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This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human support for the show comes from Public, the investing platform for those who take it seriously. On Public you can build a multi asset portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, crypto and now generated assets which allow you to turn any idea into an investable index with AI. It all starts with your prompt. From renewable energy companies with high free cash flow to semiconductor suppliers growing revenue over 20% year over year, you can literally type any prompt and put the AI to work. It screens thousands of stocks, builds a one of a kind index and lets you back test it against the S&P 500. Then you can invest in a few clicks. Generated assets are like ETFs with infinite possibilities, completely customizable and based on your thesis, not someone else's. Go to public.com podcast and earn an uncapped 1% bonus when you transfer your portfolio. That's public.com podcast paid for by Public Investing Brokerage Services by Open to the Public Investing Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC Advisory Services by Public Advisors llc. SEC Registered Advisor. Generated Assets is an interactive analysis tool. Output is for informational purposes only and is not an investment recommendation or advice. Complete disclosures available at public.com disclosures.
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At.
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Hey, this is U.S. olympic gold medalist Tara Davis Woodhull. And I'm U.S. paralympic gold medalist Hunter Woodhull. As athletes, our lives are about having a clear path and a team that you can absolutely trust.
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So when it came to getting the.
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Wasn't that delicious? So good. Your bill, ladies.
C
I got it.
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No, I got it.
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Seriously, I insist. I assisted first.
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C
So the super bowl is a few days ago, a few days away and we'll eventually get to your picks. But first off, we got some questions for you one at a time and the first one is is what is the path to victory for each of these teams?
B
Okay for Seattle, for both teams I think it's actually pretty straightforward and this isn't the only path obviously, but the simplest path for Seattle is that they are able to with their outstanding defensive line, hurry Drake May a bit get the Patriots into some third and long must pass situations where the Pats were outstanding the first two months of the year and have been a little shakier since then. Let Tank Lawrence tee off on Will Campbell. Not let the Patriots stay ahead of the sticks with Ramanre Stevenson because as the Seahawks have been an elite run defense this year and trust their great secondary and great scheme with Mike McDonald to fool a young an excellent but a young quarterback in Drake may put him make him look the way he's looked a lot of this postseason so.
C
Far.
B
And be able to play somewhat on their script. Hold the Patriots offense down and really see put the Pats in the bind of man, we need to be throwing and we need to not. We need to have as many receivers and pass catchers out in the route as possible, which means we can't help our offensive line, we can't max protect, we can't keep people into Chip and Seattle tees off on Drake May who and and I just want to because this has become quite the argument on the TV show and I don't understand why and I just want to emphasize the following facts related to Drake May's struggles this postseason in the last 30 years. The second biggest drop off from regular season passer rating to postseason passer rating in the last 30 years is Drake made these playoffs in NFL history. The biggest drop off from regular season completion percentage to postseason completion percentage is Drake May. These playoffs Drake May in 17 regular season games turned the ball over 11 times total. In 3 playoff games has turned the ball over 5 times total. Drake May in 17 regular season games had 8 fumbles. Not lost, just total fumbles. Drake May in 3 playoff games has 6 fumbles. Now those regular season to postseason drop offs, some of that is a testament to how exceptional he was in the regular season, there is no doubt about that. But a guy who led the league in passer rating falling to what would an 85 rating is stunning. A guy who led the league and he might have been second in pass rating, guy who led the league in completion percentage falling to a completion percentage demands a that is lower than Shador Sanders. This season is stunning. It's 55%. They've played great defenses, he has made some excellent plays and he's been very good with his legs when he hasn't fumbled and hasn't been sacked. But the When I get to the Patriots side of it, the biggest key is going to be Drake May looking like Drake May because he hasn't yet this postseason. And the question for Seattle is can they continue that trend? Can they keep Drake May struggling? Because folks are correct that the Patriots have played a murderer's row of defenses. But the end of that sentence is and their quarterback has looked like it has looked like he has played a murderer's row of defenses and Seattle is either the best or the second best defense they will have faced all year. It's them or Houston, depending on who you prefer. And so it is not unfair or nitpicking to say up to this point in the playoffs the Patriots have been winning in spite of quarterback play, which is in some ways a reason to be very optimistic about their chances in this game because they're they've gotten to the super bowl without Drake playing well. But I think Seattle can present some really big troubles. Seattle since Mike McDonald got there is 15 and two away from home, which is unreal. Seattle