Thanks for listening to The Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio in noon to three eastern nine am to noon Pacific. Find your local station for The Herd at Fox Sports Radio dot com, or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. Thanks for listening to the Herd podcast. Here we go our two all fired up lives. It is the Herd. Wherever you may be and however you may be listening, Thanks for making us part of your day. I got last night, Jmack somebody, Uh I'm not going to get into names. Oh, but it's somebody I implicitly trust. It's been a very good source for me. They used your name. They said, uh, I got I got some news for you on JJ McCarthy and I don't think Jmax's gonna love okay.

Thanks for listening to The Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio in noon to three eastern nine am to noon Pacific. Find your local station for The Herd at Fox Sports Radio dot com, or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. Thanks for listening to the Herd podcast. Here we go our two all fired up lives. It is the Herd. Wherever you may be and however you may be listening, Thanks for making us part of your day. I got last night, Jmack somebody, Uh I'm not going to get into names. Oh, but it's somebody I implicitly trust. It's been a very good source for me. They used your name. They said, uh, I got I got some news for you on JJ McCarthy and I don't think Jmax's gonna love okay.

So I'm just telling you no, no, I know, I think I know what you're talking about. I I heard from somebody something similar after I went on my rant. You know, Minnesota Vikings fans loved it, and then other people were like, Jmax, slow down, here's what's.

So I'm just telling you no, no, I know, I think I know what you're talking about. I I heard from somebody something similar after I went on my rant. You know, Minnesota Vikings fans loved it, and then other people were like, Jmax, slow down, here's what's.

Not out there that you need to know. And I was like, all right, fine, I heard about it, all.

Not out there that you need to know. And I was like, all right, fine, I heard about it, all.

Right, I'm just j Mack. I'd get ready for a fourth place. Isn't the worst place.

Right, I'm just j Mack. I'd get ready for a fourth place. Isn't the worst place.

Let's say, come on listen.

Let's say, come on listen.

If he plays and delivers, it's no big deal. But I do like how people are hitting you up and referencing me. Man, Wow, I'm really coming.

If he plays and delivers, it's no big deal. But I do like how people are hitting you up and referencing me. Man, Wow, I'm really coming.

It was a reference that you were annoying. So it wasn't the greatest reference. Okay, So I want to say this. So according to this is good Mark Schlareth, who's at f S one obviously uh and he is he is friends with Rogers for the time being. That could you know who knows the four time MVP. According to Mark Slareth often went on a DA tribe with issues with a Jets organization, and Mark said, Aaron and I had a conversation when he was with the Jets about how abysmal their running game was and how schematically it made no sense. And Mark started the conversation and he said, Aaron went off for about twenty five minute DIA drive just on their run game. So I've said this about Aaron Rodgers and Kevin Durant love their talent, don't love their choices. So for Aaron to be upset with the Jets run game and dysfunction. Bro, you brought in that Hackett there. The Jets have a fourteen year playoff drought, longest in North American sports, Canada, US, every league. And in December, Aaron Rodgers had a quote. This is not me saying it, this is Aaron Rodgers. He says, I didn't do myself any favors with the girls I've dated. Okay, that's his opinion. I'm not saying that, Okay. So my take is this goes to the heart of what I've said about Aaron. I'm not saying he's not smart, and I'm not saying and he's not talented like KD. I don't love his decision making. The Jets have been dysfunctional for a decade and a half. You chose him. Robert Salla was on the hot seat, you chose him. Matt Hackett was a disaster in Denver. You chose him. You can't blame anybody. And I've argued this the reason Pittsburgh's not a great fit. And I'm serious. You think the Jets are as functional. The Steelers aren't organizationally dysfunctional, but the Steelers are offensively dysfunctional and have been since Big Ben's last couple of years. They can't get the offensive line right. Najee Harris got traded and said they've got no plan offensively, So you know it's it's just with Aaron. I know he's smart, I know he's talented, but there are times he just lacks an awareness that feels so obvious to me for a smart guy. Remember what he said during the season for the Jets. Remember this, anything that doesn't have.

It was a reference that you were annoying. So it wasn't the greatest reference. Okay, So I want to say this. So according to this is good Mark Schlareth, who's at f S one obviously uh and he is he is friends with Rogers for the time being. That could you know who knows the four time MVP. According to Mark Slareth often went on a DA tribe with issues with a Jets organization, and Mark said, Aaron and I had a conversation when he was with the Jets about how abysmal their running game was and how schematically it made no sense. And Mark started the conversation and he said, Aaron went off for about twenty five minute DIA drive just on their run game. So I've said this about Aaron Rodgers and Kevin Durant love their talent, don't love their choices. So for Aaron to be upset with the Jets run game and dysfunction. Bro, you brought in that Hackett there. The Jets have a fourteen year playoff drought, longest in North American sports, Canada, US, every league. And in December, Aaron Rodgers had a quote. This is not me saying it, this is Aaron Rodgers. He says, I didn't do myself any favors with the girls I've dated. Okay, that's his opinion. I'm not saying that, Okay. So my take is this goes to the heart of what I've said about Aaron. I'm not saying he's not smart, and I'm not saying and he's not talented like KD. I don't love his decision making. The Jets have been dysfunctional for a decade and a half. You chose him. Robert Salla was on the hot seat, you chose him. Matt Hackett was a disaster in Denver. You chose him. You can't blame anybody. And I've argued this the reason Pittsburgh's not a great fit. And I'm serious. You think the Jets are as functional. The Steelers aren't organizationally dysfunctional, but the Steelers are offensively dysfunctional and have been since Big Ben's last couple of years. They can't get the offensive line right. Najee Harris got traded and said they've got no plan offensively, So you know it's it's just with Aaron. I know he's smart, I know he's talented, but there are times he just lacks an awareness that feels so obvious to me for a smart guy. Remember what he said during the season for the Jets. Remember this, anything that doesn't have.

Anything to do with winning needs to be assessed. If you want to be a winning organization, then to put some position to win championships and be competitive. Everything that you do matters, and the book that has nothing to do with winning needs to get out of the building.

Anything to do with winning needs to be assessed. If you want to be a winning organization, then to put some position to win championships and be competitive. Everything that you do matters, and the book that has nothing to do with winning needs to get out of the building.

I agree. Unfortunately, many of the dramas in the building were created and teammates asked about it, induced by Aaron having a weekly hit on a TV show that was part of it. So Aaron led the league as a quarterback in non football stuff seeping into the locker room awareness. That's why I said I would retire before I go to the Steelers. They're dysfunctional, not organizationally, not defensively, but offensively they're dysfunctional. How many ocs can we have musical chairs offensive line? Just my take. Albert Brewer is now joining us live Monday Morning Quarterbacks. Let's let's just talk. And again, I don't I don't like being always knocking Aaron. That's why I always say I said this with KD. I can love your game, not love your choices. Lebron, I love both, Brady, I love both Peyton Manning. I love both the choice thing. So let's just talk. The first couple of weeks Aaron in the building of the Steelers. What are you hearing? Really good?

I agree. Unfortunately, many of the dramas in the building were created and teammates asked about it, induced by Aaron having a weekly hit on a TV show that was part of it. So Aaron led the league as a quarterback in non football stuff seeping into the locker room awareness. That's why I said I would retire before I go to the Steelers. They're dysfunctional, not organizationally, not defensively, but offensively they're dysfunctional. How many ocs can we have musical chairs offensive line? Just my take. Albert Brewer is now joining us live Monday Morning Quarterbacks. Let's let's just talk. And again, I don't I don't like being always knocking Aaron. That's why I always say I said this with KD. I can love your game, not love your choices. Lebron, I love both, Brady, I love both Peyton Manning. I love both the choice thing. So let's just talk. The first couple of weeks Aaron in the building of the Steelers. What are you hearing? Really good?

