Thanks for listening to the Best of the Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio in noon to three Eastern nine am to noon Pacific. Find your local station for the Herd at Fox Sports Radio dot com, or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR.

Thanks for listening to the Best of the Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio in noon to three Eastern nine am to noon Pacific. Find your local station for the Herd at Fox Sports Radio dot com, or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR.

This is the Best of the Herd with Colin cowher on Fox Sports Radio.

This is the Best of the Herd with Colin cowher on Fox Sports Radio.

It is a fry day and we have lots to talk about.

It is a fry day and we have lots to talk about.

We are live. It is the Herd.

We are live. It is the Herd.

Wherever you may be and however you may be watching today or listening a lot of choices out there, Thanks for making us part of your day. Jmac, I've gotta be honest, the difference between okay See at home and on the road last night was staggering. You got and you got to give Indiana credit back against the wall.

Wherever you may be and however you may be watching today or listening a lot of choices out there, Thanks for making us part of your day. Jmac, I've gotta be honest, the difference between okay See at home and on the road last night was staggering. You got and you got to give Indiana credit back against the wall.

That team is.

That team is.

You know, I still like in Game seven, I'm gonna take okay See it's at home, but that second quarter, there's something about the second quarter at home for Indiana that was a thirty six to nine run at one point.

You know, I still like in Game seven, I'm gonna take okay See it's at home, but that second quarter, there's something about the second quarter at home for Indiana that was a thirty six to nine run at one point.

Wow, this is unbelievably bad basketball by OKC Colin. I mean, I hope you crush them here. I'm waiting. I'm waiting, all right.

Wow, this is unbelievably bad basketball by OKC Colin. I mean, I hope you crush them here. I'm waiting. I'm waiting, all right.

The question, the debate on OKC has been this year are they a great team? I mean, they were twenty nine to one against the East in the regular season, twenty nine to one. They won on average by twelve point nine points a game, NBA record point differential, suffocating defense, unbelievable at home, fourth most regular season wins. Ever, well, it's been confirmed they're not a great team. They're a very good team. In a finals clinching game, they had their lowest output of the season offensively, in the most turnovers and again a thirty six to nine run by Indy the hell okase, he's very good. They've got those young legs and young energy and sometimes you know, man, they got a number one score. They got size, and they got depth. But age, youth gives you a huge variance. Jalen Williams forty points in game five minus forty in game six. That's the variance you get, not only as a team collectively, but individual players. So like chet Holmgren, three times in the finals alone, he's had fewer than ten points. Like where's his offense? Willy Price should have stayed in college a year more. He's he's a young player, still good defensively, but this is what you get at home. Okay, So you'll get these leads, and they play more aggressively with a lead.

The question, the debate on OKC has been this year are they a great team? I mean, they were twenty nine to one against the East in the regular season, twenty nine to one. They won on average by twelve point nine points a game, NBA record point differential, suffocating defense, unbelievable at home, fourth most regular season wins. Ever, well, it's been confirmed they're not a great team. They're a very good team. In a finals clinching game, they had their lowest output of the season offensively, in the most turnovers and again a thirty six to nine run by Indy the hell okase, he's very good. They've got those young legs and young energy and sometimes you know, man, they got a number one score. They got size, and they got depth. But age, youth gives you a huge variance. Jalen Williams forty points in game five minus forty in game six. That's the variance you get, not only as a team collectively, but individual players. So like chet Holmgren, three times in the finals alone, he's had fewer than ten points. Like where's his offense? Willy Price should have stayed in college a year more. He's he's a young player, still good defensively, but this is what you get at home. Okay, So you'll get these leads, and they play more aggressively with a lead.

They're a little like the Baltimore Ravens.

They're a little like the Baltimore Ravens.

Right, Baltimore's got Lamar, they got SGA at home. Does anybody get more blowout wins last couple of years than Baltimore and OKAC?

Right, Baltimore's got Lamar, they got SGA at home. Does anybody get more blowout wins last couple of years than Baltimore and OKAC?

No, but they.

No, but they.

Planned from behind, the Ravens and the thunder. Sometimes that offense dries up, and it did last night. So it's not an excuse. I'm not making excuses for Oklahoma City. I was shocked at the blowout loss, but.

Planned from behind, the Ravens and the thunder. Sometimes that offense dries up, and it did last night. So it's not an excuse. I'm not making excuses for Oklahoma City. I was shocked at the blowout loss, but.

It is a reason.

It is a reason.

They're the youngest finals team in forty eight years. And I said, I'll take them in Game seven. But just like having young kids, you put them in the car for a roadie, things get squirrely. Are we there yet? No, it's game six? Be patient, And it wasn't good. If you look at the home splits, Okasee, not only is tenant two at home and five hundred on the road, they're plus two forty seven at home and minus sixty seven on the road.

They're the youngest finals team in forty eight years. And I said, I'll take them in Game seven. But just like having young kids, you put them in the car for a roadie, things get squirrely. Are we there yet? No, it's game six? Be patient, And it wasn't good. If you look at the home splits, Okasee, not only is tenant two at home and five hundred on the road, they're plus two forty seven at home and minus sixty seven on the road.

So we've been talking about this.

So we've been talking about this.

Oklahoma City's bench great at home, rotational players, great at home. Indiana, they've had these, you know, the TJ. McConnell's. Those kind of players are unbelievable at home. But history of the NBA is young teams can struggle in the postseason when they get uncomfortable. So again I'm gonna take I thought they'd win last night. The fact that Halliburton played and played well is shocking. I'm gonna get to that after the break. That's and they deserve a ton of credit. I will get more to that. But all the pressure, even though it's at home, all the pressure is gonna be on OKC, and young players with pressure can shrink. Here's SGA after the humbling loss in Game six.

Oklahoma City's bench great at home, rotational players, great at home. Indiana, they've had these, you know, the TJ. McConnell's. Those kind of players are unbelievable at home. But history of the NBA is young teams can struggle in the postseason when they get uncomfortable. So again I'm gonna take I thought they'd win last night. The fact that Halliburton played and played well is shocking. I'm gonna get to that after the break. That's and they deserve a ton of credit. I will get more to that. But all the pressure, even though it's at home, all the pressure is gonna be on OKC, and young players with pressure can shrink. Here's SGA after the humbling loss in Game six.

The way I see it is we suck tonight. We have to learn the lessons, and we have one game for everything, for everything we've worked for, and so do they, and the better team Sunday will win.

The way I see it is we suck tonight. We have to learn the lessons, and we have one game for everything, for everything we've worked for, and so do they, and the better team Sunday will win.

All right.

All right.

So I will get to the Pacers, give them their flowers after the break. But I got to talk about once again last night. I don't want to hear Yankees and Red Sox the best easily the best baseball rivalry Potteris Dodgers, and it got feisty again.

So I will get to the Pacers, give them their flowers after the break. But I got to talk about once again last night. I don't want to hear Yankees and Red Sox the best easily the best baseball rivalry Potteris Dodgers, and it got feisty again.

Last night in the ninth inning.

Last night in the ninth inning.

Now a lot of the crowd had filed out, but in the ninth inning, the Dodgers had a rookie pitcher clearly didn't throw at Tatis, who dramatically crumples to the ground when he got hit on the wrist. I get that it hurts, but it's a rookie pitcher making his debut at home.