with Mike McDonald facing young quarterbacks is nine and one in the last four years. Quarterbacks, the first time they face Mike McDonald's defense have struggled massively. So those are all things that I think Seattle is positioned well for. And I think that that Seattle defense the only guy all year long demons a who has been able to oh we're in a must pass situation. Watch me rip it is Stafford. He's the only one. And now they Baker had an awesome game against him too, but they weren't down multiple scores where like must pass situation. It's not to say Drake may can't do it, but they have been the league's best defense by most metrics throughout the year. So the Seahawks path is simple. That D line be what it's been all year and that secondary be what it's been all year and not put the game on Sam Darnold shoulders. Okay, the Patriots path is simple as well Drake May don't be afraid to run the ball. The one place Seattle's defense struggles is quarterback scrambles. Drake May has been excellent at it. Don't be afraid to tuck it and run. Stay ahead of the chains. Make it so Seattle can't sell out against the pass and put Sam Darnold in a spot where the pressure ratchets up even even further because the Patriots as good as Seattle as well as Seattle is coached, the Patriots will not be out coached in this game. As buttoned up as Seattle is Varel and is going to get every game management decision right and Josh McDaniels will have his guys as prepared as can be and I am looking closely at Nick Eamon worry their awesome rookie safety who Mike McDonald. That was his one of his you know his second first round pick with the Seahawks in who they took to play kind of that Kyle Hamilton role that he played with Baltimore. He hurt his ankle in practice yesterday and the video of him walking into the team hotel is what's good is no crutches, no boot, no nothing like that. What's bad is he's limping badly and he's a key piece and we know Drake May has excellence in him. We just and we also know that unlike other quarterbacks, Drake May can be having a miserable game and still make awesome plays. That Houston game he fumbled four times and in the midst of that through some of his best passes of the of the season. So I don't think the Patriots can come from behind in this game. Like I'm not talking about seven nothing but I, I, I think that they can't be behind the sticks and they can't be behind the scoreboard. But if it's close late I think it favors New England. But I also think Seattle's the team more. Like if you're like One of these two teams is going to have a 10 point lead going into the fourth quarter, my money in that situation would be on Seattle. What are your other questions on this?
C
Who do you believe has the most to lose and the most to gain?
B
I don't really look at this as a spot where anybody has a ton to lose. Like Seattle's the favorite but there's nobody would look at this like as a go ahead.
C
You don't think it's seen as Seattle having more to lose just how everybody probably expects them to win the game?
B
Well so listen they are the favorite and it does seem like a dis for only being a four and a half point favorite there. They have a Disproportionate amount of people picking them.
C
Right.
B
But I don't think if they lose people will be like they choked. So like I. But as far as most to gain it is and this is cliche I guess, but it's obvious. It's the coaches and the quarterbacks. Like Vrabel winning a Super Bowl. He got to an AFC championship game with Ryan Tannehill and the Titans. He got the number one seed. A different year with Ryan Tannehill and the Titans and his first year with the Patriots to come in and take over a four win team and win the Super Bowl. Some people would say he's just the best coach in the league and he's already considered one of the best. So for variable it would be a pretty remarkable short coaching resume. McDonald, second year as a head coach, his final year as coordinator in Baltimore. They win the defensive triple crown. They're the one seed. Even in the playoff game they lost. They only allowed 17 points to the Chiefs takes over Seattle, instantly transforms the defense. They win 10 games last year and missed the playoffs despite that. And this year number one seed with a brutal schedule and then win the Super Bowl. I don't even know what the, you know, young coach comp is there. And then for the quarterbacks, if the Patriots win the monze and Drake may plays well, then absolutely no one will care that he struggled in the three playoff games beforehand. And you will have people understandably arguing he's the best quarterback in the league. Like that's if in year two you either and we're going to find out tonight if he wins MVP or comes in second. But if in year two you're a top two MVP finisher and then you win the super bowl and you're play well in the super bowl, folks are just going to argue you're the best quarterback in the league and that's fair. Like e the I was that path except he didn't win it.
C
Oh okay.
B
He lost in the Super Bowl. He won MVP and lost in the super bowl in year two and then never got back to a Super Bowl. And and for Darnold he's just. It's the greatest quarterback reclamation story in league history. It might already be that. But if he wins, especially getting shipped.
C
Off to another team and like you know, back to back and then getting all those wins, winning a Super bowl, that's insane.
B
Yeah, I mean this is jets pants. This is his fifth team. Am I leaving one out? Jets, Panthers, Niners, Vikings, Seahawks. And so but to your point, he goes to Minnesota a year ago is not, you know, he's supposed to be competing with J.J. mcCarthy to be the starter. McCarthy gets hurt. They win 14 games. They're playing for the one seed the final week of the year. He plays poorly, plays poorly in the playoff game. They don't really believe in him. Seattle then signs him. I call it a huge mistake. I say they got worse going from Geno to Darnold.
