Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off by sharing his thoughts on the Philadelphia 76ers blowing a 20+ point second half lead to the Atlanta Hawks in Game 5. The whole thing sounds shocking on its face until you realize that stuff like this has become par for the course for Doc Rivers-led teams. Joel Embiid did everything he could to carry the team to victory on that bum knee of his, but Tobias Harris was a no-show and Ben Simmons was predictably underwhelming. Whether the Sixers lose this series or not, all signs point to Simmons getting shipped out of town this offseason. Doc Rivers’ shortcomings as a coach became even more jarring when you consider that his successor in Los Angeles, Ty Lue, was able to push all the right buttons for the Kawhi Leonard-less Clippers in the nightcap. It also helped that ‘Playoff P’ Paul George showed up and showed out in a big way to put the Utah Jazz on the brink of elimination. These NBA Playoffs have been so unpredictable night-to-night that you can make a legitimate argument for each of the seven remaining teams to win the title. Later, Bleacher Report NBA writer and author of 'Built to Lose: How the NBA's Tanking Era Changed the League Forever' Jake Fischer swings by to discuss why some teams struggle with having to bend over backwards for star players have they spent years tanking just to get them, the future of the next wave of allegedly disgruntled stars Karl-Anthony Towns and Bradley Beal, how the Los Angeles Lakers blew a chance to build a Big 3 of Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony a few years back, why he agrees that more people need to hold New Orleans Pelicans EVP David Griffin accountable for the way he's mismanaged the start of Zion Williamson's career, what went wrong behind the scenes between DeMarcus Cousins and the Sacramento Kings a few years ago, on if the The Process in Philadelphia should be considered a success, 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 share their thoughts on Kevin Durant's legendary performance in the Brooklyn Nets' Game 5 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. It was arguably the greatest game KD has ever played (49 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists in 48 minutes), and it came in the most important game of the Nets' season. It was reminiscent of LeBron James' Game 1 performance against the Golden State Warriors in the 2018 NBA Finals - except Durant's team actually won the game. With James Harden clearly hobbled by his hamstring injury, and every Nets player outside of Jeff Green bricking outside shots, KD had to put Brooklyn on his back in the second half (30 points) and will his team to victory. If KD wasn't already regarded as the Best Player in the World, good luck arguing against it now after last night. Now, you never want to overreact to one game, and It's probably too soon to even have this conversation, but is it fair to call KD a top-15 player in NBA history? Could you even argue that he's in the top-10? In the losing locker room, it's hard not to place the blame squarely at the feet of Giannis Antetokounmpo and head coach Mike Budenholzer. After going up big in the first half, the Bucks offense stalled in the second. What's worse, the Bucks did absolutely nothing defensively to slow down Durant. All that being said, Jason says he's STILL picking the Bucks to win this series for two reasons: 1) Harden is clearly hobbled and should get attacked relentlessly over the next two games, and 2) What are the odds that Durant is able to put together another legendary performance like that? 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 discussion on the Atlanta Hawks’ come-from-behind victory over the Philadelphia 76ers to even the series at 2-2. Joel Embiid shot just 4-of-20 in the game (0-for-12 in the second half) in what was easily the worst postseason game of his career. It’s unclear whether it was his gimpy knee or a night out on the town that led to Embiid’s ugly shooting night, but in any event, Philly simply cannot afford a repeat performance. While we’re on the subject, could you argue than an offense built around Ben Simmons – and not Embiid – could actually have more potential? Perhaps. Later, the guys do a deep dive into the bombshell article in The Athletic detailing Luka Doncic’s frustrations with a certain member of the Dallas Mavericks front office. Is Luka really the kind of guy to execute a power play this early in his career? If so, he may have even more in common with Magic Johnson than we thought. Finally, the guys wrap things up with a quick preview of tonight’s pivotal Game 5 between the Brooklyn Nets and the Milwaukee Bucks. With James Harden and Kyrie Irving ruled out with injury, will Kevin Durant get enough help from ‘the others’ to pull the upset? 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 lengthy discussion on Kyrie Irving's unfortunate injury in Game 4 against the Milwaukee Bucks. Irving now joins James Harden, Anthony Davis, Jamal Murray, Mike Conley, Jaylen Brown, Donovan Mitchell, Chris Paul, Joel Embiid and LeBron James as the latest star to sustain an injury either entering or during the NBA Playoffs. Remember when folks tried to say that the Los Angeles Lakers' 2020 NBA championship should have an asterisk next to it since they won it a Bubble? If that's the case, then shouldn't this 2021 NBA championship have an asterisk as well since most of the best players were hurt? Moreover, anyone who says that if the Brooklyn Nets are unable to beat the Bucks with Harden and Kyrie is some sort of indictment on Kevin Durant is just crazy. But, on the flip side, if Giannis Antetokounmpo can't beat the Nets without Harden and Kyrie... that just might be the biggest postseason choke job of the decade. Moving over to the Western Conference, now that the Phoenix Suns have officially swept the Denver Nuggets out of the playoffs, it's time to re-evaluate where Chris Paul stands amongst the greatest point guards in NBA history. Is he in the top-5? Are we sure he's even better than Steve Nash? Until he wins a ring, it's hard to consider him a lock for either one. 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 Utah Jazz' victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 2. As has been the case all season, the Paper Clips once again stunk it up in the clutch and coughed up a very winnable game. Kawhi Leonard was nowhere to be found in the fourth quarter, and head coach Tyronn Lue was throwing human turnstiles on the floor down the stretch. Stop giving these guys a pass. In the immortal words of Dennis Green: "They are who we thought they were!" On the flip side, it's time to give Donovan Mitchell his flowers. He is easily the best shooting guard in the Western Conference, and so long as everyone remains healthy, should face off with another talented two-guard, Devin Booker, in the Conference Finals. Moving over to the East, the Milwaukee Bucks were able to hold on and beat the Brooklyn Nets in Game 3 to avoid going down 3-0. The Bucks may have gotten the win but they did absolutely nothing to inspire confidence moving forward. Giannis still can't shoot to save his life, and coach Mike Budenholzer is still allergic to adjustments. This series has '5-game Gentleman's Sweep' written all over it. Later, NBA on TNT reporter Jared Greenberg swings by to discuss his postgame interview with Kevin Durant that went viral earlier this week, why he's so appreciative of the way Steph Curry treats media members, the concept of parity and why Super Teams are good for the NBA, why Giannis signing a max extension doesn't necessarily means he won't still leave the Bucks, how Damian Lillard's outward loyalty towards Portland could come back to haunt him, why the Washington Wizards making the playoffs was probably the worst thing that could've happened to them, why Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri is arguable the best free agent available this summer, how 'Ringz Culture' has hurt the League in some ways, the likelihood that Zion Williamson would pass on signing his rookie extension in order to keep the Pelicans' feet to the fire, 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 Phoenix Suns' blowout victory over the Denver Nuggets in Game 2 to go up 2-0 in the series. Phoenix has absolutely dominated the first two games behind the stellar play of Chris Paul and Devin Booker, and the only question at this point seems to be whether the Suns will get the sweep them or finish them off in 5 games. Later, True Hoop founder Henry Abbott swings by to discuss how his website became such a big hit in the basketball world, the trials and tribulations of being an entrepreneur in the sports media game, why there is a large segment of the population who hates LeBron James and how he differentiates