When the holidays start to feel a bit repetitive, reach for a sprite winter spiced cranberry. and put your twist on tradition. A bold cranberry and winter spice flavor fusion, Sprite Winter Spice Cranberry is a refreshing way to shake things up this sipping season, and only for a limited time. Sprite. Obey your thirst.
This is The Rich Eisen Show. Hey, everybody. Can't get enough of The Rich Eisen Show? You're in luck. You can find us everywhere.
Watch us weekdays on Disney Plus from noon to 3 Eastern. Miss the show? We've got a podcast so you can listen anytime. But here's the best part. Our YouTube channel.
Subscribe at youtube.com slash rich Eisen Show and you'll never miss a moment.
Now, on with the show. Oh my god, you guys are my favorites. This is The Rich Eisen Show. The one and only. Rich Eisen.
I know what I'm talking about. That's the headline. The Rich Eisen Show. With guest host, Brian Weber. I mean, honestly, he's brilliant.
Brian Weber. I've got a long resume. Google me. It saves time. From the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles.
And now, sitting in for Rich. It's Brian Weber. Welcome to the program, and yes, I am just that delusional and self-important. It is always a pleasure to sit in for Rich and the guys. We're presented by Progressive Insurance.
We've got all the fallout from that wild Monday night game won by the 49ers as they continued their unlikely push to be the top seed in the NFC. Philip Rivers turning back the clock in a losing effort. Because I am older than Philip, and you're never supposed to be transparent about your age when you work in sports media, especially in these challenging times. But I'm going to be upfront with you. I'm a couple years older than Philip, so management has decided to put me on a pitch count.
We're only doing an hour and a half version of the show today before we hand it off to our college football coverage coming up at 1:30 Eastern. It's Toledo taking on Louisville in the Bushes Boca Raton Bowl of Beans, meaning. I speak quickly. I try to be self-aware and not too narcissistic. This is a lot of mentions of me before we jump into the takeaways from undernight football.
I'm under extreme pressure. I have to be as compelling as one of the most skilled broadcasters in our industry, plus Rich roles with the fellas. And I got to do all of this by myself.
So. I read the phone number like a carnival barker because I'm a radio veteran. You know by now, 888 SAESBN, in all candor, since we only have an hour and a half together. Today is not a phone call day. If you want to get interactive, hit me up on the X platform.
My handle is BW Weber. Weber with two B's. In 20 minutes, we've got the fallout from DK Metcalf's two-game suspension for his altercation with a fan in Detroit. Later in the hour, we'll focus on the NBA. I'm back with you tomorrow and Friday as well as we supersize the coverage.
And it really is a distinct honor anytime I can keep the chair warm for Rich. I love the NBA as much as I love the NFL. I said it. Probably why I'm a film hack and not a full-time host.
So, in addition to getting you fully lined up for the five games on the hardwood. Of course, available across the ESPN family of networks and here on ESPN radio, coming up in about 40 minutes. The warriors did not show much holiday spirit last night. Draymond Green and Steve Kerr getting into it. We'll hear from both of the principals, plus.
Is Thursday going to be the last time we see LeBron play on Christmas Day? We will hear from the king. Let's jump right in. With what stood out to me from that wildly entertaining Monday night game.
Now, as a broadcaster, I don't root for teams. I'm looking for compelling things to talk about. And even if that game had been a dud, and thankfully it was not. If you like offense, you came to the right place. Monday Night Football delivered in a major way.
We knew, irrespective of the outcome, that Phillip Rivers would be a major talking point. I'll get there momentarily. If you didn't have a chance to watch the game or the highlights, he certainly looked Much better than he did a week ago, although some of that I think was a byproduct of scheme. And I'm not breaking down the all 22. But since everybody now follows the NFL so closely, you're well aware of the defensive strength of Seattle.
So for Phillip Rivers to be pressed into duty after a five-year layoff, it was the right call. I think The consensus of opinion would agree to have him. Focus much more on the short passing game. You don't want to test the secondary of the mighty Seattle defense, which, in my opinion, has them in position to be the top seed. I think ultimately they're going to beat San Francisco next week to wrap up the regular season.
