Chris and Rob discuss Byron Scott’s assertion that the Los Angeles lakers should consider hiring LeBron James as the player-coach since they let him run everything else within the organization and debate whether playing center field is the biggest reason for Mike Trout being injury prone. Plus, former NBA veteran and Oklahoma City Thunder TV analyst Michael Cage swings by to discuss why he felt Shai Gilgeous-Alexander deserved to win the NBA MVP award, how the Thunder became so good so fast as such a young team, Chet Holmgren’s long-term outlook and much more!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Thanks for listening to The Odd Couple podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
Be sure to check us out live every weekday from
seven pm to ten pm Eastern four to seven Pacific
on Fox Sports Radio. Find your local station for The
Odd Couple at Foxsports Radio dot com, or stream us
live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching FSR.
Speaker 3 (00:24):
Let's get this, punnies, you're listening to Fox Sports Radio.
Speaker 4 (00:31):
It is The Odd Couple. I'm Chris.
Speaker 5 (00:33):
He's Rob our number two on the Worship Wednesday. We're
live from the tirerag dot com studios. Tirag dot com
will help you get there. They've got an unmatched selection,
fast free shipping, free row hazard protection, and more than
ten thousand to recommend it installers.
Speaker 4 (00:49):
Tirerag dot com is the way tirebine should be.
Speaker 5 (00:54):
We're all NBA, although we got a little bit of
baseball at the bottom of the hour.
Speaker 4 (00:59):
We'll get to that.
Speaker 5 (01:01):
But Rob.
Speaker 4 (01:04):
Entering, we we just touched on this a few days ago.
Speaker 5 (01:11):
Obviously, the Los Angeles Lakers have fired their coach, Darvin
Ham and it came up. I don't know if it
was a caller or how we got into it, but
why don't they just make Lebron the player coach, and
I I don't.
Speaker 4 (01:27):
Think that's possible today. I think there's been done over.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
You know, it used to be.
Speaker 4 (01:34):
It used to be commonplace to something.
Speaker 5 (01:36):
You know, it was it was commonplace enough where it
wasn't that big of a deal in the sixties and seventies.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Quick when you when you hear that player coach, the
first one you think of Bill.
Speaker 1 (01:45):
We think of Bill Russell, Yeah, yeah, I think.
Speaker 5 (01:49):
But yeah, Bill Russell and he he actually won a championship,
if not to doing the player coach.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
Yeah, yeah, I always think of Joe Toy because I
grew up, you know, as a Mets fan in New York,
and he was know it happened, Yeah, Joe Tory. Joe
Tory was a player coach who was like his last
year as a player and they made him a manager.
Frank Robinson, Chris, did you know that with the.
Speaker 4 (02:13):
With the tr Like I said, I didn't. I didn't.
I wasn't even thinking of any baseball.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
Yeah, those are the only two that I remember in baseball.
Speaker 5 (02:23):
But anyway, rob none other than Friend of the Show,
NBA champion as a player part of the Showtime Lakers,
uh and and the way they in the Hall of Fame,
he's better. Look, with all due respect of Michael Cooper,
(02:44):
would you agree with that?
Speaker 1 (02:45):
Yeah, that's what I'm saying. I'm saying the way is
going on. I'm sure when Cooper got in, he didn't think.
Speaker 5 (02:49):
To himself, how am I not a No, He's better
than Michael Cooper, there's no question. And Cooper's good at
what he did, but Byron Scott was better and a
former coach year the year, Yeah, Byron Scott. So he's
you know, he's done it all in this league for
the most part. And so Byron, believe it or not, said,
(03:11):
uh this on Undisputed today would skip Bayless.
Speaker 6 (03:16):
My recommendation the next Laker coaching out of the eight
or nine names that I've heard, his name wasn't on
there is make Lebron the coach. I got nothing but
love and respect for Lebron.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
I love him.
Speaker 6 (03:27):
I think he's one of the greatest players that ever
played this game. But it's obvious to me at least
that he's making a lot of decisions just going on
in this organization, no doubt, from a coaching standpoint to
a player standpoint. So if you're going to allow him
to make those decisions, sit on the bench and make
those decisions as well. Be the head coach, JJ Reddy,
you mean player coach, player, head coach.
Speaker 4 (03:47):
Yeah, to Bill, rob what are your thoughts?
Speaker 1 (03:55):
Yeah? I did not hear the clip originally. Chris on
the show. You know what I mean because I asked
Robber you about context, and that makes sense.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
Byron Scott was a coach. He's seen what has happened,
right with all the coaches with Lebron. That was a
coach talking out of frustration about Oh that That's what
I took from it.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
Chris, No, I gotta be honest.
Speaker 5 (04:16):
It did kind of he he tried to hide it,
but he did. Just make le like, can we hear
it again? Because I agree with you. See there's a
little something in there that was like, why don't.
Speaker 4 (04:28):
You just be the coach?
Speaker 1 (04:29):
Did right? You got everybody run out of town or whatever?
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Right?
Speaker 5 (04:33):
And we might be.
Speaker 4 (04:34):
Wrong, but go ahead, Robbie, you play it just one
more time.
Speaker 6 (04:38):
My recommendation the next Laker coaching out of the eight
or nine names that I've heard, his name wasn't known
there is make Lebron the coach. I got nothing but
love and respect for Lebron. I love him. I think
he's one of the greatest players that ever played this game.
But it's obvious to me at least that he's making
a lot of decisions just going on in this organization,
no doubt, from a coaching standpoint to a player standpoint.
(05:00):
So if you're going to allow him to make those decisions,
sit on the bench and make those decisions as well,
beat the head coach, JJ Redy, you mean player coach
player head coach?
Speaker 4 (05:09):
Yeah, well, Wilks, I.
Speaker 5 (05:14):
Felt like there was we could be wrong, Rob, but
I tend to agree with you.
Speaker 1 (05:18):
Yeah, And I'm not mad at him.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
I'm you know, I'm just saying there's a there's a
degree of frustration in that. You know, every time they lose,
you know, somebody's got to lose their job no matter what.
So what if Darvinham won the end season tournament? So
what if Frank Vogel won a championship?
Speaker 5 (05:36):
So what?
Speaker 1 (05:37):
You know what I mean? Like that, that's that's what
it seems to be like. It doesn't make any sense.
I'm just curious, Chris. I'm kind of with you that
times have changed so much. I'm not so sure a
guy can do both. It was a times were simpler
back then, like when they.
Speaker 5 (05:56):
Had that's a that's an understatement, am I right?
Speaker 4 (05:59):
Like just that's an understanding, you know what I mean?
Speaker 1 (06:02):
You know what I mean?
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Yes, my gosh, it's not even they used to be Chris,
there used to be a head coach and two coaches.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
They got nine coaches. Now I'm sitting on the bench.
Speaker 4 (06:10):
More than that.
Speaker 5 (06:12):
Yeah, you got five on the bench, five behind the bench.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
You got it.
Speaker 4 (06:16):
I mean, it's ridiculous.
Speaker 7 (06:17):
There used to be two coaches, one coach offense, one coach, yes,
and that was it. I just like, like, like, it's
just so much going on. And Chris, we used to
watch practice and shoot around and you know what I mean, Like,
my god, like like seriously, so I don't know if
a player, even if Lebron's ilk could do it.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
I'm just not sure that it's doable.
Speaker 5 (06:44):
I count Rob forty guys in the history of the
NBA that were player coaches. It was, like I said,
it was commonplace in the fifties. It's really sixties and seventies. Yes,
here's some of the names. You might be surprised as
some of these as Bob Pettitt, not just one year,
but still Slater Martin, who you know. I think he
(07:06):
dunk from the free throw line. I'm not mistaken. I
might be mixing him up with somebody else. Red Holtzman
for a year Milwaukee Hawks, Alex Hannam, who's a legendary coach,
one year with the Saint Louis Hawks as a player coach.
Dick McGuire with the Pistons, rode for two years wow
or one year?
Speaker 8 (07:24):
I'm sorry.
Speaker 4 (07:26):
Dave Cowens.
Speaker 5 (07:28):
I think Cowens was the last one, and he did
it in the seventy eight seventy nine season. Now, Rob,
that was the year before Larry Bird went. So Cowens
is the last player coach ever and Rob that team
was the Layden.
Speaker 4 (07:47):
They were a little older, but still lay.
Speaker 5 (07:49):
Didn't with Hall of famers, and they won twenty seven games.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
And here's something else we just needed to watch.
Speaker 5 (07:56):
Dalph Shay's Bob Coozy, Bill Russell, Dave Busher Quickly, I'm
gonna throw the Lenny Wilkins, Richie Garrett, Lenny Wilkins. So
a lot of these guys were you know, household names
that were player coaches.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
And here's why Lebron can't be a player coach, so
the current NBA players can no longer Chris be player coaches.
After the salary cap was instituted in nineteen eighty four
eighty five, the NBA prohibited teams from employing a player coach.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
So that's why.
Speaker 5 (08:28):
So it's not even possible now. But I just think
it's a fun conversation.
Speaker 4 (08:34):
I just want to make.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
Sure that people know that, right, you can't do it.
Speaker 5 (08:38):
I'm gonna keep it real. I don't think it's possible today.
Sure you could do. I mean, let's say it wasn't
against the rules. Somebody could try. Rob, I think it
would be.
Speaker 4 (08:48):
A disaster because there is so you said it.
