Hour 1: Spurs-Knicks Game 3 Preview, Houston Texans Expectations, plus ESPN’s Monica McNutt

23:13Brown having been in this moment before, and then Jalen Brunson, a guy who never gets too high and never gets too low. And so I think the combination of those two, as far as your leadership, has allowed the Knicks to use their emotions as a positive in these moments, right? There is a expectation that we're going to figure it out. As Jalen coined two seasons ago now, this team is going to find a way, and he has been at the helm of leading them to do just that. But I think in so many ways, and you're a New Yorker, so I want to defer to you. I live in the city, but I'm not a New Yorker by birth, but it is so New York like, right?

23:44You make your story in the city of bright lights. You go get it. And both of these men have gone to go get it on one of sports biggest stages here in the city.

23:53Rich Eisen:Yeah. New York's also about shoving people out of the way when you want to get it. There's that. There's that. You know, and Carl Anthony Towns, would you say he has finally gotten rid of the too soft moniker? Monica? I love that. I certainly hope so, Rich. I'll say this, though. The world, in terms of the viewership of the finals, has just gotten hip to this matchup. But I can say with full confidence, having watched this matchup all three times during the course of the regular season, and that includes the cup, he's always had Wimby's number. Like, this is just sort of the perfect matchup for him and a nightmare for Victor Wimby-Yama in terms of a guy that is of similar size but also has the skill set.

24:35Like, and this is no shade to Chet, but like what Carl Anthony Towns is doing now is what people thought Chet Holmgren would have done in the last series. And so we forget that this dude is a seven, he might be eight, but seven, eight time all star. Like he's a grown man. He's got eight years on Victor Wimbanyama. Like he's 30 and has been a bucket. The thing that has been attached to his softness, if you will, is his ebbs and flows as a defender. But nobody sleeps on Carl Anthony Towns as one of the most versatile scorers as a big man in the league. And so that's what we're seeing.

25:04Rich Eisen:Yeah. Yeah, and Bridges and OG in a way similar to Brunson and Brown and the fact that OG's acquired is like, wait a minute, you're sending Barrett and RJ and IQ to Toronto for, you know, I know he won a championship, but two for one? Is that what we're doing? And then Bridges five firsts, and now they're all together with this bench that is deeper and is being used in a way. And listen, I really like Thibodeau. I didn't think they should have fired him. I really thought he was going to be the guy. But to see the way this bench is being used and how deep they are, you know, Shamit is unbelievable.

25:45Rich Eisen:He's just like lit right now, Monica. It's great. I think Tibbs deserves a tip of the cap in the arc of how you got here because I think he's a part of getting the most out of this team. but through his basketball purview, you had reached your match. I mean, your max. And I don't think that necessarily is a bad thing. It just is, right? Mike Brown comes in with a far more innovative offense, a far more creative offense that gets guys involved and is willing to go into his bench. Like, that's the modern NBA. I don't think you'd want to wear out guys in terms of playing, leading the league in minutes.

26:21Like, and quiet as it's kept, the Knicks still had some leaders in minutes played in the league, but it just wasn't as drastic as it was last year. Landry Shaman, I mean, Jose Alvarado, Mikael Bridges, like all of these guys really stepping into their own in particular in the postseason. Again, to me, has to do with the last couple of years in terms of the journey to get here. They've just done a really, really good job assembling this team. But I also think these guys are, I said this to Carl earlier this year, I was like, y 'all are not babies in the league, but I wouldn't call you veterans either.

26:53Like I'm calling out big cousins. And he was like, okay, so we the big cousins of the league, like he bought into it because they've had enough experience, but there's still enough ahead of them that they're in that sweet spot. And so I think that is indicated both by their talent, but also their maturity and how they've operated during this run.

27:07Rich Eisen:Monica McNutt calling Knicks games locally on the radio, MNBA, WNBA and college basketball analyst for ESPN here on the Rich Eisen show. And, you know, you and I, at least from my Knick fandom here, have been talking about this as if a banner's already been achieved to quote kobe bryant jobs not finished um and not to put this in the ether but this happens before name me the spur who could be the trey young uh tyrese halliburton of this equation to come into madison square garden and put the proverbial finals turd in the punch bowl monica who do you think could do that is it wendy i mean who because the spurs are are a very, very good team, if not great and prideful team.

27:52Rich Eisen:What do you think about game three? I don't. I'm less concerned about Victor Wimbiyama and more concerned about a guard getting loose. Like the game that the Knicks lost to the Spurs during the regular season. And granted, both of these teams are different. New Year's Eve, Julian Champagny had 36 and hit 11 threes. Like that was a problem. So it's me. It's De 'Aaron Fox suddenly getting hot and getting downhill or Champagny going off again like that. that gives me more pause than anything else because I do think that a part of this team's run is their maturity and their mindset. Very appropriate that you quoted Kobe there, Rich, because that's what they've been saying as well.