But I will run through the scenarios because there's nothing better this time of the year. The Nefillan host giving you the A loss plus a tie.
Okay, then we go down to the tiebreakers. It's going to be common opponents.
So, I think a lot of what we saw from Phillip Rivers last week was not only the predictable rust. It was a function of Shane Steichen, who's had the relationship with Philip going back to their time together with the Chargers here in Southern California. As I come to you from our Regal studios at ESPN LA 710 in downtown LA, greatly appreciate the hospitality. The question about Phillip Rivers was. Would he show some arm strength?
And I don't think it was a coincidence that they dialed up a deep ball in the very first play.
Now unfortunately, Philip underthrew that pass because he's 44 years old and was coaching high school players a couple weeks ago. But in no way does that diminish what was just a spectacular watch. And I will not belabor being the old guy, but all of us can say, my goodness, and we're not. Potential Hall of Famers. I think Phillip does get in.
Remember, he was a semifinalist this year, and now the clock restarts for another five years because he's back on the field and he got five more years of NFL insurance to help take care of that brood of children that he has and the grandkids. But just from a human interest standpoint, to see him out on the field slinging it. Making those checks on the line of scrimmage, it was compelling content. As for the 49ers. I don't understand how this team is winning.
Now, let's take the Colts out of the equation. And I'm Brian Weber, Infor Rich. It is a Tuesday edition of the Rich Eyes and Show here on ESPN Radio. We're presented by Progressive Insurance. You can start a conversation with me on social media.
It's B.W. Weber, Weber with Two B's. And in the attempt to not only read my bio, because after all, I'm a talk show host. It's all about me, I'll give you some context. If you've not.
Heard me? Enjoyed me over the years on other platforms, filling in for other hosts. A couple of the Brian Weber shows only lasted about six weeks, but I have been around for more than 10 minutes. I used to be a local sportscaster in the San Francisco Bay Area. I am well versed in the history of the San Francisco 49ers.
I have strong opinions about that proud franchise, and I want to let you know my bias. We strive to be objective, but we're human beings with emotions and feelings. I'm not that big a Brock Purdy supporter.
Now, it's the wrong day to be at that upfront because he was brilliant last night. The caveat on a big word Tuesday is Have you been tracking what's been going on with Indy in terms of their past defense and especially the Sauce Gardner injury? Has he still been sidelined with that calf issue after? The Colts took a big swing and gave up all of that draft capital to bolster their secondary. But In terms of what I thought might happen coming in, because I do like to jot out ideas on pads and I don't try to approach this forum like an account.
Numbers are important, but I'm terrible at math, so maybe it's my own weakness. I don't want to just sit here and spit stats. Especially since we only have ninety minutes and less than that now, as I'm filibustering here. But I knew the Colts had a good run defense. And I looked it up just to confirm.
Coming into that game, they were number one in the league against the run. If you're looking at the yards per carry given-up metric, so I was. Skeptical if the 49ers could run it, and I'm the biggest. Christian McCaffrey fan, you'll meet if you care. We went to the same college a million years ago.
Well, Once more, that guy was dynamic. 117 yards on the ground, two touchdown receptions, and essentially. As Purdy balled out. Career high-five touchdowns. He did throw the pick because remember, it's a little-known FCC guideline.
If Rock Purdy plays on Monday Night Football, he has to throw at least one interception.
Now, Wasn't as bad as that debacle against the Ravens during the holidays a couple years ago, or even. The issues he had with turnovers earlier this year against the much improved Carolina Panthers on Monday Night Football. For those of us who have doubts about purity, He shut me up, at least temporarily. The five touchdown passes, but I think the larger takeaway for the 49ers offensively is.
So long as McCaffrey and Greg Kittle are healthy, They have a chance. Based on their head coach.
Now, something to track moving forward is the availability of Kittle. Because if you watched the game last night, you saw him leave with the ankle problem in the third quarter. Before that, he was hugely impactful. seven grabs, 115 yards, and a touchdown. And I don't want to be.
