April 25, 2024 • 38 mins
Chris and Rob explain why other current and retired athletes should use Reggie Bush’s Heisman Trophy ‘vindication’ as an excuse to come clean about their own transgressions, tell us why it’s clear by the on-court product – and the off-court commentary – proves that the Phoenix Suns has a leadership problems and discuss the narrative that we’re seeing a ‘changing of the guard’ in the NBA as the Old Guys (LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant) are being replaced by the Young Guys (Anthony Edwards, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jayson Tatum).
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Thanks for listening to the Best of the Odd Couple podcast.
Be sure to catch us live every weekday from seven
pm to ten pm Eastern four to seven Pacific on
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Couple at Foxsports Radio dot com, or stream us live
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Speaker 2 (00:23):
You're listening to the Best of The Odd Couple with
Chris Brusha and Ron Harker.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
Let's get right into it, and speaking of USC, Reggie Bush, good.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
Segway, Chris you salling like a radio gud.
Speaker 4 (00:38):
I was an easy one.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
But Reggie Bush who won the Heisman Trophy for USC
in two thousand and five, and Wow, talk about a
phenomenal college running back.
Speaker 4 (00:49):
Rop. He was just incredible.
Speaker 1 (00:51):
And in two thousand and five ran for seventeen hundred
and forty yards. Rob He averaged eight point seven yards
per carry. It's like every time you gave it to him,
it was basically a first down. I mean that, that's incredible.
He won the Heisman, he got some goodies from the
(01:12):
boosters and from supporters of USC, and then his parents
get a home.
Speaker 4 (01:18):
They get a home.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
Yeah, And so in twenty ten, the NC double A
took his heisman, removed him from he became the only person.
Speaker 5 (01:29):
Was it the NC double A or chrisse of the
Heisman committee who took it?
Speaker 4 (01:32):
It was heis the committity my back.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
Yeah, Heisman Trust took his champ, his heisman from him,
the only player that had his heisman taken. And today
rob fourteen years later, they reinstated him as a Heisman
Trophy winner. Of course we I'm sure I speak for
both of us. It was not like we stopped thinking
(01:56):
of him as a Heisman Trophy winner.
Speaker 5 (01:58):
That's why taking stuff away and to all that, it's
hard to unsee it, Chris, you know what I mean. Like,
even even if something went down, I've always said that
you can't unsee it.
Speaker 4 (02:09):
You know what I mean. It happened.
Speaker 1 (02:11):
It's what's good about it. I mean, it's just great
in general. But he does get robbed. You know, even
though I'm sure everyone still thought of him as a
Heisman Trophy winner, you know, he wasn't able to officially
participate in all the things that Hiding Trophy winners get to.
And so now he will get those opportunities again. So
(02:35):
that's good for him. He obviously has you know, made
a nice had had a solid NFL career, not what
he was expected to be. Wasn't a superstar, but he
had a solid NFL career. And then now it's gone
on to you know, become a reputable broadcaster and analyst
Rob so he's doing fine.
Speaker 5 (02:56):
Doesn't change good fact, it still doesn't change what took place,
you know, and you could question whether or not they
ever should have done it, but at the time where
the rules were in place, nothing really changes. I mean,
the Heisman didn't say, oh, he didn't do what he
was exonerated. It's just that they decided to give it back.
I don't know what to say.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
Now what he did is like not against the rules anymore.
Players can get you know, in it.
Speaker 5 (03:24):
But at that time when he was there, I hear
what you're saying. It's just like, Chris, we used to
drive around. It would be like you know what it
would be like. It would be like when we were kids.
And I talk about this all the time, being in
my dad's El Dorado Chris drop top, you know, with
the kids and the neighborhood kids, six of us in
(03:44):
the back seat, bouncing around.
Speaker 4 (03:46):
No one. Yeah, man, we be in the front seat.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
No we being because the big seats right right there
were like no middle right.
Speaker 4 (03:56):
It was like a couch. I'd be bouncing around in
the front seat.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
We'd be bouncing around.
Speaker 5 (04:01):
That would be like you know now giving people tickets
saying we know that you weren't wearing a seatbelt. You
know what I mean, Like we weren't wearing a seatbelt.
But it wasn't a law back then. But anyway, Chris,
I'm gonna go off on a little bit of a
side note here, okay, and as this Reggie Bush getting
(04:22):
his Heisman trophy back as a backdrop, I'm calling out
all former athletes who have podcasts and platforms, Chris, in
these United States, Hello, is this on?
Speaker 4 (04:39):
This is for you.
Speaker 3 (04:43):
We want receipts.
Speaker 5 (04:47):
You talk about it all the time that you got awhere,
I got receipts.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
We want receipts.
Speaker 5 (04:53):
Since Reggie Bush got his Heisman back, Chris, Obviously, schools
aren't gonna punish people. Hall of Fames aren't gonna punish people. Right,
All that's out the window now. So you know what
I want. I want all these big mouthed athletes who
know more than they've ever let out on these podcasts
(05:13):
to speak up and come cleanse yourself. I want you
to come clean finally. Yes, Gilbert Arenas, I'm talking to you. Yes,
Draymond Green, I'm talking to you. Yes, JJ Reddick, I'm
talking to you. I want you to finally be in
the truth business. Stop wasting the airtime, all right, just
(05:36):
to hear yourself talk.
Speaker 4 (05:38):
Wow.
Speaker 5 (05:38):
You know what fans people want to hear from you.
They want you to give them the real goods. Blow
the lid off of this. You know what we want?
Names and figures, Chris, who gave you money? How much
did they give you? How did they give it to you?
How did you move around in college? Tell us how
(06:01):
it was all done. Because we know it's out there, Chris,
and these guys have held this in forever. Who's got
the guts, who's got the kid Jonez, Who's got the
gumption to finally stand up and pull the curtain back?
Those coaches that paid you and those other people, Chris,
(06:21):
they're already in the Hall of Fame.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
What are they gonna do? Take them out? Come clean.
I want to hear all of it.
Speaker 5 (06:31):
They did the Fab five, dirty Chris Webber, all those
guys they got caught. Chris, tell us who gave you
the money? How much? Was it was the university? In on,
it was the president? How did they deliver the cash?
That's what I want to hear from these guys right now.
I don't want to hear anything else.
Speaker 3 (06:51):
Don't celebrate Reggie Bush. Come clean, stop it.
Speaker 5 (06:56):
Let us know what has gone on in sports, college sports,
Chris for a long time, and it doesn't look like
there'll be any retribution against you.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
Here's the time to cleanse yourself.
Speaker 5 (07:09):
No.
Speaker 4 (07:09):
I think that's a great take.
Speaker 1 (07:12):
I agree, but I mean, look, and the athletes were
wrong for taking, you know, the money.
Speaker 4 (07:20):
It was illegal at that time.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
But Rob, I, if you're calling out the athletes and
not just the ones with the platforms, any athlete, any
big time athlete, former athlete, can get on a mic
if he wants to say something, he don't have to
have a podcast.
Speaker 4 (07:40):
He can go on somebody's podcasts and say it.
Speaker 1 (07:44):
But Rob, I have always felt, while yes, the players
broke rules and took money, that the players always got
the raw end of the deal because whenever some was caught,
it was these college players, these teenagers. In many cases,
(08:07):
some of whom, many of whom were from incredibly impoverished backgrounds.
Speaker 4 (08:13):
And I'm not justifying it, but I'm saying.
Speaker 1 (08:15):
The adults, the corporate businessmen, the wealthy boosters of these teams,
these college teams, these programs, these distinguished alumni, they got
all Scott free. Everybody jumped on the eighteen year old
from the hood who was, you know, struggling financially because
(08:39):
he took money and his mom took money. But the
wealthy businessman who was respected in the city, if not
the state and the country, he got all scott free.
So why don't they come clean too? Now, the athletes,
they can do that, Chris here right to the point
(09:03):
they can name.
Speaker 4 (09:04):
Yeah, they can name those names.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
I mean, look, like you said, there's not gonna be
any retribution, I mean presumably, right. So I'm not so
much into if they want to name names and everything,
that's fine. But Rob and I know you, you and
I feel differently about the players podcast. I like their podcasts.
Speaker 4 (09:26):
Now.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
I know they're not hard hitting journalists, but their stories
are great. The fact that they act like themselves where
they might not in most cases with journalists, it's great.
You really get to know these guys for who they
are and if they just tell the stories. Man, when
(09:48):
I was at such and such a place, we got.
Speaker 4 (09:50):
One hundred.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
I got one hundred thousand dollars each year I was there.
