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Bottom up bottom. This is The Rich Eisen Show. Hey, everybody. Can't get enough of The Rich Eisen Show? You're in luck.
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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. Don't know how much brilliance has been on display today, but hopefully a workmanlike effort. powering our way into the final hour of the program. I read the phone number beyond being a carnival barker.
Two, invite you to weigh in 844-204-RICH. 844-204-7424-8. If you are not a femme And I understand, as my late mother used to say, Brian, you're a lot. I'm an acquired taste. I got great news for you.
Rich is back tomorrow. Rich and the Fellows making their way to Pittsburgh. Show back on the air on the simulcast on Disney Plus tomorrow. Getting fully lined up for the NFL draft, which we're going to talk more about draft presently to start this last hour of the program. And a reminder.
Everything gets underway on Thursday, two days from now, 8 Eastern. ESPN, ABC. Rich and his team on NFL Network, and of course here on ESPM Radio. In 20 minutes, we'll return to the NBA. I'm trying my best to.
B Even-handed with the distribution of content today, Because as we get this close to the draft, we got to hit the NFL hard. But. The NBA postseason Suddenly got interesting. After all of the dominance by home teams heading into the conclusion of Sunday, you saw the magic not only beat the Pistons, but totally control that game. Detroit never led at home.
And then last night, depending on how you want to view things, and of course, we always go positive in sports talk radio, no negativity in these streets. He either had a pair of amazing comebacks put together by the Hawks and Timberwolves, or two. Colossal. Collapses by the Knicks. Blowing another 14-point lead.
In the playoffs at home for the second straight year. And then by the Nuggets. We were getting into some granular detail to wrap up the last hour of the program. We'll get back to the hoops in 20 minutes when we're joined by Mike Vorkhanoff. Of the Athletic used to be their Knicks beat rider.
Now he covers the national scene.
So we'll get. Thoughts on where the Knicks go from here? In addition to The headline That emerged just before we went on the air. I mentioned it in passing, but I know the audience always changes, especially when you have. A guest toast.
It's three, two. That's not rich. Goodbye. And thank you for staying with me. One sentence.
One paragraph. One dissertation at a time. Billy Donovan steps down. As head coach of the Bulls, not a shock given their massive overhaul that is underway. Plus, they had the front office shake-up a couple of weeks ago.
It is interesting to me that. According to reports, he could have had the North Carolina job if he wanted it. We'll talk about Billy's future. and where the Bulls might be looking to Hire a new head coach when we check in with Mike Vorkhanoff coming up. And then.
In forty-five minutes. It's a return of something that Might qualify as the longest relationship that I've had in my adult life. A segment's very sad commentary. A segment we call World Wide Weber. It is a challenge to be a solo host.
That's why I try to give you a lot of. Topics, a lot of strong opinions. And a lot of entertainment as well. Those are the goals at least. But occasionally I overlook some stuff.
We will rectify that when super producer James Steele joins me to log on to the World Wide Web. Let us get back to the NFL. Aaron Rodgers is a quirky dude, right? I don't have to do a whole long Aaron Rodgers rant. But You are what you consistently do.
You might have heard me say that more than once in this program. That, along with your best ability, is availability. are a couple of my favorite bro mides. Not clichés, but Time honored. Turns of phrase.
Is anybody surprised? That Aaron Rodgers is holding. The Steelers hostage again? Haven't we seen this movie before over and over and over again? And I realize.
I should make sure my range of references is no Deeper than a year ago. And that's even pushing the envelope. I shouldn't go back two weeks ago because people just don't care about history anymore, and the audience is never wrong. If you just want to Go old timey, you're gonna be. On your own in this business, but a year ago, we had all the conversation about Willie or Won't he?
And what do you know? Rogers came back. He played. Effectively, I won't overhype things, but he was the starting quarterback for a team.
Now limped into the postseason. With a lot of help from The Ravens' new kicker, but again, that is ancient history.
So we're going through this again, even though Steelers owner Art Rudy said. Last month. His expectation would Be this, paraphrasing the owner of the Steelers. We're going to have clarity on Aaron this year, one way or the other, prior to the draft. Draft is Thursday, today is Tuesday.