That simplistic, just to boil it down to a couple of players. But when you consider How decimated The receiving core for the 49ers has been all year long. The fact that McCaffrey has remained healthy changes everything because of his versatility and because. of all the touches that he gets. And McCaffrey being on the field, I think, was a huge reason why Mac Jones was so effective.
Remember, One of the reasons why the 49ers aren't positioned to be the top seed Is they have a head-to-head victory over the Rams on the road on a short week, a Thursday night game here in Southern California with Mac Jones under center. They still won that game in bizarre fashion because, as long as we're not talking about the Super Bowl. Either as a play caller with a 28-3 lead, you see where I'm going here. or having a ten point lead in the Super Bowl as a head coach, Kyle Shanahan is your guy. He's one with TJ Befford.
He's won with Nick Mullins. He's won with Jimmy Garoppolo. I mentioned Jones. And he's coaching up Purdy.
So as we look ahead, it's all in front of the 49ers. win outs and there's only two games left, they're the top seed in the NFC. But if you want to talk about degree of difficulty. They will Start the countdown to kick off now in preparation for a marquee matchup on Sunday night against the first place Bears. Both teams have already clinched playoff spots, and then ultimately could all come down to the regular season finale in Santa Clara, a rematch against the Seahawks, who the 49ers beat week one.
setting the tone for this unpredictable season. I'll be as honest as I can be. When I saw the combination of Warner and Bosa going down. Coupled with all of the injuries of the wide receiver position, I thought the 49ers were dead. That's bad on me.
And it should teach me, after all these years of barking into a microphone, the value of coaching. And we're seeing it across the league. Why is Bo Nix in position with all of his liabilities, as we saw against Jacksonville in that hugely important game on Sunday? Bo with a couple costly turnovers.
Well, why is he leading Denver, potentially being the top seed in the AFC? I think the Coaching acumen on the big word Tuesday of Sean Payton has a lot to do with that. We're seeing it in Chicago, Ben Johnson and Caleb, a brilliant partnership. We're seeing it in Jacksonville. Liam Cohn got crushed for saying.
To vow But this guy might be a miracle worker because suddenly now Trevor Lawrence is the premier touchdown machine in all of football.
So to boil it down to the 49ers. I don't think they're going to win their last two games. If you care about my opinion, I think Seattle gets them to wrap up the division and the top seed. But the fact that this team is in position to have a shot at being the number one seed, has already clinched a playoff spot, is just a false. Phenomenal coaching job once more by Kyle Shanahan getting more from less and They're just healthy enough.
Although we're looking for the update on Kiddo, he said after the game, he did not believe it would be the dreaded high ankle spray. If you're a 49er fan, let me know your thoughts. I didn't crush your team. I try to be balanced and open-minded. Other than I throw out my bias that I'm just not a huge Brock Purdy believer, but you got to give the money to somebody in this league with a salary cap.
And Purdy had done enough to quote unquote deserve that high-level compensation. We can have the conversation on the X platform. It is B.W. Weber, Weber with two B's. I have much more in terms of takeaways from Philip Rivers' performance last night.
We'll use that as a device to kick off hour number two of the program. We'll keep the NFL conversation going. I hit on the NFC, at least the top of that conference, so we'll shift our focus to the AFC straight ahead. Plus, with the NFL announcing a two-game suspension for DK Metcalf after his altercation with a fan that the league hit it right. Just getting warmed up on a Jam-Pack Tuesday.
I'm Brian Weber in for Rich and the Guys. It's the Rich Eisen Show on ESPN Radio. The Rich Eisen Show Podcast. Not a special edition of Headbangers Ball. It is the Rich Eisen Show.
Brian Weber with you. 888, say ESPN, but As I do my best to take you beyond Just the normal sports talk radio machinations. Probably not a great Call day. If you want to express an opinion, Slide over to the X platform. Don't slide into my DMs, but hit me up on, I'll say Twitter.
