April 27, 2024 • 37 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, discuss whether or not the Philadelphia 76ers need to reconsider the idea of Joel Embiid being the #1 option on their team and explain why Nikola Jokic compares favorably to all-time great players like Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Shaquille O'Neal (all for different reasons).
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Thanks for listening to the Best of the Odd Couple podcast.
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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 3 (03:46):
No one.
Speaker 4 (03:48):
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 3 (03:56):
It was like a couch.
Speaker 4 (03:57):
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 3 (04:39):
This is for you.
Speaker 4 (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?
Speaker 4 (06:26):
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 4 (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.
Speaker 4 (08:50):
Got all scott free. So why don't they come clean too?
Speaker 1 (08:57):
Now, the athletes, they can do that, Chris here right
to the point 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 1 (11:30):
I don't care what you couldn't tell me any where?
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 4 (11:53):
You know, are you? 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):
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Speaker 3 (12:19):
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Speaker 4 (12:20):
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(12:47):
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Speaker 1 (12:51):
Did you pick the Knicks? I picked the Knicks in seven?
Did you pick the Knicks over the Sixers or no?
Speaker 3 (12:57):
Yes, I was with you on that.
Speaker 4 (12:59):
Well they're up one to ozer.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
Rob and and I think we both said, look, if
Joe LMB were healthy, we would have picked the Sixers,
but of course he's not. Now he did play thirty
seven minutes, twenty nine points, eight boards, six dimes, and
Rob they were the Sixers were plus fourteen in the
(13:21):
thirty seven minutes he played, but minus twenty one in
the what is that eleven minutes that he didn't play,
and they're in lies the problem and Rob he's playing
to night.
Speaker 4 (13:37):
There were question marks about him playing.
Speaker 1 (13:39):
He kind of re injured his knee, did a great
play through the ball off the glass in traffic, caught it,
dunked it, but came down I guess awkwardly and left
the game for a little while, but came back and
finished up and played. As I said, played thirty seven minutes,
so he was fine throughout the game, but he was
(14:03):
a question mark. He is playing, and Tyrese Maxy was
ill or has an illness, but he's playing through it,
probably the flu or something like that.
Speaker 4 (14:11):
But Rob, I'm just if I.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
Man if I was the Sixers, I would be so
frustrated with Joe LMB. And they're legitimate injuries most of
the time, you know the need. He's got a maniscause,
he had surgery. Like it's not like he's faking or anything.
It's not like he's just soft, but he's never healthy
(14:38):
at this time of year. And Rob, we've talked about
a lot of guys that fade in the playoffs, of course,
James Harden most notably, we'll get to D'Angelo Russell with
the Lakers, although he's not on these guys level.
Speaker 4 (14:54):
But Joe LMB ROB checked this out.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
In his last ten playoff games that he's played in
or I actually I should say nine that he's played,
he has only shot fifty percent or better. Once that's
that's mind bottom. He's a seven to two seven feet whatever.
He is three hundred pounds. And I do think, Rob,
(15:23):
We've talked a lot. Last year's scoring average went down
ten points in the playoffs.
Speaker 4 (15:28):
But I'm gonna be honest, I.
Speaker 1 (15:30):
Think a lot of it and this is is at
this point.
Speaker 4 (15:33):
It's not like this is protecting him. I do think
though a lot of it is.
Speaker 1 (15:39):
He's always banged up, like tonight he's playing, But what
is he seventy percent seventy five percent? And I said
last week, Rob, it's at the point where I just
bake in Joe LMB being hurt in the playoffs. Now
he may play generally, will miss a game or two
only one time.
Speaker 4 (16:00):
I'm in his several.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
Years in the playoffs, Rob, has he ever played every
playoff game? And I was in twenty twenty, but they
only played four games. They got swept by Boston. And
every other year he's missed at least a game or two.
But Rob, even the games he plays, he's banged up.
(16:24):
And so I'll be honest, if I were the Sixers,
and because I don't think they're gonna win this series
with him, he'll probably miss the game or so, and
I think they'll lose a series just because he's not
able to be at his best.
Speaker 4 (16:43):
But Rob, the Sixers have tons of money under the
salary cap this year.
Speaker 1 (16:49):
I mean they're gonna they could actually, I think sime
close to two MAX players, least one, and then they'll
have plenty left after that. If I weren't in that
position and I were the Sixers, I would I probably
would start shopping Joel inbi And even because I'm the
(17:11):
reason I won't now is because I want to see.
Speaker 4 (17:13):
You know, can we add maybe trade?
Speaker 1 (17:16):
You know that when you're that far under the cap
you can make really it helps you with trades too,
So can we trade for Donovan Mitchell?
Speaker 4 (17:25):
Can we sign a Paul George?
Speaker 1 (17:29):
I don't think they'll go after Lebron necessarily, but if
I was just trying to win it next year, go
all in. I might I would go after him. I
don't think he'll go there. But but my point is, Rob,
I want to see what I can get to put
around and be this summer. But I even that being
(17:49):
the case, Rob, my phone is call me some other
team out there, any of you teams.
Speaker 3 (17:58):
Call me.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
I'll listen, and I'll listen in earnest. I'm not saying
I'll trading. I'm not saying I'll do anything like that.
But call me and let's see what you're willing to offer.
Because Rob, I don't I just don't think and I'm
not even blaming it on him, but I don't think
he's gonna be.
Speaker 4 (18:18):
Healthy at this time of year.
Speaker 3 (18:20):
Ever, it's hard for you.
Speaker 5 (18:23):
I hear your case you're making, but to think somebody
will never be healthy and the whole idea off. You're
the Sixers. You're not trying to win ten NBA championships.