Dan Orlovsky, of course you see him everywhere on the SPN, weighed in on NFL Live addressing if the Steelers should hedge things and draft a quarterback while they wait for Aaron to make his decision. I don't think Aaron's decision should impact what the Steelers do in the draft. I do believe the Steelers should be in the quarterback conversation in this draft. I also believe that Aaron Rodgers is going to be their starting quarterback. At some point, we have to get younger at the position and take a shot at a younger player and see if they could potentially be the future.
Now, this is also a team that was slow last year. And so if you're the Pittsburgh Steelers and you don't like Ty Simpson, the young man out of Alabama, then go get more athletic at the safety position. Improve the interior offense of your offensive line. But I don't think Rodgers' decision should determine whether they take a quarterback in any round, let alone in the first round. And remember, if you've been paying attention.
Dan, who always has strong analysis because of all the tape that he watches, is very high. on Ty Simpson, higher than a lot of folks. who are in the chattering class, Steelers are sitting at number 21 in the first round. Doesn't it feel like every year they're at number 21? Because in the Mike Tomwin era, and there's news about the former head coach of the Steelers, it feels odd to say that.
It's official. He is joining our business.
Well, not my business, I'm a guest host. Going to be in Attalus for NBC's NFL coverage. And they certainly had the opening with Tony Dungy stepping aside.
So Tom Wundt feels like he can't miss in our business. Interesting in advance. I'll produce on the fly how he's going to be used. I think he'll be better in shorts. doses like we see.
In his post-game press conferences, his media sessions. I'm not sure. And maybe Mike has a different side of his personality that he's been. Withholding. But based on everything we've seen for the eon that he served as head coach of the Steelers.
quick strong opinions plus He's out of central casting in terms of the optics. Guy looks like a football coach with Everything going on with his facial mannerism.
So I think he's going to be a star in our business. The question then becomes: how long does he want to do TV? Is this a Bill Cower situation? I know that's the obvious comp. Former Steeler head coach.
He's been on. CBS now for decades, or is this more like the Sean Payton slide in? Pick up the checks and get back into coaching. Time will tell. As for the Steelers, coming up.
This week. Is there a possibility that Aaron is just playing all of us for? Maximum attention. Is there a chance he shows up on draft night? You talk about a pop.
Like WrestleMania over the weekend. I guess I don't think he's gonna drop in. like Crow Sting back in the day. But with Aaron, who knows?
Now here's what we do know. He's forty two years old. I said he played adequately last year, better than with the Jets, but that's understandable, even with the Steelers' offensive challenges, better supporting cast and a year removed from coming back from the Achilles. But at forty two, Really, it comes down to motivation. Why does he want to continue playing?
Well, never. Gravitate too far from following the money. And I didn't look it up. He's made hundreds of millions of dollars. Not Matthew Stafford money, but certainly right there because Stafford.
Had the powerball impact of being a number one overall pick. And according to reports, he's going to get paid again by the Rams. And this time he'll show up at OTAs coming off. Their near run to the Super Bowl and falling just short in the NFC title game. Here in Southern California, that loss was in Seattle.
Of course, I'm Brian Weber in for Rich. Appreciate you spending time with us on this Tuesday edition of the program coming up in less than 15 minutes. More NBA playoff conversation when we're joined by Mike Vorkhanoff of the Athletic. But even though he's got generational wealth. On an exponential level.
If you have a lot of money. Seems like a lot of these guys want more. And Aaron Rodgers, according to reports, wasn't thrilled. He only made 13 million bucks last year. Which was?
Roughly 2122. Among starting quarterbacks in terms of of their Annual salary. According to those reports, he wants in the neighborhood of 30 million. That's a good neighborhood to be in.
So. Is this slow playing again all about money? If so, he's doing the right thing by staying away. Let's say. The Steelers shock us all and take Ty Simpson.
with the 21st pick. Look. How many people thought they were going to take Kenny Pickett? And we know how that worked out.
So The draft is king because of its unpredictability. But wherever that possibility were to come into focus, whether it's in the first round, whether it happens in the second round, if they take Simpson or somebody else. Is that a signal to Aaron? That I don't want to be part of this mentoring process. I don't want to be there.
Because he's made hundreds of millions of dollars and he's 42 years old, would he view that as a development that tells him? I'm good. Either I just won't announce anything, not re-sign with the Steelers. Here. Wait things out.
And inevitably, because we know that the injury rate in this league is 100%. A contending team sees their starter go down, and then Aaron decides to come back. In November, December, whenever it happens. A ton of options as always. But however it develops.
