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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.
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Now, on with the show. Hola. This is the Rich Eisen Show. Victor Wembinyama, Windbill Right Hand Jam. Live from the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles.
Block Wembinyama blocked it on the closeout. Earlier on the show. ESPN NBA Insider Ramona Shelburne. Coming up. ESPN NBA reporter Dave McMenamin.
Plus, your phone calls, latest news, and more. And now, it's Rich Eisen. Wow, lots to discuss here on this program off of the last two hours. Ramona Shelburne just walked out of our studio. Dave McMiniman's about to walk in it.
A lot of drama going on down the street at the home of the Los Angeles Lakers, our neighbors across the way. Our neighbors across the way in the other spot in El Segundo, California, the Los Angeles Chargers, they love this show because I had them second in my way, way, way too early power rankings that started the show two hours ago. Um yeah, I did a power rankings today 'cause I have nothing better to do with my time. Here on Disney Plus, the ESPN app, ESPN Radio, and also SiriusXM Channel 80. We had a great chat with Ramona last hour about the Lakers, as well as the WNBA, the Giannis trade market.
If you missed anything, there's our podcast all three hours. There's our Disney Plus page. You can hit. The button to watch back anything that you might have missed every single day. 844-204 Rich is the number to dial on the program.
Terzo and I all rise, one of our longtime favorites. What's up, Terzo? How are you, sir? Doing well, Rich, what's up, fellas? What's going on?
Hey, hey, Rich. Back to yesterday's conversation, creme brulee, top-notch. I've been to several great restaurants all around, and I always judge a restaurant if they have a great creme brulee, man. Like one of my top desserts. You can't beat it.
Like you said, when you get great vanilla beans, oh my God. It's fantastic. It's all about the beans, just like Mocha Joe's coffee. Terrizo, it's all about the beans. What's on your mind?
Exactly.
Well, so, Rich, real quick, I got to go to your power rankings here. I do believe that the Niners are above. Uh both the Cowgirls and the Eagles. But I do got I do got to say this about the international game, especially the one in Australia. You know the reason I'm kind of upset about it because either way that you cut it, we're losing a home game For that game.
No matter what, we're losing a home game. Whether it's in San Francisco or in Santa Clara or there in SoFi, we're losing a home game.
So that's kind of my issue there. A little upset that they have us going to Mexico City. Yeah, you lost two home games. You're right. You're a lot of travel.
Look at you. Look at you, Troll and Rams fans. Look at you, Troll and Rams fans. You lost two home games.
Okay. No, listen, um, you willingly gave up a a home date in um in uh um in Santa Clara to go to perf perform in Mexico City. But I I think most teams are going to be asked to do that now. All teams are being asked to do that now. And everyone takes one for the team on that front.
And then the team does, I do believe, see some form or fashion of a bump In a fan base that gets to see their team physically there in Mexico City. I think that's going to be a large Contingent. I will push back and say that that would be a heck of a home game for the 49ers in Mexico City. Yeah, I think that that's going to be great. I think that we have a ton of fans down in Mexico City.
My only gripe is since we're going to Melbourne, I just didn't know that we really needed another one in Mexico City this year. I would have been fine if we did it next year. It just seemed like a lot of traveling for this Niner team that. seems to always have injury issues. And so I'm always a little hesitant whenever we're having to do extra stuff out of the norm.
But I guess get us away from the power station and we might be all right. Terrazo in Iowa, thank you for the call. Greatly appreciate it. Appreciate you guys. You got it.
There he goes. They did it.
So the International Series game It starts in Melbourne, Australia. Forty niners and Rams. And then the it ends in Mexico City. between the Vikings and the 49ers. Two trips abroad out of the country.
For the San Francisco 49ers, and they already. If you um Just take a look at their schedule and where they're flying this year. They're already Going to be traveling a lot. And now you're going to make them. Go to Melbourne.
and Mexico City. We have the grand total. This is making the rounds today with the International Series games out there and. The Jaguars play too, but they're right there in London. They stay in the same spot.
The Vikings, if you put up the International Series game one more time, if you don't mind. taking a look at it. The Vikings are going to Mexico City. But that's it. I mean, and they went to London last year.
I'm just taking a look at the games. There's only one two teams that are playing multiple international series games, and it's Jacksonville and it's San Francisco.