from Michael Jordan, why he doesn't have a problem with the current Super Team Era, the shady underbelly of the NBA and how billionaires behind the scenes are pulling the strings, his supposed 'beef' with The Ringer's Bill Simmons, how the sports media world has evolved over the years, if the string of injuries to star players this season (LeBron James, Anthony Davis, James Harden, etc.) could lead to scheduling changes for the NBA next season and beyond, 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 Utah Jazz' come-from-behind victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 1. Utah couldn't hit the red side of a barn early which caused them to fall behind by double digits, but in typical Clippers fashion, Kawhi Leonard and the boys faded late and the Jazz were able to steal the win. Adding insult to injury, everyone saw Kawhi, Paul George and Marcus Morris shrink from the moment on the game’s final possession with a chance to send the game into overtime; Absolutely no one on the Clippers roster wanted to take that last shot. It was a game the Clips should have won, and this one could come back to haunt them later in the series. On the flip side, Donovan Mitchell was fantastic for the Jazz. If it wasn't clear before it definitely is now: Utah has a superstar in their backcourt. Later, the guys share their thoughts on the NBA MVP voting - which Nikola Jokic won in a landslide, as expected - and discuss what it all means in the grand scheme of things. On one hand, Steph Curry finishing with the second-most first place votes tells you how much the media respected what he did this past season carrying a depleted Golden State Warriors roster to the play-in tournament. On the other, the fact that guys like Rudy Gobert, Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose (fan vote) got votes also says that some of these voters need to stop playing favorites. Finally, Jason and Rob G close the show with a deep dive into the Kevin Durant-Jay Williams fiasco that played out in the media. Look, in all honesty, we're willing to bet that KD said exactly what Williams reported on TV that he said about Giannis... but does that necessarily give Williams the right to go public with it? All the same, it's great to see KD ditch the burner accounts and go scorched earth on anyone in the media who he feels has wronged him. In a world where guys like LeBron James prefer to use passive aggressive memes to get their points across, it's refreshing to see someone like Durant say exactly what he feels. 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 Brooklyn Nets' beatdown of the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 2. Remember a few years back when James Harden implied that Giannis Antetokounmpo wasn't all that skilled? He was right! All these years later and Giannis still can’t shoot. It’s almost become painful to watch. The Nets have taken away his straight-line drives to the basket and now he looks as ordinary as ever. At this point, it’s evident that the Bucks can’t beat the Nets in a series and that a Gentlemen’s Sweep - at best - is on the horizon. On the flip side, how impressive has Kevin Durant during this postseason? KD had a case as the Best Player in the World before he tore his Achilles in 2019, and he appears primed to make a run at it again. In the nightcap, the Phoenix Suns absolutely blitzed the Denver Nuggets. Deandre Ayton played Nikola Jokic to standstill while Chris Paul and Devin Booker cooked the Denver guards. With the Lakers out of the picture, the Suns just might be the Best in the West. Later, John Gonzalez from The Ringer swings by to discuss what went wrong for the Philadelphia 76ers during their Game 1 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, the harsh reality that the Sixers are woefully thin beyond their Big 3 of Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris, why we could see Simmons on the trade block again this offseason - especially if Philadelphia loses this series to the Hawks - and which hypothetical blockbuster deals make the most sense, the challenges of building around a center like Embiid in today's NBA, why he's excited about Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks moving forward whether they win this series or not, 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 report that Julio Jones will be traded to the Tennessee Titans in the coming days. Sounds eerily similar to something we told you 2 weeks ago. Just sayin'. Later, Jason does a deep dive into the Los Angeles Clippers 7-game series victory over the Dallas Mavericks. The big story to come out of this one is obviously the play of Luka Doncic; He looked like Michael Jordan going up against the Boston Celtics in 1986. If the Mavs can build even a decent roster around him - and dump the highly overpaid Kristaps Porzingis - they should be set up for success for years to come. As for the Clippers, were you really that impressed by them? If any of Luka's teammates could hit an open three pointer in Game 7 maybe the Mavs are headed to Utah for Round 2 instead. Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the Clippers is that Tyronne Lue moved to 4-0 in Game 7s as a head coach; But even then, how much credit does he really deserve? Kawhi Leonard played like 2-time Finals MVP and they beat the team they were supposed to beat. Shifting gears to the Eastern Conference, it's hard not to feel for Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden. Jason already had the Milwaukee Bucks winning the series coming in, but without Harden, it certainly feels like Brooklyn will get eliminated sooner rather than later. Let's just hope that the Nets don't try to force an injured Harden on the floor the way the Los Angeles Lakers did to Anthony Davis. As of Monday morning, 6 of the 8 teams remaining in the NBA Playoffs have a starter that is either out injured or playing through an injury. It truly is a war of attrition. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason McIntyre reacts to the Clippers forcing a Game 7 and tells you why he still believes the Mavericks will take the series. Jason discusses the Lakers first round exit and what it mean's for LeBron James' legacy. Jason rejects the idea that Danny Ainge's tenure in Boston was a failure. Bucks Beat Reporter for The Athletic Eric Nehm joins Jason to preview the Bucks vs. Nets. Jason previews the fight, or rather exhibition match, between Floyd Mayweather and Logan Paul with The Athletic's Boxing Insider Mike Coppinger. Plus, NBA veteran Ryan Hollins stops by to take Jason to task on his Clippers takes.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 and Producer Rob G give their instant reaction to the Phoenix Suns officially eliminating the Los Angeles Lakers from the postseason. The game was never really in doubt as Devin Booker lit up the Lakers in the first quarter (again). What's more, Anthony Davis was only able to play 5 minutes before re-aggravating his groin injury, which begs the question: Should he even have been playing? Looking ahead, it's painfully obvious that the Lakers will need an infusion of talent this summer to go alongside the aging LeBron James and injury-prone Davis if they expect to continue competing for titles. Do they have the assets to make a run at Bradley Beal? Could Damian Lillard try to force his way down to La La Land? Either way, it should be a very interesting summer for Los Angeles. Later, former NBA veteran and NBA champion coach Damon Jones swings by to discuss what it was like playing alongside a young LeBron, how impressed he was by LeBron's legendary 25 straight point performance against the Detroit Pistons during the 2007 NBA Playoffs, why he believes that Kawhi Leonard - not Luka Doncic - has been the best player in the Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers series, why he thinks Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue doesn't get enough credit for being a great coach, why it's so difficult to evaluate coaches who don't have talented rosters, 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 an homage to Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic. Luka has firmly established himself as the Best Player in the World during this postseason. He's been absolutely dominant going head-to-head against both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, and more importantly, he's making his teammates better. The Mavericks roster can't hold a candle to the Clippers', and yet Dallas is up 3-2 in the series heading home for Game 5. Win, lose or draw in these next two games, it's no question that Luka has taken the torch from LeBron James as 'The Guy'. On the flip side, can someone please make sense of this Clippers team? The last two games they looked like the Best in the West and then in Game 5 they wet the bed (again). We tried to tell you they were a bunch of frauds. Later, Jason does a deep dive into the Boston Celtics' decision to part way with general manager Danny Ainge and promote head coach Brad Stevens to president of basketball operations. Overall, the Ainge Era was a success. He won a title in the first half of his tenure and then drafted two stars in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown on the back end. On Stevens, it's incredible that anyone would undersell him as an NBA coach. Not only did he help turn Tatum and Brown into stars but he did so while making 3 Eastern Conference Finals in just eight seasons. For comparison's sake, the 'great' Doc Rivers only made 3 ECFs in 17 seasons. Finally, Jason closes the show with a quick thought on Trae Young's virtuoso performance in the first round against the New York Knicks, and explains how the uncertainty surrounding the extent Joel Embiid's knee injury means that we could very well see the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference Finals. 