We're in the exact same situation as a year ago, and I don't think it's a coincidence. I was an enormous Aaron Rodgers fan. He lost me as he became either more vocal Or quirkier. I don't know if he's always had these opinions or just decided he was more comfortable in expressing them. But that's just my reaction.
Some people like strawberry ice cream, others like vanilla. But before the end of his run in Green Bay and everything that's happened since. I put him right there with John Elway as the two most skilled quarterbacks, not the best, skilled quarterbacks in my lifetime. And I'm older than my energetic. delivery would suggest.
Now At the end of his career. Does he have the motivation to come back for one more year? I don't think Mike McCarthy has anything to do with that decision. Nor do I think the Steelers hired him. Under the notion that this will be the catalyst to get Aaron back for one more year.
I think, as far as I can tell, they hired him. Because he's a Yenser and his old man owned a bar. Me, why else are you hiring Mike McCarthy at this stage of his career? What did he do? And I realized he had double-digit.
wins in multiple seasons in Dallas. But that's Dallas. I don't have to get back to their postseason history. Was he done since that? Super Bowl he won with Aaron Rodgers, but I'm getting off the expressway here.
All told. One more reason to keep it dialed in heading into round one of the draft. Will there be the big reveal? Will Aaron come out? to hundreds of thousands of people cheering his name or Is he gonna wait?
And see what the Steelers do. If they draft his successor, does he even want to be a part of that situation? Another reason why the NFL is king, there are so many things to dissect. I'm Brian Weber, Infra Rich. Last call for phone calls: 844-204-RICH, 844-204-7424.
Conversation never stops on the X platform. My handle is BW Weber, Weberwood2Bs. Up next, more MBA.
Now that Billy Donovan has stepped down, where the bulls looking in terms of who will be their next head coach. And How do the Knicks try to compartmentalize and bounce back from that debacle last night at home against the Hawks? We will cover it all when we're joined by Mike Vorkanoff of the Athletic. I'm Brian Weber as we continue on this Tuesday edition of The Rich Asen Show. Oh, oh, oh.
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Oh, oh, oh, O'Reilly. Auto parts. Rich Eisen here. Every time I travel for a major sports moment, whether it's a playoff run or a huge prime time matchup, I see firsthand what happens to a city. Hotels fill up fast, energy builds, everyone wants to be part of it.
Now imagine that. On a global scale, the FIFA World Cup is coming this summer, people, and with it, thousands of fans traveling to host cities across the country. If you happen to live in one of those cities and you're planning to be away, maybe you've got your own summer trip lined up. This could be a practical opportunity. While you're gone, you could list your space on Airbnb and welcome traveling fans who want to experience the FIFA World Cup in person.
You're not changing your routine. You're not committing to anything year-round. You're simply making the most of a moment when your city is in the global spotlight. I know when I'm on the road for a huge event, having a comfortable home base makes all the difference. And that's what fans will be searching for.
If you've ever thought about listing your space, this summer is a great time as we welcome FIFA World Cup fans. Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at airbnb.com slash host. For some of us, personal finances aren't just personal. They include a lot more people than ourselves.
Loved ones, neighbors, the communities we call home, and the causes we hold in our hearts. At Thrive Ent, we help plan your financial picture with the bigger picture in mind. Because even though our business is helping guide your finances, our ambition is to make it mean so much more. ThriveEnt, where money means more. Connect with us at Thrivingt.com.
The Rich Eisen Show Podcast. Weber back with you, always a blast. Whenever I'm lucky enough to sit in for Rich and the guys, it's the Rich Eisen Show. They're on their way to Pittsburgh. Back with you tomorrow to get you fully lined up for the draft, which, of course, gets underway.
With round one on Thursday. But the NBA playoffs are heating up, so for analysis. Always a pleasure to talk hoops with Mike Vorkhanoff, former Knicks beatriner, now a national basketball reporter for the athletic. Mike, how are you? I'm great, how are you doing?
I am doing well. Let me ask you to help me out with today's news. Not a stunner, but it's official, Billy Donovan stepping down as Bulls head coach. Your reaction, and what do you think the Bulls do now? What names could they target to take that job?
My reaction is: I think I was just kind of. I don't think surprised, just the timing of it more so than anything else that had been.