I don't get paid by Elon. My Twitter handle is BW WebberWebber with two B's. ESPM Radio is presented by Progressive Insurance, CY over forty three million drivers. Trust Progressive to stay protected on the road. See for yourself at Progressive.
com. Coming up in twenty minutes. I do want to talk NBA because Rich, while he is the face of NFL Network, First employee, my former colleague. If you have any idea of who I am, it might be because I hosted the show at three o'clock in the morning here in Southern California.
So clearly, my career has taken off since then. But What I really respect about Rich, and I'm not just throwing out these platitudes because he's kind enough to allow me to guest host. He doesn't just talk football. every hour every day and I'm not going to be naive. I understand the NFL crushes everything in its path, but if you want a thermonuclear hot take, The NBA has a better schedule on Christmas than the NFL.
Have you looked at the games? Just give you a quick little preview. It's Dallas against Washington. Both teams, of course, eliminated from playoff consideration. Detroit is in free fall.
Slight chance of still making the playoffs against Minnesota, already eliminated from playoff possibilities. In the third game, because now it's a triple header, because we just can't get enough NFL in our lives. The Kansas City Chiefs, and I do this for a living, and I have no life. It's probably coming through so far. I watch preseason football.
is my job after all.
So I am aware of who this guy is. And I know we have Chiefs fans as part of our production team.
So when I blow this name, I'm going to get some snide reaction. Chris, say quickly, Ola Doukin Is the third string quarterback? It's been a rash of unfortunate ACL injuries. Down goes the American hero Gardner Minshew after Mahomes limped off the field. At last, there's meaning, though, because Denver now has made things much more interesting, atop.
The standing's in the AFC, but if they can't beat Kansas City with nothing to play for and a third-string quarterback, Then I can do the, you think I have doubts about Brock Purdy. I am not a Bo Knicks guy at all. Nothing wrong with being a system quarterback. But we're seeing, I think, especially if you contrast The inconsistency from Nick's Again, I don't get bogged down by numbers, but I look at the basic overall efficiency ratings. Far less efficient than last year.
Yeah, they're winning like Chicago because they're finding miraculous endings, but. If you're just going to line up the resumes or the eyeball test of Drake May next to Bo Nick's, who looks better to you? Talking much more AFC coming up. And a quick footnote to the Phillip Rivers discussion, which is going to be the focal point of the start of the next hour. It is interesting to me, and if you're a Niger fan, here's where maybe you have a few more concerns.
Philip Rivers. was able to dissect that secondary fairly well. Even when he underthrew the ball, you look at the numbers, 277, a touchdown to Lake Pick, that sealed the Niner win when D. Winters took it the distance for the 75-yard pick six. But if Rivers In start number two at the age of 44, after a five-year layoff, could do that.
Against the 49ers defense. And again, Context matters. No warner, although Fred's a warrior, gladiator's trying to get back for the playoff push. I think as importantly, no Boso, the Warner, really the heart and soul of that defense. If you're from the San Francisco point of view, We already saw what Matthew Stafford did not too long ago against the Niners.
That, I think, is the key concern, but.
somehow, some way, they're in position to Win the division and maybe With that, lock up homefield advantage throughout the playoffs in the NFC. In 15 minutes, we'll make the move to the NBA. Draymond Green, another incident. This time his coach was involved. We've got all the particulars.
I was amazed at the production that CBS was able to pull off. Sunday. I'm here in Southern California. Like many of you, I ride the red zone, but when there's a game I'm primarily interested in, I'll make that the second screen experience.
So I had. The Steelers and Lions on, we got that as our local game. And I'm glad I had it because I had to figure out that insane ending. And I I'm a recovering wrestling fan, okay? And you don't need to know all my foibles, but in a pre-internet world, And I was semi-intelligent as a kid.
I knew it was choreographed. Never say script. It is sports entertainment. But what I love was the theatrics.
So the WWF then, they can sue me if they want because it was a WWF, had a ring announcer named Howard Finkel. And one of his cool moves would be when the Title appeared to change. The winner of the match. And they'd pause. By disqualification, and now there's no championship change.
That was the same thing as the ending in Detroit when the referee said the ruling on the field is touchdown, and they went wild. And then he finally was able to spit out that that was a correct. Offensive pass interference call against Amon Ra's St. Brown. I didn't love the first OPI, as we say in the business.
