April 20, 2024 • 23 mins
Chris and Rob discuss why expectations and overall interest in Zion Williamson has fallen off so precipitously over the years, explain why they had such a big problem with Gregg Doyel’s inappropriate exchange with Caitlin Clark at her introductory press conference and debate whether another NBA championship (capped off with another NBA Finals MVP award) would elevate Nikola Jokic into the top-10 all-time in NBA history.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Thanks for listening to the Best of the Odd Couple podcasts.
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Speaker 2 (00:22):
You're listening to the Best of the Odd Couple with
Chris Bruson and Ron Parker.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Hey, let me ask you this, Rob, And you know,
a few years ago a guy that many thought would
be the future face of the league, Zion Williamson, And
this year he had a good ye. He always plays well.
I mean, there's never been a question of his ability.
It's been a question of is he going to play?
(00:50):
Is he healthy? This year he's been healthy. I'm a
shout out Zion for playing seventy games. Rob average over
thirty one minutes a game. So I'm not even I'm
not trying to be funny, facetiaus not making fun I'm
happy for him, and I am I don't want to
say impressed, it's your job, but I'm just I'm happy
(01:12):
for him. And he's a good player. He's a very
good player has point guard skills. I'm not saying he's
a true point but he brings the ball up, runs
their offense at times and it's effective for them. But
I want to throw this out at you, Rob and
get your opinion. Is this a big game for him tonight?
(01:32):
Like I mean, if he loses, is their damage done?
And if he wins? You know, like, is this a
big game?
Speaker 4 (01:43):
Is this a.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
Moment for him? Is this something where you know this
could make or break him at least for the time being?
Speaker 2 (01:55):
No?
Speaker 4 (01:55):
Way, no?
Speaker 5 (01:57):
How?
Speaker 4 (01:57):
Wow? And I say that, Chris, because uh, I truly believe.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
Zion Williamson stardom and Zion, you know, is already half baked.
And I believe what do you mean by half baked that?
And I'll tell you this, I think Zion Williamson is
NBA dead.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
I already think you NBA dead. Kill a lot of cats. Further,
was Kevin Durant now? Is Zion?
Speaker 4 (02:30):
Yes?
Speaker 1 (02:31):
And I'm saying from this standpoint, Chris, from where he
came from, and the expectations like there's a wet blanket
over him.
Speaker 4 (02:40):
You talked about it already.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
He played well, but nobody talks about Zion. He's not
in any conversation, Chris, what come give me the topic.
Speaker 4 (02:51):
That we talked about Zion this year?
Speaker 1 (02:53):
You know what, zero, He's NBA dead. People don't care
either way. Hey, if he wins, Chris, okay, if he
loses while Lebron and ad he was supposed to win,
there's nothing there.
Speaker 4 (03:07):
There's no juice for Zion.
Speaker 1 (03:10):
I'm dead serious that he just doesn't register now, Chris,
Does that mean he can't vibe for the MVP a
couple of years from now and the team turns around
and there, right.
Speaker 4 (03:25):
But I'm talking about twenty three right now.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
As far as moving the needle, people caring about a
player and wondering what's gonna happen.
Speaker 4 (03:37):
He's NBA dead, he just is.
Speaker 1 (03:40):
I don't think there's a post there with NBA fans
for Zion anymore, Chris, because he's just been overall a
major disappointment.
Speaker 4 (03:54):
Amen. Oh my god, Hey, no so much.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
I think you watched First Things for this afternoon, because
that's exactly what I said.
Speaker 4 (04:03):
I never missed.
Speaker 3 (04:07):
That's exactly what I said.
Speaker 4 (04:09):
Rob.
Speaker 3 (04:09):
We've moved on, Zion, we have You're no longer than
New Hotness. We moved on to Wimby and Shit and
SGA and a man and Rob even Jah his former
AU teammate. When he comes back it some of it
(04:34):
can be his fault. Obviously, anybody can get injured. But
he hasn't been in shape. He hasn't worked the hardest
on his body. His eating habits. May now maybe the
light has gone on going off, I should say, But
right now, Rob, you are exactly right.
Speaker 4 (04:55):
Zion is just a guy, a good guy.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
He's, you know, above average player.
Speaker 4 (05:02):
Nobody's saying he's a back border. Nobody start right. He's
still a good player.
Speaker 3 (05:07):
But here's the truth too, And if Zion wants to
get to that next level, Rob, he should hear this.
Take heed, Zion, you have got to my man. I'm
glad you played seventy games. You are a terror, a
force of nature at the rim. Rob, the dude is
(05:29):
phenomenal at the rim. And that's why when he's bringing
the ball up court, he just drives in and scores.
But he don't shoot threes. He don't shoot mid range jumpers.
You know where he's going. And that's one reason he's
had problems with playing the Lakers because Lebron's big enough
(05:49):
of that they put him in front of him, he's
gonna at least make it a little difficult for him
to just go to the basket. And then when he
gets to the rim, Anthony Davis is there, the Lakers
packed paint, and Zion has nothing right now but stuff
at the rim. So Zion, you gotta be work on.