C
Get out of that.
B
Yeah, 100% and they win 14 games. They are the one seed, win the Super Bowl. And so those are the guys who have the most on the line. What else?
C
What is the most important matchup in this game?
B
Will Campbell against DeMarcus Lawrence or whomever's lined up against him. Patriots rookie left tackle Will Campbell, who has struggled mightily this postseason, has given up a pressure rate of I think above 15% in every game he's played. Gave up a bunch of sacks the first two games. Didn't give up a sack in the conference championship game, but PFF still had him graded as a poor performance. That's where the game can be lost is Will Campbell that is with and DeMarcus Lawrence. That was a hell of a signing by the Seahawks who I think a lot of us thought, listen, this guy was a really good player, but he's a 33 year old edge rusher coming off an injury riddled final year with Dallas. And he comes to Seattle and makes the Pro bowl. Is not an old pro, but probably the, you know, one of the most impactful guys on their D line and the veteran leader there. And I just wonder if he and Leonard Williams and the rest of that D line can put Drake May in hell throughout this game. Which kind of leads to my actual prediction. So go ahead.
C
And what is your final prediction on the game?
B
27:17 Seattle is how I see this shaking out. I think that both quarterbacks have one turnover, at least one turnover. But I think Drake, who is flirting with the Joe burrow record of 19 sacks taken in a postseason, he's at 15. He's taken five in every game that May is under constant duress that Stefan Diggs is not able to get off that they find enough ways to get Jackson, Smith and Jigba lined up in different spots to where he can get going. And there is a major Seattle defensive play, whether it's a strip sack or a tipped pass pick. A major Seattle defensive play that is caused by pressure on the quarterback that gets this game going in the bad in a bad direction for Seattle. So I will swallow the 4 1/2 points and Seattle 27, New England 17 is my official pick.
C
All right, so that is going to be weird for you without the Chiefs not being in the super bowl this year.
B
It is. I mean, so they've played in five of the last six. The one they didn't play in was Rams, Bengals. And my only. I have such vivid memories from the. And I want to find it. I have such vivid memories from all of the chief Super Bowls and Rams, Bengals is a bit of a blur and I'm. Except for. Let me see if I can find it. Sorry. There it is. Okay.
C
They made a deep run that year though. Didn't they lose?
B
No, they lost in overtime of the AFC championship game. And I had. The only thing I really remember vividly about that game was having two bets related to Bengals sacks or Rams sacks on Joe Burrow. One was a big plus money bet on Aaron Donald over a sack and a half and at halftime he had zero. And then the second drive of the second half, he got one. I think it was this part. I might, I say I remember it vividly, but I might have it wrong. So maybe I don't remember it vividly. One of those sacks where the quarterback like goes down right at the line of scrimmage, but they call it, you know, right behind. So he got a sack for it and then four plays later got another one and hit that, you know, within five minutes after it looking like we were in trouble. And I had, I had another. Well, he ice the game on a pressure, but that wasn't a sack. I had another. I basically bet I laddered the sacks in that game, which was Rams to have at least three and a half, four and a half, five and a half and six and a half sacks. And they, they got Von Miller, I think. Was that the last one? Von Miller got sack number seven on a play where there was a penalty, but it was a penalty on the Bengals. So the sack stood and I hit all those bets. But I don't really. I know that late in the game obviously there was a really ticky tack defensive holding penalty. You know, I remember the game, but it is, it's insane. The Chiefs have played in five of the last six. But it also will make the viewing experience very, very different. And again, we'll see if you know what prop bets we have on our gambling show tomorrow. But I would like to get to some of the NBA trade deadline stuff here in a moment. But first, today's show is brought to you by our presenting sponsor, Hard Rock Bet Florida Sportsbook It's Big Game Week on Hard Rock Bet. Seattle is a 4 1/2 point favorite over New England for games like this. Basic bets just don't cut it. Hard Rock Bet is loaded with special props you can't find the rest of the year. Scoragami Opening Kickoff Touchback all the off the wall bets that make every snap matter. These props only come around once a year, so you might as well enjoy yourself here. If you haven't signed up with a Hard Rock Bet yet, there's never been a better time. New signups can double their winnings on their first 10 bets. Max bet of $50. That's right. If you would have won a hundred bucks on your bet, you can make that 200 plus. You don't want to miss Hard Rock that $7 million big game bonus party. Place a $10 big game parlay and you'll get a share of 7 million in bonus bets. Win or lose, every parlay counts and the more you place, the bigger your share. I already built mine. Now it's your turn. If you're in Florida or New Jersey, the Big Game energy doesn't just live in the app. Head to a Hard Rock Casino in person for drawings, giveaways and all the excitement leading up to kickoff. Big Game Week is also the best time to be a Hard Rock vip. Hard Rock Bet is rolling out the red carpet for its MVPs, private jets, five star hotels, big game tickets and more. Other VIPs can attend invite only watch parties with special guests, high end food and tons of exclusive merch. If you want to get on the action, check out the status match page at hardrockbet/ loyal hardrock bet. Pardon me? Hardrock bet slash loyalty. Let them know where you play for a shot at an instant upgrade to the best signature VIP program in the industry. That's Hard Rock Bet. Download the Hard Rock Bet app and make your first deposit today. Payable and bonus bets. Not a cash offer offered by the Seminole Tribe of Florida in Florida. Offered by Seminole Hard Rock Digital ll in all other states. Must be 21 plus and physically present in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee or Virginia. To play terms and conditions apply. Concerned about gambling in Florida, call 1-833-PLAY-WISE in Indiana. If you or someone you know has a gambling Problem wants help, call 1-800-9 with it gambling problem, call 1-800- gambler Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia this month, iHeartRadio is celebrating.
