Mavs Draft Moves, USA Soccer Reality Check & Is LIV Golf Dying?

On this week's Just Wondering, two Mavs segments, one on the draft and the other about some of the talk about their coach search. And then an episode on the excitement surrounding the success of the United States men's soccer team in the World Cup. And finally, is live golf on its deathbed? And now a word from our title sponsor. Eying retirement? We aim to turn your nest egg into a paycheck with half the amount you've been led to believe. Fluent Financial combines in house portfolio design risk management with income generating investments designed to aid your financial independence. Our goal is to develop an effective portfolio strategy to help you retire sooner and have a better life style. Fluent Financial can also implement a program that allows business owners to install a cash balance plan, which may potentially reduce income tax payments. You've worked hard to become successful. Let us help develop an effective portfolio strategy that works for you. Learn more today about Fluent Financial. Retire sooner, better lifestyle. For more information or to schedule a meeting, visit fluentfinancial.com or call (972) 852-4800. This just wondering is being posted on Tuesday, June 23. Later this evening, the first round of the NBA draft, and the Mavericks have two first round selections. Number nine, good, solid choice, and number 30, the last pick in the first round. With all due respect to the team's president, Masai Ujiri, and the general manager, Mike Schmitz, here's what I'd be trying to do if I were the Mavericks. First, there's no question. If I could get to number six and the Arkansas guard, Darius Acuff, were still on the board, I'd be grabbing him as fast as I could. He's gonna be a star, I believe. He's the point guard to six to succeed Kyrie Irving, and he'd play next to Cooper Flagg until the reflecting pool in Washington finally gets cleaned up. But to move up, the Mavericks might have to give a good player. Daniel Gafford, Najee Marshall. I'm still all in. That's how good I believe Acuff is going to be. And if Brooklyn's not interested in making a deal at six, maybe the Clippers are number five, try to get there. Anyway, if the move for Acuff Fields fails at number nine, I'd take the best player available with Louisville point guard, Michael Brown, probably gone. That would be Braden Burry. It's the guard from Arizona. The mavericks would like a young guard as a running mate for Irving, and then the guy to take over after Irving leaves. Or there's some talk that center Andy Mara from Michigan could be a choice there. By the way, what's interesting here is the Mavericks are apparently going to name Michigan head coach Dusty May as their new head coach, and he obviously would know Mara very well. But I'd also be okay to listening for a trade. Charlotte has number 14 and number 18. Would they want to move up in the draft? Oklahoma City has number 12 and number 17. Obviously, if you're moving down, this would be the preferred deal. Does Oklahoma City want to move up higher? If someone else in the top 12 or 13 wants to move up, then, future number one, two number ones, that's a package I'd be interested in. I'd be listening. At nine, the guard breweries good would be a good choice. At number 30, understand something. There is going to be a very good player left on the board. Just like several years ago, when the Mavericks found a smallish left handed Villanova guard named Jalen Brunson very early in the second round. 30 is not a junk pick like some people think. There will be value here. The key is you just gotta find it. Perhaps the best news is that Ujiri and Schmitz form a very formidable NBA top of the organization think tank. Tonight, let the building of the Maverick's next contender take another step. What do you want from your favorite restaurant? Fantastic personal service, a cheery, welcoming, spotless atmosphere, and of course, food. The primest of beef, Wagyu, and lamb, incredibly fresh seafood, lobster, salmon, shrimp, hall of fame food from a hall of fame restaurant, Two locations of Bob's Steak and Chop House, the original Bob's on Lemon Avenue, and the gorgeous new Bob's at Craig Ranch McKinney. America is awash in World Cup fever. The United States has started this World Cup with back to back wins. It's the first time The United States has won back to back World Cup games since 1930. And no, I wasn't alive then. But that was the first World Cup ever. The two opening wins over Paraguay and Australia have already moved The United States onto the knockout round of 32 teams. It's called a knockout round because in those next 16 games involving those 32 teams, The winners move on. The losers are knocked out. Optimism is running rampant in this country after its first two victories. Articles out there about how far could The United States go. Could they reach the quarters, the semis? Could The United States win this World Cup? And I don't wanna be some