You're just trying to make one. You're trying to win
one to justify everything that's going on. You're trying to
be like, trust the process, and they didn't trust the process,
(18:46):
and they've made a lot of changes and people can't
I know the process is on a wobbly leg, right, Chris, now,
but you get my point is it's about trying to
win a championship.
Speaker 3 (18:59):
No, and if you can just hold out hope. It's
like the Clippers the Kaui thing.
Speaker 5 (19:07):
It really is, like the quiet thing is like, dude,
they could have easily not signed them, Chris. We know
they're moving into a billion dollar arena. You think not
to get off on the big tangent. But I don't
think they should have signed it. I think they should have.
I do and and and only because you keep saying
(19:29):
this can't happen forever, like there's gonna be a year.
He's not an old guy where he's gonna be healthy
and we'll have a real shot to win. And if
you're the Clippers with that organization, to have a player
of that ilk who it's not like he's not playing
because he doesn't want to play. This is the most
unbelievable thing. And the same thing with Joel Embiid because
(19:50):
we see him, Chris, when he plays, he's great. He's
a guy that you look at him and say, with
the right stuff around him, he could win a championship
for us. But they come postseason time, he's not right
and it shrinks as well, you know what I mean.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
So that's I don't know, do you think, See I
can't honestly say he shrinks.
Speaker 4 (20:13):
I don't know.
Speaker 1 (20:14):
I think a lot of it is he's never one
hundred percent. Now you may be right too, you know,
it's it's on the table.
Speaker 5 (20:21):
But I just well, if you can't playing, sure, and
we talk about all the time, if you're hurt and
you can't, if you hurt your team, sometimes you have
to step to the side if you're really can't, you know, play.
Speaker 1 (20:35):
And he doesn't hurt him, but he's just not what
what he's used to, right, I don't know.
Speaker 5 (20:43):
I just I don't think that they can move that
that route that they are going to run.
Speaker 4 (20:48):
How many teams do you think?
Speaker 1 (20:50):
Like he's got three years about one hundred and sixty
five million left on his contract anyway, so it's not
like it's going to be easy to move anyway.
Speaker 2 (20:59):
Right.
Speaker 1 (21:00):
And again I'm not saying I'm not shopping him. I'm
just open to listening. Maybe somebody will blow my socks off, right,
I don't want to, but r And here's why I say,
I don't think he'll be healthy because he's thirty, saying
with what is Kawhi about thirty two now thirty three?
(21:22):
Like you don't get healthier as you get older, right,
It's one thing if he were twenty five and you'll
be like, yeah, he's getting old. He's gonna keep getting older,
of course, but still he's a young man. He could
get a library. Kawhi is about to turn thirty three
in June. They're not gonna get healthier, no, no, no, I
get it.
Speaker 3 (21:41):
But but if you're if you're.
Speaker 5 (21:44):
Baumer Chris with the Clippers owner and you're like, he's
thirty three, can can I get me a championship?
Speaker 3 (21:51):
I've built this new I just want one, you know.
Speaker 5 (21:54):
And of Kawhi, okay, not healthy this year, maybe he's
healthy later on whatever. I don't all but if we
win next year in the new building and he has
and he's healthy, it'll be all worth it for him.
Because a you got to try to sell tickets with
Marquee players. It's a business, right sign Paul George. We
always talk about it, but Paul George isn't as big
(22:16):
of a draw.
Speaker 4 (22:17):
He's not as good, but he's more dependent.
Speaker 1 (22:21):
And he got his issues too, right, and and then
I'm watching Harden.
Speaker 4 (22:27):
If Harden plays.
Speaker 1 (22:28):
Well during this series and we'll get into him too,
I would bring him back. But like Kawhi, it's not
like I wouldn't have wanted to bring it back.
Speaker 4 (22:36):
No one year deal, not a one year in the
team option.
Speaker 3 (22:40):
Good luck, I hear you.
Speaker 5 (22:42):
Well, okay, let's see what you What you're talking about
makes good business sense, but it doesn't work like that.
Speaker 3 (22:47):
And you know it.
Speaker 5 (22:48):
I mean, we talk about all the time about those
one year deals.
Speaker 1 (22:52):
And I have to prove it or whatever. It's just
we thought it would. I thought that we Kyrie, that's
what they should. But Kyrie's credit, he's you know, he's
been great. But there's always somebody who's gonna give him
the years, you know what I mean.
Speaker 4 (23:05):
Yeah, I'll say.
Speaker 1 (23:06):
Let me say this last thing too about HIMBA Rob,
because we know he's a great jump shooter. I've always
wanted him to go down a lot more, but I accept,
I mean, he is a phenomenal jump.
Speaker 4 (23:18):
Shooter, particularly in the mid range, so I accept that
that's a huge part of his game.
Speaker 1 (23:23):
But he I do think Rob as big as he is,
probably moving on the perimeter of the way he does
puts more, you know, stress on his joints. With that size.
I mean, he's not just tall, he's like big. And
if he would go down on the block more and
(23:44):
not have to It's not like I expect him to
just dunk on everybody like Shaq did, but just some
his with his size, he can get the space down there,
some jump hooks here and there. You don't have to
run as much, you don't have to move as much,
you're gonna be getting fat. Like I would like to
see him do more of that because I think that
(24:06):
will help him health wise. But you know, I've been
saying that for years, not so much because of his health,
but just because I think he'd be effective obviously down there.
But now I'm saying it because of his health, because
hopefully it will take some of the wear and tear off.
Speaker 2 (24:21):
Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in
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listen live.
Speaker 4 (24:34):
But rob Last.
Speaker 1 (24:35):
Night for all intents and purposes, the Denver Nuggets eliminated
the Los Angeles Lakers.
