In short
Hour 2 of The Rich Eisen Show focuses on two sports storylines: the NBA Eastern Conference Finals and the Bengals’ offseason/rebuild.
Topic
Knicks-Cavs Game 1 breakdown; Tim Legler analyzes how New York’s offense flipped late and what it means for Game 2. Later, Joe Burrow addresses Cincinnati’s roster reset and expectations.
Guests/backgrounds
Tim Legler is an ESPN NBA analyst and former NBA player/broadcast partner, joining right after calling Game 1 in Madison Square Garden. Joe Burrow is the Bengals quarterback speaking to media about the team’s offseason.
Key claims
Legler says the Knicks’ late comeback was driven by returning to Jalen Brunson isolation/high ball-screen offense after missing open threes and facing Cavs defensive adjustments; Brunson’s shot-making forced Cavs half-hearted doubles that confused rotations. He also praises Victor Wembanyama’s intensity and accountability. Burrow claims the Bengals’ moves (best free-agent safety; best D-tackle in his view) make this the most talented roster since he’s been there.
Notable examples
Legler cites Brunson’s varied shots (runner, bank shot, floater, pull-up, step-back three) and the Knicks’ 44-11 run into overtime. He references Harden’s matchup issues and the Cavs’ offensive “play not to lose” shift. Burrow highlights his own readiness post-injury and the team’s Super Bowl-caliber roster outlook.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VONBA Playoff Insights with Tim Legler
2:07 to 2:44
Rich Eisen talks with Tim Legler about the NBA playoffs and Knicks' strategies.
“So please, welcome the greatest performer ever to have graced this earth.”
Analyzing the Knicks' Comeback
2:45 to 6:38
Tim Legler breaks down the Knicks' comeback during their recent game.
“The diehard Laker fan and co-host of No Contest Wrestling with TJ Jefferson.”
Coaching Decisions and Player Performances
6:39 to 9:17
A discussion on coaching decisions and Jalen Brunson's impact on the game.
“in the middle of their offense and how that led to some historic victories in terms of blowouts and things of that nature.”
Victor Wembanyama Analysis
9:18 to 13:24
Tim Legler shares insights on rookie Victor Wembanyama's impressive debut.
“All right, so I'll just put a fine point on it if you don't mind me putting you in this position.”
The Burning Desire of Young Athletes
14:03 to 18:04
Exploring the intense competitiveness and emotional maturity of young athletes like Victor Wembanyama.
“in a way like not like game 35 for him is is important as a game five uh in the playoffs and the way that he plays and the way that he leads in that respect and the way that it burns him to watch SGA win it.”
San Antonio's Unique Environment for Players
18:04 to 21:34
Discussing the supportive culture in San Antonio that benefits players like Wembanyama.
“And part of me just wonders if Popovich is the one stoking it too.”
Tim Legler's Insights on NBA Drama
21:34 to 24:00
Tim Legler shares thoughts on playoff storylines and critical moments in the NBA.
“we want Wemby after one game in the Eastern Conference Finals that looked like it wasn't going to go their way until a historic run.”
Nostalgia Over VHS and LaserDiscs
28:00 to 29:59
The hosts reminisce about old media formats like VHS and LaserDiscs.
“I used to have the best Eddie Murphy VHS tape back in the day, and I played that thing to the tape pop.”
Chargers Win-Loss Predictions
30:00 to 33:16
A caller shares predictions for the San Diego Chargers' upcoming season.
“Hey, I just want to say, if I may, I've been a big fan of yours for a long time, ever since you launched NFL Network.”
Debate on Chargers' Season Performance
33:17 to 34:10
The hosts discuss and debate the feasibility of the Chargers' record for the season.
“Well, if they're all going to be good, they're not all going to win 13 games.”
Show all 17 chapters
Al from Dallas Reflects on Knicks' Victory
34:11 to 37:02
A caller shares his emotional response to the Knicks' unexpected win.
“I mean, the moment that we experienced last night was the sickest thing I've seen since Reggie Miller.”
Golf Outing and Joe Burrow's Comments
37:03 to 37:25
The hosts transition to discussing their upcoming golf outing and Joe Burrow's recent statements.
“He's spoken for the first time, I think, since the season ended.”
Joe Burrow Discusses Bengals' Roster
39:11 to 42:00
Joe Burrow gives insights into the Bengals' roster changes and team expectations.
“Ask any Bengals fan what makes them nervous other than their owner being in charge.”
Analyzing the Bengals' Current Roster
42:00 to 43:21
Explore the strengths and weaknesses of the Bengals' current team lineup.
“So I would say, if anything, I was less involved this year than years past.”
Quarterback Performance and Health Challenges
43:21 to 44:39
Discuss the impact of Joe Burrow's health on his performance and the team's outlook.
Comparing Bengals' Offense to Rivals
44:39 to 46:02
A detailed look at the Bengals' offensive weapons and their competition.
“Let's see if Shamar Stewart's going to do anything.”
NFL Player Microphone Behavior
46:02 to 47:20
Examine the differences in how NFL and NBA players interact with microphones during interviews.
“I kind of like them to win the division.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00Rich Eisen:Ian Fitzsimmons here, and I'm going to be brutally honest with you. I was skeptical about ordering plants online. Like this is actually going to show up alive at my house. But after my wife and I ordered from Fast Growing Trees, convinced. They have this thing down to a science. They've built a whole system to protect your plants until they arrive. They even have a lab where they test against cold, heat, humidity, you name it. Any condition, they've got it. And they thrive. We couldn't believe how good our plants looked when they arrived at our doorstep. And everything showed up exactly how we expected.
