Hour 2: Hall of Famer Chris Webber Talks NBA, plus LeBron’s Lakers Future

12 Feb 2026 · 46 min · 20 chapters

Ask about this episode

Ask anything about it. ChatGPT or Claude reads this page and answers with the times it was said.

Connect VO and ask about every podcast you hear, including the moments you saved. Add to ChatGPT · Add to Claude

In short

Summary of The Rich Eisen Show - Hour 2: Hall of Famer Chris Webber Talks NBA, plus LeBron’s Lakers Future

Podcast Overview Title: The Rich Eisen Show Description: A mix of expert sports analysis with pop culture, humor, and insightful interviews featuring notable athletes and celebrities. Air Time: Weekdays, Noon-3 PM ET Available On: Disney+, ESPN+, ESPN Radio, SiriusXM, and various podcast platforms.

Episode Highlights Guest: Chris Webber (Basketball Hall of Famer) Main Topics:

  • Webber’s experiences from the 1997 NBA All-Star Game
  • Discussion on current NBA talents
  • Analysis of LeBron James’ uncertain future with the Lakers
  • Lighthearted debate about geographical affiliations of Staten Island and Maine

---

Key Discussions

Chris Webber's NBA All-Star Memories

  • 1997 NBA All-Star Game: Webber shared his experiences including:
  • Meeting legends like Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain.
  • The significance of the event being a celebration of the "50 Greatest Players."
  • Emphasis on the camaraderie and excitement around the All-Star festivities.
  • Interaction with Bill Russell:
  • A brief handshake turned into a meaningful relationship, culminating in an interview later in life where Russell shared valuable life lessons that impacted Webber and his father.
  • Michael Jordan Rivalry:
  • Webber acknowledged his competitiveness against Jordan, recalling moments of banter during games, highlighting the culture of respect and honoring the game.

Current NBA Trends and Favorite Players

  • Players Webber Enjoys Watching:
  • Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Notable for their versatile scoring abilities.
  • Webber expressed a preference for players with a complete skill set, as opposed to specialists.
  • Future of Big Men in the NBA:
  • Emphasized the evolution of coaching to better utilize the skills of big men like Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
  • Discussed Victor Wembenyama as an exceptional talent with unique skills for his height.

LeBron James' Future with the Lakers

  • Rich Eisen examined the implications of LeBron’s potential contract renewal and the Lakers’ direction.
  • Webber suggested the importance of LeBron's desire to continue winning and contributing to the team while contemplating a more affordable contract to prioritize the team’s success.

Lighthearted Debate

  • Geographical Discussion:
  • A humorous debate between Rich Eisen and his team about whether Staten Island is more a part of New York City than Maine is part of New England.
  • Webber joined in on the fun, underscoring the feud over geographical identities.

---

Key Takeaways

  • Nostalgia and Legacy: Webber’s retrospective on his career highlights the importance of honoring one's roots and the evolution within the NBA.
  • Current Players: Awareness of how today’s game has transformed with players having diverse skill sets and the importance of coaching adapting to these changes.
  • Future Uncertainties: LeBron’s potential decisions will greatly impact the Lakers’ future, balancing his legacy with the team’s competitive viability.
  • Engagement in Conversations: The show effectively combines sports discussions with humor and cultural commentary, making complex topics accessible and engaging.

---

Conclusion This episode of The Rich Eisen Show not only reflects on past and current NBA cultures through Chris Webber's eyes but also engages with contemporary issues facing the league, particularly regarding star players like LeBron James. The entertaining discussions and debates make it a noteworthy watch for sports enthusiasts and casual fans alike.

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

Transition to Basketball Discussions

1:30 to 2:43

Rich introduces the upcoming basketball discussions and guests.

“And what he can bring is the hope that he is the young, up-and-coming coordinator on the offensive side of the ball who they can attach to a quarterback of the future.”

Chris Webber's Super Bowl Experience

2:43 to 6:28

Chris shares his tradition of watching the Super Bowl at home.

“Listen, as you know, Kurt Warner was on this program every week of the NFL season and giving his terrific opinion of what's going on.”

All-Star Weekend Reflections

6:28 to 8:23

Chris reflects on his first All-Star game experience in 1997.

“And for a whole week without social media, we're talking about those moves, you know, what guys did and how special it was.”

Interactions with Bill Russell

8:23 to 11:08

Chris discusses his memorable interactions with Bill Russell.

“So hopefully that part comes back to the game.”

Playing Against Michael Jordan

11:08 to 13:44

Chris talks about his experiences and interactions with Michael Jordan.

“And then the Michael Jordan of it all, your teammate of his on an all-star team.”

Current NBA Players and Styles

13:44 to 14:01

Chris shares his thoughts on today's top NBA players.

“the guys in the suits and the GMs get it right.”

The Nuances of Scoring in Basketball

14:01 to 14:59

Explore the key skills that define great basketball players, focusing on mid-range and cutting abilities.

“I can't give you one, but I would start with Kevin Durant and Booker, and I'll tell you why, and Gilgis Alexander.”

Victor Wembenyama: An Avatar of Basketball

15:00 to 17:05

Discussing Victor Wembenyama's unique talents and the respect he commands in the game.

“Those are the guys I love watching to play.”

Evaluating Player Dominance in the NBA

17:06 to 19:18

Analyzing player dominance through metrics and individual styles, focusing on historical comparisons.

“And again, Chris Brockman, who you'll get to know on a weekly basis here on the program, where you met when you were physically here in studio.”

Evolution of Big Men in Basketball

19:19 to 20:39

How the role of big men has changed in the NBA and the impact of coaching on player freedom.

“Rich, we're going to get to that, I'm sure.”
Show all 20 chapters

Chris Webber's Legacy and Evolution of the Game

20:40 to 22:39

Reflecting on Chris Webber's influence on the game and identifying modern players with similar skills.

“Are there players that you look at and go, man, that cat reminds me of me?”

The Significance of Championship Rings

22:40 to 23:30

Examining the evolution and significance of championship rings in sports history.

“Enjoy the All-Star Game wherever you're going to be taking it in, and we'll chat next week.”

Caller Discussion: Community and Athletes

26:42 to 28:00

A listener shares insights about Ernest Jones and his contributions to the Waycross, Georgia community.