Now a lot of the crowd had filed out, but in the ninth inning, the Dodgers had a rookie pitcher clearly didn't throw at Tatis, who dramatically crumples to the ground when he got hit on the wrist. I get that it hurts, but it's a rookie pitcher making his debut at home.

I don't think he threw at him.

I don't think he threw at him.

And the managers come out, Dave Roberts, actually, I think at one point bumped Mike Shield their dog, cussing each other. So I'll be honest, it's baseball at its best. I feel like you saw a lot more of this in the eighties. Sometimes in a tedious long regular season, intensity and heat equal interest. And we saw the two biggest stories this week had been Caitlin Clark and the scrum and this why sports fans want you to care as much as they do, and the Podreys and the Dodgers.

And the managers come out, Dave Roberts, actually, I think at one point bumped Mike Shield their dog, cussing each other. So I'll be honest, it's baseball at its best. I feel like you saw a lot more of this in the eighties. Sometimes in a tedious long regular season, intensity and heat equal interest. And we saw the two biggest stories this week had been Caitlin Clark and the scrum and this why sports fans want you to care as much as they do, and the Podreys and the Dodgers.

This is real.

This is real.

So then in the bottom of that inning, the ninth, the Padres clearly throw in retaliation after this Tatise getting hit. That's top of the ninth. Then they go to the bottom of the ninth and show, hey, o'tana gets plunked on a three to zero pitch one hundred miles an hour in the back. Yeah it hurts O TWI nothing new. He's the best at this too. Acted with class, went down and shakes the first baseman's hand, class the organization. He acts with class, voice of reason. But here's the thing. When I was a kid, baseball had a ton of personality. Reggie Jackson, Pete Rose, Mickey Rivers, Mark Fidrich, Al Raboski, and the players leaned into it. They leaned into it. Everybody had big personalities. And then something weird happened. The sport got very pious and very precious. There's a way to play the game, and the unwritten rules of get out of here, give me a break sports, and all of a sudden, for about a twenty year period, it felt like there were locker room governors and and locker room statesman. They're attacking their own Bryce Harper, and it did not help the sport. Finally, Rob Manfred and the sport started saying, hey, guys, lean into this stuff.

So then in the bottom of that inning, the ninth, the Padres clearly throw in retaliation after this Tatise getting hit. That's top of the ninth. Then they go to the bottom of the ninth and show, hey, o'tana gets plunked on a three to zero pitch one hundred miles an hour in the back. Yeah it hurts O TWI nothing new. He's the best at this too. Acted with class, went down and shakes the first baseman's hand, class the organization. He acts with class, voice of reason. But here's the thing. When I was a kid, baseball had a ton of personality. Reggie Jackson, Pete Rose, Mickey Rivers, Mark Fidrich, Al Raboski, and the players leaned into it. They leaned into it. Everybody had big personalities. And then something weird happened. The sport got very pious and very precious. There's a way to play the game, and the unwritten rules of get out of here, give me a break sports, and all of a sudden, for about a twenty year period, it felt like there were locker room governors and and locker room statesman. They're attacking their own Bryce Harper, and it did not help the sport. Finally, Rob Manfred and the sport started saying, hey, guys, lean into this stuff.

It's sports.

It's sports.

It's not Congress. There isn't a way to play the game. Play it with intensity. Sometimes intensity boils over and the throwing it. Guys, but this is good for sports. I know, I know you don't want to hear it. But the Dodger's padres it's authentic, it's intense, it's old school, it's feisty, it's a little petty.

It's not Congress. There isn't a way to play the game. Play it with intensity. Sometimes intensity boils over and the throwing it. Guys, but this is good for sports. I know, I know you don't want to hear it. But the Dodger's padres it's authentic, it's intense, it's old school, it's feisty, it's a little petty.

I'm here for it. And here's Dave Roberts after.

I'm here for it. And here's Dave Roberts after.

As he comes out and he's yelling at me and staring me down. That bothers me because, to be quite frank, that's the last thing I wanted. I'm taking starters out of the game and you know, trying to you know, get this game over and get this kid a couple of innings. And so that's why I felt, you know, I took that personal.

As he comes out and he's yelling at me and staring me down. That bothers me because, to be quite frank, that's the last thing I wanted. I'm taking starters out of the game and you know, trying to you know, get this game over and get this kid a couple of innings. And so that's why I felt, you know, I took that personal.

So we've had a very very interesting week in sports. The Caitlin Clark scrum fascinating. Everybody was gonna be okay, don't overreact. And again this when these two teams meet, they throw at each other, dugout, spill out, managers bump, everybody's gonna be okay.

So we've had a very very interesting week in sports. The Caitlin Clark scrum fascinating. Everybody was gonna be okay, don't overreact. And again this when these two teams meet, they throw at each other, dugout, spill out, managers bump, everybody's gonna be okay.

This is what sports fans want.

This is what sports fans want.

They want you to care, they want passion, they want heat, They want intensity. Dave Roberts is such a nice guy. He's out there finger pointing, and I just think it's great. I think it's great for sports. Its too bad half the fans had already poured out the ninth vitting So J Mack, let's go back to the finals. I was absolutely surprised. I thought it would be a close game. Okay, se would pull away. Were you surprised that played?

They want you to care, they want passion, they want heat, They want intensity. Dave Roberts is such a nice guy. He's out there finger pointing, and I just think it's great. I think it's great for sports. Its too bad half the fans had already poured out the ninth vitting So J Mack, let's go back to the finals. I was absolutely surprised. I thought it would be a close game. Okay, se would pull away. Were you surprised that played?

I was stunned.

I was stunned.

I mean he didn't play poorly, he was fine. No, But Colin, something you just said resonated with me. It's like fans care deeply about baseball, the and the fighting because the players care, right, care deeply about Kateler Clark. Because the players care. Are you seeing that care and that one? I didn't see that from Okac. You could have choked them out last night, ended the series, and I saw no fire, no brimstone, SGA just walking around like it was a February the NBA game.

I mean he didn't play poorly, he was fine. No, But Colin, something you just said resonated with me. It's like fans care deeply about baseball, the and the fighting because the players care, right, care deeply about Kateler Clark. Because the players care. Are you seeing that care and that one? I didn't see that from Okac. You could have choked them out last night, ended the series, and I saw no fire, no brimstone, SGA just walking around like it was a February the NBA game.

I didn't see that killer instinct. Alex Caruso, I mean he was a minus thirty three.

I didn't see that killer instinct. Alex Caruso, I mean he was a minus thirty three.

Collins.

Collins.

Yeah, where's the energy, where's the care?

Yeah, where's the energy, where's the care?

Well, here's the care.

Well, here's the care.

If you're a great team, if you're Shaq and Kobe or the MJ Bulls. We have to remember, you know, because because this was ready in the heart of when I was a young sportscaster, Michael Jordan and the Bulls had close out games a couple of times against Gary Payton and the Sonics and delivered duds.

If you're a great team, if you're Shaq and Kobe or the MJ Bulls. We have to remember, you know, because because this was ready in the heart of when I was a young sportscaster, Michael Jordan and the Bulls had close out games a couple of times against Gary Payton and the Sonics and delivered duds.

We were up three nothing. I mean, I think that's a little different. This was like, hey, three two, let's close up.

We were up three nothing. I mean, I think that's a little different. This was like, hey, three two, let's close up.