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1:12Rich Eisen:Now you've got one hangover, four pastel dresses, and zero reasons to wear them again. Sell them on Depop. Just snap a few photos and we'll take care of the rest. and you at least get some of your dignity, money back, someone on Depop wants what you've got. Start selling now. Depop, where taste recognizes taste. This is The Rich Eisen Show. Hey, everybody. Can't get enough of The Rich Eisen Show? You're in luck. You can find us everywhere. Watch us weekdays on Disney Plus from noon to 3 Eastern. Miss the show? We've got a podcast so you can listen anytime. But here's the best part. Our YouTube channel.
1:57Rich Eisen:Subscribe at youtube.com slash Rich Eisen Show and you'll never miss a moment. Now, on with the show. This is the Rich Eisen Show. So please, welcome the greatest performer ever to have graced this earth. Rich Eisen. We are back, baby. We are back. Live from the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles. earlier on the show. ESPN NBA insider Sham Sharania. Coming up, ESPN NBA analyst Tim Legler. Your phone calls, latest news, and more. And now, it's Rich Eisen. Hour number two of the Rich Eisen show is on the air. Sham Sharania, hour three, and so is O'Shea Jackson Jr. He's going to join us a little early so we can chomp up the NBA playoff The diehard Laker fan and co-host of No Contest Wrestling with TJ Jefferson.
2:52Rich Eisen:Booker T is the guest today, if I'm not mistaken. Can you dig it? Okay. So it's TJ O'Shea and Booker T on NCW, which is part of the Rich Eisen Podcast Network. It means you can get on our YouTube channel, at Rich Eisen Show on YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Can you dig it? I can. In fact, dig it. Sucker. let's turn to our friend fresh off of calling game one with Mike Breen and Richard Jefferson on the ESPN family of networks from in Madison square garden last night, last time I spoke with this guy who's a, when, when I was doing sports center in Bristol for the first time in 23 years, it was only fitting that Tim Legler was part of that broadcast and he joins us now.
3:34Rich Eisen:How are you, Tim? Good to see you.
3:36Tim Legler:Rich. Great, man. I am great. I'm a, I'm still trying to kind of process what we all watched last night. Cause I'm sitting there watching that game. like everybody else. You know, you get into the early part of the fourth quarter and it just did not look like there was any conceivable way the Knicks were going to be able to win that game based on the lack of rhythm of their offense to that point. So this thing flipped on its head in a very short period of time.
3:58Rich Eisen:So how are you processing it? Walk me through your processing of what did in fact happen for that 44-11 run, Tim.
4:06Tim Legler:I think the main thing is this. Like we've given the Knicks a lot of credit for the kind of changing their offense And it really started middle of the Atlanta series. They're down 2-1. They decide, Mike Brown decides, that they're going to have to figure out something to get their offense unlocked a little bit. They go to this Carl Anthony Towns sort of as a hybrid playmaker, more at the elbows, top of the key. Brunson off ball a little bit more as an initial screener, creating problems for the defense. And their offense was historically efficient for a seven-game stretch. It was incredible what they were doing.
4:37Tim Legler:Everybody on the roster was humming at the same time. You get into this game last night, Cavs prepared for that off-ball stuff. They weren't giving up a lot of the cuts that the Knicks were used to getting. They were taking it away. Cavs were on point with their communications or switches. All that was good. Knicks were missing open threes, contributed to it. That's probably where the rust part came in. And you add that all up, Cavs in complete control. So what do the Knicks do? You know, eight-minute mark or so of the fourth quarter, that offense that we've been praising so much kind of went to the side.
5:06Tim Legler:And you know what they went with? Let's go back to the early Brunson days as a Knick, where we just go high ball screen or ISO, let him get the matchup he wants, and let him go to work and see if we can at least get the start of a run. Because the arena was pretty quiet. They were waiting for this run to come that never did. Brunson single-handedly created the energy in the building. He cut the deficit in half by himself in about a three-minute period. and then the decisions became much more difficult for the Cavs and what they were going to do with him going forward. The doubles started coming.
5:42Tim Legler:Some three-point shooting kicked in for the Knicks out of that, and here you go. At exactly the same time that was happening, the Cavs completely tightened up offensively, and they definitely were starting to become too aware of what was happening to them. They stopped playing aggressive offensive basketball. They were waiting for the clock to run out. in sports if you play not to lose bad things always happen to you and but but in this case rich both of those things had to happen at the same time and they did in a seven and a half minute period of time for the Knicks to tie it and then of course they they dominate them in
6:19Rich Eisen:overtime and it's amazing Tim because as you pointed out the narrative for the lack of a better phrase for the Knicks first two series wins um and how that's potentially more sustainable for a long-term run is based on the point centering of Carl Anthony Towns in the middle of their offense and how that led to some historic victories in terms of blowouts and things of that nature. And they went back to hero ball when they needed it, and Jalen Brunson put the cape on and bailed everyone out is one way to put it? Or is this what we're going to see? Is this series in a nutshell, Tim? What do you think?