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 vent their frustrations following the Phoenix Suns dismantling of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5. The game wasn't even close after the first quarter as the Lakers were down 30 points at halftime. Both guys expected that the Suns would win given that Los Angeles was without Anthony Davis, but neither expected a blowout like this. LeBron James, who many expected would 'turn back the clock' with AD down, turned in such a mediocre performance that it led Jason and Rob G to debate whether or not he still has a case for being the Best Player in the World anymore. Would Kevin Durant have allowed his team to fall behind by 30 in the first half of arguably the biggest game of the year? How about James Harden? Would Kawhi Leonard? Or Giannis? On the flip side, Devin Booker lit up the Lake Show for 18 points in the opening period, and it led to a fascinating conversation between the guys about where he ranks among the top shooting guards in the NBA. After James Harden, a case can definitely be made for Booker being the best at his position. Later, the guys discuss what the long-term plans for the Lakers could be given that LeBron is aging, the role players have regressed and Dennis Schroder is looking for a big payday. Do they need a complete overhaul? How much pressure is on GM Rob Pelinka to maximize LeBron's final years? By the way, shout out to Damian Lillard for dropping a double-nickel in a Game 5 loss for the Portland Trail Blazers. Wish we had more time to give you the proper kudos. 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 preview of tonight's Game 5 matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns. The Lakers will be fighting an uphill battle if Anthony Davis is ruled out as expected. Few teams are as dependent on their stars as much as the Lakers, and unless LeBron James can jump into the hot tub time machine and play like his 2018 self then the defending champions are in serious trouble. Perhaps the best plan of attack would be to chalk this game up as a loss and hope a more rested LeBron can put the team on his back in Games 6 and 7. The guys also share a quick thought on Joel Embiid's mysterious injury that knocked out of Game 4 against the Washington Wizards. We can all agree that the Philadelphia 76ers can probably extinguish the Wiz even without Embiid, but would they able to get by the Atlanta Hawks in round 2? We're not so certain. Later, Jason and Rob G discuss the 'incident' that took place in Boston over the weekend when Kyrie Irving stomped on the Boston Celtics center court logo. Not only did it lead to Kyrie getting a bottle thrown at his head after the game but it also led to former Celtics Kevin Garnett and Big Baby Davis taking shots at him on social media the next day. Who knew NBA players still had loyalty like that? This whole ordeal eventually led to a bigger conversation about the Celtics and how their fan base - coupled with the cutthroat attitude of GM Danny Ainge - could impact their ability to attract star players. More importantly, would all the negativity be enough to force superstar Jayson Tatum out of town before his contract is up? Bean Town better hope not. 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 in a somber mood following Anthony Davis' groin injury in Game 3. The Los Angeles Lakers cannot beat the Phoenix Suns in a series without AD. Point blank, period. LeBron James has been historically great with his back against the wall but the rest of the roster leads a lot to be desired. Dennis Schroder, Andre Drummond and Alex Caruso are fine when they're playing next to LeBron and AD. But when the big guns are off the floor they turn into pumpkins. The Lakers better hope that AD's injury isn't as bad as we initially thought. Later, shares his thoughts on the Boston Celtics fan who threw a bottle at Kyrie Irving on his way off the floor. It was disgusting and embarrassing. In many ways, it was a microcosm of what we see on social media these days. A few bad apples - who don't have the heart to say anything to your face - do something stupid and end up ruining things for everyone else. This recent string of fans behaving badly has almost overshadowed the actual play on the court - which has been fantastic from the Brooklyn side. Kyrie, Kevin Durant and James Harden look as good as advertised, and it should make Nets-Bucks in round 2 must-see TV. Finally, the Los Angeles Clippers rolled in Game 4 against the Dallas Mavericks and suddenly seem to be in control of the series. The Clips looked like they were ready to fold early Game 3 on Friday night but came roaring back to win, and they were able to carry that momentum into Sunday. Kawhi Leonard has been unstoppable, Paul George looks great and Luka Doncic is playing hurt. Somewhere, Clipper Darrell is smiling. 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 kick things off with a deep dive into the Los Angeles Lakers blowout victory over the Phoenix Suns. The Lakers defense is impregnable, and LeBron James and Anthony Davis are as dominant as ever. Phoenix was already fighting an uphill battle coming into this series but with Chris Paul banged up it feels like a foregone conclusion at this point. #LakersIn5 appears like a lock once again. Moving over to the Eastern Conference, can anyone explain what happened to the Miami Heat? Last year in The Bubble, Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro led a tough-minded crew that made a run to the NBA Finals. Now? They look like a group that's already planning their summer vacations. Maybe the Heat were never all that good to begin with. Later, radio host and columnist Arash Markazi swings by to discuss why the Los Angeles Clippers were never able to really capitalize on the Lob City Era featuring Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, why CP3 tends to rub opponents - and some of his own teammates - the wrong way with his on-court demeanor, why a first round series exit to the Dallas Mavericks could force the Clippers to blow up the Kawhi Leonard-Paul George tandem, why not even billionaire owner Steve Ballmer could lift the 'Clippers Curse', how Kawhi's reputation as a 'winner' may have already taken a hit in just two seasons with the Clippers, 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 the New York Knicks' victory over the Atlanta Hawks. First, it was great to see Madison Square Garden rocking again; Knicks fans even flooded the streets in total jubilation after the game. As for the game itself, even though the Knicks won, it's hard not to come away from it feeling like the Hawks are in control of the series. If Trae Young had gotten any help at all from his teammates in Game 2, Atlanta may be heading home up 2-0. He's a leader and a budding superstar. Moving over to Philadelphia, it was extremely disappointing to see what should have been a great night for 76ers fans marred by some jerk in the stands. As Russell Westbrook was exiting the court late in Philly's blowout win over the Washington Wizards, a Sixers fan dumped bucket of popcorn on his head. We finally get fans back in the stands and this is how you act?!? That's not even counting the viral video of a Knicks fan spitting at Trae Young. Ridiculous. In the night cap, Ja Morant went off (again) against the Utah Jazz. The Memphis Grizzlies may have lost Game 2, but if Zion Williamson was watching, he can't be happy. There's no reason why Ja and the Grizzlies should be light years ahead of Zion and the Pelicans right now. Maybe seeing his peers have so much more success will inspire Zion to force his way out of New Olreans sooner than expected. Speaking of the future, Jason floated out a SPICY Ben Simmons trade rumor near the end of the pod that is sure to blow your socks off. You have been warned. 