28:27Like they still want to play with desperation and urgency as if the score is 0-0. And they've been able to do that sincerely. So I'm less worried about Victor Winnabinyama and one of those support guys kind of getting loose because of the energy that Winnabinyama demands.

28:42Rich Eisen:Especially since Champagne is probably like, this is my house too, right? Playing for St. John's. He knows exactly what it's like to be a home team in an environment like this. So what do you think, though? You're thinking brooms? Let's be honest. Let's really. Rich, I have not been on the broom train at any point this season, and I've been proven wrong twice. The thing that I'm watching, though, and I think the Spurs have the opportunity to run the league for a long time coming. And one of the things that I admire about their group, and Victor in particular, is that they are so honest, and their emotions are on their sleeve, and they are not hiding that.

29:15I think it has almost become a counterproductive mindset, though, because I think they've become too emotional for what the finals demand. I still think it might be a gentleman's sweep, but I do think that they will be the victors when it's all said and done. I'm between four and five. Okay.

29:35Rich Eisen:I know you've been locked in on the finals in the Knicks playoff run. You want to take a crack at the WNBA here, Monica, in the fact that all these fouls, whistles, it seems like there's a new emphasis happening here. Caitlin Clark is, you know, in the spotlight as sort of the avatar of getting all these fouls and being in the face of officials. You want to chime in on that subject matter? So I will say this, Rich, because last year the officiating was like, woof, WNBA season 29, great things are happening. Second headline was like, what is happening with this officiating? And so I can remember preseason sitting in our officiating meeting being like, oh, this is going to get interesting because the conversation was that the game was too physical last year.

30:21And so some of the amendments, if you will, that have been made, I'm not surprised that we're sort of here in terms of tempers flaring and folks upset and trying to figure out what's what's happening.

30:34Rich Eisen:And coaches being and coaches being let off by police after they're ejected and, you know, freedom of movement. But I mean, we're we're 10 games in for some teams here and there's still an adjustment period that we're seeing. So that's what I was about to say to you. I think I think we're still in an adjustment period. There's going to be so many conversations behind the scenes. Obviously, the league is very protective of its stars. Ten games in, it feels like a lot, but it's not really. Like, I think we've got probably, what are we in? May, we're about to be in June. I think things will probably level up by the end of this month, and we'll get to more consistency approaching All-Star and then heading out All-Star.

31:07But the wrinkle here this year is the World Cup play. So there's going to be a break, and the players will go back to playing a more physical style internationally and then got to work all that out. So we'll see what's going to happen with this one. I hope that this doesn't become too much of a headline. It is year 30, and I do hope they tighten it up.

31:22Rich Eisen:Who's playing better than you expected, or you're fired up to see how they've performed over the first 10 games? I'm actually really disappointed in myself that I didn't see this coming, but Minnesota. Olivia Miles is having a rock star rookie season. Nafisa Collier will get healthy. Cheryl Reeve always has her team in contention. I was disappointed in myself that I didn't see this coming potentially out of Minnesota, but it's definitely Minnesota for me. Yeah, I mean, they've been lighting it up. And all right, I'll just go here because, again, Kaitlin Clark is definitely in the crosshairs of a lot of people that she is focusing on the wrong stuff and that she's officially being taken out of her game or her game's not good enough.

32:10Rich Eisen:Like, that's the subtext of the conversation right now. Monica, you want to take a swing at that one? This is what I will say. I think for a long time, Rich, this league has been run by veterans in terms of their skill, talent, their strength. And I applaud Caitlyn, Angel, Olivia, Cameron when she's healthy. Like all of these rookie classes that we've seen over the last couple of years. I applaud them. Paige, Beckers, all of them. They've come in and hit the curve in a way that has been very, very impressive initially. And while the rookie curve does not necessarily look the same, there still is a curve.

32:40And so I think between both some of the adjustments to officiating, teams becoming even more familiar with her game. Kaitlin's nature as a player, if you go back and watch Iowa, she is competitive. She's spirited. She's fiery. I think there's a lot happening at once, and it's going to prove to be a growth moment for her and her organization. Now, I expect her to navigate it, but I think what is still true, even though it looks different because the younger players maybe have more popular names and bigger brands, is it's a league that vets have dominated so far, and I think that's where we're running into an issue.

33:09Rich Eisen:Unless you're AZ Fudd or Paige Beckers or, you know, Olivia Miles, right? I mean, I know that there's still more to go, but they've seemed to be handling it in the first year plus of their careers. Yeah. And so I think even for them and Paige talked about a little bit offseason in terms of how she had to change her body and all that. Right. Yes. There is a personal poise that we're talking about. Right. That every player has to navigate on their own. But I think the curve still hits every player, whether it's going to be a rookie season or a little bit later. The more tape your opponents have on you, the more you've got to work to be prepared to be able to navigate that.

