Nightcap Hour 1: Pistons EVEN SERIES vs Magic + Lakers GET UPDATES on Luka & Reaves

23 Apr 2026 · 52 min · 33 chapters

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In short

Nightcap episode focused on NBA playoff Game 2 between the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic, plus discussion of NBA updates involving the Lakers (mentions Luka and Reaves). The hosts analyze why Detroit evened the series and what must happen in Game 3 in Orlando.

Guests/backgrounds

The episode is hosted by Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson and Joe Johnson (ISO Joe Johnson), alongside Charlemagne the God as the host/MC. They are former NFL and NBA stars, respectively, and discuss sports from a player/coach mindset.

Key claims

  • Detroit won by being more desperate, emphasizing physical defense, and improving execution after trailing 0-1.
  • Orlando’s offense was limited to 83 points on 33% shooting, 25% from three, with Detroit out-rebounding Orlando (+15).
  • Cade Cunningham led Detroit (27 points), and the team needs consistent scoring from Tobias Harris; Jalen Duren must elevate.
  • Detroit’s toughness/rebounding/defense identity is framed as “Bad Boys” grit, not finesse.

Notable examples

  • A 30-3 Pistons third-quarter run after halftime (46-45 at the half).
  • Individual scoring cited: Harris 16, Robertson 10, Thompson 11, Stewart 10 (bench contribution).
  • Debate on how Orlando will adjust at home in Game 3.

Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.

Chapters

Tap a time to open that second in VO

Pistons vs Magic Game Recap

4:34 to 6:00

Analysis of the Pistons' performance in Game 2 against the Magic.

“I'm your favorite unc, and there's my partner, the Liberty City legend, Cincinnati Brinko, Ring of Fame honoree, a former Pro Bowler and an All-Pro.”

Pistons' Strategies and Challenges

6:00 to 12:04

Discussion on the Pistons' strategies and the challenges they face in the series.

“In this show, we've got Miami cornerback Keontae Scott plus Clemson's cornerback Avion Terrell joining us a little later in the show.”

Historical Context of the Pistons

12:04 to 14:00

Exploration of the Pistons' historical toughness and competitive spirit.

“One of your players is playing like he's supposed to play.”

Detroit Pistons' Toughness and Legacy

14:00 to 15:00

Discussion on the toughness and legacy of the Detroit Pistons.

“It started with Isaiah, and then when they started bringing in Lambeer, and they got Mahorn, and they got James Edwards, and they got Sal.”

Orlando's Performance and Expectations

15:00 to 16:00

Analyzing Orlando's performance and expectations for the upcoming games.

“Y 'all don't, hey, y 'all not go to state at their heyday.”

Paulo Banchero's Game Strategy

16:00 to 17:00

Discussion on Paulo Banchero's gameplay and areas for improvement.

“because these boys look at it, they're greedy.”

Bench Contributions and Game Dynamics

17:00 to 18:00

Evaluating the contributions of bench players and their impact on the game.

“So he got to learn to stick with his bread and butter because them dudes can't guard him in mid-post, man.”

Coaching Challenges and Player Dynamics

18:00 to 19:00

Exploring the challenges coaches face in managing player dynamics and respect.

“I think these bench guys like Black, I think these guys, they'll be a lot more calmer and ready in game three being at home.”

Respect in the Locker Room

19:00 to 20:00

Discussing the importance of maintaining respect within the locker room.

“I say you almost hope they respond the right way.”

Coaching Styles and Player Reactions

20:00 to 21:00

Analyzing different coaching styles and how players react to them.

“He might not, hey, he might do everything he can to probably potentially get you up out of there.”
Show all 33 chapters

Understanding Player Personalities

21:00 to 22:00

The importance of understanding player personalities for effective coaching.

“Coach may already know he can jump down.”

Player-Player and Coach-Player Relationships

22:00 to 23:00

Discussing the dynamics of relationships between players and coaches.

“I'm telling you, you try to do everybody the same, okay?”

Tolerance and Production in Professional Sports

23:00 to 24:00

The balance of tolerance and production in professional sports environments.

“Boy, hey, it was almost spicy here every day.”

Triggers and Player Reactions

24:00 to 25:00

Understanding how past experiences can trigger player reactions in sports.

“Hey, his quota or his or her quota is through the roof.”

Quarterbacks on the Move

28:00 to 28:26

Discussion about NFL teams and the rebuilding phase.

“We'll tell you what's real, what's noise, and what it means for your favorite team.”

Coaching and Parenting Styles

28:55 to 30:23

Discussion on effective communication and coaching styles in parenting.

“He has no shot at making this World Cup team.”

Discipline and Family Dynamics

30:23 to 33:26

Sharing personal stories about discipline and family interactions.

“Me, I was a guy, I didn't do well to yelling because I got yelled at a lot when I was younger.”

Safety and Parenting Decisions

33:26 to 35:14

Discussing safety measures and decisions made in parenting.

“and I don't want nobody because I don't want to have to hurt somebody behind my kids because I will.”

Etiquette and Family Values

35:14 to 36:42

Exploration of etiquette lessons learned through family upbringing.

“hit the brake and he went flying and flew past me and almost hit his head on the dashboard.”

Childhood Memories and Lessons

36:42 to 39:18

Recollections of childhood experiences and life lessons from family.

“Boy, you gonna get your ass off that counter.”

Generational Differences in Parenting

39:18 to 42:00

Discussing how parenting styles differ between generations.

“All the grown people were in the kitchen.”

Childhood Memories and Grocery Trips

42:00 to 43:19

Listeners will enjoy nostalgic stories about shopping with grandparents.

“Man, I ran that buggy on the back of Granny Hills.”

Reflections on Prices of the Past

43:20 to 44:37

The conversation dives into how prices of everyday items have changed over the years.

“So 10 % of nothing would have been nothing.”

Community Candy and Local Stores

44:38 to 46:06

The hosts reminisce about local stores and candy from their youth.

“Or you get like 10 of those big flywheel cookies.”

Family Dynamics and Responsibilities

46:07 to 47:03

Discussion about familial roles and responsibilities within their childhood.

“Libby signed his name for the report cards.”

Lakers Game Analysis and Player Performances

48:11 to 55:00

An in-depth analysis of the Lakers' recent games, focusing on strategy and players.

“The games may be over, but the NFL never stops.”

Insights on KD and Game Strategies

55:01 to 56:00

Discussion about Kevin Durant's performance and the strategies used against him.

“I think he should win his eye closed because it don't even matter.”

Luke Kennard's Impressive Playoff Performance

56:00 to 57:08

Learn about Luke Kennard's enhanced game and impact on his team.

“Joe, Ocho, I've never seen this guy put the ball on the floor more and attack like he is right now.”

LeBron's Leadership at Age 41

57:08 to 58:28

Explore how LeBron James continues to lead and adapt his game.

“I don't give a damn how it was going to work.”

The Lakers' Offensive Strategy

58:28 to 59:50

Discussion on the Lakers' offensive dynamics and player roles.

“It's much easier to hate than appreciate someone.”

Defensive Strategies Against Houston

59:50 to 1:01:01

Insights into the Lakers' defensive approach against Houston's players.

“I don't care nothing about no eight for 20.”

Challenges Faced by Star Players

1:01:01 to 1:03:48

Examine the difficulties star players encounter in high-pressure scenarios.

“Nah, it's going to be total stuff there.”

Introduction of Special Guest

1:03:48 to 1:04:12

Anticipation builds for the arrival of a special guest on the show.

“All his shots, yeah, he got high early, but you see how hard he got to work to get a shot?”
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Transcript

Automatic transcript. May contain errors.

0:00Peace to the planet. Charlemagne the God here. And listen, we are back. The Black Effect Podcast Festival is back in Atlanta on April 25th at Pullman Yard. Yeah. And the full lineup is nuts. We got the Grit Sineggs podcast, Deontay Kyle and Big Ice Cup Cat. We got Club 520 with Jeff Teague and the gang. Don't call me white girl.