7:01Tim Legler:No, Rich, I think that you're going to see more of the offense that they've been running here over the last few weeks. I think so. Now they know they have this card in their pocket. If they want to go there, particularly if the Cavs are going to allow him to pick who he wants to play against, then obviously lots can be made. James Harden today was the guy on that island. I don't blame James Harden for what happened at all. He's a guard in his upper 30s. He was never really known in this league as a committed defender. He can play defense in certain matchups. He's much better against bigger, stronger guys that try to bully him because the guy's a brick wall.
7:33Tim Legler:He can hold his ground. He can rake on you with his hands. But if you're asking him to play a guard that's shifty, that can change directions in the middle of the floor by himself, at no point in his career was that going to be a recipe for success. Certainly not at this stage of his career. I'm not blaming Harden. I'm blaming the Cavs for allowing that to happen to the extent that it did for Brunson to be able to get that many one-on-ones. Now, look, you have to give Brunson credit for this, too, because the number of different types of shots he made during that stretch, a runner going down the left side of the lane off the wrong foot, a bank shot going down the right side of the lane that hit the top white stripe on the backboard, a floater to his left, a pull-up jumper to his right, a step-back three.
8:16Tim Legler:that all happened in a row and now the calves go okay let's start to run sort of these half-hearted double teams at him which was the wrong approach because when you do a half-hearted double team the other three guys don't know exactly if you're fully committed to the trap that tells us on the weak side us three the three of us what are our rotations we know who has first pass when that double team is clear they were sort of half-hearting it a guy coming like toward him and now the other three guys were confused so they weren't catching up to the first pass and now bridges hit a big one sham and hit a big one and i know we got a couple of drives so at no point did they come up with anything constructive to slow this roll down and i don't think that that's what the knicks go to at the start of game two but they know they've got that now if they want to force the calves hand to see what they're going to do differently because clearly it has to be a lot different if Brunson goes into that mode again where he gets what he wants in the middle of the floor.
9:19Rich Eisen:All right, so I'll just put a fine point on it if you don't mind me putting you in this position. Tim Legler, did Mike Brown out-coach Kenny Atkinson last night? Did that happen?
9:29Tim Legler:Well, I definitely think Kenny Atkinson had a rough night from a coaching standpoint. There's no question about it. Here's where Mike Brown, look, and I love both of these guys. Respect the hell out of both of them. Here's where Mike Brown had an advantage. He had a button, big red button that he could push. It was an obvious button.
9:48Rich Eisen:It said number 11 on it, button number 11. Is that what you're saying?
9:51Tim Legler:Basically, it was as if you had a control board in front of you with a bunch of buttons, but all of the other ones had tape over them. So there's one button left to push. And it's, hey, I have one of the best offensive players in the league. Let's see if we dip our toe in the water here or what this will look like for them defensively. and he dipped his toe in the water and it wasn't like you know eddie murphy on snl too hot for the hot tub actually the hot tub felt very nice it was actually a perfect temperature for the hot tub and so jalen brunson jumped into that hot tub and he swam around and he had a great time in that hot tub and by the time they tried to turn turn up the heat or turn it down or shut the hot tub off now it was a full-fledged pool party now we have a pool party going on all over the place that's my analogy that i came up with for what we saw there for that eight well done tim just to remind
10:39Rich Eisen:you i asked you about mike brown not james brown um i still like the way that you went good go very good tim lugler here on on the uh on the rich eyes and show uh and then i also mentioned at the beginning uh tim you know nicks fans being excited which is great i'm i'm one of them okay I just don't know if I'd be rushing out to 7th Avenue to start a We Want Wemby chant, which did in fact happen last night. What's your take from the Game 1 in the Western Conference Finals of what he did under the circumstances in which he did it on the road, having watched the trophy that he wanted being awarded to someone else, Tim?
11:27Tim Legler:the thing that stood out to me from the very beginning after seeing initial tape on victor as we were starting to hear about his name and knowing he was coming to the league and your first impressions on just how strange that looked to see a guy that big play the way he played um you're kind of processing that but then the thing that really cemented it for me where this guy is headed when he started to do interviews and he was not in any way deflecting or shying away from responsibility that he felt he had to live up to being what he wants to be, which is one of the greatest to ever do it, to lead team to championships, to win MVPs, to carry teammates to the extent that he can.
12:10Tim Legler:He brought all of it and wanted all of it and talked about it overtly. And most guys that young coming into the league don't do that. And he did. And I knew that meant he was a little bit different. And you saw it, the desire in his eyes in this game and the intensity with which he played. and just how much his team, the confidence level, is built around that, the way that he is so certain. Because one thing, he might have off-shooting nights. Very rarely does he not affect the game defensively, but he's going to have off-shooting nights. He is. I mean, it still can be guarded at times because he's so tall and thin and guys can get into him and it can be hard some nights.
12:48Tim Legler:But one thing that wasn't going to change was his approach and his intensity, his demeanor, and his aggressiveness to try to get it done. and role players and supporting cast can live with that, man. Just be the same guy. And some nights it's going to look great. Some nights you might have off nights, but it always looks the same in terms of your demeanor. Now guys can get on board with that. And the confidence level soars for this team. And on the nights he does it on both ends, it looks like that, which is the best player in the world. Now it doesn't look like that every night offensively, which is why he didn't just win the MVP.
