly Rich Eisen)]

Probably, yeah, I would. I would agree with that. Probably in the next 48 hours. It seems like it has to be imminent. Unless there's a. Unless something happens with Jaylen Brown that we're not anticipating to a team and there's movement. Someone's freeing up space to make a run at LeBron. But again, his window of teams has got to be one or two, maybe three. He's not going to the Clippers.

[Colin Cowherd]

It's interesting. There's this supposition that he'd be happy going back to Cleveland. Are we sure he's left it twice? I mean, honestly, if you leave somewhere twice, I mean, it doesn't matter if it's a relationship or a town, he can't love it that much.

[Fox Sports Radio Host (possibly Rich Eisen)]

Would you be floored if LeBron came out and said, guys, I'm announcing my retirement?

[Colin Cowherd]

Yes. He likes money. He likes the lifestyle. He's still really good. He likes to play with his son. Yes. I'd be shocked if you gave me options. I would say number one is Lakers.

[Fox Sports Radio Host (possibly Rich Eisen)]

Lakers.

[Colin Cowherd]

Number two would be retirement.

[Fox Sports Radio Host (possibly Rich Eisen)]

You want to retire or go back to Cleveland for a third tour of duty? Come on.

[Colin Cowherd]

I think it would be. That's a pretty good call. I think number three would be Cleveland. I think number two is retirement. I think Lakers are retirement. Yeah.

[Fox Sports Radio Host (possibly Rich Eisen)]

So, I mean, Celtics.

[Colin Cowherd]

It's not going to go.

[Fox Sports Radio Host (possibly Rich Eisen)]

It doesn't make sense.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah, I could see.

[Fox Sports Radio Host (possibly Rich Eisen)]

I mean, it would just stink for him having to go out, you know, not winning. Like a John Elway exit was perfect. Exits are always difficult.

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, if he comes back to the Lakers, he's not winning a title.

[Fox Sports Radio Host (possibly Rich Eisen)]

Well, you know, things break their way. You know, SGA gets hurt. They have so many playoff runs. Wemby goes down.

[Colin Cowherd]

Why not the Lakers well, why wouldn't Luca go down? That's happened like three years in a row.

[Fox Sports Radio Host (possibly Rich Eisen)]

Yeah, maybe he's going to finally be healthy, you know, next year. Get some optimism.

[Colin Cowherd]

Come on, J. Mac with the news.

[Fox Sports Radio Host (possibly Rich Eisen)]

No, no, no, turn on the news. This is the herd line news. So there's a cool thing going on with the Colin fans are coming internationally to the US and they're enjoying baseball games. I don't know if you saw this. Norway fans went to Citi Field during Mets Cubs and look at this, they're doing the rowing. This is awesome. They're basically going to getting cheap seats and living it up.

[Chandler Parsons]

This.

[Fox Sports Radio Host (possibly Rich Eisen)]

What a summer of World cup action. Here are Norway fans chanting at city field.

[John Strong]

Look at this.

[Colin Cowherd]

Is that the Macarena or what they do? Oh, it's a special Norwegian dance, dude.

[Fox Sports Radio Host (possibly Rich Eisen)]

So I saw Scotland fans went and were sitting in the upper deck and getting rowdy. Listen, these Euros know how to have fun. They get after it with the booze, the celebrating, the face painting. Come on, man. This is, this is. And they even took in a Mets game. I mean, the Mets are wretched, are they not? I know you're Mr. Baseball.

[Colin Cowherd]

I will say this for, and I say this as somebody that works for Fox, obviously, if you just said before the World cup started, you need five things to go your way. Number one would be United States is really good. Number two is the big brands don't get knocked out. Spain, Germany, England, Argentina, Brazil. The big brands win. Number three would be the stars. Score a lot of goals. Harry Kane, Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappe. Number four. You know, the weather's good, the environments are good, there's great energy. It makes for great tv. It's all past. And I think there's a couple other things, like Mexico rebounding in this World cup is really good for, for, you know, North America.

