May 4, 2024 • 37 mins
Chris and Rob debate whether the LeBron James Era in Los Angeles has been a success for the Lakers, explain why they have an issue with Deion Sanders’ decision to ridicule disgruntled former Colorado players on social media and discuss why Steve Ballmer may have no choice but to blow up this current Los Angeles Clippers roster.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Thanks for listening to the Best of the Odd Couple podcasts.
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Speaker 2 (00:22):
You're listening to the Best of the Odd Couple with
Chris Bruce and Ron Harker.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
Interest this situation going on with Diona Sanders at Colorado,
I'm gonna bring in Rob g to kind of summarize it,
and we got some thoughts on this.
Speaker 4 (00:43):
Things are getting spicy in Boulder, now, guys, this all
started to six be spicy or no.
Speaker 5 (00:48):
All flats, All flats, all right?
Speaker 4 (00:51):
So it started on Tuesday when Deion Sanders came under
criticism when a former player named Xavier Smith accused him
in a piece by the Athletic of neglecting to get
to know his players and destroying their confidence, specifically the
players that he inherited when he took over at Colorado. Now,
after the article came out, a number of Colorado players
(01:12):
came to sanders defense via social media, including Shador Sanders
who tweeted, which when viral and in the assents deleted.
Speaker 5 (01:19):
I don't even remember him.
Speaker 4 (01:20):
To be honest, bro had to be very mid at
best talking about Xavier Smith. So this all went back
and forth between players at Colorado, some coaches, and actually
teammates over at Austin p where Xavier Smith transferred to.
But things really boiled over this morning when a Buffalo
(01:42):
excuse me, a Colorado Buffalo social media content creator named
Dalvin Truth posted a screenshot of Xavier awards stats in
twenty twenty three at Austin PE, where he made eight
tackles and had four passes defense on the season, so
not a lot of playing time for Xavier Smith. Dion
Sanders came all the way back around full circle quote
(02:04):
tweeted that image with the caption laud Jesus obviously mocking
mocking wards performance or lack thereof.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
All right, Rob, I got a few things to say
about this, So do you want to go first through?
Speaker 5 (02:24):
All right? First of all, I read the article.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
In The Athletic and it was a well done piece.
Probably it came off as sympathetic to the players that
have been that Basically, Dion said, you know your services
are no longer needed at Colorado. I don't know if
that was because of the way it was written or
(02:48):
those are just, you know, just the quotes that the
players had. But I'll say this, Rob, I don't have
a problem with what Dion did to the players at Colorado.
In fact, he really did him a favor, the guys
that he brought in and he cut like twenty He
met with like twenty guys after spring practice and told
(03:10):
him you don't you know, you're not in our plans.
You're not gonna play next year, so you should get
in the portal. He did him a faith well that
was in it. Yeah, the public comments, but like he
was telling them, you're not gonna play for us next year,
so you should go somewhere you're gonna play. And he
(03:35):
was brought to Colorado to win. They were won and
eleven when he got there. It's about winning, and so
I have no proper Rob. The higher you go, and
you know this even at younger ages, the higher you go,
it's about winning, people's feelings get hurt. I mean, people's
confidence gets hurt. In high school when a kid is
(03:59):
cut from the basketball team, that's tough for a kid.
But it's life. Everybody can't make the team. And these
are players that were most likely stars in high school
and now they're at the Division one level and a
coach is telling them you're not good enough for us.
(04:20):
So yes, it hurts, but that's happened to kids at
a lower level than.
Speaker 5 (04:25):
You, who couldn't even get to your level.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
I mean, if you follow the kid that was cut
from high school and did a story on him, and oh,
he loved basketball, he envisioned playing in college. One day
his dad played, he was crusty, was crying. He felt like,
you know, he had disappointed his dad.
Speaker 5 (04:41):
I mean, it's life.
Speaker 3 (04:43):
Everybody can't be a Division one football player.
Speaker 5 (04:47):
I wanted to play Division one football. I didn't. I
wasn't good enough. You gotta deal with it, So I
don't want to.
Speaker 3 (04:56):
I mean personally all that he hurt their feelings, he
took their I mean, come on, this is sports, this
is competition. Everybody can't make the team. So I got
no problem with that. Secondly, I have no problem with
Chadure's tweet. I don't remember, dude, he must have been
(05:18):
mid one is very possible. Shoudeur, I mean it was
all Shadur was there for both of them. Was just
spring practices, so it's very possible that he didn't really
remember the guy or interact much with him.
Speaker 5 (05:31):
And to say he's mid, I mean, this is a player.
This is what you get.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
They talk trash, whether it's on Twitter, whether it's during
the game, whatever the problem. The one thing I do
have a problem with Rob is Dion getting involved in it.
After like the law Jesus and there was something else.
Robb G he talked about people were criticizing him, and
he said, well should do They were criticizing Shaduur and
(05:58):
right this on Twitter, Rob G correct me if if
I misrepresent this, and Dion said, uh, shoulder's gonna tell you.
Speaker 5 (06:07):
Go ahead read the tweet.
Speaker 4 (06:08):
So he was responding to a comment or who said
he tell your son stop acting like he's the coldest
out there. Then put up a four and eight season.
Deon responds, He'll be a top five pick. Where's your
son going? Lol?
Speaker 5 (06:20):
I got time today? Okay, So that Rob.
Speaker 3 (06:24):
I just have a problem with that stuff, with Dion
getting involved in it. At this level, he's a college
football coach. He has to be an authority. He's above
the players. He should not get involved in their little
back and forth trash talking things like that. If he
wants to address the whole situation of people criticizing him
(06:46):
for cutting kids or telling them getting a portal, he
should just do it, you know, in a professional way, like, Hey,
I'm trying to win. I was not brought here to
Kyle kids. They don't caller him at Alabama. They don't
Kalulum at Ohio State. They don't call Kalo Dom at Michigan.
The teams we're trying to get to their level. This
(07:07):
is big time football. I played it and now I'm
coaching it. I know what I'm talking about. I got
no problem with him coming out dealing with it like that,
But I don't think he should get involved in back
and forth with fans and kids and players and ex
players and all that, because I think as a head
coach he has to be above that. He's an authority figure.
Speaker 1 (07:29):
He should be the adult in the room. And that's
the disappointing thing. And that you could say all that
stuff about Alabama and all that, I've never seen the
coaches of those schools going back and forth against that.
Speaker 5 (07:41):
That to me is juvenile.
Speaker 1 (07:42):
You can't even picture Okay, I can't even picture it,
so we get it. It's not about disappointment or whatever.
It's just about do you.
Speaker 5 (07:50):
Really need to do that? You're the adult.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
I get it if the kids are doing it, but
my god, be the adult in the room, and just
overlook it. People are gonna have their feel's hurting his kids. Okay,
but I'm I'm the adult. I made the decision, and
you let it be to say, my kid's going to
be a top five pick.
Speaker 5 (08:07):
Where number five in the draft? What about your kid
or what? I think?
Speaker 1 (08:11):
That's sad to even go that route. You don't need
to do that. That that goes without saying why why
would you put that out there?
Speaker 5 (08:18):
You don't need to do that. Yeah, I'm with you.
It's just that's the second that I just don't like.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
I don't think you need to Uh just because uh,
somebody does, it doesn't mean you have to go back
at them. You know, there's a certain level for certain people. Uh,
and he I have at a high level considering what
he's done. Two sport athlete, Hall of Famer coach, You
know what I mean? But what who are you trying
(08:46):
to convince? And why?
Speaker 3 (08:49):
Yeah, he just this doesn't benefit Dionna at all in
my opinion.
Speaker 5 (08:54):
You know, there might be.
Speaker 3 (08:55):
Some little people on Twitter that think, you, oh, look
at dion telling them out, but that's it's not you.
You're a coach, you're an authority figure. You should be
this little gibberish that's going on.
Speaker 5 (09:09):
Now. I gotta say this, Rob, I don't think it's
very coach like.
Speaker 3 (09:18):
Let's put let's make up that word coach like head
coach like to get involved in this type of behavior.
But this is a problem in our country now, Rob,
Let's just keep it real. And even whether you support
him or not, you gotta admit this. We had a
president who was involved in gibberish who wasn't very presidential.
(09:43):
When you hold certain offices, you should behave a certain way.
And so I do have to say that because I
don't believe we should hold a college football coach to
a higher then we hold the president of the.
Speaker 5 (10:03):
United States too.