So this was made making the rounds. Did you see the grand total number of air miles, T.J. Jefferson? I heard Chris mention it.
Okay. Otherwise, I would ask you to prices right at.
Well, wait a minute. You mean for all the teams or just? No, just for the San Francisco 49. I think I heard him this morning say it was something. It's a lot.
It's 30, 39, 8. Thousand one hundred and five air miles. That's a lot. You know. That's a lot indeed.
So, do we have a total for all the teams? We do, actually. Adam Schefter tweeted out a chart. Uh the Cowboys are fourth. Yeah.
A hair under 28,000 miles. Rams thirty five thousand, Texans twenty eight thousand.
So the rams aren't too far off in the front. Rams are not too far off.
Okay. Well, with the forty niners having the uh most uh air miles coming. I've got a top five for him. We're trying to help him out here. Top five TV shows and movies: the 49ers should binge while traveling.
Okay. One, two, three, four, and five. Riches, top five. This is hilarious. Thank you very much.
Wheels up, everybody. This is presented by Hyundai. It's fitting that this top five about traveling is presented by Hyundai, everybody. Love it. All right, top five shows and movies.
You could put the music up anyway if you want. Top five shows and movies the 49ers should binge while traveling. Yeah. All right, number five. We just learned here in Los Angeles that.
Take care of your stars, right? Take care of your stars. You're seeing this story with the Lakers that you never know when somebody might be. feeling left out or feeling like you're not Appreciating them, being taken for granted. You got to take care of your stars.
And I'm not saying that he's... thinking that he's being left out or being taken for granted, but you never know.
So What would be better than having the 49ers binge-watch the Copo sisters? Right? Olivia and her sisters had a show back in 2022. One season, it's a reality show, binge watch it.
Okay. You know, I don't know, was Christian on it in 2022? I don't know. Didn't watch it at the time, but maybe Popo says well. This is my first time here.
It's a good watch for four hours. They'd be hey. Just watch it. Yeah. Uh Number four on the list.
Get to know you. Another person that you're going to try and help out here, right?
Okay. Why wouldn't you help out George Kittle?
Well, why wouldn't you just say, hey, George, we see you? George today tweeted out the following. This is funny. At 4 a.m. this morning, as I laid in a deep slumber, I was called to action by my wife.
who had discovered a spider the size of a half dollar in the bathroom. Without hesitation, I arose to combat the intruder. Claire handed me the slant board I've been using for rehab, and I immediately knew the spider had no chance. It took but one attempt to strike down my opponent. I received hugs and kisses for my bravery and fell back asleep with confidence.
Have a great, have a day, gentlemen, and then a spider emoji. By the way, glad it was the the the board not The Rich Eisen show pillowed from our show. It would have been in your face. That's not what I expected. Smother the spider.
Yeah. So, in honor of George. Why not? Binge the 1990 film Arachnophobia. No voila.
Perfect.
Okay. Right, we're timely. Perfect.
We're helping out. Yeah. Remember that movie? 1990? I do.
Nightmare Fuel. Yes. Yeah, right? It was not fun for people who had problems with spiders. One of them.
Kank? Are you really? Yeah, I hate spiders. Number three on the list. That's good.
Let's just hit the whole quarterback room. And it's a classic. You know that movie that Paul Rudd would always You know, Troll Conan O'Brien with when he showed up? Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. About a.
Like an alien trying to escape from NASA, and he's befriended by a boy in a wheelchair. Funny movie. The 1988 hit. Mac and me. Hey, binge watch Mac and me.
Nice to show this to K. Brock Purdy can give a speech at the front of the cabin. Let's binge it. Let's watch it. Let's spend some time.
Mac and me. Mac Jones. How great is this segment? Oh, this movie is great.
Okay. That is weird looking. Uh. Number two on the list. What's the most famous movie about getting out of San Francisco?
Ooh. The 1979 hit, Clint Eastwood Starring, escaped from Alcatraz. Great movie.
Okay. Great movie.
Great movie, and then it'll lead to a debate afterwards as if the prisoners survived. That's always a debate. We always talk about it whenever we're in San Francisco with the kids. The scene of the Alcatraz, did they survive it? The shark-infested waters?
It's a great movie. Coldwater. Escape from Alcatraz. And then, number one, it's very simple. A nineteen sixty two film.