[Fox Sports Radio Host (possibly Rich Eisen)]

Yeah.

[Colin Cowherd]

Canada is still alive. If you said Mexico, Canada still alive and viable, I think Mexico is really good. I mean, literally everything other than people complaining about these hydration breaks. But I mean it also that's.

[Fox Sports Radio Host (possibly Rich Eisen)]

That's like an Internet thing. I don't think that's in real.

[Colin Cowherd]

I don't think I agree with.

[Fox Sports Radio Host (possibly Rich Eisen)]

It's like, oh, my gosh, social media is freaking out that social media is fake.

[MGM Rewards Announcer]

We know that.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah. But literally I'm trying to think of a negative so far in this. Big brands, lots of scoring. The stars are crushing. England's big, USA is big, Brazil's big. We're playing great. Mexico, Canada, both still alive, stadiums full, you know, weather has Been overwhelmingly favorable. I mean, France right now, if it was in France, they're having a massive heat wave. That'd be brutal.

[Fox Sports Radio Host (possibly Rich Eisen)]

I mean, even the old guys, you know, Ronaldo Messi, most Salah had an awesome goal. The old guys bring in like the grandparents every. It's a win, win for everybody. Now I'll say this, Norway, France tomorrow, right after our show, Holland vs. Mbappe, two of the best scorers in the world.

[Colin Cowherd]

Okay.

[Fox Sports Radio Host (possibly Rich Eisen)]

That game is like must see tv.

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, there's going to be a lot of goals in that game. Norway's back end is rickety wobbly. That, that's got, that's got four or five to two. I mean, I just don't think Norway's back end can handle it.

[Fox Sports Radio Host (possibly Rich Eisen)]

Yeah, but that should be a fun one. Tomorrow on Fox at 3 Eastern. All right, next up, Collins, go to the NBA. So we hit on the Anthony Edwards acquiring LaMelo Ball deal in Minnesota. But have you looked at the Hornets at all, Colin? They actually have a decent lineup now. Now that they've gotten rid of their chucker in Lamelo Ball, who's obviously a good player, I think it's a big sign to fans. Hey, we just had our best season in a decade and we're going to take the engine out and just move him to another city because Con Knippel looked pretty damn good. Brandon Miller's good.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah, I mean, and I what's the message you got from what Charlotte did? So Miller's look good, Knipple's good. Didn't they get Nas Reed in the trade as well? They got Nasrid. Nazrid's a good, very good player. Those are three really good players. Con Canopel, Nas Reed, Miller.

[Fox Sports Radio Host (possibly Rich Eisen)]

Miller.

[Colin Cowherd]

And yet they got rid of the popular guy. What does that tell you?

[Fox Sports Radio Host (possibly Rich Eisen)]

Smart. A smart front office right there.

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, it tells you that. And we've said this before is that. And I've said this about Shador Sanders. I think Shador's talented. He's silly. Lamelo's a little loose. He's a little silly. And they're basically telling you we're going to take a veteran, Nas Reed. We like our young guys building around Nas Lee because Lamelo was easily their number one ticket seller. So it kind of tells you. And the T Wolves, by the way, are willing to take that chance because they have a great culture. They have veterans now, Ants now a veteran. Rudy Gobert. Jaden McDaniels is not a veteran. But they've got, they've got, they've got some Age. Chris Finch is a longtime coach. But I do think it's interesting that the Hornets move off Lamelo. I think it sends the signal that somebody told me this years ago, in the NBA, it's not having a star, it's having the right star. Lamelo is very Lamelo, indulgent. He's kind of, kind of do what he wants to do. And the organization's like, we've got three young players. We're going to get rid of the popular young player. That's a, that's a message to me.

[Fox Sports Radio Host (possibly Rich Eisen)]

I mean, Colin, if you look. And again, this is a weird metric, but like, Instagram followers. LaMelo Ball has like, more Instagram followers than 99% of NFL players. He is hugely popular. You know, he drives around Charlotte, which is a small city and everybody knows his vehicles. You know, he's, he's the man there. He sells merch, he sells sneakers, and they just shipped him out of town.