Speaker 4 (24:42):
They're up three to zero.
Speaker 1 (24:44):
No team has ever come back from a three to
zero deficit to win a playoff series. Rob g checked
that out, but I believe I'm right. I know in
the broadcast last night they said teams when you're up
three to oero, teams are one fifty one and zero.
Speaker 4 (25:01):
Wow. Yeah, so yeah so. And obviously.
Speaker 1 (25:07):
That's because Rob, when you go up three to zero,
there's a reason you're generally the better team, right right,
And clearly Denver is the better team. Not only are
they the better team, Rob, but they are a nightmarish
matchup for the Lakers.
Speaker 4 (25:23):
I don't necessarily know why.
Speaker 1 (25:26):
I mean, I have said the teams that have given
Lebron James the most trouble in his career have been
teams like really balanced teams, smart teams. They move the ball,
they play five man basketball rather than one or two
(25:46):
man basketball where one or two guys you know, controls
and dominates the ball and sets everybody up. And that
I go the Boston Celtics of the Big Three when
Lebron was in Cleveland. The San Antonio Spurs, even at
Tim Duncan's advanced age late in his career, gave Miami
(26:09):
all that wanted beat him in one finals, crushed them
in one finals, and almost beat them in another. And
that's when Lebron was at the height of his powers,
with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh beside him, and then
Golden State of course, and now Denver.
Speaker 4 (26:23):
Rob.
Speaker 1 (26:24):
And here's what I want to say about last night.
There's a lot I could say, but I want to
focus on Nakola Jokic. Rob, And I know you do too.
For all those young people out there who didn't see
Magic Johnson and Larry Bird play, and you know, you
(26:49):
might see a little bit on YouTube or stuff like that,
but you really didn't.
Speaker 4 (26:52):
You didn't see their careers. This is what it was like.
Speaker 1 (26:58):
Because Rob, last night, I thought Nikola Jokic dominated that
game without scoring or taking shots.
Speaker 4 (27:10):
And I know he ended up with twenty four points, but.
Speaker 1 (27:12):
He was He only took thirteen shots, Rob, Like, he
was not looking to score, looking for his own, you
know shots, But he controlled that game. And that's how
Larry Bird and Magic Johnson were. They could control the
game and be the best player on the floor without
(27:34):
scoring or scoring a lot. And people might look at
Magic Johnson's stats today and say, oh, he.
Speaker 4 (27:42):
Only averaged nineteen points a game.
Speaker 1 (27:44):
You know, he obviously has the highest career average and
assists with eleven. But they might look at that and say,
was he he really? Is he really a top five player?
They might look at Larry Bird? Larry Bird never led
the league in scoring? Was he really one of the
greatest scores ever? Come on, I hear about birds jumper
and are you really?
Speaker 4 (28:06):
Yes? Really?
Speaker 1 (28:08):
And so they were able, They were great pastors. Rob
Larry Bird, as you know, was a phenomenal passer. It
was magic. Was the best passer ever by a mile.
Don't give me this Lebron or Mark Jackson or Steve.
Speaker 4 (28:23):
Nash or Johnson.
Speaker 1 (28:25):
Nobody could pass the ball like Magic Johnson.
Speaker 5 (28:28):
I always remember him coming down fast break, just no
look like he was Rob.
Speaker 1 (28:35):
He did real no looks where he's really looking to
a lot of times guys, you know, they'll look away
as they're passing it, or they'll you know, or even after.
Speaker 4 (28:45):
They've passed it.
Speaker 1 (28:46):
No, he would be looking the opposite way the whole
time down and pass it to somebody the other way.
So that's this is what they did.
Speaker 4 (28:57):
And Rob, here's the second part of that.
Speaker 1 (29:01):
Everybody, all their teammates all of Jokic's teammates are able
to be the best version of themselves. Aaron Gordon has
never been this good. He is able to be exact
the absolute best he can be. Michael Porter Junior, catch
and shoot, baby, that's what I want to do.
Speaker 4 (29:21):
He's able to be the best version he can be. Now.
Speaker 1 (29:24):
Maybe he would go somewhere else and get more shots
and average more points, but he wouldn't play better than
he's playing now. He has not had to say, oh,
I gotta take that part of my game out of
it because we got Jokic, I can't do this. No,
and Jamal Murray obviously able to be the best version
of himself now, Rob That's what happened with Magic and Bird,
(29:47):
James Worthy, Kareem abdul Jabbar, Byron Scott. They didn't have
to take away some of any of their game for Magic.
They were able to accep and do exactly what they
do best because he was the unselfish playmaker making sure
they got fed. And same with Larry Bird, Kevin McHale,
(30:10):
Robert Parrish, Dennis Johnson. They could do what they do
and you see very few players like that. Lebron is
not like that Jordan wasn't like that, Dwayne Wade, iverson,
a lot.
Speaker 4 (30:26):
Of most players are not like that.
Speaker 1 (30:29):
That's what makes these three so special, and so that's
why the Lakers can't touch them because their main guy
is about getting everybody to play their best and everybody involved,
and then when they don't have it going, guess what,
I will put forty on your head. So that's what
(30:51):
I see from it. You know what I see, Chris,
and I hear you all the way. What I see
is has the Joker entered the shack space? Chris?
Speaker 5 (31:06):
When the Lakers won the three in a row and
Shaq was almost it was unstoppable in the postseason and
put up ridiculous. Now it's a different game. No, don't
get me wrong. I'm not saying he's playing the same
game or you know what I mean, or the same way.
But Shaq was unstoppable every night.
Speaker 3 (31:27):
What are you doing? How do you stop the Joker? Chris?
What is going Who is going to be the.