They took me there, man, my recruiting trip. They did this,
they did that. I was like, well, hold on, I
can't take this right. Well and so and so the
Hall of Fame coach told me, you know, look, man, everybody,
you know, whatever it is, I want to hear the stories,
(10:15):
rob because the stories would be great. And you've been
around athletes enough and I have to where they joke
about it, you know, joker.
Speaker 4 (10:24):
Yeah, you know, I went. I went.
Speaker 1 (10:27):
I went here because they was giving me more money,
you know, and laugh about it and stuff like that.
But now, like you said, they can tell the truth
and you know it. That's entertaining. And that is what
we want from the athletes, right, We want the things
from the athletes that no one else.
Speaker 4 (10:47):
Can give you.
Speaker 3 (10:48):
That's what I'm talking.
Speaker 1 (10:49):
I can give you and now it's right, somebody else
can give you analysis. We can't tell you what it
was like to actually be a big time athlete.
Speaker 4 (10:58):
Nope.
Speaker 5 (10:59):
And behind the scenes store here's the other thing to Chris,
And this is where I fall. Players all the time.
You talk about all the time about the players left
holding the bag. A lot of times they won't snitch
whatever you want to call it on the coaches, Chris,
the Rick Patino with the prostitutes and all that.
Speaker 3 (11:17):
You know, like they won't They just they took that.
They just took the.
Speaker 5 (11:21):
Fall for all that when when you me and you
both know, I mean just logically, ain't no way prostitutes
were in the dorm and Rick Patino didn't know about it.
Speaker 3 (11:30):
I don't care what you couldn't tell me any where?
Speaker 4 (11:33):
Was this assistant getting the money.
Speaker 5 (11:35):
From he's paying for He's a grad assistant, Chris making
peanuts paying for prostitutes.
Speaker 3 (11:41):
Who would believe that story? And if.
Speaker 1 (11:45):
If your coach found out out and he didn't know
anything about it, and you got on him, he's and
he's firing you.
Speaker 3 (11:53):
You know, are you?
Speaker 4 (11:54):
You would at least fear that he might fire you.
So come on, you're absolutely right.
Speaker 2 (11:59):
Be sure to catch line editions of The Odd Couple
with Chris Brussard and Rob Parker weekdays at seven pm Eastern,
four pm Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and the iHeartRadio app.
Speaker 4 (12:10):
Hey, what's up everybody?
Speaker 6 (12:11):
It's me three time pro bowler LeVar Arrington and I
couldn't be more excited to announce a podcast called Up
on Game?
Speaker 4 (12:19):
What is Up on Game? You asked, along with my
fellow pro bowler TJ.
Speaker 6 (12:23):
Hutschman, Zada and Super Bowl champion Yup, that's right, Plexico Burris.
Speaker 4 (12:28):
You can only name a show with that type of
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Speaker 6 (12:31):
Up on Game We're going to be sharing our real
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Speaker 4 (12:51):
We had a few playoff games.
Speaker 1 (12:54):
We know every night we're gonna get an NBA playoff
game and one of the interesting series and Karriy Kittles
was speaking about it earlier Rob Last Hour. He really
was high on the Minnesota Timberwolves, as am I, but
I thought they had a really tough first round matchup
(13:15):
with the Phoenix Suns.
Speaker 4 (13:16):
We know the Phoenix Suns are.
Speaker 1 (13:18):
Star studied, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal and Phoenix.
Rob had beaten them three times in the regular season,
three out of three and each win was by double figures. Wow,
And now here we are in the playoffs and the
tables have been turned Minnesota at home.
Speaker 4 (13:40):
Now they were in Minnesota.
Speaker 1 (13:41):
They got to go to Phoenix for the next two games,
but they plastered the Suns by twenty five in game one,
and last night beat them by twelve. Rob Kevin Durant,
thirty five years old and kind of looking it, had
only eighteen points on six or fifteen shooting and was
(14:02):
outplayed by Jaden McDaniels, Rob, who had the game of
his life with twenty five points and eight rebounds. Yeah,
it was unbelievable and that allowed the Timberwolves.
Speaker 3 (14:15):
Did you say, vibe McDaniels, Whould you say what was right?
Speaker 1 (14:19):
That allowed him to survive with just twelve points from
Karl Anthony Towns Rob and fifteen on three or twelve
shooting from Anthony Edwards and Devin Booker, who himself wasn't awesome.
Speaker 4 (14:31):
Six for thirteen.
Speaker 3 (14:32):
That's a bad loss. Point that's a bad loss right there.
Speaker 1 (14:35):
Yeah, book has six turnovers too. And here's what he
said Rob about the team.
Speaker 4 (14:41):
He said it quietly.
Speaker 7 (14:42):
You know within the team, you know we need to execute.
You know, we play well when we're playing well, and
then you know we need to stick together once things
turned bad. So, like I said, we've done that throughout
the season. So you know something that speak corrector you know,
we're all all trying to fight out there. You know,
so far in this series when just turned as you know,
(15:04):
we've kind of separated instead of being together. So and
that's everybody talked about him.
Speaker 1 (15:10):
So we got to figure out books not playing rock
he called him out. We separate when things get tough.
Speaker 5 (15:19):
Well, we've seen it, and I'll say this, this is
not what people signed up for in Phoenix. This this
could not be worse Chris for real. When KD went there,
people were you know that, oh my, oh Devin Booker,
oh my. Then they got Bradley Beal too. Oh like,
how are you gonna stop him?
Speaker 3 (15:40):
They don't.
Speaker 5 (15:40):
I was told, they don't need a bench, they don't
need those other people, they don't.
Speaker 4 (15:45):
Need a bench.
Speaker 3 (15:46):
They got so much.
Speaker 5 (15:48):
Wow, this is gonna be because I'm assuming they're losing
this series. This is where you have to re examine
what you got This ain't no way, Chris. You're gonna
be like, Oh, we'll regroup and come back next year.
Speaker 3 (16:03):
We think it is.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
I got a lot to say about the Suns, and
like I said, several things. Number One, like you said, Rob,
we don't need a bench. You know what else they saying,
we don't need a point guard?
Speaker 3 (16:19):
Yep.
Speaker 1 (16:20):
And they are the worst fourth quarter team in the
league by far.
Speaker 4 (16:26):
Rob.
Speaker 1 (16:26):
They're so bad in the fourth that their point differential
this year, which obviously was in the negatives, was more
than two times that of the second worst fourth quarter
team in the league. More than it was twice as much,
twice as worse I got than the second worst team
in the fourth quarter in the league.
Speaker 4 (16:48):
And Rob, you know this. I'm sorry, Like, I'm.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
Not claiming to be any any basketball uh you know, genius,
But Rob, you look at that squad and they thought
they didn't need a point guard because Devin Booker can
handle the ball in pass, Kevin Durant can handle the
ball in pass, Bradley Beal can handle the ball in pass.
Speaker 4 (17:17):
That doesn't make you a point guard, Nope.
Speaker 1 (17:20):
Just because you're a great offensive player, you can drive,
draw two people to you and then pass to the
open man doesn't make your point guard.
Speaker 4 (17:28):
And in the fourth quarters you see it.
Speaker 1 (17:30):
They have nobody to control tempo, nobody to get the
ball to the.
Speaker 4 (17:34):
Right people, to hot people.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
The guy in his spots directing traffic. And I don't
blame Booker, he's a two guard. But they don't have
a point. That's number one.
Speaker 4 (17:47):
Rob.
Speaker 1 (17:47):
Secondly, what it books and book said, they're not mentally tough,
they don't have a leader. And Kevin Durant thirty five
years old, two time champion, but he not stuffing. You know, Rob,
I didn't like people. People might disagree with me, and
I could be wrong. I didn't like the smiley when
(18:08):
Anthony Edwards is all up in your grill talking about you.
Speaker 4 (18:11):
Are old, so and so you said it.
Speaker 3 (18:14):
You didn't like.
Speaker 1 (18:14):
It, you know, And when you come out and then
get get outplayed by a role player the next game,
by what you McCall it right, you should have been
fired up, like, oh no, you're not about to talk
to me like that. I'm gonna give y'all buckets. And
(18:36):
then Rob, here's this is why I said. When you
said it couldn't get any worse, it's worse than you
know Rob, or I think than you know, Rob.
Speaker 4 (18:45):
Next year their payroll.
Speaker 1 (18:48):
Is over two hundred million dollars. They have they will
have the highest payroll in the league. Bradley Beal Rob
three years, one.
Speaker 4 (18:58):
Hundred and sixty million dollars left the deal.
Speaker 1 (19:00):
Taking that contract awful nobody and he hasn't no trade
cast off.
Speaker 4 (19:06):
Who's taking nobody? He's not Rob.
Speaker 1 (19:09):
I never say never, but this is about the closest
as I could come to saying they won't be able
to trade that.
