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All right, here we go, all firing, all cylinders, no breaks, all gas or something like that, live in Los Angeles. It's The Herd. What a showcase it was ended up being a really good basketball game. Wherever you may be and however you may be listening, Thanks for making us part of your day. I am so it should be noted Lakers Luca Lebron against the Mavericks' old team. The Mavericks all their bigs are hurt. It feels like so the Laker's got a lot of alleyutes. Jackson Hayes feasted. He would not get that if they were fully staffed. So you have let's add some context. Dallas's bigs were out, so it was a very small team that really helped Jackson Hayes. But I have two big takes on what was a weird night there was a lot of emotions, a weird night. Number one is JJ Reddick. It's official has figured out the Lebron code. Is that for years and years we've been trying to kind of figure this out. How do you move Lebron off ball? He's figured it out, and they tried it with Ad it didn't work. The Lebron Luca code. One's a quarterback, one's a wide receiver. Luca's gonna control the tempo, control the pace, control the game. He's gonna play quarterback. And then and Luca can really fill up the box score. First half he was like Dennis Rodman. He was dominating the glass. Second half he got some scoring, But twelve assists tells you how much and how often Luca had the ball. And he is a very deft passer, especially trying to find players down the He's a great outlet guy, a great down the floor passer. He is running the show. So that's the first thing you know. This is not Darvin Ham with frustrate Laker fans. Does he know offense? JJ Reddick knows offense. We got five games. It took Eric Spolstra about a dozen games to figure out Lebron and d Wade and Spolstra is an all time coach. I think JJ Reddick has figured out Lebron Luca in about six games. I think he figured it out in Denver, and he figured it out last night. And my number two take is that allows Lebron and I talked about this yesterday, to have these five and six minute energy spurts where he's just remarkable. But what I watched last night, I've already texted one of Lebron's guys. What I watched in the fourth quarter last night is the greatest performance I've ever seen by an old NBA player in a meaningful game. In the fourth quarter, Lebron was easily the best player on the floor. I could not believe what I was watching. Sixteen point racing down the floor, making defensive stops. Ali Hughes, I've never seen an old man fourth quarter like that in a game that had some relevance. It had some resonance. They're trying to get the Luca Lebron thing right. It's Luca playing his old team. If you had never seen Lebron James play, if it wasn't for his hairline, let's be honest, you would have watched that fourth quarter and thought, who the hell is this twenty six year old? He's amazing. I could not believe what I was watching. His energy was a notch above every other player on the floor. And he's the old guy. Even on that tip, he positioned himself aggressively. He got the tip, then followed up with a game clinching shot, and both Lebron and Luca one of the things that's really obvious, how happy, how joyful Lebron looks. This is bad for the NBA. I today five games, I would sign Lebron to a two to three year contract. You can see. It's like a kid that gets a new bike a Christmas. He is a new ice hockey game. He is so happy, he is so joyful. They tried for a year. He loved AD, but AD can't initiate offense. AD's not a quarterback. He was like the best tight end in the league, and Lebron then had to play quarterback. Now Lebron can get up the floor, conserve energy, wait until they need him for five and six minutes spurts. And I'm telling you, I sat and watched that fourth quarter. I could not believe what I was watching. He was so far and away the best player on the floor. And I know Dallas was missing Biggs. He was getting shot to the basket. He would normally not get I'm baking that in. I understand that. But I think JJ Reddick has figured it out. I think it happened faster than the d Wade Lebron convergence. I think it happened about the same time. I think Kyrie and Lebron figured it out pretty quick in Cleveland. But there's a magic Kareem feel to it where Magic runs the show. But if you got to ball four minutes left, Magic gave it to the big fella you drop in the skyhook. Now, there are obviously much different games. Luca is a much better scorer than Magic, and Kareem doesn't run the floor like Lebron. Old Kareem doesn't, But there is a magic Kareem field to it, where Hey, Luca, Magic gonna run the show. Both great passers, both can score, both just tremendous self awareness on the tile. But we're gonna give it to the big fella down late, the old big fella, and he's gonna clean stuff up. And I mean JJ Reddick talked about it and Luca after that was fun to watch. And what I saw was energy, happiness, joy. I'm telling you, I don't know if I've seen Lebron this happy since the championship year in Cleveland. I mean, that's what it looks like. His body language, his energy, it's palpable. Here's the coach and Luke after.

All right, here we go, all firing, all cylinders, no breaks, all gas or something like that, live in Los Angeles. It's The Herd. What a showcase it was ended up being a really good basketball game. Wherever you may be and however you may be listening, Thanks for making us part of your day. I am so it should be noted Lakers Luca Lebron against the Mavericks' old team. The Mavericks all their bigs are hurt. It feels like so the Laker's got a lot of alleyutes. Jackson Hayes feasted. He would not get that if they were fully staffed. So you have let's add some context. Dallas's bigs were out, so it was a very small team that really helped Jackson Hayes. But I have two big takes on what was a weird night there was a lot of emotions, a weird night. Number one is JJ Reddick. It's official has figured out the Lebron code. Is that for years and years we've been trying to kind of figure this out. How do you move Lebron off ball? He's figured it out, and they tried it with Ad it didn't work. The Lebron Luca code. One's a quarterback, one's a wide receiver. Luca's gonna control the tempo, control the pace, control the game. He's gonna play quarterback. And then and Luca can really fill up the box score. First half he was like Dennis Rodman. He was dominating the glass. Second half he got some scoring, But twelve assists tells you how much and how often Luca had the ball. And he is a very deft passer, especially trying to find players down the He's a great outlet guy, a great down the floor passer. He is running the show. So that's the first thing you know. This is not Darvin Ham with frustrate Laker fans. Does he know offense? JJ Reddick knows offense. We got five games. It took Eric Spolstra about a dozen games to figure out Lebron and d Wade and Spolstra is an all time coach. I think JJ Reddick has figured out Lebron Luca in about six games. I think he figured it out in Denver, and he figured it out last night. And my number two take is that allows Lebron and I talked about this yesterday, to have these five and six minute energy spurts where he's just remarkable. But what I watched last night, I've already texted one of Lebron's guys. What I watched in the fourth quarter last night is the greatest performance I've ever seen by an old NBA player in a meaningful game. In the fourth quarter, Lebron was easily the best player on the floor. I could not believe what I was watching. Sixteen point racing down the floor, making defensive stops. Ali Hughes, I've never seen an old man fourth quarter like that in a game that had some relevance. It had some resonance. They're trying to get the Luca Lebron thing right. It's Luca playing his old team. If you had never seen Lebron James play, if it wasn't for his hairline, let's be honest, you would have watched that fourth quarter and thought, who the hell is this twenty six year old? He's amazing. I could not believe what I was watching. His energy was a notch above every other player on the floor. And he's the old guy. Even on that tip, he positioned himself aggressively. He got the tip, then followed up with a game clinching shot, and both Lebron and Luca one of the things that's really obvious, how happy, how joyful Lebron looks. This is bad for the NBA. I today five games, I would sign Lebron to a two to three year contract. You can see. It's like a kid that gets a new bike a Christmas. He is a new ice hockey game. He is so happy, he is so joyful. They tried for a year. He loved AD, but AD can't initiate offense. AD's not a quarterback. He was like the best tight end in the league, and Lebron then had to play quarterback. Now Lebron can get up the floor, conserve energy, wait until they need him for five and six minutes spurts. And I'm telling you, I sat and watched that fourth quarter. I could not believe what I was watching. He was so far and away the best player on the floor. And I know Dallas was missing Biggs. He was getting shot to the basket. He would normally not get I'm baking that in. I understand that. But I think JJ Reddick has figured it out. I think it happened faster than the d Wade Lebron convergence. I think it happened about the same time. I think Kyrie and Lebron figured it out pretty quick in Cleveland. But there's a magic Kareem feel to it where Magic runs the show. But if you got to ball four minutes left, Magic gave it to the big fella you drop in the skyhook. Now, there are obviously much different games. Luca is a much better scorer than Magic, and Kareem doesn't run the floor like Lebron. Old Kareem doesn't, But there is a magic Kareem field to it, where Hey, Luca, Magic gonna run the show. Both great passers, both can score, both just tremendous self awareness on the tile. But we're gonna give it to the big fella down late, the old big fella, and he's gonna clean stuff up. And I mean JJ Reddick talked about it and Luca after that was fun to watch. And what I saw was energy, happiness, joy. I'm telling you, I don't know if I've seen Lebron this happy since the championship year in Cleveland. I mean, that's what it looks like. His body language, his energy, it's palpable. Here's the coach and Luke after.