Speaker 5 (31:32):
Guy to stop him and stop this team for maybe
winning three in a row like like when Shaq and
Kobe did it for real, And it's even more impressive
because he don't have a Kobe.
Speaker 3 (31:42):
Right, No, you're right, do you know what I mean,
he don't have that.
Speaker 1 (31:46):
If he rob if he wins this championship and maybe
another one, whether it's a three peter or just you know. Yeah,
like when we start debating where he ranks, the fact
that he didn't have a Kobe and and quite I mean,
he didn't have what Magic had and you know Kareem had.
Speaker 5 (32:07):
When he had four Hall of Famers on that Celtics team,
at least three, right.
Speaker 4 (32:11):
And look, and let's keep it real.
Speaker 1 (32:14):
If they do go on some type of dynastic run,
then a lot of these guys, you know, a couple
like Jamal will definitely make the Hall of Fame.
Speaker 3 (32:22):
Oh yeah, yeah, you know.
Speaker 4 (32:24):
I mean, let's just keep it.
Speaker 1 (32:26):
Michael Cooper just got in, so but Gordon could make
it if they keep winning. Michael, you know who knows.
But no, you're right, he doesn't. And that's like that
is this is a team. And that's why Rob me
and I.
Speaker 4 (32:40):
Said this before.
Speaker 1 (32:42):
You know a lot of people look at the nineties
and say, oh, teams only had one or two stars
back then.
Speaker 4 (32:46):
It was watered down. No, they played team basketball.
Speaker 1 (32:50):
This is a great example for you they got one
two stars, although Murray's never made an All Star team,
and they're running through the league because it's about playing together.
When you've got talent and you play together and every
man can be his best man, that's that's tough to beat.
(33:11):
As far as Shaq, I think that's fair. I mean, obviously,
like you said, they're completely different players.
Speaker 5 (33:16):
I'm just talking about the dominance in the postseason, and
nobody could stop Shack and I'm waiting for somebody to
stop the joker. That's that's my only point. Nothing else
do they have in common? You got it? That's all
I'm saying.
Speaker 1 (33:31):
Yeah, nobody's stopping him.
Speaker 3 (33:33):
Who's stopping him?
Speaker 4 (33:34):
Yeah, I mean who's coming along the time? And again
he let me say that, how do you stop him?
Speaker 1 (33:38):
You might hold him to nineteen or he might only
score nineteen or twenty one, but that means he's getting
everybody else involved.
Speaker 3 (33:46):
How about this AD's playing great, It doesn't matter. Chris
AD's playing great, doesn't matter.
Speaker 1 (33:53):
He's going forty showing up in the fourth quarters for
whatever reason, at least the last two games. But yeah, no,
I mean you can't. Yes, we can look at that,
and look, he does have to be better than the
fourth numbers going on. But numbers overall are great. Lebron's
numbers are well. Lebron was last night. It was interesting.
Speaker 4 (34:16):
I don't know if he was worn out, Rob.
Speaker 1 (34:20):
He had his little spurts, but he really didn't you know,
he didn't put any type of fingerprint on that game
last night or imprint on that game, and and didn't
seem to be you know, he just like I said,
I don't know if he was gassed or worn down
or what, but you know, he didn't play poorly, but
(34:44):
certainly didn't put an imprint on the game.
Speaker 4 (34:46):
But now I think I don't know.
Speaker 1 (34:50):
Look, I will say this, it is not going to
be a cakewalk.
Speaker 4 (34:57):
I don't think for the Nuggets.
Speaker 1 (34:59):
No, I'm not saying and that right they got they
got Minnesota or Phoenix Necks, and and both of those
teams beat them in the regular season.
Speaker 3 (35:07):
I'm not saying the kickwalk.
Speaker 5 (35:08):
But I like him, man, No, I mean, they're they're
my pick, and then and they battle tested. You know,
they have a lot of things going for him. I mean,
and to me chose Mike blows the top coach. He's
a tremendous coach. And here's the other thing too, uh
Jamal Murray, Chris he could join in at any time
because he hasn't been he hadn't shopped.
Speaker 1 (35:27):
The ball one no, right, And that's that's against Lebron
and a D. And here's here's the question.
Speaker 4 (35:34):
I have, Robert, and we won't.
Speaker 1 (35:36):
It won't be answered because I have said and I
don't know if I said it on our show, I
said it on First things First. I think the winner
of which I thought first, is that, Okay, I got you,
the winner of this series, which I picked to beat Denver.
I felt like the winner of this series would become
(35:56):
in my mind, I know not most people's the favorite
to win the championship, so I thought if the Lakers
had won this, they would have been my favorite. I
don't think most people would have said there are a
lot of people wouldn't have said it, But I think
I think they're a very good team and this is
a bad matchup for them for whatever reason. But I
(36:18):
think that I'm gonna be honest and say I don't
know what it is.
Speaker 4 (36:23):
Are they as they can?
Speaker 1 (36:26):
They play with Minnesota and OKC and Phoenix like in
a seven game series, Dallas, the Clippers.
Speaker 4 (36:34):
How would they fare.
Speaker 1 (36:36):
I thought in my mind that they could beat those teams,
But maybe not.
Speaker 4 (36:42):
Maybe they are rob what their record says they are,
which is a seventh.
Speaker 5 (36:46):
Seed, right, no matter what their talent is, Chris, They're
a seventh seed.
Speaker 3 (36:52):
That's what they are. That's what they played all year,
that's who they are.
Speaker 1 (36:56):
Yeah, I mean they came on strong second half of
the season, the great but yeah, I mean.
Speaker 4 (37:01):
Look, everybody else must have played well too.