Starring Gregory Peck. How the West was won. The left, that's the right. That's it. Look at all the stars in this film.
A massive hit movie. How the West was won. San Francisco 49ers. There you go. There you go, I got that for you.
Alright, good.
Alright, we'll get one. Wait, can we go over this cast real quick? Yeah, go for it. John Wayne, James Stewart, Henry Fonda. Oh, yeah.
Debbie Reynolds? Hey, it just shows you: hey, our roster has stars. Wow. This movie has stars, and it's the same goal: to win the West. Win the West.
Okay. See where I'm going on this? And one more. One more, just in case Brandon Ayuk's on the team still put it up. If in case speed, What?
It's about going fast in California. Oh, I see. I see what you mean. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah.
Okay. Picking up on it? See what I'm putting down? Pick it up. What are you putting down?
No, no, no. Nick Bosa might be saying, let's watch Melania. Yep. It's a long flight. It's a long fight.
A lot of good San Francisco movies. And those you know what? I almost went for Australia and Mexico Mad Max and Desperado, a double header. Right? Double feature.
I went baseball on you right there. The rock. Bullet. Mrs. Doubtfire and do that movie.
Okay. But they're getting away from San Francisco. They're leaving San Francisco. That's why I want to escape from Alcatraz. They're homesick, you know.
But if you're going to Mexico, wouldn't you want to give them something to. To see once they get there, so they can get it ready for, you know, again, Mad Max, probably not the film I should, but I also don't want to go Crocodile Dundee-hanging fruit. But they made like three of those. But Crocodile Dundee was leaving Australia to be he's the fish out of water in New York. Didn't Hugh Jackman do a movie called Australia?
Look it up. Where does Deadpool live? That's my go-to. What do you mean? Yeah, 2008, Australia.
Okay. Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman. Very good. My top five is brought to you by the all-new Hyundai Palisade Hybrid. Learn how it makes every day epic at HyundaiUSA.com.
Let's go to Daniel in Long Beach, California before we take a break and bring out Dave McMenamin. What's up, Daniel? Daniel, my brother. What's up? Hey, first off, TJ, love the pod.
Just want to give a shout out. Hey, appreciate you. Who's on later? Who's on later? Well, we got comedian Brad Williams.
Oh, he's going to snipe by. Is he coming here? He's coming here. He'll be in the studio. We'll chop it up with him about wrestling, his stand-up.
Is O'Shea coming? O'Shea, he's on his way. Oh! O'Shea's on his way. Let me tweet.
He's still with Ariel. They're posting a lot of clips. That's great. Good for him. I'm glad that he's giving somebody else some pop.
Well, the thing is, he will, like, could come here and talk about what's going on with the Lakers looking like a fire.
Well, one thing you want to do. Or the Dodgers losing four in a row, but no. He doesn't want any of that smoke. He will mention you. He will mention the show.
He will mention that. Oh, that I have no doubt.
So, yeah, he'll do a good job of getting the word out. I'm sorry, Daniel. I didn't mean to sideline you here. What's on your mind? I'm used to the show, I know what's going on.
So look, This whole situation, man, I get it. We all like to choose sides and everything, but at this point, I just feel like the friend who's just in the middle of a toxic relationship between his two best friends, and it's like both sides think either one is wrong, but You gotta look at the whole context of this whole thing. From the beginning, this has honestly just been kind of not normal, right? What? First off, what are we talking about?
The whole situation with LeBron is Lakers. First off, those are your two friends that you feel like you're in the middle of? Yeah, I mean, like, let's start off with the point. Magic's the one who recruited LeBron, right? And so.
If I'm LeBron, I'm thinking, okay, well, during this whole situation, if I don't want to deal with the organization, deal with Rob, there's a legend here that's going to take maybe my side. Magic Lease out of nowhere, right? Because that's already something that from the beginning was: okay, this isn't the situation we thought it was. Then Lakers feel like, we got to do something. We got to do something to make sure that we're winning because the truth was the young kids that we had drafted weren't panning out.
So we go get AD. Great. We win a championship, and even though it was in the bubble, it was great. But one thing about that bubble chip that people forget: Braun was great during that run, but that was AD's run. That was the year he really showcased himself as being the star the Lakers needed to be next to Braun.