You should be a better rebounder. Five and a half
(06:11):
rebounds a game. That's Steph Curry stuff.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
He should walk into the arena with five and a
half things, thank you.
Speaker 3 (06:19):
So you rebound, it has to improve, and you've gotta
work on your Jay because as he's headed right now
and again, very good.
Speaker 4 (06:25):
Player, their best player.
Speaker 3 (06:28):
But Rob, once that athleticism starts to wane, he would
be in trouble if he don't ask some stuff to
his game because he is predictable what he's doing with
the rock.
Speaker 4 (06:41):
So I agree with you.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
We're on board on that one. But I like what
you said at the end because you're absolutely right. He could.
He's only twenty three, healthy and works hard, and you know,
really he still got plenty of time and he could
join that young crop of future stars. There's no or
(07:04):
current even stars, no doubt about it. But right now,
he's off the radar. As far as celebrities superstars in
the NBA.
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Speaker 3 (07:55):
Rob very interesting situation in Indianapolis, where, of course Caitlyn
Clark was the number one pick of the WNBA draft.
She will go to the Indiana Fever and at her
introductory press conference in Indiana, there was some controversy with
(08:18):
Greg Doyle, who's a longtime columnist at the Indianapolis Star.
And Rob Gi give us kind of a little bit
more of the background, and then we're gonna hear some sound.
Speaker 6 (08:27):
Sure, Well, before we get to this specific controversial point.
Before this was even done, Greg Doyle at the press
conference a getting introduced Kaylan Clark, asked the question of
Indiana Fever coach Christine Sides, and his question was you
were just giving the keys to that and pointed at
Kaitlin Clark, what are you gonna do with it? People
(08:48):
kind of thought that was a little weird way to
phrase it, but they moved on. Later on, Doyle is
asking another question, this one to Caitlyn Clark, and before
he starts his question, he makes his hands in the
shape of a heart. The heart hands thing that the
EMOGC on your phone. Nowadays, DeMar Hamlin does it, and
Kaitlyn Clark does it to her family during every IOWA game,
usually at the end. Well, listen to this exchange and
(09:09):
time what you think of it?
Speaker 5 (09:10):
Hi, Caitlyn, Greg Doyle, Indie star, real quick, how let
me do this?
Speaker 4 (09:17):
You like you like that? I like that you're here,
like I do that in my family after every game.
Speaker 5 (09:23):
So okay, well start doing it to me and we'll
be get along just fine.
Speaker 4 (09:27):
So the question is.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
Chris go head around just totally inappropriate, just just like like,
you're you're a columnist right in the town. I get
it's Indianapolis. Uh, it was awkward. That's why it came
off that way. He's doing a hard to her. I
(09:53):
don't think, Chris, if there was a female columnist who
did that to a player who is going to play
for the people would be like, what what is this?
You know what I mean? Like, I just I don't.
I don't understand what he was trying to do, trying
to be too cute, trying to be too much. I'm
surprised Greg Doyle didn't he work at Yahoo too, Chris?
Speaker 4 (10:12):
Was he he was Rob g Was he on at Yahoo?
He was on a national platform as well.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
No, he's a he's a big time but I'm saying yeah,
but I'm saying he had the national platform as well.
Speaker 1 (10:26):
It was at CBS, Chris and wrote there and then
came back to Indianapolis.
Speaker 4 (10:31):
I don't know. I just it just felt awkward and
appropriate to me.
Speaker 3 (10:34):
I mean, you're right if a female said to Lebron
James did a heart sign.
Speaker 4 (10:40):
And she would probably do that. If you do that
to me, we'll be good. Chris, look the whole.
Speaker 3 (10:51):
And I guess on Twitter you're here he's getting criticized
and he actually ended up Rob writing a retraction column.
Speaker 4 (10:58):
It's It's tight.
Speaker 3 (10:59):
Here's the title of it. Caitlin Clark, I'm so sorry.
On Wednesday, I was part of the problem and he was.
But just the first thing Rob g told us, you're
you've just been given that. What are you gonna do
with it?
Speaker 2 (11:19):
Now?
Speaker 3 (11:19):
Look, Rob, a lot of times we refer to as
you know, he's a beast, right mb was a monster
last night, and you know, if people wanted to criticize that,
and you know, but now it's accepted.
Speaker 4 (11:34):
It's a figure of speech.
Speaker 3 (11:36):
People know what you mean. I think years ago, Robbed,
decades ago, maybe when you were saying if you said
that about an African American player, people took umbrage, you know,
But now obviously it's just it's kind of an innocent,
you know, figure of speech, and and actually kind of
is a compliment, you know, But I don't know if
(11:59):
I'm overacting, but it objectifies her, not in a sexual way,
but it objectifies her in I got that it well
do you know what I mean? Rather than you just
been you know, I mean, and the people said that
I don't know, even minute negatively, but you know what
I mean, It came.
Speaker 4 (12:13):
Off that way.