Speaker 3 (10:06):
And I'm not saying less lower the standard for dion
I'm just saying this is an issue going on in
this country and many at many levels, and I do
think there needs to be a.
Speaker 5 (10:20):
Standard of behavior when you hold a.
Speaker 3 (10:24):
Certain office, whether it's a coach, whether it's a teacher,
a professor, a politician, whatever, a police officer, whatever it
may be.
Speaker 5 (10:37):
You're an authority figure for a reason. You should act
like it and carry yourself a certain way. So I
do have to say that because I.
Speaker 3 (10:45):
Think it would be I would be doing Dion a
disservice if I just jump on him.
Speaker 5 (10:51):
But then don't hold other people to that same stand.
Speaker 1 (10:54):
Yeah, but I just I don't think you need to
lower yourself because somebody else is.
Speaker 5 (10:58):
I'm not saying any shit. I'm just said, yeah, it's
just to me.
Speaker 1 (11:03):
Uh And and I'll say this to me a coach
that deals with young people, I just expect better from them.
I just do because, uh it's when you when kids
go to college and they go and they believe in
the coach and what they're trying to do and all
that kind of stuff. It just it just doesn't feel
(11:23):
good to me. It just feels like, you know, yes,
you got to make tough decisions. Yes, some kids are
gonna get their feelings hurt and all that, but you
don't have to rub it in their face that that's
just me.
Speaker 5 (11:34):
I wouldn't.
Speaker 3 (11:34):
So you're talking about the tweets, which we agree on
tweet what do you think about the cutting player telling
that's football.
Speaker 1 (11:44):
I don't have any issue with that. I just think
you don't need to rub it in anybody's face after
the fact it happened.
Speaker 5 (11:49):
That's it.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
I don't need no, I don't need to explain anything.
I don't need to go on Twitter and tell you
this and that. I don't have to do that. You
want to hope the kids do well. And look a
lot of them.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
Some of them started at a different school and then
got benched.
Speaker 5 (12:04):
Some of them went to fcs.
Speaker 3 (12:06):
You know, the lower level or FBS. I always mix
a Division one Double A basically, and one kid was
like a freshman, you know, all American at Division one
Double A.
Speaker 5 (12:17):
But that ain't Division one.
Speaker 3 (12:19):
The article is trying to, oh, see he was getting
but that's not a Division one player in the Pac twelve.
And so that that I thought, And I don't know
that the article was taking a shot at Dion, but
I'm just saying this whole sentiment.
Speaker 5 (12:35):
Of oh my gosh, she hurt the kids feelings. Really,
stop it, stop it.
Speaker 3 (12:41):
I started playing tackle football in third grade and all
the older kids in the neighborhood. Were like, look, you
gotta be ready to coach, gonna yell at you the
code You're gonna have to run.
Speaker 5 (12:50):
You're gonna have to you know. I mean, it's football.
Speaker 3 (12:53):
It's tough, and it helps you grow as a person,
I think when you deal with challenge situations.
Speaker 2 (13:01):
Be sure to catch live editions of The Odd Couple
with Chris Brussard and Rob Parker weekdays at seven pm
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iHeartRadio app.
Speaker 6 (13:12):
What do you get when you combine a three time
Manager of the Year at a three time National Sports
Writer of the Year.
Speaker 5 (13:19):
It's the Book of Joe Podcast.
Speaker 6 (13:21):
Hey, this is Tom Ferducci from Fox Sports, MLB Network
and Sports Illustrated.
Speaker 1 (13:26):
And I'm Joe Madden, and we're going to be around
to talk a little bit about managerial decisions, playoff games,
and what may have occurred to the dugout maybe in
the nineteen eighties.
Speaker 5 (13:33):
That can't wait for this, Joe.
Speaker 6 (13:34):
We're going to dive into what goes on in the
dugout and behind the scenes in Major League Baseball.
Speaker 5 (13:39):
Cars, wind whatever else we want to talk about.
Speaker 6 (13:41):
Listen to the Book of Joe podcast on the iHeartRadio app,
on Apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Speaker 3 (13:48):
Lebron James could be a free agent, can opt out
of his contract. He's got one year fifty one million
dollars left. He can opt out though, and sign you know,
any three year max at one hundred and sixty two million,
which I think is what he will do. But Lebron
(14:10):
is letting it out there that he's you know, he
said it himself that he doesn't know.
Speaker 5 (14:16):
What he's going to do.
Speaker 3 (14:17):
He clearly wants doesn't want the Lakers feeling comfortable like
him being back is a done deal. Here's what he
said Rob last night after the loss tonight.
Speaker 5 (14:28):
Was there any thought at all that you know, this
could have been your.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
Last game with the Lakers.
Speaker 5 (14:34):
I'm not gonna answer that. Appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (14:38):
Lebron smart keeping his options over Rob. I think he
wants them to be on edge about whether or not
he'll come back. I think one it'll help him get
a max deal. Two, it can help him get a
no trade clause, and three it can help him get
them to drive Bronnie.
Speaker 5 (15:00):
I would be shocked if he went somewhere else.
Speaker 7 (15:03):
Now.
Speaker 3 (15:03):
I guess if Brownie is drafted by another team and
Lebron wants to play with him, I could I guess
I could see that, but I think the Lakers are
gonna draft him. Lebron's got his whole, you know, all
his business. His empire is here, Rob and his family,
you know, you go through different stages of life, and
(15:25):
his children. One of them, obviously, Bronnie is now in
college and maybe about to go to the pros.
Speaker 5 (15:32):
But Bryce is in high school.
Speaker 3 (15:35):
And his daughter, I think her name is Zuri, if
I'm not mistaken, is playing.
Speaker 5 (15:41):
As he said, playing volleyball.
Speaker 3 (15:42):
But she's obviously grown up here and you know, they're settled,
they have their friends, Their life is here, and it.
Speaker 1 (15:48):
Is I think the Lakers have all the leverage and
they won't utilize it because because.
Speaker 5 (16:00):
They don't have leverage because he's good.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
I did no, but but they do have leverage from
this standpoint. If they wanted to, they can make us
think and make it like we have no interest in
Bronni like to make Lebron not want to, not want
to sign back or whatever. But he's all entrenched here.
This is where he wants to live. He could say,
I'll go anywhere and all this this is where he
(16:22):
wants to be. So in reality, the Lakers have more
power because he doesn't want to move or doesn't want
to be a part time LA resident and have to
go live in Philadelphia or somewhere else. This is where
he really wants to be. And if I'm the Lakers,
what we haven't wanted anything. We've been knocked out of
the playoffs.
Speaker 5 (16:39):
He did you want to know?
Speaker 1 (16:40):
I'm talking about since then, since twenty the last the
last four years. It actually we haven't done anything like
so spectacular that we.
Speaker 5 (16:50):
Got to have them.
Speaker 1 (16:50):
We could we could get knocked out of the first
round of the playoffs without with with or without Lebron.
Speaker 5 (16:55):
I mean that that's me.
Speaker 3 (16:57):
Then if let's say if first of all two questions,
One are you saying that they should let Lebron go?
And two, if this is the end, do you think
the Lebron James era.
Speaker 5 (17:10):
With the Lakers has been a success or not.
Speaker 1 (17:13):
A mild success because you can't take away a championship.
But there's no way you would have thought that he
would have missed the playoffs a couple times, been knocked
out in the first round.
Speaker 5 (17:24):
What was the other one to play in or whatever.
He didn't make it through. Well, he's been one, two, three,
four five. This was his fifth year.
Speaker 3 (17:31):
Twice they didn't make the playoffs. Correct, Yeah, he was
injured of course those years. All right, So give us
the breakdown, Robger.
Speaker 4 (17:38):
So Lebron signed with the Lakers in the summer of
twenty nineteen. Okay, He's been with the Lakers now for
six seasons. He's missed the playoffs twice, including once which
was they were favored to come out of the Western
Conference altogether with the Russell Westbrook team.
Speaker 5 (17:53):
Yep.
Speaker 4 (17:53):
Twice they were eliminated in the first round again once
with the Phoenix Suns, this most recently against they Never
Know Gets. He was swept out of the conference finals
last season and Sandwich. In between all of that is
the twenty twenty Championship with drive likes to point out
took place in the Mickey Mouse.
Speaker 5 (18:09):
Bubble, no doubt. Go ahead and give your take, because
I got to take.
Speaker 1 (18:14):
Yeah, I'm just saying, like I said, it's Middley because
you can't discount a championship.
Speaker 5 (18:18):
I'm not gonna sit there and act like it doesn't count.