Speaker 5 (08:54):
What was film study like in the sixties, right, you know,
compared to today? I mean coaches after the game, they're
on the plane looking at film, breaking it down for
the film study the next day. Now you could It
is true that you could just have your crew, right,
you got your staff and they break down the film
(09:18):
and then you leave the film session. But Rob, I
would the coaches look at the film before they show
it to the team. You gotta know what you want
to emphasize and highlight. Is a player really gonna do
all that is a player gonna break down a full
(09:38):
half of basketball, to say the least.
Speaker 9 (09:42):
Rob.
Speaker 5 (09:42):
When I was in film sessions in college, we would go,
it would take us an hour to get through six
minutes of the game.
Speaker 4 (09:52):
Coaches just stop every there's always a missage.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
Right here, stop right here, stop right here?
Speaker 4 (09:57):
Is a player doing that, and then here's the other thing.
And this is why.
Speaker 5 (10:01):
The real reason I don't think it's possible. What about
the egos. Egos are bigger than ever. I don't say
that like we're worse than the previous generation, but I
mean because of the money, Rob, because of the branding,
because of the endorsements. If a player gets in the
(10:22):
way of my like he benches me, and I'm upset,
and now my endorsements are are falling off, or I'm
in a contract year, I need to play and put
up numbers, and a teammate, a teammate is making sure
I don't. I'm mad at the coach, but if a
(10:43):
teammate is doing it, I'm really ticked off.
Speaker 4 (10:47):
You see, And you agree with that the egos is
too much?
Speaker 1 (10:50):
Yeah, I just I think it would be very, very difficult.
But Byron Scott. I got his sentiment. I really did
like like it ate as easy Byron Scott.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
We remember Chris what happened with him with the nets.
I mean they went to the championship twice, right, and
he didn't he he got fired and he got fired
from there.
Speaker 4 (11:12):
Yep, yep.
Speaker 5 (11:14):
I just think Rob, it's you said it. It was
such a simpler time the NBA. I mean every like
you said, they had two coaches.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
They had two coaches, Chris, and you know where they
were after the games, the coaches, they were at the
hotel bar with the.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
Sports teams, Chris, that's what they.
Speaker 4 (11:31):
Weren't breaking down film.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
I was on those uh uh you know, I was
on those flights.
Speaker 1 (11:37):
They weren't private planes or whatever. They were just your standard.
Speaker 5 (11:41):
And that was nearly a decade, essentially a decade after.
Speaker 2 (11:45):
Oh yeah, when when I was flying commercial Chris with
teams with the nets and the knicks. You know, that
was in the eighties, you know what I mean, in
the early nineties, it was. Yeah, the Pistons were the
first team to have a private I mean, and I'm gonna.
Speaker 4 (12:00):
Keep it real too.
Speaker 5 (12:02):
There's some really good coaches out there, and they are
really I mean you look at look at Oklahoma City,
Mark dagnag Coach of the Year. Rob, that dude, I mean,
he's a big part of why that team is so good.
Tom Thibodeaux, he's a big part of why the New
York Knicks are doing what they're doing. You you you
(12:24):
you know how some of these dudes are now they
maybe they're doing it a little more than they have
to because some of these guys will get in at
six am, Rob, and leave it, you know, seven to
eight pm, and they.
Speaker 1 (12:36):
Just don't want to be at home or something, right.
Speaker 5 (12:39):
But they living on watching film. And you mean to
tell me you think a player who may want to
still kick it.
Speaker 8 (12:48):
Now.
Speaker 5 (12:48):
Lebron's married, he's got kids, so he might be different.
But Rob, I'm sorry, I don't think a player is
trying to break down that type of stuff. No, they'll
watch the Lebron I know, watches films, but he ain't
watching film like a coach.
Speaker 4 (13:05):
I don't believe.
Speaker 1 (13:06):
Yeah, I'd be surprised if that kind of effort was
put in because it just it just doesn't seem like, uh,
the effort that these guys put in with there all
of the because he talked about all the assistant for
the more video people, right, yeah, the coach video coach.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
Yeah, I mean, it's incredible what they're looking at. They
don't have the same feed that we watch on television.
Is a different feed, right to see different things and
what you're looking for. It's it's it's it's very intense,
and it's very thorough.
Speaker 5 (13:39):
And rob It has rubbed some players the wrong way,
some teammates of Lebron the wrong way that he actually
has that type of power with the front office or
the coaches that imagine if he is the coaching that
or you know, the coach.
Speaker 4 (13:55):
It's just it's just too I just think in today's
world where these players.
Speaker 5 (14:02):
Even if I'm not a star, I still am probably
making some money away, you know what I mean. I
got things going on that I'm benefiting from because of
my position in the game that a coach could keep
me from getting if he doesn't play me as much
as I think he should.
Speaker 4 (14:20):
Or whatever. So I just think it could lead to
a lot of.
Speaker 1 (14:26):
Turmoil.
Speaker 5 (14:28):
Players don't like you anymore, you know, they might not
like the coach, but at least they can bond with
some of the teammates the coach is not out there
with me playing.
Speaker 4 (14:40):
You know, we can bind together against our coach to something.
Speaker 5 (14:43):
I mean, honestly, if we all think the coach can't coach,
we can still bind together against him and try to
win in spite of him. Right, what if that coach
is a teammate. Now the team is with half the
dudes are his boys. They with him. The other half
are like, man, this dude, come on, man, I.
Speaker 4 (15:03):
Gotta get paid.
Speaker 5 (15:05):
I need to make this All Star team so I
can get the Supermax or whatever it is.
Speaker 4 (15:12):
I need.
Speaker 5 (15:12):
I'm up for a contract after this. I need to impress.
I need to put up numbers, and you standing in
my way.
Speaker 4 (15:20):
I just think it would.
Speaker 5 (15:22):
Be there's all types of land minds for a player coach,
and I'm actually glad it's not possible today that they
It is against the rules, all right, A seven seven
ninety nine on Fox. Do you think it's possible in
today's NBA? It's illegal, so it's not gonna happen, But
just theoretically, do you think it would be possible for
(15:43):
a player to be a player coach in today's NBA?
Speaker 4 (15:46):
Your thoughts?
Speaker 9 (15:47):
Next?
Speaker 4 (15:47):
Chris of Rob The Couple Fox Sports Radio.
Speaker 3 (15:50):
Be sure to catch live editions of The Odd Couple
with Chris Brussard and Rob Parker weekdays at seven pm
Eastern four pm Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and the
Heart Radio app.
Speaker 10 (16:03):
Hey, I'm Doug Gottlieb. The podcast is called All Ball.
We usually talk all basketball all the time, but it's
more about the stories about what made these people love
their sport and all the interesting interactions along the way.
We talked to coaches, we talk to players, We tell
you stories.
Speaker 1 (16:20):
You download it, you listen to it.
Speaker 10 (16:22):
I think you like it. Listen to All Ball with
Doug Gottlieb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever
you get your podcasts.
Speaker 5 (16:32):
It is The Eye Couple Chris and Rob live from
the tie right dot Com studios.
Speaker 4 (16:37):
You'll turn the way in.
Speaker 5 (16:38):
Could Lebron or anybody be a player coach today? It's
not legal, so it won't happen. But in theory, I
don't even think it's possible. I mean you could do it.
I think it'd be a disaster for many reasons. What
are your thoughts.
Speaker 1 (16:56):
It would be a disaster?
Speaker 2 (16:57):
Eight seven, seven ninety nine on Fox I'm with you,
Chris disaster is the correct word. Dante in Mississippi. You're
in the eye couple of Fox Sports Radio. What's up, Dante.
Speaker 9 (17:08):
Hey, nice to meet you guys. I appreciate you guys
taking my call.
Speaker 1 (17:11):
I love to show thank buddy.
Speaker 9 (17:14):
Hey, I was calling it. I just wanted to say,
these guys, I've been to Dinah in Lake of Fans
is nineteen eighty seven. And the fact that we're even
discussing this shows you the state of the Lake of franchise.
The late great mister Buss. Would it even consider a
situation of this magnitude with virus? Scott said, you guys
are exactly on point. He's basically saying that, Look, if
(17:37):
Lebron wants to be the coach, gem picked the players,
do it it, do all of it. At this point
in time, Fellas, why won't the Lakers just move on?
And one last thing, I want to take you guys
back to when A D was sitting out in New Orleans.
This is where the this is, in my opinion, this
is where the Lakers went left. When A D was
sitting out, we had ingram random hard, we had a
(18:03):
plethora of young guys because a D was coming to
New Orleans anyway, So why trade all your assets to
get a player that you knew was coming to LA
to begin with?
Speaker 2 (18:13):
You?
Speaker 1 (18:13):
Yeah, yeah, they.
Speaker 5 (18:14):
Didn't want to wait, have to trade somebody to get no.
Speaker 1 (18:19):
Free agent, Chris, Like if he.
Speaker 2 (18:21):
Had they played out his Contrastey and they wanted to
get him, then no, no, they didn't want to wait.
Speaker 1 (18:26):
I said, yeah, they didn't want to wait, but but
I and.
Speaker 5 (18:29):
They got a championship. Like those dudes, those other dudes
ain't what's Brandon Ingram won? What's Julius random one? What's
Todd Kluzma one? Other than with the Lakers?
Speaker 9 (18:38):
Wait a minute that, Chris, You wait a minute.
Speaker 4 (18:41):
I'm just I'm asking you a question.
Speaker 5 (18:43):
I'll give you a chance to respond, but don't tell
me wait a minute on my own show.
Speaker 4 (18:48):
Go ahead? What did the answer my questions? Those guys?
Speaker 9 (18:51):
What they winning, Chris? Laker fans don't believe that championship
even counts?