Remember, That happened not once, but twice. I thought the pick play is just what happens in football. A little bit too heavy-handed by the zebras, but. As CBS is documenting everything that had happened in a game that was filled with twists and turns. Credit the cameraman who saw something developing with DK Metcalf now.
My concern is this. And I've worked in sports broadcasting long enough to know, especially with game coverage, we're talking about the top 1% of production people. If you are. Part of that A-team on CBS, as much as Tony Romo is regressing, you are brilliant at your job. Not only do you have The dexterity to get the camera shot you need to anticipate things.
So, somebody saw DK going to a spot he should not have been at. My question is. Where was security? And we've all seen that internet meme from the soccer match with the geriatric guy who's pretending to frisk fans coming in. I understand.
I'm a fan of the working men. If you're not making big money, you're not going to put your body on the line as a security guard. But I was just surprised nobody in a yellow jacket came over to prevent. What occurred from happening. And by now, I think you know what I'm talking about because the whole nation saw it happen live.
Andrew Brandt is a terrific sports business analyst. Former member of the ESPN team, and I want to give attribution because there's too much stealing going on in our business. He tweeted. At halftime. Given how, and I'm paraphrasing here, hands-on the league office has gotten with video review because now we get all of these things from New York, as was the case with that absolutely insane two-point conversion review.
I'm not going all the way back to Thursday in detail, but. You should know what I'm alluding to. With the lateral that nobody realized was a lateral real time until the teams were lining up for the kickoff, and then New York buzzed. Andrew was saying he was surprised that New York did not let the officials know what the whole world saw. And they Didn't kick out Metcalf at halftime, but I think that would have probably gone beyond the guidelines that the league has set up.
Although it feels like now they're completely making it up as they go along when it comes to the replay assist. I'm Brian Weber in for Rich Eisen. Let's have a conversation on the X platform, B.W. Weber, Weber with two B's. In less than 15 minutes, we make the move to the NBA.
We'll get you fully lined up for Thursday's slate of games. I realize it's Christmas, but when you work during a holiday week, I'm mentally reminding myself what day of the week it is. And we'll hear from both Draymond Green. and Steve Kerr after they had a little bit of a dust up last night in the San Francisco Bay Area. The news broke predictably late yesterday afternoon, East Coast time, that the NFL dropped the hammer on D.K.
Metcalf after, and I'm trying to choose my words carefully here. I'll go with a wire copy. An altercation occurred with a fan.
Now, If you want to tell like it is. DK threw a punch at him and he grabbed his shirt.
Now? We don't know what that fan said. We also have the reports that this same individual DK has apparently a history with that. Metcalf reported this person to Seahawk Security a year ago.
So we don't know the back story. We don't know the particulars of the conversation. We can guess he said something outrageous. And I can understand the reaction, but you see the league's response because, and this is not a deep, penetrating observation, as a filma knows, you can't throw a punch at a fan.
Now Background and perspective are important. This was not the malice at the palace, even though it was close geographically to Auburn Hills. This was not Vernon Maxwell losing his mind back in the day going into the stance. I'll go old school. nineteen seventy nine 'Cause I grew up loving hockey.
Rangers, ooh la la, actually went to the Cup final that year, losing to Montreal. I can close my eyes and see Ron Dougay in a pair of Sassoon jeans. I hope you're not closing your eyes while you're driving. But that year, the Rangers and the Brewers went all Brewins, went all time incredible fan involvement when they had a brawl that spilled into the stands at MSG, and one of the Bruins took a shoe off a fan and started hitting him with it.
So I'm not hoping those days come back, but I'm just trying to give you the overview. We have seen a lot worse. But in no way am I justifying what D K Metcalf did. You're a professional. You have everything to lose.
You have to control your emotions. Even if this guy said something reprehensible. I thought it would be a one-game suspension, especially with the wave of suspensions this year for things that in the past would have typically warranted a fine. I think ultimately we'll get to that single game because the NFL with the two-game finding has left themselves some wiggle room because with the appeal coming from DK, the third-party independent arbiter can say, let's split the difference, make of the game. If you care about the financial hit, it's 550 grand if it's a couple game checks.