He's got a good rapport with Arthur Smith, which really was built up since March. He's been in touch with Smith and Mike Tomlin really pretty consistently throughout now. They didn't have scheduled check ins, but Aaron was diligent about staying in touch with them, and they were building an offense for him. And you know, Arthur Smith had connections to two of of Aaron Rodgers last three play callers. Both Matt Lafleur and Todd Downing worked with Arthur Smith over the years in Tennessee, so he had relationships he could put on there. So it's easy to say it in June, right, but so far, so good, And I do think that there's a little bit of a nuance here at Collins used to jump in on what you said before I came on there, which, like, I think this is kind of why Aaron picked the Steelers over the Giants in the first place. When he went to the Jets, I think he was being asked to lift all boats, and I think he probably felt like he could do it right. You had a really talented core of young players there, guys like Breist Hall and Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner and Quentinnin Williams and Jermaine Johnson and Julu Fashan who coming in last year, and the idea was Aaron's going to come in and he's going to push these guys over the edge and we're going to become a winner because of Aaron. I think the Giants would have been asking him to do the same thing with their core guys like Dexter Lawrence and Brian Burns, guys who hadn't won before, Andrew Thomas Neighbors coming in. That's not what the Steelers are asking. The Steelers are asking him to jump on a moving train, and even if the things aren't perfect, there there is something a stab. That culture has been in place for almost twenty years now, and so I think what appealed to Aaron about coming to Pittsburgh versus what he had to do in New York last two years is Aaron, just come in here and play quarterback. That's all we're asking you to do, you know. And having talked to him a couple of times last summer about this, I know he was kind of digging in on I'm more appreciative of just the opportunity to go play football. I think the Steelers will give him the chance to focus on just doing that and not lifting off everybody around him.

He's got a good rapport with Arthur Smith, which really was built up since March. He's been in touch with Smith and Mike Tomlin really pretty consistently throughout now. They didn't have scheduled check ins, but Aaron was diligent about staying in touch with them, and they were building an offense for him. And you know, Arthur Smith had connections to two of of Aaron Rodgers last three play callers. Both Matt Lafleur and Todd Downing worked with Arthur Smith over the years in Tennessee, so he had relationships he could put on there. So it's easy to say it in June, right, but so far, so good, And I do think that there's a little bit of a nuance here at Collins used to jump in on what you said before I came on there, which, like, I think this is kind of why Aaron picked the Steelers over the Giants in the first place. When he went to the Jets, I think he was being asked to lift all boats, and I think he probably felt like he could do it right. You had a really talented core of young players there, guys like Breist Hall and Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner and Quentinnin Williams and Jermaine Johnson and Julu Fashan who coming in last year, and the idea was Aaron's going to come in and he's going to push these guys over the edge and we're going to become a winner because of Aaron. I think the Giants would have been asking him to do the same thing with their core guys like Dexter Lawrence and Brian Burns, guys who hadn't won before, Andrew Thomas Neighbors coming in. That's not what the Steelers are asking. The Steelers are asking him to jump on a moving train, and even if the things aren't perfect, there there is something a stab. That culture has been in place for almost twenty years now, and so I think what appealed to Aaron about coming to Pittsburgh versus what he had to do in New York last two years is Aaron, just come in here and play quarterback. That's all we're asking you to do, you know. And having talked to him a couple of times last summer about this, I know he was kind of digging in on I'm more appreciative of just the opportunity to go play football. I think the Steelers will give him the chance to focus on just doing that and not lifting off everybody around him.

Okay, I said last hour, I was really I was very much champing and champiing.

Okay, I said last hour, I was really I was very much champing and champiing.

Championeering.

Championeering.

That's not sure. How do you say that I was a champion champion ing.

That's not sure. How do you say that I was a champion champion ing.

There?

There?

You go, right, champion ning there, you know? And I always got a good V plus in English. Sorry, I butchered out America. So but at the quarterback position. And I did this with Baker, I did it with Manzel. I can remember. I've taken my shots at Okay, it's different I want you to be Jalen Hurts. I want you to be Dak, I want you to be Herbert. I want you on that Wednesday podium. Your job is to put fires out. You know this. Brady used to do a Monday hit in Boston radio. You know this, and all it was. He didn't need the money. It was to create the narrative for the week so the media, the aggressive Boston media, couldn't attack. That was Brady's brilliance. Big Ben did this in Pittsburgh for a while to kind of create the narrative of the week. It's very smart. It's not the end of the world. But between that legendary draft room which was cringey and one hundred mile an hour speeding ticket, I'm sorry, Albert, it matters and it bothers me.

You go, right, champion ning there, you know? And I always got a good V plus in English. Sorry, I butchered out America. So but at the quarterback position. And I did this with Baker, I did it with Manzel. I can remember. I've taken my shots at Okay, it's different I want you to be Jalen Hurts. I want you to be Dak, I want you to be Herbert. I want you on that Wednesday podium. Your job is to put fires out. You know this. Brady used to do a Monday hit in Boston radio. You know this, and all it was. He didn't need the money. It was to create the narrative for the week so the media, the aggressive Boston media, couldn't attack. That was Brady's brilliance. Big Ben did this in Pittsburgh for a while to kind of create the narrative of the week. It's very smart. It's not the end of the world. But between that legendary draft room which was cringey and one hundred mile an hour speeding ticket, I'm sorry, Albert, it matters and it bothers me.

It is something, yeah, and I think it's the the issue now is that really if you're the Browns, where you're looking for Shador Sanders to do from a work standpoint is come in and operate as if he's the thirtieth or fortieth or fiftieth guy on the roster, because that's exactly what he is as a fifth round pick. He's a guy who's fighting not for their starting job, for a job on the team period. And so generally or tolerance for this sort of stuff with with guys who are in that position is going to be far less than it would be with a star player. I don't think this is the most serious thing in the world, but it is, you know, an early test of how he handles it with the team and everything else, and so I think that's part of it. The other thing is, like he is playing from behind here, and look, the reality is the reason he got less less eleven on eleven reps than the other quarterbacks, the reason that he got less first team reps than the other quarterbacks in the spring is because he had more ground to make up.

It is something, yeah, and I think it's the the issue now is that really if you're the Browns, where you're looking for Shador Sanders to do from a work standpoint is come in and operate as if he's the thirtieth or fortieth or fiftieth guy on the roster, because that's exactly what he is as a fifth round pick. He's a guy who's fighting not for their starting job, for a job on the team period. And so generally or tolerance for this sort of stuff with with guys who are in that position is going to be far less than it would be with a star player. I don't think this is the most serious thing in the world, but it is, you know, an early test of how he handles it with the team and everything else, and so I think that's part of it. The other thing is, like he is playing from behind here, and look, the reality is the reason he got less less eleven on eleven reps than the other quarterbacks, the reason that he got less first team reps than the other quarterbacks in the spring is because he had more ground to make up.

He was behind.

He was behind.

And that's something you heard consistently from teams ahead of the draft was this guy, we're a little surprised based on his background that he's as behind as he as he is from a football no house endpoint. So he's already playing catch up behind even Dylan Gabriel, let alone Kenny Pickett or Joe Flacco. And you're looking for him to blend in which he did a nice job of that. Like he was a worker bee in May and June, and he did put his head down and go to work and do the things he needed to do. But again, like this is a guy you're looking to blend in, and so this is one of those things where it's like, ah, that's not great. Now, let's see how he'll react. Again, It's not something's going to get him kicked off the team, but it's something you pay attention to.

And that's something you heard consistently from teams ahead of the draft was this guy, we're a little surprised based on his background that he's as behind as he as he is from a football no house endpoint. So he's already playing catch up behind even Dylan Gabriel, let alone Kenny Pickett or Joe Flacco. And you're looking for him to blend in which he did a nice job of that. Like he was a worker bee in May and June, and he did put his head down and go to work and do the things he needed to do. But again, like this is a guy you're looking to blend in, and so this is one of those things where it's like, ah, that's not great. Now, let's see how he'll react. Again, It's not something's going to get him kicked off the team, but it's something you pay attention to.