[Colin Cowherd]

I got very, very Shadour Sanders. Shador sells more merch. He broke Tom Brady's record. He drives around town too fast. Two speeding tickets. I mean, it's very similar. They're wildly popular on social. They've got, you know, they like, they like the wheel, they like swag. They're very, they're both very talented. I will argue all day, Shador's got talent.

[Fox Sports Radio Host (possibly Rich Eisen)]

Well, I don't think he's a, He's Lamelo balls more talented. I mean, Lamelo's, he's pretty good. Now, he had a rough play in. I know the numbers were there, but he's a volume guy. He's taking like 30 shots a game.

[Colin Cowherd]

But they just. Charlotte told you. We're not going to commit long term to it. We're just not going to make a long. We don't think it's a long term commitment we want to be in. So Washington was more willing to get into a long term deal with Trae Young, who's not popular in D.C. yet, than Charlotte was with the wildly popular LaMelo Ball. What does that tell you?

[Fox Sports Radio Host (possibly Rich Eisen)]

Well, I wonder how Anthony Edwards is feeling when he's like, oh, I got Lamelo.

[Colin Cowherd]

I think it's a dice roll.

[Fox Sports Radio Host (possibly Rich Eisen)]

But I, you know what it reminded me of? Kyrie Irving to the Mavericks. The Mavericks were desperate. They lost Jalen Brunson, right? And they were like, we got to find somebody. Let's bring in Kyrie Irving. And they missed the playoffs the next year. They got to the finals with Kyrie. Kyrie and Luka got them to the finals. So it is a big dice roll. I'm in agreement with you, Anthony Edwards. Probably on another team in two or three years. That would be my guess. Let's wrap up Colin with Austin Reeves and the Lakers. He's very excited about his new contract, but reports are now saying 72 hours ago he thought his time with the Lakers was over. According to Brian Windhorst, the lakers were around $30 million a year. Colin, are you listening? The lakers were at 30 and then the Detroit Pistons came in and the Lakers had to bump up their price. So they tried to do the smart move and not pay Reeves. They were in the 30 millions according to Windhorse an hour ago. And now Detroit comes in and says,

[Colin Cowherd]

well we could pay you.

[Fox Sports Radio Host (possibly Rich Eisen)]

We got the money, we got the cat space, we need you. And the Lakers said, all right, fine, we'll pay you. And they got Austin Reeves. So he wanted to stay, but it didn't look like the Lakers wanted to keep him. So they tried to do the financially right thing. Colin, your thoughts?

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, they didn't sign him for five years, they got him for four. That's a little bit of an edge for the Lakers. But

[John Strong]

yeah,

[Colin Cowherd]

they backed themselves into a corner. They did. There's nothing, you know, were they smarter to do this a year ago? I never feel like there's a long range Laker plan. I just don't. That's. Maybe I'm being too critical. I think they, they feel a bit impulsive and they kind of go year to year and I think Sam Prestigo's is three years. I remember he's three years out. Sam Presti's like the idea Adai Mara pick. It makes so much sense for them. I think they may argue with themselves. We need Hartenstein, Holmgren and a Dai Mara. I think that's a real.

[Fox Sports Radio Host (possibly Rich Eisen)]

Hartenstein is a potential Lakers. They could. There's a world where they end up with him. I doubt it. But there's not. It's not a lock on. One of the salary cap guys said draft night, you know, it's. They're going to have to offer Hartenstein low money. Like he could end up somewhere else. That would be a big loss for them. I mean expecting Mara to come in as a rookie and bang with Wemby and the Lakers would pounce on Hartenstein in a heartbeat. But overall, listen, Luka wanted him. Luka lost Jalen Brunson in Dallas. Yeah, they needed to appease him. They get Kyrie. Lakers are not going to mess around. You had to keep Austin Ruth, Scott

[Colin Cowherd]

