
Loading summary
Freddy Prinze Jr.
This is an I heart podcast.
Nick Wright
If you're looking for a simple, effective way to get more fruits and vegetable ingredients into your day, Balance of Nature is a game changer. I love it because their supplements are packed with recognizable whole ingredients like apple, mango and papaya. Nothing fake. Experience for yourself the original balance of color, taste and smell of 31 ingredients of fruits and veggies in easy to take capsules that you can bring anywhere. Visit balance of nature.com and use promo code Nick to get 35% off your first order as a preferred customer. Plus a free bottle of fiber and spice. That's balance of nature.com promo code Nick.
Freddie Prinze Jr.
We'Re breaking down SummerSlam, the biggest party of the summer on Wrestling With Freddy. From our bold picks to storyline breakdown, discuss who walks out with gold, who shocks the night and which matches steal the show we call the winners, the upsets and the chaos to expect. Plus, whatever swerves nobody saw coming. Listen to Wrestling with Freddie as part of the Michael Tura Podcast Network, available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Unnamed Host
Check out behind the Flow, a podcast documentary series following the launch of San Diego Football Club.
Freddy Prinze Jr.
San Diego coming to MLS is going to be a game changer because this region has been hungry for a men's professional soccer team.
Unnamed Host
We need to embrace this community.
Listen to San Diego FC behind the Flow on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Sarah Spain
Get fired up, y'. All. Season 2 of Good Game with Sarah Spain is underway. We just welcomed one of my favorite people, an incomparable soccer icon Megan Rapinoe to the show and we had a blast. Take a listen. Sue and I were like riding the lime bikes the other day and we're like, wee people ride bikes because it's fun. We got more incredible guests like Megan in store, plus news of the day and more. So make sure you listen to Good Game with Sarah Spain on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Brought to you by Novartis, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports Network.
Unnamed Host
Welcome to the Best of the Week.
Nick Wright
For what's Right with Nick Wright.
Unnamed Host
The best takes and moments from this week on the show. Enjoy.
Unnamed Guest
Luca was on the COVID of Men's Health magazine looking very slender. He came out with a quote saying, just visually I would say that my whole body looks better. How are you feeling about Luca's transition?
Unnamed Host
So a couple things. One is first, sorry to I I pointed this out on tv. And I'm not trying to pick on anybody, but this, to me is one of the main takeaways from the article. Remember how I told you guys AI doesn't know sports and that AI hallucinates sports? This article got marred a bit by the fact that the author included in it an anecdote about how Luca, when he came into the league, had a 42 inch vertical that was measured at the NBA combine. The problem with that is twofold. One is Anyone that's watched 10 minutes of Luka Doncic at any moment of his career knows he Never had a 42 inch vertical. The other problem is Luka Doncic did not go to the combine, so there is no place to measure his vertical. So what happened there? The most obvious answer is figured out by some Internet sleuths was if you googled Luka Doncic vertical, the top AI result was that Luka Doncic had a 42 inch vertical measured at the NBA combine. Which then links you to an article about Dante DiVincenzo's 42 inch vertical at the NBA combine. But AI hallucinated it. I guess they saw the ch in both names, white guys, same draft class, and they just made it up. So, again, I'm not saying AI can't be used for things. I'm not saying it's not, you know, the. The next, the future, all of that. I am saying for some, AI does not know sports and can't figure it out. That's first thing. Second thing is this my other takeaway from that article to Monte. I'm going to read you a line in it which I found fascinating. The facility, which is located in the town where Don Church has vacationed every summer since he was a teen. That's important. The facility, which is it located in the town where Don has vacationed every summer since he was a teen, didn't have weights until earlier this month when he had dumbbells, barbells, weight plates, and med balls trucked in. So here's why that's noteworthy to me. Luke. Every summer goes back to this town in Slovenia and trains. But his training has always just included hooping. You know what I mean? He plays ball and does drills. All of it.
Unnamed Guest
Yep.
Unnamed Host
Weight draining was never a big part of it for him. And so now you guys know. I feel like the go ahead.
Unnamed Guest
Oh, no, it's so cool just being able to get a bus of weights. Oh, just brought to wherever you did.
Unnamed Host
Yeah, yeah, of course. But the, the. I felt that the whiplash effect of, you know, Lucas Fat, out of shape, drinking problem was far too strong. Considering that without ever being in peak physical condition, he had one of the greatest opening six year stretches of a career ever. This is where I am contractually obligated to remind the audience that Luka Doncic already has made more first team all NBAs than either Steph Curry or Chris Paul, and only has one less than Kevin freaking Durant. He's 26 years old. That's how great he's been. Now, he did have a down year and part of it was he was a little out of shape. He was also sad. He also got hurt, he also got traded and all, you know, all of those things. So I think that is, I think that is important. It's not giving him an excuse. But I just thought 12 months ago today, before Luca got hurt, before Luca got traded, when Luca was coming off a finals appearance, nobody and thought and he had beaten in round two, Shea and in round three, Anthony Edwards, and it averaged 34, nine and 10 in the regular season. Nobody thought Shea or Anthony Edwards was better than him. Now I think it's like conventional wisdom that those guys are better than him. And Shay certainly has earned it, I guess. Anthony, I don't think quite has, but whatever. The point I'm making is this. Luca in non tip top physical condition was already well on his way to being one of the greatest players ever. Luca, like this should be the early favorite for league mvp. Well, you don't.
Unnamed Guest
And you don't think with his play style that him being a little bit thinner might affect it. Like, you know, he's like slow, kind of get you on his head.
Unnamed Host
Yeah. But I, I think, I think that if he is, I don't think he's going to be skinny. I think he's going to be lean. You know what I mean? I think if you just replace some of what was with the Lakers. Yeah. You know what I mean? Like, I would bet he weighs about the same, but looks, I mean, if not more.
Unnamed Guest
Yeah, I mean muscle weighs more than fat.
Unnamed Host
Right.
Unnamed Guest
But I mean he looks a lot thinner than he.
Unnamed Host
He looks a lot thinner. You know what I mean? So I just. Yeah, I don't think you want actually skinny Luca, but thinner Luca, I think what is helpful and I think that he has taken this, you know, what happened last year to heart and this was the thing that I warned the Mavs about after the trade, that even if they were going to be right, they're going to be wrong. Even if they were right, that if they didn't Trade him and they signed him to an extension. He was just gonna get fat and out of shape and all these things. He by trading him and motivating him and insulting him, they then put this extra chip on his shoulder. Now people are can say why didn't he do it during the year. I don't think you can do this type of thing during a season. You know what I mean? I think you have to this. You need an off season. And he's about to be playing a ton of ball at Euro basketball at first Slovenia and I right now he would be my early season pick to win league MVP next year.