And if you ask any Lakers fan, the one moment we remember from that bubble the most is the buzzer beater. The buzzer beater that AD hit similar to the way Kobe would do all the time. And so as we keep going on, hasn't patted out after that year, right? It's just the reality of it. The best thing we got was what, the Blessed Concert Finals with Darvin Ham.
And so I just feel like both sides have been trying to do different things to try to appease each other. Lakers try to build a team. Doesn't work. All right, well, LeBron, what do you want to do? Let's go get Russ.
Doesn't work. And the reality is, it hasn't worked out for both sides. We haven't been getting to the finals. We haven't been winning. And so now it's a whole thing of you're not appreciating me.
Yes, we are. No, you're not. And it gets to a point where it's like, e each side is just not getting what they want from this. And so I think the biggest thing you guys talked about with Ramona is the truth: is that that Luca deal is basically what started this fraction that is now the biggest thing we're talking about, which is, you know, what's going to happen next when reality. The thing we should be talking about is who are we going to sign next year.
Because there's a lot of people on our team that still are not on contract, including Rui, that was a big, big part of this run we had that was short, but it was still a run we had in the playoffs. And so I just feel like we've gotten to a point where now it's like. Either setup and make up Or just end it. Hmm. Daniel in Long Beach, California, right there.
He was coyote. It's like that Seinfeld line. Just take one. Dippin, end it. They're double dipping with Luca and LeBron.
Let's take one chip and end it. End it. He made a good point about magic. I've been reading someone else from the story about that. Like, that's who we expected to do.
But you know, who wasn't there? Let's bring out Dave McMenamin. He's got a lot of answers for Daniel and so much more. 844-204-Rich, also being the number to dial here on the Rich Eisen Show. Running a small business means every hire matters.
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Oh, oh, oh, O'Reilly. Auto parts. And he walked right out. Walks out. By the way, Dave McMenamin here on the Rich Eisen show talking about his piece that's on ESPN.com that's kind of burning up the entire NBA community, and certainly here in Los Angeles, California, live on The Rich Eisen Shore.
So LeBron James walked out with bags of ice on his knees, or do you took those off and left? Do we know that? No, no, I mean, I saw it with my own two eyes. The bags of ice are still on his knees. And so this is like.
He's just out of the way.
So to be clear, this isn't because he doesn't think J.J. Reddick is deserving of a moment. It's not about that at all. Yes. He has a great relationship with him.
And it was a beautiful moment. The video of his children saying, congratulations, Dad. Right. You know? Beautiful moment.
It was. taken by LeBron to be another example of The Lakers not appreciating him and everything that he does. Where does that come from? I think it's from an eight-year relationship. that has had a lot of stealth build up.
Now, I asked LeBron after game four against the Thunder. He's making the same route out of the arena. This time he's wearing regular clothes. He's wearing the same clothes he arrived in. Right, right.
And I said, is there. In order for you to come back to play for the Lakers, I understand you're going to have to figure out whether you want to play. I understand you're going to have to figure both sides will have to figure out what the money. But that aside, Is there any static that needs to be cleared up? in order for this to move forward.
And he said there's no static from me. I saw that. That was one of the second-to-last quotes of your piece.
So. I would say that perhaps that means that even though he had this moment. That was a real moment. Of indignation is what he felt. Yeah.
It's not something you can't get over in order to keep playing for the Lakers. Right. But the Lakers You know, you're dealing with one of the best players of all time. Where he goes on the list, that's up for debate. Ninth if you saw a first take the other day.
But okay, keep going. Yeah. Yeah. And also someone who is now Worked for you for eight years. Ben The face of the franchise, delivered a championship, all of those things.
Mm-hmm. Are you ever going to make the guy feel like you want him? I mean, 50 million bucks, he's the highest paid guy on the team.
So that's what the money is for? You're Don Draper? Is that how you work with it? Sean Ham. Yeah, okay.
That's what the money is for. Like, that is in many ways, in many metrics, in sports for sure, the biggest respect you can get is your paycheck. That's number one, I understand. Is any of this born out of the fact of how he found out about the Luka trade? I haven't been told that specifically.
Okay. LeBron has on the record said that Of course, if that trade comes across your desk, you make it. He understands it as close as he is with Anthony Davis and is to this day. No, I don't I don't really think it's it's more about once the trade occurred. The way the Lakers went about their business.
