What's Wright - Nick Wright GOES OFF on Lakers "fake" NBA Bubble title, NFL Hall of Fame BOLD PREDICTIONS

Summary

Podcast Summary: "What's Wright - Nick Wright GOES OFF on Lakers 'Fake' NBA Bubble Title, NFL Hall of Fame BOLD PREDICTIONS"

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
• Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
• Description: A thought-provoking, opinionated, and topic-driven journey through the top sports stories of the day.
• Episode Title: What's Wright - Nick Wright GOES OFF on Lakers "fake" NBA Bubble title, NFL Hall of Fame BOLD PREDICTIONS
• Release Date: July 31, 2025

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Introduction

The episode kicks off with Nick Wright welcoming listeners to "What's Wright," Episode 354, presented by Boost Mobile. Despite a busy schedule and traveling for an event, Nick assures listeners that the show will delve into a plethora of hot topics, primarily focusing on the legitimacy of the Lakers' NBA Bubble championship and his bold predictions for the NFL Hall of Fame.

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1. Legitimacy of the Lakers' NBA Bubble Championship

Timestamp: [02:27] – [34:27]

Nick Wright launches into a passionate defense of the Los Angeles Lakers' 2020 NBA Bubble title, addressing widespread skepticism about its legitimacy. He confronts the narrative that the championship is "fake" due to the unconventional circumstances of the pandemic-induced bubble.

• Misinterpretation of Daryl Morey's Comments:

  • Nick Wright: "Daryl has publicly, many times talked about how legit he finds that championship to be and how hard it was. When I saw the quote attributing skepticism to him, I reached out, and he clarified that while he appreciates the effort, the bubble environment inherently disadvantages the traditional metrics of a genuine championship." ([18:13])

• Comprehensive Breakdown of the Lakers' Path:

  • Performance Metrics: Nick emphasizes that the Lakers entered the bubble as one of the top teams, boasting the best record and the league's MVP candidate, LeBron James.
  • Challenging Playoff Run: He details the tough matchups the Lakers faced without home-court advantage, including victories over
    • Dame and Portland: A notably challenging first-round opponent that the Lakers overcame in five games.
    • Houston Rockets: Featuring LeBron James and James Harden, another major hurdle bested in five games.
    • Denver Nuggets: With a healthy Jamal Murray, whom Nick argues the Nuggets would unlikely have lost to if fully fit.
  • Finals Performance: In the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat, Nick points out LeBron's stellar performance ("LeBron James in a closeout game goes 38, 16, and 10, and they dispatch of the Nuggets in five." [14:45]).

• Counterarguments Addressed:

  • Home-Court Absence: Nick acknowledges that the lack of home-court was a significant factor but contends that it equally affected other top teams.
  • Validation by Subsequent Performances: He argues that the Lakers' subsequent seasons, including their ability to defend their title and the continued success of other teams like the Miami Heat, validate the legitimacy of their championship.

• Listener Poll Insights:

  • Nick Wright: "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 world... the team they beat in the NBA finals validated their appearance there by making the finals a couple years later." ([33:33])

• Conclusion on NBA Bubble Title:

  • Nick dismisses claims of the title being "fake" as rooted in bias against LeBron James rather than objective analysis of the team's performance and resilience.

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2. NFL Hall of Fame Bold Predictions

Timestamp: [34:27] – [76:32]

Nick Wright transitions into an extensive segment on NFL Hall of Fame predictions, meticulously evaluating active players across both the AFC and NFC to determine their Hall of Fame prospects.

• Methodology:

  • Criteria: Nick considers factors such as career statistics, All-Pro selections, Pro Bowl appearances, Super Bowl wins, and individual accolades like MVP awards.
  • Team-by-Team Analysis: He breaks down each NFL team, identifying current players who are "lock" Hall of Famers, those likely to make the cut, and others still on the trajectory.

• Key Predictions:

  • AFC East:

    • Buffalo Bills: "Josh Allen is a Hall of Famer." ([52:53])
    • Miami Dolphins: "Tyreek Hill is a surefire Hall of Famer." ([52:55])

  • AFC North:

    • Cincinnati Bengals: "No current players" are Hall of Fame-ready.
    • Pittsburgh Steelers: "Aaron Rodgers and T.J. Watt are locked Hall of Famers." Additionally, he mentions Cam Hayward as a potential future inductee.
    • Baltimore Ravens: "Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and DeAndre Hopkins are Hall of Famers." ([54:59])

  • AFC West:

    • Kansas City Chiefs: "Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Chris Jones are locked." ([60:35])
    • Los Angeles Chargers: "No surefire Hall of Famers currently."

  • NFC East:

    • Philadelphia Eagles: "Lane Johnson and Bobby Wagner are locked."
    • Washington Commanders: "Von Miller and Bobby Wagner" are mentioned as contingencies.

  • NFC North:

    • Chicago Bears: "Joe Tuney is in the Hall of Fame path." ([54:58])

  • NFC South:

    • New Orleans Saints: "Cam Jordan is a lock." ([50:21])

  • NFC West:

    • San Francisco 49ers: "Trent Williams and George Kittle are locked." ([60:35])

• Challenges in Hall of Fame Predictions:

  • Limited Induction Spots: Nick highlights that with only a handful of new spots each year, making the Hall of Fame is increasingly competitive.
  • Youth of Current Stars: Many active players on strong teams are still early in their careers, making their long-term Hall of Fame status difficult to predict.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Nick Wright: "Making the Hall of Fame is so damn difficult. It's only five new spots, not five new spots. It's like two new spots. It's really hard." ([54:58])

• Conclusion on NFL Hall of Fame Predictions:

  • Nick provides a realistic assessment, acknowledging the difficulty in predicting future Hall of Famers but insists that certain players have already cemented their legacy based on their performances and accolades.