Speaker 4 (18:58):
Well, why not? It's a banner up in there. You
know that did stopping from putting that.
Speaker 9 (19:01):
Up, Chris. I'm glad you said that, Chris. That goes
to my point, re raised an end season's banner in
the Lakers organization. That never would have happened if mister
bus was still alive.
Speaker 1 (19:13):
Sir, well, there's a question.
Speaker 4 (19:15):
That's the in season banner, but that the other banner
would have been a.
Speaker 1 (19:18):
Championship, would have been up the count.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
All right, thanks, we appreciate your success, I mean your support.
Speaker 1 (19:23):
I should say on for the show.
Speaker 2 (19:26):
Jeff in Minnesota's too. Yeah, of course, Jeff in Minnesota.
You're in the yyd couple of Fox Sports Radio.
Speaker 1 (19:31):
What's up, buddy?
Speaker 11 (19:34):
I love your show?
Speaker 1 (19:35):
But thank you.
Speaker 11 (19:37):
Yeah, about the players being head coaches and player, it
is possible because you have all the assistant coach if
you choose the right because you know how Lebron Game
one with Tyleru and everybody said, oh it was Lebron
the head coach, but not Tyleru. But look what tyler did.
(19:58):
But that's all I gotta say. Just look at well,
what about you?
Speaker 4 (20:01):
What about the egos?
Speaker 5 (20:02):
I hear that's what you could try to make the
assistance do all the dirty work and then you just
kind of meet with them and then you get you know,
you kind of need that way.
Speaker 4 (20:13):
But what you know, the ego, egos and stuff.
Speaker 11 (20:17):
You go, but you know, you gotta say as a team.
That's the thing about team. It's about the team, not yourself.
That's the only one thing about the ego. But I
understand about the ego. But it's a team, not you know,
it's about the team, not by yourself because you want
to win championships.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
All right, all right, appreciate it. Uh let's go to.
Speaker 2 (20:39):
Uh Andre Dre in Massachusetts. You're on the odd couple
of Fox Sports Radio.
Speaker 1 (20:43):
What's up?
Speaker 12 (20:45):
How you doing? Thanks for taking the call, listen. I
personally am in support of player coaches philosophically, looking at
what it's done. I go all the way back to
Red hour Buck having a vision to instill Bill Russell,
first African American coach and then a player coach who
went on to win many championships. Nonetheless, we haven't seen
this and what are we talking about fifty years since? Yeah,
(21:09):
and great coaches like Lenny Wilkins. So I don't think
it could work. Never mind, just the culture has changed
the technology along with what happens. Right, player coach decides
the bench a player before that they're even in the
locker room, guys are already going on TikTok sow social media
lander and the coach, and then you have so further
(21:30):
disparities and disputes so on and forth. So culturally and
then the technology that we have. Those are the barriers
that I that I think that then you throw throw
in the increase in the collective bargaining agreement and the
power of players. Right, a lot of times you know
you have a player coach even if they had the
uh standing of somebody like Lebron. What do we see
happening all the time in the NBA, even though it's
(21:50):
ridiculous and shouldn't happen, Players getting the coach fires and
the disasters that we have in my view in Milwaukee
and with the Lakers, so couldn't couldn't exist today. But
in terms of leadership, that generation had a lot for
us to learn and for these players to grow and see.
Speaker 9 (22:07):
Thanks for taking a call.
Speaker 1 (22:08):
Thanks to thank you, Andre.
Speaker 5 (22:09):
We got Michael Cage, former player now Oklahoma City Thunder broadcaster,
will join us next, but first.
Speaker 3 (22:17):
Be sure to catch live editions of The Odd Couple
with Chris Brussard and Rob Parker weekdays at seven pm
Eastern four pm Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and the
iHeartRadio app.
Speaker 4 (22:28):
Our Next guest.
Speaker 5 (22:29):
Fifteen year NBA veteran former player now has made a
heck of a career for himself as a broadcaster. Been
calling games for the Oklahoma City thundersince twenty fourteen. And
it's a great time to talk to him. Now we
welcome to the odd couple, Michael Cage. Michael, how are you?
Speaker 1 (22:49):
What's up?
Speaker 8 (22:50):
Mike? Hey, I'm good man. How you doing, guys, Chris?
What's going on? Man?
Speaker 11 (22:54):
Man?
Speaker 5 (22:55):
I covered Mike when he played for the Cavaliers and
when he played for the Nets. It's great man to
talk with you. You're always a pleasure for the media.
You always have plenty to say, so I'm not surprised
you're doing so well in broadcasting.
Speaker 8 (23:12):
Well, you know what, man, you know it's really good
too though. Man, it's you know, for myself like a
former player, you know, just enjoying the generations behind me. Now, Chris,
and it's certainly been a lot of interest going on lately,
sparking with the m v P stuff.
Speaker 2 (23:28):
Man, come on, so you mad, Michael k Don't be
a homer, now, come on, don't be a homer.
Speaker 8 (23:36):
Well I'm trying, all right, you said, don't be a homer.
Some numbers at you though he.
Speaker 1 (23:41):
Was not MVP.
Speaker 4 (23:42):
He's not mad at me, Mike, I voted for Luca.
Speaker 8 (23:46):
Man, you voted for Luca. Okay, all right, well I
appreciate you, honesty. Here's my thing, Man Sua. His numbers
match Michael Jordan. His numbers match Lebron James the years
they want m v P and you know, Michael Jordan
won how many six MVPs or whatever? Five and SGA
played both sides of the basketball. He led the NBA
(24:07):
and steels average over thirty a game. Uh, he did everything.
We won, you know, number one in the West going
into the playoffs, fifty seven wins season. The dude is
unreal in terms of how he can control the game
with the basketball. And you know, Chris, you guys watch him.
He's an old school ball player with a new school game.
(24:29):
We can score on anybody. And he's done a fan
you know, And this is what I'm looking at. And
I congratulates to Jokics.
Speaker 12 (24:34):
Man.
Speaker 8 (24:34):
I mean, he's a terrific player. You can't knock what
he's done, what he's been able to do. He's collecting,
you know, his third piece of hardware. I mean, that's
tough within itself four years.
Speaker 1 (24:45):
It's incredible.
Speaker 8 (24:47):
That is incredible. I mean, that's that's like almost unprecedented
in the you know, in the last couple of decades.
So but you know with SGA, man, what he's been
able to do with us this season, getting fifty seven wins,
leading in a Steel's third and scoring we we we're
number one in the West. We won one of the
toughest divisions, including the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves
(25:11):
this year, that Northwest Division. So you know, I'm just
looking at the numbers, I'm looking at the impact because
you know, Jokics has done yokic things. We didn't know
the Oklahoma City Thunder would be this good. And if
there's one guy I can point my fingers that man,
I'm gonna tell you the lead dog out there is
Sga and he's been terrific. He's been terrific for the game.
(25:34):
He's one of these next up and coming young stars
like Luca with our question and he's all Chris for
saying that.
Speaker 13 (25:42):
No, no, no, he's nat right, He's just not the MVP,
that's all I mean, Michael, let's you know what this
NBA is and the numbers and the analytics that go
with it, and and and you could tell I.
Speaker 1 (25:55):
Don't want to SGA like like try to bash him.
Speaker 2 (25:58):
But what did you said? He was third scoring? What
else did he lead in in the league?
Speaker 8 (26:03):
Stell at the NBA steel.
Speaker 5 (26:04):
Steals, Okay, And that's a whole category.
Speaker 1 (26:09):
I know he was.
Speaker 5 (26:11):
I just think in comparison to Luca and Jokic, their numbers.
I mean, Luca led the league in scoring and was
second in assist average. Gives you nine rebounds a game
as well, so in the points in the rebounds, that's
where Jokic and Luca got SGA.
Speaker 4 (26:31):
I think. Look, I think one of the best arguments
fast ga.
Speaker 8 (26:36):
Good hold that thought right there. Then what about the w's.
Speaker 5 (26:41):
Yeah, I mean, I don't think it's just w's, but
I look, they had a ton of injuries. OKC was
one of the healthiest teams in the league. Like they're
starting five essentially all of them played, you know, seventy
plus games. Uh, Luca dealt with a ton of injuries,
especially early when they were struggling a lot of differ
for lineup changes. Then of course the trades at mid
(27:02):
season that they had to deal with as well. So
I look Sga was great. He'll make first team All NBA.
I had him first team All NBA. And I've said
this to Rob Mike. A lot of people thought Jokic
should have won the MVP last year, right and yan
Or MB got it. So I do think this season
(27:24):
that Jokic entered the league rightly or wrongly, He entered
the league with a head start on MVP because so
much of the media thought he got robbed. You know,
there was some race brought into the issue and all
of that. I will tell you this, I do think
that Shaye will enter next season with a head start.
Speaker 1 (27:47):
On the MVP race because he played.
Speaker 5 (27:50):
You know, I do think that, and I think Luke
will be right behind him.
Speaker 8 (27:54):
Well, you know, I just think he's being punished because
he's so young. He's twenty five.
Speaker 1 (27:58):
Years I don't think so if he was, if he
was the MVP, he would.
Speaker 8 (28:01):
Have if he had.
Speaker 2 (28:04):
Remember if you think if he had the better numbers
than those guys that they would not vote him MVP.
Speaker 8 (28:09):
Well, well, here's the thing I'm looking at. Overall impact.
The dudes team won the division that Yoki was in.
Speaker 1 (28:15):
Yeah, but they had the same record fifty seven and
twenty five. They didn't run away with it the same they.