J. Mac with the news. Well, that's the news and thanks for stopping by the herd. Lie News Every goal starts with incest. As Official partners of U.S. soccer, this team is ready to deliver Sensodyne Dentist recommended Defense of your sensitive teeth Centrum Fueling your day with science backed nutrients. Advil, of course. Powerful inflammation fighting pain relief Voltaren Arthritis Gel helps penetrate deep, keeps the joints moving and tums ready to counterattack with fast heartburn relief. Learn how Halion can assist your game day [e-mail] configuration make your game day

[MGM Rewards Announcer]

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[Colin Cowherd]

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[Chandler Parsons]

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[Fox Sports Radio Host (possibly Rich Eisen)]

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

[Colin Cowherd]

I was thinking about this, the gap between the size of the economies, US And Europe. We've pulled away over the last decade. We've really pulled away. And like a lot of our ability to just win certain industries is we just have a lot more money and it's not particularly close. Household incomes are much higher. In fact, I think I read a story recently, household incomes in Mississippi are higher than the UK Now, London specifically, that's different. But that, you can go look it up. I think that's, I mean, we just have. United States has pulled away from Europe. And it's interesting because you look now at the World cup now, Argentina, Brazil are obviously great, but I, I look at England. I mean, France is special, but it, it feels like, I don't know, I mean, last World cup, we didn't have three players in their prime and we had a draw with England. And I, I've watched England every minute of their games. I, I think we can play with England. We both have issues on the back end and I, I don't know the answer to it, but I feel like, not that we've caught up with Europe and I don't think we'll ever catch up to Argentina or Brazil. The fandom and the skill level and just the passion. I don't, I don't know if we're built like that, but I, you know, I don't, when I look at all these industries, it does feel like the United States has to some degree, kind of pulled away from Europe. You read all sorts of stories. I listen to Jamie Dimon and all these, you know, guys at these big banks. And that's what, that's what the messaging always is. I, I kind of watched everybody. I've, I've watched Netherlands and Norway and Spain and England, and it's like, I, I just, maybe it's because it's on United States soil and it gives us a boost, but I don't see the big gap. I do with France. That's it, you know, and I Mean, if you really go look at the top European leagues, they're all dominated by, you know, Bayern Munich dominates their league and you know, Real Madrid and Barcelona dominate theirs. And you know, it's usually one or two teams at the top that dominate. They don't have a ton of depth. The great players all go to one or two clubs. So I don't know. I mean, the, the, the GDP of the US is, what is it, like 10 trillion higher than Europe? So I mean, it's, it's, it's, when it's pulled away, it's getting dramatic. They have, you know, higher tax rates and there's a lot of different reasons, but I just, I, I'm sitting here watching all this and I'm like, I don't know. I mean, I used to feel like, I mean, even, even if you go back to our most successful World Cups, I thought a lot of it was luck. You know, we, we may win one, nothing. But I never felt, ever, ever felt everybody complains. Eve Landon Noneman's like, I don't like our academy system. Well, I don't know if it's great, but I know what I'm watching. And we have closed the gap on a lot of Europe. We really have. I mean, France, if France wins this thing, they could blow out. I wouldn't be shocked if they blow out a Norway, they're that talented. But England's got issues on the back end. England's, you know, I'm watching the same thing you're watching. They have a couple of really high end players. So do we. I don't know. I don't think it's, Again, this could be just that. We have our best team ever. Easy route. But I'm watching us in the first half against Australia and Paraguay. It's not competitive. We don't even, we look like we used to look against Brazil. You were just crossing your fingers, holding your breath that they didn't drop a three spot on us in the first 25 minutes. So that's just my interpretation. I'm, I'm, I'm, I mean, John Strong was on earlier. I, maybe it's all just, you know what I mean? Like, it's the perfect storm for us. We're healthy, we're at home, we faced average teams. But five minutes before we faced Australia, I was hearing about, oh, they'll pack it in. It'd be lucky if you can escape. I watch it for 15 minutes. I'm like, they're not even in our league. I didn't even see Our goalie work up a sweat. Here's John Strong earlier.