13:21Tim Legler:They're coming for him sooner than later. but when it all adds up on the same night rich it's a level of impact that no one else in this
13:29Rich Eisen:league has right now i'm with you tim um and i was talking at the top about how we heard as he's coming in the league about his ball handling and his three-point shooting for a man his size is uh is uncanny if not unprecedented uh and his defensive play uh was something that everyone's wondering can he win defensive player of the year as a rookie that was the conversation with him coming right right um and the thing we didn't discuss or didn't maybe know was what burns inside what you just said for him to sit there and have the takes the profession personally in a way like not like game 35 for him is is important as a game five uh in the playoffs and the way that he plays and the way that he leads in that respect and the way that it burns him to watch SGA win it.
14:26Rich Eisen:And then he comes up with a 40-20 and cuts everyone's hearts out in Oklahoma City and shows it to him pumping. I said it reminds me of Jordan, Tim. And I understand when I invoke that of a player that young that that may be heresy. But you just said it. You just described Jordan to me. Kobe um you just described Tiger Woods early in his like an uncanny burning desire for somebody that young uh that's what it reminds me of what do you think incredibly rare because it's
14:59Tim Legler:number one you're that young you're emotionally not mature enough to even be able to deal with the scrutiny that comes with being that hyped selected with that pick you're not emotionally mature enough to handle you certainly aren't physically enough mature to mature enough to handle it to to never at any point shy away or deflect or give you the answers of like hey you know i hope so i'm just going to do the best i can to be the best i can be and i hope it works out he didn't do any of that stuff he basically said it's my responsibility i've been given this it's my responsibility then i and i and i love it i cherish it i revel in that and and it's almost unfair to think that the spurs ended up with another one of these guys after the run they had with the Duncan Parker Ginobili, like that long ass run they had with those guys.
15:45Tim Legler:And now it seems like they're on the cusp. And by the way, their first round pick this year also has that. Dylan Harper is going to be a superstar in this league. He is going to be a first team all NBA player sooner than later. He's going to be a guy, I think, that's an MVP consideration down the road. Now, I don't know what his career arc looks like. You never know with these guys. Does he change teams, you know, five years? I don't know. where he's going to be. But I do know this. I haven't seen a guard, 19, that was a one-and-done guard come into this league with this level of power ever. And his ability to play through contact with his shoulders, his forearms, the way he can just take you anywhere on the court that he wants.
16:29Tim Legler:And clearly also another guy that loves the moment, loves the light. They got two of those guys. And they also have the rookie of the year in Stephon Castle, who's also built like that. It's incredible the good fortune that this organization has and what's about to hit this league for a long time to come. Now, does it happen this year? I don't know. Anybody that thinks Oklahoma City can't still win this series is nuts. They're going to have a great response in game two. And by the way, they took double overtime to beat them in game one. And their best two players shot 37 % on 48 shot attempts.
17:01Tim Legler:So Shea will be better. Jalen Williams will be better. Chet, to me, top of the list, has got to inject himself. You cannot just accept this. And I think you're going to see Chad hungry. And I think the way he does it is by looking for his perimeter shot more three point shot. I'll be there for him as much as he wants. Maybe he has to take 10 of those. Maybe he hits four in the first half, inject yourself into this. So there's a lot more for Oklahoma city to bring. I expect that. And I don't know how this series is going to go. Who's going to win it, but, and I don't know if it happens this year for the Spurs, but it's coming.
17:31Tim Legler:It's coming. Obviously we've been putting, we've been put on notice. They got these picks, right? And all of these guys want it badly.
17:37Rich Eisen:And I hear you about Chet Holmgren having to play better, and obviously he can, and the expectation is that he will, unless Victor Wembon-Yama makes it personal with him, which it appears he will, because he does. You know what I mean? And that's, again, I noticed that you didn't directly address my Jordan analogy, which is fine if you don't agree with it, but I mean, you're around the guy, very much so. It's rare to see it, right? He takes it personally. And part of me just wonders if Popovich is the one stoking it too.
18:14Tim Legler:Oh, yeah, for sure. I would be shocked if that wasn't the case. I would be shocked if that wasn't the case. Look, he's also got – one of the really unique things about San Antonio as a small market team is – and we've talked about it on the air, and a lot of people may know this, some may not. A lot of their former stars stay in San Antonio. and it's it's unusual for a small market city for that to happen these guys usually hit one of the two coasts and that's where they go for their for their waning years and they make a couple appearances a year at the arena take a look at these games man you see it duncan's there sitting next to david robinson and these guys are like hashing it out sean elliott's in the building every night um because he works for an organization but he'd stay there anyway um ginobili's there all the time.
19:01Tim Legler:So my point is, you don't think that those guys also have been in the ear of Victor Wembeyama from the beginning? When you feel like you've come into an organization that's going to protect you, it's a security blanket, the way they run things. And so you don't feel like you're ever overwhelmed. This isn't about you. That's what they do to protect you. Even though you act like you want it, you say you want it, and he clearly indicates that he does, there's also a built-in security blanket by having that level around you to tell you how to go about it how to navigate it and to challenge you in ways that maybe a lot of places you don't get challenged because those guys aren't around and certainly if they are didn't have that level of success that matters to a guy like victor wambinyama who soaks it all in he's hearing it from everywhere but it starts with what he's telling himself between the ears this guy is wired in a way that leads to all-time greatness if he can stay healthy and he wants all of it
19:55Rich Eisen:I think he does. And you've seen his performances since Popovich met him coming off the plane after getting ejected from the game, right? I mean, like this moment here, I would love to have been a fly on a tarmac there, man. Just like, what was he saying to him? And then Wemby just has just crushed everybody since this moment. And you know what?