But I mean, I mean, you have to remember. We tend to romanticize this. Steph Curry and the Warriors have had duds in big games. I mean, listen, the Warriors could not close out at home Lebron James and the team that won like.

But I mean, I mean, you have to remember. We tend to romanticize this. Steph Curry and the Warriors have had duds in big games. I mean, listen, the Warriors could not close out at home Lebron James and the team that won like.

That was the Draymond suspension game, but they got.

That was the Draymond suspension game, but they got.

Blown out three times in that series. Teams have bad games, and those teams are closer to great teams what we have now in the NBA. The Celtics team that won, the Denver team that won. These two teams, these are very very good teams, just like my Sonics and my Blazers in the seventies. Very good teams. They're not great teams. No, they're not great, and we've maybe only had four or five great teams. I thought I thought a team that was great that didn't win a championship was the Barkley Suns that were scoring one hundred and twenty five before the avalanche of threes. I mean they were literally changed the game that I mean, it was an incredible team to watch, and they didn't win because they faced you know, it's it's like Tiger at his prime. They faced Michael Jordan. So these are very good teams, and I think Oklahoma City because remember in these got a lot of older dudes. Siakam has been around a while. Pascal Siakam has been around a while, Carlisle, the coach, been around a while.

Blown out three times in that series. Teams have bad games, and those teams are closer to great teams what we have now in the NBA. The Celtics team that won, the Denver team that won. These two teams, these are very very good teams, just like my Sonics and my Blazers in the seventies. Very good teams. They're not great teams. No, they're not great, and we've maybe only had four or five great teams. I thought I thought a team that was great that didn't win a championship was the Barkley Suns that were scoring one hundred and twenty five before the avalanche of threes. I mean they were literally changed the game that I mean, it was an incredible team to watch, and they didn't win because they faced you know, it's it's like Tiger at his prime. They faced Michael Jordan. So these are very good teams, and I think Oklahoma City because remember in these got a lot of older dudes. Siakam has been around a while. Pascal Siakam has been around a while, Carlisle, the coach, been around a while.

Even the coaching staff with.

Even the coaching staff with.

OKAC is young and so a in these talents better than anybody wants to admit. They got a more experienced coach. And the truth is there's two things working against OKAC last night. They're a very good team, they're not a great team, and they're the youngest team in forty eight years in the finals and you are seeing this wild very I mean, I was shocked. But OKC in this series has had four or five atrocious quarters. I mean, Michael Jordan's team could lose. I mean that's I've seen a couple of second quarters. I mean, just think about that thirty six to nine run. So that is crazy.

OKAC is young and so a in these talents better than anybody wants to admit. They got a more experienced coach. And the truth is there's two things working against OKAC last night. They're a very good team, they're not a great team, and they're the youngest team in forty eight years in the finals and you are seeing this wild very I mean, I was shocked. But OKC in this series has had four or five atrocious quarters. I mean, Michael Jordan's team could lose. I mean that's I've seen a couple of second quarters. I mean, just think about that thirty six to nine run. So that is crazy.

Let me ask you, so in Game five, OKAC had twenty seven steals and blocks.

Let me ask you, so in Game five, OKAC had twenty seven steals and blocks.

They were everywhere hellacious defensively.

They were everywhere hellacious defensively.

They didn't get their first steal last night until midway through the third quarter.

They didn't get their first steal last night until midway through the third quarter.

That to me says, yes, we don't really care, We're.

That to me says, yes, we don't really care, We're.

Not locked in.

Not locked in.

We're like, that's just lack of effort, Colin. And if you're not going to put forth the effort, why am I watching. I didn't watch a fut quarter.

We're like, that's just lack of effort, Colin. And if you're not going to put forth the effort, why am I watching. I didn't watch a fut quarter.

I'm like, no one thing. That one thing that is clear. OKC is not a great offensive team. They're a great defensive team with remarkable depth. So they need the defense to be humming to win. Okay, They're not a team that can play bad defense and win like they're not. This is not the Showtime Lakers where you could win one, thirty one, twenty four regularly. Okay, this team wins with defense, block steels that generates offense. Indianapolis is a better defensive team than people give them credit for. The Pacers are, but they don't have to play great defense to win. They have amazing offensive nights okac is led by defense that has to be great, and when it's not, I mean they had them. I don't know what the stretch was, but o case he had a stretch last night. It may have been six minutes that one field goal or I mean they just dried up.

I'm like, no one thing. That one thing that is clear. OKC is not a great offensive team. They're a great defensive team with remarkable depth. So they need the defense to be humming to win. Okay, They're not a team that can play bad defense and win like they're not. This is not the Showtime Lakers where you could win one, thirty one, twenty four regularly. Okay, this team wins with defense, block steels that generates offense. Indianapolis is a better defensive team than people give them credit for. The Pacers are, but they don't have to play great defense to win. They have amazing offensive nights okac is led by defense that has to be great, and when it's not, I mean they had them. I don't know what the stretch was, but o case he had a stretch last night. It may have been six minutes that one field goal or I mean they just dried up.

Yeah, totally.

Yeah, totally.

Let me ask you real quick.

Let me ask you real quick.

To coach Dagnault, we kind of criticized him for in Game one totally changing his starting lineup.

To coach Dagnault, we kind of criticized him for in Game one totally changing his starting lineup.

So did you notice last night, Small Potatoes, they're down twenty at a half. Hey, I'm gonna start Alex Caruso in the second half had not done that, and I felt like that was a bit of a reach.

So did you notice last night, Small Potatoes, they're down twenty at a half. Hey, I'm gonna start Alex Caruso in the second half had not done that, and I felt like that was a bit of a reach.

Oh, we need a spark, we need energy, Colin. I just wonder Carlisle's a better coach, we would agree.

Oh, we need a spark, we need energy, Colin. I just wonder Carlisle's a better coach, we would agree.

Is Dagnault in his head a little bit searching for answers.

Is Dagnault in his head a little bit searching for answers.

Because you know every movie makes Carliles countering and it just takes a little while to figure it out. I wonder if he's going to change something for Game seven.

Because you know every movie makes Carliles countering and it just takes a little while to figure it out. I wonder if he's going to change something for Game seven.

I said, we don't get many Game sevens. You can say what you want about ratings in the series, it's gonna be an all timer. We don't get a lot of Game sevens can't wait.

I said, we don't get many Game sevens. You can say what you want about ratings in the series, it's gonna be an all timer. We don't get a lot of Game sevens can't wait.

Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays and noon Easter not a Empacific on Fox Sports Radio FS one and the iHeartRadio app.

Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays and noon Easter not a Empacific on Fox Sports Radio FS one and the iHeartRadio app.

Welcome in, It is our two and it is a Friday jamc how luckier I got to take everybody behind the curtain a little bit here. And I don't want to spend too much time on this, but a couple of years ago, I felt baseball felt before they brought in the pitch clock and the defensive shift, I felt baseball was really stagnant, had about a fifteen year stagnant run, and I didn't talk about it a lot, and Caitlin Clark hadn't arrived yet the WNBA, and I felt the show was almost too much FOOTBALLS like seventy percent football, and I've never wanted to work at the NFL network. They do a great job. But I like talking about college football. I like having a lot of different topics. And the fact that the WNBA Caitlin Clark is a regular segment and we monitor the segments.

