Thanks for listening to 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 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.

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Here we go live in Chicago, wherever you may be, however you may be listening. Thanks for making us part of your day.

Here we go live in Chicago, wherever you may be, however you may be listening. Thanks for making us part of your day.

Jmax.

Jmax.

I took the train to work today. I haven't done that in my entire career. After what was an amazing playoff game, I just got to look at the ratings for the Lakers playoff game.

I took the train to work today. I haven't done that in my entire career. After what was an amazing playoff game, I just got to look at the ratings for the Lakers playoff game.

Seven and a half million people watch.

Seven and a half million people watch.

You do not have to be a basketball fan if you're a casual as a as KD calls it a casual.

You do not have to be a basketball fan if you're a casual as a as KD calls it a casual.

Were you not glued to that game.

Were you not glued to that game.

Last incredible theater. I can't believe Steve Kerr pulled off the hack a shack to get Adams off the floor.

Last incredible theater. I can't believe Steve Kerr pulled off the hack a shack to get Adams off the floor.

Genius stuff from Steve Kirk.

Genius stuff from Steve Kirk.

So I'm watching that game last night and then I go to the box score this morning. Houston did so many things that were good enough to win, great field goal percentage, didn't take a lot of threes, but hit a lot of them. Very good on the glass, dominate points in the paint. But what about late game execution. That's the NBA playoffs. It was such a classic Warrior playoff win. Draymond's on the floor getting the tee. The game is shippy, Steph's good, but let's a teammate step up and dominate the fourth and Jimmy Butler and they have always like one young guy. This time it's Pods who plays a key role. But this series has been about who makes the play in the moment. That's the Warriors. And you saw Houston's inexperience on display. Jalen Green, a borderline all star for them, zero points in the second half, three or four games single digits, and again they're relying on him his big game. They won the three. He hasn't played well, lost all of them. So Houston's go two scorers in the fourth quarter, Fred van Vliet and a twenty two year old big that's it. Their final shot is classic young team trying to win a game a fifteen foot fallaway. So I think what makes this more impressive is that basically, the Warriors have conceded size and physicality. They're not playing Kaminga, the barely playing Kaevon Looney, so they're conceding it. Nope, you're gonna be bigger, stronger, more athletic, and deeper, but we're gonna shoot twice as many threes. And it's not like the Rockets didn't hit their threes. But this is where Pods was so crucial last night. The Warriors always, even in their great teams, there's always a bench guy or a young guy that makes an impact. And Jimmy Butler, like a Wiggins, his team gets tired of him. And then you go to the finals and Wigan is playing the Celtics and you're like, oh, we wouldn't win the finals without him. And last night in the fourth quarter, it's like, yeah, they don't win the game without Jimmy Butler. And this is how we've talked about this. I can't believe they're doing it. I mean, there's so many advantages for Houston, but this is how the playoffs work.

So I'm watching that game last night and then I go to the box score this morning. Houston did so many things that were good enough to win, great field goal percentage, didn't take a lot of threes, but hit a lot of them. Very good on the glass, dominate points in the paint. But what about late game execution. That's the NBA playoffs. It was such a classic Warrior playoff win. Draymond's on the floor getting the tee. The game is shippy, Steph's good, but let's a teammate step up and dominate the fourth and Jimmy Butler and they have always like one young guy. This time it's Pods who plays a key role. But this series has been about who makes the play in the moment. That's the Warriors. And you saw Houston's inexperience on display. Jalen Green, a borderline all star for them, zero points in the second half, three or four games single digits, and again they're relying on him his big game. They won the three. He hasn't played well, lost all of them. So Houston's go two scorers in the fourth quarter, Fred van Vliet and a twenty two year old big that's it. Their final shot is classic young team trying to win a game a fifteen foot fallaway. So I think what makes this more impressive is that basically, the Warriors have conceded size and physicality. They're not playing Kaminga, the barely playing Kaevon Looney, so they're conceding it. Nope, you're gonna be bigger, stronger, more athletic, and deeper, but we're gonna shoot twice as many threes. And it's not like the Rockets didn't hit their threes. But this is where Pods was so crucial last night. The Warriors always, even in their great teams, there's always a bench guy or a young guy that makes an impact. And Jimmy Butler, like a Wiggins, his team gets tired of him. And then you go to the finals and Wigan is playing the Celtics and you're like, oh, we wouldn't win the finals without him. And last night in the fourth quarter, it's like, yeah, they don't win the game without Jimmy Butler. And this is how we've talked about this. I can't believe they're doing it. I mean, there's so many advantages for Houston, but this is how the playoffs work.

You gotta crawl before you walk.

You gotta crawl before you walk.

So three of the Rocket starters are twenty three or younger. Well, Colin, what about the bench Yeah, they go to the bench to a twenty three year old and a twenty one year old, So it's like it's just in fact, I would argue Steven Adams old, Steven Adams was probably the most consistent Rocket last night, rebounding, physicality and defense. So this is what scares everybody in the West about the Warriors, that Curry doesn't have to be great. They now have a second scorer who's often better. Pods can light it up. Well, he felt like, he you know, you come with these young guys. Houston's got tons of them. The Warriors got one young guy, and Pods is like, can I take shots?

So three of the Rocket starters are twenty three or younger. Well, Colin, what about the bench Yeah, they go to the bench to a twenty three year old and a twenty one year old, So it's like it's just in fact, I would argue Steven Adams old, Steven Adams was probably the most consistent Rocket last night, rebounding, physicality and defense. So this is what scares everybody in the West about the Warriors, that Curry doesn't have to be great. They now have a second scorer who's often better. Pods can light it up. Well, he felt like, he you know, you come with these young guys. Houston's got tons of them. The Warriors got one young guy, and Pods is like, can I take shots?

Is this my moment went? And he felt it.

Is this my moment went? And he felt it.

So Pods will probably this point forward give you that a couple of games in the series. But I mean to be able to win when Curry's not great, and Jimmy Butler can lead in the fourth quarter. And then there was a rebound, the very big rebound at the end of the game was so classic Jimmy Butler.

So Pods will probably this point forward give you that a couple of games in the series. But I mean to be able to win when Curry's not great, and Jimmy Butler can lead in the fourth quarter. And then there was a rebound, the very big rebound at the end of the game was so classic Jimmy Butler.

You have all these trees, all this size, all this late.

You have all these trees, all this size, all this late.

For the Houston Rockets, and here's scrappy Jimmy Butler out maneuvering out physical jumping and seizing the rebound. I mean between Draymond's defense late on Sengun Sengun, between Jimmy Butler's rebound between you know, Buddy Healed Classic Warriors. All year long, people complained, Oh, let's get rid of Buddy Healed. No, not really. Remember the Warriors, the Miami Heat team that had like Miller and Battier and they disappear for moments, But how many big threes do they hit in those heatels? Playoffs runs for four years. This was a classic Warrior performance near Steve Kerr on Jimmy Butler.

For the Houston Rockets, and here's scrappy Jimmy Butler out maneuvering out physical jumping and seizing the rebound. I mean between Draymond's defense late on Sengun Sengun, between Jimmy Butler's rebound between you know, Buddy Healed Classic Warriors. All year long, people complained, Oh, let's get rid of Buddy Healed. No, not really. Remember the Warriors, the Miami Heat team that had like Miller and Battier and they disappear for moments, But how many big threes do they hit in those heatels? Playoffs runs for four years. This was a classic Warrior performance near Steve Kerr on Jimmy Butler.

It's the playoffs and he's Jimmy Butler, so this is this is what he does.

It's the playoffs and he's Jimmy Butler, so this is this is what he does.

The rebound at the end.

The rebound at the end.

Was just incredible, the elevation, the force, then of course knocking down the free throws to clinch it Jimmy was just amazing.