20:17Tim Legler:I would guess I'm maybe dead wrong, and I've known Pop a long time too. I love the guy. But it would almost feel like there would be a little, obviously a lot of this. You're too important to get caught up and be over emotional and cost your team where you get ejected from a game. You're too important. You got to control yourself. And at the same time, give them a little bit of sprinkle of same time, Victor, I didn't mind you clocking somebody with an elbow. Like that's not the worst thing in the world to know that there's there's that component to you as well. So he probably got a little bit of both very paternal in his approach in some ways, obviously, you know, scolding him a little bit and making him aware of the responsibility that you carry when you are that guy that you need to be on the floor at the end of games to decide matters.
21:05Tim Legler:And you can't because of an emotional reaction, take yourself off the floor because your teammates are the guys you're most accountable to. That's kind of what I feel like that speech probably sounded like.
21:15Rich Eisen:Yeah, and I appreciate that insight because I'm going to keep hunting and pecking for that answer until I get it or until the Spurs are eliminated, if at all. You know what I mean? Because it's just a fascinating storyline of these playoffs, including obviously Oklahoma City going for a back-to-back championship run. and then you've got a Knicks fan base that's saying, we want Wemby after one game in the Eastern Conference Finals that looked like it wasn't going to go their way until a historic run. And then you've got the Cavs. Harden's on that griddle today. Atkinson's on that griddle today.
21:50Rich Eisen:Donovan Mitchell's on that griddle. And now we've got game two with you and the crew at the mic. I can't wait for it, Tim. It's fun. It's fun stuff.
Read the full transcript
21:56Tim Legler:Appreciate it, Rich. Thanks for having me on, man. Yeah, I was blessed to be sitting in that spot last night. That's not even working, man. And that's just enjoying the sport that I've made my life out of that I love more than anything other than my family. And being able to sit there next to Mike Breen and RJ and do that last night was special.
22:12Rich Eisen:And did we pick up what we were talking about here before? Was that a half a bang? Was that a buh on the Sam Merrill three that went in and out? Was it a buh? You know, did we get a buh from Mike Breen?
22:24Tim Legler:I didn't pick up on the buh. I think Mike maybe was going to go there. And look, you know, that's obviously we all know that he calls Knicks games. He loves the Knicks, and he's about to give a big bang to a shot that's going to cost you a game. It has to be something that could have been tough to get out, but he's the ultimate professional. He would have done it. And by the way, that basketball was more than halfway in that rim. It was down. And it had a weird – you know what's weird? It had a slight – for a pure shooter, it had the slightest sideways rotation, just a little. that meant when it hit inside the rim, it spun and kicked out.
23:04Tim Legler:If that's 100 % pure coming off when the seams are rotating directly backwards to you as a shooter, that ball's going in. That's the difference between a win and a loss last night. And it's incredible that that ball didn't go in, and obviously the Knicks took advantage.
23:21Rich Eisen:Yeah. You mean it didn't hit the heel and bounce up, scrape Messier's jersey, and then come right back down through it? So, and seriously, the difference between the game one Eastern Conference final starts for the next last two years, obviously it's stark. And I can't wait to see the drama play out. Tim, look for more of my texts to join us after these games. Anytime, Rich. You got it. Really appreciate it. That's Tim Legler, everybody. From good people at ESPN, our friends in the family of Disney networks. He knows something about shooting threes, too. I know he does. That is for sure. And that was just an epic game one.
23:59Rich Eisen:Yeah. Wemby. I'm telling you, Wemby. He didn't agree with my Jordan thing. I was fishing for it. I think it's just because Jordan is on such a level that it's hard to get people. But it's got echoes similar. But, Rich, let me tell you something. Five seasons from now? Five seasons. It could be five games. It could be five games. But I'm saying like five years from now, I think that there's going to be a whole nother story being written. And this guy's going to be the most this guy. This guy's going to come into Madison Square Garden and tell the Knicks fans, I heard what you said. And game after game one, I heard it.
24:35Rich Eisen:You got Frederick Weiss. They've got me. Talk about the French pastry. Yeah. A SoFi personal loan is here to help you achieve something once thought impossible. Overcoming high interest credit card debt. walk the tightrope of your finances with one low fixed rate monthly payment no fees required and as soon as the same day funding that's right you can pull off your own debt-defying stunt with a sofi personal loan visit sofi.com slash trick to learn more loans originated by sofi bank na member fdic terms and conditions apply nmls 696891 our three's got sham sharani and o'Shea jackson jr in person in it your calls at 844-204-rich coming up next the rich eisen show podcast
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27:47Rich Eisen:Our radio audience has returned. We're back one big happy streaming and listening family, everybody, right here on the Rich Eisen Show. Tim Legler. There was a good chat with him right there. Legs. Didn't expect an Eddie Murphy Saturday night. No, I didn't change that. I asked him about Mike Brown. He went James Brown. Yeah. The hot tub. Too hot in a hot tub. Good God. Look at you. I used to have the best Eddie Murphy VHS tape back in the day, and I played that thing to the tape pop. My God, we're just going down memory lane here. A VHS. That's a window. I don't know how old he is. Everyone had a VHS in this room, Chris.