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Exactly.
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C
Yeah, so the All Star reserves were announced and folks are heated. Your guy LeBron is on there and I think he took some some spots from some other players. Defend your guy.
B
There is no defense needed and this is I I this controversy actually makes me mad. And the breathless nature with which otherwise serious people who I like and respect are talking about this totally, I guess ignorant to any precedent or history I find insulting.
C
And.
B
People are upset that Kawhi Leonard is not an All Star. It's understandable to be upset about that. The Clippers, after that miserable start have been awesome. Kawhi Leonard is having one of the best seasons, certainly one of the best seasons of his Clippers career. He's played 36 games, which again means he's missed a good chunk. But he only played 37 all of last year. He is averaging nearly 28 points per game. He's leading the NBA in steals. He's doing it efficiently. The team is winning now he has a really legitimate argument that he should be an All Star and nobody would argue against that. But folks, juxtaposing it to LeBron being an All Star as if LeBron took Kawhi's spot is one of the most outrageous and I will go as far as to say intentionally misleading premises that otherwise smart people should know better than to pedal. So reading Hollinger's column, unserious and embarrassing. Those are the two words that came to mind when the NBA announced its Western Conference All Star reserves on Sunday evening, revealing that the Lakers LeBron James was on the team while the Clippers Kawhi Leonard wasn't. I've been tracking egregiously bad All Star selections as a sort of side hobby, so I can confidently say that if this was the will of the Western Conference coaches, it was the most bizarre and indefensible selection of my adult life. That's from John Hollinger, okay? How he leads his column, and I know John knows this, so I don't understand it. LeBron did not take anyone's spot because LeBron's spot was guaranteed because he's LeBron fucking James in year 23, arguably the greatest player of all time. In arguably one of the three greatest players of all time. And folks, the only folks ever who have walked those hallways are All Stars until they retire. So go find me the tiny violins that were playing when Kareem Abdul jabbar in year 18 averaging 18 and 6 made the all Star Game. Or when Kareem Abdul jabbar in year 19 averaging 15 and 6 made the all Star Game. Or Kareem Abdul jabbar in year 20 averaging 10 and 4 made the all Star Game. And what you'll find is there was no oh my God, won't you think about the other deserving candidates juxtaposed to Kareem because folks Understood he's the NBA's all time leading scorer. He's active, he is still playing significant minutes on a significant team. So of course he's a goddamn All Star. Or find me the columns when Michael Jordan as a Washington wizard on a bad team his first year with the Wizards when he was averaging 22, 5 and 5 on 41%. Keep in mind, LeBron is averaging 22, 6 and 6 on 50% when Michael Jordan made an the All Star team. Or his next year with the Wizards his final year in the league when Michael Jordan averaged 20 points a game on he got his efficiency up a bit that year, 44% demand a not only did he make the All Star team as a reserve. But they then made him a starter. He was not voted a starter. He was voted a reserve. And then they made him starter. Anyway. Vince gave it to him, I think.
C
Yeah, Vince Carter did.