I have seen the scenario out there, and I just want you to know what is possible, but I think highly unlikely. And this is really wonky, so let me do it quickly. Based on his contract language, Metcalf. Technically now has voided the $25 million that was guaranteed for next year because of a suspension. I don't think the Steelers are going to be that punitive.
That's not how they're run. Also, They got DK to be their lead receiver because They didn't believe in George Pickens anymore, more to the point they were tired of him.
So, if you want to have a larger conversation about the culture of the Steelers, you can point out. I mentioned Pickens being Less than congenial in the locker room. I'll keep it nice. It's the holidays, after all. We can go back to everything involving Antonio Brown, Le'Veon Bell, you see the pattern here.
So if you want to. Take a shot at Mike Tomlin. Who did it again? What can you count on in life? Death Jackson and Mike Tomlin having a non-losing season.
In fact, it's going to be a winning season because they got that ninth win. Against Detroit in that crazy finish. If you're anti-Mike Tomlin, you say, He runs too loose of a locker room. This is a reflection of the culture. I'm not going to hang this on Mike Tomlin.
It's not Mike Tomlin's responsibility. A, for DK Metcalf not to go over there to get hooked, and then secondarily to lose his emotional control and to throw that punch. But if we're just talking about impact on the field, Let's say it's a single game. Because if it's two games, it gets potentially interesting. If you haven't looked ahead, that's okay.
Part of my job responsibility. The Steelers match up against the Browns. Only real interesting thing from the Cleveland point of view is: well, Miles Garrett. Get that additional sack and change. He's looking for to break Michael Strahan's record and then.
A game that was circled a month ago. It is the Ravens and the Steelers coming up to wrap up the regular season. But what condition is Baltimore going to be in when we get there? Roughly 10 days from now. If you watch the Sunday night game, it was tough to.
Watch Lamar go down that way, and he's clearly not been close to 100%. I filled in throughout the Thanksgiving weekend, so I was on the air the day after. We also saw Baltimore's defense get shredded by Joe Burrow, as we saw again on Sunday night. Drake May looking terrific in that comeback effort.
So that's Baltimore's major issue. They're not the Ravens defensively anymore, but Lamar is a shell of himself physically. Because a month ago, remember every week we would hear, well, he's not practicing Wednesday, but he's going to give it a go. Toe injury, hamstring, knee, and then he took that vicious shot. To his back.
I'm a big Lamar fan. I understand there's still a mathematical possibility that Baltimore could win that division, although it is unlikely. I would prefer that the ravens proceed with an abundance of caution And it's it's up to the conversation internally between Harbaugh and Lamar, but I have no issue if Lamar decides to shut it down or they come to that. conclusion collectively, unless you think Harbaugh's coaching for his job, I don't That's not the culture. Of the raven still.
If you just want to look at the facts. Been a long time since 2013 when the Ravens won that Super Bowl, when the lights went out in New Orleans. How do I know? I was there, as Kosel said a million years ago. They haven't even made it back to the Super Bowl since.
18 year run is a lifetime. in a league that the initials used to stand for not for long. And over the last handful of years, you can argue the Ravens had the most complete roster. at least in the AFC, and I'm still Confused? About what happened in that AFC championship two years ago when they just decided not to run at all.
At home against the Chiefs.
So there are. I think legitimate reasons to say it's been a wonderful run. Thank you so much, John Harbaugh. But 18 seasons is enough. You're not a Supreme Court justice.
You're not part of the College of Cardinals. This is not a lifetime appointment. But that'll be something we get to as we get closer to Black Monday. I'm Brian Weber, aimed for Rich and the Guys. A quick thought on the Steelers because I do think they're going to win the division.
And with that. And I have no issue with this because now we have to reinvent everything, and I see. The naysayers who say, all right. Why do division champions host a playoff game? For example, whoever wins the NFC South, does Carolina really, quote unquote, deserve to host a playoff game?