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3. Additional Topics and Discussions

Timestamp: [34:27] – [83:03]

While the primary focus remains on the NBA Bubble championship and NFL Hall of Fame predictions, Nick delves into other relevant sports topics:

• Gilbert Arenas and Illegal Gambling Allegations:

  • Timeline and Legalities: Nick discusses recent allegations against Gilbert Arenas involving illegal high-stakes poker games with Israeli associates. He clarifies the nuances of legal vs. illegal gambling operations, emphasizing that taking a rake (house's cut) makes it illegal.

  • Federal Interests: He speculates that the federal government is targeting Arenas not necessarily to jail him but possibly to extract information about other conspirators.

  • Impact on Arenas' Career: Nick expresses concern that this ordeal could derail Arenas' post-career endeavors, despite his successful transition and his son's athletic prowess.

  • Notable Quote:

    • Nick Wright: "Ultimately, that discussion is not about how real or fake a title is. That discussion is about dislike or jealousy of LeBron James." ([33:33])

• Shador Sanders Pick by the Steelers:

  • Nick's Stance: Initially skeptical about Sanders' potential, Nick revisits his thoughts in light of the Steelers' quarterback situation.

  • Team's Need for a Quarterback: With injuries to Kenny Pickett and an aging Joe Flacco, Nick argues that the Steelers have no viable long-term solution except investing in Shador Sanders.

  • Nick's Prediction: Despite reservations about Sanders' skills, the desperate need for a quarterback may force the team to rely on him, impacting future team performance.

  • Notable Quote:

    • Nick Wright: "When the other three guys are combined, zero percent. 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 have to play Shador." ([76:32])

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4. Listener Engagement and Interactive Segments

Timestamp: [76:32] – [83:03]

Nick engages with his co-host Damanze, addressing listener comments and debates stemming from the show's discussions:

• Hall of Fame List Feedback:

  • Nick Wright: "If the producers could just kind of create a running list in the doc and if we can, and if anyone in the chat thinks I'm leaving somebody out, tell me because, like, I'll give you an example." ([50:19])

• Debate on Quarterback Rankings:

  • Nick and Damanze discuss the fairness of Danny Parkins' quarterback rankings, especially placing Joe Burrow above Lamar Jackson. They debate the merits of each player's regular season vs. postseason performances and their impact on rankings.

• Shador Sanders Discussion:

  • Nick Wright: "I was one of 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." ([79:49])

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5. Commercial Breaks and Advertisements

Timestamp: [00:04] – [91:08]

Throughout the episode, several advertisements and promos are interspersed. However, as per the user’s instructions, these sections are skipped in this summary. Notable ads include:

• Balance of Nature Supplements
• Wrestling with Freddy Promos
• Back 40 Hunting Podcast
• SeatGeek Ticketing App
• Mando Deodorant Promotions

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6. Closing Remarks

Timestamp: [83:03] – [91:00]

In the concluding segments, Nick briefly touches upon upcoming events like the NFL preseason and teases future topics, including his anticipation for the US Open. He reiterates his commitment to providing honest and insightful sports analysis despite any personal interruptions, such as external sirens.

• Final Thoughts:

  • Nick Wright: "Please like, rate, subscribe, review the pod. Thank you to Blue Duck. Thank you to Volume. Thank you to Boost, to Mando, to SeatGeek, and to DraftKings." ([90:49])

• Farewell:

  • Nick signs off with an upbeat note, encouraging listeners to stay engaged and interact with the show’s content.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Defending the NBA Bubble Championship:

  • "I do not think this story is anywhere close to being over and I don't think we can revisit it. They said trial set for September. Wonder if it ever gets to trial. I don't think that this is going to be a simple, oh, slap on the wrist situation." — [04:27]

• On Hall of Fame Inductions:

  • "Making the Hall of Fame is so damn difficult. It's only five new spots, not five new spots. It's like two new spots. It's really hard, man." — [54:58]

• On Shador Sanders:

  • "There is a 0% chance Kenny Pickett is the Steelers answer at quarterback. 0% the Steelers, pardon me." — [79:49]

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Conclusion

In this engaging episode of "What's Wright," Nick Wright delivers a fervent defense of the Los Angeles Lakers' legitimacy in winning the NBA Bubble championship, systematically dismantling claims of its falsity. Additionally, he presents an in-depth analysis of current NFL players' Hall of Fame prospects, offering bold predictions and sparking active discussions among listeners. Balancing passionate commentary with detailed sports insights, Nick ensures that the episode is both informative and provocative, catering to avid sports enthusiasts seeking nuanced perspectives.

Transcript

[Unknown Host]

This is an I heart podcast.

[Nick Wright]

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[Freddy 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.

[Unknown Host]

Check out behind the Flow, a podcast documentary series following the launch of San Diego Football Club.

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.

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.

Get fired up, y'.

[Nick Wright]

All.

[Unknown Host]

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.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Sue and I were like riding the lime bikes the other day and we're.

[Nick Wright]

Like wee people ride bikes because it's fun.

[Unknown Host]

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.

[Nick Wright]

Welcome in what's Right with the great episode 354 in this episode, as always, of what's Right with the Grind is presented to you by Boost Mobile. A ton to do today. I actually fly out of town right after first things first tonight to an event that I can talk more about when I get back, but it'll be great. I won't miss any podcast. We'll be back on the air on Tuesday with our regularly scheduled pod. And today we have a ton we're going to get to. I have to help out my buddy Daryl Morey because he is being mis aggregated and a bit. And so we will discuss, however, the comments he did make. The comments he's not being misquoted, but they are being slightly misconstrued. We will get to that. Also, hall of Fame game tonight. So who are the no doubt hall of Famers playing when you got to keep in mind making the NFL hall of Fame, it's the hardest hall of Fame to make and so it's fewer people than you think. And that actually when we do that, that's one that you guys, if you're watching live on YouTube and like rate, subscribe, review on YouTube, Spotify, iTunes, all that stuff. If you're watching live on YouTube, you can help along because we'll go team by team. And if you think there is someone that I have overlooked and we do this once a year and there's always at least one guy who's a no doubter that I just like forget exists or forget is still playing and not retired. So you guys can help us create our official list. So we're gonna do all of that. There's some other fun things we're going to do as well. Damanze, great to see you as always. It looks like a new hoodie possibly, or just one I don't recognize.