He gives off a certain level of joy, and I feel that joy and it gives me joy.

He gives off a certain level of joy, and I feel that joy and it gives me joy.

That's just how it's always been.

That's just how it's always been.

Him and I communicated the very first day he got to LA was just like, are you comfortable being coached with honesty?

Him and I communicated the very first day he got to LA was just like, are you comfortable being coached with honesty?

And he said yes?

And he said yes?

Are you comfortable with being coached with direct communication? He said yes, that's that's what I would And I said, okay, great, and were you and I are gonna be good and it has been.

Are you comfortable with being coached with direct communication? He said yes, that's that's what I would And I said, okay, great, and were you and I are gonna be good and it has been.

The closure is going to take a while thing, I know, it just it's not ideal. But you know, like I said, I'm glad this game is over. You know, there's a lot of emotions.

The closure is going to take a while thing, I know, it just it's not ideal. But you know, like I said, I'm glad this game is over. You know, there's a lot of emotions.

We'll go.

We'll go.

He live by little, you know, and every day is better.

He live by little, you know, and every day is better.

That's a fun watch, isn't it amazing? Jimmy Butler to the Warriors, Luca to the Lakers. You look up and you're like maybe they won't have a TV rating problem next three months in the NBA. So let's be honest. Obviously, Nico Harrison's legacy, this is not going to do it any favors. But this needs to be said about the Luca trade. We have to be fair. If A d was healthy and he'll be back in a couple of months with the Mavericks, it may be too late. But if Ad he was healthy, Dallas is an excellent team. Okay. First of all, Kyrie Irving now gets the ball in his hands more often. He's magical. He is the greatest six to two closer in league history. He is, in my opinion, he is the most skilled basketball player in the world. Left hand, right hand, outside mid range floaters. I've never seen a player like him. This is not a revelation. Everybody knows this. But now that he gets the ball more holy whatever the kids magical number two is Ady's a perfect fit with him. In the one game they played together, ad took the Rockets to the Cleaners. He dominated twenty six, sixteen and seven Eighty's a perfect fit. He'll anchor the back line, he'll anchor the defense. He doesn't need the ball in his hands, So Kyrie and Ad are actually you could argue a better fit than Kyrie and Luca because Kyrie is not a great defensive player. Luca's worse, and Ad doesn't need the ball.

That's a fun watch, isn't it amazing? Jimmy Butler to the Warriors, Luca to the Lakers. You look up and you're like maybe they won't have a TV rating problem next three months in the NBA. So let's be honest. Obviously, Nico Harrison's legacy, this is not going to do it any favors. But this needs to be said about the Luca trade. We have to be fair. If A d was healthy and he'll be back in a couple of months with the Mavericks, it may be too late. But if Ad he was healthy, Dallas is an excellent team. Okay. First of all, Kyrie Irving now gets the ball in his hands more often. He's magical. He is the greatest six to two closer in league history. He is, in my opinion, he is the most skilled basketball player in the world. Left hand, right hand, outside mid range floaters. I've never seen a player like him. This is not a revelation. Everybody knows this. But now that he gets the ball more holy whatever the kids magical number two is Ady's a perfect fit with him. In the one game they played together, ad took the Rockets to the Cleaners. He dominated twenty six, sixteen and seven Eighty's a perfect fit. He'll anchor the back line, he'll anchor the defense. He doesn't need the ball in his hands, So Kyrie and Ad are actually you could argue a better fit than Kyrie and Luca because Kyrie is not a great defensive player. Luca's worse, and Ad doesn't need the ball.

In his hands.

In his hands.

That's better for Kyrie. And he's a great defensive player. I think he's the best defensive player in the league. And here's here's the other thing. Dallas has got a lot of very good supplemental or role players. PJ. Washington, Klay Thompson was hot as hell last night, Spencer Dinwood, He's always been a pro, Max Christy, Derek Lively when he comes back now two or three months. Generally, young athletes he's young get healthy faster than you think. But Dallas, actually, I think their roster fits better than the Lakers. Lakers have more playmakers between Austin Reeves, Luca and Lebron, they are top heavy on playmakers. But I would argue the Dallas Mavericks have the best center rotation in the league when everybody's healthy. I think their pieces fit really, really well. And if Ad wasn't hurt, I mean, it's a lobsided trade because of Luca's greatness and his age. But if Ad was playing right now. I think Dallas is good enough to win the West. I really do. I really like Dallas. I think Jason Kidd's done an unbelievable job iving, gets the ball more, and it's just a bunch of there's a lot of depth, there's a lot of good rotational supplemental players. I like Dallas. Hell last night, they got no size. Lakers had their number one rebounding game of the season. Jackson Hayes is eating nobody to guard the ten, and they hung around. They just hung around. I mean, Luca has so much respect for Kyrie. When he got matched up with him in the fourth quarter, it's almost like he just waved the flag. It's like this is not going to end well. So we can bag on Dallas all you want. If Ady was healthy. This is a really well constructed basketball team. And I thought their effort last night was surprisingly good. And here's the coach after.

That's better for Kyrie. And he's a great defensive player. I think he's the best defensive player in the league. And here's here's the other thing. Dallas has got a lot of very good supplemental or role players. PJ. Washington, Klay Thompson was hot as hell last night, Spencer Dinwood, He's always been a pro, Max Christy, Derek Lively when he comes back now two or three months. Generally, young athletes he's young get healthy faster than you think. But Dallas, actually, I think their roster fits better than the Lakers. Lakers have more playmakers between Austin Reeves, Luca and Lebron, they are top heavy on playmakers. But I would argue the Dallas Mavericks have the best center rotation in the league when everybody's healthy. I think their pieces fit really, really well. And if Ad wasn't hurt, I mean, it's a lobsided trade because of Luca's greatness and his age. But if Ad was playing right now. I think Dallas is good enough to win the West. I really do. I really like Dallas. I think Jason Kidd's done an unbelievable job iving, gets the ball more, and it's just a bunch of there's a lot of depth, there's a lot of good rotational supplemental players. I like Dallas. Hell last night, they got no size. Lakers had their number one rebounding game of the season. Jackson Hayes is eating nobody to guard the ten, and they hung around. They just hung around. I mean, Luca has so much respect for Kyrie. When he got matched up with him in the fourth quarter, it's almost like he just waved the flag. It's like this is not going to end well. So we can bag on Dallas all you want. If Ady was healthy. This is a really well constructed basketball team. And I thought their effort last night was surprisingly good. And here's the coach after.

I thought we did a great job of the emotion of the game, understanding what our game plan and our job was. This terrifying way to win. We put ourselves in a position came up short, but I thought the guys fought as you brought up we were down sixteen, and we didn't let go of the rope. We kept fighting and found our way into this game and could have win either way. But they were the better team tonight.

