Best of The Herd

Thursday energy: breaking news, sharp debates, and a Pittsburgh buzz that Aaron Rodgers wants a raise to land in Steeltown; last year was a trial run, this time he wants a real commitment, and it exposes how the Steelers still do not map out quarterbacks the way smart teams do.

Philly without Embiid should have stolen one in New York; they defended, generated clean looks late, and the pace with Maxey and Edgecombe can actually be crisper when the big fella sits, which points to a larger need for health and continuity.

We created several wide‑open looks in a row, held them to 19 in the fourth, and still could not get the scoreboard moving, which is frustrating because that level of defense should close a game.

Guests on deck, plus Draymond versus Barkley lit up TV and we are taking a side.

The goal is not ending up like you did in that late Rockets run, and you know what that looked like.

Barkley had it right: Golden State feels spent, hanging onto an old era while the league sprints ahead, and the one playoff series win since KD left says they should have cashed out instead of chasing another lucky heater.

On Embiid, this is not about talent; it is about availability, and last night sharpened the hard question Philly has to ask.

You need Joel when the game slows because he scores from all three levels, but if this series slips after another start‑stop year, you at least discuss moving him for serious assets since Maxey and Edgecombe have forged a fast, fearless identity.

The Knicks are what happens when ownership lets basketball people cook; with the OG move fitting perfectly, you may be two tweaks from the Finals, so do not overthink it.

Keep the core and make light additions like wing size or a big guard, credit Leon and Wes, respect what Thibs built, and ride Brunson’s unshakable engine because he is even defending on his own terms.

Flopping has always been there, but when it becomes central to a star’s scoring like SGA leans on, do we need a rules nudge to keep the product clean.

It starts with officials stopping the reward, because SGA crafts contact in ways that are hard to legislate; tell a winner to get up a few times and he will adapt, like D‑Wade did when Ray Allen kept hitting threes while he was on the floor.

Tanking popped this year because the class is loaded and next year is not, but the real problem is injuries in an eighty two game sprint at a wild pace, which is why trimming to something like sixty eight could keep stars upright when it matters.

Eighty two is a grind, so if the league can handle the record‑book context, fewer games would raise urgency and participation, and Adam has already shown with the in‑season tournament and play‑in that he will tweak for competition.

Quick LeBron detour: when did you first know he was different, and how did that evolve once you coached him.

I saw him in ninth grade with the Oakland Soldiers and he already looked like an athletic Magic who understood the game, then as a rookie he was a full grown man, and in Miami the Dallas loss hardened the edge you see now.

What separates him day to day.

His routine is unmatched, from biking in at dawn to extra court work, practice, lifting, and recovery before school pickup, and that relentless consistency explains the longevity and why fans should appreciate the commitment.

David Fisdale always brings stories, and I can still see that bike dodging Miami morning traffic; great stuff, great having you, and we are out on iHeart.