Some thought that Billy Donovan could leave the Bulls. at some point this offseason. Maybe it seemed a little less likely after that. press conference by the Bulls CEO Michael Reinsdorf a few weeks ago, but Now he gets to go find a new start, and maybe he gets to coach a you know, a winning team or a team with a chance of contention or the playoffs, and um the Bulls get to start over again and hire a GM or team president or whatever, and then he gets to hire head coach and Everyone gets a clean start, so it's good for them. Starting over again, a familiar pattern in Chicago.
All right, let's talk about the Knicks.
Now, two things can be equally true. We can say, what a comeback. put together by the Hawks, CJ McCollum turning back the clock, unstoppable, or, my goodness, the Knicks did it again, an unbelievable collapse. How did you see what happened last night at MSG? I mean, I saw it as more of a collapse.
They had a, you know, pretty. I think a double digit lead in the fourth quarter. They're at home. The Hawks are the lower seed, and I think the Knicks are the clear favorites. And so To blow that game and to go to Atlanta tied one instead of two, that's the type of thing that could essentially swing a series.
I'm not saying it will, but if things go the wrong way, that's what people remember, right? It's like, oh, how to you know, they lost game two and that's what changed the what happened in the series. And they got to figure that out. They got to figure out how to close out the game. And that's been an issue for them over the last few postseasons.
Mike, if Mike Brown got hired to replace Tom Thibodeau, who got that team, as you know, to the conference finals last year, first time the Knicks getting that done in the quarter century, let's say that they restore order, beat Atlanta. I think they'll lose to Boston the second round. If they're out that early in the postseason, what kind of changes would you expect? for this team heading into the offseason. Yes.
I mean, look, that's a great question. I think The expectations for the Knicks are clear. James Dolan said they're a championship team, and that's the guy who owns and runs the team ultimately.
So you go from there.
Now I don't know. Can you fire Mike Brown after just a year? You know, the roster is the same as it was last year. it's hard. There's that Falmar in the front office.
I think that's an interesting guessing game for some around the league right now, and I don't have the answer to that, but If the Knicks fall short of the conference finals, let alone the finals, like then what happens? That's a that's a good question.
Well, I'm here in L.A., and Laker fans remember that Mike did not have a long tenure as he took over for Phil Jackson.
So he's experienced there. I don't want to bury him yet. There's still plenty of time to come back. But given the level of expectations and what this team did last year, going to be worth monitoring. I'm Brian Weber in for Rich Osen talking hoops with Mike Vorkhanoff of the Athletic.
Mike, I don't expect you, although I know you love basketball, to have stayed up to the end of that game last night on the East Coast. As Denver To me, it was shades of game seven against Minnesota a couple years ago in the playoffs when they couldn't hang on to a 20-point lead. Last night, 19-point comeback put together by Ant-Men and the Timberwolves. How do you see the rest of this series? Yeah, but I mean, Denver ran out of gas again at home, again, right?
So that's not the first time they've done that against the Wolves, like you said. Um, I I think the Nuggets are still the favorites. I think they're the better team. They have the best player. Uh I see that more as like a bit of a a blip uh for them.
And uh you know, it's not the I think this is obviously much closer of a toss-up series than Nick's Hawks are. But it's going to hurt Denver. And at a very minimum, it means that they'll have to play another game in this series and they need all their rest going forward. But this could also be the type of thing that to kind of echo myself, can flip a series. I think it's going to be interesting.
The Denver is, I think, probably the third best team in the West. And you know, they're gonna They're going to need to have every ounce of energy to take on the Spurs in the second round if both of them get there. And so every game they do or do not play in this first round. uh really matters and and that might be a costly one for them. And Denver the three seeds.
So yeah, the standings reflect Your pecking order of the hierarchy in the Western Conference. I'm Brian Weber sitting here for Rich Eyes, and we're taking you across the NBA postseason with Mike Vorkhanoff of the Athletic Mike because this is a national platform. I'm trying to be comprehensive, and I didn't do my job, although I had more pressing things to talk about. I have not mentioned the Cavs and the Raptors at all.
Now, back in the day, that feels like it would have been an NBA TV. series. We know that's no longer in play. But Cleveland, after being in the top seed last year, settling for the four seeds, still. They handled their business, grabbed a 2-0 Series lead over Toronto last night.