Yes. Because division championships have to mean something. The same reason why people losing their minds about two teams from the group of five making it to the playoff and predictably getting hammered, although. If Facts matter. Check out the final score of Oregon James Madison.
I know those touchdowns came in garbage time. They lost by fewer points than SMU did to Penn State and Tennessee from the mighty SEC did when they got annihilated by Ohio State. But for the people who were losing their mind about that, It was a byproduct of the system. An anomaly. The changes have already been made.
We'll never get two teams from the group of five. If you want to exclude them entirely, that's a separate dialogue, and then we're getting the lawyers involved. But In terms of structuring the NFL playoffs, I just don't want to throw the best teams out there with the records and seed them that way. Division play has to matter.
So the Steelers as division champs potentially hosting a playoff game, can they finally win a playoff game? That is Forward Promotion. I'll let you know coming up. At the top of the hour, when we return to the NFL, more thoughts on Philip Rivers looking spry despite being 44 years old. Did you see Steve Young saying at 64 he believes he could go out there and throw a screen pass or two because that is the mindset of a champion quarterback.
Brian Weber, Infor Rich. I mentioned in passing, I'm a huge NBA fan, not just a corporate chill, looking forward to the five NBA games on Christmas Day across the ESPN family of networks and here on ESPN Radio. Draymond went Draymond, and this time his coach was involved. We'll hear from both Green and Steve Kerr. Plus, LeBron has weighed in.
What are his comments that will play for you coming up about Competing on Christmas suggests about the future of the King. A lot more to get to on a busy Tuesday. I appreciate the company as I do my best to defend Rich's stellar brand. I'm Brian Weber, In for Rich. It's The Rich Eyes and Show on ESPN Radio.
The Rich Eisen Show, the podcast. I'm Weber, always having a great time whenever I am fortunate enough to sit in for Rich and the guys. We'll do it again tomorrow, and that'll be a full show if you're just joining us. And I know the audience is always changing on radio. Especially during the holidays, a truncated edition of the program.
Just 90 minutes today as we take you up to The continuation of bowl season on ESPN Radio coming up at 1:30 Eastern. It's Toledo against Louisville. Remember, Louisville. one of the teams that beat Miami in the regular season. We'll get you all the pageantry and the play-by-play of the bushes.
Boca Raton, bowl of beans. In less than 15 minutes, back to the NFL. More thoughts on what we saw from Phillip Rivers last night. I will steal. From our colleagues on GetUp.
I saw the topic, I'll give you the answer. The graphics at the Chiron in the industry. Any chance Phillip Rivers returns for next season? Dot, dot, dot. And I owe your thoughts on the Steelers actual playoff outlook when I think it's a foregone conclusion, but let's just give me the out.
If they make it to the playoffs, is this the year? For the first time since the 2016 season, Mike Tomlin finally wins a playoff game. I am not belaboring the point that I think basketball is aesthetically a better sport than football.
Now, I'm not a fool. As much as I sound like one. And I mentioned, if you know me at all, it's because of my affiliation with the National Football League. I got checks from 345 Park Avenue when I launched the morning show on NFL Network for four years. I did a Red Zone radio show, very proud of our production team.
Seven hours commercial-free throwing to the radio calls around the league.
So. Having said all that, I don't need that much football on Christmas Day because I love the NBA and the league, arguably. has never had a better distribution of talent Coast to coast. It's not the Celtics and Lakers every year like it was. A million years ago.
And I I'm fascinated by the ebbs and flows of dynasties.
So. Looking forward to Five games coming up. On Christmas Day. If you've not glanced at the schedule, I got you covered. I'm not going to go game by game, but The glamour matchup, in my opinion, Spurs and Thunder, San Antonio proving that they match up better with the reigning champs than anybody else because you got the Wemby home room dynamic and all the young talent to Come back.
Two The defensive challenge that many teams have facing OKC, Spurs have young dudes. We're talking young guys like Ron Harper's kid, just straight out of Rutgers, the number two overall pick. They can hang athletically with everything that SGA and company have to offer. And in fact, those teams are playing tonight. in terms of a preview for what's coming up on Christmas, and remember San Antonio, one of just three teams to beat the Thunder.
