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 Sportsradio 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.

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 Sportsradio 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.

All right, we got to a Friday.

All right, we got to a Friday.

What a week it has been, not just for Lebron James, but primarily.

What a week it has been, not just for Lebron James, but primarily.

Live in Los Angeles.

Live in Los Angeles.

It is the Herd wherever you may be and however you may be listening. Thanks for making us part of your day. Jmac, we got a loaded show today. NFL season ends, we take a vacation, comeback. There's gonna be NBA March Madness free agency. But the NBA did us as solid this year, Jimmy Butler. The Warriors has been seven to one. It's a new staff and a new team and Lebron and Luca now converging. In Lost Angelus, they beat another good Western team. The West is much deeper than the East. So you start beating these Dallas, Kyrie, you start beating Denver, you start beating Minnesota. These are impressive wins a little bit, A little bit. Yeah, they're pretty good. So I'm gonna start with this. Luca's not playing that well, let's just say it out loud. He's not in great shape, never been a good defender, looks a little soft one for nine last night on shooting threes, and everybody sort of hedges their bet. We've all been doing this, myself included, for the last two years. We've all been doing this in the media. We just don't want to say, you know, is Lebron like the second best player in the league. Nobody wants to say that, right, It's hey, jo Kich, Joannis. I have watched Lebron in the last week outplay Aunt Edwards, Luca, Yo Kich and Kyrie Irving. He has been the best player in the NBA in the last week. On every single night, is Lebron the best player in the league. No, on any given night, is Lebron the best player in the league.

It is the Herd wherever you may be and however you may be listening. Thanks for making us part of your day. Jmac, we got a loaded show today. NFL season ends, we take a vacation, comeback. There's gonna be NBA March Madness free agency. But the NBA did us as solid this year, Jimmy Butler. The Warriors has been seven to one. It's a new staff and a new team and Lebron and Luca now converging. In Lost Angelus, they beat another good Western team. The West is much deeper than the East. So you start beating these Dallas, Kyrie, you start beating Denver, you start beating Minnesota. These are impressive wins a little bit, A little bit. Yeah, they're pretty good. So I'm gonna start with this. Luca's not playing that well, let's just say it out loud. He's not in great shape, never been a good defender, looks a little soft one for nine last night on shooting threes, and everybody sort of hedges their bet. We've all been doing this, myself included, for the last two years. We've all been doing this in the media. We just don't want to say, you know, is Lebron like the second best player in the league. Nobody wants to say that, right, It's hey, jo Kich, Joannis. I have watched Lebron in the last week outplay Aunt Edwards, Luca, Yo Kich and Kyrie Irving. He has been the best player in the NBA in the last week. On every single night, is Lebron the best player in the league. No, on any given night, is Lebron the best player in the league.

Yeah?

Yeah?

His defense right now, it looks like he's twenty seven. It's insane. His energy better than Luca. His shooting right now better than Luca, his on ball defense, his scoring. Lebron at forty years old, has better consistent energy than any other Laker. Now. Austin Reeves is close. Austin plays hard all the time. But Lebron's fourth quarter energy, it doesn't even make sense. His on ball defense right now, this is the best defense he's played in eight years. He's a better defender at forty than Luca is at twenty six. His energy, I'm telling you right now, is Lebron showing off. And I'll get to Steph in a second. It feels like Steph is kind of showing off that Jimmy Butler like listen to old man, you know, and I feel when Tom Brady beat Mahomes at Arrowhead Stadium in the AFC Championship and then he beat him in the Super Bowl, everybody by then was falling in love and sort of was saying it, you know, like.

His defense right now, it looks like he's twenty seven. It's insane. His energy better than Luca. His shooting right now better than Luca, his on ball defense, his scoring. Lebron at forty years old, has better consistent energy than any other Laker. Now. Austin Reeves is close. Austin plays hard all the time. But Lebron's fourth quarter energy, it doesn't even make sense. His on ball defense right now, this is the best defense he's played in eight years. He's a better defender at forty than Luca is at twenty six. His energy, I'm telling you right now, is Lebron showing off. And I'll get to Steph in a second. It feels like Steph is kind of showing off that Jimmy Butler like listen to old man, you know, and I feel when Tom Brady beat Mahomes at Arrowhead Stadium in the AFC Championship and then he beat him in the Super Bowl, everybody by then was falling in love and sort of was saying it, you know, like.

Brady's old Brady.

Brady's old Brady.

You know, not a lot left in the tank for old Tommy. Ma Holmes is the new king, and Brady beat him twice in Arrowhead and overtime, and then the Super Bowl, tom Brady reminding you, yeah, it goes through me, and Lebron is reminding everybody right now, yeah, the West for ten years, the East went through me ten twelve years, however long he was over there. Now the West is going to go through me, so at minimum, And I understand that Luca got hurt, hadn't played for a long time. He's playing himself back into shape, like I get it, and he'll be a better shooter. His jumper right now is short consistently. That's like Cardio that's legs, his jumper short. But at forty years old, Lebron James last year had last year at thirty nine years old, Ron had eighty four dunks. When Michael Jordan was thirty nine, mj had twenty one, four times the dunks of a guy known for dunks, Michael Jordan at the same age. And I think Lebron this year is better than Lebron last year. And the other thing is because Ad was traded into Dallas. Lebron is hyper aware that he has to play better defense because Luca is a lousy defensive player and Austin Reeves is limited. So Lebron is like, oh, oh, you need me to do that too, all right? His defense is insane. So he's averaging twenty five eight to nine, that's what That's not the part that's blowing me away.

You know, not a lot left in the tank for old Tommy. Ma Holmes is the new king, and Brady beat him twice in Arrowhead and overtime, and then the Super Bowl, tom Brady reminding you, yeah, it goes through me, and Lebron is reminding everybody right now, yeah, the West for ten years, the East went through me ten twelve years, however long he was over there. Now the West is going to go through me, so at minimum, And I understand that Luca got hurt, hadn't played for a long time. He's playing himself back into shape, like I get it, and he'll be a better shooter. His jumper right now is short consistently. That's like Cardio that's legs, his jumper short. But at forty years old, Lebron James last year had last year at thirty nine years old, Ron had eighty four dunks. When Michael Jordan was thirty nine, mj had twenty one, four times the dunks of a guy known for dunks, Michael Jordan at the same age. And I think Lebron this year is better than Lebron last year. And the other thing is because Ad was traded into Dallas. Lebron is hyper aware that he has to play better defense because Luca is a lousy defensive player and Austin Reeves is limited. So Lebron is like, oh, oh, you need me to do that too, all right? His defense is insane. So he's averaging twenty five eight to nine, that's what That's not the part that's blowing me away.

It's the energy in the defense.

It's the energy in the defense.

And you know this, it's I feel like I've said this for years. I think the NBA playoffs should be a three game first round and then five games even through the finals. I think create urgency. I mean March madness. College basketball doesn't have much talent and it gets tremendous ratings. Why there's urgency. I mean, you know, Cooper Flag, take him off Duke. They got a couple of decent players, but a Duke game with Cooper Flag against Xavier will get a better rating maybe than like the Western Conference or Eastern Conference finals, because it's like you have to watch. You got two and a half hours. Somebody's out could be Duke and Cooper Flag. And so I think there needs to be no more urgency. And I also think in the NBA regular season, I'd cut it down to sixty eight games.