Speaker 5 (19:15):
You know what they're doing in Washington right now, Chris,
when they're listening to the show and they're popping bottles
of champagne. Somehow somebody took Bradley Bill.
Speaker 3 (19:25):
Off our hands for real champagne.
Speaker 1 (19:28):
They would have been just a couple of games better
than they were this year with Bill. And and he's good,
but he's obviously not like carrying your team anywhere. And
then Rob, uh So, I.
Speaker 5 (19:42):
Just think, look, next thing, you know, Kevin Durant wants
to trade back to Brooklyn.
Speaker 3 (19:46):
I mean, I'm just saying that's how bad it is.
Speaker 1 (19:48):
He might want to get trades in Minnesota, baby, But look,
here's the one thing and financially it doesn't even work.
But O'klahamas City has a ton of draft picks. Would
they want Kevin Durant Now? The thing is, again, financially,
I don't even know how it could work. But you know,
(20:11):
I rob bottom line is what I'm saying is this
is probably their squad. I think they're They're big three
is likely to be their big three next year.
Speaker 4 (20:24):
Because of the financial situation.
Speaker 1 (20:28):
I mean, I'm sure they could trade Kevin Durant somewhere
and get some good players for him.
Speaker 5 (20:34):
But but Chris, can you bring this back? Can you
really run this back? After what we've seen. I hear
what you're saying, like this strap that ran the top
behind their.
Speaker 4 (20:45):
Back of choice. I don't want to trade Booker.
Speaker 5 (20:47):
To you, No, I mean, but I don't.
Speaker 3 (20:51):
But you can't give it the other pieces.
Speaker 1 (20:55):
I mean, you probably could trade Durant if you want to.
Speaker 4 (20:58):
I don't know that I want to.
Speaker 5 (21:01):
Two years in, I don't know Chris and and he's
not looking younger every.
Speaker 3 (21:06):
Day, looking older.
Speaker 1 (21:07):
No, I mean he's still playing well nobly, but yeah,
he's playing great, but he's just not robbing. I mean,
this is he's he's always a great individual player, But.
Speaker 4 (21:22):
So does he not win anymore? Is he at that point?
I mean, and I honestly and I don't.
Speaker 1 (21:29):
I'm not even saying this as an insult because, as
you know, I was one of the few in the
national media that did not criticize him when he went
to Golden State. I'm not gonna start now, that's for sure,
But I will say this, Rob, I don't think unless
he goes to that type of team.
Speaker 4 (21:48):
Denverse, you know what I mean, Like, I don't think
he's winning a championship now. I do think Rob. He
could go to ok C.
Speaker 1 (21:55):
Now again, I don't I don't even know that that's
financially possible. But if he went to Okay and they
were able, obviously you're keeping SG. But even I wouldn't
give up CHET for him at this point chat James Williams,
all right, I keep them and I can drop Kevin
Duran in there, then maybe they could win, because I
think they wouldn't.
Speaker 4 (22:17):
All they need KD to do is just give him
his their bucket, his buckets.
Speaker 1 (22:22):
But I don't Rob, honestly, I don't think Lebron, I
don't think KD.
Speaker 4 (22:27):
I don't think Steph unless he goes somewhere else. Are
winning any more?
Speaker 3 (22:30):
Ring, No, I'm with you. It's pretty obvious too. Stuff's
been out of the playing game twice, Chris in the.
Speaker 5 (22:37):
Last four years. Yep, like like twice. Yeah, that says something.
And with all the high expectations people had for the Suns,
what a downer, Let's not. It wasn't five years or
ten years ago that they.
Speaker 3 (22:51):
Were up too on the NBA Finals And like chat.
Speaker 4 (22:55):
Look at where they look. They blew it. Chris it
and Chris poor Chris Paul.
Speaker 1 (23:01):
And I mean he obviously lai a role in not
getting it done.
Speaker 4 (23:05):
But Rob, that was his chance, that was his.
Speaker 5 (23:09):
You remember everybody was crowding them when he was talking
about where he's gone rank, he's top five point guard
all time, this and that.
Speaker 4 (23:19):
And I will say this, Rob.
Speaker 1 (23:21):
As old as Chris is, the Sons would have been
better off keeping Chris Paul because of the point guard. Yeah,
they need a point even though he's not what he
used to be, he's still you know, is a is
a very capable point guard. And on top of that, Rob,
he they could have got out of his contract after
this season if they wanted to. This is a hot
(23:42):
young owner Rob I know it all right, I mean
matt Ishbi and I look he's dropping in there. I'm
about to win the championship right now. I'm making moves, baby,
watch me work.
Speaker 5 (23:55):
Look at that between mattish Bia. We saw with Steve
Cohen with the Mets, you got billions. Yeah, when out
spend all that money. The Mets have the highest payroll
now in the league, and last year didn't even make
the playoffs. Like like, I'm just saying, like the young guy,
they come in, they want to splash, ye, I would
(24:17):
show you how to do it.
Speaker 3 (24:18):
I got deep pockets.
Speaker 5 (24:19):
I know sports my boys, Isaiah, you know what I mean,
Like all the stuff and and and they go they
go crazy early on and then they got to pull
back because they realize, like like they're stuck.
Speaker 4 (24:31):
Now.
Speaker 1 (24:31):
I think they're done obviously as far as this series. Now, look,
I don't think they're done like the Lakers. Like I
don't think the Lakers have a chance. I think the
Suns have a chance. I'm picking Minnesota Rock, but I
wouldn't be shocked.
Speaker 4 (24:46):
If the Suns come and win these next two or
make it a series.
Speaker 1 (24:50):
I don't think they'll win it. But I don't think
they're like out of it, like no chance, you know
what I mean.
Speaker 5 (24:56):
I think I think that Minnesota split with Minnesota I just.
Speaker 4 (25:01):
Three to one is pretty much over.
Speaker 2 (25:05):
Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in
the nation. Catch all of our shows at Foxsports Radio
dot com and within the iHeartRadio app search FSR to
listen live.
Speaker 1 (25:16):
All right, Rob, Well, let's talk about a story and
your former nephew, however that happens.
Speaker 4 (25:27):
But former nephew, Vinny.
Speaker 5 (25:28):
Good nephew, that's right, like my ex wife X related
to my ex wife.
Speaker 3 (25:33):
He's my ex nephew, Vinny Goodwill.
Speaker 4 (25:35):
That's O.
Speaker 5 (25:35):
Yes, I still love him anyway, but he's still my
ex nephew.
Speaker 4 (25:39):
Okay, friend of the show, Yes he's doing all the time.
But he wrote a good column.
Speaker 1 (25:43):
On Yahoo Rob about kind of how these playoffs are
really could showcase the changing of the guard.
Speaker 4 (25:50):
And look at this, Rob, Steph and the Golden.
Speaker 1 (25:54):
State Crew, Draymond Clay, Chris Paul, they're already out good Okay,
Lebron and Ad. Now Ad isn't in that older guard,
but he's kind of, I guess more in the middle.
But Lebron could be out at the end of the
first round good. Kevin Durant could be out good at
(26:17):
the end of the first round, and this is a possibility,
even though we both had picked against it. Kawhi Harden
Westbrook and Paul George could be out no good at
the end of the first round. Joannison MB now again Rob,
they are kind of in that middle group, but they
(26:37):
could be out.
Speaker 4 (26:38):
But Dame is definitely all guard.
Speaker 1 (26:40):
He could be out and Rob after the first round
of the playoffs.
Speaker 4 (26:46):
These could be the big names.
Speaker 1 (26:49):
Anthony Edwards, Carl Anthony Towns, Shay gil Just Alexander chet
Holmgren or if I don't think New Orleans gonna beat them,
but Brandon Inger and they're talking like Zion might make
an appearance. Donovan Mitchell now he's again maybe in that
middle guard obviously, Jason Tatum and Jalen Brown, Jalen Brunson,
(27:13):
Tyrese Halliburton, Luka, Doncic of course Kyrie again more of
a middle ground guy. And then of course Rob nicolea
Jokic and Jamal Murray and Rob we are we could
be and I think we we will.
Speaker 4 (27:29):
It's clearly leaning that way.
Speaker 1 (27:31):
Outside of the Clippers but we could definitely, Rob be
looking at the changing of the NBA guard right before
our eyes, and you cannot say, all, well, last year
Denver won it, right, it was already no because Rob,
who they beating the conference finals, the Lakers with Lebron
(27:53):
and the Lakers beat Yeah, the Lakers beat Steph So
like you had the big name still alive. And Jimmy
Butler if you want to consider him a big name
from kind of the old guard. He was in the
finals against Denver, and so Rob, we this could be
the year that we see it.
