Best of The Herd

It’s Wednesday on The Herd and I’m in for Colin, and man, last night was a ride. Miami was electric for the World Baseball Classic, Bryce Harper tied it late, but our bats went quiet and Venezuela closed it out; great vibes, tough finish, and a reminder that swing-for-the-fences math can backfire in a one-game cauldron.

This is for our country. People doubted Venezuela, but we played like a family, wore the jersey with pride, and now we’re champions; this means everything to us as players and as Venezuelans.

Schedule tweaks get tossed around every time we lose this event, but whatever the format, the Classic ruled and the sport won; now it’s on to the NFL and the wild Max Crosby non-trade saga that went from two firsts to awkward MRIs to Baltimore backing out, which only fuels bigger Ravens questions and, yes, my hot take that the Raiders might actually be better positioned next season.

I flew in fired up for a new opportunity, but the room felt off, the GM wasn’t there, and then I heard about an MRI concern; I was stunned, didn’t want more surgery, and realized I’m meant to be a Raider.

Hour two, March fever: I rattled off my top five tourney guys and teed up a legend, because Miles Simon knows what it takes in March and he’s ready to grade my list.

Houston’s backcourt gives me 1997 Arizona echoes: a fearless freshman scorer, a sniper beside him, a versatile third guard, and a bench spark who changes games.

I’d add Thomas Halk from Florida—his role jumped and his IQ and burst scream breakout—and I’ve got Florida riding that front line all the way to the title game with a Final Four of Arizona, Michigan, Yukon, and Florida; Yukon defends, is well-coached, and if the point sets the tone, they’re built to last.

Don’t overthink St. John’s traveling; Patino’s group is nasty on defense and athletic enough to bother Duke, especially with key injuries thinning the Blue Devils.

Late-season stumbles don’t scare me—our ’97 group finished rough and still cut nets—because once the bracket starts, momentum resets and style versatility matters more.

Arizona today is loaded, but folks nitpick threes and tourney scars; what’s the real concern?

They’ve stacked quad-one wins and can win grind games or shootouts, with Jaime Bradley closing and Tommy Lloyd growing with his adjustments; the pressure is real, but the pieces fit.

We’re seeing a Euro wave—Arizona’s got size and skill from overseas—so what’s pulling those prospects here now?

NIL changed the math: young internationals can earn real money, play on huge stages, and develop for the NBA, and Tommy Lloyd’s Gonzaga blueprint made Arizona a natural landing spot.

I’ve compared Cam Boozer’s game sense to an early-stage Jokic; where do you land?

He’s a 6-foot-10 connector who can pass, initiate, post, and compete every night, and as the shot stretches, he profiles as a modern four who runs actions and tilts defenses.

AJ DeBonza has inched past Peterson for me; can he carry March and the top pick case?

He’s the guy—clear number one—and he’s already handling doubles, running the offense, and leading scoring; BYU’s defense tightened with small-ball switching and Diamande’s activity, so with Texas and maybe Gonzaga ahead, he’s set up for a headline run.

Quick Lakers pulse check: can LeBron, Luka, and Reeves keep this heater going?

They’ve won nine of ten because everyone’s bought in, with LeBron embracing a third-option role while the staff leans on zone to spike the defense; the plan against Houston trapped KD and forced others to beat them, and you can see the confidence building.

It’s almost like you’re still on the staff—great stuff, Miles; enjoy the madness and the sprint to the playoffs.