Unnamed Guest
And features torches Dallas every single time they play and it just doesn't even matter.
Unnamed Host
God, I can't wait. I just can't wait if that were to happen also, by the way, shout out to Marco in the chat watching from Slovenia. Yes, shout out Marco. Very cool. Let's do Matt Stafford here and then we get to the listeners.
Unnamed Guest
Yeah. So Matt Stafford has been dealing with some back soreness and is set to miss another week of camp. You've been high on the Rams. Does this affect it at all? I think the guy just doesn't want to go to training camp. He's old.
Unnamed Host
Oh, I hope that's it. That would be great. That would be an awesome result here if it's just old guy doesn't want to practice. So here is before training camp there was one story of potential contender that hit my radar and that was the C.J. stroud shoulder soreness. I was like, ooh, that's something to watch. C.J. stroud, you know, like that he wasn't able to do full throwing practice or whatever. I'm like, that's something to watch. That seems to have subsided okay. But it was, it hit my radar in training camp. We've been lucky so far.
Nick Wright
Fingers crossed.
Unnamed Host
There hasn't been the like devastating superstar injury and there hasn't been the contender that has just been hit with a bunch of, you know, contributor injuries. At least not yet. So there have been to me two major stories out of training camp so far for contenders. One is a positive one, one is a worrisome one. The positive one, and people can say this is, you know, Chiefs colored glasses. But I'm not wrong about this. The Chiefs rookie first round pick get who was considered a top 10 talent who fell because people thought his knee was not right. And he might not be healthy for a good portion of his rookie year. Not only being healthy the first day of camp, but being slotted as the starting left tackle, not competing with Jaylen Moore, who they signed to be the left tackle for that spot. And just being their left tackle from day one of camp to day to right now is one of the biggest positive stories for any true contender this training camp. Because if they have that spot locked down and then you have Jalen Moore, the guy they cite from San Francisco, and Juwan Taylor, the right tackle who's been a bit of a disappointment with Kansas City since they signed him from Jacksonville, competing on the right side, then all of a sudden the Chiefs offensive line is totally different. So and there was everyone agreed that Josh Simmons had the talent to potentially be the number one tackle in his draft, but the injury was so worrisome he slid. If the knee is really right, then the Chiefs dealing at taking care of one of the most important and one of the most expensive spots in football by drafting a guy at 32 is a game changer. That's in the positive direction for a contender. In a negative direction for a contender. It's this Stafford story because aside from confidence for your team secondary, there is nothing positive that comes out of Jimmy G practicing and playing in training camp and you need desperately a healthy Matt Stafford in order to contend. And I think the Rams can contend. I like Devot now. Poor devonte Adams. You got to be kidding me. I got mat. That's I got Jimmy G throwing me the ball again. I I love Puka. I really like their D line. I obviously love McVeigh. I think Devonte is good as a number two with the Rams. But it all comes undone without Stafford. And Stafford is 37. He got the kicked out of him for a decade in Detroit. He has been banged up at times with the Rams. I am it's not the biggest story but I am not going to ignore it as a potential big story. So it's just something to watch.
Nick Wright
Nothing says summer like long days, clutch plays and firing off a few bets on the game. All with DraftKings sportsbook.
Unnamed Host
As the season heats up, so do.
Nick Wright
The Bats and DraftKings sportsbook has you covered. Live betting, home run props, odds boosts and more.
Unnamed Host
Whether you're chasing dingers or jumping in mid game, there's always action to be had. If you never bet on baseball before, it's easy. Pick a guy to go yard, hammer some live odds mid game or just ride with your squad and hope for the best.
Nick Wright
No spreadsheets, just vibes and dingers. Something special for first timers.
Unnamed Host
New DraftKings customers bet $5 and get $150 in bonus bets instantly.
Nick Wright
Download the DraftKings sportsbook app now and use code right. That's code right for new customers to.
Unnamed Host
Get $150 in bonus bets instantly. When you bet just five bucks only on DraftKings, the crown is yours. Gambling problem. Call 1-800- Gambler in New York, call 877-8-HOPE and WHY, or text Hopeny at 467-369 in Connecticut. Help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org Please play responsibly on behalf of Boothill Casino and Resort in Kansas, 21 and over. Age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. Bet must win to receive reward. Minimum minus 500 odds. Required bonus bets expire 168 hours after issuance. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see dkng co Audio.
Nick Wright
If you're looking for a simple, effective way to get more fruits and vegetable ingredients into your day, Balance of Nature.
Unnamed Host
Is a game changer.
Nick Wright
I'll tell you why I love Balance of Nature because it helps me stay on track with my daily goals. It's made with real, recognizable ingredients like whole apple, papaya, mango and strawberry. You can actually feel the difference when you make it part of your routine. Experience for yourself the original balance of color, taste and smell of 31 different fruits and vegetables into easy to take capsules you can bring with you anywhere. It's 31 ingredients of fruits and veggies on the go, and while it's not a replacement for a healthy diet, Balance of Nature works alongside your other habits, whether that's staying active, eating better, or just feeling your best every day. Right now you can give it a try and save 35% on your first order as a preferred customer. Just go to balanceofnature.com and use promo code Nick. You'll also get a free bottle of fiber and spice with your order. That's balanceofnature.com promo code Nick it's the.
Freddie Prinze Jr.
Biggest party of the summer. WWE SummerSlam is here and wrestling with Freddie is all over it. We're talking wild matches, big surprises, and our boldest predictions yet. From celebrity showdowns to the chaos inside a steel cage, we're breaking down every match and calling who we think walks out on top. This card is loaded from Cody Rhodes, John Cena, Rhea Ripley and Tiffy, just to name a few, this lineup is ready to tear down the house. We'll give you our unfiltered takes, honest debates, and you already know a ton of laughs along the way, we're covering the upsets, the wild returns, and the championship moments. Nobody expects we'll get into the matches that steal the show, the storylines that explode, and those oh my God, did that just happen? Moments that make SummerSlam legendary. Don't miss it. Listen to Wrestling with Freddy as part of the My Cultura Podcast network. Find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.
Unnamed Host
Check out behind the Flow, a podcast documentary series following the launch of San Diego Football Club. We go behind the scenes and explore the stories of those involved.
Freddy Prinze Jr.
San Diego coming to MLS is going to be a game changer because this region has been hungry for a men's professional soccer team.
Unnamed Host
We need veteran players and we need young players. Like you're building a team from scratch. And so the succession plan of long term success needs to be defined. We need to embrace this community.
Freddy Prinze Jr.
When I was 13, my uncle took me to a qualifier and we watched Paraguay against Chile. Pouring rain. Just watching the fans jumping up and down, I think that was definitely a watershed moment for me. Not only was that going to be my game, but it was going to be my life.