Speaker 4 (28:16):
Do you like it? Do you think it's good for
the league? How do you think? Fans respond?
Speaker 5 (28:22):
I think it's good. I think there comes a time
where it's time to have new players. I know people
just hate to, you know, see different things happening. Oh
my god, I can't believe we're watching playoffs. But Chris,
some of the games have been good so far. The playoffs.
We got new stars. It's good to talk about some
different people. It's one thing when somebody's around for a
(28:45):
long time. They've been around for a long time, that's
been a conversation and they've had their days. In this
sudden like nobody you haven't seen them win. It's good
to have some fresh blood. And these are some some fun,
exciting new players.
Speaker 3 (28:59):
So I'm gonna embrace the new I'm good with it.
Speaker 5 (29:02):
I mean, I know the league and probably the TV people,
Chris aren't that happy with it. Nobody wants Steph out,
Nobody wants Lebron and the Lakers out that quickly. It's
a big television market. You don't want Los Angeles, Chris.
You don't want San Francisco.
Speaker 4 (29:23):
Right, Well, that's a whole nother thing. In the markets.
Speaker 1 (29:26):
Yeah, yeah, you're looking at Denver, Minnesota, Minneapolis.
Speaker 3 (29:32):
Those are smaller, way smaller market.
Speaker 1 (29:34):
Yeah, Indianapolis, Milwaukee if they're alive, Dallas.
Speaker 4 (29:41):
Yeah, I mean New York. You know New York could
make a deep run. Now New York.
Speaker 3 (29:46):
That will help Chris.
Speaker 5 (29:47):
People are starved there and they so they're they're gonna
watch in droves.
Speaker 4 (29:52):
If you're in New Yorkhoma City.
Speaker 3 (29:54):
Oklahoma City, the small market.
Speaker 4 (29:56):
Yeah, I look, I think it.
Speaker 1 (30:00):
It's good because this is the future and John Moran will.
Speaker 4 (30:05):
Be in there, assuming he's you know, got.
Speaker 5 (30:07):
To know, man, I just can't get over how when
he's second secondary the second thought yeah.
Speaker 1 (30:12):
It's but I think, you know, again, as long as
he takes care of himself off the court, he'll be that.
Speaker 4 (30:17):
He'll be back.
Speaker 1 (30:19):
Anthony Edwards obviously the most exciting of the young batch.
Speaker 4 (30:23):
But Rob, I think it's good because these the fans.
Speaker 1 (30:27):
Need to get used to these guys, right, because these
are the guys that are gonna be the faces of
the league going forward. I think right now though one
and and look, I used to think the face of
the league couldn't be an international player.
Speaker 4 (30:43):
I don't think that anymore. But you still is it
still maybe a slight obstacle with the fans.
Speaker 1 (30:49):
I don't know, maybe, but a lot of these guys
are international, And to Rob, I think Luca will show
his personality over time, Yoki, Rob, you seeing the commercials
starting to show a little bit.
Speaker 4 (31:03):
You know, he's a kind of a you know.
Speaker 1 (31:07):
Quiet, you know, understated guy, but he's still likable. But really,
out of all these guys, I mean, only Anthony Edwards
to date, Rob looks like you know, has shown and
showcased that charisma that where it's like, oh, we not
only love his game, but his style, his personality, his smile,
(31:32):
We love his competitiveness, talking trash like we love it.
Speaker 4 (31:38):
Now, they are trying with some of the young guys.
Speaker 1 (31:41):
Rob You've seen SGA and Chuck Holgren in the commercial,
Jason Tatum in some commercials. As I mentioned, Yokish getting
a little So they're trying. But Rob G, I want
to bring you in because you have a take. You
don't think this is good for the league right now?
Speaker 8 (32:00):
No, I don't, and not that change isn't good or
that I'm not embracing the new era, because.
Speaker 9 (32:06):
I'm shocked you young guy, this is just be a
hot take artist that make makes some headlines or or
if he really you know, ain't I think?
Speaker 8 (32:18):
And again, we've seen this already happen, like we've seen
the Shaq, Kobe Duncan Garnett era fizzle out, right, So
that's this is not unusual. What is different to me, right,
But what is different to me about this current situation
that we have going on is that it seems to
be happening very abruptly. It's not like there's a transition
(32:41):
period where you know, the Lakers fought really hard with
Lebron James and ultimately they just get washed out.
Speaker 4 (32:47):
No, they got swept last year.
Speaker 8 (32:48):
Steph Curry has missed the playoffs two of the last
three seasons. Kevin Durant since he's left Golden State, has
been an afterthought. So this old guard of the greatest
players of that generation being basically unceremoniously dumped to the
side without ever really having that last gasp that you
look for. It's kind of tough. And I don't think
(33:09):
that NBA fans right now especially are going to be
embracing this young group of players the way that they
should because they're still holding on to that nostalgia. There's
a reason why when you look at the NBA TV ratings,
the top two teams every year the last three or
four years especially have been Lebron's Lakers and Steph's Warriors,
(33:30):
And if both of them are out by before May first,
that's not good for the league.
Speaker 3 (33:36):
But if you have new places like New York, you
don't count that.
Speaker 8 (33:39):
Like like no, and I liked it, I like watching you,
or I like Jalen Brunton. But Jalen Brunson is not
the kind of guy who's going to bring in new fans,
not when he's shooting the sixteen for fifty five in
the first two games.
Speaker 1 (33:50):
Here's why I'll push back a little, because there is
some validity to what you're saying. The only thing I
pushed back on, rob G, is like the notion that
it's abrupt, it's not abrupt. I mean, Steph won a
championship a couple of years ago. And here's the other thing.
(34:14):
Like I said, Lebron, they were in the conference finals
last year. They got swept, but they were in the
conference finals. But also, rob G.
Speaker 4 (34:22):
They're playing longer. They should have been gone.
Speaker 1 (34:27):
I mean, really, like the reason it might feel abrupt
to you is because Lebron James at thirty nine is
still playing great.
Speaker 3 (34:36):
We'll talk.
Speaker 4 (34:37):
He should have been gone.
Speaker 1 (34:39):
Steph should have been gone at thirty five, d thirty five.
Like that's the thing there, Isaiah Thomas was gone, what
was he? Rob thirty two? Magic early? Now we know
Magic's was was different, but.
Speaker 5 (34:55):
Remember Isaiah towards Achilles Yep, yep, early bird early to
mid thirties.
Speaker 4 (35:02):
Like that's the thing.
Speaker 1 (35:04):
This era of Lebron, KD and Steph has lasted longer,
rob G.
Speaker 8 (35:10):
Yeah, really that's totally fair. And I think the reason
why to me it feels abrupt is because that next
wave of players. Only Jason Tatum has had any real
postseason success, and he's never become that crossover star that
you would expect. I know, he has the commercials, the
ruffles and all these different things, but he does not
(35:31):
translate on a national scale the way a guy of
his caliber should, or a team that team should. Nikola
Jokic is by far the best player in the NBA
right now, and his Q rating outside of sports fans
is like two, right, you know what I mean?
Speaker 4 (35:46):
Like luka luka.
Speaker 8 (35:49):
Doncic could be that guy, but he again has had
the first round once in his career. Giannis probably has
the best crossover appealing to your point, they might get
bounced out of the first round anyways. So well, there's
there's no logical guy that's gonna step in and say
I'm gonna be the the face of this league for
(36:10):
at least temporarily in the playoffs that's gonna get people.
Speaker 4 (36:16):
Watch. Well, he is a guy in Minnesota.
Speaker 1 (36:21):
Yeah, I will see Anthony Edwards, I mean because his
game and now I also think the clear future in
my view, Tell me, if you guys disagree, the clear
future of the league.
Speaker 4 (36:35):
Is win Binyama.
Speaker 1 (36:38):
He is going to be the face of the league.
He's going to own the league. And that's going to
and like Jokic is owning it right now.
Speaker 4 (36:47):
And I think Wimby, I don't know.
Speaker 1 (36:50):
It's it's gonna be a good test because we've seen
the best players in the league, the absolute best, become
international guys, right, but the Lebrons and the Steps and
the kds were still there. The international players have become
the best, but there the American the great old guard
(37:13):
American players are still the faces of the league. So
now once they're gone, will you know what happens when
the absolute best players are international? Now again, Jah and
Anthony Edwards they need to carry the torch for America.
And Jason Tatum if he can step up and you know,
(37:34):
take that next step. But because Weinby, you know, we'll
see it'll be a good a lot of things happening
and a lot of things you'll be looking for to see.
You know how the popularity of the league is when
all the best players or most of the absolute best
players are international because there is just a cultural difference.
Speaker 4 (37:56):
You know, Yoka just just I mean he's in a
different country.