Would it have been in any way, shape, or form?
Okay. Yeah. possible. If you could wave a wand. that not only do they have multiple game balls, But Rob Polinka goes to LeBron and says, Hey, Congrats on tonight.
That's pretty cool. And part of this. To get to this milestone on a night like tonight for JJ. Is because of what you've done over the last few weeks. Hold on a minute.
And We've got some videos from his kids. To give him this game ball, how would it be if you gave him the game ball? That sounds like a wonderful idea. What if you, LeBron, you take center stage here? And you give him the game ball.
I think it might mean a lot to him, might mean a lot to the group. But they don't have that relationship, clearly. It doesn't seem to be that they do. And I think that would be a wonderful idea, right?
Sounds like that's management. That's how you manage a room. You generally manage Does Rob not have this chip? Does he not care? I mean, to be putting a point.
A fine point on it. I mean, because How does something like this happen? It seems like a self-inflicted wound. It seems like it. Or you could say, hey, LeBron, you've got a million accolades.
What do you care? I understand. Yeah, I was talking to Ramona Shelburne. I know it was on earlier. Yeah, she was just saying that.
And we were just talking in the green room, and she made the point to me: well, you know. Can they know which are the accolades that matter and which don't? I'm like, I don't know, maybe, maybe, but uh. This one the most wins in all all time. That seems to be like one that you might want to underline.
And it's and you get it against the Cavs. And against the cuffs. Where you know, your team of your youth and the one you started for. All right, so th th this is good drama, it's great. You know, definitely uh.
Conversations To be had on a day like today, Dave McMenamin here on The Rich Eisen Show. What happens now? Like, what's the orders of business here? For Rob Polenka, the And the Lakers, since you say that whatever did happen on that night is something that can be bridged for LeBron to still play here. What number one is The Lakers Are going to give LeBron the time that he needs to decompress for the season.
And I heard where Rob said that yesterday and determine whether he wants to play or not. Yes. My inclination. And also kind of the way he managed the other night. Is that he will want to come back and play?
The tone that LeBron was giving after game four against OKC was not, you just saw me play my last NBA basketball. I didn't get that sense either.
So that part, okay, let's assume. No, we can't assume because you got to allow Navis process, but like our hunch would be that he's going to come back. And then you have to figure out. It's not necessarily just the numbers. The number matters.
the number matters based on the value that he brings. It also numbers it matters on a respect level, but it also As I reported, I had an agent tell me, and this someone who is Had clients on the Lakers in the last decade, does not represent LeBron James, but said. All right, here's you got to give LeBron James a number, and you got to give him a why behind the number. And if that number is Under market value. Then you got to say, we want you to take X because we plan to do Y with those extra dollars.
And like If for a guy who claims to be about winning. And says that that is something that continues to fuel him. That should fall on a receptive ear. And I think you look back to the negotiations 2024. LeBron James took a pay cut.
It was minor, but he did take a pay cut. to help the Lakers get out of the second apron restrictions. And he would have taken a larger pay cut had the Lakers been able to convince someone like a James Harden, Jonas Valentunis or Clay Thompson at the time To take the money that he would have left on the table.
So, who's on the list of the player watches? What a great question. I don't know that yet. And I didn't know about Jonas and James and Clay until much further along in the conversation. And again, these things were, what, May 13th or something like that?
These are conversations that probably should happen around the draft in late June.
Well, Austin Reeves is one of them, right? Oh, yeah. LeBron loves playing with Austin Reeves. Right. And you could see that.
Yeah. You could see that. And. Obviously Luca's going to be there. And if I'm the Lakers, I want to see these three guys together.
Like they had it work. 16 and 2. 16 and 2. And they were beating good teams. They were beating the Knicks when the Knicks were rolling.
Knicks and Pete. They came in on an eight-game winning stream. I honestly thought this was it. I really thought this was it. Sitting here.
I didn't see what you pointed out. Was two nights later in Oklahoma City, 47-point loss with two massive injuries that reverberated into the playoffs, one all the way into the offseason with Luca. But I would think, would Rui be on the list too? Can you? Rui's an interesting one.
He made $18 million this year. Right. He was great. He was so consistent in the playoffs. He's now the best.
