Best of The Herd

We’ve got NFL drama simmering, Game Six on deck, and I’m in for Colin with Rachel Nichols; quick check-in, how’d you spend the hoops off-night?

Anniversary dinner with the family, low-key and perfect.

I wrangled my kids and snuck in some Dutton Ranch, then dove into the take of the day: people are bailing on Wemby after a rough Game Five, but I’m preaching patience and picking San Antonio to win tonight and set up a cannot-miss Game Seven.

On the Eagles, the soap opera never ends: Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown haven’t talked in months, the rumor mill is churning, and it sure feels like Philly’s trying to bait the market with Patriots buzz while other ‘mystery teams’ get floated to juice the price.

Hurts kept it calm at OTAs, praised what they did together, but it sounded like a chapter that’s closing.

Lamar talk is up next, because two MVPs and three postseason wins means the pressure meter’s ticking.

Bringing in Ben Volin from the Boston Globe: the Patriots won’t budge on a first for A.J. Brown, but is that just leverage talk?

It’s a soft market, and New England’s basically bidding against itself while Howie Roseman tries to manufacture competition and waits until the money deadlines bite.

How is there not a line of contenders for a top receiver; is it the sideline stuff or something else?

It’s price and picks, plus age and a chronic knee concern; you can sign a cheaper starter today instead of paying near 30 million and parting with a premium pick, though Vrabel’s interest suggests the health worry may be overstated.

Do the Patriots eventually cave on a first if the draft next year is loaded and their schedule turns nasty?

Maybe they give a first, but more likely a future one or a creative bundle rather than next year’s top pick, unless Howie really stirs a bidding war.

Back to Lamar: with Baltimore reshuffling the staff, is this a make-or-break season?

Legacy pressure, yes; job pressure, not really, because the organization picked Lamar over Harbaugh and the new coaches will wear it if things go south.

Who caught heat in the Patriots’ title lull—Brady or Belichick?

Both did, from roster misfires to offseason optics, but they still kept reaching Super Bowls and never cratered.

I feel like Lamar escapes blame after playoff losses; am I off?

He has loud defenders and detractors, but quarterbacks always get the bill; until he stacks January wins, the resume will feel incomplete, same as Josh Allen’s.

Minnesota’s QB room is a storyline—do you expect Kyler to start over J.J. McCarthy?

If McCarthy isn’t clearly ready, Kyler’s the easy Week One play on a minimal commitment, and the staff needs wins now.

Is Kyler a scratch-off or a Powerball ticket?

He’s a former top pick with elite tools and fresh motivation, so the upside is real if the focus and habits catch up.

I think stealth tanking is coming after teams missed on blue-chip QBs; do front offices set that up while coaches and players still chase wins?

You won’t see coaches tank, but rosters can be built thin and cheap, which usually answers the standings for ownership that’s eyeing the top of the draft.

On the Raiders, I’d start Fernando Mendoza right away and skip the mixed messages.

If he looks the part in camp, start him Week One, because most of these guys end up in the lineup by October and clarity helps the locker room.

Appreciate it, Ben—love when you see it my way.

Now Chris Broussard joins, and I still remember him helping me as a young reporter; Wemby’s got to make a stand tonight.

Big-picture pressure is low, but tonight’s pressure is real after a flat Game Five, and I expect a fresher, more aggressive Wemby and a Spurs win to force Game Seven.

Do you expect a tight finish or another game where one team holds control, and can the kids around him carry the load if he’s not dominant?

Probably another steady-margin game, and Wemby’s trying something almost no one’s done—leading a young group this far without a veteran MVP to lean on.

OKC’s flopping is a bad look, and the league hand-waving it makes it worse.

They don’t need new rules, just whistle the anti-flop tech that already exists, and teams will stop gaming it like they did with traveling.

Think we see a statement tech or at least a friendlier whistle for San Antonio?

I expect a course correction after some misses in Game Five, and it’s a shame the flopping talk is drowning out how good SGA’s season has been.

He’s at 38 percent shooting and I’ve got Caruso as series MVP right now.

It’s still SGA because stars carry the heaviest burden and win-or-advance is the metric, even when efficiency dips and role guys pop.

Here’s my hot take: this might be the best Knicks team ever, and Brunson’s building a case.

They need the trophy to claim that, but their blend echoes the 70s title teams, and if Brunson runs a superstar gauntlet and wins without a co-headliner, he could become the greatest Knick.

I’m on the Spurs tonight, and Chris, as always, great chopping it up with you.