But if you look at the whole run.
Speaker 1 (18:23):
I'm just saying, if I'm the Lakers, I'm not gonna
be strong on by Lebron. What they're doing and doing
they could do without Lebron. They can they can miss
the playoffs without Lebron. They can get knocked out in
the first round without How.
Speaker 5 (18:37):
They missed the playoffs Lebron hurt? No, No, that wasn't
the only reason. Don't you remember the year that they don't.
Speaker 3 (18:43):
I mean, he played fifty five games, that's I mean,
you know, but when he came back playoff activator, you
remember that, and then they lost down the stretch. He
was healthy, he still missed like twenty games.
Speaker 5 (18:56):
Noah, but he had a man he tried to activate.
Speaker 3 (18:59):
But I'm just saying, if they didn't play any games,
that's the significant part of.
Speaker 5 (19:03):
This g that season. Did they not have a shot
to make the playoffs? They had a shot, But he
was also hurt.
Speaker 3 (19:08):
I'm saying the reason they even in the position they
were in was because he missed so many.
Speaker 1 (19:13):
If they didn't want to, if they didn't want them,
all they got to do is say we're not drafting
Bronni under any circumstance, and then you'll really push comes
to shove. We're not going to be strong armed into this.
This is the Lakers, Lebron, Jane will appreciate your accomplishments,
and you're a great player, but we won before you
got here, and we'll win after you leave. And we're
(19:35):
not going to be strong armed in anything. And I'm
just saying they have the leverage if they use it.
Do I think Jenny Jennie Buss will use it? Chris No,
I don't. I think she's saw a genie.
Speaker 5 (19:47):
But I don't think we want to fall off the
face of the earth either.
Speaker 1 (19:49):
They had Kobe and they didn't make the playoffs four
years right, they didn't make the playoffs, but they still.
Speaker 5 (19:58):
That's what he would I too. No, they still sold out.
Speaker 1 (20:02):
They still had people Brooke talking about being irrelevant back baketball,
and they.
Speaker 5 (20:06):
Can easily get back to that.
Speaker 1 (20:08):
Okay, Really you could have a couple of years before
he went there, the Lakers lottery picks.
Speaker 5 (20:14):
How'd that work out?
Speaker 3 (20:16):
They were in basketball Siberia.
Speaker 5 (20:19):
Now, I get it, they're the Lakers.
Speaker 3 (20:21):
They'll always be the Lakers, But I'm saying they were
irrelevant in terms of winning. It's been an undoubted success.
Because here's the thing. Name me the superstar or the
franchise that has more than one championship since Lebron went
to La. Oh, yeah, he only got one. You can
(20:43):
mock it. Oh he's only got one ring. Uh since
he's been in La. Kawhi got one for Toronto. Kawhi
doesn't have another ring. Joanna's got one from Milwaukee. How's
that gone without? Other than that year they won, they
about to get bounced in the first round. They got
bounced in the first round. Last year, Golden State has
won with Steph and then they've missed the playoffs several times.
Speaker 5 (21:09):
Let me finish, I listening to you. Let me finish.
Denver got one with Jokic. We'll see if they get two.
Speaker 3 (21:16):
But I'm just saying the Lakers have essentially been as
successful as any other team. Denver's been bouncing in the
first round two during that stretch with Yokic at his best.
I mean, the Lakers also got to a Western Conference final.
I won't lighten things up and say they won it
(21:36):
in season tournament, but they did. But no, But I'm
just saying, like, yes, it hasn't been Western Conference finals
or championship every year. But when you look at their
success with Lebron compared to every other team in the league,
essentially it's been It's been as successful as anybody because
(21:58):
nobody else has more than the one ring that the
Lakers got. Plus he broke Kareem's record there, that means something.
He broke other record. He became an all time leading
scorer there. That means something.
Speaker 5 (22:12):
So I mean, it's.
Speaker 3 (22:12):
It's ridiculous to say it wasn't a success. Kobe last
four or five years of his career. You said it
missed the playoffs all together in Laker purple and goal.
They go get Brandon Ingram and Lions o'ball and all
these guys, Kyle Kuzma, they're nothing. Lebron comes in there
and that at least they get a freaking ring.
Speaker 5 (22:37):
So I don't see how you don't call it a success.
Speaker 1 (22:41):
I'm just giving you the reasons. I mean, they did
won't the won championship. But Chris, you're talking about all
the other teams. Lebron is supposedly to a lot of
people to go missing the playoffs a couple of times.
He had a Westbrook, he had Anthony Davis, all these
players that he had picked that didn't work out. They
(23:02):
keep changing coaches, keep changing things. All I'm saying to
you is they can't sell any more tickets. Whether Lebron
is here or not, people are going to show up
for the Lakers, whether.
Speaker 5 (23:12):
Lebron is here or not.
Speaker 1 (23:13):
People are gonna watch the Lakers, Chris, whether Lebron is
here or not. All I'm saying is that the Lakers
have leverage against him.
Speaker 5 (23:21):
He wants to be here. He wants to be here.
Speaker 3 (23:24):
Okay, That's all I was addressing. I was addressing whether
or not they've been a success.
Speaker 1 (23:32):
Us.
Speaker 5 (23:32):
That's what I'm talking.
Speaker 3 (23:33):
I don't think it's so No, everybody's been mildly successful.
Nobody's been successful. Nobody thought that when he came here and.
Speaker 1 (23:40):
Got the first round of the playoffs.
Speaker 5 (23:45):
Nobody thought they also.
Speaker 3 (23:46):
Got to the Western Conference finals and also won the championship.
I mean, you can't define their ten years not defined
by a first round exit. I mean, Shack got swept
a numerous times during his career, including as a Laker.
Speaker 1 (24:02):
Zimby considered to go by anybody, stop at Chris.
Speaker 7 (24:07):
Everybody with everybody is supposed to be class. He in
something special. So it's shocking Kobe. So it's Steph.
Speaker 3 (24:18):
I just told you Steph doesn't miss the playoffs several times.
Speaker 5 (24:20):
I don't call Lebron the goat. I mean Michael.
Speaker 3 (24:24):
Jordan missed the playoffs in Washington too, And I mean,
and you're talking about an older Lebron rob.
Speaker 5 (24:32):
Remember we just.
Speaker 3 (24:33):
Talked about how his numbers belayed the fact that he
doesn't have the same impact on the game.
Speaker 5 (24:40):
So he's doing this at an older age.
Speaker 3 (24:44):
I'm just saying he the Lakers have been as successful,
essentially as any other team. Your beats Boston been more
successful because they always get to the.
Speaker 5 (24:53):
Conference finals or the finals and lose.
Speaker 3 (24:57):
Would you rather have that run with Tatum and Brown
or this one with Lebron and a D.
Speaker 5 (25:01):
I take the Lebron in a D one. No, I wouldn't.
Speaker 1 (25:04):
I would take really, I would take.
Speaker 5 (25:09):
I think going forward. I'm talking about going following. I
don't want Lebron and a D. They didn't showed me
that they can't get it. So you're okay, so they
won't win. I'm not convinced that Boston you won't win. Again,
I'm not convinced.
Speaker 3 (25:25):
Are you saying the Lakers should let Lebron walk, absolutely,
and I would help him by saying.
Speaker 5 (25:30):
I'm not taking the beginning. I'm not taking Brownny. He's
a stronger take.
Speaker 1 (25:36):
That's the soft stuff under that circumstances on we drafting Bronny.
Get out of here with that. We're better than that.
We're the Lakers. We're not doing that dog and pony show.
We don't have to do that here because that's all
it is. Let them play somewhere else, let them go
to Utah.
Speaker 3 (25:54):
Yeah, and then see see what happens to the Lakers
next year.
Speaker 5 (25:59):
But you ain't.
Speaker 3 (25:59):
You're gonna bend ad Okay, all right, we'll see.
Speaker 5 (26:04):
I mean, I hear you.
Speaker 3 (26:05):
I don't think Lebron's gonna win another championship in his career.
But I'm just saying there is a value to being
a relevant team. I think the Cowboys, right, we talk
about it. They're not about to win a super Bowl,
but there's a value to what they've been doing the
last few years. Would you rather be them or the
(26:25):
New Orleans Saints? I mean, everybody can't win it every year.
Would you rather be the Lakers where they are now? Disappointed,
upset because you just got bounced or would you rather
be the Lakers where they were in Kobe's last four years,
or with Lionzo and Ingram and Kuzma not making the
(26:48):
playoffs every year?