“We have now corrected it graphically on the screen, so you have the floor, Swamp Dog.”

Celebrating Local Heroes: Ernest Jones

28:00 to 29:20

Learn about Ernest Jones's impact on his hometown and his generosity.

“And he won one with the Rams, with Matthew Stafford.”

The Importance of Community Recognition in Sports

29:20 to 30:20

Discuss the significance of awards like the Walter Payton Man of the Year.

“Hopefully we can shine a light on stuff like that.”

LeBron James's Future with the Lakers

30:20 to 36:20

Explore the complexities of LeBron's potential re-signing and team dynamics.

“So I guess technically a Seahawk won it.”

The New York City Debate: Staten Island vs. Manhattan

36:20 to 39:50

Engage in a spirited discussion about what constitutes New York City.

“Have you been to Staten Island yet, Alex?”

Max Crosby's Podcast Revelations

44:13 to 46:10

Max Crosby discusses media scrutiny and his focus on football.

“Visit HyundaiUSA.com and search Hyundai Hope on wheels to learn more please.”

Crosby's Goals and Future with Raiders

46:10 to 47:35

Crosby shares his goals and desire for privacy while playing.

“And I don't need to sit here and keep rehashing it to people that don't know what's going on.”

Discussion on Coffee and Caffeine

47:35 to 47:45

The hosts humorously discuss the implications of coffee.

Hear the part that matters, and keep it.Open this episode in VO. Double tap your headphones to save a moment as you listen.
Get VO free

Transcript

Automatic transcript. May contain errors.

0:00Rich Eisen:We're leaving today and entering a world of Mickey Mouse waving, princess meeting and greeting, lightsaber clashing, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror dropping, Banshee flying, Space Mountain launching, galaxy rewinding, what's the whole deck with galaxy rewinding, fireworks igniting, World of Other Worlds. For whatever you love, infinite worlds await at the most magical place on Earth. Walt Disney World Resort. So good, so good, so good. New markdowns up to 70 % off are at Nordstrom Rack stores now. And that means so many new reasons to rack. Because I always find something amazing. There's so many good brands.

0:44Chris Webber:Because there's always something new.

0:45Rich Eisen:Join the Nordiclub to unlock exclusive discounts, shop new arrivals first, and more. Plus, buy online and pick up at your favorite rack store for free. Great brands, great prices. That's why you rack. 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. Subscribe at youtube.com slash richeisenshow and you'll never miss a moment. Now, on with the show. This is the Rich Eisen Show.

1:32Rich Eisen:You guys know I'm going to Las Vegas. Hell yeah, I'm going. Clint Kubiak. And what he can bring is the hope that he is the young, up-and-coming coordinator on the offensive side of the ball who they can attach to a quarterback of the future. Earlier on the show, pro football Hall of Famer Rod Woodson. Coming up, basketball Hall of Famer Chris Weber. NFL Network insider Tom Palacero. and now it's Rich Eisen. Well, hey, everybody. Hour number two of the Rich Eisen Show is on the air here on ESPN, Disney +, ESPN, the app, ESPN radio, so much more. We've got a big audience today and for the rest of the week and next week and then after that because we travel with big audiences wherever we go.

2:20Rich Eisen:844-204-RICH is the number to dial right here on the program. So much to discuss here. Tom Pelissero in hour number three with what's going on in the National Football League now that we've got ourselves a Super Bowl champion from back in the day. 844-204-RICH is the number to dial right here on the program. And I believe, is he ready, Mike Hoskins? Okay, let's do this. Listen, as you know, Kurt Warner was on this program every week of the NFL season and giving his terrific opinion of what's going on. And he's one of my favorites. So I thought to myself, who can potentially join us, hook up with us on a weekly basis now that the NFL season is over and we're going to start digging into basketball, both professional and college, and somebody who I love as well, who's also a Hall of Famer and who I love to have on this show whenever he says yes.

3:17Rich Eisen:And he said yes. He's going to join us every week to talk some hoops. he's a pro basketball hall of famer and he's number uh one in my program and number one of my number four in my program number one in my heart ladies and gentlemen chris weber what's going on i love that background look at this look at look at where look at where you are

3:39Chris Webber:i love it it's awesome well i gotta find something something you know better a little more stable but uh you know it was kind of kind of quick so i was like hey i got a bunch of records I might as well do it in front of some records.

3:50Rich Eisen:Is that the Scarface soundtrack on the top level right there?

3:55Chris Webber:It is. I have Casino, Scarface, the Heisley Brothers, James Brown, DMC, Death Row, some good ones.

4:02Rich Eisen:This is why I love you, man. You're more than just about hoops. Chris Weber here on the program. It was great to see you. I ran into you at the Super Bowl. That was great to see you there as well. Did you stay for the game? I didn't.

4:15Chris Webber:You know what? I really have a rule with the Super Bowl. that I like. My tradition is watching it in the living room. I know it's a great experience to be there at the game, but all my memories from growing up to being older to dreaming about the game was eating food in the living room, running back and forth and yelling. So I made sure I came home to catch the game on the tour.

4:36Rich Eisen:Okay. Now I appreciate that. And I appreciate you being a man of tradition and a man of family and a man of many different desires. Okay. But if the Detroit Lions are in the Super Bowl, you're not staying in the Super Bowl. I'm going to the Super Bowl. Stay in the Super Bowl. Okay. Yeah, yeah. I'm going to the Super Bowl. I'm going all week.

4:57Chris Webber:I'm going. I'm getting there a week early. Like, I'm part of the media just to hang out. So, yeah, I'm getting there early.

5:02Rich Eisen:Okay. Okay. So, let's talk about All-Star weekend. We could see at the bottom you played in five of them, including – let's talk about your first one. 1997. You're in the All-Star game. and I see who's there in it. I mean, this is the Jordan Pippen. This is the real deal, who was there from back in the day. What was it like for you to stroll into that All-Star game in 1997, Chris?

5:29Chris Webber:It was crazy because it was in Cleveland, I believe, and what was so special was that was the 50 greatest. So I actually got to shake, you know, at the time, Bill Russell, and I didn't get to shake Wilt Chamberlain's hand, but I got to stand next to him and Koozie and some other greats, you know, of course, Jordan and Magic and those guys. So to me, being there at the celebration of the 50th was great. I think Glenn Robinson, who was a childhood hero of mine. I'm sorry, Glenn, not Glenn Robinson, Glenn Rice, who was a childhood hero of mine. He broke, I think, Will Chamberlain's record for most points in the quarter.