B
And you might say, where was the outrage? And the answer, I think, was, I guess at that point in time, we were a proper country and people understood, it's Michael Jordan, it's the All Star Game, he should probably be there. Or we can go further with it if we'd like. In 2014, when Kobe Bryant and I mean, this stuff is just so, again, you can look this stuff up, guys. In 2014, when Kobe Bryant played six games before the All Star break and was an All Star. Or the next year when KOBE Bryant played 35 games all season and was an All Star. Or Kobe's final year when he averaged 18 points a game on 36% from the field and was an All Star. You know why? Because he was Kobe effing Bryant. So of course he was. And I'm not sure if back in 2016, when Kobe was an All Star, if people were like, won't someone think of Mike Conley? But I would imagine they didn't because he's Kobe Bryant. So if you want to whine about Kawhi not getting in, then your beef is with Denny Abdia or chad Holmgren. Because LeBron's in. And that is here is the important thing to understand. That is not a double standard for LeBron. Others complaining about it is a double standard against LeBron because it is long understood that if you are in contention to be the greatest player of all time, like Kareem was, like Michael was, like LeBron is, or if you are in contention to be the most iconic player of all time, like Kobe was, as long as you're active and healthy, you're an All Star. Forget the fact that on its merits, there is an argument for LeBron that over the last 25 games, he's back to being 25, 6 and 6 on the sixth seed in the west, on 50% from the field. For forget even the fact that this, that he is playing at a drastically higher level than Kareem at the end, Michael at the end, or Kobe at the end, when they all got multiple years, multiple years of. Lifetime achievement, All Star appearances, remove all of that and it's just, it is so transparently obvious. And I hate to use this term, but click baity. It's what will get this opinion attention is by attack Kawhi Leonard's being snubbed in and of itself is not juicy enough. But if I make it about LeBron being the reason for it, it's. And I just, I, I am not surprised that some of the kids covering the league were unaware of the Kobe, Michael and Kareem precedent. I am surprised that folks who I know were aware of that precedent decided to peddle this nonsense Anyway.
C
Do you think that.
B
Go ahead now.
C
Now, in today's NBA with so much more talent, do you think that more guys are getting snubbed than maybe back then with like Wilt and Kobe?
B
Well, I, I mean. There might be more talent right now than ever before.
C
Right.
B
But that doesn't mean that just 10 years ago, which is when Kobe's was the. There wasn't one more deserving candidate. But again, that deserving candidate in 2016, whomever that was, did not get left out because of Kobe Bryant. He got left out because of Draymond Green or LaMarcus Aldridge or whomever Kobe was in.
C
Right.
B
Just like. And it is noteworthy to me that this wasn't a fan vote scenario. LeBron didn't get voted in by the fans. This was the coaches. Because the coaches had enough common sense to recognize he's LeBron James. And this is again part and parcel to LeBron in a way being a victim of his own longevity. Because oddly, demand, say, I think if Instead of averaging 22, 6 and 6 on 50%, LeBron was averaging to put up what had Kareem's final year stat line, he's averaging 10 and 5 on 48%. You think and was made in All Star. Yeah, I think people wouldn't be angry. Right. They might then recognize what it, what it is.
C
Right.
B
That it, that it was simply a.
C
He's on his way out. We got to get the guy in the all star games.
B
He's 10 points.
C
10 points a game.
B
Yeah, right. That, that as long as he is still an active playing every game, you know, or you know, a full time player, I should say he's just going to be an All Star. But because his statistical profile this year is of a very good player right beneath all star caliber, folks stuck their fingers in their ears and tried to pretend like this was done totally on its merits. Like there was no. As if there was not some type of, some type of. Yeah, well, and an element of, you know, the guy's played 60 that he has literally from a minutes played, games played, blood, sweat and tears, years played, given more to the game of professional basketball than any player in the history of the league. So obviously he's the he is simultaneously the all time leading scorer while also being the second best player on a legit playoff team. That that guy should be in our marquee event and what is just most frustrating about it and then we'll move on is these is these people know better and don't care. And it is. It would have been an unprecedented snub had LeBron been left out and the coaches knew better. You ever notice how everything keeps going up? Rents going up? Streaming services going up? Your favorite burrito spot thinks salsa should cost extra. But with Boost Mobile you and your phone bill don't have to play the Will this go up soon? Game. Why? Because Boost Mobile has unlimited talk, text and data at a plan at a price that'll never go up. In fact to the same price you pay for life. So switch now for unlimited wireless at a price that'll never go up. Only at boost mobile after 30 gigs customers may experience slower speeds. Customers will pay $25 per month as long as they remain active on the Boost Unlimited plan.
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Hey.
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This is US Olympic gold medalist Tara.
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Davis Woodhull and I'm US Paralympic gold medalist Hunter Woodhull. As athletes, our lives are about having a clear path and a team that you can absolutely trust.
