Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a quick note on why he's going to be throwing down a couple of futures bets on Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns this upcoming season. Both are decent long-shots that could pay off pretty big down the road. Later, the Ringer NFL writer Kevin Clark swings by to discuss which NFL coaches could be on the hot seat this season, why he's skeptical about Kliff Kingsbury and the Arizona Cardinals' ability to get over the hump, if things are as copacetic between Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll as they'd like us to believe they are, how Jimmy Garoppolo could impact the 2022 NFL Draft quarterback market, why he likes Dan Campbell's fit as the head coach of the Detroit Lions, why he's not optimistic about Jon Gruden and the Las Vegas Raiders right now, the biggest challenge facing Urban Meyer as he transitions from the college game to the NFL, why you shouldn't read too much into Zach Wilson's training camp struggles, how Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert compared as prospects coming out of college and why so many teams passed on them in their respective NFL Drafts, why he doesn't play fantasy football, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a quick thought on the New England Patriots' preseason bludgeoning of the Philadelphia Eagles. Both Cam Newton and Mac Jones played fairly well in the contest, and it's looking like Bill Belichick is going to have a tough time choosing his Week 1 starter. On the flip side, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was pulled minutes before kickoff with a mysterious stomach ailment. Let's just hope we don't have another Tyrod Taylor-type situation on our hands. Later, The Athletic NFL reporter Sheil Kapadia swings by to discuss his rise up the ranks in sports media world, why he expects this to be a one-off season for Jalen Hurts and for the Philadelphia Eagles to target a new quarterback next offseason, the injury bug that has hit the New York Jets even before the season has officially started, why he believes the Tennessee Titans could take a step back even with the addition of Julio Jones, why NFL teams still haven't fully embraced analytics and why it's so important for the front office and the coaching staff to be in lock step in that regard, why he doesn't share Jason's optimism about the New York Giants, why he has Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers as a dark horse Super Bowl contender, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off by paying homage to Angels' superstar Shohei Ohtani. Not only did he put together another gem last night (40th HR of the season + 7 strikeouts as a pitcher), but he added to his own legend after the game by diffusing a social media controversy stemming from an insensitive comment by Jack Morris. Not only is Ohtani is performing like the greatest player since Babe Ruth on the field, he's also carrying himself like a Presidential candidate off the field. He's the real deal. Later, Jason explains why he likes the New York Giants as a sleeper team in the NFC. Their defense is solid, and they've quietly assembled an outstanding group of offensive skill position players headlined by Saquon Barkley, Kenny Golladay and Evan Ingram. If Daniel 'Danny Dimes' Jones cant take any kind of step forward as the team's starting quarterback, they could make some noise in the NFC this season. Finally, Jason closes the show with a deep dive into the the Seattle Seahawks' decision to sign safety Jamal Adams to massive contract extension. Adams was one of the worst safeties in the League last season. What's more, the Seahawks defensive improvement down the stretch was just as much a product of the mediocre quarterbacks they faced as anything else. Seattle could come to regret this signing very soon. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a few thoughts on the report that the FBI is investigating Deshaun Watson over his alleged sexual misconduct towards over 20 massage therapists. If the victims' attorney is to be believed, Watson could soon be facing human trafficking charges. If it wasn't clear already, it should be now: Watson's trade demand from the Houston Texans is the least of his problems. Later, Jason does a deep dive into Tim Tebow's release from the Jacksonville Jaguars. Tebow was always a long shot to make the final 53-man roster, even with Urban Meyer in his corner. And yet, so many in the media took his release as yet another opportunity to dance on his proverbial grave. But if you take a step back, you'll see that Tebow is still a winner in all of this. If you would've told a teenage Tebow that he'd win the Heisman trophy and two national championships in college, get drafted in the first round and win an NFL playoff game and eventually play professional baseball, you don't think he'd consider himself a success story? In many ways, his 'failure' was actually a blessing in disguise. Finally, Jason shares a quick thought on the Sacramento Kings' NBA Summer League championship. The win doesn't mean a whole heck of a lot in the grand scheme of things, but it did showcase Davion Mitchell's defensive prowess. With Mitchell and second-year guard Tyrese Haliburton in the fold, is it possible we could see a De'Aaron Fox-for-Ben Simmons trade to balance out the roster? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Action Network college football insider Brett McMurphy swings by to discuss his transition from print journalism to digital media, the fallout stemming from his bombshell report regarding Zach Smith, Urban Meyer and Ohio State football a few years back, the secretive nature of college football coaches especially as it relates to injuries, why he could see Oklahoma and Texas jump to the SEC well before 2025, why he believes we'll see multiple 16-team super-conferences in the coming years, why all the conference expansion could be a bad thing for the non-Power 5 schools, why it's so hard to determine who the best quarterback is entering this upcoming college football season, why folks have such a hard time betting against Alabama no matter how many high-profile losses they sustain on their roster and on their coaching staff every year, how Name Image and Likeness could impact college sports moving forward, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a deep dive into Week 1 of the NFL preseason. Let's just say it was a bad weekend for veteran quarterbacks. Andy Dalton, Cam Newton and even Teddy Bridgewater had to walk into the facilities shaking their heads on Monday morning after Justin Fields, Mac Jones and Drew Lock lit it up in Week 1. Heck, if the New York Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars had veteran quarterbacks to speak of, they'd be shaking in their boots as well given what we saw from Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson. On the flip side, quarterback-turned-tight end Tim Tebow had a tough go of it during his first game action at the new position. Tebow had zero catches and still went viral after he completely whiffed on a blocking assignment. Luckily for him, he has Urban Meyer in his corner so his spot on the roster should still be relatively safe. Later, Producer Rob G joins the show to help make sense of the Eric Bledsoe-for-Patrick Beverly (and Rajon Rondo) trade by the Los Angeles Clippers. Turns out all those ‘dawgs’ that made the Cilps such a tough out a few years back were no match for Kawhi Leonard’s ‘snake’ tendencies. More importantly, Jason argues that this roster purge puts the Clippers in danger of missing the playoffs next season. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a quick thought on the Jacksonville Jaguars' recent string of puzzling personnel decisions. If the Jags are going come through on Jason's long-shot bet to win the AFC South, they're going to need to get their act together. Sports Illustrated senior writer Greg Bishop swings by for an in-depth conversation in which he discusses what the atmosphere was like covering the Olympics in Japan in the middle of a pandemic, why Manny Pacquiao's upcoming fight is about a whole lot more than winning a championship belt, how tough it can be navigating a world where sports and politics constantly intersect, his secret to getting high-profile athletes like Dak Prescott to open up to him, the current trend of athletes openly speaking out about their mental health, the overall impact of social media on sports and society as a whole, his upcoming book on Kansas City Chiefs lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, former NFL quarterback and VSiN radio host Shaun King swings by for a lengthy conversation in which he explains to Jason why sports wagering is exploding across the country, how sports wagering could bring in casual fans the same way fantasy football did, why he's still optimistic about Jon Gruden and the Las Vegas Raiders... assuming Derek Carr can elevate his game, why he believes the New York Jets will come to regret taking Zach Wilson with the 2nd pick in the NFL Draft, why the Houston Texans should be viewed as the 'Donkey of the Decade' for their complete and utter mismangement of the Deshaun Watson situation, why Jameis Winston being forced to ride the bench last season was probably the best thing that could've happened to him, why Matt Nagy might prefer to keep Justin Fields on the bench to start the year, why he views the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns as high-value bets to make the Super Bowl, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, Jason kicks things off with a quick thought on Dennis Schroder’s decision to sign a 1-year, $5.9 million deal with the Boston Celtics. Schroder had a $84 million offer from the Lakers last year and he turned it down in hopes of cashing in even bigger in free agency. It was a classic case of when betting on yourself goes wrong. Later, Jason gives us a glimpse into his personal life with a play-by-play re-enactment of the hit-and-run car accident that took place on Sunday. Let’s just say, you won’t like Jason when he’s angry. Finally, the MMQB senior NFL reporter Albert Breer swings by to explain why few teams have a wider range of possible outcomes next season than the Dallas Cowboys, why the Philadelphia Eagles and the Carolina Panthers make sense if the Houston Texans decide to trade disgruntled quarterback Deshaun Watson, why the 49ers plan to play both Trey Lance and Jimmy G this season and what it could mean in 2022, why we could see Cam Newton out of New England altogether if Mac Jones ends up winning the starting gig, why he’s so high on CeeDee Lamb from a fantasy perspective, why he like the Los Angeles Rams and Cleveland Browns as out-on-a-limb Super Bowl picks, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, Jason and Producer Rob G kick things off with a deep dive into Luka Doncic’s $200+ million contract extension with the Dallas Mavericks. Luka is the next Face of the NBA and very clearly worth every penny that he’s set to earn, but it does set up an interesting conundrum for the Mavs moving forward. Should they be patient and look to cash in on another superstar in free agency a few years from now? Or, should they push all-in immediately given that Luka is arguably the best player in the world right now. So much will depend on what Dallas is able to do with the albatross commonly referred to as the Kristaps Porzingis contract. Later, the guys explain why they have a small problem with all of the sports media talking heads who continue to point out how old the 2021 Los Angeles Lakers roster is. Did you know that the Lakers key rotation players led by LeBron James are roughly the same age - or younger - than the rotation players on the 1998 Chicago Bulls led by Michael Jordan? If you're going to continue to make jokes about the 'old' Lakers, please keep that same energy for all NBA rosters. Finally, Jason explain why he's so high on the San Francisco 49ers heading into next season. Much of the conversation around the team is focused on the Jimmy Garoppolo-Trey Lance quarterback 'controversy', but take argues that we could easily see Lance be used in a Michael Vick-type role early on. People forget that Vick appeared in 8 games his rookie season before taking over as the starter, and that should serve as the template for Lance in The Bay. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason and Producer Rob G share their thoughts on the first week of NBA Summer League action. Neither Cade Cunningham nor Evan Mobley played particularly well in their debuts, while the #1 player on Jason's Big Board - Jalen Green - was fantastic. Is this a sign of things to come for the top 3 picks in the NBA Draft? Or, is this just another case of fans overreacting to NBA Summer League action? Only time will tell. Later, the guys re-litigate their 'Best Version of Yourself' debate from last week using Team USA Basketball as a backdrop. Kevin Durant powered Team USA to the gold medal, but the real story of the tournament was the play of guys like Jrue Holiday and Devin Booker. Neither one put up the kind of numbers we normally see from them in the NBA, but both were instrumental in Team USA's overall success. That said, just because they won the gold, would you argue that we saw the best versions of Holiday and Booker during Olympic play? The debate rages on. Finally, Jason and Rob G close the show with a lengthy discussion on Josh Allen's massive contract extension. Did the Buffalo Bills jump the gun on this one? And more importantly, did guys like Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes actually hurt Allen during his contract negotiation? Their answers may surprise you. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, Jason and Producer Rob G kick things off with a deep dive into Kevin Durant’s case as the Best Player in the World coming off his virtuoso performance against Australia in the Olympics. This isn't a new discussion by any means but it is worth talking about given that everybody seems to have a different criteria when defining the Best Player in the World. Does he have to be a guy that you can drop on a team of scrubs and instantly make them contenders? If so, Luka Doncic and LeBron James probably have a better case than Durant. Does he have to have won a championship? KD has two, but people still rip him for the way he got them. Is it something that is generally decided by your peers? If that's the case, then the way all his Olympics teammates deferred to him against Australia should make KD a lock. Later, the guys take Charles Barkley to task for suggesting that LeBron James should be eliminated from the GOAT conversation because he’s always played on stacked teams. This is such an odd thing to say considering Barkley himself forced his way to Super Teams twice (Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets) after starting his career playing alongside multiple Hall of Famers. Talk about a hypocrite. What’s more, Barkley decided that Michael Jordan should be held in higher regard than LeBron because he had to struggle in Chicago before finally breaking through and winning his rings… while conveniently leaving out the fact that by the time MJ starting winning, his Chicago Bulls were the Super Team of that era. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, Jason and Producer Rob G kick things off with a few thoughts on LeBron James’ since-deleted tweet taking aim at the members of the media who have been critical of the current Los Angeles Lakers roster. The King accomplished two things with his tweet: 1) He stirred the pot in such a way that it's bound to keep the NBA in the news for at least another couple of days, and 2) He addressed the 'old roster' narrative that could be the biggest reason why he's back in the MVP race next season. In any event, the guys agree that the Lakers should be very good next season and would be shocked if they're not back in the NBA Finals. Later, the Jason and Rob G get into a little debate about whether or not LeBron James actually makes his superstar teammates better. Does the fact that LeBron helped Chris Bosh and Kevin Love win championships prove that he does? Or, does the fact that both Bosh and Love had to turn themselves into glorified role players to win prove that he doesn't? It's a fascinating discussion. Finally, the guys close the show with a quick note on the Philadelphia 76ers' decision to add Damian Lillard's longtime trainer to their coaching staff. Would Dame and Joel Embiid instantly vault Philly to the top of the Eastern Conference? Either way, let's just celebrate that Tampering Szn is officially upon us! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, NBA champion and FOX Sports Radio NBA analyst Eddie House swings by for a lengthy basketball conversation. In the interview, House explains to Jason why he thinks the additions of Kyle Lowry and PJ Tucker gives the Miami Heat a slight edge over the Milwaukee Bucks for second place in the Eastern Conference next season, why the Bucks and Phoenix were always the two best teams last year even if they didn’t have as much star power as the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets, which former NBA general manager rubbed him the wrong way during his own Draft process back in the way, why he believes the Lakers Big Three of LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook will work out, why he loves the Malik Monk and Carmelo Anthony additions by the Lakers, why he fully expects to see the Lakers and the Nets face off in the next NBA Finals, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason and Producer Rob G give you wall-to-wall reaction to Day One of the NBA Free Agency period. Lonzo Ball kicked things off by inking a 4-year $85 million with the Chicago Bulls. What should be a welcome addition to the Zach LaVine-Nikola Vucevic core could also be what ultimately pushes Zion Williamson out of New Orleans in a few years. Few teams have done a worse job of surrounding their young superstar with talent than the Pelicans. Zion could be planning his exit strategy as we speak. On the flip side, the big winners of Day One have to be the Miami Heat. They added Kyle Lowry and PJ Tucker to a roster that already includes All-Stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, and should immediately be viewed as a top-4 team in the East. Heck, if things break right, they could even challenge the Brooklyn Nets for Eastern Conference supremacy. Later, the guys share their thoughts on the suddenly aging Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook will be surrounded by the oldest set of role players in the NBA. Unless the Lakers can flip Dennis Schroder for younger parts in a sign-and-trade, we may need to start referring to them as the L (A.A.R.P.) Lakers. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a quick thought on the USMNT’s victory over Mexico in the Gold Cup final. The Summer of Soccer has been fantastic on all fronts, so it was fitting that the Gold Cup ended in dramatic fashion. And if you watched the match on FS1, you saw that that buzz for soccer is building considerably here in the USA. Later, Jason explains why he's not too high on the impending sign-and-trade that will be sending Kyle Lowry to the Miami Heat. At 35 years old, Lowry is still a very good player, but he's not good enough to help Miami overtake the Brooklyn Nets in the Eastern Conference. On the positive side, with the Lowry domino falling, we should see the point guard market (Lonzo Ball, Dennis Schroder, Spencer Dinwiddie, etc.) heat up in a big way very quickly once the free agency period officially opens on Monday night. Finally, Football Outsiders' NFL analyst Aaron Schatz swings by to discuss why he expects the Minnesota Vikings to give the Green Bay Packers a run for their money in the NFC North, the notion that the New Orleans Saints are due for a 2020 Patriots-esque fall this season, the ugly truth behind the Los Angeles Rams' top-heavy roster, why he believes the Dallas Cowboys are a sneaky pick to make the Super Bowl, why the numbers don't always jive with what he actually believes (ie. the Baltimore Ravens being better than the Kansas City Chiefs), why it's more likely that Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers take a step back than they take a massive step forward, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason and Producer Rob G kick things off with a deep dive into the Los Angeles Lakers blockbuster trade for Russell Westbrook. The Lakers traded away most of their depth (Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope & Montrezl Harrell) for a one-man wrecking ball who may or may not be a fit next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis. For all the stat padding that Westbrook does during the regular season, his numbers fall off pretty consistently in the postseason. Maybe that's why guys like Kevin Durant, Paul George and James Harden decided they'd rather play somewhere else than alongside Brodie. Westbrook will absolutely help the Lakers win regular season games but his inability to shoot could doom them in the playoffs. Later, the guys share a quick thought on the rather underwhelming NBA Draft. Outside of Jalen Suggs slipping to the Orlando Magic at #5, everything pretty much went according to plan. Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green and Evan Mobley went 1-2-3, and a bunch of guys you probably never heard of got picked (and traded) as the night wore on. Finally, Jason and Rob G closed the show with a few notes on Damian Lillard's social media beef with True Hoop founder Henry Abbott. Lillard continues to deny that he's planning on a requesting a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers this summer... while simultaneously reminding us why he would request a trade if he decided to do so. This whole thing is bizarre and it just might be the most passive aggressive trade demand in NBA history. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a deep dive into the Simone Biles situation that took place this week at the Olympics. Say what you want about her mental health an anxiety, but in a word, Biles quit. Period. But that doesn’t mean it has to hold a negative connotation or disqualify her from any larger conversation about her place in gymnastics history. There’s no perfect comparison for Biles in sports history but one that comes close is Robert Duran’s famous ‘No Mas’ fight against Sugar Ray Leonard. At the time, Duran was widely criticized for throwing in the towel. But years later, Mike Tyson said he admired the courage it took for Duran to recognize he didn’t have it and quit. The same logic can be applied to Biles. Moreover, anybody who thinks that Biles can no longer be considered the GOAT of women’s gymnastics because of this is asinine. Should LeBron James be eliminated from basketball GOAT consideration because he melted down in the 2011 NBA Finals? Of course not. Later, Jason shares a few thoughts on Aaron Rodgers’ ‘senatorial’ address to the media detailing everything that’s gone wrong with the Packers organization for the past few years; Rodgers gave the organization a verbal spanking for the world to see. Maybe next time the Packers - or any other NFL franchise - will take their superstar's feelings and thoughts into consideration the next time they decide to make wholesale changes. That's not to say that NFL teams should bow down to their stars, but they'd be foolish not to at least consult them from time to time. Finally, Jason closes the show with a quick note on Quinn Ewers' decision to forego his senior year of high school so he can immediately capitalize on his Name Image and Likeness at Ohio State. Is this going to become the norm for college sports? Only time will tell. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason kicks things off with a deep dive into Xavien Howard’s trade demand coming out of Miami. Howard is arguably the best cornerback in the NFL so this isn’t something to be taken lightly if you’re a Dolphins fan. What’s more, the Howard situation is a microcosm of a bigger problem throughout the NFL. Most NFL layers don’t like when their team brings in a high-priced free agent before they pay their own guys. When the Dolphins brought in Byron Jones to play opposite Howard, they unknowingly started a chain reaction that led to him ultimately requesting a trade. Either way, you must expect the Dolphins will do everything they can to keep him in town now that they have a legitimate chance to win the division for the first time in years. Later, Jason shares a quick thought on the latest report detailing Damian Lillard’s frustration in Portland. All signs point to Dame requesting a trade from the Blazers at some point this summer - perhaps even before the NBA Draft. That's definitely something to keep an eye out on in the next 48 hours. Finally, BasketballNews.com NBA Draft analyst Matt Babcock swings by to explain why he has Scottie Barnes in his top-4 and the inevitable comparisons to Ben Simmons, why it's not a stretch to say that Jalen Suggs has some Jrue Holiday to his game, why he still expects Cade Cunningham to go first overall to the Detroit Pistons, why he believes that both Evan Mobley and Jalen Green may have more overall upside than Cunningham, why Jonathan Kuminga's stock is 'falling' in the days leading up to the Draft, how 'ageism' is impacting the back half of the lottery, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a quick thought on an NBA trade that went down on Monday between the Memphis Grizzlies and the New Orleans Pelicans. Pelicans president David Griffin is clearly doing all he can to try and atone for his past mistakes in a last-ditch effort to keep his job – and hopefully keep Zion Williamson in New Orleans for the foreseeable future. In the process, however, the Pels have also set themselves up to be major players in the Kyle Lowry Sweepstakes this summer. Only problem is: Are we sure Lowry wants to sign with an also-ran like New Orleans? Later, Super Bowl champion Will Blackmon swings by to discuss why he's not surprised that Aaron Rodgers is coming back to play at least one more season with the Green Bay Packers, why Rodgers still has arguably the most arm talent in the League with no sign of slowing down, the misconception that Rodgers is some 'weirdo', how Deshaun Watson's prodigious talent could lead him to still get traded even as legal issues loom over his head, why he believes Odell Beckham Jr. is the NFL's biggest star outside of Tom Brady, why he's so high on Carson Wentz and the Indianapolis Colts entering next season, the biggest reason why the San Francisco 49ers went all-in on the Trey Lance, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a few thoughts on Team USA Basketball's loss to the France in the Olympics. The fact that several players are already reportedly fed up with head coach Gregg Popovich's offense is not a great sign moving forward. If things continue to go sideways during this tournament, Pop could get the axe. Later, Jason gives us a full breakdown of the tennis tournament he played in over the weekend. Finally, ESPN basketball analyst Jay Bilas swings by to share his thoughts on Team USA's disappointing loss to France, why guys at the top like Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley and Jalen Green could make this the best NBA Draft class we've seen since the vaunted 2003 class that featured LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade, how the G-League helped prepare Green and Jonathan Kuminga for the pros in ways that the NCAA just can't, the inevitable Scottie Barnes-Ben Simmons comparisons, how Jalen Johnson's decision to leave the Duke basketball program in the middle of the season could impact his draft stock, why some NBA teams have an aversion to taking upperclassmen at the top of the Draft, why there's a bit of a Moneyball element these days to the way NBA teams evaluate talent, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, Jason kicks things off with a quick thought on the NFL’s new COVID-19 vaccination protocols. The NFL isn’t mandating that every player get vaccinated, but the protocols are written in such a way that it would behoove you to do so. If guys like DeAndre Hopkins would rather retire altogether than get the jab, then that’s their prerogative. Nobody can force you to do anything that you’re not comfortable doing. As is the case with any controversial decision, though, let’s just hope that he’s willing to live with the consequences. Later, FOX Sports college football analyst RJ Young swings by to explain why Oklahoma and Texas' proposed moved to the SEC doesn't make sense and is premature to even consider at this point, the role Texas A&M might play in this whole saga, why Oklahoma and Texas changing conferences might actually hurt them in the College Football Playoff picture, if Spencer Rattler or Baker Mayfield was the better NFL prospect coming out of college, why Texas should be viewed as developmental football program at this point in time, if Name Image and Likeness could lead to jealous and infighting within college sports programs, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a deep dive into Giannis Antetokounmpo's assertion that he did things the 'hard' way by staying in Milwaukee rather than joining a Super Team. We love Giannis, but he's dead wrong on this one. Staying in your comfort zone in a city where you are adored is easy; Joining a Super Team and accepting the ridicule and pressure that comes along with it is hard. Not everybody can handle the instant hatred and constant scrutiny that comes along when you take your career into your own hands and leave to greener pastures. Do you remember what LeBron James had to go through when he left the Cavaliers and took his talents to South Beach? Did you forget how quickly Kevin Durant became the most hated man in the NBA when he jumped ship to the Warriors? It's part of the reason why guys like Damian Lillard and Bradley Beal have yet to publicly demand a trade out of their respective towns. Later, Jason shares a quick thought on Oklahoma and Texas' plan to leave the Big-12 and join the SEC. We're not expecting it to happen, but the fact that they're trying to do it shouldn't come as a surprise. We saw something similar happen in European soccer a few months ago. If there's money to be made, these sports entities will do everything they can to make it happen. Finally, Jason closes the show with a quick stroll down memory lane - inspired by 'Don't call me Deion' Sanders' press conference that went viral this week - in which he discusses his worst experiences as an interviewer. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, Jason kicks things off with a full breakdown of the Milwaukee Bucks’ NBA Finals series victory over the Phoenix Suns. First, kudos to Giannis Antetokounmpo for putting on an epic performance in Game 6. With this ring and Finals MVP award, the Greek Freak has joined some elite company in NBA History. That said, as great as his performance was, let’s pump the brakes on all the Shaquille O’Neal comparisons. Shaq was bulldozing through defenders back in his heyday while Giannis is more likely to explode around them. In many ways, Giannis is much more like Wilt Chamberlain than he is like Shaq. Later, Jason looks into his crystal ball to determine whether or not the Bucks have any chance at repeating as champions next season. In a word: No. In a few words: Hell No. This is not the start of a Bucks Dynasty; It’s the culmination of a One Night Stand. Milwaukee had a magical run where everything seemed to break in their favor, and credit to them they were able to capitalize. Just don’t’ expect them to have such a charmed path again. Finally, Jason closes the show by sharing a quick thought on Chris Paul’s future with the Phoenix Suns. NBA Twitter is clamoring for CP3 to join forces with LeBron James in Los Angeles, but that’s hard pass on J-Mac’s end. Paul – and the Lakers – would be better off if he just stayed in Phoenix. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, ESPN basketball analyst Fran Fraschilla swings by for an extended conversation on a myriad of hoops topics, including: how the condensed NBA season has played a role in Team USA's struggles so far in exhibition play, why the 2024 Olympic Games will be a much better indicator of where American basketball stands on the global scale, why JaVale McGee could be more impactful than you think during the Olympics, why Jalen Green may have the highest upside in the NBA Draft but Cade Cunningham is the safer bet at #1 overall, why Evan Mobley reminds him so much of Chris Bosh, why he refers to Chris Duarte as 'baby Klay Thompson', what makes The Tournament so great, and much more! Later, Jason closes the show with a very special NBA Finals Game 6 edition of the Best Bet. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, Jason and Producer Rob G kick things off with a quick defense of LeBron James' new movie - 'Space Jam: A New Legacy'. Is it a great movie? No, but it wasn't supposed to be. Is it surprising that the critics mostly hated it? No, but it wasn't made for them. The target demographic seems to love it, and that's all that matters in situations like this. Later, the guys share their thoughts on Damian Lillard's future following Henry Abbott's report on Friday that Dame would be requesting a trade in the coming days. Lillard tried to shoot down the report the best he could... only to go ahead and explain all the reasons why he would request a trade if he decided to. You can't blame Lillard for wanting out, and you can't hold his past comments about loyalty against him. Only a fool would keep the same opinion without bothering to consider new information. With Draymond Green and Steve Kerr heading over to Tokyo with Lillard and the rest of Team USA in the coming days, don't be surprised to see Dame connected to the Golden State Warriors when they all return. Finally, Jason and Rob G close the show with a full breakdown of the NBA Finals. The last 3 Phoenix Suns losses have been an indictment of Chris Paul. Period. Devin Booker has been sensational for most of the series, but with CP3 looking more and more like a 36-year-old point guard, it's hard to imagine Phoenix coming back in this one. What's more, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday are all peaking at the right time for the Milwaukee Bucks. This series just feels over. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason McIntyre kicks off his final Saturday show by trying to make sense of what’s going on with Team USA ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, and FS1 NBA insider Ric Bucher joins the show! Previewing tonight’s pivotal Game 5 matchup between the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns, Can’t Knock The Hustle author Matt Sullivan joins the show to talk about the Nets with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, FSR legal analyst Amy Dash joins the show to talk about the Richard Sherman incident, and much more!FSR Weekends: Catch all of FOX Sports Radio's weekend coverage by subscribing to FOX Sports Weekends!https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fox-sports-radio-weekends/id1313512668Straight Fire: Catch Jason McIntyre every weekday by subscribing to Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/straight-fire-with-jason-mcintyre/id1523353907 Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a quick thought on the cancellation of Friday's USA Basketball exhibition game against Australia stemming from Bradley Beal's positive COVID test. With the Delta variant running rampant around the world, are we sure at this point that the Olympic Games will go off without a hitch? And assuming they do, who should Team USA call up to replace Beal on the roster? Anthony Davis? Zion Williamson? This whole thing is definitely something to keep an eye on. Later, Jason does a quick preview of Game 5 of the NBA Finals. With the series shifting back to Phoenix we can assume the Suns' role players will play well. Will Bucks' role players be able to match the intensity? Finally, The Ringer staff writer and author Mirin Fader swings by to discuss the impending release of her new book 'GIANNIS: The Improbable Rise of an NBA MVP' and how the timing worked out so well, how the COVID restrictions actually forced her to become a better journalist, why Giannis is the American dream personified, how Giannis' path to the NBA is so much different than other international prospects like Luka Doncic, why loyalty played such a big role in his decision to stay in Milwaukee, the possibility of Giannis becoming the Face of the League, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, Jason kicks things off by sharing his thoughts on the Milwaukee Bucks’ victory over the Phoenix Suns in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Khris Middleton had 40 for the Bucks and Devin Booker dropped 42 for the Suns, but the big story to come out of the game was the underwhelming play of the Point God Chris Paul. Paul had five more turnovers in Game 4 – including a critical one in the final minutes – and had arguably his worst game of the playoffs. In fact, CP3’s play has gotten worse pretty much every game of these NBA Finals. With Paul slowing down and Giannis Antetokounmpo looking like the most dominant player in the series, it feels like the Bucks are in full control. Later, FOX Sports MLB analyst Ben Verlander swings by to discuss what it was like meeting his sports hero Shohei Ohtani at the MLB All-Star Game, his own experience as a two-way player in college, why he’s only slightly optimistic that we’ll see more two-way players moving forward, how Twitch helped him prepare for a career in sports media, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a little story time related to his Saturday morning FOX Sports Radio show. The path to radio, television and podcast glory wasn't linear, to say the least. Let's just hope that whoever takes over the Saturday show cares about it as much as Jason did for the past 6 years. Later, The Athletic NBA insider Joe Vardon swings by to discuss his viral back-and-forth with Gregg Popovich following Team USA Basketball's loss to Australia, the idea that Popovich might not be the right coach for Team USA, how the decision to value playmaking and shooting on the roster over size and rebounding could come back to bite them as we get deeper into the tournament, why the pressure to get things back on track should fall mostly on Kevin Durant and Damian Lillard, what the impending arrivals of Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton and Devin Booker mean for the rest of the roster moving forward, which teams could cause them problems in the medal round, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a quick thought on the Major League Baseball Home Run Derby. Pete Alonso went on to win the event but the story of the night - as has been the case all season - was Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani. Few players can captivate the imagination of the casual fan quite like Ohtani. Later, Producer Rob G joins the show for a deep dive into what's gone wrong for Team USA Basketball. They've lost 2 straight exhibition games after dominating international competition for over a decade, and now hoops fans are trying to decide who to blame. Has head coach Gregg Popovich lost his ability to connect with superstar players since the Kawhi Leonard Era ended so abruptly? Is the roster filled with too many score-first players like Damian Lillard, Bradley Beal and Zach LaVine? With players like Kevin Durant and Jayson Tatum at the forefront, Team USA should be able to out-talent every team they go against. But, does that all that talent matter when half the guys are only on the team to build their personal brands overseas. In any event, we can all agree that there seems to be a disconnect between what Team USA says they want to be and what they actually are on the floor. Finally, the guys do a quick preview of Wednesday night's NBA Finals Game 4 between the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks. Will the extra time off be enough to help the Suns regain control of the series? We'll find out soon enough. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off by breaking a little personal news - the Saturday morning FOX Sports Radio show is coming to an end. With this podcast in full swing and his role expanding at FOXSports.com, it just wouldn't have been fair to the fans to continue putting together a show that was clearly lower on the list of priorities. Next, Jason takes a quick verbal victory lap following Conor McGregor's first round loss to Dustin Poirier on Saturday night. We tried to tell you: Conor is WASHED. Even before his leg broke it was clear that he was headed towards another loss. Later, Jason does a deep dive on the epic climax to the Summer of Soccer that he's been pumping up for weeks. Messi powered Argentina to the Copa America championship and thus cemented his status as one the greatest to ever do it, but the bigger story was the England choke in their Euro 2020 championship loss to Italy. What were they thinking throwing their young guns out there so late in the game? They never really got a chance to settle into the action so it's no surprise that nerves got the better of them in penalty kicks. Finally, Jason does a deep dive into the Milwaukee Bucks' blowout victory over the Phoenix Suns in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. We tried to tell you last week that the Bucks were a lock to win this one. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been beasting on the inside all series, and with the home crowd giving Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday the boost they needed, Milwaukee is suddenly back in this series. Thankfully for the Suns, with both teams getting a few days off before Game 4, Chris Paul and Devin Booker should be able to play extended minutes (and keep the weak Suns bench players stuck on the pine) in hopes of regaining control of the series. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason McIntyre previews a great sports weekend and talks the NBA Finals, as the ratings are down during the Suns first two victories. Jason gives insight on Giannis Antetokounmpo's performance thus far, and what it means for the player he is. Aaron Rodgers needs to put up or shut up right now. Jason dives into the Euro Final and a huge matchup in Copa America on Saturday night. Plus, FSR Host Jonas Knox stops by to break down all you need to know for Conor McGregor vs. Daniel Poirier!Guests include: Jon Paul Morosi - MLB Network Insider, Ryan Glasspiegel - Sports Media Reporter, Jonas Knox - Fox Sports Radio Host, Gina Mizell - Suns Reporter for NBA.comCatch all of FOX Sports Radio's weekend coverage by subscribing to FOX Sports Weekends here! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's show, Jason and Producer Rob G kick things off with a thorough breakdown of the Phoenix Suns' Game 2 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Finals. Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Mikal Bridges were sensational, but the Suns lost yet another key bench contributor to injury and almost gave the game away late. With Giannis Antetokounmpo rounding back into form following that gruesome leg injury last week, if the Bucks can get anything on the offensive end from Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday, they should be able to get at least one win back in Milwaukee. Speaking of Giannis, given how poorly his top two running mates have been in these NBA Finals, do you think he's starting to regret signing that super-max contract extension this past offseason? That's definitely something to monitor as we move forward in this series. Later, ESPN boxing and MMA reporter Mike Coppinger swings by to explain why he likes Conor McGregor to bounce back and get the win in his trilogy fight this weekend with Dustin Poirier, how close McGregor was to fighting Manny Pacquiao in a boxing match last year, how Conor’s life of luxury may have played a role in him losing 2 of his last 3 fights, why the upcoming trilogy fight between heavyweight boxers Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder may get postponed, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's podcast, Jason kicks things off with a quick update on the Summer of Soccer. England got a big win in one of the wildest finishes you'll ever see on the pitch, but that pales in comparison to what we've got coming up on Saturday: Messi vs. Neymar - Argentina vs. Brazil - for the Copa America Championship. If you weren't a soccer fan already, tune in on Saturday and I promise you'll become one. Later, Jason tells us why he has a big problem with all of the sports media talking heads trying to make a big deal out of Aaron Rodgers’ non-committal response to a question about his future in Green Bay. It’s become increasingly clear that Rodgers isn’t going to take a public stand either way, so let’s stop trying to read into everything he says (or doesn't say). Until he actually misses training camp practices, this is the biggest non-story in sports. Finally, FOX Sports NBA writer Yaron Weitzman swings by to discuss if all the injuries to the biggest stars has killed some of the buzz of these NBA Playoffs, if we should expect Chris Paul to test free agency if the Phoenix Suns end up winning the championship, why most still expect the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers to be the favorites over the Suns out West next season, if this season has proven that there's no one right way to build a great team, the pros and cons of trading Ben Simmons, the 'Kingmaker' behind the scenes of NBA front offices, what - if anything - the Milwaukee Bucks can do to come back in Game 2, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off by sharing his thoughts on Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Phoenix Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks. The Suns were the better team coming in so it wasn't all that surprising to see them flex their muscle in Game 1. Even with Giannis Antetokounmpo making a miraculous return to the floor following his gruesome knee injury last week, the Bucks looked outmatched; Almost everything went right for Milwaukee and they still got their doors blown off. Chris Paul and Devin Booker feasted on the Bucks' defense, and it feels almost inevitable at this point that the Suns will be hoisting the Larry O'Brien trophy in about a week. Perhaps the biggest question to come out of this series then is what CP3 might do once he finally gets his ring. Would he re-sign with Phoenix and run it back next year? Or, would he look to move back to Los Angeles (where his family still lives) to play out the rest of his career with LeBron James and the Lakers? Only time will tell. Later, author Jim Miller swings by to share his thoughts on the Rachel Nichols-Maria Taylor kerfuffle and the overall disfunction at ESPN, discuss why he believes the New York Times piece was clearly a case of ‘agenda journalism’, why there seems to be so much talent-driven agendas and an overall lack of trust amongst colleagues at the Worldwide Leader, why he believes a culture of selfishness and disloyalty has led to something of a civil war inside ESPN, why the suits over at the NBA can’t be happy about what’s going on, how much of an impact social media had on the whole situation, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a quick explanation as to why he was physically incapable of dropping a post-4th of July pod on Monday. Sorry, America, but not even the great J-Mac is immune to the aftereffects of a good holiday cocktail. Next, Producer Rob G joins the show to help discuss the bombshell story over the weekend centered around ESPN personalities Rachel Nichols and Maria Taylor. A private conversation between Nichols and an associate was secretly recorded and leaked to other media outlets. In the audio, Nichols basically suggested that the biggest reason Taylor was advancing within the company so quickly is because she's black. Big Yikes. It's hard to say exactly what's going to happen moving forward, but one thing is certain: There are no winners in this. Say what you want about Nichols and Taylor individually, but ESPN comes out as a big loser in this. As Jay-Z says, "Nobody wins when The Family feuds". Later, the guys bring you a full Phoenix Suns-Milwaukee NBA Finals preview. Both Jason and Rob G have the Suns winning the series. Devin Booker and Chris Paul should be able to feast against Milwaukee's defensive coverage, and with Giannis Antetokounmpo's availability in question it's hard to envision the Bucks mustering enough offense to keep up. Unless Khris Middleton is suddenly available to develop any level of consistency, 'Suns in 4 Guy' may be back on your television relatively soon. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason McIntyre sounds off on the NBA postseason and explains why the NBA offseason has already taken the headlines away from the coming Finals. Name, Image, and Likeness has already opened more doors for college athletes than we anticipated. Jason shares his excitement and thoughts on the latest EURO and Copa action! Plus, Chris Paul still can't get the respect he deserves.Guests include: Vik Chokshi - Sports Betting Expert, Scott Miller - Longtime National Baseball Writer contributing for the New York Times, Rob Stone - FOX Sports Host for FOX Soccer coverage, Gina Mizell - Covering the Suns for NBA.comCatch all of FOX Sports Radio's weekend coverage by subscribing to FOX Sports Weekends here! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason and Producer Rob G share their thoughts on the Milwaukee Bucks' blowout victory over the Atlanta Hawks in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final. Unfortunately, without Giannis Antetokounmpo and Trae Young on the floor, the game looked more like a preseason game than a playoff game. Nobody is tuning in to watch Khris Middleton and John Collins; The NBA is a star-driven league and this series is devoid of stars at the moment. If neither guy comes back by the NBA Finals, the League could be in a big trouble on the ratings front. Later, the guys do a deep dive on the new Name Image and Likeness guidelines that are sweeping through the NCAA. When the idea was first presented years ago, many expected that it would be the high-profile basketball and football players raking in the dough, but after Day 1, we're seeing that even kickers can cash in. Moreover, with social media being such a driving force in all of this, it's clear that female athletes could end up making more money than the males. In fact, LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne could end making over $1 million off of her NIL. Good luck finding any college football or college basketball player beating that. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a postseason riddled with injuries, no team benefitted more than the Finals-bound Suns. Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton all had their moments, for sure, but let’s not pretend like the Suns’ path to the Finals was all that treacherous. Los Angeles Lakers superstar Anthony Davis missed time in round 1, Denver Nuggets star Jamal Murray missed all of round 2, Utah Jazz all-star Mike Conley missed most of round 3 and Los Angeles Clippers superstar Kawhi Leonard missed all of the Western Conference Finals. And you know what the funny part of all it is? Nobody will care if the Suns go on to win the championship. History only remembers who won and lost, not how things went down in the process. On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a few thoughts on the Phoenix Suns' series-clinching victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. Later, Hall of Fame soccer player and former U.S. Men's National's Team member Eric Wynalda swings by to discuss the buzz around the UEFA Euro 2020 and 2021 Copa America tournaments during what Jason has called the 'Summer of Soccer' in the United States, how he became one of the pioneers of American-born soccer players playing overseas in Europe, why he blames Major League Soccer organizers for putting financial gain over player development, why he believes this current USMNT squad could make a run to the semi-finals of the World Cup this year, why the key to growing the sport in America is to improve the quality of play here in the States, why he expects we'll see high-level play from Lionel Messi even as he ages, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a quick thought on Giannis Antetokounmpo's unfortunate knee injury. If he's limited for the rest of the series - or out altogether - then we should be probably expect to see the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA Finals. Then again, the way the NBA playoffs have shaken out thus far, would anyone be all that shocked to see the shorthanded Milwaukee Bucks close things out without the Greek Freak? The Los Angeles Clippers actually have a winning record in the postseason against the two teams in the Western Conference without Kawhi Leonard. Either way, let's just hope Giannis' MRI comes back clean. The last thing the NBA needs right now is another superstar missing time due to injury. Later, #NBATwitter icon Cuffs The Legend swings by to discuss why he's rooting for Paul George during these playoffs and is hopeful that he'll be able to live up to the 'Playoff P' nickname, why he's been so impressed by the job Los Angeles Clippers head coach Ty Lue during this postseason, why he'd be willing to sacrifice a family member to get Damian Lillard to the Los Angeles Lakers, why he wouldn't be surprised to see big names like CJ McCollum, Russell Westbrook, Bradley Beal and Ben Simmons change teams in the very near future, why he envisions Zion Williamson playing for the New York Knicks at some point during his NBA career, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a deep dive into the Los Angeles Clippers' Game 5 victory over the Phoenix Suns. Paul George went full-on ‘Playoff P’ in this one, dropping 30 of his 41 points in the second half. At this point, it’s tough to figure out why so many in the sports media world like to go out of their way to take shots at George, especially since he’s proven time and again during these playoffs that he’s a top-15 player in the League. With Kawhi Leonard out of the lineup, PG has proven that he’s capable of carrying the load, Reggie Jackson has established himself as a $20+ million per year point guard, and Ty Lue has shown that he’s a top-5 NBA head coach. Later, the guys share their thoughts on Scottie Pippen’s recent string of outlandish comments in the media. It started last week with him taking shots at Kevin Durant and it culminated on Monday with him calling Phil Jackson a racist. It’s unclear if he’s seeing stuff like this just to sell more bourbon and copies of his upcoming book, but either way, it’s clear that he’s unwell. The past year has been really rough on him. Let’s just hope he gets the help he needs. Finally, Jason closes the show with a quick discussion on the unrest surrounding the Portland Trail Blazers. Thanks in large part to a small group of very loud people on social media, Chauncey Billups has become persona non grata in the Pacific Northwest and superstar Damian Lillard may be forcing his way out of town. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason is back off vacation with a vengeance. He jumped right off a plane to behind a microphone to deliver his takes on all the biggest headlines around the NBA. First, he shares his thoughts on the Milwaukee Bucks' Game 3 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. Trae Young's ankle will be the the story moving forward, but the play of Khris Middleton is what stole the show last night. The wildly inconsistent Middleton delivered a gem of a performance and reminded the basketball world why he, not superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, is the Bucks' most important player. When the offense runs through Middleton, they win. Giannis is easily the team's best player, but Middleton has shown throughout these playoffs that he is the key to their success. The problem, though, is that it's almost impossible to count on him to be good on a night-to-night basis. All the same, with Young banged up, all signs point to a Bucks-Suns NBA Finals matchup. Later, Jason shares a quick thought on the report that Damian Lillard is on the verge of formally requesting a trade out of Portland. On one hand, it's exciting to speculate about where Dame Dolla might end up because Super Teams are great for the NBA. On the other, it's hard to blame the Trail Blazers for repeatedly coming up short during the Lillard Era. The Western Conference is - and has been - a juggernaut. Between the Tim Duncan-led Spurs, the Curry-Durant Warriors and the LeBron-led Lakers, when exactly were the Blazers expected to break through? Either way, this summer should be spicy! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, Producers Rob G and Gavin share their thoughts on the Los Angeles Clippers impressive victory over the Phoenix Suns in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. Apparently, the ‘0-2 Clippers’ are the greatest team in NBA history. For the third consecutive series, the Paper Clips boys fell into an 0-2 hole only to come back and stomp out their competition in Game 3. Patrick Beverley has put Devin Booker in a straitjacket the past two games, Paul George and Reggie Jackson have carried the load offensively, and Ty Lue continues to make great game-to-game adjustments. Later, Rob G does a deep dive into separate reports involving the futures of Ben Simmons in Philadelphia and Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn, respectively. Would a Simmons-for-Kyrie actually make sense for all parties involved? At least one person thinks so. Finally, Gavin closes the show with the Friday edition of the Best Bet. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, Producers Rob G and Gavin kick things off with a deep dive into Trae Young’s virtuoso performance on the road in Milwaukee to help the Atlanta Hawks take a 1-0 series lead. He dropped 48 points on the Bucks, cementing his status as one of the best young players in the NBA. If it wasn’t obvious before it’s crystal clear today: Trae Young vs. Luka Doncic is a legitimate debate now. Trae’s coming out party this postseason is eerily similar to what we saw from Jimmy Butler in The Bubble where everyone knew he was good, but nobody realized he was that good. Unless Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer can’t make a few adjustments for once, the Hawks may end up in the NBA Finals. Later, Rob G shares his thoughts on the NBA Draft Lottery results and explains why he believes the Golden State Warriors should trade the #7 and #14 picks – and prized center James Wiseman – this offseason for another star. Steph Curry proved last season that he still has a lot left in the tank, and the Warriors owe to him to go all-in while he’s still in his prime Finally, Gavin closes the show with the Thursday edition of the Best Bet. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, producers Rob G and Gavin throw the format out the window and deliver an instant reaction podcast to the Phoenix Suns’ wild victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. The last 30 seconds of the game had it all: Midrange magic from Devin Booker, a legacy defining moment for ‘Playoff P’ Paul George, the untimely return of ‘Pandemic P’, the greatest inbounds play in NBA Playoff history, and about 47 different instant replay reviews. Both fan bases were taken on an emotional rollercoaster ride in what many are calling the craziest ending to a playoff game in NBA history. So rather than wait until the morning to collect their thoughts and deliver a coherent show like Jason normally does, the guys decided to ride that wave of emotion right into their microphones and record immediately after the game while the juices were still flowing. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Rob G and Gavin kick things off with a quick note explaining why they won't be going too deep on Las Vegas Raiders' defensive end Carl Nassib becoming the first active NFL player to come out as gay. Maybe other pods will have something profound to say about it, but not this one. The guys did discuss, however, whether or not Paul George is changing his playoff legacy before our eyes. Coming into this postseason, basketball fans were still calling him 'Pandemic P', a reference to his woeful performance in The Bubble last season. Has he done enough through the first two rounds of these playoffs to shed that label? It really is a fascinating discussion. Later, Rob G hijacks the show to do a deep dive into the viral clip of Tom Brady mocking an anonymous NFL franchise for deciding not to sign him in free agency. Most would argue that any team who passed on Brady must have made a colossal mistake, but Rob G argues differently. At the time, Brady was coming off arguably his worst season in a decade, so it's hard to blame an NFL front office for turning him down. Finally, Gavin closes the show with a very special 3-for-1 edition of the Best Bet as we lead into tonight's Western Conference Finals Game 2 between the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Clippers. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Producers Rob G and Gavin are in all week while Jason is on vacation, and on today’s episode, the guys kick things off with a deep dive into the Philadelphia 76ers’ disappointing Game 7 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. If it wasn’t clear by now, Doc Rivers has cemented his status as the most overrated coach in the NBA. Outside of a lightning in a bottle championship with the Big 3 Boston Celtics, Doc’s teams have regularly flamed out of the postseason. It’s not even shocking anymore; Folks almost expect his teams to disappointing in the playoffs at this point. The only question at this point is whether or not his latest playoff failure will end up costing him his job in Philly. But Doc isn’t the only big name who could be headed out of town this summer. Ben Simmons was an absolute train wreck offensively in this series. Things got so bad that both Doc and Joel Embiid threw him under the bus after Game 7. Knowing what we know now, is it safe to say that the Houston Rockets made the right decision when they chose to accept the Brooklyn Nets poo-poo platter rather than Simmons in that trade for James Harden? Finally, the guys close things out with a quick thought on the Milwaukee Bucks run to the Eastern Conference Finals. This time last week Milwaukee appeared to be dead in the water. But thanks to a few untimely injuries to Kyrie Irving and James Harden, the Bucks are now in the driver’s seat to make the NBA Finals. That said, are we sure that’s necessarily a good thing? Are the Bucks legitimate title contenders or just another very good team who had things break their way in the playoffs? Only time will tell. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason McIntyre reacts to the Clippers advancing to the Western Conference Finals and highlights a surprising x-factor in the Game 6 victory. Jason previews Game 7 between the Bucks and Nets and explains why he has the Bucks getting to the Eastern Conference Finals. Newy Scruggs of NBC Dallas/Fort Worth joins Jason to explain the coaching and management issues that led to Rick Carlisle leaving and various rifts in the front office for the Mavericks. Jeff Duncan of The Athletic New Orleans stops by to discuss whether or not Zion will be committing to the Pelicans long term. Plus, Bernie Fratto of Straight Outta Vegas gives all the numbers and odds for the pair of Game 7s and the Conference Finals!Catch all of FOX Sports Radio's weekend coverage by subscribing to FOX Sports Weekends!https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fox-sports-radio-weekends/id1313512668 Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off by taking a small victory lap following the Milwaukee Bucks' blowout victory over the Brooklyn Nets to force a Game 7. He tried to warn us that Kevin Durant would be unable to put together another Herculean effort on such short rest and that the Bucks were the pick not only to win Game 6 but to win the series outright. If Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton can keep up the solid play, Jason may be proven right. Later, Producer Rob G joins the show to help discuss the turmoil surrounding the Dallas Mavericks now that both general manager Donnie Nelson and head coach Rick Carlisle have been let go in the past few days. On the surface, you'd think that getting the opportunity to coach the best young player in the game in Luka Doncic would be a dream job for any coach. But, dig a little deeper and you'll see that the front office is in turmoil, owner Mark Cuban is very hands-on and Luka just might wield more power over his team than anyone this side of LeBron James. Good luck to any coach who thinks they can thread that needle. Finally, Meadowlark Media NBA analyst Tom Haberstroh swings by to discuss the uncertainty surrounding Zion Williamson and his future with the New Orleans Pelicans, why he would caution Zion about looking to bolt for greener pastures so quickly, why it's important to remember that Daryl Morey isn't the one who hired Doc Rivers as the Philadelphia 76ers head coach and may not necessarily feel obligated to keep him long-term, why he still thinks there are a ton of teams who would have interest in trading for Ben Simmons if he were to become available, why he believes Bradley Beal has the potential to become the second-coming of James Harden on the offensive end, why he isn't surprised that the Paul George-led Los Angeles Clippers are up 3-2 over the Utah Jazz even without Kawhi Leonard, why he believes Luka will be the one to take over for LeBron as the Face of the NBA, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.