Speaker 1 (12:13):
But it means like you've been given the keys to
this sports car, you know what I mean. So that's
they could call it objectify right, exactly right, and it
just but Chris, don't you think? And again I get it,
it's Indianapolis. That one newspaper, he's the big.
Speaker 3 (12:29):
Dog was actually the first newspaper. Well, I was an
intern there right at the Star. Yeah, oh yeah, and
then they.
Speaker 4 (12:35):
Have a start.
Speaker 3 (12:36):
I was their first African American employee other than like
a secretary.
Speaker 4 (12:41):
Are you serious? Ever? What year was that?
Speaker 3 (12:45):
Nineteen ninety and I was just an intern. They did
offer me a job, but I went to the Cleveland
Plain Dealer instead.
Speaker 4 (12:52):
But it's crazy.
Speaker 3 (12:53):
Yeah, but and the secretary was she was wearing mini
skirts too. That's like, wow, the new who's had a
black writer?
Speaker 4 (13:04):
Napolis News.
Speaker 1 (13:05):
But here's the thing, Chris, I just think he was
trying to be too cute and become a part of
the press conference. It ain't about you that day, it ain't.
Do you think he was trying to be a party.
Speaker 3 (13:18):
I agree that he was trying to be too cute,
but you actually think he was like trying to become
a part of kind of the story.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
Well, because he's injecting himself in it, you know what
I mean, Like all these things are about him.
Speaker 4 (13:30):
Hey, if you do this to me, will be good.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
Hey, you know, like it just it just seemed like
he was trying too hard, like like there's a time
in the play. God knows, Chris, I've asked some questions
in press conferences. You know what I'm saying. I'm just saying, yes,
God knows. And it wasn't about me. I was trying
to be I was trying to get a quote. I
really was, Chris, I really really was. It wasn't about me.
Speaker 3 (13:58):
Well in this case, I think Rob And again the
criticism on Twitter, some of it robs. You correct me
if I'm wrong, but some of it was like you're
treating women's sports like it's not legitimate. And when I,
you know, heard the story about what he said, I
was like, Okay, I don't know if he's doing that.
(14:20):
When you listen, Look, when you listen to that excerpt,
it did come off that it came off like here's
the cute little girl, and I don't even mean in
a sexual way. But here's the cute little women's players. Oh,
I'm gonna I'm gonna play around with you know, like
pat like you do to a little kid, patting them
on the head. If I'm interviewing little nine year olds
(14:46):
and hey, you know, what'd you think you know about
how in this stadium in the day?
Speaker 4 (14:53):
Wow?
Speaker 3 (14:54):
Would you know? Like that's what it came off to me? Like,
And I think some some people have been critical on
Twitter and saying this is why women's sports isn't as
popular as men. No, stop that, this is not why
women's sports is not as popular as men. All right,
It's just that's not it, all right. But it did
(15:18):
come off rob like he was patting her on the head,
so to speak. Or it's the little you know, the
little dude they play basketball too. You know, they're so
cute when they play and you know, let me, I
mean it just you wouldn't do that to a man.
Speaker 4 (15:35):
No, And Chris, am I right.
Speaker 1 (15:37):
If it was a female reporter doing that, it would
be questionable her. Oh got her credibility would be questioned, Chris.
And oh, you know there's another chicken in the locker room.
They just want to be around the guys and find
a husband.
Speaker 3 (15:52):
Rob. There are there have been instances of you know,
female reporters getting in relationships with doctor.
Speaker 4 (16:00):
They had a baby with one of the writers who.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
Come from the New York Times, right, and she was
a tennis player. His daughter became a great tennis player.
But I but I haven't seen anything blatant, even when
you know, I've been around situations where I knew some
stuff happened, but I've never seen anything like that. Right,
(16:22):
It was always a way, you know what I mean, Rob,
I've never seen like even in a scrum in the
locker room. I've never seen a female maybe you have.
I haven't seen a female ask a question like that
or flirt like you know what I mean like or
I haven't seen that.
Speaker 2 (16:41):
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Speaker 4 (16:55):
The Joker is playing for a.
Speaker 1 (17:02):
In the top ten in the NBA Top ten players Ever.
Speaker 4 (17:09):
Yes, what what? What?
Speaker 3 (17:13):
Top ten? And I'm going just hear me out with this. Yeah,
I'm gonna hear you out. You know you got a
name the other nine. Okay, I don't like and everybody's time.
I got it, I got it. But I'm talking about
what I'm looking at. What he was able to accomplish
last year, average in the triple double, how he annihilated
the record books in the postseason. Obviously, Chris, a lot
(17:36):
has to happen before I'm jumping this, So.
Speaker 4 (17:38):
Just follow him.
Speaker 1 (17:38):
Win the championship, win the MVP and the championship. Okay,
win the MVP and the championship, same as last year.
If he does that, Chris back to back and he's
won three of the last four MVPs, and again puts
in the season, the postseason to a postseason to remember,
(18:01):
it's gonna be hard to not look at this guy
and think with supposedly all this talent, all people talk
about all the modern players, say that this is the
best talent ever assembled, that these guys are the most
skilled ever. My god, look at Magic. He couldn't even jump.