Speaker 4 (28:20):
Want, okay, and he only gives you six I mean,
I don't want to. I don't want to.
Speaker 5 (28:24):
We don't want to bash at all. But he only
gives you six assists.
Speaker 8 (28:29):
But here's the thing to look at this and then
you can just you can, you know, just think about this.
The Thunder beat the Nuggets three out of four games,
both games in Denver when they were healthy. They had
Jamal Murray, they had everybody, Michael Porter Junior, Aaron Gordon,
yo Ki, everybody. They beat them twice in Denver and
(28:50):
won the series three to four. Now, I'm not saying
that has something to do with the MVP stuff. I'm
just speaking for SGA's success this year. It's strictly his success.
I've never seen a guy play like him and then
turn around and lead the NBA and steals on the
other end of the floor.
Speaker 4 (29:07):
You know, well, let me.
Speaker 5 (29:09):
Let me ask you this, Mike, because we only got
a few minutes left. How they the Thunder And you
probably heard it said last night.
Speaker 4 (29:18):
You may have known it before.
Speaker 5 (29:20):
They're the youngest team ever, and I think that's a
big was really maybe. One of the main arguments for
SGA's MVP race was they're so young, right they the
couple twenty one year old, a twenty two year old,
you know, and then to twenty five year olds.
Speaker 4 (29:34):
I think in the starting lineup.
Speaker 5 (29:36):
They're the youngest team ever to win a second round
playoff game. They would be the youngest team ever to
win an NBA Championship. I and the youngest the last
in the top five teams the youngest teams to win
a title, the last only the latest. I'm sorry, I'm
(29:59):
mixing up my words, but it hasn't of the top
five teams youngest teams to win an NBA title. The
last one in that group to do it was nineteen
eighty to Showtime Lakers, So we haven't seen this in
nearly fifty years. Do you think that the thunder have
a legitimate chance to win the championship?
Speaker 4 (30:17):
And why?
Speaker 5 (30:17):
Why could they defy history and win it as such
a young team.
Speaker 8 (30:21):
Well, you know, I'm not real big on predictions and assumptions.
I can only look at where they are right now
because every game they play is a first time game
for them. A lot of them have never been to
the second round. Most of them have never been to
the playoffs. They never won a divisional title like they
did winning the Northwest Division. You know, with a bunch
(30:43):
of guys, you know, youngest team, youngest, youngest in a
lot of categories. And when you start talking about winning
NBA championships, man, that's a whole other category. Everything's got
to go right. You gotta stay healthy, you got to
play in your best basketball. I mean, there's a whole
lot into that. I don't even think they're even thinking
about that a lot of time. Watch those postgame interviews.
(31:05):
They're like kids, man, they're just yesterday. We're just balling.
We're just out here having fun. And that's what it's
been like covering those guys for the last two or
three seasons. When we drafted them, and I'm gonna give
Stam Presty credit for that. Man, I couldn't quite see
the vision of where they are now versus where they
were two years ago when they were weren't even in
(31:26):
the play again. They won twenty two games. Last year,
they got to the play in game, beat New Orleans
and then lost to Minnesota, didn't make the playoffs. This year,
they go all the way up to fifty seven wins.
You know what from twenty nine I believe, and they're
number one in the West and they win a divisional title.
I mean, just look at them, man, They're just ballplayers. Man.
(31:50):
I've been calling you know, I've been with them all season,
every single player for the last couple of years. Chat
coming on board this year?
Speaker 1 (31:58):
How anything to do with it? Or is just that's
ga figure? Does Chet have anything to do with it?
As well? About what the turnaround?
Speaker 5 (32:09):
Oh?
Speaker 8 (32:09):
Absolutely, you know what I mean, just like Jamal Murray,
you know with Denver and Aaron Gordon with Denver. I mean,
Michael Porter Junior with Denver, Rudy Gobert with Minnesota, you know,
all those guys cap towns and you know everybody has
a supporting cast.
Speaker 1 (32:26):
No, I get it.
Speaker 2 (32:26):
But he won there last year, is what I'm saying.
The difference between the team.
Speaker 1 (32:30):
He wasn't there last year night.
Speaker 8 (32:33):
Defensively, that's why we're one of the top five teams
defensive efficiency and offensive because of one guy on the
defensive end is Chet. Because we've never had that guy.
Speaker 5 (32:45):
We might last we got about thirty seconds. What is
what do you see Chet be coming in the future?
Because I think Wimby Victor winmbin Yama stold a lot
of his thunder because before Wimby, it was Chat was
this seven foot guy who could shoot the three, who
can handle like a point guard, who could block shots,
(33:08):
basically do everything on the court. So what do you
see for the future for Chet, Like, how good can
he become?
Speaker 8 (33:17):
I think that's a great question. I think he's just
going to become more polished at what you see. He's
seven foot one, he can bring the ball up to court,
he can stretch the floor with the three point shot,
terrific shot blocker. You know, he's a good passer. He's
got a good IQ for the game, which is really
surprising because you remember he missed all of last year
with that FOOTAGEEP. So this is technically his rookie year
(33:41):
and everything he's experiencing is for the first time. And
for him to take that on and then be able
to anchor our defense and then step up at times
offensively as a rookie, because he's got to tell yourself
he's still a rookie. I mean, just like Wenby, I mean,
I think the sky's the limit for him.
Speaker 7 (33:57):
Man.
Speaker 8 (33:57):
I'm really excited for him, and I enjoy watching him.
He's a great kid. You know. He talks basketball. He
talks team basketball, which is hard for a lot of
young guys to understand. It's about teams, and that's really
the mantra for this young ball club. They just watch
those postgame interviews. Man, that's all right on the floor
(34:18):
and all the flights.
Speaker 5 (34:19):
Man, that's Michael Cage, broadcaster for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
We will be watching Michael. Great to have you on, man,
and appreciate again.
Speaker 8 (34:30):
All right, Chris. Always good to hear from your brother.
I'll see you down the road.
Speaker 5 (34:33):
Definitely, definitely. All right, all right, more couple coming away,
keep you lying. Fox Sports Radio.
Speaker 3 (34:38):
Be sure to catch live editions of The Odd Couple
with Chris Brussard and Rob Parker weekdays at seven pm
Eastern four pm Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and the
iHeartRadio app.
Speaker 5 (34:50):
All Right, it's the Couple, Chris and Rob live from
the tire rack dot Com studios.
Speaker 4 (34:57):
All right, Rob, let's go to some baseball.
Speaker 5 (35:01):
Ken Griffy Junior, one of the best to ever played
the game, has some interesting comments about why Mike Trout
keeps getting hurt.
Speaker 4 (35:10):
Do we have that on tape. Rob Ge.
Speaker 14 (35:14):
All right, so, Ken, do you have the quote? I
have the quote right here, gentlemen, I can't prepared. He
spoke to Bob Ningale, friend of the Show USA Today,
about Mike Trout's injury and Ken Griffy Junior believes that
the biggest reason for Mike Trout's being injury prone the
second half of his career is because of the position
he plays. Here's the quote.
Speaker 15 (35:33):
Just look at some of the greatest center fielders who
played this game. They only have a twelve thirteen year
shelf life. It's such a demanding position. Your body just
takes a beating playing center field. Every hit to us
is fair the no foul territory. You're constantly on the move, running,
backing up things like that. That's why you can't compare
center fielders to any other position, or even outfield positions.
(35:54):
It's not like second base where you take two steps
and dive, or third base where you take one step
and nothing against those guys. But it's just different playing
center field. When you're playing center field, you're sacrificing your
body every game.
Speaker 5 (36:09):
Well, Robin for Conzi, Ken Griffy Junior, Rob, he may
have gone down as the greatest ever. Had injuries not
really derailed him, but for the first like what he
said about eleven twelve years, he was generally healthy. And
then I mean, gosh, hitting fifty six fifty six homers
(36:30):
two years in a row. Rob, he had forty eight
or more homers four straight years. I mean, the dude
was incredible. And then the injuries took their toll, and
it was sad because he was he may get it hurt, Chris.
Do you know two thousand and two playing in Cincinnati
on that artificial turf, Yeah, it was since he played
(36:52):
two years his first year in Cincinnati one hundred and
forty five games, second year one eleven, and then from there,
you know, seventy fifty three, eighty three, one twenty eight
one on the You know, he got a little bit
healthier later, but it wasn't the same player.
Speaker 2 (37:07):
Get I get the center field, Chris, nothing like his
premise of nothing is foul and it's your ball, Chris,
no matter if it's hit the right center or left center, right,
it's the center fielder's ball. If you're a good center fielder,
you're supposed to get anything that you can get close to,
not the core.
Speaker 5 (37:26):
Is probably the most other than catcher, the most demanding
field position.
Speaker 1 (37:32):
Would you argue that, I no like the catch catching it,
I don't know, after catching, after catching.
Speaker 4 (37:38):
After catching, it's the most demanding because.
Speaker 2 (37:40):
You're you're in the center of the game, you know, like,
look right up the middle catcher right picture the mostfield cover. Yes,
but I don't know if that's the reason why Trout
keeps getting hurt.
Speaker 1 (37:52):
He just seems like because.
Speaker 2 (37:53):
It has nothing to you know, like has little to
do with with him diving for a ball or getting
hurt in that set, I get to wear and tear.
Speaker 1 (38:03):
I just don't know if there's enough evidence. Didn't Willy
Maids play twenty years in centerfield? I know the last.
Speaker 5 (38:09):
Couple, and we could go back to all you know,
back in the day, they just they all did.
Speaker 8 (38:16):
Play.