Was just incredible, the elevation, the force, then of course knocking down the free throws to clinch it Jimmy was just amazing.

Okay, So.

Okay, So.

Probably the most fun yet the most difficult thing I cover, and we cover all year long, is not games. It's the NFL Draft. Because I've said this many times. You get lied to for a month to two months up to it, and so often during the draft, and every few drafts there's a guy that really falls precipitously falls. This year, it was Sdor Sanders, It's been Aaron Rodgers, it's been Dan Marino. There's every few years somebody fallows a lot and so, but those stories don't come out until like the fall and after the fall, right, and so Albert Brer had a great article on Shoudeur Sanders, and one of the things we talked about this is what I was told on Friday after the herd. A GM told me, if he doesn't go by pick thirty seven thirty eight, he's now a backup. And there's a lot of teams that do not want that circus as a backup. Albert Breer in his article says teams generally want backups to blend in with the furniture. It's white guys like t Bow had trouble finding jobs, and white guys like Cam Newton and Jay Cutler struggled at the end of their career to find jobs. That's what we talked about, but there were two other things that came out that I hadn't heard of. These are huge factors. So a lot of times when you go to these combine meetings, teams give you things to challenge you. Teams will have a player's worst players ready for him, and they'll show him his worst plays and say, hey, why don't you explain him? And Shadeur apparently didn't take to it well, and at one point one of the few teams that actually was interested in him said, well, what do you make of this really bad play? And Shador said, you know, maybe I'm not the guy for you. That's not the answer, since there were only three or four teams in the first round that we're going to consider it now that Pittsburgh apparently has a deal with Aaron Rodgers, so take them out another moment. What they do during the film and the combine in the meetings is teams will install mistakes, intentionally plant it in the install and they.

Probably the most fun yet the most difficult thing I cover, and we cover all year long, is not games. It's the NFL Draft. Because I've said this many times. You get lied to for a month to two months up to it, and so often during the draft, and every few drafts there's a guy that really falls precipitously falls. This year, it was Sdor Sanders, It's been Aaron Rodgers, it's been Dan Marino. There's every few years somebody fallows a lot and so, but those stories don't come out until like the fall and after the fall, right, and so Albert Brer had a great article on Shoudeur Sanders, and one of the things we talked about this is what I was told on Friday after the herd. A GM told me, if he doesn't go by pick thirty seven thirty eight, he's now a backup. And there's a lot of teams that do not want that circus as a backup. Albert Breer in his article says teams generally want backups to blend in with the furniture. It's white guys like t Bow had trouble finding jobs, and white guys like Cam Newton and Jay Cutler struggled at the end of their career to find jobs. That's what we talked about, but there were two other things that came out that I hadn't heard of. These are huge factors. So a lot of times when you go to these combine meetings, teams give you things to challenge you. Teams will have a player's worst players ready for him, and they'll show him his worst plays and say, hey, why don't you explain him? And Shadeur apparently didn't take to it well, and at one point one of the few teams that actually was interested in him said, well, what do you make of this really bad play? And Shador said, you know, maybe I'm not the guy for you. That's not the answer, since there were only three or four teams in the first round that we're going to consider it now that Pittsburgh apparently has a deal with Aaron Rodgers, so take them out another moment. What they do during the film and the combine in the meetings is teams will install mistakes, intentionally plant it in the install and they.

Want you to catch him.

Want you to catch him.

Shador didn't, and when a coach called him out once again, it didn't sit well. Say, bro, there's not many teams needing quarterbacks, especially since Pitts appears to have a deal with Aaron Rodgers, and Tennessee's getting cam Ward, so you're down to the Giants who were not interested at all, and Cleveland, who traded out of that two spot because clearly they were looking for next year's class. Like the Rams are and I heard a lot of this. What about John Elway? His dad didn't want him to play? What about Eli Manning? John Elway's probably Now, let's take out the probably. He's the greatest quarterback prospect of all time. I'm old enough to have watched him in college. There was no Lway pre Lway. He was a first ballot Hall of Famer talent. I mean you think Andrew luck was bally Hooton talked about ad personality. I mean Lay could have played for the Yankees. Okay, his football family the Lway family. So he's not Elway. And oh, by the way, he's not Eli, who was a much better prospect. Go look up his draft review. You can look it up on the internet. Also, Eli's brother, maybe you've heard of him, Peyton was the MVP of the league in Eli's last year in college.

Shador didn't, and when a coach called him out once again, it didn't sit well. Say, bro, there's not many teams needing quarterbacks, especially since Pitts appears to have a deal with Aaron Rodgers, and Tennessee's getting cam Ward, so you're down to the Giants who were not interested at all, and Cleveland, who traded out of that two spot because clearly they were looking for next year's class. Like the Rams are and I heard a lot of this. What about John Elway? His dad didn't want him to play? What about Eli Manning? John Elway's probably Now, let's take out the probably. He's the greatest quarterback prospect of all time. I'm old enough to have watched him in college. There was no Lway pre Lway. He was a first ballot Hall of Famer talent. I mean you think Andrew luck was bally Hooton talked about ad personality. I mean Lay could have played for the Yankees. Okay, his football family the Lway family. So he's not Elway. And oh, by the way, he's not Eli, who was a much better prospect. Go look up his draft review. You can look it up on the internet. Also, Eli's brother, maybe you've heard of him, Peyton was the MVP of the league in Eli's last year in college.

So he's not Eli.

So he's not Eli.

When you've got unbelievable skill, like Dion Sanders did, you can sandbag interviews. Dion did and bragged about it. Elway could have. Elway's dad can play a role. Eli's family and Archie Manning wasn't jerky about it. He's just like, I don't want him plan for the Chargers. So I think this comes down to, let's be honest, Dad and Shudor Sanders had a much higher opinion of themselves than the league did. It happens, It's not the end of the world. Again, I've said this before. Where you land is more important than how high you land. Honestly, if cam Ward was going to sit beside behind Matt Stafford for two years with the Rams, probably a better place to go than number one in Tennessee because you make your money on your second contract. But here's something to really think about, because one of the few teams that was interested at least going into it in January and February into the draft evaluation was the New York Giants. Think about this. The Giants offered they wanted a quarterback. They offered Tennessee two first round picks to get cam Wore. Tennessee said no things. Then they traded three picks for Jackson Dart. So one of the teams that was willing to give up major picks for a quarterback eventually did, and the worst interview should or had was reportedly with that team, the New York Giants. So again just booberrosiasin also came out yesterday a popular New York radio holes former NFL MVP quarterback with Cincinnati. He came out and said he was told multiple teams owners said we're not doing this entitled nonsense. So I think, in hindsight, and this is why the draft is incredibly difficult to cover. You're lied to constantly. I'm not lied to before a Rockets Warriors game or a Super Bowl or March Madness.

When you've got unbelievable skill, like Dion Sanders did, you can sandbag interviews. Dion did and bragged about it. Elway could have. Elway's dad can play a role. Eli's family and Archie Manning wasn't jerky about it. He's just like, I don't want him plan for the Chargers. So I think this comes down to, let's be honest, Dad and Shudor Sanders had a much higher opinion of themselves than the league did. It happens, It's not the end of the world. Again, I've said this before. Where you land is more important than how high you land. Honestly, if cam Ward was going to sit beside behind Matt Stafford for two years with the Rams, probably a better place to go than number one in Tennessee because you make your money on your second contract. But here's something to really think about, because one of the few teams that was interested at least going into it in January and February into the draft evaluation was the New York Giants. Think about this. The Giants offered they wanted a quarterback. They offered Tennessee two first round picks to get cam Wore. Tennessee said no things. Then they traded three picks for Jackson Dart. So one of the teams that was willing to give up major picks for a quarterback eventually did, and the worst interview should or had was reportedly with that team, the New York Giants. So again just booberrosiasin also came out yesterday a popular New York radio holes former NFL MVP quarterback with Cincinnati. He came out and said he was told multiple teams owners said we're not doing this entitled nonsense. So I think, in hindsight, and this is why the draft is incredibly difficult to cover. You're lied to constantly. I'm not lied to before a Rockets Warriors game or a Super Bowl or March Madness.