0:20Shannon Sharpe:Mona will be there. Keep it positive, sweetie, with Crystal Renee. We got reality with the king with Carlos King. And yes, Drink Champs will be in the building. Plus, you know, we're going to have a lot of guests, so you need to join us. And we got the Black Effect Marketplace, the picture podcast, and everything you expect from the Black Effect Podcast Festival. Tickets are on sale right now. Go get yours at blackeffect.com slash podcast festival. Don't play yourself, okay? Pull up.

0:51I'm Daniel Alarcon, and this is my friend who's much more famous than I am. I wouldn't go that far, but I'm John Green, co-host of the podcast The Away End with my old friend Daniel. On our podcast The Away End, we'll share with you the magic of international football, all leading up to the 2026 World Cup. Together, we'll find out why, of all the unimportant things, football, soccer is the most important. Listen to The Away End with Daniel Auercon and John Green on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

1:251021. And I'm Konky, his best friend and business manager. And we've got a new show called the 1021 podcast. I'm taking you behind the scenes on how I became one of Twitch's most popular streamers. We also love sports. And with the World Cup right around the corner, we'll be breaking down the biggest storylines ahead of the big tournament here in the USA. Listen to the 1021 podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

1:57Will Ferrell's Big Money Players and iHeart Podcast presents Soccer Moms. So I'm Leanne. Yeah. This is my best friend, Janet. Hey. And we have been joined at the hip since high school. Absolutely. A redacted amount of years later, we're still joined at the hip. Just a little bit bigger hips. This is a podcast. We're recording it as we tailgate our youth soccer games in the back of my Honda Odyssey. With all the snacks and drinks. Why did you get hard seltzer instead of beer? Oh, they had a BOGO. Well, then you got it. Listen to Soccer Moms on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

2:30I'm Daniel Jeremiah. And I am Greg Rosenthal. I know that, Greg. We're teaming up on 40s and free agents, the podcast that owns the NFL offseason. This is where teams are built. Free agency, combine, pro days, trades. Every move matters. From my draft boards and mock drafts. To my vaunted top 101 free agents and how rosters come together. Quarterback movement. Surprise signings. will tell you what it means and who really wins. Open your free iHeartRadio app,

2:58Shannon Sharpe:search 40s and free agents, and listen now. The regular season is wrapped and the NBA playoffs are finally here. And there's no better way to cash in on the high-flying hoops action than PrizePix, a preferred partner of the NBA. Every basket, every dime, every win means more when you're playing on PrizePix. So don't pass up the next shot with PrizePix and get$50 instantly in lineups when you play your first$5. Do it live. 2026 NBA Finals Sweet Stick Alert. Pick live squares during the NBA playoffs and you could win a trip or two to the NBA Finals. To enter, you just make a$5 lineup with at least one live player pick during any part of the 2026 NBA playoffs.

3:38Shannon Sharpe:Live player picks are picks made after a game is already in progress. Prize picks is simple to play. You know this playoff season, I'm all in on LA. Always LeBron, LeBron, LeBron, more, more, more. Get in on the action. PrizePix is now available in all 50 states, including California, Texas, Florida, and Georgia. Download the PrizePix app today. Use code SHANNON to get$50 in lineups after you play your first$5 lineup. That's code SHANNON to get$50 in lineups after you play your first$5 lineup. PrizePix, a preferred partner of the NBA.

4:30Shannon Sharpe:Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and thank you for joining us for another episode of Nightcap. Y 'all know who I am. I'm your favorite unc, and there's my partner, the Liberty City legend, Cincinnati Brinko, Ring of Fame honoree, a former Pro Bowler and an All-Pro. He's Chad Ochocinco Johnson. and the third member of the Big Three, a seven-time NBA All-Star from the Atlanta Hawks University of Arkansas alum, that is ISO Joe Johnson. Please make sure you hit that subscribe button. Please make sure you hit the like button and do us all a favor. Go subscribe to the Nightcap Podcast feed wherever you get your podcasts from.

5:04Shannon Sharpe:We would personally like to thank each and every one of you for your eyes, ears, and your word of mouth. You guys make all of this possible. None of this happens without you. So we want to thank you sincerely from the bottom of my heart for all that you've done for nightcap through the years. Those looking to purchase a bottle of Shea by LaPortier, head over to LaPortierCognac.com to purchase you a bottle if it's currently unavailable in a state or city near you. Remember, it is a premium VSOP cognac that drinks more like an XO. But don't take my word for it. Try it for yourself. Compare it against other cognacs you've tried or may be wanting to try and see what we know to be true.

5:41Shannon Sharpe:It is the best tasting smoothest VSOP cognac on the market. Please drink responsibly and stay safe. Tomorrow, Ochoa and I will be live throughout the first round of the NFL Draft. We'll be joined by drafted players, current players, coaches, and analysts, and more. Nightcap is the place for all things NFL Draft. In this show, we've got Miami cornerback Keontae Scott plus Clemson's cornerback Avion Terrell joining us a little later in the show. But first, the Detroit Pistons evened the series up with the Orlando Magic 98-83 in Game 2. The Pistons had lost 11 straight home games in the postseason, the drought that started back in 2008.

6:23Shannon Sharpe:Game 3 will be in Orlando on Saturday. Joe, I mean, the game was 46-45 at the half. Joe, I turned the thing back on, and I was like, hold on, what the hell happened? At one point, they had outscored Orlando 30-3 in the third quarter. Joe, how was the Pistons able to turn this thing around, even the series up?

6:53Chad Johnson:I think the Pistons were definitely just more desperate. Okay, Ocho, knowing and understanding that, man, listen, game two, it's a must win situation for us we can't go to Orlando down 0-2 thinking we gonna win on their home floor so I think they got their morale back I thought they came out and made a huge emphasis on defense just to be physical obviously and just play a lot harder I thought they took Wendell Carter out the game to where you know offensively you know last game what he had about 19-20 points I mean I think the biggest factor is, man, Cage has got to continue to be ultra-aggressive.

7:34Chad Johnson:Ultra-aggressive. Make plays not only for himself, but for them guys around him. And he got to be, if he efficient, then their wins will look like this because they're a great defensive team. It don't surprise me that they held Orlando to

7:45Shannon Sharpe:83 points. On 33 % shooting from the floor, 25 % from the three. Out-rebounding them. They're plus seven, plus 15, excuse me, in the rebounding aspect. Go ahead, Ocho. You want to say something? No, I've been i was gonna say it was a collective effort on on their on their behalf on the pistons obviously k to cunningham doing exactly what he's supposed to do obviously leading that squad but going down oh two on you don't want to have to dig yourself out that kind of hole joe and make it that more difficult so they knew they had to even this goddamn series out and not only that it was a collective effort from everybody goddamn tobias has 16 robertson had 10 you got 11 from during shit cunningham did what he did with 27 and goddamn thompson had 11.

8:25so everybody including You know, he had Stewart coming off the bench. You know, he had 10. He had some other people contribute a little bit as well. But listen, they got to play like this. They got to play like this the rest of the series. Or hell, it could be a goddamn upset.

8:40Chad Johnson:Yeah. Yeah, it could be an upset, Ocho. I mean, obviously, you know, Detroit hadn't really been tested. So we don't really know if they're a championship caliber team yet. We just know they're number one in the Eastern Conference. You know what I mean? So now if they are a championship caliber team, now they got to show it because you got to go out on the road and you got to go get you one. You know what I mean? So we'll see if them guys can step up, step up to the challenge and obviously steal one in Orlando.

9:06Shannon Sharpe:Yeah, the difference between playoff basketball and regular season basketball, and we see that a lot. And there's a difference between regular season and postseason than anything, be it football, basketball, baseball, hockey, whatever team sport it is. If you have a postseason, there's a difference, the intensity level. There's greater expectations, especially on higher seeds, because you got that higher seed by playing good basketball during the season. Now, all of a sudden, when it matters the most, when we need to get stops, when we need to be efficient in clutch situations, we don't get that done.