As the Raptors got nothing out of Brandon Ingram, who's had a real good year north of the border. How far do you think the duo of Mitchell and Harden can take the Cavs this year? We we need to have another uh We need to have another phrase to call the old NBA TV series. Is this just the Peacock series? Is that what we're calling it now?
I'm going to trend lately because I work for a lot of platforms, so that's why I went after one that's now defunct with postseason coverage. But yeah, that's probably spot on as well. Um, yeah, look, I I think uh I think the CAFs have been true to form and I you know, I'm still a little skeptical. of what any James Harden-led team can do in the playoffs. History is on my side.
in that situation. Uh but You know, if Donovan Mitchell is scoring 30 points a night and Hardin is playing well, right, the question is always: can he sustain that level of play the deeper he goes into the playoffs? Cleveland's got a shot. You know, the top of the east is a little murky right now. The Knicks, top of the East.
Having trouble? The Pistons, number one seat in the East, already have some troubles. Boston's the only one that's really kind of been good so far, and they've only played one game. But I kind of I could see any of those four teams coming out of the East. And so if James Harden plays well, Cleveland certainly has a chance.
I think more importantly, it's Evan Mobley who has to play well and really give them a front court force more so even than Harden does. And like Harden and Spyder, Mobley chimed in with double digits last night. Mike Vorkhanoff, national basketball reporter for the Athletic, is our guest on the Rich Hodgson Show. You mentioned Boston. Forget about the particulars of what's going to happen against.
The Sixers without Joel Hombiad. Mike, I'll give you a nugget. And I can't remember where I stole this from, but somewhere on the X platform. The Sixers have only beaten the Celtics in the postseason if they've had Will Chamberlain or Dr. J.
On the roster.
So it's been a minute, not going to happen this year. But from a larger standpoint, Who do you want to give the most credit for? In terms of how Boston was able to navigate what most people thought was going to be a lost season. With Jason Tatum having to come back from the Achilles injury. They lost four of their top nine scorers from last year, and here they are now, not only the betting favorite, but I think just the perception favorite to come out of the East.
Well, first of all, I think there's a solution there for the 76ers. They should sign Dr. J to a contract. Yes. And I think he could still probably get you 12 good minutes.
Yeah. Yeah, yeah, I mean you just if you want you know, if history is repeating itself. Yeah, I mean, Boston's just a really good team. Like, they're a really good franchise, rather. You know, they have a great coach in Joe Missoula, they have a good front office.
And they know what works for them, and they're just able to do it even if they lose their stars like Payton for a long period of time, or trade Drew Holiday, or Christoph Porzingis, or whatever it is. And now that everyone's healthy, they're probably the prohibitive favorite to get out of the East. And so Um, I was a little skeptical of the Tatum come back early, but it seems like that's not a problem for him. Rather, I was always you know kind of concerned about. The re-injury or long-term effects, but they obviously know a lot more than I do.
I'm kind of curious to me, the question of the postseason is: can anyone Topple Boston the rest of the way. And then finally, as mentioned, I'm here in Southern California. How do you see game two? All dependent. On the availability of Kevin Durant tonight here in downtown L.A., after the Lakers took advantage of his absence to take game one in that series.
Yeah, that's the big question. I don't know which way that's going to go, obviously, whether Durant comes back or not, but. Um It's really interesting. The Lakers have lost Luca and they've lost Austin Reeves, and yet LeBron is able to step in and drive that offense and create enough offense to survive. And Houston, even with Durant, I think there are still questions about if they can score enough, if they can be efficient enough on offense.
And you got to give credit to the Lakers for coming up with a good game plan in game one and taking advantage of. What they were able to But I I think Dura coming back would swing that series and give them enough talent, enough juice to beat the Lakers. But Uh you can't say for certain anymore. Mike, appreciate the time and the insights. Thanks so much for joining us today on the Rich Eisen Show, and I hope you enjoyed the rest of the NBA playoffs with Dr.
J. He's available. Give him a call. He'll bring over the red, white and blue ABA basketball. Yeah, maybe we can sign him to a contract for the rest of the class.
I don't know. Why not? Athletics got deep pockets. Thank you, Mike. Thanks.