Speaker 5 (26:50):
He saved the Lakers from Basketball Siberia. It's been a success.
Speaker 2 (26:56):
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 3 (27:08):
A team you and I picked to get to the
Western Conference Finals this year, and I had the caveat
of them being healthy.
Speaker 5 (27:14):
You probably did too. Kawhi Leonard of course out for them.
Speaker 3 (27:17):
But still you got two stars still at least towards
the end of their prime in James Harden and Paul George.
But you wouldn't know it by last night Pivotal Game
five in their first round series with the Dallas Mavericks,
and their two stars were no shows and hints. They
get demolished one twenty three to ninety three. Paul George,
(27:42):
as bad as he was, was the better of the
two fifteen.
Speaker 5 (27:46):
Points eleven boards, that's the good.
Speaker 3 (27:48):
He shot four for thirteen though, and Rob it was
almost like right on time, you know, right right just as.
Speaker 5 (27:57):
You as you could predict.
Speaker 3 (27:59):
Look at James Harden's playoff history talked about it right
on key seven points two of twelve, shooting only two
of two free throws.
Speaker 5 (28:12):
So he wasn't aggressive.
Speaker 3 (28:14):
I can't say, honestly, I thought he looked tentative. But
come on, man, you averaging twenty six points in the series,
fifty four percent shooting. How in the world with your
leading scorer do you out Kawhi Leonard?
Speaker 5 (28:27):
Do you only take twelve shots?
Speaker 3 (28:30):
This has happened time and time again with James Harden,
and it typically is not game one, not game two,
not game three. It's late when the series get big time.
And here we are pivotal game five and Harden's a
no show.
Speaker 1 (28:48):
What are your thoughts, rot, I've seen enough, Chris Bouchard,
And if I was Bamber, Steve Bamer or the billionaire owner.
Speaker 5 (29:00):
I've had enough. Enough Is enough, Chris?
Speaker 3 (29:05):
Just a lot for you to say it because you
are You've been ride or die with these clips.
Speaker 5 (29:09):
I've seen enough. Steve Barmer, is this on?
Speaker 1 (29:13):
This is a message of a personal public announcement to
Steve Balmer.
Speaker 5 (29:23):
It's over.
Speaker 1 (29:25):
Stop chasing a championship. Climb back into the hole that
the Clippers have created in NBA America, and just be
happy that you have a brand new billion dollar building
and make the Clippers fun and in a good night out.
(29:48):
Make it affordable for families to come who can't afford
to go to the Laker games. Throw as many T
shirts and cotton candy bags out as you can and
get people are coming, have a good night. Do not,
under any circumstance sign James Harden. Do not, any under
(30:09):
any circumstance, bring back Westbrook.
Speaker 5 (30:16):
Do not bring back Paul Paul George. Do not do that.
Speaker 1 (30:21):
You already signed Kawhi Leonard. Have him Chris if you
want to do some sign and trades and get some
value back on some young players, young fun, exciting players.
I'm all for it, but give up the ghost because
it ain't happening. You've done everything you can injuries. They
play great one night, they they blow blow up the
(30:44):
next night and give you nothing. It's the most disappointing
and frustrating thing. And if I was a Clipper fan,
and I am not, I would take all of my
stuff to the tallest building in Los Angeles and dump
it off the top. Today the hats, the jackets, the jerseys,
(31:05):
even my Clipper sneakers if they have them, and dump
them off the top of the building Chris and say,
no way, know how am I gonna get involved in
this and wrap myself up with this. I'm done. Steve Balmer,
you should be done too. I know you just built
the building. I know your dream is to win a championship.
(31:25):
It it ain't gonna happen. If you can't win a
championship with what you've done the last four or five
years and all the the energy and effort and money
you put in, it ain't happening. And those guys there,
I'm sorry. James Harden is not getting you a championship,
Paul George is not getting your championship. Westbrook's not getting
(31:48):
your championship, and Kawhi Leonard is not nt getting your championship.
So if you have to hold on to him to
try to sell some tickets and get some young guys
around him that are fun and high flying in a
fast paced style, and after Tylo's done with one more year,
you move on from him.
Speaker 5 (32:06):
And go get some young, energetic coach. Make it a
fun night out.
Speaker 1 (32:11):
Give up the ghost of trying to win a championship
because the window and the gate and the barn and
all those things are closed and it ain't happening.
Speaker 3 (32:23):
Well, I agree with you that it ain't happening. And
what you said sounds good. I mean, that's the Clippers' history.
They were the fun clownish team, the legitimate version of
the Washington Generals or the Harlem Globetrotters, whatever you want.
Speaker 5 (32:41):
To put me the Generals because they weren't winning. They
weren't winning, right. Look, the problem is this.
Speaker 3 (32:50):
They gave Kawhi Leonard a three year, one hundred and
fifty two million dollar contract.
Speaker 5 (33:00):
How much he has left on his.
Speaker 3 (33:04):
Contract after this season. That is the problem of all
the players. And good for Kawhi. God blessed Kawhi Uncle Dennis.
Great job, outstanding work, real talk. Great for them. But
for the Clippers, y'all got suckered. Of all their stars,
(33:30):
I'm just gonna say the three of them. I'm not
gonna include Westbrook, but I could even include Westbrook. Of
the four stars, Kawhi, Paul, George, James Harden, Russell Westbrook,
Rob the last one they should have signed long term
was Kawhi Leonard and obviously he's the best of the bunch,
(33:53):
But that dude can't stay healthy. It's not his fault.
I think he works hard. He tried to really play
this year, and just like last year when he tried
to really play, he broke down in.
Speaker 5 (34:06):
The playoffs or right before the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (34:10):
What in the world do you think the next three
years are gonna look like with Kawhi Leonard. I almost
guarantee you he will miss more games than he plays.
And because he's making such big money, Rock good luck
trying to trade him. I mean, maybe somebody will take him,
maybe later in the contract.
Speaker 5 (34:29):
I wouldn't.
Speaker 3 (34:30):
As good as he is, you can't count on him.
So I agree with you. I would let Paul George walk.
He should want to walk now. It'll be interesting with him.
Rob will he he's from southern California. Does he want
to stay here and just play it out?
Speaker 5 (34:49):
Maybe?
Speaker 3 (34:51):
But Philadelphia will likely go after him if he has
any desire to win a championship, he should go there.
When they offer him the Max play with him being
in MAXI James Harden, Rob, of course.
Speaker 5 (35:07):
I'm not gonna win anything big with him, but I
gotta feel the team.
Speaker 3 (35:13):
I mean, I think with James Harden, I can be relevant.
Of course, not gonna win, but there is a I
do have to pay out some salary. And I know
if Kawhi's out and it's the James Harden show, well
he can put up some numbers. I don't think he
can go thirty four and ten like he used to,
(35:35):
but he can still put on a show.
Speaker 5 (35:37):
He's from so Kyle too.
Speaker 3 (35:40):
I'm not giving him the max, I'm not giving him
too many years, but I think I probably gotta keep
him just because of rebuilds impossible like one, I got
Kawhi's contract that got Norman Powell making a decent amount
of money for the next couple of years. And Rob,
they have hardly in draft picks, that's the thing.
Speaker 5 (36:02):
And none of these guys have trade.
Speaker 3 (36:05):
What kind of picks am I getting for James Harden
if I did a sign in trade, what kind of
picks am I getting for Russell Westbrook? I mean they
are in trouble. I mean they just got a bunch.
Look like you said, Bomber.
Speaker 5 (36:21):
Did what he could. I don't blame him.
Speaker 3 (36:24):
They just can't stay healthy and Harden just Rob, It's
gotta be something something mental.
Speaker 5 (36:31):
It's gotta be nerves.
Speaker 3 (36:33):
I've never seen a player so great come up short
so many times in big moments.
Speaker 1 (36:39):
Keeps happening, and at some point you just got to
accept this just who he is and you can't keep
asking for thinking something else is gonna happen.
Speaker 5 (36:49):
We talk about it all the time.
Speaker 1 (36:50):
I just think at some point you just gotta decide
that we saw it in Brooklyn when that thing didn't work,
they just decided play the younger plays and.
Speaker 3 (37:00):
They're they're relevant the NBA side. Beer, I don't want
to be that if I'm the Clipper.
Speaker 1 (37:06):
I'm just saying, if you're the Clippers other than and
I say Kawhi because I think it would be hard
to trade him, but no other guys. They got no choice.
But then again, uh they did trade. Bradley Beal was traded,
So I always every time, that's always my caveat of Bradley.