Nobody's lying to me. I've been saying this for years.

Nobody's lying to me. I've been saying this for years.

I have three or four executives I really trust in the NFL and not many others. In fact, my rule has always been I will not ask an executive in the NFL a question about a player if that team needs that player. I could ask a GM like Brett Veach in Kansas City about quarterbacks because he's got one, But I'm not going to ask him about left tackles because he doesn't, and I know he's going to give me an answer that's fuzzy, and I'm putting him in a bad spot. So I think that the truth of the matter is when you start looking at these stories they're coming out now, it's a classic example. There weren't many job openings. And once he became a backup, once he turned off the Giants, nobody wanted they want to back up. As Albert Breer said, to blend in with the furniture. And he's not a blending he's not from a blend in with the furniture family. Yeah, be legendary before you call yourself. That's how about. That's a rule going forward for quarterbacks. Just just be legendary. Gotta be better than thirteen and twelve in college. Be legendary before you do a draft room and it's painted all over the draft room.

I have three or four executives I really trust in the NFL and not many others. In fact, my rule has always been I will not ask an executive in the NFL a question about a player if that team needs that player. I could ask a GM like Brett Veach in Kansas City about quarterbacks because he's got one, But I'm not going to ask him about left tackles because he doesn't, and I know he's going to give me an answer that's fuzzy, and I'm putting him in a bad spot. So I think that the truth of the matter is when you start looking at these stories they're coming out now, it's a classic example. There weren't many job openings. And once he became a backup, once he turned off the Giants, nobody wanted they want to back up. As Albert Breer said, to blend in with the furniture. And he's not a blending he's not from a blend in with the furniture family. Yeah, be legendary before you call yourself. That's how about. That's a rule going forward for quarterbacks. Just just be legendary. Gotta be better than thirteen and twelve in college. Be legendary before you do a draft room and it's painted all over the draft room.

And again, it's not the end of the world.

And again, it's not the end of the world.

But what do we always say on the show when you're a quarterback, everything is something, nothing's everything, but that legendary is something, all right? J Macthez, I think we have a bunch of NBA playoff games tonight. How many do we have tonight? Three or four playoff games tonight?

But what do we always say on the show when you're a quarterback, everything is something, nothing's everything, but that legendary is something, all right? J Macthez, I think we have a bunch of NBA playoff games tonight. How many do we have tonight? Three or four playoff games tonight?

Four games tonight?

Four games tonight?

Bucks Pacers starts at six pm Pacific time. I think three sorry, three o'clock Pacific, six Eastern. That's an early start. Pacers Bucks the end of the Yannis era. I can't wait for you to open that the show with that tomorrow.

Bucks Pacers starts at six pm Pacific time. I think three sorry, three o'clock Pacific, six Eastern. That's an early start. Pacers Bucks the end of the Yannis era. I can't wait for you to open that the show with that tomorrow.

All right, Yeah, first show in Chicago. We're gonna go back back in forth La and Chicago a little bit. Nobody cares about that except me. Obviously, taking the train to work was fun today. I'd never done that before. But coming up next, I've argued about it. I think there's proof we were right on it that the NBA doesen need a face of the league.

All right, Yeah, first show in Chicago. We're gonna go back back in forth La and Chicago a little bit. Nobody cares about that except me. Obviously, taking the train to work was fun today. I'd never done that before. But coming up next, I've argued about it. I think there's proof we were right on it that the NBA doesen need a face of the league.

We've got that next.

We've got that next.

Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays and newn eastern non am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio FS one and the iHeartRadio app HI Welcome back.

Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays and newn eastern non am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio FS one and the iHeartRadio app HI Welcome back.

We've talked about this a lot on this show, about this need for the face of the league. First of all, I do think an international player can be the face of the NBA, because Shoe Hee Otani is the face of baseball. Could I have if I'd have told you fifteen years ago, yeah, the face of baseball, I mean, each zero was popular, but the face of baseball will not be from the States. You'd have said, whoa, whoa. The face of baseball is Otani. Aaron Judges. Second, It's okay. Oh, Vechkin hockey, We've talked about this MESSI is now the face of the MLS. Folks, the borders, they're all fuzzy. Now it's globalization, it's all fuzzy. But I do think it helps if you have a domestic face of the league. For basketball. I don't think NBA is better if it's more domestic. In fact, I think it's better if it's more European. I think in European influence makes the game more skilled, especially with big guys. But I do think there's an argument that if I can watch you in March Madness for a couple of years, like college football, Baker Mayfield, then you go to the pros.

We've talked about this a lot on this show, about this need for the face of the league. First of all, I do think an international player can be the face of the NBA, because Shoe Hee Otani is the face of baseball. Could I have if I'd have told you fifteen years ago, yeah, the face of baseball, I mean, each zero was popular, but the face of baseball will not be from the States. You'd have said, whoa, whoa. The face of baseball is Otani. Aaron Judges. Second, It's okay. Oh, Vechkin hockey, We've talked about this MESSI is now the face of the MLS. Folks, the borders, they're all fuzzy. Now it's globalization, it's all fuzzy. But I do think it helps if you have a domestic face of the league. For basketball. I don't think NBA is better if it's more domestic. In fact, I think it's better if it's more European. I think in European influence makes the game more skilled, especially with big guys. But I do think there's an argument that if I can watch you in March Madness for a couple of years, like college football, Baker Mayfield, then you go to the pros.

I think it helps.

I think it helps.

Because a lot of these international guys they just don't want to be faced of the league. Jokisch has no interest but and checks a lot of boxes. Now, he did go to a football school, he didn't make March Madness, and he got drafted by the Minneapolis te Wolves Minnesota TI Wolves. That doesn't help. But he's handsome, his game is dynamic. The worst thing you can do is try to force this. I mean, like the Jason Tatum thing. Jason Tatum is a great player, but his game is fundamentally great. Fundamentals don't feel like face of the league. Tim Duncan was called the big fundamental. He was never the face of the league. It doesn't mean he wasn't the best power forward. I think I heard Charles Barkley say last week he thought Tim Duncan was the best power forward of all time. I probably agree, but he was a fundamental player. Jason Tatum might trout feel more like that. You know there is an esthetic to being great now. I do think it helps if you knock out Lebron and the Lakers. I do think it helped last year beating and knocking out the defending champion Denver Nuggets. I think that stuff really helps. But going to Minneapolis, playing at Georgia, not making March Madness makes it an uphill climb, and I think that's one of the things about being faced in the league. In the NBA, the NBA is very different. In the NFL, it's all about winning. Nobody cares about anything else. Basketball is different. Optics matter, style matters. The first player I fell in love with was Doctor j. He wasn't the best, shit are the best ball handler. He was cool, sweeping his hands under the back. It is like I've never seen anything like that, and many I mean, I've argued there's only been five to six faces of the league ever, Magic and Bird, more magic than Bird because Magic embraced it. Lebron, MJ. Staff, Kobe Shack, that's it. Duncan was never that Kobe by himself. I didn't think was ever that it was more of a Kobe Shack tandem deal. But the ratings for these playoff games have been excellent. Lakers game something got a big number. I don't think you have to have Ocean's eleven was fine with a bunch of good actors. The NFL as popular as it is, farv retired, Brady retired, Manning retired, Aaron's going to retire. Ratings go up. But we live in a very distracted world right now. And I will say this, The problem the NBA has is its regular season ratings well SODA's hockey and baseball. So we've talked about this on the show Life. We've become an event nation with all the distractions, a very polarizing political world. Trump, Biden, it doesn't matter. It's a very polarizing world we live in. Biden was polarizing, Trump's polarize. So you're just losing people. But you know when you don't lose him when the games matter, World Cup, Olympics, NFL Sunday, college football, and these playoff games. I think Ant has a chance to be the face of the league. Most of the faces of the league, if not initially, eventually got a great coach. Took Michael a fewd to get Phil. I do think Chris Finch has a low profile because he has no interest being, you know, front and center. But right now they're out coaching JJ Reddick, who I like, but they are throwing so many different lineups and so many different looks. Finch within the league is very highly regarded, so it's not always your first coach, and it's not always the highest profile coach. Lebron's a little bit of an outlier where he's had multiple coaches. But most of the time, you get a Magic and a pat Riley, you get a Michael and a Phil Jackson, you get a Staff and a Steve Kerr. There's like a legendary coach. This is the same with quarterbacks. Marino has a Shoela, Elway has got a Shanahan, Brady's got a Belichick, Mahomes has an Andy Reid, Breeze has a Sean Payton most of the time. Eventually, you need that great coach to really understand you, to elevate you, to surround you with the right people. So I think Ant has a shot to be the face of the league. Knocking the Lakers out will not hurt, and it looks like they will.