6:08Chris Webber:And I remember Jordan and guys pumping him up saying, shoot, shoot, shoot. And, you know, I remember all the pageantry, all the parties, you know, before and after. So for me, it was so special because it's a time, you know, when you feel like, OK, I've made it. But here's a different level to making it and getting to share with your family, friends and the city of D.C. at the time was special.

6:29Rich Eisen:Yeah, on the Eastern All-Star team, Jordan Pippen, Ewing, Dumars, Tim Hardaway Sr., who's coming in here tomorrow, actually, Christian Leitner, Alonzo Mourning, Dikembe Mutombo, you, Glenn Rice, I mean, my goodness gracious, Penny Hardaway, I think I mentioned. Then on the Western side of things, the glove, John Stockton, Hakeem Olajuwon, Garnett, my gosh, Malone, shack wow and then you're saying on top of it the top the top 50 were there too on top of this big

7:06Chris Webber:celebration so we got to watch them get their jackets and hang out and everything like that so yeah i think the arena was somewhat new at that time and so even going to the rock and roll hall of fame and all the things that you know you get to do while you're in the cleveland area it was it was special especially you know for me you grow up and and you dream and after every all-star game, you know, you go outside and you try to do the dunks that guys were doing, even in Michigan when it was snowing. And for a whole week without social media, we're talking about those moves, you know, what guys did and how special it was.

7:40Chris Webber:And, you know, the kind of transition to this year's and to kind of the current conversation, Rich, I hope that that's what players understand. I think part of getting there is remembering who you were before you got there. And what I mean is honoring that person. So all these guys, they're the best players in the league. They worked hard. I mean, they earned it. They worked hard to get there. And if they remember, you know, who those guys were back when, you know, they didn't have a beard and mustache, when no one knew their name, when it wasn't cool to be, you know, you, then you'll kind of honor the game the most.

8:17Chris Webber:And I remember, you know, guys letting you shoot and kind of letting you do your thing. But at the end, you know, you wanted to win. So hopefully that part comes back to the game.

8:25Rich Eisen:Chris Webber, Hall of Famer here on The Rich Eisen Show. And two guys from that all-star experience. I want to ask you about any interactions. And you just mentioned one. You mentioned Bill Russell. Was it just a quick handshake? Just you, were you able to pick his brain? Did he say anything to you like, hey, I love you? Or your shorts were too long in college? I mean, what was it like, Chris? Anything?

8:49Chris Webber:You know, what's funny is that that time was a quick shake my hand, you know, beat it, kid. and I'm here, you know, with my buddies. But later we did develop a relationship, and shout out to your partners at TNT that allowed me to do an interview with him. And so later on I got to interview him, and I brought my father to the interview. And what, you know, he told me I'll never forget, you know, I think that's one of the few times my father shed tears. And part of that was because of some things he told my father about their upbringing, but also about what he really kind of respected the guys at Michigan and things I never really thought that he would say or acknowledge or you figure, hey, he's so old school that, you know, I just remember his laugh.

9:34Chris Webber:He cackled. I mean, he was the loudest laugher in the building, and he loved telling stories. And one of his favorite stories is, you know, recently at the Hall of Fame, before he passed away, I was with Ben Wallace, I think Paul Pierce, uh kevin garnett and he was talking about uh showing us pictures on his phone of him high jumping and how he was one of the champions high jumpers but he just jumped over the high jump bar regular if you could believe that not backwards or anything that but just straight over so i did become pretty close with him and it started there in cleveland i love that and look at that man on

10:09Rich Eisen:the screen right there chris brockman say what you said to me in my ear chris brockman yeah it's so weird you brought him up cweb today would have been uh mr russell's 92nd birthday today get out

10:20Chris Webber:of here yeah yeah yeah that's that's crazy that's awesome and when you look at like let's just talk about like some trends right when you look at some of the stuff that he did like when you think about the golfers from joe lewis and many other athletes but you know he's on sports illustrated on the cover uh sitting there on a golf cart and i asked him why did he do that and he was just telling me You know, just kind of some of his thoughts on life and how he loved playing golf. And if you were going to catch him in the summer, you better take the photo shoot on the golf course and not in any gym because he's not coming there anytime soon.

10:53Chris Webber:You know, so I just love the way that, again, that he looked at life. And, of course, the winner he is. And, of course, the human, the champions for human rights that he was. But when it comes down to it, he was just a good man with a loud laugh.

11:07Rich Eisen:No doubt. Good man with a loud laugh. Perfectly put, Chris Webber. And then the Michael Jordan of it all, your teammate of his on an all-star team. But I imagine you'd met him many times before. Certainly, if I'm not mistaken, didn't Juwan have like a connection with him, like working out with him when he was doing Space Jam and stuff like that? Chris, am I not mistaken about that?

11:30Chris Webber:Yeah, Juwan, you know, Juwan was privileged. He's from Chicago, you know, at the same age and no, all that good stuff. But yeah, Juwan was close with him. However, you know, I never had that opportunity except, you know, from a far plane and things like that. And so for me, you know, it was it was a special day. One, you know, he understood my game because he kind of told me, you know, suggested some things in the game. Like you should do this and that. And I'm like, wow, you know, I could do that. And, you know, but he knew our competitiveness and he knew we were going to talk junk to him because, you know, even when we were in Washington, you know, we were like, if we're going to go down, we're going to go around swinging.

12:04Chris Webber:and our parents are here, our friends are here, so let's talk junk and go at Jordan, you know, and then he would score 55 in the playoff game. But those are the type of things that, you know, that you would have to. So, no, it was cool sitting next to him and watching him encourage all the other guys.

12:19Rich Eisen:Now, I know, Chris, you're known for your brashness and known for speaking things into existence and known for your confidence, but you talk junk to Michael Jordan, Chris Weber, really?