I thought we did a great job of the emotion of the game, understanding what our game plan and our job was. This terrifying way to win. We put ourselves in a position came up short, but I thought the guys fought as you brought up we were down sixteen, and we didn't let go of the rope. We kept fighting and found our way into this game and could have win either way. But they were the better team tonight.

I'll just say this, Lakers got a big lead in the first half. That game could have been over at half. Dallas kept hitting threes. Klay Thompson was huge. I mean, Dallas had every reason to pack it in. I thought it could be a blood bath, and it got real close with about four minutes and a half. I thought this gonna be a blood bath, and Dallas just scratched and clawed and fought with none of their bigs. I mean they could have lost by thirty and you'd have just said, yeah, yeah, That's why I thought it was gonna be a blood bath. So Lakers may have won the trade. Dallas is well constructed. That is a well constructed team. J Mack is being cynically looking at me. I'm saying, at the end of that first half, when it was like twelve, if that thing would have ended up eighteen at half thirty end of the third quarter, you to come home from your luxury seats and thought I saw what I thought I would saw. Be honest, when that thing was tied in the fourth quarter. If Lebron wasn't playing the best fourth quarter of his last decade, Lakers don't win that game.

I'll just say this, Lakers got a big lead in the first half. That game could have been over at half. Dallas kept hitting threes. Klay Thompson was huge. I mean, Dallas had every reason to pack it in. I thought it could be a blood bath, and it got real close with about four minutes and a half. I thought this gonna be a blood bath, and Dallas just scratched and clawed and fought with none of their bigs. I mean they could have lost by thirty and you'd have just said, yeah, yeah, That's why I thought it was gonna be a blood bath. So Lakers may have won the trade. Dallas is well constructed. That is a well constructed team. J Mack is being cynically looking at me. I'm saying, at the end of that first half, when it was like twelve, if that thing would have ended up eighteen at half thirty end of the third quarter, you to come home from your luxury seats and thought I saw what I thought I would saw. Be honest, when that thing was tied in the fourth quarter. If Lebron wasn't playing the best fourth quarter of his last decade, Lakers don't win that game.

Yeah, no, that great point.

Yeah, no, that great point.

It looked like Luca kind of ran out of gas the emotional cold war. He didn't do much offensively, had a couple of nice passes, but I can't believe you just won.

It looked like Luca kind of ran out of gas the emotional cold war. He didn't do much offensively, had a couple of nice passes, but I can't believe you just won.

Eleven minutes raving about this game.

Eleven minutes raving about this game.

And zero mention of Austin Reeves, who, by the way, smart move by JJ Reddick. He put Austin Reeves on Klay Thompson after Clay got hot. Final five minutes, zero baskets for Klay Thompson. I'm telling you, man, this Lakers team is Yeah, the maps are well constructed, but this Lakers team.

And zero mention of Austin Reeves, who, by the way, smart move by JJ Reddick. He put Austin Reeves on Klay Thompson after Clay got hot. Final five minutes, zero baskets for Klay Thompson. I'm telling you, man, this Lakers team is Yeah, the maps are well constructed, but this Lakers team.

And I think the things. One of the things that jumps out to you is these guys really like playing together like you could just sometimes you can watch. I've criticized quarterbacks in the NFL for this, like body language when they're trailing, and like Matt Stafford's got good body language. You can never tell if Matt's winning or losing. His body language is positive. He's barked at players the Lakers language with Lebron and Luca Lebron. That's the happiest I have seen him since the Kyrie Lebron Championship. Ye're in Cleveland. Even when they were winning in COVID, it always felt like he was waiting for Ady to kind of take the baton. And this is not a knock at Ad. He's not an initiator of offense. He's a finisher, but he's not a guy Lebron. The Lakers wanted him to take it over, and to his credit, the last two years eight he's been a monster defensively, little inconsistent offensively, but a monster. And I thought Austin ad and Lebron was a good fit. You watch this fil they have playmakers and when when Lebron would miss a game, Austin Reeves was like the only playmaker on the floor. They now have three legitimate playmakers.

And I think the things. One of the things that jumps out to you is these guys really like playing together like you could just sometimes you can watch. I've criticized quarterbacks in the NFL for this, like body language when they're trailing, and like Matt Stafford's got good body language. You can never tell if Matt's winning or losing. His body language is positive. He's barked at players the Lakers language with Lebron and Luca Lebron. That's the happiest I have seen him since the Kyrie Lebron Championship. Ye're in Cleveland. Even when they were winning in COVID, it always felt like he was waiting for Ady to kind of take the baton. And this is not a knock at Ad. He's not an initiator of offense. He's a finisher, but he's not a guy Lebron. The Lakers wanted him to take it over, and to his credit, the last two years eight he's been a monster defensively, little inconsistent offensively, but a monster. And I thought Austin ad and Lebron was a good fit. You watch this fil they have playmakers and when when Lebron would miss a game, Austin Reeves was like the only playmaker on the floor. They now have three legitimate playmakers.

So other small things.

So other small things.

So Luca was would be sitting on the bench, and of course I'm watching interactions with teammates, but when someone's shooting free throws, a MAVs player would come down to the Lakers bench and like dap up, Luca, good to see you. Many everybody loves Luka. Doncis Colin. This trade just it's just so strange. Lakers all love him, the MAVs players love him. I'm sure you saw all the videos.

So Luca was would be sitting on the bench, and of course I'm watching interactions with teammates, but when someone's shooting free throws, a MAVs player would come down to the Lakers bench and like dap up, Luca, good to see you. Many everybody loves Luka. Doncis Colin. This trade just it's just so strange. Lakers all love him, the MAVs players love him. I'm sure you saw all the videos.

Everybody can congratulate. The only guy who wanted to trade it was the GM. I mean it is still I.

Everybody can congratulate. The only guy who wanted to trade it was the GM. I mean it is still I.

Mean, if you go back and remember what the Lakers were before the paw Gasol trade, I mean, they had a couple of years where Shaq left and Kobe's like talking about Chicago, and then they landed paw Gasol, and I remember sitting on a plane thinking, man, they gave up a little, but I was a heist. That feels like a heist. This is a heist with a better offensive player.

Mean, if you go back and remember what the Lakers were before the paw Gasol trade, I mean, they had a couple of years where Shaq left and Kobe's like talking about Chicago, and then they landed paw Gasol, and I remember sitting on a plane thinking, man, they gave up a little, but I was a heist. That feels like a heist. This is a heist with a better offensive player.

So it's listen, they're going to the finals.

So it's listen, they're going to the finals.

Show now.

Show now.

Rim protection. Jackson Hayes is a hip hop fun He's a pogo stick. The guy can jump out of the gym and he really fits.

Rim protection. Jackson Hayes is a hip hop fun He's a pogo stick. The guy can jump out of the gym and he really fits.

I don't know a bit of a space cadet, you know, headbutting the ball when it goes through whatever.

I don't know a bit of a space cadet, you know, headbutting the ball when it goes through whatever.

But but let'll be honest about this. Jackson Hayes is a huge beneficiary of this because Austin, Lebron and Luca are all great passers. Jackson Hayes is getting more free lunches. Last night just lobbs it. You know what it felt like DeAndre Jordan playing with Chris Paul You're just in the city. Yeah, I mean it was just like a DeAndre is like, yeah, I want to get eighteen points tonight twelve on Alley Oops. If you feel like owning a home is out of reach, Rocket is here to give you the keys to the dream. They believe everybody deserves a shot at owning a home. Visit Rocket dot com or call eight hundred four Rocket.