And you know this, it's I feel like I've said this for years. I think the NBA playoffs should be a three game first round and then five games even through the finals. I think create urgency. I mean March madness. College basketball doesn't have much talent and it gets tremendous ratings. Why there's urgency. I mean, you know, Cooper Flag, take him off Duke. They got a couple of decent players, but a Duke game with Cooper Flag against Xavier will get a better rating maybe than like the Western Conference or Eastern Conference finals, because it's like you have to watch. You got two and a half hours. Somebody's out could be Duke and Cooper Flag. And so I think there needs to be no more urgency. And I also think in the NBA regular season, I'd cut it down to sixty eight games.

Start it six weeks later.

Start it six weeks later.

Get away from college and pro football, you know, start playing Christmas. Start playing Christmas not your first TV game. Start plan then. So I understand that if you're Lebron, you're Steph Curry and you're not with a championship team. You're on a treadmill to nowhere. It is so clear between Steph and Lebron that these moves have absolutely energized these guys. And just watch Lebron's defense. It is elite and he has outplayed aunt, Luka, Kyrie and Jokic in the last week. He has been the best player on the floor. And here is uh, here's Lebron after We.

Get away from college and pro football, you know, start playing Christmas. Start playing Christmas not your first TV game. Start plan then. So I understand that if you're Lebron, you're Steph Curry and you're not with a championship team. You're on a treadmill to nowhere. It is so clear between Steph and Lebron that these moves have absolutely energized these guys. And just watch Lebron's defense. It is elite and he has outplayed aunt, Luka, Kyrie and Jokic in the last week. He has been the best player on the floor. And here is uh, here's Lebron after We.

Know we could have been a lot better offensively, but you know we've been hanging our head on our under the defensive end. And you know, when you don't shoot the ball well, you got to be able to get stops. And they made a ruin. They're really good team. We saw what they did a couple of nights ago against Okay. See when it was down big and those young guys came in, sparked them, give them good energy. So you know they cut it down to three. I believe at one point, boy was able to execute. After today, get some time he stops and was able to come out with the winner.

Know we could have been a lot better offensively, but you know we've been hanging our head on our under the defensive end. And you know, when you don't shoot the ball well, you got to be able to get stops. And they made a ruin. They're really good team. We saw what they did a couple of nights ago against Okay. See when it was down big and those young guys came in, sparked them, give them good energy. So you know they cut it down to three. I believe at one point, boy was able to execute. After today, get some time he stops and was able to come out with the winner.

So Lebron in February twenty nine and a half points, ten rebounds, seven and a half assays, shooting fifty five percent from the floor, forty six percent on three pointers, and playing elite on ball defense at forty at thirty nine, he had eighty four dunks. At thirty nine, MJ had twenty one. Like, you're a watching this is unprecedented. You know, we're always looking ahead. Don't just live in this moment. What you're watching doesn't make any sense. It's Brady in Tampa. It makes no sense that Brady was that year first, second best quarterback in the league.

So Lebron in February twenty nine and a half points, ten rebounds, seven and a half assays, shooting fifty five percent from the floor, forty six percent on three pointers, and playing elite on ball defense at forty at thirty nine, he had eighty four dunks. At thirty nine, MJ had twenty one. Like, you're a watching this is unprecedented. You know, we're always looking ahead. Don't just live in this moment. What you're watching doesn't make any sense. It's Brady in Tampa. It makes no sense that Brady was that year first, second best quarterback in the league.

All right, So I want to give you a update this.

All right, So I want to give you a update this.

According to Diana Russini, the Rams are meeting with Matt Stafford at their facility in person today regarding the future. So the Raiders and the Giants, and I think the Raiders are in play here have discussed a two year contract that includes ninety to one hundred million guaranteed, and a decision is expected soon. So I was thinking about this. I think if it's only two years and the Raiders are not giving you a third, then I would stay with the Rams and take less. The Rams can get you to seventy five eighty eighty five, I would take that over one hundred on a two year deal. If they're both offering two years, Raiders go to a third year forty five million, no state tax, I'd probably consider that. But it's really interesting, and what I'm about to say won't. You'll think it's ridiculous initially, but just think about the Rams are not far off from winning a Super Bowl. They're really close. They had they were driving to beat Philly in a snowstorm, and that defense got better every other week. And they're all coming back and they're super talented. So you're not going to score a lot of points on the Rams going forward. If they get a corner in the draft of the first pick or second, they don't have a hole. That defense is good everywhere and young and cheap. If Matt Stafford stays and wins a second Super Bowl. And I know legacies are all about ego, but if you put fifteen twenty twenty five years into being a politician, a talk show host, a quarterback, a landscaper, legacies matter. You want to be remembered fondly, not just as a husband and as a dad, but what did you do professionally in your community? If he wins a second Super Bowl, that's the same as Elway, Peyton, Manning and Big Ben. But it's more than Aaron Rodgers, Steve Young and and I've said this for years, Matt Stafford was better in high school than Aaron Rodgers, much better in college, better his first four years in the NFL, and much better now in his last three. Now, there were ten years where he was in dysfunctional Detroit and put up a lot of stats, but didn't get much to the playoffs and do much. And meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers was in Green Bay, highly functional, great draft and developed organization, good coaching, and had a better middle of ten years. But if you had to put Aaron in Detroit and Matt in Green Bay, I think he has more than one ring. But my take is legacy matters. If Stafford wins a second Super Bowl, that means he would go four to zero in the playoffs in the Super Bowl, he would have more rings than Aaron. He'd have a better playoff percentage than Aaron. He would be better late than Aaron, better early than Aaron. As a former number one pick, there's a real large ena you take Matt Stafford.

According to Diana Russini, the Rams are meeting with Matt Stafford at their facility in person today regarding the future. So the Raiders and the Giants, and I think the Raiders are in play here have discussed a two year contract that includes ninety to one hundred million guaranteed, and a decision is expected soon. So I was thinking about this. I think if it's only two years and the Raiders are not giving you a third, then I would stay with the Rams and take less. The Rams can get you to seventy five eighty eighty five, I would take that over one hundred on a two year deal. If they're both offering two years, Raiders go to a third year forty five million, no state tax, I'd probably consider that. But it's really interesting, and what I'm about to say won't. You'll think it's ridiculous initially, but just think about the Rams are not far off from winning a Super Bowl. They're really close. They had they were driving to beat Philly in a snowstorm, and that defense got better every other week. And they're all coming back and they're super talented. So you're not going to score a lot of points on the Rams going forward. If they get a corner in the draft of the first pick or second, they don't have a hole. That defense is good everywhere and young and cheap. If Matt Stafford stays and wins a second Super Bowl. And I know legacies are all about ego, but if you put fifteen twenty twenty five years into being a politician, a talk show host, a quarterback, a landscaper, legacies matter. You want to be remembered fondly, not just as a husband and as a dad, but what did you do professionally in your community? If he wins a second Super Bowl, that's the same as Elway, Peyton, Manning and Big Ben. But it's more than Aaron Rodgers, Steve Young and and I've said this for years, Matt Stafford was better in high school than Aaron Rodgers, much better in college, better his first four years in the NFL, and much better now in his last three. Now, there were ten years where he was in dysfunctional Detroit and put up a lot of stats, but didn't get much to the playoffs and do much. And meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers was in Green Bay, highly functional, great draft and developed organization, good coaching, and had a better middle of ten years. But if you had to put Aaron in Detroit and Matt in Green Bay, I think he has more than one ring. But my take is legacy matters. If Stafford wins a second Super Bowl, that means he would go four to zero in the playoffs in the Super Bowl, he would have more rings than Aaron. He'd have a better playoff percentage than Aaron. He would be better late than Aaron, better early than Aaron. As a former number one pick, there's a real large ena you take Matt Stafford.