12:31Chris Webber:Well, I mean, yeah. I mean, at Washington, you know, sometimes you're stupid enough to do some things. You know what I mean? But also, it was, you know, the day that we grew up, our favorite players, my favorite player was Barkley or Dominique Wilkins or Jordan or Isaiah Thomas. And, you know, we didn't have 24-hour access to these guys, but we did know their messaging. And part of their messaging was, you know, you're going to miss every shot you don't take. You better work your butt off. And fear is nothing. And so whether it was, you know, talking to Jordan then or trying to do it during the Olympic practices.

13:11Chris Webber:Yeah, we thought that we were honoring them by being part of the game because that's the one one thing. I mean, he's the one of the greatest, the greatest that's ever played. But part of that is, you know, we all put our shoes on the same way. And for him to be the greatest is he has to respect everyone else in that room. Or how can you how can you be the greatest if you don't respect that? So part of his whole thing is he didn't want guys playing against him scared and timid, and we weren't going to do that. Our whole thing was, listen, you are the man, but I'm going to go home and brag that we beat y 'all tonight.

13:41Chris Webber:And for us, you know, it's a championship till, you know, the guys in the suits and the GMs get it right. So, you know, it was fun going up against the greatest players ever and letting them know that you were next.

13:53Rich Eisen:Chris Weber here on the Rich Eisen Show. Who is your favorite player to watch in today's game? Who's that guy?

14:01Chris Webber:I can't give you one, but I would start with Kevin Durant and Booker, and I'll tell you why, and Gilgis Alexander. I feel that the greatest players in the game have to have a mid-range game, and I'm going to put Curry with that too. Curry is the greatest three-point shooter ever, and I would challenge anyone, and I would say part of that, of course, is because he makes the shot. but part of that is because he's the greatest cutter ever what does he and reggie miller have in common their footwork and their cutting and so let's just say steph his threat is he can make the next three-pointer and you better get up on him as soon as you do he's going to back cut you and he's going to finish with a layup and so to me players that have the nuance players that can score anytime.

14:51Chris Webber:I do not like specialists. You know, I love guys that can go to work. Of course, Jalen Brown, what he's done this year. I mean, so watching, you know, guys like that, that can go to work and get their shot anywhere. Those are the guys I love watching to play.

15:07Rich Eisen:Well, and I just, again, when you played, Chris, obviously you had me at hello from, you know, from jump. But the thing that I was always marveling watching you play was a man of your size being able to move the way that you did, the way that you could run the floor, the way that you could finish, certainly with ferocity around the rim. What do you think of when you see Victor Wembenyama play, Chris?

15:35Chris Webber:Man, my kid's favorite movie. I don't know why he hasn't been called this, so we might have to track it because I haven't heard him call it. But he's an avatar, man. He's like, his skill and his talent is incredible. And his hunger and respect for the game match that. You know, to me, you have to have a respect for your craft that everyone can see, touch, and feel. I think LeBron had it when he first came into the game, the way he would pay homage to the Kobe's. him you know that Kobe had it you know the Jordan had it who still doesn't say he's the best but you know I just really love his game I love the attention to detail by knowing some people in the in the in the organization of San Antonio you know I know he's a great teammate and so he is someone that I would put in that category you know a loss also with the Yoković you know I love big guys that can pass dribble and do everything and that's what I love would I like to see him in the post a little bit more, of course, but that's going to be every day because he's that great.

16:44Chris Webber:But to have that skill set at that size, that's what the game is all about. Whether you're 5 '5 like a Muggsy Bogues or 7 '6 like Wimbenyama, can you dribble twice, hit a jump shot? Does your pump fake work? Can you get to the hole? And are you respected late in the game for your free throws? And so those guys definitely fill that role.

17:04Rich Eisen:Yeah, I mean, it's interesting you say, it reminds you of Avatar. And again, Chris Brockman, who you'll get to know on a weekly basis here on the program, where you met when you were physically here in studio. Go ahead and say what you said in my ear, because that is exactly what an avatar is. Go ahead and say it. Just every photo or still shot you see of Wemby, it looks photoshopped. It doesn't look real. It doesn't look real. Like his whole arm is over the basket. His eyes are even with the rim. He's so long. Yeah. Yeah, when he kicked, when three basketballs got stuck in the net and he just lifted his leg to use the tip of his foot to kick it up in the air to knock the balls loose, standing flat on the ground.

Read the full transcript

17:46Rich Eisen:He thought it was AI. What the heck was that? It's insane, Chris.

17:49Chris Webber:It's crazy. Part of, you know, we say you can't stop any one person in the league, and I really believe that if they go to their favorite moves. The most dominant player I've ever seen is Shaquille O 'Neal. I don't think people just don't realize how dominant, how athletic, how fast, how quick and how strong he was. And then he had finesse. And at the time, coaches would not allow him to, which they shouldn't have, go out of the paint. But you'll see him in all star game and other clips where he could cross over and do things. When I evaluate a player, I evaluate them from, you know, all the normal metrics and game.

18:28Chris Webber:but also go into a personal bag and say how would I defend them and so if it's Wimbenyama I would say you got to be physical with him right but I would also say wait he can catch and face up on the post he can catch and cut one dribble jump hook wait a minute he can step back on the free wait he comes and he can set the pick and roll and pick or pop so when I look at the potential of someone like that, I mean, it is absolutely scary. And it's really, truthfully, not fair. It's just not fair because we've not seen anything like that before.

19:05Rich Eisen:And I'm knocking on wood for his health because, man, do I want to see him in the playoffs. I want to see the Spurs go on a run, and I want to see what's going to happen if they take on Oklahoma City and a seven-gamer. That's the sort of thing I'm looking forward to right now.

19:19Chris Webber:Rich, we're going to get to that, I'm sure. Sure. But I have San Antonio. Everybody's sleeping on San Antonio. When Fox went there last year, I just laughed and talked to Popovich and, you know, we love you, Pop. But if you remember their team with the great Tim Duncan and David Robinson, they had hype. But what did they have? They had Tony Parker. Why was he special? In a time with Shaquille O 'Neal, this guy was at the top of points in the paint because of pick and roll and that little hook shot he had. So he put defenses in a terrible situation because he got in the paint and could pass out the shooters like Ginobili and others, right?

20:01Chris Webber:That's all Fox and these guys are going to do. And I just watched them get better and better and better. And I think they're going to surprise some people with the potential that they have coming together earlier than people thought.