Because a lot of these international guys they just don't want to be faced of the league. Jokisch has no interest but and checks a lot of boxes. Now, he did go to a football school, he didn't make March Madness, and he got drafted by the Minneapolis te Wolves Minnesota TI Wolves. That doesn't help. But he's handsome, his game is dynamic. The worst thing you can do is try to force this. I mean, like the Jason Tatum thing. Jason Tatum is a great player, but his game is fundamentally great. Fundamentals don't feel like face of the league. Tim Duncan was called the big fundamental. He was never the face of the league. It doesn't mean he wasn't the best power forward. I think I heard Charles Barkley say last week he thought Tim Duncan was the best power forward of all time. I probably agree, but he was a fundamental player. Jason Tatum might trout feel more like that. You know there is an esthetic to being great now. I do think it helps if you knock out Lebron and the Lakers. I do think it helped last year beating and knocking out the defending champion Denver Nuggets. I think that stuff really helps. But going to Minneapolis, playing at Georgia, not making March Madness makes it an uphill climb, and I think that's one of the things about being faced in the league. In the NBA, the NBA is very different. In the NFL, it's all about winning. Nobody cares about anything else. Basketball is different. Optics matter, style matters. The first player I fell in love with was Doctor j. He wasn't the best, shit are the best ball handler. He was cool, sweeping his hands under the back. It is like I've never seen anything like that, and many I mean, I've argued there's only been five to six faces of the league ever, Magic and Bird, more magic than Bird because Magic embraced it. Lebron, MJ. Staff, Kobe Shack, that's it. Duncan was never that Kobe by himself. I didn't think was ever that it was more of a Kobe Shack tandem deal. But the ratings for these playoff games have been excellent. Lakers game something got a big number. I don't think you have to have Ocean's eleven was fine with a bunch of good actors. The NFL as popular as it is, farv retired, Brady retired, Manning retired, Aaron's going to retire. Ratings go up. But we live in a very distracted world right now. And I will say this, The problem the NBA has is its regular season ratings well SODA's hockey and baseball. So we've talked about this on the show Life. We've become an event nation with all the distractions, a very polarizing political world. Trump, Biden, it doesn't matter. It's a very polarizing world we live in. Biden was polarizing, Trump's polarize. So you're just losing people. But you know when you don't lose him when the games matter, World Cup, Olympics, NFL Sunday, college football, and these playoff games. I think Ant has a chance to be the face of the league. Most of the faces of the league, if not initially, eventually got a great coach. Took Michael a fewd to get Phil. I do think Chris Finch has a low profile because he has no interest being, you know, front and center. But right now they're out coaching JJ Reddick, who I like, but they are throwing so many different lineups and so many different looks. Finch within the league is very highly regarded, so it's not always your first coach, and it's not always the highest profile coach. Lebron's a little bit of an outlier where he's had multiple coaches. But most of the time, you get a Magic and a pat Riley, you get a Michael and a Phil Jackson, you get a Staff and a Steve Kerr. There's like a legendary coach. This is the same with quarterbacks. Marino has a Shoela, Elway has got a Shanahan, Brady's got a Belichick, Mahomes has an Andy Reid, Breeze has a Sean Payton most of the time. Eventually, you need that great coach to really understand you, to elevate you, to surround you with the right people. So I think Ant has a shot to be the face of the league. Knocking the Lakers out will not hurt, and it looks like they will.

Jmck with a.

Jmck with a.

News this is the herd Line news and the other thing.

News this is the herd Line news and the other thing.

Jmack to throw this out there, I'd argue it's a better plan of action to not have a face of the league, arguably because when MJ left for eight years, the ratings fell off. When Shaq and Kobe broke up, the ratings. I mean, let's be honest, Hollywood now is depending every year on a Tom Cruise movie in Minecraft. That's what the industry has got. I mean they're literally or a Christopher Nolan movie Sinners.

Jmack to throw this out there, I'd argue it's a better plan of action to not have a face of the league, arguably because when MJ left for eight years, the ratings fell off. When Shaq and Kobe broke up, the ratings. I mean, let's be honest, Hollywood now is depending every year on a Tom Cruise movie in Minecraft. That's what the industry has got. I mean they're literally or a Christopher Nolan movie Sinners.

Come on, that's popping it.

Come on, that's popping it.

It's supposed to be great. That's supposed to be great.

It's supposed to be great. That's supposed to be great.

Yeah, all right, let's get started with the Dallas Cowboys.

Yeah, all right, let's get started with the Dallas Cowboys.

Colin. They kind of had a good draft pick, I guess in Tyler Booker twelfth.

Colin. They kind of had a good draft pick, I guess in Tyler Booker twelfth.

Overall, he made a great impression going on the Micah Parsons podcast.

Overall, he made a great impression going on the Micah Parsons podcast.

Very impressive stuff.

Very impressive stuff.

Jerry Jones introduced the first round pick to the media and made a lofty comparison.

Jerry Jones introduced the first round pick to the media and made a lofty comparison.

Listening to Tyler, I'm reminded that, uh, I don't know that we ever see a Super Bowl that I would have a chance to be a part of if it weren't for Michael Urban and Michael we know the competitor, we know of the challenger, and we know the spirit. But part of Michael Irvin that was most impressive because he was the leader.

Listening to Tyler, I'm reminded that, uh, I don't know that we ever see a Super Bowl that I would have a chance to be a part of if it weren't for Michael Urban and Michael we know the competitor, we know of the challenger, and we know the spirit. But part of Michael Irvin that was most impressive because he was the leader.

Yeah, I'm not gonna I'm not gonna compare a guard to Michael Irvin. I think I think Aikman also had to say in this you know what's interesting, there's a guy you know and Warren Sharp. Yes, So Warren Sharp is if you really he comes out with a book every year and it's like an LA phone book. I mean, if you love it's like Phil Steele, you got to love football to love it. But it's super I get it, Warren Warren Sharp, Yeah, I get it too, and I go through it. Warren Sharp points out that there are some analytics on Tyler Booker the Cowboys that that predict he's going to struggle. But there is something I think what Jerry's saying is there are players that are cert at a certain level, are passionate, and there they sort of galvanize the team. They're kind of front and center off the bus, and I do think Booker has that quality. But there are there are some analytics if you look at his length and you look at some stats that tell you it may have been a reach. So I don't totally disagree with you. I will take it a different direction. So we know Jerry Jones's old school. He's very much like the current president. When they watch TV and hear stuff being said about them, they kind of respond. Michael Irvin was on this show, you remember on Friday. Michael Irvin was not raving about what the Cowboys did. I think this was an olive brinch. Hey, Mike, I know you didn't love the Booker pick. I know you don't love the direction, and we need.