Speaker 3 (37:23):
Beal was, yeah, nothing's impossible because Bradley Beal was traded.
Maybe he'll go play with Wimby, maybe he'll go back
to Santi
Thanks for listening to the Best of the Odd Couple podcasts.
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 (00:22):
You're listening to the Best of the Odd Couple with
Chris Bruce and Ron Harker.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
Interest this situation going on with Diona Sanders at Colorado,
I'm gonna bring in Rob g to kind of summarize it,
and we got some thoughts on this.
Speaker 4 (00:43):
Things are getting spicy in Boulder, now, guys, this all
started to six be spicy or no.
Speaker 5 (00:48):
All flats, All flats, all right?
Speaker 4 (00:51):
So it started on Tuesday when Deion Sanders came under
criticism when a former player named Xavier Smith accused him
in a piece by the Athletic of neglecting to get
to know his players and destroying their confidence, specifically the
players that he inherited when he took over at Colorado. Now,
after the article came out, a number of Colorado players
(01:12):
came to sanders defense via social media, including Shador Sanders
who tweeted, which when viral and in the assents deleted.
Speaker 5 (01:19):
I don't even remember him.
Speaker 4 (01:20):
To be honest, bro had to be very mid at
best talking about Xavier Smith. So this all went back
and forth between players at Colorado, some coaches, and actually
teammates over at Austin p where Xavier Smith transferred to.
But things really boiled over this morning when a Buffalo
(01:42):
excuse me, a Colorado Buffalo social media content creator named
Dalvin Truth posted a screenshot of Xavier awards stats in
twenty twenty three at Austin PE, where he made eight
tackles and had four passes defense on the season, so
not a lot of playing time for Xavier Smith. Dion
Sanders came all the way back around full circle quote
(02:04):
tweeted that image with the caption laud Jesus obviously mocking
mocking wards performance or lack thereof.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
All right, Rob, I got a few things to say
about this, So do you want to go first through?
Speaker 5 (02:24):
All right? First of all, I read the article.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
In The Athletic and it was a well done piece.
Probably it came off as sympathetic to the players that
have been that Basically, Dion said, you know your services
are no longer needed at Colorado. I don't know if
that was because of the way it was written or
(02:48):
those are just, you know, just the quotes that the
players had. But I'll say this, Rob, I don't have
a problem with what Dion did to the players at Colorado.
In fact, he really did him a favor, the guys
that he brought in and he cut like twenty He
met with like twenty guys after spring practice and told
(03:10):
him you don't you know, you're not in our plans.
You're not gonna play next year, so you should get
in the portal. He did him a faith well that
was in it. Yeah, the public comments, but like he
was telling them, you're not gonna play for us next year,
so you should go somewhere you're gonna play. And he
(03:35):
was brought to Colorado to win. They were won and
eleven when he got there. It's about winning, and so
I have no proper Rob. The higher you go, and
you know this even at younger ages, the higher you go,
it's about winning, people's feelings get hurt. I mean, people's
confidence gets hurt. In high school when a kid is
(03:59):
cut from the basketball team, that's tough for a kid.
But it's life. Everybody can't make the team. And these
are players that were most likely stars in high school
and now they're at the Division one level and a
coach is telling them you're not good enough for us.
(04:20):
So yes, it hurts, but that's happened to kids at
a lower level than.
Speaker 5 (04:25):
You, who couldn't even get to your level.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
I mean, if you follow the kid that was cut
from high school and did a story on him, and oh,
he loved basketball, he envisioned playing in college. One day
his dad played, he was crusty, was crying. He felt like,
you know, he had disappointed his dad.
Speaker 5 (04:41):
I mean, it's life.
Speaker 3 (04:43):
Everybody can't be a Division one football player.
Speaker 5 (04:47):
I wanted to play Division one football. I didn't. I
wasn't good enough. You gotta deal with it, So I
don't want to.
Speaker 3 (04:56):
I mean personally all that he hurt their feelings, he
took their I mean, come on, this is sports, this
is competition. Everybody can't make the team. So I got
no problem with that. Secondly, I have no problem with
Chadure's tweet. I don't remember, dude, he must have been
(05:18):
mid one is very possible. Shoudeur, I mean it was
all Shadur was there for both of them. Was just
spring practices, so it's very possible that he didn't really
remember the guy or interact much with him.
Speaker 5 (05:31):
And to say he's mid, I mean, this is a player.
This is what you get.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
They talk trash, whether it's on Twitter, whether it's during
the game, whatever the problem. The one thing I do
have a problem with Rob is Dion getting involved in it.
After like the law Jesus and there was something else.
Robb G he talked about people were criticizing him, and
he said, well should do They were criticizing Shaduur and
(05:58):
right this on Twitter, Rob G correct me if if
I misrepresent this, and Dion said, uh, shoulder's gonna tell you.
Speaker 5 (06:07):
Go ahead read the tweet.
Speaker 4 (06:08):
So he was responding to a comment or who said
he tell your son stop acting like he's the coldest
out there. Then put up a four and eight season.
Deon responds, He'll be a top five pick. Where's your
son going? Lol?
Speaker 5 (06:20):
I got time today? Okay, So that Rob.
Speaker 3 (06:24):
I just have a problem with that stuff, with Dion
getting involved in it. At this level, he's a college
football coach. He has to be an authority. He's above
the players. He should not get involved in their little
back and forth trash talking things like that. If he
wants to address the whole situation of people criticizing him
(06:46):
for cutting kids or telling them getting a portal, he
should just do it, you know, in a professional way, like, Hey,
I'm trying to win. I was not brought here to
Kyle kids. They don't caller him at Alabama. They don't
Kalulum at Ohio State. They don't call Kalo Dom at Michigan.
The teams we're trying to get to their level. This
(07:07):
is big time football. I played it and now I'm
coaching it. I know what I'm talking about. I got
no problem with him coming out dealing with it like that,
But I don't think he should get involved in back
and forth with fans and kids and players and ex
players and all that, because I think as a head
coach he has to be above that. He's an authority figure.
Speaker 1 (07:29):
He should be the adult in the room. And that's
the disappointing thing. And that you could say all that
stuff about Alabama and all that, I've never seen the
coaches of those schools going back and forth against that.
Speaker 5 (07:41):
That to me is juvenile.
Speaker 1 (07:42):
You can't even picture Okay, I can't even picture it,
so we get it. It's not about disappointment or whatever.
It's just about do you.
Speaker 5 (07:50):
Really need to do that? You're the adult.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
I get it if the kids are doing it, but
my god, be the adult in the room, and just
overlook it. People are gonna have their feel's hurting his kids. Okay,
but I'm I'm the adult. I made the decision, and
you let it be to say, my kid's going to
be a top five pick.
Speaker 5 (08:07):
Where number five in the draft? What about your kid
or what? I think?
Speaker 1 (08:11):
That's sad to even go that route. You don't need
to do that. That that goes without saying why why
would you put that out there?
Speaker 5 (08:18):
You don't need to do that. Yeah, I'm with you.
It's just that's the second that I just don't like.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
I don't think you need to Uh just because uh,
somebody does, it doesn't mean you have to go back
at them. You know, there's a certain level for certain people. Uh,
and he I have at a high level considering what
he's done. Two sport athlete, Hall of Famer coach, You
know what I mean? But what who are you trying
(08:46):
to convince? And why?
Speaker 3 (08:49):
Yeah, he just this doesn't benefit Dionna at all in
my opinion.
Speaker 5 (08:54):
You know, there might be.
Speaker 3 (08:55):
Some little people on Twitter that think, you, oh, look
at dion telling them out, but that's it's not you.
You're a coach, you're an authority figure. You should be
this little gibberish that's going on.
Speaker 5 (09:09):
Now. I gotta say this, Rob, I don't think it's
very coach like.
Speaker 3 (09:18):
Let's put let's make up that word coach like head
coach like to get involved in this type of behavior.
But this is a problem in our country now, Rob,
Let's just keep it real. And even whether you support
him or not, you gotta admit this. We had a
president who was involved in gibberish who wasn't very presidential.
(09:43):
When you hold certain offices, you should behave a certain way.
And so I do have to say that because I
don't believe we should hold a college football coach to
a higher then we hold the president of the.
Speaker 5 (10:03):
United States too.
Speaker 3 (10:06):
And I'm not saying less lower the standard for dion
I'm just saying this is an issue going on in
this country and many at many levels, and I do
think there needs to be a.
Speaker 5 (10:20):
Standard of behavior when you hold a.