20:12Rich Eisen:All right, TJ, you want to hit one for Chris, and we'll let him go on with the rest of his day here and see him next week? What do you got, TJ? What's up, Chris? How you been, man?

20:19Chris Webber:Hey, man, what's up, man? How you doing?

20:21Rich Eisen:Good to see you. You know, back in the day, in our day, in the early 90s, you were one of the first cats, right, who kind of changed the game into a game of a big man with guard skills. You know what I'm saying? A 6 '9", 6 '10", 6 '14 player who could play down low, handle the rock, shoot. So who in today's game do you see a little bit of Chris Webber in? Are there players that you look at and go, man, that cat reminds me of me?

20:49Chris Webber:No. These players are so good today. I do believe it's the same skill set, but coaches have given them a freedom that we didn't have, so it's hard to judge with the consistency of that. I love Jokic. I would love to say, you know, I got a chance to play a little power forward and to have the ball as many times as he has in his spots. You know, it's a mastery, you know, at what he does. When I look at Giannis, the fact that before it was take two dribbles and get it to a teammate, the fact that he could take his time, lead the break and take a slower guy and dunk on him, maybe when they had a five on me would be, you know, interesting.

21:34Chris Webber:but I just love the evolution of coaching. I don't think it's the evolution of players because I saw guys like Magic, Derek Coleman, Steve Smith, and then dribbling. They just weren't allowed to do it in a game. And then it took other coaches, maybe the transition that were younger, to trust guys to go there and then it would incrementally kind of grow. And so, no. But I really don't see that only because you don't even have guys posting up anymore. So it's kind of hard to kind of regulate that. But I will say that the great game is in a great place because these guys have freedom. And what they're doing with that freedom is incredible.

22:14Rich Eisen:C-Webb, you are the man. I am so psyched you said yes when we're like, hey, how about every week on the program? And, you know, the season is going to get more and more intense. And then, of course, there comes March Madness with a certain team in Ann Arbor, Michigan, that has a two-game lead in the Big Ten regular season. that just can beat you in a million different ways right now that maybe we'll talk about them a little bit too, Chris. I'm sure.

22:38Chris Webber:I'm sure. It'll be fun. Let's go. Let's do it. I'm excited. Thanks for the invite. Looking forward to it, guys.

22:44Rich Eisen:Let's do it. Enjoy the All-Star Game wherever you're going to be taking it in, and we'll chat next week. Thanks, Chris. Look forward to it. Sounds good. Ladies and gentlemen, basketball Hall of Famer Chris Webber. So many different ways to go when we talk to the Renaissance, man. Put up that picture of Bill Russell one more time, if you don't mind. that this is a famous photograph of him rings yeah well i mean the other things that i think of of all the rings he didn't have enough fingers that's correct but the two rings that you see on one finger is the size of a current championship ring right right yeah the two together you know what i mean yeah yeah yeah i don't even know if it's quite like if you sized two of his championship rings from his Celtics days from the ring that, you know, Wick gave everybody a couple years ago, right?

23:35Rich Eisen:Would it match or would the current ring be bigger than the footprint of two rings on top of each other? I think the current ones are bigger. That's one of my favorite things at Super Bowl experience or when you go to the Hall of Fame. You see the evolution of the championship rings over the course of NFL history. The Packers' original ones are so small, much like the ones that Bill was wearing right now. Joe Namath is like a pinky ring. Yeah, Joe Namath is so and then all of a sudden, I don't know when it started, but they're just enormous now. Right. I mean, now some of them. Now there's a ring inside the ring.

24:04Rich Eisen:Right. Like you can snap it open or twist it. It's like a nestling bill. Right, yeah. It was Russian nestling. You open up one and then now you can put the top on the chain. It's true. The Eagles ring this year have wings on it? Yeah. Could you, if the Celtics did have one of those rings that you could twist open. You could put those rings inside. Could you put one of Bill Russell's rings in it? Two of them. 100%. Yo, I say we give a shout out to my man, Jason of Beverly Hills. He makes a lot of these rings. Jason, here's an idea. Put an old ring inside of a new ring, and that way they can have two rings.

24:36Rich Eisen:Yeah. So you could keep it. One for parties and one to wear all the time. Yeah, because you can't wear it around all the time. You know what I'm saying? It's too crazy out in them streets. So you need like a dummy ring just so you confront them. Dummy ring. But you don't really want to wear it for real. Look at the number of rings, the size of the rings, and, of course, the man. happy 92nd heavenly birthday. Wow, crazy. To Bill Russell. Let's take a break. We're back with more here on the Rich Eisen Show in a moment.

25:09Rich Eisen:O 'Reilly Auto Parts can help take the guesswork out of your check engine, ABS, or maintenance light with O 'Reilly Veriscan. The service is free and provides a report with solutions verified by ASE certified master technicians. O 'Reilly Veriscan can identify the most likely problem with just one scan. If you need help, O 'Reilly Auto Parts can recommend a shop for you. Don't ignore a check engine, ABS, or maintenance light. Ask for O 'Reilly Veriscan today. A free service exclusively at O 'Reilly Auto Parts. In my line of work, I'm fortunate enough to travel quite a bit covering the biggest moments through the football season.

25:46Rich Eisen:While I'm on the road, I sometimes miss the comforts of home, which is why when I travel with my family, we always check Airbnb for places to stay. It's our home away from home, providing the comfort and safety that allows us to wind down and relax. Families like mine are looking for homes that fit their needs to make new memories in, and your home may be exactly what they're looking for. If you're looking to save up for a new addition to your house or a once-in-a-lifetime trip to see your favorite band in another country, for instance, hosting your house on Airbnb could help you reach those goals.

26:20Rich Eisen:It's easy to list your home for short trips or extended periods of time, allowing your house to earn you some extra money. Make your home work for you while you're away and enjoy the benefits of hosting on Airbnb. Your home may be worth more than you think. Find out how much at Airbnb.com slash host. the rich eisen show podcast 844-204-rich number to dial let's take some phone calls shall we um let's go to swamp dog in way cross georgia what's up swamp dog how you been what's going on mr rich eisen i'm it's a real pleasure to talk to you right back at you mr swamp dog what's going on well listen uh hold on a second we before you get started before you get started before we get started i want to make sure graphically that this is supported is it swamp d-a-w-g or d-o-g how would you like to have it spelled on the screen here audience d-a-w-g okay let's correct this because right now right now it's just straight up d-o-g okay like like george the call is way across georgia is known for the okie finoki swamp park very good I combined the Swamp and the Dawg.