kind of summer Scrooge, but can we tap the brakes for just a moment? Bravo to those two excellent victories, and they look good doing it. But this US team is ranked number 17 in the world. Those wins, the first two came over Paraguay ranked number 41, and Australia ranked number 27. The United States plays its last game of the opening group play on Thursday against Turkey, which is ranked number 22 in the world. You know, one can make the case that this group of four, The USA, Turkey, Australia, and Paraguay, is without question the weakest of the 12 group play, games that started this tournament. I have no problem with the excitement. I'm pretty excited myself. But let's get a look at how the US team does against top sides in the world, like the top five in the world, Argentina, Spain, France, England, Brazil, or even other lesser teams who are also rated above The United States in the world. Teams from Morocco, Croatia, Colombia, and Senegal. Hey, the euphoria is fantastic. But let's blend it with just a little dose of reality also. My wife Mary is the co creator of Full Moon Healing Balm, and I guess I'm the reason this terrific cream was developed. A few years ago, I began getting these huge, ugly blood blotches just beneath the skin of my arms and hands. The condition's called senile purpura. And no, you don't have to be senile to experience this embarrassment. It happens as you age. And then to cover it up, we begin wearing long sleeves, even when it's hot. It took two years working with a New Jersey lab to refine the all natural ingredients of full moon healing. Gently massage a very small amount into the skin, and within a day, the blotches begin to fade. See now, purpura usually takes weeks to disappear. But this balm cuts the timeline to about a week. And ordering's so easy. Just go to the website, fullmoonhealingco.com. I wanna start by telling you that in Dallas Fort Worth, we have some fantastic beat reporters and terrific columnists, like Mack Engel, and Tim Collischaw, and Kevin Sherrington. They're they're all friends. In fact, I would call them good friends. But that doesn't keep me or them from disagreeing with each other at times. In fact, disagreeing strongly, which is what this segment's about. Kevin Sherrington in Sunday's Dallas Morning News basically ripped the new Mavs president Masai Ujiri for not having a head coach named ahead of the draft. He cited what he termed was Ujiri's indifference. That's the word he used. He connected his quiet behind the scenes approach to finding a coach to the way general manager Nico Harrison quietly built and carried out the Luca trade. Have I told you how freaking tired I am of the media in this area whining about the Luca trade? How old is that trade now? But still whining and whining and whining and bitching and bitching and bitching. At any rate, thank you for letting me get that off my chest. There was a suggestion that Nico didn't tell coach Kidd, Jason Kidd since fired, until the eleventh hour about the deal because he was afraid Kidd would have stood in the way. Maybe Kidd wouldn't have wanted to stand in the way. Maybe Jason Kidd was tired of Doncic ignoring the pleas to get in shape. Tired of him missing an average of 18 games a year. Tired of his constant yelling and harassing officials and the technical fouls building up or fed up to Lucas' indifference to playing defense. But but back to the Mavs coaching vacancy. In in the column, there was even a suggestion comparing Ujeri to Jerry Jones. God, help us if that's even close to the truth. But he did so suggesting that he he should have a coach here because if the coach was going to cook the meal, he should be able to shop for the groceries. Wait a minute. That's the old Bill Parcells line for more than two decades ago when he didn't feel he was getting enough say in the personnel with the Cowboys. Wait a minute. Stop. Really? All along, who was going to make the pick in the first round of the draft tonight at number nine and number 30? You, Jerry, and Schmitz. If we're coach if a coach were named a week ago, would that have changed things? No. If you were named two weeks ago, would that have changed things? No. Perhaps some veteran successful head coaches in this league have a real seat at the table in determining draft picks, but I suggest that many, many do not. If the Mavs head coach were here two weeks ago, who would have made the selection decision? Well, you, Jerry and Schmitz, like we said. What about if trades were offered tonight? Who would have made the decision to pull the trigger or not pull the trigger? You, Jerry or Schmidt? It's their picture of what this franchise is going to look like that matters. It's their idea how to shape this team around Cooper Flagg that matters. That coach will be here soon enough. In fact, the stories are already circulating that it may be Michigan head coach Dusty May. Well, is he even gonna have an input on free agents? No. That's that. All those decisions are gonna be