Mike Forkanoff kind enough to take us across The NBA postseason. I've mentioned a lot of Lakers, and I don't want to be viewed as a. Prisoner of geography, although, and one of these years, because I'm going to pass away holding a microphone in my hand, one of these years, you're going to see my smiling face. On the CyboCast. On Disney Plus, which returns tomorrow when Rich and the guys come to you live from Pittsburgh, getting you fully lined up for the draft, and then it's on to draft day itself.
On Thursday, a reminder: all the coverage you need right here on ESPM Radio. Chris Carlin, Max Starks. The GM, Mike Dannenbaum, Jordan Reed, and Ian Fitzsimmons, the staple of ESPN radio, bringing you all of the salient information you need. I'm coming to you from downtown LA and I Want to thank our friends And my personal friends, my close personal friends, as I go me and Gene Okerlin, Greg Bergman, Chris Morales, and the gang here at 7:10 ESPN LA. I'm in LA Live, which is just across the courtyard from.
Crypto.com arena, at least for now. And there's a buzz here in LA. It's amazing. Even though I walked in the building at 8 o'clock local time. You can feel, and this is rare in Southern California.
When the Lakers are relevant, there's a different dynamic in this town, especially because, and it wasn't hyperbole. Two say they were ready for the third nap. But once Austin Reeves and Luka Doncic went down, it felt like game set and match. Look, I give Luka all the credit. for doing everything he can.
To get back in time, going to Spain, having the treatment. We'll see if the series can be extended. Obviously, the Lakers did their part by seizing that chance. When Durant couldn't go, And Taking a game they had to have to win game one. Here are The big questions heading into this game.
First, we got to get the status report on Durant. I'm not a doctor, don't even play one on ESPM radio. Given this guy's track record and Just with the sample size of this year, he played in 78 games. I would be very surprised if he's not on the floor. If you watched.
The coverage on Saturday, there was video of Durant warming up.
So Not like we're talking about Paul Pierce briefly in a wheelchair back in the day. He just didn't feel like he had the mobility he needed to play in that game. And The rockets looked like they had been fully immobilized. Not only Were they drifting around aimlessly? On offense.
The Lakers played a role in that. The Lakers Played better defense. that I have seen them play In a long time, and I'm here in Southern California, I watch all their games.
Now, Are we going to book Luke Kennard for another spectacular game? No. I I have more confidence in him lining it up from downtown than I do in DeAndre Ayton having back to back Impressive performances. But for all of the scuttlebud about the future of LeBron. Why wouldn't he come back poor next season?
And why would he not come back to the Lakers? and we'll connect it to the Aaron Rodgers conversation, given the finances. Be very interesting to see what the new ownership group is willing to pay LeBron. And I guess more to the point. what he's willing to take because then you hear Another homecoming to Cleveland.
Or how about the Olympic reunion with Steph Curry? Look, I'm in Southern California. The Clippers have no identity. If LeBron just wants to hang out here, And keep going to Spago to have his production meetings. Sign with Eclipse.
They let him do whatever he wants to do, like they do with Kawhi Leonard. Yes, he would disappear in obscurity, even if that's possible in the second largest market in the country. But I think reports of his demise are greatly exaggerated. And I'm not just overreacting. to how well he played against the lifeless Rocket team on Saturday.
If you tracked him this year when healthy, And that's the big context that matters because finally this guy is Human? He's been a cyborg his entire career, but in the 50 to 60 games he played. He was a difference maker, and I also give him credit for accepting the reality of being the third option.
So Whatever happens in this series. to spin it forward to next year because that's all we do in the NBA, right? It's all about who's going where, although that's become less of a reality because the new CBA has killed the free agent frenzy that used to dominate the summer. But Let's just say it's Luca plus Austin Reeves. LeBron at a discount?
That is a solid core, but first We got to determine what happens as soon as game two tonight. And I think Houston obviously Will be less shell-shocked if they know Durant's not going to play. They'll be. Much better prepared. Ima Yudoka is a tremendous coach, and they have talent.
Like Jangoon, like Ahmed Thompson. They won the exact same number of games in the regular season as they did last year when they were the two seed.
Now they have a little. I realize this is a stretch, but they played that series against the Warriors, looked over match. They couldn't hit an outside shot last year.
Now, at least they have that on their resume and the motivation of what happened on Saturday. Look for Houston to bounce back in a major way, even that series. And then in terms of the rest of what's coming up tonight. In the NBA We talked about Boston. What a miraculous story.