Speaker 3 (10:24):
Certain office, whether it's a coach, whether it's a teacher,
a professor, a politician, whatever, a police officer, whatever it
may be.
Speaker 5 (10:37):
You're an authority figure for a reason. You should act
like it and carry yourself a certain way. So I
do have to say that because I.
Speaker 3 (10:45):
Think it would be I would be doing Dion a
disservice if I just jump on him.
Speaker 5 (10:51):
But then don't hold other people to that same stand.
Speaker 1 (10:54):
Yeah, but I just I don't think you need to
lower yourself because somebody else is.
Speaker 5 (10:58):
I'm not saying any shit. I'm just said, yeah, it's
just to me.
Speaker 1 (11:03):
Uh And and I'll say this to me a coach
that deals with young people, I just expect better from them.
I just do because, uh it's when you when kids
go to college and they go and they believe in
the coach and what they're trying to do and all
that kind of stuff. It just it just doesn't feel
(11:23):
good to me. It just feels like, you know, yes,
you got to make tough decisions. Yes, some kids are
gonna get their feelings hurt and all that, but you
don't have to rub it in their face that that's
just me.
Speaker 5 (11:34):
I wouldn't.
Speaker 3 (11:34):
So you're talking about the tweets, which we agree on
tweet what do you think about the cutting player telling
that's football.
Speaker 1 (11:44):
I don't have any issue with that. I just think
you don't need to rub it in anybody's face after
the fact it happened.
Speaker 5 (11:49):
That's it.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
I don't need no, I don't need to explain anything.
I don't need to go on Twitter and tell you
this and that. I don't have to do that. You
want to hope the kids do well. And look a
lot of them.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
Some of them started at a different school and then
got benched.
Speaker 5 (12:04):
Some of them went to fcs.
Speaker 3 (12:06):
You know, the lower level or FBS. I always mix
a Division one Double A basically, and one kid was
like a freshman, you know, all American at Division one
Double A.
Speaker 5 (12:17):
But that ain't Division one.
Speaker 3 (12:19):
The article is trying to, oh, see he was getting
but that's not a Division one player in the Pac twelve.
And so that that I thought, And I don't know
that the article was taking a shot at Dion, but
I'm just saying this whole sentiment.
Speaker 5 (12:35):
Of oh my gosh, she hurt the kids feelings. Really,
stop it, stop it.
Speaker 3 (12:41):
I started playing tackle football in third grade and all
the older kids in the neighborhood. Were like, look, you
gotta be ready to coach, gonna yell at you the
code You're gonna have to run.
Speaker 5 (12:50):
You're gonna have to you know. I mean, it's football.
Speaker 3 (12:53):
It's tough, and it helps you grow as a person,
I think when you deal with challenge situations.
Speaker 2 (13:01):
Be sure to catch live 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 6 (13:12):
What do you get when you combine a three time
Manager of the Year at a three time National Sports
Writer of the Year.
Speaker 5 (13:19):
It's the Book of Joe Podcast.
Speaker 6 (13:21):
Hey, this is Tom Ferducci from Fox Sports, MLB Network
and Sports Illustrated.
Speaker 1 (13:26):
And I'm Joe Madden, and we're going to be around
to talk a little bit about managerial decisions, playoff games,
and what may have occurred to the dugout maybe in
the nineteen eighties.
Speaker 5 (13:33):
That can't wait for this, Joe.
Speaker 6 (13:34):
We're going to dive into what goes on in the
dugout and behind the scenes in Major League Baseball.
Speaker 5 (13:39):
Cars, wind whatever else we want to talk about.
Speaker 6 (13:41):
Listen to the Book of Joe podcast on the iHeartRadio app,
on Apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Speaker 3 (13:48):
Lebron James could be a free agent, can opt out
of his contract. He's got one year fifty one million
dollars left. He can opt out though, and sign you know,
any three year max at one hundred and sixty two million,
which I think is what he will do. But Lebron
(14:10):
is letting it out there that he's you know, he
said it himself that he doesn't know.
Speaker 5 (14:16):
What he's going to do.
Speaker 3 (14:17):
He clearly wants doesn't want the Lakers feeling comfortable like
him being back is a done deal. Here's what he
said Rob last night after the loss tonight.
Speaker 5 (14:28):
Was there any thought at all that you know, this
could have been your.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
Last game with the Lakers.
Speaker 5 (14:34):
I'm not gonna answer that. Appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (14:38):
Lebron smart keeping his options over Rob. I think he
wants them to be on edge about whether or not
he'll come back. I think one it'll help him get
a max deal. Two, it can help him get a
no trade clause, and three it can help him get
them to drive Bronnie.
Speaker 5 (15:00):
I would be shocked if he went somewhere else.
Speaker 7 (15:03):
Now.
Speaker 3 (15:03):
I guess if Brownie is drafted by another team and
Lebron wants to play with him, I could I guess
I could see that, but I think the Lakers are
gonna draft him. Lebron's got his whole, you know, all
his business. His empire is here, Rob and his family,
you know, you go through different stages of life, and
(15:25):
his children. One of them, obviously, Bronnie is now in
college and maybe about to go to the pros.
Speaker 5 (15:32):
But Bryce is in high school.
Speaker 3 (15:35):
And his daughter, I think her name is Zuri, if
I'm not mistaken, is playing.
Speaker 5 (15:41):
As he said, playing volleyball.
Speaker 3 (15:42):
But she's obviously grown up here and you know, they're settled,
they have their friends, Their life is here, and it.
Speaker 1 (15:48):
Is I think the Lakers have all the leverage and
they won't utilize it because because.
Speaker 5 (16:00):
They don't have leverage because he's good.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
I did no, but but they do have leverage from
this standpoint. If they wanted to, they can make us
think and make it like we have no interest in
Bronni like to make Lebron not want to, not want
to sign back or whatever. But he's all entrenched here.
This is where he wants to live. He could say,
I'll go anywhere and all this this is where he
(16:22):
wants to be. So in reality, the Lakers have more
power because he doesn't want to move or doesn't want
to be a part time LA resident and have to
go live in Philadelphia or somewhere else. This is where
he really wants to be. And if I'm the Lakers,
what we haven't wanted anything. We've been knocked out of
the playoffs.
Speaker 5 (16:39):
He did you want to know?
Speaker 1 (16:40):
I'm talking about since then, since twenty the last the
last four years. It actually we haven't done anything like
so spectacular that we.
Speaker 5 (16:50):
Got to have them.
Speaker 1 (16:50):
We could we could get knocked out of the first
round of the playoffs without with with or without Lebron.
Speaker 5 (16:55):
I mean that that's me.
Speaker 3 (16:57):
Then if let's say if first of all two questions,
One are you saying that they should let Lebron go?
And two, if this is the end, do you think
the Lebron James era.
Speaker 5 (17:10):
With the Lakers has been a success or not.
Speaker 1 (17:13):
A mild success because you can't take away a championship.
But there's no way you would have thought that he
would have missed the playoffs a couple times, been knocked
out in the first round.
Speaker 5 (17:24):
What was the other one to play in or whatever.
He didn't make it through. Well, he's been one, two, three,
four five. This was his fifth year.
Speaker 3 (17:31):
Twice they didn't make the playoffs. Correct, Yeah, he was
injured of course those years. All right, So give us
the breakdown, Robger.
Speaker 4 (17:38):
So Lebron signed with the Lakers in the summer of
twenty nineteen. Okay, He's been with the Lakers now for
six seasons. He's missed the playoffs twice, including once which
was they were favored to come out of the Western
Conference altogether with the Russell Westbrook team.
Speaker 5 (17:53):
Yep.
Speaker 4 (17:53):
Twice they were eliminated in the first round again once
with the Phoenix Suns, this most recently against they Never
Know Gets. He was swept out of the conference finals
last season and Sandwich. In between all of that is
the twenty twenty Championship with drive likes to point out
took place in the Mickey Mouse.
Speaker 5 (18:09):
Bubble, no doubt. Go ahead and give your take, because
I got to take.
Speaker 1 (18:14):
Yeah, I'm just saying, like I said, it's Middley because
you can't discount a championship.
Speaker 5 (18:18):
I'm not gonna sit there and act like it doesn't count.
But if you look at the whole run.
Speaker 1 (18:23):
I'm just saying, if I'm the Lakers, I'm not gonna
be strong on by Lebron. What they're doing and doing
they could do without Lebron. They can they can miss
the playoffs without Lebron. They can get knocked out in
the first round without How.