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 dive deep into a thrilling night of NBA Playoff basketball. LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers returned to championship form in their win over the Phoenix Suns. When they’re healthy and locked in, it’s a tall task for anyone to beat them. Things are even tougher for the Suns given that All-Star point guard Chris Paul is hurt (again). With the series shifting back to LA, it would be shocking if the Lakers don’t assert themselves and take control of the series. On the flip side, what the hell is going with the Los Angeles Clippers?!? The Clippers tanked their way to the 4-seed specifically so they could get the Dallas Mavericks in round 1 – and avoid the Lakers’ side of the playoff bracket – and Luka Doncic has absolutely shredded Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Jason has been calling the Clippers ‘frauds’ for months, but now it’s looking more and more obvious to the rest of the basketball world. By the way, it's time to start having a serious conversation about Luka being the Best Player in the World. Seriously. Later, Sports Illustrated senior writer Chris Mannix swings by explain why he's not optimistic that the NBA's proposed midseason tournament will be as successful as the play-in tournament, why Kawhi Leonard is the big name whoo could make this offseason very interesting - especially if the Clippers get bounced out of the postseason early, why it's not realistic to think that Zion Williamson won't be with the New Orleans Pelicans for the foreseeable future, why the New York Knicks turnaround season and playoff appearance could make them very attractive to star free agents 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 quick thought on Aaron Rodgers' comments about his 'philosophical' differences with the Green Bay Packers. His comments could be interpreted in a number of ways but let's call it what it is: He's still pissed at general manager Brian Gutekunst. If the Packers have any intention of having Rodgers back under center for the 2021 season, they'll need to do something big to prove they're still beholden to him. Sticking in the NFL, how about that Julio Jones bombshell that was dropped Monday morning on FS1's Undisputed? Now that the cat is officially out of the bag, it's time to start handicapping which teams make the most sense to land the superstar wideout in a trade. There are plenty of potential suitors but Jason has one specific AFC team in mind that makes a ton of sense - the Tennessee Titans. With Jones added to an offense featuring Ryan Tannehill, Derrick Henry and AJ Brown, the Titans could be downright scary next season. Later, Producer Rob G joins the show to help breakdown tonight's slate of NBA Playoff games. Both agree that game 2 is a must-win for Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers. Kawhi and Paul George proved last postseason that they aren't the most mentally tough duo in the NBA so it'll be fascinating to see how they respond tonight. On the flip side, the guys are both expecting LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers to bounce back in a big way against the Phoenix Suns. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason share his thoughts on a wild weekend of NBA Playoff basketball. As a lifelong New York Knicks fan, it was tough to see some of the calls Trae Young got down the stretch of the Hawks' win over the Knicks. Even still, you've got to tip your cap to him; Young balled out throughout the game and he hit the game-winner in the final seconds. It's only been one game but it feels like the Hawks are in total control of the series. Shifting over to the Western Conference, the Phoenix Suns took care of business against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1. Don't push the panic button, Lakers fans. We expected Phoenix to win this game given the fact that the Lakers just had a tough play-in game and historically have used Game 1's to feel out their opponent. The biggest story to take out of this game was the fact that Anthony Davis accepted full responsibility for his miserable performance. That's the mark of a true superstar. That's why they'll be fine moving forward. When's the last time Kawhi Leonard or Paul George owned how poorly they played in last year's playoffs? Case closed. Later, Los Angeles Clippers superfan Clipper Darrell swings by to explain how he became a diehard Clippers fan during the height of the Showtime Lakers Era, how he was able to develop off-the-court relationships with superstars like PG, Kawhi and James Harden, why he blames former head coach Glenn - don't call him Doc - Rivers for the Clippers postseason failures the past few years, why he's very confident that Kawhi, PG and the boys will be able to corral Luka Doncic enough to win this series after falling behind 0-1, why he believes Los Angeles Lakers big man Anthony Davis is 'soft', and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason McIntyre tells you why Steph Curry is not to blame for the Warriors failing to make it out of the Play-In Tournament. Jason defends Curry's legacy against a legion of angry callers. Jason previews the first round of the NBA Playoffs and makes his picks for each series. Plus, Jason gets the perspective of Former Jaguars TE George Wrighster on the Jaguars' newest TE, Tim Tebow.Guests: Vince Goodwill - Yahoo Senior NBA Writer, Eric Pincus - Capologist for Bleacher Report and NBA TV, George Wrighster - Former Jaguars TE / FSR Host, Anthony Slater - Warriors Writer for The AthleticCatch 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 with a few thoughts on the Tim Tebow signing in Jacksonville. It truly is the feel good story of the NFL offseason thus far. What the talking heads fail to realize is that Tebow isn't getting a handout; He's getting an opportunity to compete. Nothing more, nothing less. There are tons of people in the everyday world who are given opportunities they wouldn't normally get simply because they know the right people. What makes Tebow any different? You should be rooting for him to succeed. Later, Jason discusses the Julio Jones trade rumors coming out of Atlanta. At this point, it appears as though Jones will open the 2021 season on a different roster, and if that's indeed the case, keep an eye on the San Francisco 49ers. Jones has a history with Kyle Shanahan, and the pair could produce sweet music again in the Bay Area. Finally, Jason gives his official predictions for the first round of the NBA Playoffs. He has not one, not two but three shocking upsets pegged in the first round. The Miami Heat appear primed to send Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks hope early for the second consecutive season. If this goes down, expect the 'Giannis needs to bolt for a Super Team' narrative to pick up a steam again. In the Western Conference, Jason likes Luka Doncic to avenge his first round loss from last season and lead the Dallas Mavericks to an upset of the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers have been frauds all season, and Luka has the tools to expose them. The third upset doesn't feel like much of an upset at all if you've been paying attention - Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers over Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. Jokic is the presumptive MVP, but even he can't overcome the Nuggets' injury-ravaged backcourt. 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 Los Angeles Lakers' wild play-in victory over the Golden State Warriors. Steph Curry looked as good as ever lighting up the Lakers for 37 points, but it was a one-eyed (seriously) LeBron James who hit the dagger 3-pointer to give the Lakers the win. LeBron, Anthony Davis and Dennis Schroder were flat out bad for most of the game, but The King and AD made just enough plays in the fourth quarter to steal the win. All the same, they'll need to play much better if they have any hope of repeating as NBA champion. Speaking of winning titles, after what we saw from Steph and Draymond Green last night - not to mention the return of Klay Thompson and a slew of assets - perhaps the Warriors championship window isn't closed after all. Later, legendary sports columnist Peter Vecsey joins the show for a fiery discussion covering a myriad of topics, including: why he supports Kwame Brown in his recent social media war against former players and analysts, his affinity for Larry Bird and eventual falling out with Magic Johnson, why he thinks that Charles Barkley is a fraud that never maximized his potential during or after his NBA his career, how 'Dr. J' Julius Erving ended up becoming the best man at his wedding back in the day, his big issue with the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame, his