27:36Rich Eisen:We have now corrected it graphically on the screen, so you have the floor, Swamp Dog. Okay. Well, Ernest Jones is from Waycross, Georgia. I don't know if you knew that or not,

27:47Chris Webber:but he played high school football right here in Waycross. I know he was dropping a bunch of four-letter words yesterday and everything, you know, emotions and excitement. Yes. Winning the Super Bowl, of course he would, you know. It's not uncommon that people do that. Let me tell you this about it.

28:03Rich Eisen:That's his second Super Bowl he's won.

28:06Chris Webber:And he won one with the Rams, with Matthew Stafford. You know the Georgia dog there. But when he comes, his family still lives here on Waycross. It's a small town, you know. But when he comes back, we have a parade for him here, too.

28:23Rich Eisen:Do you really? Do you really? Okay. Yes. And what he does when he comes back here, he goes into the poorer sides of town, and he sours people with gifts. No kidding. I'd like people to know that he does that kind of thing. You always hear the bad stuff about these millionaire football players and everything. They are so selfish, and they don't care about. He cares about where he comes from. Every time you see him introduced on TV, he says, Ernest Jones, Waycross, Georgia. He don't say the Ohio State University or anything like that. He says Lake Ross, Georgia. That's all he says. And he's proud of where he's from.

29:03Rich Eisen:Like I said, his family still lives here, and we know who he is. And it's really – we're very proud of what he's been able to accomplish. I didn't think he was going to be as good as he is.

29:16Chris Webber:He's really a good – one of the best linebackers in the NFL, in my opinion. so I just want to give him a shout out

29:24Rich Eisen:I didn't like his language that much by the way Swamp Dog he said and I appreciate thanks for the call he also said his grandfather didn't like the language too and so hopefully Grandpa had earmuffs on yesterday because boy that's pretty neat I'm glad that Swamp Dog shared that. That's awesome. I hope next football season we can do a little bit of that, you know, just chase the good stories, because like you said, there's always so much negative around these guys, and the positive definitely outweighs the negative. Hopefully we can shine a light on stuff like that. And that's why I love the, if you will, best picture of the NFL honors is the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.

30:14Rich Eisen:It's not the MVP. And that's, you know, it was funny a few years ago when we realized, you know, like wow that that just closed the show the show does that mean this is bigger than the mvp and it kind of well there's no patch for the mvp right yeah maybe there should be that's kind of a cool idea what a patch for the mvp yeah that would be that's kind of cool uh my homes has one that's got like a two-time i know i know rogers wears a four-time one the walter payton is special with it's pat no i i i it's that's a it's an individual award right most valuable player and every mvp does the right thing and points out it's a team game but and walter peyton man of the year award is specifically for the individual and their work but in in a community to make to make more than just a 53 man roster and a franchise front office and all the staff better i mean to make a city in a community i i do love the patch i do i do too yeah you know and and they put the sticker on the of all the nominees as well yeah they do that and it's a great idea by the way i'd i'd walk around with that patch all the time didn't the year wit won it was the year they were in the super bowl right and they put the patch on for the game yes they started doing that yeah yeah if i guess if you're fortunate enough to be in the super bowl i think that's the only time i think i think someone will break out the needle and thread for you.

31:43Rich Eisen:Yeah. You know, if that's the case. Bobby Wagner won it this year. Yep. So I guess technically a Seahawk won it. I understand he's been with the Washington franchise, the Commanders, for a bit. Yeah, but when he makes his way to that bus room, people are going to think of him as a... Well, I mean, yeah, that's for sure. Let's take another phone call here, shall we? Let's go to Alex in New York City, where we're on ESPN radio there as well. What's going on, Alex? Hey, Rich. Can you hear me? We can. What's up? Awesome. How are you doing? How are you doing? Where in New York City are you calling in from?

32:21Rich Eisen:Manhattan? Manhattan. I'm originally from the Southern California area, so I'm a big Lakers fan. Okay. You're in the wrong city now, pal. I'll tell you that. I've personally given up on a finals run this season like a lot of us have. It's pretty clear we don't have a championship team. We didn't make those moves at the trade deadline. Going into this offseason, given the Lakers, I believe, are projected to have the most cap space in the league, do you think it's important for us to prioritize re-signing LeBron and paying him that asking price, even if it is that$50 million, or is it time for us to maybe move on and start building this team around that Luka and Austin Reeves backcourt?

32:59Rich Eisen:Because quite frankly, I'm watching our games sometimes, and I know the three of them haven't played together that much this year, But I feel like we can reconstruct this team so much better around that backcourt. And I don't think re-signing LeBron is the answer. He's my GOAT. I love him. But maybe it's time to move on. Well, I guess, Alex, we kind of touched on this subject matter a little bit with Brian Windhorst in studio on Wednesday. It really is, what does LeBron want? Because if LeBron's like, you know, I am playing and I am ring chasing, I would not blame him for a second. Like he wants to finish with confetti.

33:39Rich Eisen:That's the way every goat and certainly all-time great like LeBron wants to end. And is Los Angeles that spot? And the answer is potentially yes, but at his current financial freight, and maybe not. Now, will he say, I'm LeBron James and I deserve to be paid like I am LeBron James with the gate that I provide and all of this stuff? Would he have every right to do that? Absolutely. Would he be, I guess, a better ring chaser if he's more affordable? Yeah, I think so. And, you know, we, you know, talked about again with Windhorst on Wednesday. He mentioned Dirk Nowitzki at the end of his career taking less to stay with the Mavericks.

34:33Rich Eisen:And I made the analogy of Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers made, what, 12 million bucks this year? Something like that, yeah, 14 million. Aaron Rodgers could easily have said to the Steelers, you know, I'm not leaving Malibu for anything less than$40 million. And they might have been like, well, then, thank you, no. Right. And the market spoke. How will the market speak for LeBron? I don't know. Nobody knows. Nobody knows at all how much he's going to want and where he's going to want to play. And that's where it starts, Alex. You know, the Lakers, I'm sure, would love to keep him. Why wouldn't they? And the Lakers are kind of like in your adopted town, Alex, the Yankees, where they put on a show for an all-time great.