Look at these guys. There were plumbers, they were Yoki,
(18:24):
they were all this guy. Well, I'm just saying, but
they talk about during that time, and my point is,
he's rewriting record books, he's piling up. There's only been
fifteen players that won multiple championship I mean MVPs. And
for this guy to be on the verge of Chris
(18:44):
three out of four, no All Star teammate. How in
the world could we not look at this guy and
put him in the top ten and think he's not
one of the ten best players we've ever seen play.
Speaker 4 (18:58):
And if you ask me who he.
Speaker 1 (19:00):
Knockout Steph from your top ten, I would put the
Joker in over Steph moving forward if he accomplishes everything
I talk about. If he doesn't Chris, all bets are off.
So I want to make it very clear he's not there.
He's gotta have head of will. He's gotta be a Yes,
(19:22):
I would put him in. I would put him in
the top ten. I really would.
Speaker 3 (19:26):
All Right, I'm not gonna kill you as much as
you might think I would. He's to me, no, okay,
but he is a player, and even if he doesn't win,
he's still this. But certainly if he does, he is
a player who potentially robbed could crack the top ten.
(19:48):
But he's gotta win more than just two. I don't
think there's anybody at least in my top ten there's
nobody in there with just two titles.
Speaker 1 (19:58):
How in the world we putting him in with just
two back to back. I'm talking about what we just
saw last year. It's gotta be about.
Speaker 3 (20:05):
But Yanna's I mean, Yanni's had a historic performance too.
I know he didn't go back to back, but even
if he had two, rob I mean, Bill Russell's got eleven,
Will has two, but he's not in my top ten.
Or you know, Kareem's got six rings, Moses is not
(20:27):
in there, Larry Bird's got three steps, got four Magic five,
Shock for Kobe five, Lebron four. Like now, I will
guarante you he if he wins the championship this year,
he is definitely a guy that might finish in the
(20:48):
top ten. Elijahwan's not in my top ten, so if
he wins it this year, he's ahead of Elijahuan.
Speaker 4 (20:55):
Yes, I think that's a battle. I think that's.
Speaker 1 (20:59):
Because because there's no there's no second guy like that.
Speaker 4 (21:03):
That's the part And I'm not well.
Speaker 3 (21:04):
Jamal Murray is is gonna be a Hall of if
they win it.
Speaker 4 (21:09):
But he's not an all star teammate. That's pretty impressible.
Speaker 3 (21:12):
That's that's yeah, Jamal Murray, though, is an All Star
caliber player.
Speaker 4 (21:17):
Would you anology that is not an All Star? It's
on you.
Speaker 3 (21:21):
It's a It's amazing because I even think maybe now
now he's actually uh tracking toward the Hall of Fame.
But if they win another one, he's gonna be a
Hall of Famer. Not in look no disrespect to like
a Michael Cooper, but Jamal Murray is a playoff assassin.
They can't win it without Jamal Murray. He is a
(21:43):
bad boy. But I give you they're officially no All
Star teammate. Dirk didn't have one when he won his one,
and he beat the big three in Miami. So I
think you're going way too fast. I'm not saying Jokic
couldn't one day hit there, but to say he's there
after just two rings, what if he doesn't win another
(22:05):
one after that?
Speaker 4 (22:07):
Yeah, but I mean he's top ten.
Speaker 3 (22:09):
I can't and the MVPs of course are very important.
But but but Shacks got one, Kobe's got one. Does
that mean Yoka is better than them?
Speaker 4 (22:17):
No?
Speaker 1 (22:17):
But I'm just saying, in this day and age, without
having the most of these guys who have won, Lebron
and Steph they got three and four Hall of Famers,
they got three and four.
Speaker 3 (22:28):
But if that is that, it's not just Lebron. No,
I'm just always been the case.
Speaker 1 (22:33):
Okay had probably the mocat and he's doing after to
win three out of four MVPs back to back, and
I'm talking about the performers like we saw where he
had a triple to average, a triple double. If he
does something on par with that, I would look at him,
Chris and think he is in the top ten and
he's still got years to go.
Speaker 4 (22:52):
I likely got years to go.
Speaker 3 (22:54):
I'm firing with him tracking towards the top ten because
I do think if he wins it this year, Rob,
I don't think anybody, honestly, other than you, I don't
think anybody will put him in the top ten. But
I do think people would say, Okay, that's the next step.
Just like we talked with about Lebron as far as Okay,
(23:16):
the next thing for him to do is to become
the goat. That's like the only mountain left for him
to climb. I think we would say for Jokic, this
is the mountain that he has to colle This is
a guy that could be in the top ten. Is
he gonna replace Bird, He's gonna replace Kobe, he's gonna
replace Steph whoever. But this is a guy that let's
(23:41):
see if he can win another one or maybe two more,
he will join the top ten, but definitely not after
just two.
Speaker 4 (23:52):
No, way after two
Thanks for listening to the Best of the Odd Couple podcasts.