More super bowls.

More super bowls.

I mean super bowls alone are going to get Eli Manning eventually into the Hall of Fame. And he was an average regular season quarterback. How a movie ends and how a quarterback's career ends absolutely shapes how we think of you. When Brady went to Tampa in one fifty percent of you watching and listening for years, and I saw it on Twitter. It's a system quarterback.

I mean super bowls alone are going to get Eli Manning eventually into the Hall of Fame. And he was an average regular season quarterback. How a movie ends and how a quarterback's career ends absolutely shapes how we think of you. When Brady went to Tampa in one fifty percent of you watching and listening for years, and I saw it on Twitter. It's a system quarterback.

He left New England.

He left New England.

One Belichick regressed, Brady is unquestionably the goat. Beat Mahomes last two times they played. He is head and shoulders above the crowd. John Elway never forget Lway, Ozero and three and super bowls got hammered. John can't win the big game. Last two years, two super Bowl wins with Terrell Davis the running back, and we viewed him number two all time to Joe Montange. Peyton Manning goes to Denver. Let's be honest. He goes to Denver. His reputation was he's not good in big games. One Super Bowl, Brady owns him. All of a sudden, he beat Brady in a playoff game or two wins in Denver. And now that Brady Manning thing is like, oh eh, Peyton kind of got the best of him last couple of years. If Matt Stafford stays, no, you're not getting a ring with Las Vegas. You're not getting a ring with the Giants, it makes those franchises respectable and probably winning franchises very quickly. Matt Stafford has a chance to get to another level as many Super Bowls as l Way and Peyton Manning in that class, and more than far of an Aaron Rodgers. And so to me, when you put I mean, think about when Matt Stafford started playing football six years old, seven years old. He's thirty eight years old. He has given thirty years of his life to football. Number one high school player, number one pick out of Georgia, had to endure a lot of nonsense in Detroit. The idea that if he could get another Super Bowl in the next two years with the Rams and.

One Belichick regressed, Brady is unquestionably the goat. Beat Mahomes last two times they played. He is head and shoulders above the crowd. John Elway never forget Lway, Ozero and three and super bowls got hammered. John can't win the big game. Last two years, two super Bowl wins with Terrell Davis the running back, and we viewed him number two all time to Joe Montange. Peyton Manning goes to Denver. Let's be honest. He goes to Denver. His reputation was he's not good in big games. One Super Bowl, Brady owns him. All of a sudden, he beat Brady in a playoff game or two wins in Denver. And now that Brady Manning thing is like, oh eh, Peyton kind of got the best of him last couple of years. If Matt Stafford stays, no, you're not getting a ring with Las Vegas. You're not getting a ring with the Giants, it makes those franchises respectable and probably winning franchises very quickly. Matt Stafford has a chance to get to another level as many Super Bowls as l Way and Peyton Manning in that class, and more than far of an Aaron Rodgers. And so to me, when you put I mean, think about when Matt Stafford started playing football six years old, seven years old. He's thirty eight years old. He has given thirty years of his life to football. Number one high school player, number one pick out of Georgia, had to endure a lot of nonsense in Detroit. The idea that if he could get another Super Bowl in the next two years with the Rams and.

People, a lot of people would look.

People, a lot of people would look.

At him and there's an argument he's better than Steve Young, Aaron Rodgers, maybe farv. That'd be hard for me to walk away from. I know, it's just legacy, and a lot of people think that's vanity. I don't care if you're a mailman, a quarterback, a politician, a landscaper, a lawyer.

At him and there's an argument he's better than Steve Young, Aaron Rodgers, maybe farv. That'd be hard for me to walk away from. I know, it's just legacy, and a lot of people think that's vanity. I don't care if you're a mailman, a quarterback, a politician, a landscaper, a lawyer.

It matters. You want to be remembered for committing to something, and.

It matters. You want to be remembered for committing to something, and.

When you've been doing it at a high level like Stafford, you get a wizard away for money in Vegas. That'd be hard for me. So if the Raiders are not going to give you three years, I don't care if.

When you've been doing it at a high level like Stafford, you get a wizard away for money in Vegas. That'd be hard for me. So if the Raiders are not going to give you three years, I don't care if.

It's more money.

It's more money.

I think the legacy matters too much to a guy that's totally been committed to football, sits in the pocket till the end, takes more shots than almost anybody in the league. I mean, that's the thing about Stafford and Aaron. Aaron don't want to get hit anymore. I guess I get it. Brady didn't want to get in a hit anymore. Stafford sits there and gets hammered every Sunday. Some part of him is always banged up or bleeding. He has committed totally of this career. Be hard to walk away if I don't get extra years and an extra fifty to seventy million bucks. All right, j Mac Steph Curry put on a little.

I think the legacy matters too much to a guy that's totally been committed to football, sits in the pocket till the end, takes more shots than almost anybody in the league. I mean, that's the thing about Stafford and Aaron. Aaron don't want to get hit anymore. I guess I get it. Brady didn't want to get in a hit anymore. Stafford sits there and gets hammered every Sunday. Some part of him is always banged up or bleeding. He has committed totally of this career. Be hard to walk away if I don't get extra years and an extra fifty to seventy million bucks. All right, j Mac Steph Curry put on a little.

Clinic last night.

Clinic last night.

He was okay, fifty six.

He was okay, fifty six.

Not bad at all.

Not bad at all.

Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays and Noone Eastern non am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio FS one and the iHeartRadio app.

Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays and Noone Eastern non am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio FS one and the iHeartRadio app.

Hey Steve Covino and I'm Rich David, and together we're Covino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio. You could catch us weekdays from five to seven pm Eastern two to four Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and of course the iHeartRadio app.

Hey Steve Covino and I'm Rich David, and together we're Covino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio. You could catch us 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.

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. And the fact that we've been friends for the last twenty years and still work together.

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. 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.

I mean that says something, right. So check us out.

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.

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.

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 Searchkovin on Rich wherever you get your podcasts, and of course on social media.

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 Searchkovin on Rich wherever you get your podcasts, and of course on social media.

That's Covino and Rich.

That's Covino and Rich.

So Steph Curry had fifty six points last night, had a dozen threes. Orlando is a pretty good defensive team. So I don't think it's a coincidence that Lebron gets Luca and Steph gets Jimmy Butler and both players explode. So Steph Curry's been to the mountaintop hard to get fired up and get the engine humming to be a number ten seed. So it's got that new relationship feel. He's showing off a little bit. The Warriors are seven and one since Jimmy Butler arrived, and the numbers are insane. We can put them on the screen Miami for the record three and six without Jimmy Butler. So we said this the other day. Jimmy Butler wins. You don't have to love him, but e q Iq Effort a very intentional basketball player. Listen, the NBA is very lucky. Sometimes leagues get lucky. Lebron and Steph have been great stewards for the league and they're still literally on any given night to the best player in the league, which is insane at their age. But it did feel like for Lebron and Steph that they were you know, they had cameo roles in average movies and now once again, Stephan Lebron feel like leading men in Blockbusters.