35:20Rich Eisen:They love retirement years. They can really give you every last ounce of it if you're looking for something that feels special. They can really put on a show, end of story. The Lakers do exactly that. The Lakers would love to have, I would think LeBron walk off into the sunset as a Laker having confetti coming down from crypto. They'd be all over that. But to make it happen, And I don't know what they could fit in salary-wise. And let's see how he finishes the season. You know, we were all assuming he's just going to be at the same level of physical and mental greatness because he's LeBron. You know, I know that's a bit of a nuanced answer, Alex, but that's my answer for you.

36:13Chris Webber:No, that makes a lot of sense.

36:14Rich Eisen:You got it. And Alex, it's Alex in Manhattan. New York City would be also, you know, I guess, what? Staten Island? You, Staten Island. Queens. Have you been to Staten Island yet, Alex? Not yet. Okay. I've been here a couple years, so I haven't made it out. It's okay. There's a ferry. There's a whole world out there, Alex. There's a whole world out there. Alex, you're good in Manhattan. No, no, no, no. You're good. There's some great food on Staten Island, pal. There is. They got pizza. There's no food in Manhattan. You're right. You don't know what you're talking about. You think you know what you're talking about.

36:45Rich Eisen:You don't. and by the way be on your best behavior for alex thanks for the call bud that's alex and man manhattan that was pretty aggressive rich why was it aggressive i don't know you're the one aggressive with me well you're trying to claim staten island is new york city you claim that new what main is new england it is not according to casey affleck it's not he kind of sunned maine a little bit i got honestly for somebody you think you think new england is just Boston? That's what the Bostonites think. That's what you're implying now. And you think New York City is just Manhattan? It's the same thing.

37:20Rich Eisen:Brian Wynhorst was here yesterday. He's from Omaha, Nebraska. If someone from Omaha, Nebraska thinks, I'm going to New York City for vacation, and you drop them off in Staten Island, they're going to be like, where the hell am I? But where do they land, Chris? They most likely land in Queens because that's where JFK is. Where the hell am I? That's where LaGuardia is. Where am I? That's New York City, bud. Not to someone from middle America. Yeah, but if you think I'm going to New England, people think I'm going to Boston. They do not. Oh, what are they? Oh, no, no, no. I'm going to Rhode Island.

37:54Rich Eisen:Oh, yeah. I can't wait to see New Hampshire. Casey Affleck essentially outed me. It's the same thing. It's the same thing. Yes, it is. That somebody from Maine says, I'm a New Englander, has a problem with someone from Staten Island saying I'm from New York City. It's the same thing. There's five boroughs of New York City. Staten Island is one of them. And there are how many states in New England? Tell me there's five. There's five. There's five. Isn't that interesting? Can you even name them? Yes. Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island. Yes. And your hamlet, sir. The Staten Island of New England, Maine.

38:35Rich Eisen:Connecticut, too, technically they're sick. And Connecticut is half. Half. I'm just saying. The Wu-Tang Clan represents Statlin' Island, all right? Connecticut's like the New Jersey of New England. Oh, stop! Don't go there. Don't go there. You are part of the metropolitan area. We are our own. Yes, but we are our own. Connecticut is part of the New England area. Connecticut, come on now. Southern Connecticut claims a little bit of New York. Ask anybody in Southwest Connecticut. Those people. And there's everybody in Bristol. They think they're New York. Bristol's like right on the Mason Dixon of Connecticut between New England and the New York metropolitan area.

39:14Rich Eisen:Connecticut, when you see the New York metropolitan area, it's New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Oh, but Connecticut's also part of New England. That's why it's the Jersey. It's the swing. It's the swing area, okay? Now, again, you're from Maine and part of New England, and I respect that. I don't know why it's not mutual. Well, that's all I'm saying. Your New York arrogance doesn't allow you to really see that Staten Island is like whatever. This guy, him and Casey Affleck, we're not insufferable, even though we're totally insufferable. Says the insufferable Yankee fan. Thank you, sir. Holler at your boy.

39:52Rich Eisen:Ask that guy. You told Method Man here that Staten Island's not part of New York. And by the way, deep down, he knows that I'm right. you're lucky it wasn't ghost face you said that take the guest line take the guest line take the guest line uh uh new england's finest suzy schuster's oh suzy i thought ray kwan the

40:09Chris Webber:chef was called what's up suzy this is the dumbest conversation i've ever heard no it's not suzy it's totally not if you think about new england you immediately think of like the shoreline of maine and you think of the lighthouse and lobsters if you ask a guy from nebraska about new england And he's going to say lobsters. He's going to say Maine, Rich.

40:30Rich Eisen:No, he won't. No, Susie, no. Sure. I'm going to agree on this one. No, they won't.

40:33Chris Webber:Are you kidding me?

40:34Rich Eisen:And by the way, Rich, we happened to Staten Island together once.

40:38Chris Webber:We got off the ferry. We put our foot down. We got back on a ferry. We went home to Manhattan, to New York City.

40:46Rich Eisen:No, I know that, but we didn't leave New York City that entire time, Susie. Not once. It's not like we went to Omaha. We went to Staten Island. The main of New York City. That's where we went.

40:58Chris Webber:So not the main of New York City. I'm on your side here, Rich. Sorry, happy time in. Happy time in. Sorry. All right, bye-bye. Ladies and gentlemen, Susie Schuster.

41:08Rich Eisen:Hopefully there's not an actual hit and run. Oh, stop. I've got to go after Susie. Sorry. Take the L here, bro. You're the figurative one right there. Rich, don't listen to him. You ain't taking an L on this one. No, I'm not. You want the guy who thinks Altoona is East Coast as a teammate? Yeah, I know. So what? That's not who you want. That's a problem. That's not who you want. I'd rather have Susie as a teammate in this, with all due respect. All right, well, you know what? Now you're both going on your own, all right? That's fine. First of all, I've been on my own from Staten Island my entire life.

41:37Rich Eisen:This is fine. Neither one of you want me to get on either one of you, I promise that. Just keep Jersey out of it. Roll your break. All right. I don't know why I'm so angry all of a sudden. I love you, Susie.