[Damanze]

Either way, I've worn it before. It's just been a while. Appreciate it.

[Nick Wright]

Okay, well, good to see you before we get to the real news of the day. As always, straight to voicemail, brought to you by our friends at Boost Mobile. The NBA wants to expand its European footprint over the next few years. And I'm not saying that's because they might be dealing with, you know, a different front of a competitive basketball league war and they want to stake out some ground. But they might be. Also, I'm not going to get too bent out of shape over Front Office Sports's exclusive, which was what we told you guys on Tuesday about that I what I said on TV on Monday and then on this show on Tuesday about the maverick LeBron Joker's agents meeting that it was not about LeBron playing for the Nuggets, it was about the league that Maverick is attempting to put together. That's fine. You know what I mean? They got some details in it that I didn't not that I was not, you know, able to share. So there's no issue there. But that is a real thing. And that is something unequivocally to watch. Also, evidently, Cam Ward Damanze, your guy, called the Titans offense very mid. I've also decided Cam Ward's your guy. I just feel like he's. Yeah, I just feel like, yeah, I think he's your guy. And evidently Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas are dating. I, I love Tom Cruise. I'm not as familiar with Ana de Armas. Good for them. I wish them nothing but happiness. All right, before we get to Daryl Morey's actual comments, what he actually meant, and for the one millionth time, relitigating the bubble, there was a story yesterday that was in the sports world. Damon, say that I don't want to give myself too much credit, but I think I might be the single best person in the world to discuss this topic. And that was Gilbert Arenas, along with five alleged Israeli gangsters getting hemmed up by the feds for running any illegal Southern California poker game. So I am going to be and maybe even take Damanzi off the screen for this because I want to be very careful with what I say here. But I also feel like I have real insight, some of which I can share, some of which I can't. And just people that watch and listen to the pod, you know, I owe you honesty and I also try to educate as best as I can. So I know Gilbert's already, you know, made bail. And I think if you read, again, if you didn't read the story, it is the, the allegation is very simple that there was a high stakes poker game in Southern California at a house Gilbert rented. They took a rake. If people don't know how, you know, private games work, it, you know, a rake is the house is cut out of every hand. So it is, it is totally legal. If me and everyone involved in this pod came over to our house in New York and we played poker for $10aman or for 10,000 or $1 million a man, that's actually totally legal. There is nothing illegal about playing card game with friends or associates for any amount of stakes as long as you don't take a rake. The moment the house starts taking a cut, it becomes by literal definition any illegal gambling operation. So that is what they are attempting in theory, to get Gilbert and these five Israeli again, alleged gangsters for all right now the story also probably sounds, if you read it, a little more sordid because it's like there also were, you know, women at the games who would be waitresses, plus masseuses and then the allegation heavily implies also sex workers. So here's why I'm talking about any of this. Illegal private card games with a rake and with potentially some sex workers involved are a dime a dozen. At any given night in New York City, there's at least 20 going on for real money. On any given night in Southern California, there's at least 30 going on for real money. And they all fit this exact description. Catered, food, a level of, you know, for those who that's their thing. Potential sex work, real money on the table and the house taking a big cut. And these are also, there are a couple app games that where people are raking tens of thousands of dollars a month. Okay. And this is not new and this is not news. And this also, and this is where I would be a little anxious and I know his latest post made it seem like he is not where I would be a little anxious if I were Gilbert. These are not things the feds tend to care about. Now occasionally these games get shut down by the DEA because security or somebody there is dealing drugs. And occasionally these get shut down because the sex work component gets raises to the level where people are worried about exploitation. But as far as the actual illegal gambling operation, it's not usually something that the feds are interested in. So the fact that they were leads me to think there is somebody, one of these other, you know, alleged co conspirators or somebody above one of them that they are hoping to get some information on. And so I am here to tell you my call it semi educated opinion is Gilbert's path out of this is going to be an uncomfortable one because I don't think the feds really want Gilbert Arenas to go to jail for allegedly renting a house and part where a big card game was playing. I think the feds probably want to know about the other people involved and that's a tricky spot. And so I saw Gilbert's post today. I'm glad he's out. I also think Gilbert has done a really cool job post career of building a new career and obviously his son who has dealt with some injuries, you know, and some scary stuff, but is a star basketball player. Gilbert seems to have a ton of great stuff going for him. I, I do not think this story is anywhere close to being over and I don't think we can revisit it. They said trial set for September. Wonder if it ever gets to trial. I don't think that this is going to be a simple. Oh, all right, slap on the wrist situation. And so I would be, I'd be. I'm a little nervous talking about it. But again, there is some. There is some target from the federal government involved in this. And it ain't no chill Gill for running a card game, allegedly. I promise you that. But they clearly think he can help. Not the spot you want to be in. So I, I will say one other, one other thing. Damon Day. And then all. Because this obviously was going around, all of the, you know, gambling groups, you know, this story, whatever, and somebody, somebody that, you know what, I apologize. I'm not going to tell this little anecdote. I'm not going to. I'll tell. I'll maybe tell you off the air.

[Damanze]

Okay.

[Nick Wright]

But it was There were. If you're a. If you're a. I'll put it like this. If you're a gambler and you read the people who got arrested, Gilbert wasn't the only name that you were like, oh, wow. So they got him like, there, there. There was. It was there. So it's. I just, I think there. And I also think there's probably some people other than Gilbert that are a little anxious right now in that Southern California home game scene. All right, now let's get to act more things I'm an expert in, which is LeBron James championships. Go ahead.

[Freddy 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 Kultura podcast network. Find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Unknown 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.

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.

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.

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.