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So when it came to getting the.
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C
Yeah, so the Wizards are making moves. We know a couple months back they got Trey Young and they went out and got Anthony Davis. Dallas got too late, first some second rounders and a handful of players. This LUCA trade just looks worse and worse by the month, huh?
B
So this is the final accounting of in out for the LUCA trade. If we just if we don't worry about the salary filler guys like Cleba and Mars Chris middle like that ultimately within 370 days they flipped Luke at Oncage for Max Christie, the 2026 Thunder first round pick, the 2029 Lakers first round pick and the 2030 warriors first round pick which is top 20 protected and three second rounders. And they got 30 games out of Anthony Davis and no playoff run. It is an all time tragedy of a trade. So that's just. That is what it is. It's an all time disaster. You got to see AD and Kyrie play like 20 minutes together. It's just a tragedy now. Luckily they got Cooper flag, but so for the Mavs it is what it is. I am stunned Demons a Dallas didn't get more for Anthony Davis. Yeah, and I'm stunned now that we know the Warrior the Warriors aren't getting Giannis. They traded for Chris Staps like the they cut bait on that. I'm stunned the warriors didn't trump the Mavs offer. I'm sorry, the Wizards offer like Anthony Davis on the Warriors. I understand he's an injury risk. Listen, he. He's a huge injury risk. I get it. But that's interesting now. Yeah. AD with staff, a defense with Draymond and Anthony Davis. Like I can get behind that.
C
And.
B
It is very, very odd to me that this was Anthony Davis's market. I get he's on a huge contract and I get that he is always injured and it's weird injuries all. He barely hits his hand. It looks like torn ligaments. He has to wear goggles now forever because of the retina stuff. I know that. But man, trading AD for Chris Middleton, salary filler and two awful first round picks. And those are awful firsts. The Thunder first this coming year is going to be pick, you know, 28 or worse or something third and a warriors first. That is top 20 protected is a disaster. And so I can't believe that's what Anthony Davis's value is. I do give the Wizards credit for being like screw it, we're not signing any free agents anyway. We have a good young player in Alex Sar. Trey Young will be here next year. I mean he's there now but he's not playing. So the Wizards hope is nail, you know, get lucky in the lottery this year. Add either Darren Peterson or Carlos Booozers Kid or AJ DeBance in the top three. Have one of those guys plus Sar plus Trey plus AD and go make a run in the East. Like I don't hate that at all. And Dallas is just build around Cooper flag and you know, bar Nico Harrison from the city. All right, let's go to some of the other trade deadline news.
C
Yeah, there's been a bunch of moves since our last show, so we'll start off with the hardened trade. We know that there was a little bit of that going on with the last show, but it's official. Their odds went up in the east for the playoffs, which is weird because it's James Harden. How do we feel about James Harden on the Cavaliers?
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I don't. I just don't understand why they do it. I, you know, I've spent a lot of time on this on Tuesday show. On the TV show. I. We. The. The record of quitting and falling apart in the playoffs is unmatched by any athlete in American sports history. Just is. And the. I understand the Clippers and Harden are playing nice and it's like, oh, no, it was for both. James Harden wanted to stay in la. They didn't want to give him a contract extension, so he got out of there. And now the Cavs, this idea that, well, the Cavs, they've got to get Donovan to sign an extension this summer. And because of that, that's why you take on this risky move. What's the list of superstars that are like, man, I gotta tell you, I loved playing with James Harden. Like, I got a little taste of that and I was like, sign me up for more of it. So I don't. I don't understand it. Now for the Clippers, I think this is an awesome trade. You're buying low on Garland. Now. Garland is undersized and has had foot issues with both feet. And so it is a concern, don't get me wrong. But the Clippers don't have, you know, a lot of flexibility here. And so they get a lot younger and they get a scoring guard. And you hope his defensive issues don't matter as much when Kawhi Leonard and he beats a Zubots are on the team like that, they can help you out. I know Zubots isn't, you know, some monster defensive player like they have in Cleveland, but you still hope that you can work around that. And so I like it a lot for the Clippers. I don't understand why the Cavs did it. We also just real quick, the Lakers actually made a move. We'll see if they make another one. This one, as much as, you know, I, I think criticize fairly Polinka's lack of action at deadlines in the past. This isn't groundbreaking. But you traded away Gabe Vincent, who has just been one of the worst players in the NBA since he got to the Lakers I don't know why. I don't know what happened. He was good with the Heat, but with the Lakers he is. He's played 112 games. So he's injured. He's been injured as well in those 112 games. He averages 20 minutes a game. So get drill burn and gives you five points, one rebound, one assist on 38% from the field. Just a truly brutal production. So trading him in a second for Luke Kennard, who again is a flawed player. But I believe producers correct me if I'm wrong. I think right now he leads the NBA in three point percentage. Like he's shooting almost 50% from three. He's always been an excellent shooter. And I just. Yeah, I mean for. Listen, 49.7% this year, 44% for his career. So it's not even. You know something, you're like, oh, it's Fluky. He's an awesome shooter. And he doesn't have much playoff experience, but his playoff experience he did have prior to last year in Memphis when he was brutal, he was solid. And so this is a positive for the Lakers. Is it a needle mover? Probably not. Does it at all help your problems of being a horrific defensive team? Nah, forget about that. But putting shooting around Luke and LeBron is never a bad idea. All right, Next.