But but let'll be honest about this. Jackson Hayes is a huge beneficiary of this because Austin, Lebron and Luca are all great passers. Jackson Hayes is getting more free lunches. Last night just lobbs it. You know what it felt like DeAndre Jordan playing with Chris Paul You're just in the city. Yeah, I mean it was just like a DeAndre is like, yeah, I want to get eighteen points tonight twelve on Alley Oops. If you feel like owning a home is out of reach, Rocket is here to give you the keys to the dream. They believe everybody deserves a shot at owning a home. Visit Rocket dot com or call eight hundred four Rocket.

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

So I thought this was notable. There's been a lot of talk about Matt Stafford being interested in leaving. I'm told he's not interested in leaving, but he wants more years and more money than the Rams will give him. And a lot of the teams out there, you know, the Giants, tire Fire coach GM in the hot seat, Steelers tone deaf to offense, Cleveland yach not interested. The Raiders thing is interesting. So there's a story this morning that Tom Brady reached out to Matt Stafford and said, would you consider us? I just want you to say this out loud, because the NFL's magic potion, more than any sports league, is immediate hope. I mean, go to the Rams, pre McVeigh, the Texans, pre CJ. Stroud, the Commanders. Before they flushed everybody out, they were a laughingstock. So the idea of the Raiders could turn it around. Just say this out loud, Pete Carroll, Matt Stafford, Chip Kelly, OC, Max Crosby, elite pass rusher, and Brock Bauers an unbelievable once in a generation tight end. That's pretty interesting. And they also landed probably a ten year center last year in the draft, the highest retted center. They look to be pretty good at offensive tackle. So there's two things Tom Brady can sell. Number one, no state tax in Nevada. California has thirteen and a half percent money matters. Don't listen to anybody no state tax. Number two, the Raiders will give you more years and much more money. I'm telling you the difference between a two year deal in LA and a four year deal with the Raiders could be seventy million dollars. You have to consider that this. I've said this with the Raiders. They check a lot of boxes. Now they've got a head coach, they have a left tackle, they've got an elite weapon, They've gott an elite edge rusher. Are they wonky upstairs? Yep, they are, absolutely But Chip Kelly and Pete Carroll give you a legitimate coaching staff. So I mean Pete Carroll. When people asked why Pete Carroll would take the Raiders job. Don't think Tom Brady doesn't have an influence Tom Brady.

So I thought this was notable. There's been a lot of talk about Matt Stafford being interested in leaving. I'm told he's not interested in leaving, but he wants more years and more money than the Rams will give him. And a lot of the teams out there, you know, the Giants, tire Fire coach GM in the hot seat, Steelers tone deaf to offense, Cleveland yach not interested. The Raiders thing is interesting. So there's a story this morning that Tom Brady reached out to Matt Stafford and said, would you consider us? I just want you to say this out loud, because the NFL's magic potion, more than any sports league, is immediate hope. I mean, go to the Rams, pre McVeigh, the Texans, pre CJ. Stroud, the Commanders. Before they flushed everybody out, they were a laughingstock. So the idea of the Raiders could turn it around. Just say this out loud, Pete Carroll, Matt Stafford, Chip Kelly, OC, Max Crosby, elite pass rusher, and Brock Bauers an unbelievable once in a generation tight end. That's pretty interesting. And they also landed probably a ten year center last year in the draft, the highest retted center. They look to be pretty good at offensive tackle. So there's two things Tom Brady can sell. Number one, no state tax in Nevada. California has thirteen and a half percent money matters. Don't listen to anybody no state tax. Number two, the Raiders will give you more years and much more money. I'm telling you the difference between a two year deal in LA and a four year deal with the Raiders could be seventy million dollars. You have to consider that this. I've said this with the Raiders. They check a lot of boxes. Now they've got a head coach, they have a left tackle, they've got an elite weapon, They've gott an elite edge rusher. Are they wonky upstairs? Yep, they are, absolutely But Chip Kelly and Pete Carroll give you a legitimate coaching staff. So I mean Pete Carroll. When people asked why Pete Carroll would take the Raiders job. Don't think Tom Brady doesn't have an influence Tom Brady.

It starts there.

It starts there.

When Tom wanted to do this and he wanted to be part of this thing, that changed my outlook on what could be possible. I've found out since how consistently he is a great compare mentality and spirit, and he passed it right through to the rest of the ownership groups that has been incredibly fired up in Jack to do something special.

When Tom wanted to do this and he wanted to be part of this thing, that changed my outlook on what could be possible. I've found out since how consistently he is a great compare mentality and spirit, and he passed it right through to the rest of the ownership groups that has been incredibly fired up in Jack to do something special.

I always talk about, do you check four or five boxes in this league? Head coach, offensive coordinator, left tackle, quarterback, one great weapon, pass rusher. Matt Stafford shows up. Raiders check all those boxes. They're a little better than people think. Defensively, they were all beat up last year, but they gave Kansas City fits two times they played them, So this one, this is a much better opportunity than New York. You're playing indoors, no state tax, You've got a brand new coaching staff. I get Chip Kelly and Pete Carroll. That's attractive to me. And the Raiders will give you three or four years. Rams are not going to do that. The Raiders would give you fifty million. Rams may not do that. So now now this also makes me think. I think, and I'm serious on this, money is something for Matt He's not gonna get all the Super Bowl trophies. Folks, the difference between living in California and living the bad of state tax. If they give you an extra year or two, that could be a seventy five million dollar swing you'd be. You got to do your due diligence on that stuff. I know you don't think that matters. The media has always said it doesn't matter. It matters to agents and players. It matters to every business guy in the country. What are the regulations, what's the state tax? What are housing prices. I'm just telling you the Raiders is a very very interesting fit, and I think Sean mcvahan les sneed and Stan Kronky. No, that's the one that scares him. That's the one. I mean again, he would he would be going to the other conference. You wouldn't have to face him regularly. That one I'm gonna keep my eye on. And this makes me believe that Aaron Rodgers. Again, what have I said about Aaron Rodgers in terms of fit? The Rams are great bad coaching staff to great coaching staff. Aaron fitting with the Rams Stafford of the Raiders. It makes sense for a lot of reasons. If and I don't think he wants to, if Matt Stafford leaves j Mack with the.

I always talk about, do you check four or five boxes in this league? Head coach, offensive coordinator, left tackle, quarterback, one great weapon, pass rusher. Matt Stafford shows up. Raiders check all those boxes. They're a little better than people think. Defensively, they were all beat up last year, but they gave Kansas City fits two times they played them, So this one, this is a much better opportunity than New York. You're playing indoors, no state tax, You've got a brand new coaching staff. I get Chip Kelly and Pete Carroll. That's attractive to me. And the Raiders will give you three or four years. Rams are not going to do that. The Raiders would give you fifty million. Rams may not do that. So now now this also makes me think. I think, and I'm serious on this, money is something for Matt He's not gonna get all the Super Bowl trophies. Folks, the difference between living in California and living the bad of state tax. If they give you an extra year or two, that could be a seventy five million dollar swing you'd be. You got to do your due diligence on that stuff. I know you don't think that matters. The media has always said it doesn't matter. It matters to agents and players. It matters to every business guy in the country. What are the regulations, what's the state tax? What are housing prices. I'm just telling you the Raiders is a very very interesting fit, and I think Sean mcvahan les sneed and Stan Kronky. No, that's the one that scares him. That's the one. I mean again, he would he would be going to the other conference. You wouldn't have to face him regularly. That one I'm gonna keep my eye on. And this makes me believe that Aaron Rodgers. Again, what have I said about Aaron Rodgers in terms of fit? The Rams are great bad coaching staff to great coaching staff. Aaron fitting with the Rams Stafford of the Raiders. It makes sense for a lot of reasons. If and I don't think he wants to, if Matt Stafford leaves j Mack with the.

News, the news, this is the headline news.

News, the news, this is the headline news.