Welcome in, It is our two and it is a Friday jamc how luckier I got to take everybody behind the curtain a little bit here. And I don't want to spend too much time on this, but a couple of years ago, I felt baseball felt before they brought in the pitch clock and the defensive shift, I felt baseball was really stagnant, had about a fifteen year stagnant run, and I didn't talk about it a lot, and Caitlin Clark hadn't arrived yet the WNBA, and I felt the show was almost too much FOOTBALLS like seventy percent football, and I've never wanted to work at the NFL network. They do a great job. But I like talking about college football. I like having a lot of different topics. And the fact that the WNBA Caitlin Clark is a regular segment and we monitor the segments.

You don't turn away.

You don't turn away.

And the fact that Baseball Dodgers Podrey's rivalry. Four times this week we talked about. It is a gift. I feel very very lucky.

And the fact that Baseball Dodgers Podrey's rivalry. Four times this week we talked about. It is a gift. I feel very very lucky.

Is that.

Is that.

You know, I love football, and if I was a sports talk show host in the UK, I would talk Premier League seventy five percent of the time. I understand how popular the NFL is, but in the off season for six months, I love the variants. I love having all these topics. So this has been a really really fun week for me, and I think j Mackfield's the same way I got United States Men's national team. I got Caitlin Clark, I got an insane Dodger padre series, guys getting plunked. This has been one of my favorite weeks in a long time because we just had so many different things to talk about. And I know you think, Colin you talk about NFL. Well, you watch a lot of NFL. That's why I talk a lot of NFL. But there's been a fun week.

You know, I love football, and if I was a sports talk show host in the UK, I would talk Premier League seventy five percent of the time. I understand how popular the NFL is, but in the off season for six months, I love the variants. I love having all these topics. So this has been a really really fun week for me, and I think j Mackfield's the same way I got United States Men's national team. I got Caitlin Clark, I got an insane Dodger padre series, guys getting plunked. This has been one of my favorite weeks in a long time because we just had so many different things to talk about. And I know you think, Colin you talk about NFL. Well, you watch a lot of NFL. That's why I talk a lot of NFL. But there's been a fun week.

Yeah, And next week we get the NBA Draft and obviously the Cooper Flag stuff is a big time.

Yeah, And next week we get the NBA Draft and obviously the Cooper Flag stuff is a big time.

Player sliding in the draft.

Player sliding in the draft.

We're expecting Kevin Durant trade like it doesn't stop here just because of this.

We're expecting Kevin Durant trade like it doesn't stop here just because of this.

Week's so okay, So there are we go to a game seven, what do we know we're gonna get not much. I mean, I gotta be honest. I did not think OKAC was going to get house last night with Halliburton at sixty percent. Here are the five things that I predict will get in order of assuredness. Number one, Okayse's defense will be really good. It's holding opponents to thirty two percent from three point range. At home, they have the best defensive rating. They got a lot of fresh legs and bodies. They are a different team energy wise. At home, okase will play very good defense. Doesn't mean no when, but their defense won't look anything like last night. The second thing Rick Carlile's coaching. He's good. I mean the ball movement with him, which he preaches. They have seven hundred and five more passes than Okasee in the finals. Their ball movement, the use of their bench, all the levers. Oldest coach in NBA Finals history, Rick Carlyle will bring his plus plus game. Number three SGA getting eight plus free throw attempts. He gets more at home, and they're good when he gets them. So he is leading the Finals at nine point seven free throws a game, and on the road he's a little more meek at home, he gets them eight of the twelve home games this season in the playoffs, he's got eight plus free throw So that's number three. I think I think he'll get that. Number four. A guy I really like in half for years, Pascal Siakam will play really, really well. He's a dog man. He's a really good player. Fifteen plus points in fifteen straight playoff games. He's the only pacer that's given you ten plus points in every game, and he's a big game player. He's a really good player. So I think Pascal Siakam is gonna play well. And I do think number five Oklahoma Cities bench will show up. It doesn't mean it'll be better than Indiana's, but it'll show up. So you know they're they're nine and two this postseason when their bench shoots like forty five percent from the field. Any young players who are not star players, young bench players Indiana or Oka see always play.

Week's so okay, So there are we go to a game seven, what do we know we're gonna get not much. I mean, I gotta be honest. I did not think OKAC was going to get house last night with Halliburton at sixty percent. Here are the five things that I predict will get in order of assuredness. Number one, Okayse's defense will be really good. It's holding opponents to thirty two percent from three point range. At home, they have the best defensive rating. They got a lot of fresh legs and bodies. They are a different team energy wise. At home, okase will play very good defense. Doesn't mean no when, but their defense won't look anything like last night. The second thing Rick Carlile's coaching. He's good. I mean the ball movement with him, which he preaches. They have seven hundred and five more passes than Okasee in the finals. Their ball movement, the use of their bench, all the levers. Oldest coach in NBA Finals history, Rick Carlyle will bring his plus plus game. Number three SGA getting eight plus free throw attempts. He gets more at home, and they're good when he gets them. So he is leading the Finals at nine point seven free throws a game, and on the road he's a little more meek at home, he gets them eight of the twelve home games this season in the playoffs, he's got eight plus free throw So that's number three. I think I think he'll get that. Number four. A guy I really like in half for years, Pascal Siakam will play really, really well. He's a dog man. He's a really good player. Fifteen plus points in fifteen straight playoff games. He's the only pacer that's given you ten plus points in every game, and he's a big game player. He's a really good player. So I think Pascal Siakam is gonna play well. And I do think number five Oklahoma Cities bench will show up. It doesn't mean it'll be better than Indiana's, but it'll show up. So you know they're they're nine and two this postseason when their bench shoots like forty five percent from the field. Any young players who are not star players, young bench players Indiana or Oka see always play.

Much better at home. So most of these feel like.

Much better at home. So most of these feel like.

I'm very pro Oklahoma City, but I think Indiana's got the better coach, and I know Pascal Siakam is gonna deliver. I also think you got a couple of days here for Halliburton to rest. The leg doesn't hurt. Little break there doesn't hurt. How many minutes he play last night, twenty three to twenty four minutes. Rick Carlisle on Game seven Sunday.

I'm very pro Oklahoma City, but I think Indiana's got the better coach, and I know Pascal Siakam is gonna deliver. I also think you got a couple of days here for Halliburton to rest. The leg doesn't hurt. Little break there doesn't hurt. How many minutes he play last night, twenty three to twenty four minutes. Rick Carlisle on Game seven Sunday.

One game, I mean, this is this is what it's all about. I mean, this is you know, this is what you dream about growing up, This kind of opportunity.

One game, I mean, this is this is what it's all about. I mean, this is you know, this is what you dream about growing up, This kind of opportunity.

It's a very difficult place to play.

It's a very difficult place to play.

We know that, but.

We know that, but.

You know, this is.

You know, this is.

The opportunity to play in a game like this a great honor and a great privilege.

The opportunity to play in a game like this a great honor and a great privilege.

I don't know.

I don't know.

One twenty one one seventeen, OKC. I think I get him at home. I gotta believe both teams are going to be a little tired. It's been a lot. It's a lot of travel. Uh, it's a lot of intensity, man. I mean, you know, one of the things about basketball, it's really it's great. So in hockey you got the glass. In baseball outside of Fenway Park, you're separated from fans.