Listen to San Diego FC behind the Flow now on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jake Kofer]

I'm Jake Kofer and this is back 40, a limited series show on Wire to Hunt, part of Meat Eaters Podcast Network. Each episode I'll be asking eight whitetail hunting pros a focused, thought provoking question about hunting and land management. How do I hunt the best part of the farm with less than ideal access?

[Nick Wright]

Should you? That's what the real question is. Stand without good access is not a good stand.

[Jake Kofer]

Listen to Back 40 on iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast or wherever you get your podcast.

[Unknown Host]

Get fired up, y'.

[Nick Wright]

All.

[Unknown Host]

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 4 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?

[Megan Rapinoe]

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.

[Unknown Host]

We've got more incredible guests like, 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 gonna 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.

[Damanze]

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. Yes. Looking back, how would you measure the bubble championship?

[Nick Wright]

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? Darrell 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 to. And again, Daryl is my pal, but I also, you know, 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 major injury of his career. 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 rough, shot over everyone. LeBron James was the leading NBA MVP candidate and they were the favorite 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. 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 in 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 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 Rust 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 world 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?

[Damanze]

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 the.

[Nick Wright]

End game, of course. I mean, that's all it is. You can. Everybody knows. Everybody knows that if the Clippers, who were 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 stupid.

[Damanze]

The only real factor is the calm court advantage. But then obviously both ways like it.

[Nick Wright]

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. All right, nothing says summer like long days, clutch plays and firing off a few bets on the game. All with DraftKings sportsbook. As the season heats up, so do The Bats and DraftKings sportsbook has you covered. Live betting, home run, props, odds, boosts and more. 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. No spreadsheets, just vibes and dingers. So right now you can get the Yankees, who I know I've been playing great lately, minus 1. 10 against the Rays. Yankees are trying to win their third straight after a really tough gosh month and a half of baseball trying to get it going. And Cal Raleigh, you can get him to hit home run at +2.25 against the Rangers. Of course, lines and odds are subject to change. Something special for first timers. New DraftKings customers bet $5 and get $150 in bonus bets instantly. Download the DraftKings sportsbook app now and use code right. That's code right for new customers to get $150 in bonus bets instantly. When you bet just five bucks only on DraftKings, the crown is yours.

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[Freddy Prinze Jr.]

It's the biggest party of the summer. WWE SummerSlam is here and wrestling with Freddy 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 Culture Podcast Network. Find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Unknown 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.

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.

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.

When I was 13, my uncle took 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.

Listen to San Diego FC behind the flow now on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jake Kofer]

I'm Jake Hofer and this is back 40, a limited series show on Wire to Hunt, part of Meat Eaters Podcast Network. Each episode I'll be asking eight whitetail hunting pros a focused, thought provoking question about hunting and land management. How do I hunt the best part of the farm with less than ideal access?

[Nick Wright]

Should you?

[Damanze]

That's what the real question is.

[Nick Wright]

Stand without good access is not a good stand.

[Jake Kofer]

Listen to Back 40 on I iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast or wherever you get your podcast.

[Unknown Host]

Get fired up y'.

[Nick Wright]

All.

[Unknown Host]

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?

[Megan Rapinoe]

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.

[Unknown Host]

We've got more incredible guests like the legendary Candace Parker and college superstar AZ Foote. 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.

[Nick Wright]

All right, Damanze, let's keep going.

[Damanze]

Preseason is here tonight. Starting off with a Hall of Fame game with the Chargers and Lions. Trey Lance is going to be starting for LA while you're while your guys number five ranked quarterbacks watching from the sideline. Which would you rather discuss, Danny Parkins quarterback rating rankings or the game itself?

[Nick Wright]

Well, there's not much discussed with the game itself except Trey Lance did have, if you remember, an all time preseason game last year. I think. Do you. The. I'm trying to pull it up real quick. The he gosh darn it. Maybe one of the producers can get it for me. I. The. He had a preseason game where I think he had five turnovers and like 400 yards. It was the, the. It was. Yeah. I mean it was the. Here we go. Yeah, I've got it right here. Trey lance played all 93. Gosh darn it, Trey. I. I can't. I'm not signing up for the Shreveport Bossier City Advocate. Listen, I do support local news, but I can't pay for the Shreveport Bossier Advocate just to get this Trey Lance info.

[Damanze]

He is 33 for 49, 323 yards, one touchdown, five interceptions.

[Nick Wright]

Yeah. And I. There we go. Thank you guys. And I also think he had like a hundred yards rushing. He had 90 yards. So he had, he had 413 total yards, two touchdowns, five picks played every snap. It was just a tour to force game. So that part is actually kind of exciting to see what he does today. But Danny's quarterback rankings are just an abomination and it just begs the question why? 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 Herz, Stafford, Jaden Golf, 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. And that's pretty good. So the now you damanze do you have an issue with people who put Burrow ahead of Lamar?

[Damanze]

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.

[Nick Wright]

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 Ra 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 is his postseason performances but Burrow hasn't been in the postseason. So like that one I do think.

[Damanze]

Is a little Lamar is my go 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 you have terrible defense last year. I just think.

[Nick Wright]

Well, no, that's what I'm saying is, yes, those are true factors, but I'm also not going to use it as.

[Damanze]

A metric, like when, when ranking them.

[Nick Wright]

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 the. 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 started figuring out where exactly do you have Hertz? 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 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. Jalen 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. Howie 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. All right, let's keep going.

[Damanze]

Speak. Wait, are you going to be betting on the game first off?

[Nick Wright]

No, I'm not betting on the hall of Fame game.

[Damanze]

I'm not.

[Nick Wright]

All right, I will be betting on football this year, obviously, but I'm not betting on the hall of Fame game.

[Damanze]

But yeah, speaking of the hall of Fame game, are there any sure fire hall of Famers that you would like to plant your flag on right now?