Unnamed Host
Listen to San Diego FC behind the Flow now on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Sarah Spain
Get fired up, y'. All. Season 2 of Good Game with Sarah Spain is underway. We just welcomed one of my favorite people and an incomparable soccer icon, Megan Rapinoe to the show and we had a blast. We talked about her recent 40th birthday celebrations, Co hosting a podcast with her fiance Sue, Bird watching former teammates retire and more. Never a dull moment with Pino. Take a listen. What do you miss the most about being a pro athlete? The final. The final and the locker room. I really, really like you. Just, you can't replicate. You can't get back. Showing up to the locker room every morning just to talk. We've got more incredible guests like the legendary Candace Parker and college superstar Az Foot. I mean, seriously, y', all, the guest list is absolutely stacked for season two. And you know we're always going to keep you up to speed on all the news and happenings around the women's sports world as well. So make sure you listen to Good Game with Sarah Spain on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports.
Unnamed Host
All right, speaking of indefensible, I guess this is semi defensible, but I hate it. The Madden rating Go ahead.
Unnamed Guest
I don't know about indefensible, but the 99 Club came out for bad in 26.
Unnamed Host
Yeah.
Unnamed Guest
Your guy Mahomes was snubbed. Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson are the two, they both have 99 ratings.
Unnamed Host
Yeah.
Unnamed Guest
How do you feel about this? Is this legit? I, I think it's pretty fair. I think that Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen are much more Madden type quarterbacks than Patrick Mahomes is like Patrick Mahomes is more of an improviser. Lamar Jackson's obviously like super fast and Josh Allen's like a freak athlete. He's huge running through dudes. So it's like as far as games, like if you want to play Madden, like you're thinking like you want to play, you would rather play with Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen.
Unnamed Host
Okay, so that's a really interesting way to look at it and I, if that's the argument that so be it. Listen, Mahomes coming into this year in the six Maddens post, his rookie post, his first year as a starter, he was a 99 four times. He was the highest rated quarterback five times. The one time he wasn't, he was the third highest rated quarterback behind Brady and Rogers and that was after the AFC championship game lost to Cincinnati. And he responded by having more yards than any player in the history of the league, winning the super bowl mvp, winning the regular season MVP and having arguably the greatest quarterback season anyone's ever had. So I'm, I, I, I'm not even mad at Madden. Maybe they motivated him. I actually, I, I want to use this as an opportunity and listen, Josh just won super bowl or I'm sorry, regular season MVP had, you know, for a team that a lot of people thought was not going to be good, some people who had always been called a Bills hater for just being right about the Bills, they then last year thought the Bills could be really good and that person was me, but that it was because of Josh Allen. So it's fine. And Lamar has had basically back to back perfect regular season. So you want to give him a 99 rating, it's fine. I actually want to use this time here to talk a little bit about Lamar and the Ravens because I was on Mina's podcast and she was a gog that I was skeptical of the Ravens. And Mina, you know, said Lamar didn't play poorly in the playoff game, which I find unbelievable, and said that basically she thought I was being unfair to Lamar or the Ravens by not, I guess chalking up the same exact thing happening every single year to just dumb luck and said, oh, I didn't know you were a Ravens hater. And this is where, as I said with her, I will break Kayfabe for a moment. I adore Mina Kimes. I know I call her my rival that I want to vanquish. I think she's outstanding. It's the only reason I went on a podcast with her at seven o' clock New York City time on the night before. I was going to the Bahamas for a few days and I think she does great work. But I There are two major points I want to make here. The first one is this. At what point does someone stop being a hater if they are constantly one of the only people proven correct? At what? I'm just curious. For the, for the media and Internet at large, at what point does hating transition to accurate skepticism? Or is the answer never? Is the answer nope? If the whole world acknowledges this guy is just, you know, Dan, close to a perfect player who's had a couple perfect regular seasons, who's just bad timing for these awful moments. And now 2023 for Lamar, it was an awful game. 2024, it was not an awful game. It was a couple really awful moments that ruined an otherwise really good game by him. But I am. And so, because I didn't think Lamar was terrible in the divisional round game against Buffalo, what I did think was a guy who was historically good all year about protecting the football, having two turnovers in the first 20 minutes of that game made it to where the, the best grade he could get for the games, like a C plus and especially because they end up losing. And so the, the question I truly have, and the question I truly have for the audience is, is that hating is. And I'll use the Bills thing as an example. Every single year, people called me a Bill's hater. Now I was a Bill's troll to a degree. And I said, drop the banner and I poked fun and I did all that stuff. But I was also right every single time. And then this past year when I thought the pendulum had swung too far in the other direction and I said, I actually think the Bills are going to be excellent. I think they're once again the biggest threat to the Chiefs. And that's the opposite of hating. And it was just correct. Right? So then the. And yes, guys, the. When I say Mahomes had the most yards in the single season ever, that's. That. That's. That is exactly the. It's exactly what I'm saying. It is. It's total yards for the full season. Everything all put together. The most yards any players ever accounted for was 2022. Patrick Mahomes so the Lamar stuff to me is interesting because I it's not only that I don't think I'm a hater, but I think a lot of other really smart people who cover this league are in willful denial because they like him and because they want it to be different than it is. And because, and this part I really empathize with because they detest so much, so many of his his original actual haters, the people who said he should change positions coming in the league or he'd never be any good or any of that stuff. And so all of that has created this very odd world where folks patronize him a bit in a way they discuss what is the only hole on his resume. But it's the hole that matters the most, which is in that league for that position, how you play in the postseason. And so this is the question that I would just have to everyone, folks on Ravens Twitter are mad at me because they think the team is absolutely stacked and I have questions about its receiver position and folks in the media that think I'm unfair in my skepticism. Because one of the other things that happened when I was talking again, I think Mina's outstanding with Mina was Stafford came up and I talked about how if I were like, I kind of impromptu was talking about how he might be my third pick of any quarterback in the league to have in the postseason that would go Mahomes, Allen Stafford. And she seemed legitimately aghast that I was not including Lamar in the math for that. And I was legitimately aghast that she possibly could include Lamar in the math for that specific question. You can have any quarterback for a playoff run like, well, I, I'm not going to pick the guy who's literally never like shown us that he can do that. It would seem. That would seem silly to me. You might be like, well, Josh hasn't shown it. Josh has had plenty of playoff runs where he's played excellent throughout. Just the team wasn't good enough. Where