Speaker 1 (37:05):
There's a lot of good teams out West, and they
still finished seventh as well as they played as many
games as they won in these various streaks,
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 3 (03:46):
No one.
Speaker 4 (03:48):
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 3 (03:56):
It was like a couch.
Speaker 4 (03:57):
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 3 (04:39):
This is for you.
Speaker 4 (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?
Speaker 4 (06:26):
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 4 (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.
Speaker 4 (08:50):
Got all scott free. So why don't they come clean too?
Speaker 1 (08:57):
Now, the athletes, they can do that, Chris here right
to the point 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 1 (11:30):
I don't care what you couldn't tell me any where?
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 4 (11:53):
You know, are you? 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 3 (12:19):
What is up on Game?
Speaker 4 (12:20):
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,
you can only name a show with that type of
talent on it. 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. Huschman Zada,
and Plexico Burrs on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or
(12:47):
wherever you get your podcast from.
Speaker 1 (12:51):
Did you pick the Knicks? I picked the Knicks in seven?
Did you pick the Knicks over the Sixers or no?
Speaker 3 (12:57):
Yes, I was with you on that.
Speaker 4 (12:59):
Well they're up one to ozer.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
Rob and and I think we both said, look, if
Joe LMB were healthy, we would have picked the Sixers,
but of course he's not. Now he did play thirty
seven minutes, twenty nine points, eight boards, six dimes, and
Rob they were the Sixers were plus fourteen in the
(13:21):
thirty seven minutes he played, but minus twenty one in
the what is that eleven minutes that he didn't play,
and they're in lies the problem and Rob he's playing
to night.
Speaker 4 (13:37):
There were question marks about him playing.
Speaker 1 (13:39):
He kind of re injured his knee, did a great
play through the ball off the glass in traffic, caught it,
dunked it, but came down I guess awkwardly and left
the game for a little while, but came back and
finished up and played. As I said, played thirty seven minutes,
so he was fine throughout the game, but he was
(14:03):
a question mark. He is playing, and Tyrese Maxy was
ill or has an illness, but he's playing through it,
probably the flu or something like that.
Speaker 4 (14:11):
But Rob, I'm just if I.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
Man if I was the Sixers, I would be so
frustrated with Joe LMB. And they're legitimate injuries most of
the time, you know the need. He's got a maniscause,
he had surgery. Like it's not like he's faking or anything.
It's not like he's just soft, but he's never healthy
(14:38):
at this time of year. And Rob, we've talked about
a lot of guys that fade in the playoffs, of course,
James Harden most notably, we'll get to D'Angelo Russell with
the Lakers, although he's not on these guys level.
Speaker 4 (14:54):
But Joe LMB ROB checked this out.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
In his last ten playoff games that he's played in
or I actually I should say nine that he's played,
he has only shot fifty percent or better. Once that's
that's mind bottom. He's a seven to two seven feet whatever.
He is three hundred pounds. And I do think, Rob,
(15:23):
We've talked a lot. Last year's scoring average went down
ten points in the playoffs.
Speaker 4 (15:28):
But I'm gonna be honest, I.
Speaker 1 (15:30):
Think a lot of it and this is is at
this point.
Speaker 4 (15:33):
It's not like this is protecting him. I do think
though a lot of it is.
Speaker 1 (15:39):
He's always banged up, like tonight he's playing, But what
is he seventy percent seventy five percent? And I said
last week, Rob, it's at the point where I just
bake in Joe LMB being hurt in the playoffs. Now
he may play generally, will miss a game or two
only one time.
Speaker 4 (16:00):
I'm in his several.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
Years in the playoffs, Rob, has he ever played every
playoff game? And I was in twenty twenty, but they
only played four games. They got swept by Boston. And
every other year he's missed at least a game or two.
But Rob, even the games he plays, he's banged up.
(16:24):
And so I'll be honest, if I were the Sixers,
and because I don't think they're gonna win this series
with him, he'll probably miss the game or so, and
I think they'll lose a series just because he's not
able to be at his best.
Speaker 4 (16:43):
But Rob, the Sixers have tons of money under the
salary cap this year.
Speaker 1 (16:49):
I mean they're gonna they could actually, I think sime
close to two MAX players, least one, and then they'll
have plenty left after that. If I weren't in that
position and I were the Sixers, I would I probably
would start shopping Joel inbi And even because I'm the
(17:11):
reason I won't now is because I want to see.
Speaker 4 (17:13):
You know, can we add maybe trade?
Speaker 1 (17:16):
You know that when you're that far under the cap
you can make really it helps you with trades too,
So can we trade for Donovan Mitchell?
Speaker 4 (17:25):
Can we sign a Paul George?
Speaker 1 (17:29):
I don't think they'll go after Lebron necessarily, but if
I was just trying to win it next year, go
all in. I might I would go after him. I
don't think he'll go there. But but my point is, Rob,
I want to see what I can get to put
around and be this summer. But I even that being
(17:49):
the case, Rob, my phone is call me some other
team out there, any of you teams.
Speaker 3 (17:58):
Call me.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
I'll listen, and I'll listen in earnest. I'm not saying
I'll trading. I'm not saying I'll do anything like that.
But call me and let's see what you're willing to offer.
Because Rob, I don't I just don't think and I'm
not even blaming it on him, but I don't think
he's gonna be.
Speaker 4 (18:18):
Healthy at this time of year.
Speaker 3 (18:20):
Ever, it's hard for you.
Speaker 5 (18:23):
I hear your case you're making, but to think somebody
will never be healthy and the whole idea off. You're
the Sixers. You're not trying to win ten NBA championships.