9:38Shannon Sharpe:So anybody that says they don't do you, oh, you know, you absolutely know what it is. And Detroit knows. They basically had the best record in the Eastern Conference, damn near from start to finish. Even when Cade went out, they still found ways to win. And now they find themselves in a series 1-1 with Orlando. Now, they're going to need to do a better job. They did a great job on the glass tonight, Joe. They have plus 15 Detroit was over Orlando. They're going to need to do better. They're going to have to shoot the three. Now, I don't necessarily think they're a great three-point shooting team.

10:08Shannon Sharpe:They can get streaky like most teams can, but some teams are better. The Boston Celtics are a good three-point shooting team.

10:16Chad Johnson:Detroit's not.

10:17Shannon Sharpe:They better knock down some of these damn free throws.

10:21Chad Johnson:yeah yeah i agree they gotta they gotta shoot better from the three on the ocho not only that i think they hang their hat on their defense you know what i mean like they they pride themselves defensively it ain't too many times they're gonna get out rebounding no with durian and big boy and stewart down there it ain't many times that they're gonna get out rebounding so you know they they they come with a tough mindset hard hat you know outwork you and uh do whatever it takes to win the game Now you just hope your stars step up. Obviously, Cade has been consistent. But, man, if you can get some consistent productivity from Tobias Harris.

10:57Chad Johnson:I'm talking about consistent. I'm saying it ain't got to be about 15, 20 points a night. But can we get that consistently? Then I think that will definitely help because they're asking too much for a during. You know, oh, man, he need to give us 25. That ain't his game, bro.

11:12Shannon Sharpe:That ain't his game. Can we ask to give him what you gave us in the regular season? Is that asking too much, Joe?

11:19Chad Johnson:I don't think it's asking too much, but here's the problem. In a playoff series, bro, we're going to try to expose you. We're going to have to play during tough. We can't give him nothing easy. See, he known for getting them put back to just being kind of like a junkyard dog type of player to where he kind of feed off missed shots. But it's tough, man. Hey, Orlando got some big bodies that they can throw at him, and it's been giving him some problems. You know what I mean? he hadn't been as effective as he's been, you know, in the regular season. But I expect this play to continue to get better too.

11:54Shannon Sharpe:Joe, if he continues to play like this, they're going home. If Jalen Durden does not pick up that play, they're going home. You can't have a situation, Joe, your two best players. One of your players is playing like he's supposed to play. Kay Cunningham has elevated his game. 39 in the first game, 27. Jalen Durden has not. He wasn't – there's a potential, Joe. He's going to be an all-NBA player. He made the all-star team. And he giving us – no, no. Look, the playoffs is about elevating. It's not about decreasing. I don't give a damn what you do. Yes, oh, yes. I understand that. But see, that's – see what you said, Joe?

12:33Shannon Sharpe:You said, hey, let's make it tough on him. That's how you make your name. That's how you become legendary. That's how you become iconic. Because you know they know what you represent. and they're going to do what they can to stop it. And guess what? You still go that damn bus games. You can't. Pause.

12:50Chad Johnson:Yeah. But you're right. That's what the great ones do. You know what we're running. We know what you're running. Still, I don't care. You can't stop it. But I think we kind of got to give him a little slack. He's just not an offensive guy like that. He's just been a hardworking dude who's put up some great numbers during the regular season. But in the postseason, I'm dialed in on him. I see his strengths. I see his weaknesses. You know what I'm saying? I'm going to make him use it. You feel what I'm saying? And I feel like with them just throwing him the ball, trying to say, hey, man, go get us a bucket, that ain't his game, man.

13:23Shannon Sharpe:That ain't his game. Guess what? I want you to be that same hardworking guy in the postseason that you were in the regular season. Because guess what? You know what's coming his way, don't you, Joe? You know that max contract coming, right? Yeah. Yeah. So.

13:35Chad Johnson:Yeah, it ain't going to be. Hey, hey, the one thing about Orlando, they bigs. They fighting, bro. It ain't going to be easy. If you're supposed to be that guy, you're going to have to show us you're that guy.

13:45Shannon Sharpe:For sure. And that's the way you – but you've got to want to take it like, you know what, man, they really counting on me. Because you know Detroit, ever since the bad boys, what are they known for? You ain't finna outscrap us. And if we got to squabble, we going to squabble. But you're not finna outwork us. You're not going to be outtough us. It started with Isaiah, and then when they started bringing in Lambeer, and they got Mahorn, and they got James Edwards, and they got Sal. A Dumars, bro. Then they got Worm.

14:18Chad Johnson:Yeah, yeah.

14:19Shannon Sharpe:So, yeah, that's how they've always been. Fast forward to Bass Boy Pistons 2 when they had Big Ben. She, Chauncey, Rip, Tayshaun. Rip. This is always who they've been. And now the third edition, the third installment, the trilogy, even though Stu come off the bench, he brings that toughness. K plays tough. Those guys, this is what you in Detroit. It's kind of like if you play for the Steelers, you play for the Ravens, you already know. You got to get some mindset. Man, you don't walk in there and tell me, oh, man. Nah, nah, nah, nah. Ain't no finesse football.

14:57Chad Johnson:Nah. Yeah, nah.

14:59Shannon Sharpe:Detroit Pistons, they can't play finesse. You got to be physical. This is who y 'all are. Y 'all ain't got no free. Y 'all don't, hey, y 'all not go to state at their heyday. Y 'all ain't pretty. I am. Y 'all dump trucks, y 'all Mack trucks, y 'all pickup trucks.

15:15Chad Johnson:Gritty and grimy. Yeah, that's how they got to play. And I thought today, you know, they played like it. But on another note, I thought Orlando kind of, they look satisfied to me. I saw that. I ain't going to lie to you. And I'm watching Orlando. I'm like, they ain't really come with that same oomph they had in game one. It's kind of like, you know, it seemed like they were kind of satisfied that we went in there and won one game. Now, we'll see what they do in game three. But I'm going to be honest with y 'all. I expect the Pistons to obviously come back and take control of this series. Yeah.

15:47Shannon Sharpe:You know what? I thought they were really, really engaged in the first half. If you look at them the way they played the first half, Joe, especially the second quarter, I thought I said, damn. I said, Detroit, y 'all better be on y 'all best behavior, man, because these boys look at it, they're greedy. Look like they're trying to get sweet. They ain't trying to split the pot. They're trying to take it all. And I've been damned that he come out there the next thing I know, a 30-3. It really blew the game open from that point on.

16:18Chad Johnson:Yeah. Dang. Orlando ain't getting no contribution from they bench. I like how, you know, Suggs is being aggressive. But once again, when I'm watching Orlando Magic, man, I'm watching Paulo Bencaro. Paulo. I don't want him out there doing all that dribbling, Arkin Ocho. I'm sorry, bro. I'm talking about free throw line in the end is where he should be. I'm talking about it shouldn't be a person on the Pistons team who could guard him, bro. He give us flashes because he showed us in game one he could do it. Yeah. And I just think he got back today handling the ball, having a little man set the pick and roll.

16:56Chad Johnson:Man, hey, look, that's part of being great, doing it night in and night out, doing it over and over and over again. So he got to learn to stick with his bread and butter because them dudes can't guard him in mid-post, man.

Read the full transcript

17:08Shannon Sharpe:Nobody shot the ball great tonight. And, you know, Black normally gives him great production off the bench. Carter didn't play a whole lot. Bedazie, he played 20. He didn't really give him anything. You're right, Joe. They didn't get anything. But, you know, it was a game that I don't even know if they were really trying to give him anything because at that point in time, the game was a blowout.

17:29Chad Johnson:Right, right. But Wendell Carter Jr., you got to give him more than three points.

17:35Shannon Sharpe:You got to give him more than three, bro.

17:38Chad Johnson:That's unacceptable.

17:39Shannon Sharpe:Minus 29 in 24 minutes.

17:43Chad Johnson:Hey, look. But look, considering what they've done to the Hornets for their last play-in spot, I think they're going to play pretty good at home. Oh, yeah, for sure. Orlando, I think they're going to be a totally different team. So I think typically Ben Carroll is going to play better. Even though I don't think he played bad, but I think he'll play a lot better. You'll get more from Wendell Carter. I think these bench guys like Black, I think these guys, they'll be a lot more calmer and ready in game three being at home.