All right, let's start with another quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. The Jets moved on from him wisely. Uh and some you know are saying, well, what's our quarterback situation going to be?

All right, let's start with another quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. The Jets moved on from him wisely. Uh and some you know are saying, well, what's our quarterback situation going to be?

Like?

Like?

Well, Jake Glazer when he broke the news, there was some issues in the locker room. Quinton Williams tweeted out in displeasure of jumping Aaron Rodgers, saying another rebuild year for me. I guess well. Yesterday at the combine, coach Aaron Glenn addressed his stars tweet and other players.

Well, Jake Glazer when he broke the news, there was some issues in the locker room. Quinton Williams tweeted out in displeasure of jumping Aaron Rodgers, saying another rebuild year for me. I guess well. Yesterday at the combine, coach Aaron Glenn addressed his stars tweet and other players.

Colin were apparently upset with the move.

Colin were apparently upset with the move.

Yes, I have talked to him and listen, I understand the reaction of the players, but I will say this, Every decision that man move should make is to win and to win now, so I understand it.

Yes, I have talked to him and listen, I understand the reaction of the players, but I will say this, Every decision that man move should make is to win and to win now, so I understand it.

But again, this is not gonna be the last decision I make.

But again, this is not gonna be the last decision I make.

Right, That's not gonna not upset some people.

Right, That's not gonna not upset some people.

That's okay, right, but as a man, we talk about it. Well, make sure we keep it in the house.

That's okay, right, but as a man, we talk about it. Well, make sure we keep it in the house.

That we go to continue to do.

That we go to continue to do.

Very interesting there. There is not a quarterback on the market that played as well as Aaron Rodgers did in the last ten games.

Very interesting there. There is not a quarterback on the market that played as well as Aaron Rodgers did in the last ten games.

I'll just Sam Darnold played better than.

I'll just Sam Darnold played better than.

There's no way the Jets are bringing Donald back. There's not a viable quarterback on the market.

There's no way the Jets are bringing Donald back. There's not a viable quarterback on the market.

They're not gonna probably not gonna trade for Stafford.

They're not gonna probably not gonna trade for Stafford.

But Stafford that they don't they don't have. They don't have what you need.

But Stafford that they don't they don't have. They don't have what you need.

I am curious. We talked about the Jets they needed culture change.

I am curious. We talked about the Jets they needed culture change.

It sounds like everything Aaron Glenn is pushing in the media, he has focused more on anything than culture, not scheme, not plays, not offense, not defense.

It sounds like everything Aaron Glenn is pushing in the media, he has focused more on anything than culture, not scheme, not plays, not offense, not defense.

Culture.

Culture.

Well, where did he come from Detroit, which changed the culture first.

Well, where did he come from Detroit, which changed the culture first.

Indeed, that's a.

Indeed, that's a.

Very much a gym. There are the there are what I would call Rabel's one of these harballs, one of these. Dan Campbell's one of these. They're culture coaches. So is Sean McVay. But he's also a good you know, he's a good schematic guy, and a lot of the culture guys. Aaron Glenn's probably more culture than a scheme guy. There's nothing wrong with that. Many of the great coaches are, but that I find that culture coaches miss more infrequently than scheme experts. There's a lot of young Brandon Staley was supposed to be a brilliant defensive scheme guy. It didn't work. He couldn't change the culture, though, So I don't I'm just gonna watch Aaron Glenn. I have no idea what's going to happen, but I will say Aaron's last ten games with a bad coaching staff pretty darn good.

Very much a gym. There are the there are what I would call Rabel's one of these harballs, one of these. Dan Campbell's one of these. They're culture coaches. So is Sean McVay. But he's also a good you know, he's a good schematic guy, and a lot of the culture guys. Aaron Glenn's probably more culture than a scheme guy. There's nothing wrong with that. Many of the great coaches are, but that I find that culture coaches miss more infrequently than scheme experts. There's a lot of young Brandon Staley was supposed to be a brilliant defensive scheme guy. It didn't work. He couldn't change the culture, though, So I don't I'm just gonna watch Aaron Glenn. I have no idea what's going to happen, but I will say Aaron's last ten games with a bad coaching staff pretty darn good.

Let's just say for the record.

Let's just say for the record.

You know, last season I went in with some expectations for the Jets, healthy aar and.

You know, last season I went in with some expectations for the Jets, healthy aar and.

I forgot what they were.

I forgot what they were.

Right now, they're a six win team, max. With their current quarterback.

Right now, they're a six win team, max. With their current quarterback.

Maybe a little rich. But I'll just say this, I'm going to give Aaron Glenn a one year pass. I'm not going to kill him for the first year. Right, He's got to change the culture. That might mean getting some guys out of that locker room, Like tell him Quinn Williams, Hey, we got to keep that stuff in house. Quitin Williams one of the alphas on that team. He may rub some guys the wrong way and have to shove them out. So I think it's going to be a little bit of a struggle this year for the Jets, which is kind of on ran for team.

Maybe a little rich. But I'll just say this, I'm going to give Aaron Glenn a one year pass. I'm not going to kill him for the first year. Right, He's got to change the culture. That might mean getting some guys out of that locker room, Like tell him Quinn Williams, Hey, we got to keep that stuff in house. Quitin Williams one of the alphas on that team. He may rub some guys the wrong way and have to shove them out. So I think it's going to be a little bit of a struggle this year for the Jets, which is kind of on ran for team.

By the way, another reason the Patriots will be the wildcard team in that division.

By the way, another reason the Patriots will be the wildcard team in that division.

Oh dear, all right, let's move on. Let's go to the Bears.

Oh dear, all right, let's move on. Let's go to the Bears.

They hired Ben Johnson this offseason in a move that GM Ryan Poles believes will take Caleb Williams to.

They hired Ben Johnson this offseason in a move that GM Ryan Poles believes will take Caleb Williams to.

The next level.

The next level.

Well.

Well.

Ben Johnson spoke to Tom Pilasaro of NFL Network yesterday and talked about how ready Caleb is for next season.

Ben Johnson spoke to Tom Pilasaro of NFL Network yesterday and talked about how ready Caleb is for next season.

Man, I tell you what, he's hungry. He's hungry. I'm trying to watch the Super Bowl with my family. I made it back to Detroit just for a weekend, and I'm watching this and my phone just keeps buzzing and it's Caleb time and time again.

Man, I tell you what, he's hungry. He's hungry. I'm trying to watch the Super Bowl with my family. I made it back to Detroit just for a weekend, and I'm watching this and my phone just keeps buzzing and it's Caleb time and time again.

You know what's going on here?

You know what's going on here?

What do we think?

What do we think?

Oh?

Oh?

That was a cool play?

That was a cool play?

Things like that, and so it's I just know this is a hungry individual that he's ready to get this career started his because he's got a chance to be pretty dark special.

Things like that, and so it's I just know this is a hungry individual that he's ready to get this career started his because he's got a chance to be pretty dark special.

Sure does I like that Little Caleb Williams and me.

Sure does I like that Little Caleb Williams and me.

Sometimes I text you during games, Oh my gosh, how fired up are you about this?

Sometimes I text you during games, Oh my gosh, how fired up are you about this?

And you usually don't reply.

And you usually don't reply.

Hopefully it's not that aggravated you've got in your mouth.

Hopefully it's not that aggravated you've got in your mouth.

But I don't know what Bears going to playoffs this year.

But I don't know what Bears going to playoffs this year.