[Nick Wright]

So this is something we do every year. And so, and if the producers could just kind of create a running list in the doc and if we can, and if the, if anyone in the chat thinks I'm leaving somebody out, tell me because like, I'll give you an example. Like I could. I'm not going to now because I mentioned it, but I could forget that Von Miller is now on Washington and Von Miller is a short. You know what I mean? But we'll just go team by team and try to do this. The Buffalo Bills. The Bills have zero surefire hall of Famers on defense and one and one only surefire hall of Famer on offense, and that's Josh Allen. And Josh was not a surefire hall of Famer prior to last year. But the unbelievable stats that now go along with a regular season mvp, that puts him there hands down. Hands down maybe wrong, but he's a Hall of Famer. So we're at one for the Buffalo Bills. The Miami Dolphins have one sure fire hall of Famer and that's Tyree Kill. There is I think that. Ooh, this is interesting. This is interesting.

[Damanze]

Tua.

[Nick Wright]

No, two is not into two is not even anywhere close. No, I was thinking Minka Mink, but Minka Fitzpatrick is definitely not sure fire. And the, the. And let me just do something because I. The. Dusty, if you're watching in the First Things first production room, just tell Brew I'll talk to him about the Maury LeBron story. We should do it. Even though Daryl's slightly misquoted there. I'm getting a thousand texts on this group thread about everybody arguing about this because I, I can't chime in because I'm doing this. Minka is. Minka's had a very nice career and he's a three time All Pro, so he has a chance, but he's not surefire. Tyreek is surefire. And there is no one else on the Dolphins that is anywhere close to it. All right, the Patriots. The Patriots have no one. Right, like definitely right now. There's certainly no one on their offense and there is certainly no one on their defense. Now part of that's because the team's so young. So, like, that's not ness. You know, that's not. Not to say the team has no talent or anything. But again, the exercise we're doing right now is if they were to retire, are they in the hall of Fame? Basically. And the jets are in a similar spot. So in the AFC east, the sure fire active hall of Famers are Josh Allen and Tyree Kill. The AFC north right now, the Cincinnati Bengals have zero. Now Jamar is and Joe are on hall of Fame trajectories, but they are not anywhere close to having established it. You know what I mean? Does that make sense? Like, if they. Jamar's got to do this for another five years. Joe has to do this for at least another four years, plus get some type of. He either has to or if he.

[Damanze]

Just like won a Super bowl, like next year.

[Nick Wright]

That's what I was going to say. Right. He either has to like clip an mvp, win a Super bowl or just another like six years of these awesome numbers. Like one. One or the other. So the Bengals have none. The Browns have one in Miles Garrett. Obviously no one on offense. Sorry, Joe Flacco. You're not getting a look. He did win a Super bowl and has a lot, like, big numbers, but he's not. He's not there. Denzel Ward, not close. But Miles Garrett is already in. Miles Garrett. No, I said Flacco. Flacco is not going to make it. He won the super bowl and he won the super bowl mvp and he does have big counting stats. He's not making it. Miles Garrett, six time All Pro, over 100 career sacks, a defensive player of the year. He's obviously in the Steelers, amazingly, Damanze, I think have maybe four. So the Steelers have as sure fire hall of Famers Aaron Rodgers and T.J. watt. Those guys are locked. Right. Jalen Ramsey, who is on the Steelers now, I believe he is locked. And then Cam Hayward, five time All Pro, seven time Pro Bowler, a Walter Payton man of the year. I think he's getting in. So Cam Hayward, that is four future hall of Famers on the Steelers, which is kind of crazy.

[Damanze]

Yeah.

[Nick Wright]

And are we the. The. I mean it. So he's getting in. And then the Ravens. The Ravens have. Right now they have two with a couple guys who could get there. Or. No, I'm sorry. I apologize. The Ravens have three with a couple guys who could get there. Lamar is locked. Henry, Derek Henry is locked. And DeAndre Hopkins is going to get there. So. And then the guys who could but have a long way to go. Kyle Hamilton and Roquan Smith, but those are. They have three locks in Lamar Henry and Hopkins. All right, the Titans have nobody. The is there's not like an old player on that team that I'm forgetting the nine. Jeffrey. Jeffrey Simmons has a chance, but you know, he's got a ways to go. So the Titans were. Were done with easily the Colts. I feel like Quentin Nelson is getting in. Let me check his accolades. Quentin Nelson, five time All Pro, seven time Pro Bowler. He's in. So the Colts do have one shout out Quentin Nelson. Jonathan Stewart's not going to make it. DeForest Buckner is a underdog to make it, but they've got one in Quentin Nelson. The Jags have none. Right. There's no one on the Jags. I'm forgetting. Nope. And then the Texans, as far as guys that are already. They've already done enough. No one on offense. Joe Mixon's not making it. Nick Chubbs not making it. And their defensive players are too young. Chauncey Gardner, Johnson's not making it. Stingley and Will Anderson, you know, are. You've got a miles to go. Danelle Hunter is not quite that caliber. All right, now to the AFC west and then we'll do. We'll see where we're at on the whole afc. The Broncos again, I think that Pat Certain is building quite the resume, but it's too early and certainly no one on their offense is has done anything close to enough yet to the Broncos are out. The Chargers have no. 1 on the offense. And defensively, Khalil Mack. I think he's in. Khalil Mack. Let me look at the career five time all pro, nine time Pro bowl, all decades. Yeah. 108 sacks. Defensive player Cleo Max in Derwin James, as much as I like him, I don't think he's in yet. So four time All Pro, four time Pro Bowler. He's probably needs a little bit more. The Raiders are tr. The Raiders no. 1 on offense, obviously. And Max hasn't done enough yet. Max is creating a Hall of Fame resume, but he hasn't done enough yet. And then the Chiefs. Mahomes is locked, Kelsey is locked and Chris Jones is locked. And that's the list. So in the afc, the following players are in the hall of Fame. Josh Allen, Tyree kill, Miles Garrett, TJ Watt, Jalen Ramsey, Cam Hayward, Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, DeAndre Hopkins, Quentin Nelson, Khalil Mack, Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelsey, Chris Jones. How many guys is that? 5 10, 15, I think. So we've got 15 with again, you know, more. Minka is probably not making it. And then burrow Chase, I would imagine make it but we can't call them locks yet. Kyle Hamilton, Roquan Smith, Pat Certain, Derwin James, Max Crosby. But 15 locks. And this speaks to why making the hall of Fame is so damn difficult. It's in this league. So these guys are going to retire the, you know, a couple a year coming up and you only let five in and then guys who are waiting. It's not five new spots. It's like two new spots. It's really hard. All right, let's go to the NFC.