41:53Rich Eisen:Rich Eisen here. The tax deadline will be here before you know it. And you just want to know your taxes are actually being handled. But the old way? You hand everything off and then silence. Days pass. Weeks pass. You start wondering, should I send another follow-up email? It feels like you're chasing updates and getting nowhere. But now, taxes are different. because your taxes are done for you by a TurboTax full-service expert. With Intuit TurboTax, you can match with your dedicated tax expert and hand off everything right in the app. And while your expert checks for every deduction, you'll see real-time updates on your phone so you always know exactly where things stand.

42:32Rich Eisen:Suddenly, you're not refreshing your inbox. You're going for a run, grabbing a coffee, scrolling anything other than a just-checking-in message because your TurboTax expert is handling it. keeping you in the loop. So this tax season, get your best possible outcome and every dollar you deserve without the guesswork. Visit TurboTax.com today to learn more. Real-time updates only in iOS mobile app, only available with TurboTax full-service experts. Get into the Hyundai Getaway sales event and get away with a deal so right it almost feels wrong. Because right now, you can get great deals on our most popular models, including our adventure-ready SUVs like the Hyundai Santa Fe or Santa Fe Hybrid and the Tucson or Tucson Hybrid.

43:15Rich Eisen:Plus, there's our bold and stylish Elantra loaded with the latest tech or go all electric with the Ioniq 5 or Ioniq 9. So get down to your local Hyundai dealer and get away with a deal you'll love during the Hyundai Getaway Sales Event. Visit HyundaiUSA.com for details. Partner with Amazon Hub Delivery to earn extra income for your business with your business. Assist with local Amazon deliveries and get paid for each package you deliver. When you become a partner, you and your staff will deliver packages to customers in your area on a schedule that works for you. Gain extra income, increase exposure for your business, and connect with neighbors.

43:48Rich Eisen:It's easy to get started with no delivery experience, long-term contracts, or startup costs required. Interested in learning more? Visit amazon.com slash hub delivery. That's amazon.com slash H-U-B delivery. The Rich Eisen Show, the podcast. back here on the rich eyes and show radio simulcast with our espn disney plus and espn feed 844-204-rich is the number to dial the hyundai hope on wheels campaign talk about it every day and it's been going on for over 27 years 850 dealers nationwide together have raised more than 277 million dollars supporting over 25 000 kids in their fight against cancer because did you know every Hyundai sold has helped fund life-saving pediatric cancer research to that amount.

44:39Rich Eisen:Visit HyundaiUSA.com and search Hyundai Hope on wheels to learn more please. At Hyundai Hope isn't optional, it comes standard. Tom Palacero is about to join us here on the program and one of the first item up for bids, to use the phrase of the price is right, is going to be what in the world was that coffee like between Clint Kubiak, the new HC of the Las Vegas Raiders, and Max Crosby. Ooh, baby. What were they talking about? How far of a bridge needs to be mended? Or none at all? Well, Max Crosby appeared on the Let's Go podcast. Oh. Yeah. It was TB12 and Jim Gray. Or is the official name of that?

45:23Rich Eisen:Let's go! Let's go! This is what Max had to say. People are going to have rumors. I just looked at my phone. I've been working all morning. I got another, you know, everyone's hit me up. Did you say this? Did you? It's I can't control that. You earn that as a player. You know, if I wasn't doing the right things and if I wasn't the person and player I was, you know, people wouldn't be talking about all the nonsense. But that's what comes with it. If you have drama, if you have a losing season, they just try to throw gasoline on the fire and make, you know, things a certain way. And for me, I know what I'm about.

45:58Rich Eisen:I know what I represent. You know what I mean? I really don't care what everybody has to say. I used to a lot as a young guy. I really don't give a damn. People could have their own opinions. I know what's going on. I know my truth. And I don't need to sit here and keep rehashing it to people that don't know what's going on. So I don't even waste time with it. All right. So fittingly, Jim Gray asked the follow-up question of like, all right. So what do you want? What do you want? I have a lot of goals, but I do want to win. That's all that matters ultimately. But I want to be in a place where mentally I'm 100 % myself.

46:41Rich Eisen:I just want to focus on football. That's truly what I want. People that know me know I'm about the work and football. I just want to play football and be left the f*** alone, period. and if people that don't understand that don't know me people can say whatever they want i i truly and i've said this like well you had to get on a show and talk about it yeah that's my obligation i have to do that but truly i don't give a f**k besides playing football and winning football games well i didn't know this was the lfg podcast he's like kevin durant he's like ernest jones like all he wants to do is play basketball and that's i don't think that's in dispute.

47:21Rich Eisen:The question is, does he want to be a Raider while doing that? Does he want to be left the F alone? Unless that's his way of saying, leave me alone. I'm a Raider, so just leave me alone and end the story. I mean, these reports aren't coming out of thin air. I don't know. Well, ask Tom Pelissero. What is the genesis of all this? Wow. Okay. Heck of a coffee. We know it was caffeinated. The Ridge Eisen Show Podcast. Monster Energy. Everybody knows White Monster Zero Ultra. That's the OG. It kicked off this whole zero sugar energy drink thing. But Ultra is a whole lineup now. You've got Strawberry Dreams, Blue Hawaiian, Sunrise, and Vice Guava.

48:04Rich Eisen:And they all bring the monster energy punch. So if you've been living in the white can, branch out. Ultra's got a flavor for every vibe. And every single one is zero sugar. Tap the banner to learn more.

From the publisher

Basketball Hall of Famer Chris Webber tells Rich his favorite moments from this first NBA All-Star Game in 1997 including meeting Celtics legend Bill Walton, why he never shied away from talking trash with Michael Jordan, reveals which players in today’s game he most loves watching, and says how coaching has evolved to take more advantage of the growing skillsets of big men like Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo.  

Rich weighs in on LeBron James’ uncertain future with the Los Angeles Lakers beyond this season, and gets into a heated debate with Brockman: is Staten Island more a part of New York City than Maine is a part of New England?

Rich and Brockman look back at Patriots QB Drake Maye’s season and what the MVP runner-up can learn from his Super Bowl LX loss.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

More from The Rich Eisen Show

All 1,079 episodes
Hour 2: Hall of Famer Chris Webber Talks NBA, plus LeBron’s Lakers FutureThe Rich Eisen Show · 46 min
Listen in VO