My guess is they're going to be on the doorstep. I cannot figure out what Minnesota is doing with Darnold and JJ McCarthy. Detroit's going to be a playoff team. I would say they will be a much more organized, entertaining, offensively liberated team. I think you'll watch. Like I said last year, I picked the Bears for fourth last year, before the season, I said that the division's too good. I think they'll be a much better offensive version. You will feel at the end of the season or at some time in the middle of the season. Oh, they run an NFL offense. They know what they're doing. The offensive line last year regressed so inexplicably because it looked like it was young and getting better, and last year it just circle the drain. My guess is they will attack the offensive line in the draft or free agency. Tray Smith could go there. Keep your eye on that. I think you'll what you want when you get a new coach is a functional offense because you don't have to be a great defensive team to win in this league. You have to be functional. They were awful last year. You didn't know what you got. Series the series.

My guess is they're going to be on the doorstep. I cannot figure out what Minnesota is doing with Darnold and JJ McCarthy. Detroit's going to be a playoff team. I would say they will be a much more organized, entertaining, offensively liberated team. I think you'll watch. Like I said last year, I picked the Bears for fourth last year, before the season, I said that the division's too good. I think they'll be a much better offensive version. You will feel at the end of the season or at some time in the middle of the season. Oh, they run an NFL offense. They know what they're doing. The offensive line last year regressed so inexplicably because it looked like it was young and getting better, and last year it just circle the drain. My guess is they will attack the offensive line in the draft or free agency. Tray Smith could go there. Keep your eye on that. I think you'll what you want when you get a new coach is a functional offense because you don't have to be a great defensive team to win in this league. You have to be functional. They were awful last year. You didn't know what you got. Series the series.

It's just it's gonna be tough for them to get to the playoffs. Remember, Niners are gonna bounce back. We know McCaffrey's gonna come back healthy.

It's just it's gonna be tough for them to get to the playoffs. Remember, Niners are gonna bounce back. We know McCaffrey's gonna come back healthy.

We get that. We know Washington they're not going anywhere.

We get that. We know Washington they're not going anywhere.

If the Giants get Stafford, like I do, believe that NFC could be tough for the Bears.

If the Giants get Stafford, like I do, believe that NFC could be tough for the Bears.

Four teams from the division are not gonna make the playoffs. That's not happening. So maybe Packers fall off. I don't know.

Four teams from the division are not gonna make the playoffs. That's not happening. So maybe Packers fall off. I don't know.

Final story, Colin is to the NBA where your Yes, your Golden State war lasted the Hornets.

Final story, Colin is to the NBA where your Yes, your Golden State war lasted the Hornets.

Now LaMelo Ball.

Now LaMelo Ball.

Didn't play, so I don't know what you want to put stock into this one, but the Warriors went by like seventy five points. It was the franchisees three thousandth win. Golden State joining the Lakers, Celtics, Knicks, and Sixers is the only teams to reach that milestone. They are now six and one since acquiring Jimmy Buckets colin points per game are up, the defense is better, the net rating.

Didn't play, so I don't know what you want to put stock into this one, but the Warriors went by like seventy five points. It was the franchisees three thousandth win. Golden State joining the Lakers, Celtics, Knicks, and Sixers is the only teams to reach that milestone. They are now six and one since acquiring Jimmy Buckets colin points per game are up, the defense is better, the net rating.

Is through the roof.

Is through the roof.

He straight wins and by twenty or more, all of a sudden, Warriors are creeping up on the six seed.

He straight wins and by twenty or more, all of a sudden, Warriors are creeping up on the six seed.

Isn't that interesting? There was a young sportscaster who told people implore the Warriors. Don't listen to the analytic mavens. Get Jimmy Butler's iq EQ in physicality. Just get him in the locker room and he will change everything. He's sort of the anti Andrew Wiggins. You know what you get every night, He's absolutely dialed in. You know when he's on the floor. Andrew Wiggins, even in his prime, could drop thirty And I wasn't sure any of the points mattered. He's a little bit the antithesis of Wiggins. He's very intentional, every possession matters. He's aggressive, sometimes to a fault. He will get your team to the free throw line. I don't care what analytics say. He is a really good fit with this team.

Isn't that interesting? There was a young sportscaster who told people implore the Warriors. Don't listen to the analytic mavens. Get Jimmy Butler's iq EQ in physicality. Just get him in the locker room and he will change everything. He's sort of the anti Andrew Wiggins. You know what you get every night, He's absolutely dialed in. You know when he's on the floor. Andrew Wiggins, even in his prime, could drop thirty And I wasn't sure any of the points mattered. He's a little bit the antithesis of Wiggins. He's very intentional, every possession matters. He's aggressive, sometimes to a fault. He will get your team to the free throw line. I don't care what analytics say. He is a really good fit with this team.

I love I love Butler.

I love I love Butler.

I'm just gonna say, Colin, we haven't seen any adversity yet for this team. I want to see Draymond Green yell at Jimmy Butler. I'll tell right now that's not happening. You will not ye at Jimmy.

I'm just gonna say, Colin, we haven't seen any adversity yet for this team. I want to see Draymond Green yell at Jimmy Butler. I'll tell right now that's not happening. You will not ye at Jimmy.

But those days are over.

But those days are over.

You can yell at Andrew Wiggins. He'll take it. You're not yelling at Jimmy Butler. So I want to see what happens when they're in a close game. And you know, I'm very curious.

You can yell at Andrew Wiggins. He'll take it. You're not yelling at Jimmy Butler. So I want to see what happens when they're in a close game. And you know, I'm very curious.

I think Draymond yells at players who need to be yelled at, and Jimmy Butler and Steph are not those kind of players.

I think Draymond yells at players who need to be yelled at, and Jimmy Butler and Steph are not those kind of players.

That's a good point.

That's a good point.

He doesn't He attacked k D when Kadie got into his fields. He goes after Wiggins or Okay, but but I'm saying Draymon badgers and gets on guys. Jordan Poole that need uh to be sort of put your arms around him and get them straight.

He doesn't He attacked k D when Kadie got into his fields. He goes after Wiggins or Okay, but but I'm saying Draymon badgers and gets on guys. Jordan Poole that need uh to be sort of put your arms around him and get them straight.

So if they if they're the six and they face like Houston or Memphis, they're winning that series.

So if they if they're the six and they face like Houston or Memphis, they're winning that series.

Oh absolutely, absolutely.

Oh absolutely, absolutely.

Listen, I've been hyping Lakers to the finals.

Listen, I've been hyping Lakers to the finals.

I'm not looking forward to facing Curry and Butler if I'm the Lakers.

I'm not looking forward to facing Curry and Butler if I'm the Lakers.

That there are teams in this league, like Houston that are built for regular season. They're young, they're long, they defend, but they can't shoot, and Houston eventually will get up ended. They won't make enough baskets and key spots.

That there are teams in this league, like Houston that are built for regular season. They're young, they're long, they defend, but they can't shoot, and Houston eventually will get up ended. They won't make enough baskets and key spots.

But they have two wings to guard Lebron Rucat Draymond and Butler.

But they have two wings to guard Lebron Rucat Draymond and Butler.

But they won't make enough shots. They're not a good shooting team. Golden State's actually built for the postseason. Yes, they'll be rested. Everybody's equally arrested. It's old guys that need a day off. Butler, Draymond, Staff, Golden State will be better in the playoffs. Houston will be less of a team in the postseason. I'm just throwing it out.

But they won't make enough shots. They're not a good shooting team. Golden State's actually built for the postseason. Yes, they'll be rested. Everybody's equally arrested. It's old guys that need a day off. Butler, Draymond, Staff, Golden State will be better in the playoffs. Houston will be less of a team in the postseason. I'm just throwing it out.

I don't want to see the Lakers or Warriors. If I'm anybody in the West. Those two teams scare.

I don't want to see the Lakers or Warriors. If I'm anybody in the West. Those two teams scare.

The hell out of me. Right now they're new, fresh and tough.

The hell out of me. Right now they're new, fresh and tough.