Okay. So last night I got a text from somebody I have a great deal of respect for, and they said, the JJ McCarthy situation, it is a work in progress. He is not Bonix, He is not Jayden Daniels. He is not that that. Those guys came in a lot of starts ready to play. They've been in shootouts, they'd had multiple coordinators, the teams leaned on them, they played a lot from the hind are in big games. Those guys. Bon Nix was ready to play, and so was Jayden Daniels. In my opinion, so was Michael Pennix. But Kirk Cousins was in Atlanta. Ye I say, I said a couple of weeks ago, Albert, I love mystery in a true crime series. I don't like it with my quarterbacks. What are you hearing on JJ McCarthy.

Okay. So last night I got a text from somebody I have a great deal of respect for, and they said, the JJ McCarthy situation, it is a work in progress. He is not Bonix, He is not Jayden Daniels. He is not that that. Those guys came in a lot of starts ready to play. They've been in shootouts, they'd had multiple coordinators, the teams leaned on them, they played a lot from the hind are in big games. Those guys. Bon Nix was ready to play, and so was Jayden Daniels. In my opinion, so was Michael Pennix. But Kirk Cousins was in Atlanta. Ye I say, I said a couple of weeks ago, Albert, I love mystery in a true crime series. I don't like it with my quarterbacks. What are you hearing on JJ McCarthy.

Well, I mean the guys you're comparing them with. I mean Jayden Daniels is a five year college player. Penix was in college for six, bon Knicks was in college for five. All those guys had a massive amount of starts. So it isn't the same thing. There was more of a learning curve. And you know, I think a piece of this is, you know, inextricable from reality. Is is the injury, you know, and the injury last year and kind of the after effects of that and how that affected his whole year and you know, mentally physically, how he was he handling all of that, the weight loss, all of that stuff is a part of the mix when you're talking about where JJ McCarthy was.

Well, I mean the guys you're comparing them with. I mean Jayden Daniels is a five year college player. Penix was in college for six, bon Knicks was in college for five. All those guys had a massive amount of starts. So it isn't the same thing. There was more of a learning curve. And you know, I think a piece of this is, you know, inextricable from reality. Is is the injury, you know, and the injury last year and kind of the after effects of that and how that affected his whole year and you know, mentally physically, how he was he handling all of that, the weight loss, all of that stuff is a part of the mix when you're talking about where JJ McCarthy was.

Going into twenty twenty five.

Going into twenty twenty five.

Now, that said, after the season ended, he's been in there every day, he's doing his best. He's put the weight back on, and so is he gonna snap his fingers and be what Jayde Daniels was last year? No, but that was never the Vikings plan. Anyway, the Vikings plan was, and this goes back to when Kevin got there three years ago, was eventually we're gonna reset with the young quarterback, and because that young quarterback's on a rookie contract, we're gonna be able to build aggressively around the young quarterbacks. That's exactly what they've done after they elect Kirk Cousins go. Last year, they go and they bring in Jonathan Grenard and Andrew Van Ginkel and Aaron Jones. And this year they go and they shore up the interior of the offensive and defensive lines by bringing in Will Fries and Ryan Kelly on offense and Jonathan Allen on defense. And the whole idea here is we don't need JJ McCarthy to be a great player.

Now, that said, after the season ended, he's been in there every day, he's doing his best. He's put the weight back on, and so is he gonna snap his fingers and be what Jayde Daniels was last year? No, but that was never the Vikings plan. Anyway, the Vikings plan was, and this goes back to when Kevin got there three years ago, was eventually we're gonna reset with the young quarterback, and because that young quarterback's on a rookie contract, we're gonna be able to build aggressively around the young quarterbacks. That's exactly what they've done after they elect Kirk Cousins go. Last year, they go and they bring in Jonathan Grenard and Andrew Van Ginkel and Aaron Jones. And this year they go and they shore up the interior of the offensive and defensive lines by bringing in Will Fries and Ryan Kelly on offense and Jonathan Allen on defense. And the whole idea here is we don't need JJ McCarthy to be a great player.

We need him to be a bus driver.

We need him to be a bus driver.

And he drafted in the first round. You eventually need You're eventually gonna need more from him if you're gonna give him a second contract. But the here and the now, the idea is going to be for JJ McCarthy, who does have town, to come in and keep the train on the tracks.

And he drafted in the first round. You eventually need You're eventually gonna need more from him if you're gonna give him a second contract. But the here and the now, the idea is going to be for JJ McCarthy, who does have town, to come in and keep the train on the tracks.

And I think.

And I think.

That's the piece of this that people miss sometimes, is like it's not about getting him to be Patrick Mahomes immediately. It's about getting him to be the best answer for a team that won fourteen games a year ago and has very serious championship aspirations. Can you get him there by August? I think that's a very realistic thing.

That's the piece of this that people miss sometimes, is like it's not about getting him to be Patrick Mahomes immediately. It's about getting him to be the best answer for a team that won fourteen games a year ago and has very serious championship aspirations. Can you get him there by August? I think that's a very realistic thing.

All right. But for the record, the Lakers sold yesterday, the Celtics sold recently. Is there an and I'm just sinking, is there an NFL team? If I said an NFL team just got sold? Is there anybody you think is looking to sell in the NFL?

All right. But for the record, the Lakers sold yesterday, the Celtics sold recently. Is there an and I'm just sinking, is there an NFL team? If I said an NFL team just got sold? Is there anybody you think is looking to sell in the NFL?

Like out of nowhere?

Like out of nowhere?

You're saying, well, I mean there's certain that like the Brown family can't compete financially in Cincinnati. I feel like they they feel like the that I've got the quarterback and the stars, but they just can't feel like they I mean, every star players, it goes, it becomes public. It's a mess. I mean, the one you've heard the most about.

You're saying, well, I mean there's certain that like the Brown family can't compete financially in Cincinnati. I feel like they they feel like the that I've got the quarterback and the stars, but they just can't feel like they I mean, every star players, it goes, it becomes public. It's a mess. I mean, the one you've heard the most about.

You know.

You know.

I think this is from a speculation standpoint, just because they don't say much as Seattle. You know, the death of Paul Allen obviously, you know, change some things. And and Jody Allen, his sister, has been in charge, and she's sort of been a little bit of a mysterious figure. And because of where that franchise is, you know, and the amount of wealth. And you know this better than anybody. You're from the Pacific Northwest Colin the amount of money that is in that region of the country, there's always been that thought that they could cash out. And then you look at the numbers here and I think that's probably part of the deal with the Celtics and the Lakers selling is like the numbers have become so big now that it's almost impossible for people who own these teams to ignore. So like if there was one out of nowhere, and I think it'd be really tough to pull that off in the NFL, to have like it's just completely clandestine team sale that they flew completely under the radar and boom, it's there. And I think the Lakers was kind of that way, right, you know, I think it would be Seattle. I think you're going to see more of in the coming years. Is what we've seen over the last year or two, which is pieces of teams being sold. You see the Raiders, they're selling to big money guys like Meldman and Egan Durbin and Tom Wagner and obviously Brady's part of that now too.

I think this is from a speculation standpoint, just because they don't say much as Seattle. You know, the death of Paul Allen obviously, you know, change some things. And and Jody Allen, his sister, has been in charge, and she's sort of been a little bit of a mysterious figure. And because of where that franchise is, you know, and the amount of wealth. And you know this better than anybody. You're from the Pacific Northwest Colin the amount of money that is in that region of the country, there's always been that thought that they could cash out. And then you look at the numbers here and I think that's probably part of the deal with the Celtics and the Lakers selling is like the numbers have become so big now that it's almost impossible for people who own these teams to ignore. So like if there was one out of nowhere, and I think it'd be really tough to pull that off in the NFL, to have like it's just completely clandestine team sale that they flew completely under the radar and boom, it's there. And I think the Lakers was kind of that way, right, you know, I think it would be Seattle. I think you're going to see more of in the coming years. Is what we've seen over the last year or two, which is pieces of teams being sold. You see the Raiders, they're selling to big money guys like Meldman and Egan Durbin and Tom Wagner and obviously Brady's part of that now too.