yet-to-be-finished book featuring behind-the-scenes stories about Bird, Magic, Michael Jordan, 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 Jayson Tatum's 50-point performance in the Boston Celtics' play-in victory over the Washington Wizards. Tatum has a ton of Kobe Bryant to his game, and given what we've seen from him in the postseason the past few years, it's hard to make a case as him being anything lower than the third best player in the NBA right now under the age of 30. He's that good. With Tatum running the show, don't be surprised to see the Celtics put a scare in the Brooklyn Nets in round 1. Later, Jason does a quick breakdown of the rest of the playoff field and explains why he likes the Portland Trail Blazers to upset presumptive MVP Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets in round 1. Finally, Locked on Lakers podcast host Andy Kamenetzky swings by to discuss his time covering Kwame Brown in Los Angeles and his overall reaction to Kwame's recent string of social media videos, how concerned Lakers fans should be about LeBron James' ankle injury, why he wouldn't be surprised to see Anthony Davis play most of the play-in game against the Golden State Warriors if he has to, how the Lakers have been able to mostly corral Steph Curry in their 3 regular season meetings this year, why he doesn't view the Utah Jazz or the Phoenix Suns as 'scary' at all given how poorly each team matches up with LeBron and Anthony Davis, the notion that the Los Angeles Clippers tanked to avoid the Lakers early in the postseason and if could actually work out for them, why some Lakers fans are still mad about the team trading away Eddie Jones so they could eventually acquire Kobe Bryant, 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 verbal takedown of Hall of Fame general manager Ron Wolf after the former Packers GM went out of his way to call Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson and Deshaun Watson 'divas' for wanting more power within their respective organizations. Wolf is the epitome of an old man yelling at a cloud. First off, all three of those guys have earned the right to have a say in how their teams are run. Has Rodgers not been arguably the best quarterback in the NFL for almost a decade? What were the Seattle Seahawks before Wilson arrived? Had the Houston Texans had any success before Watson showed up? Secondly, times have changed since Wolf ran a team; the sports world has evolved in ways that the former Packers boss just doesn't - or can't - seem to understand. What's more, with Rodgers-Packers relationship on thin ice as it is, could you think of a worse time to publicly call him a 'diva'? Wolf just may have sealed the fate of his former franchise. Later, Jason and Producer Rob G engage in a spirited discussion about LeBron James declaring Steph Curry as the clear regular season MVP. J-Mac has touting Curry for some time now, so needless to say he was ecstatic to hear The King jump on board as well. Rob G, on the other hand, argues that LeBron's actually comments have more to do with how he views himself than they do with Steph. Trying to decipher a LeBron James quote can give you a headache, but it does add a little fuel to the fire heading into this Wednesday's play-in game between the Lakers and the Warriors. 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 do a deep dive into the upcoming NBA Playoffs. There may not be a single team in the postseason who has a tougher road to the championship than Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks; they get the defending Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat, followed by (presumably) the Big 3 Brooklyn Nets and the top-seeded Philadelphia 76ers. Speaking of the Nets, it's hard not to do a quick double take on Kyrie Irving's impassioned speech over the weekend regarding the turmoil in the Middle East. While all the rest is obviously bigger than basketball in the grand scheme of things, Kyrie making a point to say that 'basketball is not the most important thing to me right now' heading into the postseason sounds like he's setting the stage to either boycott his media obligations or to miss a playoff game altogether. Assuming Kyrie is locked in, though, the guys agree that the Nets should be the favorites to make the NBA Finals. The real drama lies in the Western Conference. LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers will face off with Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors in the play-in game on Wednesday. The Lakers are heavy favorites, but there's something to be said about what Steph's done in the last two months of the season. Win or lose on Wednesday, he's making a strong case to crack the top-10 players in NBA history. Finally, Jason and Rob G drop verbal haymakers on the Los Angeles Clippers after the Paper Clips essentially tanked the last 2 games of the season so they could avoid being on the Lakers side of the bracket. If you weren't already questioning the confidence level of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George after what happened in last year's playoffs, I'm sure you are now. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason McIntyre explains why the Jaguars bringing in Tim Tebow makes sense. Jason breaks down the positives of adding Tebow to this young franchise. Jason discusses the NBA playoff picture and looks at what seeding would be the best for the Lakers. Jason looks ahead to the NFL schedule and tells you why some sub-.500 teams from a year ago are primed for a hot start. Plus, the dogecoin millionaire is not a role model, and the crew celebrates the career of Marv Albert after the news of his retirement by playing some of his greatest hits! Guests include: Arash Markazi – The Mightier 1090, Brandon Krisztal – KOA Colorado, Ric Bucher – FS1 NBA InsiderCatch 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 with the latest in the Deshaun Watson saga. The plaintiffs' attorney decided long ago the best way to get Watson to settle his sexual assault lawsuits was to let the case play out in the court of public opinion. That strategy backfired in a big way on Thursday, and now it seems like Watson could be one step closer to clearing his name. Later, Jason shares a quick thought on the Miami Heat's victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. Not only did Miami beat Philly on the scoreboard but they punked them around on the court as well (Shout out to Udonis Haslem). These two teams should meet in the postseason so one can only assume that the Heat wanted to send a message to the top-seeded Sixers. Safe to say they succeeded. Finally, FOX Sports Radio's 'Straight Outta Vegas' weekend host Bernie Fratto swings by to discuss a few NFL week 1 gambling lines he likes and a few that he doesn't, why he likes both the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to hit the over on their projected win totals, why it's so important to shop for the best odds as opposed to simply accepting what your favorite bookmaker is offering, why he doesn't have a ton of confidence in either the Los Angeles Lakers or the Brooklyn Nets from a gambling perspective heading into the NBA playoffs, 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 lays out his 5 biggest takeaways from NFL Schedule Release Day. First, the San Francisco 49ers have the easiest schedule in 2021, and that could lead to a pretty complicated situation between Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo. If Jimmy G gets fat on a cake schedule, can the 49ers really afford to turn the keys over to Lance after the season? Second, the Cleveland Browns are set up to have another great season. The Browns have a top-5 roster in football and should be viewed as a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Third, the Las Vegas Raiders are shaping up to be one of the worst teams in the League. The defense is horrible, the offensive line is down 3 starters from last year and the receiver core is mediocre. Jon Gruden's team could be in the mix for the #1 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Fourth, you need to get on the Jacksonville Jaguars train right now. Not to say that they're a Super Bowl team or anything crazy like that, but the schedule is light, the division is in flux and Trevor Lawrence has legitimate superstar potential. Finally, it's time to start considering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a threat to go 17-0. The Bucs return all 22 starters, Tom Brady is only going to get more comfortable in the Arians system, and their schedule is very manageable. 