So Steph Curry had fifty six points last night, had a dozen threes. Orlando is a pretty good defensive team. So I don't think it's a coincidence that Lebron gets Luca and Steph gets Jimmy Butler and both players explode. So Steph Curry's been to the mountaintop hard to get fired up and get the engine humming to be a number ten seed. So it's got that new relationship feel. He's showing off a little bit. The Warriors are seven and one since Jimmy Butler arrived, and the numbers are insane. We can put them on the screen Miami for the record three and six without Jimmy Butler. So we said this the other day. Jimmy Butler wins. You don't have to love him, but e q Iq Effort a very intentional basketball player. Listen, the NBA is very lucky. Sometimes leagues get lucky. Lebron and Steph have been great stewards for the league and they're still literally on any given night to the best player in the league, which is insane at their age. But it did feel like for Lebron and Steph that they were you know, they had cameo roles in average movies and now once again, Stephan Lebron feel like leading men in Blockbusters.

It looks like the.

It looks like the.

Lakers and the Warriors could absolutely be a viable Western Conference champion. That's what it looks like. And remember, if you add Jimmy Butler to Stephan Draymond Green, the West is very young at the top. OKC is young, Memphis is young, Houston is young. Draymond, Steph and Jimmy Butler have four hundred twenty three playoff games and fourteen finals. So you don't want to play Golden State in the playoffs if you're ok see okay, see when they get Chet Holmgren back is going to be a very good offensive team. But they're kids, and right now they are in the seventh spot and half a game out of the sixth pot. I'm telling you, if I'm Memphis and I'm Oklahoma City Houston, I have no interest playing this team.

Lakers and the Warriors could absolutely be a viable Western Conference champion. That's what it looks like. And remember, if you add Jimmy Butler to Stephan Draymond Green, the West is very young at the top. OKC is young, Memphis is young, Houston is young. Draymond, Steph and Jimmy Butler have four hundred twenty three playoff games and fourteen finals. So you don't want to play Golden State in the playoffs if you're ok see okay, see when they get Chet Holmgren back is going to be a very good offensive team. But they're kids, and right now they are in the seventh spot and half a game out of the sixth pot. I'm telling you, if I'm Memphis and I'm Oklahoma City Houston, I have no interest playing this team.

And it does.

And it does.

It feels like Steph, when you've been this great for this long, it is hard to get revved up driving to that arena knowing you're maybe at best a playing team. Steve Kerr on last night's fifty six point outburst.

It feels like Steph, when you've been this great for this long, it is hard to get revved up driving to that arena knowing you're maybe at best a playing team. Steve Kerr on last night's fifty six point outburst.

Just wants to play meaningful basketball, and you can see we're now in the fight we're in the mix, and this is what Steph loves.

Just wants to play meaningful basketball, and you can see we're now in the fight we're in the mix, and this is what Steph loves.

He's you know, it's great of a player.

He's you know, it's great of a player.

And shooter is he is. This competitiveness is probably his most underrated quality. And he was dying to feedback in the mix. And we're back in the mix, and you can tell he's energized by that.

And shooter is he is. This competitiveness is probably his most underrated quality. And he was dying to feedback in the mix. And we're back in the mix, and you can tell he's energized by that.

For the record, he took twenty five shots. That is tied for the second fewest shots ever taken to score fifty six points. So Lebron Lebron got a great teammate. His energy's exploded. Steph Curry got a new teammate. His efficiency, his energy exploded. When you've been to the mountaintop, it is hard to get it's hard to get revved up walking in the arena.

For the record, he took twenty five shots. That is tied for the second fewest shots ever taken to score fifty six points. So Lebron Lebron got a great teammate. His energy's exploded. Steph Curry got a new teammate. His efficiency, his energy exploded. When you've been to the mountaintop, it is hard to get it's hard to get revved up walking in the arena.

Playing Minnesota in the game doesn't mean anything.

Playing Minnesota in the game doesn't mean anything.

So this is really good news for the NBA, which its critics are assailing it and nobody cares. I'm telling you watching the Warriors. I watched the Warriors and the Lakers last night. It's good basketball. It's good product with two leading men now in blockbusters. Jmckle the news, Turn on the news.

So this is really good news for the NBA, which its critics are assailing it and nobody cares. I'm telling you watching the Warriors. I watched the Warriors and the Lakers last night. It's good basketball. It's good product with two leading men now in blockbusters. Jmckle the news, Turn on the news.

This is the herd Line News.

This is the herd Line News.

All right, my man, let's start with Miles Garrett.

All right, my man, let's start with Miles Garrett.

He says he's Adam and he's not going back to Cleveland. So the rest of the NFL world is trying to figure out who's going in on the six time pro bowler. NFL insider Diana Russini says, one of the most aggressive gms in the league could be making a play for the Ed Drusher.

He says he's Adam and he's not going back to Cleveland. So the rest of the NFL world is trying to figure out who's going in on the six time pro bowler. NFL insider Diana Russini says, one of the most aggressive gms in the league could be making a play for the Ed Drusher.

Take a listen.

Take a listen.

I think they're going to make an effort here. But here's what some people are saying right now that how he's willing to move on from some of these guys because he's looking to make a big swing and take a big swing, and that big swing would be for Miles Garrett.

I think they're going to make an effort here. But here's what some people are saying right now that how he's willing to move on from some of these guys because he's looking to make a big swing and take a big swing, and that big swing would be for Miles Garrett.

Yeah, it's logical, No.

Yeah, it's logical, No.

Why not?

Why not?

But by the way, Dallas still out of money using groupons, I.

But by the way, Dallas still out of money using groupons, I.

Mean, Philly makes a lot of sense. I think you might have floated.

Mean, Philly makes a lot of sense. I think you might have floated.

Uh, I don't know.

Uh, I don't know.

I don't know why green Bay doesn't go all in. I don't get it. I'm green Bay. Well, they haven't had a consistent pass rush in forever. Last time they went big Reggie White for a dominant defensive player twice in their existence that I remember, Charles Woodson Reggie White, they went big, paid off full time Super Bowls. What about Washington again, Washington would be a great place to go. I mean green Bay feels I think Buffalo makes sense. I think green Bay makes the most sense. I think Washington makes sense.

I don't know why green Bay doesn't go all in. I don't get it. I'm green Bay. Well, they haven't had a consistent pass rush in forever. Last time they went big Reggie White for a dominant defensive player twice in their existence that I remember, Charles Woodson Reggie White, they went big, paid off full time Super Bowls. What about Washington again, Washington would be a great place to go. I mean green Bay feels I think Buffalo makes sense. I think green Bay makes the most sense. I think Washington makes sense.

If you're one of the seven contenders in the league, I think you've got to be picking up a phone and calling and just at least floating something.

If you're one of the seven contenders in the league, I think you've got to be picking up a phone and calling and just at least floating something.

And by the way, okay, so we've watched Lebron and staph who everybody thinks past their prime, what they've done in the new With a new teammate, do you not believe that Miles Garrett playing for the Green Bay Packers for the Philadelphia Eagles.

And by the way, okay, so we've watched Lebron and staph who everybody thinks past their prime, what they've done in the new With a new teammate, do you not believe that Miles Garrett playing for the Green Bay Packers for the Philadelphia Eagles.

You think he's good?

You think he's good?

Now?

Now?

What if every game's televised? I mean they are.

What if every game's televised? I mean they are.