[Freddy 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.

[Unknown 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.

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.

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.

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.

Listen to San Diego FC behind the flow now on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jake Kofer]

I'm Jake Hofer. And this is back 40, a limited series show on Wire to Hunt, part of Meat Eaters Podcast Network. Each episode I'll be asking eight whitetail hunting pros a focused, thought provoking question about hunting and land management. How do I hunt the best part of the farm with less than ideal access?

[Nick Wright]

Should you?

[Damanze]

That's what the real question is.

[Nick Wright]

Stand without good access is not a good stand.

[Jake Kofer]

Listen to back 40 on I Heart radio app, Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcast.

[Unknown Host]

Get fired up, y'.

[Nick Wright]

All.

[Unknown Host]

Season 2 of Good Game with Sarah Spain is underway. We just welcomed one of my favorite people and an incomparable soccer icon, Megan Rapino 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?

[Megan Rapinoe]

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.

[Unknown Host]

We've got more incredible guests like the legendary Candice 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.

[Nick Wright]

Iheart Women's Sports, the ca as Cowboys that are lock hall of Famers right now, it's none. Dak is not going to make it and Micah is a great bet to make it, but is too young. You know what I mean? Like, there's nobody from Micah. Micah, same draft class as Jamar Chase. He's in the exact same boat where you think that he has a really good chance to do it, but is the, you know and oh, and Zach Martin's, you know, their offensive line hall of Famers are gone now the Giants. I, I don't think Russell's gonna make it. Dexter Lawrence needs to do a lot more as is Brian Burns. I think Russell Wilson right now is on the outside looking in. The Eagles are really interesting because right now, Demanza, the Eagles only have one absolute lock hall of Famer in Lane Johnson. Their right tackle Seyquan is on track now, but needs a little bit more. You know what I mean, like, just because he hasn't had enough great seasons. A.J. brown, I think, is on track. And Jalen Hurts is on track. He's at. He has an all Pro season. He has been to two Super Bowls. He's won one. But the only guy on the Eagles that could retire today and get. And be certain they're getting in is Lane Johnson and the Commanders. We already said Von Miller, and that's the only guy. Von Miller is a Hall of Famer. Oh, no, that's not the only guy. I almost screwed that up. Bobby Wagner is definitely making it. Their inside linebacker. Bobby Wagner's. There's no question he's making it. So they're older guys and they're on their defense, but the Commanders have two. So I. And I. Again, I am. I'm not. I'm only saying guys that. So the. The only guy that I've said is a lockdown that I actually think might not n. He. Walter Payton, man of the year, carry. And Cam Hayward, again, you got to be very choosy with the locks. Friend of the show and host of. I hope he doesn't mind me quoting him on this. I think the best daily NFL podcast there is. NFL Daily. Greg Rosenthal chimes in. Russell Wilson makes the hall of Fame eventually, but not a lock. Maybe. I think he might need one more little push. All right, so let's keep going, too. I mean, just. I just. He was on a great hall of Fame trajectory post Seattle, but it's gone so badly for him since then. All right, The Chicago Bears. I think Joe Tuney is now in. Joe Tuney, who has. What does he have? Three Super Bowls? Four. No, four Super Bowls, four All Pros. I think Joe Tunney is in, and I don't think anyone else on that team is a lock. I mean, obviously, Caleb's gonna make it, but probably too early to call him a lock. The Lions. That's an interesting one. Do the Lions have a single lock. Hall of Famer on the team? The answer to that question is no. As good as they are now, part of that's because they're so young. Like, on the defensive side of the ball. They're so young, but. And really on offense, I mean, that they're younger team. Yeah. Penne, I would bet a lot of money that Panay Sewell eventually makes it their right tackle. But he. Again, he's in the same boat as Micah and Jamar, which is. You just haven't done enough yet. The Packers, I'm quite certain, have no. Have nobody. I mean, they're like, Kenny Clark's been there forever. He's not a Hall of Fame level player. Xavier McKinney's really good. He's not a Hall of Fame level player. Yeah. So the packers have nobody that is a Hall of Fame lock. The VI. Man, this is tough. I would. Justin Jefferson is going to make the hall of Fame, but he has. He probably needs to be a lock for it. He probably needs two more years. I mean, he's an. He's four time all Pro, four time Pro Bowler and an offensive player of the year. It's close. But if he were to walk today, he's not in yet. But he is as we can put him in heavy ink. But I'm not going to include him on the list yet just because he hasn't played quite long enough. Jonathan Allen's not a Hall of Famer. So the Vikings don't have anyone. It's interesting right now it seems like how many more. Oh yeah. So much of it demands a. Is because good teams are young. You know what I mean? Like they're not the Falcons. Jake Matthews is not a Hall of. He's been there forever, but he's not a Hall of Famer and you know, quality player forever. Not a Hall of Famer and they obviously have no one on defense. Unless I'm forgetting Jesse Bates is building a resume, but he's not there yet. So the Falcons have nobody. The Saints have one. Who's going to be a Hall of Famer in Cam Jordan. I mean, Cam Jordan, his sack numbers are insane. Like the. It's. It's really interesting because he's never had like a 20 sack season. In fact, I don't even know if he's ever had a 16 sack season. But he's got 121 sacks. He's making the hall of Fame and Demario Davis is not. And that's obviously nobody on that Alvin Camaro.