C
Jaren Jackson Jr. Traded to the Jazz. Utah.
B
You don't have to go through all of it. Dorm. The big piece in this is. Let me pull up the exact picks. Jazz trade details. So when they say three future first round picks, it matters what those picks are. And one of them is Utah's pick. So let me see if the NBA.com story has it. Gosh darn it. Put it in the doc if you guys can find it. Because trading like these are not nothing picks. Okay, here it is. I got it. So Memphis gets the Lakers 2027, first rounder. Not a. Not a huge pick. The best of the following four picks. Okay, so they get whichever. Which of these picks is the best? 2027. Minnesota first. That probably won't be that good. Cleveland's first. That probably won't be that good. Or Utah's first unprotected. So like that Utah is saying we expect to be competing a year from now. Like because we're not going to have our own pick. And a pretty juicy 2031, Phoenix first. So they got, they got the Lakers pick next year. Lakers will have Luca. That won't be a great pick. The Jazz pick next year, that could be good. And the Sun's pick in 2031, which again demands a not to beat a dead horse. But that just objectively means Jaren Jackson Jr. Had way more, way more trade value than Anthony Davis.
C
Yeah.
B
And that's, that's surprising to me. Now he's younger, but he also has, you know, health issues. Health issues. Sounds awful. He's not the most durable player in the league, but not to the degree Anthony Davis is obviously. And so Utah is saying, all right, we're actually going to start trying to win. Not right now though, because Utah here's what's interesting about it. Utah only keeps their pick this year if it's in the top eight. And that is going to be a little interesting for them because right now if you look at the whole league standings, Utah is has the sixth worst record. Right. So they would need to stay there and not have teams jump them. However, teams ahead of them in the standings, if you will, like with better records that could fall beneath them. Dallas, Milwaukee, Memphis. So Memphis is, you know, just got worse. Dallas, I know AD wasn't playing but got worse. Milwaukee, we'll see. You know what the Yan what ends up happening with Giannis. So but Udall wants to stay in that top eight and then try to start winning. But, but Triple J and Walker Kessler to be a big team and Laurie Markkanen. And the real story here is they think Keonte George is ready to start winning games. And then you have Ace Bailey, it's like, okay, Utah's finally going to try to go start winning games. I don't mind that at all. And then the other ones, the Celtics flipping Simons for Vucevich. That's more a financial move than a basketball move. But Vuch is fine like it's and Simons is replaceable obviously for the Celtics.
C
I think he's more similar to other players on the team.
B
I think that Correct.
C
Right, exactly. I think that's what I mean. Is a better, a better guy to have inside.
B
Correct. The the Celtics have guards that can score.
C
Right.
B
And so adding a big and Vucevic I think is smart. Chris Paul's trade of the Raptors but he's going to get cut. I wonder where he and if somebody brings him in on the buyout market.
C
Somebody got to get Chris Paul, man. Come on.
B
Yeah, I agree.
A
Come on guys.
B
I, I, I totally agree. I wonder if maybe the Lakers bring him in in the buyout market. The Thunder getting Jared McCain the tick tocker is and you know he went for a real first, not a great first but Houston's first this year in a bunch of seconds. So he was awesome as a rookie. Awesome. Suffered a major injury and now is marginalized. As a rookie he was 15 a game on 46% and 26 minutes a game. This year he's six a game on 39%. But so what the Thunder is saying is, you know, we hope a year from now he can get back to that form and he's cost controlled so you know, it's fine. Kevin Herder, the shooter, goes to the number one seed in the East Pistons. I like that move for them and that's about as far down the list as we're going to go. And I It would appear Giannis is not getting traded. I don't want to spend too much time on it because by the time people listen to this it could be dated. But it would appear to me Giannis is not getting traded, which is bad.