Literally Cleveland is the fourth most interesting team in their division. The Philadelphia Eagles are arguably the most interesting team in the league. So if you take Miles Garrett, you're like, bro, every game is on Fox, every game is Sunday Night football, every game is Monday Night football. You are at the centerpiece of one of America's great sports football cities. You know, I think you'll get an elevate. I think Miles Garrett will be better than he is now.

Literally Cleveland is the fourth most interesting team in their division. The Philadelphia Eagles are arguably the most interesting team in the league. So if you take Miles Garrett, you're like, bro, every game is on Fox, every game is Sunday Night football, every game is Monday Night football. You are at the centerpiece of one of America's great sports football cities. You know, I think you'll get an elevate. I think Miles Garrett will be better than he is now.

If you're looking right outside the contender batch, we saw the Chargers allegedly are going to be moving off both. So there's a lot of chatter about that. What if you make a move on Miles Garrett, have him opposite Khalil Mack out here in LA. I mean, if you're in like the top ten, you're good.

If you're looking right outside the contender batch, we saw the Chargers allegedly are going to be moving off both. So there's a lot of chatter about that. What if you make a move on Miles Garrett, have him opposite Khalil Mack out here in LA. I mean, if you're in like the top ten, you're good.

I think you've got to make a move on Moleth Garrett.

I think you've got to make a move on Moleth Garrett.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I mean you don't have to if you're the Niners because of Bosa. I mean there are teams that have like the Rams right now have Jared Verse. You don't need it, You're not you know, there are about five teams that have a pass rush. Don't worry about it. Outside of that, this guy's a generational defensive player. I don't think he's that far behind Aaron Donald, Reggie White.

I mean you don't have to if you're the Niners because of Bosa. I mean there are teams that have like the Rams right now have Jared Verse. You don't need it, You're not you know, there are about five teams that have a pass rush. Don't worry about it. Outside of that, this guy's a generational defensive player. I don't think he's that far behind Aaron Donald, Reggie White.

I really don't.

I really don't.

All right, next story is NFL Draft combines happening. A lot of people talking, Well, the Titans have made no real indication where they're going with the number one pick. I do believe it'll be cam Ward, and cam Ward sounds like he's going to be ready to go number one.

All right, next story is NFL Draft combines happening. A lot of people talking, Well, the Titans have made no real indication where they're going with the number one pick. I do believe it'll be cam Ward, and cam Ward sounds like he's going to be ready to go number one.

We had good interestions myself with coach Kylahey, the quarterbacks coach, and also the GM. It's a great staff they put together. I think I know a dcent amount. I was able to watch a couple of games this past season, a lot of their route concepts with similar stuff that we do. So you know, if I if I'm drafted there, I just think he'd be plugg and play well.

We had good interestions myself with coach Kylahey, the quarterbacks coach, and also the GM. It's a great staff they put together. I think I know a dcent amount. I was able to watch a couple of games this past season, a lot of their route concepts with similar stuff that we do. So you know, if I if I'm drafted there, I just think he'd be plugg and play well.

It would be plugging.

It would be plugging.

I like, well, he is easily the most dynamic quarterback in the draft. He's got a great army, moves well. Little backyard football, but he would start day one.

I like, well, he is easily the most dynamic quarterback in the draft. He's got a great army, moves well. Little backyard football, but he would start day one.

Now that's backyard football than Caleb Williams came into the league.

Now that's backyard football than Caleb Williams came into the league.

Win yes, and he's more and he's more consistently in my opinion, he's more consistently accurate than Caleb Williams. I think Caleb is all time talent. But cam Cam's were a good play.

Win yes, and he's more and he's more consistently in my opinion, he's more consistently accurate than Caleb Williams. I think Caleb is all time talent. But cam Cam's were a good play.

You know, if I'm so bullish on cam Ward that maybe we do a head to head. You love the Patriots next year with Drake Bay and we'll go head to head. I'll take the Titans. You have the Patriots. Who's gonna win more games? I'm telling you cam Ward will.

You know, if I'm so bullish on cam Ward that maybe we do a head to head. You love the Patriots next year with Drake Bay and we'll go head to head. I'll take the Titans. You have the Patriots. Who's gonna win more games? I'm telling you cam Ward will.

Invigorate that franchise. Yes, but they were in a bunch of games last year. No, Will Levis kept just throwing the football.

Invigorate that franchise. Yes, but they were in a bunch of games last year. No, Will Levis kept just throwing the football.

No, No, I don't.

No, No, I don't.

He literally lost them like four games.

He literally lost them like four games.

Well, if I told you that cam Ward won that division next year, you wouldn't be outraged. Indianapolis don't know who their quarterback is.

Well, if I told you that cam Ward won that division next year, you wouldn't be outraged. Indianapolis don't know who their quarterback is.

Texans are sagging back a little bit. They did not look as good this past season, and we don't know what Dig's probably not returning there.

Texans are sagging back a little bit. They did not look as good this past season, and we don't know what Dig's probably not returning there.

No, that's that's a good's that's a that's a good call. Cam Ward is the kind of player and Tennessee feels like for the last even during Brabeles years, they're just not terribly dynamic on offense. Now, they've been powerful, but they've never been really like a team that you feel like, once they fall behind seventeen nothing, Tennessee's over. Then they don't have any of that. They have to take control of the game with Eric Henry and Tannehill. So, I mean, this kid would add spice to what I believe is a very physical football operation. They've always been tough and physical, they haven't always been efficient, but they've almost never been dynamic offensively.

No, that's that's a good's that's a that's a good call. Cam Ward is the kind of player and Tennessee feels like for the last even during Brabeles years, they're just not terribly dynamic on offense. Now, they've been powerful, but they've never been really like a team that you feel like, once they fall behind seventeen nothing, Tennessee's over. Then they don't have any of that. They have to take control of the game with Eric Henry and Tannehill. So, I mean, this kid would add spice to what I believe is a very physical football operation. They've always been tough and physical, they haven't always been efficient, but they've almost never been dynamic offensively.

Let me ask you one question. I like cam Ward a lot with his makeup as a quarterback. There are going to be people in the Titans organization who say, you know, Shador is going to instantly sell us tickets.

Let me ask you one question. I like cam Ward a lot with his makeup as a quarterback. There are going to be people in the Titans organization who say, you know, Shador is going to instantly sell us tickets.

He comes in with the name, obviously his father.

He comes in with the name, obviously his father.

Do we just look at him because you know, maybe you get the set of Kim Ward.

Do we just look at him because you know, maybe you get the set of Kim Ward.

What's you doing?

What's you doing?

You just go get the best player. The NFL is just go win games. I know it's not about shoe sales or getting it. Just go get the best player.

You just go get the best player. The NFL is just go win games. I know it's not about shoe sales or getting it. Just go get the best player.

I would guarantee you if they took Shador, they get at least one prime Maybe what.

I would guarantee you if they took Shador, they get at least one prime Maybe what.

Does that mean again, you're the Tennessee Titans. You're largely irrelevant.

Does that mean again, you're the Tennessee Titans. You're largely irrelevant.

Well, if you can't worry about that stuff, I just pose the question.

Well, if you can't worry about that stuff, I just pose the question.

I'm not saying I.

I'm not saying I.

Would do that, but you gotta worry.

Would do that, but you gotta worry.

About the thing is the thing when in football, it's winning games.

About the thing is the thing when in football, it's winning games.

Final story, Colin, is some positive news of the NBA. Somebody has to be positive about the NBA, and that's us.

Final story, Colin, is some positive news of the NBA. Somebody has to be positive about the NBA, and that's us.

Yeah, that's a shot.