33:44And that is both your tape on you as a player and how to get under your skin.

33:47Rich Eisen:Well, I appreciate the two cents on all the subject matters. You know, we record Women's Sports Now out of this studio here for ESPN and Disney Plus and everybody else. Let me personally invite you on behalf of the Women's Sports Now crew once the next season is over. OK, sounds good to me. So then Thursday, right? This Thursday you'll be available. come on now i'm sorry i don't want to put you in that position i'm i'm out of my skull i really i'm really out of my skull and uh just take a swing on what you think it's going to look like tonight like really what's that going to be like you settle into your chair this evening what do it's going to be loud it's going to be energetic i will say rich and this is only coming to my consciousness probably in the last couple of days partly behind the sound we heard from josh hart I am curious to see what it feels like at that ticket price.

34:34That's right. But I still think it's going to be alive. It's going to be energetic. The thing that I love about Knicks fans, and I don't think that this will be robbed, is even if you can't afford those tickets and it's casual because we just did a feature on Celebrity Row. As much as that is Celebrity Row, those people happen to be Knicks fans for real. And so even they get loud and are so passionate about it. So I know it's going to be energetic. I just think the place is going to be alive. I can't wait.

34:57Rich Eisen:Enjoy it, Monica. I really do enjoy seeing those videos of you and Tyler. You know, they got the camera on you guys for these victorious moments. And there have been 13 of them in a row. And I can't believe it. And I look forward to seeing more. And thanks for the time. Thanks for having me, Rich. Anytime. Thanks again. Monica McNutt calling tonight's game on ESPN New York and the New York Knicks radio network. And then you'll see her on ESPN. And then she'll be on Thursday's Women's Sports Network. I only wonder, like, how does Monica navigate herself in and out of the garden through all that madness?

35:33Rich Eisen:Like, if you're trying to actually get to work, like, how do you deal with those knuckleheads out there? Well, I mean, there are going to be fewer knuckleheads out there because of the game tonight. They're not allowed to, and rightfully, you know, it makes sense that we're not going to have thousands of people just outside the stadium with the president in the building, you know. and you know it is uh a sign of the times that a billionaire is coming to the game so to keep the fans are that that can't be priced in they're now not allowed to be outside that's what i'm saying you know and and and it it sucks there's no other way to put it for that um and and i do hope that the fans are as loud as as i hope they need to be because i do remember game one of the Yankees-Mets World Series back in 2000?

36:26Rich Eisen:You know, the one where there was a gentleman sweep in that series? I told you Yankees and Mets fans don't get along. I told you that. They're all together for the Knicks. But at any rate, I do remember game one of that World Series in Yankee State and that was the night where Clemens threw the bat at Piazza. Yeah. Because he thought it was the ball. He thought it was the ball, yeah. Okay. And you wonder why we can't get along. But I do remember sitting there and thinking it was not as raucous as we all expected the first Yankees-Mets World Series to sound like and look like because of the corporate ticket holders that were there.

37:08Rich Eisen:Weren't the Ziggy's who were just going nuts? And I hope tonight isn't that way. I'm telling you, if the Knicks lose tonight because of that, oh, man. It won't be because of that. You don't know that, Rich. No, it won't be because of that. Obviously, you know, home court means something. They've been there every game and they haven't lost in two months. No, home court means something. They would lose tonight is if the Spurs, listen, the Spurs perimeter defense is so freaking good. It's so freaking good. The Knicks are always trying to get a shot with five seconds left on the shot clock because if they somehow do break the perimeter defense, there's an avatar right there in the middle that makes them go back outside to the perimeter defense that's shutting them down.

38:01Rich Eisen:Or they're doubling Jalen Brunson. They're picking up 94 feet, and then they're doubling him the minute he crosses half court. That's the way that they win. And, you know, also, the Knicks almost blew out the Spurs in that game having, you know, Jalen Brunson's free throws were the only the fifth, those fourth and fifth, the one that he made the first and missed the second, only the fifth free throw of the second half for the Knicks. And the first three that they got was from a three-point shot during the run that ended the run, actually, that the Spurs made on a foul, clear foul of OG Ananobi that was called a clean block.

38:45Rich Eisen:And the Knicks had to challenge it. And it was Champagny mugging OG. If the Knicks don't get the reverse in their favor from the officiating, that's another way that they lose. it won't be because the crowds at at at 10 instead of spinal tackle no man they're out there bing bonging and the knicks haven't lost and all of a sudden you don't let them out there more more pressure on the knicks tonight well i would disagree with that you know you don't want to give the spurs life but the spurs you can't they don't win three bro it's a wrap after that. Home crowd, you guys are talking sweep. Expectations are through the roof.

39:28Rich Eisen:I got you. Let's take a break. Phone calls, 844-204-RICH is the number to dial right here on The Rich Eisen Show.