And I'm guilty, as anybody else was. of dusting off the well this is a gap year. In terms of once Tatum Went down against the Knicks. Who would have thought he'd come back as quickly as he did and look as good as he does? But With the Basketball acumen.
A Brad Stevens, one of the sharpest GMs in all of sports. New ownership telling him: you gotta shed payroll. Think about what they parted company with. Impor Zingis, who is the Anthony Davis. And the tool him bead comp 'cause he's never healthy.
Al Horford, who's 117 years old. Drew Holliday was looking a step slow last year. And now a team led by Jalen Brown, who was superhuman. Coupled with Derek White? Peyton Pritchard?
And they didn't just survive. They played outstanding basketball all season long.
So Since I am not scheduled to chat with you. Into maybe summertime, but you never know. I'm sitting by the phone. When I see Eizen pop up, I just say yes. Whatever he's calling about, yes, whatever he needs.
Once I'm done waxing his car. We'll wrap it up this way. Four teams and four teams only can win it all this year. Thunder, Spurs. I'm still going to ride with Denver.
I think they're going to have enough to outlast Minnesota. And then it's Boston. And that is the list in the East. I'm Brian Weber, Infor Rich. We're going to wrap it up with gusto.
Jumping into the hot tub time machine. A radio approach that has worked for me in the past.
So It's new to you, but it's like vaudeville. You think Abnet Costello invented who's on first? That's another. Reference grounded right in today. I realize this show has featured way too much of me.
So straight ahead, we're going to expand the conversation, logging on to the World Wide Webber, tackling burning topics we have not gotten to yet. That's coming up. I'm Brian Weber, Infor Rich, here on The Rich Eisen Show. Most protein drinks ask you to choose between results and taste. Bucked up decided that's a ridiculous trade-off.
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I am Weber in for Rich and the Guys. Business end of the program. We are winding down. That means Mr. Ozen is warming up.
Back with you tomorrow, live from Pittsburgh. Get you fully lined up for the draft. Which gets underway Thursday, 8 p.m. Eastern comprehensive coverage, ESPN, ABC, NFL Network, and of course, here. On NFL networks.
Face of the franchise, Rich Eisen's program on ESPN Radio. Before we say goodbye. I do feel like we've been comprehensive. But if I'm going to be transparent, apparently I've been told by For the folks listening very closely, I might have missed a few things, so to rectify that, let's log on to the Information Superhighway and the World Wide Webber. Yeah.
Who needs artificial intelligence when we've got a host with more bandwidth than a data center? It's time to log on to... Bye. WWE The World Wide Weber And for that, let's bring in our producer James Steele.
Now, James, if I've made serious mistakes, just email me that kind of stuff. I'm trying to salvage my career. But because occasionally I overlook a few things, where do you want to start in this debut edition of The World Wide Weber? Yeah, let's just head to the NBA here. We've talked a lot about it today.
First round, pretty much we've gotten a game in every series, at least a couple of the series or two games in, but kind of chalky so far.
So, do you think we're going to get a first round where all the higher seeds move on without too much trouble? All right, so you want me to call it upset?
Now it would seem like I should just go more captain obvious than I normally am and ride with the magic who finally showed up. As somebody who loves the NBA, when they made that deal for Desmond Bain, I had high expectations for Orlando. I thought they'd be a four or five seed. Clearly, there's a massive disconnect between their face of the franchise, much like Rich Eisen on NFL Network, Paolo Bencero, and the head coach for now, Jamal Mosley. They wake up in the play-in.
I didn't think they were going to beat Charlotte. I did not think they would manhandle Detroit. Still, I'm not going with them. As much as I want to bury the Knicks, they'll figure out a way. Nuggets T-Wolves going seven.
You know, this is why I'm a filling host. I'm going straight chalk homey. No upsets in the first round. All the higher seeds advance, but at least we'll get a game seven out of Minnesota and Denver. What's next?
All right, the NFL draft is Thursday in my hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. How many quarterbacks do you think will be taken in the first two days of the NFL draft? First, two days. You're from Pittsburgh? I couldn't tell at all with that accent.
Very. What do you mean? Kings English. I'm very happy just to be working and looking forward to all the coverage. Have I mentioned the Tier on ESPN radio?