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Speaker 2 (00:22):
You're listening to the Best of the Odd Couple with
Chris Bruson and Ron Parker.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Hey, let me ask you this, Rob, And you know,
a few years ago a guy that many thought would
be the future face of the league, Zion Williamson, And
this year he had a good ye. He always plays well.
I mean, there's never been a question of his ability.
It's been a question of is he going to play?
(00:50):
Is he healthy? This year he's been healthy. I'm a
shout out Zion for playing seventy games. Rob average over
thirty one minutes a game. So I'm not even I'm
not trying to be funny, facetiaus not making fun I'm
happy for him, and I am I don't want to
say impressed, it's your job, but I'm just I'm happy
(01:12):
for him. And he's a good player. He's a very
good player has point guard skills. I'm not saying he's
a true point but he brings the ball up, runs
their offense at times and it's effective for them. But
I want to throw this out at you, Rob and
get your opinion. Is this a big game for him tonight?
(01:32):
Like I mean, if he loses, is their damage done?
And if he wins? You know, like, is this a
big game?
Speaker 4 (01:43):
Is this a.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
Moment for him? Is this something where you know this
could make or break him at least for the time being?
Speaker 2 (01:55):
No?
Speaker 4 (01:55):
Way, no?
Speaker 5 (01:57):
How?
Speaker 4 (01:57):
Wow? And I say that, Chris, because uh, I truly believe.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
Zion Williamson stardom and Zion, you know, is already half baked.
And I believe what do you mean by half baked that?
And I'll tell you this, I think Zion Williamson is
NBA dead.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
I already think you NBA dead. Kill a lot of cats. Further,
was Kevin Durant now? Is Zion?
Speaker 4 (02:30):
Yes?
Speaker 1 (02:31):
And I'm saying from this standpoint, Chris, from where he
came from, and the expectations like there's a wet blanket
over him.
Speaker 4 (02:40):
You talked about it already.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
He played well, but nobody talks about Zion. He's not
in any conversation, Chris, what come give me the topic.
Speaker 4 (02:51):
That we talked about Zion this year?
Speaker 1 (02:53):
You know what, zero, He's NBA dead. People don't care
either way. Hey, if he wins, Chris, okay, if he
loses while Lebron and ad he was supposed to win,
there's nothing there.
Speaker 4 (03:07):
There's no juice for Zion.
Speaker 1 (03:10):
I'm dead serious that he just doesn't register now, Chris,
Does that mean he can't vibe for the MVP a
couple of years from now and the team turns around
and there, right.
Speaker 4 (03:25):
But I'm talking about twenty three right now.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
As far as moving the needle, people caring about a
player and wondering what's gonna happen.
Speaker 4 (03:37):
He's NBA dead, he just is.
Speaker 1 (03:40):
I don't think there's a post there with NBA fans
for Zion anymore, Chris, because he's just been overall a
major disappointment.
Speaker 4 (03:54):
Amen. Oh my god, Hey, no so much.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
I think you watched First Things for this afternoon, because
that's exactly what I said.
Speaker 4 (04:03):
I never missed.
Speaker 3 (04:07):
That's exactly what I said.
Speaker 4 (04:09):
Rob.
Speaker 3 (04:09):
We've moved on, Zion, we have You're no longer than
New Hotness. We moved on to Wimby and Shit and
SGA and a man and Rob even Jah his former
AU teammate. When he comes back it some of it
(04:34):
can be his fault. Obviously, anybody can get injured. But
he hasn't been in shape. He hasn't worked the hardest
on his body. His eating habits. May now maybe the
light has gone on going off, I should say, But
right now, Rob, you are exactly right.
Speaker 4 (04:55):
Zion is just a guy, a good guy.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
He's, you know, above average player.
Speaker 4 (05:02):
Nobody's saying he's a back border. Nobody start right. He's
still a good player.
Speaker 3 (05:07):
But here's the truth too, And if Zion wants to
get to that next level, Rob, he should hear this.
Take heed, Zion, you have got to my man. I'm
glad you played seventy games. You are a terror, a
force of nature at the rim. Rob, the dude is
(05:29):
phenomenal at the rim. And that's why when he's bringing
the ball up court, he just drives in and scores.
But he don't shoot threes. He don't shoot mid range jumpers.
You know where he's going. And that's one reason he's
had problems with playing the Lakers because Lebron's big enough
(05:49):
of that they put him in front of him, he's
gonna at least make it a little difficult for him
to just go to the basket. And then when he
gets to the rim, Anthony Davis is there, the Lakers
packed paint, and Zion has nothing right now but stuff
at the rim. So Zion, you gotta be work on.
You should be a better rebounder. Five and a half
(06:11):
rebounds a game. That's Steph Curry stuff.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
He should walk into the arena with five and a
half things, thank you.
Speaker 3 (06:19):
So you rebound, it has to improve, and you've gotta
work on your Jay because as he's headed right now
and again, very good.
Speaker 4 (06:25):
Player, their best player.