28:25Rich Eisen:Not true. you've never had 20 kids over here who have no idea what i'm counting the people on the camera right now so don't act like you're so young i don't remember they're off camera but show of hands anybody that currently has a vhs machine yeah they really retro ones a vhs machine with a t yeah oh my goodness gracious retro vhs i mean that's one of my two out of 20 i just was an old henry like twist right there i was just on ebay the other day looking to buy one okay for what just to have it for yeah i have one too i want to have a ping pong table that you have not unboxed from winning it on the price is right five years ago okay but i can't play ping pong by myself i could watch the best eddie murphy raw on a vhs tape by myself i have a blu-ray vhs recorder so i can play that's how i record a blu-ray recorder to my vhs mike what were the The big one's called the three-quarter inch one?
29:23Rich Eisen:The Betamax? No. They look like CDs. Now I remember. Oh, LaserDisc. LaserDisc. LaserDisc. I still have those, too. You got one there? Yeah. You had to be rich to have LaserDisc. I'll go to Mike's house and watch Gremlins on LaserDisc, everybody. Not weird at all. Only the rich kids in my city had LaserDisc. Never give them Mogwai, any water, or light. After midnight. I learned that on my LaserDisc. Don't let it all hang out. All right. Thomas in San Diego, California. San Diego. Thomas. The Whales. Be careful. What's up, Thomas? Hey, thank you for taking my call, Rich. Hey, I just want to say, if I may, I've been a big fan of yours for a long time, ever since you launched NFL Network.
30:06Rich Eisen:NFL Total Access was always on my TV, man. Big fan of your work. And what you do for the kids out there is a beautiful thing, man. Thank you. I appreciate you saying that, Thomas. Are you driving around beautiful San Diego, California, wanting to play the win-loss game for the Chargers? Is that a true story? Yes, sir. My San Diego Chargers, Los Angeles. Let's do it. Okay. San Diego Chargers. Thomas, show us your lightning bolts. React to me. Our neighbors across the way here in El Segundo, California now will be starting the season at home against the Arizona Cardinals. What happens? That's a win, my friend.
30:38Rich Eisen:1-0 Raiders at Chargers. Another win. Oh, my goodness. They start off with such easy games. It's like the Kansas City Chiefs. Only team. Uh-huh. Chargers at Bills. What happens next? Make fun all you want, man. Chargers at Bills. I think it's tough to start 3-0. I'll give that one a loss. 2-1 at the Seahawks. Man, that's a tough defense. I'm going to have to go another loss. All right. That's now 2-2 with the Broncos coming to their house. At home for the Chargers? Yes, sir. That's a win. 3-2 at the Chiefs. At the Chiefs. I'll give that one to the Chiefs. 3-3 coming home, taking on the Rams. Chargers and Rams in SoFi.
31:26Rich Eisen:This is a tough schedule, isn't it? You know, I'm going to give them the dub in the regular season, but I think we're going to see them in the Super Bowl and win that game. Spoiler alert. We've got the rest of the regular season to go here. 4-3 home for the Texans. That's a win. 5-3 at the Ravens on a Monday night. It's going to be a tough, tough game, but I think we have Jesse Minter's number and we'll be able to exploit his defense. That's a win. All right. Is it Jim going to avenge firing John? Is that where he's going to be right there? But he's taking on his former defensive coordinator on a Monday night right there.
32:03Rich Eisen:Jets at Chargers. I know you're a Jets fan. My dad was a diehard Jets fan. Rest in peace. But we're going to kill the Jets. Seven and three. Patriots at Chargers on NBC.
32:17Rich Eisen:I hate the Patriots more than any team in the entire world, so I can never cheer for them to win. So that's a win. Okay, 8-3 at the Bucs. That's another win. 9-3 at the Raiders. The Raiders. You know, nah, we're sweeping the Raiders. That's a win. 10-3 home for the Niners on Thursday night football.
32:45Rich Eisen:I think that's a trap game. I'll give them a loss for that one. 10-4 at the Dolphins. Easy win.
32:55Rich Eisen:11-4, home for the Chiefs. Now that's where we split. We'll take that one. 12-4 at the Broncos. Big sign. I hate to say it, but I expect a split with the Broncos, too. Big sign and L. Big sign in L for 12-5. That wins the West. Thank you, Thomas. I don't know about that, pal. Thomas in San Diego. Thanks for the call. You don't think 12-5 wins the West? That's not going to West. There's no maybe. Yes or no. I don't. I think 13 wins might win it. 13. That's how damn good this division is. Well, if they're all going to be good, they're not all going to win 13 games. I just think it's going to... I don't know.
33:33Rich Eisen:12-5 might not win it. Certainly if the tie breaks don't go their way. I don't know. The Chiefs might win 13 with that easy schedule. That's true. Again, again, just keep misconstruing my words. You sat right next to me on the set when I said they're going to have an easy first month of the season. Correct. And they do. They do. Thank you. It's because why? Because Roger Goodell's a big Taylor Swift fan. Tell me more. Mahomes coming back from injury, they need to ensure that they're good. Yep. And they've done that. I don't think they actually have done that. Kids take notes over that. Mike North would appreciate that.
34:10Rich Eisen:Al in Dallas. What's up, Al? You there, Al? How are you? I mean, the moment that we experienced last night was the sickest thing I've seen since Reggie Miller. I mean, there was no way they could even possibly could have won that game. No way. Talking about the Knicks? Yes. Okay, your Knickerbockers now? I'm not talking about the Mets. Yeah. Yeah, talking about the Knicks, it's unbelievable. It's unbelievable that that happened. And I just, I didn't turn it off, Rich, and just sat there. And, you know, I even told some of the boys, like, with eight minutes, you know, with a minute and a half to go, they're down by eight.