Yeah, that's a shot.

Zion Williamson, my gosh, I've almost forgot he plays basketball. He had his first career triple double twenty seven to ten and eleven against the Hapless Sons last night. Pelicans with the dub Sons are a mess. We'll talk about them later on the show, I'm sure. But Colin the Zion Williamson Show, when he was coming into the league, do you remember the excitement. Oh, it was like not quite one Binyama, but was like, oh man, this has got to be new from college.

Zion Williamson, my gosh, I've almost forgot he plays basketball. He had his first career triple double twenty seven to ten and eleven against the Hapless Sons last night. Pelicans with the dub Sons are a mess. We'll talk about them later on the show, I'm sure. But Colin the Zion Williamson Show, when he was coming into the league, do you remember the excitement. Oh, it was like not quite one Binyama, but was like, oh man, this has got to be new from college.

He got a million people on a Facebook page to watch an AAU game. That's right, No, there's no but yeah, the shoe exploding made him more interesting.

He got a million people on a Facebook page to watch an AAU game. That's right, No, there's no but yeah, the shoe exploding made him more interesting.

Yeah, and now he just you know, it just hasn't panned out. He's always hurt, he's always no.

Yeah, and now he just you know, it just hasn't panned out. He's always hurt, he's always no.

Now, remember this overweight.

Now, remember this overweight.

I believe his first year his numbers were the best since Wilt as a rookie.

I believe his first year his numbers were the best since Wilt as a rookie.

Yeah, I think no, something like in the paint he was scoring at shack like levels. Yeah, and he just can't stay healthy and off the court been a bit of a mess. We're not going to revisit some of his uh issues, shall we say, but uh listen, when he could get healthy, that would be great.

Yeah, I think no, something like in the paint he was scoring at shack like levels. Yeah, and he just can't stay healthy and off the court been a bit of a mess. We're not going to revisit some of his uh issues, shall we say, but uh listen, when he could get healthy, that would be great.

And he's still only like twenty five years old.

And he's still only like twenty five years old.

No, No, I mean they're the other there's in the right environment. I think you have to get him out of New Orleans and all that good food. Send him to Indianapolis, a very average food city. The New Orleans is oh, I'm sorry, I spent a week. I spent five days in New Orleans. It's my tenth time there. All you do is eat, yes, drink and eat.

No, No, I mean they're the other there's in the right environment. I think you have to get him out of New Orleans and all that good food. Send him to Indianapolis, a very average food city. The New Orleans is oh, I'm sorry, I spent a week. I spent five days in New Orleans. It's my tenth time there. All you do is eat, yes, drink and eat.

And he did put on some weight there.

And he did put on some weight there.

Yeah, of course had stomach flu. So it all came back out J mack with the news.

Yeah, of course had stomach flu. So it all came back out J mack with the news.

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

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

A few things that J McK and I have disagreed with on the years brought Purty. He views him as better than Brett Farhrv. I view him as a bit of a ham and egger. But another one is that the inside the NBA crew with Shaq and Kenny Ernie and Sir Charles, it's.

A few things that J McK and I have disagreed with on the years brought Purty. He views him as better than Brett Farhrv. I view him as a bit of a ham and egger. But another one is that the inside the NBA crew with Shaq and Kenny Ernie and Sir Charles, it's.

Hurting the league. It's so hyper credit cool.

Hurting the league. It's so hyper credit cool.

So Lebron James was talking about face of the league stuff and he made this comment because Lebron's obviously been face of the league for fifteen years, he had this to say.

So Lebron James was talking about face of the league stuff and he made this comment because Lebron's obviously been face of the league for fifteen years, he had this to say.

Why do you want to be the face of the league when all all to put all the people that you know that cover our game and talk about our game on a day to day base on everybody I had that responsibility. That's is just weird. It's weird energy from the people that.

Why do you want to be the face of the league when all all to put all the people that you know that cover our game and talk about our game on a day to day base on everybody I had that responsibility. That's is just weird. It's weird energy from the people that.

You know.

You know.

I don't know, but Channing he said it. He said it perfectly.

I don't know, but Channing he said it. He said it perfectly.

Okay, all these people who cover the league.

Okay, all these people who cover the league.

I may not talk about the NBA as much as Steven A, but I talk a lot about it, and I have big platforms. Okay, I've been critical of Lebron James twice in his career. I thought his first year in Los Angeles he was distracted. It was like business more than basketball. He didn't like the roster. I get it, and the browny thing feels forced to me. But you know, I had one rant on that out of Savannah and Lebron are great parents. But the NBA, actually the players have the most power, and because of that, even their coaches walk on eggshell with stars. They don't get hard coaching in AAU basketball it's more of a circus than a developmental league. And there's one show in the NBA that is very critical of the players. Occasionally, it's more of an entertainment vehicle. That's the inside the NBA. That's it, and it's often better than the games.

I may not talk about the NBA as much as Steven A, but I talk a lot about it, and I have big platforms. Okay, I've been critical of Lebron James twice in his career. I thought his first year in Los Angeles he was distracted. It was like business more than basketball. He didn't like the roster. I get it, and the browny thing feels forced to me. But you know, I had one rant on that out of Savannah and Lebron are great parents. But the NBA, actually the players have the most power, and because of that, even their coaches walk on eggshell with stars. They don't get hard coaching in AAU basketball it's more of a circus than a developmental league. And there's one show in the NBA that is very critical of the players. Occasionally, it's more of an entertainment vehicle. That's the inside the NBA. That's it, and it's often better than the games.

It wins.

It wins.

The most Awards and it's easily the most watched. Lamar Jackson wins seventy six percent of his games, and the commentary on him is ruthless, messy in his search for this first World Cup, brutal like death threat, stuff like brutal. So the NBA media, outside of one show is I would say, is mostly fawning. So this idea that everybody picks on the NBA. NBA players have so much power starting in aau basketball everybody walks on eggshells around him. I mean, Mahomes gets ripped, Josh Allen gets ripped, Lamar Jackson gets ripped, justin her Birds gets everybody in the NFL gets ripped. The majority of things that were critical, like guys like me or critical about the NBA. Adam Silver is actually critical of and is concerned about, like you know, like the load management stuff, and Lebron himself has been critical of something I have.

The most Awards and it's easily the most watched. Lamar Jackson wins seventy six percent of his games, and the commentary on him is ruthless, messy in his search for this first World Cup, brutal like death threat, stuff like brutal. So the NBA media, outside of one show is I would say, is mostly fawning. So this idea that everybody picks on the NBA. NBA players have so much power starting in aau basketball everybody walks on eggshells around him. I mean, Mahomes gets ripped, Josh Allen gets ripped, Lamar Jackson gets ripped, justin her Birds gets everybody in the NFL gets ripped. The majority of things that were critical, like guys like me or critical about the NBA. Adam Silver is actually critical of and is concerned about, like you know, like the load management stuff, and Lebron himself has been critical of something I have.

There's too many damn threes.

There's too many damn threes.

It's a bigger conversation. It's not just the All Star Game.

It's a bigger conversation. It's not just the All Star Game.

It's ours.

It's ours.

Our game in general, our game is it's a lot of trees being shot, So it's a it's a bigger conversation just an All Star Game.

Our game in general, our game is it's a lot of trees being shot, So it's a it's a bigger conversation just an All Star Game.