Speaker 3 (06:28):
But Rob, once that athleticism starts to wane, he would
be in trouble if he don't ask some stuff to
his game because he is predictable what he's doing with
the rock.
Speaker 4 (06:41):
So I agree with you.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
We're on board on that one. But I like what
you said at the end because you're absolutely right. He could.
He's only twenty three, healthy and works hard, and you know,
really he still got plenty of time and he could
join that young crop of future stars. There's no or
(07:04):
current even stars, no doubt about it. But right now,
he's off the radar. As far as celebrities superstars in
the NBA.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
Be sure to catch live editions of The Odd Couple
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Speaker 3 (07:25):
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Speaker 5 (07:31):
All happening in only one place. This League Uncut, the
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Speaker 4 (07:38):
Chris Haynes and me Mark Stein join us.
Speaker 5 (07:41):
As we team up to expound on everything we're covering
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Speaker 2 (07:46):
Listen to This League Uncut with Chris Haynes and Mark Stein.
Speaker 5 (07:49):
On the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get
your podcasts.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
Rob very interesting situation in Indianapolis, where, of course Caitlyn
Clark was the number one pick of the WNBA draft.
She will go to the Indiana Fever and at her
introductory press conference in Indiana, there was some controversy with
(08:18):
Greg Doyle, who's a longtime columnist at the Indianapolis Star.
And Rob Gi give us kind of a little bit
more of the background, and then we're gonna hear some sound.
Speaker 6 (08:27):
Sure, Well, before we get to this specific controversial point.
Before this was even done, Greg Doyle at the press
conference a getting introduced Kaylan Clark, asked the question of
Indiana Fever coach Christine Sides, and his question was you
were just giving the keys to that and pointed at
Kaitlin Clark, what are you gonna do with it? People
(08:48):
kind of thought that was a little weird way to
phrase it, but they moved on. Later on, Doyle is
asking another question, this one to Caitlyn Clark, and before
he starts his question, he makes his hands in the
shape of a heart. The heart hands thing that the
EMOGC on your phone. Nowadays, DeMar Hamlin does it, and
Kaitlyn Clark does it to her family during every IOWA game,
usually at the end. Well, listen to this exchange and
(09:09):
time what you think of it?
Speaker 5 (09:10):
Hi, Caitlyn, Greg Doyle, Indie star, real quick, how let
me do this?
Speaker 4 (09:17):
You like you like that? I like that you're here,
like I do that in my family after every game.
Speaker 5 (09:23):
So okay, well start doing it to me and we'll
be get along just fine.
Speaker 4 (09:27):
So the question is.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
Chris go head around just totally inappropriate, just just like like,
you're you're a columnist right in the town. I get
it's Indianapolis. Uh, it was awkward. That's why it came
off that way. He's doing a hard to her. I
(09:53):
don't think, Chris, if there was a female columnist who
did that to a player who is going to play
for the people would be like, what what is this?
You know what I mean? Like, I just I don't.
I don't understand what he was trying to do, trying
to be too cute, trying to be too much. I'm
surprised Greg Doyle didn't he work at Yahoo too, Chris?
Speaker 4 (10:12):
Was he he was Rob g Was he on at Yahoo?
He was on a national platform as well.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
No, he's a he's a big time but I'm saying yeah,
but I'm saying he had the national platform as well.
Speaker 1 (10:26):
It was at CBS, Chris and wrote there and then
came back to Indianapolis.
Speaker 4 (10:31):
I don't know. I just it just felt awkward and
appropriate to me.
Speaker 3 (10:34):
I mean, you're right if a female said to Lebron
James did a heart sign.
Speaker 4 (10:40):
And she would probably do that. If you do that
to me, we'll be good. Chris, look the whole.
Speaker 3 (10:51):
And I guess on Twitter you're here he's getting criticized
and he actually ended up Rob writing a retraction column.
Speaker 4 (10:58):
It's It's tight.
Speaker 3 (10:59):
Here's the title of it. Caitlin Clark, I'm so sorry.
On Wednesday, I was part of the problem and he was.
But just the first thing Rob g told us, you're
you've just been given that. What are you gonna do
with it?
Speaker 2 (11:19):
Now?
Speaker 3 (11:19):
Look, Rob, a lot of times we refer to as
you know, he's a beast, right mb was a monster
last night, and you know, if people wanted to criticize that,
and you know, but now it's accepted.
Speaker 4 (11:34):
It's a figure of speech.
Speaker 3 (11:36):
People know what you mean. I think years ago, Robbed,
decades ago, maybe when you were saying if you said
that about an African American player, people took umbrage, you know,
But now obviously it's just it's kind of an innocent,
you know, figure of speech, and and actually kind of
is a compliment, you know, But I don't know if
(11:59):
I'm overacting, but it objectifies her, not in a sexual way,
but it objectifies her in I got that it well
do you know what I mean? Rather than you just
been you know, I mean, and the people said that
I don't know, even minute negatively, but you know what
I mean, It came.
Speaker 4 (12:13):
Off that way.