Most accurate three-point shooter in playoffs history. That's wild. That's incredible, right? Yes. When you start looking at at the money though, That's going to be an interesting one because you're going to need.
To re-sign Jackson Hayes, you'd think. He's been now with the team for three years. He's on the Slovenian national team.
So I would suggest a pretty good relationship with Luka Doncic. And look, look what he did in game four against the Thunder. He was great on that. He was terrific. Is DeAndre Aiten history?
So the interesting part about Aiton, he has a player option. Right. And we'll see what the market is for him. Obviously, we saw the way he performed against OKC that left a lot to be desired. That's one way to put it.
Another way to put it is: if he has a player option, as I mentioned the other day, they'd call an Uber for him. Marcus Smart had a really strong player. I did like him. I thought he did play well. He has a player option, but I would say he probably played his way into the deal from the Lakers.
I mean, we've had him on the show, Chris. He's great. I like him. As a person, you know? Yeah.
Like a good dude, you would probably be a nice glue guy all around. Absolutely. He's seen a lot in this league. He has a lot of some of the younger guys look up to him. Like he's a former defensive player of the year.
So he is a guy who. Brings a grit.
Sometimes he plays with so much confidence that he takes shots you'd probably prefer someone else taking. But That's kind of like you take the good with the bad. I actually had someone describe Marcus Smart to me the same way Manny Ramirez was described when he was for the Red Sox. Manny being Manny, Marcus being Marcus. But you take him at the end of the day.
Of course.
So you obviously mentioned timing about the draft, but how did. These are all trains that are running on on the same Yeah. At the same time here, maybe different tracks, obviously. But how do you put this all together? And who's the one who decides?
Um i is genie still You know, full full thumb on the scale here, new management, because this is a lot of money we're talking about committing, a lot. And also, you know, Jeannie knows Better than anybody. About what it means to have somebody of LeBron's stature retire and the Lakers do the Lakers' thing by rolling it out. Like, you want to talk about. Respect.
I mean, they will roll it out for him if that's what LeBron wants, don't you think? I mean, so we're not totally sure whether. I had a couple people close to LeBron suggest to me this year that. I know other guys have done the retirement tour. That might not be what LeBron wants.
Now, I'll believe it when I see it, quite frankly, but. The people who told me it would have the authority. To know that that came right from LeBron's mouth.
So he would not, so whoever might have told you this, okay, not asking you to source it. Indicated that he might not want to, he would just like, what, one night just stroll off, and that's it? Just like not give any heads up? Yeah, keep the main thing, the main thing, and focus on. On the basketball at hand.
It wouldn't be an announcement before the season that this is it, I'm done.
Now, things could change. I'm just telling you that that was suggested to me this year.
Now, I had Kobe Bryant. Tell me that straight from the horse's mouth. In 2013, I did the first interview with him after the Torn Achilles and I asked him about it. Do you look at the end? He said, I don't want a retirement tour.
And then, lo and behold, in 2016, he had one.
So he had a nice conch on the last night. Yeah, a beautiful. I love that commercial, by the way. I mean, actually, while we're on the subject matter, I took the different point of view. I just like.
The haters, all that stuff, to me, I wanted a lighter touch, but I understand. you know um i what where he was coming from. I was, I but it's hard to like ignore.
Sort of like what Jordan, you know, said in his induction speech. You know what I mean? Like, uh, Settling scores in a way, but that's for a different day.
So, that's what did fuel him, though. How do we get it all together, though? How do the Lakers put this all together, and who might be from outside the organization that they're interested in bringing in as a championship roster? Because everybody that we just mentioned, even if healthy, might not have gotten past that team that just boat raced them out because they are a wagon and they are young and they know exactly what they're doing and they have exactly a sense of who they are and they are great at it. Yeah, I mean, that's a tremendous team.
Oh my God. Austin Reeves, that's a great bleeping team that applies because they did all that without Jalen Williams, who was an all-star this year. Right. I mean, I had someone, the Lakers tell me after game three. In LA, they won that game.
And at the end of the game, they have like Aaron Wiggins on the court. They have Jared McCain. They have Ken Rich Williams. I think maybe Isaiah Joe. And they were like All those guys who are against our garbage time guys, it was basically when the Lakers had wave the white flag, they could be playing in our rotation.