39:40Rich Eisen:The Rich Eisen Show. The podcast.

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41:25Rich Eisen:Back here on the Rich Eisen Show. Do a deep dive. 844-204-RICH. Number to dial. Let's take some phone calls here on the Rich Eisen Show. First in, first up, Ed in Charleston, South Carolina wants to talk about something. What's up, Ed? How are you, sir? I'm Brian. I'm Brian. You're welcome. Hey, how are you doing, Rich? I appreciate you taking my call. You're a little bit of a scholar. No, I appreciate that. Right back at you. And I don't know you, but you sound like one. Thank you. Appreciate it, brother. What's going on? What's on your mind? Hey, I want to see if we can do the win-lose with the Houston Texans.

41:53Rich Eisen:Oh, the Houston Texans. First two and loss game. Are you a Texan fan there in South Carolina, huh? I think he heard you. You there, Ed? Yes, sir. You're a Texan fan in South Carolina. Absolutely. I've been to at least 10 games. My most recent one was last year. Okay. Tennessee, and we lost. Okay. Let's get to it. Let's get to it. The music is playing. Ed in Charleston, South Carolina. What happens when the Bills visit the Texans to start the season? It's going to be a repeat of last year. We'll go nine sacks here, so we're going to take that win. Okay, with a nine sacker. All right, and then you've got Joe Burrow coming in the next week.

42:39That's a win, but it's going to be a tough one. I like Joey B.

42:42Rich Eisen:2-0 going into the Colts. Another win. 3-0. The Cowboys then come into your house week four. Come on. I'll take another win. Okay. Oh. Now you're at Tennessee, Ed. It's the Ed in Charleston, South Carolina Bowl. What happens? We're going to go ahead and smash that. Take another win. 5-0. Now you're going to go to London and take on the Jaguars. That's a tough one. That's the Jaguars' home field advantage. so I'm going to go ahead and give them a win. Okay, 5-1 now back home against the Giants. I have to win. 6-1 at the Chargers after a bye. I have to win. 7-1 at the Browns. That's a go-ahead win.

43:33You got no defense now.

43:34Rich Eisen:8-1 short week. You're going for the sweep of the Colts at home. Oof. I'm going to go ahead and take that win. 9-1. Home for the Ravens. That's a tough one. I'm going to take the L on that one. 9-2 at the Steelers on NBC. That's a winner. 10-2 at the Commanders. Another winner. 11-2 home for the Jaguars. We'll take the win on this one. We'll split the series. 12-2 Christmas Eve against the Eagles in Philly. I'm going to go ahead and lose that one. 12-3 at the Packers on a Monday night. It's going to be cold. I don't know what we can do with that one. I'll take a loss. 12-4, home for the Titans.

44:29Rich Eisen:That's a win. 13-4, says Ed, in Charleston, South Carolina. Wow. All right, Ed. There you go. I'm excited. I appreciate you, gentlemen. Thank you. And you're a scout. There we go. Be well, my friend. 13-4 wins the AFC South. I will say that. Fact. Okay? Absolutely. The Texans, man. Do they sign C.J. Stroud before the season begins to an extension? And if so, he's got to make more than Will Anderson. Right? Okay, there's that. That's that bubbling beneath the surface.

45:08Right?

45:09Rich Eisen:Texans win total nine and a half. sneaky acquisition. David Montgomery. Bingo. Bingo. David Montgomery in the one spot. Right? I'm assuming. I'm assuming. I know they got Woody Marks. He's nice. Not that. Everybody back healthy at receiver. We're back. And that defense. man that defense yeah it's all in the quarterback they go lights out it's all on the quarterback all on the quarterback make them prove it the houston texans against the jaguars in london very rare to put a division game but if you're the jaguars i would take that division game and put it in london you give up a home game in jacksonville i understand what that means for the local folks, but you're going over to London.

46:09Rich Eisen:That game is in Wembley. That's the home of the Jaguars in London. Yeah, make them. I know they're playing a game in Tottenham the week before as well, Jacksonville. But we'll see what year two of Liam Cohen looks like there. AFC South, sneaky good. Again. Maybe the Colts don't fall off the edge of the NFL planet this time around. I can't wait for it. it's gonna be here soon can't wait it's gonna it's closer than you think i know i know chris fowler's coming up next my buddy he's got an incredible story about his dad teed up for sports center on father's day he wants to talk about maybe i hit the alcaraz thing with him too why not the rich eisen show podcast The Stanley Cup Final on ABC is more than a quest for the cup.

47:04It's 134 years of putting it all on the line and the heaviest 35 pounds ever lifted. It's broken curses and broken hearts. But for those chasing it, it's everything. The only question is, who will take it? You just have to watch the Stanley Cup Final presented by GEICO on ABC and the ESPN app.