Speaker 1 (12:13):
But it means like you've been given the keys to
this sports car, you know what I mean. So that's
they could call it objectify right, exactly right, and it
just but Chris, don't you think? And again I get it,
it's Indianapolis. That one newspaper, he's the big.
Speaker 3 (12:29):
Dog was actually the first newspaper. Well, I was an
intern there right at the Star. Yeah, oh yeah, and
then they.
Speaker 4 (12:35):
Have a start.
Speaker 3 (12:36):
I was their first African American employee other than like
a secretary.
Speaker 4 (12:41):
Are you serious? Ever? What year was that?
Speaker 3 (12:45):
Nineteen ninety and I was just an intern. They did
offer me a job, but I went to the Cleveland
Plain Dealer instead.
Speaker 4 (12:52):
But it's crazy.
Speaker 3 (12:53):
Yeah, but and the secretary was she was wearing mini
skirts too. That's like, wow, the new who's had a
black writer?
Speaker 4 (13:04):
Napolis News.
Speaker 1 (13:05):
But here's the thing, Chris, I just think he was
trying to be too cute and become a part of
the press conference. It ain't about you that day, it ain't.
Do you think he was trying to be a party.
Speaker 3 (13:18):
I agree that he was trying to be too cute,
but you actually think he was like trying to become
a part of kind of the story.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
Well, because he's injecting himself in it, you know what
I mean, Like all these things are about him.
Speaker 4 (13:30):
Hey, if you do this to me, will be good.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
Hey, you know, like it just it just seemed like
he was trying too hard, like like there's a time
in the play. God knows, Chris, I've asked some questions
in press conferences. You know what I'm saying. I'm just saying, yes,
God knows. And it wasn't about me. I was trying
to be I was trying to get a quote. I
really was, Chris, I really really was. It wasn't about me.
Speaker 3 (13:58):
Well in this case, I think Rob And again the
criticism on Twitter, some of it robs. You correct me
if I'm wrong, but some of it was like you're
treating women's sports like it's not legitimate. And when I,
you know, heard the story about what he said, I
was like, Okay, I don't know if he's doing that.
(14:20):
When you listen, Look, when you listen to that excerpt,
it did come off that it came off like here's
the cute little girl, and I don't even mean in
a sexual way. But here's the cute little women's players. Oh,
I'm gonna I'm gonna play around with you know, like
pat like you do to a little kid, patting them
on the head. If I'm interviewing little nine year olds
(14:46):
and hey, you know, what'd you think you know about
how in this stadium in the day?
Speaker 4 (14:53):
Wow?
Speaker 3 (14:54):
Would you know? Like that's what it came off to me? Like,
And I think some some people have been critical on
Twitter and saying this is why women's sports isn't as
popular as men. No, stop that, this is not why
women's sports is not as popular as men. All right,
It's just that's not it, all right. But it did
(15:18):
come off rob like he was patting her on the head,
so to speak. Or it's the little you know, the
little dude they play basketball too. You know, they're so
cute when they play and you know, let me, I
mean it just you wouldn't do that to a man.
Speaker 4 (15:35):
No, And Chris, am I right.
Speaker 1 (15:37):
If it was a female reporter doing that, it would
be questionable her. Oh got her credibility would be questioned, Chris.
And oh, you know there's another chicken in the locker room.
They just want to be around the guys and find
a husband.
Speaker 3 (15:52):
Rob. There are there have been instances of you know,
female reporters getting in relationships with doctor.
Speaker 4 (16:00):
They had a baby with one of the writers who.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
Come from the New York Times, right, and she was
a tennis player. His daughter became a great tennis player.
But I but I haven't seen anything blatant, even when
you know, I've been around situations where I knew some
stuff happened, but I've never seen anything like that. Right,
(16:22):
It was always a way, you know what I mean, Rob,
I've never seen like even in a scrum in the
locker room. I've never seen a female maybe you have.
I haven't seen a female ask a question like that
or flirt like you know what I mean like or
I haven't seen that.
Speaker 2 (16:41):
Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in
the nation. Catch all of our shows at Foxsports Radio
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listen live without question.
Speaker 4 (16:55):
The Joker is playing for a.
Speaker 1 (17:02):
In the top ten in the NBA Top ten players Ever.
Speaker 4 (17:09):
Yes, what what? What?
Speaker 3 (17:13):
Top ten? And I'm going just hear me out with this. Yeah,
I'm gonna hear you out. You know you got a
name the other nine. Okay, I don't like and everybody's time.
I got it, I got it. But I'm talking about
what I'm looking at. What he was able to accomplish
last year, average in the triple double, how he annihilated
the record books in the postseason. Obviously, Chris, a lot
(17:36):
has to happen before I'm jumping this, So.
Speaker 4 (17:38):
Just follow him.
Speaker 1 (17:38):
Win the championship, win the MVP and the championship. Okay,
win the MVP and the championship, same as last year.
If he does that, Chris back to back and he's
won three of the last four MVPs, and again puts
in the season, the postseason to a postseason to remember,
(18:01):
it's gonna be hard to not look at this guy
and think with supposedly all this talent, all people talk
about all the modern players, say that this is the
best talent ever assembled, that these guys are the most
skilled ever. My god, look at Magic. He couldn't even jump.