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 discussion on some college basketball scuttlebutt he heard on Tuesday night. Rumor has it that Duke's Mike Krzyzewski will be retiring later this week. If this comes to fruition, the College Basketball Bluebloods transition that Jason predicted back in March will have been proven to be true. Later, Producer Rob G joins the show to explain why he believes that Russell Westbrook's triple-double record - and 4 seasons averaging a trip-dub - is more impressive than anything Steph Curry has accomplished on the floor. Needless to say, the guys had a healthy debate about it. It's one thing for a guy like Oscar Robertson to say that Westbrook breaking the record should make him the MVP favorite (which the guys agree is blasphemous), but it's something entirely to say that Russ' accumulation of stats is somehow more impressive that Steph's 2 MVPs and 3 championship. All the same, the guys were able to discuss Westbrook's place in history from a handful of angles, including: Are we taking Westbrook's greatness for granted? Are triple-doubles as a stat even that impressive? Are we sure that Luka Doncic or Nikola Jokic won't break Russ' record in a few years anyway? How much has the uptempo style of play in today's game diminished the value of triple-doubles? Trust us, you won't want to miss this one. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason shares a quick thought on Russell Westbrook breaking Oscar Robertson's triple-double record and Bradley Beal's bizarre social media beef with Kent Bazemore. For once, the Washington Wizards are relevant again! Plus, Jason explains why has no problem with Tim Tebow getting signed to play tight end for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Tebow is a good guy and an inspirational figure. If you have an issue with him parlaying his relationship with Urban Meyer into another shot at the NFL, that says more about you than it does about him; Tebow is someone you should for, not against. Later, former NFL tight end and Mad Dog Sports Radio host George Wrighster swings by to discuss his role in helping the University of Oregon having more jersey combinations than any football team in the country, why he views the Jaguars addition of Tebow reeks of nepotism on the part of Urban Meyer, why this feels like Urban's 'second strike' already in Jacksonville, why there are some sports fans in the country who are secretly hoping that Urban and Tebow fail, why folks who support Tebow getting another chance at the NFL should keep the same energy for Colin Kaepernick, why Tebow will have to be a legitimate contributor to have any impact at all on the team's culture, 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 do a deep dive into the state of the Los Angeles Clippers on the heels of their loss to the New York Knicks. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis banged up, many pundits have pegged the Clippers as the favorites to represent the Western Conference in the NBA Finals. However, after what we saw from Paul George and Kawhi Leonard on Sunday, do you really think you can trust them on the big stage? Both players have a history of folding in clutch situations. 'Playoff P' hasn't been great in the playoffs in years, and Kawhi's postseason reputation has been fluffed up thanks in large part to him beating an injury-ravaged Golden State Warriors squad in the 2019 NBA Finals. Jason even went so far as to say that he's rooting for the Clippers to lose, which sounds bad on its face until Rob G notes that the Clips aren't historically relevant enough for anyone to actually root against. Damn. Later, the guys discuss a hypothetical Paul George-for-Damian Lillard trade that could take place this summer. Both expect the Clippers and Trail Blazers to flame out of the playoffs rather early, so it could make sense for Portland and Los Angeles to try and shake things up in the offseason. The Blazers could look to appease Lillard and send him somewhere with a better chance at winning a championship, and with Kawhi's free agency looming the Clippers could look to pair him with a more explosive player who has better leadership skills than PG. Not saying this All-Star swap is definitely going to happen, but it does, remember where you heard it first. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason McIntyre explains why the Packers need to give Aaron Rodgers what he wants, and gives the top-5 landing spots for the reigning MVP. Tyler Dunne of Go Long joins Jason to break down what Rodgers truly wants from the Packers, and why the Jordan Love era must begin now in Green Bay. Jason looks at the Lakers as the struggles continue. Lakers beat reporter Mike Trudell joins Jason to give insight on the Lakers' struggles and preview the postseason. Ryan Glasspiegel stops by to give a different perspective on the Aaron Rodgers dilemma. Plus, vacations in the countryside, Hulk Hogan-era wrestling, and a gigantic rocket is hurtling towards Earth!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 and Producer Rob G make their definitive All-NBA selections for the 2021 season. The NBA threw a monkey wrench into the whole thing by allowing several players to be listed at multiple positions, including: Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, Kawhi Leonard, Luka Doncic and Paul George. What's more, with so many superstars missing large chunks of the season - LeBron James, Kevin Durant, James Harden, Anthony Davis, Kawhi and Embiid - it's hard not to count it against them. Needless to say, things got really weird really quickly once Jason and Rob G unveiled their All-NBA First Team selections. If Jokic and Embiid are both First Teamers, would that naturally result in an undeserving center getting bumped up to Third Team? Should Zion's assault on the stat sheet be enough to help voters overlook the fact that he plays for the most disappointing team in the League? Will the fact that LeBron James missed one-third of the season cost him the MVP and an All-NBA team selection? Is Kawhi or PG the Clippers player who deserves the most credit for the team's success? The Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz have been the best two teams in the West all season, but do either one deserve to have two All-NBA players? Is it possible that the Brooklyn Nets would get shut out completely? The guys answer and debate all of these questions - and so 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 latest in the Aaron Rodgers soap opera going down in Green Bay. Rodgers comparing their general manager to infamous Chicago Bulls GM Jerry Krause isn't that big of a deal, but it does give some insight into how upset Rodgers is. Buckle up, Packers fans, we've just reached DEFCON-2. Later, Washington Post NBA writer Ben Golliver swings by to discuss new book 'Bubbleball' and what life was like inside the NBA's Orlando Bubble, why you absolutely cannot put an asterisk next to the Los Angeles Lakers' 2020 championship, why he wasn't surprised to see the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Clippers implode in Orlando, why he still doesn't trust the Clippers heading into these playoffs, why Nikola Jokic playing like the best player in the League makes the Denver Nuggets the one team in the West you'd least like to face, how the pandemic impacted the 2021 free agency class, why he expects the Portland Trail Blazers to try to re-shape their roster around Damian Lillard in the offseason, why the Milwaukee Bucks vs. Brooklyn Nets is the playoff series he most wants to see, 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 Milwaukee Bucks win over the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets really wanted to win this one (Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving both played about 40 minutes) but for the second game in a row Brooklyn had no answer for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Will the return of James Harden suddenly solve the flaws that the Bucks exposed? Doubt it. Later, Jason explains why the recent play by the Washington Wizards and Minnesota Timberwolves could mean that both Bradley Beal and Karl-Anthony Towns stay put this summer. So if Beal and KAT are off the board, who are the next big names that could be on the move? Keep an eye on Damian Lillard and Kawhi Leonard. Just sayin'. Plus, ESPN senior NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler swings by to discuss why he feels like the only way this Aaron Rodgers saga gets resolved in Green Bay is if the Packers give him a massive new contract, how much of a role Packers CEO Mark Murphy has had both in the drafting of Jordan Love and the empowerment of GM Brian Gutekunst, how Rodgers' retirement threat differs from the Andrew Luck situation in Indianapolis a few years ago, why historically great quarterbacks - like Joe Montana, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady - tend to end their careers in different uniforms, why he's optimistic about Urban