One twenty one one seventeen, OKC. I think I get him at home. I gotta believe both teams are going to be a little tired. It's been a lot. It's a lot of travel. Uh, it's a lot of intensity, man. I mean, you know, one of the things about basketball, it's really it's great. So in hockey you got the glass. In baseball outside of Fenway Park, you're separated from fans.

Football, you got helmets.

Football, you got helmets.

On basketball, the proximity of fans to athletes makes it such a good television product. I mean, the Indiana fans and I really do believe this, especially with younger players, I was thinking about this last night.

On basketball, the proximity of fans to athletes makes it such a good television product. I mean, the Indiana fans and I really do believe this, especially with younger players, I was thinking about this last night.

When say Okham gets.

When say Okham gets.

That dunk early and you're on the ground and you got Indiana fans above you, high five in you. It absolutely has to change the body chemistry.

That dunk early and you're on the ground and you got Indiana fans above you, high five in you. It absolutely has to change the body chemistry.

I mean it just has to.

I mean it just has to.

Like fans matter so so much in basketball, even more in college basketball because the players are younger. But you when you watch Indiana's fan base and they are literally like fist bump close to players, same with OKC.

Like fans matter so so much in basketball, even more in college basketball because the players are younger. But you when you watch Indiana's fan base and they are literally like fist bump close to players, same with OKC.

I think it's awesome.

I think it's awesome.

I love when an NBA player makes a big basket and fives a fan. I as long as the fan understands you don't open that gate. That is always a player's decision. If he comes to you, it's good you don't go to him ever. But it's cool. And watching those Indiana fans last night when Saya comes hitting those shots and he's on the floor, he can hear you. You're four feet away, Dan righty can hear you. And it matters, and it's great sports. It just plows through the television. Okay, now I know what you're gonna say, Come, how come you have to bring.

I love when an NBA player makes a big basket and fives a fan. I as long as the fan understands you don't open that gate. That is always a player's decision. If he comes to you, it's good you don't go to him ever. But it's cool. And watching those Indiana fans last night when Saya comes hitting those shots and he's on the floor, he can hear you. You're four feet away, Dan righty can hear you. And it matters, and it's great sports. It just plows through the television. Okay, now I know what you're gonna say, Come, how come you have to bring.

Up Jason Tatum?

Up Jason Tatum?

Here we go, Cooper flags Mavericks workout the word being thrown around is unreal, better than expected. He's a complete beast. I am very comfortable saying he's going to be a better player than Jason Tatum eventually, and it won't take long. Why go bring up Jason Tate. They both went to Duke. That's his comp that's why. So he's much better defender at this point than Tatum was at this age, not close. And he's a much more aggressive player. And he had better stats everywhere than Tatum, and he's younger than Tatum. Points, rebounds, assists, free throw attempt steals, blocked. It just better across the board. And those are just stats. Aura and Alpha Brah.

Here we go, Cooper flags Mavericks workout the word being thrown around is unreal, better than expected. He's a complete beast. I am very comfortable saying he's going to be a better player than Jason Tatum eventually, and it won't take long. Why go bring up Jason Tate. They both went to Duke. That's his comp that's why. So he's much better defender at this point than Tatum was at this age, not close. And he's a much more aggressive player. And he had better stats everywhere than Tatum, and he's younger than Tatum. Points, rebounds, assists, free throw attempt steals, blocked. It just better across the board. And those are just stats. Aura and Alpha Brah.

Not close.

Not close.

Think about this, this guy, if he didn't reclassify, he would be walking in the height school stage to get.

Think about this, this guy, if he didn't reclassify, he would be walking in the height school stage to get.

His diploma right now.

His diploma right now.

Like this is the best domestic basketball product since Anthony Davis. I don't want to hear about John Moran and Zion. There were all sorts of things about Zion that concerned people, like his torque and his injuries. This kid can really play, and there's some you know, video stuff they're not We're not seeing a ton of it. But he is an all time prospect, you know, and I was talking. I think I was talking off the air to Christine Brennan. I think it was off. There may have been on, but I think it was off. Is that sometimes, like Caitlin Clark, nobody thought she would be this good. Even Gina Oriama Yukon coach is like, come on, slow down, she's better than we thought. Everybody knew Tiger was special. We didn't think it was going to look like that where he was running away from the field of the US Open Lebron James. Nobody predicted he was going to surpass mj in every statistical category. Bryce Hart is more what you expect. Bryce Harper was called the best baseball prospect ever. He was an eight time All Star.

Like this is the best domestic basketball product since Anthony Davis. I don't want to hear about John Moran and Zion. There were all sorts of things about Zion that concerned people, like his torque and his injuries. This kid can really play, and there's some you know, video stuff they're not We're not seeing a ton of it. But he is an all time prospect, you know, and I was talking. I think I was talking off the air to Christine Brennan. I think it was off. There may have been on, but I think it was off. Is that sometimes, like Caitlin Clark, nobody thought she would be this good. Even Gina Oriama Yukon coach is like, come on, slow down, she's better than we thought. Everybody knew Tiger was special. We didn't think it was going to look like that where he was running away from the field of the US Open Lebron James. Nobody predicted he was going to surpass mj in every statistical category. Bryce Hart is more what you expect. Bryce Harper was called the best baseball prospect ever. He was an eight time All Star.

I think he's been.

I think he's been.

A MVP of a National League playoff series. Is he's eight nationally MVP a couple times a time All Star.

A MVP of a National League playoff series. Is he's eight nationally MVP a couple times a time All Star.

That's what you expect.

That's what you expect.

So if I said to you, Cooper Flag makes makes seven to eight All Star teams, that would be a really good career for a top prospect. I think we're looking guy that's better than that. That's my take because I watched him. He very I can't say the last time I saw a college player that didn't have really a hole in his game. I don't see what the hole is. And he can shoot, he can defend, he can run. Again, you cross your fingers on injuries. But I mean again, if he had a Bryce Harper career, and I guess I'm right, two time NL MVP, eight time All Star, I think I think Harper's got three hundred and forty four home runs, I'm crossing my fingers.

So if I said to you, Cooper Flag makes makes seven to eight All Star teams, that would be a really good career for a top prospect. I think we're looking guy that's better than that. That's my take because I watched him. He very I can't say the last time I saw a college player that didn't have really a hole in his game. I don't see what the hole is. And he can shoot, he can defend, he can run. Again, you cross your fingers on injuries. But I mean again, if he had a Bryce Harper career, and I guess I'm right, two time NL MVP, eight time All Star, I think I think Harper's got three hundred and forty four home runs, I'm crossing my fingers.

I'm right?

I'm right?

Is that?

Is that?

Am I right?

Am I right?

How about that? The staff took all these years finally respect me. So so Bryce Harper is like what you would think an all time prospect, you'd be like, I was satisfied with that. Bryce Harper has lived up to it. Sometimes people go above and beyond. I think this kid has a chance to do that. I think he's really really good. We'll see for the record, is this more of the video? The video we got? He never missed a shot. So now I will tell you j MA is gonna have this. There is one player in this draft. This this draft is going.

How about that? The staff took all these years finally respect me. So so Bryce Harper is like what you would think an all time prospect, you'd be like, I was satisfied with that. Bryce Harper has lived up to it. Sometimes people go above and beyond. I think this kid has a chance to do that. I think he's really really good. We'll see for the record, is this more of the video? The video we got? He never missed a shot. So now I will tell you j MA is gonna have this. There is one player in this draft. This this draft is going.