Where that serves two purposes.

Where that serves two purposes.

It gives teams an influx of cash, and it also probably long term lessens the blow from an estate tax standpoint. I think that's probably what you're going to see a little bit more of Eagles. Jeffrey Loriie sold pieces of his team off We've seen some teams sell pieces to private equity. I think you're going to see more and more of that. As far as like a whole team being sold, like Seattle is the only one that I can come up with offhand, that strikes me as like if there was one that was going to kind of come up a sneak up on people, maybe that would be the one that will get sold.

It gives teams an influx of cash, and it also probably long term lessens the blow from an estate tax standpoint. I think that's probably what you're going to see a little bit more of Eagles. Jeffrey Loriie sold pieces of his team off We've seen some teams sell pieces to private equity. I think you're going to see more and more of that. As far as like a whole team being sold, like Seattle is the only one that I can come up with offhand, that strikes me as like if there was one that was going to kind of come up a sneak up on people, maybe that would be the one that will get sold.

Yeah, and that's a well run organization that somebody being themselves a jem. Good seeing you, Albert Burwersolo's Money Morning quarterback. Thanks man, all right, thanks going, And just to give you a sense of how valuable ownership is, look at the exit of Dan Snyder and the entrance of new ownership literally changed the entire trajectory of the franchise overnight. I mean, that is the greatest turnaround. You know what's funny in the NFL is I've seen this multiple times in the NFL where a team gets purchased and they get better fast. In the NBA, matt Ishbia bought the Sons, And there are just certain things in the NBA that the NFL doesn't deal with. It's much more of a players league. The NBA, though, is going to start looking much more like the NFL. General managers are going to be the key to this league in five years. Here's my You know, in the NFL, we always talk about Howie Roseman and Chris Ballard and John Lynch and less Need and you know we all John Snyder in Seattle and Jason lytton Tampa, and we all know that, you know, Brett Veach in Kansas City. We know the gms.

Yeah, and that's a well run organization that somebody being themselves a jem. Good seeing you, Albert Burwersolo's Money Morning quarterback. Thanks man, all right, thanks going, And just to give you a sense of how valuable ownership is, look at the exit of Dan Snyder and the entrance of new ownership literally changed the entire trajectory of the franchise overnight. I mean, that is the greatest turnaround. You know what's funny in the NFL is I've seen this multiple times in the NFL where a team gets purchased and they get better fast. In the NBA, matt Ishbia bought the Sons, And there are just certain things in the NBA that the NFL doesn't deal with. It's much more of a players league. The NBA, though, is going to start looking much more like the NFL. General managers are going to be the key to this league in five years. Here's my You know, in the NFL, we always talk about Howie Roseman and Chris Ballard and John Lynch and less Need and you know we all John Snyder in Seattle and Jason lytton Tampa, and we all know that, you know, Brett Veach in Kansas City. We know the gms.

You know.

You know.

You know there's certain stewards and gms in this league. We talk about in the NBA, you got to if you're a casual, yeah, you don't really follow. I mean, you know Danny Ainge now in Utah. That will change in five years because the NBA, if you look at the new aprons and collective bargaining, you can't stack rosters. You can't do it. You have to get rid of guys or you have to just draft and develop well general managers, not the players. This is like the NFL. You get the occasional mahomes, the occasional star player, those gms, they're running the show. Howie Roseman is running the show in Philadelphia. You're going to see more of that in the NBA. That obviously Sam Presty in Oklahoma City, Brad Stevens in Boston's terrific. Riley's been, you know, a stud forever. So that's going to become a bigger deal and a bigger conversation.

You know there's certain stewards and gms in this league. We talk about in the NBA, you got to if you're a casual, yeah, you don't really follow. I mean, you know Danny Ainge now in Utah. That will change in five years because the NBA, if you look at the new aprons and collective bargaining, you can't stack rosters. You can't do it. You have to get rid of guys or you have to just draft and develop well general managers, not the players. This is like the NFL. You get the occasional mahomes, the occasional star player, those gms, they're running the show. Howie Roseman is running the show in Philadelphia. You're going to see more of that in the NBA. That obviously Sam Presty in Oklahoma City, Brad Stevens in Boston's terrific. Riley's been, you know, a stud forever. So that's going to become a bigger deal and a bigger conversation.

Are you surprised, Colin that so many people out there they're like, can you believe.

Are you surprised, Colin that so many people out there they're like, can you believe.

An NBA team sold for ten billion?

An NBA team sold for ten billion?

I don't think people get that the NBA is a global sport, right There is an appeal in China, in the Middle East.

I don't think people get that the NBA is a global sport, right There is an appeal in China, in the Middle East.

I mean USA basketball.

I mean USA basketball.

Remember before the Olympics, where did they go, Colin.

Remember before the Olympics, where did they go, Colin.

To put on a show. They went out to the desert.

To put on a show. They went out to the desert.

And saw all those rich, all the guys with the oil money and guests who invested in the Lakers.

And saw all those rich, all the guys with the oil money and guests who invested in the Lakers.

Take it.

Take it.

I mean, you don't have to do any deep diving here. ESPN's reporting that a lot of it is coming from Saudi Arabia.

I mean, you don't have to do any deep diving here. ESPN's reporting that a lot of it is coming from Saudi Arabia.

Yeah, yeah, I mean, it's it's funny. We don't talk about ratings for sports at all, except the NBA. Because it's a more political league and because they lean left on their politics, people that are moderate to write kind of attacked the league for its ratings. I get it, that's the world we live in. But the truth is they signed a seventy six billion dollar deal, and the reason the Lakers sold for ten billion dollars, a big chunk of that is the eleven year, seventy six billion dollar deal. The Walters Group gets their cut of that deal is for thirty five billion, not seventy six. They're not selling for ten billion, and the Celtics aren't selling for six. The Celtics are selling for four and a half. The Lakers are selling for seven and a half. So the reason it's selling that valuation is connected to that massive TV deal. And it's up to the networks to get ratings. NBA got their bag, players got it, Adam got it, owners got it, coaches got it. They got theirs. It's up to NBCESPN and Amazon to make it work. That's not an NBA problem coming up. The things we build our future around family assets, they are worth protecting. Making an estate plan now can be as inexpensive as one hundred ninety nine dollars. With Trust and Will, you can create and manage a customer state plan starting at just one ninety nine Each will or trust with Trust and Will is state specific, customized to your family and needs your nomination, guardians, final arrangements, power of attorney care wishes avoid lengthy, expensive legal proceedings or the state deciding what happens to your assets. Brutal, simple, step by step process, accessible and affordable start to finish with ease. With Trust and Will, they also offer live customer support through chat, email or phone. How good is that? Overall rating excellent by Trust Pilot five star reviews used by hundreds of thousands of American families in counting. Secure your assets and protect your loved ones with Trust and Will dot com slash herd twenty percent off your estate plan documents. That's Trustandwill dot Com slash h eer d.