Speaker 5 (18:37):
They missed the playoffs Lebron hurt? No, No, that wasn't
the only reason. Don't you remember the year that they don't.
Speaker 3 (18:43):
I mean, he played fifty five games, that's I mean,
you know, but when he came back playoff activator, you
remember that, and then they lost down the stretch. He
was healthy, he still missed like twenty games.
Speaker 5 (18:56):
Noah, but he had a man he tried to activate.
Speaker 3 (18:59):
But I'm just saying, if they didn't play any games,
that's the significant part of.
Speaker 5 (19:03):
This g that season. Did they not have a shot
to make the playoffs? They had a shot, But he
was also hurt.
Speaker 3 (19:08):
I'm saying the reason they even in the position they
were in was because he missed so many.
Speaker 1 (19:13):
If they didn't want to, if they didn't want them,
all they got to do is say we're not drafting
Bronni under any circumstance, and then you'll really push comes
to shove. We're not going to be strong armed into this.
This is the Lakers, Lebron, Jane will appreciate your accomplishments,
and you're a great player, but we won before you
got here, and we'll win after you leave. And we're
(19:35):
not going to be strong armed in anything. And I'm
just saying they have the leverage if they use it.
Do I think Jenny Jennie Buss will use it? Chris No,
I don't. I think she's saw a genie.
Speaker 5 (19:47):
But I don't think we want to fall off the
face of the earth either.
Speaker 1 (19:49):
They had Kobe and they didn't make the playoffs four
years right, they didn't make the playoffs, but they still.
Speaker 5 (19:58):
That's what he would I too. No, they still sold out.
Speaker 1 (20:02):
They still had people Brooke talking about being irrelevant back baketball,
and they.
Speaker 5 (20:06):
Can easily get back to that.
Speaker 1 (20:08):
Okay, Really you could have a couple of years before
he went there, the Lakers lottery picks.
Speaker 5 (20:14):
How'd that work out?
Speaker 3 (20:16):
They were in basketball Siberia.
Speaker 5 (20:19):
Now, I get it, they're the Lakers.
Speaker 3 (20:21):
They'll always be the Lakers, But I'm saying they were
irrelevant in terms of winning. It's been an undoubted success.
Because here's the thing. Name me the superstar or the
franchise that has more than one championship since Lebron went
to La. Oh, yeah, he only got one. You can
(20:43):
mock it. Oh he's only got one ring. Uh since
he's been in La. Kawhi got one for Toronto. Kawhi
doesn't have another ring. Joanna's got one from Milwaukee. How's
that gone without? Other than that year they won, they
about to get bounced in the first round. They got
bounced in the first round. Last year, Golden State has
won with Steph and then they've missed the playoffs several times.
Speaker 5 (21:09):
Let me finish, I listening to you. Let me finish.
Denver got one with Jokic. We'll see if they get two.
Speaker 3 (21:16):
But I'm just saying the Lakers have essentially been as
successful as any other team. Denver's been bouncing in the
first round two during that stretch with Yokic at his best.
I mean, the Lakers also got to a Western Conference final.
I won't lighten things up and say they won it
(21:36):
in season tournament, but they did. But no, But I'm
just saying, like, yes, it hasn't been Western Conference finals
or championship every year. But when you look at their
success with Lebron compared to every other team in the league,
essentially it's been It's been as successful as anybody because
(21:58):
nobody else has more than the one ring that the
Lakers got. Plus he broke Kareem's record there, that means something.
He broke other record. He became an all time leading
scorer there. That means something.
Speaker 5 (22:12):
So I mean, it's.
Speaker 3 (22:12):
It's ridiculous to say it wasn't a success. Kobe last
four or five years of his career. You said it
missed the playoffs all together in Laker purple and goal.
They go get Brandon Ingram and Lions o'ball and all
these guys, Kyle Kuzma, they're nothing. Lebron comes in there
and that at least they get a freaking ring.
Speaker 5 (22:37):
So I don't see how you don't call it a success.
Speaker 1 (22:41):
I'm just giving you the reasons. I mean, they did
won't the won championship. But Chris, you're talking about all
the other teams. Lebron is supposedly to a lot of
people to go missing the playoffs a couple of times.
He had a Westbrook, he had Anthony Davis, all these
players that he had picked that didn't work out. They
(23:02):
keep changing coaches, keep changing things. All I'm saying to
you is they can't sell any more tickets. Whether Lebron
is here or not, people are going to show up
for the Lakers, whether.
Speaker 5 (23:12):
Lebron is here or not.
Speaker 1 (23:13):
People are gonna watch the Lakers, Chris, whether Lebron is
here or not. All I'm saying is that the Lakers
have leverage against him.
Speaker 5 (23:21):
He wants to be here. He wants to be here.
Speaker 3 (23:24):
Okay, That's all I was addressing. I was addressing whether
or not they've been a success.
Speaker 1 (23:32):
Us.
Speaker 5 (23:32):
That's what I'm talking.
Speaker 3 (23:33):
I don't think it's so No, everybody's been mildly successful.
Nobody's been successful. Nobody thought that when he came here and.
Speaker 1 (23:40):
Got the first round of the playoffs.
Speaker 5 (23:45):
Nobody thought they also.
Speaker 3 (23:46):
Got to the Western Conference finals and also won the championship.
I mean, you can't define their ten years not defined
by a first round exit. I mean, Shack got swept
a numerous times during his career, including as a Laker.
Speaker 1 (24:02):
Zimby considered to go by anybody, stop at Chris.
Speaker 7 (24:07):
Everybody with everybody is supposed to be class. He in
something special. So it's shocking Kobe. So it's Steph.
Speaker 3 (24:18):
I just told you Steph doesn't miss the playoffs several times.
Speaker 5 (24:20):
I don't call Lebron the goat. I mean Michael.
Speaker 3 (24:24):
Jordan missed the playoffs in Washington too, And I mean,
and you're talking about an older Lebron rob.
Speaker 5 (24:32):
Remember we just.
Speaker 3 (24:33):
Talked about how his numbers belayed the fact that he
doesn't have the same impact on the game.
Speaker 5 (24:40):
So he's doing this at an older age.
Speaker 3 (24:44):
I'm just saying he the Lakers have been as successful,
essentially as any other team. Your beats Boston been more
successful because they always get to the.
Speaker 5 (24:53):
Conference finals or the finals and lose.
Speaker 3 (24:57):
Would you rather have that run with Tatum and Brown
or this one with Lebron and a D.
Speaker 5 (25:01):
I take the Lebron in a D one. No, I wouldn't.
Speaker 1 (25:04):
I would take really, I would take.
Speaker 5 (25:09):
I think going forward. I'm talking about going following. I
don't want Lebron and a D. They didn't showed me
that they can't get it. So you're okay, so they
won't win. I'm not convinced that Boston you won't win. Again,
I'm not convinced.
Speaker 3 (25:25):
Are you saying the Lakers should let Lebron walk, absolutely,
and I would help him by saying.
Speaker 5 (25:30):
I'm not taking the beginning. I'm not taking Brownny. He's
a stronger take.
Speaker 1 (25:36):
That's the soft stuff under that circumstances on we drafting Bronny.
Get out of here with that. We're better than that.
We're the Lakers. We're not doing that dog and pony show.
We don't have to do that here because that's all
it is. Let them play somewhere else, let them go
to Utah.
Speaker 3 (25:54):
Yeah, and then see see what happens to the Lakers
next year.
Speaker 5 (25:59):
But you ain't.
Speaker 3 (25:59):
You're gonna bend ad Okay, all right, we'll see.
Speaker 5 (26:04):
I mean, I hear you.
Speaker 3 (26:05):
I don't think Lebron's gonna win another championship in his career.
But I'm just saying there is a value to being
a relevant team. I think the Cowboys, right, we talk
about it. They're not about to win a super Bowl,
but there's a value to what they've been doing the
last few years. Would you rather be them or the
(26:25):
New Orleans Saints? I mean, everybody can't win it every year.
Would you rather be the Lakers where they are now? Disappointed,
upset because you just got bounced or would you rather
be the Lakers where they were in Kobe's last four years,
or with Lionzo and Ingram and Kuzma not making the
(26:48):
playoffs every year?
Speaker 5 (26:50):
He saved the Lakers from Basketball Siberia. It's been a success.
Speaker 2 (26:56):
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 3 (27:08):
A team you and I picked to get to the
Western Conference Finals this year, and I had the caveat
of them being healthy.