To have a bust. Every draft does.

To have a bust. Every draft does.

Of course, I think I know who the one guy is gonna be a bust. I'm not gonna say it. I'm gonna let you. I'm gonna let you have the story. But there's one player where things are not good.

Of course, I think I know who the one guy is gonna be a bust. I'm not gonna say it. I'm gonna let you. I'm gonna let you have the story. But there's one player where things are not good.

Yeah.

Yeah.

By the way, this Cooper Flag stuff.

By the way, this Cooper Flag stuff.

You remember, I forget who came on our show, but someone was like, oh NBA comp Andre Kirolinko.

You remember, I forget who came on our show, but someone was like, oh NBA comp Andre Kirolinko.

Do you remember I might have been Paul Pierce. Bro Andre Kirolinko.

Do you remember I might have been Paul Pierce. Bro Andre Kirolinko.

I think made like an All Star game, never all NBA. That's a borderline disrespectful, Andre Carolinko.

I think made like an All Star game, never all NBA. That's a borderline disrespectful, Andre Carolinko.

If I'm just thinking I wasn't.

If I'm just thinking I wasn't.

I think Cooper Flag much better, much early, and much more aggressive and much more.

I think Cooper Flag much better, much early, and much more aggressive and much more.

Polished, dominant in college basketball, dominant, he's gonna be I'm all in on Cooper Flag.

Polished, dominant in college basketball, dominant, he's gonna be I'm all in on Cooper Flag.

I think he's gonna be spectacular.

I think he's gonna be spectacular.

I will tell you, I'll tell you this. People are saying it's a Carlos Boozer. Carlos Boozer compared Flag to Carolinko.

I will tell you, I'll tell you this. People are saying it's a Carlos Boozer. Carlos Boozer compared Flag to Carolinko.

I don't gross.

I don't gross.

I will say this though, the number two kid in the draft from Rutgers, the guard, the six to sixth guard, he's going to be a star to that.

I will say this though, the number two kid in the draft from Rutgers, the guard, the six to sixth guard, he's going to be a star to that.

No, no, no, no, he's not just good. He's a kid.

No, no, no, no, he's not just good. He's a kid.

He is he is a really special process.

He is he is a really special process.

Do you remember Ben Simmons went to LSU. He was supposed to change college basketball.

Do you remember Ben Simmons went to LSU. He was supposed to change college basketball.

You do could not get to the NCAA tournament and we killed him.

You do could not get to the NCAA tournament and we killed him.

Harper is on a team with eighth Bailey, who's gonna go top ten?

Harper is on a team with eighth Bailey, who's gonna go top ten?

They could not as a duo get Rutgers to the NCAA Tournament. I know I'm not going to crush them for that. Dylan Harper is a good player.

They could not as a duo get Rutgers to the NCAA Tournament. I know I'm not going to crush them for that. Dylan Harper is a good player.

Let's pump the brakes on him being some kind of massive superstar.

Let's pump the brakes on him being some kind of massive superstar.

Okay, let's just settled. Well say superstar? I said all Star?

Okay, let's just settled. Well say superstar? I said all Star?

What I mean? Come on?

What I mean? Come on?

All Star? Is that the barometer for a number two pick?

All Star? Is that the barometer for a number two pick?

You go number two?

You go number two?

I need more than All Star?

I need more than All Star?

Collin, Well, what do you need?

Collin, Well, what do you need?

I need all NBA.

I need all NBA.

You're one of the best at your position in the league.

You're one of the best at your position in the league.

Also, you understand there's in five guys on that All NBA first team, and basketball is not football. Guys play for fifteen years.

Also, you understand there's in five guys on that All NBA first team, and basketball is not football. Guys play for fifteen years.

No, no, a third team that matters your top fifteen in the league. All Star is like a popularity contest. It's like voting for president and your junior high school.

No, no, a third team that matters your top fifteen in the league. All Star is like a popularity contest. It's like voting for president and your junior high school.

Yeah, who's the cutest girl? I just vote for her.

Yeah, who's the cutest girl? I just vote for her.

She's gonna give us a soda machine in a cafeteria, Like that's what the All Star Game is?

She's gonna give us a soda machine in a cafeteria, Like that's what the All Star Game is?

Come on, all right?

Come on, all right?

One more Heard the Herd streams twenty four hours, seven days a week within the iHeartRadio app. Search her to listen live or on demand whenever you like.

One more Heard the Herd streams twenty four hours, seven days a week within the iHeartRadio app. Search her to listen live or on demand whenever you like.

Chris Brusard is now joining US cover the NBA since the mid nineties. Collos, First things first, I was saying Game sevens are crazy. The one or two things I know I'm gonna get O case. He's defense will show up, Rick Carlisle's coaching, he'll be great. I'm not sure I trust anything else. Pascal Siakam usually gives you a pretty consistent game. I mean, let's start with this. Were you surprised that Halliburton played and he was that good last night?

Chris Brusard is now joining US cover the NBA since the mid nineties. Collos, First things first, I was saying Game sevens are crazy. The one or two things I know I'm gonna get O case. He's defense will show up, Rick Carlisle's coaching, he'll be great. I'm not sure I trust anything else. Pascal Siakam usually gives you a pretty consistent game. I mean, let's start with this. Were you surprised that Halliburton played and he was that good last night?

Because he was pretty good.

Because he was pretty good.

Yeah. I wasn't surprised that he played.

Yeah. I wasn't surprised that he played.

I fully expected that, but he did not look injured, and I know he was. There's no way to lie about an injury like that. But I think it was smart of the Pacers to like make it a game time decision. I'm sure they knew. I don't know if they ever thought he wouldn't play, you know, but to leave it out there as a game time decision and put that question out there in the minds of OKC Colin as good as Indiana was, and they were great, and they deserve all the credit.

I fully expected that, but he did not look injured, and I know he was. There's no way to lie about an injury like that. But I think it was smart of the Pacers to like make it a game time decision. I'm sure they knew. I don't know if they ever thought he wouldn't play, you know, but to leave it out there as a game time decision and put that question out there in the minds of OKC Colin as good as Indiana was, and they were great, and they deserve all the credit.

For last night.

For last night.

I also thought OKC contributed to.

I also thought OKC contributed to.

That performance clearly.

That performance clearly.

I mean, they're not that much worse than the Pacers or even on a bad night. And they looked like a team that felt like the championship was in their pocket, like they had it that Indiana was gonna fold, and that Halliburton either wouldn't play or if he did play, he would be severely compromised and no good. And he was the exact opposite. He looked fine, he moved well. I actually think Colin the injury made him focus more because he was more aggressive than he's been for most of the playoffs. Yea, you know, like I think it made him zero in and say, okay, I really have no room for error tonight, and he ended up having one of his best games of the series.

I mean, they're not that much worse than the Pacers or even on a bad night. And they looked like a team that felt like the championship was in their pocket, like they had it that Indiana was gonna fold, and that Halliburton either wouldn't play or if he did play, he would be severely compromised and no good. And he was the exact opposite. He looked fine, he moved well. I actually think Colin the injury made him focus more because he was more aggressive than he's been for most of the playoffs. Yea, you know, like I think it made him zero in and say, okay, I really have no room for error tonight, and he ended up having one of his best games of the series.

You know, I said this because they won by an average of twelve point nine points a game, because they had the fourth most wins. Ever, there were these discussions, are we looking at a great team?