Yeah, yeah, I mean, it's it's funny. We don't talk about ratings for sports at all, except the NBA. Because it's a more political league and because they lean left on their politics, people that are moderate to write kind of attacked the league for its ratings. I get it, that's the world we live in. But the truth is they signed a seventy six billion dollar deal, and the reason the Lakers sold for ten billion dollars, a big chunk of that is the eleven year, seventy six billion dollar deal. The Walters Group gets their cut of that deal is for thirty five billion, not seventy six. They're not selling for ten billion, and the Celtics aren't selling for six. The Celtics are selling for four and a half. The Lakers are selling for seven and a half. So the reason it's selling that valuation is connected to that massive TV deal. And it's up to the networks to get ratings. NBA got their bag, players got it, Adam got it, owners got it, coaches got it. They got theirs. It's up to NBCESPN and Amazon to make it work. That's not an NBA problem coming up. The things we build our future around family assets, they are worth protecting. Making an estate plan now can be as inexpensive as one hundred ninety nine dollars. With Trust and Will, you can create and manage a customer state plan starting at just one ninety nine Each will or trust with Trust and Will is state specific, customized to your family and needs your nomination, guardians, final arrangements, power of attorney care wishes avoid lengthy, expensive legal proceedings or the state deciding what happens to your assets. Brutal, simple, step by step process, accessible and affordable start to finish with ease. With Trust and Will, they also offer live customer support through chat, email or phone. How good is that? Overall rating excellent by Trust Pilot five star reviews used by hundreds of thousands of American families in counting. Secure your assets and protect your loved ones with Trust and Will dot com slash herd twenty percent off your estate plan documents. That's Trustandwill dot Com slash h eer d.

Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd weekdays at Newoneaster nin a Empacific on Fox Sports Radio FS one and the iHeartRadio app.

Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd weekdays at Newoneaster nin a Empacific on Fox Sports Radio FS one and the iHeartRadio app.

We all want to feel completely safe locking up at night. Get fifty percent off your new simply Safe security system first month three. If you go to simply Safe Colin dot com, here is j Mack with the news.

We all want to feel completely safe locking up at night. Get fifty percent off your new simply Safe security system first month three. If you go to simply Safe Colin dot com, here is j Mack with the news.

This is the Herdline news.

This is the Herdline news.

All right, Colin.

All right, Colin.

My Knicks, Uh, they still are looking for a head coach after surprisingly firing Tom Thibodeau a couple of weeks ago. You know, I was frustrating when the Knicks kept getting denied by teams to talk to their guy. But it looks to me like right now, Mike Brown is the favorite.

My Knicks, Uh, they still are looking for a head coach after surprisingly firing Tom Thibodeau a couple of weeks ago. You know, I was frustrating when the Knicks kept getting denied by teams to talk to their guy. But it looks to me like right now, Mike Brown is the favorite.

He's the betting.

He's the betting.

Favorite at plus one twenty five, followed by Taylor Jenkins, Johnny Bryant. Michael Malone, the former Denver coach, is a little ways down the list. I like Mike Brown a lot. He's been a good coach. I thought he got jobbed in Sacramento after doing a I mean, he got him to the playoff on Sacramento never got to the playoffs.

Favorite at plus one twenty five, followed by Taylor Jenkins, Johnny Bryant. Michael Malone, the former Denver coach, is a little ways down the list. I like Mike Brown a lot. He's been a good coach. I thought he got jobbed in Sacramento after doing a I mean, he got him to the playoff on Sacramento never got to the playoffs.

He's a Steve Kerr guy, you know.

He's a Steve Kerr guy, you know.

Mike Malone. Mike Malone to me, is an excellent coach, and you have to be careful about this. Reportedly they don't want Mike because his intensity matches Tibbs, and they don't want two rough guys back to back. I'd be very careful about that. I mean, what happens in this has happened to me in my life, where like I've worked with people that you have a news director when I was a local TV who was a yeller and a screamer, but highly effective, and then he gets run out of the building, and then you go the opposite and hire somebody that's just as strong as a down comforter, and you go the opposite. Pendulum swings too far. Tibbs built a really tough culture because he's hard on players. Don't forget that. Don't go I don't want to Mike dan Tony clone because he's a swell guy. You know, Tibbs was hard on the players. Yeah, they got better in the regular season the postseason, and this team has deficiencies in personnel. Do not let the pendulum. Mike Malone to me, is the coach here and I don't even think it's that difficult a decision.

Mike Malone. Mike Malone to me, is an excellent coach, and you have to be careful about this. Reportedly they don't want Mike because his intensity matches Tibbs, and they don't want two rough guys back to back. I'd be very careful about that. I mean, what happens in this has happened to me in my life, where like I've worked with people that you have a news director when I was a local TV who was a yeller and a screamer, but highly effective, and then he gets run out of the building, and then you go the opposite and hire somebody that's just as strong as a down comforter, and you go the opposite. Pendulum swings too far. Tibbs built a really tough culture because he's hard on players. Don't forget that. Don't go I don't want to Mike dan Tony clone because he's a swell guy. You know, Tibbs was hard on the players. Yeah, they got better in the regular season the postseason, and this team has deficiencies in personnel. Do not let the pendulum. Mike Malone to me, is the coach here and I don't even think it's that difficult a decision.

But we need to admit he feuded with the front office because he didn't want to play young guys in Denver. He wanted to ride the veterans, which is not what you do.

But we need to admit he feuded with the front office because he didn't want to play young guys in Denver. He wanted to ride the veterans, which is not what you do.

Colin. You don't get you to the finals right now?

Colin. You don't get you to the finals right now?

Okay, you don't have that dilemma here. You don't have The Knicks aren't depending on young players.

Okay, you don't have that dilemma here. You don't have The Knicks aren't depending on young players.

So that's the thing.

So that's the thing.

Tims played his starters a lot and would not change. He was unyielding in refusing to bring, like do some good ride off the bench. I know that's some all potatoes, but Knicks fans know what I'm talking about. He was just a little firm in his waist because he's older. I think they want to skew younger someone who the front office is going to say, please do this. It says analytically, we need to.

Tims played his starters a lot and would not change. He was unyielding in refusing to bring, like do some good ride off the bench. I know that's some all potatoes, but Knicks fans know what I'm talking about. He was just a little firm in his waist because he's older. I think they want to skew younger someone who the front office is going to say, please do this. It says analytically, we need to.

Okay, tell me the last great coach in any sport now baseball because of analytics, managers have limited power. But if you go NBA, NFL, you can go international soccer. Tell me the last great manager who basically complies with UH ownership and front office wishes, well, well, you're hiring somebody that you can push around. I don't like that.

Okay, tell me the last great coach in any sport now baseball because of analytics, managers have limited power. But if you go NBA, NFL, you can go international soccer. Tell me the last great manager who basically complies with UH ownership and front office wishes, well, well, you're hiring somebody that you can push around. I don't like that.

It's less about maybe I friend that wrong. Let's about pushing around, but more about being on the same page. Hey, this is what the analytics say, we like this.

It's less about maybe I friend that wrong. Let's about pushing around, but more about being on the same page. Hey, this is what the analytics say, we like this.

What do you think?

What do you think?

Oh yeah, yeah, being on the same page as long as you agree with me, will get along. What does that mean being on the same page.

Oh yeah, yeah, being on the same page as long as you agree with me, will get along. What does that mean being on the same page.

I don't want philosophy Coulin like you wouldn't have me on the show if we didn't agree on a lot of stuff. All takes disagree, we go ahead to head over plenty and stuff, but by and large we agree what works.

I don't want philosophy Coulin like you wouldn't have me on the show if we didn't agree on a lot of stuff. All takes disagree, we go ahead to head over plenty and stuff, but by and large we agree what works.

Now because you and I are on the stand. I don't want to get into us, but you and I are on the same page. We work hard, blah blah blah, family that kind of stuff. If you were a schorely guy, I don't care if we agree or not. We go back and forth constantly. I want as a GM a coach with a strong vision and a strong plan. I don't have to have him succumb to my wishes. The Knicks want to hire comfortable and compliant. I want a great coach, and I think Malone is a top ten coach in the league.

Now because you and I are on the stand. I don't want to get into us, but you and I are on the same page. We work hard, blah blah blah, family that kind of stuff. If you were a schorely guy, I don't care if we agree or not. We go back and forth constantly. I want as a GM a coach with a strong vision and a strong plan. I don't have to have him succumb to my wishes. The Knicks want to hire comfortable and compliant. I want a great coach, and I think Malone is a top ten coach in the league.