Speaker 5 (38:16):
Nah, It's true, they back then, they just play. It's interesting,
it is. It is an interesting thing. Willy Maids was
an All Star twenty four times. I'm saying, we got
an hour left. Y'all know what to do.
Speaker 1 (38:28):
Lock it
Thanks for listening to The Odd Couple podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
Be sure to check us out live every weekday from
seven pm to ten pm Eastern four to seven Pacific
on Fox Sports Radio. Find your local station for The
Odd Couple at Foxsports Radio dot com, or stream us
live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching FSR.
Speaker 3 (00:24):
Let's get this, punnies, you're listening to Fox Sports Radio.
Speaker 4 (00:31):
It is The Odd Couple. I'm Chris.
Speaker 5 (00:33):
He's Rob our number two on the Worship Wednesday. We're
live from the tirerag dot com studios. Tirag dot com
will help you get there. They've got an unmatched selection,
fast free shipping, free row hazard protection, and more than
ten thousand to recommend it installers.
Speaker 4 (00:49):
Tirerag dot com is the way tirebine should be.
Speaker 5 (00:54):
We're all NBA, although we got a little bit of
baseball at the bottom of the hour.
Speaker 4 (00:59):
We'll get to that.
Speaker 5 (01:01):
But Rob.
Speaker 4 (01:04):
Entering, we we just touched on this a few days ago.
Speaker 5 (01:11):
Obviously, the Los Angeles Lakers have fired their coach, Darvin
Ham and it came up. I don't know if it
was a caller or how we got into it, but
why don't they just make Lebron the player coach, and
I I don't.
Speaker 4 (01:27):
Think that's possible today. I think there's been done over.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
You know, it used to be.
Speaker 4 (01:34):
It used to be commonplace to something.
Speaker 5 (01:36):
You know, it was it was commonplace enough where it
wasn't that big of a deal in the sixties and seventies.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Quick when you when you hear that player coach, the
first one you think of Bill.
Speaker 1 (01:45):
We think of Bill Russell, Yeah, yeah, I think.
Speaker 5 (01:49):
But yeah, Bill Russell and he he actually won a championship,
if not to doing the player coach.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
Yeah, yeah, I always think of Joe Toy because I
grew up, you know, as a Mets fan in New York,
and he was know it happened, Yeah, Joe Tory. Joe
Tory was a player coach who was like his last
year as a player and they made him a manager.
Frank Robinson, Chris, did you know that with the.
Speaker 4 (02:13):
With the tr Like I said, I didn't. I didn't.
I wasn't even thinking of any baseball.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
Yeah, those are the only two that I remember in baseball.
Speaker 5 (02:23):
But anyway, rob none other than Friend of the Show,
NBA champion as a player part of the Showtime Lakers,
uh and and the way they in the Hall of Fame,
he's better. Look, with all due respect of Michael Cooper,
(02:44):
would you agree with that?
Speaker 1 (02:45):
Yeah, that's what I'm saying. I'm saying the way is
going on. I'm sure when Cooper got in, he didn't think.
Speaker 5 (02:49):
To himself, how am I not a No, He's better
than Michael Cooper, there's no question. And Cooper's good at
what he did, but Byron Scott was better and a
former coach year the year, Yeah, Byron Scott. So he's
you know, he's done it all in this league for
the most part. And so Byron, believe it or not, said,
(03:11):
uh this on Undisputed today would skip Bayless.
Speaker 6 (03:16):
My recommendation the next Laker coaching out of the eight
or nine names that I've heard, his name wasn't on
there is make Lebron the coach. I got nothing but
love and respect for Lebron.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
I love him.
Speaker 6 (03:27):
I think he's one of the greatest players that ever
played this game. But it's obvious to me at least
that he's making a lot of decisions just going on
in this organization, no doubt, from a coaching standpoint to
a player standpoint. So if you're going to allow him
to make those decisions, sit on the bench and make
those decisions as well. Be the head coach, JJ Reddy,
you mean player coach, player, head coach.
Speaker 4 (03:47):
Yeah, to Bill, rob what are your thoughts?
Speaker 1 (03:55):
Yeah? I did not hear the clip originally. Chris on
the show. You know what I mean because I asked
Robber you about context, and that makes sense.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
Byron Scott was a coach. He's seen what has happened,
right with all the coaches with Lebron. That was a
coach talking out of frustration about Oh that That's what
I took from it.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
Chris, No, I gotta be honest.
Speaker 5 (04:16):
It did kind of he he tried to hide it,
but he did. Just make le like, can we hear
it again? Because I agree with you. See there's a
little something in there that was like, why don't.
Speaker 4 (04:28):
You just be the coach?
Speaker 1 (04:29):
Did right? You got everybody run out of town or whatever?
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Right?
Speaker 5 (04:33):
And we might be.
Speaker 4 (04:34):
Wrong, but go ahead, Robbie, you play it just one
more time.
Speaker 6 (04:38):
My recommendation the next Laker coaching out of the eight
or nine names that I've heard, his name wasn't known
there is make Lebron the coach. I got nothing but
love and respect for Lebron. I love him. I think
he's one of the greatest players that ever played this game.
But it's obvious to me at least that he's making
a lot of decisions just going on in this organization,
no doubt, from a coaching standpoint to a player standpoint.
(05:00):
So if you're going to allow him to make those decisions,
sit on the bench and make those decisions as well,
beat the head coach, JJ Redy, you mean player coach
player head coach?
Speaker 4 (05:09):
Yeah, well, Wilks, I.
Speaker 5 (05:14):
Felt like there was we could be wrong, Rob, but
I tend to agree with you.
Speaker 1 (05:18):
Yeah, And I'm not mad at him.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
I'm you know, I'm just saying there's a there's a
degree of frustration in that. You know, every time they lose,
you know, somebody's got to lose their job no matter what.
So what if Darvinham won the end season tournament? So
what if Frank Vogel won a championship?
Speaker 5 (05:36):
So what?
Speaker 1 (05:37):
You know what I mean? Like that, that's that's what
it seems to be like. It doesn't make any sense.
I'm just curious, Chris. I'm kind of with you that
times have changed so much. I'm not so sure a
guy can do both. It was a times were simpler
back then, like when they.
Speaker 5 (05:56):
Had that's a that's an understatement, am I right?
Speaker 4 (05:59):
Like just that's an understanding, you know what I mean?
Speaker 1 (06:02):
You know what I mean?
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Yes, my gosh, it's not even they used to be Chris,
there used to be a head coach and two coaches.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
They got nine coaches. Now I'm sitting on the bench.
Speaker 4 (06:10):
More than that.
Speaker 5 (06:12):
Yeah, you got five on the bench, five behind the bench.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
You got it.
Speaker 4 (06:16):
I mean, it's ridiculous.
Speaker 7 (06:17):
There used to be two coaches, one coach offense, one coach, yes,
and that was it. I just like, like, like, it's
just so much going on. And Chris, we used to
watch practice and shoot around and you know what I mean, Like,
my god, like like seriously, so I don't know if
a player, even if Lebron's ilk could do it.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
I'm just not sure that it's doable.
Speaker 5 (06:44):
I count Rob forty guys in the history of the
NBA that were player coaches. It was, like I said,
it was commonplace in the fifties. It's really sixties and seventies. Yes,
here's some of the names. You might be surprised as
some of these as Bob Pettitt, not just one year,
but still Slater Martin, who you know. I think he
(07:06):
dunk from the free throw line. I'm not mistaken. I
might be mixing him up with somebody else. Red Holtzman
for a year Milwaukee Hawks, Alex Hannam, who's a legendary coach,
one year with the Saint Louis Hawks as a player coach.
Dick McGuire with the Pistons, rode for two years wow
or one year?
Speaker 8 (07:24):
I'm sorry.
Speaker 4 (07:26):
Dave Cowens.
Speaker 5 (07:28):
I think Cowens was the last one, and he did
it in the seventy eight seventy nine season. Now, Rob,
that was the year before Larry Bird went. So Cowens
is the last player coach ever and Rob that team
was the Layden.
Speaker 4 (07:47):
They were a little older, but still lay.
Speaker 5 (07:49):
Didn't with Hall of famers, and they won twenty seven games.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
And here's something else we just needed to watch.
Speaker 5 (07:56):
Dalph Shay's Bob Coozy, Bill Russell, Dave Busher Quickly, I'm
gonna throw the Lenny Wilkins, Richie Garrett, Lenny Wilkins. So
a lot of these guys were you know, household names
that were player coaches.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
And here's why Lebron can't be a player coach, so
the current NBA players can no longer Chris be player coaches.
After the salary cap was instituted in nineteen eighty four
eighty five, the NBA prohibited teams from employing a player coach.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
So that's why.
Speaker 5 (08:28):
So it's not even possible now. But I just think
it's a fun conversation.
Speaker 4 (08:34):
I just want to make.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
Sure that people know that, right, you can't do it.
Speaker 5 (08:38):
I'm gonna keep it real. I don't think it's possible today.
Sure you could do. I mean, let's say it wasn't
against the rules. Somebody could try. Rob, I think it
would be.
Speaker 4 (08:48):
A disaster because there is so you said it.
Speaker 5 (08:54):
What was film study like in the sixties, right, you know,
compared to today? I mean coaches after the game, they're
on the plane looking at film, breaking it down for
the film study the next day. Now you could It
is true that you could just have your crew, right,
you got your staff and they break down the film
(09:18):
and then you leave the film session. But Rob, I
would the coaches look at the film before they show
it to the team. You gotta know what you want
to emphasize and highlight. Is a player really gonna do
all that is a player gonna break down a full
(09:38):
half of basketball, to say the least.