made by Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz. And the new coach would absolutely not have overruled any of the decisions Ujiri and Schmitz had decided. So instead of all this meaningless hand wranging, hand wringing and criticizing, why don't we just sit back and watch this very respected team at the top of the franchise determine the Mavs new direction? Stolen water media is making a move. After two plus years, it's time to change and keep up with our growth. You can continue to view all eight of our podcasts on our Patreon pages. But now you can get all episodes at www.stolenwatermedia.com. This is a developing story, but you can begin by watching and listening right now at www.stolenwatermedia.com. Continue to find all audio wherever you find your favorite podcasts, and some you may not have heard of, but I think will enjoy. Are you just wondering where your next spectacular vacation will be? Relax. Feel the sun on your body. Let your cares melt away at the all inclusive Cerenian Bay Resort in Southern Belize. It's literally built right on the sand. The ocean, your ocean is just a few barefoot steps away. Laid back luxury, terrific food, a swim up bar, a spa, air conditioned gym, unimaginable service, fishing, snorkeling in gorgeous turquoise waters. Do you want relaxation or do you need adventure? You choose at Ceridian Bay. Mary and I have been there three times and this summer will be number four. Take a cozy bungalow for two or bring the whole family to villas that can accommodate up to 14. Cerenianbay.com, sirenian. The sand and the sea are just waiting for you to get here. If you listen closely, is that the death rattle of LIV golf we're hearing? LIV started five years ago. It was the biggest part of Saudi Arabia's sports washing effort. Saudi Arabia Arabia wanted to make the world forget that the head of the country, Mohammed bin Salam, had ordered US journalist Jamal Khashoggi hacked to death. The Saudi Public Investment Fund, PIF, has spent $6,200,000,000 over five years. That's what what we're told is the estimate. They've spent $6,200,000,000. But in Saudi Arabia, how much money is that? They're floating on a pond of oil. And but apparently, that's enough. The PIF has had enough of being part of the world's golf stage. They've waved the white flag. First, they said they'd be sending no more money after the first of the year. And then recently, they simply said no more, period. We've already had one LIV event canceled in New Orleans because of the heat. I I don't wanna suggest this is wrong, but golfers have played in high heat before. And by the way, Louisiana had spent $7,000,000 to land this event. There are four events left on the LIV calendar this year, but there is absolutely no certainty that any of them will be played. LIV CEO, Scott O'Neill, is looking for sponsors. He wants to finish 2026 and then dig in on 2027. But the purses will change dramatically even if Liv survives. Under the PIF, the purses were around $32,000,000 a contract. Like I said, funny money to them. Next year, the thought is that LIV purses might be $15,000,000. Some suggest even as low as 10, though I can't imagine golfers hanging around that tour with a total of 10,000,000 dots. Not first place, mind you. That's the total for everybody playing in the tournament, 10. Brooks Koepka's already gone. So is Patrick Reed. John Rahm is uncertain about his future on the LIV tour. Bryson DeChambeau says he will stay. He's committed to LIV, but then they gave him $125,000,000 plus to leave the PGA tour and come over to live golf. Besides, no Kepka, no Reed, maybe no Ram. Tournaments will not have much first or second tier talent, making those competitions pretty easy pickings for players like DeChambeau. LIV started as an organization to begin an upheaval in the world of golf, and they did that for a while with all that money being thrown around. And they did succeed in sports washing Saudi Arabia's name and image because nobody anymore talks about the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. What is Liv's future? Perhaps it can survive as a sort of a second golf tour, or perhaps it doesn't survive at all after just five years on our sports menu. And now a word from our title sponsor. Today's episode has been brought to you by Fluent Financial, Retire Earlier, Live Better, and by Bob's Steak and Chophouse on Lemon in Dallas and in Craig Ranch in McKinney. Bob's a Dallas tradition for more than thirty years. If you've enjoyed just wondering, please hit follow and a fresh new episode will land in your mailbox early every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning. Should you know a sports fan who might like our work, please share our contact information with that person. Thanks for listening to today's episode of Just Wondering. I'm Norm Hitschkes, and know that every day, I'll be just wondering about something. And I'm Mary Hitschkes, and I'll just be wondering too. This is a Stolen Water Media production.