Speaker 1 (38:00):
Tree, I don't know how colorful I'd be in in
a second language, in some culture that I'm never, you know,
not really used to. So we'll see, but it's a
it definitely feels like a changing of the guard.
Thanks for listening to the Best of the Odd Couple podcast.
Be sure to catch us live every weekday from seven
pm to ten pm Eastern four to seven Pacific on
Fox Sports Radio. Find your local station for The Odd
Couple at Foxsports Radio dot com, or stream us live
every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching FSR.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
You're listening to the Best of The Odd Couple with
Chris Brusha and Ron Harker.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
Let's get right into it, and speaking of USC, Reggie Bush, good.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
Segway, Chris you salling like a radio gud.
Speaker 4 (00:38):
I was an easy one.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
But Reggie Bush who won the Heisman Trophy for USC
in two thousand and five, and Wow, talk about a
phenomenal college running back.
Speaker 4 (00:49):
Rop. He was just incredible.
Speaker 1 (00:51):
And in two thousand and five ran for seventeen hundred
and forty yards. Rob He averaged eight point seven yards
per carry. It's like every time you gave it to him,
it was basically a first down. I mean that, that's incredible.
He won the Heisman, he got some goodies from the
(01:12):
boosters and from supporters of USC, and then his parents
get a home.
Speaker 4 (01:18):
They get a home.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
Yeah, And so in twenty ten, the NC double A
took his heisman, removed him from he became the only person.
Speaker 5 (01:29):
Was it the NC double A or chrisse of the
Heisman committee who took it?
Speaker 4 (01:32):
It was heis the committity my back.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
Yeah, Heisman Trust took his champ, his heisman from him,
the only player that had his heisman taken. And today
rob fourteen years later, they reinstated him as a Heisman
Trophy winner. Of course we I'm sure I speak for
both of us. It was not like we stopped thinking
(01:56):
of him as a Heisman Trophy winner.
Speaker 5 (01:58):
That's why taking stuff away and to all that, it's
hard to unsee it, Chris, you know what I mean. Like,
even even if something went down, I've always said that
you can't unsee it.
Speaker 4 (02:09):
You know what I mean. It happened.
Speaker 1 (02:11):
It's what's good about it. I mean, it's just great
in general. But he does get robbed. You know, even
though I'm sure everyone still thought of him as a
Heisman Trophy winner, you know, he wasn't able to officially
participate in all the things that Hiding Trophy winners get to.
And so now he will get those opportunities again. So
(02:35):
that's good for him. He obviously has you know, made
a nice had had a solid NFL career, not what
he was expected to be. Wasn't a superstar, but he
had a solid NFL career. And then now it's gone
on to you know, become a reputable broadcaster and analyst
Rob so he's doing fine.
Speaker 5 (02:56):
Doesn't change good fact, it still doesn't change what took place,
you know, and you could question whether or not they
ever should have done it, but at the time where
the rules were in place, nothing really changes. I mean,
the Heisman didn't say, oh, he didn't do what he
was exonerated. It's just that they decided to give it back.
I don't know what to say.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
Now what he did is like not against the rules anymore.
Players can get you know, in it.
Speaker 5 (03:24):
But at that time when he was there, I hear
what you're saying. It's just like, Chris, we used to
drive around. It would be like you know what it
would be like. It would be like when we were kids.
And I talk about this all the time, being in
my dad's El Dorado Chris drop top, you know, with
the kids and the neighborhood kids, six of us in
(03:44):
the back seat, bouncing around.
Speaker 4 (03:46):
No one. Yeah, man, we be in the front seat.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
No we being because the big seats right right there
were like no middle right.
Speaker 4 (03:56):
It was like a couch. I'd be bouncing around in
the front seat.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
We'd be bouncing around.
Speaker 5 (04:01):
That would be like you know now giving people tickets
saying we know that you weren't wearing a seatbelt. You
know what I mean, Like we weren't wearing a seatbelt.
But it wasn't a law back then. But anyway, Chris,
I'm gonna go off on a little bit of a
side note here, okay, and as this Reggie Bush getting
(04:22):
his Heisman trophy back as a backdrop, I'm calling out
all former athletes who have podcasts and platforms, Chris, in
these United States, Hello, is this on?
Speaker 4 (04:39):
This is for you.
Speaker 3 (04:43):
We want receipts.
Speaker 5 (04:47):
You talk about it all the time that you got awhere,
I got receipts.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
We want receipts.
Speaker 5 (04:53):
Since Reggie Bush got his Heisman back, Chris, Obviously, schools
aren't gonna punish people. Hall of Fames aren't gonna punish people. Right,
All that's out the window now. So you know what
I want. I want all these big mouthed athletes who
know more than they've ever let out on these podcasts
(05:13):
to speak up and come cleanse yourself. I want you
to come clean finally. Yes, Gilbert Arenas, I'm talking to you. Yes,
Draymond Green, I'm talking to you. Yes, JJ Reddick, I'm
talking to you. I want you to finally be in
the truth business. Stop wasting the airtime, all right, just
(05:36):
to hear yourself talk.
Speaker 4 (05:38):
Wow.
Speaker 5 (05:38):
You know what fans people want to hear from you.
They want you to give them the real goods. Blow
the lid off of this. You know what we want?
Names and figures, Chris, who gave you money? How much
did they give you? How did they give it to you?
How did you move around in college? Tell us how
(06:01):
it was all done. Because we know it's out there, Chris,
and these guys have held this in forever. Who's got
the guts, who's got the kid Jonez, Who's got the
gumption to finally stand up and pull the curtain back?
Those coaches that paid you and those other people, Chris,
(06:21):
they're already in the Hall of Fame.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
What are they gonna do? Take them out? Come clean.
I want to hear all of it.
Speaker 5 (06:31):
They did the Fab five, dirty Chris Webber, all those
guys they got caught. Chris, tell us who gave you
the money? How much? Was it was the university? In on,
it was the president? How did they deliver the cash?
That's what I want to hear from these guys right now.
I don't want to hear anything else.
Speaker 3 (06:51):
Don't celebrate Reggie Bush. Come clean, stop it.
Speaker 5 (06:56):
Let us know what has gone on in sports, college sports,
Chris for a long time, and it doesn't look like
there'll be any retribution against you.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
Here's the time to cleanse yourself.
Speaker 5 (07:09):
No.
Speaker 4 (07:09):
I think that's a great take.
Speaker 1 (07:12):
I agree, but I mean, look, and the athletes were
wrong for taking, you know, the money.
Speaker 4 (07:20):
It was illegal at that time.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
But Rob, I, if you're calling out the athletes and
not just the ones with the platforms, any athlete, any
big time athlete, former athlete, can get on a mic
if he wants to say something, he don't have to
have a podcast.
Speaker 4 (07:40):
He can go on somebody's podcasts and say it.
Speaker 1 (07:44):
But Rob, I have always felt, while yes, the players
broke rules and took money, that the players always got
the raw end of the deal because whenever some was caught,
it was these college players, these teenagers. In many cases,
(08:07):
some of whom, many of whom were from incredibly impoverished backgrounds.
Speaker 4 (08:13):
And I'm not justifying it, but I'm saying.
Speaker 1 (08:15):
The adults, the corporate businessmen, the wealthy boosters of these teams,
these college teams, these programs, these distinguished alumni, they got
all Scott free. Everybody jumped on the eighteen year old
from the hood who was, you know, struggling financially because
(08:39):
he took money and his mom took money. But the
wealthy businessman who was respected in the city, if not
the state and the country, he got all scott free.
So why don't they come clean too? Now, the athletes,
they can do that, Chris here right to the point
(09:03):
they can name.
Speaker 4 (09:04):
Yeah, they can name those names.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
I mean, look, like you said, there's not gonna be
any retribution, I mean presumably, right. So I'm not so
much into if they want to name names and everything,
that's fine. But Rob and I know you, you and
I feel differently about the players podcast. I like their podcasts.
Speaker 4 (09:26):
Now.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
I know they're not hard hitting journalists, but their stories
are great. The fact that they act like themselves where
they might not in most cases with journalists, it's great.
You really get to know these guys for who they
are and if they just tell the stories. Man, when
(09:48):
I was at such and such a place, we got.
Speaker 4 (09:50):
One hundred.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
I got one hundred thousand dollars each year I was there.
They took me there, man, my recruiting trip. They did this,
they did that. I was like, well, hold on, I
can't take this right. Well and so and so the
Hall of Fame coach told me, you know, look, man, everybody,
you know, whatever it is, I want to hear the stories,
(10:15):
rob because the stories would be great. And you've been
around athletes enough and I have to where they joke
about it, you know, joker.
Speaker 4 (10:24):
Yeah, you know, I went. I went.