Look at these guys. There were plumbers, they were Yoki,
(18:24):
they were all this guy. Well, I'm just saying, but
they talk about during that time, and my point is,
he's rewriting record books, he's piling up. There's only been
fifteen players that won multiple championship I mean MVPs. And
for this guy to be on the verge of Chris
(18:44):
three out of four, no All Star teammate. How in
the world could we not look at this guy and
put him in the top ten and think he's not
one of the ten best players we've ever seen play.
Speaker 4 (18:58):
And if you ask me who he.
Speaker 1 (19:00):
Knockout Steph from your top ten, I would put the
Joker in over Steph moving forward if he accomplishes everything
I talk about. If he doesn't Chris, all bets are off.
So I want to make it very clear he's not there.
He's gotta have head of will. He's gotta be a Yes,
(19:22):
I would put him in. I would put him in
the top ten. I really would.
Speaker 3 (19:26):
All Right, I'm not gonna kill you as much as
you might think I would. He's to me, no, okay,
but he is a player, and even if he doesn't win,
he's still this. But certainly if he does, he is
a player who potentially robbed could crack the top ten.
(19:48):
But he's gotta win more than just two. I don't
think there's anybody at least in my top ten there's
nobody in there with just two titles.
Speaker 1 (19:58):
How in the world we putting him in with just
two back to back. I'm talking about what we just
saw last year. It's gotta be about.
Speaker 3 (20:05):
But Yanna's I mean, Yanni's had a historic performance too.
I know he didn't go back to back, but even
if he had two, rob I mean, Bill Russell's got eleven,
Will has two, but he's not in my top ten.
Or you know, Kareem's got six rings, Moses is not
(20:27):
in there, Larry Bird's got three steps, got four Magic five,
Shock for Kobe five, Lebron four. Like now, I will
guarante you he if he wins the championship this year,
he is definitely a guy that might finish in the
(20:48):
top ten. Elijahwan's not in my top ten, so if
he wins it this year, he's ahead of Elijahuan.
Speaker 4 (20:55):
Yes, I think that's a battle. I think that's.
Speaker 1 (20:59):
Because because there's no there's no second guy like that.
Speaker 4 (21:03):
That's the part And I'm not well.
Speaker 3 (21:04):
Jamal Murray is is gonna be a Hall of if
they win it.
Speaker 4 (21:09):
But he's not an all star teammate. That's pretty impressible.
Speaker 3 (21:12):
That's that's yeah, Jamal Murray, though, is an All Star
caliber player.
Speaker 4 (21:17):
Would you anology that is not an All Star? It's
on you.
Speaker 3 (21:21):
It's a It's amazing because I even think maybe now
now he's actually uh tracking toward the Hall of Fame.
But if they win another one, he's gonna be a
Hall of Famer. Not in look no disrespect to like
a Michael Cooper, but Jamal Murray is a playoff assassin.
They can't win it without Jamal Murray. He is a
(21:43):
bad boy. But I give you they're officially no All
Star teammate. Dirk didn't have one when he won his one,
and he beat the big three in Miami. So I
think you're going way too fast. I'm not saying Jokic
couldn't one day hit there, but to say he's there
after just two rings, what if he doesn't win another
(22:05):
one after that?
Speaker 4 (22:07):
Yeah, but I mean he's top ten.
Speaker 3 (22:09):
I can't and the MVPs of course are very important.
But but but Shacks got one, Kobe's got one. Does
that mean Yoka is better than them?
Speaker 4 (22:17):
No?
Speaker 1 (22:17):
But I'm just saying, in this day and age, without
having the most of these guys who have won, Lebron
and Steph they got three and four Hall of Famers,
they got three and four.
Speaker 3 (22:28):
But if that is that, it's not just Lebron. No,
I'm just always been the case.
Speaker 1 (22:33):
Okay had probably the mocat and he's doing after to
win three out of four MVPs back to back, and
I'm talking about the performers like we saw where he
had a triple to average, a triple double. If he
does something on par with that, I would look at him,
Chris and think he is in the top ten and
he's still got years to go.
Speaker 4 (22:52):
I likely got years to go.
Speaker 3 (22:54):
I'm firing with him tracking towards the top ten because
I do think if he wins it this year, Rob,
I don't think anybody, honestly, other than you, I don't
think anybody will put him in the top ten. But
I do think people would say, Okay, that's the next step.
Just like we talked with about Lebron as far as Okay,
(23:16):
the next thing for him to do is to become
the goat. That's like the only mountain left for him
to climb. I think we would say for Jokic, this
is the mountain that he has to colle This is
a guy that could be in the top ten. Is
he gonna replace Bird, He's gonna replace Kobe, he's gonna
replace Steph whoever. But this is a guy that let's
(23:41):
see if he can win another one or maybe two more,
he will join the top ten, but definitely not after
just two.
Speaker 4 (23:52):
No, way after two
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Rob Parker
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