Meyer's transition to the NFL, what went wrong for Johnny Manziel in Cleveland back in the day, why a small majority of NFL decision makers had BYU's Zach Wilson ranked ahead of Clemson's Trevor Lawrence before the Draft, 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 share a lengthy conversation following the Los Angeles Lakers much-needed victory over the Denver Nuggets. While most of the sports media world was prepared to bury the Lakers following their latest swoon, Jason is here to remind you all to take a cue from Aaron Rodgers and just ‘Relax’. They’re going to be fine. So long as LeBron James and Anthony Davis are healthy, they should be right back in the NBA Finals. Speaking of LeBron and AD, Rob G says that if the Lakers fall short of expectations this year, it'll be because they overpaid on the Klutch Sports Tax. It's clear that Marc Gasol is the best fit next to Davis, but since the LeBron and AD lobbied to get Andre Drummond to LA, and because Montrezl Harrell is a fellow Klutch Sports client, the politics of sports mandated that both players get playing time over Gasol. Only time will tell if Frank Vogel has the intestinal fortitude to put the best lineup on the floor in the postseason, whether they're affiliated with Klutch Sports or not. Finally, Jason closes the show with a quick thought on the surging New York Knicks. For whatever reason, he's having a hard time getting as excited about his hometown team. Maybe it's because they play a defensive brand of basketball, or maybe it's because he knows they're likely to get smacked out of the playoffs by the Brooklyn Nets. 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 have a lengthy conversation about Aaron Rodgers' future in Green Bay following a report that he has issued an 'It's either him or me' ultimatum to the front office regarding general Brian Gutekunst. If it was really that simple, the clear and obvious answer would be to axe the GM. Gutekunst has been mostly terrible running the show for the Packers over the last 3 seasons - and that's excluding his decision to trade up into the first round last year to draft third string quarterback Jordan Love. But assuming that it's not as easy as Rodgers vs. Gutekunst, it's not all that unusual to see a star quarterback end his career in a different jersey. Joe Montana, Brett Favre, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady all had Hall of Fame career with one franchise only to spend their final days in a different uniform. Finally, it's time to stop blaming disgruntled athletes or wanting out of town when things go haywire. They have a right to pursue their own happiness just like any other person. If Rodgers feels disrespected by the Packers and decides he'd rather finish his career in another jersey, who are we to blame him? Fans wants their athletes to love their teams as much as they do, but what they fail to understand is this is still just a job to them. Loyalty doesn't exist in sports; it never has. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason McIntyre breaks down the first two days of the NFL Draft and shares his hypothesis on what really went day with the 49ers leading up to Thursday. He explains why the Packers should trade Aaron Rodgers and picks his winners and losers through the opening rounds. Jason shares some bad news for Cowboys fans and says that the Jacksonville Jaguars are the most likely team to go from worst to first!Guests include: FOX Sports Radio host Doug Gottlieb, KNBR host Mark Willard, Boston Sports Journal’s Greg Bedard, BetQL’s Vik Chokshi, FOX Sports Draft Analyst R.J. YoungCatch 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 and Producer Rob G kick things off with a deep dive into the report that sent shockwaves through the sports media world: Aaron Rodgers wants out of Green Bay. The Packers had to have seen this coming the moment they drafted Jordan Love in the first round last year. If the plan was always to move on from Rodgers in 2022 - which seems to be the case given that the team refused to sign him to a contract extension coming off an MVP season - then why not trade him on draft night for a King's Ransom? Unless John Elway can work some magic and get Rodgers to Denver in the next few days, this could get really ugly really quickly. As far as the NFL Draft goes, the big winners had to be the Jacksonville Jaguars. Not only did they land the best quarterback prospect in years in Trevor Lawrence, but they also added his backfield mate Travis Etienne. The Jags are a sneaky bet to win the AFC South next year. The biggest shocker of the night may have been what happened at #3 as the San Francisco 49ers decided to take Trey Lance over Mac Jones. For weeks now several reputable NFL reporters told us it would be Jones, so it was rather perplexing to hear Lance's name called instead. Perhaps something happened behind closed doors between Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch that caused a sudden change of heart. Speaking of Jones, how is he going to fit in New England? Jones and incumbent starter Cam Newton couldn't be any more different stylistically. Sticking with quarterbacks, the Chicago Bears made headlines when they traded up to take Justin Fields. Fields is a fine prospect, for sure, but the move did feel a little desperate. Finally, Jason closes the show with a quick rundown of all the picks he liked - and didn't like - during Round 1 of the NFL Draft. 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 locking back at his way-too-early 2021 NFL Mock Draft from last year. There will be a lot of guys taken tonight that Jason had on his Big Board a year ago, but the more interesting story is the guys who seem to have fallen off. Plus, Jason explains why the Denver Broncos decision to trade for Teddy Bridgewater could have major implications on the quarterback draft order. Does this open the door for the New England Patriots to trade up for Trey Lance or Justin Fields? We'll find out soon enough! Later, former Pro Bowl defensive back and DraftNastyMagazine.com founder Corey Chavous swings by to discuss how he made the transition from playing football to evaluating prospects, how Las Vegas Raiders general manager became the poster boy for how difficult it can be to go from evaluating to actually making the picks, why it's just as important for analysts to recognize guys you got wrong as it is guys you got right, why Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II reminds him a bit of Jalen Ramsey, why he has Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons as the top defensive player available even considering his relatively checkered past, how he learned more about Alabama quarterback Mac Jones in his worst game than in his best game, why he's higher on Miami defensive end Greg Rousseau than his 'more talented' teammate Jaelan Phillips, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero swings by to discuss why some NFL coaches are comparing Mac Jones' scouting tape to Joe Burrow's, why intangibles are what's really pushing Trey Lance up draft boards, the difference between processing and intelligence - and what it means for Jones and Justin Fields, how Josh Allen's NFL development could help boost someone's draft stock, why fit is in many ways more important than raw talent, why there's a lot of pressure on Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay heading into next season, why the back half of the first round could have more 'reaches' than what most fans are accustomed to, why he wouldn't be surprised at all if the New England Patriots traded up for a quarterback, 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 discuss Chris Paul's All-NBA First Team candidacy on the heels of his virtuoso performance on Monday night to halt the New York Knicks 9-game winning streak. CP3 has been a very good player for a very long-time with a history of impacting winning. You could argue that he's on-par with great point guards of the past like John Stockton and Jason Kidd. However, what keeps from getting on the Magic Johnson-Isiah Thomas-Steph Curry level is that he's only ever been awesome in the regular season; His playoff failures over the past decade (on stacked rosters) has been well-documented. Focusing on just this season, however, Paul's case for First Team All-NBA alongside Curry is bolstered by the Phoenix Suns' improbably run to the top of the Western Conference. In an age where advanced stats like PER and Box Plus Minus are all the rage, will CP3's 'winning impact' be enough to overtake the gaudy stats of guys like Luka Doncic and Damian Lillard? Only time will tell. On the NFL front, multiple outlets are reporting that the Atlanta Falcons are fielding trade calls on superstar wide receiver Julio Jones. You always take rumors like that with a grain of salt, especially this time of the year. Moreover, what kind of message would a trade like that send to the rest of the roster? Unless the idea of drafting the hometown hero Justin Fields at #4 is too good to pass up, Jason believes it's hard to imagine the Falcons actually pulling the trigger on a trade. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason shares his thoughts on the NFL Network report suggesting that the San Francisco 49ers have narrowed down their choices at #3 to Mac Jones or Trey Lance. Neither quarterback has much experience at the college level, and scouts are skeptical about how each will transition to the NFL. Jones was the triggerman for a stacked roster at Alabama while Lance beat up on inferior competition. Enter the 'arrogant' Kyle Shanahan. There isn't a coach in the NFL who has more confidence in his system than Shanahan. Multiple outlets have reported that the 49ers head coach isn't looking for the most talented or the most dynamic quarterback at #3; All he really wants is a player who fits his system. With all the hype surrounding Jones and Lance, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields' stock appears to have taken a hit... even if nobody is sure exactly why. Nearly every legitimate criticism you can make about Fields as a prospect can be applied to both Jones and Lance, and those two are in consideration at #3. Perhaps Fields will fall all the way down to Rob G's Las Vegas Raiders. Wouldn't that be something? Finally, Jason closes the show with a quick thought on Kevin Durant's return to action in the Brooklyn Nets' victory over the Phoenix Suns. It's hard to learn much from a Sunday game in April, but one thing is certain: the Nets with a healthy Durant are still the class of the Eastern Conference. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason McIntyre questions why the Ravens would be willing to help the Chiefs. Jason explains why Steph Curry is the MVP and why people need to stop being reluctant to accept his greatness. Injuries in the NBA are out of control this season. Jason puts the Super League in perspective and the discusses the least-talked about Oscars in decades!Guests: Newy Scruggs - NBC 5 Dallas Sports Director, TA - NFL Draft Gambling Expert, Mark Schlereth - FS1 NFL Analyst, Anthony Slater - Warriors beat writer for The AthleticCatch all of FOX Sports Radio's weekend coverage by subscribingto 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 with a quick thought on Anthony Davis' return to the court after missing 30 games due to injury. AD looked very rusty shooting just 2-for-10 from the field, but it was nice just to see him out there again. The biggest story of the night, however, is a somber one. Kentucky's Terrence Clarke died in a car accident while preparing for the NBA Draft in Los Angeles. He was just 19 years old. Please say a prayer for his loved ones during this difficult time. Later, ProFootballTalk creator and owner Mike Florio swings by to discuss how the pandemic has actually benefitted him in some ways professionally, why he was so fascinated by the New England Patriots' free agency spending spree, why he thinks the sports media pays entirely too much attention to the Dallas Cowboys given their overall lack of success the past 20+ years, why he believes the Washington Football Team is the class of the AFC East, why he believes that Deshaun Watson should do whatever he can to settle all 22 of his sexual assault lawsuits, why it's looking more and more likely that Mac Jones will be the San Francisco 49ers' pick at #3 in the upcoming NFL Draft, 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 scout and author Daniel Kelly joins Jason for an extension conversation heading into next week's NFL Draft. In the interview, Kelly explains why he thinks Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence has high bust potential and why Lawrence's comments to Sports Illustrated last week were a big red flag, why Alabama quarterback Mac Jones reminds him a bit of Joe Namath and why he could see the New England Patriots making a move for Jones if he slides past #3, why BYU signal caller Zach Wilson seems too 'soft' to succeed as the New York Jets' franchise quarterback if he winds up there as expected, why he wouldn't draft North Dakota State's Trey Lance at all if he was running an NFL franchise, why he has Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields as the top guy at the position entering the Draft, 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 James Harden now being out indefinitely after suffering a setback in rehab for his hamstring injury. It's looking more and more likely that we won't see the Brooklyn Nets Big 3 together again until the playoffs. If they're all back by the second round, would that be enough time for them to gel and make a run at a championship? Heck, without Harden, are we sure that the Nets even get out of the first round if they ending facing the Miami Heat? Later, Warren Sharp from Sharp Football Analysis swings by to discuss how a focus on analytics helped him get his foot in the NFL media door, how he's able to navigate smokescreens leading up to the NFL Draft and why it's so important to identify reporters with a history of correct prognostications, why some around the league believe that 2022 Draft capital is more valuable than 2021 Draft capital, why he values Florida TE Kyle Pitts higher than any wide receiver available in the NFL Draft, why he's betting on Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle going ahead of his more heralded teammate Devonta Smith, why he's skeptical that Mac Jones would be worth all the draft capital that the San Francisco 49ers spent to move up to #3, 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 dives deep into the unreal season that Steph Curry is putting together. The Chef dropped 49 points against the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night, including a signature 'Curry Flurry' in the 4th to help put the game away. He's been on absolute tear in the month of April, so much so in fact that Jason argues that Steph should be the NBA MVP. He's the epitome of Most Valuable Player; Take Steph off the Warriors and they're easily the worst team in the League. Later, Producer Rob G joins the show to pour a little cold water on Jason's take. First off, Curry's month of April isn't all that unusual. In fact, Damian Lillard put up similar stats to get the Portland Trail Blazers into the playoffs last year. Secondly, Curry has been fantastic but his 2021 season is eerily similar to Kobe Bryant's in 2006. Both guys put up otherworldly numbers only to have the MVP get handed over to player whose team won at a higher clip. Finally, the guys close the show with a nuanced conversation on what exactly makes Steph so popular amongst fans and media alike. Is it because he shoots 3's at an unbelievable clip? Is it because he's regularly outperforming superior athletes on the biggest stage? Is he because he's light-skinned? Whatever it is, unless you're going out of your way to be a curmudgeon, it's really hard to hate on the Baby Faced Assassin. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason does a deep dive into Zion Williamson's highly-suggestive comments about his future. Following the New Orleans Pelicans' loss to the New York Knicks, Zion told the media how much he loves playing in Madison Square Garden. With the Knicks suddenly in the playoff mix, NYC looks more attractive than ever. The Pelicans? Not so much. New Orleans has made a series of boneheaded moves that's left the future of the franchise in limbo. In fact, you could argue that the impending free agency of Lonzo Ball - who may or may not be all that good - could be what ultimately sways Zion's decision. Before guys like LeBron James and Kevin Durant left the Cavs and Thunder, respectively, at least the team had some level of success before their stars ultimately decided to bolt. To this point, the Pelicans have done nothing to inspire confidence in their ability to build a roster around their superstar; It's eerily similar to what went down with Anthony Davis a few years back. The Pels just might sneak into the play-in tournament, but after Zion's comments on Sunday, the entire New Orleans fanbase has to be miserable. In other NBA news, did you see that Kevin Durant got hurt again?!? The Brooklyn Nets have arguably the greatest trio in NBA history, but does it matter if they can't stay on the court together? James Harden is down with a bad hamstring, KD has a history of injuries dating back to his days in OKC, and Kyrie Irving regularly takes time away just because he feels like it. It's not time to push the panic button in Brooklyn, but it would be wise to locate it just to be safe. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.