Speaker 1 (10:27):
I went here because they was giving me more money,
you know, and laugh about it and stuff like that.
But now, like you said, they can tell the truth
and you know it. That's entertaining. And that is what
we want from the athletes, right, We want the things
from the athletes that no one else.
Speaker 4 (10:47):
Can give you.
Speaker 3 (10:48):
That's what I'm talking.
Speaker 1 (10:49):
I can give you and now it's right, somebody else
can give you analysis. We can't tell you what it
was like to actually be a big time athlete.
Speaker 4 (10:58):
Nope.
Speaker 5 (10:59):
And behind the scenes store here's the other thing to Chris,
And this is where I fall. Players all the time.
You talk about all the time about the players left
holding the bag. A lot of times they won't snitch
whatever you want to call it on the coaches, Chris,
the Rick Patino with the prostitutes and all that.
Speaker 3 (11:17):
You know, like they won't They just they took that.
They just took the.
Speaker 5 (11:21):
Fall for all that when when you me and you
both know, I mean just logically, ain't no way prostitutes
were in the dorm and Rick Patino didn't know about it.
Speaker 3 (11:30):
I don't care what you couldn't tell me any where?
Speaker 4 (11:33):
Was this assistant getting the money.
Speaker 5 (11:35):
From he's paying for He's a grad assistant, Chris making
peanuts paying for prostitutes.
Speaker 3 (11:41):
Who would believe that story? And if.
Speaker 1 (11:45):
If your coach found out out and he didn't know
anything about it, and you got on him, he's and
he's firing you.
Speaker 3 (11:53):
You know, are you?
Speaker 4 (11:54):
You would at least fear that he might fire you.
So come on, you're absolutely right.
Speaker 2 (11:59):
Be sure to catch line editions of The Odd Couple
with Chris Brussard and Rob Parker weekdays at seven pm Eastern,
four pm Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and the iHeartRadio app.
Speaker 4 (12:10):
Hey, what's up everybody?
Speaker 6 (12:11):
It's me three time pro bowler LeVar Arrington and I
couldn't be more excited to announce a podcast called Up
on Game?
Speaker 4 (12:19):
What is Up on Game? You asked, along with my
fellow pro bowler TJ.
Speaker 6 (12:23):
Hutschman, Zada and Super Bowl champion Yup, that's right, Plexico Burris.
Speaker 4 (12:28):
You can only name a show with that type of
talent on it.
Speaker 6 (12:31):
Up on Game We're going to be sharing our real
life experiences loaded with teachable moments. Listen to Up on
Game with Me LeVar Arrington, TJ. Hutchman, Zada, and Plexico
Burrs on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you
get your podcast from.
Speaker 4 (12:51):
We had a few playoff games.
Speaker 1 (12:54):
We know every night we're gonna get an NBA playoff
game and one of the interesting series and Karriy Kittles
was speaking about it earlier Rob Last Hour. He really
was high on the Minnesota Timberwolves, as am I, but
I thought they had a really tough first round matchup
(13:15):
with the Phoenix Suns.
Speaker 4 (13:16):
We know the Phoenix Suns are.
Speaker 1 (13:18):
Star studied, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal and Phoenix.
Rob had beaten them three times in the regular season,
three out of three and each win was by double figures. Wow,
And now here we are in the playoffs and the
tables have been turned Minnesota at home.
Speaker 4 (13:40):
Now they were in Minnesota.
Speaker 1 (13:41):
They got to go to Phoenix for the next two games,
but they plastered the Suns by twenty five in game one,
and last night beat them by twelve. Rob Kevin Durant,
thirty five years old and kind of looking it, had
only eighteen points on six or fifteen shooting and was
(14:02):
outplayed by Jaden McDaniels, Rob, who had the game of
his life with twenty five points and eight rebounds. Yeah,
it was unbelievable and that allowed the Timberwolves.
Speaker 3 (14:15):
Did you say, vibe McDaniels, Whould you say what was right?
Speaker 1 (14:19):
That allowed him to survive with just twelve points from
Karl Anthony Towns Rob and fifteen on three or twelve
shooting from Anthony Edwards and Devin Booker, who himself wasn't awesome.
Speaker 4 (14:31):
Six for thirteen.
Speaker 3 (14:32):
That's a bad loss. Point that's a bad loss right there.
Speaker 1 (14:35):
Yeah, book has six turnovers too. And here's what he
said Rob about the team.
Speaker 4 (14:41):
He said it quietly.
Speaker 7 (14:42):
You know within the team, you know we need to execute.
You know, we play well when we're playing well, and
then you know we need to stick together once things
turned bad. So, like I said, we've done that throughout
the season. So you know something that speak corrector you know,
we're all all trying to fight out there. You know,
so far in this series when just turned as you know,
(15:04):
we've kind of separated instead of being together. So and
that's everybody talked about him.
Speaker 1 (15:10):
So we got to figure out books not playing rock
he called him out. We separate when things get tough.
Speaker 5 (15:19):
Well, we've seen it, and I'll say this, this is
not what people signed up for in Phoenix. This this
could not be worse Chris for real. When KD went there,
people were you know that, oh my, oh Devin Booker,
oh my. Then they got Bradley Beal too. Oh like,
how are you gonna stop him?
Speaker 3 (15:40):
They don't.
Speaker 5 (15:40):
I was told, they don't need a bench, they don't
need those other people, they don't.
Speaker 4 (15:45):
Need a bench.
Speaker 3 (15:46):
They got so much.
Speaker 5 (15:48):
Wow, this is gonna be because I'm assuming they're losing
this series. This is where you have to re examine
what you got This ain't no way, Chris. You're gonna
be like, Oh, we'll regroup and come back next year.
Speaker 3 (16:03):
We think it is.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
I got a lot to say about the Suns, and
like I said, several things. Number One, like you said, Rob,
we don't need a bench. You know what else they saying,
we don't need a point guard?
Speaker 3 (16:19):
Yep.
Speaker 1 (16:20):
And they are the worst fourth quarter team in the
league by far.
Speaker 4 (16:26):
Rob.
Speaker 1 (16:26):
They're so bad in the fourth that their point differential
this year, which obviously was in the negatives, was more
than two times that of the second worst fourth quarter
team in the league. More than it was twice as much,
twice as worse I got than the second worst team
in the fourth quarter in the league.
Speaker 4 (16:48):
And Rob, you know this. I'm sorry, Like, I'm.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
Not claiming to be any any basketball uh you know, genius,
But Rob, you look at that squad and they thought
they didn't need a point guard because Devin Booker can
handle the ball in pass, Kevin Durant can handle the
ball in pass, Bradley Beal can handle the ball in pass.
Speaker 4 (17:17):
That doesn't make you a point guard, Nope.
Speaker 1 (17:20):
Just because you're a great offensive player, you can drive,
draw two people to you and then pass to the
open man doesn't make your point guard.
Speaker 4 (17:28):
And in the fourth quarters you see it.
Speaker 1 (17:30):
They have nobody to control tempo, nobody to get the
ball to the.
Speaker 4 (17:34):
Right people, to hot people.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
The guy in his spots directing traffic. And I don't
blame Booker, he's a two guard. But they don't have
a point. That's number one.
Speaker 4 (17:47):
Rob.
Speaker 1 (17:47):
Secondly, what it books and book said, they're not mentally tough,
they don't have a leader. And Kevin Durant thirty five
years old, two time champion, but he not stuffing. You know, Rob,
I didn't like people. People might disagree with me, and
I could be wrong. I didn't like the smiley when
(18:08):
Anthony Edwards is all up in your grill talking about you.
Speaker 4 (18:11):
Are old, so and so you said it.
Speaker 3 (18:14):
You didn't like.
Speaker 1 (18:14):
It, you know, And when you come out and then
get get outplayed by a role player the next game,
by what you McCall it right, you should have been
fired up, like, oh no, you're not about to talk
to me like that. I'm gonna give y'all buckets. And
(18:36):
then Rob, here's this is why I said. When you
said it couldn't get any worse, it's worse than you
know Rob, or I think than you know, Rob.
Speaker 4 (18:45):
Next year their payroll.
Speaker 1 (18:48):
Is over two hundred million dollars. They have they will
have the highest payroll in the league. Bradley Beal Rob
three years, one.
Speaker 4 (18:58):
Hundred and sixty million dollars left the deal.
Speaker 1 (19:00):
Taking that contract awful nobody and he hasn't no trade
cast off.
Speaker 4 (19:06):
Who's taking nobody? He's not Rob.
Speaker 1 (19:09):
I never say never, but this is about the closest
as I could come to saying they won't be able
to trade that.