Okay, so you're saying first three rounds: Mendoza, number one overall. I don't think Simpson is taken night one. I think he waits till second round, and then will there be a third quarterback in the first round? Two nights. I'll take a flyer.
It's not a hot take, but he's been buried because of the injuries and because of the dip in production last year. I'll go LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeyer as the third quarterback, and that'll wrap up the first two days. Three is your number, three is a magical number. Three quarterbacks going in the first three rounds in your hometown. What's next?
Yeah, from my hometown to one of my favorite things to talk about: wrestling. I'm a huge wrestling fan. You're kind of an old school wrestling fan. We had WrestleMania this past weekend, night one. The main event was Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes.
That was the main event. Where would you like what you watched it? I know we've been talking about it a little bit. Where would you put that match in the grand scheme of things as matches in WrestleMania history?
Okay, you're being kind. You said kind of old school? That's like saying I'm kind of old. All right, my man, I'm gonna flip the script. Wild card, see if you're paying attention here.
Named the WWF manager when they were the WWF in the 1980s, who helped the Wild Samoans win the World Tag Tea Championship Champs. Do you know? He did a lifeline. Was that Captain Lou Albano? Oh, beautiful.
Now, I could have stumped you. I could have gone Grand Wizard, but yes, the star of MTV, Captain Lou Albano, I never understood why he had rubber bands on his face. I have to do some clock management here. In terms of Rhodes Orton all-time, and it was great to see our colleague Pat McAfee that heel, he got his comeuppance. Here's my...
Top three, I'll do it quickly. Hogan Rock 2002? Trying to avoid the 1980s as much as I can, even though, quote unquote, I'm kind of an old school fan. Here's one in your wheelhouse, young guy. Undertaker Sean Michaels, Heartbreak Kid, back-to-back years.
And then finally... You think I'm gonna go Hogan, Andre the Giant, WrestleMania 3? Right card, wrong match. The greatest match in WrestleMania history, scientific wrestling. Randy, Macho Man Savage, and Ricky the Dragon Steamboat put on a show at the Pontiac Silverdough.
What's next? What's next? I think you're right on with Undertaker Shomba because that's the greatest match in WrestleMania history.
Well, I'm kind of an old guy. We got time for one more. Yeah, one more. You're out in LA. Let's talk movies real quick.
Tom Cruise announced he's making another Tom Gun movie. The first two films will be back in theaters for one week next month. What's the best role Tom has played in his outstanding career?
Okay, because I'm kind of old school. Of course, this is in my wheelhouse, and it is outstanding. He's going to play Maverick again. Look, I love movies. I tweet about him on the X platform as much as for the fact I saw a good obscure movie.
Bob Odenkirk, you know him from Better Call Saul, also now an action hero, normal, Henry Winkler's in it, the font.
So, how could it go wrong? You kids are gonna talk Ethan Hunts. I want to live up to my expectation for being 117 years old. Best Tom Cruise roles, counting them down. Lake Casey Kaysem.
Number three, Les Grossman and Tropic Thunder. I can see that dance right now. Too bad we're not on the simulcast. Number two. Vincent in the color of money.
Werewolves of London playing in the background. And finally, Joel in risky business. Being chased by Guido the killer pimp. And in 30 seconds, short version of the story: my old man worked hard as a sales guy, bought a used Porsche. We saw that movie together.
Spoiler alert: Joel puts the Porsche into a lake. My old man looks at me and says, if you touch my car, I break your face. And that's why, at my advanced age, mid-50s, I still don't know how to drive a stick. The old man did not trust me. James, great work.
I appreciate your help there, buddy. Yeah, thanks. It was fun. Kind of an old.
Well, you know what I'm I I meant that you were talking to me about this WrestleMania too, so. Kind of old. A lot of people to thank, starting with James and the rest of the Not Ready for the Symbolcast on Disney Plus Players. As always, appreciate Rich thinking of me along with Jerry Subliss. Our guests were outstanding: Nick Baumgardner, Mike Vorkhanoff of the Athletic.
My name is Brian Weber. Rich, back with you tomorrow for comprehensive coverage of the pre-draft activity here on The Rich Eisen Show. Thanks for listening to the Rich Eisen Show Podcast. You can watch and listen to The Rich Eisen Show live weekdays from noon to 3 Eastern on ESPN Radio, Disney Plus, and on the ESPN app, The Rich Eisen Show, the podcast.