you'd see that from Lamar. But that's fine. This is kind of old hat. We've talked about this each of the last few years. Because each of the last few years it has gone exactly like this unbelievable regular season that I look at with a quizzical eye. Cause I want to see how it works in the postseason. Then Lamar has one of, if not his downright worst game in the postseason. And then everybody has this moment of clarity for about three days where after the year people are like damn, Nick was right. Without saying Nick was right. And then come this time of year it's like, no, this year will be different. So this is my question because Raven's Twitter, Ravens Twitter, thinks the team is absolutely loaded. So obviously like they, there shouldn't be any excuses there. But my question in the media is this. If it were to happen again, same beat to the last couple years, is Lamar going to win mvp? He is the mvp. He's top two mvp, all of it. And then once again the Ravens don't play to their seed or don't play to their talent or you know, and it's because of massive quarterback mistakes early in a playoff game that puts them in a hole that they can't quite dig themselves out of. Will this year then be enough? Is it like before the sample is too small or will it still just be ah, randomness, dumb luck of the playoffs? I find it really fascinating because it is absolutely true that the only thing standing between Lamar and being in the discussion demand say as one of the six or seven greatest quarterbacks of all time is one great playoff run. That's all that's standing between it, just one. Because the regular season stuff is so unbelievable. But the only thing standing between him and being in a very unique class of all time athletes in a, in a not great sense is deja vu all over again. One more time. And it makes this year one of the most fascinating. It makes makes the Ravens and Lamar one of the most fascinating stories of the season. And it also, I am, I'm really excited to watch it and I am really excited to see how people react, myself included to how this full season plays out. And so like it was, it's back to back years, it's all been right there. All been. And that's one other thing I want to say because one of the things Mina pointed out was DVOA has over the last quarter century to monze the two best teams. The two best five year stretches by any team to not make a Super bowl are the last five years of the Buffalo Bills and the last five years of the Baltimore Ravens. And the point there that, that Mina made was, you know, basically that's an Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes stat. And it's that these two teams were good enough to be all time greats. They were just blocked by one of the greatest, if not the greatest duo in NFL history. And I push back on that too. Because I think the Bills being on that list is a Andy Reed and Patrick Mahomes stat because the Bills have lost to the Chiefs five times in this stretch or I'm sorry, four times. I don't know that I feel the Ravens being on that list is a chief stat because only one of those years have the Chiefs been the team to block. The Ravens you got, they haven't gotten to that level yet. So we'll see. And I listen, you believe in the Ravens this year. Brew believes in the NFL is wide open this year.
Unnamed Guest
100% NFL is wide open this year. See what he does.
Unnamed Host
Yeah, no, we'll see. I have a feeling it will be like every year. Unbelievable. In the regular season they lose a couple games they probably shouldn't lose that are a little odd, but it is jaw dropping. And then come the playoffs we're going to be like, wow, this team sure looks different. Wonder why I doubt it. And then. But listen, maybe I'll be wrong. Maybe. Maybe I'll be wrong.
Nick Wright
If you're looking for a simple, effective way to get more fruits and vegetable ingredients into your day, Balance of Nature.
Unnamed Host
Is a game changer.
Nick Wright
I'll tell you why I love Balance of Nature because it helps me stay on track with my daily goals. It's made with real recognizable ingredients like whole apple, papaya, mango and strawberry. You can actually feel the difference when you make it part of your routine experience for yourself. The original balance of color, taste and smell of 31 different fruits and vegetables into easy to take capsules you can bring with you anywhere. It's 31 ingredients of fruits and veggies on the go. And while it's not a replacement for a healthy diet, Balance of Nature works alongside your other habits. Whether that's staying active, eating better, or just feeling your best every day. Right now you can give it a try and save 35% on your first order as a preferred customer, just go to balance of nature.com and use promo code Nick. You'll also get a free bottle of fiber and spice with your order. That's balance of nature.com promo code Nick.
Freddie Prinze Jr.
It's the biggest party of the summer. WWE SummerSlam is here and wrestling with Freddie is all over it. We're talking wild matches, big surprises, and our boldest predictions yet. From celebrity showdowns to the chaos inside a steel cage, we're breaking down every match and calling who we think walks out on top. This card is loaded from Cody Rhodes, John Cena, Rhea Ripley and Tiffy, just to name a few. This lineup is Ready to tear down the house. We'll give you our unfiltered takes, honest debates, and you already know a ton of laughs along the way. We're covering the upsets, the wild returns, and the championship moments. Nobody expects. We'll get into the matches that steal the show, the storylines that explode, and those oh my God, did that just happen? Moments that make SummerSlam legendary. Don't miss it. Listen to Wrestling with Freddy as part of the My Cultura Podcast network. Find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Unnamed Host
Check out behind the Flow, a podcast documentary series following the launch of San Diego Football Club. We go behind the scenes and explore the stories of those involved.
Freddy Prinze Jr.
San Diego coming to MLS is going to be a game changer because this region has been hungry for a men's professional soccer team.
Unnamed Host
We need veteran players and we need young players. Like you're building a team from scratch and so the succession plan of long term success needs to be defined. We need to embrace this community.
Freddy Prinze Jr.
When I was 13, my uncle took me to a qualifier and we watched Paraguay against Chile. Pouring rain. Just watching the fans jumping up and down, I think that was definitely a watershed moment for me. Not only was that going to be my game, but it was going to be my life.
Unnamed Host
Listen to San Diego FC behind the Flow now on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Sarah Spain
Get fired up, y'. All. Season 2 of Good Game with Sarah Spain is underway. We just welcomed one of my favorite people and an incomparable soccer icon, Megan Rapinoe to the show and we had a blast. We talked about her recent 40th birthday celebrations, Co hosting a podcast with her fiance Sue, Bird watching former teammates retire and more. Never a dull moment with Pino. Take a listen. What do you miss the most about being a pro athlete? The final. The final and the locker room. I really, really like you. Just, you can't replicate. You can't get back showing up to the locker room every morning just to talk. We've got more incredible guests like the legendary Candace Parker and college superstar Az Fudd. I mean, seriously, y', all, the guest list is absolutely stacked for season two. And you know, we're always going to keep you up to speed on all the news and happenings around the women's sports world as well. So make sure you listen to Good Game with Sarah Spain on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Unnamed Host
Presented by Capital One, founding partner of.
Sarah Spain
Iheart Women's Sports.
Unnamed Guest
So Brown's owner Jimmy Haslam has distanced himself from the Shador Sanders pick, saying that the GM was the one who made that call and not him. So why wouldn't he want stake on such a low risk, high reward situation?