I don't agree. I think there's a middle ground. We'd probably agree. But let's move on to the Detroit Lions.

I don't agree. I think there's a middle ground. We'd probably agree. But let's move on to the Detroit Lions.

Who you know, there's some pressure on your boy, Jared Goff south May's finance out here in LA Maybe you'll get a bite with him when you come out here next week.

Who you know, there's some pressure on your boy, Jared Goff south May's finance out here in LA Maybe you'll get a bite with him when you come out here next week.

There is pressure on him.

There is pressure on him.

Quote the Lions have too much talent not to bounce back in twenty twenty five. But the end of the season has to leave you wondering if the franchise can actually make.

Quote the Lions have too much talent not to bounce back in twenty twenty five. But the end of the season has to leave you wondering if the franchise can actually make.

A super Bowl run with Jared Goff. I think that's a little silly.

A super Bowl run with Jared Goff. I think that's a little silly.

He was moments away from a Super Bowl two years ago in that San Francisco game.

He was moments away from a Super Bowl two years ago in that San Francisco game.

The bigger issue is he is not a mobile quarterback. And in this league right now, teams like you know, Washington with Jaden Daniels, even Denver with bow knicks can add about twenty to twenty five percent of the playbook because you could constantly move the pocket. That's why Shanahan, by the way, likes brought pretty One of the reasons he likes him is you can move the pocket. You couldn't with Garoffolo. So Garoffolo didn't throw deep and he couldn't move particularly well. One of the attractive things about Perty I can flush him left or right. He does move well, and you get more plays. And so I think these quarter but I think you look at I think you look at if you have you just lost your center who retired. Not good for Detroit, not good at all. So the old line will not be as good period in the middle, and now you have an immobile quarterback. So I do think you start looking at this and thinking, hey, do we have to have a great old line in order for golf to win because you know eventually some of these offensive linemen outside of finet seol, you can't afford all of them.

The bigger issue is he is not a mobile quarterback. And in this league right now, teams like you know, Washington with Jaden Daniels, even Denver with bow knicks can add about twenty to twenty five percent of the playbook because you could constantly move the pocket. That's why Shanahan, by the way, likes brought pretty One of the reasons he likes him is you can move the pocket. You couldn't with Garoffolo. So Garoffolo didn't throw deep and he couldn't move particularly well. One of the attractive things about Perty I can flush him left or right. He does move well, and you get more plays. And so I think these quarter but I think you look at I think you look at if you have you just lost your center who retired. Not good for Detroit, not good at all. So the old line will not be as good period in the middle, and now you have an immobile quarterback. So I do think you start looking at this and thinking, hey, do we have to have a great old line in order for golf to win because you know eventually some of these offensive linemen outside of finet seol, you can't afford all of them.

So by the way, GoF had a career year last year, thirty seven touchdowns QBR, best.

So by the way, GoF had a career year last year, thirty seven touchdowns QBR, best.

Of his career.

Of his career.

I think the issue with golf Colin, we're going to notice it early. You remember last year, anytime the Lions played in Goths throwing guys are wide open. I'm talking like everywhere dudes are defensive, bats aren't even close.

I think the issue with golf Colin, we're going to notice it early. You remember last year, anytime the Lions played in Goths throwing guys are wide open. I'm talking like everywhere dudes are defensive, bats aren't even close.

If all of a sudden, they're not.

If all of a sudden, they're not.

As open because the new OC's not as good. I think you need to sell the Lions like in September.

As open because the new OC's not as good. I think you need to sell the Lions like in September.

You're gonna be able to tell early because those guys are the wide open.

You're gonna be able to tell early because those guys are the wide open.

I still think they have a great roster. I'm what is the over under eleven to eleven.

I still think they have a great roster. I'm what is the over under eleven to eleven.

And a half ten and a half? Think it's ten and a half.

And a half ten and a half? Think it's ten and a half.

Yeah, so I think they're an eleven win team. But I do think they I think there's an argument when you lose two elite coordinators. Go ask Philadelphia when Sirianni had two great OCDC lost them bad hires. That team was reeling. Think about good. Philadelphia's roster was a year and a half ago and it was reeling. They were a mess. So coaching matters quarterbacks.

Yeah, so I think they're an eleven win team. But I do think they I think there's an argument when you lose two elite coordinators. Go ask Philadelphia when Sirianni had two great OCDC lost them bad hires. That team was reeling. Think about good. Philadelphia's roster was a year and a half ago and it was reeling. They were a mess. So coaching matters quarterbacks.

They got a face in the first six weeks.

They got a face in the first six weeks.

Jordan Love, Caleb Williams, Lamar Jackson, Dylan Gabriel, Joe Burrow.

Jordan Love, Caleb Williams, Lamar Jackson, Dylan Gabriel, Joe Burrow.

And Patrick Mahomes.

And Patrick Mahomes.

That's three of the best four quarterbacks in the league in the first six games for your new defensive coordinator.

That's three of the best four quarterbacks in the league in the first six games for your new defensive coordinator.

Okay, good luck, Lions.

Okay, good luck, Lions.

Final story is the forty nine Ers Colin They brought back former DC or Robert Salah this offseason.

Final story is the forty nine Ers Colin They brought back former DC or Robert Salah this offseason.

They were brutal.

They were brutal.

Last year, twenty eighth in scoring. Defense.

Last year, twenty eighth in scoring. Defense.

George Kittle was on The Rich Eisen Show and talked about the defense the side of the football. Here's George Kittle's message on the Niners.

George Kittle was on The Rich Eisen Show and talked about the defense the side of the football. Here's George Kittle's message on the Niners.

He's really good at his job, and I'm really excited that we somehow convinced them to be our defensive coordinator again. Because he is, he knows what he's talking about, he's inspiring, he gets the boys fired up. I'm pumped a hat him back in the buildings. Just hanging out with him a little bit, talking about stuff. You can just tell he's he's ready to roll this year and he's gonna get the boys fired up. Violence is coming, is what I would say.

He's really good at his job, and I'm really excited that we somehow convinced them to be our defensive coordinator again. Because he is, he knows what he's talking about, he's inspiring, he gets the boys fired up. I'm pumped a hat him back in the buildings. Just hanging out with him a little bit, talking about stuff. You can just tell he's he's ready to roll this year and he's gonna get the boys fired up. Violence is coming, is what I would say.

Yeah, I mean, I think everybody in the league when the Jets fired saw what my take was. You just let the best coach in the building leave, and you were already babysitting that Hackett and it was a disaster. That nothing against the guy that replaced him, but you know, never let the best coach in the building.

Yeah, I mean, I think everybody in the league when the Jets fired saw what my take was. You just let the best coach in the building leave, and you were already babysitting that Hackett and it was a disaster. That nothing against the guy that replaced him, but you know, never let the best coach in the building.

Leave.

Leave.

That's almost always the rule. And it was not a terribly strong staff because the OC was you know, came with Aaron. So I think Saul is a great coach, whether or not he's a head coach. I mean, everybody's get second chances. He'll get this. I would give him a second chance. I think he deserves it. But he's an excellent defensive coach.

That's almost always the rule. And it was not a terribly strong staff because the OC was you know, came with Aaron. So I think Saul is a great coach, whether or not he's a head coach. I mean, everybody's get second chances. He'll get this. I would give him a second chance. I think he deserves it. But he's an excellent defensive coach.

Well, they'll be the number one see in the NFC. I think we both agree on that.

Well, they'll be the number one see in the NFC. I think we both agree on that.

Right.

Right.

They got brock Perdy in an easy schedule. Can they win the Super Bowl? We'll see. I mean, no, I think I think Niners. You have Rams bills. I think I might have Niners bills in the Super Bowl.

They got brock Perdy in an easy schedule. Can they win the Super Bowl? We'll see. I mean, no, I think I think Niners. You have Rams bills. I think I might have Niners bills in the Super Bowl.