So Lebron is addressing my primary criticism of the league. Load management's bad for fans as too many threes. And Jason Tatum is the one player in the NBA that wants to be the face of the league. But the truth is he doesn't have the aura or the charisma. He's just a great player. It's not hate, just being honest. It's just being honest. So I don't buy this nonsense that I would argue that the football culture in America, the coaching's tougher and the media is much harsher.

So Lebron is addressing my primary criticism of the league. Load management's bad for fans as too many threes. And Jason Tatum is the one player in the NBA that wants to be the face of the league. But the truth is he doesn't have the aura or the charisma. He's just a great player. It's not hate, just being honest. It's just being honest. So I don't buy this nonsense that I would argue that the football culture in America, the coaching's tougher and the media is much harsher.

Even in college football.

Even in college football.

Players get death threats in college football when they drop passes and miskicks. That's not happening a lot in college basketball. It doesn't happen in AAU, it doesn't happen in the NBA. So let let's stop this hold. Oh Berkley is so I watched that show last night. It's a comedy show. That's what that show is. It's a comedy show that sometimes is willing to poke some of the NBA superstars gently in the ribs.

Players get death threats in college football when they drop passes and miskicks. That's not happening a lot in college basketball. It doesn't happen in AAU, it doesn't happen in the NBA. So let let's stop this hold. Oh Berkley is so I watched that show last night. It's a comedy show. That's what that show is. It's a comedy show that sometimes is willing to poke some of the NBA superstars gently in the ribs.

Gently.

Gently.

So I don't think brock pretty is Joe Montana, and I don't think the inside the NBA show is turning people off.

So I don't think brock pretty is Joe Montana, and I don't think the inside the NBA show is turning people off.

I don't buy it.

I don't buy it.

I don't I would argue negative opinions. I mean, if you look at the algorithms of YouTube, Facebook, negativity helps popularity. I mean, who's president for the second time, the most polarizing person who the media attacks twenty four to seven? I mean the media, there's no except for the network called Fox. Media attacks are President? That makes his followers more strident. So the idea that that criticism hurts a rating, I'm I would argue, when you're critical of somebody, it makes people defend them to a greater degree. And I just don't buy that the NBA media, I think it's pretty fawning by and large. Coming up next, and for the record, what did I lead my show with for the third time this week?

I don't I would argue negative opinions. I mean, if you look at the algorithms of YouTube, Facebook, negativity helps popularity. I mean, who's president for the second time, the most polarizing person who the media attacks twenty four to seven? I mean the media, there's no except for the network called Fox. Media attacks are President? That makes his followers more strident. So the idea that that criticism hurts a rating, I'm I would argue, when you're critical of somebody, it makes people defend them to a greater degree. And I just don't buy that the NBA media, I think it's pretty fawning by and large. Coming up next, and for the record, what did I lead my show with for the third time this week?

How great Lebron is? All right?

How great Lebron is? All right?

I know, I know I'm not Barkley, but you know I got a few followers. Coming up next, we'll go to the NFL Combine with one of the guys that I think does as good a job as anybody in the country. His dad was a former coach. He'll join us live from Indy on breaking down players. You can go back and look at his thoughts and picks. He doesn't miss much. We'll go to Indy next live in LA.

I know, I know I'm not Barkley, but you know I got a few followers. Coming up next, we'll go to the NFL Combine with one of the guys that I think does as good a job as anybody in the country. His dad was a former coach. He'll join us live from Indy on breaking down players. You can go back and look at his thoughts and picks. He doesn't miss much. We'll go to Indy next live in LA.

It's the Hurt.

It's the Hurt.

Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays and noon easternn AM Pacific.

Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays and noon easternn AM Pacific.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I was thinking about this before we go to Indy for the combine that Travis Hunter said he wanted to play one hundred percent of the snaps.

I was thinking about this before we go to Indy for the combine that Travis Hunter said he wanted to play one hundred percent of the snaps.

He wants to go both ways.

He wants to go both ways.

So when NBA guys want the night off, Travis Hunter is like, I don't want to snap off.

So when NBA guys want the night off, Travis Hunter is like, I don't want to snap off.

It does matter.

It does matter.

But you know, I was thinking about this is last year, twelve million people watched the first round of the draft. That was better than the NBA Finals that had Jason Tatum and the big brand Celtics. Why how is that possible? How is the beginning of a career. By the way, the first round is long. You sit there for ten minutes waiting for picks. It's people on phones, it's highlights from their college careers. It got twelve million viewers. That's beaten stuff like you know, like like big Bowl games. That's that's beating the NBA Finals with the Celtics in it. And I think the reason is, and this is why the w NBA Draft last year was more interesting than the NBA draft stories. I mean, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese came into the league, they had stories. Baker Mayfield came into the league, he had a story. Travis Hunter, Shador Sanders, cam Ward Carter, the defensive end for Penn State. You get to follow all these guys, and I think I really do is the draft is in late April and it's getting monster numbers. And this is why I've said for years, college basketball is the NBA's ally. It is their best friend. And Adam Silver when he first got that job, saw him as the enemy. And the G League hurts the NBA. It hurts the NBA. The players disappear and then end up on bad teams. I have no story. I have no visceral connection at all. So the truth is Colorado wasn't even a good team, and yet Shaduor Sanders and Travis Hunter come into this league. This program three years ago was the worst in college football. But because guys stay in college, because the NFL's always understood the power of college football. I can't wait to watch it. I don't know how Travis Hunter is going to do. I don't know how Shader's going to do. But I'm into their stories. I said it this year Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark. I knew the first seven people taken in the WNBA draft. Do you remember the first player taken in the NBA draft Unless you're like a die hard, it was a French guy, I think, and I'm a sportscast. I mean, it just didn't have any impact. I didn't want to watch it. I didn't care. I knew he wouldn't have an impact. He goes to a bad team, it wouldn't matter.

But you know, I was thinking about this is last year, twelve million people watched the first round of the draft. That was better than the NBA Finals that had Jason Tatum and the big brand Celtics. Why how is that possible? How is the beginning of a career. By the way, the first round is long. You sit there for ten minutes waiting for picks. It's people on phones, it's highlights from their college careers. It got twelve million viewers. That's beaten stuff like you know, like like big Bowl games. That's that's beating the NBA Finals with the Celtics in it. And I think the reason is, and this is why the w NBA Draft last year was more interesting than the NBA draft stories. I mean, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese came into the league, they had stories. Baker Mayfield came into the league, he had a story. Travis Hunter, Shador Sanders, cam Ward Carter, the defensive end for Penn State. You get to follow all these guys, and I think I really do is the draft is in late April and it's getting monster numbers. And this is why I've said for years, college basketball is the NBA's ally. It is their best friend. And Adam Silver when he first got that job, saw him as the enemy. And the G League hurts the NBA. It hurts the NBA. The players disappear and then end up on bad teams. I have no story. I have no visceral connection at all. So the truth is Colorado wasn't even a good team, and yet Shaduor Sanders and Travis Hunter come into this league. This program three years ago was the worst in college football. But because guys stay in college, because the NFL's always understood the power of college football. I can't wait to watch it. I don't know how Travis Hunter is going to do. I don't know how Shader's going to do. But I'm into their stories. I said it this year Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark. I knew the first seven people taken in the WNBA draft. Do you remember the first player taken in the NBA draft Unless you're like a die hard, it was a French guy, I think, and I'm a sportscast. I mean, it just didn't have any impact. I didn't want to watch it. I didn't care. I knew he wouldn't have an impact. He goes to a bad team, it wouldn't matter.