C
It's bad, right?
B
I mean, they're going to trade him this summer, I guess, but it's just a wasted year for all parties. It's a weird spot.
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Hey, this is US Olympic gold medalist Tara Davis Woodhull and I'm US Paralympic gold medalist Hunter Woodhull. As athletes, our lives are about having a clear path and a team that you can absolutely trust.
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PennyMac is proud to be the official mortgage provider of Team USA and you learn more at pennymac.com PennyMac Loan Services LLC/ housing lender NMLS ID35953 licensed by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act. Conditions and restrictions may apply. Thirty years ago, Scream changed horror forever. Now it's all led to this. In Scream 7, Sidney Prescott thought she'd finally escaped the nightmare of Ghostface, raising her family in a quiet town far away from the horrors of Woodsboro. She was wrong, and this time, the target isn't just her. It's her teenage daughter, Tatum, who's the same age Sidney was when the terror began. Neve Campbell returns in her iconic final girl role as Sidney Prescott, facing the most brutal and psychological Ghostface yet, joined by franchise favorites Courtney Kaufman, Jasmine Savoy Brown and Mason Gooding, alongside terrifying new blood including Isabel May McKennie Grace, Asa Gurman, and more. Directed by franchise creator Kevin Williamson in his directorial debut, Scream 7 is packed with edge of your seat scares and shocks for everyone, with references and callbacks for screen fans everywhere. Ghostface is the terrifying horror icon alongside Freddy Jason and Michael myers. And after 30 seconds years, the mask still means one thing. No one is safe. See Scream 7 in theaters February 27, because screams are always better when you hear them together. This is an I Heart podcast. Guaranteed human.
Date: February 8, 2026
Highlights: Nick Wright goes off on the LeBron All-Star debate, deep dives into Seahawks-Patriots Super Bowl preview, and delivers fiery NBA Trade Deadline reactions.
In this "Best Of" edition of "What's Wright with Nick Wright," guest host Nick Wright delivers his signature passionate commentary on three hot topics:
Wright, never shy about strong opinions, mixes analysis, stats, and memorable rants—perfect for dedicated sports fans seeking clarity and arguments to bring to the next debate.
Paths to Victory for Each Team
Seattle Seahawks:
New England Patriots:
Drake May’s Postseason Struggles
"In 17 regular-season games [May] turned the ball over 11 times... In 3 playoff games, he’s turned it over 5 times total" – Nick Wright (05:48)
Coaching Matchup
Players with the Most to Gain or Lose
X-Factor Matchup
"That's where the game can be lost—Will Campbell against DeMarcus Lawrence…" (18:11)
Score Prediction
"27-17 Seattle is how I see this shaking out." – Nick Wright (19:53)
“I laddered the sacks in that game...and they got Von Miller, I think, for sack number seven...” – Nick Wright
Core Argument:
LeBron’s selection is non-negotiable—historical precedent dictates Hall-of-Fame icons get All-Star nods late into their careers, regardless of stats.
Refutation of Critics:
"LeBron did not take anyone's spot because LeBron’s spot was guaranteed because he’s LeBron...and folks, the only folks ever who have walked those hallways are All-Stars until they retire." (33:03)
“…people understood, it’s Michael Jordan, it’s the All-Star Game, he should probably be there.”
LeBron’s Stats This Season:
Double Standard Point:
"Others complaining about it is a double standard against LeBron..." (39:37)
Fan vs. Coach Selections:
"It would have been an unprecedented snub had LeBron been left out and the coaches knew better." – Nick Wright (48:02)
Anthony Davis to the Wizards
"It is an all-time tragedy of a trade...I am stunned Dallas didn't get more for Anthony Davis." (52:51–55:25)
Jaren Jackson Jr. Moved to Jazz
"That just objectively means Jaren Jackson Jr. had way more trade value than Anthony Davis..." (64:05)
Harden to the Cavaliers / Garland to Clippers
Skepticism about Harden’s fit & his playoff reputation (57:33)
“The record of quitting and falling apart in the playoffs is unmatched by any athlete in American sports history. Just is.”
Likes Clippers’ buy-low on Garland.
Minor Trades
Giannis Watch
Nick Wright provides assertive, sometimes combative analysis, making the show lively and hard-hitting. His impassioned defense of LeBron connects modern NBA culture with its history, and his trade deadline reactions mix satire with solid front offices takes. For any sports fan looking for sharp insight peppered with memorable rants—this episode is a can’t-miss.
For further listening, find "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" and "What's Wright with Nick Wright" wherever you get your podcasts.