Yeah, I'm not gonna I'm not gonna compare a guard to Michael Irvin. I think I think Aikman also had to say in this you know what's interesting, there's a guy you know and Warren Sharp. Yes, So Warren Sharp is if you really he comes out with a book every year and it's like an LA phone book. I mean, if you love it's like Phil Steele, you got to love football to love it. But it's super I get it, Warren Warren Sharp, Yeah, I get it too, and I go through it. Warren Sharp points out that there are some analytics on Tyler Booker the Cowboys that that predict he's going to struggle. But there is something I think what Jerry's saying is there are players that are cert at a certain level, are passionate, and there they sort of galvanize the team. They're kind of front and center off the bus, and I do think Booker has that quality. But there are there are some analytics if you look at his length and you look at some stats that tell you it may have been a reach. So I don't totally disagree with you. I will take it a different direction. So we know Jerry Jones's old school. He's very much like the current president. When they watch TV and hear stuff being said about them, they kind of respond. Michael Irvin was on this show, you remember on Friday. Michael Irvin was not raving about what the Cowboys did. I think this was an olive brinch. Hey, Mike, I know you didn't love the Booker pick. I know you don't love the direction, and we need.

Other stuff, but man, we got a guy who's a leader. I think this is Jerry trying to win back over one of his favorite all time players, not that he lost him, but I think a lot of Cowboys fans were kind of scratching their head. Colin with an interior lineman Top fifteen when there are needs at wide receiver and all over the defense.

Other stuff, but man, we got a guy who's a leader. I think this is Jerry trying to win back over one of his favorite all time players, not that he lost him, but I think a lot of Cowboys fans were kind of scratching their head. Colin with an interior lineman Top fifteen when there are needs at wide receiver and all over the defense.

Yeah, I mean, listen. I didn't like the Miami Dolphins draft. I thought the Niners draft was weird. And I haven't in recent years been impressed with the Cowboy drafts.

Yeah, I mean, listen. I didn't like the Miami Dolphins draft. I thought the Niners draft was weird. And I haven't in recent years been impressed with the Cowboy drafts.

I just haven't.

I just haven't.

I tend to like the drafts of the gms who I think are brilliant, Howie Roseman, John Snyder in Seattle, Brett Veach in Kansas City.

I tend to like the drafts of the gms who I think are brilliant, Howie Roseman, John Snyder in Seattle, Brett Veach in Kansas City.

I think being in Buffalo is really really good. I don't want to there's about.

I think being in Buffalo is really really good. I don't want to there's about.

You know, Jason Light in Tampa seems to me always gets good players. Dallas has been weird where I look at a lot of their draft picks and I always feel like, yeah, I don't remember him from college where I watched the Seahawks draft picks. I'm like, I watched all of those guys in big games and they were all productive, and so we'll see. I'm not gonna hand out grades. I just don't really know, but I have felt in recent years with Dallas picks that they've been pretty good on their first pick and then it's just a bunch of stuff.

You know, Jason Light in Tampa seems to me always gets good players. Dallas has been weird where I look at a lot of their draft picks and I always feel like, yeah, I don't remember him from college where I watched the Seahawks draft picks. I'm like, I watched all of those guys in big games and they were all productive, and so we'll see. I'm not gonna hand out grades. I just don't really know, but I have felt in recent years with Dallas picks that they've been pretty good on their first pick and then it's just a bunch of stuff.

I have a feeling by Halloween we're gonna have to revisit this because this could be like a five or six win Cowboys team.

I have a feeling by Halloween we're gonna have to revisit this because this could be like a five or six win Cowboys team.

You and I agree on that.

You and I agree on that.

I don't think Booker's significantly moving the needle with that team, all right.

I don't think Booker's significantly moving the needle with that team, all right.

Next up is Ben Johnson Colin. He's in the early.

Next up is Ben Johnson Colin. He's in the early.

Stages of reshaping the Chicago Bears.

Stages of reshaping the Chicago Bears.

Now this is interest.

Now this is interest.

Following the draft, Johnson spoke to the media saying he doesn't know for sure what players will be in what spot because everyone has to earn their spot.

Following the draft, Johnson spoke to the media saying he doesn't know for sure what players will be in what spot because everyone has to earn their spot.

The moment the players got back in the building, call it three weeks ago. Now, it was going to be in competitive environment.

The moment the players got back in the building, call it three weeks ago. Now, it was going to be in competitive environment.

There is no depth chart right now.

There is no depth chart right now.

If you want to play, you got to go earn it.

If you want to play, you got to go earn it.

If you want a role, you got to go earn it.

If you want a role, you got to go earn it.

They know that, so we were very straightforward and honest with them when they came into the building. I think all we did this weekend was we might have just turned up the notch just a couple of dials for certain people in the building. So that's a good thing. That's a healthy thing. That's where you bring out the best not only in your team, but in each individual.

They know that, so we were very straightforward and honest with them when they came into the building. I think all we did this weekend was we might have just turned up the notch just a couple of dials for certain people in the building. So that's a good thing. That's a healthy thing. That's where you bring out the best not only in your team, but in each individual.

You know.

You know.

I had said this before Caleb got picked. I said, I really worry about Chicago. They just don't do quarterback well. Years ago, when I lived in Connecticut, there was a private boys school. It's called Avon Old Farms, and I I knew parents who sent their sons there, and they always said they do boys well, like they get boys at eighteen nineteen get into trouble like the Bears don't do quarterback well, and they never have.

I had said this before Caleb got picked. I said, I really worry about Chicago. They just don't do quarterback well. Years ago, when I lived in Connecticut, there was a private boys school. It's called Avon Old Farms, and I I knew parents who sent their sons there, and they always said they do boys well, like they get boys at eighteen nineteen get into trouble like the Bears don't do quarterback well, and they never have.

It's always been a defensive culture. This is the.

It's always been a defensive culture. This is the.

First time in my life, and I've been watching football since, you know, early mid seventies. I can remember watching in a black and white TV Washington Miami George Allen against Miami in the Super Bowl nineteen seventy two. Miami won at fourteen seven, I think, so first time I've looked at the Chicago Bears and thought, oh, this is an offensive franchise. You got to give them credit. Remember a few years ago Miami did this when they had Brian Floor as the defensive coach and he was alienating to and they said, Okay, we're gonna go, We're gonna pivot to an offensive franchise. Tyreek Hill, Mike McDaniel. I honestly think that's harder than people think. The Steelers can't do this. They've been struggling with this for a decade. I think the Bears have done something that is very difficult when you been your best, when you've been dominant defensively in a Midwest town. The Bears have clearly is a franchise pivot to do guys. We're spending money on offensive guys. This is what the Steeler should have done seven years ago and can't. It's what the Bears are doing. And I think it's a playoff roster.

First time in my life, and I've been watching football since, you know, early mid seventies. I can remember watching in a black and white TV Washington Miami George Allen against Miami in the Super Bowl nineteen seventy two. Miami won at fourteen seven, I think, so first time I've looked at the Chicago Bears and thought, oh, this is an offensive franchise. You got to give them credit. Remember a few years ago Miami did this when they had Brian Floor as the defensive coach and he was alienating to and they said, Okay, we're gonna go, We're gonna pivot to an offensive franchise. Tyreek Hill, Mike McDaniel. I honestly think that's harder than people think. The Steelers can't do this. They've been struggling with this for a decade. I think the Bears have done something that is very difficult when you been your best, when you've been dominant defensively in a Midwest town. The Bears have clearly is a franchise pivot to do guys. We're spending money on offensive guys. This is what the Steeler should have done seven years ago and can't. It's what the Bears are doing. And I think it's a playoff roster.