Speaker 9 (09:42):
Rob.
Speaker 5 (09:42):
When I was in film sessions in college, we would go,
it would take us an hour to get through six
minutes of the game.
Speaker 4 (09:52):
Coaches just stop every there's always a missage.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
Right here, stop right here, stop right here?
Speaker 4 (09:57):
Is a player doing that, and then here's the other thing.
And this is why.
Speaker 5 (10:01):
The real reason I don't think it's possible. What about
the egos. Egos are bigger than ever. I don't say
that like we're worse than the previous generation, but I
mean because of the money, Rob, because of the branding,
because of the endorsements. If a player gets in the
(10:22):
way of my like he benches me, and I'm upset,
and now my endorsements are are falling off, or I'm
in a contract year, I need to play and put
up numbers, and a teammate, a teammate is making sure
I don't. I'm mad at the coach, but if a
(10:43):
teammate is doing it, I'm really ticked off.
Speaker 4 (10:47):
You see, And you agree with that the egos is
too much?
Speaker 1 (10:50):
Yeah, I just I think it would be very, very difficult.
But Byron Scott. I got his sentiment. I really did
like like it ate as easy Byron Scott.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
We remember Chris what happened with him with the nets.
I mean they went to the championship twice, right, and
he didn't he he got fired and he got fired
from there.
Speaker 4 (11:12):
Yep, yep.
Speaker 5 (11:14):
I just think Rob, it's you said it. It was
such a simpler time the NBA. I mean every like
you said, they had two coaches.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
They had two coaches, Chris, and you know where they
were after the games, the coaches, they were at the
hotel bar with the.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
Sports teams, Chris, that's what they.
Speaker 4 (11:31):
Weren't breaking down film.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
I was on those uh uh you know, I was
on those flights.
Speaker 1 (11:37):
They weren't private planes or whatever. They were just your standard.
Speaker 5 (11:41):
And that was nearly a decade, essentially a decade after.
Speaker 2 (11:45):
Oh yeah, when when I was flying commercial Chris with
teams with the nets and the knicks. You know, that
was in the eighties, you know what I mean, in
the early nineties, it was. Yeah, the Pistons were the
first team to have a private I mean, and I'm gonna.
Speaker 4 (12:00):
Keep it real too.
Speaker 5 (12:02):
There's some really good coaches out there, and they are
really I mean you look at look at Oklahoma City,
Mark dagnag Coach of the Year. Rob, that dude, I mean,
he's a big part of why that team is so good.
Tom Thibodeaux, he's a big part of why the New
York Knicks are doing what they're doing. You you you
(12:24):
you know how some of these dudes are now they
maybe they're doing it a little more than they have
to because some of these guys will get in at
six am, Rob, and leave it, you know, seven to
eight pm, and they.
Speaker 1 (12:36):
Just don't want to be at home or something, right.
Speaker 5 (12:39):
But they living on watching film. And you mean to
tell me you think a player who may want to
still kick it.
Speaker 8 (12:48):
Now.
Speaker 5 (12:48):
Lebron's married, he's got kids, so he might be different.
But Rob, I'm sorry, I don't think a player is
trying to break down that type of stuff. No, they'll
watch the Lebron I know, watches films, but he ain't
watching film like a coach.
Speaker 4 (13:05):
I don't believe.
Speaker 1 (13:06):
Yeah, I'd be surprised if that kind of effort was
put in because it just it just doesn't seem like, uh,
the effort that these guys put in with there all
of the because he talked about all the assistant for
the more video people, right, yeah, the coach video coach.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
Yeah, I mean, it's incredible what they're looking at. They
don't have the same feed that we watch on television.
Is a different feed, right to see different things and
what you're looking for. It's it's it's it's very intense,
and it's very thorough.
Speaker 5 (13:39):
And rob It has rubbed some players the wrong way,
some teammates of Lebron the wrong way that he actually
has that type of power with the front office or
the coaches that imagine if he is the coaching that
or you know, the coach.
Speaker 4 (13:55):
It's just it's just too I just think in today's
world where these players.
Speaker 5 (14:02):
Even if I'm not a star, I still am probably
making some money away, you know what I mean. I
got things going on that I'm benefiting from because of
my position in the game that a coach could keep
me from getting if he doesn't play me as much
as I think he should.
Speaker 4 (14:20):
Or whatever. So I just think it could lead to
a lot of.
Speaker 1 (14:26):
Turmoil.
Speaker 5 (14:28):
Players don't like you anymore, you know, they might not
like the coach, but at least they can bond with
some of the teammates the coach is not out there
with me playing.
Speaker 4 (14:40):
You know, we can bind together against our coach to something.
Speaker 5 (14:43):
I mean, honestly, if we all think the coach can't coach,
we can still bind together against him and try to
win in spite of him. Right, what if that coach
is a teammate. Now the team is with half the
dudes are his boys. They with him. The other half
are like, man, this dude, come on, man, I.
Speaker 4 (15:03):
Gotta get paid.
Speaker 5 (15:05):
I need to make this All Star team so I
can get the Supermax or whatever it is.
Speaker 4 (15:12):
I need.
Speaker 5 (15:12):
I'm up for a contract after this. I need to impress.
I need to put up numbers, and you standing in
my way.
Speaker 4 (15:20):
I just think it would.
Speaker 5 (15:22):
Be there's all types of land minds for a player coach,
and I'm actually glad it's not possible today that they
It is against the rules, all right, A seven seven
ninety nine on Fox. Do you think it's possible in
today's NBA? It's illegal, so it's not gonna happen, But
just theoretically, do you think it would be possible for
(15:43):
a player to be a player coach in today's NBA?
Speaker 4 (15:46):
Your thoughts?
Speaker 9 (15:47):
Next?
Speaker 4 (15:47):
Chris of Rob The Couple Fox Sports Radio.
Speaker 3 (15:50):
Be sure to catch live editions of The Odd Couple
with Chris Brussard and Rob Parker weekdays at seven pm
Eastern four pm Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and the
Heart Radio app.
Speaker 10 (16:03):
Hey, I'm Doug Gottlieb. The podcast is called All Ball.
We usually talk all basketball all the time, but it's
more about the stories about what made these people love
their sport and all the interesting interactions along the way.
We talked to coaches, we talk to players, We tell
you stories.
Speaker 1 (16:20):
You download it, you listen to it.
Speaker 10 (16:22):
I think you like it. Listen to All Ball with
Doug Gottlieb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever
you get your podcasts.
Speaker 5 (16:32):
It is The Eye Couple Chris and Rob live from
the tie right dot Com studios.
Speaker 4 (16:37):
You'll turn the way in.
Speaker 5 (16:38):
Could Lebron or anybody be a player coach today? It's
not legal, so it won't happen. But in theory, I
don't even think it's possible. I mean you could do it.
I think it'd be a disaster for many reasons. What
are your thoughts.
Speaker 1 (16:56):
It would be a disaster?
Speaker 2 (16:57):
Eight seven, seven ninety nine on Fox I'm with you,
Chris disaster is the correct word. Dante in Mississippi. You're
in the eye couple of Fox Sports Radio. What's up, Dante.
Speaker 9 (17:08):
Hey, nice to meet you guys. I appreciate you guys
taking my call.
Speaker 1 (17:11):
I love to show thank buddy.
Speaker 9 (17:14):
Hey, I was calling it. I just wanted to say,
these guys, I've been to Dinah in Lake of Fans
is nineteen eighty seven. And the fact that we're even
discussing this shows you the state of the Lake of franchise.
The late great mister Buss. Would it even consider a
situation of this magnitude with virus? Scott said, you guys
are exactly on point. He's basically saying that, Look, if
(17:37):
Lebron wants to be the coach, gem picked the players,
do it it, do all of it. At this point
in time, Fellas, why won't the Lakers just move on?
And one last thing, I want to take you guys
back to when A D was sitting out in New Orleans.
This is where the this is, in my opinion, this
is where the Lakers went left. When A D was
sitting out, we had ingram random hard, we had a
(18:03):
plethora of young guys because a D was coming to
New Orleans anyway, So why trade all your assets to
get a player that you knew was coming to LA
to begin with?
Speaker 2 (18:13):
You?
Speaker 1 (18:13):
Yeah, yeah, they.
Speaker 5 (18:14):
Didn't want to wait, have to trade somebody to get no.
Speaker 1 (18:19):
Free agent, Chris, Like if he.
Speaker 2 (18:21):
Had they played out his Contrastey and they wanted to
get him, then no, no, they didn't want to wait.
Speaker 1 (18:26):
I said, yeah, they didn't want to wait, but but
I and.
Speaker 5 (18:29):
They got a championship. Like those dudes, those other dudes
ain't what's Brandon Ingram won? What's Julius random one? What's
Todd Kluzma one? Other than with the Lakers?
Speaker 9 (18:38):
Wait a minute that, Chris, You wait a minute.
Speaker 4 (18:41):
I'm just I'm asking you a question.
Speaker 5 (18:43):
I'll give you a chance to respond, but don't tell
me wait a minute on my own show.
Speaker 4 (18:48):
Go ahead? What did the answer my questions? Those guys?
Speaker 9 (18:51):
What they winning, Chris? Laker fans don't believe that championship
even counts?
Speaker 4 (18:58):
Well, why not? It's a banner up in there. You
know that did stopping from putting that.
Speaker 9 (19:01):
Up, Chris. I'm glad you said that, Chris. That goes
to my point, re raised an end season's banner in
the Lakers organization. That never would have happened if mister
bus was still alive.