Unnamed Host
So listen, I think he is just trying to, I don't think he's trying to distance himself as much as what he's trying to do is make it clear or at least clean up a bit. No, the GM's in charge, not me. Here is what I find so interesting about the Shador situation right now. I was not a Shador guy. I was one of, I think the first people in the mock draft community that had Shador early in the process slipping to the back half of round one talking about that the Steelers might not need to trade up if they need to get him. I talked a lot about how I thought there was too much discussion about Shador's personality and not enough discussion about his lack of arm talent and and I just didn't look at him as like a blue chip prospect. So I was not a Shador guy. And now the however, because of where he is and the quarterbacks that he is competing with, I find myself feeling like they've got to start him at some point because here's the deal. Kenny Picket is injured and not an NFL quarterback. There is, there is a zero percent chance Kenny Picket is the Steelers answer at quarterback. Zero percent the Steelers. Pardon me. There is a zero percent chance he wasn't. The Steelers answer that Kenny Pickett is the Browns answer at quarterback so cross him out. Joe Flacco is 40 years old. There is a 0% chance Joe Flacco is their long term answer at quarterback. So cross him out. Dylan Gabriel. Sorry. And you're not going to like this Demase he's too small. He there is a 0% chance Dylan Gabriel can be a nice backup, maybe a spot starter. There is a 0% chance Dylan Gabriel is the Browns franchise quarterback three years from now. Shador. There is a 5% chance Shador is the Browns franchise quarterback. 5% got more than 1, less than 10 somewhere in there when the other three guys are combined. 0% and you're going to be a terrible team. The moment you know you can start Flacco to start the year but the moment that the year has gotten away from you, you got to play Shador. And that's the other weird thing Haslam was like Andrew picks the players, Stefanski sets the rock. You know, decide to plays but Then also said in that same sound bite, obviously both young guys need to play this year. I mean, Haslam's not the greatest owner. Just, just flatly, both of them just.
Unnamed Guest
Saying that this year is like a waste.
Unnamed Host
Well, I mean, I don't, I mean.
Unnamed Guest
If you're seeing both young quarterbacks need to play this year, you kind of have an idea of what your season look like.
Unnamed Host
Correct? Because they have two first round picks next year and they. Yeah, I mean, Haslam's a tough guy to work for. Danny's quarterback rankings are just an abomination. And it just begs the question why is it, why do we play the games if they're not going to count? And again, they are. I might be being a little harsh because the rankings are actually Danny's rankings. Go Mahomes, Allen Burrow, Lamar Herbert, Stafford, Jaden Goff, Baker, Hertz. So here's the. When I say they're an abomination, here's what I mean. Or here's, here's what's unfair about that. If he simply flipped Hertz and Herbert, they're a totally legitimate ranking. And that's not, I'm not saying that's how I would have it 1 through 10. But if it went Mahomes, Allen, Burrow, Lamar Hertz, Stafford, Jaden Goff, Baker, Herbert, that's fine. Like there's nothing crazy about that. But having Justin Herbert ahead of Matt Stafford, Jaden Daniels, Jared Goff, Baker Mayfield and Jalen hurts for nothing other than vibes. It's just, it's just ridiculous. Um, and that's pretty good. So the now you Damanzi, do you have an issue with people who put Burrow ahead of Lamar?
Unnamed Guest
No, I, I, I could, I could see those, I could flip those on any given day. I feel like. So I could pull Lamar before. Before bro. I'm also not mad at Burrow being before Lamar.
Unnamed Host
I'm not mad at Burrow being ahead of Lamar. However, again, my job on this pod is to just be sports. The sports world draws Al Ghul and you know, create balance in the world where there otherwise isn't. Let me defend Lamar for a moment here. It is unfair in my opinion to penalize Lamar for bad postseason performances and then lift up Joe Burrow who the last couple years has had non existent postseason performances. You know what I mean? So like that is, it's a weird because you can't argue as great as Burrow has been was in the regular season last year, a lot of the MVP voters, all pro voters, a lot of people Thought Lamar was better. And then obviously the year before, Lamar was better in the regular season as Burrow was hurt and wasn't that effective early and Lamar won league mvp. And so the knock on Lamar's postseason performances, but Burrow hasn't been in the postseason. So like that one, I do think.
Unnamed Guest
Is a little ahead. Lamar is my guy and you're ripping into him the other day on Tuesday about his postseason success. I really can't argue, like that's, that's fair. But how much of that stuff is Burrow's fault? How much of that stuff is Lamar's fault as far as the postseason? What happens like with, with Joe Burrow, you're saying he was banged up and then he got a terrible defense last year. I just think.
Unnamed Host
Well, no, that's what I'm saying is, yes, those are true factors, but I'm also not going to use it as.
Unnamed Guest
A metric, like when, when ranking them.
Unnamed Host
Well, no, I, I, what I'm not going to do is say after the regular season, Lamar is higher than Burrow, Burrow misses the playoffs, Lamar plays poorly in the playoffs, and then Lamar gets dropped beneath Burrow, like, because you can't, you showing up to a test and failing it is still better than skipping the test. Like not showing up. And so like you got, you got more, you got some questions, right? And so like the, and, and so that's the. So I listen, I don't think having Burrow ahead of Lamar is outrageous, but it's not what I would have. And, and then it starts getting, you know, then we start figuring out where exactly do you have hurts. And the Hertz ranking is really interesting. And I tried to make this point on TV yesterday and I did it kind of ham handedly, which is Eagles fans right now. And I get it. They're feeling themselves. You won the chance Super Bowl. You should absolutely be thrilled. But they kind of want the best of both worlds. They want everyone to acknowledge how utterly stacked their roster is, how great Howie Roseman's done, how good they are, you know, in every way, shape and form. They want all of that, but they also don't want any of us to incorporate any of that into our evaluation of Jalen Hurts. Like, they want everyone to bend the knee, that they have the best overall roster in football by a mile, but also pretend like we think Jalen Hurts is carrying just a regular team. And so now I think Hertz has been clearly excellent in huge spots. And I think Hertz, I think having Hertz 10 like Danny did is too, you know, a bridge too far. But I also think that it is. You view it differently than if Josh Allen had won the super bowl last year with the team he had. Jaylen winning it last year with the team he had. I just think there is some nuance there. Eagles fans, on the other hand, want us all to be like, you have the greatest roster in the league. It's Saquon's a Hall of Famer, how he drafts better than everyone, the best wide receiver duo, the best offensive line and also Jalen hurts got no help. Like, which is the. You're not. You're not going to get that.
Nick Wright
If you're looking for a simple, effective way to get more fruits and vegetable ingredients into your day, Balance of Nature.
Unnamed Host
Is a game changer.
Nick Wright
I'll tell you why I love Balance of Nature because it helps me stay on track with my daily goals. It's made with real recognizable ingredients like whole apple, papaya, mango and strawberry. You can actually feel the difference when you make it part of your routine experience for yourself. The original balance of color, taste and smell of 31 different fruits and vegetables into easy to take capsules you can bring with you anywhere. It's 31 ingredients of fruits and veggies on the go, and while it's not a replacement for a healthy diet, Balance of Nature works alongside your other habits, whether that's staying active, eating better or just feeling your best every day. Right now, you can give it a try and save 35% on your first order as a preferred customer, just go to balanceofnature.com and use promo code Nick. You'll also get a free bottle of fiber and spice with your order. That's balanceofnature.com promo code Nick.