You're just trying to make one. You're trying to win
one to justify everything that's going on. You're trying to
be like, trust the process, and they didn't trust the process,
(18:46):
and they've made a lot of changes and people can't
I know the process is on a wobbly leg, right, Chris, now,
but you get my point is it's about trying to
win a championship.
Speaker 3 (18:59):
No, and if you can just hold out hope. It's
like the Clippers the Kaui thing.
Speaker 5 (19:07):
It really is, like the quiet thing is like, dude,
they could have easily not signed them, Chris. We know
they're moving into a billion dollar arena. You think not
to get off on the big tangent. But I don't
think they should have signed it. I think they should have.
I do and and and only because you keep saying
(19:29):
this can't happen forever, like there's gonna be a year.
He's not an old guy where he's gonna be healthy
and we'll have a real shot to win. And if
you're the Clippers with that organization, to have a player
of that ilk who it's not like he's not playing
because he doesn't want to play. This is the most
unbelievable thing. And the same thing with Joel Embiid because
(19:50):
we see him, Chris, when he plays, he's great. He's
a guy that you look at him and say, with
the right stuff around him, he could win a championship
for us. But they come postseason time, he's not right
and it shrinks as well, you know what I mean.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
So that's I don't know, do you think, See I
can't honestly say he shrinks.
Speaker 4 (20:13):
I don't know.
Speaker 1 (20:14):
I think a lot of it is he's never one
hundred percent. Now you may be right too, you know,
it's it's on the table.
Speaker 5 (20:21):
But I just well, if you can't playing, sure, and
we talk about all the time, if you're hurt and
you can't, if you hurt your team, sometimes you have
to step to the side if you're really can't, you know, play.
Speaker 1 (20:35):
And he doesn't hurt him, but he's just not what
what he's used to, right, I don't know.
Speaker 5 (20:43):
I just I don't think that they can move that
that route that they are going to run.
Speaker 4 (20:48):
How many teams do you think?
Speaker 1 (20:50):
Like he's got three years about one hundred and sixty
five million left on his contract anyway, so it's not
like it's going to be easy to move anyway.
Speaker 2 (20:59):
Right.
Speaker 1 (21:00):
And again I'm not saying I'm not shopping him. I'm
just open to listening. Maybe somebody will blow my socks off, right,
I don't want to, but r And here's why I say,
I don't think he'll be healthy because he's thirty, saying
with what is Kawhi about thirty two now thirty three?
(21:22):
Like you don't get healthier as you get older, right,
It's one thing if he were twenty five and you'll
be like, yeah, he's getting old. He's gonna keep getting older,
of course, but still he's a young man. He could
get a library. Kawhi is about to turn thirty three
in June. They're not gonna get healthier, no, no, no, I
get it.
Speaker 3 (21:41):
But but if you're if you're.
Speaker 5 (21:44):
Baumer Chris with the Clippers owner and you're like, he's
thirty three, can can I get me a championship?
Speaker 3 (21:51):
I've built this new I just want one, you know.
Speaker 5 (21:54):
And of Kawhi, okay, not healthy this year, maybe he's
healthy later on whatever. I don't all but if we
win next year in the new building and he has
and he's healthy, it'll be all worth it for him.
Because a you got to try to sell tickets with
Marquee players. It's a business, right sign Paul George. We
always talk about it, but Paul George isn't as big
(22:16):
of a draw.
Speaker 4 (22:17):
He's not as good, but he's more dependent.
Speaker 1 (22:21):
And he got his issues too, right, and and then
I'm watching Harden.
Speaker 4 (22:27):
If Harden plays.
Speaker 1 (22:28):
Well during this series and we'll get into him too,
I would bring him back. But like Kawhi, it's not
like I wouldn't have wanted to bring it back.
Speaker 4 (22:36):
No one year deal, not a one year in the
team option.
Speaker 3 (22:40):
Good luck, I hear you.
Speaker 5 (22:42):
Well, okay, let's see what you What you're talking about
makes good business sense, but it doesn't work like that.
Speaker 3 (22:47):
And you know it.
Speaker 5 (22:48):
I mean, we talk about all the time about those
one year deals.
Speaker 1 (22:52):
And I have to prove it or whatever. It's just
we thought it would. I thought that we Kyrie, that's
what they should. But Kyrie's credit, he's you know, he's
been great. But there's always somebody who's gonna give him
the years, you know what I mean.
Speaker 4 (23:05):
Yeah, I'll say.
Speaker 1 (23:06):
Let me say this last thing too about HIMBA Rob,
because we know he's a great jump shooter. I've always
wanted him to go down a lot more, but I accept,
I mean, he is a phenomenal jump.
Speaker 4 (23:18):
Shooter, particularly in the mid range, so I accept that
that's a huge part of his game.
Speaker 1 (23:23):
But he I do think Rob as big as he is,
probably moving on the perimeter of the way he does
puts more, you know, stress on his joints. With that size.
I mean, he's not just tall, he's like big. And
if he would go down on the block more and
(23:44):
not have to It's not like I expect him to
just dunk on everybody like Shaq did, but just some
his with his size, he can get the space down there,
some jump hooks here and there. You don't have to
run as much, you don't have to move as much,
you're gonna be getting fat. Like I would like to
see him do more of that because I think that
(24:06):
will help him health wise. But you know, I've been
saying that for years, not so much because of his health,
but just because I think he'd be effective obviously down there.
But now I'm saying it because of his health, because
hopefully it will take some of the wear and tear off.
Speaker 2 (24:21):
Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in
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Speaker 4 (24:34):
But rob Last.
Speaker 1 (24:35):
Night for all intents and purposes, the Denver Nuggets eliminated
the Los Angeles Lakers.
Speaker 4 (24:42):
They're up three to zero.