And it was their final five guys, basically, could be guys six through ten for the Lakers. And who's to stop them from finding the next A.J. Mitchell in this year's draft? Because it's crazy.
So, what is the Laker blueprint? Do you believe? It involves LeBron. It does not involve LeBron? I think it should involve LeBron.
And also, it would be pretty disingenuous for. Rob Palinka to have that press conference yesterday and say LeBron's honored the game better than any guy in the history of the sport, and we want to honor him. Right. And we want him. We would love to have him on our team.
Once you put yourself out there that way, and then if you don't actually try to have him be in your team, that would seem a little wrong to me.
Okay. So with LeBron, you need Austin. Him, for sure, right? I think. What's the number he's going to come in, do you think?
40? I mean, the maximum he could get is five years, $241 million. I don't think we're going to get to that number, but that is the maximum he could resign with the Lakers. Right. I don't know what the number is.
I I really don't. I I I don't think You're looking at a significant pay raise, though. And I think if you're not starting the conversation in the 30s, clearly, you know, you're not in the right ballpark. Right. So, but who's the one who's going to convince everybody to get them all on the same page?
You're willing to play with him. You're willing to play with him. You're willing to stay here under these conditions. You're willing to do it under that condition. You're willing to take that much money.
You're willing to take that much money. All right, let's all go. Like, who's that pulling? You sound like someone like Jerry West, right? Like, yeah, where's Jerry West right now?
You know, may you rest in peace. May he rest in peace. Yeah. I, I, I. I don't know.
You might be pointing to something that the Lakers are missing right now from the organization. And They're trying to model themselves after the Dodgers. Yeah, yeah. Andrew Friedman, I believe, is someone who maybe can fill that role there. As part of this process, as they're looking to build out their front office and bring in an assistant general manager for.
Pro personnel and assistant general manager for kind of analytics and draft prep and salary cap. Maybe let's pay attention to like m let's build out to have someone who can be magnanimous who can Work with personalities. Magic goes. By the way, I'm serious. Right.
I mean, it's not an absurd thought. And great with personalities than him. It's not an absurd thought. And obviously, he's very much involved with the Dodgers. I haven't heard of anything like that happening since Mark Walter took over, but.
Yeah. Yeah, I mean, I don't know. If he's in the organization. Yeah. Why wouldn't he be the one to start walking around and just delivering a message for?
Okay. The organization, someone else in the organization. One of his Showtime teammates is going on a done a couple of radio interviews, Brian Scott, saying Lakers need to get rid of LeBron. Yeah. Okay.
All right.
So I don't know, man. The guy I just saw in the playoffs, you know, Degno said afterwards that he was. You know, he was a problem for them that made them better for going against him. Yeah, how about that? He sharpened their iron.
SGA said he was the top of their scouting report. All right.
That means you're going to let you watch that. It doesn't matter what that player's name is or how old that player is, you're going to let that player walk. And he does. organize every part of his life. to be able to give his best April 15th through however long it gets.
I mean, he is. a different player in the playoffs in the best way possible. He was the best player for the Lakers these playoffs. He was the best player for the Lakers last playoffs when Luca was playing as well, if you watch those games. The drama has begun.
Well, Brown is not the future of the Lakers. I get it. But in the present? Is he done? Is he out of the league?
Well, this whole LeBron thing just reminds me of Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers. He's just holding them back from growing and going to the next level. Holding them back from what? Like they would have been out in the first round.
So he's holding them back from beating the Rockets? No, their season ended when Luca got injured. But it didn't. It did. They were not once Luca got hurt, they were not winning the championship.
Well, so but they with Luca they lost by 40 to the Thunder. They lost all the games they played against them in the regular season.
So. Luca's the magical cure to beat the thunder? Again, they certainly weren't beating him without them. Luca gives you a chance. The analogy that I think is.
Luca and No LeBron, all of a sudden you're beating the thunder? Go there's a guy in Milwaukee who's very unhappy. I don't think he's coming to the Lakers. They don't have enough to give it to him. They don't have enough on their current roster to give for him, right?
Well, it would have to be an Austin Reeves sign and trade to get the numbers right. They do have, they'll have draft picks available to trade the summary.
Okay, so there is a path to Giannis. There is a path. I don't think it's a likely path, but there is a path to it. I like it. See you the likeliness right there?