Well, I have Rams Seahawks making the playoffs. I do not have the Niners in the super Bowl. I think that is sometimes I win these bets against you and I see him coming a mile away.

Well, I have Rams Seahawks making the playoffs. I do not have the Niners in the super Bowl. I think that is sometimes I win these bets against you and I see him coming a mile away.

You've got two months left to get off that horrible Seahawks take. Right, Let's just move off that one quickly. You know how you move off for real estate quickly. You need to move off the Seattle Seahawks being a playoff team next year.

You've got two months left to get off that horrible Seahawks take. Right, Let's just move off that one quickly. You know how you move off for real estate quickly. You need to move off the Seattle Seahawks being a playoff team next year.

That's just not happening.

That's just not happening.

Let me tell you something. I already bought a couple of jet skis with that those winnings. I got jet skis. Do they let jet.

Let me tell you something. I already bought a couple of jet skis with that those winnings. I got jet skis. Do they let jet.

Skis go on Lake Chicago or whatever the lake is called Lake Mi.

Skis go on Lake Chicago or whatever the lake is called Lake Mi.

I just want to.

I just want to.

Brush up on Chicago.

Brush up on Chicago.

It's like your geography. You may want to brush up on that a little. Jmax Lake Chicago. Okay, uh Jmack with the news. Oh kid, well.

It's like your geography. You may want to brush up on that a little. Jmax Lake Chicago. Okay, uh Jmack with the news. Oh kid, well.

That's the news, and thanks for stopping by the herd Line News.

That's the news, and thanks for stopping by the herd Line News.

We all want to feel completely safe when we're locking up at night, especially next to Lake Chicago. You want to feel safe, peace of mind. How about simply safecolin dot com fifty percent off your news system with a professional monitoring in your first month three at simply safecolin dot com.

We all want to feel completely safe when we're locking up at night, especially next to Lake Chicago. You want to feel safe, peace of mind. How about simply safecolin dot com fifty percent off your news system with a professional monitoring in your first month three at simply safecolin dot com.

Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays at noon. Easter nine EM Pacific.

Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays at noon. Easter nine EM Pacific.

Continues with the Gold Cup tonight, as these Stars and Stripes face off against Middle East powerhouse Saudi Arabia. No easy Path, No second chances tonight, nine Eastern on FS one.

Continues with the Gold Cup tonight, as these Stars and Stripes face off against Middle East powerhouse Saudi Arabia. No easy Path, No second chances tonight, nine Eastern on FS one.

Now, the odds for this one nit too closer, a little more comfortable than people may suggest, So keep your eye on that. And everybody's feeling good about themselves after that. Five nothing lacking of Trinidad and Tobago, but keep your eye on this one tonight. So sometimes I'm just flummixed by something that I have always liked Kevin Durant as a player. There's a story today that he wanted to join both the Celtics and the Knicks in February at the trade deadline, and neither was interested. Huh. I mean, he's the number one rated jump shooter in the league. Only two guys in the league averaged twenty five points and shot forty percent on threes, Jokic and KD. He's not disruptive, he's a nice guy. He's respected by players. He doesn't need the ball in his hands. I don't get it. He didn't have a market and I was thinking about that this morning. Is that all of us communicate beyond talking tone, body language who you hang out with. And I think his messaging is bad. That's the only thing that explains it. The best head coaches and general managers prioritize winning for second and third, and I don't think KD has always prioritized that. He did briefly with Golden State, that he got into his fields and left and he wanted to just go hoop and have fun, and people in the NBA have fun in your own time want to win titles. I don't like his messaging. I love his game, you know, Jalen Brunson, whether it was Villanova or the Knicks, he dies a little with each loss. He is so competitive and he's got it all lined up. And that's the only it's the only thing I can make sense of this is that it's it's so strange and people say, well, and he's going to want a new contract. He's not getting a super max. He wants a couple of years. He's giving you twenty five a night. He can defend you get length. He's a bright player. He knows the game, he knows the ins and outs. He's mostly healthy. It's a shooters league, by the way. He'll get mid range. He can hit threes. And with Brunson's game especially, you know, whoever plays with Brunson can't need the ball a lot. You gotta be able to play off ball with Jalen Brunson. That's why he and Luca weren't perfect, right, Like Kevin Durant is perfect. He's the perfect player for him. But I think if I said to you KD and I said word association, you'd think Hooper wants to play with friends, wants to just ball, doesn't want to really lead. And that fair or not. I think that's how people view him because if you did put him on the Celtics tomorrow, you could put him on the Knicks tomorrow. I don't get it. Rick Buker talked about, you know, his lack of a dynamic market.

Now, the odds for this one nit too closer, a little more comfortable than people may suggest, So keep your eye on that. And everybody's feeling good about themselves after that. Five nothing lacking of Trinidad and Tobago, but keep your eye on this one tonight. So sometimes I'm just flummixed by something that I have always liked Kevin Durant as a player. There's a story today that he wanted to join both the Celtics and the Knicks in February at the trade deadline, and neither was interested. Huh. I mean, he's the number one rated jump shooter in the league. Only two guys in the league averaged twenty five points and shot forty percent on threes, Jokic and KD. He's not disruptive, he's a nice guy. He's respected by players. He doesn't need the ball in his hands. I don't get it. He didn't have a market and I was thinking about that this morning. Is that all of us communicate beyond talking tone, body language who you hang out with. And I think his messaging is bad. That's the only thing that explains it. The best head coaches and general managers prioritize winning for second and third, and I don't think KD has always prioritized that. He did briefly with Golden State, that he got into his fields and left and he wanted to just go hoop and have fun, and people in the NBA have fun in your own time want to win titles. I don't like his messaging. I love his game, you know, Jalen Brunson, whether it was Villanova or the Knicks, he dies a little with each loss. He is so competitive and he's got it all lined up. And that's the only it's the only thing I can make sense of this is that it's it's so strange and people say, well, and he's going to want a new contract. He's not getting a super max. He wants a couple of years. He's giving you twenty five a night. He can defend you get length. He's a bright player. He knows the game, he knows the ins and outs. He's mostly healthy. It's a shooters league, by the way. He'll get mid range. He can hit threes. And with Brunson's game especially, you know, whoever plays with Brunson can't need the ball a lot. You gotta be able to play off ball with Jalen Brunson. That's why he and Luca weren't perfect, right, Like Kevin Durant is perfect. He's the perfect player for him. But I think if I said to you KD and I said word association, you'd think Hooper wants to play with friends, wants to just ball, doesn't want to really lead. And that fair or not. I think that's how people view him because if you did put him on the Celtics tomorrow, you could put him on the Knicks tomorrow. I don't get it. Rick Buker talked about, you know, his lack of a dynamic market.

It's not so much that teams don't want KD and couldn't use KD as much as what are we going to have to give up for him? And are we going to have to extend him. The reason that you're not seeing a more robust market for him is because teams are looking at it and saying, I don't know that within a year for what we might have to give up. The KD really moves the needle at this point.

It's not so much that teams don't want KD and couldn't use KD as much as what are we going to have to give up for him? And are we going to have to extend him. The reason that you're not seeing a more robust market for him is because teams are looking at it and saying, I don't know that within a year for what we might have to give up. The KD really moves the needle at this point.