Yep. Jmack with the news, Well that's the news, and thanks for stopping by the herd Line News. So I went on a rant yesterday and I'm gonna double down on it. In my life, political parties and sports leagues are cyclical, almost all cyclical. A political party, the Democrats had lost three straight elections. They gotten blown out, and then Bill Clinton arrived and oh changed everything. They had their guy. This is the reality. I saw the ratings for ABC up twenty nine percent when Luca and Lebron played, and oh, by the way, last night, TNT wait till those ratings come in, that'll be up forty percent year to year. Again, sometimes for political parties and leagues, it's just circumstantial, right person, right time. Look what Caitlin Clark did to the WNBA. One player to the WNBA, changed changed how they fly around the league. Now they got private jets. So Luca plus Lebron plus the Laker brand is good for the league. Right now, there are four really good teams in this league. Celtics, Lakers, Knicks, Warriors are four of the seven or eight good teams. Huge brands. When you add Jimmy Butler to staff, to Steve Kerrn the Warriors brand. I'm sorry. Milwaukee, Cleveland and Oklahoma City can be good teams, they can't carry the NBA. I remember when Tim Duncan and the Spurs were dominating the league. The ratings were in the tank. I remember when Michael Jordan left left fifty percent loss in ratings. You had Iverson, you had Marbury, the audience didn't buy him. The ratings disappeared. Baseball show, Heo Tawny to the Angels, EH Show, Heyo Tanny to the Dodgers changed the ratings last year. When you get Jim Harbaugh to Michigan. If Jim Harbaugh goes to Purdue, it doesn't feel the same. When you get Jim Harbor to Michigan, it changed the Big Ten ratings. So I've said this before. Everything outside of the NFL is cyclical. Republicans are cyclical. The Democrats are the political right now. The Democrats are reeling like hyper aggressive Trump and Elon Musk. Democrats are flailing. What do we do? They're complaining they don't have a plan. They need their guy, they need their Trump or Clinton, whoever it is and the putting Luca on the Lakers with Lebron putting Jimmy Butler, who's a star in this league. And because he's played in Philadelphia and Miami and now Golden State with Steph, he's a star in this league. It's gonna change the ratings. I'm not saying they're gonna I'm not saying everything's gonna change. The NBA still has challenges too many three pointers, seven game playoffs series and the first round are stupid. But Sportico came out this morning with the most valuable teams in American sports. The Cowboys were one. You know what Number two was? Warriors, three Knicks, four Lakers. Brands matter for every league except the NFL. And when you have stars on the Warriors, stars on the Lakers, stars on the Celtics, stars on the Knicks, take a deep breath. The NBA is going to survive. It's cyclical. They lost half their ratings when Jordan left and the players that replaced him, the consumers didn't like or didn't buy. You know, the consumers weren't into Tim Duncan and the Spurs. They just weren't they were a great team. They weren't into them. But New York, Jalen Brunson, Steph Butler, Lebron, Luca, Jimmy, you know it works. They're gonna be fine. Take a deep breath, Gonna be fine. Coming up next. We were we were thinking about this this morning as I'm watching Luca and Lebron play, and it was a real event. And we've we've talked about this that America has become more of an event culture because our phones and were distracted and TikTok, and so you gotta you gotta create urgency. Last night felt urgent. But I was thinking about they were showing shots of the crowd. The three biggest cities in America, New York, LA and Chicago. Why is La getting all the stars? And I want to take all three of those markets and give you an example. Next live in La, It's the Hurt.

Yep. Jmack with the news, Well that's the news, and thanks for stopping by the herd Line News. So I went on a rant yesterday and I'm gonna double down on it. In my life, political parties and sports leagues are cyclical, almost all cyclical. A political party, the Democrats had lost three straight elections. They gotten blown out, and then Bill Clinton arrived and oh changed everything. They had their guy. This is the reality. I saw the ratings for ABC up twenty nine percent when Luca and Lebron played, and oh, by the way, last night, TNT wait till those ratings come in, that'll be up forty percent year to year. Again, sometimes for political parties and leagues, it's just circumstantial, right person, right time. Look what Caitlin Clark did to the WNBA. One player to the WNBA, changed changed how they fly around the league. Now they got private jets. So Luca plus Lebron plus the Laker brand is good for the league. Right now, there are four really good teams in this league. Celtics, Lakers, Knicks, Warriors are four of the seven or eight good teams. Huge brands. When you add Jimmy Butler to staff, to Steve Kerrn the Warriors brand. I'm sorry. Milwaukee, Cleveland and Oklahoma City can be good teams, they can't carry the NBA. I remember when Tim Duncan and the Spurs were dominating the league. The ratings were in the tank. I remember when Michael Jordan left left fifty percent loss in ratings. You had Iverson, you had Marbury, the audience didn't buy him. The ratings disappeared. Baseball show, Heo Tawny to the Angels, EH Show, Heyo Tanny to the Dodgers changed the ratings last year. When you get Jim Harbaugh to Michigan. If Jim Harbaugh goes to Purdue, it doesn't feel the same. When you get Jim Harbor to Michigan, it changed the Big Ten ratings. So I've said this before. Everything outside of the NFL is cyclical. Republicans are cyclical. The Democrats are the political right now. The Democrats are reeling like hyper aggressive Trump and Elon Musk. Democrats are flailing. What do we do? They're complaining they don't have a plan. They need their guy, they need their Trump or Clinton, whoever it is and the putting Luca on the Lakers with Lebron putting Jimmy Butler, who's a star in this league. And because he's played in Philadelphia and Miami and now Golden State with Steph, he's a star in this league. It's gonna change the ratings. I'm not saying they're gonna I'm not saying everything's gonna change. The NBA still has challenges too many three pointers, seven game playoffs series and the first round are stupid. But Sportico came out this morning with the most valuable teams in American sports. The Cowboys were one. You know what Number two was? Warriors, three Knicks, four Lakers. Brands matter for every league except the NFL. And when you have stars on the Warriors, stars on the Lakers, stars on the Celtics, stars on the Knicks, take a deep breath. The NBA is going to survive. It's cyclical. They lost half their ratings when Jordan left and the players that replaced him, the consumers didn't like or didn't buy. You know, the consumers weren't into Tim Duncan and the Spurs. They just weren't they were a great team. They weren't into them. But New York, Jalen Brunson, Steph Butler, Lebron, Luca, Jimmy, you know it works. They're gonna be fine. Take a deep breath, Gonna be fine. Coming up next. We were we were thinking about this this morning as I'm watching Luca and Lebron play, and it was a real event. And we've we've talked about this that America has become more of an event culture because our phones and were distracted and TikTok, and so you gotta you gotta create urgency. Last night felt urgent. But I was thinking about they were showing shots of the crowd. The three biggest cities in America, New York, LA and Chicago. Why is La getting all the stars? And I want to take all three of those markets and give you an example. Next live in La, It's the Hurt.

Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays and noon eastern non a em Pacific.

Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays and noon eastern non a em Pacific.

Hey, Steve Covino and I'm Rich David, and together we're Covino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio. You could catch us days 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. And the fact that we've been friends for the last twenty years and still work together, I mean that says something, right.

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

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 most interactive show on planet Earth. 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 Rich.

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 planet Earth. 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 Rich.

The Fastest racing on Earth is coming to Fox. The twenty twenty five Indie Car season gets underway in Saint Petersburg, the first stop on the road to the Indy five hundred Sunday at noon Eastern Live on Fox.

The Fastest racing on Earth is coming to Fox. The twenty twenty five Indie Car season gets underway in Saint Petersburg, the first stop on the road to the Indy five hundred Sunday at noon Eastern Live on Fox.

I bet that's another place I've been doing. You've never been to You ever been to Saint Petersburg. The beach is down there.