Speaker 1 (24:44):
No team has ever come back from a three to
zero deficit to win a playoff series. Rob g checked
that out, but I believe I'm right. I know in
the broadcast last night they said teams when you're up
three to oero, teams are one fifty one and zero.
Speaker 4 (25:01):
Wow. Yeah, so yeah so. And obviously.
Speaker 1 (25:07):
That's because Rob, when you go up three to zero,
there's a reason you're generally the better team, right right,
And clearly Denver is the better team. Not only are
they the better team, Rob, but they are a nightmarish
matchup for the Lakers.
Speaker 4 (25:23):
I don't necessarily know why.
Speaker 1 (25:26):
I mean, I have said the teams that have given
Lebron James the most trouble in his career have been
teams like really balanced teams, smart teams. They move the ball,
they play five man basketball rather than one or two
(25:46):
man basketball where one or two guys you know, controls
and dominates the ball and sets everybody up. And that
I go the Boston Celtics of the Big Three when
Lebron was in Cleveland. The San Antonio Spurs, even at
Tim Duncan's advanced age late in his career, gave Miami
(26:09):
all that wanted beat him in one finals, crushed them
in one finals, and almost beat them in another. And
that's when Lebron was at the height of his powers,
with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh beside him, and then
Golden State of course, and now Denver.
Speaker 4 (26:23):
Rob.
Speaker 1 (26:24):
And here's what I want to say about last night.
There's a lot I could say, but I want to
focus on Nakola Jokic. Rob, And I know you do too.
For all those young people out there who didn't see
Magic Johnson and Larry Bird play, and you know, you
(26:49):
might see a little bit on YouTube or stuff like that,
but you really didn't.
Speaker 4 (26:52):
You didn't see their careers. This is what it was like.
Speaker 1 (26:58):
Because Rob, last night, I thought Nikola Jokic dominated that
game without scoring or taking shots.
Speaker 4 (27:10):
And I know he ended up with twenty four points, but.
Speaker 1 (27:12):
He was He only took thirteen shots, Rob, Like, he
was not looking to score, looking for his own, you
know shots, But he controlled that game. And that's how
Larry Bird and Magic Johnson were. They could control the
game and be the best player on the floor without
(27:34):
scoring or scoring a lot. And people might look at
Magic Johnson's stats today and say, oh, he.
Speaker 4 (27:42):
Only averaged nineteen points a game.
Speaker 1 (27:44):
You know, he obviously has the highest career average and
assists with eleven. But they might look at that and say,
was he he really? Is he really a top five player?
They might look at Larry Bird? Larry Bird never led
the league in scoring? Was he really one of the
greatest scores ever? Come on, I hear about birds jumper
and are you really?
Speaker 4 (28:06):
Yes? Really?
Speaker 1 (28:08):
And so they were able, They were great pastors. Rob
Larry Bird, as you know, was a phenomenal passer. It
was magic. Was the best passer ever by a mile.
Don't give me this Lebron or Mark Jackson or Steve.
Speaker 4 (28:23):
Nash or Johnson.
Speaker 1 (28:25):
Nobody could pass the ball like Magic Johnson.
Speaker 5 (28:28):
I always remember him coming down fast break, just no
look like he was Rob.
Speaker 1 (28:35):
He did real no looks where he's really looking to
a lot of times guys, you know, they'll look away
as they're passing it, or they'll you know, or even after.
Speaker 4 (28:45):
They've passed it.
Speaker 1 (28:46):
No, he would be looking the opposite way the whole
time down and pass it to somebody the other way.
So that's this is what they did.
Speaker 4 (28:57):
And Rob, here's the second part of that.
Speaker 1 (29:01):
Everybody, all their teammates all of Jokic's teammates are able
to be the best version of themselves. Aaron Gordon has
never been this good. He is able to be exact
the absolute best he can be. Michael Porter Junior, catch
and shoot, baby, that's what I want to do.
Speaker 4 (29:21):
He's able to be the best version he can be. Now.
Speaker 1 (29:24):
Maybe he would go somewhere else and get more shots
and average more points, but he wouldn't play better than
he's playing now. He has not had to say, oh,
I gotta take that part of my game out of
it because we got Jokic, I can't do this. No,
and Jamal Murray obviously able to be the best version
of himself now, Rob That's what happened with Magic and Bird,
(29:47):
James Worthy, Kareem abdul Jabbar, Byron Scott. They didn't have
to take away some of any of their game for Magic.
They were able to accep and do exactly what they
do best because he was the unselfish playmaker making sure
they got fed. And same with Larry Bird, Kevin McHale,
(30:10):
Robert Parrish, Dennis Johnson. They could do what they do
and you see very few players like that. Lebron is
not like that Jordan wasn't like that, Dwayne Wade, iverson,
a lot.
Speaker 4 (30:26):
Of most players are not like that.
Speaker 1 (30:29):
That's what makes these three so special, and so that's
why the Lakers can't touch them because their main guy
is about getting everybody to play their best and everybody involved,
and then when they don't have it going, guess what,
I will put forty on your head. So that's what
(30:51):
I see from it. You know what I see, Chris,
and I hear you all the way. What I see
is has the Joker entered the shack space? Chris?
Speaker 5 (31:06):
When the Lakers won the three in a row and
Shaq was almost it was unstoppable in the postseason and
put up ridiculous. Now it's a different game. No, don't
get me wrong. I'm not saying he's playing the same
game or you know what I mean, or the same way.
But Shaq was unstoppable every night.
Speaker 3 (31:27):
What are you doing? How do you stop the Joker? Chris?
What is going Who is going to be the.
Speaker 5 (31:32):
Guy to stop him and stop this team for maybe
winning three in a row like like when Shaq and
Kobe did it for real, And it's even more impressive
because he don't have a Kobe.