Okay.

Okay.

So a lanzer Line has worked for and work in the NFL draft for twenty five years at NFL dot com. He does about a good job as anybody in his country. I am sitting on his draft previews the minute he starts writing him. So let's I want to talk about this about Shador Sanders. Yesterday, Daniel Jeremiah came on the show and he said, what is his great trait? And I said, my favorite part. He had no run game and an awful offensive line, so he has had to initiate offense. That is a real NFL experience, because you're gonna go to a team with a bat old line that doesn't have great weapons.

So a lanzer Line has worked for and work in the NFL draft for twenty five years at NFL dot com. He does about a good job as anybody in his country. I am sitting on his draft previews the minute he starts writing him. So let's I want to talk about this about Shador Sanders. Yesterday, Daniel Jeremiah came on the show and he said, what is his great trait? And I said, my favorite part. He had no run game and an awful offensive line, so he has had to initiate offense. That is a real NFL experience, because you're gonna go to a team with a bat old line that doesn't have great weapons.

You you quarterback at Ohio State.

You you quarterback at Ohio State.

That's not the real world where a drag route from underneath becomes a sixty yard game. When you look at Shador, I think he's a B to a B plus prospect. What is his what's his superpower?

That's not the real world where a drag route from underneath becomes a sixty yard game. When you look at Shador, I think he's a B to a B plus prospect. What is his what's his superpower?

Well, his superpower and I can give DJ a call if we need to get this thing set, you know, settled, I can call him Colin.

Well, his superpower and I can give DJ a call if we need to get this thing set, you know, settled, I can call him Colin.

But what he you know, if you're talking about the traits, the arm.

But what he you know, if you're talking about the traits, the arm.

Of this, that no, But what he has are those intangibles that we always speak of all the time. The accuracy, the calm in the pocket, the poise, the confidence. That's what he has. And to me, that's really what where you start with. You know, with Shador Sanders. Cam Ward is going to be the physical stuff, but Shador Sanders is really more of the intangibles that frankly, we end up spotlighting for a lot of players that you know, end up being better than we expect them to be. So I think when you talk about superpowers, I think he's he's kind of a Clark Kent in the sense that you know, he's got the ability to do some things, but What really helps him to stand out, in my opinion, is the way he manages the pocket. He is very calm, he's very confident, and he's going to throw at the accuracy.

Of this, that no, But what he has are those intangibles that we always speak of all the time. The accuracy, the calm in the pocket, the poise, the confidence. That's what he has. And to me, that's really what where you start with. You know, with Shador Sanders. Cam Ward is going to be the physical stuff, but Shador Sanders is really more of the intangibles that frankly, we end up spotlighting for a lot of players that you know, end up being better than we expect them to be. So I think when you talk about superpowers, I think he's he's kind of a Clark Kent in the sense that you know, he's got the ability to do some things, but What really helps him to stand out, in my opinion, is the way he manages the pocket. He is very calm, he's very confident, and he's going to throw at the accuracy.

And those are three very big items.

And those are three very big items.

Is does he have a comp in the NFL, because I've heard people talk about cam Warden say and I can see it.

Is does he have a comp in the NFL, because I've heard people talk about cam Warden say and I can see it.

There's a little Caleb Williams. What is Chador's comp?

There's a little Caleb Williams. What is Chador's comp?

Didn't put one, couldn't come up with one, and and I think but I did today. I was thinking about it because I was anticipating you asked me about Shador, and I thought, you know who he needs to be. He needs to be j Stroud and Jared Goff, and you know those are my comps for each other. I thought CJ's a lot like Jared Goff. And I still think that's true. And I think that's a good thing. By the way, I think that's who shod or Sanders has to be be. Those guys be game managers who can dissect defenses and who can keep the game on track. Don't try to be something you're not, which is a guy throwing off platform. You're not Patrick Mahomes. Don't try to be Patrick Mahomes b Jared Goff. That's a really good player to be and that can win a lot of football games.

Didn't put one, couldn't come up with one, and and I think but I did today. I was thinking about it because I was anticipating you asked me about Shador, and I thought, you know who he needs to be. He needs to be j Stroud and Jared Goff, and you know those are my comps for each other. I thought CJ's a lot like Jared Goff. And I still think that's true. And I think that's a good thing. By the way, I think that's who shod or Sanders has to be be. Those guys be game managers who can dissect defenses and who can keep the game on track. Don't try to be something you're not, which is a guy throwing off platform. You're not Patrick Mahomes. Don't try to be Patrick Mahomes b Jared Goff. That's a really good player to be and that can win a lot of football games.

You know, when the CTE stuff hit the NFL, there was the NFL. You were hearing a lot of stories that moms didn't want their sons to play football, and I remember hearing that in the nb NFL was very aggressive pursuing moms and marketing and promoting and women. Viewership in the NFL has gone up, but there was a sense that that CTE discussion, there was like a feeling like, boy, this is too dangerous. And I remember that, and I hear how weak this draft is, and I just wonder, are we getting to a point where numbers are down kids playing football? And you know in the NBA about every third draft is a clunker. In the NFL, they're all good drafts, some are just better than others. Does this feel like it is the first of what will become a little more consistently kind of average drafts. Fewer kids are playing high school football. Does that make any sense?

You know, when the CTE stuff hit the NFL, there was the NFL. You were hearing a lot of stories that moms didn't want their sons to play football, and I remember hearing that in the nb NFL was very aggressive pursuing moms and marketing and promoting and women. Viewership in the NFL has gone up, but there was a sense that that CTE discussion, there was like a feeling like, boy, this is too dangerous. And I remember that, and I hear how weak this draft is, and I just wonder, are we getting to a point where numbers are down kids playing football? And you know in the NBA about every third draft is a clunker. In the NFL, they're all good drafts, some are just better than others. Does this feel like it is the first of what will become a little more consistently kind of average drafts. Fewer kids are playing high school football. Does that make any sense?

It makes sense. I hadn't really thought about it. I'm going to keep an eye on and I've got a counter to that, really, because I ride all these players. I look at their bios, this is the fewest amount of players we've had declare early for the NFL Draft in a long long time. So I think the talent pool is watered down because NIL is keeping more players in school. It's better for us as sports fans, colin we get to see better college basketball. Frankly, we see better college football right in terms of players staying a little bit longer. I think the flip side of that is there's also a lot of COVID players in this And what I mean by that is, I have never in my entire life, other than when I write up BYU players who typically do Mormon missions and it takes them a little longer.

It makes sense. I hadn't really thought about it. I'm going to keep an eye on and I've got a counter to that, really, because I ride all these players. I look at their bios, this is the fewest amount of players we've had declare early for the NFL Draft in a long long time. So I think the talent pool is watered down because NIL is keeping more players in school. It's better for us as sports fans, colin we get to see better college basketball. Frankly, we see better college football right in terms of players staying a little bit longer. I think the flip side of that is there's also a lot of COVID players in this And what I mean by that is, I have never in my entire life, other than when I write up BYU players who typically do Mormon missions and it takes them a little longer.

I cannot tell you the last time I wrote them.

I cannot tell you the last time I wrote them.

So many twenty three and twenty four year olds, so many players who played six years. And I think this draft is populated with the very end of the players who got the extra year from COVID. So they're older players, they're players who have been there longer. They're kind of average players I think, who are maybe better than the competition because they're frankly, older, stronger, they're just you know, they're more physically mature.