You know, I said this because they won by an average of twelve point nine points a game, because they had the fourth most wins. Ever, there were these discussions, are we looking at a great team?

And I fell for it. With Denver. I totally fell for it. I'm like, they're gonna be the Spurs.

And I fell for it. With Denver. I totally fell for it. I'm like, they're gonna be the Spurs.

I think last night confirmed they're not a great team. Great teams aren't different on the road to that level. The great teams that Michael Jordan's Bulls could walk into your place, it didn't matter where or when. Even the Celtics, the Celtics are the Tatum Celtics. They're sometimes better on the road than at home. This team, the variants home and away, to me illustrates they're another very good team with a chance to win a championship.

I think last night confirmed they're not a great team. Great teams aren't different on the road to that level. The great teams that Michael Jordan's Bulls could walk into your place, it didn't matter where or when. Even the Celtics, the Celtics are the Tatum Celtics. They're sometimes better on the road than at home. This team, the variants home and away, to me illustrates they're another very good team with a chance to win a championship.

They're not great, yeah, And I think that's just one of the many reasons they're not like an all time great team. The guys look at the numbers and the analytics that want to say they're all time great. No, they're the second youngest team ever to reach the finals. There's no way they're an all time great team just because they're that young and.

They're not great, yeah, And I think that's just one of the many reasons they're not like an all time great team. The guys look at the numbers and the analytics that want to say they're all time great. No, they're the second youngest team ever to reach the finals. There's no way they're an all time great team just because they're that young and.

Will look back. Colin. They have to win more championships.

Will look back. Colin. They have to win more championships.

Like when we talk about great teams, we're talking about teams that had runs. The only one off team that was like an all time great was the nineteen eighty three Philly seventy six Ers with Moses Malone and Doctor j.

Like when we talk about great teams, we're talking about teams that had runs. The only one off team that was like an all time great was the nineteen eighty three Philly seventy six Ers with Moses Malone and Doctor j.

All.

All.

The other great teams were Dynasties, the Lakers in Showtime, Kobe Shack, the Jordan Bulls, the Golden State. So this is not an all time great team. And furthermore, Colin and again, I'm rooting for the Pacers hard. I'm from Indianapolis, one of the many places I'm from. But this Pacers team is giving them all they want. And they don't have one guy that you can pencil in for twenty five a night.

The other great teams were Dynasties, the Lakers in Showtime, Kobe Shack, the Jordan Bulls, the Golden State. So this is not an all time great team. And furthermore, Colin and again, I'm rooting for the Pacers hard. I'm from Indianapolis, one of the many places I'm from. But this Pacers team is giving them all they want. And they don't have one guy that you can pencil in for twenty five a night.

They don't have one guy.

They don't have one guy.

Their most reliable score.

Their most reliable score.

Is past Gal Siaka.

Is past Gal Siaka.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Can you imagine if they had a Kevin Durant. If that's the type of team that OKAC was facing. And that Denver team took them seven, gave them all they wanted with two of their best four players Aaron Gordon, MPJ Michael Porter Jr. Severely compromised by injury. So I think the Denver team in twenty twenty three was better than this OKC team. So yeah, look, I'll salute them if they win the championship, but let's stop it with the all time great team.

Can you imagine if they had a Kevin Durant. If that's the type of team that OKAC was facing. And that Denver team took them seven, gave them all they wanted with two of their best four players Aaron Gordon, MPJ Michael Porter Jr. Severely compromised by injury. So I think the Denver team in twenty twenty three was better than this OKC team. So yeah, look, I'll salute them if they win the championship, but let's stop it with the all time great team.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I mean, these teams live on their depth. They're both depth teams. They're great teams of all time. We didn't talk about we didn't care much about Shaq and Gobi's depth. We didn't care much about that when depth is your go to thing, you know, I think you're a very good team. Let me say this though, I said, and then we'll get Then we'll get to a couple of things. Lakers and maybe Caitlin Clark that if Indiana wins, it will be the strangest team ever. Think about this, strangest championship team ever. Think about this twenty first in cap spending, nobody averaging twenty Obi Toppins started four games all year. He's their third leading scorer. TJ McConnell has become crucial, and they have the oldest coach ever. If I wrote those on paper, that sounds like a five hundred team in the East if they win Sunday. Is this the most unlikely strangest championship team ever?

I mean, these teams live on their depth. They're both depth teams. They're great teams of all time. We didn't talk about we didn't care much about Shaq and Gobi's depth. We didn't care much about that when depth is your go to thing, you know, I think you're a very good team. Let me say this though, I said, and then we'll get Then we'll get to a couple of things. Lakers and maybe Caitlin Clark that if Indiana wins, it will be the strangest team ever. Think about this, strangest championship team ever. Think about this twenty first in cap spending, nobody averaging twenty Obi Toppins started four games all year. He's their third leading scorer. TJ McConnell has become crucial, and they have the oldest coach ever. If I wrote those on paper, that sounds like a five hundred team in the East if they win Sunday. Is this the most unlikely strangest championship team ever?

I think that's fair. When you say unlikely, I mean fourth seed.

I think that's fair. When you say unlikely, I mean fourth seed.

There haven't been many teams, only a couple, you know, Elijah On and the Rockets. Only a few teams that were lower than third seeds have won championships. So that in and of itself makes them unusual. Halli Burton, you know he's in Nick Rights Club Superstar.

There haven't been many teams, only a couple, you know, Elijah On and the Rockets. Only a few teams that were lower than third seeds have won championships. So that in and of itself makes them unusual. Halli Burton, you know he's in Nick Rights Club Superstar.

I'm fine with that, but let's keep it real. He's a star.

I'm fine with that, but let's keep it real. He's a star.

He I think he would eventually become a superstar, but he's just a star. And the only we always think back the nineteen seventy nine Seattle SuperSonics the two thousand and four Detroit Pistons were the only teams to win championships without being kind of star laden or at least land by this super all time great superstar.

He I think he would eventually become a superstar, but he's just a star. And the only we always think back the nineteen seventy nine Seattle SuperSonics the two thousand and four Detroit Pistons were the only teams to win championships without being kind of star laden or at least land by this super all time great superstar.

This team would be in that group.

This team would be in that group.

But even Detroit in four, Chaunce Billips was a blue chip high school and college player, right, he just was a disappointment his first beginning of his NBA career, but he was a.

But even Detroit in four, Chaunce Billips was a blue chip high school and college player, right, he just was a disappointment his first beginning of his NBA career, but he was a.

Blue chip talent.

Blue chip talent.

Rashid Wallace at North Carolina was a blue chip talent. You know, like they had guys that were everyone new for years even before the NBA, were great talents.

Rashid Wallace at North Carolina was a blue chip talent. You know, like they had guys that were everyone new for years even before the NBA, were great talents.

This team, really.

This team, really.

I mean, Pascal Siakam didn't even start playing until he was seventeen. And Halliburton, you know, nobody really thought he was going to be like a super star player.

I mean, Pascal Siakam didn't even start playing until he was seventeen. And Halliburton, you know, nobody really thought he was going to be like a super star player.

And you mentioned it.

And you mentioned it.

TJ McConnell Colin Right now, Pascal Siakam is the Finals MVP. If Indiana were to win, TJ McConnell's in the running.