18:13Shannon Sharpe:Well, you know, they jettisoned the other big, Orlando did, Isaacs. Him and the coach had fallen out or something.

18:20Chad Johnson:Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

18:22Shannon Sharpe:I remember that. But I like Mosley. I think Mosley. Isn't that the coach's name? Yeah, yeah, yeah. He don't back down. Ben Carroll was trying to take a few shots in the media. He like, hey, he right back at it.

18:38Chad Johnson:Yeah. Hey, you got to be like that, man. You can't be nervous to challenge your guys, bro. If you want to be great, you got to want to be challenged. There you go. Despite however they may feel, you can't be, you know, timid on challenging them guys, bro, because I think more than anything, you'll gain more respect for them. Yeah, for sure. than anything. Go ahead, Ochoa. I say you almost hope they respond the right way. You almost hope they respond the right way because most of them don't take kind to being challenged because they're sensitive. They don't see it as a challenge. They take it as something else.

19:14So as long as they understand, I'm sure they have conversations behind closed doors and coaches letting them know there's certain things that you can't say because I also got to protect myself. Some of the things you say reflects me, who I am as a coach. or I have no choice but to say something back. But there's nothing directed towards you, nothing personal, but I got to challenge you to be better.

19:34Shannon Sharpe:And even if you don't gain said player's respect, you gain his teammate's respect because they're watching. Sometimes you can lose a locker room because how you treat. They say that, man, hold on. All you do is get on us. If we late, he late, you get on us. He blow a defensive assignment. You mad at me.

19:58Chad Johnson:Yeah.

19:59Shannon Sharpe:You lose the locker room. Yeah.

20:01Chad Johnson:Yeah.

20:02Shannon Sharpe:No, no, no, no, no, no. Say something to him. He might not, hey, he might do everything he can to probably potentially get you up out of there. But at least you got to gain respect in the locker room. Because if you, hey, what good is, hey, you let him do everything and then you ain't got the locker room. You going to be out of there quicker than that anyway.

20:19Chad Johnson:Yeah.

20:20Shannon Sharpe:And so that's the thing. Guys don't, and you guys are right. Guys don't get it. the guys don't want to be challenged. Because when you're great at a young age, you kind of get coddled because you're great. And coaches don't want you to take your ball and go home. Yeah. Because it's like the NIL program now. Guess what? You challenge a guy now, he just go somewhere else.

20:43Chad Johnson:He gone in the portal. I'm all in the job.

20:45Shannon Sharpe:You ain't finna yell at me. You ain't finna coach me hard. Yeah.

20:49Chad Johnson:I think the most important thing as a coach, Uncle Ochoa, both of y 'all know this. You have to know your players who you're dealing with. You have to know how they'll respond under certain circumstances. So it may be the heat of the game. Coach may already know he can jump down. You know what I'm saying? He can jump on me mid-game. You feel what I'm saying? And if he can jump on your best player in front of everybody, it does weigh heavy because now all these other dudes around, when he do jump on them, they fall right in line. Right. So I think as a coach, you got the toughest job, especially when it comes in the NBA.

21:26Chad Johnson:I'm sure the same thing in the NFL, because you have to know how to deal with different personalities on the day-to-day. And that's the hardest thing.

21:34Shannon Sharpe:I'm going to treat y 'all – Bill Davis is telling us all the time, I'm going to treat y 'all all fair, but I ain't going to treat you the same now. Some guys you can ride like Joe said. Some guys you got to pat them on the back, even when they're – some guys you can be facetious with, damn, son, my wife could have made that play. Some guys you got to be facetious with. Some guys you can ride. You just have to know what buttons to push to get what doors to open.

21:57Chad Johnson:Yeah. Yeah.

21:59Shannon Sharpe:That is the biggest thing, Coach, is to understand your players. I'm telling you, you try to do everybody the same, okay? Yeah.

22:08Chad Johnson:Think about it. Okay.

22:09Shannon Sharpe:I don't know what you're going to see, Coach, Coach, and the players, because I've seen it.

22:15Chad Johnson:I've seen them square up. I've seen them square up. They ain't throw no blow. I seen square up. Hold on. Joe, hold on, Joe. You seen who square up? A coach and a player? Yeah, yeah, a coach and a player. Hold on, in the NBA? Yeah, yeah. Hey, listen, without saying no names, can I get that story? Don't say no names. Uh, uh, it was my first year here in Atlanta. Make it like that. Okay, okay. It was my first year here in Atlanta, Uncle Ocho. Now, mind you, they just came off winning nine games the season before. So the environment, you know, wasn't, you know. It was shaky. It wasn't the best, you feel what I'm saying?

22:51Chad Johnson:So it was probably already tension built up from last season. Right. It just kind of carried over. And this was like early in the season. Like I said, we started off here at three and 29 here. Boy, hey, it was almost spicy here every day.

23:05Shannon Sharpe:Yeah. Hey. Hey. Ask PJ Carpon Lissomo, can you coach everybody the same?

23:13Chad Johnson:Hey, hold up, though. Ask Phil Jackson. Look how he had to coach the worm. Knowing that man was going to get out of the line. Then it's Riles. Hey, George, let me deal with him.

23:25Chad Johnson:Hey, Joe. You got some players? Because you know, bro, you know, especially the ones that's great, it's certain stuff you're going to have to deal with and you're going to have to try and minimize, you know, punishment to some degree because if Dennis Rodman was doing that and he wasn't who he was, he'd be out to leave. Production and tolerance.

23:46Shannon Sharpe:As long as production on your show is tolerance. Yeah. Yeah. Tolerance will never be higher than production. I don't care. We talk about in professional sports, in job, regular job. Yeah. Look at the guy that's producing. Hey, his quota or his or her quota is through the roof. They come late. They're eating at the desk. they might not have the right attire on. Now you, you show up on time, you do everything right, but your quota ain't where it needs to be. The first time you get written, you got to go. First time they call your ass down to HR, you up out of there. Yeah, but hey, you got to be careful how you talk to people because everybody don't respond to the same stimuli.

24:32Shannon Sharpe:So that yelling and screaming, that's a trigger for somebody and they tear your ass up.

24:38Chad Johnson:Yeah, you're right.

24:40Shannon Sharpe:But.

24:40Chad Johnson:A trigger from some trauma that happened early in life.

24:46Shannon Sharpe:You never know. That's what I was, Ocho and I, we had a conversation kind of like our first year, Joe. And I said, when you date somebody, you're not just dating that person. You dating the trauma that they dealt with before you got there. Ooh.

24:59Chad Johnson:Yeah, yeah.

25:00Shannon Sharpe:Come on, huh? That's what you're dealing with. You don't know. You don't know. same thing you go you go to the pound you get your like oh this is a gorgeous dog but you don't know what led that dog to be there now you might do something that if previous owner did and trigger it and you'll get why he ended up where he ended up where why it was same thing with a relationship you might say something someone has said in their past his or her i just don't want you i'm just not women because I know how y 'all are. Oh, you just, it's just, no. You might say something, he or she might say something, might trigger him or her from a previous situation or previous situations or even further back.

25:49Shannon Sharpe:Childhood. Saving money in your next project when you shop in Menards. We have everything you need for keeping your outdoor power equipment in tip top shape. Ensure your lawnmower or boat is running smooth this year. Right now, all FBP lawn and garden and marine batteries are on sale. View our entire selection of FBP batteries today on Menards.com. Plus, check out our weekly flyer for all of the great deals happening this week. Save big money at Menards. I'm John Green. You may know me as the author of The Fault in Our Stars and now I guess also as the co-host of The Away End, a brand new world soccer podcast.

26:31I'm Daniel Alarcon, a writer and journalist, and John and I have known each other since we were kids. My first World Cup was Mexico 86. I was nine years old. I watched every game and I fell in love. On our new podcast, The Away End, we'll share with you the magic of international football, all leading up to the 2026 World Cup. For us, soccer, football, is a story we've shared for over 30 years since Daniel was the star player on our high school soccer team. Very debatable. and I was their most loyal and sometimes only fan. I love this game. I love its history, its hope, its heartbreak, and above all, its beauty.