Speaker 5 (19:15):
You know what they're doing in Washington right now, Chris,
when they're listening to the show and they're popping bottles
of champagne. Somehow somebody took Bradley Bill.
Speaker 3 (19:25):
Off our hands for real champagne.
Speaker 1 (19:28):
They would have been just a couple of games better
than they were this year with Bill. And and he's good,
but he's obviously not like carrying your team anywhere. And
then Rob, uh So, I.
Speaker 5 (19:42):
Just think, look, next thing, you know, Kevin Durant wants
to trade back to Brooklyn.
Speaker 3 (19:46):
I mean, I'm just saying that's how bad it is.
Speaker 1 (19:48):
He might want to get trades in Minnesota, baby, But look,
here's the one thing and financially it doesn't even work.
But O'klahamas City has a ton of draft picks. Would
they want Kevin Durant Now? The thing is, again, financially,
I don't even know how it could work. But you know,
(20:11):
I rob bottom line is what I'm saying is this
is probably their squad. I think they're They're big three
is likely to be their big three next year.
Speaker 4 (20:24):
Because of the financial situation.
Speaker 1 (20:28):
I mean, I'm sure they could trade Kevin Durant somewhere
and get some good players for him.
Speaker 5 (20:34):
But but Chris, can you bring this back? Can you
really run this back? After what we've seen. I hear
what you're saying, like this strap that ran the top
behind their.
Speaker 4 (20:45):
Back of choice. I don't want to trade Booker.
Speaker 5 (20:47):
To you, No, I mean, but I don't.
Speaker 3 (20:51):
But you can't give it the other pieces.
Speaker 1 (20:55):
I mean, you probably could trade Durant if you want to.
Speaker 4 (20:58):
I don't know that I want to.
Speaker 5 (21:01):
Two years in, I don't know Chris and and he's
not looking younger every.
Speaker 3 (21:06):
Day, looking older.
Speaker 1 (21:07):
No, I mean he's still playing well nobly, but yeah,
he's playing great, but he's just not robbing. I mean,
this is he's he's always a great individual player, But.
Speaker 4 (21:22):
So does he not win anymore? Is he at that point?
I mean, and I honestly and I don't.
Speaker 1 (21:29):
I'm not even saying this as an insult because, as
you know, I was one of the few in the
national media that did not criticize him when he went
to Golden State. I'm not gonna start now, that's for sure,
But I will say this, Rob, I don't think unless
he goes to that type of team.
Speaker 4 (21:48):
Denverse, you know what I mean, Like, I don't think
he's winning a championship now. I do think Rob. He
could go to ok C.
Speaker 1 (21:55):
Now again, I don't I don't even know that that's
financially possible. But if he went to Okay and they
were able, obviously you're keeping SG. But even I wouldn't
give up CHET for him at this point chat James Williams,
all right, I keep them and I can drop Kevin
Duran in there, then maybe they could win, because I
think they wouldn't.
Speaker 4 (22:17):
All they need KD to do is just give him
his their bucket, his buckets.
Speaker 1 (22:22):
But I don't Rob, honestly, I don't think Lebron, I
don't think KD.
Speaker 4 (22:27):
I don't think Steph unless he goes somewhere else. Are
winning any more?
Speaker 3 (22:30):
Ring, No, I'm with you. It's pretty obvious too. Stuff's
been out of the playing game twice, Chris in the.
Speaker 5 (22:37):
Last four years. Yep, like like twice. Yeah, that says something.
And with all the high expectations people had for the Suns,
what a downer, Let's not. It wasn't five years or
ten years ago that they.
Speaker 3 (22:51):
Were up too on the NBA Finals And like chat.
Speaker 4 (22:55):
Look at where they look. They blew it. Chris it
and Chris poor Chris Paul.
Speaker 1 (23:01):
And I mean he obviously lai a role in not
getting it done.
Speaker 4 (23:05):
But Rob, that was his chance, that was his.
Speaker 5 (23:09):
You remember everybody was crowding them when he was talking
about where he's gone rank, he's top five point guard
all time, this and that.
Speaker 4 (23:19):
And I will say this, Rob.
Speaker 1 (23:21):
As old as Chris is, the Sons would have been
better off keeping Chris Paul because of the point guard. Yeah,
they need a point even though he's not what he
used to be, he's still you know, is a is
a very capable point guard. And on top of that, Rob,
he they could have got out of his contract after
this season if they wanted to. This is a hot
(23:42):
young owner Rob I know it all right, I mean
matt Ishbi and I look he's dropping in there. I'm
about to win the championship right now. I'm making moves, baby,
watch me work.
Speaker 5 (23:55):
Look at that between mattish Bia. We saw with Steve
Cohen with the Mets, you got billions. Yeah, when out
spend all that money. The Mets have the highest payroll
now in the league, and last year didn't even make
the playoffs. Like like, I'm just saying, like the young guy,
they come in, they want to splash, ye, I would
(24:17):
show you how to do it.
Speaker 3 (24:18):
I got deep pockets.
Speaker 5 (24:19):
I know sports my boys, Isaiah, you know what I mean,
Like all the stuff and and and they go they
go crazy early on and then they got to pull
back because they realize, like like they're stuck.
Speaker 4 (24:31):
Now.
Speaker 1 (24:31):
I think they're done obviously as far as this series. Now, look,
I don't think they're done like the Lakers. Like I
don't think the Lakers have a chance. I think the
Suns have a chance. I'm picking Minnesota Rock, but I
wouldn't be shocked.
Speaker 4 (24:46):
If the Suns come and win these next two or
make it a series.
Speaker 1 (24:50):
I don't think they'll win it. But I don't think
they're like out of it, like no chance, you know
what I mean.
Speaker 5 (24:56):
I think I think that Minnesota split with Minnesota I just.
Speaker 4 (25:01):
Three to one is pretty much over.
Speaker 2 (25:05):
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Speaker 1 (25:16):
All right, Rob, Well, let's talk about a story and
your former nephew, however that happens.
Speaker 4 (25:27):
But former nephew, Vinny.
Speaker 5 (25:28):
Good nephew, that's right, like my ex wife X related
to my ex wife.
Speaker 3 (25:33):
He's my ex nephew, Vinny Goodwill.
Speaker 4 (25:35):
That's O.
Speaker 5 (25:35):
Yes, I still love him anyway, but he's still my
ex nephew.
Speaker 4 (25:39):
Okay, friend of the show, Yes he's doing all the time.
But he wrote a good column.
Speaker 1 (25:43):
On Yahoo Rob about kind of how these playoffs are
really could showcase the changing of the guard.
Speaker 4 (25:50):
And look at this, Rob, Steph and the Golden.
Speaker 1 (25:54):
State Crew, Draymond Clay, Chris Paul, they're already out good Okay,
Lebron and Ad. Now Ad isn't in that older guard,
but he's kind of, I guess more in the middle.
But Lebron could be out at the end of the
first round good. Kevin Durant could be out good at
(26:17):
the end of the first round, and this is a possibility,
even though we both had picked against it. Kawhi Harden
Westbrook and Paul George could be out no good at
the end of the first round. Joannison MB now again Rob,
they are kind of in that middle group, but they
(26:37):
could be out.
Speaker 4 (26:38):
But Dame is definitely all guard.
Speaker 1 (26:40):
He could be out and Rob after the first round
of the playoffs.
Speaker 4 (26:46):
These could be the big names.
Speaker 1 (26:49):
Anthony Edwards, Carl Anthony Towns, Shay gil Just Alexander chet
Holmgren or if I don't think New Orleans gonna beat them,
but Brandon Inger and they're talking like Zion might make
an appearance. Donovan Mitchell now he's again maybe in that
middle guard obviously, Jason Tatum and Jalen Brown, Jalen Brunson,
(27:13):
Tyrese Halliburton, Luka, Doncic of course Kyrie again more of
a middle ground guy. And then of course Rob nicolea
Jokic and Jamal Murray and Rob we are we could
be and I think we we will.
Speaker 4 (27:29):
It's clearly leaning that way.
Speaker 1 (27:31):
Outside of the Clippers but we could definitely, Rob be
looking at the changing of the NBA guard right before
our eyes, and you cannot say, all, well, last year
Denver won it, right, it was already no because Rob,
who they beating the conference finals, the Lakers with Lebron
(27:53):
and the Lakers beat Yeah, the Lakers beat Steph So
like you had the big name still alive. And Jimmy
Butler if you want to consider him a big name
from kind of the old guard. He was in the
finals against Denver, and so Rob, we this could be
the year that we see it.
Speaker 4 (28:16):
Do you like it? Do you think it's good for
the league? How do you think? Fans respond?