Freddie Prinze Jr.
It's the biggest party of the summer. WWE SummerSlam is here and wrestling with Freddie is all over it. We're talking wild matches, big surprises and our boldest predictions yet. From celebrity showdowns to the chaos inside a steel cage, we're breaking down every match and calling who we think walks out on top. This card is loaded from Cody Rhodes, John Cena, Rhea Ripley and Tiffy, just to name a few. This lineup is ready to tear down the house. We'll give you our unfiltered takes, honest debates and, you already know, a ton of laughs along the way. We're covering the upsets, the wild returns and the championship moments. Nobody expects we'll get into the matches that steal the show, the storylines that explode and those oh my God, did that just happen? Moments that make SummerSlam legendary don't miss it. Listen to Wrestling with Freddie as part of the My Cultura Podcast network. Find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Unnamed Host
Check out behind the Flow, a podcast documentary series following the launch of San Diego Football Club. We go behind the scenes and explore the stories of those involved.
Freddy Prinze Jr.
San Diego coming to MLS is going to be a game changer because this region is has been hungry for a men's professional soccer team.
Unnamed Host
We need veteran players and we need young players. Like you're building a team from scratch and so the succession plan of long term success needs to be defined. We need to embrace this community.
Freddy Prinze Jr.
When I was 13, my uncle took me to a qualifier and we watched Paraguay against Chile pouring rain. Just watching the fans jumping up and down, I think that was definitely a watershed moment for me. Not only was that going to be my game, but it was going to be my life.
Unnamed Host
Listen to San Diego FC behind the flow now on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Sarah Spain
Get fired up, y'. All. Season 2 of Good Game with Sarah Spain is underway. We just welcomed one of my favorite people and an incomparable soccer icon, Megan Rapinoe to the show and we had a blast. We talked about her recent 40th birthday celebrations, Co hosting a podcast with her fiance sue, bird watching former teammates retire and more. Never a dull moment with Pino. Take a listen. What do you miss the most about being a pro athlete? The final. The final and the locker room. I really, really like you. Just, you can't replicate, you can't get back. Showing up to locker room every morning just to talk. We've got more incredible guests like the legendary Candace Parker and college superstar Az Foot. I mean, seriously, y', all, the guest list is absolutely stacked for season two. And you know we're always going to keep you up to speed on all the news and happenings around the women's sports world as well. So make sure you listen to Good Game with Sarah Spain on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Unnamed Host
Presented by Capital One, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports.
Unnamed Guest
Yesterday was the five year anniversary of the first game in the bubble and it's still a huge debate on its legitness. Daryl Daryl Morey said in quote, everyone I speak to around the league privately agrees that it doesn't truly hold up as a genuine championship.
Unnamed Host
Yes.
Unnamed Guest
Looking back, how would you measure the bubble championship?
Unnamed Host
Okay, so first let me help out My pal Daryl, because I was shocked when I read this quote because Daryl has publicly, many times talked about how legit he finds that championship to be and how hard it was. And so when I saw. It's one thing for, you know, Legion Hoops or whatever, one of these kind of fake aggregators to post a quote. It's another thing for espn, their social team, to post, you know, in quotes. Everyone I speak to around the league privately agrees that it doesn't truly hold up as a genuine championship, with the source being the athletic. So I'm going to read you. So I reached out to Darryl and not surprisingly, he explained to me what I thought was going to be the case, which is while he wasn't misquoted, it is being misinterpreted. So I'll read you the full quote and clarify and. But then I'll also give you my thoughts on what everybody seems to think. All right? Darryl says, quote, had the Rockets won the title, I absolutely would have celebrated it as legitimate, knowing the immense effort and resilience required. Yet everyone I speak to around the league privately agrees that it doesn't truly hold up as a genuine championship. Pause for a moment. The privately agrees is what is tripping people up. He is saying everyone he talks to agrees amongst themselves. Like he is the outlier that says this was an amazing accomplishment. But everybody else says, not so much where people are saying. And I actually understand why people are confused. They are reading it as everyone privately agrees with me. He's saying everyone privately agrees with each other. And so just. And again, Daryl is my pal, but I also, you know, the. He deserves to have his actual opinion out there. Correctly. He then went on, say, perhaps lasting legacy of the NBA bubble is that the NBA should be proud of its leadership at both the beginning and the end of pandemic, even though the champion will forever be marked by an asterisk. And he again is saying there because that's the way seemingly everyone else feels. And so here is. I said to you guys a couple months ago that the vast majority of NBA myths fall into one of two categories. Not all, but the vast majority. Category one is uplifting Michael Jordan. And category two is tearing down LeBron James. And there is no greater example of that than the revisionist history on the God Dog bubble. So here is the accurate timeline of the Los Angeles Lakers winning the 2020 NBA championship. Okay? In 2018, LeBron James was universally hailed as, by a wide margin, the best player in the NBA dragging a Cleveland Cavalier team to the NBA Finals with A playoff run that had an all time record eight 40 point games, two true buzzer beaters, two game seven victories, one of which on the road, and what some consider the single greatest individual performance any players ever had, 51, 8 and 8 in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals, where with no other, because Kevin Love was not was had gotten banged up at the end of the Celtics series with no one around him against Steph KD, Clay Draymond, that's who LeBron was in 2018. In 2019, he goes to the Los Angeles Lakers, who were in the midst of the worst half decade stretch in the history of their franchise and is playing a game on Christmas Day when they are a top four as drug that team to a top four seed in the west and suffers the first.
Nick Wright
Major injury of his career.
