Magic Johnson calling D’Angelo Russell immature isn’t mean, it’s honest

Magic Johnson cut the cord on the D’Angelo Russell experiment with the Lakers when he shipped Russell and Timofey Mozgov’s contract to the Brooklyn Nets. When asked about the trade, Magic bluntly said that he wanted leaders and someone that would make other players better. The implication being that Russell was neither of those things.

Some thought Magic’s comments were mean spirited to direct at a player he was shipping out, but Colin thinks Magic is just being honest. The reality is today’s NBA is loaded with players, like Russell, who aren’t emotionally ready to play in the league.

Everyone says they want honesty from players and execs, but they don’t really. Magic has been incredible with the Lakers so far, he’s unapologetically overhauling the culture. Exhibit A – D’Angelo Russell.

Thank you Magic Johnson for being authentic and honest about a sport we both love. These kids are not ready from a maturity standpoint to play in this league.”

The juiced ball conspiracy is as dumb as every other sports conspiracy

Home runs are way up in baseball this year, and a rumor is gaining steam that the balls might be juiced. Colin thinks this conspiracy theory is as dumb as the frozen envelope NBA Draft Lottery conspiracy with David Stern.

The idea that a commissioner of a major professional sport would throw away a likely 20-year tenure to cook up a covert conspiracy to change the baseballs. If something as monumental as juicing baseballs was going on, something would get leaked.

In a recent article, respected baseball writer Tom Verducci said there’s a logical explanation for the sudden spike in power. He cited a trend in analytics that fly balls and strike outs are better outs than ground ball outs against the ever-present shift, so players are hitting more fly balls. Add that to the fact that pitchers are throwing with greater velocity and the result is more power.

It’s not the Rawlings CEO cooking up a plot with Rob Manfred while vacationing on a yacht in the Mediterranean. Put away the tin foil hats.

“Rawlings isn’t going rogue.”

Nick Wright and Cris Carter – Co-host of First Things First – debuting on FS1 September 1^st – are in-studio to discuss why LeBron to the Lakers isn’t as great as it sounds; if players are better off not telling their organization they’re leaving; and Harden or Westbrook for MVP?

Jason McIntyre – Founder of The Big Lead and co-host of Speak for Yourself is in-studio to explain why there’s hope for bad teams; and his moonshot theory for a banana boat reunion.

Metta World Peace – NBA Champion joins the show to discuss the Lakers trading D’Angelo Russell; why the Lakers locker room never completely forgave him for the Nick Young Snapchat fiasco; why young players are so entitled; and why he wants to go to space.