But I would add this, if you're hyper athletic like Cam Newton, you tend to age very quickly. But if it's about shooting and sort of basketball IQ shooting and ball handling in length, those ages very well. That's why I mean, if you look at Lebron James, he is athletic, but he's a great ball handler, one of the smartest players ever. You know, Lebron doesn't defend like he used to. But Kevin Durant's game, I think ages really really well. He's not toxic. People like him. He's smart, he understands the game. He can shoot. I don't know, like I think Steph Curry is one of those guys you play for a long time. I mean, Klay Thompson's still playing. He's a catch and shoot guy. Whereas a Westbrook is bouncing team to team now because he was so hyper athletic. When you lose that, it's like it's not the same player. But the messaging matters. And I'll give you two examples. Sga, he's kind of boring. The messaging is winning, Yokic screaming at his teammates. The message winning, and we communicate with more than just words tone. Who are your friends? Who are your allies? I was told this years ago by it was somebody in Lebron's camp. Is a certain player's name came up that that wanted to play with Lebron and I I didn't love this player, but this player was really, really talented, and he said, no, Lebron doesn't want that guy that Lebron. Now, now Lebron was okay with Westbrook briefly, but it was a player who was in their prime. And I remember somebody in Lebron's camp saying, look, Lebron didn't want that guy near his brand. And he's he's still going to you know, he's still partying like Lebron. He doesn't have any interest. They are the opposite personality, the opposite guy. And that stuck with me. So also, I'm not good look at that. Yeah, all right, Dodger surpassed two million in fan attendants last night. Fourteenth sellout. That's the Otani factor. By the way, it's selling out on Wednesdays and Thursdays. I remember when a Rod went to the Yankees. And remember he went to the Yankees and they already had Jeter. It's like he was a shortstop. People were saying a Rod revolutionized the game. They put him at third. It's like he was good for baseball, he was good for business. A Rod got people to the ballpark on a Tuesday night and a Wednesday night and a Thursday night. That's the Otani factor. Is their fourteenth sellout. Now, some of this is the Podreis is their biggest rival. And we were talking about AJ Presenski came on earlier and the Dodgers won with a walk off last night. This rivalry is is. It is as even and as nasty as a rivalry in baseball can be. And Aj Persensky an hour ago talked about it.

But I would add this, if you're hyper athletic like Cam Newton, you tend to age very quickly. But if it's about shooting and sort of basketball IQ shooting and ball handling in length, those ages very well. That's why I mean, if you look at Lebron James, he is athletic, but he's a great ball handler, one of the smartest players ever. You know, Lebron doesn't defend like he used to. But Kevin Durant's game, I think ages really really well. He's not toxic. People like him. He's smart, he understands the game. He can shoot. I don't know, like I think Steph Curry is one of those guys you play for a long time. I mean, Klay Thompson's still playing. He's a catch and shoot guy. Whereas a Westbrook is bouncing team to team now because he was so hyper athletic. When you lose that, it's like it's not the same player. But the messaging matters. And I'll give you two examples. Sga, he's kind of boring. The messaging is winning, Yokic screaming at his teammates. The message winning, and we communicate with more than just words tone. Who are your friends? Who are your allies? I was told this years ago by it was somebody in Lebron's camp. Is a certain player's name came up that that wanted to play with Lebron and I I didn't love this player, but this player was really, really talented, and he said, no, Lebron doesn't want that guy that Lebron. Now, now Lebron was okay with Westbrook briefly, but it was a player who was in their prime. And I remember somebody in Lebron's camp saying, look, Lebron didn't want that guy near his brand. And he's he's still going to you know, he's still partying like Lebron. He doesn't have any interest. They are the opposite personality, the opposite guy. And that stuck with me. So also, I'm not good look at that. Yeah, all right, Dodger surpassed two million in fan attendants last night. Fourteenth sellout. That's the Otani factor. By the way, it's selling out on Wednesdays and Thursdays. I remember when a Rod went to the Yankees. And remember he went to the Yankees and they already had Jeter. It's like he was a shortstop. People were saying a Rod revolutionized the game. They put him at third. It's like he was good for baseball, he was good for business. A Rod got people to the ballpark on a Tuesday night and a Wednesday night and a Thursday night. That's the Otani factor. Is their fourteenth sellout. Now, some of this is the Podreis is their biggest rival. And we were talking about AJ Presenski came on earlier and the Dodgers won with a walk off last night. This rivalry is is. It is as even and as nasty as a rivalry in baseball can be. And Aj Persensky an hour ago talked about it.

Every team walks into a series with the Dodgers and there are teams out there that go, we can't beat them, Why are we even wasting our time? The Padres they don't play like that. Mike Schill Manny Machado for tachis all of these guys on the Padres, they don't play like that. We ain't afraid of the Dodgers, So we're gonna show you the Padres that want to show the Dodgers we're not little brother anymore. We're not afraid of you. We're gonna stand up for our guys. And that's how you have to do it in today's game.

Every team walks into a series with the Dodgers and there are teams out there that go, we can't beat them, Why are we even wasting our time? The Padres they don't play like that. Mike Schill Manny Machado for tachis all of these guys on the Padres, they don't play like that. We ain't afraid of the Dodgers, So we're gonna show you the Padres that want to show the Dodgers we're not little brother anymore. We're not afraid of you. We're gonna stand up for our guys. And that's how you have to do it in today's game.

You know, it is interesting with Otanni because he played down with the Angels. But one of the reasons it made sense to get a Rod with the Yankees because in one hundred and sixty two games, a Rod and Jeter together made the Yankee games feel like an event. And I mean, listen, Freeman's great. Bets is great, but it's Otawni that makes every Dodger game feel like an event. Don't don't confuse Bets is an unbelievable player. He doesn't make a Tuesday game. He's just great Otani. This is the Caitlin Clark effect. She's not the best player in the league. Caitlin Clark. Oh, you get tickets to a Caitlin Clark game in Indiana. That is a big event. Right now, I'm serious the game with Caitlin Clark in it tonight, playing one the more physical teams in the WNBA off that skirmish with Connecticut, honestly, to me feels bigger or at least even with the NBA Finals game in indianthonit. Caitlin Clark makes stuff feel like an event. I mean, the Masters is already big, but when Rory McElroy is going for his big win, the numbers explode, like Okay, we're watching history here, so that is what And again, there are a lot of good teams, like the Detroit Lions are a really good team, but part of what makes the Buffalo Bills games feel bigger is Josh Allen. Josh Allen's like he'll do stuff that you may never see in a football field. Again, that's what Caitlin Clark's doing, That's what o'tanny's doing. And now you add the scrum and the physicality and the flagrant and the technicals as everybody's ramping up their defense. Rachel Nichols talked about that with Caitlin Clark.

You know, it is interesting with Otanni because he played down with the Angels. But one of the reasons it made sense to get a Rod with the Yankees because in one hundred and sixty two games, a Rod and Jeter together made the Yankee games feel like an event. And I mean, listen, Freeman's great. Bets is great, but it's Otawni that makes every Dodger game feel like an event. Don't don't confuse Bets is an unbelievable player. He doesn't make a Tuesday game. He's just great Otani. This is the Caitlin Clark effect. She's not the best player in the league. Caitlin Clark. Oh, you get tickets to a Caitlin Clark game in Indiana. That is a big event. Right now, I'm serious the game with Caitlin Clark in it tonight, playing one the more physical teams in the WNBA off that skirmish with Connecticut, honestly, to me feels bigger or at least even with the NBA Finals game in indianthonit. Caitlin Clark makes stuff feel like an event. I mean, the Masters is already big, but when Rory McElroy is going for his big win, the numbers explode, like Okay, we're watching history here, so that is what And again, there are a lot of good teams, like the Detroit Lions are a really good team, but part of what makes the Buffalo Bills games feel bigger is Josh Allen. Josh Allen's like he'll do stuff that you may never see in a football field. Again, that's what Caitlin Clark's doing, That's what o'tanny's doing. And now you add the scrum and the physicality and the flagrant and the technicals as everybody's ramping up their defense. Rachel Nichols talked about that with Caitlin Clark.

We've seen Steph Curry that you mentioned beat up like this for years. I mean, that is basically the game plan against Steph Curry is just try to out physical him and beat him up a little bit, because of course can't match the skill level. So I think the w has sort of taken a page from that. But so far, you know, she's been able to handle everything that's been thrown at her. I don't really worry about her toughness. She might be her own enforcer, so we'll just have to see.