27:08Together, we'll find out why, of all the unimportant things, football, soccer is the most important. Listen to The Away End with Daniel Alarcon and John Green on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Daniel Jeremiah. And I'm Greg Rosenthal. And this is 40s and free agents. The games may be over, but the NFL never stops. This is my favorite part of the calendar. Yeah, mine too, Greg. Free agency, the combine, the NFL draft, pro days, trades. This is where teams reshape their future. This is where Daniel Jeremiah makes his money. On 40s and free agents, we break down every move that actually matters.

27:48From my draft evaluations, mock drafts, and team fits. To my top 101 free agents and how real rosters are built. cap space, contracts, and all the tough decisions included. You got quarterbacks on the move. We got teams rebuilding. It's hope season. Yeah, absolutely. It's hope season. We'll tell you what's real, what's noise, and what it means for your favorite team. Smart analysis, real conversations every week. I don't know about the smart, but definitely analysis. Listen to 40s and Free Agents on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

28:25American soccer is about to explode. The World Cup is coming. Ramos sending on the Army. Score at the chip. Score!

28:36USA! I'm Ty Bramos. I'm Tom Boak. On our podcast, Inside American Soccer, you'll get the real storylines. I'm not worried about Pulisic. I'm not worried about Balogun. I'm not worried about McKinney. My only concern is what happens in the back. The biggest decisions. You're going to look at stats and numbers. He has no shot at making this World Cup team. And the truth about the U.S. national team. It wouldn't be a huge surprise if our team ends up in the quarterfinals or potentially a great run into the semifinals. The World Cup is almost here. Experience it all with us. USA! USA! Listen to Inside American Soccer with Tom Bogart and Tab Ramos on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

29:45With all the snacks and drinks. Sidebar, why did you get hard seltzer instead of beer? Oh, they had a BOGO. Well, then you got them. Do you want a white collar or something? Here, just take it. What are y 'all doing? Microphones? Are you making a rap album? Oh, I would. Hold on. Could you imagine? I would buy it. Cuts through the defense like a hot knife through sponge cake. That sounds delicious. Oh, you're lucky I'm not a drug addict. You're lucky I'm not an alcoholic. You're lucky I'm not a killer. I love this team, and I'm really trying to be a figure in their lives that they can rely on. Oh.

30:22Listen to Soccer Moms on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

30:29Shannon Sharpe:And they'll do me. Yeah. Me, I was a guy, I didn't do well to yelling because I got yelled at a lot when I was younger. So I was just like, man, I can't wait to get grown. I don't like being yelling at him. Tell me what I need to do. And I'm gonna do everything I possibly can to do it right. That yelling, I'm gonna give you a look first. I'm gonna give you a look first. You hear me, son? You about to feel me.

31:07Shannon Sharpe:I don't do well with that, Joe. Just tell me, hey. Hey listen. You make it seem like I'm trying to mess it up.

31:14Chad Johnson:Right, right. Hey tell me something, did you raise your kids like that? Oh, you know what? I mean, you had times you may yell at them, but I'm like, I'm gonna be honest with you. I ain't, you know, ain't none of my kids had their ass up. Oh no, no, no, no, I had their ass up. But just by me raising my voice, that'd be enough for some tears to come down in your eyes. You feel what I'm saying?

31:37Shannon Sharpe:Yeah. Went to the movies. Me and my girl, we going to see one movie. They going to see another movie. What you want? You know how kids are. Everybody, big slushy. On popcorn. On candy. I said, okay. The movie, they're going to be close in time. I said, don't y 'all leave this movie. Y 'all let me come back in here and get you. Okay, Danny, okay? Our movie's in. I think I was in. And it might have been like, probably like two or three minutes after Barry's. I'm going to go get them. Because I was down in the hall. We at Fifth, Joe. The movie, we down the hall on the left. And they like in the front.

32:21Shannon Sharpe:I see them looking. I hear them talking. I see them. I see them. And I hear them talking. I think they went to see this movie right here. I said, where y 'all going? I didn't want. It was heat. I didn't want to leave the movie. Don't worry about it. I got something for you when you get home.

32:40Shannon Sharpe:So we got home. Everybody tried to put it on everybody. I said, why you just didn't stay? Well, I didn't want to. I said, I appreciate that. I appreciate y 'all sticking together. But you should have stuck your ass together in the movie where I told you to be. I told you ass up. Now I said, now listen. I'm going to work out. Don't y 'all leave? Don't y 'all leave these rooms? I said if the house on fire and the firemen come get you, I say hell no, get out. Shud their ass out the house. Say my daddy said don't leave this room.

33:20Shannon Sharpe:That's a good one. Bad please. Because you don't know. You don't, I look, listen. When the kids, I look, I'm very particular and I don't want nobody because I don't want to have to hurt somebody behind my kids because I will. and this was really the first time they've ever done this I used to take the kids to the mall and white people would ask me how do you get them to do that I'm like I thought they were doing tricks and turning backflips or something I said do what man she was like they're so well mannered they're not running off in front of you they're not yelling and screaming oh you must have got me confused with you I don't play that I wish y 'all would be running around these people, mom, people looking at me like I'm a damn fool.

34:09Shannon Sharpe:Yeah. First thing they gonna say, man, I saw Shannon Sharp, boy, his kids are a mess. They was running all through them all. No, sir. Y 'all ain't gonna go in the store and be all that, no, sir. Yeah. See, hey, Joe, I don't know about you, Unk. You know, I don't really have no problem, especially having as many as I have. Obviously, everybody growing now, Unk, except three. I'm talking about 28, 27, 22 I mean everybody grown now But I'm trying to think of some times when they were little But their mother's rule was such an iron fist When they are with me I never have no problems And I try to get them to understand When you're with me, it's okay to be free You out that prison you got to deal with when you're at home I'm a little bit more lenient I'm not the one that does the disciplining Unless necessary I had one encounter Only one encounter I can remember I swear for God, it was with my son and we all in the back of the car and I told him, y 'all stop playing around and put your seatbelts on.

35:10And here he go. He done jumped out of the seat and I had hit the brake and he went flying and flew past me and almost hit his head on the dashboard. Boy, I turned around and grabbed that collar and said, man, if you don't... And I lost it a little bit. Now, obviously, I had to apologize later because that's the first time they ever seen me get out of character.

35:35Chad Johnson:Yeah. And that was the only time. I ain't had a problem since. Hell, he was a sophomore in high school. Now, I ain't had no problem since then.

35:42Shannon Sharpe:I think the thing is, guys, what I had to learn, Ocho, is that they were getting away with stuff. I let them get away with stuff because I wasn't there every day. And they started to take advantage of that. So I had to put my foot down. So I put my foot down. I said, okay. Now what you do at your mom's house, as long as you're not disrespectful, your mom called me and say, well, you said this or you said that, I'ma fly that out and I'ma tear your ass up. If your mom want you to let you jump on the bed, let you run on the couch, put your feet on the dinner table, that ain't got nothing to do with it.

36:16Shannon Sharpe:I don't run your mom's household. But when you hear, I wish I would catch y 'all jumping on the bed. I wish I would catch you walking on the couch. I wish I would. Oh, all that sitting, you know how women like to sit with their feet crossed up and on the couch? Your damn feet go on the floor.

36:35Chad Johnson:Yeah, yeah.

36:38Shannon Sharpe:Sitting up on the counter? Boy, I'm gonna eat my food there. You got your ass up on that counter? Boy, you gonna get your ass off that counter. I don't play that.

36:51Chad Johnson:Hey, hey, it's like my grandpa. when we would love it, he would never let us sit in his bed. He said, y 'all make my bed hot, make my sheets hot when I go to sleep.

37:05Hey, hey, hey, Joe, y 'all knew it was a sus thing as etiquette school? Yeah, I know it's etiquette school. Yeah, etiquette, oh, okay, okay, okay. Man, had a nerdy hit me talking about French fry having to go to etiquette school all the way in France. Man, if you don't get off my phone and stop playing with me, I'm not playing, no, no, no, don't play me. I think maybe it was just to get a reaction or just to see what I was gonna say.