It wasn't a likely path for Luca to end up in LA and it happened.
Well, who the hell knew about that one coming? Luca and Giannis, that gets you more excited than LeBron James. It does for him. Really? Because Luca's.
Yeah. Yeah, he's the idea. Luca and LeBron, you think, is better than Luca and Giannis? Luca, LeBron, Austin Reeves.
Next year, yeah. Oh, I like Uka and Yanis better. Is this what happened in Syracuse between the two? No, Dave and I, you know, we were just playing basketball.
Okay. That's right.
Okay. Very good. Great to see you, man. Great to see you. Thanks for coming in here.
Congrats on a great season to this point in time, and the busy part just begins for you, man. Yeah. This is about it. Dave. Thanks for coming.
And come back. Let's talk more often. I'll wear my shorts. You don't have to. No, don't wear shorts.
That's a problem. That's a problem. Your legs are shown on TV. Yeah, yeah, yeah. John Miller showed up in shorts once, and he's just like, What is on TV?
I'm like, Yeah, good to see you. That's Dave McMiniman. Everybody, seek out this man's article. It is must-read material, and it certainly is food for thought right here on the Rich Eisen Show. 844-204-Rich, number to dial.
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Download the PayPal app to get started. Account with PayPal is required. Yeah. All right, so screw it. I'm a Michigan man.
I'll say it. You are? Yeah, I'll give Rob Polinka advice. Michigan Man in the Mission. I'll say it.
M to M? Say it. I'll say it right now. Just say it. I will call Magic Johnson and say: Magic, can you talk to LeBron?
And tell them what. What's your plan? What are you thinking? What do you want from the Lakers? What do you want?
Having someone from management go to him and say, What do you want? And if I'm reading the room and he doesn't want to hear from me, To the point where me giving out a game ball to the coach. just rankles him. To the point of, I'm out of here with ice on my knees. Then I'll find somebody who he would like to talk to.
A peer.
Somebody And then while that goes down. I'm talking to Austin Reeves. Turkey. What do you want? How much money is it?
And then there's a LeBron staying amount. And then there's the we need to get Less for you. Because we do want to keep LeBron do you want to play with LeBron Austin? Are you asking Reeves to take less so LeBron will stay? And Rui.
and others. You come up with a list of what you deep, what you need to stay, who needs to stay. Obviously, Reddick has a massive voice in this. Because you have to dual, triple, quadruple track this thing, man. Right?
Then you got to say DeAndre How can we find a new place for you? That one's a good idea. I saw that you know that that game where the um The Those um Sponge darts drop, and you're supposed to catch him. You know those things? Yeah, yeah.
Did you see that meme of a young boy looking up at these things and just watching them all fall? And it's the meme of DeAndre Ayton looking for a rebound. No, no, no. You're not seen that one? You say you read JJ's lips after one play.
Yeah, I saw that. It looked like he said, I can't play him. I might be wrong, I don't know. But he's a r I like him as a coach, man. Nobody fires off a timeout in disgust and strolls out to the free throw line quite like him.
His hair is perfect. That's true. His hair is perfect. I mean, and he knows the game. Does he know the game or what?
Been there, done that. He cares. I think they got that right. Who are you bringing back on this team? Kennard's a free agent.
Hayes is a free agent. Rui's a free agent. Can you bring them all back? Because I like it. I like it.
Donif Reeves is going to get $40 million.
Well, that's what you say to him. I know you've been waiting for this. I'm him. I'm going to get paid. Yeah, I got to get my.
But I mean, what, 30 in change is not enough? Not when you're, what, Dave said, 5240 eligible? Yeah, not when you live in Los Angeles and go into it. I got it. I understand.
I understand. Luca Lebron. And Reeves and Rui and Jackson Hayes and Luke Kennard and Ma Marcus Smatt. That's still not a championship squad. That's the problem in that division, in that conference.
But it's still better than the other alternatives. With all due respect, I'm not saying don't trade for Giannis. I mean, bring Reeves back, trade for Paolo or something. You know what I mean? Like,.
Why would they give up power? Hey. Didn't go that well this year. They fired their coach. Yeah, but I mean, they put it.
Oh, man, the Lakers next few weeks is going to be something. For our radio audience, thanks for taking in this show. We'll chat again on Thursday. 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.