[Damanze]

Yeah.

[Nick Wright]

I don't think he's. I don't think he's there. I think he is in the same boat sadly, that my guy Jamal Charles is going to be in awesome, but not quite there. And Harrison Smith, who Paul mentions two time all Pro, six Pro Bowls is nice. I don't think he gets in. It's too hard. It's too hard, man. All right. For the Bucks, I. The Bucks have one. One guy who at this point is a lock in Mike Evans and no one else. Oh, Levante David. Is he gonna three time All Pro. No, he's great player. Can't call it Mike. Mike Evans is the one lock the Bucks have and the Panthers, without looking, I feel confident in saying the Panthers have nobody. I mean, Adam Thielen, very nice career. Obviously not a Hall of Famer. And yeah, the Panthers have nobody. All right, Rams, this is an interesting one. I don't think Stafford is a lock, which means the Rams don't have any luck. Oh, sorry. Devonte Adams is a lock. Devonte is getting in. But staff, again, Stafford. Stafford versus Russ is going to end up being an interesting one. That gets debated, but I don't think Stafford's a lock. I think he will get in, but I would not bet my net worth on it. The Cardinals, do they have anybody? The. Oh, Calais Campbell. Gosh, I can't believe he's still in the league. He was in the oh, eight draft class. So Clay is Campbell. 110 sacks, two time All Pro, but six time Pro Bowler and all decade and a Walter Payton man of the year. He's getting in. Clay is Campbell. Call him a lock. And now we're down to two teams. The Seahawks. Cooper Cup's not a Hall of Famer. They. I. DeMarcus Lawrence is not a Hall of Famer. The. The Seahawks have nobody. And the 49ers, who, you know, lost a lot of their kind of veteran guys. I think the 49ers only have two locks. No, they. No, they probably have three. Trent Williams is a definitive lock. Fred Warner is a definitive lock, and George Kittle's a lock. George Kittle's five time all pro. So Trent Warner and Kittle are locks. Nick Bosa has a chance and that's the end of it. So. Oh, I'm sorry. Christian McCaffrey obviously has a chance, but is not in yet to, you know, he had. It's just doesn't have enough healthy seasons. So here's what we've got in the nfc. Lane Johnson, Von Miller, Bobby Wagner, Joe Tuney, Cam Jordan, Mike Evans, Devonte Adams, Calais Campbell, Trent Williams, Fred Warner, George kittle. In the AFC, Josh Allen, Tyreek Hill, Miles Garrett, T.J. watt, Jalen Ramsey, Cam Hayward, Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, DeAndre Hopkins, Quentin Nelson, Khalil Mack, Patrick Momes, Travis Kelce, Chris Jones. So that means we have right now, you know, 25 to 30 lock. Hall of Famers, Justin Jefferson, who is going to make it. Jamar Chase, who I would be shocked if he doesn't make it. You know, Micah, Seyquan, Burrow are all in route. Penne Sewell is in route. CMC needs one more great year, but it is. It's just hard to make, man. If you're waiting and you see these guys retiring, like, it's just hard to make the hall of Fame. I hope that was interesting for the audience. I find it interesting. I love doing that.

[Damanze]

But it might just that you or was as I get.

[Nick Wright]

I mean. Well, I mean, I kind of meant the. I consider Justin Jefferson and Micah and those guys young guys, but guys like super young guys. No hall of fame's hard.

[Damanze]

Jaden.

[Nick Wright]

J. Listen, Jaden had an amazing first year. Jameer Gibbs is an interesting one. Hard as a running back. This is a message that applies to 99% of you listening right now. Because that's how many of you can be covered by fast and reliable service on the Boost mobile network with 99% nationwide coverage. And if you don't think you deserve a deal, listen up. You got another thing coming right now. When you switch to Boost Mobile, you can get iPhone 15 with Dynamic island and a 48 megapixel main camera for 99.99. That's $99.99 for iPhone 15 on a nationwide 5G network. This may only apply to 99% of you, but I'm 100% positive boost mobile just gave all of us a really freaking good deal. In store offer $35 device setup fee may apply. Requires credit qualification, ID verification and activation on $6 plan taxes extra 5G speeds not available in all areas. My goodness gracious. Sorry about the siren outside my window. I don't know what's going on here.

[Damanze]

Loud as possibly could be.

[Nick Wright]

I mean, I. I think this is what's happening. I think there is a fire truck trying to get down the street, stuck at the. Someone's double parked. That's what I think is going on. I don't know what to do about it. It seems. Hold on, let me look.

[Damanze]

Go out there and tell them the podcast is going on right now, man. See, there we go.

[Nick Wright]

Yeah, there we go. Should I do that Boost Mobile read again? I feel like I should. This is a message applies to 99% of you listening right now because that's how many of you can be covered by fast reliable service on the Boost mobile network with 99% nationwide coverage. And if you don't think you deserve a deal, listen up. You got another thing coming right now. When you switch to Boost Mobile, you can get iPhone 15 with Dynamic island and a 48 megapixel main camera for 99.99. That's $99.99 for iPhone 15 on a nationwide 5G network. This may only apply to 99% of you, but I'm 100% positive boost mobile just gave all of us a really freaking good deal. In store offer $35 device setup fee may apply. Requires credit qualification, ID verification and activation on $60 plans. Taxes extra 5G speeds not available in all areas all right Damanze, let's jump down to the Shador conversation quickly here. Because we spent so much time on the the hall of Fame stuff, we're not going to be able to get to every single thing.

[Damanze]

So Brown's owner Jimmy Haslam has distanced himself from the Shador Sanders pick, saying that the GM was the one who made and not him. So why wouldn't he want stake on such a low risk, high reward situation?