37:29Chad Johnson:Yeah. You got it, I don't know what you were trying to get, but y 'all know your cheap ass. I don't know. Yeah, man, we'll watch YouTube, don't worry about it. We'll learn about etiquette on YouTube.

37:41Shannon Sharpe:Try playing a friend. But a lot of that, cause that's how it was with us. And see, people thought I was lying. When I said that at the dinner table, we didn't talk. and people ask me, why you eat so fast? Because I wanted to be able to talk. You could talk at the dinner table. Marty Mary wasn't playing that. It wasn't, no, hey, you know, cause we only had one TV, not a kitchen. I mean, you need to slide back from the table to try to see the TV. So you try to, hey, one or the other. Either go watch TV or eat this damn food. Yeah. Damn. Talking at the table. But hey, hold on. Hey, hold on, hey, Joe.

38:19Hold on, the best conversations, especially family-oriented conversations happen at the dinner table. I bet you got your ass tore up.

38:25Shannon Sharpe:The best ass whipping you would've got would've at the dinner table. What?

38:32Chad Johnson:Hey, hey, I know what Ocho talking about, but I know what Ocho talking about some old Thanksgiving type. Yes.

38:37Shannon Sharpe:Yeah, yeah, yeah. But you ain't at the table. That's grown people at the table. We on the porch eating out of pie pans. You ain't at no damn table with them grown folks. All the grown folks sitting at the table. Eat at the good plates. You drink it. They got the good glasses. You drink it out of jelly jars, mayonnaise jars. That's what you drink it out of. Oh, what you know about the jelly jars? I know. You leave that thing in that salt and hot water so you can scrape the jelly thing off the side of the mayonnaise out of it. Yeah, that's what you. I remember that. You not, man, you not. They weren't playing.

39:11Shannon Sharpe:That kid didn't sit at the dinner table. Kids got their plate and they went on the front porch. We can talk on the front porch. All the grown people were in the kitchen. They could talk, but you couldn't talk. Grown people talking, like how you see kids pulling on their parents' legs and stuff. Lord, have mercy. Shoot, that ain't us doing that. Oh, no. Boy, you bringing back good memories. Hey, Joe, you remember Cream of Wheat? Yeah, I knew Cream of Wheat. We had Grins. We didn't eat Cream of Wheat in Oatmeal. Oh, you had, okay, what about Tang? You remember Tang? Yeah, I remember Tang. I don't know, what's Tang, what's Tang?

39:53Shannon Sharpe:Like a powder. It's powder, it's kind of like an orange drink. It was supposed to be like, kind of like an orange juice. Yeah, I know, I know it, Tang, yeah. Yeah, it was a powder though, Joe. Well, you can get anything off the internet. Yeah, a little drink, Joe, it was powder, but you mix it with water. Yeah, and it turned orange. Yeah, you put too much water, you wouldn't get no taste. But over the days, over the days, man, I'm looking at these kids now. All the, how them kids be, boy, how the kids be so bad at the dinner, go out to the restaurants and you talk about sit down. In public, yeah.

40:26Shannon Sharpe:Oh, Lord, have mercy.

40:28Chad Johnson:Ain't gonna fool them man. Boy, Barney Porter say the first time thunder,

40:31Shannon Sharpe:the next time it's lightning.

40:36Chad Johnson:I seen the kid throw himself on the floor the other day. Oh, getting tantrums. Tantrums. At the mall. At the mall. I'm talking about square face first on the mall. I'm just on the floor, just acting a fool. I said, ooh. Joe, black folk? No. No, no. Hell no. Okay. Look here. Hey, grandma, favorite line, wherever you show out, that's exactly what you get. Yes, sir.

41:03Shannon Sharpe:My greatest, I'm gonna shut down on his ass.

41:07Chad Johnson:Yeah, yeah. Hey, you already knew, boy. You knew not to touch that, don't ask for that. No, yeah. Or they let you know before you walk in, Joe. There you go. Hey, we had a, back in the day, I remember on 54th street, we had a place that's called Zares. You remember Zares? Yeah. Remember Zares? Man, it's super old. Before we go in here, don't touch nothing. Don't ask me for nothing. Before we walk in, she stopped at the door and let me know. Yeah. Hey, hey, so as soon as you get by something you like, you just stare at it so she can see you. That's it.

41:44Shannon Sharpe:See, Barney Porter, you had to have a memory. You had to be like an elephant. People say, well, man, how do you remember all that? Because Barney Porter told you something one time. Forget it if you want to. Yeah. Yeah. You were heavy-handed. I pushed the buggy. I ain't no, and you know, I pushed it. I could barely see over the buggy. I pushed the buggy. Man, I ran that buggy on the back of Granny Hills. Ooh. She reached back and hit you. There's my whop. Yeah, I remember that. I remember them days. You stop! You ain't gonna signal that you stop it. Hey, when you that young unk and Joe, you have no self awareness.

42:21You have no self awareness. When someone's stopping in front of you, obviously you gotta stop the buggy. You ain't even paying attention.

42:26Shannon Sharpe:You just push it. That's it. But we was, I don't even know why we down the aisle. We all gonna get something. You wasn't going shopping until granny got paid. So you getting hot dogs, you get some donuts, you get some chicken, you gonna get some rice. You ain't about half of the thing you're going to get. She's going to go up there. She ain't going to pay for it. She's going to put it on credit. Or she might put half of it. So the grocery bill might be$25. She's going to put$10,$15 on credit. And she's going to go in there because she had her money and a handkerchief. You know, old people just keep their money in a handkerchief.

43:00Shannon Sharpe:All crumbling up. She ain't probably got but$13,$14. She's going to give them the$10. She's going to keep asking for some change because she's going to give me a spanking picture sent because they're going to pass the plate around twice on Sunday and we put a quarter in each time. A quarter? What the hell? Look here. He's like 10%. I had nothing. So 10 % of nothing would have been nothing. Hey, you know what you always saying now. You know God don't like no noise now. Well, Barty Mary ain't have no paper.

43:36Chad Johnson:I know that feeling, boy. Hey, look, grandma gonna make sure you got some money that we're talking now to put in there. Oh yeah, oh yeah. You go to pump fake and you want to, act like you put something down up in there and you just keep it in your hand. Yeah. Sometimes I saw some dollars in there I wanted to take something out. I said, Lord, you...

43:54Shannon Sharpe:Hey, you gotta be a savage to do that in church, bro. Yeah, cause he look. But there'd been times I didn't want to put that 50-C in there. You know what I could've done with 50-C back in the day? Milk was a nickel a carton. Remember they had them little milks? They had white milk and chocolate milk.

44:09Chad Johnson:They was a nickel.

44:12Shannon Sharpe:I got 50 cent?

44:15Chad Johnson:Oh yeah, you balling. Man, please. Well, you know how much 50 cent was back then? Yes, I do. For a little kid as a shorty? Man, you felt like you was on top of the world.

44:24Shannon Sharpe:I remember when a can of Coke was a quarter. A 12-ounce can of Coke was a quarter. A honey bun was a quarter. A bag of chips was a quarter. I remember all that. there was penny candy. You get 25 pieces of candy for 25 cents. You get 25, you get them little cookies for 25 cents. Or you get like 10 of those big flywheel cookies. Yeah, I absolutely remember what it was like. Hell, I remember when cigarettes was like 35, 40 cents a pack. Now they damn near$8,$9 a pack. People used to say, man, if cigarettes ever go to 75 cents, I'm done smoking. Now they ain't going to 75. They went to a dollar. Boy, if they go to$1.50, your uncle done.

45:07I remember them days where the prices and stuff used to be so simple. Joe, y 'all had the Candy Lady house out there where you from, Joe?

45:16Chad Johnson:Man, we had a dude on the corner store. Joe, you go in there and get them little debit snacks. You go in there with a dollar. What you doing like him? Boy, them debit snacks. Oh, them stock crunches. At the Candy Lady house, frozen cups were nothing but a quarter. Yeah. Grape frozen cup, watermelon frozen cup, fruit punch frozen cup. Sister Tillman, they were a daddy.