Speaker 5 (27:14):
You probably did too. Kawhi Leonard of course out for them.
Speaker 3 (27:17):
But still you got two stars still at least towards
the end of their prime in James Harden and Paul George.
But you wouldn't know it by last night Pivotal Game
five in their first round series with the Dallas Mavericks,
and their two stars were no shows and hints. They
get demolished one twenty three to ninety three. Paul George,
(27:42):
as bad as he was, was the better of the
two fifteen.
Speaker 5 (27:46):
Points eleven boards, that's the good.
Speaker 3 (27:48):
He shot four for thirteen though, and Rob it was
almost like right on time, you know, right right just as.
Speaker 5 (27:57):
You as you could predict.
Speaker 3 (27:59):
Look at James Harden's playoff history talked about it right
on key seven points two of twelve, shooting only two
of two free throws.
Speaker 5 (28:12):
So he wasn't aggressive.
Speaker 3 (28:14):
I can't say, honestly, I thought he looked tentative. But
come on, man, you averaging twenty six points in the series,
fifty four percent shooting. How in the world with your
leading scorer do you out Kawhi Leonard?
Speaker 5 (28:27):
Do you only take twelve shots?
Speaker 3 (28:30):
This has happened time and time again with James Harden,
and it typically is not game one, not game two,
not game three. It's late when the series get big time.
And here we are pivotal game five and Harden's a
no show.
Speaker 1 (28:48):
What are your thoughts, rot, I've seen enough, Chris Bouchard,
And if I was Bamber, Steve Bamer or the billionaire owner.
Speaker 5 (29:00):
I've had enough. Enough Is enough, Chris?
Speaker 3 (29:05):
Just a lot for you to say it because you
are You've been ride or die with these clips.
Speaker 5 (29:09):
I've seen enough. Steve Barmer, is this on?
Speaker 1 (29:13):
This is a message of a personal public announcement to
Steve Balmer.
Speaker 5 (29:23):
It's over.
Speaker 1 (29:25):
Stop chasing a championship. Climb back into the hole that
the Clippers have created in NBA America, and just be
happy that you have a brand new billion dollar building
and make the Clippers fun and in a good night out.
(29:48):
Make it affordable for families to come who can't afford
to go to the Laker games. Throw as many T
shirts and cotton candy bags out as you can and
get people are coming, have a good night. Do not,
under any circumstance sign James Harden. Do not, any under
(30:09):
any circumstance, bring back Westbrook.
Speaker 5 (30:16):
Do not bring back Paul Paul George. Do not do that.
Speaker 1 (30:21):
You already signed Kawhi Leonard. Have him Chris if you
want to do some sign and trades and get some
value back on some young players, young fun, exciting players.
I'm all for it, but give up the ghost because
it ain't happening. You've done everything you can injuries. They
play great one night, they they blow blow up the
(30:44):
next night and give you nothing. It's the most disappointing
and frustrating thing. And if I was a Clipper fan,
and I am not, I would take all of my
stuff to the tallest building in Los Angeles and dump
it off the top. Today the hats, the jackets, the jerseys,
(31:05):
even my Clipper sneakers if they have them, and dump
them off the top of the building Chris and say,
no way, know how am I gonna get involved in
this and wrap myself up with this. I'm done. Steve Balmer,
you should be done too. I know you just built
the building. I know your dream is to win a championship.
(31:25):
It it ain't gonna happen. If you can't win a
championship with what you've done the last four or five
years and all the the energy and effort and money
you put in, it ain't happening. And those guys there,
I'm sorry. James Harden is not getting you a championship,
Paul George is not getting your championship. Westbrook's not getting
(31:48):
your championship, and Kawhi Leonard is not nt getting your championship.
So if you have to hold on to him to
try to sell some tickets and get some young guys
around him that are fun and high flying in a
fast paced style, and after Tylo's done with one more year,
you move on from him.
Speaker 5 (32:06):
And go get some young, energetic coach. Make it a
fun night out.
Speaker 1 (32:11):
Give up the ghost of trying to win a championship
because the window and the gate and the barn and
all those things are closed and it ain't happening.
Speaker 3 (32:23):
Well, I agree with you that it ain't happening. And
what you said sounds good. I mean, that's the Clippers' history.
They were the fun clownish team, the legitimate version of
the Washington Generals or the Harlem Globetrotters, whatever you want.
Speaker 5 (32:41):
To put me the Generals because they weren't winning. They
weren't winning, right. Look, the problem is this.
Speaker 3 (32:50):
They gave Kawhi Leonard a three year, one hundred and
fifty two million dollar contract.
Speaker 5 (33:00):
How much he has left on his.
Speaker 3 (33:04):
Contract after this season. That is the problem of all
the players. And good for Kawhi. God blessed Kawhi Uncle Dennis.
Great job, outstanding work, real talk. Great for them. But
for the Clippers, y'all got suckered. Of all their stars,
(33:30):
I'm just gonna say the three of them. I'm not
gonna include Westbrook, but I could even include Westbrook. Of
the four stars, Kawhi, Paul, George, James Harden, Russell Westbrook,
Rob the last one they should have signed long term
was Kawhi Leonard and obviously he's the best of the bunch,
(33:53):
But that dude can't stay healthy. It's not his fault.
I think he works hard. He tried to really play
this year, and just like last year when he tried
to really play, he broke down in.
Speaker 5 (34:06):
The playoffs or right before the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (34:10):
What in the world do you think the next three
years are gonna look like with Kawhi Leonard. I almost
guarantee you he will miss more games than he plays.
And because he's making such big money, Rock good luck
trying to trade him. I mean, maybe somebody will take him,
maybe later in the contract.
Speaker 5 (34:29):
I wouldn't.
Speaker 3 (34:30):
As good as he is, you can't count on him.
So I agree with you. I would let Paul George walk.
He should want to walk now. It'll be interesting with him.
Rob will he he's from southern California. Does he want
to stay here and just play it out?
Speaker 5 (34:49):
Maybe?
Speaker 3 (34:51):
But Philadelphia will likely go after him if he has
any desire to win a championship, he should go there.
When they offer him the Max play with him being
in MAXI James Harden, Rob, of course.
Speaker 5 (35:07):
I'm not gonna win anything big with him, but I
gotta feel the team.
Speaker 3 (35:13):
I mean, I think with James Harden, I can be relevant.
Of course, not gonna win, but there is a I
do have to pay out some salary. And I know
if Kawhi's out and it's the James Harden show, well
he can put up some numbers. I don't think he
can go thirty four and ten like he used to,
(35:35):
but he can still put on a show.
Speaker 5 (35:37):
He's from so Kyle too.
Speaker 3 (35:40):
I'm not giving him the max, I'm not giving him
too many years, but I think I probably gotta keep
him just because of rebuilds impossible like one, I got
Kawhi's contract that got Norman Powell making a decent amount
of money for the next couple of years. And Rob,
they have hardly in draft picks, that's the thing.
Speaker 5 (36:02):
And none of these guys have trade.
Speaker 3 (36:05):
What kind of picks am I getting for James Harden
if I did a sign in trade, what kind of
picks am I getting for Russell Westbrook? I mean they
are in trouble. I mean they just got a bunch.
Look like you said, Bomber.
Speaker 5 (36:21):
Did what he could. I don't blame him.
Speaker 3 (36:24):
They just can't stay healthy and Harden just Rob, It's
gotta be something something mental.
Speaker 5 (36:31):
It's gotta be nerves.
Speaker 3 (36:33):
I've never seen a player so great come up short
so many times in big moments.
Speaker 1 (36:39):
Keeps happening, and at some point you just got to
accept this just who he is and you can't keep
asking for thinking something else is gonna happen.
Speaker 5 (36:49):
We talk about it all the time.
Speaker 1 (36:50):
I just think at some point you just gotta decide
that we saw it in Brooklyn when that thing didn't work,
they just decided play the younger plays and.
Speaker 3 (37:00):
They're they're relevant the NBA side. Beer, I don't want
to be that if I'm the Clipper.
Speaker 1 (37:06):
I'm just saying, if you're the Clippers other than and
I say Kawhi because I think it would be hard
to trade him, but no other guys. They got no choice.
But then again, uh they did trade. Bradley Beal was traded,
So I always every time, that's always my caveat of Bradley.
Speaker 3 (37:23):
Beal was, yeah, nothing's impossible because Bradley Beal was traded.
Maybe he'll go play with Wimby, maybe he'll go back
to Santi
Hosts And Creators
kelvin washington
Rob Parker
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