[Nick Wright]

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 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 Pickett is injured and not an NFL quarterback. There is, There is a 0% chance Kenny Pickett is the Steelers answer at quarterback. 0% the Steelers pardon me. There is a 0% 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 gonna 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 zero percent chance Dylan Gabriel is the Browns franchise quarterback three years from now she door there is a five percent chance Shador is the Browns franchise quarterback. Five percent. Got more than one, less than ten somewhere in there. When the other three guys are combined. Zero percent. 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, you know, decides who plays. But then also said in that same soundbite, obviously both young guys need to play this year. I mean, Haslam's not the greatest owner. Just, just flatly, both of them just.

[Damanze]

Saying that this year is like a waste.

[Nick Wright]

Well, I mean, I don't. I mean, it's.

[Damanze]

Both young quarterbacks need to play this year. You kind of have an idea of what your season is about to look like.

[Nick Wright]

Correct, because they have two first round picks next year and they. Yeah, I mean, Haslam's a tough guy to work for. All right, it's July 31st, Dumont, which means we're, you know, obviously a day away from August. And you know what August means? It means it's U.S. open season. And I am so excited to go to the US Open. I don't know, three days, four days, seven days, I might. Which is why I want to give it the sponsor of today's video and show a huge shout out. And that is SeatGeek. With over 28 million downloads, SeatGeek is the number one rated ticketing app. There are more than 70,000 events listed on SeatGeek, including concerts, sports festivals, and so much more. Right now you can get tickets the NFL season right around the corner. Hell, if you're in Canton, get tickets to the hall of fame game tonight. MLB's in full swing. And the U.S. open, men's and women's tennis. Nice little grounds pass for early in the. Early in the week, go sit down court 17, watch the 17th ranked player in the world up close and personal. Get in for almost nothing. Then later in the week, get you good seats at Ash or maybe Louis Armstrong again. You guys know what I do when it's US Open time? I drive to my secret parking spot in Flushing, set my car there once again, for five straight years, no one's ever taken my spot. As I'm walking over to the Archer, as I'm walking over to Arthur Ashe, I open up SeatGeek and I buy my tickets for the day. And it's that easy. You guys know the system they have. Each ticket's rated on a scale of 1 to 10. You know you're getting a good deal. Look for the big green dots. Green means good, red means it's a bad deal. Every ticket backed by their buyer guarantee. So listen, you can use code code write10W R I G H T10 for 10% off your next set of tickets at SeatGeek. That's 10% off any tickets with promo code write10. Make sure you click the link in the description, download the app and have the code automatically added to your account so you can use it later. Thank you seatgeek. I'm excited Damanze. You know Yannick, Sinner fans got very mad at me for my center's not on the level of Alcaraz take that went like viral in Italian Twitter. It really did exactly right. But I'm excited to hopefully watch Alcaraz and center at the US Open this year. Thanks to my friends at seatgeek and while I'm out there. By the way, here's the thing. Love going to the US Open, but it does get hot. And if there's one thing shouldn't mess around with this summer, especially at the US Open, your deodorant. Mando deodorant and sweat control is built for this season in particular. It has been absolutely unbearably hot in New York lately. And it blocks odor all day and controls sweat too. Whether you're grilling in the 90 degree weather, heading to a baseball game at the US Open, going for a run, whatever it is, Mando keeps you fresh and dry. One of the worst feelings in the world. So you live in New York, take the subway, you get off, you walk into work, you showered an hour ago. Doesn't matter. You smell. When with Mando you have zero concerns because you know you'll smell great and will last all day. Mando Starter pack is perfect for new customers. It comes with a solid stick deodorant Cream Tube Deodorant two free products of your choice like mini body wash and deodorant wipes and free shipping as a special offer for listeners. New customers get 20% off sitewide with our exclusive code use code [e-mail] for 20% off sitewide and and free shipping if you miss it the first time. Let me tell you once more. Special offer for listeners. New customers get 20% off sitewide with our exclusive code use code [e-mail] for 20% off sitewide plus free shipping. That's s h o p m a d o.com Please support our show. Tell them we sent you. Mando's got you covered. Protect your pits. Smell great doing it. All right Damanze. Appreciate everybody watching listening today. Please like rate subscribe review I have to get to work. This was a longer show than expected and then I am do you have. Do you have big plans this weekend, buddy? Just out of curiosity, you got anything going on? Just watching the eggs.

[Damanze]

Nothing huge. Yeah, 100%. Probably will be stopping myself from opening the incubator every.

[Nick Wright]

Okay well again I my I'm on a semi secret mission. I'll tell you guys about it on Tuesday, see how it goes. But the same invite I extended to you three months ago exists again. So just let me know.

[Damanze]

Oh hell yeah.

[Nick Wright]

Same thing.

[Damanze]

How long is that? Like what that's from?

[Nick Wright]

I leave tonight. I. I leave tonight and I stay until I fly overnight Sunday night, Monday morning. So it's over. So yeah, so just. Yeah, just let me know.

[Damanze]

I mean I'm getting a haircut Friday. We outside.

[Nick Wright]

Oh okay. All right. Maybe. All right. We might be in business. Might be in business. All right. Reminder like rate subscribe review to the pod. Thank you to Blue Duck. Thank you to volume. Thank you to boost to Mando to seatgeek and to DraftKings. Of course. Course. And apologies for the siren outside. Hopefully that was not my car that's waiting on me that was blocking the fire truck. I don't think it was. I think he would have moved. But I'm about to go find out. I'll see you guys later. What's right? 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.

[Freddy Prinze Jr.]

We're breaking down SummerSlam, the biggest party of the summer on Wrestling with Freddy. 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 Freddy as part of the Mike Kultura Podcast Network, available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Unknown Host]

Check out behind the Flow, a podcast documentary series following the launch of San Diego Football Club.

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.

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.

Get fired up, y'.

[Nick Wright]

All.

[Unknown Host]

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 look.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Listen, sue and I were like riding the lime bikes the other day and.

[Unknown Host]

We'Re like, wee.

[Nick Wright]

People ride bikes because it's fun.

[Unknown Host]

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.