34:51Rich Eisen:I'm like, ah, they're still going to lose this game. And I'm shocked that that last second hoop didn't go in. I mean, I've experienced more disappointment than you have, Rich, because you're a Yankee fan. And my whole sports life has been a lot of disappointments. But I cannot believe that they won that game. I can't. Who is the New York athlete that's given you most joy? Is it Eli Manning, Al? Is it? Who is it? Eli Manning. Mark Messier. Messier? Oh, mess. Messier only did it once. Eli did it twice. Yeah, but that once was, I mean, I already had two in the bag when Eli won. You know what I'm saying?
35:25Rich Eisen:Like, I already experienced, you know, the Phil Simms and the Hostetler. Right. So Eli, you know, listen, I'm not downgrading. He's top five. But Messier, you know, I mean, Richard, you remember that in 1994. I mean, that was – and the Knicks. That was the greatest – I mean, unbelievable summer, you know, mixing OJ, unfortunately. So it goes Messier, Eli, Howard Johnson, or is that where you put Backman, Wally Backman? Where do you put him, Al? Oh, boy, Richard, you're really fired. Get out. You put the whole 86 Mets in there, Al. They're just one player. Just one player? Yeah, Danny Heap, maybe.
36:03Rich Eisen:Danny Heap has been called. Tim Tuffle. Look at him. Hey, Richard, let me just throw another thing out. You know, I've been calling into this show for a very, very long time. 11 years? I've said it countless times. You know, you've been very, very gracious to me, and you were very gracious to my family when we come to events. And my son, Jack, is graduating high school today, Richard. Hey! You remember, I got great pictures of you with him at the Houston Super Bowl event when he was a young child. And it's just unbelievable. And I know you're about to experience the same thing right now, but it was an unbelievable experience.
36:46Rich Eisen:So, you know, you guys have been a part of me since I've been here in Texas. And, you know, it's just one of those things where, for me not to say, would be remiss not to mention. Al, congratulations. Enjoy that day. And send our best to the graduate. There goes Alan Dallas, everybody. How are you, Al? All right. Let's take a break. Joe Burrow has spoken. Joe Burrow. Uh-oh. He's spoken for the first time, I think, since the season ended. Mm-hmm. Let's see. What does he think about the roster build in Cincinnati? That's next. Oh, and our golf outing. We've got to talk about our golf weekend's coming up next.
37:20Rich Eisen:That'll be fun.
37:24Rich Eisen:The Rich Eisen Show. The Podcast.
37:55Rich Eisen:Oh, oh, oh, O 'Reilly Auto Parts.
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38:42Rich Eisen:A bad hire costs time and money, but the right one, that helps your business grow. The challenge is finding that person without sorting through resumes. That's where LinkedIn Hiring Pro comes in. It screens candidates so you can focus on conversations with qualified talent. With Hiring Pro, you can hire with confidence and build the team you need. Join the 2.7 million small businesses using LinkedIn to hire. Get started by posting your job for free at linkedin.com slash eisen. Terms and conditions apply. Ask any Bengals fan what makes them nervous other than their owner being in charge. the answer is how happy is joe burrow being with us honestly at some point is he gonna wake up one day look in the mirror and go i don't want to be here anymore pull something out of the carson palmer playbook i hate this team well it's the jet fan you might say that yeah i don't know they're still paying him joe burrow kid from athens ohio who for some reason, and I say this to him all the time, why do you like Ohio State so much still?
39:51Rich Eisen:He had to go to LSU. He really likes Ohio State. And Ohio State fans are like, he's one of ours. I'm like, okay. Yeah. Yeah. The coach he won it with sounds like the water boy. I'm more a Dodger fan. All right. At any rate, I don't mean to go down that road. Well, you got a bunch of people here who hate Ohio State. That's true. I do have two dozen Michigan Wolverines. My bad. The Ohio State. No disrespect. No, no, don't. Disrespect all you want. I don't care. Disrespect away. At any rate, Joe Burrow meeting with the media today. Okay. Asked about, does he need a reset? Hit the reset button after last year's injury-marred disappointing campaign.
40:37Rich Eisen:I'm not sure I would say I needed to reset. You know, I didn't play a ton of games. So when the season ended, I was still ready to go. So kind of jumped right back into training, traveled a little bit, but I was ready to go. Okay. He's not going to give you anything, is he? No. What about the Bengals reset? What about them? What about what they've done? What about Sexy Dexy coming right there in the middle of that defensive line, even though Trey Hendrickson is now a Raven? A lot of these moves made for making sure Joe's 30 points a game stands up, or that he stands up upright. I just think we know where we needed to be better, and we went out and aggressively made it happen.
41:27Rich Eisen:We filled some holes that we had from years past, got better at a lot of positions, signed the best free agent safety, got the best D-tackle in the league, in my opinion. So we have everything we need in that locker room. and we just got to go and make it happen.
41:44Tim Legler:Did you have a mandate to the front office about what you wanted to have in this offseason?