Yeah, listen, I would agree with that. The playoff is the roster is playoff worthy. The schedule is brutal. But to Ben Johnson's point, Colin, I look at this depth chart and I think he was talking about two guys about hey, nothing's given.

Yeah, listen, I would agree with that. The playoff is the roster is playoff worthy. The schedule is brutal. But to Ben Johnson's point, Colin, I look at this depth chart and I think he was talking about two guys about hey, nothing's given.

I think Cole Comett is won at tight end.

I think Cole Comett is won at tight end.

I know they liked him, he was good, but there's a reason they drafted Colson Loveland tenth overall. And I think the other guy to watch is DJ Moore. He had some moments last year. I'm sure you remember where he didn't seem thrilled with the quarterback. And I look at that drafting of Luther Burden, that dude is a dog he is very good fast.

I know they liked him, he was good, but there's a reason they drafted Colson Loveland tenth overall. And I think the other guy to watch is DJ Moore. He had some moments last year. I'm sure you remember where he didn't seem thrilled with the quarterback. And I look at that drafting of Luther Burden, that dude is a dog he is very good fast.

I think I would keep an eye on DJ Moore and Cole Comet.

I think I would keep an eye on DJ Moore and Cole Comet.

I'm not saying they're losing their jobs or anything, but I don't think anything's given. They're gonna have to work for it. It's not like, hey, you're the incumbent, You're a lot. So I'm Chicago's gonna be super interesting.

I'm not saying they're losing their jobs or anything, but I don't think anything's given. They're gonna have to work for it. It's not like, hey, you're the incumbent, You're a lot. So I'm Chicago's gonna be super interesting.

Obviously. Final story, Colin is the NBA.

Obviously. Final story, Colin is the NBA.

And listen, you knew this was coming if you've been watching this show, We've been talking about it for a while. Yanni's and the Bucks are in trouble. They are facing elimination in Game five tonight. I cannot believe the Pacers are only eight point favorites.

And listen, you knew this was coming if you've been watching this show, We've been talking about it for a while. Yanni's and the Bucks are in trouble. They are facing elimination in Game five tonight. I cannot believe the Pacers are only eight point favorites.

It feels like free money.

It feels like free money.

No Dame Lillard, you know the Bucks are shook when everybody's favorite guy, Dame Lillard goes down with the Achilles. Well, how about this. Brian Winhorst, who you.

No Dame Lillard, you know the Bucks are shook when everybody's favorite guy, Dame Lillard goes down with the Achilles. Well, how about this. Brian Winhorst, who you.

And I know well, believes the entire NBA.

And I know well, believes the entire NBA.

Offseason will hinge on Giannis, whether he stays or asks out of Milwaukee. That a couple of weeks ago, it was Vin Durant. Now it's Yannis your thought.

Offseason will hinge on Giannis, whether he stays or asks out of Milwaukee. That a couple of weeks ago, it was Vin Durant. Now it's Yannis your thought.

Okay, So first of all, everybody's gonna freak out in Milwaukee. A lot of teams. The Sacramento Kings, remember that never got a ring.

Okay, So first of all, everybody's gonna freak out in Milwaukee. A lot of teams. The Sacramento Kings, remember that never got a ring.

You got a ring.

You got a ring.

Yeah, now you didn't get two to three, but you got a trophy. The Denver Nuggets swiping Joker got a trophy. So you drafted him, you developed him, you got a trophy. We've been on this for three years. You're old, You're not built, You're you're just too old. I my take is everybody's going to freak out. But if you do good GMing, you will be set up for a decade. If you go back in the mid seventies, I remember this when Kareem gets traded to the Lakers. Milwaukee got really good players. Now they never won a title, but they were viable for a decade. They had good teams. They were believe we didn't have the internet. They were on Sports Illustrated all the time. They were I mean, you talked about the Milwaukee Bucks for about a decade. You could get four firsts. You could get multiple players, one maybe an All Star. Because remember, Giannis is the kind of guy where teams will fight over him. Yeah, okay, look at what Rudy Gobar got. Okay, so this idea that Milwaukee's sunk. No, Milwaukee, you're not a viable trophy team. You could be a viable trophy team with the right trade. I mean, good God, if the Mavericks would have gotten three first ad and Austin Reeves, you'd feel the different about that today.

Yeah, now you didn't get two to three, but you got a trophy. The Denver Nuggets swiping Joker got a trophy. So you drafted him, you developed him, you got a trophy. We've been on this for three years. You're old, You're not built, You're you're just too old. I my take is everybody's going to freak out. But if you do good GMing, you will be set up for a decade. If you go back in the mid seventies, I remember this when Kareem gets traded to the Lakers. Milwaukee got really good players. Now they never won a title, but they were viable for a decade. They had good teams. They were believe we didn't have the internet. They were on Sports Illustrated all the time. They were I mean, you talked about the Milwaukee Bucks for about a decade. You could get four firsts. You could get multiple players, one maybe an All Star. Because remember, Giannis is the kind of guy where teams will fight over him. Yeah, okay, look at what Rudy Gobar got. Okay, so this idea that Milwaukee's sunk. No, Milwaukee, you're not a viable trophy team. You could be a viable trophy team with the right trade. I mean, good God, if the Mavericks would have gotten three first ad and Austin Reeves, you'd feel the different about that today.

And so it's yeah, Colin, I'm sure there's Bucks fans out there who are like, no, we're not trading. Honest, guys, they have zero first round picks for I believe the next four drafts, so you can't build through the draft.

And so it's yeah, Colin, I'm sure there's Bucks fans out there who are like, no, we're not trading. Honest, guys, they have zero first round picks for I believe the next four drafts, so you can't build through the draft.

They are in salary cap.

They are in salary cap.

Hell, they have no nobody on their roster, Colin, anybody wants. Can you believe they have Kyle Kuzma. He is so awful in this series. Bucks fans are out on him. Brook Lopez is what like thirty seven. There's literally nobody on the roster anybody wants. So there is no path to rebuilding with Yannis. You have to say, Yannis, we can quietly trade you. If you ask out, the market shrinks. But like right now, you know the Orlando Magic could make a play for Yannis and say we're going to go all in for two years. Like that could happen. Remember Paul George when he asked out of Indy, he went to Oklahoma City. They took a chance. It didn't quite work out, but like I can see Giannis going to another small market for a couple of years.

Hell, they have no nobody on their roster, Colin, anybody wants. Can you believe they have Kyle Kuzma. He is so awful in this series. Bucks fans are out on him. Brook Lopez is what like thirty seven. There's literally nobody on the roster anybody wants. So there is no path to rebuilding with Yannis. You have to say, Yannis, we can quietly trade you. If you ask out, the market shrinks. But like right now, you know the Orlando Magic could make a play for Yannis and say we're going to go all in for two years. Like that could happen. Remember Paul George when he asked out of Indy, he went to Oklahoma City. They took a chance. It didn't quite work out, but like I can see Giannis going to another small market for a couple of years.

It's possible.

It's possible.

Look at look at what.

Look at look at what.

McHale Bridges got. McHale Bridges got five first round picks. So because the draft is so wonky in college basketball and NBA now, but I mean you could set yourself up. I mean you go back. This is what Danny Ainge has done multiple times, Like in Utah, he's just will file. Oklahoma City did the Sam Presty. Now, Presty got lucky because as they were building, like Danny Age and the Celtics, they were actually good. Presty's that good. Danny Ainge is that good. But this will come down to good GMing. You could easily get four to five first round picks and like two McHale Bridges level players and then another borderline all star. I think you got to look at Houston. I think you could get five first round picks in a Jalen Green, Amen Thompson. I mean you think that sounds like too much, go look at Rudyer Bear and Michale Bridges and there by the way, there wasn't a tug of war over Rudy Gobert, I mean Yannis. There could be seven to ten teams in the league that fight over Yannis.