They got that done. in the greatness of the NBA Cup. The Warriors talking about dynasty shifting are clearly a dynasty in decline. They're going to take on the Mavs coming up on Christmas. It'll be the subplot of Clay Thompson.
On the other side of the floor, from his former teammates Steph Curry and Draymond Green. I fully understand the value and meaning of Draymond Green to the Warriors' dynastic run. Perfect fit in terms of intensity and energy. I also think he's maximized his skill set. At the same time, I have an issue with his lack of emotional control.
And I fully get that athletes have to push themselves. To get the most out of their bodies and to Get out there 82 times in the regular season, but You are what you consistently do. We've seen this so many times from Draymond that he just cannot control his emotions. Last night, another. Back and forth with an official.
Then he goes to the bench, and then he and Steve Kerr got into it. In fact, it got so intense that Draymond went back to the locker room for a while, then came back. And of course, that was the first question posed to the principals here, Steve Kerr, after the game. We got into it obviously and and um You know, I took the time out just because I thought we lost our focus there a little bit and um.
So we had it out a little bit, and you know, he made his decision to Go back to the locker room to cool off and um That's all I'm going to say about it. It's uh everything everything is private and um Yeah, I got nothing further to add. Would you I mean he didn't play the last 20 minutes. Would you have gone back to it? No, no, no, he wasn't he wasn't going back yet.
And was that a decision by him or you?
Well, he left. He went back to the locker room. Temper spilled over and. I just thought it was best that I got it there. I don't think there was a situation where it was gonna get better.
So it was just best to re remove myself, you know. Um That's it. What caused the argument? Basketball. Who knows?
Yeah. Quite honestly, if everybody's okay with being 15 and 15, then it's just... Whoop-de-doo.
Okay. They can talk to me when they're 41 and 41. Can't be whoop-dee-doo when you 15 or 15.
Something gotta give.
Now, you know, because Draymond is a skilled businessman, he's probably going to patent whoopy-doo and sell some t-shirts as well. I give him credit for walking away, but the point is, he has gone through these situations over and over and over again. He's been enabled for years. I would have parted ways with him after the Jordan Poole incident, but the Warriors understand his value in that locker room. But I think at this point, they've had virtually enough of him.
Changes are coming to the Warriors one way or another. How about LeBron James? Remember last year he made a point of saying when the NFL made the move to Christmas that Christmas is our day? You might not have heard this comment because it happened late Saturday night here in Southern California after the Lakers lost to the Clippers. LeBron weighing in on Christmas and perhaps an evolving mindset.
Why is Christmas basketball still so important to you? I thought these years. Still important to me? Yeah. Why does it matter?
Yeah. Oh, yeah.
Okay, that's a better question. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'd much rather be at home with my family. But I mean, it's a game. It's the game I love.
It's a game I watched when I was a kid on Christmas Day, watching a lot of the greatest play the game on Christmas. It's always been an honor to play it. Obviously, I'm going to be completely honest. I would like to be home on the couch with my family all throughout the day. But my number is called, our number is called, so we have to go out and perform.
And we look forward to that.
Well, that's certainly different than 360-odd days a year ago when he was the spokesman for the league. LeBron is very shrewd. LeBron is calculating, and when LeBron says something, he does it with intent. Couple things. He, I believe, wants everyone to be well aware.
He's not going to be around forever. And he he wants to be cherished and embraced and He dropped this over the weekend, understanding guys like me on the radio and all the pregame shows will make this a talking point. I can fully anticipate when you tune in. On the ESPN family of networks to watch the game between the Lakers and the Rockets. That's going to be topic number one: Is this the last time we'll see LeBron play on Christmas Day?
I'm Brian Weber in for rich. Coming up as we ease into the second hour of the program back to the NFL. How realistic. Are the possibilities that the 49ers are going to lock up the top seed in the NFC based on their comprehensive win last night? And any chance Phillip Rivers is back next year?
That's coming up here on the Rich Eisen show. The Rich Eisen Show Podcast. Mm-hmm.