Unnamed Host
But at that moment there was still no argument and no debate over who the best player in the world was that offseason. They acquire Anthony Davis and instantly become the best player, the best team in the league. That Laker team, pre pandemic, pre bubble, Pre everything with AD started the year 24 and 3 was running roughshod over everyone. LeBron James was the leading NBA MVP candidate and they were the favorites to win the championship pre pandemic. So what we had was the Lakers had the best record in basketball, the Lakers had the best player in basketball. The Lakers had made the biggest trade and acquisition of any team that offseason with respect to what the Clippers had done. And they were the favorites to win the championship. The season then shuts down post shutdown. You know, right before the shutdown, Giannis had, you know, gone, really gone on an unbelievable run. And the NBA MVP debate came down to two guys, Giannis or LeBron, with Harden kind of lurking because Harden had made the key and Westbrook thing work and that team seemed dangerous. And then we get to the bubble and there is no home court, which penalized two teams more than any, which were the two teams that had earned home court advantage. LeBron's team and Giannis's team. LeBron's team, which won the west by four games and Giannis's team, which won the east by four games. And then the bubble happens and the playoff bracket is set and every single potential pitfall or matchup that people are convinced is a bad matchup or the toughest possible path hits the Lakers. We can now pretend it did not happen. But Dame and Portland were the scary team that nobody wanted to face in round one and the Lakers drew them with no Home court advantage. And after losing game one, dispatched of them in five. Then the Rockets with the one year Harden and Westbrook worked that Rockets team with James Harden being third in MVP voting that year. And Russ, the last actually really good season of his career on a at least that involved winning. It's round two. The Lakers get the Rockets and they lose game one and then dispatch of them in five. And then you get the Denver Nuggets with a healthy Jamal Murray, who would not lose another playoff series with a healthy Jamal Murray for years. And Anthony Davis plays the best basketball of his life. LeBron James in a closeout game goes 38, 16 and 10 and they dispatch of the Nuggets in five. And then in the NBA Finals, oh, they get a fluke of a team that definitely wouldn't have made the Finals if not for the bubble. The Miami Heat, who responded by the way to that finals trip, by two years later making game seven of the conference finals and the year after that making the NBA Finals again. And in those finals, LeBron James plays close to perfect basketball, reminding people once again that he's still the best player in the world. When he averaged 30, 12 and nine on 59, 42 splits to finish off a playoff run. Where again the best player in the world LeBron James averaged for the postseason 28, 11 and 9 on 56% from the field. That team won the championship. And then how did they defend their title when the bubble was done the next season? They started 21 and 6. Well, they, I mean they started actually 11 and 3 and they had the best record in basketball or in the Western Conference. It was maybe the Western Conference or basketball the day Solomon Hill stumbled into LeBron's ankle and he got hurt. So before the pandemic, they were the best team in the league with the best player in the league. During the pandemic they had home their home court advantage. They had earned, taken from them and got what people were calling at the time a nightmare path. Damon round one, Harden and Russ in round two, Joker and Jamal Murray in round three and dust them all in five in the Finals. People think, oh, they got lucky. They don't have to face Giannis, they don't have to face. I think Toronto was actually the 2 seed that year. That would have been no problem. And they got this fluke of a team in Miami, except for the fact that Miami a couple years later beat Milwaukee again and came within a jump shot of going back to the finals and then the next year did go back to the Finals and The best player in the world played peak basketball, and then the next season they start 21 and six. The idea that the wrong champion was crowned, the idea that that was an easy or fraudulent or lesser path when the only basketball, tangible basketball thing that was altered was no one had home court. And so the only tangible damage that was done to any of the teams were the teams that would have had home court throughout, and that was the Los Angeles Lakers. And every single person watching knows that if the Milwaukee Bucks, who were the one seed and had the league mvp, it's like the Lakers who were the one seed and had the second or the runner up for league mvp, if the Bucks had won that title. There's not a person in the world that would be like fake title. If the. I don't even know if the warriors made the playoffs that year. I don't think they did. Um, certainly, though, if the Clippers, with Kawhi and Paul George, instead of absolutely mortifyingly folding against Denver, had won the title, no one be calling it a fake title because ultimately that discussion is not about how real or fake a title is. That discussion is about dis, either dislike or jealousy of LeBron James. And now our chat says 79% say, yes, the bubble title is legit. Our chat probably skews A little LeBron and Laker fan heavy, but you cannot say that the team with the best record and the best player in the.
Unnamed Guest
World.
Unnamed Host
With a very difficult path, who again, the team they beat in the conference finals validated their appearance there by winning a championship a couple years later. The team they beat in the NBA Finals validated their appearance there by making the finals a couple years later. You cannot argue. And then they validated it themselves by being an awesome team the next year before Braun got hurt. It's just such horseshit. And deep down, everybody knows it. What's up?
Unnamed Guest
Horse crap is funny. But yeah, I saw it in the rundown last night. You went on the rant, but I, I instantly thought, like, how many of those people that say that it wasn't legitimate just don't like LeBron? And it's funny that that was like, that was the answer.
Unnamed Host
Of course. I mean, that's all it is. You can. Everybody knows. Everybody knows that if the Clippers, who was everyone's team of the flavor of the month that year, and Kawhi had won the title, no one would be saying it doesn't count. And everybody knows if Giannis had won the title, because those were the next two favorites, it was Lakers, Bucks, Clippers were the favorites kind of all year had won the title. No one be saying it didn't count. It's just so stupid. Just so incredibly.
Unnamed Guest
The only real factor is the calm court advantage. But that obviously goes both ways.
Unnamed Host
Like it but it it goes both ways but it hurts the team that's damaged by it is the top seed. Yeah like that's the and so it just such utter silliness.
Nick Wright
If you're looking for a simple, effective way to get more fruits and vegetable ingredients into your day, Balance of Nature is a game changer. I love it because their supplements are packed with recognizable whole ingredients like apple, mango and papaya. Nothing fake experience for yourself. The original balance of color, taste and smell of 31 ingredients of fruits and veggies in easy to take capsules that you can bring anywhere. Visit balanceofnature.com and use promo code Nick to get 35% off your first order as a preferred customer. Plus a free bottle of fiber and spice. That's balanceofnature.com promo code Nick we're breaking.
Freddie Prinze Jr.
Down SummerSlam, the biggest party of the summer on Wrestling With Freddie. From our bold picks to storyline breakdowns, we will discuss who walks out with gold, who shocks the night and which matches steal the show we call the winners, the upsets and the chaos to expect. Plus whatever swerves nobody saw coming. Listen to Wrestling with Freddie as part of the Michael Tura Podcast Network. Available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Unnamed Host
Check out behind the Flow, a podcast documentary series following the launch of San Diego Football Club.
Freddy Prinze Jr.
San Diego coming to MLS is going to be a game changer because this region has been hungry for a men's professional soccer team.
Unnamed Host
We need to embrace this community.
Listen to San Diego FC behind the Flow on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Sarah Spain
Get fired up y'. All. Season 2 of Good Game with Sarah Spain is underway. We just welcomed one of my favorite people, an incomparable soccer icon Megan Rapinoe to the show and we had a blast. Take a listen. Sue and I were like riding the lime bikes the other day and we're like wee people ride bikes because it's fun. We got more incredible guests like Megan in store, plus news of the day and more. So make sure you listen to Good Game with Sarah Spain on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Brought to you by Novartis, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports Network this is an iHeart podcast.
The Herd with Colin Cowherd: "What's Wright - Best Of - Nick Wright reacts to SHREDDED Luka Doncic, Lamar Jackson PLAYOFF FAILURES, Browns MUST START Shedeur"
Release Date: August 2, 2025
In this episode of "What's Wright - Best Of", Nick Wright dives deep into the current state of some of the most talked-about athletes in the sports world. From analyzing Luka Doncic's physical transformations to dissecting Lamar Jackson's playoff performances and the Cleveland Browns' quarterback dilemma, Wright delivers his unfiltered insights and expert opinions. This summary encapsulates the key discussions, notable quotes, and valuable takeaways from the episode.