45:38Shannon Sharpe:And they had little strawberry cookies. Sister Tillman, she had two boys, she had two sons, James and John. And they sold, yeah. Oh, they were some good days. But, hey, see, that's why I ain't got no patience. Now, Granny had more patience than Papa. Papa had zero patience. Zero. Yeah. He just ain't teaching nothing. I mean, and Libby was the oldest. He believed Libby hung the moon. If you told him my sister didn't hang the moon, you probably had to fight him. Libby wrote the checks. Libby signed his name for the report cards. Libby did anything that needed to be done. Everything, Libby did it.

46:21Shannon Sharpe:Because Libby was the oldest girl. I mean, he trusted Libby. All my uncles the same way. Thurnell, James, BJ, Thurman All of them, they needed something Libby read this, tell me what this say Cause she understand that she had patience Me, I like it Y 'all But she got patience Libby got, of all of me Us three She's by far the most patient Then comes Spanky Y 'all already know I ain't got none I ain't even finna hold you I haven't told you. None. We got some updates, Ocho. Joe, Luke and Austin Reed from Shams. Lakers are not expected. I'm John Green. You may know me as the author of The Fault in Our Stars, and now I guess also as the co-host of The Away End, a brand new world soccer podcast.

47:17I'm Daniel Alarcon, a writer and journalist, and John and I have known each other since we were kids. My first World Cup was Mexico 86. I was nine years old. I watched every game and I fell in love. On our new podcast, The Away End, we'll share with you the magic of international football, all leading up to the 2026 World Cup. For us, soccer, football, is a story we've shared for over 30 years, since Daniel was the star player on our high school soccer team. Very debatable. And I was their most loyal and sometimes only fan. I love this game. I love its history, its hope, its heartbreak, and above all, its beauty.

47:53Together, we'll find out why, of all the unimportant things, football, soccer is the most important. Listen to The Away End with Daniel Alarcon and John Green on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Daniel Jeremiah. And I'm Greg Rosenthal. And this is 40s and Free Agents. The games may be over, but the NFL never stops. This is my favorite part of the calendar. Yeah, mine too, Greg. Free agency. The Combine. The NFL Draft, Pro Days, Trades. This is where teams reshape their future. This is where Daniel Jeremiah makes his money. On 40s and free agents, we break down every move that actually matters.

48:34From my draft evaluations, mock drafts, and team fits. To my top 101 free agents and how real rosters are built, cap space, contracts, and all the tough decisions included. You got quarterbacks on the move. We got teams rebuilding. It's hope season. Yeah, absolutely. It's hope season. We'll tell you what's real, what's noise. and what it means for your favorite team. Smart analysis, real conversations every week. I don't know about the smart, but definitely analysis. Listen to 40s and free agents on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

49:11American soccer is about to explode. The World Cup is coming. Ramos sending on the Army. Score at the chip. Score!

49:22USA! I'm Ty Bramos. I'm Tom Boat. On our podcast, Inside American Soccer, you'll get the real storylines. I'm not worried about Pulisic. I'm not worried about Balogun. I'm not worried about McKinney. My only concern is what happens in the back. The biggest decisions. You're going to look at stats and numbers. He has no shot at making this World Cup team. And the truth about the U.S. national team. It wouldn't be a huge surprise if our team ends up in the quarterfinals or potentially a great run into the semifinals. The World Cup is almost here. Experience it all with us. USA! USA! USA! Listen to Inside American Soccer with Tom Bogert and Tab Ramos on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

50:10Will Ferrell's Big Money Players and iHeart Podcast presents Soccer Moms. So I'm Leanne. Yeah. This is my best friend, Janet. Hey. And we have been joined at the Hipsons High School. Absolutely. Now a redacted amount of years later, we're still joined at the hip. Just a little bit bigger hips, wider. This is a podcast. We're recording it as we tailgate our youth soccer games in the back of my Honda Odyssey. With all the snacks and drinks. Sidebar, why did you get hard seltzer instead of beer? Oh, they had a BOGO. Well, then you got it. Do you want a white collar or something? Here, just take it.

50:40What are y 'all doing? Microphones? Are you making a rap album? Oh, I would. I would buy it. Cuts through the defense like a hot knife through sponge cake. That sounds delicious. Oh, you're lucky I'm not a drug addict. You're lucky I'm not an alcoholic. You're lucky I'm not a killer. I love this team, and I'm really trying to be a figure in their lives that they can rely on. Oh. Listen to Soccer Moms on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, it's Edwin Castro, also known as Castro 1021. And I'm Konky, his best friend and business manager. And we've got a new show called the 1021 Podcast.

51:25I'm taking you behind the scenes on how I became one of Twitch's most popular streamers. We also love sports. And with the World Cup right around the corner, we'll be breaking down the biggest storylines ahead of the big tournament here in the USA. Listen to the 1021 podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

52:09Shannon Sharpe:AD's return, the shorthanded Lakers. Outlasted the Rockets last night, one on 194. Studying 2-0 lead the first round. Goat James, 28 points, eight rebounds, seven to six. Y 'all saw your boy, you saw your boy at the car side, Joe?

52:23Chad Johnson:Hey, I see you all there doing your 1-2. Yeah, I see you all there.

52:27Shannon Sharpe:You had a good time? You know, they were like, where you been, man? We missed you. Did they answer you about me? Did they answer you about me, Yonk? Hell no. No, they say, man, why Ocho do Joe like that? Oh, man. I mean, that's way out there in Southern Cal asking why you do that man like that, Ocho. The whole world. The whole world, no. You know we famous, Nassau. You know the word travel.

52:56Chad Johnson:Hey, hey, hey. I like what I seen from the Lakers. Oh, yeah. Hey. I'm going to tell you who. They giving them credit, but they ain't giving them enough credit, if you ask me, and that's Marcus Smart.

53:08Shannon Sharpe:What's the job he doing on KG? Marcus, KD, I think – I know they're throwing the double team at KD,

53:16Chad Johnson:but the times that he do get matched up with him one-on-one, he wins more than he loses. You know what I mean? He is a great defender, bro. He's shorter than KD, but he got long arms. You know what I mean? And he has great anticipation skills. And I think – I mean, even think back through the regular season when the Lakers played the Rockets. They've got the better of them with this strategic defensive mechanism that they're doing against them. And that's trapping KD, making him a passer, making him a willing passer because they don't believe none of them other guys.

53:51Shannon Sharpe:And as of right now, they haven't been able to. Ree Shepard can't get minutes. The other guys are not great enough shooters. And at some point in time, they're going to have to move the ball because it's like KD had it going, and then everybody else wanted to get involved too. Let me get mine. Let me get mine. Let me get mine. And it plays right into the Lakers' hands because they ain't got nobody cutting. They ain't got nobody diving to the brim. Everybody standing. I mean, hell, they standing. I'm like, do any of y 'all want to move? I mean, y 'all blocking my view, but I appreciate y 'all standing right here because ain't nobody cutting towards the rim.

54:23Shannon Sharpe:And the thing is that they got KD so hot, so far out, he's not a threat, but ain't nobody else moving. And so when he turns his back, Marcus Smart getting the ball. or that's why he had nine turnovers. You go back and look at a lot of his games, he had seven turnovers when we played Lakers. He had six turnovers because they're forcing him to be a passer. That's not what he is. He's a scorer. An elite. One of the greatest of all time. Man, watching him last night and just watch how he effortless, I'm like, man, that's ridiculous. It don't matter what. Hey, they trying to cover that shame, buddy, and put your hand over his eyes.

55:04Shannon Sharpe:I think he should win his eye closed because it don't even matter. Joe, Ojo, he getting to that spot?

55:11Chad Johnson:It's a wrap. He pull up. It's a wrap. Especially once he go up. Hey, but you look at the Lakers game plan. I like their game plan, Uncle Ojo. Meaning they got him thinking so much now because he want to get into his bag, but he knows as soon as he go to get into it, it's the number that's going to come in. So now it's kind of got him off rhythm. That's why you see him with nine turnovers because he second guesses himself a lot when he goes into his move because it's natural for him now. Because, like, every time I go into my move, it's another dude coming to trap. You know, he isn't – they're making him a willing passer.