Speaker 3 (31:42):
Right, No, you're right, do you know what I mean,
he don't have that.
Speaker 1 (31:46):
If he rob if he wins this championship and maybe
another one, whether it's a three peter or just you know. Yeah,
like when we start debating where he ranks, the fact
that he didn't have a Kobe and and quite I mean,
he didn't have what Magic had and you know Kareem had.
Speaker 5 (32:07):
When he had four Hall of Famers on that Celtics team,
at least three, right.
Speaker 4 (32:11):
And look, and let's keep it real.
Speaker 1 (32:14):
If they do go on some type of dynastic run,
then a lot of these guys, you know, a couple
like Jamal will definitely make the Hall of Fame.
Speaker 3 (32:22):
Oh yeah, yeah, you know.
Speaker 4 (32:24):
I mean, let's just keep it.
Speaker 1 (32:26):
Michael Cooper just got in, so but Gordon could make
it if they keep winning. Michael, you know who knows.
But no, you're right, he doesn't. And that's like that
is this is a team. And that's why Rob me
and I.
Speaker 4 (32:40):
Said this before.
Speaker 1 (32:42):
You know a lot of people look at the nineties
and say, oh, teams only had one or two stars
back then.
Speaker 4 (32:46):
It was watered down. No, they played team basketball.
Speaker 1 (32:50):
This is a great example for you they got one
two stars, although Murray's never made an All Star team,
and they're running through the league because it's about playing together.
When you've got talent and you play together and every
man can be his best man, that's that's tough to beat.
(33:11):
As far as Shaq, I think that's fair. I mean, obviously,
like you said, they're completely different players.
Speaker 5 (33:16):
I'm just talking about the dominance in the postseason, and
nobody could stop Shack and I'm waiting for somebody to
stop the joker. That's that's my only point. Nothing else
do they have in common? You got it? That's all
I'm saying.
Speaker 1 (33:31):
Yeah, nobody's stopping him.
Speaker 3 (33:33):
Who's stopping him?
Speaker 4 (33:34):
Yeah, I mean who's coming along the time? And again
he let me say that, how do you stop him?
Speaker 1 (33:38):
You might hold him to nineteen or he might only
score nineteen or twenty one, but that means he's getting
everybody else involved.
Speaker 3 (33:46):
How about this AD's playing great, It doesn't matter. Chris
AD's playing great, doesn't matter.
Speaker 1 (33:53):
He's going forty showing up in the fourth quarters for
whatever reason, at least the last two games. But yeah, no,
I mean you can't. Yes, we can look at that,
and look, he does have to be better than the
fourth numbers going on. But numbers overall are great. Lebron's
numbers are well. Lebron was last night. It was interesting.
Speaker 4 (34:16):
I don't know if he was worn out, Rob.
Speaker 1 (34:20):
He had his little spurts, but he really didn't you know,
he didn't put any type of fingerprint on that game
last night or imprint on that game, and and didn't
seem to be you know, he just like I said,
I don't know if he was gassed or worn down
or what, but you know, he didn't play poorly, but
(34:44):
certainly didn't put an imprint on the game.
Speaker 4 (34:46):
But now I think I don't know.
Speaker 1 (34:50):
Look, I will say this, it is not going to
be a cakewalk.
Speaker 4 (34:57):
I don't think for the Nuggets.
Speaker 1 (34:59):
No, I'm not saying and that right they got they
got Minnesota or Phoenix Necks, and and both of those
teams beat them in the regular season.
Speaker 3 (35:07):
I'm not saying the kickwalk.
Speaker 5 (35:08):
But I like him, man, No, I mean, they're they're
my pick, and then and they battle tested. You know,
they have a lot of things going for him. I mean,
and to me chose Mike blows the top coach. He's
a tremendous coach. And here's the other thing too, uh
Jamal Murray, Chris he could join in at any time
because he hasn't been he hadn't shopped.
Speaker 1 (35:27):
The ball one no, right, And that's that's against Lebron
and a D. And here's here's the question.
Speaker 4 (35:34):
I have, Robert, and we won't.
Speaker 1 (35:36):
It won't be answered because I have said and I
don't know if I said it on our show, I
said it on First things First. I think the winner
of which I thought first, is that, Okay, I got you,
the winner of this series, which I picked to beat Denver.
I felt like the winner of this series would become
(35:56):
in my mind, I know not most people's the favorite
to win the championship, so I thought if the Lakers
had won this, they would have been my favorite. I
don't think most people would have said there are a
lot of people wouldn't have said it, But I think
I think they're a very good team and this is
a bad matchup for them for whatever reason. But I
(36:18):
think that I'm gonna be honest and say I don't
know what it is.
Speaker 4 (36:23):
Are they as they can?
Speaker 1 (36:26):
They play with Minnesota and OKC and Phoenix like in
a seven game series, Dallas, the Clippers.
Speaker 4 (36:34):
How would they fare.
Speaker 1 (36:36):
I thought in my mind that they could beat those teams,
But maybe not.
Speaker 4 (36:42):
Maybe they are rob what their record says they are,
which is a seventh.
Speaker 5 (36:46):
Seed, right, no matter what their talent is, Chris, They're
a seventh seed.
Speaker 3 (36:52):
That's what they are. That's what they played all year,
that's who they are.
Speaker 1 (36:56):
Yeah, I mean they came on strong second half of
the season, the great but yeah, I mean.
Speaker 4 (37:01):
Look, everybody else must have played well too.
Speaker 1 (37:05):
There's a lot of good teams out West, and they
still finished seventh as well as they played as many
games as they won in these various streaks,
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