[John Strong]

The way the global soccer conversation works is only certain countries are allowed to say, we think we're gonna win and be there at the end. And if you're not in that little group of countries, you're not allowed to say, we think we can make a run. You don't have history. You don't have pedigree. It's one of the things that's really different about the United States. Kelly Mbappe, by the way, said this in as many words the other day. He said, I love the American mentality. You have ambition and you're not afraid to say it out loud, and you don't get criticized for it. We need to get past a little bit the American soccer inferiority complex. Yeah, well, we're afraid to say that out loud and be excited about it.

[Colin Cowherd]

Like, I'll give you an example. Last year, Illinois, with Vogler, Keaton. Vogler was a really good basketball team. They had a European side. They were huge. One of the only teams I thought looked like Michigan, but I watched them play Michigan at home, and Michigan wiped the floor with them. So it's like. But Illinois could play with anybody in the country. But. But they really struggle with Michigan. But I. Other than that, they matched up with Duke and they. They matched up with all the good teams. Houston, they matched up with everybody. Nobody really matched up very well with Michigan. That's how I think about this World Cup. I don't think anybody matches up with France outside of. And maybe Argentina outside of that. Are we Illinois? Just depends on foul trouble, yellow cards, a couple big saves. But I'll tell you this. I can remember Lake Placid watching a documentary several years ago. It was great. I think it was a 30 for 30 or somebody's documentary about the Russian angle on losing at Lake Placid. They interviewed the Russian stars. It was fascinating. And those were veteran guys. They were older players. Right. They came out and said, we were intimidated by Lake Placid. American fans were intimidating. We're on that ice looking around, and the crowd played a huge role in that. I don't know the momentum I've watched against Australia and the momentum I watched against Paraguay. I think the American fans are intimidating. I think they're loud, they're lubricated, they're into it. We're a very prideful country. I. I said this before. It was. I'm no soccer expert, but I know I trust my instincts and my eyes. The fact that Pulisic doesn't Have a shot on goal against Paraguay and we're dropping four goals. That's what. If Mbappe didn't have a shot on goal and France scored four times, you'd be like, oh, that's a really deep team. We almost apologize. Oh, where was Pulisic? I mean, I. We're, we're scoring goals, we're getting great opportunities, we're dominating possession time and Pulisics not shooting. It's not getting shots and it's not playing. I think we're pretty good. I don't know. I, I think there's two greats, Argentina and France. There's two greats and a lot of Illinois.

[Fox Sports Radio Host (possibly Rich Eisen)]

Well, remember, I don't want to compare us to Brazil. They have five World Cups. I'm just looking at what the data has for this World Cup. We've been as good as Brazil or better. We have. I'm sorry. I know the opponents. They played Morocco. We didn't, you know, our opponents weren't great.

[Colin Cowherd]

I thought they were.

[Fox Sports Radio Host (possibly Rich Eisen)]

Our numbers have been incredible. Colin.

[Colin Cowherd]

I thought Brazil, I watched all of it yesterday. Really talented. Brazil to a fault is creative and a little sloppy.

[Fox Sports Radio Host (possibly Rich Eisen)]

Scotland handed them a goal. Literally handed it to them.

[Colin Cowherd]

No, Scotland's back end was. I mean that thing could have been five nothing easily. Sure, Yeah, I don't know.

[Fox Sports Radio Host (possibly Rich Eisen)]

It's undeniable. We're a top seven team in this World cup so far. That could change tonight, but we'll see.

[Colin Cowherd]

I'm gonna go home, I'm gonna have myself an American beverage. Every goal starts with insist. As Official partners of U.S. soccer, this team is ready to deliver. Sensodyne dentist recommended defense of your sensitive teeth Centrum. Fueling your day with science backed nutrients. Advil, of course. Powerful inflammation fighting pain relief. Voltaren arthritis gel helps penetrate deep, keeps the joints moving and tums ready to counterattack with fast heartburn relief. Learn how halion can assist your game day [e-mail] Calm make your game day

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[Colin Cowherd]

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[Chandler Parsons]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.