Physical Transformation and Performance Concerns
Nick Wright begins by addressing the buzz around Luka Doncic's recent physical transformation, noting his noticeably slimmer physique. He references an anecdote from a Men's Health interview where Doncic claimed his body looks better visually, sparking debates among fans and analysts alike.
Nick Wright [02:33]: "Luka was on the COVID of Men's Health magazine looking very slender. He came out with a quote saying, 'just visually I would say that my whole body looks better.' How are you feeling about Luka's transition?"
AI Misquotations and Fact-Checking
Wright highlights issues with AI-generated sports statistics, pointing out inaccuracies such as the false claim that Luka had a 42-inch vertical at the NBA Combine—a statistic that doesn't align with his actual performance metrics.
Nick Wright [02:46]: "Anyone that's watched 10 minutes of Luka Doncic at any moment of his career knows he never had a 42-inch vertical. The AI hallucinated it."
Training Regimen and Future Outlook
The discussion shifts to Luka's training habits in Slovenia, emphasizing his focus on basketball over weight training, which has traditionally kept him agile but may impact his overall physical resilience.
Nick Wright [05:32]: "Luka every summer goes back to this town in Slovenia and trains. But his training has always just included hooping. Now, they have dumbbells and barbells, which is a new addition for him."
Prospects and MVP Favoritism
Despite concerns about his physical state, Wright underscores Luka's immense talent and consistent performance, positioning him as a frontrunner for MVP honors, contingent on maintaining his conditioning.
Nick Wright [08:03]: "He's the early favorite for league MVP next year."
Playoff Performance Critique
Nick Wright doesn't hold back in critiquing Lamar Jackson's postseason performances, attributing his struggles to both personal and team-related factors such as being out of shape, injuries, and bad luck.
Nick Wright [05:50]: "Luka in non-tip-top physical condition was already well on his way to being one of the greatest players ever. But his playoff performances have been disappointing."
MVP Voting and Media Perception
Wright delves into the contentious MVP discussions surrounding Jackson, comparing his regular-season excellence to his playoff shortcomings. He challenges the media's often sympathetic stance towards Jackson, questioning whether consistent postseason success is a fair metric for MVP considerations.
Nick Wright [08:26]: "The only thing standing between Lamar and being in the discussion as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time is one great playoff run."
Comparison with Peers
In comparing Jackson to other elite quarterbacks like Josh Allen and Joe Burrow, Wright argues that Jackson's inability to elevate his team in the playoffs detracts from his overall legacy, despite his stellar regular-season statistics.
Nick Wright [44:05]: "It is unfair to penalize Lamar for bad postseason performances and then lift up Joe Burrow who has had non-existent postseason performances."
Current Quarterback Situation
Wright examines the Cleveland Browns' precarious quarterback situation, highlighting the lack of viable options beyond Shedeur Sanders. He underscores the low probability of success with their current backups, making a strong case for starting Sanders.
Nick Wright [37:22]: "Shador has only a 5% chance of being the Browns' franchise quarterback, making it imperative that they start Shedeur to maximize their high-reward potential."
Management's Stance and Future Implications
Discussing the team's management, Wright critiques owner Jimmy Haslam's reluctance to take responsibility for quarterback decisions, emphasizing the urgency to develop young talent to avoid long-term setbacks.
Nick Wright [42:17]: "Haslam's distancing himself from the Shedeur pick is problematic. The GM needs to be more accountable for these critical decisions."
Impact on Team Performance
Wright links the quarterback situation directly to the Browns' performance, suggesting that without a stable and competent quarterback, the team's prospects remain bleak despite having promising young talent.
Nick Wright [44:16]: "Danny's quarterback rankings place Stafford and others far below top-tier QBs, which is detrimental to the Browns' chances this season."
Matt Stafford's Injury and Rams' Contention
Wright touches upon Matt Stafford's back soreness, speculating that age might be a factor behind his reluctance to fully engage in training camp, and how this affects the Rams' playoff aspirations.
Nick Wright [10:16]: "Matt Stafford being 37 and dealing with back soreness is a significant concern for the Rams' contention."
Chiefs' Offensive Line Developments
Highlighting positive developments, Wright praises the Chiefs' commitment to securing their offensive line by drafting a top tackle despite injury concerns, which he views as a pivotal move for their championship prospects.
Nick Wright [11:04]: "Drafting a top tackle despite concerns shows the Chiefs' dedication to maintaining a strong offensive line, crucial for their championship run."
Quarterback Ratings Debate
Wright discusses the recent backlash over Madden's quarterback ratings, particularly focusing on why Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson received higher ratings than Patrick Mahomes. He defends the ratings by emphasizing the different play styles and how they translate into the gaming environment.
Nick Wright [20:05]: "Lamar and Josh are more 'Madden-type' quarterbacks with their athleticism and play styles, justifying their higher ratings over Mahomes."
Mahomes' Legacy and Performance
Despite agreeing with the ratings, Wright acknowledges Mahomes' unparalleled success and resilience, suggesting that the ratings might have even motivated him to achieve greater heights.
Nick Wright [20:41]: "Mahomes' response to not being rated as high has been phenomenal. His season, despite any initial slights, was arguably one of the greatest."
Challenges with AI-Generated Sports Data
Wright critiques the reliability of AI in generating accurate sports statistics, using the Luka Doncic vertical incident as a prime example of AI misinterpretation and misinformation.
Nick Wright [02:46]: "AI doesn't know sports and can't figure it out. This led to Luka being incorrectly reported with a 42-inch vertical."
Importance of Human Oversight
He emphasizes the necessity of human oversight in sports journalism and data reporting to prevent such inaccuracies that can distort public perception and athlete reputations.
Nick Wright [05:43]: "Without human oversight, AI can perpetuate false narratives, which is detrimental to both athletes and fans."
In this episode of "What's Wright - Best Of," Nick Wright delivers a comprehensive and insightful analysis of current sports narratives surrounding Luka Doncic, Lamar Jackson, and the Cleveland Browns' quarterback situation. By blending expert opinion with factual scrutiny, Wright challenges prevailing narratives and encourages listeners to critically assess the factors influencing player performances and team strategies. This episode serves as a must-listen for sports enthusiasts seeking in-depth commentary and thoughtful debate on some of the most pressing topics in the sports world today.
Nick Wright [08:21]: "Muscle weighs more than fat, but he looks a lot thinner. We need to ensure Luka stays lean, not skinny, to maintain his performance and health."
Notable Quotes:
This detailed summary captures the essence of Nick Wright's discussions, providing clear insights into the athletes' performances and the broader implications for their respective teams and leagues.