McHale Bridges got. McHale Bridges got five first round picks. So because the draft is so wonky in college basketball and NBA now, but I mean you could set yourself up. I mean you go back. This is what Danny Ainge has done multiple times, Like in Utah, he's just will file. Oklahoma City did the Sam Presty. Now, Presty got lucky because as they were building, like Danny Age and the Celtics, they were actually good. Presty's that good. Danny Ainge is that good. But this will come down to good GMing. You could easily get four to five first round picks and like two McHale Bridges level players and then another borderline all star. I think you got to look at Houston. I think you could get five first round picks in a Jalen Green, Amen Thompson. I mean you think that sounds like too much, go look at Rudyer Bear and Michale Bridges and there by the way, there wasn't a tug of war over Rudy Gobert, I mean Yannis. There could be seven to ten teams in the league that fight over Yannis.

Houston could have used Jannis last night down the stretch against Dog Golden State.

Houston could have used Jannis last night down the stretch against Dog Golden State.

Hunh.

Hunh.

They didn't have a go to guy. And I know Green really struggled in that game. But that's a young guy up and down. But Joanna's fascinating all off season.

They didn't have a go to guy. And I know Green really struggled in that game. But that's a young guy up and down. But Joanna's fascinating all off season.

Jmck with the news.

Jmck with the news.

Well, that's the news, and thanks for stopping by the Herdline News.

Well, that's the news, and thanks for stopping by the Herdline News.

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Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays at noon Eastern a Empacific.

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You could catch us.

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Weekdays from five to seven pm Eastern two to four Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and of course, the iHeartRadio app why should you listen to Covino and Rich. We talk about everything life, sports, relationships, what's going on in the world.

We have a lot of fun talking about the stories behind the stories in the world of sports and pop culture, stories that well other shows don't seem to have the time to discuss.

We have a lot of fun talking about the stories behind the stories in the world of sports and pop culture, stories that well other shows don't seem to have the time to discuss.

And the fact that we've been friends for the last twenty years and still work together, I mean that says something, right, So.

And the fact that we've been friends for the last twenty years and still work together, I mean that says something, right, So.

Check us out.

Check us out.

We like to get you involved too, take your phone calls, chop it up.

We like to get you involved too, take your phone calls, chop it up.

As they say, I'd say, the most interactive show on Fox Sports Radio, maybe the most interactive show on planetar. Be sure to check out Covino and Rich live on Fox Sports Radio and the iHeartRadio app from five to seven pm Eastern two to four Pacific, And if you miss any of the live show, just search Covino and Rich wherever you get your podcasts, and of course on social media.

As they say, I'd say, the most interactive show on Fox Sports Radio, maybe the most interactive show on planetar. Be sure to check out Covino and Rich live on Fox Sports Radio and the iHeartRadio app from five to seven pm Eastern two to four Pacific, And if you miss any of the live show, just search Covino and Rich wherever you get your podcasts, and of course on social media.

That's Covino and.

That's Covino and.

Rich showtime on Baseball Night in America as show Tony he leads the Dodgers against the Braves, or Bobby Witt Junior and the Royals.

Rich showtime on Baseball Night in America as show Tony he leads the Dodgers against the Braves, or Bobby Witt Junior and the Royals.

Take on the Orioles. Check local listings for the game in your area.

Take on the Orioles. Check local listings for the game in your area.

Saturday seven Eastern on Fox Taya Jmack. This town screams you hard scrabble, take the train to work, fight with the masses, really screams, Jack.

Saturday seven Eastern on Fox Taya Jmack. This town screams you hard scrabble, take the train to work, fight with the masses, really screams, Jack.

You signing autographs on the train?

You signing autographs on the train?

There? No, okay, keep my head down and work and back a couple photo ops. Huh No, none of those. So the Niners paid George Kittle. It's a big contract. George Kittle is very good. He's thirty one, he's been banged up, but he mostly plays every Sunday. So but but I do believe they have to pay George Kittle. So I was thinking about this. I've said before the Niners missing a lot of draft picks. Shanahan, in my opinion from what I've been told, kind of controls the draft. I didn't love their draft this weekend. I thought the weird picks. But the Niners are sort of the opposite of the Chiefs and the Rams. The Chiefs walked away from Tyreek Hill, a Sneed, the very talented corner d Ford, Tarvarius war Joe Tooney. They walked away from Jujus ms Schuster say what you want was their number one receiver in the playoffs. They walked away from him. Why Mahomes, the Rams walk away the minute. Cooper Cup ages by Trent Williams has been aging for years, so is Christian McCaffrey. They're not letting them go. Todd Gurley led the league. I think in touchdowns back to back years started aging. Mcveigh's like, get him out of here because he trusted Golf and Kansas City trusts. Mahomes is the Niners, they're the opposite. They pay almost everybody, even when they lose. Guys like the safety Hufunga. They wanted to pay him, they couldn't make it work. But I was looking this morning at the notable Niner contracts. They're top of the market for all of them. Christian McCaffrey positional money rank second, George Kittle first, Trent Williams first, Fred Warner second, Nick Bosa top five, Brandon Iuke top seven. Is a receiver. And my take is why because of brock Purty, Dallas does this. They'll pay Mike at top of the market. They'll pay Cedee Lamb talk of the mark, top of the market. Whatever you think about a quarterback, teams are not going to come out and tell you what you want to hear. Guys like me want to hear the Niners be honest about purty.

There? No, okay, keep my head down and work and back a couple photo ops. Huh No, none of those. So the Niners paid George Kittle. It's a big contract. George Kittle is very good. He's thirty one, he's been banged up, but he mostly plays every Sunday. So but but I do believe they have to pay George Kittle. So I was thinking about this. I've said before the Niners missing a lot of draft picks. Shanahan, in my opinion from what I've been told, kind of controls the draft. I didn't love their draft this weekend. I thought the weird picks. But the Niners are sort of the opposite of the Chiefs and the Rams. The Chiefs walked away from Tyreek Hill, a Sneed, the very talented corner d Ford, Tarvarius war Joe Tooney. They walked away from Jujus ms Schuster say what you want was their number one receiver in the playoffs. They walked away from him. Why Mahomes, the Rams walk away the minute. Cooper Cup ages by Trent Williams has been aging for years, so is Christian McCaffrey. They're not letting them go. Todd Gurley led the league. I think in touchdowns back to back years started aging. Mcveigh's like, get him out of here because he trusted Golf and Kansas City trusts. Mahomes is the Niners, they're the opposite. They pay almost everybody, even when they lose. Guys like the safety Hufunga. They wanted to pay him, they couldn't make it work. But I was looking this morning at the notable Niner contracts. They're top of the market for all of them. Christian McCaffrey positional money rank second, George Kittle first, Trent Williams first, Fred Warner second, Nick Bosa top five, Brandon Iuke top seven. Is a receiver. And my take is why because of brock Purty, Dallas does this. They'll pay Mike at top of the market. They'll pay Cedee Lamb talk of the mark, top of the market. Whatever you think about a quarterback, teams are not going to come out and tell you what you want to hear. Guys like me want to hear the Niners be honest about purty.

They're not going to do that.

They're not going to do that.

But what they decide to move off of or resign, I mean, San France just goes old. Why are the Rams so young? Because they trust mcvah and Stafford. They move off Jalen Ramsey, a girly, a cup, They move off good corners. They move off people all the time. The minute you show age, you're out. Von Miller by Buffalo, you pay him, and I think a great head coach and a truly great quarterback gives you so much freedom. Rams don't pay anybody on defense.

But what they decide to move off of or resign, I mean, San France just goes old. Why are the Rams so young? Because they trust mcvah and Stafford. They move off Jalen Ramsey, a girly, a cup, They move off good corners. They move off people all the time. The minute you show age, you're out. Von Miller by Buffalo, you pay him, and I think a great head coach and a truly great quarterback gives you so much freedom. Rams don't pay anybody on defense.