Speaker 1 (19:13):
Sir, well, there's a question.
Speaker 4 (19:15):
That's the in season banner, but that the other banner
would have been a.
Speaker 1 (19:18):
Championship, would have been up the count.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
All right, thanks, we appreciate your success, I mean your support.
Speaker 1 (19:23):
I should say on for the show.
Speaker 2 (19:26):
Jeff in Minnesota's too. Yeah, of course, Jeff in Minnesota.
You're in the yyd couple of Fox Sports Radio.
Speaker 1 (19:31):
What's up, buddy?
Speaker 11 (19:34):
I love your show?
Speaker 1 (19:35):
But thank you.
Speaker 11 (19:37):
Yeah, about the players being head coaches and player, it
is possible because you have all the assistant coach if
you choose the right because you know how Lebron Game
one with Tyleru and everybody said, oh it was Lebron
the head coach, but not Tyleru. But look what tyler did.
(19:58):
But that's all I gotta say. Just look at well,
what about you?
Speaker 4 (20:01):
What about the egos?
Speaker 5 (20:02):
I hear that's what you could try to make the
assistance do all the dirty work and then you just
kind of meet with them and then you get you know,
you kind of need that way.
Speaker 4 (20:13):
But what you know, the ego, egos and stuff.
Speaker 11 (20:17):
You go, but you know, you gotta say as a team.
That's the thing about team. It's about the team, not yourself.
That's the only one thing about the ego. But I
understand about the ego. But it's a team, not you know,
it's about the team, not by yourself because you want
to win championships.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
All right, all right, appreciate it. Uh let's go to.
Speaker 2 (20:39):
Uh Andre Dre in Massachusetts. You're on the odd couple
of Fox Sports Radio.
Speaker 1 (20:43):
What's up?
Speaker 12 (20:45):
How you doing? Thanks for taking the call, listen. I
personally am in support of player coaches philosophically, looking at
what it's done. I go all the way back to
Red hour Buck having a vision to instill Bill Russell,
first African American coach and then a player coach who
went on to win many championships. Nonetheless, we haven't seen
this and what are we talking about fifty years since? Yeah,
(21:09):
and great coaches like Lenny Wilkins. So I don't think
it could work. Never mind, just the culture has changed
the technology along with what happens. Right, player coach decides
the bench a player before that they're even in the
locker room, guys are already going on TikTok sow social media
lander and the coach, and then you have so further
(21:30):
disparities and disputes so on and forth. So culturally and
then the technology that we have. Those are the barriers
that I that I think that then you throw throw
in the increase in the collective bargaining agreement and the
power of players. Right, a lot of times you know
you have a player coach even if they had the
uh standing of somebody like Lebron. What do we see
happening all the time in the NBA, even though it's
(21:50):
ridiculous and shouldn't happen, Players getting the coach fires and
the disasters that we have in my view in Milwaukee
and with the Lakers, so couldn't couldn't exist today. But
in terms of leadership, that generation had a lot for
us to learn and for these players to grow and see.
Speaker 9 (22:07):
Thanks for taking a call.
Speaker 1 (22:08):
Thanks to thank you, Andre.
Speaker 5 (22:09):
We got Michael Cage, former player now Oklahoma City Thunder broadcaster,
will join us next, but first.
Speaker 3 (22:17):
Be sure to catch live editions of The Odd Couple
with Chris Brussard and Rob Parker weekdays at seven pm
Eastern four pm Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and the
iHeartRadio app.
Speaker 4 (22:28):
Our Next guest.
Speaker 5 (22:29):
Fifteen year NBA veteran former player now has made a
heck of a career for himself as a broadcaster. Been
calling games for the Oklahoma City thundersince twenty fourteen. And
it's a great time to talk to him. Now we
welcome to the odd couple, Michael Cage. Michael, how are you?
Speaker 1 (22:49):
What's up?
Speaker 8 (22:50):
Mike? Hey, I'm good man. How you doing, guys, Chris?
What's going on? Man?
Speaker 11 (22:54):
Man?
Speaker 5 (22:55):
I covered Mike when he played for the Cavaliers and
when he played for the Nets. It's great man to
talk with you. You're always a pleasure for the media.
You always have plenty to say, so I'm not surprised
you're doing so well in broadcasting.
Speaker 8 (23:12):
Well, you know what, man, you know it's really good
too though. Man, it's you know, for myself like a
former player, you know, just enjoying the generations behind me. Now, Chris,
and it's certainly been a lot of interest going on lately,
sparking with the m v P stuff.
Speaker 2 (23:28):
Man, come on, so you mad, Michael k Don't be
a homer, now, come on, don't be a homer.
Speaker 8 (23:36):
Well I'm trying, all right, you said, don't be a homer.
Some numbers at you though he.
Speaker 1 (23:41):
Was not MVP.
Speaker 4 (23:42):
He's not mad at me, Mike, I voted for Luca.
Speaker 8 (23:46):
Man, you voted for Luca. Okay, all right, well I
appreciate you, honesty. Here's my thing, Man Sua. His numbers
match Michael Jordan. His numbers match Lebron James the years
they want m v P and you know, Michael Jordan
won how many six MVPs or whatever? Five and SGA
played both sides of the basketball. He led the NBA
(24:07):
and steels average over thirty a game. Uh, he did everything.
We won, you know, number one in the West going
into the playoffs, fifty seven wins season. The dude is
unreal in terms of how he can control the game
with the basketball. And you know, Chris, you guys watch him.
He's an old school ball player with a new school game.
(24:29):
We can score on anybody. And he's done a fan
you know, And this is what I'm looking at. And
I congratulates to Jokics.
Speaker 12 (24:34):
Man.
Speaker 8 (24:34):
I mean, he's a terrific player. You can't knock what
he's done, what he's been able to do. He's collecting,
you know, his third piece of hardware. I mean, that's
tough within itself four years.
Speaker 1 (24:45):
It's incredible.
Speaker 8 (24:47):
That is incredible. I mean, that's that's like almost unprecedented
in the you know, in the last couple of decades.
So but you know with SGA, man, what he's been
able to do with us this season, getting fifty seven wins,
leading in a Steel's third and scoring we we we're
number one in the West. We won one of the
toughest divisions, including the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves
(25:11):
this year, that Northwest Division. So you know, I'm just
looking at the numbers, I'm looking at the impact because
you know, Jokics has done yokic things. We didn't know
the Oklahoma City Thunder would be this good. And if
there's one guy I can point my fingers that man,
I'm gonna tell you the lead dog out there is
Sga and he's been terrific. He's been terrific for the game.
(25:34):
He's one of these next up and coming young stars
like Luca with our question and he's all Chris for
saying that.
Speaker 13 (25:42):
No, no, no, he's nat right, He's just not the MVP,
that's all I mean, Michael, let's you know what this
NBA is and the numbers and the analytics that go
with it, and and and you could tell I.
Speaker 1 (25:55):
Don't want to SGA like like try to bash him.
Speaker 2 (25:58):
But what did you said? He was third scoring? What
else did he lead in in the league?
Speaker 8 (26:03):
Stell at the NBA steel.
Speaker 5 (26:04):
Steals, Okay, And that's a whole category.
Speaker 1 (26:09):
I know he was.
Speaker 5 (26:11):
I just think in comparison to Luca and Jokic, their numbers.
I mean, Luca led the league in scoring and was
second in assist average. Gives you nine rebounds a game
as well, so in the points in the rebounds, that's
where Jokic and Luca got SGA.
Speaker 4 (26:31):
I think. Look, I think one of the best arguments
fast ga.
Speaker 8 (26:36):
Good hold that thought right there. Then what about the w's.
Speaker 5 (26:41):
Yeah, I mean, I don't think it's just w's, but
I look, they had a ton of injuries. OKC was
one of the healthiest teams in the league. Like they're
starting five essentially all of them played, you know, seventy
plus games. Uh, Luca dealt with a ton of injuries,
especially early when they were struggling a lot of differ
for lineup changes. Then of course the trades at mid
(27:02):
season that they had to deal with as well. So
I look Sga was great. He'll make first team All NBA.
I had him first team All NBA. And I've said
this to Rob Mike. A lot of people thought Jokic
should have won the MVP last year, right and yan
Or MB got it. So I do think this season
(27:24):
that Jokic entered the league rightly or wrongly, He entered
the league with a head start on MVP because so
much of the media thought he got robbed. You know,
there was some race brought into the issue and all
of that. I will tell you this, I do think
that Shaye will enter next season with a head start.
Speaker 1 (27:47):
On the MVP race because he played.
Speaker 5 (27:50):
You know, I do think that, and I think Luke
will be right behind him.
Speaker 8 (27:54):
Well, you know, I just think he's being punished because
he's so young. He's twenty five.
Speaker 1 (27:58):
Years I don't think so if he was, if he
was the MVP, he would.
Speaker 8 (28:01):
Have if he had.
Speaker 2 (28:04):
Remember if you think if he had the better numbers
than those guys that they would not vote him MVP.
Speaker 8 (28:09):
Well, well, here's the thing I'm looking at. Overall impact.
The dudes team won the division that Yoki was in.
Speaker 1 (28:15):
Yeah, but they had the same record fifty seven and
twenty five. They didn't run away with it the same they.
Speaker 4 (28:20):
Want, okay, and he only gives you six I mean,
I don't want to. I don't want to.
Speaker 5 (28:24):
We don't want to bash at all. But he only
gives you six assists.
Speaker 8 (28:29):
But here's the thing to look at this and then
you can just you can, you know, just think about this.