TJ McConnell Colin Right now, Pascal Siakam is the Finals MVP. If Indiana were to win, TJ McConnell's in the running.

I mean he's in the running.

I mean he's in the running.

He might get a volt been on what happens in Game seven. So this is an unusual team and it signifies the change in the NBA.

He might get a volt been on what happens in Game seven. So this is an unusual team and it signifies the change in the NBA.

Yeah, because it's a team.

Yeah, because it's a team.

It is not one, two, or even three superstars. It is a true team and some will love it, some will hate it. But it's a different NBA at least this year.

It is not one, two, or even three superstars. It is a true team and some will love it, some will hate it. But it's a different NBA at least this year.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Okay, Laker sell for ten billion. I think some of that is the new television deal and the Mark Walters group said, listen, we got guaranteed three hundred million dollar checks annual or whatever's going to be. You know this because of your sourcing in the NBA, and I've been on this for years, is they were really becoming closer to the Cincinnati Bengals than they were the New York Yankees, Like they were mom popping it. Like there's stories this morning when the Lakers sold. What were your sources saying about the new group?

Okay, Laker sell for ten billion. I think some of that is the new television deal and the Mark Walters group said, listen, we got guaranteed three hundred million dollar checks annual or whatever's going to be. You know this because of your sourcing in the NBA, and I've been on this for years, is they were really becoming closer to the Cincinnati Bengals than they were the New York Yankees, Like they were mom popping it. Like there's stories this morning when the Lakers sold. What were your sources saying about the new group?

Well, look, everybody loves the new group and that now you're right, you hit on the head. The Lakers It was a bit surprising as you start covering the NBA to see this great franchise, the glamor franchise of the league, one of the best franchises in American sports history, was really run like a mom and pop operation.

Well, look, everybody loves the new group and that now you're right, you hit on the head. The Lakers It was a bit surprising as you start covering the NBA to see this great franchise, the glamor franchise of the league, one of the best franchises in American sports history, was really run like a mom and pop operation.

It really was.

It really was.

It is not run anywhere near the way the New York Knicks, and they end up being much better than the Knicks, but their run like a mom and pop operation. And now when you bringing Mark Walter and you just look collin at what he's done with the Dodgers.

It is not run anywhere near the way the New York Knicks, and they end up being much better than the Knicks, but their run like a mom and pop operation. And now when you bringing Mark Walter and you just look collin at what he's done with the Dodgers.

The Dodgers had not.

The Dodgers had not.

Reached the World Series in twenty four years when.

Reached the World Series in twenty four years when.

He took over.

He took over.

He takes over and they get great in short order because he was willing to spend money. Even before the Freddie Freeman's and Mookie Beck said show heel Tani's, they were spending money with this new group to go get Andre Ethier and other big.

He takes over and they get great in short order because he was willing to spend money. Even before the Freddie Freeman's and Mookie Beck said show heel Tani's, they were spending money with this new group to go get Andre Ethier and other big.

Names, you know.

Names, you know.

So he came in and they've gone to four World Series one to two, made the playoffs every year he's been there. So now imagine the Lakers, with the weather, with the prestige of the franchise now being willing to spend money as much, if not more than anyone else in the league. This is great for Luka Doncic is great for Lakers fans, and they're gonna do everything they can to start winning a bunch of championships. And when you look at what he's done with the Dodgers, it's hard to say he won't get a few.

So he came in and they've gone to four World Series one to two, made the playoffs every year he's been there. So now imagine the Lakers, with the weather, with the prestige of the franchise now being willing to spend money as much, if not more than anyone else in the league. This is great for Luka Doncic is great for Lakers fans, and they're gonna do everything they can to start winning a bunch of championships. And when you look at what he's done with the Dodgers, it's hard to say he won't get a few.

Yeah, and something to remember with the Lakers. It is a winter league and outside of Miami. Steve Balmer has talked about this when he spent that money, he said, a I'm never selling it, but he goes outside of Miami. LA is the first or second choice where players, free agent stars want to play. That's never gonna So the Lakers brand is underachieved for about ten years, and now.

Yeah, and something to remember with the Lakers. It is a winter league and outside of Miami. Steve Balmer has talked about this when he spent that money, he said, a I'm never selling it, but he goes outside of Miami. LA is the first or second choice where players, free agent stars want to play. That's never gonna So the Lakers brand is underachieved for about ten years, and now.

I think that will change. Hey, I got to throw this at you.

I think that will change. Hey, I got to throw this at you.

I'm a big Kevin Durant fan, but I said, I don't understand the lack of interest. Only two guys in the league average twenty five a game and shot forty percent from three.

I'm a big Kevin Durant fan, but I said, I don't understand the lack of interest. Only two guys in the league average twenty five a game and shot forty percent from three.

I love him. He's not asking for a max contract. He's not going to get a five year deal.

I love him. He's not asking for a max contract. He's not going to get a five year deal.

I think his messaging sometimes is that he doesn't prioritize winning. He prioritizes having fun and hoopin and I think that turns off some really serious front offices. That's the only thing I can come up with why there was no bigger market. You tell me, well, why isn't there.

I think his messaging sometimes is that he doesn't prioritize winning. He prioritizes having fun and hoopin and I think that turns off some really serious front offices. That's the only thing I can come up with why there was no bigger market. You tell me, well, why isn't there.

I think that's a great point, and we've seen it now now Brooklyn. I don't really put that on KD because if they had had health, whether it was him or James Hardener Kyrie, then I think that threesome may have been able to win a championship. And then of course with the vaccination, so that was beyond his control.

I think that's a great point, and we've seen it now now Brooklyn. I don't really put that on KD because if they had had health, whether it was him or James Hardener Kyrie, then I think that threesome may have been able to win a championship. And then of course with the vaccination, so that was beyond his control.

But he picks Phoenix. Remember he wanted to go to Phoenix.

But he picks Phoenix. Remember he wanted to go to Phoenix.

Phoenix was just a couple of years away from almost winning the championship. They still had Devin Booker, And now look at them, and then when he has Miami on his list of preferred destinations, why.

Phoenix was just a couple of years away from almost winning the championship. They still had Devin Booker, And now look at them, and then when he has Miami on his list of preferred destinations, why.

If he goes to Miami.

If he goes to Miami.

If I'm Phoenix, I want Bam out to buy your Tyler Hero. Even if they could keep those two and get him, they're not I don't think they're a championship contending team with Kevin Durant, So he could be in Phoenix East if he goes Miami. So I think people are looking at that like what does he really want? Like you said, he just wants to hoop, He wants to have fun.

If I'm Phoenix, I want Bam out to buy your Tyler Hero. Even if they could keep those two and get him, they're not I don't think they're a championship contending team with Kevin Durant, So he could be in Phoenix East if he goes Miami. So I think people are looking at that like what does he really want? Like you said, he just wants to hoop, He wants to have fun.

Whatever.

Whatever.

Houston obviously can make the best deal for him. He would fit in perfectly. They would absolutely be a contender. But Colin, if I'm the Rockets, I'm sorry, I'm holding out.

Houston obviously can make the best deal for him. He would fit in perfectly. They would absolutely be a contender. But Colin, if I'm the Rockets, I'm sorry, I'm holding out.

I'm waiting and holding.

I'm waiting and holding.

My assets to try to get Giannis out to the kumpo.

My assets to try to get Giannis out to the kumpo.

Janni's wants to give him al Walkee.