41:51Rich Eisen:No, I would say, you know, we had a lot of communication during free agency. You know, we didn't have our postseason meeting like we typically have. So I would say, if anything, I was less involved this year than years past. you know there's no secret that the last several years didn't go the way we wanted to and there's a lot of blame to go around for that myself included do you think what you see right now from this organization and in that locker room is a super bowl roster i think this is the most talented roster that we've had since i've been here okay okay now that's a that is okay absolutely not him staring into the abyss and wondering about the future and yeah there was a lot of a lot of that last year there was a lot of for somebody who picks and chooses his words as carefully as he clearly does he did leave some gray area you know one might call it scarlet and gray area right and that that right there.
43:02Rich Eisen:Like the moves that we made. We got the best in safety. We got the best in D-tackle. We got the roster as talented as we've ever had. Okay, Zach Taylor. Make it work. Okay, Joe, stay healthy. It's just unfortunate. Yeah, it is a bummer, but then all of a sudden you get labeled kind of an injury guy and suddenly this Hall of Fame, top five player in the league it's not so much anymore my god are you going into the quarterback under pressure is that where we're going here no because that guy doesn't look like he feels an ounce of pressure that guy's been to a super bowl yeah that guy he was close to winning it that guy i think other unlike some other players in this league who get a little bit more pub than he does let me ask you this question because this is like a theme like if this was a sesame street it's brought to you by the number and the letter okay nine no i don't actually mean to for you to start naming numbers oh okay got it yeah it's qb9 yeah um a theme is the athlete that has that burning desire that is uncanny and is different than others he's one of them in the nfl wouldn't you say he's one of them he doesn't show it except for whatever the heck was happening last year and every information man and woman they come on the show and they're like he's just so frustrated about his health and we're like i guess that where the frustration lies yeah maybe i get that though frustration's not lying from the coaching not lying from the front office that was the conversation you know it is three healthy fully healthy seasons right it's unbelievable they go to the super bowl 4600 yards 34 touchdowns 4500 yards 35 touchdowns 4900 yards 43 touchdowns i wish we had a bengals win loss uh phone call to just jump into right now because i'm taking a look at the roster right chase brown is really friggin good he is as you see the schedule home for Tampa at Houston at Pittsburgh home for Jacksonville much tougher than Kansas City's first four um Joe Burrow at quarterback Chase Brown at running back Jamar Chase and T Higgins I mean come on now right um Gisecki at tight end the offensive line let's protect that's a good let's protect um Boye Mafé he's on this team with Dexter Lawrence Jonathan Allen up front.
45:42Rich Eisen:Let's see if Shamar Stewart's going to do anything. That back end, you're talking about the safeties, right? And then manning the corner. The irony. It's two Michigan men. Dax Hill and DJ Turner. Let's go. They're healthy. That's as good a roster as anybody in the AFC North, wouldn't you say? I kind of like them to win the division. Look at you now. I think they're better than the Ravens. I don't. I don't sleep on them, pal. Who is their number one receiver? Who's been their number one receiver? I'd say Flowers. Like every year. I get it. No, I know what you're saying. They're not as good as Jamar Chase and Tee Higgins.
46:25Rich Eisen:I don't think anybody is, with all due respect to CD and George Pickens. Is that what we're talking about? Is that in the neighborhood? We're on a different level. AJ Brown, if he stays in Philadelphia with Devontae Smith. Right? I mean, I know he's unstoppable, but another year older for Derrick Henry. Okay. Don't forget the right guard. Offensive line, not as good. Don't forget about Venga Ioane, the only guy I've pointed at the table for my guy from Penn State. Losser center. Very important. That's true, too. I think the Bengals should be favored here. Okay, everybody. And Joe, right? He's not talking about existential.
47:04Rich Eisen:He wouldn't just say it either. If the roster wasn't as talented, I think he would delicately say as much. Right, right. Because he can. Right. Right. That sounded like a guy who's ready to go. Who's believing. Yes. Yeah. I like it. How come. Just couldn't put. You don't have to play the sound bite. Just pop it up on the screen. How come the NFL players. Don't grab the mic. Correct. Just pop it up on the screen just to borrow. You just don't even have to hit play on it. He's sitting at the podium. Very relaxed. Yeah. They sit back, and the microphone's on a stand. The NBA players, they grab it.
47:42Rich Eisen:I like that. Wembenyama grabbed it. The microphone looked like a toothpick. One of those mini. Yeah. You know how when you're being interviewed on Instagram, those little mics? That's what Wembenyama holds it. SB mics. NFL players don't grab the mic. Why do NBA players grab the mic? Are there no mic stands in the NBA? Is that what it is? They like that. That's always been an NBA thing. I like it. Maybe they're more, you know, I like it. I'd like to hold the mic a little bit. You prefer not to have it on a stand? Yeah. Now that after I said it, I had to think about it. How odd would it be if that's how I start my Shams interview in hour three?
48:15Rich Eisen:Why don't they hold the mics? The Rich Eisen Show Podcast. This is what everyone's talking about. Everything's on the table. This is what champions come to take. this is what everyone came to see no do-overs no second chances no more mr. nice guy this is winner take all and it's all happening now on the home of the nba finals don't miss it june 3rd on abc and the espn app
From the publisher
ESPN’s Tim Legler and Rich break down the New York Knicks’ 22-point comeback against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, what the Oklahoma City Thunder must do to get past Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals.
Rich plays the ‘NFL Win-Loss Game’ with a Los Angeles Chargers fan, and weighs in on Joe Burrow’s comments about the Bengals’ revamped roster at Cincinnati’s OTA this week.
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