I bet that's another place I've been doing. You've never been to You ever been to Saint Petersburg. The beach is down there.

St.

St.

Petersburg, No, Saint Petersburg, Florida.

Petersburg, No, Saint Petersburg, Florida.

Oh no, I have not been there.

Oh no, I have not been there.

There used to be, Uh, there's been a there's a couple of good sports bars down there. They used to have this pink hotel. I can forget the name of it.

There used to be, Uh, there's been a there's a couple of good sports bars down there. They used to have this pink hotel. I can forget the name of it.

Am I missing in Saint Peter's missing?

Am I missing in Saint Peter's missing?

You're missing the top twenty five. It's a beautiful beaches. The downtown is way upgraded over when I lived there. Actually, maybe the hotels the Viceroy.

You're missing the top twenty five. It's a beautiful beaches. The downtown is way upgraded over when I lived there. Actually, maybe the hotels the Viceroy.

So you lived in Tampa.

So you lived in Tampa.

I lived in the old joke was the oldest people in the country live in Tampa. Their grandparents live in Saint Petersburg. So when I lived there, it was a little old. But it's not quite as crusty, and it's there's a lot.

I lived in the old joke was the oldest people in the country live in Tampa. Their grandparents live in Saint Petersburg. So when I lived there, it was a little old. But it's not quite as crusty, and it's there's a lot.

Going on, like the Mets have pre season or something.

Going on, like the Mets have pre season or something.

Oh there, it used to be the Cardinals. So I was I was watching the Lakers in Luca last night, and it's an event. It felt like an event, and and you know, I was spending some time in Chicago. They're sports right now in a really tough spot. Like nothing in Chicago is good, like nothing, NBA, Baseball, NFL. And I'm just watching last night and I'm thinking it has been such a crazy five or six year run in Los Angeles for just the coaches. I mean, I mean Freddie Freeman is a great baseball player. He gets lost on the Dodgers. I mean it is in St. Clayton. Kershaw is arguably our generations Sandy Kofax, and right now I wouldn't put him in the top twelve most well known needle movers in Los Angeles. I was thinking about this this morning. If you took New York, LA and Chicago, and I would call it the dynamic dozen, the biggest, most well known personalities. You know, they're obviously great players, but like they have a presence about them, and would and I would give you twelve. Number one is Show. He's a global superstar. He's gonna make eight nine figures overseason endorsements. Forget about here. The Dodgers average four thousand more per road game than anybody else, and a lot of that is Show. Heyo Tani, He's our bay Ruth. He pitches this year, he'll return to pitching. He can steal bases. He's good looking. He is your classic, you know, Rinaldo Messi. I mean, if you go look at what Messi did to the MLS in Miami, it's unbelievable what he did to attendance, ratings and merch That show Heyo Tani. Number two is Lebron James, and he is a notch below show Heyo Tani. But again, Lebron is a global superstar because unlike the NFL, basketball is a global sport. So show Hey and Lebron James are one and two. I would put Luca again comes from Europe. He is a global superstar and this trade now will just magnify his brand. So I think the first three you can't argue. It's show Hey, it's Lebron and Luca. Now we can argue. I would say number four, who's been a star in sports for twenty five years is Jim Harbaugh. Folks. He quarterbacked in the NFL, He coached at Michigan, He got the Niners to a super Bowl. He literally went to the Big Ten and changed the ratings. Remember in football coaches or rock stars. Andy Reid is all over commercials. You don't see baseball managers and a lot of NBA coaches, even like the Greg Popovich, you don't see him doing national commercials. Jim Harbaugh is polarizing. He is a rock star. I'd put number five Aaron Judge, who has had multiple national commercials. He does not feel as global to me, even close to Shoeyo Tawny, but he has prodigious power. He's got a Paul Bunyan. He's a good kid, he's good looking, easy to root for. Had a bad fifth inning in the World Series, but I mean playing in New York. He is a notch below show hey, but I would put him at number five. I would put number six Matt Stafford, good looking star quarterback in Los Angeles with a Super Bowl trophy and now the talk of the town because of his contract. The last pure pocket passer. Again, a guy with national commercials. It's the NFL. He's one of the five best quarterbacks. Maybe I should have him above Jim harbab But Harbaugh has been you know, I mean a lot of Stafford. He was lost in Detroit for twelve years in a division with Aaron Rodgers in farv and nobody talked about him. So I think Stafford's national exposure with the Rams has has popped the last five years. I'd put Stafford at six. I'd put Sean McVay a notch below him at seven. He's considered the best young football coach in the world. And I mean McVay had Amazon willing to pay him twenty million dollars a year. That's more than a pay Al Michaels. I mean, think about that. They were gonna pay him twenty million dollars a year. I don't think at Fox we pay people that much, Okay, like for our NFL. So McVay is a rock star, a culture builder. Again, he's telegenic, he's like got photographic memory. He's one. He's probably the best talker at them I've ever seen in the NFL. He's magnetic. I would put number eight one. Soto Now he plays for the second most notable team in New York. But again he is I mean, he's Juan Soto. There are arguments to be made on any given week. You know, he's baseball's best player. He's patient, he gets walks, he hits with power. He's a star. And because he left the Yankees and went to the Mets. He's now polarizing, and that is a big factor on this list. A lot of people on this list are love hate Lebron's got a little bit of that. I think Juan Soto and New York's got a little bit of that. I'd put him at eight nine. I'd put it Moki Betts, mostly because he's not polarizing now. He is a former Boston Red Sox. I think this kid's at unbelievable. Three time World Series champ, plays for two of the three biggest brands in the sport, Dodgers in the Red Sox. Still can't figure out why Boston gave him away. They didn't get enough in return. But I mean, he'll play shortstop. Is he the most skilled baseball player? He can play shortstop, he can play outfield. You can put it, you can bet in leedom, you could beat him clean up. I think Mookie Bets is number nine, number ten, I'd put Caleb Williams. He's a rock star between usc and the number one pick. Again, this is not just productivity. He's a good looking kid. He's in front of the mic, he plays in Chicago. He feels like, I mean, let's be honest, we said this, You said this J Mack. Before last year the Bears were the most interesting team in the league. It wasn't because of Montez Sweat. It wasn't because of Roman Dunzay. The Bears were arguably the fascinating football team in the league last year because a one person. It was not Matt Eberflus. It was Caleb Williams. I'd put him at ten, number eleven, the very quiet, reticent Justin Herbert. Again, Justin Herbert is a quarterback in the NFL and considered one of the five best young quarterbacks in the league. The Chargers are the second most popular organization. But I think Harbaugh helps his brand. I think Jim Harbaugh helps Herbert, who's a really quiet behind the scenes kid. I'd put him in eleven and number twelve. I think this is weird. I'd put Rick Patino in. I think Rick, if you ask basketball people, they'll tell you Rick Patino is arguably behind Red Arbach and Phil Jackson as the best coach in the sport. Ever, that the fact that he goes to Saint John's will not recruit high school players. And this would you be shocked if Saint John's ended up in the Elite eight. Rick Patino is just as great, a magnetic again, major polarizing guy. He's led five different teams to the NCAA tournament. And you know how many people since Louis Carniseca left, people have been trying to get Saint John's to work forever. Here comes Rick Bettino. Bam, They're great. So I would say these are the most dynamic. Now, if Rick Patino was younger, if he was at Kansas, he maybe five or six. When Rick Patino was at Kentucky, Rick Patino was there was an argument the biggest rock star in coaching in America, and I'm counting NFL. He was everything. And there was about a twenty stretch and then they have some personal stop blah blah blah. But that now, Freddie Freeman I had at number thirteen, the Dodgers great former Atlanta Brave again, Braves, Dodgers, big brands.