Speaker 5 (28:22):
I think it's good. I think there comes a time
where it's time to have new players. I know people
just hate to, you know, see different things happening. Oh
my god, I can't believe we're watching playoffs. But Chris,
some of the games have been good so far. The playoffs.
We got new stars. It's good to talk about some
different people. It's one thing when somebody's around for a
(28:45):
long time. They've been around for a long time, that's
been a conversation and they've had their days. In this
sudden like nobody you haven't seen them win. It's good
to have some fresh blood. And these are some some fun,
exciting new players.
Speaker 3 (28:59):
So I'm gonna embrace the new I'm good with it.
Speaker 5 (29:02):
I mean, I know the league and probably the TV people,
Chris aren't that happy with it. Nobody wants Steph out,
Nobody wants Lebron and the Lakers out that quickly. It's
a big television market. You don't want Los Angeles, Chris.
You don't want San Francisco.
Speaker 4 (29:23):
Right, Well, that's a whole nother thing. In the markets.
Speaker 1 (29:26):
Yeah, yeah, you're looking at Denver, Minnesota, Minneapolis.
Speaker 3 (29:32):
Those are smaller, way smaller market.
Speaker 1 (29:34):
Yeah, Indianapolis, Milwaukee if they're alive, Dallas.
Speaker 4 (29:41):
Yeah, I mean New York. You know New York could
make a deep run. Now New York.
Speaker 3 (29:46):
That will help Chris.
Speaker 5 (29:47):
People are starved there and they so they're they're gonna
watch in droves.
Speaker 4 (29:52):
If you're in New Yorkhoma City.
Speaker 3 (29:54):
Oklahoma City, the small market.
Speaker 4 (29:56):
Yeah, I look, I think it.
Speaker 1 (30:00):
It's good because this is the future and John Moran will.
Speaker 4 (30:05):
Be in there, assuming he's you know, got.
Speaker 5 (30:07):
To know, man, I just can't get over how when
he's second secondary the second thought yeah.
Speaker 1 (30:12):
It's but I think, you know, again, as long as
he takes care of himself off the court, he'll be that.
Speaker 4 (30:17):
He'll be back.
Speaker 1 (30:19):
Anthony Edwards obviously the most exciting of the young batch.
Speaker 4 (30:23):
But Rob, I think it's good because these the fans.
Speaker 1 (30:27):
Need to get used to these guys, right, because these
are the guys that are gonna be the faces of
the league going forward. I think right now though one
and and look, I used to think the face of
the league couldn't be an international player.
Speaker 4 (30:43):
I don't think that anymore. But you still is it
still maybe a slight obstacle with the fans.
Speaker 1 (30:49):
I don't know, maybe, but a lot of these guys
are international, And to Rob, I think Luca will show
his personality over time, Yoki, Rob, you seeing the commercials
starting to show a little bit.
Speaker 4 (31:03):
You know, he's a kind of a you know.
Speaker 1 (31:07):
Quiet, you know, understated guy, but he's still likable. But really,
out of all these guys, I mean, only Anthony Edwards
to date, Rob looks like you know, has shown and
showcased that charisma that where it's like, oh, we not
only love his game, but his style, his personality, his smile,
(31:32):
We love his competitiveness, talking trash like we love it.
Speaker 4 (31:38):
Now, they are trying with some of the young guys.
Speaker 1 (31:41):
Rob You've seen SGA and Chuck Holgren in the commercial,
Jason Tatum in some commercials. As I mentioned, Yokish getting
a little So they're trying. But Rob G, I want
to bring you in because you have a take. You
don't think this is good for the league right now?
Speaker 8 (32:00):
No, I don't, and not that change isn't good or
that I'm not embracing the new era, because.
Speaker 9 (32:06):
I'm shocked you young guy, this is just be a
hot take artist that make makes some headlines or or
if he really you know, ain't I think?
Speaker 8 (32:18):
And again, we've seen this already happen, like we've seen
the Shaq, Kobe Duncan Garnett era fizzle out, right, So
that's this is not unusual. What is different to me, right,
But what is different to me about this current situation
that we have going on is that it seems to
be happening very abruptly. It's not like there's a transition
(32:41):
period where you know, the Lakers fought really hard with
Lebron James and ultimately they just get washed out.
Speaker 4 (32:47):
No, they got swept last year.
Speaker 8 (32:48):
Steph Curry has missed the playoffs two of the last
three seasons. Kevin Durant since he's left Golden State, has
been an afterthought. So this old guard of the greatest
players of that generation being basically unceremoniously dumped to the
side without ever really having that last gasp that you
look for. It's kind of tough. And I don't think
(33:09):
that NBA fans right now especially are going to be
embracing this young group of players the way that they
should because they're still holding on to that nostalgia. There's
a reason why when you look at the NBA TV ratings,
the top two teams every year the last three or
four years especially have been Lebron's Lakers and Steph's Warriors,
(33:30):
And if both of them are out by before May first,
that's not good for the league.
Speaker 3 (33:36):
But if you have new places like New York, you
don't count that.
Speaker 8 (33:39):
Like like no, and I liked it, I like watching you,
or I like Jalen Brunton. But Jalen Brunson is not
the kind of guy who's going to bring in new fans,
not when he's shooting the sixteen for fifty five in
the first two games.
Speaker 1 (33:50):
Here's why I'll push back a little, because there is
some validity to what you're saying. The only thing I
pushed back on, rob G, is like the notion that
it's abrupt, it's not abrupt. I mean, Steph won a
championship a couple of years ago. And here's the other thing.
(34:14):
Like I said, Lebron, they were in the conference finals
last year. They got swept, but they were in the
conference finals. But also, rob G.
Speaker 4 (34:22):
They're playing longer. They should have been gone.
Speaker 1 (34:27):
I mean, really, like the reason it might feel abrupt
to you is because Lebron James at thirty nine is
still playing great.
Speaker 3 (34:36):
We'll talk.
Speaker 4 (34:37):
He should have been gone.
Speaker 1 (34:39):
Steph should have been gone at thirty five, d thirty five.
Like that's the thing there, Isaiah Thomas was gone, what
was he? Rob thirty two? Magic early? Now we know
Magic's was was different, but.
Speaker 5 (34:55):
Remember Isaiah towards Achilles Yep, yep, early bird early to
mid thirties.
Speaker 4 (35:02):
Like that's the thing.
Speaker 1 (35:04):
This era of Lebron, KD and Steph has lasted longer,
rob G.
Speaker 8 (35:10):
Yeah, really that's totally fair. And I think the reason
why to me it feels abrupt is because that next
wave of players. Only Jason Tatum has had any real
postseason success, and he's never become that crossover star that
you would expect. I know, he has the commercials, the
ruffles and all these different things, but he does not
(35:31):
translate on a national scale the way a guy of
his caliber should, or a team that team should. Nikola
Jokic is by far the best player in the NBA
right now, and his Q rating outside of sports fans
is like two, right, you know what I mean?
Speaker 4 (35:46):
Like luka luka.
Speaker 8 (35:49):
Doncic could be that guy, but he again has had
the first round once in his career. Giannis probably has
the best crossover appealing to your point, they might get
bounced out of the first round anyways. So well, there's
there's no logical guy that's gonna step in and say
I'm gonna be the the face of this league for
(36:10):
at least temporarily in the playoffs that's gonna get people.
Speaker 4 (36:16):
Watch. Well, he is a guy in Minnesota.
Speaker 1 (36:21):
Yeah, I will see Anthony Edwards, I mean because his
game and now I also think the clear future in
my view, Tell me, if you guys disagree, the clear
future of the league.
Speaker 4 (36:35):
Is win Binyama.
Speaker 1 (36:38):
He is going to be the face of the league.
He's going to own the league. And that's going to
and like Jokic is owning it right now.
Speaker 4 (36:47):
And I think Wimby, I don't know.
Speaker 1 (36:50):
It's it's gonna be a good test because we've seen
the best players in the league, the absolute best, become
international guys, right, but the Lebrons and the Steps and
the kds were still there. The international players have become
the best, but there the American the great old guard
(37:13):
American players are still the faces of the league. So
now once they're gone, will you know what happens when
the absolute best players are international? Now again, Jah and
Anthony Edwards they need to carry the torch for America.
And Jason Tatum if he can step up and you know,
(37:34):
take that next step. But because Weinby, you know, we'll
see it'll be a good a lot of things happening
and a lot of things you'll be looking for to see.
You know how the popularity of the league is when
all the best players or most of the absolute best
players are international because there is just a cultural difference.
Speaker 4 (37:56):
You know, Yoka just just I mean he's in a
different country.
Speaker 1 (38:00):
Tree, I don't know how colorful I'd be in in
a second language, in some culture that I'm never, you know,
not really used to. So we'll see, but it's a
it definitely feels like a changing of the guard.
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