55:46Chad Johnson:He's not necessarily – I ain't saying KD is selfish, but that's really not his game. You feel me? Like, they don't got guys on the team to where – like, you can't play Bruin like that because he got other guys he can kick to. They can play mate. I mean, Rui's shooting historically from the three. Luke Kennard playing great. He's got a damn mind.

56:06Shannon Sharpe:I've never seen Luke Kennard. And I've watched Luke Kennard. I remember he was at Duke. Joe, Ocho, I've never seen this guy put the ball on the floor more and attack like he is right now. You can run him off the three if you want to. He'll put the ball on the floor, and he'll get all the way to the rim, or he'll stop and pop the midrange.

56:27Chad Johnson:Hey, listen, when I hear him talk, man, it's preparation meeting opportunity. You know, you got two of your best scorers out, two of your best ball handlers, and now it's an opportunity for somebody on that team to step up and be a big playmaker, score, what have you. And, bro, he answered the bill both games. Like, man, I'm talking about – he ain't just been in the playoffs, though. He's been balling now since he got – Since he came.

56:53Shannon Sharpe:Boy, Atlanta, I don't know what y 'all was thinking. Y 'all gave us Luke Canardy. Y 'all took Gabe Vincent. Thank you.

57:01Chad Johnson:It wasn't going to work like that over here. Come on. It wasn't going to work like that over here.

57:06Shannon Sharpe:Just a mere fact that y 'all wanted him. I don't give a damn how it was going to work. Y 'all wanted him.

57:11Chad Johnson:Gabe Vincent, he going to help us win some games. He going to help us win some playoff games. Like my guy DJ said.

57:22Chad Johnson:Hey, Ocho, he feeling good about them Lakers, ain't it, man? Oh, yeah. Hey, listen. He had his feet on the wood, too. I already know it. You know he feeling good. I already know it. And also, you know what? What? We expect this from him. You know? He's showing how versatile he is. LeBron. Yeah. Man, listen. Being able to defer and allow Austin Reed and Luka to do what they did all season long, and based on circumstance now, let me show y 'all I can still lead a team, even at 41 years old. Let me show you my IQ where I can always be two or three steps ahead of everybody else, depending on what you want to do.

58:02Either I can be I can serve myself early or I can facilitate and let everybody let everybody else get rhythm and then pick and choose when I want to insert myself in game. That guy then LeBron the special boy. So honestly, to this point, I am I'm confused how people can still have negative things to say. where you have to nitpick on someone who's had as much success as he's had, not in his prime, but still having that 41 years old.

58:27Shannon Sharpe:Because it's easy. Yeah. It's easier. It's much easier to hate than appreciate someone. They won't appreciate until he's gone, though. But I just go to show you, if LeBron James was on a team and he was the number one option, this is what he'd be doing. Think about it. He gave it 20, 27, and 6 as a third option. Imagine if he's the first option or even the second option. Because remember last year, the second option, he gave it 24. He gave it 24.9, 7, and 7, or 24, 8, and 7 as the number two option. So just imagine if he's the number one option. He still could do it.

59:12Chad Johnson:yeah he's he's still consistently his productivity is great I think I think he I think he really relished in this moment okay Ojo meaning that they were the underdog coming into this series everybody talking about they ain't have a chance like him coming out playing the way he's been playing you know asserting himself taking initiative to you know try and sit in that chair and guard and play make and score. Hey, man, I've been impressed, bro. I've been impressed. I want to see them go down to Houston, see if they can take care of business.

59:49Shannon Sharpe:And the thing here, hey, Joe, what are you talking about? I don't care nothing about no eight for 20. 14 free throw, Tim. Let me know what. He aggressive.

59:58Chad Johnson:There you go. There you go. Putting pressure on the Rockets to be able to try and stop him. If not that, it's different when you say LeBron a willing pass. So I think passing is a great attribute of his. And he does it better than anybody, Uncle Ocho. And if guys are making shots, then it just makes them look good. You feel what I'm saying? It's just when they're not making shots, now we're like, all right, man, you got to score the ball. But I think he does a great job, man, in figuring those guys out, making plays for everybody, and still at this big age, 41, bro, still being effective the way he is.

1:00:37Chad Johnson:because I'm going to be honest, they don't got nobody who can guard them. Houston don't. Houston don't.

1:00:41Shannon Sharpe:They got nobody with no bricks in their back pocket. They got limbs, but they don't have the size, the weight. Because he going to back them down and say, okay, y 'all not going to come with a double team? I say, take your time. And you watch him. He looking around. The double team ain't coming. He looking around. He's starting to go. Hey, he's going to the left. He coming. Hey, beep, beep, beep, beep. You can't stop that.

1:01:07Chad Johnson:Nah, it's going to be total stuff there. But, boy, listen. If they just so happen to be able to get up out of this round and Luke and them come back against OKC, I don't know what to tell you.

1:01:23Shannon Sharpe:But the difference is that if you noticed yesterday, LeBron had the ball in his hand because LeBron can control the game. He's not going to let you get up and down.

1:01:33Chad Johnson:No, sir. No.

1:01:34Shannon Sharpe:It ain't going to be no quick shots. He got to – he want to control the game.

1:01:44Shannon Sharpe:Hey, even if Marcus Smart or Canard bring the ball up, hey, go ahead and take it up. Slow it down. We got time. Let's not get into an up and down. We don't need to get into an up and down.

1:01:56Chad Johnson:But – Yeah, they – I think he do a great job with that, basically just playing point guard. Hey, listen, if Marcus Smart going to give you an efficient 25 points, you ain't got – hey, they probably going to win every game if he going to play like that.

1:02:09Shannon Sharpe:If Luke Canard – Hold on. And Marcus Smart – Because you remember Luke Canard had 27.

1:02:15Chad Johnson:Mm-hmm. Yeah.

1:02:18Shannon Sharpe:And Marcus Smart playing on both – He had 23 last night because LeBron had 28, I think. But I think the thing is what's most impressive is that the job that Marcus Smart and that defense did on KD in the second half, they only held him to three points. And he got two of the three with about a minute and a half to go in the ball game. Yeah.

1:02:38Chad Johnson:Yeah, I agree. Marcus Smart has been, I think, one of the biggest keys for the Lakers, especially defensively. But, man, they whole team be on a string, Uncle Ocho. When they go for that double team on KD, you got to see how guys rotate. Because when you rotate just for a split second, somebody got to take two guys for like a split second until you come up out of there. And once you know that, bro, and the way they're able to make it effective, it's like they're making Houston take rush shots, take shots that they normally don't take. You got guys trying to go into their bag. I don't even know they had a bag.

1:03:15Chad Johnson:You feel what I'm saying? So now you got guys playing out of character. Yeah. All it is is going to have to speed up KD and his thinking process. That's all. Speed it up. Once you get that ball, instead of going into your bag, and be able to know what's coming before it even comes. Already know where your outlet is, understanding that the trap is coming. I mean, that's the only way to beat him. I could be wrong. Joe, what do you think? Man, and that's the problem with not having a lead guard because, listen, once he gives it up, he knows that damn ball ain't coming back to him. Right. You know what I'm saying?

1:03:47Chad Johnson:So he ain't going to get many, many spot-up shots. All his shots, yeah, he got high early, but you see how hard he got to work to get a shot? You feel what I'm saying? Like, he got to go through Marcus Schmarter, who being physical, and then he know when to finesse him. You feel what I'm saying? Yes, sir. So, yeah, he might get a couple easy ones, but for the most part, he working so hard for every shot that he get, Uncle Ocho. We'll come back to this. We got a very special guest joining us.

From the publisher

Shannon Sharpe, Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson and Iso Joe Johnson react to the Detroit Pistons beating the Orlando Magic to even up the series 1-1, Shams updates us on Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves injury, and the Lakers beat the Rockets to go up 2-0 in the series and much more!

Download the PrizePicks app today and use code SHANNON to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup! https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/NIGHTCAP  

03:00 - Pistons even series with Magic
39:30 - Updates on Luka and Austin Reaves

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