Look it up.

Look it up.

They don't pay anybody. They're the opposite of the Steelers, who pay everybody on defense.

They don't pay anybody. They're the opposite of the Steelers, who pay everybody on defense.

Why they have to. They're not good at quarterback.

Why they have to. They're not good at quarterback.

But when you watch Brett Veach in Kansas City, he's got Reding Mahomes. Chris Jones will pay, Kelsey will pay. Those are Hall of Fame guys. But good guys, very good guys.

But when you watch Brett Veach in Kansas City, he's got Reding Mahomes. Chris Jones will pay, Kelsey will pay. Those are Hall of Fame guys. But good guys, very good guys.

We'll move off.

We'll move off.

I'm not knocking the Kittle contract. George deserves it. He plays a physical brand of football, yet is available on every Sunday. Look at Buffalo, they moved off Stefan Diggs, Gabe Davis. No effect, absolutely no effect. And these are all very good tight ends. But they have to pay Christian McCaffrey. They can't move off Trent Williams.

I'm not knocking the Kittle contract. George deserves it. He plays a physical brand of football, yet is available on every Sunday. Look at Buffalo, they moved off Stefan Diggs, Gabe Davis. No effect, absolutely no effect. And these are all very good tight ends. But they have to pay Christian McCaffrey. They can't move off Trent Williams.

They can't.

They can't.

I mean they paid Deebo, they paid AYUK, they paid Kittle, Trent, Christian, they pay everybody because they have to. So if you like Purtty, so do I. But if you love him, he's more dacked and the niners are telling you that you don't have a choice. You have to pay CD Lamb. So this story is actually now because it is a little odd. I think nobody's quite sure how to cover it. And I don't think there's any great valor in sticking to an opinion if it's not the right opinion. I've said on this show for years. I want to get it right, not be right. And I have changed my opinion on Bill Belichick and Jordan Hudson's relationship. Yeah, the age GAP's a little uncomfortable for people. They're two consenting adults. But it's really interesting this interview on CBS. So Bill's now got his hands on spygate, deflate gate, and interview gate. He's got more gates than O'Hair. Here's the interview Sunday that really changed my mind on how I view his young twenty.

I mean they paid Deebo, they paid AYUK, they paid Kittle, Trent, Christian, they pay everybody because they have to. So if you like Purtty, so do I. But if you love him, he's more dacked and the niners are telling you that you don't have a choice. You have to pay CD Lamb. So this story is actually now because it is a little odd. I think nobody's quite sure how to cover it. And I don't think there's any great valor in sticking to an opinion if it's not the right opinion. I've said on this show for years. I want to get it right, not be right. And I have changed my opinion on Bill Belichick and Jordan Hudson's relationship. Yeah, the age GAP's a little uncomfortable for people. They're two consenting adults. But it's really interesting this interview on CBS. So Bill's now got his hands on spygate, deflate gate, and interview gate. He's got more gates than O'Hair. Here's the interview Sunday that really changed my mind on how I view his young twenty.

Four year old girlfriend, Jordan Hudson.

Four year old girlfriend, Jordan Hudson.

You have Jordan thread over there.

You have Jordan thread over there.

Everybody in the world seems to be following this relationship.

Everybody in the world seems to be following this relationship.

They've got an opinion about your private life.

They've got an opinion about your private life.

He's got nothing to do with them, but they're invested in it.

He's got nothing to do with them, but they're invested in it.

How do you deal with that?

How do you deal with that?

Never been too worried about what everybody else thanks, just to try to do what I feel like is be'st for me and what's right?

Never been too worried about what everybody else thanks, just to try to do what I feel like is be'st for me and what's right?

How did you guys meet? Not talking about this? No, no, okay like that to me. She's not arm candy.

How did you guys meet? Not talking about this? No, no, okay like that to me. She's not arm candy.

She's a real protective pr director, social influencer.

She's a real protective pr director, social influencer.

Bill didn't need that in the NFL. Nobody needs that in the NFL. You need it in college. Who was trending last night? In America?

Bill didn't need that in the NFL. Nobody needs that in the NFL. You need it in college. Who was trending last night? In America?

Bill Belichick? When the Rockets and Warriors are playing, Yeah, that matters. Eighteen year old draw on their phone all day. Dad's mostly not in the NFL. You choose the players in college, they choose you. And the truth is Carolina can go toe to toe with Ohio State and Oregon in Georgia for nil in Texas, so they need influence, they need to be connected to young people and listen, she is a bridge and it works. And when I saw her not only protect him. I've been in the rooms like that and heard PR people say that if you do an interview with sixty minutes and you're a president, you got about four of those and they often stop the interview. We're not asking that. That's what a real PR director does. So yeah, the age thing, I get. It's uncomfortable. My wife doesn't like it like I get it, and I didn't like it either. But when I watched that, I was like, Okay, that's exactly I've seen that. That's a professional. And yes, they both have something to gain in the relationship. You know, folks, a lot of people that are dating have something to gain in the relationship.

Bill Belichick? When the Rockets and Warriors are playing, Yeah, that matters. Eighteen year old draw on their phone all day. Dad's mostly not in the NFL. You choose the players in college, they choose you. And the truth is Carolina can go toe to toe with Ohio State and Oregon in Georgia for nil in Texas, so they need influence, they need to be connected to young people and listen, she is a bridge and it works. And when I saw her not only protect him. I've been in the rooms like that and heard PR people say that if you do an interview with sixty minutes and you're a president, you got about four of those and they often stop the interview. We're not asking that. That's what a real PR director does. So yeah, the age thing, I get. It's uncomfortable. My wife doesn't like it like I get it, and I didn't like it either. But when I watched that, I was like, Okay, that's exactly I've seen that. That's a professional. And yes, they both have something to gain in the relationship. You know, folks, a lot of people that are dating have something to gain in the relationship.

That's sort of.

That's sort of.

The way it works. You know, you find her super attractive, she finds you to be funny. You know, she needs to be funnier and have more fun. You provide it, right, like she he's a social magnet, a butterfly.

The way it works. You know, you find her super attractive, she finds you to be funny. You know, she needs to be funnier and have more fun. You provide it, right, like she he's a social magnet, a butterfly.

You're not.

You're not.

You're benefiting from it, like everybody's benefiting from something. And so I look at this whole thing now and I just I see it differently. Yeah, she's attractive, okay, whatever, she's feisty, she's protecting him, she's a social bridge. She obviously gets the entire currency of stuff that I don't like, Like Bill seventy. I mean, this is a guy that famously called it snap Graham and in the chat like now, I think he was going over the top and had an idea what it was called. But I'm not. I'm not worried as much about being right as getting it right. And I flipped my opinion on this. There was a moment. Haven't you all done this in your life where you don't believe in something, you don't believe in something I don't believe in.

You're benefiting from it, like everybody's benefiting from something. And so I look at this whole thing now and I just I see it differently. Yeah, she's attractive, okay, whatever, she's feisty, she's protecting him, she's a social bridge. She obviously gets the entire currency of stuff that I don't like, Like Bill seventy. I mean, this is a guy that famously called it snap Graham and in the chat like now, I think he was going over the top and had an idea what it was called. But I'm not. I'm not worried as much about being right as getting it right. And I flipped my opinion on this. There was a moment. Haven't you all done this in your life where you don't believe in something, you don't believe in something I don't believe in.

I don't believe in UFOs.

I don't believe in UFOs.

I think they're either a technology that China's ahead of us, or I think there are government hiding something, or I think there are planes and you've had too many cocktails. I don't believe in UFOs. But landed next to my house here in Chicago and Little Green Men popped out, I'd have a different take on tomorrow show, Like I'm willing to learn stuff, and so yeah, the minute I see something, I'm not a big believer in ghosts.