The Thunder beat the Nuggets three out of four games,
both games in Denver when they were healthy. They had
Jamal Murray, they had everybody, Michael Porter Junior, Aaron Gordon,
yo Ki, everybody. They beat them twice in Denver and
(28:50):
won the series three to four. Now, I'm not saying
that has something to do with the MVP stuff. I'm
just speaking for SGA's success this year. It's strictly his success.
I've never seen a guy play like him and then
turn around and lead the NBA and steals on the
other end of the floor.
Speaker 4 (29:07):
You know, well, let me.
Speaker 5 (29:09):
Let me ask you this, Mike, because we only got
a few minutes left. How they the Thunder And you
probably heard it said last night.
Speaker 4 (29:18):
You may have known it before.
Speaker 5 (29:20):
They're the youngest team ever, and I think that's a
big was really maybe. One of the main arguments for
SGA's MVP race was they're so young, right they the
couple twenty one year old, a twenty two year old,
you know, and then to twenty five year olds.
Speaker 4 (29:34):
I think in the starting lineup.
Speaker 5 (29:36):
They're the youngest team ever to win a second round
playoff game. They would be the youngest team ever to
win an NBA Championship. I and the youngest the last
in the top five teams the youngest teams to win
a title, the last only the latest. I'm sorry, I'm
(29:59):
mixing up my words, but it hasn't of the top
five teams youngest teams to win an NBA title. The
last one in that group to do it was nineteen
eighty to Showtime Lakers, So we haven't seen this in
nearly fifty years. Do you think that the thunder have
a legitimate chance to win the championship?
Speaker 4 (30:17):
And why?
Speaker 5 (30:17):
Why could they defy history and win it as such
a young team.
Speaker 8 (30:21):
Well, you know, I'm not real big on predictions and assumptions.
I can only look at where they are right now
because every game they play is a first time game
for them. A lot of them have never been to
the second round. Most of them have never been to
the playoffs. They never won a divisional title like they
did winning the Northwest Division. You know, with a bunch
(30:43):
of guys, you know, youngest team, youngest, youngest in a
lot of categories. And when you start talking about winning
NBA championships, man, that's a whole other category. Everything's got
to go right. You gotta stay healthy, you got to
play in your best basketball. I mean, there's a whole
lot into that. I don't even think they're even thinking
about that a lot of time. Watch those postgame interviews.
(31:05):
They're like kids, man, they're just yesterday. We're just balling.
We're just out here having fun. And that's what it's
been like covering those guys for the last two or
three seasons. When we drafted them, and I'm gonna give
Stam Presty credit for that. Man, I couldn't quite see
the vision of where they are now versus where they
were two years ago when they were weren't even in
(31:26):
the play again. They won twenty two games. Last year,
they got to the play in game, beat New Orleans
and then lost to Minnesota, didn't make the playoffs. This year,
they go all the way up to fifty seven wins.
You know what from twenty nine I believe, and they're
number one in the West and they win a divisional title.
I mean, just look at them, man, They're just ballplayers. Man.
(31:50):
I've been calling you know, I've been with them all season,
every single player for the last couple of years. Chat
coming on board this year?
Speaker 1 (31:58):
How anything to do with it? Or is just that's
ga figure? Does Chet have anything to do with it?
As well? About what the turnaround?
Speaker 5 (32:09):
Oh?
Speaker 8 (32:09):
Absolutely, you know what I mean, just like Jamal Murray,
you know with Denver and Aaron Gordon with Denver. I mean,
Michael Porter Junior with Denver, Rudy Gobert with Minnesota, you know,
all those guys cap towns and you know everybody has
a supporting cast.
Speaker 1 (32:26):
No, I get it.
Speaker 2 (32:26):
But he won there last year, is what I'm saying.
The difference between the team.
Speaker 1 (32:30):
He wasn't there last year night.
Speaker 8 (32:33):
Defensively, that's why we're one of the top five teams
defensive efficiency and offensive because of one guy on the
defensive end is Chet. Because we've never had that guy.
Speaker 5 (32:45):
We might last we got about thirty seconds. What is
what do you see Chet be coming in the future?
Because I think Wimby Victor winmbin Yama stold a lot
of his thunder because before Wimby, it was Chat was
this seven foot guy who could shoot the three, who
can handle like a point guard, who could block shots,
(33:08):
basically do everything on the court. So what do you
see for the future for Chet, Like, how good can
he become?
Speaker 8 (33:17):
I think that's a great question. I think he's just
going to become more polished at what you see. He's
seven foot one, he can bring the ball up to court,
he can stretch the floor with the three point shot,
terrific shot blocker. You know, he's a good passer. He's
got a good IQ for the game, which is really
surprising because you remember he missed all of last year
with that FOOTAGEEP. So this is technically his rookie year
(33:41):
and everything he's experiencing is for the first time. And
for him to take that on and then be able
to anchor our defense and then step up at times
offensively as a rookie, because he's got to tell yourself
he's still a rookie. I mean, just like Wenby, I mean,
I think the sky's the limit for him.
Speaker 7 (33:57):
Man.
Speaker 8 (33:57):
I'm really excited for him, and I enjoy watching him.
He's a great kid. You know. He talks basketball. He
talks team basketball, which is hard for a lot of
young guys to understand. It's about teams, and that's really
the mantra for this young ball club. They just watch
those postgame interviews. Man, that's all right on the floor
(34:18):
and all the flights.
Speaker 5 (34:19):
Man, that's Michael Cage, broadcaster for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
We will be watching Michael. Great to have you on, man,
and appreciate again.
Speaker 8 (34:30):
All right, Chris. Always good to hear from your brother.
I'll see you down the road.
Speaker 5 (34:33):
Definitely, definitely. All right, all right, more couple coming away,
keep you lying. Fox Sports Radio.
Speaker 3 (34:38):
Be sure to catch live editions of The Odd Couple
with Chris Brussard and Rob Parker weekdays at seven pm
Eastern four pm Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and the
iHeartRadio app.
Speaker 5 (34:50):
All Right, it's the Couple, Chris and Rob live from
the tire rack dot Com studios.
Speaker 4 (34:57):
All right, Rob, let's go to some baseball.
Speaker 5 (35:01):
Ken Griffy Junior, one of the best to ever played
the game, has some interesting comments about why Mike Trout
keeps getting hurt.
Speaker 4 (35:10):
Do we have that on tape. Rob Ge.
Speaker 14 (35:14):
All right, so, Ken, do you have the quote? I
have the quote right here, gentlemen, I can't prepared. He
spoke to Bob Ningale, friend of the Show USA Today,
about Mike Trout's injury and Ken Griffy Junior believes that
the biggest reason for Mike Trout's being injury prone the
second half of his career is because of the position
he plays. Here's the quote.
Speaker 15 (35:33):
Just look at some of the greatest center fielders who
played this game. They only have a twelve thirteen year
shelf life. It's such a demanding position. Your body just
takes a beating playing center field. Every hit to us
is fair the no foul territory. You're constantly on the move, running,
backing up things like that. That's why you can't compare
center fielders to any other position, or even outfield positions.
(35:54):
It's not like second base where you take two steps
and dive, or third base where you take one step
and nothing against those guys. But it's just different playing
center field. When you're playing center field, you're sacrificing your
body every game.
Speaker 5 (36:09):
Well, Robin for Conzi, Ken Griffy Junior, Rob, he may
have gone down as the greatest ever. Had injuries not
really derailed him, but for the first like what he
said about eleven twelve years, he was generally healthy. And
then I mean, gosh, hitting fifty six fifty six homers
(36:30):
two years in a row. Rob, he had forty eight
or more homers four straight years. I mean, the dude
was incredible. And then the injuries took their toll, and
it was sad because he was he may get it hurt, Chris.
Do you know two thousand and two playing in Cincinnati
on that artificial turf, Yeah, it was since he played
(36:52):
two years his first year in Cincinnati one hundred and
forty five games, second year one eleven, and then from there,
you know, seventy fifty three, eighty three, one twenty eight
one on the You know, he got a little bit
healthier later, but it wasn't the same player.
Speaker 2 (37:07):
Get I get the center field, Chris, nothing like his
premise of nothing is foul and it's your ball, Chris,
no matter if it's hit the right center or left center, right,
it's the center fielder's ball. If you're a good center fielder,
you're supposed to get anything that you can get close to,
not the core.
Speaker 5 (37:26):
Is probably the most other than catcher, the most demanding
field position.
Speaker 1 (37:32):
Would you argue that, I no like the catch catching it,
I don't know, after catching, after catching.
Speaker 4 (37:38):
After catching, it's the most demanding because.
Speaker 2 (37:40):
You're you're in the center of the game, you know, like,
look right up the middle catcher right picture the mostfield cover. Yes,
but I don't know if that's the reason why Trout
keeps getting hurt.
Speaker 1 (37:52):
He just seems like because.
Speaker 2 (37:53):
It has nothing to you know, like has little to
do with with him diving for a ball or getting
hurt in that set, I get to wear and tear.
Speaker 1 (38:03):
I just don't know if there's enough evidence. Didn't Willy
Maids play twenty years in centerfield? I know the last.
Speaker 5 (38:09):
Couple, and we could go back to all you know,
back in the day, they just they all did.
Speaker 8 (38:16):
Play.
Speaker 5 (38:16):
Nah, It's true, they back then, they just play. It's interesting,
it is. It is an interesting thing. Willy Maids was
an All Star twenty four times. I'm saying, we got
an hour left. Y'all know what to do.
Speaker 1 (38:28):
Lock it
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